Hidden in Plain Sight

on May 10, 2016

If you are raising a child, this is an opportunity you do not want to miss. The Bourne Substance Free Coalition, sponsored by the Bourne High School Nye Enrichment Grant, will be hosting a free program called Hidden in Plain Sight at Upper Cape Tech on Thursday, May 12 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm and again on Friday, May 13 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Upper Cape Tech is located at 220 Sandwich Road in Bourne, MA.

Hidden in Plain Sight is an interactive education program for parents/guardians that features an exhibit where adults are encouraged to explore and interact with a display designed to resemble a teenager’s bedroom. Throughout the exhibit are items that may indicate that a teenager may be involved in some high-risk behavior such as substance abuse, underage drinking, eating disorders, sexual activity and other dangers.

Following an exploration of the mock bedroom exhibit, resources will be provided and there will be an informative presentation by members of the Bourne Substance Free Coalition, which include the Bourne police, the sheriff’s office, school personnel, therapists and other members of the community.

There is no charge to attend this program. Refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP the number of people attending (names not needed) to Elizabeth Griffin, Upper Cape Tech, 508-759-7711 ext. 248 / egriffin@uppercapetech.org or Rachel Turner, Bourne High School, 508-759-0670 / rturner@bourneps.org.

No youth will be admitted to this event.

Old Rochester Little League

on May 10, 2016

The Old Rochester Little League celebrated its Opening Day of the 2016 season on Saturday, April 30 at Gifford Park off Dexter Road in Rochester. The young athletes took part in the traditional Opening Day parade, which began at Dexter Park and concluded at Dexter Field. The players then circled the field for the National Anthem, with a flyover by Glenn Lawrence in his plane. After opening ceremonies, the first games of the season were held. Photo by Colin Veitch

Pauline M. LeBlanc

on May 10, 2016

Pauline M. LeBlanc of New Bedford, age 57, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on April 30, 2016. Born in Acushnet, she was the daughter of the late Leo and Ligia (Espinosa) LeBlanc. She lived in New Bedford all of her life.

Survivors include her two sons: Michael deMedeiros, Jonathan DeMedeiros and his wife, Eximina; two grandsons, Jonathan Jr. and Erik Lopes.

She is also survived by her sister Jeanne Soucy and her husband Roger, brothers Gerard LeBlanc and his wife Christine, all of New Bedford, and her twin brother Paul LeBlanc and his partner Stephen of Provincetown, MA; several nieces and nephews. Pauline was the sister of the late Leo LeBlanc, Jr. and Raymond LeBlanc who passed away on March 1st of this year.

Her Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on May 11, 2016 at St. Anthony of Padua Church in New Bedford. Interment in Sacred Heart Cemetery #2. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Aubertine-Lopes Funeral Home 129 Allen St. New Bedford. For on line guestbook please visit www.aubertine-lopes.com.

Raymond G. LeBlanc

on May 10, 2016

Raymond G. LeBlanc of Los Angeles, CA. age 70, passed away unexpectedly on March 1, 2016 in his residence after a period of declining health. Born in Acushnet, he was the son of the late Leo and Ligia (Espinosa) LeBlanc. He was raised and educated in New Bedford. Mr. LeBlanc served in the U.S. Navy. He resided in California most of his adult life. Survivors include his daughter, Nicole (LeBlanc) Culotta and her husband Joseph of Connecticut, two grandchildren James and Chloe Culotta. He is also survived by sisters: Jeanne Soucy and her husband Roger of New Bedford, and Pauline LeBlanc of New Bedford; brothers: Paul LeBlanc and his partner Stephen of Cape Cod, Gerard LeBlanc and his wife Christine of New Bedford; sister-in-law Rose Lauer of Oregon; and several nephews and nieces. He was the brother of the late Leo LeBlanc, Jr. Interment with military honors will be in Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on May 18, 2016.

Hamish C.F. Gravem

on May 10, 2016

Hamish C.F. Gravem died suddenly at the age of 82 after a brief illness. He was born on January 19th, 1934 and raised in Orleans, Cape Cod and was a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy class of 1952 and Harvard University class of 1956. He was a successful banker and an accomplished tennis player who played in many venues including Wimbledon. He was intelligent, funny, loveable and most of all generous. There wouldn’t be a Christmas without him paying off someone’s lay away, or going to his local pharmacy and insisting on paying for the cute old lady in front of him. He had a passion for animals, especially his beloved dog Money Penny and his birds. His back yard is a bird’s paradise.

He truly showed on almost a daily basis what it is to love. He married his soul mate, Jorunn H. Gravem on March 26, 1966 and they just recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in the Caribbean. She was his world, his rock, his smile. They exemplified what a marriage should be.

Hamish has 3 children, Hamish Ziegler and spouse Carolyn, Kirsten B.G. Kadra and spouse Tom Cotter and Craig F.B. Gravem and fiancee Bonnie Coy. He has four grandchildren, Beagan Sterckx-Ziegler, Zoe Sterckx-Gravem, Madison B. Kadra and Hunter N.B. Kadra. He adored them, and was always challenging them with a spelling test for a few bucks. His sense of humor was unstoppable, his stubbornness challenged, but his generosity knew no bounds.

He was the son of the late Axel Berg Gravem and Joyce Buchannan Gravem, brother of Nancy Phillips and the late Pamela Chisholm.

He will always be remembered for his love of peanut butter, bacon and butter sandwiches, his silk and cashmere scarves, and the ability to make people happy.

A celebration of his amazing and wonderful life will be held this summer.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of him, please pay it forward.

For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

ZBA Removes 55+ Only Housing Restriction

on May 10, 2016

It has taken nearly six months, but on April 28, Kerri Sousa finally heard what she had been hoping to hear: her application for modification of a special permit was granted.

When Sousa’s father, Thomas Skrutski, and his business partner, George Dornblaser, set out to turn a single-family home at 7 Marion Road into four age 55+ rental units, they could not have anticipated the difficulties that would cause future heir Sousa. When Skrutski passed away, Sousa and her sisters inherited his 25 percent share of the LLC.

During her December hearing with the ZBA, she told the board, “My father’s vision was that this property be for people 55 and over,” adding, “Now no one is going to carry forth that vision.” She said getting the financing was too difficult.

The mortgage was also due in full in October, Sousa stated. The special permit restriction, she said, made the property higher risk and she could not secure financing for less than a 7.5 percent interest rate.

In December, ZBA Chairman Richard Cutler told Sousa, “You’ve inherited a self-inflicted hardship.”

But the board members were willing to try to figure out a way to ease the hardship and threat to the property’s future.

Over the following months, Sousa would find herself seeking legal assistance from attorney Vince Cragin, along with the town’s legal counsel Blair Bailey.

The main issue for the board of appeals was the restriction placed on the property as requested by Skrutski and Dornblaser when they sought a special permit to divide the building into rental property. Ultimately, they received the special permit, but only after the ZBA mandated that the property only be rented to those over the age of 55. Sousa would claim that restriction was making it nearly impossible to keep the units fully occupied.

In subsequent hearings, the ZBA members would be stuck on the fact that Sousa did not own a majority interest in the property. As such, they weren’t sure how to write a modification that would help her while still protecting the interest of the town at the historic intersection where the property is located.

During the April 28 meeting, all parties were finally able to find a clear path to a reasoned and reasonable compromise.

First and foremost, the age 55+ only restriction was removed. In place, the ZBA board members approved the following modifications to the special permit: 1) one of the units must at all times be occupied by one of the property owners (to be known as ‘manager’), and 2) should the property be sold, the special permit shall not transfer to new owners.

That second stipulation would force new owners to return to the ZBA, thus giving the town what the board members believe are protections against the property becoming simply rental property. Now it would have an on-site person with deep vested interested in the management of the property.

Board member Kirby Gilmore said, “I think that satisfies us today, gives her relief today, and the town some assurances.”

The Rochester Board of Appeals does not have any scheduled hearings for the month of May.

By Marilou Newell

Many Teams Thrive in Eventful Week

on May 9, 2016

A number of Old Rochester Regional High School sports teams enjoyed good stretches recently, including the girls’ track team, which placed fifth at the D-4 State Relays and beat Case, D-R, and Wareham to remain the only undefeated team. Baseball, boys’ lacrosse, boys’ track, and girls’ tennis all had successful weeks as well, while girls’ lacrosse suffered a 7-6 loss to Apponequet that dashed their hopes of winning an SCC title.

Baseball: The boys started off the week at home against GNB Voc-Tech in the team’s first meeting of the year. Junior Sam Henrie pitched a fantastic game, striking out 12 and allowing just two hits and three walks in a 1-0 victory for the Bulldogs. Sophomore Jake Asiaf doubled in fellow sophomore Mike Kennefick on a walk-off hit in the seventh to provide Henrie all the run support he needed. Will Hopkins (Jr.), Kyle Brezinski (Jr.), and Bryant Salkind (Sr.) also had hits in the low-scoring ballgame. On Wednesday, the boys traveled to Apponequet to take on the Lakers. Salkind pitched well again, but was out-dueled and wound up taking the loss in a 4-3 game. Senior Hunter Parker had a key hit for the Bulldogs: a two-run single. On Friday, the Bulldogs were away against Case. The team’s bats came alive for a 16-3 win. Hopkins pitched a complete game and added a double and a single on offense. Brezinski had a huge day at the dish, going 5-5 with two doubles and five RBI. Meanwhile, junior John Breault cracked four hits, and Henrie, Parker, and Salkind all had two hits: a double and a single for each. This week, the Bulldogs are away at Bourne on Monday, home against Fairhaven on Wednesday, at Seekonk on Friday, and back home for another game against Bourne on Saturday, in what is shaping up to be a very busy week.

Softball: The girls were home against GNB Voc-Tech to start their week. Junior Olivia Labbe continued her hot streak with a 3-for-4 day at the plate, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Lady Bears’ high-powered offense, and the girls took a 13-11 loss. On Wednesday, the team played Apponequet. Labbe and freshman Alex Sheehan were both 3-4 in a morale-boosting 14-2 win. Junior Hannah Guard also had a good day, stroking two hits and driving in a pair. The Lady Bulldogs came back home to play Case on Friday. Errors proved costly, as seven of the runs scored by Case were the result of fielding miscues, leading to an 8-4 defeat. This week, the team begins at home with Bourne on Monday and heads to Fairhaven to play at Hastings Middle School on Wednesday before returning home to play the Seekonk Lady Warriors on Friday.

Boys’ Lacrosse: The Bulldogs began the week away at non-conference Dartmouth High on Monday, losing 7-3. Junior Landon Gougen had another big day, scoring all three of the Bulldogs’ goals in the loss. On Wednesday, the guys stayed on the road to play the Voc-Tech Bears. Gougen was back at it with four goals and three assists in an 18-3 drubbing of Voc. Sophomore Alex Lorenz scored three goals, while freshman Owen Powers and juniors Pat Saltmarsh and Charlie Tirrell had two apiece. The boys ended their week with an away game against Apponequet on Friday, resulting in another huge win, 17-6. Gougen upped himself again, scoring five this time, while sophomore Pat Kiernan added two goals. They have two games this week: home against Bourne on Wednesday and away at Fairhaven on Friday.

Girls’ Lacrosse: The Lady Bulldogs began their home stand against non-conference Dartmouth High on Monday. Sophomore Madison Cooney had a huge game with four goals, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Lady Indians, who won 12-8. Sophomore Maggie Adams also scored two goals while junior Emily Hiller and senior Sarah Ryan added one apiece. On Friday, the girls finished their week with a game against conference rival Apponequet. Despite three goals from sophomore Alexandra Hulsebosch, the Lady Bulldogs dropped the important game 7-6. Cooney also scored two, while freshman Gates Tenerowicz played admirably in the net. This week, the girls will start out against GNB Voc-Tech on the road on Monday, before playing Bourne on Wednesday, and returning home to play the Fairhaven Lady Blue Devils on Friday afternoon.

Boys’ Track: The Bulldogs had their first conference meet on Monday against Case. The boys won 91-45 behind strong days from double winners Danny Renwick (Jr.) and Harry Smith (So.). Smith won the 100m (11.8) and javelin (142-9), while Renwick took first in the high jump (5-10) and 100m hurdles (15.8). Other winners included senior James Estudante (shot put), senior Will Santos (400m), junior Eli Spevack (400m hurdles) senior Jared Wheeler (mile), senior Patrick Briand (2 mile), and sophomore Evan Tilley (800m). The 4x100m team of Smith, sophomore Elijah McAllister, senior Jarrett Johnston, and junior Jacob Cafarella won with a strong time of 47.5. On Thursday, they traveled to Dighton-Rehoboth to face Wareham as well as the Falcons. The boys defeated the Vikings, but fell to a strong D-R unit. Among the winners in both meets were Wheeler in the mile, Estudante in the shot put, and Renwick in the high jump, 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles. Many of the team’s athletes participated in Saturday’s State Relays Meet in Bellingham. Finishing fifth overall, the boys had a terrific day, with the shuttle hurdles team’s win and the shot put relay’s second place finish standing out amongst the results. This week, the team has a meet at Fairhaven on Monday, a tri-meet featuring Bourne and Apponequet on Thursday, and a pair of invitationals on Saturday.

Girls’ Track: The Lady Bulldogs began their conference season against Case on Monday. Senior Zoe Smith won three events, paving the way to a 124-11 victory for the track girls. Smith won the 100m (13.2), 100m hurdles (16.7), and high jump (5-0). Junior Brooke Santos was also a double winner, taking the triple jump (31-1) and the 400m hurdles (72.2). Other winners included sophomore Maxine Kellum (long jump), junior Kelsey Holick (shot put), senior Nicole Mattson (400m), junior Avery Nugent (mile), and senior Emily Josephson (2 mile). The girls faced D-R and Wareham at D-R on Thursday, winning both contests handily. Smith won the 100m hurdles again, and Josephson (2 mile), Mattson (400m), and sophomore Madisen Martin (800m) were other winners. The team’s top runners went to Bellingham to run in the State Relays on Saturday. They won the high jump relay and finished fifth overall, with respectable performances across all categories. The girls will be up against Fairhaven on Monday, before running against Bourne and Apponequet in a tri-meet on Thursday, and coming back for a pair of invitationals on Saturday.

Boys’ Tennis: The boys’ first match of the week was scheduled to be at Dighton-Rehoboth on Tuesday, but it wound up being pushed back to Saturday due to rain. On Wednesday, the boys started their week with a game at home against non-conference Barnstable High, and were defeated 5-0 by the tough D-1 competitor. On Thursday, the Bulldogs set down the Apponequet Lakers 5-0 to get back on track. Sophomore Sam Pasquill and juniors Alex Bilodeau and Caleb Jagoda marked the singles winners. The doubles teams of juniors Max Asker and Colin O’Malley and junior Maxxon Wolski and freshman Geoffrey Noonan also earned wins over Apponequet. The Bulldogs’ Saturday match against D-R was postponed indefinitely. This week, the boys will play Case at Veteran’s Memorial Park on Monday, and Bourne on the road on Wednesday, before returning home to face Fairhaven on Friday.

Girls’ Tennis: The Lady Bulldogs began their week on the road at Bourne on Monday. Singles players Morgan Middleton (Sr.), Katelyn Bindas (Jr.), and Sophie Church (Jr.) all won their matches, leading the girls to a 5-0 sweep. The doubles pairings of junior Emma Collings with freshman Delaney Pothier and freshman Delaney Soucy with sophomore Grace Filloramo were both victorious. They continued at home against D-R on Wednesday in a game that was pushed back a day due to rain. The Lady Bulldogs eked out a 3-2 win behind singles win from Middleton and fellow senior Olivia Bellefeuille. The doubles team of Bindas and junior Alexis Parker provided the additional win to give the girls the edge over the Lady Falcons. The girls’ next game was at rival Apponequet on Thursday, which wound up as a tough 4-1 loss. The second doubles pairing of Bindas and Parker won 6-0, 6-2 for the team’s lone match win. This week, the girls will play Case on Monday and Bourne on Wednesday (both matches at home) before going on the road to play Fairhaven on Friday.

Below are the overall spring team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of May 1.

Baseball: (6-2-0)(6-1-0); Softball: (3-7-0)(3-5-0); Boys’ Track: (3-1-0)(2-1-0); Girls’ Track: (4-0-0)(3-0-0); Boys’ Lacrosse: (5-2-0)(5-0-0); Girls’ Lacrosse: (4-3-0)(2-2-0); Boys’ Tennis: (5-1-0)(5-0-0); Girls’ Tennis: (5-1-0)(4-1-0).

By Patrick Briand

Senior Projects

on May 9, 2016

One of the highlights of Tabor Academy’s spring season is always the senior project presentations.

This year, a group of seniors spent much of the second semester working to develop new skills, create something, or test out new activities. Soon, their final products will be unveiled, but there is a lot that happens behind the scenes that is rarely seen.

Seniors start the process early, pitching their ideas in December. Once they get approved, they can begin working hard to make sure they meet their deadline to accomplish their goal. The most arduous part of senior projects, many agree, is the journal required, which consists of daily updates on the project’s progress.

The projects vary widely: from a ceramics project highlighting different cultures’ signature pieces to a food blog of reviews of restaurants and food trucks. Seniors who participate in senior projects usually drop a couple of classes to focus on their endeavor, whether it is an internship, a blog, or photo project.

One student who arguably knows more about this year’s senior projects than anyone else is Lily Blouin, whose senior project is a documentary about senior projects.

“I initially thought about doing a photo documentary project in the style of Humans of New York about senior projects,” she says, as she has had a lot of experience with photography at Tabor. “I decided I wanted to step out of my comfort zone, though, and try a new medium. So, I decided to do a movie rather than just taking pictures.”

Blouin has worked to interview every senior doing a project for her documentary, as well as shoot footage of them working. For her, the hardest part has been “not taking as many classes.” While she used to spend most of her day in the Academic Center, she now spends a lot of time shooting or editing footage.

“It’s interesting and definitely a new challenge, but I do miss the rhythm of the school day,” Blouin said.

More than anything, Blouin is looking to see her project come together, as it is now still in the rather unglamorous intermediate stage. Hannah Dawicki agrees. Dawicki is also doing a photo-based project – one based on diversity.

“I love both photography and Photoshop, and I wanted to use both skills to make a really interesting project,” Dawicki. “I decided that I would change a person’s features with Photoshop to make them look as if they are of a different race, which is actually a lot more difficult than I thought it would be.”

She has spent countless hours playing with Photoshop trying to perfect her work.

“I’m excited to see how people react to the final products,” she said. “My intention is to show how people should not perceive people differently solely based on how they look.”

These are just a few of the creative projects that seniors will soon present. Every year, teachers, underclassmen, and seniors get the chance to go to longer evening presentations and shorter day presentations of projects that interest them.

Senior projects serve as a unique opportunity to showcase talents that may not be as obvious or prominent to the rest of the community, as well as a chance for students to try something new. As in the past, this senior project day is met with great anticipation as presenters prepare to show the school everything they’ve been working towards for months.

By Madeleine Gregory

Rochester Celebrates Arbor Day with Planting

on May 9, 2016

They say the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second best time is now.

The Town of Rochester’s Town Administrator Michael McCue led a small gathering on April 29 – marking Arbor Day and the town’s first Arbor Day as a Tree City USA, as recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation – and they celebrated by planting ten Leyland cypress trees at the police station.

McCue, who is stepping down to take the position of town administrator for the Town of Hanson, said he would like to see someone else in town pick up the responsibility of representing the town on Arbor Day every year as a Tree City USA.

“I hope that somebody in town is able to continue that tradition,” McCue said. “It’s a sort of nice, feel-good tradition.”

Representative William Straus attended the assembly, saying, “I think it’s a great thing that Rochester stepped up on Arbor Day…. Rochester is the most rural of the towns that I represent, so it’s kind of nice that Rochester stepped forward.”

Maria Connor from Senator Michael Rodrigues’ office attended on his behalf, congratulating Rochester for the good job it is doing and thanking the town.

Along with Selectmen Naida Parker and Brad Morse, Police Chief Paul Magee and some members of the Rochester Historic District Commission were in attendance for the tree dedication.

McCue pointed out that the Historic District Commission had requested in the past that some natural screening be added at the police station to eventually hide the gas tank installed on the property. The ten trees do just that.

McCue also said he would make good on his promise to donate one of his gingko tree saplings that was grown from a Japanese gingko tree that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, and he hopes to fulfill that promise during a gathering sometime in the fall when the sapling is ready for planting.

McCue again thanked the town for its support while he was town administrator for the past almost two years.

“It’s been a pleasure to work for the board,” said McCue, offering his continued help during the town’s transition to the next town administrator. He said he would also fulfill his commitment to represent the Town of Rochester on June 15 at the Department and Conservation and Recreation Tree City, Tree Campus, and Tree Line USA Forum and Awards Ceremony at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester.

By Jean Perry

Subdivision Switches Hands…Again

on May 9, 2016

At the end of a business-as-usual night for the Mattapoisett Planning Board, the residents of Brandt Point Village were back seeking help as ownership was again changing for the troubled subdivision.

Gail Carlson, Dennis Dimos, and Daniel Scully, along with several other residents of the subdivision, sought guidance and assistance on May 2 after receiving a letter from Mark Marcus of Omega Financial Corporation, Cranston, Rhode Island. The letter stated that Joseph Furtado, who came onboard the project approximately a year ago as owner/developer, was stepping down as a trustee and Marcus was stepping in.

“How does that affect the development?” asked Carlson, noting that the letter begged more questions than it answered. She wondered aloud to the board if Furtado was still involved.

Chairman Tom Tucker responded, “I thought he still owned a lot of those lots in the back,” referring to Phase 2 of the subdivision.

Carlson and Dimos pointed out that there was still a punch-list of incomplete items Furtado had promised to complete on Phase 1, such as stormwater drainage, roadways, landscaping, and septic inspections.

Planning Board secretary Tammy Ferreira said that Field Engineering was still reviewing the list. Field Engineering had been retained by the town to oversee construction of Phase 1. But it remained unclear who the current residents should turn to for confirmation that work would get done or even who would complete the project.

Ferreira asked Tucker if she should send a letter to Marcus inviting him to attend an upcoming board meeting to discuss what these latest changes meant to the residents and to the town.

“We don’t know who’s coming and going,” said Dimos. “Do they need to be licensed in this state?”

Tucker said that engineering firms needed a Massachusetts license, adding, “It’s like a Ponzi scheme.”

Dimos commented, with Carlson in agreement, that they uncovered that several sub-contractors on the project had never been paid, going so far as to say that the residents had ponied up to pay for snow plowing last winter.

Things ratcheted up from there with Highway Supervisor Barry Denham saying, “We still have a problem with the roads.”

“I’ll call town counsel tomorrow,” said Tucker. “I want a cease and desist.”

Then Carlson asked where this latest change in ownership left the tri-party agreement the board had recently approved. Tucker said that would be null and void with Furtado’s departure.

A date was not set for the invitation to Marcus, but it will be advertised as part of future Planning Board public hearings.

Also on the agenda, the board approved two “Form A” applications. The first came from The Preserve at Bay Club for 27A Split Rock Lane and the second from Anne Beemer, 6 Tobey Lane.

The board members also heard a request from Michael Livingstone, and they ultimately approved his application for construction of a driveway off Mattapoisett Neck Road near the Town Landing after Denham made it clear that the driveway was leading off of an approved and accepted town road.

Todd Rodrigues, 81 County Road, received approval for an amendment to his site plan for the development of what he characterized as a “quaint cottage-like” commercial development in the town’s village business district.

Tucker assured the abutters in attendance that, due to local bylaws, commercial buildings within the village business district must maintain certain architectural features in harmony with the village and not simply be erected steel boxes.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for May 16 at 7:00 pm in the town hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell