“Love, Loss & What I Wore”

on March 28, 2015

Make your reservations now for Marion Art Center’s production of “Love, Loss and What I Wore,” a comedy written by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron based on the 1995 book of the same name by Ilene Beckerman. The show will open on Friday, April 10 at 7:30 pm, and will run on Saturday, April 11 at 7:30 pm, Sunday, April 12 at 2:00 pm, Friday, April 17 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 pm. The MAC Theater will be set up cabaret style with tables available for reserved parties of four or more, and guests are invited to bring their own refreshments.

Rex McGraw will direct the rotating cast of five women, played by Suzie Kokkins, Kim Teves, Clare Healy Foley, Deborah Bokelkamp, and Cynthia Latham. The play is organized as a series of monologues and ensemble pieces. With a running time of about 1 hour and 30 minutes, the show is composed of 28 different stories that seek to illuminate the female identity. Generally composed of comic stories, it is at times hilariously funny, at times poignant and thought provoking. The women, their clothes and their memories cover all the important subjects – mothers, prom dresses, mothers, buying bras, mothers, hating purses and why we only wear black!

The show was initially presented as a part of the 2008 summer series at Guild Hall in East Hampton, New York, and then as a benefit series at the DR2 Theatre in New York in early 2009. Later the same year, the show was produced Off-Broadway as an ongoing commercial theatrical production at the Westside Theatre in New York, where it continues to run as the second-longest running show in the theatre’s history. The production and its cast received positive critical attention. The production won the 2010 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience as well as the 2010 Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite New Off-Broadway Play. The show has been produced on six continents and more than eight countries. It began a national tour in the United States in September 2011 in Chicago. It made an encore performance in Paris in January of 2012.

Reservations are highly recommended! To make a reservation, please email marionartcenter@verizon.net. In the subject line type “Love, Loss & What I Wore – Tickets.” In the body of the email include last name, telephone number, MAC Membership status, the date you are coming and number of tickets needed. Or call 508-748-1266 and leave a message. Tickets are $12.50 for MAC members and $15 for general public. The Marion Art Center is located at 80 Pleasant Street in Marion, MA 02738.

Winter Sports Recap

on March 27, 2015

As winter sports came to a close in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council, the Tabor Academy teams had great success in tournaments and finished their seasons off well.

The Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Squash teams competed in the Interscholastics. The boys finished their season with a 4-10 record while the girls had a 1-9 record.

Four teams competed in the New England tournaments: Girls’ Varsity Hockey, Boys’ Varsity Hockey, Girls’ Varsity Basketball, and Boys’ Varsity Basketball.

The Boys’ Basketball team defeated Trinity Pawling 69-62 to make it to the semi-final game at the Williston Northampton School where they lost 66-51. The team had a record of 18-7-0.

The Girls’ Basketball team had an impressive run after defeating Marianapolis School with a score of 66-38 and making it to the semi-finals where they defeated the Rivers School 59-40. The team ultimately made it to the Championship game against Nobles and lost 39-48. The team had a stellar record this season: 22-3-0.

The Girls’ Varsity Hockey team lost to Pomfret in an exciting game that went in to double overtime but had an impressive season regardless with a record of 18-5-1.

The Boys’ Hockey Team finished their season with a 14-11-4 record.

Tabor hosted the Wrestling New England Championship and placed fourth. At the Class A Wrestling tournament, Tabor athletes had great success. Ten made it into the semifinals at this tournament: juniors Amir Daouk and Parker Loftus; and seniors John Anderson, Jack Reilly, Nolan Cornu, Jake Mario, Phil Rubin, Hunter DuPont, Sebastian Dziadkiewicz, and David Fries. Six made it into the finals: Daouk, Anderson, Reilly, Cornu, Rubin, and Dziadkiewicz.

Ultimately, the team took second place and Daouk, Anderson, Dziadkiewicz, and Cornu were champions in their competitions. Reilly and Rubin took second; Dupont, Mario, and Fries took fourth; Loftus took fifth. Amir Daouk and Jack Reilly competed in the National Prep tournament.

The Wrestling team, coached by Conan Leary, finished their season with a remarkable 20-1 record.

With winter sports having come to a close, the spring season will kick into full swing after spring break. The Baseball, Lacrosse, and Crew teams have gone on spring training trips to get ready for the season.

There will be many games, meets, and matches to attend with the wide variety of sports offered in the spring: Baseball, Crew, Competition Dance, Golf, Lacrosse, Sailing, Softball, Tabor Boy, Tennis, and Track and Field. Team schedules are available on The Wanderer website at www.wanderer.com.

By Julia O’Rourke

Easy Night for ConCom

on March 27, 2015

With four continuances knocking out what could have been a very long meeting on March 23, the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission quickly got down to business and handled a very light agenda.

The Preserve at the Bay Club received an amended Order of Conditions for 104A Fieldstone Drive to add a retaining wall and some fill that will slope towards the delineated wetlands.

Also for The Preserve at the Bay Club was a Negative 3 determination for an application for a Request for Determination of Applicability for property located at what is presently classified as 111 Fieldstone Drive. The town assessor will establish a new street numbering system for some of the parcels in this housing development, which at the present time may go by more than one identifying number. Clarification will be provided once the numbering system is established for all parties concerned, from town offices to emergency services, and for legal documents.

Chairman Bob Rogers also touched on the matter of establishing wetlands bylaws and distributed an updated draft, which can be found on the Town’s website.

He once again noted that he will meet with the selectmen and if acceptable to them, will move forward with one or more public hearings prior to Town Meeting.

As previously noted, the following continuations were moved to the April 16 agenda: RDA application filed by the Buzzards Bay Coalition for the building of walkways and bridges in Nasketucket Bay State reservation; NOI filed by Christopher and Veronica Brockwell, 11 Randall Lane for the clearing of woods for pasture lands; ROC filed by Matt and Kaitlin Keegan, 41 Aucoot Road; and ongoing discussions with the homeowners of 2, 3, and 4 Seabreeze Lane for possible wetlands encroachments.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission will be April 16 at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall meeting room.

By Marilou Newell

Old H Students Triumph over Teachers

on March 26, 2015

They are the future Bulldogs of ORR, and they showed a remarkable display of teamwork and enthusiasm Friday night, March 20, when they beat the teachers during the Old Hammondtown School students versus teachers basketball game, 41-40.

Up and down the ORR High School basketball court they dribbled, fellow sixth-graders on the edge of their bleachers cheering on their classmates until it was their group’s turn to take to the court, as the student groups rotated to give each one a chance to play.

Rumor had it that the staff team was going to up their game this year, but it was apparent at the end that it just wasn’t upped quite enough to match the students’ efforts.

We never do know who will come out on top from year to year but it was, as Center School and Old Hammondtown School Principal Rose Bowman put it, a wonderful family night for all.

“The staff is so involved, and you can see the teamwork and the camaraderie amongst the students. And you can see the family support,” Bowman said, motioning to the hundreds sitting in the bleachers. “It doesn’t get any better than this. I think this is a night that will live on in their memories forever.”

By Jean Perry

Some Contest in Marion Annual Election

on March 26, 2015

The deadline to return nomination papers passed on Monday, March 23 and the official 2015 Annual Election ballot has taken shape, which will also feature one referendum question for voters.

Some key elected positions will be contested in this 2015 annual election, most notably the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, and School Committee.

William Dale Jones has challenged incumbent Selectman Jonathan “Jody” Dickerson for the three-year term seat on the Board of Selectmen. Jones vied against Selectman Stephen Cushing for his seat during last year’s election, but lost to Cushing. Jones also ran for selectman back in 2013, but lost to incumbent Selectman Jonathan Henry. Dickerson, also the director of the Recreation Department, has served on the Board of Selectmen since 2012 and served as selectman in the 1990s.

There are four contenders for two seats on the Marion Planning Board, a board that has seen some discord amongst its members lately, as well as some controversial issues to tackle, most notably the much talked about proposed CVS project and the recently shelved proposed zoning bylaw amendment aimed at restricting large businesses from setting up shop in town.

Incumbents Stephen Gonsalves, a member of nine years, and current Chairman Stephen Kokkins will be challenged by newcomers Jennifer Francis and Todd Richens. Both Planning Board terms are for three years.

There are three candidates for two three-year seats on the Marion School Committee, with former Marion School Committee member Michelle Ouellette, now also a member of the ZBA, back to reclaim a seat on the committee after losing last year by a narrow margin. Candidates David MacDonald and Jessica Harris, vying for the seats left vacant by Jay Pateakos and committee Chairman Joseph Scott, who both announced they would not seek reelection, join Ouellette on the ballot.

There is a fourth contested race for town moderator, now that long-term Moderator David Titus chose not to seek reelection. Patricia MacArdle and Matthew Nowick are the two choices for town moderator, a one-year term.

Uncontested races are as follows: Reelection candidate Ray Pickles for assessor, Board of Health reelection candidate John Howard, and there are no candidates running for the one available seat on the Open Space Acquisition Commission.

The yes or no referendum question is “Shall the town vote to accept the provisions of section six C of chapter forty of the General Laws, which authorize cities and towns to appropriate money for the removal of snow and ice from private ways therein open to public use?”

The 2015 Marion Annual Election is May 15. The polling station is the VFW Hall at 465 Mill Road. Polls open at 8:00 am and close at 8:00 pm.

By Jean Perry

School on Good Friday?

on March 26, 2015

An extra school day has students and teachers talking at Old Rochester Regional High School this month.

It was roughly a year ago when the Joint School Committee voted that Tri-Town schools would be in session on Good Friday of this year (April 3, 2015). When that announcement was made, a discussion emerged on the ethics behind the decision and received extensive coverage in the press.

After dying down for the last 11 months, the dialogue has re-emerged on the topic. The school day will go on as planned and excused absences will be allowed for students to take the day off for religious reasons.

A survey conducted of roughly 30 students (evenly split male and female, representing all grades) indicated that the vast majority prefers not to have school on Good Friday. Some will chalk this up to the general feeling among high school students that any day off of school is a good one. However, most students backed up their statements by saying that Good Friday should be an optional school day or that excused absences should be allowed.

The majority of surveyed students also plan to come to school on that day, regardless of their personal feelings on the matter. A few students, as well as two teachers and Principal Mike Devoll, were interviewed in greater depth on the matter.

Science teacher Heidi Graser agrees with a position taken by several surveyed students – excused absences make sense.

“I think it’s fair,” she said, adding that most people have to work on Good Friday.

In reference to having the day before Thanksgiving off, which was acknowledged as a concession for having school on Good Friday, Graser said she was happy to have that day off.

“The students are so excited [for the holiday weekend], but not much gets done,” she said.

Another point brought up by Graser was that the extra day was helpful for teachers like her, who teach Advanced Placement (AP) classes. However, she respects the decision of those students who will excuse themselves, explaining, “If you need to excuse yourself for religious reasons, you should.”

Math teacher Benjamin Tilton said the decision didn’t faze him, and that “180 days is 180 days.” His opinion isn’t affected by all the snow days, and he added that he believes having no school on the day before Thanksgiving was a “fair exchange.”

Principal Mike Devoll said that excused absences will be allowed on Good Friday and explained that the decision to keep school in session on Good Friday was out of religious fairness.

Defending the decision made a year prior, Devoll explained, “We don’t take the Jewish holidays off, and Good Friday is not a holy day of obligation during the school hours,” meaning that Catholic students can attend Mass later in the day. He added, “It will be interesting to see our attendance rate for that day.”

Senior Owen Lee takes the decision to have school with a grain of salt and provided a fresh opinion on the subject.

“I mourn the loss of a wonderful vacation day, but I don’t have a true opinion,” Lee said. “It’s pretty fair,” he continued, “as long as the status quo of the schedule [180 days] is maintained.”

Lee also said the abundance of snow days carried no weight in his opinion, and he projected that while some students will not attend school, rampant truancy would probably not be a problem.

“I’m sure some students won’t be happy with this decision,” he said, but he expects most students to be in classes that day, saying, “Not many students generally skip school very often.”

However, junior Jared Wheeler would have liked to see Good Friday maintained as a vacation day rather than the day before Thanksgiving, because as he put it, “Good Friday is a significant religious holiday.”

In the end, Good Friday is only one day of school, and the school day itself is unlikely to be any different from your normal school day. As Mr. Devoll said, the most interesting development of the day will be to see if there is some change, if any, in student and teacher attendance.

By Patrick Briand

Academic Achievements

on March 26, 2015

Colbey Stabell, a resident of Marion, MA was named to the Dean’s List at Fairfield University for the fall 2014 semester.

Marion resident and Azusa Pacific University student Shannon Frink made the academic Dean’s List at APU. A Liberal Studies Major, Frink is honored for a fall semester 2014 academic standing of 3.5 or better grade-point average. Frink is joined by 1,983 other students receiving the same honor.

Good Friday

on March 25, 2015

To the Editor:

It is unfortunate that for the first time in recent memory, students, teachers, and other employees in our local school district will be working this year on Good Friday.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

We can all stay home on Good Friday and show the ORR school committee that this day is still an important observance for our families and for our community. In addition to observing the historical and personal meaning of the day, many will be traveling and making preparations for Easter.

The observance of Good Friday has a deep historical significance to our country and to our local area. And our nation has long recognized the secular importance of its religious traditions, such as when President Ulysses S. Grant declared Christmas a federal holiday in 1870.

It is notable that Cuba – a country which officially outlawed all religious observances and practices for decades – declared just last year that Good Friday should be a national holiday every year in its country.

Meanwhile, at almost the very same time that Cuba was making its historic reversal, the ORR School Committee was embracing a far different and darker policy – similar to that in Havana back in 1959. The paradox is unsettling.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act clearly prohibits any form of negative repercussion or discrimination against an employee who stays home from work on Good Friday. We should trust that the ORR school district will strictly adhere to the spirit and letter of this law.

To students, parents, teachers, administrators, office workers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and custodians who observe Good Friday: Let’s stay home from school and work on this day so the committee will reverse its decision.

David F. Pierre, Jr., Mattapoisett

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

on March 25, 2015

The Mattapoisett Lions Club will not be having the annual Easter Egg Hunt this year. The conditions at the lighthouse are not good for safety reasons. We will host a “Spring Saturday” when the conditions improve and we will have activities and giveaways.

Toe Jam Puppet Band

on March 25, 2015

The Toe Jam Puppet Band was back in Tri-Town on March 21 for a performance at the Marion Music Hall, sponsored by the Elizabeth Taber Library. The performance was free and the fun was evident in the faces of the band’s biggest fans. Photos by Colin Veitch