“Much Ado About Nothing” at RMS

on May 4, 2015

The fifth and sixth graders of the Rochester Memorial School Drama Club would impress the Bard himself with their performance of William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” this year’s annual spring play at RMS. Forsooth, methinks thou wilt not be disappointed.

The 27 actors, under the direction of sixth grade teacher Danni Kleiman, are donning their Renaissance gowns, vests, and velvets, drawing their swords, and reciting their memorized lines they have been learning since January.

Director Danni Kleiman has been running the show for 29 years now. The sixth grade teacher directs, produces, writes the script, and designs the exquisite sets. Kate Tarleton, a member of the community, designs and creates the elaborate costumes for the colorful cast, bringing it all together for one superb production.

The stage manager is Karen Della Cioppa, and a volunteer stage crew of junior and high school students assists the cast behind the scenes.

The grand performance will be Friday, May 1 at 7:00 pm in the Rochester Memorial School cafetorium. Tickets are $9 and will be available at the door.

By Jean Perry

Elsie (Hanninen) Heleen

on May 4, 2015

Elsie (Hanninen) Heleen, 93 of Rochester died May 1, 2015 at Our Lady’s Haven in Fairhaven, MA. She was the wife of the late Arthur Heleen who died in 1985 and the daughter of the late Johannes and Hannah (Leppaluoto) Hanninen. She was predeceased by her sister, Lilian Niemi.

Elsie was born in Wareham and graduated from Wareham High School. Mrs. Heleen was a member of the Ocean Spray Cooperative, The Finnish American Club and the Finnish Congregational Church. She was a long time employee of the telephone company and made many cherished life-long friends there.

Elsie enjoyed the frequent visits at the Forestview Nursing Home by family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.

Survivors include her brother, Arni J. Hanninen and his wife Shirley of Methuen, her nephew, Michael Hanninen of Salem NH, her niece, Nancy Sheehan of Sandy Hook CT; her sister-in-law, Lillian Rinta of West Wareham; her brother-in-law, Edwin Heleen of Middleboro, and many more nieces and nephews.

Her funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Thursday May 7, 2015 in the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway, Wareham. Burial will follow immediately at the Centre Cemetery.

Visiting hours will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday May 7 just prior to the funeral service.

Donations in her memory may be made to: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave. 7th Floor, NY, NY 10001.

John M. O’Leary

on May 4, 2015

John M. O’Leary, 86, of Mattapoisett died May 1, 2015 at St. Luke’s Hospital surrounded by his family.

He was the husband of Palmyra (Silveira) O’Leary with whom he shared 61 years of marriage.

Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Michael J. and Edna M. (Metcalf) O’Leary, he was raised in Fairhaven before moving to Mattapoisett.

Mr. O’Leary was a graduate of Fairhaven High School, Berklee College of Music and New Bedford Institute of Textiles and Technology.

He was formerly employed by Morse Cutting Tools in the advertising department and later as advertising manager. He then acquired Bowlmor Lanes in Mattapoisett which he and his wife ran until 1994.

Jack was an avid bridge player and a member of the American Contract Bridge League with the rank of Silver Life Master.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; 3 sons, Kevin O’Leary and his wife Beth of Rochester, NY, Thomas O’Leary of Fairhaven and William O’Leary and his wife Bonnie of Methuen, MA; 2 daughters, Kathleen Macedo and her husband Neil of Mattapoisett and Sandra Edgell and her husband Eugene of Wareham; 2 brothers, James O’Leary of New Bedford and Daniel O’Leary of Florida; 2 sisters, Margaret Clark of Pennsylvania and Martha Doherty of Naples, FL; 7 grandchildren, Shannon, Caitlin and Meghan O’Leary, David and Matthew Macedo, Adam and Jonathan Edgell; and several nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late Raymond O’Leary and Mary Miller.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, May 11th at 10 AM in St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett. Visiting hours are omitted. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, John’s request is that you buy yourself a fine bottle of wine. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Mattapoisett Lions Club

on May 3, 2015

Thank you to all the members of the Mattapoisett Lions Club:

On Saturday, April 18, the Mattapoisett Lions Club had a wonderful turkey dinner offered to all seniors of Mattapoisett. It was held in the hall of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church at noon.

What a wonderful meal they served. We had a complete turkey dinner with all the fixin’s. Even apple pie for dessert. Free transportation was provided for any senior who needed it.

Senior shut-ins were delivered their meals to their homes. I spoke with one gentleman and he was delighted to receive it.

We are so fortunate to live in such a special town! “Mattapoisett Is Really Special.”

Thank you.

A grateful Mattapoisett senior,

Ilona G. Langhoff

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.

Mattapoisett Friends Yard Sale

on May 3, 2015

Mattapoisett Friends Meeting will hold a yard sale on Saturday, May 9 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm in the social hall behind the meetinghouse at 103 Marion Road, Route 6. For anybody who has done some spring-cleaning and would like to join the sale, please contact the Friends by May 6. An inside table costs $20, and an outside table is $10. Funds raised will go to the renovation of the meetinghouse, which should be underway by early summer. For contact information, see mattapoisettquakers.org.

The Monkey Capes of Mattapoisett

on May 3, 2015

Curator Elizabeth Hutchison and the volunteers helping to catalog the Mattapoisett Historical Society Museum’s collection of artifacts have seen some rare, unique items along the way – but nothing as strange as what they recently came across while sorting through a collection of clothing folded in tissue paper, packed in boxes for decades.

“It was a ‘What is this?’ kind of moment,” said Hutchison remembering the instant one of the volunteers called out, “What the heck is this?” while unfolding the white tissue paper inside a box, revealing a dark, long-haired furry-type of … cape, as it appeared. The group soon realized that these hairy pieces were of monkey fur, and a total of three monkey capes lay before them, seeing the light of day for the first time in a long time.

“One of the volunteers who was going through them was just like, ‘I’m not touching them,’” said Hutchison.

There was very little written about the monkey capes in the museum’s records, and Hutchison determined that the capes were from the 1930s when monkey fur fashion was revived. She paid particular attention to the style of the collars, which she said looked much like the 30s style.

“These are weird things,” said Hutchison. “We were like, ‘Why do we have monkey fur?’”

There are other furs in the collection. For example, Hutchison held up a brown fur shrug of an unidentified animal that still had fingers attached at the end like a fringe of sorts.

“And that’s kind of normal. I’ve seen that before, but…” she said. “With the monkeys were just like, “What?’”

Unfortunately, there is no documentation of the names of the people who once owned the monkey capes, said Hutchison. Many of the corresponding cards that Hutchison compared to receipts do not give more information than what the item is and the condition it is in.

Hutchison would rather pass on trying on the monkey capes, saying, “It just looks creepy to me,” likening it to human hair. It feels just like human hair and cascades down like it, as well. Which makes sense, when you think about how closely related we are as fellow primates.

“I’m not a fan of the fur, but I understand,” said Hutchison. “It’s warm. But, bleck!”

What shall become of the monkey capes of Mattapoisett? They will be catalogued, entered into the computer database, and carefully folded back up in white tissue paper and placed in their storage boxes for now. But soon, Hutchison hopes to have a show that would feature some of the weird, unique, and extraordinary items discovered in the collection over time.

“We actually have a lot of beautiful clothing that really shouldn’t just sit in a box,” she said. Hutchison pulled out a few other items she was fond of for their uniqueness and rarity such as a silver-gilded and ivory fan, one Hutchison’s favorite pieces.

Flip through an early 1900s Boy Scout Handbook and you’ll come across some strange suggestions for games, such as “Steal the Bacon.”

She unrolled an exceptionally long road map portraying the Route 6 corridor of Mattapoisett, and also spent a moment examining a small piece of a clay pipe from an ancient graveyard in Jamestown, Virginia dated in the early 1600s and, quite possibly, one of the oldest clay pipes brought to America.

“I think like with the monkey fur,” said Hutchison, “it would be fun to have an exhibit of the weirdest things we’ve found. Or a people’s choice sort of exhibit.”

And you never know, as Hutchison pointed out. There are still about ten boxes to go through of clothing. And as the monkey capes have shown us, there could be anything in there…

By Jean Perry

Aucoot Pier Proposal Continued

on May 3, 2015

The application for a private pier extending into Aucoot Cove hit a snag when residents of the area told the engineer, Doug Schneider of N. Douglas Schneider & Associates, that there was ledge beneath the barrier beach – the location for the proposed pier.

Jay Duker, 112 Aucoot Road, has built a new home and received a conservation permit for beach nourishment, but his plan for a private pier has met with a number of abutter complaints and concerns.

When the application came before the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission on April 13, abutters told the commission that public access to the marshlands and beach areas, as well as their enjoyment of unfettered views, would be negatively affected by a pier. There was also concern that the barrier beach is subject to erosion.

On April 27, the commission heard another reason why construction of a pier at that location might not be advisable.

Richard Cederberg, 108 Aucoot Road, told the commission that 25 years prior, when he was constructing his dock, ledge was discovered under the seafloor making it impossible to install pilings. He said that a two-ton boulder was placed in the water in order to secure his dock to something stable, a practice he readily admitted would probably not be acceptable by today’s regulations. Nonetheless, he questioned the wisdom of the plan given that ledge is present.

Schneider conceded he was unaware of ledge in the area and would discuss this with his client. He also reported that a new eelgrass study had been completed, noting the absence of eelgrass in the proposed pier location. Schneider will review options and problems with his client and return on May 14 to continue the hearing.

Also during the meeting, the long-awaited resolution to stormwater management problems at the Appaloosa Lane subdivision seemed to end on a positive note when Brian Grady of G.A.F. Engineering presented a final plan. Grady also submitted a letter from the Town’s engineering firm, Field Engineering, which detailed their support and approval of the plan modifications. Also on hand in support of the updated drainage system plans was Highway Superintendent Barry Denham.

Denham said, “This is the best drainage out there and best for the neighbors … I agree with the plan.”

Also coming before the commission to continue informal discussions were the residents of Seabreeze Lane. Joe Anzaldi of 3 Seabreeze Lane and Lori Craig of 4 Seabreeze Lane were asked to meet with the Conservation Commission regarding violations to wetlands restrictions reported by the Buzzards Bay Coalition.

Both Anzaldi and Craig admitted that inadvertent encroachment into protected wetlands areas had occurred, and they came prepared to offer mitigation and concessions.

Commission member Tom Copps said he was concerned that property owners in the future will think it okay to violate conservation restrictions and orders of conditions by simply offering mitigation after the fact, a point member King referred to as “easier to ask forgiveness than permission.”

That being said, the Craigs will review the additional amount of lawn area they are willing to return to a natural state, while the amount offered by Anzaldi seemed to be acceptable to the commission.

Chairman Bob Rogers offered suggestions on how to proceed toward full public hearings for the issues discussed. Each resident will submit applications for notices of intent.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for May 14 at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

Open Table

on May 2, 2015

You are invited for supper on Friday, May 8 at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church. Everyone is welcome. Open Table offers a delicious meal prepared by volunteers on the second Friday of every month, September through May, so this will be the last meal for the season. There is no charge, although donations are gratefully accepted. Doors open at 4:30 pm, and the meal will be served at 5:00 pm. Please come!

Morning of Service

on May 2, 2015

During the Bi-Annual Morning of Service, Tabor Academy students and faculty dedicated the school day to helping out the local community in collaboration with 23 groups and associations.

Each advisor overseeing a group of students took their advisory to a select location to perform some type of service. There were a wide variety of ways in which the Tabor community assisted others on this day.

According to Lauren Boucher, director of community service, the day’s purpose is, “to either take us outside of our own community, or to bring others to us in order to engage with schools, organizations, and businesses in a helpful way.”

Although many groups travel off campus, it is equally important that the campus resources are utilized to help others on this day. For example, some worked in collaboration with Project Linus, a program that gives blankets to children or families of wounded or fallen soldiers or go to St. Luke’s Hospital.

Other students on campus are working with senior Samantha Davis on her senior project. Davis has been interning with Emi Burke, founder of the Message of Hope Foundation, and is learning about her foundation to put together treat bags for hospitalized children.

The majority of groups headed off campus. Some did not travel far, working with the Sippican School Garden Club. Others helped clean up County Road and Point Road in Marion, while a number of groups traveled to Gifts to Give in Acushnet to sort out packages for families in need.

According to Boucher, “Whether we are helping the Marion Tree Committee keep Marion’s roads clean or serving breakfast at Mercy Meals in New Bedford, or preparing garden space at the Sharing the Harvest Farm in Dartmouth, we are working hand-in-hand with people from around the Southcoast.”

The programs that students work with consistently give positive feedback regarding the students’ efficiency and eagerness to help, Boucher said.

This year was the first in which plastic BPA-free water bottles were handed out to the student body before the service day. Students were able to keep these Tabor-themed water bottles to encourage sustainability around campus, which is something that the Community Service Board had wanted to do for some time.

Assistant Director of Community Service Amelia Wright finds this tradition to be an important one for the students.

“Something that I really enjoy about this day is how much it can alter preconceived notions about community service,” said Wright. “At times, folks see community service as a chore, and I never get that sense from anyone at the end of a day of service.”

This tradition of service allows Tabor students to participate in projects they may not have discovered otherwise, and draws attention to the importance of participating in service and helping the local community.

Wright feels the day “represents an opportunity for all to do purposeful work, which only comes to fruition when many individuals come together as a community to affect change, whether big or small.”

By taking one day off from school and activities, Tabor Academy students and faculty were able to help the community.

“Everybody takes away something different from this day,” said Wright. “And to me, that’s a beautiful thing.”

By Julia O’Rourke

Lacrosse, Baseball Remain Perfect

on May 2, 2015

Here is a look at the fourth week of scheduled games for Old Rochester Regional High School spring athletics.

Baseball: The boys’ baseball team extended their undefeated winning streak this week with three big wins over SCC rivals. The Bulldogs first defeated Seekonk 12-1 thanks to a strong pitching effort by senior James Leidhold, who only allowed three hits in six innings. Offensively, John Breault shined, going 2-4 with a double, and also recording a run scored and an RBI. Hunter Parker also played well, going 4-4 and scoring three runs. The boys then went on to defeat Bourne 13-6, with Bryant Salkind recording four hits and three RBIs and Brendan Deverix grabbing the win from the mound. ORR closed out the week with a tight 9-8 win over Case. Sam Henrie hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning and also grabbed the win as the relief pitcher to push the Bulldogs to their seventh victory of the season. The boys’ record now stands at an incredible 7-0-0 with a perfect 6-0-0 in the conference.

Softball: The softball team started their week off with a 12-4 blowout win over Bourne. Senior ace Kaleigh Goulart struck out eight from the mound and only allowed five hits throughout the game. She also recorded an RBI and hit two doubles. Olivia Labbe also played well, as she recorded three hits, one of which was a homerun. Like Labbe, senior Michaela Guard also recorded three hits. The Lady Bulldogs faltered later in the week however, suffering a heartbreaking loss to Case 8-4. ORR was up by three runs at the top of the seventh, but Case battled back to inch ahead and take the win. The girls’ record now stands at 3-4 overall.

Boys’ Track: This week, the freshmen and sophomores of the track team were given the chance to shine without any of the shadows of the upperclassmen in the SCC Freshman/Sophomore Meet. On a very windy day, many of the boys performed well, especially in the 110-meter hurdles, where the trio of Andrew Bichsel, Graham Poirier, and Owen Gleasure went 1-2-3, respectively. In the distance events, sophomore Ryson Smith did well in the 800-meter, running a 2:24, while Evan Tilley ran an 11:57 in the two-mile. Field events also saw good performances, with Sam Ellis throwing 89’8” in the javelin and Matt Merlo throwing 84’8” in the discus.

Girls’ Track: The girls’ track team also competed in the SCC Freshman/Sophomore Meet this week. ORR got several wins, including Riley Shaugnessy in the mile, Samantha Ball in the 800-meter, and Rachel Demmer in the 400-meter hurdles. Other notable performances came from sophomore Ali Nicolosi, who threw 79’8” in the javelin, and Kelsey Holick, who threw 74’5” in the discus.

Boys’ Tennis: The boys’ tennis team continued their excellent season this week, knocking off two more SCC competitors to get that much closer to another conference title. The boys first defeated Dighton-Rehoboth, generally one of the toughest teams in the conference, 4-1, with wins coming from Owen Sughrue (first singles), Alex Bilodeau (second singles), Sam Pasquill (third singles), and Josh Lerman and Jahn Pothier (first doubles). The Bulldogs later defeated Bourne in a 5-0 shutout thanks to wins from Sughrue, Pasquill, Lerman, Pothier and Stephen Burke, and Emil Assing and Caleb Jagoda. The boys’ conference record stands at a perfect 6-0.

Girls’ Tennis: The Lady Bulldogs started their week off on the wrong foot, suffering their first conference loss to Dighton-Rehoboth, 3-2. Though ORR got wins from Julia Nojeim (first singles) and Olivia Bellefeuille (second singles), with many girls absent due to injury and vacation, the girls were not able to pull out their usual win. However, the girls were able to bounce back with a strong 4-1 win over Bourne. Wins for the Lady Bulldogs came from Nojeim, Bellefeuille, Sophie Church and Emma Collings (first doubles), and Alexis Parker and KK Bindas (second doubles).

Boys’ Lacrosse: Thanks to strong performances by goalie Gerald Lanagan, the boys’ lacrosse team pulled out two wins this week to remain undefeated for the season. Against SCC rival Apponequet, the Bulldogs battled back from a 4-1 deficit at halftime to clinch an exciting 7-6 win. Lanagan made save after save in net during the second half to hinder any offensive momentum Apponequet could gain. Combined with the offensive power of Ethan Lizotte (three goals), the Bulldogs emerged victorious to remain perfect for the season. The boys followed the pivotal win up with a huge 16-0 blowout over GNB Voc-Tech. Lanagan and freshman George Whitney combined for the shutout in net, while Landon Goguen, Taylor Hatch, and Pat Saltmarsh all scored four goals apiece to lead the Bulldogs offensively. The boys’ overall record now stands at 7-0-0.

Girls’ Lacrosse: The girls’ lacrosse team also had a big week, as they defeated perennial SCC champion Apponequet for the first time in program history. After three quarters, the girls were down 10-9, but thanks to late-game goals by Maddie Cooney and Bailey Truesdale, the Lady Bulldogs’ edged ahead to take the win. Truesdale was the lead scorer on the day, recording five goals. The girls later defeated GNB Voc-Tech 16-3 thanks to an unrelenting offense led by Cooney, Sarah Ryan, and Emily Hiller, who all scored three goals apiece. Goalie Madison Thomson made six saves in net to lead the team’s solid defense.

Below are the overall spring team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of April 26.

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

By Michael Kassabian