Juno, What? Winter Storm on its Way

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A blizzard watch is in effect for our area effective Monday evening until late Tuesday night, with an urgent warning from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the potential for a historic winter storm to bury the region with snow and blow through with winds that could gust up to 60 miles per hour.

Winter Storm Juno is expected to make its largest impact on coastal communities with a possible 18-24+ inches of heavy snow, strong sustained winds between 20-30 mph with stronger gusts, and zero visibility at times resulting in possible blizzard conditions.

The worst of the storm will be between Monday night through Tuesday afternoon, with whiteout conditions making travel nearly impossible and maybe life-threatening.

The strong wind and heavy, wet snow brings the threat of downed tree limbs causing fallen power lines and power outages. Temperatures will be in the low 20s.

In preparation for the storm, residents are urged to charge their electronic devices such as cell phones, as well as flashlights and radios in case of a loss of electricity.

The Wanderer will keep you updated on storm forecast changes and alerts, as well as local coverage, alerts, and school and recreational cancelations in Rochester, Marion, and Mattapoisett. Like us on Facebook to stay posted on the unfolding winter events.

By Jean Perry

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Marion Census Forms

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Marion Annual Street Listing 2015 (census) forms were mailed out this month. Please complete the forms as soon as possible and drop them off at the Town House, 2 Spring Street, or mail them back in the enclosed envelope.

These census forms are very important for the Town as State aid is based on the numbers returned. The Annual Street List is compiled from this information. No children under the age of 16 are placed in the street list; however, it is very important that children be noted on the census form for school and state purposes. Again, no children under the age of 16 are placed in the street list.

2015 Dog Licenses are now available at the Town Clerk’s office. Please stop by or use the application which will be with the Annual Street List form, making sure to read the instructions carefully as incomplete applications will be returned. People over 70 years of age do not have to pay for one dog license fee but are still responsible for showing current rabies information.

Please call the Town Clerk’s office at 508-748-3502 with any questions.

Marion Senior Population Growth

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This past fall, the Friends of the Marion Council on Aging (FMCOA) contracted with the UMass Boston Gerontology Institute to complete a demographic analysis of the town’s population and to also conduct several focus groups to investigate the needs and interests of Marion’s older citizens.

The demographic study found that the current population of Marion’s seniors – those over the age of 60 – is at 30%. This shows a 24% increase since 2000. By 2030, it is expected that this age group will account for 40% of Marion’s total population. In terms of state averages, this percentage is higher than most. Many of Marion’s seniors over 60 live alone and are considered less than wealthy.

Focus groups were conducted with a range of stakeholders in Marion’s seniors. These groups represented municipal organizations, community non-profits, and consumers of services for seniors. These groups examined current aspects of Marion that make it a “user friendly” town for seniors. In addition, these groups discussed opportunities for Marion to become a more “livable” community for seniors.

Each of the focus groups felt that Marion has good public services – police, fire, EMT, and nursing – but that communication is lacking between departments about senior activities. Many felt that this could be improved by establishing a Senior Center. This would serve as a central hub where one could go to find out what is available and what is needed to care for Marion’s senior residents. It could also be utilized as a space for a wide range of services and activities.

Another common concern that was expressed was the need for affordable housing and transportation services for seniors.

The FMCOA has met and determined several steps the group can take to move toward the recommendations from the report. These activities for 2015 will include advocacy with the Council on Aging for a Program Coordinator, helping to market programs and transportation activities for seniors in the town, contacting local newspapers with “senior spotlight” articles for publication, and working with the town to advocate for a Senior Center space as part of the Town House renovation project. The group will also continue to research models that help to promote aging in place, and ultimately help to make Marion a town that is well prepared to meet the needs of its senior population.

The full report of the demographic analysis can be viewed on FMCOA’s website at www.fmcoa.org.

Girls’ Track Clinches Fifth-Straight Championship

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Here is a look at the sixth week of scheduled games for Old Rochester Regional winter athletics.

Boys’ Basketball: The Bulldogs continued their conference domination this week, defeating two SCC rivals to keep their conference record at a perfect 9-0. The boys first defeated Bourne 89-60, thanks largely in part to Noah Fernandes and Matt Valles, who led ORR in scoring with 18 and 17 points, respectively. Jordan Menard also played well on the game, scoring 11 points and recording six rebounds. The Bulldogs continued their momentum later in the week against Case, where they won in a huge 73-38 blowout. Ten different players scored for the Bulldogs, showing the overall depth and teamwork of the team. ORR was in control from the start and never let up en route to their ninth victory of the season.

Girls’ Basketball: The Lady Bulldogs also had a great week, winning both of their games by fairly large margins to advance their record to 6-4 overall. The girls defeated Bourne 40-28 in an exciting game which included an explosive third-quarter from ORR, who scored 17 points to extend their lead and essentially secure the win. Kaleigh Goulart continued her excellent season, scoring 13 points, and Sophie Church was the team’s leading scorer on the night with 14 points. Later in the week, the girls defeated Case by a large 56-37 margin to win their seventh game of the season. The tandem of Goulart and Church struck again against the Lady Cardinals, with Church scoring a team-high 22 points and Goulart scoring 16 points. Seniors Ashley Pacheco and Morgan Browning also played well, scoring 5 and 4 points, respectively.

Boys’ Track: The Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season this week to Dighton-Rehoboth in an exciting 48-38 matchup that came down to the final event, the 4×400 meter relay. Thanks to wins from Kevin Saccone (600-meters, 55-meter hurdles) and Ben Rounseville (high jump), as well as some key second place finishes, the Bulldogs had the chance to tie the meet with Dighton-Rehoboth. In a thrilling 4×4, the Bulldogs just missed first place by less than a second. The loss was a tough one for the Bulldogs, as they are likely pushed out of the running for the SCC Championship, which D-R has all but clinched. In the same meet however, the Bulldogs managed to beat Apponequet by 50 points, 68-18.

Girls’ Track: The Lady Bulldogs were a different story, easily defeating Dighton-Rehoboth, 59.5-26.5, and Apponequet, 73-13 to remain undefeated and clinch at least a share in their fifth consecutive SCC title. The ORR girls won seven events: Zoe Smith (high jump, 55-meter hurdles), Arden Goguen (55-meter dash), Nina Bourgeois (1000-meters), Bailey Truesdale (300-meters), Nicole Mattson (600-meters) and the 4×400 relay. Unless the girls lose against Seekonk next week, which is very unlikely, they will remain undefeated SCC Champions for the fifth year in a row.

Boys’ Swimming: In their lone meet of the week, the boys’ swim team lost to perennial powerhouse Apponequet 108-32. Try as they might, the Apponequet team simply had too much depth for the small ORR team to overcome, and they won every single event besides the 100-breaststroke, which ORR’s Nate Wentworth won in a quick 1:24. With the loss, the boys’ record now stands at 1-3.

Girls’ Swimming: The girls’ swim team also suffered a loss to Apponequet this week, 122-61. The Lady Bulldogs managed to hold strong against the powerful Apponequet team despite not winning any events. By claiming some key second and third places, the girls managed to put up a fight against one of the area’s best teams. With the loss, the girls’ record stands at 1-3.

Below are the overall winter team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of January 18.

Boys’ Basketball: (9-1-0) (9-0-0); Girls’ Basketball: (6-4-0) (5-3-0); Boys’ Track: (6-1-0) (6-1-0); Girls’ Track: (7-0-0) (7-0-0); Boys’ Swimming: (1-3-0) (0-3-0); Girls’ Swimming: (1-3-0) (0-3-0); Ice Hockey: (6-2-0) (3-0-0).

By Michael Kassabian

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New Book Features Local Volunteer

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Norene Hartley of Rochester has a perspective and insight into the land, character, and history of Rochester that is unique.

A descendant of the “original Hartleys” of Rochester, Norene, 69, grew up in and continues to live out her life in the rural Southcoast town, working as a carpenter and spending a great deal of her time preserving the land and open spaces of Rochester as a volunteer with the Rochester Land Trust.

A new book just published this January called Being Where You Are, written by Robert Barossi, dedicates a chapter to Hartley, who is one of the original founders of the RLT formed back in 1996.

Barossi said during a phone interview that the work began while developing his thesis for his Master’s degree in environmental studies from Green Mountain College. While he was an intern for the Trustees of Reservations, he began working in communications, writing press releases about the organization’s “small army of volunteers.” It turned into something bigger for Barossi, who calls this work “the most rewarding and exciting work of my life thus far.”

Barossi said he cast a wide net while contacting land trusts around Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. He interviewed volunteers from a number of different environments from coastal to rural settings, and eventually compiled the material into a book. Barossi said he “really wanted to get the word out there” about the work of these dedicated volunteers.

The Rochester Land Trust was one of about 80 different land trusts Barossi reached out to. He said Hartley offered a unique perspective on Rochester because of her emotional connection to the town.

“When seeking volunteers, Norene was truly one of my favorites,” said Barossi. “She had this great personality, a great sort of rugged New England sass about her. But at the same time, so sweet and so giving of her stories and her past.”

Barossi, while developing the book, said he wanted to let people know what environmental volunteers are doing to preserve the environment and spare land from excessive development. The volunteers he met over the course of three years, said Barossi, were what inspired the book. He remembered Norene especially for her insight into “the good old days” of Rochester and how it has developed over the years from a rural population of 1,600 when she was a child to the over 5,000 residents of today.

“Norene, she had such a unique perspective because her family had lived in Rochester for so long,” said Barossi. “What it used to be and how it has all changed.”

Chapter 13 of the book, titled “Keepin’ it Rural: Norene Hartley,” is chock full of that insight and knowledge Hartley possesses of Rochester, with candid recollections of her childhood exploring nature and her return to a more developed Rochester after living 26 years away.

“I have to tell you, when I was growing up, outdoors was the place to be,” Barossi quoted Hartley in his book. “I’d get home from school and it was like five seconds from the time I hit the back door to the time I was going back out in my play clothes.”

Hartley also describes leaving Rochester in 1963 to attend college and returning to “houses all over the place.” She joined the Rochester Master Plan Committee in 1996, which she says in the book, “I swear it almost did me in.”

“It’s a very emotional thing,” says Hartley. “You grow up in a place and it seems like an old comfortable shirt or something, and it’s always there in some respects.” Starting the Rochester Land Trust was Hartley’s way of preserving the character of the town, a rural community.

“I think we’ve done pretty well,” Hartley told Barossi. “I think you have to get down to the nitty-gritty.” Hartley describes a memory of when she was two-years old, playing in stump holes in her family’s backyard, “sitting there and my butt was damp and my knees were wet but the sun was really warm.…” Hartley continues, “So I guess I’ve had it since two, at least. So, I guess the Land Trust is just a community extension of how I am.”

Conservation Commission member and Land Trust member Laurene Gerrior, in a phone interview, called Hartley a kind, good person, knowledgeable about the outdoors and Rochester history.

“He (Barossi) was able to capture that about her in his book,” said Gerrior.

The book has been published in eBook form, but it could result in a hard cover in the future. Barossi said he wanted to write the word about the volunteers and get it out there sooner rather than later.

Being Where You Are by Robert Barossi is now available and can be purchased and downloaded from amazon.com, iTunes, and barnesandnoble.com for $1.99.

By Jean Perry

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Machacam Club

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The Machacam Club will hold its February meeting on February 4 at the Legion Hall, 3 Depot Street. Social time is 5:30 pm; dinner is at 6:00 pm.

Our special guest, courtesy of Mike Jennings, will be Captain Brad Smith, our December speaker who is returning to continue his presentation on his 32-year career with the Military Sealift Command. Brad is certain to be of great interest to the members as he was in his earlier presentation.

Callers and members are asked to bear in mind the importance of call list accuracy, especially in view of the food cost increases. Caller lists should be done and reported no later than 9:00 pm on February 2 by email to GPFNR@aol.com or by phone to Mike at 508-758-9311. Members with requests or changes can contact either no later than 9:00 am on January 3.

Academic Achievements

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Jonathan L. Morton of Mattapoisett has been named to the Dean’s List at Western New England for the fall semester of 2014. Morton is working towards a degree in Accounting. Students are named to the Dean’s List for achieving a semester grade point average of 3.30 or higher.

Stonehill College recently named Rochester native Madison R Costa, a member of the Class of 2016, to its Dean’s List for the Fall 2014 semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List at Stonehill, students must have a semester grade point average of 3.50 or better and must have completed successfully all courses for which they were registered. Costa is studying Interdisciplinary Studies at the College.

The University of Rhode Island is pleased to announce that more than 4,700 students qualified for the Fall 2014 Dean’s List. Students who have completed 12 or more credits during a semester for letter grades with at least a 3.30 quality point average qualify for the Dean’s List. Part-time students qualify with the accumulation of 12 credits with a 3.30 quality point average.

The following students from Tri-Town were named to the University of Rhode Island’s Dean’s List:

Marisa Diane Paknis of Marion

Katherine Jean Delaney of Marion

Lilli V Paknis of Marion

Michael Barrus of Marion

Christine Jane O’Donoghue of Rochester

Ryann Cierra Monteiro of Rochester

The Heart of Technology is in the Library

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The latest wave in technology education is known as “the library common,” and the Old Rochester Regional School Committee on January 14 gave the approval for the junior and senior high schools to move forward in establishing their own.

ORR Junior High School Librarian Carol Herrmann and Assistant Superintendent Elise Frangos introduced the new grade seven to 12 library curriculum, based on four core areas: digital citizenship; technology; information and media literacy; and love of reading.

“Many technology skills are taught by librarians these days,” said Herrmann. She aims to encourage students in “creating online content and not just consuming it.” She added that students should have the skills to apply technology to academics and not just to recreation.

Frangos said “digital literacy” has a lot to do with students working collaboratively and learning to be responsible online regarding their “online footprint” and legality issues.

“It’s exciting to come to full flower,” said Frangos about the program, on which she had been collaborating with both school librarians for some time.

Also during the meeting, ORR High School Principal Michael Devoll introduced the committee to the Katie Brown Educational Program he wants to bring to the students at ORR. The Katie Brown Foundation was formed in 2001 in response to the brutal murder of a 20 year-old Rhode Island woman who was killed by a man she had dated throughout high school.

The program serves to teach students how to prevent relational violence, give them the tools they need to identify healthy and not-healthy relationship dynamics, develop personal power, and recognize the different types of relationship violence.

Devoll said parents in the community approached him about bringing the program to ORR, and he asked the School Committee to approve the program, as well as the methods for fundraising. The cost is $50 per student and the school will need to raise about $39,000 for each student to benefit from the program. He has received $1,000 so far through a grant and said one donor is willing to match funds raised, up to $5,000.

“We don’t feel like we (ORR staff) do enough of this with our students,” said Devoll, adding that there are students in the district affected by relational violence. “We want to be proactive and we want to expose our students to [relational violence awareness].”

The committee approved fundraising for the program; however, it decided to wait until committee members could receive further information, with some concerned about the appropriateness of the program.

“This whole topic is heavy with emotional overtones,” said committee member Cynthia Johnson. “I would like to see … the curriculum before I sign off on this.”

Devoll said if enough funds are not raised to cover the cost for the entire school, then he will start by offering it to seniors and possibly juniors. Students would not miss any class time to attend the program, which is conducted in small groups, and students can opt-out of the program if they want to, according to Devoll.

In other matters, the committee approved $500 to seek legal counsel over a potential cut in state regional transportation funding that would result in a $107,000 dent in the school budget.

Superintendent Doug White said it is unclear whether new Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker will seek additional cuts, and whether or not it is even legal to do so. Many school districts are asking Gov. Baker not to make the cuts.

The school district regularly receives around $450,000 annually to help defray the costs of regional school transportation. He said the loss of $107,000 “would be an impact to our budget immediately.”

The School Committee approved establishing a “regional school transportation fund,” under the recommendation of School Business Administrator Patrick Spencer. He said this would allow the district to roll over unexpended transportation funds from the previous school year into the next.

Although it is uncertain whether the district will need the fund, Spencer stated, “I suggest that at least we set the fund up.”

Also during the meeting, the School Committee recognized two ORR retirees – Science teacher Mary Cabral and Guidance Counselor Scott Griffin.

Devoll also pointed out that ORR received the highest score in the Math portion of the SAT in the region.

The next Old Rochester Regional School Committee meeting is scheduled for February 11 at 6:00 pm in the ORRJHS media room.

By Jean Perry

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Sippican Students Reporting for Duty

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They are a lively group of girls with an enthusiasm for reporting, packing press passes and having a blast. Meet the Sippican School Cub Reporters, a group of six sixth-graders who are all over the place – literally and figuratively – with an energy that is palpable and a nose for news that can smell a good story – literally and figuratively.

Under the guidance of District Video Coordinator Debbie Stinson, the girls meet every Wednesday to bounce ideas off each other and toss around topics of interest, each of them eager to jump into the limelight, either in front of or behind the video camera.

Ask this group exactly what it does to report the news to their fellow students and they will rush to answer, like they did on the afternoon of January 22 inside the music room at Sippican School.

“Basically, this group is a bunch of mini reporters,” said Caroline Owens, leaping out of her chair. “We go to different events, mostly school events, but other events too and give interviews.” The girls were excited to share their role as reporters and the fun they are having doing it.

“We did some teacher interviews,” Meghan Horan called out. Another girl shouted, “We did some dances!”

“We’re a little dysfunctional,” said Owens speaking on top of the others, eliciting laughs from the others.

“We’re learning a lot about reporting, how to work the camera, and how we should report,” said Horan.

The Cub Reporter program is funded through a Lighthouse Fund grant and the ORR Tri-Town Education Foundation.

“They actually shoot everything,” said Stinson, adding that the girls do all the reporting and filming themselves. “I edit it, but they shoot all the shows and interviews.” Stinson then passes the finished product over to ORCTV where it is aired.

The group’s current production features a sea lamprey dissection, hosted by Daphne Poirier. “The video camera cannot catch the smells,” said Poirier waving her hand in front of her nose. The girls had a good laugh and whipped out their press passes to show off.

“They have a lot of energy,” said Stinson. “And they’re actually really good reporters.”

During recess and flex-time, the young reporters grab their cameras and get to work, currently arranging for a FaceTime interview with a student who is traveling to Australia for six months.

“I like being behind the camera,” said Rachael Fantoni. “I just watch the reporters and give them advice.”

Horan said she enjoys reporting, but the hardest part for her is keeping a straight face and transcending ‘the giggles.’

“I’m a horrible reporter,” said Horan laughing. She was referring to an interview she was conducting with a teacher. “He was just sitting there smiling at me … I could not stop laughing.”

Poirier said she likes getting to see stories in a new and different light, getting up close to the events like a “V.I.P.”

“You feel more accomplished,” said Fantoni, and her co-reporter Kennedy Serpa concurred.

“I like knowing what’s going on in the school and all the events.”

As much fun as they are having, none of them said they had any interest in pursuing a career in journalism – except maybe as a hobby. “But not as a job,” stated Poirier matter-of-factly.

By Jean Perry

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Gateway Youth Hockey

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Squirts: On January 10, the Gateway Squirts skated to a 6-6 tie with YD Dolphins. YD brought the power to the ice scoring back-to-back goals and matching Gateway goal for goal throughout the game.

On January 17, the Squirts matched up with WHK Hawks early at Gallo taking a 7-1win and giving the Squirts an overall record of 17-0-2. In the first period, points came from Ty David Ribeiro and Juni Suarez with assists from Suarez and Thomas Leger. In the second, Ribeiro added two more points giving him his first career hat trick, along with points from Suarez and Joe Urnek with assists from Matthew Quinlan. In the third, Brady Kidney scored his first career goal with an assist from Ribeiro. The Gateway Squirts are showing teamwork, friendship and true sportsmanship on and off the ice. Ty Ribeiro was voted to get the game puck for this game, but he handed it to Brady Kidney for his hard work and dedication.

Pee Wees: The Gateway Pee Wee’s played a tough game against Norwood Youth Hockey, who were just ahead of Gateway in the standings. Gateway took a two-goal lead in the first period on a pair of goals by Ben DeMoranville with assists by Chris Cogan and Danny Flynn. Norwood was able to tie the game in the second until Gateway got one more on the board on a goal by Matt Quinlan to pull ahead by one, but Norwood matched the goal with five minutes remaining on the clock. Gateway applied pressure, but was not able to get the go-ahead goal, leaving the game in a 3-3 tie.

Bantams: The Gateway Youth Hockey Bantams defeated the Canton Bulldogs 4-3 Saturday. Bolstered by defenseman Matt Youlden’s strongest game of the season, Gateway dominated offensive zone-time. Scorers included Josh Smolinsky with a goal and an assist, Zachary Lovendale with two goals, and goal scorer Robert Ramsay. Canton made it a game despite tallying 19 penalty minutes and a player ejection, scoring their third goal with only 13 seconds left in the game. However, Gateway responded by sending Ramsay into the face-off circle to win the final drop, securing the victory.

In a non-conference match up, the Gateway Youth Hockey Bantams skated to a 3-3 tie with the Southeast Cyclones. Gateway enjoyed a three-goal lead throughout most of the game, as Nick Snow, Robert Ramsay, and Zachary Lovendale found the back of the net. Goaltender Steven Strachan was able to keep the Cyclones scoreless in the first period. However, with 10 seconds remaining in the second period, the Cyclones were able to sneak a forward into the neutral zone unnoticed. The resulting breakaway goal provided the momentum needed to spark the Cyclone offense. Southeast would add the tying tally off of a face-off win with merely 23 seconds remaining in the game. Josh Smolinsky had two assists for Gateway, while defenseman Jared Westgate also added a helper.