Winter Kicks Off With Girls’ Swimming Victory

on December 18, 2015

Some teams kicked off their Winter Seasons this week, while Boys’ Basketball and the track teams continued to practice in preparation of their first competitions. The highlight of the week was a season-opener victory for Girls’ Swimming over Pembroke, 98-66. Senior Molly Richards and sophomore Erin Burke turned in great performances, winning two events each, to start the season off right for the Lady Bulldogs.

Girls’ Basketball: The girls began the week with an unofficial scrimmage against Mansfield High on Monday, but their first real contest was against Durfee on Friday night. Starting their season on the road, the Lady Bulldogs got off to a rough start, winding up down 25-5 after the first quarter. They played better as the game wore on, but the outcome was a tough 54-22 loss. The girls are away at Seekonk on Tuesday and home against Fairhaven on Friday night.

Boys’ Basketball: The boys didn’t play any official games this week, but they fared well in scrimmages against New Bedford High (Tuesday) and Somerset-Berkeley (Thursday). Senior captain Evan Santos is very optimistic about this season and believes this year’s team stacks up well with last year’s version. He noted that juniors Russell Noonan, Jacob Cafarella, and Grant Reuter (a newcomer to the program), as well as senior Jared Nye, are key players to watch. The boys kick off their much-anticipated season on Tuesday against Seekonk at home, and they travel down Route 6 to face Fairhaven on Friday night.

Girls’ Swimming: The Girls’ swim season began at Kingsbury Club in Kingston on Friday night in a meet against Pembroke. Sophomore Erin Burke and senior Molly Richards powered the team to a 98-66 victory, highlighted by Burke’s wins in the 50 free (29:99) and the 100 butterfly (1:19.1). She also swam on winning teams in the 200 medley (2:14.5) and 200 free (2:01.6), joined by Richards, sophomore Megan Field, and freshman Claire Noble-Shriver in those events. Richards had big wins in the 200 free (2:30.7) and 500 free (6:49.3), which sealed the deal for the Bulldogs. Both Field (1:13.5 100 backstroke) and Noble-Shriver (1:23.7 100 breaststroke) added solo wins for the Lady Bulldogs. The girls are up against Seekonk this Tuesday.

Boys’ Swimming: The Bulldogs began their season on Friday night against Pembroke at the Kingsbury Club in Kingston. There are only six boys on the team, so it’s a bit of an uphill battle for the program. However, they put up a good fight against Pembroke, despite dropping their first meet of the season 72-51. Sophomore Riley Nordahl was the top competitor for the Bulldogs, winning the 200 free (2:38.5), the 500 free (7:08.2), and contributing to wins on the 200 medley relay (2:09.1) and 200 free relay (1:53.6). Senior Nate Wentworth, junior Adam Perkins, and freshman Tyler Kulak also contributed on the relay victories, and Kulak won the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:09.2. The boys next compete against Seekonk on Tuesday.

Girls’ Ice Hockey: The first-ever ORR Girls’ Ice Hockey game was played on Friday night in Bridgewater against Pembroke. ORR’s team also includes girls from Fairhaven, Bourne, and Mashpee high schools. The girls lost their first-ever game 7-0, with the biggest bright spot coming from freshman ORR goalie Sophie Schiappa, who made 35 saves. This week, the girls face Martha’s Vineyard at their de facto home rink, the John Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne, on Wednesday and are away at Marshfield on Saturday.

Boys’ Ice Hockey: The boys’ first game of the season was a 4-2 loss against Sandwich at the Hyannis Youth Arena. Playing at the Arena again on Saturday, the boys faced off against Dennis-Yarmouth. Against D-Y, the boys tied 1-1 off the strength of a goal from junior Sam Henrie and 25 saves from junior goalie Chase Cunningham. The boys are at Wareham at the John Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne on Wednesday and return ‘home’ to the Travis Roy Rink at Tabor Academy on Saturday against Attleboro.

Below are the overall fall team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of December 13.

Girls’ Basketball: (0-1-0)(0-0-0); Boys’ Basketball: (0-0-0)(0-0-0); Girls’ Track: (0-0-0)(0-0-0); Boys’ Track: (0-0-0)(0-0-0); Boys’ Swimming: (0-1-0)(0-0-0); Girls’ Swimming: (1-0-0)(1-0-0); Girls’ Ice Hockey: (0-1-0)(0-0-0); Boys’ Ice Hockey: (0-1-1)(0-0-0).

By Patrick Briand

Gateway Youth Hockey

on December 18, 2015

Bantams: The Gateway Gladiator Bantams suffered their first conference loss on Sunday. The Walpole Express scored within minutes of the first period. However, Tyler Lovendale, assisted by Jack Martins, answered back for the Gladiators with a late period goal. Walpole’s physical play seemed to distract the Gladiators for much of the game, as Gateway struggled to possess the puck and generate scoring opportunities. Despite scoring two goals in the third as part of a late-game comeback attempt, the Gladiators lost by a score of 4-3. James L’Heureux scored a Gladiator goal, assisted by Quirino doCanto and Lovendale. Peter Pimental also scored, assisted by Robert Ramsay and Zack Lovendale.

Middle School: The Middle School team seemed to fall flat in their game against Medfield this weekend, losing 7-4. They came out strong in the first period taking a 2-0 lead on goals from Jack Martins and Robert Maloney, with Quirino doCanto assisting on both. Kaleb Riggle also had an assist on the Martins goal. Medfield would get a goal late in the first and add three more in the second period. doCanto had an unassisted goal in the second to bring the score to 4-3 at the end of the second period. However, Medfield would score another three goals in the third period, putting the game out of reach. doCanto added one more goal in the last period, making the final 7-4. Alex DeMarco and Jake DeMoranville both played well in net, facing a flurry of shots.

Thar She Blows

on December 18, 2015

On December 2, a small, curious humpback whale surfaced in Marion between Nye’s Wharf and Ram Island. Long-time residents of the town couldn’t remember a prior whale sighting. The animal looked to be about 20 feet long. Marion resident Michael Moore guessed from its size that the whale was young — and a sight that young humans would not want to miss. Just before dismissal, students at Sippican School heard the voice of Hannah Moore, their music direction, over the intercom. She announced the arrival of the exceedingly rare visitor. School immediately adjourned to Silvershell Beach. Students scanned the horizon from shore and, as if to oblige, the little humpback surfaced a few more times and swam in and out of the harbor again. Eventually the curious visitor swam back out to Buzzards Bay and eventually over to Padanaram. Caption and photographs by Barbara Ann Markel

Daniel J. Sullivan, Sr.

on December 18, 2015

Daniel J. Sullivan, Sr. – Dan, Grampy, Papa, Squeaky, friend, of Brandt Beach, Mattapoisett died December 16, 2015.

He was married to the love of his life Carmen for over 27 years. She was his whole world and he hers. Combined they had 9 children. As their family grew with marriages, 19 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, they found a way to make each and every one of them feel special.

He was raised in Bellows Falls Vermont, the son of John and Grace Sullivan 80 years ago, a place he had always loved. He served our country as a fire fighter in the Air Force. Once out of the service he started working with a start up company – Thermo Electron. As the company grew so did Dan’s responsibilities, he was with Thermo for over 40 years and the friends he made there were life long.

In the early 1960’s Dan bought a piece of land in Mattapoisett and built a cottage for his family to spend summers in. So many wonderful memories of time spent with family and friends there. Dan’s favorite place was Goose City Rod and Gun Club in East Dover Vermont. It was a hunting camp that he and his brothers built when they were young men. He eventually turned it into a retreat where he, Carmen and their family spent so much time. Dan loved to drive the winding roads of Vermont. Each town seemed to bring a new story of time spent there with friends. Together he and Carmen travelled to Spain, Alaska, Ireland and Mexico. He looked forward to spending time in Florida with Carmen and their friends each winter.

Dan lived his life to the fullest. He was an amazing friend, always the first one there when help was needed. He was quick with a joke or story, he loved to make people laugh. He was always up for an adventure and those that knew him each have their favorite Dan story to tell. He left you with a smile. His life was a life well lived.

Dan will be missed by his wife Carmen, their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his siblings, nieces nephews, family in Spain and many dear friends.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10 AM in St. Anthony’s Church, 22 Barstow St. Mattapoisett. Visiting hours will be on Monday from 4-8 PM in he Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers the family asks you to consider a donation to your favorite charity in his name. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Hillside Must Clean Up Or Be Shut Down

on December 18, 2015

The December 15 meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen featured a two-hour hearing to determine whether or not the license for the Hillside Motel should be revoked.

Owner Sonya Patel came before the board to discuss improvements and changes she was instructed by various town departments to make, but after hearing from those department heads, it was clear that very little has been done.

Police Chief Mary Lyons said that an alarming number of calls to the motel in 2015 forced her to ask the selectmen to look into the business. She said that over 100 police department responses had been made for such crimes as drug possession and sale, prostitution, strangulation, possession of stolen goods, illegal firearms and more.

Building Inspector Andy Bobola said, “One room, the sub-floor is rotten and you can see into the basement…” He also noted rotten stair rails, missing electrical cover plates, overloaded electrical circuits, bathroom floors rotten, and missing room numbers. But clearly it was the living conditions that troubled him the most.

“One room there are four adults living … very difficult to walk into,” he said. Bobola also noted clothing stacked on floors and against gas heaters causing him to say, “What should be common sense to most of us was evident.”

Mattapoisett Fire Chief Andrew Murray said that during his quarterly inspection, he always found fire and carbon monoxide detectors missing and fire extinguishers absent or expired.

The Board of Health conscripted expert assistance in evaluating the conditions at the motel by bringing in Wareham’s Health Agent Robert Ethier. He explained that, although the Hillside met the “minimal standards of fitness for human habitation,” four people in one room was a violation of the sanitary code and “deplorable,” saying, “They can’t stay there.”

For her part, Patel pleaded that she couldn’t tell who was a good person or a bad person and wanted to rely on the assistance of the police department to tell her. More than once she was told by each member of the board and by Town Administrator Michael Gagne that she was responsible for managing her business properly; it was not the responsibility of the town’s departments.

“It comes down to management,” Selectman Jordon Collyer said with exasperation after nearly two hours of discussions. He expressed the public outcry that her motel was viewed as “a problem for the town.”

With Selectman Paul Silva voting ‘nay’ to allow Patel another chance to clean up her business, the board moved for a continuation until January 12. If at any time between now and then the police are called to the business, the board reserved the right to revoke her license.

“I hope you prove me wrong,” Silva told Patel. “I don’t have much tolerance to keep this site open.”

Earlier in the evening, the board met with Marilyn Mazer who gifted the town with prints from watercolor paintings her husband Michael Mazer has done to memorialize the Bouchard Spill in Mattapoisett. The prints will hang in the harbormaster’s office.

A certificate of appreciation was award to Chris Parker for saving a capsized boater in Mattapoisett harbor in November.

Bonne DeSousa discussed the upcoming Regional Cycling Event planned for May 22, an event that will be in partnership with the Mattapoisett Land Trust.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen in scheduled for January 12 at 7:00 pm in the town hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

Joan Marie (Davis) McDonald

on December 17, 2015

Joan Marie (Davis) McDonald, 71, of Fairhaven passed away on Wednesday December 16, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Boston to the late Elmer and Theresa (King) Davis, she was raised and lived in Nantucket where she met and married her husband of 53 years, Ronald McDonald, Sr. They moved to Marion in 1972 to raise their family, where she was a communicant of St. Rita’s Church.

Aside from being a stay-at-home mom, she was also a part-time hairdresser. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children and grandchildren, always supporting them in their sports and activities, as well as making occasions and gatherings with family and friends special. She was selfless in helping others. She enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening side by side with her husband, and enjoyed family time at the beach.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her five children, Ronald (and Patricia) McDonald of Dorchester, Kevin (and Elizabeth) McDonald of Framingham, Cheryl (and James) Morrell and Deborah (and Stephen) Gonsalves, all of Marion, and Brian (and Katie) McDonald of Clarence Center, NY; her grandchildren, Patrick (and Hillary), Brendan, David, and Mary McDonald, Shannon, Matthew, Timothy, Colleen, and Bridget McDonald, Lucas Morrell, Trevor McDonald (and Jacqueline Sampson), Toby and Hunter Gonsalves, Alex and Emma Dunn, and Regan McDonald, and one great-grandchild, Finley McDonald. She is also survived by three siblings, Elmer “Buddy” (and Eleanor) Davis of FL, Margaret “Peggy” Duarte of AZ, and Shirley (and Raymond) Novak of Methuen; and many nieces, nephews, and special lifelong friends.

She was predeceased by her brothers, Edward and Robert Davis, brother-in-law, Nelson Duarte, and sister-in-law, Sally Davis.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Southcoast Center for Cancer Care in Fairhaven for their loving and supportive care.

Her Funeral will be held on Monday at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Route 6, Mattapoisett, followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett at 10 AM. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Marion. Visiting hours will be on Sunday from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Southcoast Center for Cancer Care, 206 Mill Road, Fairhaven, MA 02719. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Lisa Faley Howard

on December 17, 2015

Lisa Faley Howard of Mattapoisett passed away of natural causes in her home on December 14, 2015.

Lisa grew up in West Hartford CT and graduated from Conard High School class of 1972. She went on to an undergraduate degree at Duke University and received her Masters of Library Science degree from Simmons College. She worked as a children’s librarian for many years at the Middleborough Public Library and at the Millicent Library in Fairhaven.

She is survived by her son Jonathan Howard, daughter Meghan Howard, brother Todd Faley, sister Beth Bosco, grandson Patrick, and many nieces and nephews all of whom she loved very much.

Lisa loved painting on canvas, knitting, weaving Nantucket baskets, enjoying the views at Ned’s Point, listening to Bob Dylan, and most especially playing with her grandson Patrick who knew her as “Grandma Goose”

Friends and relatives are invited to come to a reception in Lisa’s memory at The Inn at Shipyard Park, 13 Water St., Mattapoisett Saturday December 19, 2015 from 2-5 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Treatment Advocacy Center or the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

on December 17, 2015

There will be a Candlelight Christmas Eve Service on Thursday, December 24 from 7:00 to 7:45 pm at The First Congregational Church of Marion, 28 Main Street.

Come join the members and friends of the First Congregational Church of Marion as we celebrate the birth of Jesus with our traditional family-friendly Christmas Eve service. Hear the simple, wondrous story of Jesus’ birth and sing familiar well-loved Christmas carols.

Make this your Christmas Eve tradition as you connect with old and new friends at this wonderful service. Merry Christmas!

Holiday Party Thank You

on December 17, 2015

To the Editor:

As a citizen in our special town of Mattapoisett, a/k/a “place of rest,” I would like to thank all of the Board Members, Rick LeBlanc, and Santa and his elf, and anyone else that helped to make our Holiday Party held on Thursday, December 10, at the Mattapoisett Knights of Columbus such a wonderful success.

I certainly appreciate attending every year. I think it is especially wonderful for the senior citizens that have no one local to go and sing Christmas carols with, have a wonderful meal, and just plain enjoy themselves.

Being a member of the Mattapoisett Friends of the Elderly, where else can one go for only $10 a year membership and have such a great meal, lots of fun and socialization? It sure sounds like a great deal to me.

I served on the Board of the Mattapoisett Friends of the Elderly for several years. No one has any idea the amount of work and time that is involved.

May you all have a Blessed Holiday Season and a Healthy and Happy New Year.

Sincerely,

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

Santa Greets 200 Children in Mattapoisett

on December 17, 2015

Whether it was the splendid weather or the opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap, over 200 children and their families and friends enjoyed the holiday event at Mattapoisett’s Shipyard Park on December 12. Estimates put those participating in this event – kids and parents, kids and grand parents, kids with loving adults – around the 300 mark. It was a truly holly, jolly event by anyone’s measure.

There was the huge tent so full of wonderful smells from food provided by local eateries that one’s mouth watered upon entry. There were the crafts for little folks making ornaments, face painting, and did I mention the food!

The Mattapoisett Lions Club was collecting non-perishable foods and new toys for local charities, and yes, yes, yes, there was Santa who arrived via the Mattapoisett Fire Department’s ladder truck.

The incredibly mild weather certainly had an effect on the number of people pouring into Mattapoisett’s Shipyard Park to meet Santa and enjoy Christmas music and really great eats. But make no mistake about it, there was also a desire on the part of the adults in the crowd to enjoy a bit of community holiday joy.

And then there were the children.

Many Center School students clambered ‘round the tree to look for their own handmade Christmas wish ornaments. Other children had their wish list memorized as they advanced in the long line to sit on Santa’s lap.

Jacob Collier, 7, looked forward to asking Santa for Legos and Star Wars PJs, while Jacqueline Colber and her brother, Tristan, wanted a Rudolph stuffed toy and Avenger toys, respectively.

Ava Duponte, 5, was asking for a robot and a pink baby doll.

Mia Figueiredo, 8, and her sister Ava, 6, looked forward to asking Santa for a My Little Pony and a stuffed elephant.

An impressive number of children were not focused on any gift at all and were quite simply enjoying the excitement of being with family and friends at this community event.

And how did this celebration at Shipyard Park all begin?

Well, one of Santa’s more senior Elves told us that … Once upon a time, about 30 years ago, this celebration was held on the steps of Romeo’s Package Store across the street from the Mattapoisett Inn. The Elves passed out hot cider and cocoa along with good cheer. Today, it has blossomed into a fully-integrated community event bringing local food vendors, the Lions Club, and municipal departments together to share holiday joy with its community and to collect items for those in need.

Musical entertainment was provided by The Showstoppers and the Old Rochester Regional Junior High School band throughout the afternoon, much to the pleasure of all in attendance.

And then there was the massive, red, Adirondack chair.

Resident Dan White donated the use of a larger-than-life sized Adirondack chair for this celebration. Standing 12-feet tall and about 10-feet wide, the chair had been part of his daughter Danielle’s bridal shower – a themed event in which the chair played a critical role. White, along with his friend, Mike Cambra of Rochester, built the chair for that bridal activity.

“When Mike sold his house, the chair came to me,” said White, “so I decided it would be fun to have it at this event.” The chair was enjoyed by young and old alike as they clambered into it for picture taking.

What about Santa? Well, Santa and Mrs. Claus were non-stop busy inviting more than 200 children to share their deepest desire with the man with the white beard.

From Phoebe Cowles, 5, they heard her desire for a stuffed cat, and Ellie Coroles, 4, wants a toy kitchen with pretend food.

And what does Santa want for Christmas?

When I asked the jolly old soul what he wanted most for Christmas, he didn’t hesitate.

”I really, really like candy corn,” said Santa.

But Santa, that’s a Halloween candy.

He responded that he knew that, but it was his favorite.

So … when you put the cookies and milk out for Santa on Christmas Eve, if you’ve got any leftover candy corn, the man in red would appreciate the gift.

By Marilou Newell