Animal Shelter Raising Funds for Addition

on October 22, 2015

This Sunday at “It’s All About the Animals” shelter in Rochester, it was all about putting the Halloween ‘fun’ in ‘fundraiser’ to raise money for a much needed addition to the cat shelter’s main building.

“Octopurr Fest” was the shelter’s very first all-out community event, said Pam Robinson, owner and operator of the local cat shelter located at 103 Marion Road (Route 105). The shelter had held smaller events in the past, but the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, no-kill organization decided to take things up a notch, given the substantial amount of money they will need to raise to reach their goal of $30,000 to build a 20- by 20-foot addition to house the cats so another room can be partially developed into a utility space to house a washer and dryer and shower area.

“Because right now everything comes into my house,” said Robinson who, with her husband Oren Robinson, cares for up to 50 cats at any given time on her Rochester property, providing a place for the local felines who have no friends – a home for the homeless.

The event brought in $3,000, with an additional $2,000 given by Janet Marra, a private donor. The very next day, an additional private donor matched Marra’s $2,000 for a total of $7,000 – significant, but still quite a few whiskers away from the goal.

For the Octopurr Fest event, Robinson marveled at the generosity of the community members and local vendors who donated items for the Chinese auction, as well as other items such as pumpkins for painting. Kids and families enjoyed a costume contest, arts and crafts, games, and face painting, despite the unseasonable cold, which Robinson said did not keep the crowds away.

“Everything was just purr-fect,” laughed Robinson. “Everybody seemed to have a good time…. I’m just so elated about it.”

Robinson invited local vendors to set up shop at the event at no charge for a table, as well as other local animal shelters to share in the fun. Robinson said she likes to promote the good work of some of the other animal organizations in the area such as the Fairhaven Animal Shelter, Habitat for Cats, and Lighthouse Animal Shelter of New Bedford. Some of the animals appeared in their own costumes, as did the kids.

It was a great turnout, said Robinson, and the shelter is planning to hold another fundraiser cocktail party in Marion on November 7. For more information, contact Pam Robinson at 508-763-2035.

The Robinsons have been dedicated to the rescue and re-homing or cats for nine years since It’s All About the Animals was founded. The hours are long, the work is demanding, and the resources are always limited, but saving cats is a labor of love for the couple.

“We chose this. This is what we chose,” said Robinson, with no complaints. “This is our life. Our only regret is we didn’t start this years and years ago.”

The Robinsons are hoping to break ground in the spring for the new addition. If you would like to make a donation, contact the shelter or visit the website at www.itsallabouttheanimals.org.

The shelter is always in need of canned cat food, clumping scoopable cat litter, and towels.

By Jean Perry

Tri-County Symphonic Band

on October 21, 2015

The Tri-County Symphonic Band, under the direction of Philip Sanborn, will begin its 54th season with a program entitled “October” on Sunday, October 25 at 3:00 pm in the Fireman Performing Arts Center at Hoyt Hall on the campus of Tabor Academy, 235 Front Street, Marion, Massachusetts. Clarinetist Ted Casher will be the soloist in a program that reflects the beauty, solemnity and vibrant colors of autumn.

“Siorai September” by Samuel Hazo translates from Gaelic as Eternal September. It is reminiscent of the Septembers on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Composer Eric Whitacre wrote “October” proclaiming, “October is my favorite month. Something about the crisp autumn air and the subtle change in light always make me a little sentimental.” “The Gales of November” was composed by James Hosay and captures the beauty, excitement and occasional tragedy of maritime on the Great Lakes in the month that brings weather that is unpredictable at best. Samuel Hazo’s “Autumn on White Lake” represents images of falling leaves and autumn winds that evoke childhood memories of the smell of the air, raking piles of leaves, and the slight chill of the early evening. The first half of the concert concludes with John Philip Sousa’s “Yorktown Centennial March.” The Siege of Yorktown proved to be the last major land battle of the American Revolutionary War ending on October 19, 1781. Sousa’s march is replete with cavalry sounds and military overtones.

The second half of the program opens with Philip Sparke’s “Concerto for Clarinet.” The work is in three movements with the first being syncopated in a rag-like style, the second more lyrical exploring the lower register of the instrument and the third movement in an almost be-bop style showing off the jazzier side of the clarinet. The soloist is clarinetist and woodwind specialist, Ted Casher. The extensive list of groups with which he has performed includes The Harry James Orchestra, The Benny Goodman Tribute Orchestra, The Artie Shaw Orchestra, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, The Ray MacKinley All-Stars, The Duke Belaire Big Band, The Rhode Island Philharmonic, The Zamir Chorale and The Klezmer Conservatory Band. He has played at many respected venues including the Wilbur Theater, Shubert Theater, Colonial Theater, Wang Center, South Shore Music Circus, Cape Cod Melody Tent, North Shore Music Theater, Comcast Center and Blinstrub’s Village. Mr. Casher has shared the stage with Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Michel LeGrand, Tony Orlando, Lou Rawls, Jerry Lewis, Sergio Franchi, Al Martino and John Denver. As an educator, Mr. Casher has served as musical director of the Rhode Island All-Star High School Jazz Ensemble, a big band that opened the Newport Jazz Festival, and conducted All-State jazz ensembles in Maine, Rhode Island and Connecticut. He also was active in studio teaching and classroom instruction at Berklee College of Music, Roger Williams University, University of Rhode Island, Community College of Rhode Island, Dean College, Ponaganset High School and North Attleboro High School. He has been a senior instrumental faculty member at Foxboro Jazz Improvisation Camp, Maine Jazz Camp and Rhode Island Music Educators Camp. Mr. Casher was Composer-in-Residence for the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and jazz instructor for The Arts Center in Providence, RI.

The concert concludes with the “First Suite for Military Band” by British composer Gustav Holst. There are three movements in the suite: Chaconne, Intermezzo, and March. The Chaconne begins with a ground bass reminiscent of those written by Henry Purcell or William Byrd. The Intermezzo is light and brisk and features soloistic passages for the cornet, oboe and clarinet. The March consists of two themes, the first of which, performed by brass choir and percussion, is a march light in character. The second theme is dominated by the woodwinds and is composed of a long, lyrical line reminiscent of the original Chaconne melody. The movement concludes with both themes intertwining as the band crescendos to a climax.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for students, and children 12 and under are admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased at the Symphony Music Shop in Dartmouth and The Bookstall in Marion. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door.

Parenting Skills Course Offered

on October 21, 2015

The Sippican Elementary School and Project GROW in Marion are sponsoring a program for parents of pre-school and kindergarten-aged children. This parenting course is designed to assist parents in becoming more knowledgeable about effective child rearing skills. The four sessions will also focus on the different stages of development, the various methods of discipline and a review of the many philosophies of parenting. You will leave the course with many new ideas that can be applied not only to the pre-school years but also to all stages of development. Helpful videos will be included.

The presenter, James Fitzpatrick, LICSW, will share his 40 years of experiences working with parents and children.

Meetings will be held at the Sippican Elementary School on Mondays, November 2, 9, 16, and 23 from 9:00 to 10:30 am.

To register, please call the school secretary at 508-748-0100. Enrollment is limited.

RPD Investigates Possible Dog Shooting

on October 21, 2015

The Rochester Police Department is actively investigating an alleged shooting of a dog, possibly with a BB or pellet gun, in Rochester last week.

Noble, a 4-year-old Chocolate Labrador Retriever belonging to Mark Stack, was let outside by his owner on Wednesday, October 14 sometime between 7:00 am and 9:00 am, according to Police Chief Paul Magee during a phone interview on Tuesday, October 20. Shortly after 9:00 am, Stack found the dog at the historic cemetery on Dexter Lane.

Stack reported to police later that day that the dog appeared to have been shot eight times, with bullet hole-type wounds bleeding on different parts of its body, but Chief Magee said on October 20 that he could not yet confirm that the wounds were in fact bullet wounds. The investigation is ongoing.

Magee said Rochester Police has spoken to several people about the incident, but he could not comment on whether the police had any suspects or any leads about what actually happened to Noble on that day.

“This is certainly an open investigation,” said Magee. “But I can’t even confirm for you that the dog was shot.”

Magee said Stack has reported that Noble is recovering from his wounds and is expected to be okay.

Anyone with any information about what happened to Noble or the alleged shooting should contact the Rochester Police Department at 508-763-5112.

By Jean Perry

Geraldine Randall Stewart

on October 20, 2015

Born January 26, 1928 in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, Geraldine Randall Stewart died on Thursday, October 1, 2015 in the care of her family at home in Oberlin, Ohio. She grew up on a farm near the ocean and had an enduring curiosity for the natural world, which she passed on to her children and grandchildren. After graduating from Fairhaven High School, Geraldine attended Marietta College in 1946, where she met her husband Bill Stewart. Between 1949 and 1970, they had eight children. Over the period from the early-1950s to the mid-1960s, the family lived in Baraboo, Wisconsin, Buffalo, New York, and Sistersville, West Virginia before moving to a small dairy farm on the Ohio River just north of Sistersville.

Life on a dairy farm with six children (ages 2–12) was challenging and full. Often in summer, everything on the table at dinner was produced, harvested, cooked, and baked on the farm. Geraldine became a 4-H leader, and she founded the first 4-H club in Sistersville, West Virginia. 4-H projects, 4-H camp, and the Tyler County Fair were important parts of Stewart family life. For Geraldine, the farm became a place to connect with woods, creeks and meadows. Her son Jeffrey, who died in 2002, is buried there.

In 1967 the family moved back to Marietta, Ohio where she completed her degree in education and biology, and gave birth to twins (Ben and Eric). She divorced her husband in 1977. In 1980, she and the twins moved to Oberlin, Ohio. Geraldine lived in Oberlin for 35 years, longer than she had lived in any other place. In addition to working as a substitute teacher in the public schools, she worked at NACS and the Coop Bookstore. She nurtured her interest in plants as a regular on the botany walks led by the late Dr. George T. Jones.

The practice of yoga was an essential part of her life for more than 40 years. Cooking and baking made manifest her love for her family and friends, and her orange-carrot cookies were featured on the menu at Zuni Café (in San Francisco) as “Geraldine Cookies.”

Survivors include her children Michael Stewart of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Cynthia Stewart of Oberlin, Barbara Stewart (John Whistler) and Patrick Stewart, both of Marietta, Ohio, Matthew Stewart (Kelli Bittner) of Lewisburg, West Virginia, Eric Stewart of Oberlin, and Benjamin Stewart of New York, NY; grandchildren Heather Stewart Harvey (Ben Harvey) of Swannanoa, NC, Josephine and Nora Stewart of New York, NY, Adam Stewart of Lewisburg, West Virginia, and Isabelle Marinchick, of Chardon, Ohio; great-grandchildren Oscar and Retta Harvey of Swannanoa, NC; and siblings Leonard and George Randall of Mattapoisett, MA, and Eunice Stolecki of East Longmeadow, MA, and many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her brother Lewis (Pat) Randall, her ex-husband Bill Stewart, and her son Jeffrey Stewart.

On November 7th, at 2:00 PM, there will be a memorial in Oberlin, Ohio at the Oberlin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 355 E Lorain St. A memorial is also planned for Mattapoisett this summer.

Donations in Geraldine’s memory may be sent to the Mattapoisett Historical Society at 5 Church Street, Post Office Box 535, Mattapoisett, MA, 02739.

Christmas in October

on October 20, 2015

The Meanings of Christmas is the title of The Rochester Historical Society’s October 21 program. Jeannie Roy and a Special Guest will present the program. Come and learn the historical origins of the meanings of Christmas. This will be followed by a sing-a-long and, of course, some goodies. Everyone is welcome! October 21 at 7:00 pm at the East Rochester Church Museum located at 355 County Road, East Rochester.

The Museum at 355 County Road will be open Sundays from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in October. Stop by to view the Police and Fire History Display and do your Christmas Shopping in the Gift Shop which has everything “Rochester.”

Upcoming Fall Dramas

on October 20, 2015

With just under a month left until the final performances, Tabor Academy anticipates the showing of two drama productions. This year, the plays are Bang Bang You’re Dead, a controversial play about school shootings, and Human Geometry, an original play written by one of Tabor’s own English teachers, Mark Howland. While very different, both are interesting and exciting plays that the directors hope will connect with the audience and prompt discussion.

John Heavey, who teaches English at Tabor, is the director of Bang Bang You’re Dead, a play he says is especially relevant in light of the staggering numbers of school shootings this year and in recent history.

“The play sheds a lot of light on the need for gun control,” said Heavey. “The killer in this play is disturbed, but without access to guns, it never would’ve escalated like it did.”

The play, written in 1998, is based on of a real school shooting in Seattle. In the play, the shooter is seen in his jail cell, visited by the memories of the victims that he shot. The ghosts of the victims of the shooting try throughout the play to discover why he did what he did. They never uncover a definitive motive, and at the end of the play reflect on their life. They look back, discussing what they will miss most about being alive and what they will never be able to do because they were killed so young.

Already the play has prompted a lot of frank discussion within the cast. School Counselor Dr. James Mehegan came to talk to the cast about the emotional state of the shooter as well as the responses of the victim in the interest of making the play more realistic.

“Our main goal is to open a dialog,” Heavey said. “We’ll have a Q and A session after each showing and hopefully this will spark some necessary and important conversation.”

While Heavey’s focus is on controversial issues, Howland’s is more lighthearted. His original play, Human Geometry, plays with the idea of how love and math intersect. The scenes go from simple to complex, shifting focus from points to lines to shapes to parabolas and so on. He played with names too, naming two of his characters, Al and Cal, after Algebra and Calculus.

This is Howland’s seventh original play written for Tabor, all seven of which he said would not have been possible without the help of his colleagues and Tabor students.

“Good theatre is always collaborative,” he said. “And this is no exception.”

Howland would send his drafts to Heavey throughout the summer to edit, and Howland consulted with Nathan Meleo, a math teacher, about some of the concepts that he worked with.

Sophomore Maddy Kistler helped with lighting, while senior Nicole McLaughlin choreographed the dance sequences.

“I also played to the strengths of the cast,” Howland said, “and my vision for certain scenes changed as the process went on and I saw everyone’s talents.”

“The play is very Tabor-specific,” Mr. Howland added. “There’s references to Lillard dorm and Cumby’s, as well as some of Tabor’s policies.”

In very different ways, both Bang Bang You’re Dead and Human Geometry promise to have a strong impact on the Tabor community.

By Madeleine Gregory

ZBA Approves Building Appeal

on October 20, 2015

David and Laurie Jewett arrived at the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on October 8 seeking permission to construct a storage shed approximately 15 feet away from the property boundary. This runs against town bylaws, which state that a shed of the proposed size must be at least 40 feet from the property line. The Jewetts, who live at 15 Briarwood Lane, face some interesting topographical issues that prevent that possibility, and they sought permission to build the shed closer to the boundary.

The proposed shed will measure 12 feet by 20 feet, or 240 square feet. According to the Agricultural & Residential District Zoning Bylaws, sheds and outbuildings larger than 150 square feet must be built at least 40 feet from the property line; however, the Jewetts face some unique topographical features, which make abiding by these bylaws impossible.

“There’s a situation where the land rolls off to water,” Mr. Jewett said. “There is a flat portion in front, which rolls off to a small plateau in the back, and then tapers off again to the water.” He indicated that from the front of the property to the back, there is 32 feet of topographical change.

Looking for a way to accommodate this, the Jewetts chose to site the shed on the back plateau of the property, which leaves it only 15 feet from the property line rather than the required 40 feet.

“There’s no other place for it other than the front yard,” said Mr. Jewett. “Everything else is just a slope.”

When asked what the shed was to be used for, Mr. Jewett indicated storage.

“We both have antique cars. We’d like to keep one car in this shed, along with yard implements like rakes and shovels.” Mrs. Jewett added that she had the support of a neighbor.

When ZBA member Kirby Gilmore inquired if they had the statement in writing, she replied, “No, I didn’t realize I could do that. Would it help?”

“Well,” Gilmore replied, “it does help to know what the neighbors think.”

Gilmore himself bolstered the Jewetts’ appeal when he recalled that sheds and outbuildings less than 150 square feet could be placed up to 10 feet from the property line.

“This portion of the bylaw is in favor of the applicant because the shed is in the back of the house,” said Gilmore. “If the shed was one hundred fifty square feet, it could be set back as close as ten feet from the property line. This one isn’t much bigger. It’s not a detriment to the neighborhood.”

Fellow ZBA member Donald Spirlet agreed.

“They have no choice,” said Spirlet. “I have no problem with it.”

The appeal was unanimously approved. The board did, however, place two restrictions: the shed cannot be used to house livestock, nor can it be used as a living space.

The next meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for October 22 at the Rochester Town Hall pending the submission of applications.

By Andrea Ray

Town Must Negotiate with Solar Developer

on October 20, 2015

Since the last public hearing for the proposed solar farm slated for the center of Rochester, Planning Board Chairman Arnold Johnson said on October 13 that subsequent talks between lawyers for both the developer and the town have led to this: The town cannot tell solar developer NextSun Energy that it cannot cut trees within the 20-foot buffer zone around the perimeter of the project. The Planning Board’s only option now when it comes to trees, said Johnson, is to negotiate with the developer and try to compromise the best it can.

According to the Limited Commercial District Zoning Bylaw adopted by Town Meeting, said Johnson, language pertaining to the 20-foot buffer simply states that a 20-foot vegetated buffer must remain – which means, said Johnson, that a vegetated buffer could literally be a 20-foot field of grass or brush – not necessarily trees.

The main concerns of most board members and abutters to the project remain the cutting down of taller historic trees within the 20-foot buffer, as well as the view from roads and points around town such as the library and police station. But as Johnson stated after about an hour of discussion, “Right now they can go in there and they can chop them down. We can’t stop them from doing it.”

What the board can do, however, is consider NextSun President Jacob Laskin’s suggestion that if the board were to approve of some tree cutting into the 20-foot buffer on the west side of the site, then the taller historic trees by the cemetery could remain. Laskin’s main concern for the project is exposure of the sun on the panels for maximum energy production; however, some trees to the west would cast shade onto the panels and reduce energy production.

According to a study provided and explained by engineer Bill Madden of G.A.F. Engineering, the prime hours would be 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, based on a December 21 sun, the shortest day with the weakest sunlight as a worst case scenario, which Laskin said is the standard for study in the solar industry.

“But if we could get out ten to two (o’clock), that would be a significant compromise for us,” said Laskin.

Planning Board member Ben Bailey, who said meanwhile he had been searching online for information about peak production time, argued that the information he encountered contradicted Laskin’s statement about 9:00 to 3:00, to which Laskin replied, “No it doesn’t,” before clarifying the matter for Bailey.

Johnson lauded some changes to plan since the last meeting, such as the relocation of the inverter, but urged the developer to address the “sensitive aspects of the project.”

“From the heart,” board member Gary Florindo spoke of the personal importance of the historic cemetery and how loved ones who visit their dearly departed should not have to see “solar fields,” while resident Dave Watling questioned why the board would prefer to be “negotiating dead people for live people.”

Sure, people go to visit their deceased loved ones, “But these people are here,” said Watling motioning to the roughly 15 residents present. “They live there and they need screening,” preferring that the focus be aimed at screening for abutters over screening for the cemetery.

Abutter Stephanie Riccardi sobbed as she described how she specifically sought out a historic property like the one she owns and did not want to lose it.

“As somebody who sought out a small town,” said Riccardi, “I don’t want to see solar panels behind my house.”

But the board maintains some control over screening, and the board tossed around some ideas in the spirit of compromise, such as replacing 6- to 8-foot trees for planting with 8- to 10-foot ones and perhaps appropriately staggered wall installations instead of calling for an entire wall for screening.

“We don’t want to see it from day one,” said Johnson, reiterating the board’s insistence on complete screening from sight.

Some board members took issue with the renderings of six different transects depicting the visual standpoint of six different locations looking at the solar farm, with Bailey calling assertions that certain viewpoints would be intersected by trees and fencing “disingenuous” when the renderings appeared to show otherwise.

“Well, there is a cone of vision, absolutely,” said Madden, eliciting some mock laughter from some residents in attendance.

Madden stated that the renderings, although perhaps not in the format the board had hoped for, were a “snapshot in time,” and not the permanent view after vegetation matures.

“I think you really need to try to envision the transect line … with the aerial photograph,” said Madden, again flipping to the overhead photo of the site he provided.

Eventually the board will have to discuss a decommissioning agreement with the developer, and the two parties will continue to come up with ways to satisfy the needs of the project and of abutters and townspeople.

“What I see here is a project … that has … multiple viewpoints in it and it’s not uniform,” said Johnson. “I think we need to treat it like that.…” He later continued, “It’s not a cookie cutter project in my mind.”

Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Richard Cutler who was in attendance said that if the solar arrays can be seen from the road, then he believes the Historic District Commission would come into play and hold a public hearing on the matter.

“They shouldn’t be seen from the road,” Cutler said.

The hearing was continued until October 27.

Also during the meeting, the board told Clean Energy Collective, developers of the proposed solar farm in Marion that would be accessed via Perry’s Lane in Rochester, that the board would draft a decision to approve the project and take the vote at the next meeting.

The project went through months of public hearings with both Marion and Rochester and, after finally reaching a decommissioning escrow account number, got the nod from Marion.

In other matters, the board held an informal meeting with yet another solar farm developer interested in building a solar energy facility off Snipatuit Road and along Quaker Lane. The board issued a number of requested waivers, such as a traffic study waiver, maintenance plan waiver, and a partial waiver for underground utilities. There is no formal application for a site plan review for this project yet.

The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for October 27 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Senior Center.

By Jean Perry

NHS Sponsors Costume Drive

on October 20, 2015

With Halloween lurking right around the corner, the elation of children in the Tri-Town is almost tangible. Whether making or buying costumes, children everywhere are excited to go house to house receiving candy from their friends and neighbors.

For many, going to the local parade to show off their costumes has become a tradition. For some families, however, purchasing a Halloween costume can be an economic difficulty, and many children in Tri-Town don’t get to celebrate Halloween like the rest of their friends do.

That’s where the Old Rochester Regional National Honor Society (NHS) comes in.

The group, which is comprised of well-rounded high school students, started a costume drive at ORR on September 28. The collection, which will continue through October 16, asks for the Old Rochester community to donate new or gently-used costumes in order to give children the Halloween they wish for. A collection box has been set up in the high school lobby, and the donations have been flowing in.

The NHS has been a busy group this school year, and the costume drive has not been their only service to the community. During the previous home football game, the National Honor Society collected canned goods for a reduced ticket price, and all collected goods went to the food pantry at Saint Anthony’s Parish in Mattapoisett.

The NHS has no plans to slow down on their community service. Sarabeth Morrell, the English teacher at Old Rochester in charge of the NHS, said “We’re hoping to help at Sippican School with a homework club.” While these plans are still in the works, the NHS hopes to set up a booth at the Halloween Fair being created by Old Rochester’s student government, which will be on Friday, October 30 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the high school. The fair will be geared towards children ages 3 to 7 who are encouraged to wear their costumes and get excited for a costume contest. Children are also urged to bring their own pumpkin for decorating.

On top of helping the NHS with their activities, members dutifully perform 20 hours of community service hours every semester.

“Right now, we have students all over the local area,” said Morrell. “We’ve got students over at Rochester Memorial every week reading to younger kids.” The group aims to better the community, and the students of the NHS strive to commit themselves to their service. “I would also encourage anyone in the community who has a need for help with a service program from our students to email me,” Morrell added.

If you wish to donate a costume or have any questions, please contact Sarabeth Morell at smorell@orr.mec.edu.

By Sienna Wurl