Leadership Day

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On Tuesday, November 18, the entire Tabor community worked together on defining and refining student leadership at Tabor at the 2ndAnnual Graboys Leadership Symposium.

The Symposium, which varies from year to year, begins with proposals from some of the faculty, who come up with their plan and concept for the day. After one is selected, the organizer begins working with Lois and George Graboys, graduates of the 1950 school year, to plan the dynamic event.

Richard DaSilva (’89), a history teacher at Tabor, organized this year’s program.

The theme DaSilva chose was “Leadership Starts Here” in order to highlight the current opportunities for student leadership at Tabor and how to develop or refine the current opportunities offered at the school by the sea.

DaSilva hoped to “complement” Chris Millette’s “future-based” program from last year, which highlighted how Tabor leadership opportunities can shape the future.

Millette’s program included a number of featured speakers, including Jack Clark, the rugby coach at The University of California, Berkeley, and allowed students to gain a valuable understanding of what leadership is and its importance.

DaSilva worked with the Graboyses, whose children established the annual event as a gift for their parents last year to honor their dedication to leadership.

“They helped me shape what the day was going to be,” says DaSilva of their meetings throughout the planning process. “They knew that my day was a little different and they were open to the new ways that I wanted to get things across.”

DaSilva planned this day as one “for students and about students,” and five recent Tabor graduates came to speak about their time at Tabor and the leadership positions that they held and valued.

Students were then split up into a number of specific groups to evaluate and create plans of action for different types of leadership at Tabor.

The leadership topics were Residential, Academic, Athletic, Diversity, Community Service, International, Global Service, Student Affairs/Class Offices, Alumni Development and the Mission Statement. This covered all areas of the school and at the end of the day, students shared the different proposals that they came up with during their smaller sessions.

DaSilva called this sharing period “the best part of the day” because he was blown away by “the volume of what they came up with.”

During the brainstorming period, faculty left students to develop their own proposals. Student ideas ranged from an international café, to sharing global news, to a student athletic committee, and to improve school spirit and team dynamics.

“Every group found a challenge and every group found a solution,” DaSilva said of the workshop component of the day. But he believes that many students already had these ideas and finally had a platform in which to discuss them productively.

Faculty and students alike are already taking action to implement these new ideas that came from the student proposals. The Tabor community is already looking forward to seeing these ideas come alive.

“The community met and exceeded what our expectations were,” said DaSilva of the success of this year’s symposium.

Next year’s symposium is expected to be unique and different from the preceding years, but will likely once again highlight the importance and value of leadership opportunities at Tabor.

By Julia O’Rourke

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Big Difference in Shopping Small

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Black Friday – once just referred to as ‘the day after Thanksgiving’ – promises door-smashing deals (sometimes literally) at ‘big box’ retail stores across the country, year after year. And what says “I love you” more than smashing a face or two at a superstore to get your loved one a cheap blender or electronic device for the holidays?

Yes, if you have grown somnolent of this annual chaotic consumerism, you might just stay home on Black Friday, make a list of the local shops you plan to visit the following day on “Small Business Saturday,” give up the 5:00 am line-up at the superstore, and avoid the scene entirely – at least for one day.

Small Business Saturday is about “shopping small,” and it is aimed at promoting holiday shopping at locally-owned businesses in your community as opposed to the national chain stores.

These are the stores that are owned and operated by your neighbors, who donate to the school events that benefit Tri-Town children, sponsor the local Little League teams, and support community charity events that benefit us all.

This November 29 is the 5th Annual Small Business Saturday, which was first established in 2010 by American Express as a way to celebrate local small businesses. By shopping local, you support your local economy and the “mom and pop” stores that are a vital part of the character of each of the three towns of Tri-Town.

The Better Business Bureau, which is stepping up efforts to get the word out on Small Business Saturday, encourages everyone to stay local, shop small, have fun shopping in their own community, and make Small Business Saturday part of everyone’s holiday tradition.

Local boutiques might not be able to offer those door-busting deals like the big stores, but what they can offer are unique, thoughtful, or handmade gifts that are almost always appreciated more than the mass-produced items at large chain stores. Sure, there is a use for those items, but pledging to shop small on Saturday and reserving at least part of your holiday shopping for small local businesses is a way of giving on a much larger scale – by giving back to the community and its people who often struggle as small business owners and rely on holiday sales.

This Saturday, head out to your local stores on Small Business Saturday on November 29, enjoy bumping into neighbors and friends, and feel connected to your community when you purchase something special, for someone special, in a store that helps make your community special.

By Jean Perry

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Acushnet Road Closure Stands Firm

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Residents came out in force, overflowing the Town Call conference room during the November 24 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission. They had come to hear Highway Superintendent Barry Denham and Robert Field of Field Engineering give an update on the plans for repairs to Acushnet Road and the culvert. What they heard did not make them feel thankful or jolly.

Denham reiterated information he had previously shared with the Planning Board (see the November 13 issue of The Wanderer), details that included the disastrous condition of the culvert and headwalls that support the roadway.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation regulations require that even temporary repair work had to include guardrails and handrails, and the need for concrete curing that would not be feasible given the advancing winter season and closure of asphalt plants.

Field said that they are awaiting the final Chapter 85 review and report from the DOT, and once that was in hand, they would have a better idea of construction timing.

But no matter how the information was sliced, it all came down to a June 2015 reopening if all goes well.

Those in attendance wanted to vent their displeasure on Denham. Linda Francis of 5 Bridle Path angrily asked, “Why didn’t we do something before it got this bad … what about the safety of people…!” She cited that Fairhaven’s Fire Department covers that section of Acushnet Road during a fire incident but now their services, if used at all, will be severely delayed.

Chairman Bob Rogers cautioned the crowd not to heap their frustration on Denham saying, “Barry is trying to do the best he can … no one likes the situation.”

Denham described his efforts at trying to come up with a viable temporary fix so that the road could reopen before the spring construction season, at which time the complete repair could be done. However, the State’s mandates made even the simplest plan impossible.

“The cleanest thing to do,” said Denham, “is get the culvert cleaned up and repair the road,” versus a temporary plan and then closing the road again at a future date.

Residents voiced their dismay, saying it was costing them extra time and money spent on extra gas with the detour that is now in place.

“We know we’ll be waiting for the next construction season,” stated Denham. That brought a collective groan from those who had hoped for something more positive.

Denham proposes to deploy the Highway Department to the site and begin the excavation work on the roadway and culvert area in advance of the spring repair. He said it would save the Town money by using its own employees instead of subcontracting out the entire job.

Conservation Commission member Mike King suggested that residents contact Representative William Strauss, who sits on the Transportation Committee, as a means to try and get some relief sooner rather than later, or at the very least channel their concerns.

In the meantime, Field and Denham will continue to await the final design plan from the DOT. Once that is in hand, Rogers told them to return with a Notice of Intent application.

Also on the evening’s agenda was a meeting with Daniel Eilertsen, 20 Water Street, requesting guidance on the inclusion of a stone wall on the easterly side of his lot that would have a north/south profile. He was told to apply for a Request for Determination Applicability.

Richard Charon, representing Blue Wave LLC, came before the commission with updated information on the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection mandate that stormwater runoff be calculated to newer standards than originally done at the time of their application.

Those standards, which he described as evolving, require that the impervious spaces be combined on the site for the purposes of determining stormwater discharge rates.

Rogers said ConCom needed a letter from the DEP for the file that stipulates why the drainage had to be recalculated, or have the Town’s engineer, Gary James, review the DEP report and the recalibrated discharge report.

The hearing was continued until December 8, when at that time, if provided with the documentation, the commission will be able to give the applicant an Amended Order of Conditions.

Rogers said the commission had received notification that the DEP appeal for the DaRosa pier project on Goodspeed Island was scheduled on the property in question on December 4. It is a public meeting in as much as the attendance of three or more ConCom members requires the meeting to be open. However, member Peter Newton made it clear that since the meeting is on private property, the general public is not really allowed to attend.

Environmental Agent Elizabeth Leidhold reported that a Chapter 61 conference will be held on March 5 at 7:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Free Public Library, and that various Town boards and departments have been invited to attend this informational session. The meeting is open to the public. Chapter 61 of the State’s general laws governs the classification of forestlands and the associated tax structure allowed by cities and towns.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for December 8 at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

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Friends of the Mattapoisett Library

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Come to the Meeting Room at the Mattapoisett Library Sunday, December 14 at 1:00 pm to learn about the Friends, what they’ve been up to this past year, to become a member, renew your membership or give a membership as a holiday gift. The Friends were established in 1998, and over the years have contributed to the library’s expansion and furnishings. The Friends also underwrite museum passes and are responsible for many events and programs, many of which are for Mattapoisett children. In addition to the monthly book sales, the Friends are always ready to lend a hand when needed.

Bring a friend to the meeting, and then go upstairs to the Reading Room for the concert by the New England Irish Harp Orchestra. There will be no Book Sale on Saturday, December 13.

Marion T. Andrade

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Marion T. Andrade, 94 of Middleboro, died Monday, November 24, 2014 at Nemasket Healthcare Center in Middleboro. She was the wife of the late Manuel Andrade.

Born in Rochester, she was the daughter of the late Peter & Mary (Garcia) Tavares. A previous resident of Wareham, she moved to Waterbury, CT before returning to Middleboro in 1969. Mrs. Andrade was employed in the canteen at Taunton State Hospital for many years retiring in 1985. She also worked as a housekeeper for the H.B. Shaw Home in Middleboro.

Mrs. Andrade was a founding member and past president of the Cape Verde Women’s Auxiliary in Waterbury, CT; a member and past president of Cape Verde Relief Organization in Wareham and a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the D.A.V. in Wareham.

She is survived by four sons, Manuel D. Andrade of W. Wareham, Anthony Andrade of Middleboro, James Andrade of Singapore and Peter Tavares of Westport; two daughters, Georgianna Silva of Pawtucket, RI and Bonita Ruffin of McKinney, TX; her brother, Manuel “Raymond” Tavares of Wareham; 19 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her siblings; the late Arthur Tavares, Rita DeBarros, Nokeena Thatcher, Rose Santos, Eugene Tavares and Vosco Tavares.

Her funeral will be from the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham on Sat., Nov. 29, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church, High St., Wareham at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Wareham. Visiting hours will be Friday from 5 – 8 p.m.

Donations in her memory may be made to National Stroke Association, 9707 East Easter Lane, Suite B, Centennial, CO 80112.

Gateway Youth Hockey Learn to Skate

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The Gateway Youth Hockey Learn to Skate/Learn to Play Session II starts on December 7. Registration began on November 7. Ten weeks for $99. Location: Tabor Ice Rink. Dates: December 7, 14*, 28; January 4, 11, 18, 15; February 1, 8, 15. Time: 10:00 – 11:00 am (*2:15 – 3:15 pm). Equipment list for Learn to Skate includes: Required – helmet with face cage; Recommended – hockey or winter gloves, snow pants or hockey pants, knee and elbow pads, hockey skates (no double blades). Equipment list for Learn to Play includes: Required – helmet with face cage, hockey chest protector, hockey elbow pads, hockey shorts, hockey shin guards, hockey gloves, hockey skates, hockey stick. *We do offer rental equipment, but this does not include skates or sticks. Please inquire on the first day. For more information, email qdocanto@msn.com.

Arts And Crafts Holiday Fair

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Local artists and crafters bring their wares to the Mattapoisett Historical Society’s Arts and Crafts Holiday Fair on Saturday, December 6 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Join us for a morning of relaxing local shopping. The show will feature a variety of local hand-crafted items for your shopping pleasure including knot ornaments, organic lip balms and moisturizers, sea glass creations, local history books, jewelry and hand-painted notecards, among other treasures. The show will coincide with the opening of the Historical Society’s Holiday Exhibit Beloved Books: Bygone Children’s Treasures. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, please call 508-758-2844 or email us at mattapoisett.museum@verizon.net. The Mattapoisett Historical Society is located at 5 Church Street, Mattapoisett.

UCT Greenhouse & Floral Creation Center

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Upper Cape Tech is proud to announce the opening of the UCT Greenhouse & Floral Creation Education Center located on the school’s campus (Route 6A/Sandwich Road in Bourne). The greenhouse was built in 2013 and is maintained and operated by students and faculty from the Horticulture Program.

The greenhouse is open Monday through Friday from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Items for sale include: house, garden, seasonal and holiday plants; herbs; vegetables; custom floral arrangements; and Christmas trees.

The students and faculty invite you to visit the greenhouse throughout the school year. Custom plants and arrangements are available and will be on display. Decorate your home for the holidays, purchase a plant or arrangement as a gift, or spruce up your yard next spring! Hope to see you soon!

One hundred percent of all proceeds go directly to the Horticultural program enabling UCT to offer FFA participation and support.

Students Send Thanks to Troops

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In the spirit of the Thanksgiving season, one first grade classroom at Center School in Mattapoisett was busy working together November 23 making cards and care packages to show their gratitude for the troops serving oversees.

The class of 16 students sat in groups along desks loaded with paper, markers, crayons, and shiny star stickers, carefully drawing images of American flags, hearts, and smiling people, and addressing them all to a soldier with ties to the community, Sergeant Kasey Koch, who is currently serving in Afghanistan.

Gail Shovlin’s daughter, Sophie Bozzo, is a student in Jennifer Aarsheim’s first grade class. For Veteran’s Day, Shovlin encouraged her daughter to make a card for a family member who served in Vietnam as a way to thank him for his service.

“And it brought a tear to his eye,” said Shovlin. “And I said, ‘we could do a lot more of that.’”

Thanksgiving, said Shovlin, is the perfect time to show gratitude for the service and sacrifice of veterans and the troops serving abroad. Making cards and writing notes of thanks seemed like a great idea to Shovlin, who shared her idea with Aarsheim as an activity in which the entire class could participate.

“I thought it was a wonderful idea,” said Aarsheim. “To give thanks … For the little kids to understand that, I think is important.”

Shovlin and Aarsheim asked students’ parents to donate snacks, toiletries, and other useful items to create care packages to send along with the thank you cards. Shovlin said the response was great indeed. She decided she would attempt to locate some local soldiers to whom she could address the cards and the care packages to bring the project a little closer to home for the students and the recipients.

“And Jenn [Aarsheim] was able to find a friend whose son just came back from Afghanistan,” said Shovlin. He was able to provide a name of a fellow soldier and friend who was still serving there.

Thanksgiving, said Shovlin, is a time of year when one is reminded to give thanks, which makes the thank you letters and care packages more meaningful in general.

“We’re using this as a way to thank, as opposed to consumerism,” said Shovlin. “And kids like making cards, so this is good.”

First-grader Emily Brzezinski drew a large card with hearts, sunshine, and a picture of herself, smiling, standing upon green grass. Her card read, “Thank you for ceping are cunchere [sic]safe.”

Blake Moreau was enthusiastically penning his message to Koch, writing, “Thank you for serving our country…”

“Thank you for being brave and protecting our country,” wrote Sasha V., signing it with love.

After finishing their cards and gathering the contents for the care packages, the students joined together to feast on some Thanksgiving treats, such as nuts, raisins, fruits, and of course, brightly covered turkey cupcakes.

By Jean Perry

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3rd Annual Holiday Wreath Fundraiser

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Team “Sole Survivors” will again hold its annual holiday wreath fundraiser to benefit the Relay for Life of Tri-Town, beginning Friday, November 28.

Members of Team “Sole Survivors” will be out at Al’s Yankee Clipper selling wreaths for $15 and decorated wreaths for $20. Also available are kissing balls for $20, cemetery boxes for $20, bittersweet wreaths for $15, and so much more!

Stop by on Black Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, and Team “Sole Survivors” will continue to sell wreaths for another two weekends into December. Hours are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Al’s Yankee Clipper is located at 428 Wareham Road, Route 6, in Marion.

All proceeds are donated to the American Cancer Society.