Friday morning we caught some first-graders in the middle of a hula-hoop relay on the grounds of Sippican School. Holding hands and cheering each other on, the kids twisted and turned themselves through the hoops and the first team to get their hoop to travel down and up the line again won the relay. Can you guess which team won?
Photos by Jean Perry
The Market is held every Tuesday, June 3 to October 14 from 3:00-7:00pm at ORR Junior High, Marion Road, Mattapoisett
The American Legion, Florence Eastman Post 280, will hold a Clam Boil under the tent in Shipyard Park in Mattapoisett on July 12 from 4:00 to 6:30 pm. Call Mike at 508-758-9311 for reservations or questions. The Boil will include our special chowder, two pounds of clams, stuffing, sweet corn, onion, potato, sausage and linguica.
Reservations are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Cost is $25 per ticket. We need your support to continue our Community Service, and we look forward to providing our guests with a great meal and good fellowship right on the water!
Wendy Collins of Rochester will bike 100 miles in the 2014 Ride to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, July 12. Beginning and ending in Fort Devens, MA, the Ride provides a two-mile family ride, 30-mile, 62-mile and 100-mile route reaching all the way from Western Massachusetts to Southern New Hampshire.
The Ride to End Alzheimer’s grew from a small, family-inspired event, formerly called Memory Ride to a cycling challenge attracting riders throughout New England and beyond. The event raises awareness and funds to support the Alzheimer’s Association’s research of treatments and eventually a cure for Alzheimer’s.
“Over the past 18 years, Ride to End Alzheimer’s has raised more than $3 million to fund critical Alzheimer’s research through the Alzheimer’s Association’s research grants program,” said James Wessler, CEO and President of the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire chapter. “We are grateful for the dedication of Wendy, and all of those participating in the Ride for their commitment to finding a cure and raising awareness.”
Over the course of the 2013-2014 school year, athletic teams at Tabor Academy saw a number of successes. The Girls’ Soccer Team started the trend when they tied the championship last fall. The success continued in the winter with an impressive wrestling season, and again in the spring when the softball and baseball teams both won their league titles. It is not only the athletes, but also the coaches at Tabor who have been leading teams to victory with instruction and support.
Four Tabor coaches have received the honor of their sport’s “Coach of the Year” in their league or division. This is an impressive number of coaches, and they were recognized throughout the three seasons over the course of the school year. In the fall, Steve Sughrue was named as the Private School Massachusetts State Coach of the Year for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Sughrue led the girls’ soccer team through an undefeated season to ultimately tie the championship. He was recognized not only for this success, but also for his leadership and commitment to the team environment.
Conan Leary received a similar honor in the winter when he was selected as the New England Independent School Wrestling Association’s Wrestling Coach of the Year. After wrestling at Tabor, Leary returned as a teacher and coach. In his time at Tabor as both an athlete and a coach, he has bettered the program with his leadership and knowledge of the sport. Thus, it is fitting that Leary receive this honor.
In the spring season, two more coaches earned honorable distinctions. Paul Salit was chosen as United States Interscholastic Lacrosse Association’s Coach of the Year by the Eastern region of New England Independent Schools. Salit is recognized for his coaching skills as well as his respect for the sport and all of those involved in it. After his 45 years of coaching, Mark Perkins was named the USILA Man of the Year. Perkins was honored for teaching life lessons through the sport.
It is both rare and exciting that so many coaches were given honors for their skills, leadership and commitment to their respective sports. Their reputations as coaches and the successes of their individual teams will continue to positively influence athletics at Tabor.
Rochester’s Conservation Commission handled a light agenda as twilight descended on Town Hall on June 3. In attendance were Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon, Chairman Rosemary Smith, and members John Teal, Christopher York and Laurene Gerrior.
A notice of intent filed by Don Stimer of 14 Bishop Road, which had been continued from the previous meeting, was continued again as Farinon noted the applicant was still collecting information requested by the commission. Further, Stimer is still waiting to hear back from National Heritage. Regarding this property and notice of intent, a “Mullin Rule” affidavit has been filed. The Mullin rule arises from the Appeals Court decision of Mullin v. Planning Board of Brewster, 17 Mass. App. 139 (1983) which held that a planning board decision on a subdivision plan is an adjudicatory proceeding. The members of the board who vote on the plan must have attended the hearings on the plans. The Mullin case involved, at most, two hearings on a proposed subdivision plan. At least two Massachusetts Trial Court judges have refused to apply the Mullin rule in an overly stringent fashion when there are a series of public meetings. These judges have ruled, in essence, that if a planning board member misses a meeting when non-substantive issues were discussed, it makes little difference. Furthermore, if a planning board member misses a meeting where there may have been substantive discussion and presentation but that substantive material was undoubtedly reiterated at a later meeting which the planning board member did attend, the Mullin rule should not apply.” The hearing was continued until that time.
A certificate of compliance requested by Erica Benoit and Kathryn Guy for property located off Snipatuit Road was issued. Farinon reported to the members that a deed restriction has been added to the property to ensure that there won’t be another remediation project at this site given the amount of remediation that was required – a total of 850 square feet – to compensate for 650 square feet of fill for a driveway crossing through bordering vegetated wetland.
A certificate of compliance requested by Andrew and Susan Revell of 59 Bradford Lane was also issued.
In old business, the property located at 510 New Bedford Road was discussed. Farinon shared with the commission that wetland lines will be re-drawn according to engineer Rich Charon and that the parties involved will be ready for the July 1 meeting.
Farinon reported that MapGeo, an online municipal mapping program, will soon be available to the public via the town website, and she lauded it as a great tool for residents as well as town employees. Information available will include flood plains.
Smith showed the members new signage that will be placed in the kiosk at Doggett’s Brook. The members also discussed language suggestions received from town counsel that might be displayed on signage at the Leonard’s Pond kiosk. After editing the legal text, Farinon will revisit what is absolutely necessary to have posted versus the long list offered by counsel.
The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is June 17 at 7:00 pm at Town Hall.
By Marilou Newell
One of the highlights of the third-grade school year, students dressed up as famous Americans and treated senior citizens from the Council on Aging to a senior citizen appreciation breakfast the morning of June 6. The third-graders sang patriotic songs like the Star-Spangled Banner and My Country ‘Tis of Thee, dressed as the American figure of their choice. After the performance, the students mingled with their guests, introducing themselves as their character and stating facts about their history and lives. Photos by Jean Perry
Summer conditioning programs at ORR will be Monday – Thursday, June 23-August 14. The program will run from 4:30 – 5:30 pm for boys and girls in grades 3-6, and the cost is $75 for the summer, with checks made payable to MattRec. For boys and girls in grades 7-12, the program will run from 5:30 – 7:00 pm, and the cost is $100 for the summer, with checks made payable to MattRec. Registration paper work is on the MattRec website, or you can pick it up in the athletic office. You may also register your first night.
We will also be doing a track and field camp for boys and girls in grades 6-12 from Saturday, August 16 – Wednesday, August 20. The cost is $125. It will be sport specific. Events offered include sprints, distance, mid-distance, shot put, discus, javelin, high jump, long jump, triple jump. The camp will be coached by head coaches and assistant coaches from Old Rochester, Wareham, Bourne, New Bedford and Foxboro. Paper work can be found on MattRec website soon.
The Mattapoisett Track Club will once again sponsor summer teen dances on Holmes Wharf this summer. Dances will be every Thursday night, with the first dance on Thursday, June 19 and the last scheduled for August 21. Dances will be held between the hours of 7:30 pm and 10:30 pm. Admission is limited to students who are entering the junior and senior high school in the fall and are residents of the Tri-Town area. Summer residents and summer visitors are also welcome. No one will be admitted to these dances after 9:00 pm. Admission fee will be $7.
Ladies who love the outdoors: Join the Buzzards Bay Coalition for “Women in Waders,” a series of three exciting adventures in June that will keep you learning, laughing, and discovering new things about yourself and our local waters. We will explore ways to get up close and personal with nature in a safe and supportive environment.
On Thursday, June 5 at Camp Massasoit (38 Reservation Road, Mattapoisett) from 6:00 – 7:30 pm, don a pair of waders and hop into Mattapoisett Harbor for Seeking Shellfish, a learn to quahog program. Participants will learn how to use a clam rake to dig for quahogs at low tide and try their hand at shucking clams. This will be a “dig and release” activity unless you have a valid Mattapoisett shellfish permit.
On Thursday, June 12 at LaPalme Farm (end of Blain Street, Acushnet) from 6:00 – 7:30 pm, put on waders and search for aquatic macroinvertebrates (aka “big water bugs”) during Bugging Out. Whether you love or hate bugs, participants will be amazed at the diversity of life that exists at the edge of the Acushnet River. Participants will learn about the interesting adaptations of these unusual creatures, many of which they may have never seen before!
On Thursday, June 19 at Camp Massasoit (38 Reservation Road, Mattapoisett) from 6:00 – 7:30 pm, participants will learn about the beautiful but feisty blue crab during Crazy About Crabs. They will also master techniques for luring crabs to shore and picking them up without getting pinched! (Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet and muddy.)
Women of all ages are welcome to these free programs. (Ladies under 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult.) Waders and other equipment will be provided, or you are welcome to bring your own.
Registration is required for all Bay Adventures. To RSVP, email bayadventures@savebuzzardsbay.org or call 508-999-6363 ext. 219.
“Women in Waders” is part of the Coalition’s Bay Adventures series – programs designed for explorers of all ages to get outside and discover Buzzards Bay. To learn more about all our upcoming Bay Adventures, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/BayAdventures.