Annual Lap-a-Thon

on May 2, 2014

Tabor Academy has a number of annual traditions; perhaps one of the most important of them is the annual lap-a-thon. For the past eight years, rain or shine, the lap-a-thon has taken place at the Tabor track on a Sunday in the spring, and it did again this past weekend.

Gary Sousa, Tabor faculty member, runs for the Dana Farber Institute for cancer research in the Boston Marathon. Sousa has been running for ten years and holds the lap-a-thon at Tabor to help raise funds and awareness and to further the community’s contribution to Dana Farber.

Sousa, who commits a great deal of his time to running, was inspired by his training partners to run with them in the Boston Marathon for Dana Farber. Sousa figured that since he already spent a lot of time running, he should use his passion to benefit a good cause. Due to his fulfilling experience, he realized that cancer is a pervasive issue and wanted to not only raise funds, but also, awareness. Sousa established the Tabor lap-a-thon during his second year as a faculty member, and it has been a major success.

All of the proceeds from the lap-a-thon are directed towards the charity and they come in a variety of ways. Each team that participates in the event consists of five members, each of whom must pay an entry fee. In addition, anyone can purchase a T-shirt or take part in the raffle. Local restaurants and small businesses often contribute donations. The community raises roughly $5,000 each year, usually doubling Sousa’s personal fundraising. Dana Farber as a whole raised $6.1 million by Marathon Monday and will continue to collect donations until September. Sousa often goes above and beyond his fundraising requirement for participation, especially due to the support of the local businesses and the Tabor community.

The whole community came together for the day. There were students, faculty, and faculty children supporting the cause. The atmosphere was exciting and cheerful with live performances from members of the Tabor community and grilling throughout the day. Participants on each team dressed up in themed outfits, vying for the annual prize of “best-costume.” Some teams fight to complete 105 laps, the equivalent of a marathon, while others compete for the record lap-a-thon time in which the marathon is completed. The lap-a-thon is a four-hour event, a time that coincides with Sousa’s personal marathon goal.

Although the weather is not always ideal, almost the entire community arrives at the track on the morning of the lap-a-thon. Sousa recalls that a few years ago, it was a very rainy morning and no one had arrived just before the lap-a-thon was supposed to start. As he was losing hope, suddenly teams began proceeding up to the track and it was a great turnout. It is heart-warming for Sousa to see how many people come out to support the cause. Sousa admits that he is ”always impressed by how many people show up on the day.”

By Julia O’Rourke

Passing the Gavel

on May 2, 2014

The Sippican Woman’s Club held its Annual Meeting at The Kittansett Club on Friday, April 25th. Pictured above (left to right ) is outgoing President Susan Ford and newly elected President Susan Granger. For club membership information. contact Jeanne Lake at (508) 748-0619 or visit our website sippicanwomansclub.org. (Jeanne Bruen, Photographer)

The Sippican Woman’s Club held its annual meeting on Friday, April 25 at The Kittansett Club in Marion. The newly elected Board members are pictured above (from left to night). Joyce Kohout, Secretary; Deborah Bush. 2nd V.P.; outgoing President, Susan Ford; newly elected President, Susan Granger; Judi Collins-Thompson, Assistant Treasurer; Lynne Parks-Kuhl, 1st V.P.; and Treasurer, Mary Jane Wheeler. For membership information, contact Jeanne Lake at (508) 748-0619 or visit our website sippicanwomansclub.org. (Jeanne Bruen, Photographer)

Baseball Remains at Top of SCC

on May 2, 2014

Here is a look at the fourth week of scheduled games for ORR spring athletics.

Baseball: The boys’ baseball team has seemed to hit their stride, as for the second consecutive week, the Bulldogs claimed victories in all three of their games. The boys started off their season with a worrying 0-2 record, but thanks to solid pitching and fantastic hitting, the boys have gone on an eight-game win streak to put them at the top of the SCC rankings. This week, the boys defeated Apponequet, 14-11, thanks to a strong relief pitching effort by junior Brendan Deverix and great offensive performances by Jordan Menard and Bryant Salkind, who each had four hits on the win. The Bulldogs went on to defeat Seekonk, 4-2, and Bourne, 11-3, to put their overall record at 8-2 and SCC record at a league-best 7-1.

Softball: The Lady Bulldogs had a great week, spoiled only by bad weather. On Wednesday, the Lady Bulldogs faced Seekonk, and had a considerable 7-2 lead in the fourth inning before the game was stopped short due to weather conditions. Unfortunately, this did not count as a win for the Lady Bulldogs, who will have to either finish the game later in the season or replay it all together. However, the girls finished their week strong with a 13-0 shutout win over Bourne in a game that only lasted five innings. Pitcher Kaleigh Goulart only allowed two hits and struck out four to lead the Lady Bulldogs defensively, while freshman Olivia Labbe continues to make an impact, leading the ORR offense with three hits. The girls batted a season-high 16 hits on the game.

Boys’ and Girls’ Track: Neither the boys’ nor girls’ track teams had official meets this week, but the freshmen and sophomores of the team were allowed to shine in the annual SCC Freshman-Sophomore Meet held at ORR. Sophomore Emily Josephson easily won the two-mile in a one-on-one showdown against a Case runner, and freshman Graham Poirier placed third in the 400-meter hurdles, while classmate John Kvilhaug placed fourth in the 800-meter run. The track teams hope to remain undefeated when they return to action against Apponequet later this week.

Boys’ Tennis: The Bulldogs had a rough start to the week, suffering their first conference loss to Seekonk, 4-1. All ORR singles and doubles players were defeated except for Connor Blagden and Stephen Burke, who won 6-3, 6-3 at first doubles. Later in the week, however, the boys had a strong showing against Wareham, where they shut the Vikings out 5-0. Alex Bilodeau, Doug Blaise, and Lars Eklund won at first, second, and third singles, respectively, and Blagden teamed up with Ian Hibbert to claim first doubles while Maxx Wolski and Mason Mathieu won at second doubles.

Girls’ Tennis: After a tough conference loss against Apponequet last week, the Lady Bulldogs took some frustration out by winning both of their matches this week. Seekonk and Wareham both fell to ORR by perfect 5-0 scores. Julia Nojeim, Haley Dickerson, and K.K. Bindas won at first, second, and third singles, respectively, in both matches. Against Seekonk, Morgan Middleton and Triona Cuddy won at first doubles while Rachel Brown and Serena Jaskolka won at second doubles. Against Wareham, the doubles teams were mixed up, but with great results. At first doubles, Middleton was joined by Charlotte Levine to win 7-5, 6-4, and Brown was joined by freshman Sophie Church at second doubles to win 6-2, 6-1.

Boys’ Lacrosse: The Bulldogs won both of their games this week by large margins. The boys crushed the GNB Voc-Tech Bears 20-5 early in the week thanks to a great performance by Ethan Lizotte, who led the team with six goals. Freshmen Charlie Tirrell and Connor Severino each scored a hat trick for the Bulldogs as well in the win. Later in the week, the boys squeaked in a game against Fairhaven despite the weather that canceled several games, including softball. The weather did not affect the Bulldogs, as they easily defeated Fairhaven 11-2. Severino scored his second hat trick of the week to lead the Bulldogs, who had seven players score on the win.

Girls’ Lacrosse: The Lady Bulldogs had a so-so week, winning one game while losing the other, both against SCC rivals. The girls defeated GNB Voc-Tech 13-3, with Mikayla Demanche scoring six of the goals. The win was a record-setting one for the Lady Bulldogs, as it gave them their sixth win of the season, which is the most wins the team has had in its four-year span. Bailey Truesdale (three goals) and Sarah Ryan (two goals) also played well for ORR. The girls, however, could not keep up the momentum and ended up losing their next game against Fairhaven, 8-5.

Below are the overall spring team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of April 27.

Baseball: (8-2-0) (7-1-0); Softball: (1-7-0) (1-6-0); Boys’ Track (3-0-0) (3-0-0); Girls’ Track (3-0-0) (3-0-0); Boys’ Tennis: (5-3-0) (4-1-0); Girls’ Tennis: (5-2-0) (4-1-0); Boys’ Lacrosse: (5-3-0) (4-0-0); Girls’ Lacrosse: (7-3-0) (2-3-0).

By Michael Kassabian

Town Benefits from Nextel Agreement

on May 2, 2014

Upon the termination of its lease, Nextel has agreed to leave its antenna and cables behind at the Mill Street water tower so the Police Department can use the cables for its own benefit, saving the Town thousands of dollars.

During a quick, special mid-day meeting of the selectmen on April 25, Town Administrator Paul Dawson presented the proposed deal to selectmen to approve as an amendment to the agreement between the Town and Nextel, saying the “high-quality” cable that Nextel will leave behind will allow the Police Department to move its communication equipment from the Marconi tower to the Mill Street tower.

“That would be a tremendous cost savings,” said Dawson.

Police Chief Lincoln Miller said the quality of the 12 cables being left by Nextel is higher quality cable than what the Town would purchase on its own for the same purpose, and the three cables the Town will initially use will work well with the Police Department’s existing equipment.

Nextel is leaving behind $12,000 worth of cable, so the Town only needs to purchase connectors for hooking up the equipment to the cables.

“I think this is great,” said Selectman Stephen Cushing.

“It’s a great opportunity,” concurred Selectman Jody Dickerson.

Miller told selectmen that once Nextel says they are completely finished with the tower, they will turn it over to the Town. Selectmen are also allowing Nextel to leave behind their antenna, which will remain unused for the time being.

By Jean Perry

RMS Presents Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’

on May 1, 2014

Thou wilt not miss this performance of Shakespeare’s The Tempest at Rochester Memorial School on Friday, May 2 at 7:00 pm! There is plenty of drama, and just as much humor, and the kids have been hard at work for months getting ready for the big night.

At their April 28 dress rehearsal performance after school, the RMS fifth- and sixth-grade cast put on a stellar performance. Their hard work is paying off, and they are ready to wow you with their talent. These kids are serious – they mean business.

Directing the play for her 27^th year, Danni Kleiman, a sixth grade teacher at RMS, knows exactly what she wants from the students and she has put together a cast of fantastic actors who know their lines and naturally become their assigned character as soon as they step on the stage.

Elise Mello is playing the lead role of Prospera this year, not Prospero, with Hannah Johnson starring as Prospera’s daughter, Miranda. Miranda’s true love at first sight, Ferdinand, is played by Aidan Root.

Parent, and Rochester School Committee member, Tina Rood is also helping to organize the show, along with some Old Rochester Regional students, who are assisting with lighting, special effects, and scene changes.

“In fifth and sixth grade, I was in the show,” said Troy Rood, a senior at ORR. “And now I’ve just helped out every year.”

The show begins with the dramatic scene of a ship tossed at sea, destined to shipwreck on the shore of a deserted island, home to Prospera and Miranda.

Right away, the amount of hard work that goes into the annual Shakespeare performances at RMS is evident. The props, the costumes, the lighting – the acting!

Tickets for the May 2 performance are $9, and doors open at 6:00 pm. For more information about the performance, call 508-763-2049.

By Jean Perry

Intersection Made Safer, Blackboard Expands

on May 1, 2014

After a couple of traffic accidents and vocal concerns from residents living by the North Avenue/Neck Road intersection, selectmen on April 28 approved Police Chief Paul Magee’s recommendations to repaint the stop lines on the road and trim back trees close to the intersection.

A memorandum from Chief Magee to the Board of Selectmen cites two separate incidents when drivers failed to stop at the intersection that resulted in vehicular crashes. Residents have complained about safety issues surrounding the intersection, prompting Magee to devise measures to improve safety at the intersection.

Those measures will be putting down fresh paint along the stop line and adding the word “Stop” on the road to reinforce the stop line. Trees north and southbound on North Avenue will be trimmed back as well to improve visibility.

“It’s a difficult intersection because of the sight lines,” said Magee. He stated that existing cautionary signs placed ahead of the intersection should be ample warning of the upcoming stop signs, but alas …”and we are doing enforcement.” added Magee. He said the new safety measures “will make a difference.”

Newly appointed Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Bradford Morse suggested a motion to forward the chief’s memo to the Highway Department to execute Magee’s recommendations, and the board approved the motion.

In other news, the board approved the expansion of Matt’s Blackboard Restaurant on Rounseville Road, increasing the 600 square-foot restaurant by another 300 square feet.

Owner Matt Gurney said the restaurant acquired the 300 feet some time ago when it took over the “Bev Loves Books” location because the restaurant needed the extra space for a storage room. The space was eventually converted into a “morning café.”

“[The café] just didn’t pan out and the dinners are really busy,” said Gurney.

The added space will provide more seating and a larger waiting area for customers during busy dining hours.

Also during the meeting, the board briefly discussed the five-year Capital Plan, which is adjusted on an annual basis to include any new projects that “pop up,” as Selectman Naida Parker put it.

Parker mildly criticized unspecified department heads for not accurately predicting future capital projects, saying they should be able to anticipate the imminent need to replace old equipment or make repairs within the foreseeable future.

“Department heads should really be taking a hard look at what’s coming up in the next five years,” said Parker. “We rely on them to bring these items forward…”

Town Administrator Richard LaCamera said, at this point, the Town has addressed all the items within the Capital Plan from the last three years, except roadway repairs and maintenance covered by accrued Chapter 90 state funding, which will ultimately become a focus in the current five-year plan.

LaCamera called the Capital Plan a “moving plan that gets updated every single year.”

In other news, the board approved the recommended appointments to the Conservation Commission, as well as the Zoning Board of Appeals, Historical Commission, and Chief Magee’s recommendation to reappoint current Animal Control Officer Anne Estabrook.

Magee further requested the additional appointment of Kelly Massey to part-time animal control officer to fill a vacant assistant animal control officer position. Massey is also an animal control officer for the Town of Mattapoisett.

The board also approved the reappointment of three additional part-time police officers: Alyson Rego from Dartmouth, Dylan Hicks from Pittsfield, and Alexander Malo from Taunton.

Selectmen reminded Rochester residents that they are seeking members for the newly-established Cable Commission, and asked any residents interested in serving to please express their interest.

The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen will be a joint meeting with the Finance Committee and town department heads on May 5 at 7:30 pm for a warrant and fiscal year 2015 budget review.

By Jean Perry

Raznikov and Wisner, Whimsy and Adventure

on May 1, 2014

The photography exhibit now gracing the walls of the Marion Art Center tells two stories, both of adventure and surprise, but in two strikingly different ways.

Both masters of their medium, one of the artists rejoices in the journey through childhood when everything in a child’s own backyard is a new discovery, while the other epitomizes the journey of the traveler, the adventurer, gathering experience on a grand scale along vast landscapes and faraway lands.

Corinna Raznikov is well known in the Town of Marion. She has spent a lot of time with children – her own and those in the community – capturing moments of discovery and imagination with her camera lens and sharing them with the children, the community, and you.

“Children are both natural philosophers and scientists,” said Raznikov, surrounded by a room packed with people on April 25, the evening of the show’s opening reception.

On the ground floor, Raznikov’s black and white photos are big, yet they feel intimate, portraying children studying objects, bringing the viewer so close that one can almost see the wonder through the children’s own eyes.

“I give them an object,” said Raznikov, “and I photograph them experimenting and watch what they are doing,” said Raznikov. She said she is celebrating and honoring childhood through her art.

Upstairs, the wall is lined with black and white photos from a project six years in the making, photographing over 500 students at the Sippican School on their annual “Vocabulary Day,” when students choose a new vocabulary word and bring the word to life by dressing up in costumes they make to define their chosen word.

Raznikov photographs each student dressed in his or her costume and gives each one a free copy to keep. She has also compiled all the photos she took over the six years she worked with the Sippican School in a book she will donate to the school once the MAC exhibition is through. The book is on display in the upstairs gallery.

She will also donate all profits from selling her photos from the Vocabulary Day on display at the MAC to the Sippican School’s Etta Hicks-Allen Library.

“And that’s my way of giving back to the community,” said Raznikov.

Artist and Photographer Ronald Wisner has been all over the world, armed with an array of cameras from some of the earliest old-fashioned models, to the modern and mundane iPhone camera, the only one he had on him when he saw something spectacular of which he just had to take a photo.

One photograph on display captures the viewer’s attention right when they walk through the MAC door into the downstairs gallery. It’s a perspective of the Golden Gate Bridge one rarely ever sees, a once in a lifetime opportunity granted to Wisner by an associate he knew on the “bridge commission” who allowed Wisner to climb to the top of the south tower.

“I doubt that they even let people do that anymore,” said Wisner.

As awkward as the climb might be, imagine lugging a boxy, wooden eight by ten-inch sheet film camera from 1895 with you.

“There I was at the top of the Golden Gate Bridge setting [the camera] up with a dark cloth over my head.”

The camera that he used to take the shot and several others he used taking photos in the exhibit are on display at the MAC in the downstairs gallery.

Wisner has taught photography in different parts of the world like Italy, Greece, and Colorado, all of which are represented in the show in the form of marvelous, mysterious black and white photos of foreign landscapes and remarkable views.

The show remains until May 31, and the gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 1:00 – 5:00 pm, and Saturday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

By Jean Perry

Mattapoisett Road Race

on April 30, 2014

The Mattapoisett Road Race Committee, chaired by Bill Tilden, recently met to continue preparations for its 44th July 4 road race.

There are several highlights for this year’s five-mile race. Included are:

– New lightweight T-shirts guaranteed for first 750 runners;

– “Future Runner” T-shirts for children on sale race day (sizes 2-4T, 5-6, 7);

– Most-spirited spectator site along the race route recognized (honors have previously gone to the Kassabian and Dall families);

– Contest for ORRHS students to design the road race poster that is displayed throughout the area; and

– Harpoon Harmonizers beginning the day with song.

Throughout the history of the race, the Race Committee has given over $200,000 in awards to Tri-Town students who have been involved in running. Proceeds from this year’s race will go to ORRHS senior athletes. Award recipients in 2013 were Alexandra Saccone, Luke Mattar, Meagan Bell, Nick Pacheco of Marion; Abigail Hiller, Fredric Murolo, Alex Milde, Janice Weldon, Brian Tranfaglia of Mattapoisett; and Hannah Weeks from Rochester.

From elite runners, to exercise runners, to holiday cookout runners, to family runners, this race appeals to people from all age groups. Competitive runners hail from throughout New England and beyond. The five-mile course records of 25:02 for men and 29:32 for women attest to the quality of the competition. This spirit is reflected in the increasing number of runners who have run for over four decades!

For more information and to register for this year’s Independence Day race, go to www.mattapoisettroadrace.com or like us on Facebook.

Old Rochester Regional May Music News

on April 30, 2014

FORM is proud to announce the Old Rochester Junior and Senior High School concert calendar for May. The following events are free and open to the public.

Director Mike Barnicle and the ORR High School Band and Chorus will present a variety of tunes and pops favorites that are sure to bring smiles at the Annual Spring Concert on Thursday, May 8 at 7:00 pm in the High School Auditorium. This is the Tri-Town’s opportunity to enjoy live music and the last chance to appreciate the talents of our Senior Class.

Enjoy more live entertainment as Music Directors Jim Farmer (Band) and Angie Vaughn (Chorus) present the ORR Junior High Band and Chorus at their Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 21 at 7:00 pm in the Junior High Auditorium.

Pack a lunch, bring a lawn chair, and enjoy a concert by the Junior High Band and Chorus on Thursday, May 22, 11:00 am at the Gazebo, Shipyard Park in Mattapoisett. We’re hoping the weather will cooperate for this event as no rain date is planned.

A Friend of Old Rochester Music supports the Music Programs at the Junior and Senior High Schools by raising funds that provide scholarships, instructional clinics, instruments, and transportation for our music students. FORM members and staff look forward to seeing you next year! FORM welcomes your participation in keeping music alive in our schools and invites you to join us. Visit us on the web at www.form02739.org.

Italian Pasta Dinner

on April 30, 2014

St. Anthony’s and St. Rita’s churches will sponsor an Italian Pasta dinner. The Basta Pasta dinner will be held at St. Anthony’s Church hall. A delicious Italian meal will be served. Tickets are on sale after all masses or call Bob LaCrosse at 508-748-2676, Will Bruno at 508-758-9578, or Rectory office. Mark the date: Saturday, May 17 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm. Ticket prices: family $25, adults $10, children/seniors $5.