Gateway Youth Hockey

on January 28, 2014

Squirt Grizzlies: The Gateway Squirt Grizzlies beat Hanover Saturday 9-1 in a Yankee Conference matchup at Gallo. Chris Gauvin had a hat trick and two assists. Austin Fleming had two goals and an assist. Ryker King was solid in goal.

The Grizzlies faced off against the North Attleboro Devils on Sunday and won 5-0. Chris Gauvin had two goals and Austin Fleming, RJ Vickery and Jack Satterley each had one goal. Matt Quinlan had the shut-out in net.

Pee Wee Predators: The Gateway Predators were back in action on Sunday, matching up against the SWS Chiefs. The Predators came out on a mission, scoring early in the first period with a goal by Zack Lovendale, assisted by Quirino doCanto. They kept the pressure on and managed to catch a break when a deflected pass found the stick of Kaleb Riggle and sent him in on a break-away. Riggle beat the goalie with a nice wrist shot high blocker side. A few minutes later, defenseman Bryan Gallagher pulled off some fancy stickwork, dangling through a couple Chiefs, then roofed a backhand past the goalie. There was no scoring in the second as the Predators seemed to lose some intensity with the comfortable lead. The third period was won by SWS, but the Predators did enough to win the game 4-2 as Riggle added another goal. Alex DeMarco played solid in net to earn the victory. The Predators will head to Orleans next Sunday to start their playoffs against Lower Cape.

Pee Wee Warriors: The Gateway Warriors scored three goals in the first period, which was just enough to defeat the Coastal Stars, 3-2. Zachary Pateakos made some great saves in the Warrior net, while Jackson St. Don, Robert Ramsay, and Ben DeMoranville provided the goal scoring. Zachary Barris was credited with his tenth assist of the season.

Marjorie Louise Wood

on January 28, 2014

Marjorie Louise Wood died peacefully January 25, 2014 following a brief decline in health. The wife of Donald Wood (Woodie), she was the mother of four daughters, Roxanne Roberts , Betsy Jackson, Dianne Wood, and Susan McMahon; and the grandmother to the source of her greatest joy, her grandchildren, Caitlin Roberts, Megan Ocampo, Sarah Lake-Johnson, John Roberts, Ian Lake, Caleb Wood-Daggett, Nathaniel Jackson, Emily Jackson, and Seamus McMahon. She made their young lives an important part of hers, attending as many of their events as possible, babysitting, playing games, teaching them to read; the list is endless. A source of great pride and joy as well were her great-grandchildren, Madeline, Emelia , Eden, and Ellery.

Marjorie (known to those close to her as Marge or Midge) grew up in Fairhaven where she first met Woodie at Fairhaven High School. Following World War II they re-met at Bowlmor in Mattapoisett where she said to her friend “That’s the man I’m going to marry.” They would have been married 67 years in July. She was a private person, a homemaker all her married life, a consummate stay-at-home mother who was talented, creative, and imaginative. An accomplished seamstress, she made wedding gowns, bridesmaid’s dresses, and numerous prom gowns along with many other items for her daughters and granddaughters. She was a skilled Nantucket Basket weaver, wood carver, sculptor, artist, meticulous needle worker and was able to teach herself to play the piano. As an avid birdwatcher, she kept long lists of the birds she saw outside her bay window. Sadly, she would never see a Bluebird which she had hoped she someday would. A life-long reader, there was never a time she was without a book.

Woodie’s job as a firefighter meant he was frequently away from home which left her the responsibility of four young daughters. It didn’t matter that we didn’t have a car; she entertained us with her imaginative games. On the rare occasions that the car was ours, she took us on mystery rides, slowing down upon returning home only to speed off again before stopping, turning our groans into cheers because the adventure was still on. She instilled in her daughters the value of kindness, empathy and fairness. As in any family, there were some difficult times but there were many more good times and always love and laughter.

The family will welcome friends at the home of her daughter, Susan, on Saturday, February 1st, 40 Main Street, Mattapoisett, beginning at two o’clock until 5 o’clock. We ask that donations in her memory be made to the charity of your choice.

Board Talks Budget, Approves Town Planner

on January 27, 2014

Selectmen took care of business swiftly on January 27 with no appointments listed on the agenda, nor any new business presented.

Town Administrator Richard LaCamara updated the board on school budget progress after another Rochester School Committee budget subcommittee meeting was held the night before. It seems there is progress is bringing down the initial total amount requested for level-services, from $254,000 to $120,000. LaCamara reported that the school budget still requires an increase of $74,000, and an additional $46,000 for Bristol County Agricultural High School.

LaCamara referred to the Old Rochester Regional High School proposed budget as “terribly difficult,” with a requested increase of $820,000, a $327,000 increase in Rochester’s assessment for the ORR budget.

“Which is a problem for us,” said LaCamara, “because we can’t afford that kind of an increase.” He added that he would be attending the budget subcommittee meeting at ORR the next day on Tuesday, saying, “We’ll review the budget tomorrow and see where we are at … but they’re gonna have to reduce our assessment by at least $220,000…to balance our budget.” He continued, “Old Colony proposed a $300,000 increase, which they know is not gonna happen.”

Nunes had a number of questions about the school budget, to which LaCamara did not have all the answers. Selectman Naida Parker suggested Nunes attend the subcommittee meeting the next day to address his concerns.

It was Nunes’s position that the three towns already contribute above and beyond what the State requires them to spend on the regional school.

Some good news for the budget, Parker disclosed the recent revelation that the State would reimburse 90% of the Town’s contribution toward Bristol Aggie transportation costs. Parker explained that the Bristol Aggie transportation line would be taken out of the Rochester Memorial transportation budget, and will stand alone as its own budget item within the over-all school budget.

Before the discovery of the State reimbursement, the Town had been trying to come up with other ways to transport Rochester students to Bristol Aggie, even considering using a Council on Aging van and hiring a driver. In light of the news of reimbursement, the move is no longer necessary.

Additional information pertaining to the budget included state aid projections that came in last week, which grants Rochester only $12,000 more this year in Chapter 70 reimbursement, which is unfortunate, according to LaCamara.

In other news, the board approved deficit spending for the Town’s snow and ice removal budget, which would probably – no, make that, definitely be over-expended by the end of next week, stated LaCamara.

What does that mean, and from where will the money come to pay for continued snow removal, asked Selectman Richard Nunes.

Spending over the $68,000 budget line for snow and ice is not a rare occurrence, and LaCamara explained that either the Town would have to make a transfer from some other section of the budget or use free cash to cover the budget, “depending on the severity of the situation,” said LaCamara.

Also at the meeting, with budget negotiations for newly hired Town Planner Mary Crain completed, LaCamara presented the board with the finished contract, which he stated was no different than the one that was presented earlier. The contract, dated February 1 through June 30 is for an hourly rate of $26, with a maximum of 1,000 hours annually. Contracts generally run from July 1 through June 30, the reason for the expiration of Crain’s contract the end of June this year. The quorum of two, in Selectman Brad Morse’s absence, approved the contract unanimously.

Also during the meeting, the board discussed putting together a cable committee to review the Town’s contract with Comcast and, in two years, with Verizon. Parker mentioned adding an addendum to the contract with Verizon, hoping to avoid having major broadcasting channels dropped from the channel line up.

The next Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for February 10, at 6:30 pm at Town Hall.

By Jean Perry

Cribbage Tournament

on January 27, 2014

Cribbage players needed for Cribbbage Tournament Every Friday at 12 noon at Acushnet Council on Aging 59 ½ Main St Acushnet Mass. Play 7 games against 7 different opponents. Any questions Contact Gary Emken 774-328-1189. Also players needed for Monday League play.

Mattapoisett Free Public Library News

on January 27, 2014

The Mattapoisett Free Public Library is joining hundreds of other libraries across the United States and beyond in celebrating the third annual “Take Your Child to the Library Day” on Saturday, February 1st. A full day of activities are planned, and families are encouraged to visit the children’s department and enjoy the fun.

Sadie, the Reading Paws Dog, will make a visit at 11 a.m. Children are welcome to read to this adorable pooch, who loves to spend time with young readers. Her handler will talk about how to approach a dog, and many dog books will be available to check out. Guess the number of dog bones in a jar and win a book!

The Junior Friends of the Library will be showing the movie “UP” at 1 pm and offering popcorn and water. Free to all.

Thanks to the support of our business sponsor, First Citizen’s Federal Credit Union, and donations from the Friends of the Library and the Junior Friends, the library will be unveiling two new AWE children’s literacy computers filled with educational games and activities. Members of the Junior Friends will be there to acquaint younger children with the computers. One is suitable for children ages 2 – 8 years old and one is geared for children ages 6 – 12.

All day activities include StoryWalks, both inside and outside the library, crafts, chess games and Lego building. A Scavenger Hunt will be held in the library too! Raffle prizes will be offered–participate in the free drawing just by attending and having fun.

Come in and celebrate libraries and all the enrichment they bring with your child or grandchild on Saturday, February 1st. The library is located at 7 Barstow Street. Visit our the website www.mattapoisettlibrary.org and follow the library on facebook to learn about activities and events. Call 508-758-4171 if you need more information.

IPad Users Group – The next meeting of the iPad/iPhone Users Group will be held Saturday, February 15th from 3 to 3:45 pm. Topics for the afternoon will be determined by those in attendance. Understand general settings and troubleshooting are covered. Drop in and learn how to use your device more effectively.

Tech Assistance – Librarian Elizabeth Sherry is available to help those with smart phones, ereaders, iPads and other devices. Tech workshops are held on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm and Fridays at 3 pm. Appointments can also be made by calling 508-758-4171. Learn how to manage your email, download library books, and other tasks.

Snowshoes for Children – If your child would like to try his or her skill at snowshoes, why not check out a pair from the children’s room? Adult sizes are coming soon.

Learn About the Library–Friday, January 31– There is a lot more to the library than checking out books. Would you like a personal tour of the building and the website, so you can hear about all the various services and resources available to you? Meet in the Reading Room at 3 pm, and Library Director Susan Pizzolato will show you parts of the collection you may not know about and demonstrate resources on the web site that will enhance your searching and help you locate extensive information on many topics. Bring your questions and ask what you always wanted to know about your library. Call 508-758-4171 to sign up.

Photography Exhibit and Talk – Join photographer Georgia Sparling in the Reading Room of the library on Thursday, February 6th at 3 pm when she will talk about her exhibit “Town and Country” featuring images from China, American’s West Coast, and those taken locally. Ellen Flynn will be preparing floral arrangements to complement the images. Refreshments will be served. The exhibit will remain through the end of February.

Georgia, a Mississippi native, attended Brown University. Following graduation, she spent six years in China as a freelance writer and communications manager in the nonprofit world. While living in Shanghai she renewed her interest in photography, using digital cameras and two Chinese film cameras. The photos in the exhibit reflect her interests in both formats of photography and encompass landscapes, portraits and architecture, all with a desire to capture the atmosphere and culture of the locations.

Lego Club – Those who love Legos are welcome to come and build with the library’s Legos any Saturday from 1:30 to 3 pm. Practice before visiting Legoland in Somerville, MA, the Lego mecca for the Northeast.

Chess Club – Are you an adult or a high school student with a command of the elements of chess who would like to share what you know with other chess players? Chess Club meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. All ages can play and learn with the help of one another and a chess coach.

Chess Instruction – Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 pm chess instructor Jim Kegle works with beginning chess players who would like to learn and join in the fun of playing chess. All children are welcome.

Memoir Writing – Writing your life story for yourself or your loved ones? A memoir writing group has formed to share writing ideas and exercises to help you tell your story. The group meets on the third Friday of each month from 10:30 to noon. Please call and leave your name and contact information to receive meeting reminders. 508-758-4171.

Writers’ Group – The library writers’ group continues to meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8 pm. All genres are shared in constructive and supportive group discussion.

Young Adult Lounge – Relax in the new teen space, enjoy hot cocoa, and the cereal bar! Lounge furniture, new series books, video and board games, graphic novels, homework help. Come in, read, socialize, and enjoy.

Latin Musicians Wow Mattapoisett Students

on January 27, 2014

From the moment they paraded into the Center School gymnasium, the five internationally renowned members of the Latin American educational music group, Manguito, captivated the young audience with the rhythmic thundering of their drums and other implements of mass percussion.

The exuberant, but very attentive, audience savored a taste of Latin American culture on January 24 when Manguito took the students on a musical journey through the Caribbean – making virtual stops at the islands of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico – so they could sample the sounds and rhythms of instruments originating from each country.

Manguito delighted the kids with its interactive, multi-sensory approach to engaging the students and getting them excited about the music.

When it was time to listen, the students listened enthusiastically. When the group asked them to clap, they clapped their hands raucously. And when it was time to get up and dance, they got up and danced – wildly.

Little bodies flipped and flopped, beeped and bopped, from every direction while Manguito played songs that compelled every body in the room to move, including the teachers.

During a jam session with the band, some kids got to play instruments like the bongo and maracas. Kindergarten student Ethan Cabral played the conga drums with a smile so wide, even Principal Rose Bowman couldn’t help but notice.

“He was in his glory,” said Bowman, expressing how proud she was of him for his newly found self-confidence while performing in front of the crowd.

With the way the children so uninhibitedly danced and eagerly interacted with the group, it did not matter much whether or not they were aware of the magnitude of talent the five seasoned musicians performing before them possessed. What mattered most was that the students experienced it, and that they appreciated it.

The kids even exited the gym forming classroom conga lines of sorts, savoring every last second as Manguito continued playing while the students danced themselves back to their classrooms. Manguito also played a morning concert for the students of Old Hammondtown Elementary.

Manguito is a Boston-based educational musical group sponsored by Young Audiences of Massachusetts – Arts for Learning, an organization that provides live educational programming to students.

Manguito is comprised of Alex Alvear on bass and vocals, Pedro De Jesus on bongo, Angel Wagner on timbal and vocals, Jesus Andujar on the congas, and Matt Jenson on guitar.

By Jean Perry

William F. Manley

on January 27, 2014

William F. Manley age 76 of Brookline and a former summer resident of Mattapoisett passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 following an extended illness. He was the beloved husband of Vassiliki Lascarides-Manley.

Born in Boston on September 3, 1937 he was the son of the late Edward and Eva Marie (Vancavage) Manley. He graduated from Harvard College in 1958 and Harvard Law School in 1963. He then served his country in the United States Army as a 1st Lieutenant assigned as an Intelligence Officer. He worked for many years as legal counsel for the United States Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency from which he retired.

Along with his loving and devoted wife survivors include several caring cousins, nieces and nephews.

His funeral was held on Saturday, January 18^th at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of New England where he and his wife were members. Interment with US Army Military Honors was held in Walnut Hills Cemetery in Brookline, MA.

Gifts in his name made to William F. Manley Scholarship Fund c/o Cathedral Office, 162 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, MA 02445 would be greatly appreciated.

SouthCoast Children’s Chorus

on January 26, 2014

The SouthCoast Children’s Chorus presents its annual Informance next Sunday, February 2 at 3:30pm at St. Gabriel’s Church in Marion. Come listen, learn, and even sing with them in this informal demonstration of vocal warm-ups, rehearsal techniques, and works-in-progress. Audience participation warmly encouraged! Suggested donation $5 at the door. The Informance is supported in part by grants from the Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, and New Bedford Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Chock-a-Block Agenda at Marion ConCom

on January 26, 2014

Despite cancelations happening all day, the Marion Conservation Commission board met as usual at 7:00 pm on Wednesday at the Marion Town Hall. A full board attended including Chairman, Larry Dorman, Vice Chairman, Norm Hills, Treasurer, Joel Hartley, Clerk, Steve Gonsalves and member Jeffrey Doubrava and newly appointed Associate Member Cynthia Trinidad and Secretary Diane R. Drake.

“Welcome,” said Dorman as members came in from the below 20 degree weather.

First up was an appointment with Peter H. and Carol C. Hulton of 21 Autumn Lane on a Request for Determination of Applicability to construct a 14’ x 16’ single-story dining room addition, with a small entry porch and steps behind the garage.

At issue was a wetland behind the house which required the committee to visit the site and make a recommendation, which they did and approved the request.

Next up, the board discussed an e-mail from a contractor who will begin the initial construction at the recently approved 40b construction project located on Route 105 in Marion. A mis-print on the date of the contractor going in to mark the perimeter of the project pushed the site visit by the Conservation Commission to this coming Saturday, January 25.

“With the snowfall, we need to see the orange markers and flags to make sure the contractor knows the area,” said Chairman Dorman. Dorman noted that is snowfall is still an issue and that flags marking the perimeter needed to be ‘strung’ so the board members visiting the site can see the markings of the site, regardless of snowfall.

The board agreed that at least three board members would visit the site to make sure that the project would be sited and handled properly.

The board discussed the annual report for the Conservation Commission for the town annual report due the end of January. The board accepted the report as submitted.

Lastly, the board discussed the updated Town of Marion map proposal that is required by the Attorney General regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as presented by local citizen John Rockwell.

At a recent Board of Selectmen’s meeting, Rockwell said that a map of the town needed to be updated and submitted to the Attorney General reflecting the newly enacted Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulations as well as a current view of the town’s current zoning by-law overlay. According to Rockwell, the last zoning map of Marion was in 1999 which showed special uses and revisions from previous years and needed updates from motions approved at town meetings over the years.

The board voted and approved the updated zoning map.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Relay For Life of Tri-Town Kick-Off Rally

on January 25, 2014

Join us on the purple carpet for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Tri-Town Kick-Off Rally scheduled for February 12 at 6:00 pm.

On February 12, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Tri-Town will officially get underway as cancer survivors, caregivers, families, schools, companies, faith-based and civic organizations gather in the ORR High School Auditorium from 6:00 to 7:30 pm for a kick-off rally to launch their fundraising efforts for the year.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. People from all walks of life come together with a shared mission of furthering the American Cancer Society’s vision of creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events. Teams do most of their fundraising prior to the event, but some teams also hold creative fundraisers at their camp sites during Relay.

Mark your calendar for the 2014 Relay For Life of Tri-Town scheduled for June 13 – 14 at the ORR High School Track.

Anyone interested in forming a team, volunteering for this wonderful Tri-Town event, joining the planning committee, or just learning more about Relay For Life is encouraged to attend the Kick Off Rally on February 12 at 6:00 pm.