Two ‘Cottages’ and a Con Woman

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Members of the Sippican Women’s Club enjoyed hearing tales of old Cape Cod told by author Kathleen Brunelle on Friday afternoon. Ms. Brunelle is also an English teacher at Old Rochester Regional High School.

Brunelle read excerpts from her two books, Bellamy’s Bride and Cape Cod’s Highfield & Tanglewood: A Tale of Two Cottages. Bellamy’s Bride tells the story of a young girl, Maria Hallett, and her pirate lover, Sam Bellamy, who died in the wreck of the ship Whyda when she ran aground in Wellfleet during a storm in 1717.

“There were no lighthouses and lots of sandbars on the Cape back then,” said Brunelle. The tale told of Maria’s struggles of having a child out of wedlock, the infant’s passing after eating straw in a barn, and her time in prison after being held responsible for the child’s death. “She was a very beautiful girl and eventually talked her way out of jail,” said Brunelle.

Brunelle’s second book, Cape Cod’s Highfield & Tanglewood: A Tale of Two Cottages was based on childhood memories, letters and information left by her grandparents.

Her grandparents were the caretakers of the two summer cottages located in Falmouth near Falmouth Academy. Their duties included cooking, cleaning, lawn maintenance, laundry and overall caretaking of whatever needed to be done.

One story included the amazing life of Helen Gertrude Randall, a con artist who lived in Falmouth during the 1930s. She made her money pretending to be an astrologer who could predict the future. When she was in her 30s, she claimed to be in her 50s and sold lotions and creams that could make a woman look much younger than she was. She was invited to Highfield cottage and asked to help turn it into a spa, which was a popular vacation option for the wealthy. When she was finally shown to be a phony, she claimed that she secretly married the owner and promptly sued him for half the property. When that fell through, she went her way, eventually marrying a doctor, who passed away. Randall started a scholarship in his name and was back in the society pages of the newspaper.

Brunelle told the group that the Highfield estate was restored to its original condition and is now known as the Falmouth Theatre Guild at the Highfield Theater. Anyone interested in learning more about the Whyda can visit the Whyda Pirate Museum in Provincetown, MA.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

WomensClub

Tri-Town Solar Tour

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Please join us as we visit recent solar projects in the towns of Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester on Sunday, February 9 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. The bus leaves from the Marion Institute, 202 Spring St, Marion. Solar professionals and property owners will be on hand to answer your questions about going solar. Reserve your seat today by calling 508-910-1871.

Talk Recalls Schooner Era in Mattapoisett

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Come relive a time when working coastal schooners frequented Mattapoisett Harbor as authors Robert Demanche, Donald F. Tucker, and Caroline B. Tucker present “The Last of the Fairhaven Coasters: The Story of Captain Claude S. Tucker & the Schooner Coral.” This entertaining and informative talk, open to the public, is free (donations welcome) and will be held at the Mattapoisett Historical Society, 5 Church Street, on Sunday, January 26 at 2:00 pm.

Captain Tucker and the Coral were among the last, if not the last, to carry cargo from Mattapoisett by sail, much like Captain Benjamin Hammond did in the Dolphin 225 years before. This is just one of several connections and curious coincidences linking Captain Tucker, the Coral, and the town.

Based on the authors’ new book published by The History Press, the presentation is sponsored by the Mattapoisett Historical Society and features vintage photographs, artifacts, and audio recordings. For more information please call 508-758-2844, email mattapoisett.museum@verizon.net, or log on to mattapoisetthistoricalsociety.org.

2014 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

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Samantha Cunha, a senior in Health Careers, was nominated as the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School District volunteer of the year in the 2014 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program. Samantha was recognized for making and donating three hundred hats for newborns at St. Luke’s Hospital. She has earned the Prudential Spirit of Community Achievement Certificate.

Also recognized for their community service were Jonathan Rabelo, a senior in Electronics, for creating a memorial for children at St. Bernard’s Church in Assonet and Travis Ouellette, a junior in Computer Information Systems, for working with the Best Buddies Challenge, Special Olympics Braveheart Awards, and Walk to End Alzheimers Organization. Jonathan and Travis have earned the Prudential Spirit of Community Merit Certificate.

The Certificates will be awarded to these deserving students at the District School Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2014.

Sponsored by Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the awards recognize outstanding community service by young Americans. Ms. Cunha is now eligible for the Massachusetts youth volunteer of the year awards. Two State honorees, one middle level and one high school student, will be named in February. Each will receive a $1,000 award, a silver medallion, and a trip to Washington, D.C., for recognition ceremonies with a parent or guardian next May. Other honorees will receive bronze medallions or Certificates of Excellence.

At the Washington event, ten National Honorees will be named by a distinguished national selection committee, and each will receive an additional $5,000, a gold medallion, a crystal trophy for his or her school or organization, and a $5,000 grant from The Prudential Foundation for a nonprofit charitable organization of his or her choice.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards are supported by Girl Scouts of the USA, National 4-H Council, American Red Cross, YMCA of the USA, Hands On Network (generated by the Points of Light Institute) and many other national youth, service and education organizations.

ORRJH Students of the Month

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Kevin T. Brogioli, Principal of Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, announces the following Students of the Month for December, 2013:

–        Green Team: Makayla Boren & Owen Sughrue;

–        Orange Team: Ashleigh Wilson & Nicholas Claudio;

–        Blue Team: Rylie Carreau & Adrian Gleasure;

–        Red Team: Abigail Horan & Geoffrey Noonan;

–        Special Areas: Emily Dineen, Joseph LaPointe.

Budget is Way up, Changes Proposed for Grads

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The budget faces a substantial increase of almost a million dollars for fiscal year 2015 just to maintain level services, mostly because of the rising cost of insurance, along with salary increases across the board.

The five-percent increase in spending raised some eyebrows during preliminary School Committee budget discussions on January 15, which remained brief for the time being. The district is waiting for the governor’s budget to be released next Wednesday to see if any of the burden would be alleviated though state funding, and once the district’s revenue numbers are in, committee members will have a clearer picture on what the budget will look like.

“I wanted to get a budget in your hands so you could see what it will take to maintain our current level of services,” said Superintendent Doug White.

The current draft budget shows salary increases totaling about $433,000, and an estimated increase of $296,000 for insurance, for a total of $729,000 in fixed spending. The whole FY15 budget increase totals exactly $828,285.

Committee members will continue to deliberate the budget into February and will hold a public hearing in March.

In non-budget matters, ORRHS Principal Michael Devoll presented a number of changes in programs of study to begin with the current freshman class of 2017, mostly to bring the curriculum into compliance with the new Common Core State Standard.

There would be an increase in the number of credits required for graduation, up from 110 to 120.

“We don’t think it’s going to hold anyone back from graduating,” Devoll said. “But it will give them a good senior year.”

Devoll also proposed restoring the two-year language requirement for graduation, while phasing out all French courses because of consistently low enrollment.

Several teachers attended the meeting to speak in favor of keeping the French program, and the committee is seeking public input, suggesting that those wishing to make comments on whether or not to keep the French program contact either Principal Devoll or Assistant Superintendent Dr. Elise Frangos, preferably through email.

Other proposed changes are the addition of a level-A calculus course, an increase from two to three years for science and technology, and the restoration of the four-year physical education requirement, currently at two years.

The district would provide students with three pathways for meeting the PE requirement: school PE electives, participation in school athletic teams, or outside physical activity i.e. karate, skating, yoga totaling 30 hours in a year.

School districts are allowed to decide at the local level what counts in order to meet the requirement.

Devoll also proposed bringing the district’s current grade point average system in line with the GPA system utilized by state colleges and universities.

Currently, the district uses a 5.2 scale GPA system, and would move to adopt a 4.0 GPA scale which would give more weight to honors-level courses and make transitioning to college easier. Devoll said it would give more incentive for students to join dual-enrolled courses.

In other news, the committee approved continuing the trial run of delayed-start school days for the rest of the school year. Twice per month, educators are granted morning time to meet and collaborate with each other on Common Core curriculum planning and preparation.

“I don’t know what we would have done without it,” said Devoll. “The teachers would have had to meet outside school. Having the built-in time … is far more valuable than if they had to do it alone.”

While teachers use the morning time to collaborate, students utilize the time to study independently or with groups, which one parent at the meeting said has been very helpful for her daughter.

The committee approved a banquet fundraiser for Oxfam America Hunger on February 27 at the junior high school. The ticket price would be $5, and to demonstrate the “disproportion of the poverty level,” as described by ORR Jr. High School Assistant Principal Silas Coellner, some guests will be given a dinner of just rice, or rice with beans, while others will receive a full-menu dinner.

By Jean Perry

ORR School

Rehearsals Begin for “The Seussical”

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Last week, Old Rochester Regional High School’s drama club began rehearsals for their spring production of “The Seussical.” With roles casted and production dates set, the students are excited to get the show underway.

“I’m putting a lot more of the production on their shoulders,” said Director Paul Sardinha. Usually, Sardinha and Costume Designer Helen Blake are in charge of the show’s choreography, set design, lighting, and costumes. Now, after 22 years at ORR, Sardinha is switching things up: “They’re going to be surprised when I say, ‘Ok, start bringing in some stuff so you can put these things together.’”

At last Thursday’s rehearsal, the students brainstormed ideas for set and costume designs. Sardinha is thrilled with the students’ array of ideas. As one group of students presented their sketches, others would offer advice, and the ideas kept building. The cast and crew are looking forward to a great show when production week rolls around.

“Oddly enough, I don’t get excited until the show is done,” said Sardinha, “because then I can relax and remember all the wonderful things that happened.”

Sardinha cited his experiences with “A Christmas Carol” last fall. As he addressed the audience before one of the shows, his mind was racing about other responsibilities.

“I kept thinking to myself, ‘Did I plug in the fog machine?’” Sardinha laughed, “The whole time, I was worried about that. You’re always worrying while the show is going on.”

Still, the director has confidence in his cast and crew for this production. “It’s unilaterally a talented cast,” Sardinha said sincerely, “It’s a talented group of people.”

Even in these early stages of production, Sardinha is looking forward to opening night. “There’s going to be a lot of fun surprises for the audience, and a show like this is a brilliant family show,” he said, predicting kids will be enthralled enough to sit captivated through the whole two hours of the show.

“The kids love these characters because they’re familiar with the characters,” said Sardinha, “and they’re going to see them for life on stage!” he finished, feigning his own childish gasp of joy.

Those interested are invited to see the show on March 27, 28, and 29 at 7:30 pm, or on March 30 at 2:00 pm. Tickets will be $15 for general admission or $12 for students and senior citizens. The raised cost from the fall production is to account for the musical’s need for a hired orchestra, as well as other costs such as the rights to the show, programs, posters, and props.

By Renae Reints

ORRupdate_011614

Girls’ Basketball Notches First Two Wins

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Here is a look at the fifth week of scheduled games for ORR winter athletics.

Girls’ Basketball: After staring off the season with five consecutive losses, the Lady Bulldogs looked to turn their luck around in their two games this week. Thanks to the return of several key players who had missed previous games due to injuries, the girls won their first two games of the season. The girls defeated Dighton-Rehoboth 55-32 thanks to a strong debut by freshman Olivia Labbe, who scored 11 points to lead the Lady Bulldogs. Senior co-captain Isabelle Riley also scored 11 points, with Kaleigh Goulart and Michaela Bouvette each pitching in with 10 points apiece. Later in the week, the girls beat Seekonk 33-30 to earn their second win of the season. Freshman Sophie Church was the lead scorer for the night, scoring 10 points. With these victories under their belts, the girls should have more confidence to compete in the competitive South Coast Conference.

Boys’ Basketball: The boys also had a great week, blowing out all three teams they faced. After a 55-41 win over Pope John Paul, the boys returned to their home court and easily defeated the DR Falcons with a score of 63-43. Raekwon Phillips played excellently, recording 13 points and four rebounds while co-captain Mikey Pruchnik notched seven rebounds to lead the Bulldogs defensively. Jeremy Bare and Jordan Menard also played well, scoring 13 and 14 points respectively. The boys did not stop there, however, as they came back to blow out the Seekonk Warriors 83-42. The boys got out to a quick 17-8 first quarter and outscored the Warriors 48-23 in the second and third quarters to clinch their fourth SCC win of the season.

Swimming: The girls swim team had a good week, notching their second victory of the season against Dighton-Rehoboth, 98-66, thanks to double winner Cate Feldkamp (200-individual medley, 2:38.93; 500-freestyle, 6:18.85) and wins by Julianne Mariner (50-freestyle, 29.5) and Avery Nugent (100-backstroke, 1:14.60). Feldkamp, Mariner, and Nugent teamed up with junior Chloe Riley to win the 200-medley relay with a time of 2:13.75. On the boys’ side, despite wins by Derek Marshall (50-yard freestyle, 26.94) and the 200-medley relay of Marshall, Matt Bourgeois, Nate Wentworth, and Troy Sjahfiedin, the boys still lost to Dighton-Rehoboth by a score of 86-62. The team’s other meet for the week against Apponequet was postponed to an undetermined date.

Boys’ Track: The boys suffered their first loss of the season to DR this week, losing 49-37 in a hard fought loss. Mike Wyman was a double winner for the Bulldogs, claiming both the 1,000 meter run and the two mile, while Kevin Saccone captured the 55-meter-hurdles. Despite the loss, the boys came back the next day to run in the Division 5 State Relays, where they placed second as a team against some of the best teams in the state. Wyman, Kiernan Besse, Ben Dion, and Chris Demers teamed up to take the sprint medley title, setting a new meet record in 3:47. The boys got four second place finishes in the 4×200, the shuttle hurdles, the shot-put relay, and the shuttle dash to earn their second place finish behind winner Newburyport.

Girls’ Track: The girls’ team, unlike the boys, managed to defeat Dighton-Rehoboth in their SCC meet with a score of 63-23, thanks largely in part to double winners Paige Santos (high jump and hurdles) and Morgan DaSilva (dash and 300). Like the boys, the girls also managed to place second in the D5 Relays, an impressive feat for coaches Bill and Cindy Tilden. The girls’ best finish of the night came in the shuttle dash, where DaSilva, Arden Goguen, Lauren Ovian, and Sam Allaire placed second with a time of 26.45 seconds. The girls lost by a mere 6 points to winner North Reading.

Ice Hockey: The boys’ ice hockey team defeated the GNB Voc-Tech Bears this week, 2-1, thanks to quick first period goals by Jeremy Lawton and Shane Matthews. Despite an impressive game by the Bears’ goalie, who made 44 saves, the ORR/Fairhaven offense was able to sneak some shots by to claim their fifth victory of the season and third conference win. Cam Sylvia and Colby Serpa are accredited with assists for the Bulldogs.

Below are the overall winter team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of January 12.

Boys’ Basketball: (6-2-0) (4-2-0); Girls’ Basketball: (2-5-0) (2-3-0); Boys’ Track (4-1-0) (3-1-0); Girls’ Track (5-0-0) (4-0-0); Boys’ Swimming: (0-2-0) (0-2-0); Girls’ Swimming: (2-0-0) (2-0-0); Hockey: (5-3-0) (3-0-0).

By Michael Kassabian

Tri-Town Kindergarten Registration

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Rochester Memorial Kindergarten Registration

            On Wednesday evening, January 29, a Parent Information Night for new kindergarten families will begin at 5:45 pm with a question and answer period in the RMS cafetorium, and then continue from 6:00 to 7:00 pm in our kindergarten classrooms. Enrollment packets will be available for you to take and complete at home.

Kindergarten registration will take place February 5, 6, and 7 from 9:30 to 11:30 am and from 1:00 to 2:30 pm each day. Completed registration paperwork should be presented at this time.

When registering, parents must bring the child’s birth certificate, a valid driver’s license, two verifications of home address, a record of immunization, and a physician’s examination dated during the current year prior to the beginning of classes. We will accommodate your personal schedules, but if possible, please register your child on the appropriate day shown below.

Last name begins with:             Date of registration:

A-F                                          Wednesday, February 5

G-M                                         Thursday, February 6

N-Z                                          Friday, February 7

If you have an outstanding court order or decree regarding the legal custody of your child, we ask that you bring it at registration time.

 

Sippican School Kindergarten Registration

            Children who reside in Marion and who will be five years of age by August 31, 2014, are eligible to enroll in kindergarten. Kindergarten registration will be held at Sippican School on Wednesday, January 29, from 9:30 – 10:30 am and from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.

During these times, registration forms will be processed, and new parents will have the opportunity to meet with our Principal and Nurse. A copy of each student’s updated immunization record must be submitted at the time of registration. Records should include verification of lead screening, hepatitis B vaccination and other immunizations. An original birth certificate for each student must be presented to be photocopied. Three verifications of proof of residency (e.g. copy of lease or real estate tax bill, cable or gas bill, etc.) must also be provided.

Information and forms will be mailed by Friday, January 17, to the parents of all prospective kindergarteners. Any parent not receiving this information should call Cathy Caramanica at Sippican School at 508-748-0100, ext. 316.

 

Center School Kindergarten Orientation

            A Parent Orientation Meeting for the parents of all children eligible to enter kindergarten has been scheduled on Wednesday, January 29 at 6:30 pm in the Center School cafeteria. All parents of children eligible to attend kindergarten are asked to attend this special informational meeting. This meeting will be for parents only; the children will be invited to visit the school at a later date. Any child born before September 1, 2009 is eligible for enrollment in kindergarten for the 2014-2015 school year. At this meeting, our kindergarten teachers will be present and we will highlight our kindergarten program and curriculum, discuss our Kindergarten Orientation Program on the first day of school, provide you with an opportunity to visit a kindergarten classroom, and share other information regarding your child’s transition to Center School. In addition, school Registration Packets will be available for you to take home to complete. Mattapoisett offers a free full-day kindergarten program. Any questions you may have will be addressed at this meeting.

Kindergarten registration dates are Wednesday, February 12 from 3:00 – 5:30 pm or on Thursday, February 13 from 8:45 – 11:00 am in the Center School cafeteria. Registration is for parents only. On these dates, parents will meet individually with the school secretary, nurse and principal. In order to have the registration process proceed in a timely manner, we are asking parents to bring completed registration packets with them when they attend registration.

The Old Rochester Regional School District’s policy states that children must turn five years old on or before August 31 of the year they enroll in kindergarten. Parents should bring a birth certificate or a notarized memorandum of birth with them on registration day.

A doctor’s memorandum showing the following immunizations is required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for school entrance into kindergarten: three doses of Hep B; five doses of DTaP/DTP; four doses of Polio; two doses of MMR; two doses of Varicella. Lead testing must be done at the discretion of the child’s pediatrician prior to entrance into kindergarten.

If the required immunizations are incomplete for medical and/or religious reasons, a statement from a doctor or church official stating the reasons for exemption should be presented at the time of registration. All required immunizations must be completed prior to the start of school. A physical examination is required for entrance to school and must be completed by December 31, 2014. Vision and hearing screenings for all children entering kindergarten will be conducted during the school year.

In addition, we request that if you have an outstanding court order or decree regarding the legal custody of your child, you furnish us with a copy of this at registration time. This is necessary in order to assist us in the release of educational records and information, as well as the dismissal of children, to the appropriate parent/adult.

If you have a child who was born before August 31, 2009 and who is eligible to enter kindergarten, but will not be entering kindergarten and/or will be attending a private kindergarten, please call the office at Center School (508-758-2521) to notify us of your decision not to enter your child in Center School for the 2014-2015 school year. This will enable us to keep an accurate count of the number of students who will be entering Center School. If you know of a parent whose child is eligible to enter kindergarten and who did not receive this information about our orientation/registration in the mail, please have them contact Center School so that a registration packet can be forwarded to them.

We look forward to seeing you on January 29 and welcoming you to the Center School community!

Marion Democratic Town Committee

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The Marion Democratic Town Committee will hold a meeting at the Music Hall, 164 Front Street, Saturday, January 25, at 10:00 am. Guest speakers will be Don Berwick, candidate for Governor, and Steve Kerrigan, candidate for Lt. Governor.

Come and learn more about the candidates and their positions on issues that are important to the citizens of Southeastern Massachusetts.

All Democrats and Independents are welcome. For more information, contact Chairman Eileen Marum at 508-748-1282.