The Tri-County Symphonic Band kicked off their 52nd season on Sunday at the Fireman Performing Arts Center with “An Afternoon at the Opera,” featuring renowned bass vocalist Tianxu Zhou. Photos by Felix Perez.
Town House, Fin Com Come to EMS Deal
With the Fall Town Meeting just hours away, the Marion Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee have agreed on a recommendation for Article 4, an appropriation of hundreds of thousands of dollars to bolster EMS staff and resources.
But it’s not the Article 4 officials started with, and the funds will not be in the hands of the Fire Department, as originally planned. If a motion to amend Article 4 stands up on Town Meeting floor tonight, the Selectmen will control more than $230,000 in general funds to spend on EMS upgrades. Those could include the use of a private ambulance service in some capacity.
Article 4 originally called for upward of $350,000; the new language reflects a budgetary appropriation for “eight-twelfths” of Fiscal Year 2014, and will earn the OK from the Finance Committee before the town votes.
Finance Committee Chairman Alan Minard had last week expressed skepticism in the revenue estimates presented by Town Administrator Paul Dawson and Fire Chief Thomas Joyce, who estimated a five-year average of 600 ambulance calls annually. Minard said he believed those figures to be inflated, and undertook a quick study in the following days.
What he found was a three-year average of 444 ambulance calls annually, and more modest revenue potential.
Regardless, Minard said during a special meeting on Friday that Marion must respond to the state’s calls for drastically improved response times and quality standards.
“We can go crazy calculating revenue, but we are arguing whether to pain the room blue or green,” Minard said. “The point is, the room needs painting.
Minard added that he was relieved to have hammered out a solution with the Board of Selectmen, but also that he was dissatisfied with the timetable on the article.
“It was a short runway for those of us on the Finance Committee to figure out a way to fix this,” Minard said. “Moving forward, we need to understand where the money is going. With the funds under the Board of Selectmen’s control instead of the Fire Department, we can maintain some flexibility and have some choices down the line.”
Fellow Finance Committee member Margie Becker agreed.
“This is an opportunity to really scrutinize our ambulance service,” Becker said. “We’ve got to put the Fire Department on notice that they have to do better.”
“The state’s already put them on notice,” Minard replied. “We know we have some personnel issues, but we thought a lot of money could exacerbate those issues. We have till February [the state-set deadline for an improvement plan] to come up with a strategy.”
Fall Town Meeting takes place tonight, Oct. 28, at 6:45 pm at the Sippican School.
By Shawn Badgley
Chowder and Kale Soup Cook Off
The First Congregational Church of Marion will host their annual Chowder and Kale Soup Cook Off on Saturday, November 2, in the Community Center starting with hors d’oeuvres at 6:00 pm.
In addition to chowder and kale soup, crackers, wine, dessert, and coffee will be served. Tickets are $12.50 for attendees, but free for those who sign up to make their special chowder or kale soup.
Special aprons will be awarded for winners in both categories. The Cook Off will be held in the Community Center, 144 Main St. (behind the General Store), Marion. Though tickets will be available at the door, to register to be a chef or attendee, please call 508-748-2428.
Plumb Library Event Roundup
On Thursday, November 7, at 6:30 pm at the Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library, 17 Constitution Way, Rochester, William Geasey of New York Life will present a free workshop on “Plan and Pay for College (Without Going Crazy or Broke).” This workshop is specifically for parents of children ages 4-17. Participants will learn how to avoid college debt, and how to make a plan, and will receive a free workbook. Registration is required. Call the library at 508-763-8600 or email info@plumblibrary.com.
On Saturday, October 26, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at Plumb Corner Mall, the Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library is participating in a “Halloween Town” Celebration for the community. Activities at the annual event include trick or treating at the merchants, hayrides, a costume contest, music by DJ Howie, and a raffle for a Kindle Fire donated by the Law Offices of Matthew H. Beaulieu. New this year will be tents set up by the Plumb Library Junior Friends, Rochester Women’s Club, First Congregational Church of Rochester, Relay for Life, and the Schwartz Center where they will hand out candy or offer activities for the kids. The Rochester police will be there too!
If you are a community organization that is interested in participating in this free event, call the library at 508-763-8600 or email info@plumblibrary.com for more information.
On Friday, November 15, at 2:30 pm, the Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library, Elizabeth Taber Library, and Mattapoisett Free Public Library will present an author’s tea with Hank Phillippi Ryan at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library, 7 Barstow St. Ms. Ryan will be presenting her newest bestseller The Wrong Girl, a mystery featuring gutsy Boston newspaper reporter Jane Ryan as she gets involved with a respected adoption agency with a terrifying secret. Copies of the book, and copies of Hank Phillippi Ryan’s other titles, will be available for purchase and signing. Refreshments will be served courtesy of the Friends of Plumb Library and the Friends of the Mattapoisett Library. For more information, call the Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library at 508-763-8600 or email info@plumblibrary.com.
The Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library is planning a marathon reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol on Saturday, December 14, from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm at the library at 17 Constitution Way. We are currently looking for volunteers to read chapters or sections of the book. If you love A Christmas Carol, talk to us about becoming a reader. For more information or to sign up to read, call the library at 508-763-8600 or email info@plumblibrary.com.
The Friends of Plumb Library are planning their annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 7, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. We will be looking for donations of items or services for their Silent Auction. Donations can be left at the library until Wednesday, December 4, at 6:00 pm. Call the library for more information.
“Just the Facts” Nonfiction Book Discussion Group will be reading Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo on Thursday, November 21, at 6:30 pm. Annawadi is a makeshift settlement in the shadow of the luxury hotels near the Mumbai airport. As India starts to prosper, the Annawadians become hopeful that they can rise out of the slum to achieve the good life, the “full enjoy.” But then terror and a global recession rock the city, and suppressed tensions over religion, caste, sex, power, and economic envy turn brutal. Copies of this amazing book are available at the desk.
Think Pink Day
Fourth graders at Sippican School under the guidance of teachers, Nicole Radke, Kim Souza, MJ Menezes and Courtney Sheehan, organized the school’s first ever ‘Think Pink Day’ on Friday, October 25th. The purpose of this spirit-wear fundraiser was to build community support and recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Students created posters, shared announcements over the intercom, and delivered flyers to classrooms to promote the 1-day event.
Their determination and hard work paid off last Friday when both staff and students dressed from head-to-toe in pink and came together for an all school meeting in the multi-purpose room. Students wore pink shirts, pink pjs, pink ribbons, and even spray painted their hair hot pink. Several even wore pink tutus!
When the teachers noticed that Principal Lyn Rivet and Vice Principal Sarah Goergus were a bit underdressed, 4th graders called out for a “makeover” in which the 4th grade teachers assisted the administration in getting into the spirit of things with some pink props!
Donations were collected & counted by the 4th grade students/teachers to the sum of over $1300. All proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Fund for research and treatment of breast cancer. Photos courtesy Nicole Radke.
Last Tuesday of the Month Free Movie
On Tuesday, October 29, at noon, the Mattapoisett Friends of the Elderly will host a free showing of The Great Gatsby (PG-13, 2 hr., 22 min.) at the Council on Aging. Pizza is available for $2. Pizza requests must be pre-paid by Monday, October 28, at 3:00 pm. Even if you’re not having pizza, please RVSP so we know how many seats to set up. Go to the Mattapoisett Council on Aging at the Center School, 17 Barstow St., or call 508-758-4110.
The Great Gatsby: This faithful adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel is visually stunning. It brings to life the art of social climbing, circa 1922. The very modern soundtrack is, at first somewhat discordant, but eventually actually enhances the story. Leonardo DiCaprio is perfect as Gatsby and Carey Mulligan is beguiling as Daisy. Also stars Toby Maguire and Joel Edgerton.
Politics and Prose at the Mattapoisett Library
The Mattapoisett Free Public Library will host author Lawrence DiCara, former Boston City Council President and Marion summer resident, for a book reading, discussion, and signing on Tuesday, November 19, at 6:30 pm in the Library Community Room, 7 Barstow St.
The event is co-sponsored by the Elizabeth Taber Library in Marion, and the Joseph H. Plumb Library in Rochester. The Marion Bookstall will sell signed copies at the event (accepting cash or checks only).
DiCara’s new book, Turmoil and Transition in Boston, offers insights into his personal and political story as the youngest person ever elected to the Boston City Council. DiCara’s story is intimately woven into the fate of his hometown of Boston. Then a federal court order mandating busing to achieve racial integration in the public schools ripped apart the city and changed the course of history.
DiCara shows how public policy decisions and economic and demographic changes from that time transformed Boston into one of America’s most diverse, affluent, and successful cities in the 21st century.
The event will be held just after the Boston Mayoral election and at the early stages of the state’s Governor’s race, offering a timely discussion of Boston and Massachusetts politics, its history and future. DiCara has been a fixture on the region’s political scene for over three decades.
Everyone is welcome to this free program. The library facility is handicapped accessible at the side door, where there is an elevator to the downstairs meeting room.
CSL Spurs Charitable Halloween Spirit
Old Rochester Regional High School’s Community Service Learning club (CSL) completed their Halloween costume drive last week. The drive was a success, collecting 44 costumes from the high school location alone. Each of the elementary schools in the ORR district were also collecting gently used costumes for infants to age 12.
All costumes will be sorted by student members of CSL and then distributed to kids within the school district who are in need. Any remaining costumes will be donated to Gifts to Give, a charity in New Bedford.
Mary Cabral, the advisor for CSL, explained why they chose to start the year with a costume drive. She said, “I actually had read an article in a newspaper that said the average amount of money that families spend on Halloween is about $70 … I know for a lot of people in this economy, it’s tough to come up with money to make Halloween a special event for their kids.”
Cabral continued, noting, “Kids only wear a costume maybe one time, two times? And then they pack it away, and it probably doesn’t get used again.”
Thus the idea for a costume drive began to form. Why not put these old costumes to good use?
“Two students created a flier, and that was hung up around the school,” Cabral explained, “It was also sent out to the elementary schools.”
With the word out, it was time to grab people’s attention.
“In our front lobby, we created a spooky display,” Cabral said. Student members of CSL hung a banner, Halloween lights, and costume decorations at ORR. This colorful presentation effectively encouraged students to donate their neglected Halloween costumes.
With one successful project completed, what’s next for CSL? Cabral said that the club will be developing a partnership with The Mattapoisett Land Trust.
“We’re going to meet with someone from the Land Trust, and we’re going to do that in conjunction not just with CSL, but also with the Environmental Club and AFS.”
CSL is also thinking ahead to their annual Toys for Tots drive, which will be taking place during the holiday season. “That’s a big, school-wide project,” Cabral said.
As CSL members make plans to spread their generous spirit, the students involved always stay true to CSL’s main goal. Cabral said this mission is “to identify problems locally, within our schools, nationally, and globally, and then to work toward solutions for those problems.”
By Renae Reints
Gateway Youth Hockey Update
Mite Bobcats: The Mite Bobcats poured on the energy from the first drop of the puck. Defeating Barnstable 29-8. Trendyn Mederios, Derek Gauvin, Krystian Pothell, Thomas Ledger, Jarrod Frates, and Patrick Tripp had multiple goals. Christian Fiore, Brayden Hathon, Bradon Cannon, and Brady Kidney showed great effort on defense and made assists. Charles Carroll had 16 saves in his best-played game of the season.
Squirt Grizzlies: The Gateway Grizzlies beat the Stars 9-1 Saturday night in Pembroke in a Yankee Conference game. The offense was led by Ryker King who scored four goals. Ben Martins scored his first goal of the season and added an assist. Matt Quinlan added two goals and Luke Mello and Stephen Old each scored one. Tyler Kelly earned his second victory of the season in goal. The Grizzlies travel to Pembroke this Saturday to take on an undefeated Braintree team.
Pee Wee Predators: The Gateway Predators had a double header on Sunday, splitting the day with a loss followed by a victory. In the first game, the Predators battled to a 3-1 loss to a tough Falmouth team, getting their lone goal from Robert Maloney, assisted by Jack Martins. In the second game, the Predators defeated the Canal Sharks 5-1. The Predators got on the board right off the opening faceoff. Quirino doCanto skated in, passed it over to Zack Lovendale, who quickly found his brother Tyler, who found the back of the net. The scoring continued with Robert Maloney scoring unassisted. Tyler and Robert each added another goal, while doCanto finished off the scoring.
Pee Wee Warriors: Goalie Zachary Pateakos earned his third win of the season for the Warriors, as his team defeated the Brewins, 5-1. The win marked the eighth straight for the undefeated Warriors. Center Ben Demoranville felt right at home with his new wingers, Jackson St. Don and Noah Demoranville, as these players totaled seven points in the contest. Robert Ramsay and Danny Flynn also scored. Most complementary though was the “Warrior” brand of hockey that allowed only nine Brewins shots. The Warriors dominated the offensive zone with a strong forecheck from Zachary Barris, supported by the staunch defensive pairings of Jake Demoranville/Jameson Woodward (combined +6) and Jared Westgate/Bethany Davis.
Middle School: The Wareham Middle School Vikings narrowly lost to Medfield Schofield Monday in the Columbus Day game. At the end of the first period, Vyper Latulippe scored the first goal of the game, assisted by Zack Lovendale and Matt Youlden. The “Little Line” regained the lead for Wareham in the second period with a goal by Quirino DoCanto, assisted by Kaitlin Kelley and Zack Lovendale. Teaghin Andre made several good saves, but the team was ultimately defeated as Medfield scored twice in the third period, bringing the final score to 3-2 Medfield.
The Vikings goalies earned their first shared shutout of the season as the Middle School 1 team beat Taunton 3-0 Friday night. Andre made several excellent saves, and relied on his defense to keep the net safe for his half. Of special note were the contributions of Coleby Paling, Seth Tomasik, Jackson St Don, Bryan Gallagher, Youlden, and Josh Smolinsky. Just before the goalie change, Vittorio Consoletti got the Vikings on the board with a goal, assisted by Mike Maloney. Relief goalie Steven Strachan kept the net inviolate, making several crucial saves with the help of his defense. In the second half of the game, the offense went on the attack. Cameron DeMarco, Kelley, DoCanto, Zack Lovendale, and Latulippe attempted shots on net before DeMarco connected with Latulippe for the second goal of the game. Consoletti also reciprocated Maloney’s assist, passing to Maloney for the third and final goal of the game.
Egan Interim Principal at OHS
Old Rochester Regional School District Superintendent Doug White announced this week that Charles E. Egan will take over as Old Hammondtown School interim principal with the departure of Matt D’Andrea.
D’Andrea announced in September that he accepted the position of assistant superintendent with the Martha’s Vineyard School District. White had recommended at the time that the district look for an interim solution, and Egan fits the bill.
Egan, a Mansfield resident, recently retired as principal at the Hanover Middle School in Hanover where he had been since 2007, according to a statement released by White. Prior to being the Principal in Hanover, Egan was the Assistant Principal in Holliston from 1996 to 2007 and also held posts as Dean of Students at Nashoba Regional High School in the Nineties, as well as the Athletic Director in Franklin from 1988 to 1992. Egan started his teaching career in Natick in 1979.
He has a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Technology from Fitchburg State College and a Master of Education from Northeastern University.
“Egan is a lifelong learner who continues to take course work to keep up with the demands of the education field,” White said. “As an administrative leader, Egan believes the most important attribute for a school leader is to keep the best interest of students paramount in all decision making. He also understands the importance of working with parents as partners in their children’s education. Egan is an advocate of the use of technology to support instruction, 21st-century skills, and parent communication.
Egan will take the reins on October 28 and remain at OHS until the end of the school year.
By Shawn Badgley
