The next Tri-Town Bike Club ride will be Sunday, October 20, 12:30 pm beginning at Old Town Landing at the intersection of Mattapoisett Neck Road and Whaler’s Way. We will ride the bike path to Fairhaven and beyond. Helmets and Liability Waivers required. Riders of all levels are encouraged to join. Please contact Marion or Mattapoisett Recreation Departments to get on the mailing list for future rides: info@marionrecreation.com or mattrec@mattapoisett.net.
Another great week for Halloween fans as we continue our Halloween Contests along. First up is out Cover Contest. This year we received 29 fantastic entries. Thank you to everyone who entered. You can vote for your favorite cover by visiting our website www.wanderer.com and clicking on The Cover Contest banner, from there you can choose your favorite. Each person who votes will also be entered to win a special Halloween gift bag. One vote per person, any attempts to circumvent the spirit of the voting process will cause those votes to be deleted. Voting ends on October 28and the winner will be displayed on the Cover of our October 31 edition.
Second up in our Halloween Contests is our Facebook Photo contest. Email your favorite Halloween photo to support@wanderer.com, be sure to include your name and address, and we will post all the entries on Facebook. Deadline for entering is November 2. Voting will begin on November 3 and continue through November 7. The top three photos will win a Gift Certificate to one of three tri-town restaurants. Be sure to check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wanderer for more details.
Last up, but certainly not least is the second installment in our Scary Story contest. This week we have four more Halloween stories for your reading pleasure. Next week we will have the third and final installment in our scary story contest and we will also be announcing the winners on both our story contest and cover contest!
Old Rochester Regional High School’s Student Council had their second annual field trip to Camp Greenough in Yarmouth last week. The students participated in a number of ropes course challenges and team-building games in order to get to know one another while building trust and communication skills.
“I had a great day with fellow Student Council members,” said Callie Gomes, senior class vice president and member of Student Council. “I think these activities brought us closer together and taught us more about teamwork and leadership.”
Activities included trust falls from raised platforms, humorous and intellectually challenging group games, a zip line through the forest, and high ropes courses. The zip line and high ropes courses, about 30 feet in the air, required participants to wear proper safety gear such as harnesses and helmets.
Once properly secured and belayed, the daring student could walk across a wooden beam or tightrope wire high in the air, with little or nothing to hang onto. Partner ropes courses included a giant ladder with wooden beams at increasingly higher distances from one another.
Jeremy Bare, a senior senator on Student Council, was one of the many students who tackled the high ropes courses.
“It was definitely a new experience and everybody seemed to overcome some sort of fear or obstacle,” he said. “I know I did.”
Although his height gave him an advantage on some courses, Bare said the obstacles gave him and his peers the opportunity to work on “trusting each other and working together as a group to reach a common goal. We worked a lot with cooperation, trust, [and] leadership.” Student Council members from all grades agreed this field trip was a great way to start off the year. Freshman class president Brooke Santos said, “It was really fun because we got to get to know all the other people on student council. It helped me get to know the upperclassmen. It was great team building.”
With presidents, vice presidents, and senator representatives from each class, Student Council is quite a large team to come together. Still, they are a friendly and spirited group with high expectations for the rest of the school year.
Under the leadership of their executive board – President Kelly Merlo, Vice President Lizzie MacLellan, Public Relations Officer Leah Thomas, and Administrator Ruhi Raje – ORR’s Student Council is in the midst of planning this year’s homecoming spirit week and dance.
Student Council has the responsibility of advertising for the spirit week dress-up days and the dance. The homecoming dance, taking place on October 26, is completely organized and funded by Student Council.
In past years, Student Council has also organized Class Olympics and other school-spirited events after homecoming. If anything’s for sure, the members of Student Council are excited to buckle down to business after their thrilling field trip to Camp Greenough.
By Renae Reints
The Rochester Historical Society will hold a Cranberry Bake Sale and Open House on Saturday, October 26, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the East Rochester Church/Museum. A very special feature from 9:30 to 11:30 am will be Paul Sardinha, Old Rochester Drama Club Director, entertaining on the piano and organ. Paul is also the organist at the North Rochester Congregational Church and summer organist at St. Phillips Church in Mattapoisett.
This is the last weekend the wedding fashion/photo display will be available. The display, “Wedding Wear and Local Wedding Photos from the Early 1900s,” features clothing and photos from many Rochester families.
The Gift Shop offering Rochester shirts, books, cranberry labels, cards, maps, and more will be open.
Stop by and visit our quaint 1837 church building to view the lovely display and listen to wonderful music, buy some great cranberry food items, and do some Christmas shopping at the gift shop where all things Rochester are available.
Showstoppers Musical Entertainment is seeking talented boys and girls to fill a limited number of openings in their performance troupe. Boys and girls in elementary through high school who have exceptional singing talent and a passion for performance are encouraged to apply. Auditions will take place on Sunday, October 27, by appointment only at Kathy Medina’s Studio of Dance on Foster Street in New Bedford. Call-backs for selected candidates will take place on October 28. For more information or to secure an audition slot, call 508-758-4525 or email auditions@showstoppers.us.
Mite Bobcats: The Mite Bobcats played a hard fought game right to the buzzer with the game ending in a 15-15 tie. The Bobcats battled back from trailing through much of the game. Charlie Carroll made several key saves including a great glove save. Juni Suarez and Derek Gauvin each scored five goals. In the end, it turned out to be a total team effort with the players showing true sportsmanship during a penalty-filled game. The Bobcats are back in action Saturday, October 19, at Falmouth ice arena
Squirt Grizzlies: On Saturday, the Gateway Grizzlies defeated YD 10-1 in a Yankee Conference game at Gallo rink. Thomas Galavotti led the offense with two goals and four assists. Ryker King and Chris Gauvin had two goals. Stephen Old, Matt Quinlan, Jack Satterley and Bailey Tieu all added a goal. Austin Fleming had three assists, and Tyler Kelly earned his first win of the season as the goalie. The Grizzlies take on the Stars next Saturday in Pembroke
Pee Wee Predators: The Gateway Predators skated to a 2-2 tie against the SWS Chiefs. It is the second tie against the Chiefs in as many meetings. Once again the Predators found themselves trailing going into the third period. Down a goal, right off the faceoff, Quirino doCanto skated through the defense, passed over to Tyler Lovendale, who quickly fed his brother Zack for a nice goal. With the score now tied, the Predators kept the pressure on and scored as doCanto hit the puck out of midair on a rebound of Lovendale’s shot. The Predators then found themselves two men down and just couldn’t overcome being short handed. They gave up a late goal to bring the score to a tie and remained that way at the final buzzer. Alex DeMarco had an outstanding game in net, coming up with some great saves throughout the game. The Predators will play a double header Sunday at Hetland.
Pee Wee Warriors: For the second time in as many games, the Gateway Warriors found themselves playing from behind. Plymouth jumped out to a two-goal lead in the first period, before Robert Ramsay netted a pass from Jameson Woodward. Ramsay also scored unassisted, tying the game late in the second period.
The Warriors broke the game open with three unanswered goals in the third frame, allowing the team to move to 7-0, atop the Yankee Conference with the 5-2 win Sunday. Warrior leading goal scorer Danny Flynn had two goals, while Jake Demoranville scored one on his own. Zachary Barris notched his team leading sixth assist. RJ Vickery, Noah Demoranville, and Jackson St. Don each were credited with playmakers as well. Steven Strachan notched his fourth Warrior victory in net.
Middle School: The Wareham Jr Vikings 1 team had a tough loss to the North Devils White team on Friday night, 3-1. The Vikings started out strong with a goal by Zack Lovendale near the end of the first period. Good defensive play and some outstanding saves by goalie Teaghin Andre kept the net safe for nearly half the game. However, the Devils managed to score midway through the second, when a save by Andre on a breakaway rebounded behind the net and was volleyed back by their forward before Andre could recover. The Devils scored near the end of the second and again with two minutes left in the game, with a final score of Devils 3, Vikings 1. Captains were also chosen with Cameron DeMarco, Coleby Paling, Zack Lovendale, and Kaitlin Kelley getting the honors.
Gateway Youth ‘Try Hockey for Free Day’
Gateway Youth Hockey invites all boys and girls, ages 4-9, to the Try Hockey For Free clinic to experience ice hockey first hand and learn the basics of the sport in a fun, safe environment.
Try Hockey for Free Day is part of a USA Hockey and National Hockey League “Come Play Hockey Month,” part of a national platform to introduce kids to the sport.
“We’ve always been about getting more kids involved in the sport of hockey since we started Gateway Youth Hockey years ago; it’s a great team sport that helps build character in kids at a very young age,” said GYH President Ben Hathaway. “With this Try Hockey for Free Day, we’re hoping to introduce this great sport to a whole new group of children ready to take the next step and learn what sets ice hockey apart from other sports. They are the future of this sport.”
While GYH will have some equipment on hand for children to try, parents are encouraged to bring a helmet and skates if at all possible.
To register for the Gateway Youth Hockey November 2 Try Hockey for Free Event at the Tabor Academy Ice Rink, click on the link at www.gatewayyouthhockey.com or www.tryhockeyforfree.com.
Constance (McDonald) Walen, 88, of Marion died October 17, 2013 at Royal of Fairhaven after a long illness.
She was the wife of the late Roger S. Walen with whom she shared 69 years of marriage.
Born in Boston, the daughter of the late John J. and Kathleen G. (Quinn) McDonald, she was raised in Jamaica Plain and lived in Lincoln, MA before moving to Marion in 1968.
Mrs. Walen was an active member of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church where she was a member of the choir, enjoyed volunteering for the Christmas Toy Drive and Project Help.
She was formerly employed as an English teacher at Wareham Intermediate School for 25 years until her retirement.
Mrs. Walen enjoyed singing, reading and the arts. She was a volunteer for F.I.S.H. and an active member of League of Women Voters and the Democratic Party.
She was a graduate of Girl’s Latin School in Boston and Radcliffe College. Mrs. Walen enjoyed volunteering as a mentor to students who were applying to Radcliffe/Harvard College.
Survivors include 3 daughters, Kate E. Lunt of Marion, Sarah K. Walen of Silver Plume, CO and Nellie B. Filip and her husband Leon of North Conway, NH; 2 grandchildren, Andrew R. Lunt of Wareham and Sophie M. Lunt of Marion.
A Memorial Service for Constance and her late husband Roger will be held on Saturday, April 19th, 2014 at 1 PM in St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. For on-line guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
William V. Knapton, 85, of Marion died October 18, 2013 peacefully at home.
He was the husband of the late Beverly J. (Cook) Knapton.
Born in Lawrence, MA, the son of the late Francis T. and Caroline (Vose) Knapton.
Mr. Knapton was an active member of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church where he served as a lector, chalice bearer, usher and sexton.
He was formerly employed by Isotronics for many years until his retirement.
Mr. Knapton enjoyed spending time with his cat Buddy, gardening, watching his grandchildren’s sporting events and was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan.
He was a graduate of Bowdoin College where he played second base for the baseball team. Mr. Knapton was well loved by the Marion community and he will be missed.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and served as honor guard for General MacArthur and Winston Churchill.
Survivors include 2 sons, William F. Knapton and his wife Karen of Mattapoisett and Richard E. Knapton of Marion; a daughter, Cathy A. Cowell and her husband Scott of Marion; 2 sisters, Carol Moore of Concord, NH and Barbara Earnshaw of Round Hill, VA; 6 grandchildren, Adam Cowell, Robert Cowell, Ian Knapton, Colin Knapton, Ryan Knapton and Ashley Knapton; 2 great-grandsons, Jackson and Connor Cowell; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Jean Hughes.
His Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 26th at 10 AM in St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church P.O. Box 545 Marion, MA 02738. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. For on-line guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
The Boy Scout Troop 52 and Cub Scout Pack 52 of St. Mary’s will be holding their annual “scouting for food” event on Saturday, October 26, and on Saturday, November 2.
On October 26, the Cub Scouts will be dropping of collection bags on your front door step, to be filled with canned goods and non-perishable items (please no glass).
On November 2, the Boy Scouts will be picking up those bags from your front door step and then delivering them to the Shepherd’s Pantry in Acushnet.
The area in which the boys will be working is the North Fairhaven area between the I-195 overpass and the Acushnet line.
If you would like to drop off your donation of nonperishable items, you may do so on Saturday morning, November 2, at St. Mary’s parish, back parking lot, from 9:00 am to noon. Just look for the big red truck!
The Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts are hoping to help as many families as they can this year. They are hoping that every hungry family has food for their Thanksgiving Day table! Thank you so very much for your support and your donations. If you have any questions, you may call Pauline Parker at 508-997-1092.
A lively first ever meeting of the Friends of the Marion Council on Aging (FMCOA) was held on Wednesday evening at the Music Hall. The organization has been around for more than 15 months and held a first annual meeting to bring residents up to date on their activities.
Over 50 residents attended the meeting, which opened with president Sue Wood welcoming the crowd and introducing Treasurer Priscilla Ditchfield and Vice President Jerry Garcia. Wood noted that the primary goal of the group is to fundraise and support the COA because as a town tax supported organization, the COA cannot fundraise.
Wood discussed the five committees, including long-range planning, communication, membership, fundraising, and enrichment. Anyone interested in serving on any of these committees should contact FMCOA at P.O. Box 937, Marion, MA 02738 or stop by the Town House and speak with COA director Susan Schwager.
Under long-range planning, Wood said that the committee is researching the idea of a community or senior center in town.
“The committee is in the very, very early research phase,” Wood said. Residents spoke up and agreed that the town needs a place for older adults to gather and socialize. Added Wood: “One of our goals for 2014 is to get the ball rolling and focus on a campaign for a senior or community center.”
A presentation by Fairhaven COA Director Ann Silvia followed the committee reports. Silvia spoke about the Fairhaven Senior Center and how it is used by residents for meals, social day activities, bingo, bridge, yoga, exercise classes, and much more. “It’s a very important part of their lives,” Silvia said.
Outreach worker Ora Mae Torres spoke about the COA and said the number of older adults age 60 and up increased in 2012 from 1,513 to 1,635. “We expect to continue to see increases in the number and types of services provided by the COA so that Marion older adults will be able to continue to age in place and remain in their homes,” Torres said.
The COA vans provided upward of 5,996 rides in 2012, which is an increase of 733 rides, or 14 percent increase over the 2011 figures. In addition to van rides, the council van drivers delivered more than 5,340 meals in 2012.
For more information on the FMCOA, visit their website at friendsmarioncoa@gmail.com. Membership flyers can be picked up at the town library and at the COA office at the Town House.
By Joan Hartnett-Barry
