Mattapoisett Summer Reading Takes Off!

on July 5, 2014

The Mattapoisett Library’s “Fizz, Boom, Read” summer reading program has blasted off this week, and there are many activities for children of all ages and their families. Beginning with a scavenger hunt featuring simple machines, families can stop in and enjoy many programs and events, and earn great prizes throughout the six weeks of the program. Participants who register and complete the program are eligible for prizes and the Ice Cream Sundae party to be held on August 13. Visit the library to pick up a complete calendar of events, or visit the library’s website at www.mattapoisettlibrary.org to see the calendar.

On July 8 at 10:30 am, there will be a “Popcorn” presentation by Kay Alden for young children. Move and groove like popping corn!

Got Magic? Scott Jameson will present his wonderful “Magical Science” program on Wednesday, July 9 at 1:00 pm. Perfect for families.

Drop-in story times are held each Thursday from 10:30 to 11:00 am. Come by and enjoy the air conditioning while your children enjoy special stories read by library staff.

What to do on a rainy day? Show your children the new children’s educational games computers, play with the library’s Legos, or borrow a chess set and start a game. There are crafts each week to enjoy and plenty of new books for children and parents to enjoy. And don’t forget that the library lends DVDS, video games, fishing poles, puzzles, and cake pans.

For Teens: Don’t miss the Sword Combat Demonstration on Friday, July 11 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm. Design a Banned Book Poster, and have an opportunity to win an amazing Banned Books raffle basket filled with neat stuff. On July 23, artists Andy and Veronica Fish will be on hand to teach how to draw manga. Sign up any time. These programs are brought to you by the Institute for Museum and Library Services through funds administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

For older children, junior high and high school students: check out our new Student Lounge and Studio on the mezzanine! Sumo Lounge chairs, art supplies, and more are available for you to use.

There will be lots of fun programs on the library lawn during Harbor Days, including a Tiki Bar, so continue to check listings in local media and on the library’s website and Facebook pages.

ORR High School Honor Roll

on July 5, 2014

The following students have achieved honors for the fourth term at Old Rochester Regional High School.

Highest Honors, Grade 9: Madison Barber, Erin Costa, Mason DaSilva, Hannah Guard, William Kiernan, Molly Lanagan, Davis Mathieu, Maxxon Wolski, Matthew Wyman; Grade 10: Nicole Mattson, Lauren Ovian, Drew Robert, Evan Roznoy, Rachel Scheub; Grade 11: Jennifer Aguiar, Mikayla Burke, Deylen Dumond, Sierra Ennis, Andrea Harris, Michael Kassabian, Laura McCoy, Ashley Pacheco, Vincent Tepe, Louisa Truss; Grade 12: Nicholas Bergstein.

High Honors, Grade 9: Cheyanne Frias, James Goulart, Jordan McArdle, Tyler Mourao, Hannah Nadeau, Daniela Ochoa, Ryson Smith; Grade 10: Serena Jaskolka, Jane Kassabian, Mallory Kiernan, Jeffrey Murdock, Evan Santos, Paige Watterson; Grade 11: Michaela Guard, Samantha Malatesta, Victoria Medeiros, Julia Nojeim, Margaret O’Day, Jentelle Rioux, Bailey Truesdale; Grade 12: Emily Audet, Nicole Enos, John Hewitt, Renae Reints, Kaitlyn Sethares.

Honors, Grade 9: Julia Barrett, Alexander Bilodeau, Morgan Bliss, Douglas Breault, Emma Cadieux, Ashley Clapp, Emma Collings, Madison Cristaldi, Patrick Cummings, Colin Flynn, Gavin Fox, Colleen Garcia, Joshua Garcia, Emma Gelson, Celeste Hartley, Kelsey Holick, William Hopkins, Aubrie Isabelle, Caleb Jagoda, Abigail Johnson, Connor Kelley, Jonathan Kvilhaug, Olivia Labbe, Diana LaRock, Benjamin Lima, Victoria MacLean, Dylan McCoog, Mackenna Milton, Camryn Morais, Lucas Muther, Andrew Nadeau, Alexandra Nicolosi, Russell Noonan Jr, Riley Nordahl, Krishna Patel, Adam Perkins, Graham Poirier, Charlotte Rathborne, Andrew Riggi, Mary Roussell, Brooke Santos, Lauren Scott, Riley Shaughnessy, Jacob Spevack, Noah Tavares, Ali Taylor, Kurt Thompson, Lauren Valente, Sienna Wurl, Emily Ziino: Grade 10: Haley Aguiar, Emil Assing, Colleen Beatriz, Amy Bichajian, Rikard Bodin, Lillie Farrell, Catherine Feldkamp, Moira Flynn, Matthew Fortin, Emily Josephson, Samantha Kirkham, Madeleine Lee, Hayli Marshall, Kyle Medeiros, Alexandra Melloni, Morgan Middleton, Lucy Milde, Victor Morrison, Jacob Plante, Alexandria Powers, Hannah Rose, Bailey Sweet, Alex Tavares; Grade 11: Theo Assing, Catherine Ball, Kasey Baltz, Ryan Beatty, Morgan Browning, Brittany Brzezinski, Stephen Burke, Madeline Cafarella, Danielle Cammarano, Benjamin DeMello, Samuel Dorothy, Jaclyn Dyson, Nicole Gifford, Evan Gillis, Chrystina Hai, Gerald Lanagan Jr., Mya Lunn, Shannon Lynch, Julianne Mariner, Mitchell Midwood, Benjamin Mimoso, Heather Nadeau, Devyn O’Connor, Trevor Oldham, Chloe Riley, Sarah Robertson, August Russo, Austin Salkind, Brittney Santos, Christina Sebastiao, Jillian Sethares, Kyle Sherman, Riley Sherman, Marie Sylvester, Courtney Tranfaglia, Cassandra Vance, Sabrina Wahl, Angela Weigel; Grade 12: Evan Augustine, Samantha Barrett, Jessica Belliveau, Madison Blagden, Douglas Blais, Michaela Bouvette, Rachel Brown, Alisha Camara, Christopher Carando, Amanda Carreiro, Bridget Costa, Morgan DaSilva, Christopher Demers, Madison Durr, Taylor Fafard, Jinhua Florindo, James Francis, Emily Goerges, Callie Gomes, Anna Gray-Jenney, Eric Keegan, Jessica Kocur, Rebecca Koerner, Elizabeth Machado, Kella Mendes, Kelly Merlo, Carly Pelissier, Brianna Perry, Justin Smilan, Leah Thomas, Arissa Underhill, Hannah Vieira, Michael Wyman.

Little League Champs

on July 5, 2014

Championship teams from the 2014 Old Rochester Little League Season.

The Orioles Defeated the Cardinals, 4-3, on Friday, June 20 to capture 2014 Old Rochester Little League Majors Championship – Left to Right – Stephen Feeney, Liam Stuart, Jon Borsari, Rocco Govoni, Cam Brezinski, Des Dias, Charlie Hartley-Matteson, Will Stark, Sam Parks, Ben Henriques (not pictured Nate Texieria) Kneeling – batboy/mascot – Nick Parks

The White Sox Defeated the Marlins, 5-2, on Friday, June 20 to capture the 2014 Old Rochester Little League Minors Championship — Front Row: (left to right) Ethan Scully, Caleb Devoe, Stephen Sauerbrey, Paul McLaughlin, Thomas Galavotti, Ryan Coppola, Second Row: Liam Houck, Brendan Burke, Joel Watters, Mac Ingham, Dylan Aguiar, John Mollica, Back Row: Asst. Coach Dan Scully, Asst. Coach Len Coppola, Asst. Coach Steve Galavotti, Head Coach John Burke, Asst. Coach David Sauerbrey

Bowling Green Hot Rods defeated the Toledo Mudhens, 2-1, on Thursday June 19 to capture the Old Rochester Little League AAA Championship. L-R Players — Ethan Perez-Dormitzer; Brenna O’Donnell; Finbar Kavanagh; James Dunn; Chace Guinen; Jason Tobin; Colin Mello; Jack Hamilton; Josiah Filsinger; Zack Maurao, (Not Pictured) Derek Moreau, Coaches L-R — Mike Moreau; Scott Guinen (manager); Derek Mello; Donovan Dunn

Board Reviews Country Fair Booklet

on July 5, 2014

With an empty seat where Town Administrator Richard LaCamera used to sit and a light agenda, the Board of Selectmen reviewed the Rochester Country Fair booklet for the event, and approved the appointments for the Rochester Country Fair Board of Directors, committee members, and supporting volunteers.

Highlights discussed were the scheduled musical appearances by John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band and Jennel Garcia from Season Two of “The X-Factor.”

Some new events have been added to the program this year, including a new parade route that will start and finish at the Rochester Memorial School. A Highland Games Exhibition has also been added, featuring athletes competing in Scottish Heavy Athletics.

There will be a mobile zip line and slide by Adventure Bound, and mechanical bull riding. Yeehaw!

The board approved the placement of the directional signs along main roads in Rochester directing visitors to the fairgrounds, and Rochester Country Fair Committee Co-Chairman Julie Koczera said she would soon meet with the police and fire chiefs to smooth out the remaining details.

“That’s awesome,” said Selectman Naida Parker about Garcia’s scheduled performance. “I know she’s going to be a big positive draw as far as that goes.” Parker then requested that Koczera return again to brief new Town Administrator Michael McCue on the country fair events once he is situated in his position, pending final contract negotiations, which took place earlier in the evening during an executive session with McCue.

“You’re good to go,” Selectman Richard Nunes told Koczera.

In other news, the board accepted the resignation of Old Rochester Regional School Committee member Cary Humphrey, and announced to the public that interested parties who would like to serve the remainder of the year on the ORR School Committee should send a letter of interest to the Board of Selectmen.

The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is July 7 at 6:30 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

By Jean Perry

4th of July Parade Worth the Wait

on July 5, 2014

The cool, post-Hurricane Arthur breeze was a welcomed factor in Marion’s July 5^th 4^th of July Parade, postposed because of the heavy rains the day before. Hundreds turned out to line the streets in Marion Center and along the parade route that looped around the center of Town. Photos by Jean Perry

Friend’s Book Sale

on July 4, 2014

The Friends of the Mattapoisett Library’s Annual Book Sale will start off with a Members-Only Preview, Wednesday, July 16 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, continuing on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, July 17, 18 and 19 from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. The sale will be held in the downstairs meeting room of the Mattapoisett Free Public Library, 7 Barstow Street. New members can join the Friends at the preview or any time during the sale, and current members can renew their membership. If you have books to donate, they can be brought to Shepley Financial Services, Eastern Bank or Mayhew’s Valet Cleaners, all along Route 6 in Mattapoisett.

Our second-Saturday monthly sales have been a great success. July, however, is for our annual sale, always during Harbor Days. Come to town for the festivities, takes some time out to browse the books, and support the Friends who support your library.

Academic Achievements

on July 4, 2014

Rhode Island College is pleased to announce that the following Plymouth County residents have been named to the Spring 2014 Dean’s List for scholastic achievement. Full-time RIC students must attain a minimum grade point average of 3.25 for the semester in order to qualify: Jaclyn Hahn of Mattapoisett and Lauren Sylvia of Rochester.

Patrick Muldoon, a resident of Mattapoisett, and a junior sport management major, was named to Dean’s List in Ithaca College’s School of Health Sciences and Human Performance for the spring 2014 semester.

Greg Sethares, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Bristol Community College, has announced the Dean’s List for Spring 2014. Area students named are: Dylan G. Glavin of Marion, Grady M. Branagan of Mattapoisett, Samantha J. Clements of Mattapoisett, Kylie L. Faison of Mattapoisett, Jon Girouard of Mattapoisett, Nathan A. Mazzuca of Mattapoisett, Jeffrey Paquette of Mattapoisett, Michael E. Sweeney of Mattapoisett, Melissa Cote of Rochester, Ryann C. Monteiro of Rochester, Kevin F. Newell of Rochester, Caroline T. Reusch of Rochester, and Jordan M. Rouillier of Rochester.

The following UMass Dartmouth students have been named to the Chancellor’s List in recognition of earning a spring semester grade point average of 3.8 or higher of a possible 4.0: Jessica Chalkley of Marion, Trina-Noie Jones-Rudolph of Marion, Caileigh Stearns of Marion, Linda Zaunere of Marion, Drew Cunningham of Mattapoisett, Margaret LeBrun of Mattapoisett, Sean McNulty of Mattapoisett, Matthew Bejtlich of Rochester, Nathan Murphy of Rochester, Melissa Rigby of Rochester, and Amanda Stubbs of Rochester.

The following UMass Dartmouth students have been named to the 2014 Spring Dean’s List in recognition of earning a semester grade point average of 3.2 or higher of a possible 4.0: Lisa Graves of Marion, Keith Kevelson of Marion, Evan Martinez of Marion, Holly Stickles of Marion, Ian Whelihan of Marion, Scotlyn Adler of Mattapoisett, Mya Akins of Mattapoisett, Jessica Breton of Mattapoisett, Matthew Burke of Mattapoisett, Mikayla Florio of Mattapoisett, Tabitha Foulk of Mattapoisett, Jacob Jaskolka of Mattapoisett, Amber LaBelle of Mattapoisett, Morgan Matthews of Mattapoisett, Myles McQuade of Mattapoisett, Andrew Mello of Mattapoisett, Stefan Mendell of Mattapoisett, Megan Merlo of Mattapoisett, Margaret Pullo of Mattapoisett, Jillian Zucco of Mattapoisett, Geoffrey Bentz of Rochester, Megan Bolia of Rochester, Meagan Cuthbert of Rochester, Andrew Frey of Rochester, Amanda Frey of Rochester, Brett Gauvin of Rochester, Aimee Gonsalves of Rochester, Lauren O’Brien of Rochester, Amanda Pacheco of Rochester, Tyler Paquin of Rochester, Maggie Pelletier of Rochester, and Amanda Surprenant of Rochester.

Marion Mile Returns

on July 4, 2014

The Marion Mile began again on June 24 with 100 runners. Chris Adams, a Cross Country Coach, Track Coach, and Spanish Teacher at Tabor, coordinates the weekly Marion Mile races each summer. The races are held every Tuesday night during the summer at 6:30 pm and have become a weekly routine for some of the Tri-Town’s youngest residents.

The milers complete a route around Tabor’s upper campus, while the runners that are six or under complete a shorter version. All finishers receive a ribbon and at the end of the summer, the top runners in each age group receive an award as long as they have competed in at least three races that summer.

Adams organizes the event each week with the help of his wife, Kathy, as well as high school and college students, the majority of whom Adams coached at Tabor. All of the volunteers are runners themselves and many competed in the Marion Mile before high school.

The winners in the first week of races were Prosser Friedman and Koko Kelly for the mile race and Logan Houlihan and Isabella Morotta in the half-mile race.

Young runners can register throughout the summer to run in the Marion Mile. The event continues to instill a love of running and racing in the youth of the Tri-Town.

By Julia O’Rourke

ConCom Approves Sippican Lands Trust Pathway

on July 4, 2014

A newly acquired property adjacent to the nine-acre Howland Marsh on Point Road was approved June 25 for a maximum four-foot wide walking path that will connect with the existing Howland Marsh path.

Marion Conservation Commission members issued the Negative 2 and Negative 3 determinations, meaning that work will occur within the 100-foot buffer zone but will not alter or affect the wetlands, and granted the Sippican Lands Trust authority to maintain the path and to also lay a temporary “bog bridge” (two boards) over an intermittent stream.

Steward Yelena Sheynin said the lands trust has bigger plans for the osprey marsh property later in the year, pending a grant from the State to make more open space reserves handicap- and wheelchair-accessible. Sheynin mentioned wooden boardwalks as a possibility, for which the lands trust would have to file a Notice of Intent in the future.

Sheynin said what was most important at this point was to get permission to do the preliminary work by the end of July, a condition set by the landowner.

“In the meantime, we’ll do the minimum that’ll let you meet your commitment,” said Chairman Norman Mills.

Also at the meeting, Tabor Academy is tearing down a 12-foot by 16-foot stone building on Ryder Lane and will eventually install a low-lying hedge in its place.

Matthew Vander Pol presented the project that calls for razing the building, but keeping the stones for a future project and saving the roof structure for a project away from Tabor Academy. The commission issued a Negative 2 and Negative 3 determination.

The commission also issued a Negative 2 and 3 determination for Weweantic Properties LLC, care of Jack Hirschmann of 78 Wareham Street, to add grout and cement to the top of an existing licensed dock composed of rocks, situated right on the shoreline.

The commission performed a site-visit of the property and, with no plans to increase the dock’s footprint or alter the rocks in any way, approved the work.

Also issued a Negative 2 and 3, Barbara Nilson of 41 East Avenue has the go-ahead to upgrade the existing septic system at the property.

The next Marion Conservation Commission meeting is set for July 9 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

By Jean Perry

W. Rodney Thomas

on July 4, 2014

W. Rodney Thomas, 47, of Mattapoisett went home with the Lord on July 1, 2014.

Rodney loved life and lived it to the fullest. He is survived by the loves of his life – his children, Caroline, Ryon, Dylon and Drew, all of Mattapoisett, his parents, Linwood and Agnes Thomas of Richmond, VA, his brother, David Thomas and his wife, Lauri of Mechanicsville, VA and his sister, Debra Durocher and her husband, Troy of Fredericksburg,VA.

He was the grandson of Stuart & Lottie Thomas, Aubrey & Bertha Toney of Buckingham, VA.

If ever there was a “Mother’s” perfect son, it was Rodney.

Rodney was a Financial Planner with Morgan Stanley for 23 years.

His Memorial Service will be held on Monday, July 7th at 11 AM in the Bay Club, 63 County Rd. Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place Boston, MA 02215 or the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins University, JHU/Development Business Services, Attn: Gift Processing Supervisor, 3910 Keswick Road N2100 Baltimore, Maryland 21211. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. For on-line guest book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.