Mattapoisett COA Happenings

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Speaker & Lunch:

5 Wishes (aka Living Will), July 16, 12:00 pm; RSVP by July 12. Be in charge of you by legally deciding to establish your wishes for important issues in the event that you cannot speak for yourself. Adults of all ages welcome. Sandwiches for lunch. Free courtesy of Gentiva Hospice.

Homestead Act by Plymouth County Registrar of Deeds and Mosquito Control by Plymouth County Mosquito Control Division, July 23, 12:00 pm (back-to-back presentations), $3; RSVP by July 19. Learn how to protect your home from unforeseen situations.

Entertainment:

Movie & Pizza, July 30, 12:00 pm, $2; RSVP by July 29. Silver Linings Playbook, starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert DeNiro.

Jimmy Buffet’s Parrot Head Party, August 29, 12:15 pm, Knights of Columbus Hall, Route 6, $8; RSVP by August 26. Put on your summer outfits and bring your fun! Entertainer Vic Solo will lead the party!

Trips:

Derby Shoppes, Hingham, July 18, 11:30 am from Park & Ride, $7; RSVP by July 16.

Bay Pointe Restaurant, Wareham, July 25, 9:00 am from Park & Ride, $5; RSVP by July 23.

Stoneforge Tavern, Raynham, August 8, 11:15 am from Park & Ride, $6; RSVP by August 6.

Peabody Essex Museum, Peabody, August 15, 8:00 am from Park & Ride, $28; RSVP by August 9.

Brainworks:

Knitting – Mondays at 10:00 am

Scrabble – Mondays at 1:00 pm

Bingo – Wednesdays at 1:00 pm

Mah Jong – Wednesdays at 1:15 pm

Bridge – Thursdays at 9:00 am

Exercise:

Belly Dancing: Mondays, 1:30 pm, $3

Qi Gong: Mondays, 10:00 am, free

Strength and Balance: Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:00 pm, free

Cardio Fit: Wednesdays, 9:00 am, free

Yoga: Tuesdays and Fridays, 8:45 am, $3

Walking Group: Tuesdays, 9:00 am, free

Mattapoisett Library Events

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Bubbleology with Keith Michael Johnson on July 16 at 1:00 pm has had such a wonderful response that the Mattapoisett Library is moving the location of the program to the Mattapoisett Congregational Church Hall. This larger room will be perfect, rain or shine, for The Secret World of Bubbles, packed with state-of-the-art bubble sculptures. The science behind the magic of bubbles makes Keith Johnson’s presentation “both educational and unforgettable.” Watch as Keith encases a dinosaur and then a child from the audience in a gigantic bubble! He makes the Eiffel Tower, filled with fog! Thanks to the Friends of the Mattapoisett Library, this fun-filled program will be free and open to all. The church hall is located at 27 Church Street in Mattapoisett.

Meet the Author – She’s an Award Winner! Krista Russell will read and sign her award-winning Chasing the Nightbird at the Mattapoisett Library on July 11 at 1:30 pm. Her historical novel, set in New Bedford, was a Massachusetts Book Award winner, and it is great for adults and young readers alike. Krista Rusell hails from Mattapoisett, so drop by and welcome her back.

Writing Workshop with Young Adult Author Scott Blagden: It’s not too late to sign up for a writing workshop with Scott Blagden, whose recent book Dear Life, You Suck was favorably reviewed in The Wall Street Journal and got a star review in School Library Journal. Students in grades 9 and up are welcome to meet with Scott on Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 pm through July 31. Talk about your writing, learn how to structure a novel, and create good dialogue and ask all of your questions about getting published. Call to register or email esherry@sailsinc.org.

            Young Adult Authors Book Signing: It’s time to meet some award-winning young adult authors. Visit the tent in Shipyard Park on July 18 beginning at 5:30 pm to meet Scott Blagden, (Dear Life, You Suck), Kimberly Marcus (Exposed), Joe Lawlor (bully.com), and Rebecca Maizel (Infinite Days). These writers will have their books available for purchase and signing. They look forward to meeting readers and fellow writers, as well as answering your questions.

            Library Tiki Bar for Mattapoisett Harbor Days: On your way down to the harbor, stop by and visit the Library Tiki Bar, which will be set up on the lawn. July 20, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm is the last day of the library book sale, so the Tiki Bar will be the place to be after the fun of selecting all those new beach reads.

The Mattapoisett Free Public Library is located at 7 Barstow Street.

MATTREC Teen Summer Programs

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Keep in shape or learn a new sport this summer.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding is available for ages 13 and over; must be competent swimmer; sessions offered July and August, Thursday mornings, 8:30 to 10:00am, pre-registration required held at Town Landing.

Basketball Clinic at OHS, July 12, starting 11:00 am for girls grades 7-12, 12:00 pm for boys grades 9-12; cost is $10.

Field Hockey Camp will be offered July 22 through 26 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at ORR for ages 9-15, incoming freshmen welcome; $50 for clinic. The application deadline is July 15.

Summer Conditioning Camp: Co-ed for grades 7-12 with Cindy Tilden being held at ORR, Monday – Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 pm through August 16; cost is $100 for summer.

Pick-up Soccer Saturdays: 8:00 am at Dexter Lane, Rochester, for grades 9 and older.

All programs are open to Tri-Town and summer residents. More information and registration is available online at www.mattapoisett.net.

Falling of the Rain

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“Falling of the Rain,” may not be the biggest hit of Billy Joel produced but the Billy Joel Tribute at Silvershell beach on Saturday had no shortage of falling rain. Dozens of die hard supporters showed up despite the rain to help support the Marion Police Brotherhood and to hear the “Eric Robert: Billy Joel Tribute.” It must be true, “you can’t stop the falling of the rain!” or stop the fans. Photos by Felix Perez.

Classic Film Friday

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Due to a scheduling conflict with the Marion Concert Band’s performance at Island Wharf Park on Friday, July 19, the Sippican Historical Society/Marion Council on Aging’s presentation of the film Inherit the Wind on that evening has been canceled.

Newly Formed Little League a Success

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In any merger, there’s an adjustment period when the two sides, generally unfamiliar with each other, are suddenly thrust together and forced to iron out their differences while they build toward the greater good of the now combined entities.

For the pre-existing leagues known as Old Rochester Little League and Rochester Youth Baseball League, this year was that adjustment period, but after one full season together, the newly formed Old Rochester Little League, which now includes players from Rochester, Marion and Mattapoisett, has been a success, and the players are reaping the benefits, both on and off the field.

“It was a little bit of a culture shock when we brought the two groups together – some little bumps along the way, some hiccups here and there – but I think by and large, those are temporary, one-year type of things where people are getting used to the new league structure, and also getting more familiar with where their child would be appropriately placed,” Commissioner Peter Johnson said.

Johnson said that the league has about 400 participants from ages 4-12. Players play at multiple complexes across Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester.

“The idea is to mix all the kids together, and have them play across all three towns,” Johnson said. “It’s a true Tri-Town experience for the kids.”

Not only has the number of players doubled, but they’ve also been able to fine-tune the age groups to a point where players can be placed within similar age and skill levels, which allows coaches to properly appropriate playing time while also keeping the leagues competitive.

“I think it really worked out well where it allowed finer gradation and the kids play in a peer group – both age and ability – with the idea to provide the best opportunity for the kids,” Johnson said. “Nothing’s more frustrating then when a kid’s not with the appropriate group.”

Under the new system, players are divided into 5 different age groups: T-Ball, for 4- and 5-year-olds; Double-A, for 6- and 7-year-olds; Triple-A, for advanced 7- and 8-year-olds, where players start to pitch and hit live pitching; Minor League, for 9- and 10-year-olds with some 11-year-olds mixed in; and Major League, for 11- and 12-year-olds.

This year, champions were crowned in three leagues, with the Braves winning in the Major League Division, the Padres winning the Minor League Division, and the Mud Hens winning the Triple-A Division.

The Old Rochester Little League also sent 10-, 11-, and 12-year-old teams to the District 7 Little League World Series Tournament, and though no team made it onto the next round, they were all very competitive.

“The nice thing, though, when you play in these tournaments, you never know what type of competition you’re going to come across,” Johnson said. “I would say that each one of our teams competed very well. We’re very competitive for the small footprint that we have – we’re probably one of the smallest programs in the district.”

One team that was very successful was a group of 9-year-old all-stars from the league, who recently won the Sandwich Summer Blast Tournament.

The league will also field teams for the upcoming local all-star circuit.

All in all, the entire merger can be considered a success, especially off the field, with friendships being formed that may not have ever existed without the leagues’ unification.

“We didn’t play cross-town baseball back [when I was a child],” Johnson said. “There weren’t any youth organizations that spanned the Tri-Town area, perhaps with the exception of hockey. These kids are forging these bonds across the Tri-Town area, which really helps as they transition into the Junior High and the Senior High. They walk in, and they already have all these friendships.”

By Nick Walecka

 

 

Gardens Galore in Marion

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Overcast skies didn’t hold back the crowds that came on Friday to see magnificent, private gardens that were open to the public for only one day.

Gardens by the Sea is an annual fundraiser for St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, which uses the money raised for global and local outreach programs.

The tour included handouts for each garden, detailing which way to walk, with explanations on plants, trees, and shrubs, as well as specifics about the history and work that went into water features, ornamental statue placement, birdbaths, bird-feeders, trellis, and other auxiliary garden items.

Six private home gardens were on display, one of which was in Marion Village, another at The Moorings, and several in the Point Road area. The Sippican School Edible garden was also on the tour. Diane Cook and fourth grader Bella Romig gave a walking tour around the various vegetable beds, blueberry bushes, strawberry stack, and potato beds.

A fundraising bake sale organized by Community Resources Network was held in the Captain Hadley House parking lot, where tour tickets were sold. CRN helps those in need by offering limited emergency utility assistance, food, furniture, and referrals to social service agencies.

Three of the gardens were waterfront properties, with sweeping views of Wings Cove, Marion Harbor, and Buzzards Bay. The homes had many interesting garden amenities, including tree houses, pools surrounded by beautiful plantings, koi ponds, water features, blooming water lilies, grape arbors, herbs, vegetables, apple trees, interesting bird feeders, and creative ways to keep deer away.

One home had a pet cemetery with small gravestones with names including: Mittens, Minnie, Cinder, Suzi, Lillabet, Spooky, and Roxanne. “My Lillabet is buried here,” hostess Sandy Dawson said. One home had soda cans strung with fishing line along a fence to scare deer. Another used pet hair combings, cat litter, and torn up old T-shirts to keep deer away.

“I think people come on the tour to get ideas for their own garden,” organizer Hannah Milhench said. “I also think that curiosity plays a part. They want to look around a beautiful home and see what others have done in the garden and go home and try to replicate some of it.”

Milhench said that it takes many volunteers’ time and effort to plan a successful garden tour. Each of the six gardens had volunteers working two-hour shifts, along with a head hostess who was responsible for each garden.

When asked how she gets people to agree to show their gardens, Milhench said that she has lived in Marion for over 45 years and asks her friends to be on the lookout for gardens that could be on the tour. “I have a lot of help and depend on the many wonderful people who have suggested spectacular gardens,” she said. Milhench is a gardener and her own home has been on the tour in the past. “I also walk around Marion a lot.”

Eleven years ago, St. Gabriel’s had a shortfall to fund the Barbara Harris Camp, a retreat and camp for youth. The assistant rector at the time, Cynthia Bell, came up with the idea of a garden tour to continue funding the camp. The Gardens by the Sea was born. Since then, the tour has grown by word of mouth, and funds raised help not only the camp scholarships, but other global mission needs as determined by the St. Gabriel’s mission and outreach committee.

When asked about next year’s garden tour, Milhench said that she already has a great start.

“We hope to have one really special garden on the water, that encompasses the Marion waterfront feeling,” she said.

Although it sprinkled at times during the tour, rain makes the flowers grow, and that’s what it was all about.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

40B No Bridge/Wave Access Presented

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The lengthy wooden bridge access (shading valuable wetlands) to and from the proposed Baywatch Realty Trust (40B) property on Route 105/Front Street in Marion was eliminated from the revised plans presented on Thursday at the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals meeting.

The presentation by Kenneth Steen, of Kenneth Steen Real Estate Inc. and Edward Gless, Existing Grade, representing Baywatch Realty Trust, shows a revised plan eliminating the bridge and presenting a new access, adjacent to the Wave Restaurant recently acquired from owner Todd Zell. The revised plans show an access point coming in and on property adjacent to the restaurant parking area, now in a wooded area. None of the existing parking of the Wave Restaurant would be impacted by the project.

The other substantial change in plans was the roadway in, out, and through the proposed development. The previous roadway varied from 22 feet to 24 feet. At issue was whether a 49-foot ladder fire truck could make its way through the complex, with the existing landscape design, as presented, in an effective and timely manner. The new design has the entire project having a 24-foot street width.

“We needed to have a full 24-foot street width and a 100-foot radius for fire trucks that could handle a fire in the area with this density,” Building Inspector Scott Shippee said. “I’m glad to see that you’ve addressed this concern.”

During the 14-year effort to develop the 40B Baywatch Realty Trust property, the Marion Conservation Commission, along with residents, were dismayed by the wetlands that would be shuttered from sunlight by the length of the bridge.

“A wood bridge of that size was not a good option,” said Shippee said. “This is a better proposal, if the radius of the fire truck is addressed and the landscaping on the turn is also modified to not interfere with the height of the truck which would turn at that bend.”

The public is welcome to view the plans, which contain considerable changes, at the Marion Town House or at the meeting and weigh in and provide comments on the proposed 92-unit development, which will take shape after permits are approved.

At issue was whether the changes presented were substantial or insubstantial. Marion ZBA Chair Eric Pierce deemed them substantial, prompting a public hearing to be held on July 25 at 7:45 pm at the Town House. The audience applauded his and the board’s decision to see the final proposed plans, with the landscape, roadway, and other issues discussed in a final plan to be presented to the Marion Conservation Commission for final approval.

In discussing another item, the board agreed to continue a request by Kathleen Mahoney, 40 Dexter Rd., until July 25.

Elsewhere on the agenda, the board continued the application for a Special Permit for Matthew Stelmach Jr. who applied to the ZBA to allow the construction of a sunroom and garage addition at 5 Spinnaker Ln. The request was continued to July 25.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

 

State Soccer Tournament

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The U12 Mariner Sonics & the U18 Mariner Comets recently competed for a state championship at the MA Tournament of Champions in Lancaster, MA. The U12 Mariner Sonics qualified for the state tourney by achieving an impressive perfect 10 – 0 season in the South Coast Soccer League to earn their first South Coast Championship.  The U18 Mariner Comets have enjoyed tremendous success as they became MA State Finalists for the 3rd time in 4 years.

Back row, from left:  Assistant Coach Doug Barresi, Delaney Pothier, Ryley Costa, Breanna Demanche, Gabby Barresi, Tali O’Leary, Maddie Demanche, Coach Dave Francis.  Front row, from left: Brianna Cruz, Anya Aadland, Jillian Kutash, Alex Fluegel, Nicole Fantoni, Arissa Francis

Back row, from left:  Assistant Coach Mike Bouvette, Nora Saunders, Tori Vargas, Amanda Frey, Andrea Chaput, Katie Langlois, Mackenzie Macuch, Alex Gordon, Caitlin Haefner, Sydney Mota, Coach Dave Francis.  Front row, from left:  Carly Ciccatelli, Kayli Berche, Ally Smith, Abby Adams, Allison Francis, Hannah Bouvette, Michaela Bouvette, Ashley Pereira.


ORR’s Irving Berlin Revue

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The Old Rochester Regional High School Drama Club is at it again. It’s time for their Alumni Involved Summer Show! What are they doing, you may ask? Another first! Under the direction of Paul Sardinha, with costumes by Helen Blake, sound by John Farrell, and music conducting by Michael Amaral, the Drama Club will present an “Irving Berlin Revue.”

The show will feature alumni from years past along with current students. This revue will showcase 44 of Berlin’s 1,200 songs with such favorites as “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “You’re Just in Love, How Deep is the Ocean,” “God Bless America,” and many, many more! A musical revue of this kind has never been done before at a high school, and the kids love learning the “oldies but goodies” and can’t wait to present an “Irving Berlin Revue.”

The performance will take place at the Gilbert D. Bristol Auditorium in Mattapoisett August 1, 2 and 3 at 7:30 pm, and August 4 at 2:00 pm. Ticket prices are $12 for students and senior citizens and $15 for the general public! Tickets may be purchased at the door, and will also be sold at The Pen and Pendulum in Mattapoisett, Plumb Corner Market in Rochester and the Marion General Store in Marion. For ticket reservations, please phone Lisa Cardoza at 508-758-6762.