ORRHS Media Students Visit WBZ-TV

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As a culminating activity, Old Rochester Regional High School students in Intro to TV Production, Video Journalism and Bulldog TV, traveled to Boston to view a live broadcast of the noon news at WBZ-TV, a CBS affiliate.

Kari Solomon led the group on a tour of the facility. Students were able to view the live broadcast of the news both from the control room and in the studio. The students were able to view breaking news from Mashpee during the live telecast.

ORRHS Senior Emun Legesse stated, “This is so exciting! I’m so happy I was able to tour the studio. This has really motivated me to major in communications.” Ms. Legesse’s inspiration is Oprah Winfrey

After the newscast, anchor David Wade fielded questions from the group. The students were able to see how they tape promos for both the news and weather. Set designer, Mike Noyce explained how the sets are interchangeable depending upon what shows are being produced. Phantom Gourmet was in production after the newscast. Mr. Noyce explained how both the lighting and the set panels are changed for that show.

When asked about the field trip experience, ORR Seniors Tim Gonsalves and Josh Bardwell replied, “We came on the field trip last year and had such a good time that we had to come back.”

Intro to TV Production students Kyle Costa and Harrold Terpeny were impressed with the cameras and equipment in the control room.

“It’s a wonderful educational experience for students. They get to see TV news production up close and personal and interact with professionals in the field,” stated Deb Stinson, ORR District Video Coordinator.

The field trip was funded through a grant from the Marion Cultural Council, a local agency and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Photo by Deborah Stinson

 

Marjory Nell (Merrill) Robinson

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Marjory Nell (Merrill) Robinson, aged 89, died May 26, 2013 at her home. She was born on December 7, 1923. She was the wife of the late Rev. George A. Robinson, II, Minister Emeritus of The First Congregational Church in Marion, Massachusetts.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, Marjory was the daughter of the late Clarice Waterhouse & Gilbert Merrill.

She graduated from Lowell State Teachers College. She taught the elementary school children in Marion for many years at the Point Road School and Sippican School.

Marjory Robinson was an active member of the First Congregation Church in Marion, sang in the church choir and the Sippican Chorus, was a member of the Old Colony Women’s Group, a life member of the Sippican Land Trust, a member of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. She was a sponsor of the Buzzards Bay Music Festival, Berkley Jazz and the Wendy Rolfe Flute Choir.

She is survived by three daughters, Gene-Elaine Hooley of Boulder, CO, Paula (Pepper) Robinson of Oceanside, NY, and Marion (Foxy) Nguli of Long Beach, CA; a son, John Robinson of Seaford, NY; nine grandchildren, Erik Robinson, Jennifer Boroff, Lenora Robinson, Heidi Wotring, Erin Hooley, Carla Hooley, Benjamin Nguli, Savannah (Savi) Nguli and Matthew Longo; two great-grandchildren, Ezekiel Wotring and Hazel Wotring She was predeceased by a son, The Rev. George A. Robinson, III and a daughter Marjory Lynn Robinson.

A memorial service will be held on Sun. June 16, 2013 at the First Congregational Church, 28 Main St., Marion at 2 PM.  In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to First Congregational Church, P.O. Box 326, Marion, MA 02738 or the Sippican Land Trust, 354 Front Street, Marion, MA 02738.

Arrangements by Chapman Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham. For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com

Tri-Town Graduates and Awards

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Jacob Riccardi of Marion received a Master of Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University during a commencement ceremony held May 12 at the TD Bank Sports Center.

Mattapoisett resident Taylor Matthews, a member of the Stonehill College Class of 2014, was inducted into the Upsilon Phi Delta Honor Society.

Mattapoisett resident Sarah Edwards, a member of the Stonehill College Class of 2014, was inducted into the Lamda Pi Eta Honorary Society.

Laura Mills of Mattapoisett graduated from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Mattapoisett resident Casey Mathews, a member of the Stonehill College Class of 2014, was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.

Marion Museum Summer Program

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After more than two decades of natural history programming, the Marion Natural History Museum’s Summer Program is one of the most well-known and well-regarded in the South Coast area. Children from across the country visit us each summer and participate in the program. The programs are designed to be small groups, and registration is limited to 15 children per session. Times for all programs are 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, Monday-Friday; dates for Session I are July 8-19; Session II, August 5-16. Cost for each program is $200/members, $250/non-members. Please register by printing registration form at www.marionmuseum.org and submitting with payment.

Programs fill on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure to register early!

Life Along the Shore (for grades entering 1-2): During this program we visit the shoreline and explore the plants and animals that live in our area’s many coastal habitats. With the use of games, journals and introductory science techniques, this will be a wonderful first look at life in our coastal environment.

Coastal Explorations I (for grades entering 3-4): This program will feature exploration of our rocky intertidal shorelines, salt marshes, estuaries as well as freshwater riverbanks, swamps, ponds and bogs to take a close-up look at the birds, amphibians, fish and invertebrates that make these areas so special.

Coastal Explorations II (for grades entering 5-7): During our Coastal Explorations II program, we will further enjoy the unique habitats Marion has to offer including several field trips to expand our knowledge of our coastal and freshwater ecosystems.

Tri-County Symphonic Band

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The Tri-County Symphonic Band presents its 11th Annual Benefit Pops Concert, “Space and Beyond,” on June 23 in the Grand Tent at the Fireman Performing Arts Center, Tabor Academy 235 Front Street. The Social Hour & Silent Auction bidding starts at 2:00 pm, while 3:00 pm will see the concert, cupcakes and coffee.

The Tri-County Symphonic Band’s program will include a variety of selections from Star Trek, Star Wars, and Battlestar Galactica. There will be selections that resonate with the young and the young at heart. $25 adults, $10 students, children 5 and under, free.

Students Skype With Journalist

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During the seniors’ final week of classes, the ORRHS Journalism class and staff spoke with ORR alumnus and current freelance journalist Emily Johnson. The class got to speak with Johnson from her “home base” of New York via Skype call. The call lasted almost the full 88 minutes of the class.

Johnson first began as an Animal Behavior undergraduate and didn’t discover a passion for journalism until she was studying in Tanzania. She has since worked around the world and in New York on freelance projects of different media styles. One of her biggest pieces was a collaboration with nonprofit organization Project Word that helped a potential court case against Exxon-Mobile from Aceh, a village in Indonesia, get recognized.

The class had questions mostly concerning her experience with that long-running story and what it was like to be a freelance journalist working in different spots around the world. The class was enthusiastic about her work and experiences and continued asking questions right up to the end. Most of the students said they found it “inspiring” that an ORR graduate could travel so far and find what she loves after or toward the end of college.

In addition to many other topics, Johnson enlightened the students about the changing face of journalism. She spoke to those thinking about freelancing or getting into the journalism field that being well-rounded and being ready to report not only in news writing, but also through radio or video reporting, is a good skill to have. Students responded well to her firsthand knowledge and experiences.

By Jessica Correia

 

Grand Send-Off for Judy Kleven

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Marion came out in full force to show appreciation for Judy Kleven, Head Librarian of the Elizabeth Taber Library, who retired on Friday after 27 years of service.

Hundreds of people came to thank Kleven during the day, but an even larger crowd came around 3:00 pm for cake and punch. The library was festooned with paper streamers, posters, and photos of her time behind the counter and in the stacks.

Many young people came bringing homemade thank you cards. A large cake shaped like a book was cut and served.

“I’ll miss her,” said Laurie Maxim. “She is such a great person with a heart of gold.” Maxim said she volunteers at the library under the Marion Senior Work Off program.

“I love coming here,” she said. “It’s therapeutic.”

The surprise of the day was a gift from fellow librarians Donna VanBuren, Rosemary Grey, and Joanne Hannon, who presented Kleven with a white ragdoll kitten. Noah, as he was dubbed, jumped in and out of the stacks, and patrons truly enjoyed his antics. Later he was put in the Childrens’ Room when the library crowd swelled.

As she hugged and shook hands with her admirers, Kleven promised that she would visit the library often and catch up with the many friends she made over her career.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

John Woodacre

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John Woodacre of Wellesley and Mattapoisett passed away on April 20, 2013. Born in New Bedford to John and Doris (Spooner) Woodacre, formerly of Mattapoisett. He was the grandson of Rufus Woodacre a New Bedford whaler and a direct descendent of Mayflower Pilgrim William White and the Delanos of Fairhaven. Growing up in Newton and Nantucket, he studied classical piano at the Newton School of Music.

He enlisted in the Marines serving in Guadalcanal, the Philippines, Green Islands, Samoas, New Zealand and liberated prisoners of war from Japan. Trained as a marine air gunner, Pappy Boyington flew cover for his squadron. While in the Pacific, he survived a plane crash and was reported missing in action three times. Always Semper Fi. He attended Northeastern University on the GI Bill, majoring in physics and engineering. In 1966, he founded John E. Woodacre Oil in Wellesley.

Post war, he had a brief marriage to the late Barbara Woodruff and had a son, John Morgan. Thereafter, he married the late Betsy Breed. They adopted and raised two children, in Wellesley and West Dennis enjoying boating through Cape Cod.

After Betsy, a Dean College professor died, John married Attorney Lorri Seibert in 1994. Jack had Yankee ingenuity, keen intelligence, and was an avid bridge player, boater, and loyal Rotarian. Many will miss his handsome strong carriage, shiny white hair and striking blue eyes. He served on the Board of Directors of the Maugus Club, was a town meeting member, warden and member of the Wellesley Club and the RJD House of New Bedford and the Wellesley Community Center. He is survived by his wife, five children, and nine grandchildren. He loved them unconditionally until the day he died, watching the Red Sox and Neil Diamond sing, “Sweet Caroline.”

Arrangements through Doherty Funeral Home, Wellesley. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to The John and Betsy Woodacre Scholarship, Dean College, 99 Main Street, Franklin, MA 02030.

Karen Leonard Gifford

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Karen Leonard Gifford, 69, of Wareham, died Thursday, May 23, 2013, after a long illness. She died at Tobey Hospital with her son by her side.

She was born in Summit, New Jersey. She was a graduate of Catherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston, MA. She lived in Orleans, MA, and moved to Marion, MA in 1962. She was an animal lover, and spent many happy times with her dogs. She enjoyed knitting and sewing. She loved spending time with her many grandchildren.

Survivors include her brother, Reese Leonard, of Michigan; two sons, Richard Bessom of Vermont, and James Gifford of Wareham; two stepsons, Robert Gifford of Wareham, Richard Gifford of Wareham; three stepdaughters, Andrea Wetmore of Florida, Diane Perkins of Marion, and Carla Cote of Maine; 14 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy, Wareham, MA, on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 11:00 A.M.

Bank Robbery in Marion

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Just before 1:30 Pilgrim Bank on Front Street, Marion reported an Armed Robbery. One suspect fled on foot towards the Spring Street Extension area and the Marion Police Department assisted by the Mattapoisett Police Department are searching along Route 6 for the suspect. The suspect was reported as a white male with brown eyes who was wearing white gauze over his face wearing a white t-shirt and jeans, possibly wearing a green hat with a grey sweatshirt tied around his waist.

Although the initial reports were for an armed robbery, later reports were that a male suspect handed a note to the teller but never produced a weapon. Two separate witness accounts identified different vehicles in the area at the time of the robbery, one a white caravan and a second brown sedan with a Florida license plate. Police searched for both vehicle but did not know if they were involved in the robbery. A K9 unit was brought in to assist with the search as well.

The following is a press release from the Marion Police Department with a photo of the suspect.

On Friday, May 31, 2013 at 1:25PM the Marion Police Department responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a bank robbery at Pilgrim Bank, 350 Front St., Marion.

The suspect entered the bank and passed a note to the teller, demanding money.  There was no mention or threat of any weapon.  As the suspect attempted to leave the bank, a customer attempted to detain the suspect.  After a brief struggle, the suspect fled the bank on foot, towards the direction of Spring Street and Route 6.  The suspect dropped the majority of the money during the struggle.

The suspect is described as a white male, 5’-10” to 6’-00” tall, with a thin build.  He was wearing a gray t-shirt with a red “American Eagle” brand logo, blue jeans and a green and white “Boston Celtics” baseball hat.  He was also wearing white gauze bandage, wrapped around his head.

A K-9 from the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department searched the area and was unable to locate the suspect.  It is believed the suspect may have fled to a nearby vehicle and left the area.

Anyone with additional information should contact Det. Scott Smith at (508)748-1212.

Please see attached photo from the bank surveillance video.