ORR Tennis Clinics

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The Old Rochester School District and Riverside Tennis will again be offering student tennis lessons at the Old Rochester Tennis Complex. Two sessions will be held. Session One will run June 24-28, and Session Two will run July 29-Aug. 2. Each clinic will be divided into two classes: ages 7-11 and 12-18. Groupings within each class will be based on age and skill level. Each class will last for two hours and 15 minutes. The younger students will attend from 8:00-10:15 am, while the older students will attend 10:30 am-12:45 pm. Maximum number of students per class is 36 to ensure a 6-1 teaching ratio. Over the 11 years of the clinic, this format has provided an ideal situation for our young tennis enthusiasts. As in the past, Coach Bob Hohne, longtime ORR tennis coach, along with former players, will conduct the clinic. The cost of the clinic is $96 per session. For more information, contact Bob Hohne at rhohne@orr.mec.edu or at 508-758-9081.

Town Meeting Behavior

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To the Editor:

I take exception to some of the statements and behavior revealed on the second night of the Marion Town Meeting. I have served five years on the Marion Planning Board. I have been the minority voice on the Board for most of that time. Thus I have had plenty of experience listening to people who disagree with my opinion, and they have had to endure listening to my opinion. However, at the end of each meeting, there was a mutual respect for one another and each other’s opinion. There has been no mudslinging or treating one another with disrespect. Debate is a healthy exercise upon which this great country was founded. It is not something to take personally or to cause one to ridicule the other in a public forum.

During the second night of Town Meeting, the question of a new Solar Bylaws was on the floor for consideration and open debate. The Energy Management Committee made its presentation and then the Planning Board made its recommendations. I think the debate was lively and constructive between the EMC and Planning Board, as it has been in prior meetings. It is not personal, but simply a difference in opinion. Although I think they mischaracterized the Special Permit process, I respect their opinion on the Solar Bylaws and by the way they conducted themselves, I believe they respected our opinion. The opinions are just different.

Unfortunately, I found it extremely disappointing and upsetting the way in which one of the Selectmen, our colleague, handled the situation. Instead of simply voicing his opinion and support in favor of the Solar Bylaws, he decided to belittle, insult, and disrespect the members of the Planning Board. “Clumpity, clumpity, clumpity” is how the Planning Board process was described, even though he admittedly had not been to a Planning Board meeting in a long time. He further painted the picture that the Planning Board was a place of last resort that no one should ever have to visit. We were depicted as ogres who intentionally stall projects and fail to get anything done in a timely manner. And if that was not bad enough, when the Planning Board Chair walked to the podium to give his report, he was taunted by this Selectman, who loudly voiced “Clumpity, clumpity, clumpity” as he walked by. Really?

It is my experience that when one stoops to personal insults and taunts, it is to mask that there is simply no merit to his underlying argument and he must redirect the audience’s attention elsewhere. We, the public, should expect more from our elected officials. We want our elected officials to have differences of opinion so every person in Marion can be represented during the debate on the issues of the day. However, we must insist on civility and respect so we can move the concerns of Marion forward in a productive manner and we do not fall down a slippery slope that will land us characterized as a bunch of juvenile delinquents.

Further, I want to clear the air about the Planning Board process. I will agree that there was a time when I, too, thought the process took too long, and I have voiced that concern on a number of occasions. However, if anybody has been paying attention over the last several years, there has been a real concerted effort by everyone to move the process along. In fact, there have been a couple of projects that were approved in one meeting. We are charged with overseeing the growth of Marion, on a case-by-case basis. Each project is widely different and requires a different review. Sometimes there may be a delay because we did not get an opinion back from one of our consultants, or many times there are delays because the Applicant requests it. At the end of the day, I do my job as I believe I was charged to do it. I give up time with my family and from my practice to do so. I receive no monetary compensation, and there is definitely no power or prestige that comes with being a member of the Planning Board. I ran for the position out of a sense of civic duty. I review each matter as a concerned neighbor so we can try and ensure that there is peace between neighbors and not unexpected surprises that will later cause friction.

After hearing the characterization given about the Planning Board, by some of the townspeople and by a colleague, perhaps we should care less about each application. Perhaps we only need to rubber stamp each application and get home early to our families. Or perhaps it’s time for Marion to hire a full-time planner, if that is what the town wants. I am not insulted if that is the direction that the Town wants to go in. In fact, it will really free up my time to be better spent elsewhere. In the meantime, I simply ask that we show respect to one another by engaging in constructive and effective debate without the use of insults and other childish behavior.

Patricia A McArdle

Marion Planning Board 

Taber Library Chooses New Head Librarian

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The Elizabeth Taber Board of Library Trustees has
appointed Elisabeth “Libby” O’Neil as the new Head Librarian at the
 Elizabeth Taber Library in Marion.  She will take the place of Judith
Kleven who is retiring May 31 after 26 years.
Before accepting this job, O’Neil was the Youth and Community Outreach
Librarian for the Boston Public Library at Copley Square, Boston and was
the former Children’s Librarian at the South Boston Branch of the Boston
Public Library.  Ms. O’Neil will start her new job in Marion on Monday,
June 3.

 

Thomas O. Phillips, Jr.

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Thomas O. Phillips, Jr., 83, of Port Charlotte, FL, died May 14, 2013 in the Tidewell Hospice Center, Port Charlotte. He was the son of the late Thomas O.  and Ella M. (Vaughan) Phillips.

He was born in New Bedford and lived in Mattapoisett, Wareham and California before moving to Florida.

Mr. Phillips graduated from Fairhaven High School and El Camino College, Hawthorne, CA.

Mr. Phillips was a shipping clerk at Northup Co in California for many years before retiring. Previously he worked at Morse Twist Drill, C.F. Wing and Tobey Hospital.

He enjoyed reading and watching movies.

Survivors include a brother, Wayne B. Phillips of Crestline, CA; a sister, Barbara Bauer of Mattapoisett; many nephews and nieces including Diane Duarte of Arcadia, FL, his primary caregiver for the last several years. He was the brother of the late Earle and Robert Phillips.

His graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2013 in the Pine Island Cemetery, Mattapoisett.

Visiting hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham.

For directions and online guestbook, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.

Edith (Bieler) Lansky

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Edith (Bieler) Lansky, 90, formerly of Mattapoisett, died peacefully on May 17.

The third of eight children, Edith grew up in Fall River, Massachusetts and worked as a bookkeeper before her marriage to Sidney Lansky, a prominent New Bedford attorney.

Mrs. Lansky was a great cook, a prodigious reader, and a talented writer and painter.  She was a member of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in New Bedford, and a long-time volunteer with Fish in Mattapoisett and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.

Since 2009 Mrs. Lansky lived at Ruth’s House, a Jewish assisted living community in Longmeadow, MA.

She is survived by her children: Philip Lansky and Shen Yu of Haifa, Israel; Aaron and Gail Lansky of Amherst, MA; and Yale Lansky and Rabbi Sue Ann Wasserman of Auburndale, MA; by her grandchildren, Adam, Rachel, Rebecca, Zipora, Shifra, Sasha, Chava and Ranan; by six brothers and sisters; and by 13 nieces and nephews.

Funeral services took place on Sunday, May 19, at Tifereth Israel Congregation, 145 Brownell Avenue, New Bedford, followed by interment at Plainfield Cemetery. A reception at the Synagogue followed the burial. Shiva will be held at the home of Yale Lansky and Sue-Ann Wasserman on Monday through Thursday from 1-4 and 7 – 9 PM, on Friday from 1-4, and on Saturday from 7-9PM.  Shiva will also take place at the home of Aaron and Gail Lansky, 39 Summerfield Road, Amherst, MA, on Monday and Tuesday from 7 – 9 PM.

 

Memorial contributions may be made to Tifereth Israel Synagogue, or the Mattapoisett Library Trust, P.O. Box 475, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.

Mattapoisett Road Race Reflections 2

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In an effort to update the community on what has happened to Road Race Scholarship recipients here is part two of where they are now.
In 1998 Gregory Hickey received a Road Race Scholarship and went to Drew University where he was a biology and psychology major and a four-year member of the swim team.  After graduating from Drew he went on to medical school at West Virginia University School of Medicine followed by a residency at the University of Virginia.  Currently Greg is a physician specializing in Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine at the University of Colorado Hospital in Denver.  He started running the Road Race in 1990 and ran in ten races.  Naturally Greg continues to run; mostly for exercise but he has competed in a half-marathon.
Nicholas Lorenco graduated from high school in 2006 and received a Road Race Scholarship.  He pursued his studies at Bridgewater State where he majored in Criminal Justice.  As an undergraduate Nick attended Municipal Police Training and emergency medical technician training.  In 2011 he completed a graduate degree in criminal justice from the University of Lowell and a graduate certificate in Security Studies.  Along with his graduate studies Nick also attended Municipal Police Training.  In 2012 he was appointed a full time police officer in Mattapoisett and continues as a an EMT and paramedic in Mattapoisett.

Mattapoisett Free Public Library News

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• Learn to Play Chess: Beginning chess players of any age – youth and adult – are invited to learn the game from instructor Jim Kegle on the first Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. This is your opportunity to learn the pieces and their moves, their value, simple strategies, and attack moves. These free lessons are open to all. Please register by calling 508-758-4171.

• Want to Take a Story Walk? Enjoy a picture book as you walk the grounds of the library. Each page of And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano sits on a post (they are numbered) so you can read along with your child as you both get some exercise and fresh air. Rain or shine!

• Museum Passes Available: Did you know that with your library card you can check out passes to museums all over Massachusetts and Rhode Island that will give you free or discounted admission? The library also has passes for discounted Paw Sox tickets, zoos, state parks, aquariums and more. The list of passes is available on the library’s website, www.mattapoisettlibrary.org. You can also reserve the passes online with your library card. There is currently a display about the pass program in the reading room. Please call the circulation desk if you need assistance reserving a pass at 508-758-4171.

• Free Videos: Library videocassettes are looking for new homes that have VCRs so they can still be enjoyed. Stop in and help yourself to the selection on the main floor near the Friends’ Used Book Sale shelves.

• Ereader Assistance Available: Still need help downloading ebooks and audiobooks from the library catalogue? Librarian Liz Sherry offers two free workshops each week to help patrons manage their ereaders, no matter what type they own. Stop in on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm or Fridays at 3:00 pm. These times don’t work? Give her a call and make an appointment to get assistance. If you don’t have an ereader, but you are curious about them, the library has several that you can try during the workshop.

Sippican Kindergarten Visit Day

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The Sippican School Kindergarten Staff is looking forward to the Annual Kindergarten Classroom Visit Days during the week of May 20. All of the prospective 2013-2014 kindergarteners and their parents are invited to visit the school during the week of May 20 on May 22, 23, and 24 from 10:00 to 10:30 am. The children will be joining the four classrooms to participate with the current kindergarteners in math games centers. This will be an authentic daily experience and also a great opportunity for the children to interact with the current kindergartners while learning what kindergarten is all about!

While the children are enjoying working in the classrooms, parents will be given a tour of our beautiful building led by a former Sippican kindergarten parent or teacher. All parents that have completed all registration and office paperwork prior to May 17 should call the school at 508-748-0100 between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm to sign up for a slot.

Parents who were unable to attend the Kindergarten registration may sign up for a spot when they complete the paperwork at the school office on or before May 17. The Kindergarten Staff want to make sure that all of the 2013-14 Kindergarten Families learn about this exciting visit. These three days will be the only opportunity to visit the kindergarten classrooms prior to the school’s Sippican Open House on August 26 and Kindergarten Orientation Day on August 27.

The Sippican community looks forward to welcoming next year’s children and parents to kindergarten in May!

River Exploration Camp

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For the second summer, the Buzzards Bay Coalition is proud to offer River Exploration Camp, a weeklong day camp delivered in partnership with YMCA Southcoast. River Exploration Camp will allow campers to get up close and personal with the outdoors while exploring Buzzards Bay and the Mattapoisett River.

If your child or grandchild loves to explore the outdoors and get a little dirty in the process, then “River X” camp is the perfect opportunity! Campers will learn how to catch blue crabs, net fish, identify plants, and wrangle toads at Camp Massasoit and at the Y’s Rochester property at Snipatuit Pond. In addition to swimming and boating, campers will participate in traditional camp activities at Camp Massasoit throughout the week.

River Exploration Camp is offered to nine- to 12-year-old girls and boys during two one-week sessions: July 22-26 (Session E) and July 29-August 2 (Session F). The cost is $238 per week for Coalition and YMCA Southcoast members, $264 per week for non-members.

River Exploration Camp is just one of the ways the Coalition and YMCA Southcoast are partnering to get kids exploring the Bay and watershed this summer. As part of a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Coalition will provide Bay stewardship programs for campers at Camp Massasoit in Mattapoisett and Camp Frederick Douglass in New Bedford. Campers of all ages will engage in hands-on, exploratory activities designed to connect them to their Bay. This partnership allows the Coalition to further its mission of helping people discover Buzzards Bay while providing new opportunities for the Y’s summer camp programming.

YMCA Southcoast has been a leading provider of quality day camp programs for more than 50 years. Camp Massasoit and Camp Frederick Douglass collectively serve hundreds of local children, ranging from ages five to 14. This summer, the Buzzards Bay Coalition will put a Bay stewardship focus on camp activities. Children at Camp Frederick Douglass will help to clean up New Bedford by learning about recycling, conducting litter cleanups, and exploring some creatures that call New Bedford harbor their home. At Camp Massasoit, campers will muck around in the salt marsh, explore the intertidal zone, and discover the diversity of plant life at camp. All activities are designed to tap into campers’ natural curiosity and desire to explore. They will form a bond with the natural environment that will last a lifetime.

Through River Exploration Camp and other YMCA Southcoast summer camps, your children will form lasting relationships with their peers and the local environment. To register for a camp, visit www.ymcasouthcoast.org. For more information about the Coalition’s summer camp programs, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/camps.

Edible Perennial Gardening and Landscaping

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Edible Perennial Gardening and Landscaping, a PowerPoint presentation about growing trees, shrubs, vines, canes, and herbaceous plants for produce in New England with naturalist and landscaper John Root, will be presented on June 6 at 6:30 pm at the Rochester Town Hall, 565 Rouseville Road.  Informational flyers will be available, and plants will be offered for sale. The program, which is free and open to the public, is supported by a grant from the Rochester Cultural Council.