Skating for the Scouts

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People from all around Marion laced up their skates and hit the ice at Tabor Academy on Sunday, February 3, for a fundraiser to help support Cub Scout Pack 32.

The skating party was organized by the Cub Scout Parent Council in conjunction with the Marion Recreation Department, which offered its regular two-hour block of public skating at the rink for use by the scouts.

According to Matthew Baltz, president of the council and co-organizer, proceeds from the event will go to various scouting activities throughout the year.

“We’ll set up funding so kids can go to scout camp in the summer,” he said.  “It will also be used to offset trip costs.”

Many local businesses donated time or goods to the skating party.  Uncle Jon’s Coffee provided all the hot beverages for the guests and Kool Kone gave chips and bottled water to the fundraiser.

“We really couldn’t have done this as well without them helping out,” said Baltz.

This year, the 13 scouts in Pack 32 will be embarking on sleepovers at Camp Hadley, the U.S.S. Massachusetts, and the Boston Museum of Science.

While fun is always a big focus for scouting activities, these opportunities afford the young kids a lot of chances for personal growth and development.

“The Cub Scouts tries to instill a set of values in the kids,” said Baltz, who cited the importance of community service, teaching the pack respect for one another, and civil conflict resolution.

“These kids have learned to work together. They respect each other, they help each other out.  They do a great job working as a team,” he said.

By Eric Tripoli

Groundhog Says Early Spring!

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Good news, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this year! As such Phil has predicted an early spring for 2013. In our area we’ve seen spring come and go a couple times over the last month, here’s hoping that it comes back and stays one day soon.

 

Illustration by Ayla Gregoire, the winner of this years Wanderer Groundhog Cover Contest.

Wrong Way Crash on 495 Injures 3

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A car traveling the wrong way on Route 495 in Wareham early Friday morning crashed into several vehicles sending three people, including the driver, to local hospitals with injuries.

At approximately 12:07 am this morning, Massachusetts State Police received reports of a vehicle traveling southbound on the northbound side of Route 495 in Wareham.

The driver of the vehicle has been identified as 24-year-old Kevin Schmidt of Middleboro.  He was driving a 2004 Ford Ranger Pickup Truck. He was first transported to Tobey Hospital where he was later transported via Med Flight to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston with serious injuries.

26-year-old Lisa Calixte of Randolph was driving a 2012 Nissan Sentra when Schmidt struck her vehicle. She was transported to Rhode Island Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

48-year-old Eileen O’Donnell of Falmouth was driving a 1996 Geo Prizm when she was struck. O’Donnell suffered minor injuries but was not transported to any medical facilities.

The accident remains under investigation by State Police.  No charges have been filed.

 

ORR’s Penny Wars

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Monday morning at 7:30 am marked the beginning of a new type of class warfare: the Penny Wars. Running until the February 1, the Penny Wars is a fundraiser for change — literally and metaphorically.

            Four containers will be placed in cafeteria during first and fourth lunches, each labeled with one of the high school caste names. Pennies are positive; a penny dropped into class’s respective container is counted towards that class’s total. Any silver change, (i.e. nickels, dimes, quarters) count as “negative” change. Any silver change put into a container will be subtracted from that class’s total by their respective amounts.

            At the end of the week, each class’s change will be counted and whichever class has the largest total wins the satisfaction of being the Penny Wars Champions. All the change collected by the Penny Wars benefits Students Organizing Labor Equality (SOLE).

            SOLE is a club whose goal is to buy fair trade products for the school. The “fair trade” movement is an organized effort to promote higher standards of environmentalism and fair wages for all workers. The movement seeks to push consumers to buy products from manufacturers, growers and producers who give their workers fair pay and treatment.

            The Penny Wars will help SOLE buy fair trade products for the school in their personal contributions to the movement. Club member Elizabeth Maclellan helped shed some light on where the money fundraised will go.

“We haven’t quite decided where the money will go yet, but we’ve recently found a new source of better quality fair trade soccer balls that we might order,” Maclellan said.

It all depends how much money the fundraiser can bring in. Maclellan predicts a “rivalry between the upperclassmen, but you never know.”

            Maclellan was also able to give some insight on the beginnings of the fundraiser.

            “It took SOLE a few weeks to get Penny Wars set up. We came up with the idea during a meeting, and tried to figure out how we could make it happen. We ran the idea by our advisor, Mr. Everett. After his approval, we had to fill out a few forms for Mr. Devoll and Mr. Parker about using the cafeteria during lunches and what we were planning,” she said.

            The idea was sparked from its low overhead.

“The Penny Wars are always a fun way to compete with other classes, and they don’t really cost anything to set up. It’s a perfect fit for a SOLE fundraiser,” Maclellan said.

By Jessica Correia

Linda P. Tilden

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Linda P. Tilden, 72, of Marion, passed away at her home surrounded by friends and family on January 28, 2013. Due to the pending snowstorn, her graveside service has been rescheduled for SATURDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2013 at 2 PM at Evergreen Cemetery in Marion. Family and friends are invited to attend.  Arrangements are made by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Linda P. Tilden, 72, of Marion, passed away at her home surrounded by friends and family on January 28, 2013. She will be greatly missed and remembered forever in the hearts of her family and friends. Born in New Bedford, Linda was the daughter of the late Preston D. Valley and Lorraine T. Valley. She was the art teacher at Rochester Memorial for many years where she was best known as “T” by her friends and co-workers. Her greatest joy was her family and friends.

Linda created many fond memories for all those around her. Her children talk about weekends on the Cape beaches, dancing in the kitchen, and vacations to Vermont. Countless school children still talk about “happy mistakes” on their artwork and the infamous art cart. The neighborhood kids will tell you about the dragon snow sculpture and the infinite pb & fluff sandwiches she made for everyone. The parishioners of St. Gabriel’s still comment on all the kneelers she designed years ago that are still used today. For the grandkids, Nana was the hostess with the mostest and there wasn’t a thing in the world she would not do for them.

Survivors include her husband of forty-seven years Tom Tilden, her four children and nine grandchildren; Bill Tilden and his wife Cindy of Marion and their children Lindsay, Amanda Mae, and Zach, Bob Tilden and his wife Michelle of Wareham and his children Samantha and Britney, Becky Carvalho and her husband Tony of Fairhaven and their children Adam and Selena, Laura Edgerton and her husband Chuck of Jeffersonville, Vermont and their children Thomas and Michael. She also leaves behind her two siblings David Valley and his wife Linda and her sister Alice Walsh.

The family wishes to thank all of her friends for the visits, phone calls, and food in the past few months to support Mom in her brave fight against cancer. They would like to thank Hope Hospice for their dedication to making Mom’s final days as peaceful as possible. They would also like to thank the South Coast Cancer Center of Fairhaven for providing an exemplary level of care and making Mom and Dad feel like family.

A graveside service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Marion on Saturday February 16th at 2:00 PM. Family and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, we request donations be made in her memory to the Pan Mass Challenge. Bill will be riding the 200 miles in memory of Mom. 100% of the proceeds donated to the riders goes to Dana Farber for cancer research. Donations can be made at ww2.pmc.org/profile/bt0084. Please help us make sure a cure is found.

Arrangements are made by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Young Inventors Show off Creations

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When we think of inventors, we may recall the likes of the enigmatic Nikola Tesla or Benjamin Franklin and his design for bifocal lenses.  But all great inventors must start somewhere and on Thursday, January 31, the Shining Tides Preschool hosted its annual Invention Convention, featuring the creations of some of its younger members.

The program begins with some lessons on simple machines, such as pulleys, levers, and inclined planes.  From there, the kids are encouraged to bring in things from around the house they can use to construct their own machines.

“They’ll bring anything from old phones, computers, clocks,” said childcare director Tricia Weaver.  “Then, they have two ‘take apart’ days where they open up what they brought and take out what’s inside.”

After that, the kids, whose ages range from two years and nine months up to five years old, get to survey the internal components of the items they brought.  Then it’s up to them to use their imaginations to create their inventions.  The kids even start the process by drawing blueprints of their designs.

The Invention Convention is their night to show off their machines for their parents and friends.

“They get to stand up and present [their inventions].  It gives them self-confidence to get up in front of people and talk about what they made,” said Weaver.

There were about ten inventions presented at the convention.  Among them were a bed-making machine, magnetic crane, and a cake machine.

“I made a mermaid machine,” said four year-old Nora during her presentation.  “And it makes sparkles.”

Emma Costa, who is also four, made a rainbow machine.

“Rainbows are my favorite,” she said after the presentations were done.  According to her parents, she’s always been one to take things apart.

“Ever since she was a baby, she always liked seeing what’s inside and putting it back together,” said her mother Kari.

 “She’s been very excited to show us what she made,” said Matt, her father.

Though she is young, Emma’s parents see a curious and bright mind and they want to keep encouraging her to pursue what interests her the most.

“It teaches them how to use different things in order to be creative and she loves learning how things work,” he said.

By Eric Tripoli


Anthony J. “Sonny” Costa

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Anthony J. “Sonny” Costa, 86, of Fairhaven died January 31, 2013 at Sippican Healthcare Center after a brief illness.

He was the husband of the late Lorraine T. (Perry) Costa, and the son of the late Joseph M. & Mary J. (Secia) Costa.

Mr. Costa was born in Mattapoisett and lived in Fairhaven most of his life.

He was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Church in Fairhaven.

Mr. Costa was formerly employed by Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a corrections officer for Walpole for many years until his retirement. Prior to Walpole he had worked for local construction companies.

He served in the U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division during World War II. Mr. Costa participated in the battles of the Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe and was the recipient of the Bronze Star, European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 166 in Fairhaven.

Survivors include a son, Walter D. Costa and his wife April of Middletown, R.I.; his companion, Anne Parker of Fairhaven; and several nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late Albert Costa, Edward Costa, Joseph Costa, Walter Costa and Manuel Costa.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 10 AM in St. Joseph’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Sunday from 1-5 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Frank Mello

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Frank Mello, 79, of Rochester passed away January 29, 2013 at home after a long illness.

He was the husband of Carolyn D. (Patten) Mello.

Born and raised in Dartmouth, the son of the late Virginio and Margaret (Arruda) Mello, he lived in Rochester for many years.

Frank was a lifelong member of the Holy Ghost Society of Horseneck.

He was the owner and operator of F. Mello Trucking and F. Mello Firewood.

Frank enjoyed horseback riding, fishing, quahoging and camping in his RV.

Survivors include his wife; 4 daughters, Susan Savaria of Acushnet, Lynne Lima and her husband Bruce of Rochester, Jo-Ann Camara of Florida and ReGina Mendonca of New Bedford; a step-son, Richard Gast and his wife Tracey of Plymouth; 11 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was the father of the late David W. Mello.

His personal wishes were to be cremated and that no services be held. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Holy Ghost Society of Horseneck, 104 Allens Neck Rd., Dartmouth, MA 02748. For on-line guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Diane Elizabeth Saunders

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Diane Elizabeth Saunders, 66, of Fairhaven, formerly of Mattapoisett, died Tuesday January 29, 2013 suddenly at Charlton Memorial Hospital.

Born in Boston and raised in Walpole, the daughter of Elizabeth (Redington) Saunders of Fairhaven and the late John Saunders, she moved to Mattapoisett in 2005 and then to Fairhaven two years ago.

Diane was employed at the Millicent Library in Fairhaven. She had previously worked as an administrator in the financial services industry.

She was the first woman President of the Boston Jaycees. She enjoyed reading, quilting, sewing, craft making, and doing crossword puzzles with her fellow residents at Oxford Terrace.

Survivors include her mother; two brothers, Robert J. Saunders and his wife Kathleen of Mattapoisett, and John I. Saunders and his wife Mary Beth of Merrimack, NH; two sisters, Jacquelyn Saunders Savignano and her companion Paul Follett of North Attleboro, and Judy Saunders and her husband Peter Cameron of Newton; and several nieces and nephews.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 AM in St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett. Burial will follow in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Friday from 3-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the St. Vincent dePaul Society of St. Anthony’s Parish, P.O. Box 501, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Local Gymnasts Compete on International Stage

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Three local gymnasts competed in Florida this past weekend in the Sand Dollar Whitlow International Gymnastics Competition.  Jillian Rawding of Wareham, Peyton Villa of Marion and Brielle Benoski of Dartmouth all represented Southeastern Massachusetts in the competition.
The competition was held at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in Florida.  Rawding placed fourth in the all-around, Benoski placed fourth on the vault, and Villa placed sixth on the uneven bars, even though she was competing with stress fractures in her back.
The girls train at Rise Gymnastics in Coventry, RI.