Kevin Brogioli, Principal of Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, announces the following Students of the Month for December 2012:
• Green Team: Jordan McArdle and Sahil Raje
• Blue Team: Rachel Breault and Zachary Kelley
• Orange Team: Campbell Donley and Becket Kiernan
• Red Team: Jenna Aruri and Sam Pasquill
• Special Areas: Kimberly Rigby and Vincent Pina
• Celtics over the Lakers 34 – 31
Celtics Leading Scorers – Casado, 17; Snow, seven; Ucci, four; Dextradeur, four; Taft, two
Lakers Leading Scorers – Hartley, 14; Garcia, nine; Noonan, two; King, two; Gordon, two
• Hawks over the Grizzlies 31 – 24
Hawks Leading Scorers – Burke, 19; Owens, four; Parks, three; Guard, three; Villa, two
Grizzlies Leading Scorers – Marvel, seven; Francis, six; Pardo, four; Brulport, two; Arne S., two; Mendes, two; Arne J., one
STANDINGS
Celtics 1 – 0
Hawks 1 – 0
Lakers 0 – 1
Grizzlies 0 – 1
• Fever over the Shock 17 – 11
Fever Leading Scorers – Sweeney, seven; MacDougall, six; Perdo, four
Shock Leading Scorers – Fantoni N., 6; Rego 3; Poirier 2
• Liberty over the Mercury 36 – 20
Liberty Leading Scorers – Kutash, 14; Dickerson, 10; Mattson, six; Toland, six
Mercury Leading Scorers – Bart, eight; Smead, six; Swoish, six
• Shock over the Lynx 17 – 9
Shock Leading Scorers – Fantoni N., 10; Doonan, six; Susi, one
Lynx Leading Scorers – Horan A., three; Berg, two; Harris, two; Horan, two
STANDINGS
Liberty 1 – 0
Fever 1 – 0
Shock 1 – 1
Mercury 0 – 1
Lynx 0 – 1
To the Editor:
“O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
Thy leaves are so unchanging.”
This year, the leaves of the Christmas tree in the Bicentennial Park will be changed as the blue spruce that has nobly served its purpose is suffering from old age and disease. The original town Christmas tree went down in Hurricane Bob in 1991 and a generous resident donated the existing blue spruce. This year, the Tree/Parks Committee ran a campaign over Christmas to raise the $2,000 to buy a new tree, bring it across the country, and plant and maintain it until it can stand alone. Steve Gonsalves of Eden Landscaping has generously offered the tree — a Concolor Fir — at wholesale to the town.
The entire town responded to the campaign with checks sent to the Town House and colorfully decorated boxes around town filled with cash. We raised well over $2,000, so the tree is now on order and should be planted later this spring. We would like to thank the children of all ages who made this happen and all of the businesses and organizations that put out the collection boxes. Special thanks to Margot Stone for providing the boxes and Thom O’Shaughnessey for the very clever poster. We look forward to the lighting of the new Christmas tree in 2013! In the meantime, look for the planting this spring and celebrate all of the seasons of this wonderful Concolor Fir that you made happen.
“O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
Thy leaves are so unchanging.
Not only green when summer’s here
But also when it is cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
Thy leaves are so unchanging.”
Margie Baldwin, Margot Stone and Chrissie Bascom
Marion
Early last week, the city of Boston officially declared a public health emergency due to the rising number of reported cases of influenza. A few days later, New York made the same declaration, urging citizens to take the proper precautions so as to prevent a pandemic.
That puts the Tri-Town in a potentially dangerous position. The South Coast is, more or less, bookended by both cities and many local residents commute regularly to the Boston area for work, which can increase potential for local infections.
“We’re all at risk,” said Betsy Dunn, public health nurse for Marion and Rochester. “It’s a much stronger strain, more virulent strain, than in past years.”
Dunn, along with nurse Kathy Downey, ran a flu shot clinic on Monday, January 14 for local residents who had still not received their vaccine.
“It’s been a steady flow of people today,” said Dunn.
Dunn and Downey offered flu shot clinics back in October during the preventative season, but the surge in reported cases in Boston has prompted municipalities all over the eastern portion of the Commonwealth to make more doses available this month.
Dunn said they had a surplus of vaccines left over from the autumn and said that they purchased more doses for this next round of shots, so there is no shortage here as has been reported in other communities around the state.
If you didn’t make it to the flu clinic on Monday, don’t sweat it. Residents can always call their local public health nurses to schedule an appointment for the shot, which really won’t make you sick.
“It’s a killed virus vaccine. It’s not a live virus so it won’t make you sick with flu,” Dunn said. While many recipients of the flu shot tend to report body aches or a sore throat, those are expected side effects and not an indication of influenza infection. Dunn said some people take ill following the shot but it’s usually because they had already contracted something minor previous to vaccination.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends every US citizen over the age of six months be vaccinated against flu, but young children and the elderly are most susceptible to infection. In addition to getting a flu shot, the CDC offers these suggestions for preventing the spread of harmful germs:
• Wash your hands frequently with hot, soapy water.
• Clean and disinfect commonly-touched areas of your home, such as doorknobs, banisters and kitchen counters.
• Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow rather than the palm of your hand.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• If you experience flu-like symptoms, such as sweating, sore throat or coughing, stay home for at least 24 hours.
By Eric Tripoli
ORRHS’s Swim Team, the newest addition to the sports roster, has had quite the successful season thus far. Winning multiple meets and even having one of their swimmers, Tyler Sjahfiedin, qualify for States in almost all the individual events, they have had unexpected success for such a new team. Senior Michael Edwards believes it has to do with prior participation in competitive swimming.
“It wasn’t that difficult for us to start behaving like a team. A lot of our swimmers have been swimming for the Wareham Y prior to the start of the school team, so that really made it easier,” said Edwards.
In addition to that, Senior Captain Rose Haznar believes there are other factors.
“We do have some kids who have never swam before, but everyone has played on a sports team before swimming, so we all know what it is like to have to strive and work hard for a team. That makes a difference,” she said.
When prompted about their coach, Haznar added more insight concerning the backbone of the team’s success.
“She has a huge impact on us. She’s a really good coach, and I have a lot of respect for her. She used to swim herself so she knows how we feel and how hard practices can be. She knows what to tell us to keep us going,” said Haznar.
With practices held almost every day, just as any other sports team, it is obvious the dedication the swimmers have made to the new team. It has certainly paid off considering their repeated winnings and obvious team spirit.
Considering the tribulations that the swimmers had to overcome in bringing competitive swimming to ORR, the fact that they have overcome their next obstacle, unifying as a team, may not be that surprising. Hours of fundraising, swimmers’ parents founding of FORS (Friends of Old Rochester Swimming), and meetings with Principal Michael Devoll and Athletic Director Bill Tilden had to be overcome before the team could become a real possibility.
The work it took the swimmers to create the team has obviously paid off, and the perseverance shown by the swimmers will hopefully aid in static success for the rest of the season.
By Jessica Correia
A local professional musician who is part of a world-renowned fiddle group will have a unique opportunity to showcase his talents on a local stage on Thursday, January 17 as the Childsplay music group makes its way to theåTheater in New Bedford for a performance. Mark Roberts, a Mattapoisett resident who plays flute and banjo, is a member of the band.
“He’s an all-star musician,” said Bob Childs, the Artistic Director of Childsplay. “He’s just a phenomenal player.”
Roberts has played in several noteworthy bands including the Red Clay Ramblers and Touchstone.
“He’s a big part of the rhythm section in Childsplay,” said Childs.
Roberts is one of many musicians that make up the music group, which is comprised of 13 – 14 fiddlers as well as a stellar support cast of guitars, basses, cellos, harps and other instruments. But don’t let the name fool you; there are no children in this group. There are only professional musicians.
For 35 years, Childs has been making violins in the greater Boston area. Childsplay was formed 26 years ago when he received a call from a woman in Washington DC asking him to come down and perform with a music group. The woman said the band was named Childsplay after Childs since all of the members in the group were using instruments crafted by Childs.
“The group is comprised entirely of adults, not kids,” said Childs. “The positive part of the name is that it suggests playfulness. The age range of the group is from early 20s to mid-60s so it’s really multi-generational.”
While the band is based in Boston, the members hail from all over the world. Each of the members belongs to his or her own professional music group and joins Childsplay a couple times of year to go on tour. The musicians come from down South, Vermont and Newfoundland. There are musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and all-Ireland Harpist and a Scottish Fiddle Champion as well.
“The talent level of the band is what is really amazing,” he said.
The group is working on their sixth CD. The music is a compilation of Irish, Scottish, British and French Canadian music. Most of the music performed is written and arranged by members of the band. Their concert in New Bedford will be filmed to make their second DVD. All CD’s and DVD’s will be sold in order to raise money to help the band travel.
“We’re a nonprofit organization with 501c3 status,” said Childs. “Part of the reason for that is we’re just trying to be a national band and it requires a lot of money. It’s difficult to fund a group this size.”
For more information on Childsplay, or to purchase tickets for their concert in New Bedford, visit www.childsplay.org.
By Katy Fitzpatrick
Dancers from Mattapoisett and Marion joined the Wareham-based Kaleidoscope Dance Team on Friday at the TD Garden to perform at halftime during the Boston Celtics game. Here they are posing with a copy of The Wanderer! Photo courtesy of Donna Hemphill.
In the wake of the recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, secutiry and precautionary measures have increased at schools in the Tri-Town area. These changes were outlined at the Mattapoisett School Committee’s regular meeting on Monday, January 14 at the Center School.
Superintendent Doug White said that the weekend after the shooting happened, Facilities Director Eugene Jones was at all of the schools checking the doors and security cameras on each of the campuses. New sign in and check in policies at each school were implemented. White commended all staff members for their cooperation with the safety changes.
“It really was a team effort,” said White.
In addition to the changes that have already been made, each of the schools in the district will see more frequent lockdowns. White said police departments will be more thorough and have a higher presence during the lockdowns. Also, the schools will be practicing full evacuations so they know how to be ready in the event of an emergency.
Chairman James Higgins proposed having a police officer staffed in the schools everyday. The cop would be carrying a firearm and would be ready to step in in the event of an emergency.
“It’s just my personal opinion,” he said. “It’s something to look at locally.”
Jones proposed buying Carbon Monoxide detectors for both the Old Hammondtown and Center Schools. The sensors would help detect CO levels and would alert the school if the levels were getting too high. The sensors, according to Jones, are inexpensive and low maintenance. Each of the sensors would cost $100, and Jones is proposing putting 12 in OHS and 16 in Center School.
“It’s just added safety,” said Jones. “I think it’s a good idea to have them in the schools. They are low cost and easy to maintain.”
Sarah Collier of the Project Grow Parents Group proposed two fundraising ideas to help raise money for the group without having to dip into the school’s funds.
“With the economy being the way it is, the fundraising efforts we’ve used in the part aren’t generating as much,” said Collier. “We’ve had to get a little creative.
The first fundraising idea is a coupon book called “Kids Stuff N’ More,” which would offer families dozens of coupons on a variety of events, museums, restaurants, stores and more. Each of the books would cost $25 and $12.50 of each book sold would go directly to Project Grow.
“This book is a catalyst for many opportunities,” said Dr. Elise Frangos, Director of Curriculum.
The second of the fundraising ideas is a family night out at Bay State Gymnastics in Dartmouth. All children and families in attendance would be able to use the equipment in the gym at a discounted cost. All money raised from ticket sales would go directly to Project Grow.
The Committee approved both of the fundraising events. Collier will now propose the ideas to the Rochester and Marion School Committees for their approval.
On Wednesday, February 6, an orientation for incoming kindergarten parents will be held at the Center School. Registration for new kindergarteners will be held on Wednesday, February 13 and Thursday, February 14.
The Mattapoisett School Committee will meet again on Monday, February 11 at 7:00 pm in the Center School cafeteria.
By Katy Fitzpatrick
The Mattapoisett Conservation Commission voted unanimously to approve a Notice of Intent to renovate an old septic system for a single-family home at 41 Aucoot Road.
The matter was brought before the Commission in December when it was learned that some of the work was started without the project being completely authorized by the town.
“We were here last month for the Request for Determination, but as you remember, the contractor had jumped the gun on starting the construction of the leaching area,” said engineer Ken Ferreira on behalf of the applicant. The contractor involved made a formal apology to the Commission at that meeting and promised that he would be more vigilant about the process as the project continued forward.
Ferreira submitted new plans tonight that reflected some changes, including flag lines.
“It was important to the new owners because this becomes the official flag line,” he said.
Ferreira also submitted the as-built plan for the septic system, which was moved five feet further from the wetlands from the previous system.
The Conservation Commission also held a continued hearing for William Macropoulos of 12 Howard Beach regarding an after-the-fact Notice of Intent to erect a stone barrier wall for protection around a garden area on his property.
Macropoulos had previously constructed his own wall but the Town of Mattapoisett has ordered him to remove it as it was not permitted and did not conform to building code. Macropoulos has instead filed an NOI for a dry stonewall requiring no cement or mortar to be built by a contractor.
“My apologies for the misunderstanding to the extent of that,” Macropoulos said regarding his building of the wall without permission. He added that he plans on using whatever material he can from the first wall in the construction of the new wall.
The Commission voted in favor of the NOI on the condition that all the mortar from the existing wall is to be removed from the premises.
In other business, a public hearing scheduled for David Nicolosi regarding an NOI for the construction of a wetland and intermittent stream crossing on property near Fairhaven Road was continued until February.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission will be on Monday, January 28, 2013, at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall.
By Eric Tripoli
The Klondike derby is a one-day competitive event at Camp Cachalot located in Myles Standish State Park, Carver, Massachusetts. The Klondike derby uses sledges and Klondike Gold Rush themes to compete in a multiple “Town” course and sledge race, pitting each team’s skills and teamwork against the clock.
The purposes of the derby are: first a grand outdoor winter adventure full of fun and surprises, and second, a way for scout’s to test their basic camping and survival skills. This event is for Scouts only. Adults were requested not to assist the Scouts in any way.
Marion Boy Scouts, Troop 32 had eight Scouts participate in the competition for the first time. All the Scouts had a great time, so we’re calling this event a success.
