And the Winner is…

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The 85th Academy Awards have come and gone, and so has The Wanderer’s Annual Oscars Picks Contest. This year, we had an impressive 117 entries, of which over 45 people choose five out of the six winners correctly.  But in the end, the only person to choose all six correctly was D. Adam Kirby of Rochester. Our top winner will get a Wanderer gift bag loaded with great stuff as well as bragging rights for being the one and only who knew the winners.

Here’s a list of those who won the top six categories at the Oscars:

Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway (Les Misérables)

Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook)

Best Director: Ang Lee (Life of Pi)

Supporting Actor: Christopher Waltz (Django Unchained)

Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)

Best Picture: Argo (Grant Heslov, Ben Affleck, George Clooney)

Ocean Navigator’s Celestial Navigation Seminar

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Celestial navigation has an undeserved reputation for being difficult, but can be learned in a weekend. It provides sailors with a great deal of self-reliance — a big part of offshore sailing — and can be a lifesaving skill when your power or instruments fail.

It’s time to improve your fundamental seamanship skills. Join the Marion Bermuda Race Team for an Introduction to Celestial Navigation Seminar Presented by Ocean Navigator School of Seamanship at the Sippican Women’s Club in Marion, MA on May 4 – 5, 2013.

This seminar is a hands-on course covering basic celestial theory, sight reduction of sun, moon, planets, stars, and specialty sights of certain bodies, like the noon sun sight and latitude by Polaris. The seminar goes hand in hand with the Celestial Navigation Division of the Marion Bermuda Race starting June 14th and is perfect for any sailors contemplating an ocean crossing or a cruising adventure.

The class covers related topics such as time and time zones, sight planning, sextant accessories and offshore navigation plotting techniques, especially dead reckoning. Practical plotting of each kind of sight, as well as celestial running fixes, is covered in detail. Sextant use is discussed during one session, but no sights actually are taken during the class.

The emphasis is on practical use of celestial navigation, with plenty of pencil and paper work. (Up to a dozen sights are reduced and plotted during the weekend, with numerous additional exercises.) using H.O. 249 and H.O. 229 in conjunction with the Nautical Almanac.

Students will find the Introduction to Celestial Navigation seminar to be a comprehensive, yet fast-paced, celestial navigation course. Over the past dozen years, alumni have navigated in Marion-Bermuda Races (even won on occasion!) and have made numerous celestial-only ocean crossings.

A review of basic navigation concepts such as chart work, plotting, true to magnetic course conversion, DR, time/speed/distance, etc. is recommended.

For those who have had no previous exposure to the subject reading one of the following books before the seminar would be helpful: Celestial Navigation in a Nutshell by Hewitt Schlereth or The Celestial Navigation Mystery Solved by David Owen Bell (Landfall Navigation 203-851-3176 http://www.landfallnavigation.com www.landfallnavigation.com). For sextant use and care, try “The Sextant Handbook” by Robert Bauer.

Students should bring to class: (1) Current Nautical Almanac (either blue or orange version) (2) Volume 2 of H.O. 249, (3) parallel rules and dividers. Optional is volume 1 of H.O. 229.

The Sippican Women’s Club is located on Front Street near Tabor Academy in Marion Massachusetts Hours are  8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Your instructor is Tim Queeney, Editor of Ocean Navigator. The cost is $295 per student, $450 per couple payable by April 22nd by check or credit card. Navigators under the age of 19 may attend for half-price.

 

Departments Lauded for Storm Response

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The Rochester Board of Selectmen met Monday evening and spent a good deal of time discussing snowstorm Nemo and commending multiple different departments within the town for their teamwork during the storm.

“All of us will agree that this was a very difficult storm for this town,” said Richard LeCamera of the board.  “At least 45 homes had damage from trees. The majority of the town, or 94%, was without power for 24-36 hours.  It was a very difficult time for the Fire Department and public safety.  I have to say that we have a great team of people that works together and gets the job done.”

Rochester Police Chief Paul Magee said that his staff handled 167 police calls for service from Friday to Wednesday, responded to eight motor vehicle crashes, and to numerous downed wires and tree calls.

“I’d like to thank the other public safety departments,” said Magee.  “I thank them for the full cooperation that we always get.”

Magee also commended the work of several volunteers at the temporary shelter that was set up at the Senior Center in town.

“I’d be remiss to leave out the folks from the COA that ran the shelter,” said Magee.  “The people there were very grateful.  They did a nice job.”

He added that he would leave information sheets with the board for town residents about how to access emergency notifications for future storms, and that the Fire Department has information on their website about storm preparation.

Several other people representing multiple departments spoke about the commendable jobs each department did, including the Fire Department, the Highway Department, the Communication Center, and the volunteer staff at the shelter, among others.

“A big credit goes to this group here,” said LaCamera.  “If anyone in the community has any suggestions (regarding future storms), we’ll take them.”

The board also unanimously approved deficit spending resulting from the storm regarding snow and ice removal.

Another issue discussed at the meeting was the potential implementation of a change from quarterly tax bills to semi-annual bills.  LaCamera is requesting that the town’s assessors attend that next meeting of the board to further discuss this potential change.

Also discussed were increases in school budgets that had been approved for fiscal year 2014.  According to LaCamera, Old Colony has been approved for an increase of approximately $24,800, ORR for a $103,000 increase, and Rochester Middle School for a $53,000 increase over last year.

The board also addressed the problem of mounting maintenance issues at Rochester Memorial School that they had received numerous complaints about.

“The Board of Selectmen have been hearing about maintenance issues at the RMS, and the town has invested a lot of money,” said Richard Nunes of the board.  “The board has been getting info that there are maintenance issues that are taking a while to be addressed. There’s a lot of equipment that needs maintenance. I don’t know if these issues are being addressed.”

A motion to authorize Nunes to enter into conversations regarding maintenance issues at Rochester Memorial was unanimously approved by the board.

“The population of the town look to us for leadership,” said Naida Parker of the board, adding that they needed to address this issue immediately.

LaCamera said that the money for maintenance comes from budgeting from the Rochester School committee and Superintendent’s Office.

The next Selectmen’s meeting has been moved from March 11 and instead meetings will be held on March 4 and 18.

By Nick Walecka

Irene M. (Lewis) Huggins

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Irene M. (Lewis) Huggins, 95, of Mattapoisett died Tuesday February  19, 2013 at St. Luke’s Hospital after a period of declining health.

Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late John and Mary Christabel  (Azevedo) Lewis, she lived in Mattapoisett for most of her life.

Mrs. Huggins was formerly employed by the Continental Screw Company  and the New Bedford Redevelopment Authority until her retirement.

She had been a SHINE counselor for the Fairhaven Council on Aging. She  was an avid tennis fan and loved her dogs.

The family would like to thank all of the nurses and nursing  assistants that took care of Irene during her last years.

Survivors include her daughter, Betsy Secia and her husband Ronald of  Mattapoisett; her daughter-in-law, Christine Boccamaiello of  Connecticut; her brother, Ernest Lewis of California; nine  grandchildren, Brian Secia, Kevin Secia, Bethany Secia Pereira, Daniel  Secia, Jennifer Erbland Foss, Hannah Baptista, Kristin Erbland  Boucher, William E. Huggins, and Brian Huggins; 17  great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

She was the mother of the late Marilyn A. (Huggins) Audette and  William D. Huggins.

Her family will receive visitors at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett  Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett on Monday  April 15, 2013 from 4-8 PM, with a prayer service being held at 7 PM.  A private family burial service will be held in St. Anthony’s  Cemetery. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

ORR to Present ‘Oklahoma!’

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Oklahoma! An American classic…the story, based on “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs, revolves around two triangles of characters. Laurey (Madelyn Pellegrino) is a self assured farm girl who is pursued by two men who love her; the clean-cut, song-singing, cowman, Curly (Max Houk) and the moody and mysterious farm-hand, Jud Fry (Daniel Donohue.) They are joined by the lighthearted trio of fun-loving Ado Annie (Sophia Santos) and her two suitors; cowman Will Parker (Alex Milde) and travelling peddler Ali Hakim (Samuel Resendes.)

Curly, having bumbled his chances to ask Laurey to the box social, sells all his worldly goods to beat Jud and buy Laurey’s hamper. Finally, certain of their love, Laurey and Curley marry. However, the jilted Jud Fry reappears, attacks Curly and accidentally falls on his own knife.

Meanwhile, Ali Hakim tries his best to avoid a shot-gun wedding to Ado Annie and eventually succeeds by getting $50.00 to Will so HE can marry Ado Annie! All’s well that ends well in this fantastic, fun-filled, classic family musical. This is Rodgers and Hammerstein at their best.

This show will feature a cast of 62 including 5 “puppies” and stars Sr. Max Houck as Curly, Sr. Madelyn Pellegrino as Laurey, Sr. Sophia-Lynn Ellis as Aunt Eller, Sr. Alex Milde as Will Parker, Sr. Sophia Santo as Ado Annie, Jr. Samuel Resendes as Ali Hakim and Sr. Daniel Donohue as Jud Fry as well as 45 talented students on the tech crew. The production is directed by Paul Sardinha with Costumes by Helen Blake, Sound by John Farrell and an Orchestra led by Michael Barnicle.

The performance will take place at the Gilbert D. Bristol Auditorium at the Old Rochester Regional High School in Mattapoisett March 21- 23 at 7:30 pm and March 24 at 2:00 pm. Ticket prices are $12.00 Students/Senior Citizens and $15.00 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 @ 508-758-6762

Richard H. Simcock

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Richard H. Simcock, 95 of Marion died February 23, 2013 at Royal Cape  Cod Nursing Home.

He was the husband of the late Gertrude M. (Bickford) Simcock.

Born in Newton, MA, the son of the late John and Hannah C. (Hurley)  Simcock, he lived in Westwood for 30 years while summering in Marion  for many years. He retired to Marion in 1977.

Mr. Simcock was a communicant of St. Rita’s Church in Marion.

He was forerly employed by Fenwal in Ashland, MA for many years until retirement.

Mr. Simcock served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include 3 sons, Richard W. Simcock and his wife Susan of Naperville, IL, Stephen M. Simcock and his wife Jo-Anne of Biddeford, ME and Donald L. Simcock and his fiancée Kim Shacklock of Nashville, TN; a daughter, Patricia A. Hemphill and her husband James of  Plymouth; 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces  and nephews.

He was the brother of the late Alfred Simcock and Laurence Simcock and the companion of the late Rita Cassidy.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 11 AM in St. Rita’s Church. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Visiting hours Tuesday from 5-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Seek Help for Depression Says COA

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All seats were filled at a lecture on depression held at the Mattapoisett Council on Aging on Tuesday afternoon. The talk is part of a monthly series sponsored by the COA.

“By 2020, depression will be second only to heart disease as a cause of disability as estimated by the World Health Organization,” said Mary Beth Quinn, RN, BSN of Gentiva Hospice in Fall River.

Quinn asked the 15 attendees to raise their hand if they or someone they knew suffered from depression. Over half raised their hands.

She told the crowd that approximately six million people over age 65 suffer from depression, but only 10 percent seek help and get relief. Depression is the number two reason that those over 65 go to their doctor. Quinn also stated that the suicide rate for those over age 80 is twice that of the general population.

“Why have this prolonged suffering?” Quinn asked.

According to Quinn, normal sadness is something everyone experiences, but depression is different in that it is persistent and interferes with the ability to function in daily life. Early symptoms include a persistent sadness, lack of interest in activities, feelings of guilt, loss of appetite, changes in sleeping habits and thoughts of death and dying.

Other signs include a lack of self-care and not cooking, cleaning or keeping up with housework.

Using the ‘chicken and the egg’ question, Quinn said that no one knows if physical ills cause depression or if depression results due to physical ills. Physical reasons for depression, thyroid disorders, dementia or other illnesses can trigger it.

Treatment can include pharmacological interventions such as the use of antidepressants, mood stabilizers and anti-anxiety drugs. Non-pharmacological interventions include herbal remedies, counseling and exercise.

“Exercise boosts levels of serotonin and melatonin,” said Quinn.

Quinn urged attendees to push those with depression to seek a doctor’s help. Other ways to fend off getting depressed include exercising regularly, remaining active and engaged, developing new interests, maintaining regular sleep patterns and taking medications correctly.

“The fact that all of you came here today shows that you are mentally healthy, active and interested in the world … it’s those who aren’t here that really need to hear this information,” said Quinn.

Future lectures will cover topics including meditation, diabetes, using technology and fall prevention. For more information, contact the COA at 508-758-4110.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Relay For Life of Tri-Town

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The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Tri-Town is holding its next Team Meeting 2013 season on Wednesday, February 27 at 6:00pm at the Old Rochester Regional High School Library located at 135 Marion Road, Mattapoisett.

Relay For Life is the signature event of the American Cancer Society. It is a fun-filled, overnight event that mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer), remember loved ones, commit to fight back through health lifestyle changes, and raise money for the fight against cancer.

Relay For Life is as much an awareness-raiser about the progress against cancer as it is a fundraiser. Individuals who are willing to give their time and energy to this exciting event, as a volunteer or participant, have made a commitment to fight back against this disease and let the community know that you can beat cancer.

To learn more about Relay For Life, visit www.relayforlife.org. For information on the February 27 meeting, please contact Caryn Hodges Coulombe at 508-989-7805, Pam Houston at 508-922-4024 or Odd Johannessan at 508-971-0176.

Two Special Building Permits Approved

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On Thursday night, the Mattapoisett Zoning Board unanimously approved two separate appeals for special building permits on Mattapoisett properties.

The first appeal to be approved was for Michael and Suzanne Clancy of 5 Woodbine Road in Mattapoisett.  The plan is to demolish the single-family residence, which was built in 1947, and to build a new one.  The current property sits at the corner of Woodbine Road and Ridge Avenue.

According to Michael Costa, the engineer and land surveyor for the Clancy’s, the property is 30,000 square feet.  He said that with the new home would net a decrease in 11% of coverage over the lot.

“I do not feel, as well with the applicants, that the house would be detrimental to the area,” said Costa.

“It’s a great project,” said Andrew Bobola, the town’s Inspector of Buildings.  “Most cottages have seen a large share of changes,” he said, referring to the current neighborhood.  “I think it’s a good fit.”

The second appeal to be approved was for Stephanie Fleck and Michael Morin of 12 Euclid Avenu.  Similar to the previous hearing, the plan is to demolish the current residence, which was built in 1945, and to construct a new one.

William Saltonstall of Saltonstall Architects represented them at the hearing.  He said that the total coverage of the new lot would be 22%, and that the Board of Health had already approved changes to the septic system.

“It’s a nice improvement to what is basically a summer residence,” said Bobola.  “Everything meets the requirements of the zoning board.”

Chairman of the board Jeffrey Chase said that the property “would definitely be a nice improvement” to the neighborhood.

By Nick Walecka

Fundraiser Fun for All

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The Blizzard Relief Fundraiser held at Old Hammondtown School on Friday was a huge success. The cafeteria was filled to capacity and the crowd had a great time with food, music and friends.

 

Photos by Paul Lopes