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.

Mattapoisett Seeking New Town Counsel

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On Tuesday, January 29, the Town of Mattapoisett held a special public meeting to interview candidates for the position of Town Counsel. The process, which began about six months ago, happens every few years as the town re-evaluates the quality and costs of legal services required throughout the year.

Town Administrator Mike Gagne said that the Board of Selectmen, which appoints Town Counsel, received several proposal requests from different law firms over the last few months.

“It gives the Board some perspective as to who is out there, what sort of work they’re doing,” Gagne said. “It also keeps the pencils sharp, as it were.”

Legal costs for a municipality can run high depending on many factors, such as large-scale projects like sewer repair, which require a bidding process and contract reviews.

“You see it add up really quickly. It tends to tilt that budget significantly,” he said.

According to Gagne, the town’s legal bills were about $45,000 for FY12, which is about average for the legal services sought.

The Board narrowed the selections down to three candidates, including current Town Counsel, the Boston law firm Kopelman and Paige. The other two prospective candidates are New Bedford-based lawyer Anthony Savastano, who acts as Town Counsel for Dartmouth, and Matthew Thomas, a tax title lawyer also from New Bedford.

By Eric Tripoli

Tri-Town Relay for Life Meeting

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The American Cancer Society Relay For Life Tri-Town Committee is holding its next meeting for the 2013 season on Wednesday, February 13 at 6:00 pm 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.

Volunteers are needed to organize and recruit teams, seek community support, coordinate logistics, find refreshments and prizes, plan entertainment and lend their support in any way.

To learn more about Relay For Life, visit www.relayforlife.org. For information on the February 13 meeting, or if you would like to volunteer on the Relay For Life Tri-Town Committee, please contact Caryn Hodges Coulombe at 508-989-7805, Pam Houston at 508-922-4024 or Odd Johannessan at 508-971-0176.

Second-Half Struggles Plague Boys’ Basketball

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In the South Coast Conference, basketball teams play each SCC school’s team twice in the season. This means that every team plays all of the other teams once at home, and once at the opposing team’s school. Having already suffered a loss at Dighton-Rehoboth earlier in December, the boys’ basketball team was seeking revenge on their home court last Friday night. However, a lack of scoring in the second half resulted in a Bulldog loss of 59-39.

The boys played a strong first half, and at the half were only losing to the Falcons by 4 points. However, the second half did not prove to be in the Bulldogs’ favor.

The boys had a dismal third quarter, only scoring 3 points. A lack of offensive rebounds resulted in the Falcons controlling the ball for most of the game. The boys seemed to get their act together in the third quarter as they scored 13 points but were not able to stop the Falcons or their star player, Ryan Walsh, who finished the night with 25 points.

That being said, the Bulldogs distributed the ball well to almost every player on their team. The team’s 39 points were scored by 10 players, contributing to the fact that not one Bulldog was in double-figures for the night. Senior Chris Marchisio led the team with seven points, while Hayden Bergeron scored six points. Juniors Mikey Pruchnik and Nolan Bergeron each pitched in with five points.

With the disappointing loss, the Bulldogs record sinks to a 4-9 overall record. Their SCC record sinks to 3-8.

Despite the boys’ troubles in the second half, the Lady Bulldogs thrived in the final half of their game against Dighton Rehoboth, outscoring the Lady Falcons 30 to nine to solidify a dominant 52-19 SCC victory.

The girls got off to an early start. A strong defense kept the Lady Falcons to only two points in the first quarter. From there, Old Rochester never looked back.

Sophomore Center Gabby Reuter single-handedly scored more than the entire DR girls’ team combined, as she had a game-high 22 points. Senior Guard Katie Wilbur scored 14 points, and Junior Forward Haley Dickerson pitched in with eight points.

The win keeps the girls at the top of the SCC with a perfect 10-0 conference record.

By Michael Kassabian

Bulldogs Resiliency Earns Late Game Victory

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In sports, if there’s one thing that’s true, it’s that it’s not over until it’s over. The Old Rochester Regional High School’s Boys’ Varsity Basketball Team proved that fact Tuesday night, January 29 in Fairhaven by coming away with a late-game win against the Fairhaven Blue Devils in a hard-fought battle.

“I’m very proud of my kids tonight for coming back against a very strong and physical Fairhaven team,” said Head Coach Steve Carvalho.

The beginning of the game was in the Bulldog’s favor as they went on a 4–0 run in the first few minutes of the game. However, strong perimeter shooting from Fairhaven’s Cam Charette and Matt Myers quickly changed the momentum. At the end of the first quarter, Fairhaven led 13–10.

The Blue Devils extended their lead in the second quarter as Charette continued to hit his stride from the perimeter. The Bulldogs managed to tie the game thanks to a three-point play from Raekwon Phillips, but the effort was not enough to trump Fairhaven’s offense. At the end of the first half, Fairhaven led by 10 points, 29–19. 19 of Fairhaven’s points came from Charette.

The Devils extended their lead to 15 in the third quarter. Dan McLaughlin contributed six of those points while Charette continued two hit shots from the perimeter.

With the Bulldogs seemingly on the verge of another tough loss, their luck turned around in the fourth quarter and the chemistry started to click. The defense stepped up big time, holding the Devils to only two points in the fourth quarter. Jeremy Bare executed a huge block as Fairhaven tried to maintain their lead.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Paul Graves delivered ORR’s first six points very quickly, cutting the lead to nine points.

“Paul Graves gave us some very solid minutes tonight,” said Carvalho.

From there, the momentum seemed to keep coming for the Bulldogs. Phillips brought the game to within four points with a three-point play as he got fouled on a pull-up jump shot.

With 28 seconds to go in the game, and as the shot clock was expiring, Mikey Prunchik scored the go-ahead shot for the Bulldogs. Graves helped to seal the victory for ORR as he stole the ball from Fairhaven on their final possession, made a two-point shot, got fouled and scored his final free throw.

With a final score of 46–41, the game was a tale of two halves.

“Well, the first adjustment we made after the half was mentally going back to the things we do in practice,” said Carvalho. “We wanted to get into the tempo of the game. Once we started making shots in the fourth quarter we were able to create some pressure, it just took us 24 minutes to do that.”

The win gives ORR their fourth conference win of the season, making them 4–8 in the South Coast Conference. A far cry from perfect, Carvalho hopes this is the turning point in his team’s season after a tough loss on Friday to Dighton-Rehoboth.

“We’ve been a work in progress,” said Carvalho. “I’ve got a team where I’ve been playing a lot of kids trying to find the right kids in the right rotation. I hope this win can trigger something for us. We’re still fighting for our lives on a nightly basis here in the South Coast Conference.”

By Katy Fitzpatrick

Marion Fireworks Committee Seeks Donations

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Fourth of July 2012 came and went per usual in Marion. Hundreds lined the streets in anticipation of the annual parade. Hot dogs hit the grill, lemonade quenched the thirsts of many, and everyone enjoyed the company of friends and family.

It seemed like the standard holiday, like so many in years past, only in 2012 something was noticeably different about July 4 in Marion: there were no fireworks. Due to a lack of funding, the fireworks were cut from the festivities.

Now, there’s a committee in town that’s looking to bring back one of the best parts of July 4 in Marion. The Marion Fireworks Committee is comprised of seven members including two Co-Chairmen, Donna Hemphill and Jody Dickerson, and they are hard at work raising money to ensure fireworks in 2013.

“We’ve been meeting every couple of weeks for the past couple of months,” said Hemphill.  “We’ve been working really hard. Everyone is full of ideas, there’s a lot of passion. We are really into it and really wanting to bring it back for the community.”

In order to do so, the Committee must raise $50,000. The money raised will be used to pay for the barge, fireworks, police details and other expenses.

“It’s been going quite well,” said Hemphill. “We did a mailing in December and we’ve had a pretty good response. We are ahead of where the Committee has been recently.”

Still, the Fireworks Committee has a long way to go these next seven months, needing to raise several thousands of dollars more to reach their goal. In order to do so, they are brainstorming different ideas for fundraisers.

In addition to another mailing, the Committee will be holding a beach themed gala on April 6 at the Marion Music Hall. Beer and wine will be served, as well as hors d’oeuvres. There will also be a silent auction.

Donations will be accepted over the next several months. Checks can be mailed to the Marion Town House, 2 Spring Street, Marion, MA 02738. The Committee is encouraging everyone to donate because every little bit helps. The group knows that the fireworks are more than just a colorful and festive display.

“I believe it’s a big sense of community,” said Hemphill. “It brings everyone together. It’s a celebration of independence and it’s a nice, happy atmosphere.”

For more information on the Marion Fireworks Committee, visit their Facebook page “Rekindle the Marion Fireworks in 2013” or send an email to info@marionrecreation.com.

By Katy Fitzpatrick

Severe Storm, Damaging Winds on Wednesday

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The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency issued a Situational Awareness Statement Tuesday outlining severe weather that will likely hit the Tri-Town on Wednesday night. The storm, which is caused largely in part by a cold front making its way to the area, could cause strong damaging winds, locally heavy rainfall, dense fog and high seas.

Sustained winds of 30-40 MPH and gusts of 50-60 MPH are possible. Also, the area could see up to 1-2 inches of rain. Afternoon thunderstorms on Wednesday are also possible. A Storm Watch has also been posted for coastal waters due to the increased possibility of gale force winds and high seas.

For more information or to track the storm, visit www.weather.gov/boston

“The Cat’s Meow Cruise”

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The New Bedford Symphony Youth Orchestra presents a fundraising event:  a murder mystery theater performance set in the Roaring Twenties. Between acts there will be dancing to live music performed by the Southcoast Jazz Orchestra and a silent auction. Cocktails (cash bar), heavy hors d’oeuvres and dessert will be served. 1920s costume dress is recommended, but not required! The date is Saturday, February 2 from 6:15 to 9:00 pm at the Fairhaven Town Hall, 40 Center Street, Fairhaven.

Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students. Seating is limited so don’t delay! Please contact Merrillan Melberg for tickets at coordinator@nbsyo.org. Join the fun and you’ll be helping to support the New Bedford Symphony Youth Orchestra’s mission of providing orchestral training and performance opportunities for young musicians by bringing together talented young musicians from our Tri-Town area and from across Southeastern Massachusetts to participate in an educational and artistic experience in a full orchestra setting. For further information about the NBYSO or “The Cat’s Meow Cruise” murder mystery fundraising event, go to the website at www.nbsyo.org.

RCF Dinner Dance Fundraiser

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Lions, Tigers and Bears … Oh my! The Rochester Country Fair will be hosting a “Welcome to the Jungle” Themed Dinner Dance Fundraiser on Saturday, March 9.

Guests are encouraged, but not required, to dress for the occasion. Safari hats, colorful parrot and/or leopard print attire are welcome at this fun-spirited event. Those who do come dressed for the wild will receive a door prize appropriate with this year’s Fair Theme, “Welcome to the Jungle”!

The Dinner Dance Fundraiser will take place at the Redmen Hall, located at 758 Main Street in Wareham, on Saturday, March 9. Matt’s Blackboard will assist the Country Fair Committee in serving a Stuffed Chicken Breast Dinner, which will be served at 7:00 pm. Music by “The Relics” will begin at 8:00 pm.

Tickets to attend are $18 each, while supplies last, and must be purchased in advance at either Matt’s Blackboard Café, The Hair & Body Solution, both located in Rochester’s Plumb Corner Mall, or at The Ponderosa located on Route 105 Acushnet/Rochester Line. You may also reach any of the Fair Committee Members. Donations of raffle items are needed and will help support the Rochester Country Fair.

The Fair Committee also has a limited number of raffle tickets available for its third Lottery Ticket Raffle Fundraiser. The lucky winner of this raffle will win 100 $10 scratch tickets! Raffle Tickets Cost $10 each and only 200 tickets will be sold.

Don’t miss out on YOUR opportunity to win 100 scratch tickets! Visit our website at www.rochesterma.com for additional event information or support.

Old Colony Students of the Month

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The following Old Colony students were recognized as School Council “Students of the Month” for February 2013:

• Automotive: Christopher Goyette, Grade 10, Acushnet

• CAD Drafting: Alex Arruda, Grade 11, Rochester

• Computer Information Systems: Mackenzie Chabot, Grade 10, Acushnet

• Cosmetology:  Colleen Sweeney, Grade 10, Lakeville

• Culinary Arts:  Leah Rego, Grade 10, Acushnet

• Electronics Technology: Roger Brown, Grade 9, Lakeville

• Graphic Communications: Melissa Peets, Grade 10, Acushnet

• House/Mill Carpentry: Alexandria Aspden, Grade 11, Carver

• Machine & Tool: Michael Mobark, Grade 10, Lakeville

• Welding/Metal Fabrication:  Matthew Alger, Grade 10, Carver

The criteria for the Student of the Month program are based on a student’s improvement, service, attitude and shop projects. The program is intended to raise self-esteem in the student.