Flamingos Mysteriously Appearing

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Wintertime has finally hit the Tri-Town. There’s snow on the ground, salt on the roads, sleds on the hills and flamingoes on the lawns. Three of those statements sound appropriate for the month of January, but where are these lawn flamingoes coming from? The pink plastic creatures are the Old Rochester Regional Junior High School’s Red Cheerleading Squad’s latest attempt at fundraising for their upcoming trip to Florida.

“I’m really excited to be going to Florida,” said Nara Underhill, a 14-year-old ninth grade member of the cheerleading squad. “This is my first year doing cheerleading.”

In November, the squad qualified for a trip to Florida after placing high in their regional competition. In just a few short weeks on February 8, the 12 girls will be on their way to Orlando, provided that they are able to raise the $12,000 needed to get them there.

“We’ve been working hard,” said Underhill.

It was Underhill’s mom Dawn and fellow parent Edythe Saucier-Camboia who came up with the festive idea of the Flamingo Flocking. For $25, residents in the Tri-Town can have 25 plastic lawn flamingos placed or “flocked” on a yard of their choice anonymously.

For those who do not want their lawn flocked, they can pay $20 for Flocking Insurance. If you’ve recently been flocked, you can pay $10 to find out who flocked you. All money raised from flocking will go directly to the squad to cover travel and accommodation expenses.

For the past few weeks, Nara and teammate Tessa Saucier-Camboia have been sneaking around at night, the prime time for flocking.

“We’ve been having a lot of fun,” said Underhill.

In addition to the flocking, the parents of the squad have coordinated Foxwoods trips, movie nights, dances and hair-cutting fundraisers. They also have an online donation website which raised over $4,000 for the squad. So far, they’ve reached a little over $6,000, but they still have a long way to go before they head to Disney.

To donate to the squad directly online, visit rally.org/cheer-2-disney. For more information on flocking, contact Dawn Underhill at 508-763-5356 or Edythe Saucier-Camboia at 508-667-6964.

By Katy Fitzpatrick

Animal Shelter Earns Special Permit

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Dozens of residents gathered to show their support of All About the Animals, an animal shelter in Rochester seeking a special permit in order to gain 501-c3 non-profit organization status.  The hearing was held at the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals’ regular meeting on Thursday, January 24 in Rochester Town Hall.

Three years ago, Pam Robinson and her husband Oren began taking in abandoned and stray cats, taking care of them and their medical needs and finding them suitable homes with adoptive families.  In 2012, All About the Animals placed over 40 cats.

“They’re and asset to the community,” said Diane Beaulieu, who has adopted two cats from the shelter.  “I would love to see them flourish.”

Since its inception, All About the Animals has been privately funded by the Robinson family.  They are now seeking non-profit status so they can be eligible for grants and donations to help keep the shelter thriving.

“Pam and Oren take great care of the cats,” said Lisa Fuller, an abutter of the shelter, which is located at 103 Marion Rd.

“I see no way this negatively affects the neighbors,” said Sarah Johnston, another neighbor.

Feeling the support from the abutters, the Board had no issue with the special permit.  The approved it unanimously with the following conditions:

  • There will be no more than 50 cats at any given time at the shelter
  • There will be no more than 3 small dogs at any given time at the shelter
  • There will be no additional structured added to the property

In other business, the Board also issued a special permit to Ruth Sundby of 153 County Rd.  Sunby is seeking permission to construct an 18′ x 24′ structure as part of her business.  The structure would be used to showcase her silk floral arrangements as well as her picture frames.  The building will utilize electric heat and be located no less than 40 feet from the existing structure on Sundby’s property.

The Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals will meet again on Thursday, February 7 at 7:30 pm in Rochester Town Hall.

By Katy Fitzpatrick 

One Ejected from Jeep in Marion Crash

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On Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 7:39 am, the Marion Police Department responded to a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Spring Street and Well’s Road.

The investigation showed that a 2009 Jeep, being operated by Catherine MacGregor, age 50, of Rochester, was traveling south on Spring Street.  A 1997 Toyota, being operated by Ernest Campos, age 83, of Fairhaven, was traveling west on Well’s Road.  The Toyota failed to stop at the stop sign and struck the Jeep.  The Jeep rolled over and the operator was ejected from the vehicle. There were no other passengers in either vehicle.

The operator of the Jeep was treated at the scene by Marion Fire/EMS and transported to Tobey Hospital, with serious injuries. The operator of the Toyota refused medical treatment.

Ernest Campos was issued a citation for failing to slow at an intersection and failing to stop at a stop sign.

The crash is being investigated by Officer Anthony DiCarlo.

 

 

Week of Successes for Track Teams

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The state-level Division 4 Relays prove a lot about a track team; they show the team’s talent in individuals and in their overall depth, as each relay team is compromised of three or four athletes. The Old Rochester boys’ and girls’ teams each proved that they possess both, as the girls won the meet and the boys came second in the overall standings.

The girls’ team, which won with 35 points, was led by strong performances in the shuttle hurdles and the 4×200 meter relay. The shuttle hurdle team, made up of Kristen Fuller, Meagan Bell, Paige Santos and Ally Saccone, won the event with a school record time of 30.18 seconds. Santos and Saccone teamed up with Hannah Walsh and Morgan DaSilva to once again take the 4×200 relay in a dominant time of 1:49.6. Santos also led the girls to a third place finish in the high-jump relay, along with freshmen Zoe Smith and Elexus Alfonso.

Going into the final event, the 4×400 meter relay, it looked as if the boys’ team would win the overall meet, as their closest competitor, Weston High School, didn’t have a relay team. However, the results of the long jump relay came out right before the start of the race, and Weston, having placed second, slipped by ORR in the standings by 2.4 points.

Regardless, the boys had excellent performances. Nick Mathieu, Kevin Noone, Richie Phillips and Dan Donahue won the 4×200 meter relay with an excellent time of 1:36.58, thanks to a phenomenal anchor leg by Donahue, who passed two teams to take the win. The boys also placed second in the 4×800 meter relay with a time of 8:28.53, thanks to the efforts of Nick Pacheco, Mike Wyman, Connor Medeiros-Sweet and Fred Murolo. Murolo, Wyman and Pacheco returned with Noone to take third in the distance medley with a time of 11:09.72.

The relays helped to prove that both track teams have the potential to not only win the SCC, but also possibly win states at the conclusion of the season.

The basketball team had an up-and-down week. Last Tuesday, the boys lost to GNB Voc-Tech, 75 – 58. Only five players scored for the boys; Jeremy Bare (25 points), Raekwon Phillips (12 points), Mikey Pruchnik (13 points), Hayden Bergeron (4 points) and sophomore Jordan Menard (4 points), who scored his first career varsity baskets.

The boys came back from their disappointing loss on Tuesday to win against the Apponequet Lakers, a team that had beaten them previously in the season. With two minutes left, the Bulldogs were up by only four points, but they managed to fend off the persistent Lakers thanks to strong performances by Bare and Bergeron. Bergeron’s biggest play came after Bare missed two free throws with 13 seconds left. The junior fought for the rebound and put it back up to extend the lead to an unreachable 5 points.

The final score of the game was 49 – 43. The win puts the Bulldogs at a 3 – 7 overall record.

By Michael Kassabian

Halfway Mark To-Dos

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With students and teachers settling in to the new rules set in place after winter break, the slew of complaints and attempted debates from students towards teachers have made way for quiet grumbling and preparing for the end of the term. Grades close officially on the January 25. All make-up work should be passed in over the course of the week. Midterms will be at the teachers’ discretion. Finals for half-year classes will also be at teacher’s discretion. Seniors with an A average will be exempt from finals in their half-year classes.

Seniors applying to college should be bringing in copies of any official letters from college, including acceptance letters, deferment letters, admissions denial letters or scholarships directly from the colleges. The copies of the letters should be given to Mrs. Bertrand in the guidance office. For any questions about scholarships, you should see your guidance counselor.

Also on the senior to-do list should be buying your yearbooks. $75 must be paid by January 31 with the order forms and passed in to the main office or the yearbook committee. For extra order forms, go to Mrs. Blake or any of the yearbook committee members.

Juniors on the college track who are looking to get a head start can begin by looking into the SATs and going on college visits. Guidance has a list of the upcoming SAT testing dates. The list can also be found online on the College Board website. The College Board website is also where you can sign up for the SATs. Should you be interested in taking the ACTs, you should ask the guidance office about testing dates and centers or look online on the ACT website.

For all students, sign-ups for the talent show end this week. Practices or run-throughs for the show will be held during the week of the show and will be clarified during morning announcements.

By Jessica Correia


Joseph A. Fontaine

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Joseph A. Fontaine, 89, of Rochester, died Wednesday, January 23, 2013. He was the husband of Ida E. (Poirier) Fontaine; they had been happily married for 70 years.

Born in New Bedford, a son of the late Ovila and Emerilda (Dion) Fontaine, he had lived in New Bedford before moving to Rochester in 1967.

Mr. Fontaine served in the US Navy during WWII and worked as a supervisor at Commonwealth Electric for 38 years before retiring. After retiring he and his wife enjoyed traveling, camping and spending winters in Florida. He was also a member of the VFW Post in Freetown.

Besides his wife he is survived by two sons, Albert Fontaine and his wife Carol of Acushnet and Michael Fontaine of Narragansett, RI; a daughter, Sandra Reale and her husband Stephen of Acushnet; five grandchildren, Deborah Cassidy, Karen Elias, Tina Reale, Lisa McIlmail and Michael Reale; six great grandchildren, MacKenzie Cassidy, Marissa and Nathan Elias, William and Katie McIlmail and Allyson Reale; several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late, Frank, Albert and Edmund Fontaine, Sidonie “Sally” Lauzier and Hermina “Alice” Paradise.

Funeral and burial are private per Mr. Fontaine’s wishes. Arrangements are in the care of the ROCK Funeral Home, New Bedford.

Beverly J. Mello (Sylvia)

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Beverly J. Mello (Sylvia), 79, of Rochester, MA died Monday, January 21, 2013 after a long illness at Tobey Hospital in Wareham. She was the companion of the late Joseph Carvalho of Westport.

Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late Manuel J. and Doris M. (Chace) Sylvia, she had lived in Rochester for over forty years. Mrs. Mello had worked as a cook at the Mattapoisett Nursing Home and was a member of the Holy Ghost Club in Westport.

Survivors include her 4 daughters: Susan Savaria of Acushnet, Lynne A. Lima and her husband Bruce of Rochester, Jo-Ann Camara of FL and Regina Mendonca of New Bedford, 10 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and her former husband Frank Mello.

Mrs. Mello was the mother of the late David W. Mello.

A graveside service to which relatives and friends are invited will be Monday, January 28, 2013 at Oak Grove Cemetery, New Bedford at 11:00 A.M.

Calling hours will be Sunday from 1-4 P.M.

Joyce N. “Nonnie” Grassi

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Joyce N. “Nonnie” Grassi, 91, of Marion, died Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at Tobey Hospital in Wareham. She was the wife of the late Nildo E. Grassi.

Born in Cambridgeshire, England, she was the daughter of the late Samuel & Margaret Louisa (Tack) Chandler. She came to the United States in 1946, settling in Wareham and moved to Marion in 2007.

A homemaker, Mrs. Grassi enjoyed knitting, crossword puzzles, reading and crocheting.

Survivors include her daughter, Maureen E. Rounds of Wareham; three sons, Michael J. Kauranen of Rochester, Kevin B. Kauranen of Wareham and Robert E. Grassi of W. Wareham; 22 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter, the late Terri Lee Grassi, her late step-son, Edward N. Grassi and her step-daughter, the late Gloria Heap.

Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours on Sunday, Jan. 27th at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham from 2 – 5 PM. Her funeral service and burial will be private.

Donations in her memory may be made to National MS Society, Greater New England Chapter, P.O. Box 845945, Boston, MA 02284-5945 or on-line at www.msnewengland.org

Marion Offers Emergency Cold Weather Tips

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With the current frigid temperatures and snow on the horizon, Marion Emergency Management is offering up the following cold weather safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe for the next few days:

•Continue to be aware of the timing of extreme weather conditions by monitoring Media reports.

•Make sure you always have a well-stocked Winter Home Emergency Supply Kit that includes flashlights, portable radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable food, a manual can opener, and extra heavy blankets.

•Minimize outside activities, particularly the elderly and very young.  Also, consider your pets.

•Dress in several layers of loose fitting, lightweight clothing, rather than a single layer of heavy clothing.  Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.  Wear a hat, mittens and sturdy waterproof boots, protecting your extremities.  Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

•Excessive exposure can lead to frostbite, which is damaging to body tissue that is frozen.  Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and a pale appearance in extremities, such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, seek medical help immediately.

•Hypothermia can occur in extreme cases.  The warning signs are uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion.  If the person’s temperature drops below 95 degrees, seek immediate medical care.

•Ensure you have sufficient heating fuel, as well as emergency heating equipment in case you lose electricity. Remember that unvented kerosene heaters are illegal in Massachusetts.

•Call Mass211 or check with your local Emergency Management Office to find the locations of any Warming Centers that may be open in your community.

•When utilizing alternate heating sources, such as your fireplace, wood stove, space heater or a generator, take the necessary safety precautions.  Keep the heat sources 3-feet away from anything that can catch fire. Turn off space heaters when going to bed or leaving the house.

•Keep a fire extinguisher handy; ensuring everyone knows how to use it properly. Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.

•If you lose your heat, seal off unused rooms by stuffing towels in the cracks under the doors. At night, cover windows with extra blankets or sheets.

•Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat.

•Be a good neighbor. Check with elderly or relatives and friends who may need additional assistance to ensure their safety.

•To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of newspapers, covering the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture. Allow a trickle of warm water to run from a faucet that is farthest from your water meter or one that has frozen in the past.  This will             keep the water moving so that it cannot freeze.  Learn how to shut off your water if a pipe bursts.

•If pipes freeze, remove insulation, completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes or wrap them with towels soaked in hot water, starting where they are most exposed to the cold.  A hand-held hair dryer, used with caution, also works well.

•Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.

•Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.

•Make sure your car is properly winterized.  Keep the gas tank at least half-full.  Carry a Winter Emergency Car Kit in the trunk including blankets, extra clothing, flashlight with spare batteries, a can and waterproof matches (to melt snow for drinking water), non-perishable foods, windshields scraper, shovel, sand, towrope and jumper cables.

Marinus Vander Pol, Jr.

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Marinus Vander Pol, Jr. “Butch,” age 69, passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2013.  He was a loving husband and father.  He is loved by his wife, Mary D. Vander Pol of 45 years.  He leaves behind five children: Melissa, Marinus, Melodie, Matthew and Marijka as well as 11 grandchildren.

Butch enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.  He loved his job and was not only an employee of Tabor Academy, but was devoted to the school’s community as well.  He grew plant material for Tabor and was a commercial grower of shade trees and ornamental plants as the owner of Vander Pol Nurseries, Inc.  He enjoyed working alongside his friend and colleague, Don Wing, in the effort to continually improve the landscape design of the Tabor campus.  Butch and his wife enjoyed attending athletic events that took place on the various fields for which he created design layouts.

Butch was a Sergeant E5 in the US Army.  He was a US Army Vietnam War Veteran.

Butch was a graduate of University of Massachusetts Amherst and was a Registered Landscape Architect.  He was most recently employed by Tabor Academy’s Plant Operations Department.   He was a member of the American Nurseryman’s Association, New England Nurseryman’s Association and the Massachusetts Nurseryman’s Association.  He exhibited in the Kiwanis Club of New Bedford, Inc. annual spring flower shows.  He both exhibited in and won the President’s Cup at the New England Flower Shows in Boston, MA.

Butch was an active resident in the town of Fairhaven, MA.  Butch had many dear friends in the town, but valued his long-lasting friendship with his friend and political mentor, Ray Fleurent.  Butch was a Town Meeting member.  He served as Chairman of the Conservation Commission and Vice-Chairman of the Planning Board with a combined service time of more than 50 years.  He was a member of the Town Forest Committee, an Associate Member of the Historical Commission and was appointed to Special Police.  Butch was an active member of Rotary Club.  He was also a Cub Master for his oldest son’s Cub Scout troop.

Butch’s immediate family will celebrate his life with private services.  In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed in support of Brain Tumor Research.  Donations can be sent to:  Brain Tumor Center, Shapiro Building 868, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave.  Boston, MA  02215.

“We will miss that unique combination of talents, along with his sense of humor, intelligence and common sense.  He was a humble man and a wonderful person.”