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.”

 

Drumming up the Fun

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What do plastic bags, empty tubes, and crumpled up newspapers have in common?  (Hint: the answer isn’t garbage.)  Give up?  They can all be used as percussion instruments.

On Wednesday, January 23, students at Center School in Mattapoisett were treated to a special assembly by members of the New England Percussion Ensemble, who strive to educate young children on the history and role of percussion instruments from around the world.

“It’s not just a demonstration of percussion.  There is a strong threat that runs throughout the whole show focusing on human communication,” said the group’s founder, Bob Otto.

Otto has been a percussionist his whole life.  His passion for drums led him into a career in musical education and performance for almost 20 years until he decided on a change.

 “I wanted to explore the performance end of education,” he said.

For the last 22 years, Otto has been a central figure in the formation and success of the NEPC, which has a branch that serves Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and another in Connecticut and eastern New York state.

Otto was joined by two colleagues, Ed Sorrentino and Abe Finch, both of who have extensive backgrounds in the study and teaching of percussion technique.  The trio led the students on a journey through history and explained where different types of percussion instruments originated and how they are used in music of all sorts.

 Among some of the instruments they demonstrated were the marimba, vibraphone, African talking drums, claves, trap set, and wood blocks.

“In my mind, learning and fun go hand-in-hand,” said Otto, who has performed thousands of concerts like these over his years with the NEPC, usually for elementary and middle school audiences.

“They love it.  They go walking out of here with their feet off the ground,” he said.

The program was brought to Center School by the PTA as a way to expand students’ understanding of the elements of music.

 “We try to bring in different kinds of music,” said PTA arts and humanities chair Deborah Nettles.  “There is such a wide variety of percussion instruments.  It’s a really great learning experience.”

Center School students are ideal for this sort of presentation because many of the children will soon be picking up musical instruments of their own, Nettles said.

Judging by the hand-clapping and dancing that erupted from the crowd of hundreds of young students, it’s safe to say some of them may have found their future forte.

“This is very interesting.  It keeps the kids excited,” said Nettles.

By Eric Tripoli


Unpermitted Footpath Causes Frustration

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A footpath that was cut without official authorization caused some annoyance among members of the Marion Conservation Commission during its regular meeting on Wednesday, January 23.

The Commission held a public hearing regarding a Notice of Intent filed by Copper Metal, LLC. for an after-the-fact filing for the cutting of a footpath on property at Converse Road.

“There were two other paths that were permitted under another filing,” said engineer Dave Davignon, who represented the company at the meeting.

Commission clerk Norman Hills was frustrated that a path was forged without previous permission from the group.

“I don’t know why these people went ahead on this.  They should have just come to us in the first place,” said Hills.

The NOI also calls for permission to perform vista pruning, but Hills said, without a house already built on the property, he was hesitant to sign off on the request.

Davignon said that the applicant would like to prepare the area as much as possible before the future home is built.

“But we’re willing to work with the Commission on a step-by-step process to get this done,” he said.

Commissioner Joel Hartley said that when he walked the site, he did not see where the vista views could be expected to be achieved.

“I think we’re going to have to look at it again,” said Hartley.

The hearing was continued so that the Commission could examine the site once more before issuing a decision.

The Commission then held a continued hearing for Jonathan and Amy DiVincenzo who have filed an NOI to build a pier and gangway at 370 Delano Road.  The hearing was continued from earlier in the month because Davignon said he was waiting to hear back from the Army Corps of Engineers and Massachusetts Waterways Department regarding the plan.

The timber pier would be 163 feet long, with the aluminum gangway measuring about 20 feet.  Davignon said that the Army Corps of Engineers would soon be issuing a permit for the project.

The Commissioners saw no conflicts with the proposal and voted in favor of the project.

Immediately following, Davignon represented David and Linda Nielson, who have also filed an NOI to build a 253-foot timber pier and 20-foot aluminum gangway.  The hearing was continued so that Davignon could check with the Army Corps regarding maintenance of eel grass at the property.

He did not have any new plans to submit but did provide the Commission with the Army Corps report and the issued permit.  Davignon said that no maintenance of the eel grass was required.

“Since out last hearing, we received a determination from Natural Heritage,” Davignon said, adding that they saw no conflicts with the proposed plan.

The Commission voted unanimously to approve the project.

In other business, the Commission approved a proposal to build a new deck and some small additions to a home at 19 Lewis Street.

The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission will be on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall.

By Eric Tripoli

Bridging Racial Divides

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It was the early 1960s and the Civil Rights movement in the United States was in a state of fiery turmoil. Protests, marches, sit-ins and riots were commonplace on TV and in the newspapers. At times, people questioned whether or not black and white Americans could live peacefully with one another or if this social struggle would lead to the demise of modern civility. The faces of people like Rosa Parks and the words of people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood to define an era marred by racial hostility and the civil war for civil rights.

The desegregation of American schools proved to be one of the most divisive of practices in many parts of the United States. While the resistance to desegregation by American southerners is well-known, New England was not immune to the racial tension, especially the Boston area.

In the early 1970s, forced busing sparked outrage in many communities, including Jamaica Plain, a city located between Roxbury and Dorchester. At the time, ORR’s own assistant superintendent and director of curriculum and instruction, Dr. Elise Frangos, was an English teacher at Jamaica Plain High School.

Frangos had a double-major of English and journalism at Simmons College in Boston and had recently transitioned from being a reporter to an educator. She taught Irish and African-American history at a school that had been predominantly black but now had an equal number of white students in the classroom.

“Irish kids in Boston had been segregated from the African-American kids for so long. Both groups didn’t really understand their cultures or the arduous experiences both groups went through,” said Frangos.

Her teaching position was made possible by a grant from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Society and the Irish Consulate.

“The goal was, in having a class that was fifty-fifty, can we understand each other? What are our similarities and our differences?” she said.

Though there was always the shadowy threat of violence in the air, Frangos didn’t allow the tension to make her fear for her own safety. She kept her eye on teaching, the truest manifestation of her passion for social justice and learning.

“Anyone who goes into teaching has to put safety of the kids first. First you think of the emotional and physical safety of the kids. You just have to. Especially when you’re in your 20s, you don’t tend to think about your own personal situation.”

In her time teaching at Jamaica Plain High School, Frangos helped many students come to appreciate the challenging histories written for both African-Americans and Irish-Americans. In many cases, her students came to appreciate their differences, rather than be divided because of them.

“I think a lot of friendships were forged by understanding the curriculum and content,” she said. “There’s nothing like having that grounded reality of working with children, working with their families. I think that’s the most honorable work. If I can influence that in a positive way, that’s what I’m hoping for.”

By Eric Tripoli

Mattapoisett Library February Events

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• Join Dr. Alan Powers when he discusses his well-researched book The Worlds of Giordano Bruno: The Man Galileo Plagiarized on Tuesday, February 12 at 6:30 pm. Bruno was burned at the stake in the year 1600 for his belief that the sun was the center of the universe and that “there are an infinite number of habitable worlds.” An educator, philosopher and scientist, Bruno was well-respected as a brilliant thinker throughout Europe but not by the Church. Dr. Powers will enlighten and entertain with his dynamic style and interesting audiovisual presentation. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

• Teen Thursdays at the Mattapoisett Library: The library is staying open from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on the second and fourth Thursday evenings of each month for TEENS ONLY. Library staff will be there with fun, homework help and refreshments. Meet your friends to relax or to work on projects together. Music, food and teens only. Teen Thursdays are brought to the community with federal funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

• Teen Advisors at the Library: Each Wednesday from 3:45 to 4:45 pm, students in grades seven through twelve are invited to meet at the library to help plan new library programs and services for students. Drop by and help choose new furniture, music and movies! We need your input. Contact librarian Liz Sherry for more info at esherry@sailsinc.org. Come in and say hi to our gecko!

• Used Book Sale: The next Friends’ Used Book Sale will be held Saturday, February 9 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Many like-new donations await. $10 for a bag of books means plenty of great finds for everyone. Homemade baked goods available for purchase, courtesy of the Junior Friends. There are also used books available for purchase every day upstairs in the library. Why not pick up a few for your valentine this year?

• Got Stuff? Entertaining speaker David Downs will present “Clutter Control” on Saturday, February 23 at 10:30 am. Co-sponsored with the Mattapoisett Council on Aging, this program will humorously help everyone prioritize everything from treasures to junk, and will help folks determine which ones can go. It’s not too late in the new year to get started on organization.

• Photo Sharing is Fun with Instagram: Learn how to make your photos more appealing with special effects and filters using the application Instagram. Everyone is invited to this free program with Lucy Loomis on Saturday, February 23 from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. Bring your smart phone and your laptop if you want to play. Ask questions about privacy and copyright.

Marion Natural History Afterschool Programs

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• January 30 – Our Backyard Birds – Let’s learn a little something about our most colorful winter residents. We’ll be looking at the beaks and feet of our various winter avian residents.

• February 13 – Animals in Winter – Sarah Porter, naturalist with the City of New Bedford, will be helping us discover how our local animals survive the long cold winter.

• March 20 – The Chemistry of Tie-Dye with Dr. William Dills of UMass Dartmouth’s Chemistry Department. Let’s learn about the chemical reaction that takes place when a chemical in solid form turns to its liquid one. Please wear old clothes and volunteers are appreciated. This program is best for first grade and up. The cost for the program is $8 for non-members, $6 for members. A t-shirt is provided as part of the program.

• April 3 – Hunting for Fossils – Come learn about hunting and collecting fossils with amateur paleontologist Jim Pierson. Jim will be bringing examples from his own extensive collections of rocks, minerals and fossils. This program is partially funded by a grant from the Marion Cultural Council.

• April 24 – Bird Island Trip with the Harbormaster’s office. Let’s get a look at the tern nesting sites before they get back from their travels. This trip is extremely limited, so please register early.

• May 8 – Vernal Pools – Let’s explore these temporary nurseries for some of our most secretive forest dwellers; featuring salamanders, wood frogs and insect larvae for close-up inspection!

• June 5 – Lookin’ at Lichens – Is it a plant? A fungus? How can so many different looking “things” be related? What can they tell us about the health of the environment we live in?

The cost for all programs is $4 for members, $6 for non-members. PLEASE NOTE: after-school registration forms are to be mailed to the Marion Natural History Museum, P.O. Box 644, Marion, MA 02738. Please do not bring the forms to the school or the library, thank you!

Because the cleanup and repair efforts are continuing at the Museum, our after-school programs are being held at Sippican School, except for the Bird Island trip. We will be meeting students that do not attend Sippican School at the Spring Street entrance between 3:00 and 3:20 pm to walk them to the program.