ORRJHS Shares Thanksgiving with Seniors

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Almost 100 eighth graders at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School participated in the annual senior citizen Thanksgiving banquet on Sunday, November 18.  The dinner, which is in its 21st year, was attended by over 200 local seniors.

While it is a time for seniors citizens to gather and mingle, the event encourages young students to get to know the older members of their communities.

“I like the interaction between the students and senior citizens,” said ORRJHS principal Kevin Brogioli.  “These students really jump at the opportunity to help.  They want to be part of the community.”

Each year Brogioli holds an assembly to explain the purpose of the dinner and to solicit for volunteers.

“They do just about everything.  Some kids did telemarketing to get donations for the raffle items.  Some were in charge of decoration and set-up.  Then there are the unsung heroes: the ones who come in afterward to clean up,” he said.

“It went really well today,” said Caitlin Meagher, ORR Food Service director.  “We came in on Friday and cooked the turkeys.  We had eight turkey breasts and six turkey rolls.”

The dinner also consisted of mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce.  Slices of apple pie were served for dessert.

Dressed in white shirts and black pants, the students served the senior citizens, bringing them juice, coffee, dinner plates, and dessert.  The walls were decorated with hand-made Thanksgiving-themed images and cornucopias and bowls of gourds adorned the tables.

“It’s been really good.  All the people here are happy and smiling.  It’s really nice helping people,” said eighth grader Ariane Dias, of Rochester.  She became interested in volunteering after hearing Brogioli’s presentation at the beginning of the school year.  Dias also managed to coax many of her friends into helping out.

Student Council president Jack Gordon was also serving the guests.

“Most of the Student Council is here today,” he said.  Gordon, a Boy Scout who is no stranger to community service, enjoyed the opportunity to spend time the senior citizens.

“Around here, you don’t get to see these people a lot.  It’s good to be able to work with my classmates to help these people have a nice Thanksgiving,” said Gordon.

By Eric Tripoli

Local Scouts Food Drive A Success

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Scouts from Troop 32 in Marion held a food drive in cooperation with the Marion Police Department.  All the donations will be given to The Family Pantry- Damien’s Place in East Wareham, which helps provide food aid to families in need.  The boys collected over 200 items and they needed two pickup trucks to carry it all.  Here are some photos from Saturday, November 17, the final day of the drive.

By Eric Tripoli

Giving The Gift Of Art

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It’s hard to believe the holiday shopping season is here.  Black Friday is just around the corner and shoppers everywhere are checking their lists twice: to ensure nobody is forgotten and to nail the best deals in town.

For some gifters, big box stores are stocked with uninspired and obligatory gift ideas like neck-ties or fancy bath soaps.  They may be looking for something more personal or outside-the-box.

Those shoppers may find what they’re looking for at the annual Holiday Shop at the Marion Art Center.  The sale features original work by 45 area artisans, many of who were featured at this summer’s Arts In The Park festival and is a holiday staple in the area.

“This is our 29th year offering the Holiday Shop,” said MAC executive director, Deborah Bokelkamp.  “The mission here for 55 years has been to promote the visual arts whether it’s a watercolor, jewelry, hand-made cards, knitted items, or original tile work.”

The sale occupies both the first and second floors of the Art Center and offers one-of-a-kind and limited edition items.  The Holiday Shop is open until December 20.  For more information, visit marionartcenter.org.

Don’t forget to check out our slideshow of photos from this year’s Marion Art Center Holiday Shop.

By Eric Tripoli

Kenneth A. Gee

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Kenneth A. Gee, 79, of Marion and Boston passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 14, on Cape Cod. Husband of Barbara Bullock Gee for 55 years, kind and generous father to Judy Gee Lewis of Dover, MA, Clark Gee and his wife, Margaret of Marion and Ronald Gee of Golden, CO. Grandfather, confidant and golf partner to Andy Lewis, and inspiration to grandchildren Amanda and Austin Lewis.

Born in Chicago on October 10, 1933, son of Joseph and Florence (Koeller) Gee. Ken graduated from Northwestern University in 1956, served in the U.S. Army for two years then began his business career at the Harris Bank while attending University of Chicago as an MBA candidate.

Ken’s family was known in Chicago since the 1930?s traditionally for Gee Lumber stores, selling ice and coal and building windows and doors, with a few home supplies. Ken came to the family business with ideas for marketing the vast variety of modern housewares, and appliances ? and the new concept of central air conditioning. The stores became instantly exciting and popular with customers and Ken was named corporate president at age 34.

In 1971, Mike Grossman brought Ken to Braintree to supervise the 250 Grossman stores in New England, California and the Mid-Atlantic states. Ken was named Executive Vice President. The family moved to Boston and Marion, MA. where Ken became involved in all aspects of retail development and also pursued his love of concert music. He served on the Board of Boston Classical Orchestra, and was a founding member of the Buzzards Bay Musicfest, and was a decades long supporter of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the New Bedford Symphony.

Along with a deep knowledge of classical music, romantic composers, their special works and historical data, Ken was equally an avid sports fan. Moving to Boston brought on new loyalties to Bruins, Red Sox and Patriots and Ken enjoyed watching the Celtics even on his last days of life. It was a family game to challenge Ken to quote remote statistics on current or past athletes with details of their team performances. And he could also give correct answers on sonatas, Mozart and note hundreds of serious compositions in historic detail. He also enjoyed being mistaken for Kenny G, the fine saxophone player.

Ken was past president of the Chi Psi fraternity at Northwestern University and a member of The Kittansett Club in Marion, The Sippican Tennis Club, and The Beverly Yacht Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hope Health Hospice, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601.

His Memorial Service will be held on Monday, December 3rd at 3 PM in the New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. For on-line guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

 

Daniel James Hunter

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Daniel James Hunter, 30, died by accident at his home in Huntsville, Alabama on November 6, 2012.

James was the son of Marilyn East and her husband John Powers of Marion, and the late Daniel J. Hunter and his wife Sydney of Worcester. James leaves a large and loving family: his sister Kate Houdelette and her husband Gabriel of Marion, and his adored nieces Elizabeth and Caroline; his siblings Andrew, Amanda and Ben Hunter of Duxbury, Daniel Powers and Amanda Ellis of South Orleans and Nicholas Hemley Powers of Barnstable. His cohort of cousins are Jeffrey and Megan Boyd, Melissa Traenkle, Zachary Keir, Lindsay and Hannah Williams, Emily, Brittany and Samuel Jones, and Amy and Allie Hunter. His aunts and uncles are Lindy East and Richard Boyd, Deborah and John Keir, Elizabeth East and Douglas Williams, David and Shirley Hunter, Dan and Susan Jones.

A graduate of Barnstable High School and Universal Technical School, since 2007 James made his home in Alabama, where he became a southern gentleman and worked at Century Volvo. James was an animal lover, leaving behind his best friend, Daisy. He was a loyal friend, family man, and always kept everyone laughing.

The family plans a memorial for a later date.

 

Animal Shelter Holds Kitty Christmas

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Holidays are all about spending quality time with the ones you love and giving thanks. No matter if you are a human or an animal, it is always important to have a home to call your own when the cold weather rolls around. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. But It’s All About the Animals, a nonprofit volunteer-based animal shelter in Rochester, is looking to change that.

“We try to help as many abused and abandoned cats as we can,” said Pam Robinson, Owner and President of the organization. “Occasionally, we take small dogs. They all have sad stories.”

In 2009, Robinson opened the no-kill animal shelter in order to place as many abandoned cats as possible with families in Massachusetts. Since the organization is all volunteer-based, they try to raise money any way they can. On Sunday, November 11, they held their Kitty Christmas, where they sold festive jewelry and crafts.

“We open up so people can see what we’re about and what we’re doing,” said Robinson. “We do whatever we can to support the shelter.”

It’s All About Animals, which is comprised of about 10 volunteers, works hand-in-hand with the Marion Animal Hospital. The vets at the hospital make sure each cat is spayed, neutered, de-wormed and de-flead. They also make sure they are up to date on their distemper and rabies shots. The shelter takes care of all the cats’ medical needs for the first year.

“It’s great having a community tie with Pam,” said Chantelle Pavao, Office Manager at the Animal Hospital. “When Pam came on board, she was just this crazy cat lady with a dream. We fell in love with her and wanted to help her any way we could.”

Since 2009, Robinson and her crew have placed over 100 cats each year. Robinson only seeks adoptees in Massachusetts.

“I only do Massachusetts because I want to be able to keep in contact with adoptees and know how the animals are doing,” Robinson said.

While the cats are waiting for the perfect owner to come pick them up, It’s All About the Animals provides the perfect atmosphere for the felines. With unlimited food and water, radio, night-lights and colorful paintings, the cats have everything they could possibly need.

“It’s like Disneyworld for cats,” said Pavao.

Cats sometimes get a bad reputation for being unfriendly, but Robinson assures anyone with hesitation to give adoption a chance.

“They’re very affectionate and loving,” she said. “A lot of them have been abused, so they’re just scared, but once they learn how to trust, they’re fine. They’re very easy to take care of and very self-sufficient.”

“To put it bluntly, cats are easily disposable,” said Nikki Horton, an employee of Marion Animal Hospital. “It is so easy for people to up and leave a house and leave the cat. We are really proud of what Pam does here.”

If you are interested in adopting a cat from It’s All About the Animals, Robinson said she is available 24/7 to her adoptees. The shelter is located at 103 Marion Road in Rochester and the phone number is 508-763-2035.

“Every day I save an animal or I know it’s going to a good home, I feel like I hit the lottery. That’s what it’s all about,” said Robinson. “It gives me so much joy, I can’t even explain how happy it makes me when I can save an animal.”

By Katy Fitzpatrick

Mattapoisett’s Zucco Crowned Miss Fall River

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She’s only competed in three pageants, but the third time was a charm for 19-year-old Mattapoisett resident Jillian Zucco. On Sunday, November 11, Zucco was crowned Miss Fall River, which is a local pageant part of the Miss America organization.

“I was so excited,” said Zucco about being crowned. “I was shaking. I actually forgot to hug the previous Miss Fall River. I totally forgot to even put the sash on. I was so excited.”

Zucco competed in her first pageant in September when she entered the Miss New Bedford pageant. Shortly after, she competed in Miss Taunton. In both of those pageants, she placed first runner-up, beating out dozens of contestants who had years of pageant experience.

“My mom actually encouraged me to try Miss New Bedford,” said Zucco. “She said that it was a scholarship pageant, that I can sing well and that I am a good speaker so I should give it a try. I thought I would do well in talent and it was really fun. I was glad that I did it.”

With eight contestants competing in Sunday’s pageant, Zucco was appropriately deemed Contestant 1. The Miss America organization pageants are comprised of several parts, including talent, swimwear, interview, evening wear and onstage question.

“Miss America is all about character, charities and talent,” Zucco said. “I like Miss America because it focuses on the character of people. It’s a way to show your talent, improve your public speaking and express yourself. It’s also a way to spread something you feel strongly about and reach a greater audience.”

Zucco wowed the crowd with a beautiful rendition of Sandi Patty’s “Via Dolorosa” and sparkled in her lime green evening gown. The onstage question allowed her to speak more about her charity platform, “Choose a Cause, Make a Difference.” Zucco’s charity is dedicated to encouraging people to volunteer.

“It’s your duty to take part in your community and give back in a way,” she said. “I think it’s important for young people to learn the intrinsic value of giving. Volunteering is community building.”

Volunteering isn’t the only way Zucco plans to give back to her community, either. She is currently enrolled in the Honors Nursing Program at UMass Dartmouth and is also a licensed EMT. She has her sights on getting her paramedic license so she can be a med-flight nurse and also an ER nurse.

But in the short-term, Zucco will begin her preparations for the Miss Massachusetts pageant, which will be held in June. She said she will be keeping up on current events, working on her interview skills and hitting the gym to prepare. A win there would secure a spot in the Miss America pageant. Zucco is concerned with taking it one step at a time and focusing on the one thing that matters.

“My new philosophy that I’ve discovered lately it’s to be the best me that I can be,” she said. “That’s the best I can do.”

By Katy Fitzpatrick

Garcia Voted Off X-Factor

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Rochester native Jennel Garcia’s journey on FOX’s hit TV show “The X-Factor” has come to an end.

Garcia was voted off the show Thursday night when the judges decided to save Paige Thomas instead of her.  Lyric 145, a hip-hop group earned the least amount of votes and were automatically sent home.

Thomas and Garcia received the next fewest votes and had to sing for survival.  The judges chose to save Thomas.

This week was Diva Week on the show, and Garcia sang Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary.”

Garcia auditioned for the show over the summer in Providence.  Since then, she has been living in LA competing on the show.

The winner of the contest will win a $5 million recording contract. “The X-Factor” airs Wednesday and Thursday nights on FOX at 8:00 pm.

 

Maria Cananzey to Retire

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The Mattappoisett Zoning Board of Appeals extended their thanks Thursday night to Building Commissioner administrative assistant Maria Cananzey, who is retiring from her position after 23 years.

“It was one of the best decisions I made, hiring this individual over 20 years ago,” said Code Enforcement Officer Andrew Bobola.  “She’s always gone above and beyond what is needed in this department.  She’s handled herself professionally for 23 years.  She’s been a very good friend and she’ll be sorely missed.”

Following her official retirement at the end of the month Cananzey will be moving permanently to Florida.

“I’ll miss everyone.  You’ve been so great,” she said.

In other business, the ZBA held a public hearing for Matthew Michaud of 3 Driscoll Lane, who is seeking a special permit to allow the pre-existing use of a second dwelling on the property.

“There’s an existing structure over the garage and someone’s been living there since I purchased it,” said Michaud.  He has been renting out the property since he bought the home a few years ago but was unaware that there was no permit allowing for the space to be used as a dwelling.

According to Code Enforcement Officer Andrew Bobola, the history of the building showed that there had been someone living there for quite some time.  An anonymous complaint led Bobola to discover that there was a tenant in the apartment over the garage.  Bobola then brought the issue to Michaud’s attention.

Several abutters turned out in support of the petition, citing no complaints with the living situation.  The Zoning Board of Appeals then unanimously approved the special permit.

Then, the ZBA heard from Dan and Daneen Eilersten who are seeking a special permit allowing a family-related apartment at a dwelling at 20 Water Street.

“We’re in the process of renovating.  When my father retired, they sold their home, they go to Florida about three months a year,” said Mrs. Eilersten.  The apartment would be used by her parents for nine months out of the year and would allow for the family to better care for them.

ZBA member Norman Lyonnais questioned the parking situation but Bobola vouched that there was adequate off-street parking for the proposed situation.

The Board then voted in favor of the project.

The ZBA then held a hearing for Robert Townsend, regarding his application for a special permit to construct an addition and stairs to a dwelling at 11 Channel Street.  The proposed changes would not meet setback requirements.

“We want to help give them a better means of egress as well as improve the bathroom a little bit,” said engineer Christian McCullough on behalf of Townsend.  “Right now there is a little well in the back of the house so the existing house is already encroaching [on setback requirements],” he said.

“This is about forty square feet of footprint change. It’s really minimal,” said Bobola when Lyonnais asked about the percentage of change in size.  “I think it’s a nice improvement to the property.”

The ZBA saw no conflict with the project and unanimously voted in favor of the plan.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals will be on Thursday, December 20, 2012, at 6:00 pm at the Town Hall.

By Eric Tripoli

New Prescription Drug Disposal Program

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The Marion Police Department has partnered with the Marion Board of Health to develop a method to assist the public in getting rid of expired or unwanted prescription medications.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, The practice of flushing pharmaceuticals down the toilet is now considered to be the least desirable of all disposal methods. Once flushed down the drain or toilet, expired or unwanted medications become a source of pollution in wastewater and they generally cannot be removed by treatment plants or septic systems. Instead, these pollutants are able to pass through the treatment centers and enter rivers, streams, lakes and groundwater systems.

Additionally, proper disposal of medications rids medicine cabinets of unused and expired medications that could fall into the wrong hands.

The development of a Prescription Drug Disposal Program allows for a safer and more environmental solution for disposing of them.

The Marion Police Department will provide a Prescription Drug Disposal Program, which benefits the community by providing a safe location to drop off unused and expired medications.  A drug drop kiosk has been placed in the lobby and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Residents may bring expired or unwanted prescription medications and drop them into the drop box.  Syringes and liquid medications may not be disposed of in the drop box.