Special Olympics Kick Off at Center School

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For many parents of children with special needs, it can be difficult finding fun activities for the kids where they get to learn, play and socialize. The prospect is even harder when it comes to younger children.

Rochester resident Laura Antonellis has been working to change that for families in the South Coast. With the help of the Mattapoisett Recreation Department, Antonellis, whose daughter has special needs, organized a regular sports program for area kids and their families.

“We were going to a similar program in Tiverton, but it was a pretty long drive. This was something I wanted to do for my daughter. They really need it out here,” said Antonellis.

The program is directly affiliated with the local branch of the Special Olympics and included tee-ball, soccer, basketball and field day activities.

“I called their South Coast office, said I was interested in starting one. They put me in contact with a woman there, Megan Hoffman, who gave me some great tips.”

So far, the hard work of Antonellis has paid off. The program includes about 10 children and their families. Volunteers help monitor the activities and encourage the kids to play.

“I did the Special Olympics program in Tiverton. This is much closer and convenient,” said 17-year-old New Bedford resident and volunteer Mackenzie Martins.

Martins started volunteering about a year ago, and working with children with special needs has become a focus in her life.

“I go to Bridgewater State University and I’m majoring in motor development and physical education. In the long run, I hope to work with special needs kids. I also work for the Schwartz Center for Children in Dartmouth,” she said, explaining that the Center provides medical care, education and therapy to children with disabilities and special needs.

Another volunteer, Jac Carreiro, a 15-year-old from New Bedford, was there working with kids for the first time.

“My ninth grade geometry teacher got me involved in this. Her son is here,” he said. “I like helping out, little kids especially. This is my first time working with special needs kids and I hope to have more chances later on.”

While the program is focused on very young children, their parents see it as a way to give their kids options.

“We really wanted to broaden his horizons and get him involved in anything we can,” said Tom Vermilya of Wareham. His son, Shane, who turns five next week, participated in Sunday’s program.

He said it’s really important to take advantage of these activities where his son can exercise and socialize with other kids.

“He’s in pre-school now and he loves it. He’s always running for the door when it’s time to leave,” Vermilya said.

Making the Special Olympics program successful has been a community effort, from the work of the volunteers to the support of the parents.

“MATTREC has been great in helping us out. They let us use the Center School field on good days or the gym when it rains,” said Antonellis. “It’s fun, it brings in a lot of people. It helps teach the importance of community service, volunteerism and compassion.”

For more information, contact Laura Antonellis at 508-212-8104 or lauraantonellis@ymail.com.

By Eric Tripoli

It’s Cranberry Time at RHS

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The Rochester Historical Society held an Open House on Saturday, September 22 at the quaint New England East Rochester Church and Museum. The rich history of Rochester’s cranberry industry was celebrated on this refreshing and sunny first day of fall. Visitors enjoyed a seasonal bake sale, gift shop and museum tour.

“It’s cranberry time and with the history of cranberries in Rochester, we decided to include a ‘cranberry’ bake sale as part of our open house program,” said Betty Bealieu, Treasurer of the Rochester Historical Society.

Sweet, scrumptious, homemade favorites included Cranberry Chutney and Cranberry Apple Walnut Crisp. An array of fresh-picked red, shiny cranberries in crates dated 1947 and 1949 sat alongside a cranberry barrel just outside of the museum. This attraction drew in the visitors.

Inside the museum, photos, stories and tools dating back to the early 1900s were displayed. These unique relics of the past captured the interest of visitors and many commented in fascination.

“Cranberry bogs were grown on family land in the 1930s. It takes three years for a bog to go from creation to production of berries and is a year-round job to get to harvesting,” said Connie Eshbach, Curator. “The outside forces of the weather and market determine your profit. Cranberry bog owner Doug Beaton recently spoke about growing cranberries here at the museum. He grew up as a small boy around the bogs, picking cranberries and weeding. When he was 18, he worked with machinery and then became a bog owner. He brought his old tools and equipment to display and we are very grateful.”

Displays also included modern day equipment and machinery, photos of brilliant, colorful cranberry bogs and written material. By looking at both the past and present, one can develop an appreciation of how far the cranberry industry has come.

This open house was a perfect way to begin the fall season of harvest.

By Deb Burdock

Habitat Home on the Horizon

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The Marion Conservation Commission began Wednesday night’s meeting with a hearing continued from September 12. Susan Domolky of 85 Moorings Road has filed a Notice of Intent to trim and cut downed trees, brush and Japanese knotweed in order to create a wetland restoration planting area. The hearing was continued because the project did not have a DEP file number at the previous meeting.

Susan Nilson from CLE Engineering represented Domolky and presented a final list of the plant species that would be removed. The biggest focus would be invasive phragmites and knotweed.

“They need to treat the first round of the phragmite by early October,” Nilson said.

The Commission voted in favor of the project as presented.

Next, the Commission held a hearing for Gale Runnels of 17 Reservation Way regarding a Notice of Intent to construct a garage and breezeway to the home on the property.

Commission Clerk Norman Hills said he received a call from engineer Rick Charon before the meeting requesting a continuance for the hearing. At the time of Wednesday’s meeting, the project did not have a DEP file number.

Then, the Conservation Commission heard from Buzzards Bay Habitat for Humanity, which has filed a Notice of Intent to build a single-family home and driveway at 185 Wareham Street. The home project has been in the works for several months while Habitat raised money and gathered resources for the build.

“This lot was recently created through a Planning Board process for Habitat to construct this dwelling,” said engineer Nick Dufresne of Thompson Farland. “We have proposed erosion controls around all the work that’s proposed. The structure is completely located outside of the 100-foot buffer zone.”

“You don’t have a lot of room to work on this project, for starters,” said Hills, who was concerned that a large pile of fill could run off due to bad weather if not properly secured.

“By the time they dig the hole and take the boulder out, they’re going to need a lot of material,” said Chairman Sherman Briggs. “But it’s been a long time coming and I’m glad we got here.”

The hearing was continued because the project did not have a DEP file number.

The next hearing on the agenda, regarding a Notice of Intent filed by Sanford Russell, Jr. of 5 Main Street, was continued until the Commission’s meeting on October 10 at the request of the applicant.

Then the Commission held a hearing for Kate Mahoney of 40 Dexter Road. She had filed a Request for Determination of Applicability to construct an addition to the existing home, including a deck. The project also calls for the reconstruction of the front porch and steps.

“It looks like it’ll be built on sono-tubes. There’s no foundation. I expect a great deal of earth-moving,” said Hills.

“The house used to be located in a velocity zone, but now it’s in an AE zone on the new FEMA maps,” said Dave Davignon, the engineer representing Mahoney.

Seeing no issues, the Conservation Commission approved the request.

The last hearing of the night, for Peter and Asha Wallace of 167 Converse Road, was listed as continued until the Commission’s next meeting on October 10 at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall.

By Eric Tripoli

ORR Looks to Curb Obesity

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Across the country, childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in both rural towns and inner cities. The reasons are vast and difficult to pinpoint: is it diet? Is it lack of exercise? What about obsession with TV and video games? The list goes on with evidence to support each reason. While the cause is still up in the air, so is how to fix it.

The Massachusetts program Mass In Motion is promoting a “statewide blueprint” aimed at public schools to help combat this growing issue. Our Old Rochester school district chose to adopt this program, and it means a few different things for our school. The cafeteria will now serve food with higher nutritional standards (especially a la carte items) according to a newsletter sent out to parents at the start of school. School meals will be under a certain calorie limit as well.

In addition to school meals, there are also regulations on classroom snacking. Students are not allowed to bring in food to share, and teachers are only allowed if it is below 200 calories. This halts in-class celebrations, banquets and rewards for elementary, middle and secondary schools.

For elementary schools, this means no cupcakes in school on birthdays or things of the like. For the junior high and high school, this means no celebrating a holiday in the foreign language wing with food of that ethnicity and no banquets as a learning tool in English classes.

For many teachers, this new rule does not apply to them, and therefore are indifferent to its initiation. For many of the teachers in the foreign language and English departments, the consensus is that it is a loss of a beneficial teaching tool. For the rest, they see it as advantageous in the construction of good eating habits.

For health teacher Michael Jenkins, the regulations mean more much than a reduction in school-time snacking. From a community perspective, his belief in the new rules is slim.

“Do I think it will make a difference in the health of students? In our community: no. State-wide it will help. In some communities it will help more than it will in ours. Considering the demographics of the population of our district, many students not only have the means and opportunity to eat a variety of foods, but also have parents or guardians that are invested, whereas some of the more urban or underprivileged districts may not have the same means,” Jenkins said.

He is also a firm believer in the many different factors that play into the issue. Naming off a list of plausible causes for obesity brings up a whole other debate. Is it the cost of healthy foods? As he says, “It’s hard to eat well. Economically, it’s not buyable. It’s just not cheap.”

Is it a lack of education about the eating healthy? Is it lack of interest to eat healthy? Are there just too many other choices? So continues the list of possible causes.

English teacher Bertrand Allain expressed relief in taking away the guesswork of what students could have food allergies, but similar to Jenkins, agrees that there are some opportunities where bringing in food can be a good thing.

“I’ve never been a big fan of food being used as a reward system in classrooms, however I am upset to see some really great learning experiences in the school be disrupted by the lessons. If used well as a carefully crafted lesson, it can help bring enjoyment and a sense of celebration to learning,” he said.

On the influence of the regulations, Allain feels much like Jenkins and most other teachers who spoke with me but chose against being named: he doesn’t see it having much effect.

“I understand the argument that the school might have a responsibility to model responsible eating habits in students; at the same time, I find it pretty unlikely that these new regulations are going to make a strong impact on the health of many students,” Allain said.

By Jess Correia

Cross Country Teams Win First Dual Meet

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            All eyes were on the ORR cross-country programs to see how they would perform in their first competitive meet of the season last Tuesday. Coaches of SCC teams looked to see if the ORR boys would come into the season with strong, hopeful times, and if the girls’ team had the talent to defend their SCC title from last year. Even with all of the anticipation, neither team disappointed, each snagging victories over Dighton-Rehoboth and Apponequet.

For the boys, junior Mike Wyman led from start to finish to place as first overall with a 5K time of 17:00. Finishing second overall was fellow teammate Nick Pacheco, who came across the line in an impressive 17:34. Each of these runners looks to lower their times throughout the course of the season in order to lead their team in the postseason races later in the fall. From there, Michael Kassabian, Connor Medeiros-Sweet, Fred Murolo and Mitch Midwood each finished in the top 10 with times of 18:48, 19:01, 19:29 and 19:34, respectively.

The Lady Bulldogs also won their first dual meet with junior Sammie Barrett placing first for ORR and second overall with a 5K time of 22:53. The girls also had strong performances in seniors Abby Hiller (23:20) and Sophia Santos (24:02) along with juniors Hannah Viera (24:36) and Kati Sethares (24:57). The girls and boys look to defend their so-far perfect season with a meet against Seekonk on October 10 at Marion’s Washburn Park at 3:30 pm.

In other news, ORR girls’ volleyball broke a five-game losing streak with a win against Wareham. Senior Abby Robinson served 14 straight points and junior Juliana Nicolosi had 25 digs that led to the 3-0 victory over the Vikings.

The football team remained undefeated after shutting out GNB Voc-Tech 13-0. Junior quarterback Nolan Bergeron ran for a touchdown, as did sophomore Ethan Lizotte. The team looks to match their amount of total wins from last season with a visit to Fairhaven on Friday.

By Michael Kassabian

Mattapoisett Congregational Church Rummage Sale

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Come to the annual fall rummage sale at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church on Saturday, September 29 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Church Hall at 27 Church Street in Mattapoisett.

Don’t miss bargains and one-of-a-kind finds! Clothing, household items, toys, outdoor equipment — rummage around and find the best items for a great price.

If you’re fall cleaning and looking to donate gently used items, donations will be accepted at the Church Hall until September 27 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. No textbooks, magazines, computers, televisions, microwaves or suitcases will be accepted. For more information, please call the church office at 508-758-2671.

Old Rochester Regional Toddler Playgroups

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The Old Rochester Regional School District and the Early Childhood Council Community Partnerships for Children invite you and your toddler to sign up for one of our toddler playgroups.

Children will take part in many fun activities related to the season that will keep your little one busy. You will learn fun songs, finger plays and will take home many great ideas to do with your toddler.

• Dates: Mondays – September 24, October 1, October 15, October 22, October 29, November 5. Time: 9:00 to 10:30 am. OR: Fridays – September 28, October 5, October 12, October 19, October 26, November 2. Time: 9:00 to 10:30 am.

• Cost: $35

• Location: Old Hammondtown School, Mattapoisett, MA

• This is a 6-week series

• Registration is required. Please call the Early Childhood Office at 508-748-1863 to register.

FORM Presents “The Sweet Sounds of Music”

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Once again the ORR High School and Junior High School Music Departments are proud to present a casual evening of music and desserts. In the first performance opportunity of the school year, students will share their talents with family and friends in the annual “Suites and Sweets” concert sponsored by FORM (Friends of Old Rochester Music). This free event will take place in the ORR cafeteria on Thursday, October 18 at 7:00 pm. All are encouraged to attend and enjoy the talents of our young musicians.

Halloween at the Mattapoisett Library

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• “Spooky Halloween” at the Mattapoisett Library – Jeff Belanger is returning to town and will take you on a multi-media journey through Halloween at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library on Tuesday, October 16 at 6:00 pm. Get ready to explore all of Halloween’s aspects from the holiday’s haunted history to the many ghostly legends that lurk around the world. The Celts believed that this day marked the time when the veil between the world of the living and the dead was at its thinnest. Get ready to be spooked!

This program is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Library and is intended for teens and adults. Jeff Belanger is the author of over a dozen books that have been published in six languages, he’s the writer and researcher for the Ghost Adventures show on the Travel Channel, the host of the widely popular Web and cable talk show 30 Odd Minutes, and a recognized media personality appearing on hundreds of radio and television programs and networks worldwide including: the History Channel, the Travel Channel, Biography, PBS, Living TV (UK), The Maury Show, The CBS News Early Show and Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood, National Public Radio, The BBC, Australian Radio Network, Coast to Coast AM, and The “X” Zone.

• 92 Second Street: The Victorian “Amityville Horror” – Join Tim Weisberg at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, October 30 at the Mattapoisett Library to explore fascinating paranormal experiences. Whether Lizzie Borden “took an axe” or not, the fact remains that on August 4, 1892, two people were slain at 92 Second Street in Fall River, MA. In the years since this tragedy, many have sought to uncover the clues as to who exactly killed Andrew and Abby Borden on that dreadful day and if Lizzie Borden played a hand in the deaths of her father and stepmother. Now, those who visit the house — which has since become a bed and breakfast — report strange occurrences that have caused many to flee screaming in the middle of the night. Tim Weisberg has experienced such paranormal phenomena first-hand in the Borden house, and whatever spirits reside there, they’ve made it clear to him that they don’t like him poking about in their business.

In this discussion, Tim will share his personal experiences in his six-plus years of investigating of the Borden house and bring along some of the best evidence. You’ll see strange photographs, intriguing videos and hear what may possibly be the voice of Lizzie Borden herself! Tim will explain the comparisons between the Borden murders and “The Amityville Horror” case, including the psychic who shares a terrifying connection between the Borden and DeFeo murders. This program is intended for teens and adults.

Tim Weisberg is one of the world’s most recognized researchers of the paranormal. He created the Spooky Southcoast radio show along with Matt Costa in late 2005, seeking to combine an entertaining and interactive talk show format with the world of the strange and unexplained. Tim is also the author of Ghosts of the SouthCoast and co-author of Haunted Objects: Stories of Ghosts on Your Shelf, and has been featured on the History Channel, BIO, the Travel Channel, the Discovery Channel and LIVING TV. A sports writer by trade, Tim also covers the Boston Celtics and the New England Patriots for The Standard-Times.

Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast

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The Knights of Columbus are holding a Pancake breakfast on Sunday, September 30 in the lower level hall from 8:00 to 11:00 am. The menu: choice of plain or blueberry pancakes, sausage, orange juice, coffee, tea or milk. $5 per person. $25 family cap. Tickets at the door.