Nancy (Mellor) Wickenden

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Nancy (Mellor) Wickenden, age 97, died at Sippican Health Care on June 9, 2012, after a brief illness. She was the widow of James William Wickenden and the daughter of Albert Lincoln Mellor and his wife, Marion Alden (Mason) Mellor.

Mrs. Wickenden was born January 29, 1915 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. She was a graduate of Plymouth High School and in 1936, of Wellesley College. She taught seventh and eighth grade English and Mathematics in Plymouth.

In 1937 she married James William Wickenden. They lived for five years in Deerfield, Massachusetts, where Mr. Wickenden taught at Deerfield Academy. In 1942 Nancy and Jim moved to Marion, Massachusetts, where Jim served as Headmaster of Tabor Academy for 34 years. During those years, Nancy served in the library and in innumerable ways within the life of the school and its students, faculty, and staff. In her family memoir she wrote, “I loved my life at Tabor. It was a wonderful place to raise a family and mingle with an ever-changing population of young people and their parents. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the athletic events, attending concerts – even Sunday night vespers. My days were full, caring for my children, working in the library and hosting receptions and Sunday night suppers as well as frequent gatherings for the Board of Trustees. 1976 – and our retirement came all too quickly.”

Both while at Tabor and in retirement years Nancy has been very active in the community of Marion. She was a founding member of the Penny Pinchers Exchange volunteers at the First Congregational Church Chapel. She served on the diaconate of the Church and held offices in the Sippican Woman’s Club. She was also a member of the Marion Garden Discussion Club. She regularly played bridge, and was a fervid participant in a vast array of board and other party games with friends and family. She remained a gracious hostess throughout her life. She really enjoyed entertaining, insisting she was a better host that a guest! In the best and fullest sense of the term, she has been a matriarch to her family, her academy, and her community of friends.

Nancy was preceded in death by two sisters, Barbara (Mellor) Yates and her husband Allan Yates and Margaret (Mellor) Hall; a brother, Mason Mellor; and a daughter, Barbara Wickenden. Her surviving children are James William Wickenden and his wife, Martha (Titus) Wickenden of Skillmann, New Jersey: Jeanne Wickenden Lake and her husband Charles David Lake, Sr.; and Meredith Wickenden Ryder and her husband Frank J. “Jay” Ryder, all of Marion. Nancy is further survived by eleven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way, as well as many nieces, nephews, and their children.

A family interment of her ashes will be held prior to a memorial service in Tabor’s Wickenden Chapel, named for James and Nancy, Spring St. in Marion on Sunday, July 8th at 12 Noon, with a collation following, by Tabor Academy in the Fireman Performing Arts Center Foyer. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the following endowed funds at Tabor Academy: James W. Wickenden Fund, Nancy Wickenden Library Fund; Barbara Wickenden Faculty Professional Development Fund: or The First Congregational Church of Marion, P.O. Box 326, Marion, Massachusetts 02738.

Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. For on-line guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

ORR Hosts Annual Relay For Life

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Residents of the Tri-Town were invited to participate in the annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life at the ORRHS track, from Friday, June 8 to Saturday, June 9.  The popular fundraiser for cancer research attracted over 100 local people, organized into several teams that walked the track from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning.

“It’s supposed to signify someone going through treatment,” said Heather M. Ruel.  She is the chair of the relay and a breast cancer survivor, who was diagnosed when she was 38 years old.

The idea is that you start off with a great amount of energy and enthusiasm, similar to many cancer patients upon beginning treatment, but as you walk laps all night, you begin to feel tired and sore, but must keep on the journey, remaining resolute in the face of the hardship.

Among the teams was one comprised of members of the Mattapoisett Firefighters Association, who also had a booth with information for guests and grilled up burgers and fries for the participants.  This was their first year participating in the Relay for Life.

“Last year we lost a member to cancer, and we have another member now who is now a survivor,” said Mattapoisett Firefighters Association president Jordan Collyer.  “It’s touched every body on our team.  We started trying to figure out everybody we knew who had had cancer and we stopped counting at a certain point.”

There was plenty to do for those who were there in support but not walking the track.  The Relay for Life had a DJ, offered face painting, and had someone performing reiki massage.  Camping tents were scattered around the center grass of the track, for those participants who may need a power nap here and there.  On one end of the turf, several kids threw a Frisbee and played catch.

On another part of the field was the home tent of Team “Close the Book on Cancer.”  Former Sippican School librarian Marie Pimental was the head of that team.

“[Our team] is a group of educators from the district. Many of us are survivors. I, myself, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 16 years ago.  On our team of 18, seven of us are survivors.  We have been very involved in fundraising for the last 16 years, knowing how critical it is to amass funds for research.  And that’s the reason why we’re here,” she said.

The Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s single biggest fundraiser and has always been a success in the Tri-Town.  Last year, they raised $83,535, exceeding their goal of $67,000.  About eighty-four cents of every dollar raised goes directly to fund cutting edge cancer research.

By Eric Tripoli 

 

Opening Night at the Marion Art Center

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David Edgar, Recycled Plastics Sculptor and Stan Godwin, Photographer

June 8th – July 18th

 

 

The Marion Art Center, located at 80 Pleasant Street in Marion, MA is pleased to announce the opening of two exhibitions on Friday, June 8th.  An opening reception will be held from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

 

Recycled plastics artist, David Edgar will be exhibiting his “Plastiquarium” sculptures in the Cecil Clark Davis Gallery and Stan Godwin, photographer, will be exhibiting in the Patsy Francis Gallery.  The two exhibitions will run from June 8th to July 18th.

Of his work David Edgar says: “As a sculptor, my work has always been strongly informed by the 20th century tradition of found object assembly. Perhaps, in the context of a mid-life catharsis, I recently interrupted over 25 years of working in steel, and began making decorative artworks from recyclable detergent bottles. With quality of craft as an important issue for me, I find that making recycled plastic art truly energizes my creative spirit. One of the results is the marine creatures of the Plastiquarium.”

“. . . . there are a number of recognizable influences that place the work into the context of a larger continuum. The Plastiquarium certainly fits within the genre of collage and found-object assembly. The American Pop Art movement, particularly the work of Andy Warhol, validates the use of commercial packaging images as symbolic elements characterizing our producer/consumer society.  More recently, a folk art tradition of crafting toys and collectable decorative objects out of aluminum beverage cans has emerged in Africa and Asia.”

“Working with these consumer-based recycled materials results in expressive, uniquely crafted and affordable artworks that are accessible to the public. The material aspects of the media include pieces that are colorful, lightweight and durable. Although my previous studio work is entrenched in academic intellect, this new work embraces a festive aesthetic with lighthearted imagery that I hope resonates in contrast with our increasingly stressful society.”  In other words, David’s sculptures are a feast for the eyes and the soul.

David Edgar lives in Tryon, South Carolina where he is retired from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte as an Associate Professor of Art. Previously Edgar served for three years as the chair of the Art Department and was Associate Professor of Sculpture at Ashland University in Ohio. He is also the former Executive Director for The Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach, Florida where he served for 12 years. David is a graduate of Tabor Academy in Marion and will be celebrating his 40th Reunion with fellow Tabor alumni over the June 15th weekend, along with Stan Godwin, his classmate and fellow artist.

Stan Godwin grew up on the Cape and graduated from Tabor Academy in 1972.  After graduating from Rochester Institute of Technology he moved to Commerce, TX and started working in the Photography Division of East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University-Commerce).  He taught a large variety of courses including Basic B&W, Color, Nature and Wildlife, Visual Perception, Digital Imaging, and was the lead for one of the first 5 digital photography programs in a US university. 30 years later he retired as the Interim Head of Art, Coordinator of Photography.

In 2005 Stan received the “Star of Texas” award for his lengthy contribution to photographic education. His photographic work has been published in hundreds of magazines, newspapers and books over the last four decades. Stan’s former students work in all areas of photography from studio to fine art. His work continues to be shown in galleries and on the web. He is a past President of the Photo Imaging Education Association and also served as Consultant to that group.

After a 30-year hiatus Stan moved back to his childhood home on Cape Cod, a 250 year old antique, where he lives with his wife, daughter Camra and Tiger the cat!

Of his photographs, Stan says:  “These images represent an exploration of the inner and outer landscapes we see each day from a limited point of view. Rather than portray the whole environment they are an attempt to tunnel our vision on a fleeting scene never to be quite the same again. We are often taken in by the panoramic vistas of the Cape, or the interior architecture of a room and fail to see the smaller areas of beauty, design and tone. These images attempt to render these intimate areas visually for the viewer to enjoy.”

The Marion Art Center Gallery is open on Tuesday through Friday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm and on Saturdays from 10:00am until 2:00pm.  Admission is free and open to the public.

ORR Seniors Recognized At Awards Night

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Hundreds of parents and friends turned out to recognize the Old Rochester Regional High School Class of 2012 on Thursday, June 7, in the ORR gymnasium.  The senior class was presented with scores of awards and accolades for academics, citizenship, athleticism, and art.

The Class of 2012, dressed in their red and white caps and gowns, celebrated their countless accomplishments with several prominent members of the Tri-Town community, including representatives from the School Committee and Marion Fire Department’ the latter gave out two $600 awards near the end of the ceremony.

Principal Mike Devoll, during his opening remarks, commented on how much of a positive impact this class has had on the ORR community.  He said he hoped that they would continue making waves in their endeavors after high school.  The chances of this happening are pretty high. The Class of 2012 takes with it more than100 decorated athletes, over 60 actors, and almost 50 members of the National Honor Society into the bigger world, whether the students have decided to attend college or join the work force.

For the faculty and administration, nights like these are bittersweet.  After four years of education and guidance, they now must turn yet another class of young adult students out into the world, hoping that they have equipped them with the tools needed to make it.

“It makes you proud because they are going to be successful,” said Assistant Principal Michael Parker after the ceremony.  “Some are going on to do great things, and they’re all really good people.  That’s what we try to do for them while they’re here.”

Massachusetts Representative, Mattapoisett resident, and ORR grad dad, William Straus also took the podium to deliver a message to the seniors.

“Though you are young and have so much to accomplish ahead, you’ve already accomplished a lot,” he told them.  Straus also read an official citation of praise and thanks to the graduating students from the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Devoll and Parker handed out most of the academic awards, from excellence in Latin to exceptional ability in high-level chemistry.  ORR Athletic Director Bill Tilden presented awards and praise upon the athletes of the class, including the Athletic Booster Club senior plaques.  Drama Club Director Paul Sardinha was on hand to award the outstanding thespians in the school.

After the ceremony, the students gathered with their families out in the lobby near the auditorium, for photos, stories, thanks, and some tears.

“It’s really nice to have all my work be honored. I loved sharing the experience of being up there with my friends.  I’m so proud of them.  A night like this makes me feel ready for my future,” said outgoing senior Rachael Reints of Rochester.  Reints received a number of awards and will be attending Endicott College in the fall for business.

On Friday morning, at 9:15 am, the school will be holding another ceremony, followed by a cookout on the athletic fields. All parents and friends are invited to attend and celebrate with the graduating seniors.

By Eric Tripoli

Tabor Academy Graduation

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On Saturday, June 2, Tabor Academy bid farewell to its senior class and its loyal, veteran headmaster, Jay Stroud. The Commencement Ceremony occurred in the Fish Athletic and Fitness Center due to poor weather; the change of scenery did little to damper the senior class or their family’s excitement.

For seniors, the occasion began in the Stone Gym as they met for parting conversations and pictures. After a final class picture, the Tabor Academy graduating class lined up to process to their final Tabor event. After the procession, Anne Gardiner, Director of the Chapel Program, delivered the call to celebration, citing the momentous accomplishments achieved and the senior’s success in completing their secondary education. Marion resident and senior Jacob Swift performed the National Anthem spectacularly; the Senior Class was seated and prepared for final addresses.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees Keith Browning announced a final greeting and Headmaster Stroud issued his final Commencement welcoming. Head of School and another Marion resident Andy O’Rourke was then called to deliver the Senior Address. In a heart wrenching speech, Andy recounted the difficulties, successes, and maturation of the high school seniors.

Following the Address, the Madrigal Singers performed “Turn the World Around” and Stroud introduced the Commencement speaker,. Robert Hallett. Hallett, Executive Director of the Edward E. Ford Foundation, had helped Tabor Academy in 11 appeals for grants from the Foundation. Remarking on how their education resembled investment, Hallett entrusted the graduating class with a responsibility to learn, grow, and give back to the people who have helped them.

In the final stage of the Ceremony, Senior Class President Kristen Nuttal presented the senior gift, which consisted largely of two parts. The senior gift was funding for both a monument in dedication of Headmaster Stroud’s commitment to Tabor Academy and a memorial for deceased member of the senior class, Jaqueline Desai, who died after a long battle against a rare form of bone cancer.

Director of Studies Joseph Doggett awarded prizes for academic, athletic, and citizenship excellence after which Browning presented diplomas. Amid clamors of applause, each member of the senior class stepped up to the stage to receive their diploma and a handshake from Browning and Stroud. In his final Benediction, Stroud congratulated and imparted goodbyes to each senior before bidding farewell to Tabor himself. In celebration of his final year at Tabor and the graduating class of 2012, Mr. Stroud leaped into the harbor, graduation gown and all.

“Finality” was the essence of the Commencement Ceremony, amplified by the fact that not only the class of 2012, but also Headmaster Stroud was departing. Tears flowed freely and embraces were shared among old friends as they recognized they had, for the last time, set foot on Tabor campus as students.  Goodbyes were said, promises exchanged, and with definitive finality, the senior class and Headmaster Stroud had graduated.

By Jake Farias

Local Children’s Theatre to Present Cinderella

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We are all familiar with the classic tale of Cinderella. The pumpkin, the glass slipper, the ugly stepsisters. Everyone knows the story. But there’s one local theatre company who is putting a twist on the favorite fairytale. The Buzzards Play Production Children’s Theatre, based in Wareham and comprised of children from all over the SouthCoast and Tri-Town, will present their rendition of Cinderella, Cinderella this weekend on Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9 at 7:30 pm.

“I really like the story and how funny it is,” said Matthew Berry, 11, of Marion. “It’s a revision of Cinderella and that’s what I like about it. It takes it to a different level.”

Berry, who plays Harold the Herald in the production, will team up with five other cast mates from Wareham, Buzzards Bay and New Bedford to put on a show. The cast and crew have been rehearsing on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 15 weeks to prepare.

“They’ve been working really hard,” said Director Christina Piscitelli. “I like to think of the show as a seed. You plant the seed, you get a little twig out of the earth, then you get the branches and pretty soon your production becomes a whole tree.”

Cinderella, Cinderella marks the third production Buzzards Play Productions Children’s Theatre since its inception in April of 2011. The first two shows were for students in junior high school and high school. This will be the first of the company’s productions to encompass younger children in grades 3-5.

“I really wanted to see what was out there for younger kids who needed something to do and wanted to become involved in the arts,” said Piscitelli. “The arts allow them to express who they really are and helps them to come out of their shell.”

In addition to learning how to be comfortable with themselves, the play boasts another important message.

“There’s a clear message that it doesn’t matter how much money you have or who you are, you are worthy as a person and you should be respected as a person. It has a good meaning,” Piscitelli said.

The summer will be a busy one for the production company, as they will perform Rent in the coming weeks. The theatre welcomes kids from all neighboring towns, including Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester. They are located at 3065 Cranberry Highway in Wareham. For more information, check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Buzzards-Play-Productions or e-mail them at buzzardsplayprod@aol.com.

By Katy Fitzpatrick

New Facilities Director at ORR

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A little more than two months after Steve Murphy stepped down as Facilities Director of Old Rochester Regional School District, the administration has announced his replacement: Eugene Jones.

The position has experienced some limbo in recent years, as Murphy abruptly resigned with less than two years on the job, and Murphy himself had replaced Stephen Shiraka – who had passed away in November 2009 – after the position had been vacant for six months.

Jones is leaving behind his position as Facilities and Maintenance Manager of Freetown Elementary School, where he assisted with restructuring the building and grounds following the regionalization of the Freetown and Lakeville school districts. Prior to that, he served as Maintenance Director for Tiverton Public Schools, and also served for 31 years in the U.S. Navy. Jones earned his B.A. in History from the UMass Dartmouth.

Superintendent Doug White said with the steep responsibilities required to maintain and secure the facilities of ORR District’s six buildings, Jones’ background fits the bill.

“His vast experience not only in the Navy, but at Tiverton and Freetown, will be beneficial,” White said.

A press release announcing his hire elaborated: “[H]e has a collaborative leadership style that will be instrumental as he works with the many stakeholders in the four districts.” Also, the statement cited his experience in budget preparation, group purchasing of supplies/utilities, supervision and evaluation of personnel, federal, state, and local inspection regulations, and HVAC systems as crucial assets he is bringing to the job.

Jones officially assumed his new role at the district on June 4.

By Laura Fedak Pedulli

8 Tri-Town Students Graduate Friends Academy

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Friends Academy graduates eight students from Marion and Mattapoisett at Class Day ceremonies held Wednesday, June 6.

Graduation ceremonies were held on the lawn outside Friends Academy’s Beech Tree Terrace on Wednesday, June 6.  Head of School, Steve Barker and President of the Board of Trustees, Fred Mock ’79 of Marion presided over “Class Day,” marking the completion of eighth grade for 34 members of the Class of 2012.  Students accepting their diplomas this year came from the towns, villages, and cities of Marion, Mattapoisett, Padanaram, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Tiverton, Acushnet, Forestdale, New Bedford, Lakeville, Middletown, Fall River, Dighton, Wareham, and Westport.

Isabella Horstmann of Marion, President of Student Council, opened ceremonies by leading the community in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Two other Marion residents were honored with awards:  Eighth grader, Elizabeth Tarrant received the Friends Academy Award recognizing her citizenship, positive attitude, and class spirit.  Science teacher, Mary Pierce, was honored with the Claudia McClure Daggett Distinguished Service Award.

Residents of the tri-towns graduating from Friends Academy with the Class of 2012, and their destination high schools, are listed below:

Cameron Coelho and Colin Kay, both of Mattapoisett, and Tucker Francis and Elizabeth Tarrant both of Marion, will attend Tabor Academy.  Isabella Horstmann, of Marion, graduated with academic distinction, and will attend the Taft School. Elizabeth Lonergan of Marion will attend Bishop Stang High School. Eleanor Severeance, of Marion, graduated with academic distinction and will attend Choate Rosemary Hall, and Sarah Walker, graduated with academic distinction and will attend Lawrenceville School.

Beryl Coggeshall

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Beryl Coggeshall, 79, of Plymouth, formerly of Marion died Monday, June 4, 2012 at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River following a brief illness.

Born in Rochester, she was the daughter of the late Harry C & E. Pearl (Reed) Coggeshall.

Ms. Coggeshall attended Marion and Wareham schools and was formerly employed as a nurses’ aide at several area nursing homes.

She is survived by many nieces and nephews and was the sister of the late Bertha Serpa, Madeline Guerzoni, Calvin Coggeshall, Carlton Coggeshall and Malcolm Coggeshall, Sr.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, June 11 at Rochester Center Cemetery, Dexter Ln., Rochester at 10:00 AM.  Visiting hours have been omitted.

Donations in her memory may be made to the American Heart Assoc., 20 Speen St.Framingham, MA  01701.  For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com

Sippican School Teacher Recognized

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On Wednesday, June 6, the Marion School Committee convened for their last regular meeting of the academic year.  They began by recognizing the efforts of teacher Karen Jacobson, of the Sippican School, an 18-year veteran of education.  One of her current students, Emily Dineen, was invited to speak about how her teacher had positively affected her year in school.

“Mrs. Jacobson is the teacher whom I’ve admired most,” said Dineen.  “Mrs. Jacobson taught me a lot about myself. I came in really not confident, but I’m leaving a lot more tough, a lot more capable, and I’m more of a young woman than I was when I started.  She really did understand what I was trying to do all year.”

Dineen also told the story of the first day in Mrs. Jacobson’s class, and how when they first made eye contact with one another, she knew Mrs. Jacobson had figured her out and knew how to help Dineen succeed.

“She told me to expand out of my comfort zone.  She told me to try experiments.  I think that was the part of my life where I realized I could do more things than I thought I could, and it really hit me that she really had figured me out. She had seen people like me come through before.  It’s not just academics, it’s sports, art, and music, and my social life, too.”

The Committee then had former Sippican student and current Boston College English major, Meagan McCarthy, speak about how her experiences in Mrs. Jacobson’s class shaped her academic life.

“One of my favorite activities were the writing prompts from Mrs. Jacobson. We would receive different pictures and have to write a story about them,” McCarthy said.

She told of her proudest moment in seeing one of her compositions on the bulletin board, featured so the whole class could see.  McCarthy said that, though she was initially disappointed by the fact that Mrs. Jacobson didn’t always post her papers, no matter how good they were.

“As I saw other students’ stories up on the board, I realized Mrs. Jacobson was trying to get us to all feel a sense of pride in our work.  It was about us doing our personal best, not about being the best,” she said.

The Marion School Committee presented Jacobson with a special edition collection of poems about the ocean, inscribed with a thank-you message for all of her years of service in education.

In other business, the School Committee voted in favor of Mrs. Almeida’s fourth grade class participating in a fundraiser walk for juvenile diabetes research.  They also discussed preparations for improving the district’s practices for dealing with students with behavioral issues.  Since up to 20% of students in the district are receiving services for emotional or social learning issues, the School Committee is the midst of researching ways they can help teachers and administrators provide the environment and educational care required for students with anxiety, depression, or ADHD succeed academically.

The next meeting of the Marion School Committee will be on August 22, 2012, at 6:30 pm.

By Eric Tripoli