The Shining Tides Preschool Graduation was held on Thursday evening, June 7 at the Mattapoisett YMCA which overlooks the scenic seaside beach and harbor.

“We are proud to host the 2012 Preschool Graduation after a great year.  The kids have been awesome,” said YMCA Child Care Director Tricia Weaver.

A slide show presentation and Preschooler Music Performance were followed by the Graduation Ceremony and an Ice Cream Social.

Smiling, playful children captured everyone’s attention as cameras flashed and videos filmed this special event. The students decorated their own graduation caps with an array of colorful pom poms, stickers, drawings and sparkles.

Parents and loved ones watched in amazement as each small child walked up to receive a diploma.

“This was very emotional for me, especially the slide show.  It has been a wonderful experience and my son Logan is now ready to go on to kindergarten next year,” said Tracey Maher, a proud mother of a graduate.

Teacher Liz Mulroy smiled as she received a bright yellow flowering plant from her student Jack who she referred to as “the engineer.”

“The families are extraordinary and this is such a great learning environment that is filled with fun and exploration, like getting shells from the beach.  I am so proud of them,” Mulroy said.

Near the end of the event, cloudy, rainy skies turned into sunshine.  Everyone gathered outside to look at a brilliant rainbow gleaming over the harbor. What a perfect way to end a milestone celebration.

By Deb Burdock

On Saturday, June 9, Old Rochester Regional High School graduated its 50th class. Students, faculty and staff, friends and family all gathered on the football field on a picturesque day to celebrate the occasion. Congratulations Class of 2012! Photos by Katy Fitzpatrick

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 

David Edgar, Recycled Plastics Sculptor and Stan Godwin, Photographer

June 8^th – 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 8^th.  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 8^th 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 40^th Reunion with fellow Tabor alumni over the June 15^th 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.

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

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