Readers of all ages converged on the Mattapoisett Free Public Library on Tuesday, July 17 to meet historical fiction author Krista Russell. Russell, whose young adult novel Chasing the Nightbird was named a Massachusetts Book Award 2012 Must Read selection, read three excerpts and fielded questions from her captivated audience. Her book tells the nineteenth-century story of Lucky, a 14-year-old Cape Verdean whaleman from New Bedford who becomes involved in the Underground Railroad.

Two young readers were especially excited to meet Russell.

“The author is from Atlanta and that’s where I live,” said Maddy O’Neill.

O’Neill was joined by her 11-year-old friend, Abby DaCosta, also from Atlanta.

“I like books about kids, not about adults,” DaCosta said. “I’m in a book club. We’re reading The Hunger Games.”

A past Tri-Town resident, Russell is well-versed in the history of New Bedford due to her childhood visits to the New Bedford Whaling Museum. She brings that information to her readers.

“I knew about whaling and New Bedford’s whaling history,” she said, “but I didn’t know about New Bedford’s involvement in the Underground Railroad. It seemed that at the time I was growing up, it wasn’t something that was publicized or known.”

Russell’s inspiration for the book came from her knowledge of the challenges of a whaleman’s life and the Cape Verdean ancestry of modern New Bedford.

“I thought it was very interesting there was a strong Cape Verdean population in New Bedford [in the nineteenth century]. They were people of color, but separate from the fugitive slaves,” Russell said.

Russell attributed her novel’s connection between whaling and the Underground Railroad to historical fact: fugitive slaves often found work as New Bedford whalemen, as Frederick Douglass once did.

Chasing the Nightbird was a long project for Russell, taking the better part of 10 years for completion.

“I don’t want to discourage anyone. It was kind of a long process, but it was long because I was learning to write at the time.”

The staff of the Mattapoisett Free Public Library highly recommends Chasing the Nightbird, which is aimed at middle school children.

“I’ve read it and I like it a lot,” Children’s Librarian Linda Burke said. “It’s a very good story. It’s very well-done, and I read it months ago.”

Russell said she has another book due for release next fall, which tells the story of Jim, a fugitive slave who flees to St. Augustine, Fla. from Charleston, S.C. during the early eighteenth century.

Susan Pizzolato, Library Director, promoted a number of upcoming library activities, namely the Annual Book Sale, which will be held on July 19 – 21 from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm on Thursday and Friday and 4:00 pm on Saturday.

“There will be a lot of bargains,” she said. “Rather than the church, come here for a great time.”

If the weather permits, the children’s section will be outside on the library’s lawn.

Pizzolato stressed that the Mattapoisett Free Public Library hosts new programs throughout the summer.

“As additional people come forward with great ideas, we keep saying yes, so you can stay updated on the website,” Pizzolato said. “We have many programs due to an array of talented volunteers.”

By Anne Smith

            On Tuesday, July 17, 2012, the Mattapoisett Women’s Club held their annual Taste of the Town fair, featuring over a dozen local eateries offering samples of their signature dishes.  The event was held under the big white tent at Shipyard Park and was attended by hundreds of people.

“We’re pretty excited about this event.  We had people line up at four o’clock, if you can believe it.  This is a spectacular event,” said Eileen Marum, president of the Women’s Club and co-chair of the Taste of the Town.

“It started out as a function to raise money for the library,” said Lois Ennis, Women’s Club member and Marum’s co-chair.

In more recent years, food fair is held to raise money for various scholarships the Women’s Club award to Mattapoisett students, where ever they may attend school, whether it’s Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth or Old Rochester Regional High School in Mattapoisett.

This year, the Taste of the Town featured 15 local restaurants, serving pizza, salad, ice cream, cookies and tacos, among other things.

“I’m very pleased with our vendors.  They’ve been very generous with their time and their products,” Marum said.

Aside from being able to savor a variety of delicious local delicacies, the Taste is also about serving a good cause, which is important to many of the patrons.

“It’s nice to know the money is going to something good,” said Mattapoisett resident Doug Sewell.  He’s been to the Taste several times in the past.  “It’s great. If you live here, you’ve eaten the food,” he said as he enjoyed some boneless buffalo chicken.

The Taste of the Town is the biggest fundraiser organized by the Women’s Club and all 70 members participate in some way from helping to set up the tables and food stations to passing out beverages and selling tickets.

“I’m glad to have so many members of the Women’s Club helping here.  We have a very active membership,” said Marum.

In addition to the cornucopia of culinary treats, the patrons of the Taste of the Town enjoyed musical entertainment provided by the local youth singing group, the Showstoppers.  Members of the chorus sang a pops-style program, featuring songs from the 1950s through today.

Marum said their goal was to equal or surpass last year’s total donation of over $4,000.

By Eric Tripoli

There is no better way to celebrate summer than to barbecue outdoors. However, each year Fire Departments respond to an average of 8,200 home fires involving outdoor grills, hibachis or barbeque pits, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Five out of six home grill fires involve a gas grill, and the leading contributing factor was a leak or break in hoses or other equipment.

Let us run through a worst-case scenario. You’re happily cooking away and everyone is drooling at the amazing smells wafting their way. You are the champion of the grill and everybody loves you. Then, BOOM! Something goes wrong and suddenly, there is a fire. You scream like an infant and run away. Everyone now no longer loves you and no one will ever come to your parties again.

The moral of this story is to prevent the above scenario and check the propane tank and hoses for leaks before using it. If you determine your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, turn off the gas tank and grill. If the leak stops, a professional should service the grill before use. If the leak does not stop, contact the Fire Department. If you happen to smell gas while cooking, immediately step away from the grill, evacuate the area and contact the Fire Department by dialing 911.

Safe barbequing can be accomplished by following these simple grilling safety tips.

• Propane and charcoal barbeque grills should only be used outdoors.

• The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

• Keep children and pets away from the grill area.

• Periodically remove grease or fat build-up in trays below the grill so a hot grill cannot ignite it.

• Never leave your grill unattended.

• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals or kindling have already been ignited and NEVER use any flammable or combustible liquid other than charcoal starter fluid to get the fire going.

•When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing into a metal container.

These and other fire safety tips can be found on the Mattapoisett Fire Department web page at www.mattapoisett.net. For any additional questions regarding fire safety, contact Lt. Patrick Saltmarsh at 508-758-4150 or by emailing psaltmarsh@mattapoisett.net.