Winter Season Awaits

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Old Rochester Boys and Girls Track – The teams started off their season well on Saturday with a win against Diman High School. The girls swept the hurdles, with Allie Saccone, Megan Bell, and Paige Santos placing in the first, second, and third spots. Saccone also had a good day over at High Jump, where she won with a jump of 5’ 2”. Megan Pachico, Sam Barrett, Katie Setharis, and Abby Hiller also won the four by four relay for the girl’s team, clinching the victory.

The meet was also successful for the boys, with Nick Pacheco winning the two-mile, Mike Wyman winning the thousand meter, and David Friedman winning the mile. In the 300, Dan Donohue placed first with newcomer to ORR Nick Coehlo coming in third.

Next up for both teams is Case and Bourne.

Other winter sports teams have yet to kick off their competitive seasons, but things are looking good. In boys’ basketball, senior Max Risch is returning, along with Teddy Kassabian and other notable senior and junior players. The girls have a very young basketball team with no seniors players and juniors Katie Wilbur and Abby Offringa leading the team. In Hockey, senior Max Sherman is returning along with fellow senior Jake Jaskolka.

Some teams are playing with young talent, and some with old. Either way, it’s shaping up to be a great season for ORR sports.

By India Krawczyk

Honor Bowl Team Wins Again

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Things at Old Rochester Regional High School have once again settled down, just as they always do just before the holiday vacation. There are, however, some important announcements for students.

First, seniors should be aware that they are to bring a copy of all college correspondences to the registrar in the guidance office – this includes both college acceptance letters and letters expressing awarded scholarships. The guidance office needs these letters for the Senior Awards Night at the end of the school year in early June. Students should also inform their guidance counselors of scholarships that they have received, since these will listed during Senior Awards Night as well.

Second, there is an opportunity for underclassmen at Old Rochester Regional High School to attend the American Leadership Program, which is a summer program “focused on personal growth that provides an intellectual workout, teaches important life skills, and is an excellent enhancement to a college application.” (The experience is worthwhile for strong students who are looking to build their college résumés.) Students who apply by December 15, 2011 for either a 2012 or 2013 summer program can save $200 on their tuition. The guidance office and the program’s website, www.americanleadership.com, both have information for preparing an application to this challenging summer program.

Third, students should be aware that it is once again time to think about building a team for Old Rochester Regional High School’s annual in-school volleyball tournament. This tournament takes place during two of the school day’s four blocks just before the student body leaves for the holiday vacation on December 22, 2011. Students who are interested in participating need to speak to either Ms. Cowen or Mr. Cabe in the school’s gymnasium. Students should expect to miss those two classes if they choose to participate. Students should also be aware that the only students who will be allowed to watch the tournament will be those who have a directed study or free block during the tournament.

That would be all for this week’s announcements. As to this week’s news, the Old Rochester Regional Honor Bowl team of the National Honor Society had another grand victory at one of their academic trivia competitions. On Wednesday, December 7, the eight members of the Honor Bowl team traveled to Fairhaven High School with their advisor and coach, Ms. Dall, to compete against the Honor Bowl teams of Fairhaven High School and Wareham High School. In the match against Fairhaven High School, the Old Rochester Regional team was triumphant with a score of 210 to 70. In the match against Wareham High School, the Old Rochester team won 340 to 90. The team so far displays its strengths in literature, music, and science areas, as well as cooking — one team member came through on a tough question about okra. The next Honor Bowl trivia competition will be hosted by Old Rochester Regional High School. The members of the currently undefeated team hope to change the trend of double losses for hosting teams – both Seekonk and Fairhaven Honor Bowl teams lost their two matches on their own turf. Old Rochester Regional plans to do the opposite – win both, and remain undefeated in their season, which is the ultimate goal for Old Rochester Regional’s dynamic team.

By Anne Smith

Scouts Plan 2012 Fun with Raffle Proceeds

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The Cub and Boy Scouts of Marion Troop 32 held a raffle over the weekend, with winners walking off with a brand new girls’ bike and boys’ bike, junior size set of new golf clubs and six generous gift certificates to local restaurants and businesses.

“We will use the money raised to support the operations of the pack and troop,” said Scoutmaster Doug Breault, “100 percent of the money goes into doing things for the scouts.”

The new year will include a Pinewood Derby, where Cub Scouts carve a car out of a block of wood and race them on a downhill track. The track, in use for over ten years, was built by students at Old Colony Vocational Technical School in Rochester.

Other upcoming events include an overnight on the USS Battleship Massachusetts in Fall River. The event includes viewing the museums many artifacts, presentations on the ship’s use during wartime and sleeping in bunks overnight.

A spring and fall campout is planned and possibly a trip to see a Providence Bruins hockey game. The scouts also march in the July 4th parade. A special trip to a rock climbing gym with a sleepover is also planned.

“The one unusual thing is that family are included in many of these events,” said Terri Villa, troop treasurer, “even the girls join in every scouting event that is open to family and siblings.” Ms. Villa’s daughter, Peyton, participates in scouting events and helped with the raffle held over the weekend on both Saturday and Sunday. The scouts sat behind a table collecting money and filling in raffle tickets for the customers who came by to purchase their Christmas trees from a local landscape and garden store, where the raffle was held. A fishbowl held the tickets. A chimera with burning wood, brought by Ms. Villa, helped keep the children warm and created a cozy atmosphere.

“Scouting teaches the boys a lot of things they might not otherwise learn,” said Mr. Breault. “We are strict with the boys, so they learn autonomy and self-reliance… and the flipside is that we also allow them to do things that they might otherwise not get to do, such as use pocket knives, paddle canoes, go on difficult hikes and campouts.”

Over the past year, the scouts, under Mr. Breault’s direction have focused on community service, volunteering at Gifts to Give, collected blankets for the Homeless Veterans Shelter, participated in the Veterans Day Service, held a sock drive for troops and ‘adopted’ two soldiers overseas.

Currently Cub Pack 32 and Troop 32 have approximately 40 Cub Scouts and 13 Boy Scouts. The Cubs range in age from 7 to 11 while the Boy Scouts are age 12 to 18.

The scouts meet at Sippican School, Camp Hadley and various other places depending on the event. Cub Scout dens meet at Sippican School or various church facilities. For more information, go to www.marionscouts.com.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Marion Firefighter Spaghetti Dinner

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The Marion Firefighters Association Spaghetti Dinner will take place at the Marion Fire Station, 50 Spring Street, on Saturday, January 21 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Dinner will include a garden salad, hot rolls, and dessert. Raffle tickets and soft drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets are $7.50 for adults, and $3.50 for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Tri-Town Library Events

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Elizabeth Taber Library
• Holiday Activities – Tuesday through Saturday, December 27 through 31 are drop-in activity days. Create holiday crafts and pictures with materials available in the Children’s Room during regular library hours.
Saturdays and Sundays during the winter are Drop-in Crafts days in the Children’s Room at the Elizabeth Taber Library. Children of all ages are invited to enjoy the activities.
• Women Sharing Words – The Elizabeth Taber Library has carved out a space for writing women. “Traditionally, women have been listeners and readers but not speakers and writers.” This is changing.
Once a month, typically the fourth Friday of the month, women are invited to bring their writing, or something that has inspired them, to the Elizabeth Taber Library to read and discuss. (Due to the upcoming holidays, the group will be meeting the third Friday of the month: December 16).
Plans for the New Year are to have a special event with refreshments and a movie. The group would like it to feature mothers dialoging with their daughters about the advances women have made as a result of the Second Wave of the Women’s Liberation Movement. The teapot is on!
The Elizabeth Taber Library is located at 8 Spring Street in Marion. The phone number is 508-748-1252. More program information can be found on the library’s web site at www.elizabethtaberlibrary.org.

Mattapoisett Free Public Library
• Winter Storytimes – Registration will begin for the Winter Storytime series on December 27. New this session will be the addition of a Thursday afternoon preschool session instead of the Thursday morning session. For more information, call the Children’s Department at 508-758-4171.
• Community Cafe – Your library is a comfortable community center. Thanks to the Friends, you can drop by and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea for a small donation. Visit the reading room to relax and converse with friends. What a great way to spend a winter afternoon!
• Family Storytime – Families with children of all ages are welcome to enjoy some favorite stories together. If you have a favorite story, please bring it to share in this casual and fun storytime. Family Storytime is held on the first Saturday of each month, from 10:30 to 11:00 am. No registration required.
• Movie Day – Everyone is welcome to attend Movie Days, sponsored by the library’s Junior Friends, who have raised money for a movie license. Bring your children and relax at the movies in the library’s Meeting Room. Wednesday, December 28 will be Polar Express at 1:00 pm and at 3:30 pm, Elf will be shown. The Junior Friends ask that you bring a canned good for donation to Damien’s Pantry.
• Winter Activities in the Children’s Room – Saturday, December 17 features Ornament Making from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. There will be fun for all ages. On Saturday, January 21, 2012 there will be Snow Globe making from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Come explore how science and art can blend together to create a lasting memory. Participants will sculpt their own winter scene and preserve it in individual hand-made globes.
• Cookbooks For Sale – The Friends’ new community cookbook is available for sale at the library. It includes delicious recipes submitted by local chefs and cookbook authors as well as members of the Friends and library patrons. These will make great gifts while also supporting the work of the Friends. The books are $10 each.
• Technology Workshops – Confused about whether to buy a Nook or a Kindle? Wondering what all the hype about e-readers means to you? Do you have an iPad and want to learn how to download books form the library? Join the library staff at one of our informal technology workshops and get your questions answered. E-readers will be available to try and staff will show you how to download books and audiobooks. Workshops will be held every Tuesday at 6:30 pm and on Thursdays at 3:00 pm through the months of December and January. For an individual appointment with technology questions please call Liz Sherry at 508-758-4171 or email her at esherry@sailsinc.org.
• Canned Goods for the Food Pantry – The library is accepting nonperishables to help stock local food pantries. Feel free to bring you items to the library throughout the year. Also welcome are hats and gloves and new socks to be distributed to area shelters. Many thanks in advance for your thoughtfulness.

Plumb Library Events
• Cafe Parlez –Café Parlez selection for December is The Princess Bride, by William Goldman. Nearly everyone has seen the movie; now read the book! They’re all here: Princess Buttercup, Westley, Fezzik, Miracle Max Vizzini, Prince Humpderdinck, Inigo Montoya –the whole gang. The Princess Bride is about good against evil, country against country, strange beasts, and love, true love. Fans of the movie will be delighted to read more back story and those new to the film will find a lot to like. The group will be discussing this book on Thursday, December 29 at 6:30 pm. Books are available at the desk, or bring your own copy. Café Parlez is sponsored by the Friends of Plumb Library. Continue the discussion on Goodreads – www.GoodReads.com.
The schedule for 2012 is available at the library. Selections will include: Bel Canto, Room, Three Junes, A Visit from the Goon Squad, The Last Child, The Tiger’s Wife, Mrs. Kimble, and The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.
• Non-Fiction Book Group – The Nonfiction book discussion group will meet Thursday, December 15 at 6:30 pm to discuss Hidden Persuaders by Vance Packard. Written in the late 1950s, this book is at times a quaint look back, and an eerie look into the future of advertising and its influence on us, both economically and politically. Packard was one of the first to recognize how advertisers were controlling the minds of the consumer, and how market research plays a big part in what we purchase. Books are available at the desk or bring your own copy.
The non-fiction schedule for 2012 is: January 20: The Other Wes Moore, by Wes Moore; February 16: Cod, by Mark Kurlansky; March 15: In the Garden of the Beasts, by Erik Larsen; April 19: Columbine, by Dave Cullen; May 17: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, by Amy Chua.
• Food for Fines – During the month of December, Plumb Library patrons can have their late fees and fines waived if they donate non-perishable items for local food pantries, or pet food for local animal shelters. “Food for Fines” will continue until December 23. Donations cannot cover lost book fees, or lost card fees. Call the library for more information. Start the New Year with a clean slate and help local food pantries.
• Busy Knitters – The Knitters at Plumb Library have done it again. Last year, they donated 185 scarves for soldiers. This year, they knitted items for children. The busy knitters in Rochester donated 46 caps for preemies, donated to Charlton Hospital; 19 pairs of mittens, 40 hats, 23 scarves, one sweater, and one pair of socks were made and donated to “Gifts to Give” in New Bedford.

• Storytime Schedules – Preschool storytimes are for children ages 3-5 and meet on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 am. Bookaroos for Twos, a storytime for children ages 2-3 and their parents or caregivers, meets every Friday at 10:30 am. Both story times are on holiday hiatus. Registration for the winter session will end Saturday, December 17. Winter session of storytime will start Wednesday, January 4.

Showstoppers Dinner for Two Fundraiser

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Give the gift that lasts all year long, and help a not-for-profit organization at the same time. During this holiday season and throughout the month of January, Showstoppers community-service singing troupe will be selling the Dinner For Two Dining Books at the regular cost of $29.95. Ten dollars of the purchase price will go to the Showstoppers organization.

This year’s book features $1500 in savings at establishments across Southeastern Mass, including Cape Cod, as well as Newport and Providence. Each of the 100-plus “buy one, get one free” coupons is good through December 30, 2012.

To purchase a book, or for more information about Showstoppers, please call 508-758-4525 or email info@showstoppers.us.

Sippican and Symphonic Band Build Holiday Spirit

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It’s been four years since Phil Sanborn and members of the Tri-County Symphonic Band decided to join forces with Sippican School for the annual Christmas Concert.

“We wanted to connect with the Marion Stroll somehow and we shifted our concert date and moved it to Sippican School, with the focus on the children,” said Mr. Sanborn, Music Director and Conductor of the Tri-County Symphonic Band.

“This is the only concert that we perform free of charge… it is our gift to the community,” said Mr. Sanborn.

As each child entered the school auditorium, student volunteers gave out a tiny jack-in-the-box elves which had a number on the bottom. Later, winners would get to come on stage with the band and play the sleigh bells during the final performance of Sleigh Ride.

A packed house enjoyed the Tri-County Symphonic Band’s concert which started out with Holiday Emblem, arranged by Robert Smith, which was a combination of christmas carols interfused with patriotic American music. Next up was the British version of O Little Town of Bethlehem, arranged by Strand and Dawson.

Announcer Roger Haber told the audience that there were three sleigh ride songs on the program including the traditional Christmas Song, arranged by Bill Holcombe, the Moonlight Sleigh Ride, by Nancy Price and Don Besig and Sleigh Ride, by Leroy Anderson.

The introductions prior to each musical item on the program gave the audience an appreciation of what they were hearing and Mr. Haber spoke about Babes in Toyland, which is remembered mainly due to one musical number… The March of the Toys, which had many in the audience bobbing heads and tapping shoes as the band played.

The Concert Choir of Sippican School, directed by Patricia Richard, joined the band in The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire), and with pianist Leslie Piper, sang Moonlight Sleigh Ride. Ms. Piper is the director of The South Coast Children’s Chorus.

The Concert Choir consists of thirty-seven children, grades 4 through 6 who meet twice a week before school. The fourth grade chorus includes everyone in the grade.

During the final Sleigh Ride, Mr. Haber pulled the winning numbers and children came on stage and took their instruments (bells) and were instructed on how to use them.

For the final Christmas ‘Pop” sing-along songs, siblings and cousins of the Concert Choir were invited to come up on the risers and join in the singing. The children were dressed in holiday flair, with santa hats and red and green clothing.

After the concert, members of the band joined in with Hanna’s Cottage Street Jam Band, the brainstorm of Sippican School’s Band Director, Hannah Moore, and led the march down to the stroll. Several audience members brought their own instruments to join in with the Jam Band for the procession, and earlier, announcer Roger Haber told the audience that if they forgot their instrument, Mrs. Moore had a few ‘spares‘ that could be borrowed for the impromptu Jam Band parade.

After being rained out last year, the group had fine weather to assemble and play their instruments while walking down Cottage Street to Front Street, where they continued to play Christmas Carols for the people who gathered for the annual Marion Stroll.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Marion Stroll Attracts Crowds

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A sense of old fashioned holiday merriment was in the air on Sunday, December 11 in the Marion Village. The colder, brisk temperatures that afternoon chilled visitors, who thawed themselves out with hot cider, warm cookies, chowder soup and holiday spirit.

Like every year, the holiday revelers welcomed Santa Claus, who arrived by boat on Island Wharf, then entered Front Street on a wagon pulled by Clydesdales.

While businesses – who sponsor the event – opened their doors and offered treats of all varieties, families enjoyed many activities – from puppets and art making in the music hall to farm animal petting to caroling led by Sippican Elementary School’s fourth and fifth grade bands. Of course, families also got to take a turn on the Clydesdales’ wagons through the neighborhood.

“So far, it is great!” said Charlie Rider, who offered treats to guests. Mr. Rider, who works at an insurance company that relocated to Front Street within the year, said it was his first time participating in the event.  Eric Strand, owner of a wealth management business on Front Street, likewise provided treats in the form of plump cookies, cider and multi-colored candy canes.

Bill Saltonstall Sr., who retired in his former business office on Front Street, delighted families with a roaring fire and S’mores ingredients on hand for those seeking a warm treat.

“We are very lucky this year,” he said, remarking that during the past couple of years, the Stroll took place on rainy days.

Chinese yo-yo artist and stilts master Bob Pettengill, a regular of the stroll, delighted families with his tricks. “For some reason, they keep asking me to come back,” he joked.

In his 17th year participating, Burton Corkum of a local liquor store remarked on the success of the event this year.
“It’s very good, everyone is having a good time. The event is all about the kids and Christmas,” he said. However, pointing to the New England Eggnog being served with a dose of rum, he said “but this eggnog is for the big kids.”
Generosity also was part of the atmosphere, as locals Lisa Whitney and Susan Nilson rang bells for Salvation Army. They volunteered for an hour slot after their third grade daughters, Natalie Nielson and Ellie Whitney, completed the last one-hour shift.

“People have been generous, we are very happy,” said Ms. Nilson, joking that a former bell ringer from last year was particularly generous having been in their shoes.

By Laura Fedak Pedulli

House Tour Celebrates Tropics

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Photo by Laura Fedak Pedulli

It may have been 40 degrees outside last weekend, but members of the Sippican Woman’s Club had the tropics on their minds during their 25th annual Holiday House Tour and Tea on Saturday, December 9.

Themed “A Tropical Christmas” the club decked out Handy’s Tavern (the club’s lodge at 152 Front Street in Marion) with colorful tropical decorations – including a beach display complete with real sand, a small Tiki bar, flamingo décor, scuba suits and even palm Christmas trees.

“We’ve been working since the summer every week, seven days a week. At least ten people have worked since the summer to help out,” said club member Mary Faughner, of the event and decorations. Some of the tropical items – as well as specialized themed Christmas trees (Red Sox and Bruins trees included!) created by club member Jeanne Bruen – were up for bid.

The Handy’s Tavern was just one site of the event, which featured tours of prestigious houses old and new throughout Marion, as well as some of the town’s other establishments including the Elizabeth Taber Library, the Marion Art Center, St. Gabriel’s Church, and the Sippican Historical Society Museum.

Proceeds from the event’s ticket sales, silent auction items and other goods for sale in the Tour’s homes all are designated for one place: education.

“Everything goes to scholarships,” said Linda Elliot, the club’s president. About $13,000 per year is raised from the event to help high school students from Old Rochester Regional, Tabor Academy and Bishop Stang pay for college – and students pursuing continuing education also are eligible, she said.

What keeps the event live year after year is not just donations, the members stress.
“More than things, our volunteers donate time,” said Ms. Faughner.

Already, the 100-person strong club is looking forward to a major milestone next year: Handy Tavern’s 200th anniversary. Ms. Elliot said that club plans to decorate the lodge like it was in 1812 for next year.

“It will be interesting to see what it was like at that time,” she said.

By Laura Fedak Pedulli

State Police Recover Stolen Storm Drain Covers

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A rash of storm drain cover thefts overnight on December 10 in Mattapoisett and Fairhaven had police searching for suspects who stole the metal to scrap for money.

Witnesses in the areas of North Street, Winter Hill and Summer Street in Mattapoisett reported seeing a truck leaving the scene of the thefts. Police checked with local scrap yard on Saturday in an attempt to retrieve the storm drain covers and to find the perpetrators.

By mid-day, the drains were recovered when State Trooper Joshua Fries observed a white box truck on Route 25 in Plymouth. Trooper Fries recalled the description of the truck based on a “Be on the Look-Out” that Mattapoisett Police had issued to surrounding police departments. According to a state police press release, Trooper Fries followed the truck and contacted the Bourne Barracks for updated information on the suspects.

The Bourne Barracks also reported that two males had attempted to sell the grates to a New Bedford scrap dealer, who declined the sale and contacted Mattapoisett police.

Trooper Fries conducted a vehicle stop with the two suspects at the Bourne Rotary. After a brief discussion, Trooper Fries discovered the missing grates in the box truck and two suspects, Benjamin Sisson, 22, of North Falmouth and Kristofer Williams, 28, of Falmouth, were taken into custody. Both were charged with larceny over $250, and receiving stolen property over $250. 22 grates were eventually recovered belonging to the towns of Mattapoisett, Fairhaven, Bourne and Wareham.

Mattapoisett officer Matthew McGraw and Highway Surveyor Barry Denham went to Bourne to identify and recover the storm drain covers.

According to Mattapoisett police chief Mary Lyons, the suspects will be charged with eight counts of larceny.

Metal theft is not new to the area. Most recently, the copper downspouts at the Millicent Library and Fairhaven Town Hall had been stolen, and there have been several reports of copper piping being stolen from Tri-Town residences, particularly vacant or seasonal homes.

A Massachusetts bill that recently passed in the House discourages the crime of metal theft for scrapping. In the bill, scrap metal yards would have to keep stricter records of who is depositing scrap metal, and ask for photo identification for scrap exchange. Additionally, the bill makes it illegal for dealers to accept metal that has likely been stolen, like manhole covers and storm drain covers.

A full copy of the bill can be viewed here:

www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/House/H03723

By Anne Kakley and Paul Lopes