GiftsToGive

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To the Editor,

On Monday, January 16, Martin Luther King Day  (“A Day of Service “, “A day on, not a day off”), 400 volunteers came together at GiftsToGive in New Bedford to sort through toys, books, clothes, jackets, and baby safety items that will be distributed to local families in need.    Many people in the Tri-Town area volunteered their time over the weekend to be sure this event would be successful! We want to thank these families that cleaned out their closets and brought donations to the Mattapoisett Fire Station. (Thank you Chief Andrew Murray for providing this location as a drop off center).  Thank you also goes to local students from the Community Service Learning Club at ORR, Ruhi Reyi, Anne Smith, Leah Thomas, Lauren White, and Jacob Rioux along with Girl Scout Troop members Katherine Ball, Jordan Costa, Amy Hill, and troop leader Mrs. Maria Lynch for filling the truck with the donations. Thank you to volunteer Firefighters Justin Dubois and Brad Allen for driving the truck to New Bedford to be unloaded and to Morgan Browning and Kate McGraw for helping unload the trucks and sort items.

Mark your calendars as we hope to see everyone again at future drives on Saturday, May 19 and Saturday, August 18 at the Mattapoisett Fire Station!

Sincerely,

Holly Whitman and Karen Browning 

 

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Sports Shorts

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Old Rochester Boys and Girls Track – ORR emerged with a win this week against Wareham High School, and with just Seekonk to get through, the boys and girls teams are looking pretty good for the SCC Championships. Against Wareham, Ally Saccone achieved another personal best at high jump clearing 5’3”, as well as winning the hurdles. In the 600 meter, Sam Barrett and Tori Saltmarsh both did well scoring first and second for ORR.

For the boys, in the 1000 meter Nick Pacheco placed first, and Connor Medieros-Sweet came in second for ORR. In the two-mile, the boys also finished well with David Friedman and Michael Kassabian scoring for the Bulldogs. Both the ORR girls and boys remain undefeated.

Old Rochester Girls Basketball – The girls played their way to a win, defeating Seekonk High School 56-33 last week. Freshman Gabby Reuter scored a team high of 19 points, and other top scorers included Colby Garstang with 12 points and Katie Wilbur with 14. The girls are now 8-5 overall and 6-3 in the SCC. Next up, they play Fairhaven High School.

Old Rochester Boys Basketball – The boys were not so lucky as the girls against Seekonk. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs lost, the game ending with a score of 71-56. Max Risch scored the team high of 23 points, and Forrest Cote scored 10. Next up, the boys play Fairhaven High School.

Old Rochester Hockey – The ORR boys suffered a loss to Dartmouth 3-1, but fortunately, Dartmouth being out of the conference, the loss did not impact a Bulldog victory for the conference later. ORR’s singular goal was made my Jeremy Lawton, and Austin Koeppel and Brett Dineen both had assists.

Fortunately, the Bulldogs were able to improve their performance when they went up against Weston and won 6-4. Max Sherman and Cam O’Connor both had two goals, and Anthony Cammarano and Cam Severino supplemented with the other two. ORR’s record is now 6-2-4 overall and 4-0 in the SCC.

By India Krawczyk

ORR Begins New Term

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This week marks the start of the third term at Old Rochester Regional High School. Students had received their new schedules in their respective homerooms on Thursday, February 26. With the start of the new term, students are reminded that they are allowed to be tardy on three separate occasions. The fourth infraction results in a detention. Tardiness is noted in the attendance record when a student arrives at school after 7:30 am.

Also with the start of the new term, seniors are reminded that a change in their schedule might require them to update their information regarding the senior privilege of coming into school late or leaving early. This senior privilege is granted to seniors who meet the qualifications outlined in the student handbook. Eligible seniors are those that maintain the minimum of a C- in all of their courses, do not exceed nine absences by the end of the third quarter, have no detentions, planning rooms, or suspensions, and have all school debts paid in full.

Seniors who meet these requirements for the second semester – as well as seniors who have already met these requirements but have second semester changes in their schedule – are to report to the Assistant Principal’s office to inform school which days and blocks they might use the privilege.

This privilege allows students to come in to school late when they have a directed study for first block, and leave school early when they have a directed study for fourth (i.e. last) block. Seniors who use their senior privilege to leave school early are not allowed to participate in after-school extra-curricular activities for that day – to participate, they must remain on school grounds for the full school day.

Now for some school announcements, which students tend to miss during homeroom. First, there is an enrichment program opportunity for the sophomores of Old Rochester Regional High School.  Sophomores who wish to improve and enhance their leadership skills by sharing them with other students from Massachusetts can apply to the 2012 MassSTAR Conference. The three-day leadership conference is to be held on the campus of Lasell College. Interested sophomores who would like more information about the conference or would like to be nominated for the program should see either Ms. McPhee or Ms. Bertrand in the guidance office by Friday, February 3.

Second, seniors of Old Rochester Regional High School should know that Massasoit Community College will be on school grounds on Tuesday, February 7 for on-the-spot admissions. Seniors who are interested in attending the admissions session should sign up in the guidance office as soon as possible, where they will be able to pick up their applications ahead of time.

Third, students of Old Rochester Regional High School are encouraged to showcase their talents at the ORR Talent Show, scheduled during the evening of Wednesday, March 7 in the auditorium.  Rehearsals for the talent show will be held on Saturday, March 3. Students with talents who are interested in performing in the show should sign up with either Ms. Raposa or Mr. Bushnell or at lunches at the table by the cafeteria doors.

By Anne Smith

All The World’s a Stage

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In all of the English-speaking world, there is perhaps no better known author in literature than William Shakespeare. The Bard’s works are universally recognized as some of the best pieces of theatre ever written. Therefore, when a Tabor student is asked to perform in the semifinals of the 2012 Shakespeare Competition, he accepts.

Tabor Academy junior, Chapman Hyatt won the Tabor Academy Shakespeare Competition and therefore advanced to compete in the English Speaking Union’s Shakespeare Competition semifinals hosted at Bentley College. Each competitor was asked to perform their pieces twice, once in a small conference room and a second time on a large stage.

Mr. Hyatt performed Act 3 Scene 2 from Midsummer’s Night Dream as Puck and Shakespearean Sonnet 147 – and has advanced to the finals, which will be held on Sunday, February 5. While it was “nerve-wracking at times,” Mr. Hyatt also said it was fun and rewarding, and that the atmosphere was friendly and supportive. Each competitor congratulated the other, as they persevered through not one but two high-stress and high-pressure performances.

Mr. Hyatt has performed in Tabor Academy musicals for two years and in the Tabor Fall Drama once. Last spring the young actor notably played the dynamic Billy Flynn in Chicago. In the fall, Chapman portrayed multiple characters in Ceder Beach. Currently, Mr. Hyatt and the Winter Musical are hard at work preparing How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying for this year’s performance. Outside of Tabor, Mr. Hyatt also performed in the Disney Channel Original Movie Lemonade Mouth.

Mr. Hyatt will perform in the Shakespeare Competition’s finals at Emerson College next Sunday. We wish him the best of luck.

By Jacob Farias

Need for Blood Donations Ongoing

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Many have heard the mantra to donate blood, but providers in the SouthCoast still are struggling to meet the need.

The Southcoast Hospitals Group (Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham) transfuses about 16,000 units of blood per year, but only collects 37% of that – according to Cathy Alegria, Donor Program Coordinator for the Hospitals Group.  The blood is used for patients receiving emergency life-saving treatments, with cancer and other serious illnesses, and or in need of surgery.

The shortfall requires the Hospitals Group to purchase blood from other provides, which drains  funds from the system and affects the level of care providers can offer, Ms. Alegris added.

“What we don’t have to spend on blood, we can spend in other areas so the community has easier access to health care,” she said.

The Tri-Town area is filled with volunteers who regularly donate blood, but Ms. Alegria hopes to get the message out there that there is a need for more donors. Some Tri-Town residents recently acknowledged for their blood donations include Mary Hadley of Marion, who has donated three gallons, and Thomas Gray of Rochester, who has contributed 13 gallons.

But “given the number of people in this area, there is potential for more. Educating the public is a huge step,” Ms. Alegria said. Some of the hesitancy in donating stems from fear of needles, she said, but a lot of times people just fail to consider getting involved.

“The number one reason is because they were never personally asked,” she said of why people don’t donate.

Other point she noted is that any blood given stays local.

“All of the blood that has been donated is used within the hospital system. Everything donated is local and does not go anywhere,” she said.

The visit takes about 20 to 30 minutes, but the actual blood removal process takes about 10 minutes. An individual, if they meet the qualifications, can donate every eight weeks. Individuals on many medications are not barred from donating, so it is worth inquiring if you are eligible, she said.

“There is nothing else that doesn’t cost you money that you can save multiple peoples’ lives. That is the part that I hope people realize,” Ms. Alegria said. If the pint is broken down into multiple components, one blood donation can save up to three lives, she added.

The blood donation center operates out of the St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, but it utilizes a van to collect donations through the SouthCoast.

Rochester resident Judy Borges – who serves as Director of Nursing at Southeast Mass Health and Rehabilitation Center – is hosting a blood drive on March 9 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm at 458 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford. The drive includes activities for the family, and raffle prizes. (The facility also does free blood pressure screenings each Wednesday in February from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm).

She hopes to draw a large crowd to the event. “It’s good community involvement,” she said. For more information, contact 508-998-1188.

Volunteers also can visit the Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke’s Hospital, 101 Page St., New Bedford, off the main lobby. For more information or to make an appointment, call 508-961-5320.

By Laura Fedak Pedulli


Music Composer To Offer ‘Suite’ Concert

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To celebrate the 50th concert season, the Tri-County Symphonic Band is welcoming Steve Wheeler – a Marion native, ORR graduate and award-winning musician – to serenade local audiences with his latest works.

Mr. Wheeler is returning to the area to present and perform a commissioned piece “Suites and Sweets” on Sunday, February 5 at 3:00 pm at the Gilbert Bristol Auditorium at the ORR High School. Mr. Wheeler composed the suite, entitled “For Those Without a Voice” which will have its world premier at the concert.

The piece was specifically written to celebrate the 50th concert season for the Tri-County Symphonic Band. Mr. Wheeler is a former Tri-County Symphonic Band percussionist and award-winning composer, as well as a performer, engineer and teacher.

“I’ve been seriously involved in music since the age of eight, when I began taking drum lessons at a music store in Pawtucket, RI,” said Mr. Wheeler. “My teacher, Greg Varatta, really helped instill a passion for the instrument in me.”

Mr. Wheeler works in a variety of genres from orchestral and concert band music, to jazz, metal, techno, funk and music for film. He currently resides in Alabama where he teaches and expands upon his music career. He has composed over 40 original pieces of music and enjoys the creative aspect of it.

“It can take anywhere from a day to months to compose a piece of music,” said Mr. Wheeler. “This particular piece took about two months from start to finish…it’s a fairly complex piece.”

“‘For Those Without a Voice’, is a mixed tribute to those who do not have a voice, whether metaphorically, meaning the disenfranchised, fearful, and neglected…or literally speaking, meaning the deaf or mute,” said the musician.

When creating a new piece, Mr. Wheeler sketches the basics out on the piano, working out the main melodies and uses a software program to assist in the editing, playback and the breaking up of the piece among the various musical instruments. He plays drums, keyboards and guitar but is also a specialist in the recording and mixing aspect of music composition.

“Composition is great because it incorporates almost all aspects of music into one. Melody, harmony, rhythm, orchestration and dynamics all come together in this one, big, blank canvas that has nearly endless possibilities,” he said.

“The Tri-County Band is an amazing group of people that consist of strong players that are passionate about music, and to be a part of it in the past helped my percussion playing immensely,” said Mr. Wheeler. “Being able to write for them now has been a joy and has played a significant role in improving my writing for large ensembles. It is not very often that you find a large ensemble that will perform new works of music.  To have that many people willing to sit down and play your music is a blessing.”

Tri-County’s former music director, Daniel A. Lasdow will direct the show. He will lead the band in a collection of suites written for concert band. The works span the history of band music beginning with “First Suite for Military Band,” written by English composer Gustav Holst.

Other suites include “English Fold Song Suite” by Ralph Vaughan Williams and “Suite of Old American Dances”. “Prelude, Sicilliano and Rondo”, by Malcolm Arnold will also be included. Composer Arnold is best known for his award winning film score for the 1957 motion picture “Bridge on the River Kwai”.

Current band director and Marion resident Phillip Sanborn returns to the Tri-County stage as a Mr. Sanborn will be performing “All Those Endearing Young Charms” by Simone Mantia.

The “Sweets” part of the themed concert will include a variety of goodies which will be available in the lobby at intermission and are free to attendees. The sweet treats were donated by a local business.

Tickets for the event are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Children 12 and under are free.

For more information go to www.tricountysymphonicband.org. To learn more about Steve Wheeler’s music, go to www.stevewheelermusic.com.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

ElKS Student of the Month

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The Elks of Wareham Lodge No. 1548 sponsors the Elks Student of the Month and Student of the Year Awards for students enrolled in local area high schools. The criteria used in nominating a student includes a student who excels in scholarship, citizenship, performing arts, fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry and farming.

We congratulate Freshman, Austin Alves of Rochester for being selected by the Old Rochester Regional High School faculty and staff. Austin is a 9th grader that has brought a positive energy to his class. He has exceeded the standard for both homework assignments and class participation and with his positive attitude and energy he will be a fine representative of the ORR community. Austin also participates in baseball and basketball.

Brushing Up on Face-Painting

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“Face painting is not just about painting, but also about safety and friendliness,” said Kara Andrews, an artist from Art on the Spot who addressed a young audience who came to the Joseph Plumb Library on Saturday, January 28.

The instructional workshop drew a bevy of girls, ages 10 to 12 and their parents, who said they came because they wanted to brush up on their skills and learn from a professional.

“If you can do lines, swirls and teardrops and blending, you can do anything,” said Ms. Andrews as she demonstrated the techniques on her arm with a sponge and brush. The girls then practiced on their own arms.

“Practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect,” she told the group.  Along with the painting of princess masks, patterns, designs, butterflies, tigers and original abstracts, Ms. Andrews dispensed advice about using only FDA-approved paints that are safe for those with peanut or latex allergies.

“Face painters must be aware of health concerns like rashes, allergies and runny noses,” she said. “If someone has a runny nose, we’ll paint on their arm instead.”

The attendees worked on their color blending, teardrops, swirls and lines, with Ms. Andrews looking on with encouragement.

“Does it matter what color your water is?” asked Sophie Hubbard. Ms. Andrews said that was an excellent question and went on to explain the importance of using a two-cup system, one for releasing pigment and one for a clean brush. The girls agreed that working in a group setting was much more fun than working alone.

“If you keep practicing the wrong way, you’ll get worse,” said Maddy Root, explaining that you can learn not only from the instructor but from other participants.

Ms. Andrews is an international award-winning face painter and a fine artist who has a studio in Middleboro, MA. A certified teacher with a college degree in Fine Arts and Science, Ms. Andrews first started doing makeup in high school for the drama club.

“I started out doing it for plays, then fundraisers followed…I realized I had a talent for it early on and was always involved in it,” said the painter, who has been drawing since she could pick up a pencil. Unsurprisingly, she won many poster design contests growing up and was named “most artistic” in high school.

Ms. Andrew’s first job was in a museum and a chemistry lab, but she yearned to do art on a full-time basis and opened her studio in 2001. Since then, she has had a successful career in fine art and face painting ever since.

“I heard about Kara’s studio and reputation as an artist and face painter and saw her business card at the Middleboro Library and picked it up,” said Children’s Librarian Lisa Fuller, who organized the event. “I’d heard wonderful things about her and her program.”

The class was free to the public and was funded by the Friends of the Plumb Library. Pizza and beverages were served to participants and their parents. To learn more about Kara Andrews and Art on the Spot, go to www.artonthespot.com.

“We try to do a children’s program each month…Next month we’ll have the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra’s Symphony Tales which is an early literacy program. The program will happen on Saturday, February 4 at 11:00 am and will feature a book, read aloud and set to music by cellist Shay Rudolph. The book will be “Scritch Scratch, A Perfect Match” by Kimberly Marcus,” she said.

Ms. Fuller is always on the look out for new programs and events for the children who visit the library.

“The SAILS Library system has a large network and we talk via e-mail and have so many resources, including asking the children,” said Ms. Fuller. For more information about events at the library, go to www.plumblibrary.com.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Rochester Center Zoning Changes Explored

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Looking into the future, the Rochester Planning Board is setting into motion plans to revise zoning bylaws to encourage more mixed use and denser development in the center of town. The lull in the economy has freed up more time for the board to look into zoning changes that would impact the shape of future development, according to Chairman Arnie Johnson.

In specifics, the board is zeroing in on areas including New Bedford Road, Marion Road, Dexter Lane and Mary’s Pond Road to determine the boundaries of a new Center Village Zoning Overlay (about 72 properties)– which essentially would allow developers or occupants to pursue mixed-use projects.

Currently businesses in the Town Center (ie. Plumb Corner Mall) require a Special Permit to operate commercially as they are in an area zoned residential.

Mr. Johnson stressed the importance of working on bylaws to drive development to certain sectors of town before the economy kicks up and the planning board is forced to act “reactively instead of proactively.” The new zoning would encourage growth in the center, which is surrounded by land set aside for conservation, town-owned property, bogs and private homes.

“They can still do residential stuff, but now they have more options,” Mr. Johnson said of the effect of re-zoning the center.

Whether to encompass the site of the old airport (on Marion Road) in its zoning overlay was debated, but with no immediate resolution. According to Mr. Johnson, the site soon may be developable, thus re-zoning would be appropriate.

For board member Susan Teal, the benefit of denser development also extends to lifestyle choices.

“If there was a path along Marion Road, people would walk to the town center. The problem is Marion Road is narrow. If you lived in Boston, you would never drive even from the old airport to the town center,” commented Susan Teal.

“But you’d have six places to buy a cup of coffee along the way,” replied board member Bendrix Bailey.

During the next few months, the Planning Board is preparing to make its case to town residents that zoning changes encouraging mixed-use development in the center of town is beneficial to residents. Their hope is to pass bylaws changes at the Fall Special Town Meeting.

But many questions are circulating, including whether living in a mixed-use zone would require occupants to pay a commercial tax rate, as opposed to a residential rate. Currently the town has a unified tax for residences and businesses, but this could change.

At the meeting, Rochester resident Mark Wellington stated the concern about the changes mixed-use zoning could bring to a neighborhood. He said some of the residents in the “heavily residential area” near Walnut Plain Road and Mary’s Pond Road might not want businesses close by,

“If I suddenly found out the neighbor could put in something commercial, I think it may bother me,” he said.

After looking at a preliminary map of the overlay, Mr. Wellington encouraged the board to start small.

“I think you are making this too big, in my own opinion. I like the idea that things stay the same as they are,” he said, but added that if the district was small enough and away from residents near the old airport, he would more likely be supportive. “It is better to start out small and slowly expand.”

“You have to get them on board early,” Mr. Wellington added on getting support from locals.

Explaining these issues and gaining “buy-in” from neighbors would be essential before any town approval, Town Planner John Charbonneau explained. He said workshops and outreach to residents in the proposed Village Center would occur before finalizing the draft of the proposed zoning bylaws.

“I don’t think we’d want to go to Town Meeting without public hearings to get buy-in. That would be foolish,” Mr. Charbonneau said.

“Part of the presentation [to the public] would be a narrative that addresses [the public’s] fears,” Mr. Johnson stated.

It remains to be seen if the new zoning changes will pan out, but Mr. Johnson said he hopes to re-zone other areas if it proves to be successful.

“If it works out, we can apply this to other areas around town,” he said.

At the present time, the next step is speaking with Selectman Naida Parker regarding her discussions with residents along Marion Road about possible re-zoning. Ms. Parker had explored zoning parts of the area as limited commercial in the past.

With her feedback, the Planning Board will begin to strategize how to make a Village Center Overlay both palatable and embraced by Rochester residents.

By Laura Fedak Pedulli

 

ORR Alum to Star in ‘Miss Saigon’

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A great many things happen to Old Rochester Regional graduates after they bid farewell to their high school years.

Take Jillian Zucco – an ORR graduate who received her diploma last spring who is already making great strides. Already known as a performer with the music groups The Varsity Girls and Showstoppers, post-diploma she is making her mark as a singer and actress in Marquee Theatre Productions’ Miss Saigon.

She is performing in the Southeastern Massachusetts premiere of Miss Saigon, set to take place at Bristol Community College in Fall River next week.

After months of rehearsals, Ms. Zucco is gearing up to star as Kim in the show, which chronicles the relationship between a Vietnamese woman and an American soldier during and after the Vietnam War. As one of the younger performers on the set, Ms. Zucco leads a cast of actors and actresses from her home in Mattapoisett to Providence.

“When we first started Marquee, we wanted to prove that younger talent could perform right alongside veterans of the stage, and we’ve done it better with this show than any other. I’m so proud of the hard work they’ve put in,” said Executive Producer Mark Velozo.

Ms. Zucco said that despite her varied experience in theatre, being in her first post-high school professional production is a new challenge.

“This is a little more professional than ORR, although ORR was an exceptional club,” Ms. Zucco said. “This is a very demanding role musically and very powerful.”

Ms. Zucco said she auditioned in the fall, and has been participating in rehearsals since late September for the big opening day.

At the onset, “I didn’t know a lot of the songs,” Ms. Zucco said but soon she came to master the music of the “beautiful show.” This production of Miss Saigon will be accompanied by a full 16-piece orchestra.

For someone looking for a light-hearted show, though, Ms. Zucco warned that the storyline of Miss Saigon is rather heavy.

“It’s not a happy musical,” she said.

As her first production since high school, she said, “I forgot how much I loved musicals” and expressed a willingness to put her best foot forward.

To aspiring actors and actress, she advised putting yourself out there 110 percent at the auditions if you want to play the lead.

“When you are rehearsing, the bigger the better. If you are hesitant, you will not come through on the stage,” she said.

Of the upcoming production, Mr. Velozo is very enthusiastic about audience reception.

“We decided to pull out all the stops. We’re really excited to give our audiences a show that will absolutely blow them away. I can’t wait until everyone hears the amazing voices that we have in this show, and the acting is just as powerful!” he said.

Miss Saigon is scheduled to run at Bristol Community College in Fall River on February 9, 10, 11 at 7:00 pm and February 12 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. To purchase tickets, call 508-678-7031.

By Laura Fedak Pedulli