Juneteenth Celebration

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TTAR (Tri-town Against Racism) is excited to announce a Juneteenth Celebration and unveiling of our third and newest Little Free Diverse Library at the Plumb Library in Rochester. Celebrations at the event will include a talk by Leon Correy III, Fairhaven Select Board member and founder of the Fairhaven Belonging Committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, cupcakes generously donated by the Artisan Kitchen, music,games and more. The event will take place on June 17 at Plumb Library in Rochester at 12:30. This event is free and open to all community members. Registration information can be found by visiting TTAR’s website at tritownagainstracism.org/events. TTAR asks interested community members to RSVP for planning purposes. The first 25 families to register and attend will receive a free copy of “All Different Now, Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom” by Angela Johnson. Questions can be directed to info@tritownagainstracism.org.

Village Wants Surety Returned

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During the June 5 meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board, Peter Demakis of the Village at Mattapoisett spoke on behalf of the owners requesting the return of a $50,000 surety held by the town for some 20 years. Demakis said that in all the years that sum had been set aside for emergency stormwater-system repairs, “… nothing has happened.”

            Demakis said that the condominium association has maintained the property from the grounds to the roof without oversight; and therefore, since the stormwater system has not failed, why was it necessary for the town to hang onto “… our money?” he asked. “We need to understand why.”

            Chairman Tom Tucker said in a follow-up that the $50,000 surety was always to remain in place in the event of a catastrophic blowout of the detention pond situated above the Pepperbush neighborhood. He said an agreement with the developer was that the surety would be paid before the first unit was sold. However, the developer only came up with $20,000, leaving it up to others to come up with the rest.

            But Demakis stressed that the detention pond rarely holds any water, is primarily dry and therefore not a threat to other properties. Tucker said that the surety was to have been held into perpetuity to protect others. Demakis kept circling back to his main point that the town doesn’t need to hold the association’s money because they were on top of all areas of maintenance.

            Demakis asked the Planning Board to make a site visit to the complex to see for themselves the condition of the basin. Tucker agreed that the members would individually visit the property and tabled the matter to a future meeting.

            In other business, a request for a Form A, Approval Not Required for property owned by Jeffrey Dunn located on Angelica Avenue and further described as Map 2, lots 159, 160, 169 and a portion of 168 was approved.

            Trees needing removal due to poor condition was discussed. Suspect trees on Depot Street, Dexter Lane and Church Street will be tagged, and public meetings will be held to discuss the matter and determine the future of the trees.

            This was the first meeting of the board’s newest member, William Wennerberg, who attended, bringing the board up to four members. Wennerberg shared in a follow-up that he was on the Plymouth Planning Board and Conservation Commission for eight years and has been a professional land manager and developer for 30 years.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board was not scheduled upon adjournment.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

Bulldogs Bring Home Medals

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On May 24, six members of the Old Rochester Regional High School Unified Track Team traveled to Natick High School to compete in the Unified Track and Field State Finals.

            Aveil Ward (shot put), Traeh Carrington (400 meters), Tom Grondin (javelin), Michael Hogan (javelin, 400 meters), Adam Murphy (400 meters) and Emilia Cantwell (shot put) represented Old Rochester Regional High School.

            Competing against more than 58 high schools and private youth programs, the Bulldogs proved to be successful in their quest for victory.

            Ward, a senior, won a gold medal in his flight of the shot-put competition. Sophomores Grondin (javelin) and Hogan (400 meters) each medaled in their respected competitions. All athletes were recognized for their competitive spirit and were awarded appropriately for their efforts.

            An added touch to the excitement of the day occurred as the athletes were preparing to leave for their competition. The remaining students and staff lined each side of the entire first-floor corridor and cheered on these athletes with encouragement and support as they exited the building to their bus. This act of solidarity was remarkable and created memories that will last a lifetime for the competing members of the Unified Track Team.

            Once again, the students and staff proved that at Old Rochester Regional High School, the word “family” is not just spoken but is expressed in sincere actions.

Foxglove A Pretty Poison

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            Foxgloves are the most elegant flowers you can choose to decorate your garden. They are also the easiest to grow as they begin by developing a floral roseate arrangement at ground level and then grow upwards taller into double lipped petals. The developing statuesque petals can soon be plain white or bright yellow or a deep sprinkling of a rust shade. Once the hardy biennials are planted, they can come back every year and then five more after that.

            As in my illustration, all the color usually attracts a living variety of hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, bumble bees, and double-winged damselflies. All are shown in my drawing, getting into the picture. In order to stimulate flowers already planted, a compound of Foxglove leaves called digitalis and ground up together will activate the heart muscle of each plant to grow faster and more decoratively.

            Don’t be surprised if a slightly different appearance of seedlings may suddenly pop up out of the ground, and you may wish to transplant them elsewhere into a sunnier section of your garden where they may take off, reproduce and last for many more years to your complete astonishment. By pollinating beautiful hybrids, you may be glad to call yourself a green thumb gardener from your first attempt.

            The origin of the name of Foxglove for flowers was taken from an English translation meaning that foxes really wore these flowers on their paws to silence their movements as they slyly hunted their prey. The woody hillsides where foxes made their dens would be covered with flowers under the name of “witch’s glove” in reference to the poison of the plant itself. Foxgloves are actually deadly for dogs and other animals as well as human beings.

            However, neither people nor animals have any good reason to eat them. It may be said that Foxgloves can be labeled as deer resistant around your country cottage property.

            To purchase Foxglove flowers, they can be bought by mail order or in large pot containers in retail flower garden shops. However, it will be to your benefit to act without further delay after reading my detailed concept of a Foxglove Party before it is too late to take advantage of the spring growing season.

By George B. Emmons

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Happy Pride! We are celebrating June at the library with books, crafts, giveaways, and programs! Visit the library to find LQBTQ+ centered fiction, history, poetry, essays, romances, crafts and cooking, biographies, and more!

            Pride and Joy Karaoke Party Thursday June 22 from 6 to 8 pm – Join us for food, music and fun at our Pride and Joy Karaoke Night at the library.

            Explore and Roar Summer Kick-Off Block Party – Saturday June 24 from 11 to 2 pm. Celebrate the summer at the library with dino digs, crafts, lawn games and a visit from life-sized dinosaurs from 1-2 pm!  Featuring free ice cream and science adventures with the Natural History Museum (including an inflatable right whale.)  Explore and Roar with the Library!

            Summer Yoga on the lawn – Every Thursday starting June 29 from 9:30 to 10:30 – Elke Pierre will be leading summer yoga classes on our shady lawns Thursday morning all summer long.

            Goat Yoga – Thursday June 29 at 6 pm – Try out some yoga moves accompanied by friendly goats.  Register online or by calling the Library

            Banned Book Club June 27 at 6:30 – This month the Banned Book Club will be discussing Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe, the American Library Association most challenged and banned book of 2022-2023.

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library, visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or call us at 508-748-1252.

Marion Fire Receives Generous Donation

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Chief Brian Jackvony and the Marion Fire Department would like to express their gratitude to the Marion EMT Association for its donation of a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) and trailer that will be used by the department for off-road search and rescue missions.

            The 2023 Polaris Ranger UTV will assist first responders in finding and reaching people who are injured in wooded areas and on rural trails and locations where ambulances are unable to travel. The UTV will also be used to transport patients from those scenes.

            The donation also included a medical skid unit to attach to the rear of the UTV, a Stokes litter (rescue basket) and other accessories needed to care for a patient. In total, the equipment donation was worth over $32,000.

            Since receiving the equipment, Marion Fire/EMS members have received online and in-person training for operating the UTV.

            “Any time the department receives a donation like this, we are incredibly grateful,” Chief Jackvony said. “We’ve always had a great working relationship with the Marion EMT Association, and this is further evidence of that.”

            The Marion EMT Association was established in 1980 with funds bequeathed to the town’s ambulance operations by a late Marion resident. The purpose of the charity was to help improve the prehospital care of Marion residents using funds that were not available through the town budget.

            The 501(c)(3) nonprofit has purchased dozens of pieces of equipment in the past four decades to assist Marion ambulance crews in their on-scene treatment of patients. Donated equipment has included heart monitors, defibrillators, stretchers, radios and stair-chairs.

            “An increasing number of calls involve off-road searches and rescues,” Chief Jackvony said. “The UTV allows us to improve our response to those calls. Our goal always is to reach patients as quickly as possible, which is often critical in these situations, and the UTV means we’ll be able to get to the scene and begin treating the patient sooner.”

            Anyone interested in donating to the Marion EMT Association may send their donation to: Marion EMT Association, c/o Joan C. Wing, 651 Point Road, Marion, MA 02738.

Torrie E. Wrightington

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Torrie E. Wrightington, 50, of Rochester, died Monday, June 5, 2023 unexpectedly at his home in Rochester.

            Born in New Bedford, Torrie was a resident of Rochester and graduated from Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, Class of 1992. He worked as a machinist and a car salesman, and most recently was an auto mechanic for his father’s business.

            Torrie enjoyed working on cars and was an RC boat and car enthusiast. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved telling jokes and playing pranks on friends and family.

            He is survived by his sons, Kyle Parmenter of Sandford, ME, Nigel Wrightington of Scarborough, ME and Dimitri Wrightington of Biddeford, ME; his parents, Dave and Penny Wrightington of Rochester; his grandchildren, Lorelei Wrightington, Milo Wrightington and Odin Parmenter, and several aunts and uncles.

            Funeral services will be held at a later date.

            Arrangements by Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham.  To leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com

Box Turtle Gains Protection

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Personnel and preservation were themes of Monday night’s Select Board meeting.

            The board met with Police Chief Robert Small, who recommended appointing full-time officer Amin Lakhal. Small mentioned that Lakhal, a South Middleboro native, will graduate soon from the police academy and has all required training.

            The Select Board unanimously appointed Lakhal.

            The board reported vacancies on the Conservation and Agricultural commissions, respectively, as well as the Historical Commission Historic District Commission and the Soil Conservation Board.

            Select Board members met with Allen Decker, director of Land Protection for the Buzzards Bay Coalition, as well as Matt Monteiro, president of the town’s Land Trust.

            The board approved two conservation projects, both of which are habitat to the rare box turtle.

            The first project will protect 241 acres that stretch from Acushnet through Mattapoisett and around 13 acres in Rochester. The land will cut through an area of town known as Red Brook Farm, according to Decker, who said Mattapoisett is using the land on its property to protect an aquifer for a possible drinking water source in the future.

            Decker said Mattapoisett is looking at four potential areas to drill wells, if needed in the future. “There really is no long-term change (for Rochester),” Decker told Select Board members.

            The board approved the restriction of a similar property for the purpose of protection and preservation – the Longplain Forest.

            In other town business, the Select Board plans on researching how other communities are conducting annual liquor – a new farmer winery pouring license. Right now, the price is around $450, and one business owner challenged it. Select Board members agreed that the price appears high and plan on researching how other communities handle the price. The board will revisit the issue at the June 21 meeting.

            The meeting was the first with new board member Adam Murphy, who won a seat during the recent Town Election.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Select Board is scheduled for Wednesday, June 21, at 6:00 pm at Town Hall.

Rochester Select Board

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

SCCC Presents “From the Islands with Love”

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South Coast Children’s Chorus, under the direction of Tianxu Zhou, will perform a lively concert called, “From the Islands with Love.” This group made up of over 50 singers in grades 1-12 from throughout Southeastern Massachusetts is pleased to share the stage with renown New Bedford based Cape Verdean singer Candida Rose.

            Selections will include her original song, “Love Each other Through” as well as traditional Cape Verdean pieces such as Sodade. The audience will also enjoy hearing traditional folk songs from the tropical islands of the Caribbean to the cold waters of Newfoundland.

            Thursday June 8 at 6:30 pm at the New Bedford First Unitarian Church, 71 Eighth Street, New Bedford (As part of the monthly New Bedford AHA. Night)

            Thanks to the support of the New Bedford Cultural Council and other local cultural councils, the South Coast Community Foundation and generous donors, admission is free and donations are accepted

            The mission of the South Coast Children’s Chorus is to provide a joyful, educational choral experience for young singers, helping them to develop responsibility, confidence, musicianship, and a passion for excellence in all they do. The SCCC core values are Service, Culture, Confidence & Community. SCCC performs throughout the South Coast including at AHA., the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center most recently with the Young at Heart Chorus, The Children’s Advocacy Network Gala, Big Sing. Central, Fenway Park and with the internationally renowned African Children’s Choir. SCCC website at www.singsouthcoast.org

            For more information contact: SCCCsings@gmail.com also, visit us on Facebook southcoastchildrenschorus

Mattapoisett Land Trust Scholarships

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Reagan Rock, daughter of Michael and Cynthia Rock was awarded the Blanche B. Perry Scholarship. Joseph E. Dupre IV, son of Joseph E. Dupre III and Elisa Dupre, was awarded the Priscilla Hathaway Art Scholarship.

            2023 marks the first time that the Mattapoisett Land Trust has been able to offer an Art Scholarship to a Mattapoisett senior graduating by June 2023. The Art Scholarship was made possible by Brad Hathaway in honor and memory of his wife Priscilla, both founding members of the Mattapoisett Land Trust.

            Joseph E. Dupre IV was chosen by MLT and Brad Hathaway for his excellence in art and his core values as a believer of “tranquility, growth and a protector of land and the seas” which match those of Priscillia. She was very interested in Native American Artifacts. She loved the outdoors, especially the woods, beaches and Buzzard Bay.

            In Jed’s pursuit of Communicative Design at Massachusetts College of Art and Design MASS ART; we all wish him much success.

            Reagan Rock was chosen for her outstanding academic achievements, her leadership qualities and her excellence in extracurricular activities which prove greatness. She’s pursuing a medical degree in order to become a “superhero” in the care of her patients. The Mattapoisett Land Trust believes that Boston College’s ranking system will improve once Reagan arrives on campus.