It’s time to talk keeping cool across the Tri-Town area. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the region, with temperatures expected to climb at least through mid-week into the 90s, with tropical-level humidity making it feel close to 100 degrees.

            Fortunately, cooling centers are available to all Tri-Town residents this summer. Residents looking for a break from the heat in Marion can visit the Cushing Community Center on Route 6 and the Elizabeth Taber Library on Spring Street, both of which will be open normal business hours, Marion’s Public Health Director Lori Desmarais and Fire Chief Brian Jackvony have announced. The Community Center is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, as are all town offices. Taber Library is open Monday and Wednesday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Tuesday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

            The cooling center for Rochester residents is located in the town’s Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane, which is home to the Rochester Council on Aging. It opens at 7:00 am every weekday and stays open until 3:00 pm Monday through Thursday and until 1:00 pm on Friday.

            The spacious, fully air-conditioned center boasts a back-up generator if the power goes out elsewhere in town, COA Director Eric Poulin said. Should there be an extreme heat emergency, he said, Fire Chief Scott Weigel will be able to make the call to activate that spare power source.

            July is usually the slowest month attendance-wise, Poulin noted. But he has already heard one or two seniors say they were there because it has been designated as the town’s official cooling center.

            Poulin added proudly that last year was a record year for Senior Center attendance in general. There were 632 Rochester COA members, and aside from that number approximately 335 other residents visited the center every month. That compares well to 2022 when there were 453 members and approximately 300 other visitors. “We are tracking to have that same number this year,” he said.

            According to Mattapoisett Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, Old Rochester Regional High School will serve as the town’s cooling center in the case of an extreme heat emergency. Mattapoisett Police Chief Jason King has the decision on whether to designate a cooling center in such a case, Lorenco told The Wanderer.

            Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has offered important tips. The first of these is never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle. Even with the windows cracked open, interior temperatures can rise almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit within 10 minutes.

            With similar safety concerns in mind, people should slow down and avoid strenuous activity. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. This is because light colors reflect heat and sunlight and help maintain normal body temperature.

            People are advised to drink plenty of water before getting thirsty. Avoid alcoholic beverages and liquids high in sugar or caffeine. If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink, ask how much you should drink during hot weather. Eat well-balanced, light, regular meals.

            Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun. Do not leave pets outside for extended periods of time. If you must be outdoors, limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening hours. Try to rest often in shady areas so your body temperature will have a chance to recover.

            Use sunscreen with a high SPF and wear a wide-brimmed hat. If you do not have air conditioning, stay on the lowest floor of your residence, out of the sun. Avoid using your stove and oven. Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illnesses.

            Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off. Consider spending time in air-conditioned public spaces, such as schools, libraries, theaters and other community facilities.

            In addition, the Tri-Towns encourage residents to check in on elderly neighbors, those with health conditions, or anyone without access to air conditioning. Also, make sure pets have access to fresh water, as well as shade and a cool place to rest.

            Information on different types of heat-related illnesses can be found at: mass.gov/info-details/extreme-heat-safety-tips, and further summer safety guidance is available at: mass.gov/news/massachusetts-department-of-public-health-offers-summer-safety-guidance.

By Michael J. DeCicco

I love the Olympics! Since TV was invented and network programing began, I’ve looked forward to watching the masters do their thing on the small screen. This once-little child was mesmerized by the swimming, running, jumping, gymnastics and everything else offered up. Whether it was summer or winter, I loved it all. Fast forward.

            The 2024 event’s opening ceremonies were not to my liking. Something about faux beheadings, including heads bobbing along the Seine felt odd. But what about Celine Dion? Talk about a comeback. She’s my hero. Talent plus toughness – you go, girl. Give that superstar a gold medal for her outstanding rendition of a “Hymn to Love.” It brought tears to my eyes, and I don’t even speak French. Sacre bleu!

            Once upon a time, believe it or not, I considered myself rather athletic. After receiving a diagnosis of osteoporosis at age 39, it was game on. My casual walks at lunchtime around the corporate office park took on a new meaning. Coworkers would occasionally ask to join me, but even the tallest quickly faded from the pace I set. It felt so good returning to my office with all those endorphins pumping.

            Today as I watch the Olympics from my comfy perch on the recliner couch, I am reminded that I must work myself up and hit the asphalt, as best I can. My stride isn’t as robust as it once was, but I’m not willing to chuck this body aside just yet. We still have work to do.

            Watching those young athletes compete on the global stage is inspiring even for this aging soul. They put everything on the line for their moment to shine like a medal rightly earned and worn around their necks. Nothing can compare to the high they must feel if they do medal in their chosen sport. I don’t care what country they are from; I just want them to experience that hard-earned joy.

            For those Olympians who fall off equipment, crashing spectacularly to the floor, or fail in some other way to excecute their chosen feat, I want to scoop them up in my mother-arms and tell them, “Everything is going to be alright … you did your best … there’s always next time.” For some, that may be true but not for all.

            When I was fit with a full body of muscles and muster at my command, I felt I was on top of the world. Although I was never a runner, I was made for endurance, not speed. I’d walk as fast as I possibly could at a snappy pace. I was doing my personal best every day. Oh, the joy of movement.

            The closest I ever got to truly understanding what a real athlete goes through came when I signed up for Fourth of July road races, and that one time I attempted the Lions Club triathlon. I’m still proud of my last-place standing. For me, just completing the course was my gold-medal moment.

            In full disclosure, I completed the cycling and running (speed-walking) portions. A pal of mine at the time volunteered to do the swimming portion. Last place was just fine by me, although I think she was a bit disappointed.

            Thanks to Nero, who history says created games testing man against man in various athletic feats, we are similarly entertained in 2024. But, assuredly, Nero could never have imagined the spectacle it would become complete with Snoop Dogg as an announcer. Who let the dog(s) out?

This Mattapoisett Life

By Marilou Newell

What looked from a distance like a tool shed on stilts, the Marion Harbormaster office was transported Friday morning by a giant forklift into a new location toward the end of Island Wharf where it is up and running.

            Long considered outdated in terms of functionality and capacity, the push for the facility’s replacement is being realized with the ongoing construction of the new Maritime Center in the northeast corner of the property.

            A permanent future for the old office has yet to be determined, but word is that especially given recent updates inside, it would make sense to extend its useful life perhaps at Old Landing.

            Planning Board member (and former Marion Fire Chief) Jon Henry recalls a photo in the town’s Spring Street Fire Station that displays the first horse-drawn piece of fire apparatus received by the department, a pressurized hose from which emanates a stream of water. In the background of the photo is part of what was to become the Harbormaster’s headquarters at Island Wharf.

            “It was like a place to sit and relax, no changing rooms … that is now where the bandstand is,” said Henry.

            Before World War I, the town’s Village Improvement Association was appointed by volunteers to modernize and improve the area with the planting of grass and flowers. They also built a bandstand circular in shape. That version of the bandstand was damaged in the 1938 and 1953 (Carol) hurricanes, the second event sealing its demise.

            To the east near the water was the development of what is now the remaining, ground-level construction housing bathrooms. Its initial, open-sides iteration goes back to WWI. The facility was built up in phases.

            “I think the biggest part was the WPA section,” said Henry, alluding to the Works Progress Administration program enacted in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a recovery tool following the Great Depression.

            “The WPA put people to work,” said Henry, remembering the Serpa teenagers who built concrete revetments to stabilize the area. Then there was a small public beach. “The more boats got into the harbor, the less desirable it become to swim there.”

            The Harbormaster at the time was William Coulson Jr., who also worked at Barden’s boatyard and was married to Elizabeth (Barden) Coulson. Henry recalls Fred Barden’s grocery in Marion village and how his son-in-law took it over and ran it at the beginning of WWII.

            The Harbormaster office did not get its bathrooms until Henry was serving in the Army. He estimates that the town built the now-old office during George Jennings’ tenure and recalled work done through CETA, the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act enacted by President Richard Nixon in 1973.

            Jennings retired from the phone company and became harbormaster.

            “Everything that was modernized was done during George Jennings’ tenure,” said Henry, recalling the installation of new docks and improved boats and communications. “It made life a lot nicer for the boating community, both local and the people who came to visit.”

            The phased structure eventually became the elevated office and accompanying, ground-floor, public bathrooms that remain amidst the new construction across the lot.

            Mike Cormier was subsequent Marion harbormaster whom Henry considers “equally efficient,” having made crucial updates to the service. It was during Cormier’s tenure that Isaac Perry joined the department as assistant harbormaster and shellfish officer, a role that would be assumed by Adam Murphy during Perry’s tenure as harbormaster. Perry is now Mattapoisett’s harbormaster and Murphy is Marion’s harbormaster.

            Thanks to their efforts and that of the Marine Resources Commission, grant funding was secured from the state’s Seaport Economic Council, appropriations were made at two town meetings, and a new harbormaster headquarters is less than two months from its grand opening.

            The old office, meanwhile, is suddenly a fish out of water, still useful and looking for a new home.

By Mick Colageo

            Tyler Young’s victory in Sunday’s Mattapoisett Lions Club Triathlon was so convincing that it seemed the 2024 Old Rochester Regional High School graduate could have gone out and done a second triathlon in the afternoon.

            Keyed by his 6:02 mile pace in the 3.1-mile run that completed the competition, Young’s overall winning time of 54:07 was one minute and four seconds faster than 55-year-old runner-up Marvin Wang (55:11). Edward Rheaume, 62, took third place in 56:34.

            In the recovery area only seconds after running first under the inflatable arch on Water Street, the 18-year-old from Marion was eager to seize upon a reporter’s question about the retirement of longtime ORR cross-country and track coaches Bill and Cindy Tilden.

            “Those were my favorite coaches, those are my favorite coaches, they will forever be basically the best people who have ever come to that program – ever,” said Young. “They are the people who caused me to love the sport as much as I do, so I’m happy they were able to be there for all my four years of high school. It’s impressive how long they’ve been there.

            “I wouldn’t be the athlete I am today if it wasn’t for them.”

            Recalling how Mr. and Mrs. Tilden started the Southcoast Running Club, Young was introduced to Cindy Tilden’s conditioning camp in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

            “That’s what really got me to know her, and … they’re just very personal coaches,” he said. “They understand their athletes, which is great. And that’s how they’re able to push you. And they’re not easy going, they obviously know they need to challenge their athletes. That’s what sets (ORR) apart, they know the athletes need to get the work done. … They ask a lot, but they’re always there for us.”

            Young recalled working through an injury during his high school career and how understanding the Tildens were with his situation. “They’re the reason I haven’t gotten injured other than that,” he said.

            Having run the 800, mile and 1,000 indoor and also cross-country in high school, Young has committed to run track beginning later this month at UMass Lowell.

            The Lions Club Triathlon followed the conventional format in the order of swim, bike and run. That typically puts Young in a comeback position, but his 4:40 time in the water was tied for sixth overall in that phase. His 29:24 bike was 2:50 behind Wang’s second-place bike of 26:34, and that left Young outside the lead. But within the first mile of the run, Young knew he could catch the leaders. His event-best 18:45 run put him comfortably over the top.

            “Biking and running is where I have to put all my energy into the race. … When I come out of the water, I don’t really try to pay attention to the place I’m in or the time I did because I know I’m going to make it up,” said Young, who is also a mountain biker. “I wasn’t expecting to win, but I felt pretty good on the run, that’s what I’m really strong in. … There was a good amount of competition for me to catch in the biking stage.”

            Strengths and weaknesses were the opposite for women’s winner Heather Peckham of Middletown, Rhode Island, whose 1:02:57 time was boosted by her 5:10 swim and 32:03 bike. Her 24:14 run was nonetheless third among women.

            “I was an athlete my whole life, and I took a break when I had my son,” said the 42-year-old Peckham, who got back to competition three years ago.

            “Run is the hardest part for me,” she said, admitting to a temptation to push the gameplan because her first appearance in Mattapoisett felt so inviting. “Yes, it was a beautiful course. … I opened up and rode super-fast. It was beautiful, and there were so many volunteers everywhere. … Instead of following signs, they were there. It was nice.”

            Peckham was convinced to compete in Mattapoisett by one of her teammates on the New Bedford-based Triathlon with Amy team, two members of which competed last weekend in the Ironman Maine event.

            “Everybody I run into that’s done this before, they absolutely love it,” said Peckham, who leaned on the Lions Club volunteers just like the many other competitors who could be seen pointing and looking at staffers for confirmation on the correct course direction as they entered next phases of competition. Recalling a smooth practice run, Peckham still had her real-deal moments.

            “So when you go ahead and ride (the course) beforehand and you know where you’re going,” said Peckham. “(In competition), you get in the water, come out and say, ‘where am I going?’ Same thing: I came in from the bike, I went to come in the wrong way, and (the volunteers said), ‘no, you’ve got to go this way.’ … Thank God for those volunteers.”

            The previous week in New Bedford, the Whaling City Triathlon was greeted by much heavier summer weather. Peckham finished second in her 40-44 age group.

            Former Mattapoisett native Mary Cass, 63, competed for the third time in four days, taking third overall (1:04:33) a minute behind 60-year-old runner-up Marielle Yost (1:03:33).

Mattapoisett Lions Club Triathlon

By Mick Colageo

Top-3 Category Finishers (Swim, Bike, Run, Overall)

            Female 1-19: 1. Alexis Lord, 18, Mattapoisett, 5:51, 42:39, 35:21 = 1:27:47.

            Female 20-24: 1. Sarah Rocha, 23, East Sandwich, 5:15, 34:58, 28:59 = 1:13:35; 2. Eliza Nilson, 20, Charlestown, 4:23, 38:07, 31:11 = 1:16:20; 3. Natalia Moulding, 23, Wareham, 5:19, 36:17, 32:27 = 1:17:27.

            Female 25-29: 1. Sydney Leveckis, 28, Walpole, 4:51, 33:58, 26:27 = 1:07:42; 2. Maggie Piker, 29, Watertown, 4:52, 35:31, 26:27 = 1:10:09.

            Female 30-34: 1. Nicole Vanloon, 33, Coventry, Rhode Island, 5:55, 33:09, 29:18 = 1:11:57; 2. Claire Nalven, 32, Lexington, 5:12, 37:01, 29:36 = 1:14:04; 3. Kaylee Grodzki, 33 Mattapoisett, 5:34, 41:20, 37:19 = 1:28:01.

            Female 35-39: 1. Crystal Leo, 39, West Warwick, Rhode Island, 4:40, 35:19, 29:32 = 1:12:22; 2. Hilary Gibbons, 35, Plymouth, 5:39, 37:56, 26:30 = 1:13:19; 3. Ashley Dube, 39, Norwell, 5:42, 38:26, 28:39 = 1:16:43.

            Female 40-44: 1. Khara Sylvester, 41, Mattapoisett, 5:29, 33:54, 29:33 = 1:12:53; 2. Lauren Peterson, 41, Dighton, 6:01, 36:08, 30:56 = 1:16:14; 3. Olga Vershinina, 40, Stoneham, 6:48, 41:10, 24:43 = 1:16:30.

            Female 45-49: 1. Christina Mork, 45, 4:56, 38:22, 24:53 = 1:12:18; 2. Allison O’Neill, 41, Chestnut Hill, 6:03, 35:40, 29:26 = 1:16:37; 3. Amy Hartley-Matteson, 47, Rochester, 6:15, 40:29, 28:50 = 1:18:40.

            Female 50-54: 1. Lee Dupre, 53, Mattapoisett, 5:49, 33:57, 23:36 = 1:07:34; 2. Nicole Harrington, 50, Mattapoisett, 6:01, 34:13, 25:04 = 1: 07:41; 3. Lisa Horan, 51, Mattapoisett, 7:20, 32:22, 28:58 = 1:11:51.

            Female 55-59: 1. Charlotte Johnson, 57, Chatham, 5:48, 32:52, 26:25 = 1:08:02; 2. Heather Cronin, 58, Plymouth, 5:47, 31:06, 30:26 = 1:11:31; 3. Greta Plante, 55, Mattapoisett, 5:41, 40:43, 34:34 = 1:23:55.

            Female 60-64: 1. Kate McCoy, 63, Weston, 4:56, 34:45, 29:01 = 1:11:56; 2. Terri Ivanoski, 63, Canton, 6:40, 43:45, 25:58 = 1:17:51; 3. Deborah Neary, 64, Mansfield, 7:17, 38:07, 30:12 = 1:18:47.

            Female 65-69: 1. Anne McCrae, 65, Edgartown, 5:24, 32:12, 28:20 = 1:07:33.

            Female 70-plus: 1. Terry Myers Coney, 71, Stow, 10:11, 54:57, 57:11 = 2:07:00.

            Male 1-19: 1. Eamonn Kelly, 17, Foxboro, 5:00, 33:05, 19:09 = 1:01:36; 2. Owen McAuliffe, 17, Foxboro, 5:40, 33:12, 24:21 = 1:06:49.

            Male 20-24: 1. Luc Cuypers, 21, Concord, 5:18, 29:33, 23:58 = 1:01:31; 2. William Stark, 22, Mattapoisett, 4:31, 31:23, 23:35 = 1:02:30; 3. Colin Cuypers, 20, Concord, 5:02, 32:49, 21:53 = 1:03:13.

            Male 25-29: 1. Kevin Albano, 29, Fairhaven, 5:00, 29:21, 20:31 = 58:32; 2. Clark Luckhardt, 29, Carlsbad, California, 5:15, 30:21, 21:59 = 59:59; 3. Quinn Morten, 26, Darien, Illinois, 5:25, 34:46, 25:25 = 1:08:36.

            Male 30-34: 1. Matthew Koral, 33, Boston, 5:11, 30:57, 19:42 = 59:06; 2. Henry Borda, 34, Mattapoisett, 5:01, 30:36, 24:17 = 1:02:47; 3. Andrew Dearden, 30, New Bedford, 5:26, 29:10, 25:25 = 1:02:59.

            Male 35-39: 1. Jeramy Packard, 39, Westport, 5:20, 33:17, 22:11 = 1:06:59; 2. Derek Gibbons, 38, Plymouth, 4:35, 38:58, 28:56 = 1:13:54; 3. Jason Stavros, 35, Raynham, 5:38, 33:27, 34:14 = 1:18:13.

            Male 40-44: 1. Jonathan Stanton, 44, 5:04, 29:35, 20:45 = 58:36; 2. Dario Marrocchelli, 42, Arlington, 5:31, 33:19, 22:16 = 1:04:45; 3. Tyler Dube, 44, Norwell, 5:48, 31:30, 29:36 = 1:09:16.

            Male 45-49: 1. Eric Chiang, 47, Westford, 5:53, 29:39, 23:44 = 1:02:25; 2. Nathan Meleo, 47, Rochester, 6:50, 36:46, 26:10 = 1:13:14; 3. Jason Arruda, 46, Fairhaven, 6:09, 35:45, 29:33 = 1:15:21.

            Male 50-54: 1. Zsolt Kalmar, 54, Framingham, 5:10, 26:55, 25:06 = 1:00:26; 2. Michael Young, 52, Marion, 5:09, 29:31, 23:00 = 1:00:48; 3. Mark Lamson, 53, Foxboro, 6:02, 27:48, 23:38 = 1:02:10.

            Male 55-59: 1. Brian Kelly, 56, Foxboro, 5:12, 28:44, 23:58 = 1:03:11; 2. Michael Kineavy, 57, Quincy, 4:45, 31:02, 24:52 = 1:03:36; 3. Jack Hughes, 56, Walpole, 5:31, 30:15, 25:34 = 1:04:39.

            Male 60-64: 1. John Schluter, 64, Westport, Connecticut, 5:01, 29:08, 26:04 = 1:03:51; 2. Gerald Lanagan, 60, Vero Beach, Florida, 4:58, 30:55, 27:33 = 1:05:59; 3. Steve Kanovsky, 62, New Hope, Pennsylvania, 5:19, 30:50, 30:59 = 1:10:02.

            Male 65-69: 1. David Blume, 65, Waban, 4:33, 29:12, 22:51 = 59:38; 2. Jeff Kotecki, 65, Mystic, Connecticut, 5:17, 26:13, 26:54 = 1:00:55; 3. Paul Curley, 65, Taunton, 5:41, 27:21, 26:44 = 1:03:03.

            Male 70-plus: 1. Bob Lamothe, 71, Warwick, Rhode Island, 5:24, 28:24, 26:34 = 1:03:15; 2. Paul Curuccio, 70, Winthrop, 5:17, 30:38, 24:54 = 1:04:00.

Relay Finishers (Swim, Bike, Run, Overall)

            1. Team Catracho 5:38, 26:41, 23:12 = 56:27; 2. Team Cooper 4:10, 30:19, 24:57 = 1:01:38; 3. The Studio 6:09, 32:04, 27:32 = 1:08:39; 4. Two Chicks And A Rooster 6:34, 36:06, 29:44 = 1:13:59; 5. 3’s A Charm 9:02, 33:43, 31:23 = 1:15:45; 6. Browning 6:26, 36:26, 32:04 = 1:16:41; 7. Wonder Woman 5:36, 43:29, 32:04 = 1:23:10.

            Data courtesy New England Timing