MNHM Summer Program

on

The Marion Natural History Museum’s Summer Program is one of the most well-known and well-regarded in the Southcoast area. Children from across the country visit us each summer and participate in the program. The programs are designed for small groups, and registration is limited. Friday morning programs nature programs will take place from 9 am to noon. The cost is Members: $25, Non-Members: $30.

            July 7 – Seaweeds | Grades entering 3 – 6 Meet at Brainard Marsh to learn a little about our local seaweeds and the invasive species affecting the ecology of our shorelines. We’ll also be collecting and inspecting the seaweeds we find with microscopes and magnifiers, and each student will be making a seaweed pressing. Location may have to be switched to the museum due to inclement weather.

            July 14 – Amphibians | Grades entering 3 – 6 Frogs, salamanders and newts, oh my. What makes these animals so special? We’ll be taking a close look at amphibians and aquatic invertebrates in the wetlands at Washburn Park. We’ll be netting vernal pools and ponds, looking under logs and exploring the woods looking for our resident species. Location may have to be switched to the museum due to inclement weather.

            July 21 – Bird Island | Grades entering 2 – 6 Trip to Bird Island with Marion Harbormaster. Let’s learn to identify the rare and special bird species that rely on Bird Island for their nesting habitat. What efforts have been made to restore the island to make it available for nesting? Meet at Island Wharf. Don’t wait to register – this one will fill fast. Location may have to be switched to the museum due to inclement weather.

            July 28 – Barrier Beach | Grades entering 3 – 6 Let’s meet at Planting Island Beach to explore two examples of Marion’s coastline. We’ll take a look at our rocky intertidal shores and our calmer salt marshes. We’ll find out what’s so special about barrier beaches and what important roles they play in our coastal landscape. Location may have to be switched to the museum due to inclement weather.

            August 4 – How to Build a Wetland | Grades entering 3 – 6 Most of our region’s cranberry bogs were once white cedar swamps or other wetlands. Because of the manipulation of the water when the bogs are made, an abandoned bog needs help to recover to a wetland habitat. We will explore the geology, hydrology and ecology of a restored cranberry bog at Grassi Pond in Marion and discover the value of diverse wetland habitats. Location may have to be switched due to inclement weather. Meet at Grassi Bog.

            August 11 – Sandy Beaches | Grades entering 3 – 6 Meet at Silvershell Beach to explore our sandy beaches and saltmarsh. We’ll also look at Sprague’s Pond with hands 0n experiments and take a look at the important service this area is designed for. We’ll also be netting fish with the seining net and try our best to identify the species. Location may have to be switched to museum due to inclement weather.

            August 18 – Shellfish | Grades entering 3 – 6 Shellfish and fish prints. Can you tell a bivalve from a mollusk? We’ll be taking a look at the upwellers on Island Wharf, learning about oysters and other shellfish with Marion’s Shellfish Warden and hearing about the important role they play in the bay. We’ll also be making fish print t-shirts. Please bring a clean cotton T-shirt or cloth the day of the program. Meet at Harbormaster’s office, Island Wharf.

            Please go to the Museum’s website to sign up for these programs and more: www.marionmuseum.org.

Marcia Jean O’Neill

on

Marcia Jean O’Neill, 72, of Rochester, formerly of West Yarmouth, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2023 surrounded by the love and care of her devoted family after a courageous battle with Myelodyplastic Syndrome (MDS). 

            Born in Quincy, she was the oldest of 4 children born to the late William N. and Jean M. (Greenhalgh) Neil. Marcia was raised in Weymouth with her three sisters Pamela J. Lynch, and Andrea J. Neil and the late Claudia J. McNeely.  She graduated from Weymouth South High School and Bridgewater State College. 

            After having her beloved daughter Lois, they moved to Quincy Point where they lived for several years. She worked as a bank teller for South Shore Bank in North Quincy for many years where she met the love of her life.  Marcia and her husband the late James B. O’Neill, moved to the Cape in 1986 were they lived for 29 wonderful years and raised their family. 

            Marcia worked as Career Consultant for JTEC/Career Opportunities and as an Adjunct Professor at Cape Cod Community College for 24 years before retiring. After her beloved husband of 26 years passed away in 2014, she moved to Rochester to live with her daughter Lois O. Mentzer, son-in-law Michael G. and beloved grandson Timothy James. 

            Marcia enjoyed going on cruises, trips to Disney and other adventures with her family. She grew up spending countless summers in Wareham at their family cottage with her sisters, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews.  Marcia was always up for new adventures that Lois and Mike would come up with including being the first to ride Timothy’s go cart in 2021.

            She is survived by her daughter Lois, son in law Michael, grandson Timothy Mentzer of Rochester; her sister Pamela (Neil) Lynch and husband Kevin of Wareham formerly East Bridgewater; her sister Andrea Neil of Quincy and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She will be dearly missed by all those that knew and loved her.

            Her family would like to send a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Tobey Hospital (especially ER & ICU) and Southcoast VNA Hospice that went above and beyond to take care of her and make her comfortable in her last couple of weeks. 

            Her visiting hours will be on Thursday, June 29th from 5-7 PM at the Chapman Funerals & Cremations – WAREHAM,  2599 Cranberry Highway (Rte. 28), Wareham, MA. A short service will be held in the funeral home at 7 PM.

            In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Myelodysplastic Syndormes Foundation, Inc. (https://www.mds-foundation.org).

Literacy Program in Place

on

            In its final public meeting of the 2022-23 academic year, the Marion School Committee heard an update on the two-year School Improvement Plan.

            Principal Marla Sirois said seeing students make “such strides during the pandemic and seeing the outcomes at the end” was a thrill. Thanking stakeholders, Sirois highlighted 21st century and project-based learning, noting the recent science fair and many other activities and accomplishments.

            Assistant Principal Peter Crisafulli discussed the progress of students in various areas, including social-emotional skills and camaraderie.

            Sirois thanked School Committee Chairperson April Nye for her work on the Character Council and expressed appreciation for community partnerships.

            Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson said the two-year plans were simultaneously implemented in all three of the Tri-Towns with impactful results.

            The committee heard a presentation from Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Shari Fedorowicz regarding the year-long effort to arrive at a literacy program curriculum.

            Fedorowicz gave a status update, outlining a process that will move from Part 2, writing grants and determining core-literacy programs to finalizing the choice of programs from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The project, guided by The Hill for Literacy, included meeting with programs’ publishers for demonstrations and samples, a final round of discussions and consultation with other school districts.

            Among those programs gaining enthusiastic approval were “IntoReading” by Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt and “DIBELS” 8th Edition Early Literacy Screener. Fedorowicz said it was the first time that the district leadership teams from all three elementary districts were in agreement.

            “The rubric was very comprehensive,” she said, adding that ORR will continue to work with The Hill on rolling the program out.

            The committee voted to approve Marion Institute Grow Education, a project-based supplemental set of lessons that ties outdoor garden classrooms to State Frameworks. Nelson told the committee he does not consider the partnership an alteration of curriculum but a supplemental addition.

            Upon returning from a 34-minute executive session, the committee voted unanimously to approve the Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) between the School Committee and the Marion Teachers Association that will go into effect on September 1, 2023, and expire on August 31, 2026.

            The committee voted to approve the lease renewals of SMEC and Countryside Day Care for the 2023-24 academic year. Nelson encouraged review of lease rates for the future but recommended approval of current lease renewals.

            The committee approved the following donations: from Shutterfly $2,055.60 for school pictures in 2019; from Volunteers at Sippican Elementary (VASE) the book “Fantastic Bureau of Imagination” by Brad Montague; from Marion Teachers Association the book “Giant Island” by Jane Yolen; from Marion School Sunshine Committee the book “When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left” by Marc Colagiovanni; and from Sirois and Crisafulli the books “Wonder Walkers” by Micha Archer and “Whoo Hoo! You’re Doing Great!” by Sandra Boynton.

            The committee approved a list of materials to be withdrawn from the Sippican School Library. April Nye pointed out that 18,273 books were checked out during the 2022-23 school year.

            A “reorganization” vote resulted in April Nye maintaining her seat as chairperson and likewise Nichole Daniel as vice chair.

            In her final Chairperson’s Report of the season, April Nye emphasized team dynamics in Sippican’s successes. “I’m truly grateful for everyone who walks through those doors every morning and puts their best foot forward. … We are truly a strong, successful team.”

            In his Central Office Report, Nelson alluded to “the great flood of 2023” and expressed appreciation for Jones and Leonardo, the first responders and the vendors who arrived on the scene to repair damage. He was pleased to announce that Sippican’s school year would end this week in synch with the other ORR District schools.

            Nelson also said information from a survey on education modes, including remote education would be presented for its consideration. He also wished Davidson well.

            Davidson announced that funding has been secured, and registration is open for ORR’s Enrichment Academy. With that, he thanked the committee and staff for their support.

            In her Principal’s Report, Marla Sirois summarized numerous highlights and events, including concerts undeterred by changing weather.

            Penny Sullivan, retiring Special Education/Grade 2 teacher, was recognized for her years of service at Sippican, and April Nye complimented her and announced the donation of a book to the school library in her honor.

            Nelson called her “one of the ultimate team players at Sippican.”

            Sirois presented Sullivan with a copy of the book “Wonder Walkers,” saying, “Pete and I are grateful to work with you.”

            Among several Grade 6 students recognized for their poems submitted to a statewide contest, Sophie Zhou’s entry will be published in the agency’s monthly magazine.

            Two Teachers Association Merit awards went to Ashley Sweatland and Nicole Boussy.

            April Nye recognized Cody Leonardo and Gene Jones “for the work they did getting us up and running again after the floods. They got everybody back in this building and safely,” she said, drawing applause.

            The committee also recognized departing Director of Student Services Craig Davidson.

            During Open Comment, Alexis Cottam spoke via Zoom and suggested a greater focus on transparency where it concerns needs for improvement and their recording in meeting minutes. She also suggested a greater allocation of funds in the budget to keep pace with an increase in mental-health needs.

            The next meeting of the Marion School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, September 14, at Sippican Elementary, and the next meeting of the Joint School Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, June 27, at ORR Junior High Media Room. Both meetings begin at 6:30 pm.

Marion School Committee

By Mick Colageo

Ancient Loons Still on Lakes

on

            The ancient species of the common Loon is one of the oldest living creatures on the face of the Earth. They go back several billion years in time and are among the first amphibious creatures that first crawled up on land out of the waters of the sea. By so doing, they became a charismatic and beloved symbol of the wild lakes where they live now. Today a reproductive pair of Loons require at least one-third of a mile across clear and clean waters for their healthy aquatic lifestyle.

            As in my illustration, Loons are a familiar bird swimming in water partially submerged and propelled with churning webbed feet. They cannot stand or walk upright on dry land by themselves. In flight, they stretch out flat with long neck and bill sticking out ahead of and beyond the tail to be streamlined in motion to become airborne. From the water, they need a running start of several hundred yards to get into the air or they can become stranded on a short takeoff failing start.

            The vocal calls of the Loon echo across the placid evening surface that is very clear coming through the darkness, but not easy to locate. There is the startling, yodeling alarm siren that ripples through a peaceful silence when humans get too close to the nest. It is accentuated by a sudden, wild flapping of the wing against the chest to ensure terror upon the intruding visitor.

            Even more soulful on a dark night is an eerie wail to locate a missing mate as the sun goes down. Henry David Thoreau at Walden Pond in Concord told his friends it was the most unearthly sound he had ever heard.

            The most parental Loons’ habit may be the Loons giving a young one a free ride on its back everywhere it goes. Like many young birds, Juvenile Loons soon learn to become on their own when mom and dad leave them behind to head off on migration in autumn.

            Instead of a north-to-south direction, they migrate from west to east to spend the winter in the nearby coastal saltwater. Here, they soon lose their summer black-and-white plumage pattern. Once the juveniles settle in the coastal ocean, they try to stay there for the next two years.

            Loons are well equipped for their feeding submarine maneuvers to catch fish and survive. Unlike most birds, they have solid bones that help them stay underwater when necessary because the earth’s atmosphere got overcast and cloudy when it did result in erasing most other worldly living creatures’ ability to breathe and survive. Because they could submerge for long periods of time, the Loon species survived and is still around today.

            This ability is proof positive of Darwin’s theory of survival of the fittest, for which we today are very thankful for my article and illustration of the ancient Loon you got to read about and visualize in your experience.

By George B. Emmons

Mattapoisett Library Hosts Local Authors

on

The Mattapoisett Free Public Library, 7 Barstow Street will host two local authors this month.

            Families are invited on Thursday, June 22 at 3 pm for a story time and Q & A session with local author Paul Steven Stone and illustrator Don Carter, creators of Cock-A-Doodle-Don’t, a children’s book. All ages welcome.

            The Purrington Lecture Series presents author and artist Margo Connolly-Masson on Tuesday, June 27 at 6:00 pm. Margo recently published her first children’s picture book, And Then…Glen., a story about a pesky herring gull in New Bedford. Margo began writing and illustrating her book as the Artist-in-Residence at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park in the fall of 2022. Join her at the library for a reading and a presentation about her process of writing, illustrating, and self-publishing. This event is appropriate for people of all ages. Self-guided art projects will be available for children during the presentation portion of the evening.

            For more information about these events, call the library at 508.758.4171 or email to jjones@sailsinc.org. Check the library’s events calendar for more upcoming programs and book discussions.

MNHM Kick Off Event

on

Come visit the Marion Natural History Museum during our summer kickoff event and visit with Delilah the life-size right whale.  Delilah will be accompanied by two scientists from Whale and Dolphin Conservation located in Plymouth who will be introducing us to Right Whale biology, habits and many other related topics.

            Delilah will be outside the museum at 8 Spring Street on Saturday June 24 from 11:00 till 1:00. This kickoff event is cohosted with the Elizabeth Tabor Library and will have a dinosaur program following ours at 1:00.

            Hope you can join us for ice cream, crafts and lots more. This is a free community event. Welcome Summer.

            All of our summer programs may be viewed through our website: www.marionmuseum.org.

Student’s Effort Garners Support

on

            The June 12 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission was one of the easiest meetings this commission has seen in a long time, under 30 minutes. However, that’s not to say it wasn’t important, especially when given that a student sought assistance.

            Theo Jacobsen, 11th-grade Advanced Placement Biology student at Old Rochester Regional High School, came forward seeking guidance on how to secure permission for the class to perform invasive-species eradication on freshwater ponds on the school grounds.

            Chairman Mike King was delighted, saying that the commission owes a responsibility to assist the public. He said the commission is “passionate” about aiding the community. Jacobsen, whose father John is a commission member, was advised to file a Request for Determination of Applicability. The commission also voted to pay for the posting of the legal advertisement up to $50.

            A Negative Box 2 determination for a RDA filed by Rebecca Fealy, 3 Oliver’s Lane, was rendered for a septic repair.

            Certificates of Compliance were approved for three requests made by Bart O’Brien for Whitman Homes located on Prince Snow Circle, as was a COC for Jessica Nicolosi, 5 Perkins Lane.

            New commission member David Nicolosi inquired about the process and procedures regarding enforcement orders in terms of achieving compliance when such matters were briefly discussed at the end of the meeting.

            “Without a (wetlands) bylaw, we depend on the goodwill of the public,” said King, adding that the commission at times has to involve the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to try and gain compliance from violators. The commission, he added, cannot issue fines. Currently, there are six Enforcement Order matters that remain unresolved.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, June 26, at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

Plumb Library Summer Program: Find Your Voice

on

The 2023 MA statewide summer library program (SLP), “Find Your Voice”, begins at Plumb Library on June 16 and ends on August 5.  This broad theme of self-expression encompasses a variety of mediums for youth and adults to find their voice: from visual arts to writing, storytelling, music, and so much more.  Join us to explore and discover all kinds of different ways to find your voice.

            The free Plumb program encompasses 3 age groups: children ages 3-12, tweens/teens ages 12 and up, and adults.  Registration is required.  Once registered, visit the library to pick up logs, BINGO sheets, and more.  Participation is based on personal schedules. For more details, please visit our Summer Library Program page.  Library activities and events are listed on our online Event Calendar.  Starting June 16, you can register for the events you wish to attend by clicking the Register box on each dated event.

            Celebrate the beginning of the Plumb’s Summer Program on Saturday, June 17 at 11:00 am with Mr. Vinny the Bubble Guy.  Join us outside for running, jumping, and bubble-popping fun.  Mr. Vinny is bringing his hand-made, giant bubble wand to create floating blobs of soapy goodness.  Participants can chase and pop bubbles to their heart’s delight, while Mr. Vinny plays music, tells jokes and answers questions.  No registration required.  If you can not attend this Bubble Show, there will be another one on July 29 at 11:00 am. This event will be held weather permitting.  A reschedule date will be available if needed.

Senior Hike with MLT and COA

on

Mattapoisett Land Trust is partnering for the second year in a row with the Mattapoisett Council on Aging for an accessible senior hike. This year we are going to be taking a walk at the Munn Preserve, which is at the end of Mattapoisett Neck Rd. right before Antassawamock Road. The hike is on Thursday June 22 and will start at 10:30 am. Please wear sturdy walking shoes and dress for the weather. We will try and go out rain or shine, within reason. We will be walking the trail out to the beach and back, which is roughly 1 mile total.

            The trail itself is very wide and flat, surfaced with crushed shells. Some spots may be slightly muddy. The end of the trail is a beach with soft sand and has one memorial bench for sitting. Please consider your mobility needs. The Council on Aging van will also be available at the hike for those who are not able to walk the distance to the beach and would prefer to ride in the van to the scenic lookout point on the beach and back. Waters will be provided for hikers.

            This hike is planned for seniors and their friends and family members who wish to join. Contact manager@mattlandtrust.org or coadirector@mattapoisett.net with any questions.

Academic Achievements

on

Sarah Moitozo of Mattapoisett graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the College of Charleston.

            The following students have been named to the Spring 2023 President’s List at Husson University:

–Elizabeth Bungert of Mattapoisett is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in criminal justice program.

–Emma Mello of Mattapoisett is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in criminal justice with a concentration in psychology program.

            Rochester resident, Tessa DeMaggio, has been named to Husson University’s Dean’s List for the Spring 2023 semester. During the spring semester, DeMaggio was enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in criminal justice program.

            On May 20, 2023, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) awarded a total of 1,988 degrees – 152 doctoral degrees, 390 master’s degrees and 1,446 bachelor’s degrees – to 1,957 students, some of whom earned multiple degrees. The following local students earned degrees:

–Harrison Riley, of Mattapoisett, graduated with a BS in Information Tech & Web Science.

–Megan Shay, of Rochester, graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.

            Harrison Riley of Mattapoisett, studying Information Tech & Web Science and Megan Shay of Rochester, studying Mechanical Engineering have made the Dean’s Honor List for the Spring 2023 semester at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York:

            Adam Sylvia, Central College Class of 2023 from Rochester, has been named to the dean’s list for the Spring 2023 semester.