Mattapoisett Yacht Club

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This week’s race results (July 5):

            Tuesday night Ensign Series: Black Ice took the night with 2 bullets (wins) to start the July series. One Love took 2nd for the night followed by Brou Ha Ha.

            Wednesday Night PHRF: A beautiful night for racing and five new entrants started in the expanding B Class. Former ORR Sail Team members Copper Newton (who sailed this race singlehanded) and Sam Harris along with Will Stark, Ryan Keenan and Paul McLaughlin join Class B to add some young blood, not to mention good competition. However, it was veteran racer, Ed Sargent and the crew of Voyager that took the win. Second went to Ryan Keenan in Strider, and in third place was Charlie Smith’s Chickadee.

            In Class A, No Quarter Given returned to their winning ways followed by Robb Ryan (another new entry this year) and his crew in Restless. Third went to Don Ross and the crew of Coconuts. Don had moved up from B Class this year.

            This weekend, the crew of Dennis McLaughlin, Rick Warren, Meaghan Girouard and Jim Gallagher won the Newport Regatta Ensign Regional Championship. The nine boat, four race series provided stiff competition. After the first day with three races sailed, Hambugler held a slight lead over the fleet with MYC’s other entrant, Brou Ha Ha tied for second with two other boats. Brou Ha Ha’s crew of Steve and Tina Clark along with Marshall Bailey and Matt Ferlotti unfortunately lost in a tiebreaker after the second day of racing and finished fourth only 3 points out of first place.

SRO Discussed for Sippican

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            Chief of Police Richard Nighelli attended the June 15 meeting of the Marion School Committee to discuss the potential of a School Resource Officer (SRO) at Sippican School.

            Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson made sure to clarify for all listeners to the discussion that funds are not in the FY23 budget for such, so whatever progress is made in the matter will not have a financial pathway immediately set for the 2022-23 school year.

            “Our partnership is strong, and we constantly talk about school and school safety,” said Nighelli about his rapport with Nelson in addressing the committee. “I think a safe environment for the kids that they can thrive in, so I appreciate the partnership from Mike and from Pete (Crisafuli) and from Marla (Sirois.) I’m here to answer any questions …”

            Nighelli told the committee he had already been in discussions with Nelson. “Obviously, we’re not budgeted for it,” he said. “I have some personnel issues at the department right now that I would have to address to add more people on to the department to make sure that we have shift coverage, but I think that it’s something that we could put together before September. But we’d have to start working fairly quickly.”

            As April Nye explained in response to committee member Michelle Smith’s question, Marion has a person at Sippican who is certified as a SRO, but there is no SRO acting as such in the school building Monday-Friday.

            Nighelli explained that the Marion Police has a school liaison, Sergeant Alisha Crosby, who is assigned to the “midnight shift” as the result of collective bargaining. “Even though we don’t have a school liaison on day shift, it’s been a collective effort,” said Nighelli, taking the opportunity to thank the overnight officers for their extra work during the day shift.

            Nighelli explained there is an increased visibility of patrol officers at Sippican.

            The difference between a SRO and a liaison is the latter is just a point of contact, according to Nighelli. The SRO is at the school regularly and is part of the school community.

            “Our conversation tonight is whether we support having an SRO in the school, five days a week,” said April Nye.

            Nelson said the matter was on the agenda because the Marion Police Department was interested in the school committee’s feedback.

            Nelson said the committee’s discussion could serve as a starting point that would in next steps see him bring the matter to town officials to receive their feedback and any sense as to the potential to support a SRO.

            Nelson clarified that the SRO does not manage low-level behaviors or the classroom, which is still the responsibility of school administration.

            After further discussion, the committee voted to support ongoing discussion in bringing a SRO to Sippican School.

            Nelson said he will follow up with Nighelli and April Nye, determine next steps and report back to the committee.

            The committee voted to approve the renewal of the following leases: one year with Rochester-based Country Side Child Care at $2,000 per month; and the Southcoast YMCA’s lease of two rooms at Sippican at $7,200 per room (total $14,400 based on 10 months of usage.)

            The committee voted to approve the removal of a list of selected items from the school library.

            The committee voted to approve the following replacement-fee schedule proposed by Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber, including the proposal of an insurance plan at the cost of $25.

            Proposed Replacement Fee Recommendation: Chromebook Complete Unit Replacement $300; Chromebook Screen $50; 45W Adapter with Power Cord (USB-C Connection) $50; Keyboard $50; iPad Complete Unit $325; Apple usb-c to lightning cable $25; Apple usb power adapter (block) $25; and Case $50.

            This policy does not apply to the iPads issued to the youngest learners.

            Sippican Principal Marla Sirois and Assistant Principal Peter Crisafulli presented a progress update on Year 1 of a two-year School Improvement Plan and its coordination with ORR’s Vision 2023.

            The report that required no vote highlighted project-based learning and “the four C’s,” along with 21st Century Learning skills, and social-emotional learning. Action steps focused on staff and student relationships and functions of the responsive classroom.

            In her Chairperson’s Report, April Nye talked about the happiness with which the students finished the 2021-22 school year and thanked the committee and the staff. Her sentiments were echoed by Nelson, who highlights all the behind-the-scenes work done by subcommittees and the extra effort put forth by the committee’s members.

            No corrective action was required in response to former Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Jannell Pearson-Campbell’s work on the audit. Pearson-Campbell has left the Old Rochester Regional District, and her work was highlighted by Nelson, who also thanked members of the hiring committee that helped select a finalist for Pearson-Campbell’s replacement.

            The Marion School Committee reorganized for the 2022-23 school year, the members voting April Nye to continue serving as chairperson, Nichole Daniel to continue serving as vice chairperson, and Diana Russo to continue serving as secretary with Toni Bailey continuing to serve as alternate secretary.

            The Joint School Committee representation will be different for 2022-23. Michelle Smith will continue to represent Marion on the ORR School Committee, and Mary Beauregard will represent Marion on the Joint School Committee.

            Open Comment brought out comments crediting the committee for addressing the matter of public interest in the addition of a School Resource Officer.

            At the start of the meeting, words of appreciation were shared by Nelson, Sirois and April Nye regarding the retirement of Sippican teacher Paula McKeen. The book “The Dictionary of Difficult Words” was added to the school library in honor of McKeen’s service.

            The first meeting of the Marion School Committee for the 2022-23 school year was not set at adjournment.

Marion School Committee

By Mick Colageo

Tick an Abiding but Manageable Pest

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            Blake Dinius, entomologist and educator with the Plymouth County Cooperative Extension, knows a thing or two about insects, especially ticks and mosquitoes. He has been educating the public since 2017 on ways to minimize exposure to biting bugs that carry dangerous and infectious pathogens. However, while such biting insects do pose big problems for us humans, Dinius’ clear yet simple guidance of ways to protect oneself from harm are reassuring.

            On July 8, Dinius gave a presentation at a program hosted at the Mattapoisett Public Library and sponsored by the Mattapoisett Land Trust. On hand to add to the discussion were MLT president Mike Huguenin and Collen Andrews, MLT’s community engagement and stewardship manager.

            Dinius began by stating that there are some 10 different types of ticks, but in the local area, the primary disease carrier is the deer tick. He dispelled the notion that Lyme disease, reemerging and identified as a separate, infectious bacterium in the mid-1970s in Lyme, Connecticut, is a new disease. He notes that studies of the Borrelia bacteria date it back several tens of thousands of years.

            Another interesting fact Dinius shared was that about 150 animals play host to ticks that randomly find their way to their preferred traveling restaurants, deer, chipmunks, moles and the like, but birds are a primary carrier.

“Of the 150 animals that can spread ticks around, 82 of those are birds,” said Dinius. When asked if people should stop feeding birds and encouraging them into gardens with food, he responded, “You don’t need to change your lifestyle, you just need to protect yourself.”

            Regarding how best to manage modern-day, residential landscapes to protect against tick bites, Dinius said that dead-leaf piles are a primary habitat for ticks. He said ticks survive in moist, dark locations versus bright, open, manicured lawns. He suggested leaving a perimeter of wooded area for those gardeners wishing to encourage pollinators into their yards while still having groomed areas.

            On the topic of repellents and sprays, Dinius said that yard sprays are very effective against ticks but far less effective in controlling mosquitos. Sprays are most effective when used twice; once in May and again in June is all that is required, he said.

            Another tactic people should employ for personal protection are sprays that are applied to clothing, including shoes. He said that people do not have to be fearful of using sprays that contain DEET and that the chemical picaridin can withstand numerous washings before it must be reapplied for successful protection.

            Huguenin said that given the amount of time he spends outside in wooded areas, it is imperative that he spray his clothing with picaridin. There are precautions for using picaridin around cats, Dinius stated.

            Once you have returned indoors from outdoor activities where ticks live, Dinius said completely checking one’s body for attached ticks is imperative.

            Removing ticks using tweezers is the correct method, not Vaseline or hot, burnt match heads, Dinius said. He also recommended conserving the tick after removal so it can be tested for the presence of disease (contact tickreport.com.) But possibly the most striking (or sickening) data point Dinius shared was the anatomy of the tick itself.

            Dinius explained that ticks do not burrow under the skin; instead, they stab their host with a straw-like tube that constitutes its head area. From this tube, various nasty chemicals such as anticoagulants and bacteria are “spit” into the wound site. The process of continuous spitting into the head tube, thus into the victim keeps the food source, blood, flowing.

            While it is generally believed that the head of the tick must also be removed, Dinius said that is not the case. “Once the body has been removed, the tube can’t do anything.” He said that even medical experts still believe the head must be removed.

            Cold-weather seasons do not provide relief from these small but mighty predators. In literature provided by Plymouth County Cooperative Extension was the note that ticks are active as long as the temperature stays above freezing.

            There is a wide variety of resources available online to help educate and protect people who spend time sharing the outside with these tiny opportunists. Dinius may be reached at bdinius@plymouthcounty.gov or mass.gov/mosquitoesandticks or by calling 774-773-3404.

By Marilou Newell

Sheila Ann Niksa

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Sheila Ann Niksa 1943-2022

            An Irish Goodbye finally reunites the Logue sisters and their parents of Whiskey Point in Brookline, Massachusetts.

            Sheila Ann (Logue) Niksa, 79, born on January 2, 1943 was born and raised in Brookline, Massachusetts and died peacefully in her sleep on July 12, 2022. She was the beloved wife and best friend of Stanley Niksa from Cleveland, Ohio whom she met on an unexpected blind date while he was in the Navy. They shared an epic journey together most could only dream of and Sheila will be forever missed and loved by all that knew her. She was the daughter of Irish immigrants, the late John and Agnes “Agie” Logue; and the loving sister of the late Mary Duggan and the late Patricia “Tishie” Smith.

            Sheila lived in Brookline pursuing a lifelong passion using her unique talent for renovating homes that enabled her to reach her dreams of living by the ocean in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts. She enjoyed being able to call her own shots, living life fully, being a general contractor and supporting her local community where she was involved in the knitting club and volunteered at the Mattapoisett Council on Aging. She always placed others before herself.

            Sheila is survived by her husband Stanley; a daughter, Deborah Ann Brennock and her husband Jay Butler of Mims, FL; a son, Michael Niksa and his wife Sumiko Mori of Washington, DC and Tokyo, Japan and two grandchildren, Minami and Yasunari; three nephews, Bobby, Kevin and Craig; and finally by Sheila and Stanley’s rambunctious dog, Fiona.

            Sheila’s funeral arrangements will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org/donate). Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Celebrating 60 years of art by Mary Ross

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With a career spanning over 60 years, Mary Ross is a Marion-based artist exploring painting, printmaking, found object assemblages and her most well-known work: collages with paper and paint.

            A collection of Ross’ work is on display at the Marion Art Center, now through August 5 in the MAC’s newest show, Mary Ross: A Retrospective. An artist’s reception will be held on Friday, July 15 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, with the community invited to celebrate her 95th birthday in addition to her body of work.

            Curated by artist and architect Anthi Frangiadis, the exhibition includes acrylics, oils, collages and assemblages from throughout Ross’ career.

            Trained as a painter in oils and acrylics, Mary Ross studied at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design from 1945-1948, leaving before graduation to care for her mother while her siblings enlisted in the service. Introduced to collage in the 1960s, Mary quickly switched from wallpaper scraps to a “more painterly” rice paper.

            Always surrounded by art, Mary worked as the Art Director for Boston Parks and Recreation Department, where she taught art classes to adults and children alike. Mary became active with the Marion Art Center early in her career and volunteered for many years on some of the first Sidewalk Art Sales.

            She was also instrumental in bringing art to the Marion Council on Aging where seniors and other community members are welcome to show their work. Mary continues to plan these shows a year in advance with a group of other dedicated volunteers.

            For more information about the exhibition and artist reception, visit marionartcenter.org. During the reception, we will also celebrate the musicians from the Buzzards Bay Musicfest, and guests are encouraged to attend the BBMF Swing Band Concert starting at 8:00 pm at the Fireman Performing Arts Center at Tabor Academy at 235 Front Street in Marion.

UCCT Honor Roll

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The following students have been named to the Honor Roll at Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School for the Fourth Quarter:

Shaun Miranda of Marion, Grade 9, High Honors

Elijah Rogers of Marion, Grade 9, High Honors

Jessica Voye of Marion, Grade 9, Honors

Adam Ouellette of Marion, Grade 10, High Honors

Clifford Williams of Marion, Grade 10, High Honors

Oakley Campbell of Marion, Grade 10, Honors

Laney Cooper of Marion, Grade 10, Honors

Lucas Marcolini of Marion, Grade 11, Honors

Victoria Voye of Marion, Grade 12, High Honors

Mattapoisett Tree Committee Presents Vision

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            On July 12 members of the Mattapoisett Tree Committee met with the Select Board to give a 15-slide presentation on a variety of tree-related topics associated with the engineering and design work taking place for a project known as “Village Streets” (Main, Water and Beacon streets and Marion Road.)

            The roadway project since its inception in 2014 was always one that would necessitate the inclusion of those who serve the community in the role of tree advocates. Now, as the 25-percent design is being reviewed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the town’s consultant VHB, the Tree Committee was ready to present their vision.

            Committee Chairman Sandy Hering said that they propose the planting of 36 trees and the protection of many others. It was noted by Select Board member Jordan Collyer that it will be necessary to remove some trees that simply cannot be left in place, such as the tree in front of St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church.

            Hering said that modern-day techniques for planting and protecting existing trees should be used to ensure the health of the trees. However, she acknowledged that some trees may not fare well over time after road construction takes place in their proximity. She hoped that the state would engage an arborist to assist.

            Two other members of the committee, Mike Immel and Barbara Pornysz, also shared their views. Pornysz said the committee was looking at various locations where trees may be successfully planted, that trees absorb as much as 95 percent of ultraviolet light from the sun and that the trees’ canopies reduce energy costs. She also said that trees increase property values and are good for business.

            Immel stated that trees add to the social scene of the village area, and he offered a conceptual drawing of what the area from Cannon Street to Barstow Street might look like. The drawing showed 18 trees gracing both sides of Water Street with at least one large bump out or plaza in front of the Inn on Shipyard Park, where trees would be planted in an expanded sidewalk. Immel also stated that trees help to reduce stress and add to the town’s character.

            Collyer responded that he would not support any plan that removed parking spaces that are already too few in number and in high demand.

            Hering said that the committee wanted inclusion to future meetings regarding the project including with VHB. She also believes it is important to continue engaging the public.

            Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that presently the 25-percent design for the project was being reviewed by MassDOT, and VHB needs to respond to MassDOT’s comments. He said that next steps would be a utility layout and possibly receiving the 75-percent design from VHB in five months. Lorenco further stated that before any roadwork could begin, gas mains would be replaced as well as water and sewer lines. He said current estimates for the project rest around $10,000,000 and that the project has been placed on the TIP grant for 2026.

            The Select Board also heard from Jane Finnerty, a supervisor responsible for the management of safety staff for the town’s beaches, part of the Recreation Department. Finnerty was moved to meet with the board after the publication of a Letter to the Editor questioning why the raft had not been returned to the town beach on Water Street.

            Finnerty passionately urged the board to never again deploy such a raft. She quoted shocking statistics that spinal injuries due to shallow-water diving constituted 10 percent of all such injuries, especially for young males. She said that the harbormaster had taken a sounding where the raft was historically placed and recorded water as shallow as 4 feet.

            “It’s a lure for children,” said Finnerty, who warned that children can get trapped when trying to swim underneath the raft, that it is an insurance risk for the town, and given the town’s lack of enough qualified lifeguards, the raft is simply dangerous.

            “Our camps are full,” said Finnerty, referring to camps that require at least two lifeguards in attendance, leaving fewer to monitor the beach. Finnerty said that the beach usage is not the same as in bygone years. Collyer agreed, saying, “It’s probably not in the best interest of the town.” Finnerty was asked to let inquiring people know the raft will not return in 2022.

            The board also discussed the opening of Phase 1b of the Mattapoisett Bike Path with Select Board Chairman Tyler Macallister asking the cycling public to, “please stop before crossing Mattapoisett Neck and Brandt Island Roads.” He said there is no parking along Mattapoisett Neck Road, that parking is available at the landing and several spaces at the entrance to the path at Brandt Island Road.

It was also noted that there isn’t any parking at the Reservation Beach at the end of Reservation Road. Lorenco said, “It has always been private.”

Collyer volunteered to be the board’s representative working with the town’s Bike Path Committee and the Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path.

            The board met with William Morgan, who requested a permit for the use of a mobile trailer at 23 Cove Street. Citing medical issues, Morgan asked for use of the trailer for an indefinite period of time. The board referred to the bylaw governing such permits and found two weeks to be the standard unless there are “emergency or calamitous” issues. Morgan was granted the two weeks and asked to provide a follow-up request for an extension.

            Hunter Major was appointed to the Agriculture Commission, and Virginia Nelson was conditionally appointed pending a vacancy. Thomas Gomez was appointed as an Animal Control Officer.

            More events are planned for Shipyard Park with the approval of Sunday Band Concerts to be presented by Robert Williamson in August, and Line Dancing are being offered by the Friends of the Mattapoisett Council on Aging on Thursdays. Dates and times for the dancing to be announced.

            Also to be announced, the next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

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On Sunday, July 17, the Rev. Benjamin Straley, Rector St. Steven’s Church, Providence, RI, will conduct services at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 34 Water Street next to the Town Beach in Mattapoisett. The 138th summer season services are at 8:00 am and 10:00 am, using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. All are welcome.

FoMCOA at Harbor Days

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Look for The Friends of the Mattapoisett COA booth at the upcoming Harbor Days Celebration. We will be near the tent with all of our Mattapoisett Shirts, Sweatshirts and other logo items. This will be your last chance to purchase raffle tickets for the Priscilla Hathaway painting. The winning ticket will be drawn during Harbor Days. The painting was donated to the Friends of The Mattapoisett Council on Aging by Priscilla’s husband, Brad Hathaway. All money raised by the Friends of the Council on Aging goes toward events for Mattapoisett Seniors. Thanks to all, for supporting us in our efforts.

Twin Soccer Careers Budding in Europe

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            Soccer is a first language of sorts for 19-year-old Leal twins Matthew and Patrick, whose unlikely joint journey as brothers who grew up in Massachusetts now sees them taking significant steps toward establishing professional playing careers in separate European countries.

            Never was the unifying power of the sport, so evident as it was when the twins were in Africa with their mother.

            “Soccer is universal. One of my favorite soccer experiences happened when Patrick and I spent time in Kenya with our mom,” said Matthew, talking about their early years when Dr. Lisa Ganley-Leal, a research scientist, was working on a project in Nairobi. “She would take us along. Of course, we brought cleats and a soccer ball. We would be playing by ourselves, and in a few minutes we would have about 20 kids playing with us. Somehow, we all understood each other.”

            “It was awesome,” said Patrick, looking back on that experience. “After that, we brought bags of deflated balls and collected jerseys and cleats for our new friends. We would spend the entire summer playing pick-up games in Nairobi.”

            Today, Matthew Leal lives in Lisbon, Portugal, and is pursuing his dreams of breaking into professional soccer. His twin brother Patrick lives in Venice, Italy, and is pursuing the same dream. The brothers are young American players with the common goal of making it big in Europe. They are both well on their way to realizing their dreams.

            In May, Patrick made his debut with Venezia FC in Italy’s Serie A during the last game of the season. He explains that he was called up to play with the first team a couple of times previously but never made it into a game.

            “The first time I got on the plane with the team, it was unbelievable, and when I got to the locker room there was a jersey with my name on it. It felt great, but I have to admit I was nervous,” said Patrick. “I was happy that my first actual game was in our home stadium in Venice. As soon as I got on the field, I wasn’t nervous at all.”

            Matthew also had an eventful season. He played his second year on the junior squad for Casa Pia AC in Lisbon, Portugal. As a team captain, he led his 2nd Division junior team to secure a spot in the 1st Division and emerged as a top goal scorer from their battle for the Division II national championship. Matthew was promoted to Casa Pia’s first team for the upcoming season in Portugal’s 1st Division.

            Born in New Bedford in 2003 to Domingos Leal and Lisa Ganley-Leal, Matthew and Patrick are only recent Mattapoisett residents but with much in the way of extended family in the area.

            “I love spending time here in Mattapoisett. I wish I had a longer break, but with the national championship, I was only able to be home for about a month,” said Matthew.

            The Leal twins credit their father Domingos with instilling and nurturing their love of the game. “Dom” was a standout soccer player in the semipro LASA league and still holds records at his alma mater, Bridgewater State College. His family moved to New Bedford from the northern Portuguese town of Montalegre in the 1970s.

            When Matthew and Patrick were toddlers, the Leal family moved to Newton where the twins’ soccer journey began.

            Their parents enrolled them in baseball, basketball, lacrosse and track and field early on, but soccer was their sport from the beginning. “They both loved the constant action,” said Lisa.

            “I tried other sports, but soccer was it for me from the beginning. I love everything about it, the speed, the technique and the precision,” said Matthew.

            Dom and Lisa started Newton United youth soccer when their boys started showing a real interest and promise in the sport. Dom built teams that would nurture young players like his sons. “My boys are still friends with some of those players today, and several of those kids are playing Division I college soccer or forging their own path to the pros,” he says.

            After Dom forged a relationship with Emelio “Mookie” Williams of Valeo Futbol Club, he realized his work with Newton United was finished, and the two programs merged. Valeo is a renowned, elite soccer training organization focused on developing highly competitive athletes, outstanding citizens and strong leaders. Dom explains that Valeo had the infrastructure in place to take his sons to the next level.

            “We were really just this fledgling organization, but we were winning tournaments against established and much bigger organizations,” said Dom. “Merging with Valeo was a no-brainer for us at the time. Valeo has more than 3,000 soccer players, and both Lisa and I were working full-time jobs so we didn’t have the commitment necessary to grow the (Newton United) program.”

Both boys tried out for the New England Revolution Academy and played two seasons on the 13U team.            At the age of 14, they attended a tournament in Estoril, where they attracted some attention from the Lisbon-based Os Belenenses team. A couple of weeks later, their mother was offered a job abroad.

OS Belenenses and Valeo formed an alliance that would soon bring Matthew and Patrick to Portugal full time.

            “It happened so fast,” Lisa said. “I got a great job offer, and I would have to be based in Europe for a couple of years so we made the decision to just do it. Everything just lined out at the right time. Dom spent a lot of time on an airplane, but he was able to work remotely from Portugal at least some of the time,” explains Lisa.

            Dom explained that it was difficult to pull the boys out of school, but Portugal seemed like the right decision to make at the time.

“The move would allow my sons to pursue their dreams, and if nothing else, it would be a great cultural experience,” he said. “I was born in northern Portugal, and my family immigrated to the U.S. when I was three years old. The boys are dual citizens but had never had formal Portuguese instruction. The Portuguese they spoke they learned from their grandparents. Now they both speak fluent Portuguese.”

            Matthew grew up in Newton studying Mandarin Chinese but wished he had an option to learn Portuguese the old-country way.

            “When we moved to Portugal, it was very hard,” he said. “Our teammates spoke mainly Portuguese and so did our coaches. Our mom and dad got us Portuguese tutors and even a Chinese tutor for a while so we could continue our classes.”

            Both boys were enrolled in online high school, supplemented by instruction from tutors and their mother.

            “It’s tough having your mother as your teacher,” admits Patrick. “She was a professor at medical schools so sometimes Matthew and I felt like she was expecting us to know a lot, but we learned a lot from her.”

            Matthew echoes his brother’s sentiments. “Our friends would say things like, ‘You’re so lucky that you don’t have to be in school all day,’ and Patrick and I would say, ‘Are you kidding? We are in school 24 hours a day.’”

            Both boys received their high school diplomas in the spring of 2021.

            The youth-soccer development systems in the United States have come a long way in recent years, but it is still widely understood that they do not compare to Europe’s. Critics say that the U.S. needs to have more rivalries, relegations and promotions. Both Matthew and Patrick agree that Major League Soccer (MLS) is displaying some excellent soccer these days.

            At age 15, Patrick was signed to a contract by Sporting, one of the top clubs in Portugal, while Matthew found a home with Casa Pia.

            “We were lucky that we got to spend the Covid lockdowns together,” said Matthew.

Patrick says that having his brother nearby kept him grounded. “We’re very competitive in everything, but Matthew is really easy going so he can always calm me down,” he said.

            Matthew says that since his brother transferred to Venice, it has been an adjustment. “It’s weird not having him in the next room. I know that if I am having a bad day at practice or I have had a bad game, I have someone that really understands everything I am going through, said Matthew.

            In 2021, the family moved their home base from Newton to Mattapoisett.

“We’ve always spend time in this area. We spend a lot of time with my grandparents in Acushnet and our cousins in Rochester,” says Patrick. “The last few weeks I practiced my driving by picking up our cousin Ryan at (Old Rochester Regional High School) every afternoon or driving to his baseball games.”

            “Our grandparents live five minutes away; my aunt, uncle and my cousins are in the next town over, and our other grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins are only a state away instead of an entire continent,” explains Matthew.

            As their offseason break drew to a close, both boys were sorry to leave the U.S., but they’re both returning to Europe with their driver’s licenses.

            “In some ways, they are your typical teenage boys, but in others they’re mature beyond their years,” said Dom. “They are twins, but their personalities and their style of play are very different, but their commitment to the sport is the same for both of them. They love what they do.”

By Ryan Arruda