Tucker Zenski (formerly Michael Osenkowski)

on

Tucker Zenski (formerly Michael Osenkowski), 46 years old of Salem, MA died on August 10, 2023 in Seaside, Oregon.

            Tucker was born March 25, 1977 in Petersburg VA.

            He was a graduate of Mount St. Charles Academy, class of 1995 and University of Massachusetts Boston.

            Tucker’s quest for life began in the wild eyes of a boy named Mikey on the beaches of Mattapoisett with his family and Sac O Beans. It took him to the dance floors and living rooms of Salem and then out to the West Coast where he fell in love. As Mikey grew, his quest assigned him another name, Tucker. Off he went to Arcosanti, a commune in Arizona, where he met his life partner, Darina. He lived in San Francisco, where he was an EMT and then finally settled in the redwood forest where he amassed a huge group of friends that also became his family.

            Tucker had a zest for life that was palpable. He was a dedicated friend and fiercely loyal. His level of vibrant energy and child like wonder balanced with his natural spiritual essence drew people towards him.

            His imagination as a child helped create the best forts, and as an adult, magical wands and incredible grandiose stories and ideas. His creativity lead him to pottery, poetry and art.

            His struggle in this life did not make it an easy one, but everyone who knew him did everything they ever could to love and support him and keep him healthy just as he did his best for everyone he knew.

            As his quest for life slowed down, he fought for peace. In the end he truly felt like he was in a better place and slowly sailed into the West Coast sunset.

            He is survived by his parents, Paul and Susan Osenkowski, his sister, Kimberly Delisle, his two nieces, Sarah and Marielle Delisle, his life partner Darina Trendafilova, his Sac O Beans crew, his Arcosanti family, and his Humbolt county family.

            His visiting hours will be held on Friday, August 18th from 4-8 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. His Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 19th at 10:30 am at Shoolman Park adjacent to 8 Oaklawn Ave. Mattapoisett. His family will receive guests from 10 – 10:30 am prior to the service.

Women-On-Target Program

on

The Sippican Rod & Gun Club is pleased to announce its annual NRA Women-On-Target program to be held on Saturday, September 23, located at 215 Dexter Lane, Rochester. The program will begin at 8:30 am and finish at 5:00 pm. The program’s morning session will teach the NRA Home Firearm Safety Course which qualifies participants to apply for a Massachusetts License-To-Carry (LTC), or Firearms Identification (FID) card. Following a catered and healthy lunch, the ladies will be given practical and safe shooting experience individually by rotating through the club’s pistol range, 50 and 100 yard rifle ranges, and shotgun trap range. The $95.00 fee includes training materials, eye and ear protection which will be yours to keep, use of the club facility, morning snacks, lunch, ammunition and use of firearms. If interested, please contact Andrew Daniel at 774-929-0321 or email: adaniel81180@gmail.com. Considering that the earlier programs had a waiting list, all interested women are encouraged to apply soon.

Chalk-Full-O-Fun Festival

on

On Saturday, August 19 the annual Chalk-Full-O-Fun Festival will be back at the park surrounding the Lillian Gregerman Band shell in Onset. (Rain date is next day.) It is free for spectators. For a $5 registration fee, artists of all ages & abilities can chalk the sidewalk. Each one will receive a 36-count box of colorful chalk. Tabletop chalkboards are set up for those with mobility challenges. As always, there will be an artisan craft fair, music, children’s activities and something special to highlight the theme. Amanda Sellars will be the feature artist. She has been a frequent chalk artist at past events. “Weird, Wacky and Wonderful” is this year’s theme. Caricature artist, Noa Juarez, will be on hand to draw portraits from 12-2:00 pm. Music from the band shell will be provided by Pete & Beth Sanders from 12-3:00 pm. A Story Walk will be set up, and 25 books will be given away to families of young children who take the walk. Volunteers will assist with children’s tattoos. People can vote, and prizes will be awarded for “People’s Choice” favorite artist as well as the artwork that best depicts the natural beauty of Wareham. It’s a fun day all around.

Liability Insurance Debated

on

During the July 27 meeting of the Marine Advisory Board, member Bob Moore introduced the subject of whether or not boats in Mattapoisett Harbor and those permitted to tie up at the wharves should be required to have liability insurance.

            In a follow-up, Moore explained that he was aware that many towns require liability insurance. Calling it simply “common sense,” Moore said that we are required to have liability insurance on cars, so “why not on boats?” He said it could easily be added to the recently updated and approved Waterways Rules and Regulations.

            But when the topic was broached during the meeting, other members were against it. Several complained there are enough rules and regulations already, thus have no appetite to revisit and modify the currently enforceable regulations. That matter was tabled for the time being, but MAB Chairman Carlos DeSousa said he would check with other cities and towns for their policies, if any.

            A second part of the insurance conversation also brought up by Moore was whether or not the town was added as an additional insured party on municipal projects. A follow-up call to Town Administrator Mike Lorenco confirmed that part of the bidding process requires contractors to prove insurance coverage that indemnifies the town in the event of a liability.

            In other business, DeSousa reported that borings on Long Wharf have confirmed that substrate material includes rocks and layers of packed sand and that the condition of the underwater material is good for planned repair work. DeSousa said there is still a long way to go, as design has not begun, but that final designs will include the ability to raise the height of the wharf if needed due to sea-level rise.

            DeSousa also reported that a $20,000 Coastal Zone Management grant for the Holmes Wharf seawall was in hand and that the long-anticipated dredging project between Holmes and Long Wharf will be performed by the town’s Highway Department – date to be announced.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board is scheduled for Thursday, August 31, at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board

By Marilou Newell

The Magic of Lyn Illusionist Show

on

Entertainment for the whole family is coming to Mattapoisett this summer. The Magic of Lyn Illusionist Show will be held on Friday, August 18 at 7:00 pm at Old Hammondtown School, Mattapoisett. Magician Lyn Dillies is the most highly acclaimed female illusionist, having performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and across the country. At this one-hour show, Lyn Dillies will deliver spectacular magic for audiences of all ages. Prepaid tickets are required. Cost per ticket: $10. Call 508-758-4110 or text your name, phone and the number of tickets to 855-396-2075.

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

on

Summer Yoga on the lawn – Every Thursday 9:30-10:30. Extended to the end of August. Elke Pierre will be leading summer yoga classes on our shady lawns Thursday morning all summer long.

            Banned Book Club Tuesday August 22 at 6:30 – Join us to discuss Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. Now considered a central work of American poetry, Leaves of Grass was considered highly controversial at the time of publishing due to its “explicit content” which led to its banning in Boston and other areas of the country.

            Outdoor Glass Blowing demonstration with Glass Artist Kim Savoie Saturday, August 26 at 11 am – Join glass artist Kim Savoie to learn the art, history and science of glass making and see a flame working demonstration on the library lawn.

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

Community Center is Open and Growing

on

            That Pavilion so visible from Route 6 that sits in front of the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center is better than it was just a few months ago, having added better furnishings, flowerpots, ceiling fans, electrical outlets and lighting.

            According to Harry Norweb, none of this or anything else going on at the Cushing Community Center would be possible without application of three other C’s: collaboration, cooperation and commitment. At the heart of the facility’s progress is the Cushing Community Center Working Group, which prides itself on being “not better, just faster.”

            The slogan stems from the 2020 dissolution of the Marion Council on Aging’s advisory board.

            The town’s bylaws written in 1970 called for a fairly sizable board for the COA (a nine-person minimum and a five-person advisory board) that functioned as an operating board that made decisions and did the work itself.

            As Norweb explained, once the Town of Marion staffed its COA (Karen Gregory) and began reporting to the town administrator, the COA Board ceased to exist in terms of controlling interest in money or policy. Having seen its role as a consultant diminished, the members started focusing on building issues that would benefit the community.

            “Our focus, seniors, will specifically benefit,” said Norweb.

            As the board officially dissolved, Norweb recalls with a smile, “(Town Administrator) Jay McGrail picked us by the scruff of the neck and said, ‘where do you guys think you are going?’ Because we still needed the work.”

            Thusly, the CCC Working Group was born, and without the red tape of town government has been hard at work more freely operating to better the Community Center. Geoff Gorman is now the town administrator, and Norweb said the Working Group is grateful for the trust he has shown the members.

            “Next to money, volunteers are the most valuable resource you can have,” said Norweb, singing the praises of Merry Conway, the six-year chairperson of the Friends of the Marion COA who will pass the torch to Dianne Cosman and Jorie Borden, the overseer of all things horticultural.

            The little things and the big things, like the hedge growing along Route 6, are the product of volunteerism that is changing the look of the Community Center not only from without but from within.

            That hedge, it is believed, will dampen the sound of traffic to a point that the center can soon be an attractive venue for events like weddings. The center has had baby showers.

            Inside the building there are partitions that separate activity areas, and a wooden floor will soon replace the existing one-third tile and two-thirds carpeted floors.

            “It wasn’t just a privacy issue,” said Norweb, noting that a visiting podiatrist now meets patients behind the closed door of office space.

            A combination of $7,500 funds, some from private donations and grant money and a generous donation from the Friends of Marion Recreation, have brought the Pavilion to its current progress point.

            “It’s also not widely known that you can rent the Pavilion and this building,” said Norweb, who suspects more activity by 2024. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a wedding or two.”

            The new storage facility slab has been laid out back of the center, and there has been some work in the kitchen, just not enough to allow events to cook on site. For now, caterers are required.

            By next year, Norweb forecasts more usage of existing facilities.

            “I’ve not always been a big fan of build it and they will come,” he said, nothing plans to improve signage along Route 6 and the property line.

            He would like to see exercise and play facilities expand beyond the walking path recently installed, a Route 6 crosswalk and – fingers crossed – a future connection to the crosstown bike path.

            Above all, Norweb wants the public to understand one thing perfectly clear.

            “This isn’t the COA, it isn’t the Rec. Department; both of them are resident departments, this is the Community Center,” said Norweb. “Referring it to the COA is a complete misnomer, it would be like referring to the town hall as the building department.”

            As such since donated to the town by the VFW in May 2017 – that’s when Marion voters accepted the donation – a dormant period that lasted several months gave way to initial work by the town’s Department of Public Works to achieve ADA-compliance. In 2019, the Cushing Community Center was born as we know it.

            The center has recently received the donation of a 650-pound stone facade in the name of the late Joe Marini, the Marion-based stone mason whom Norweb said had done much for the town.

            Trees have been donated by the Marion Parks & Tree Committee, and next year the Department of Public Works will be taking over the lawn care at the center.

            “I can’t say enough good things about the Facilities Department and the DPW. … The DPW to a man have a can-do attitude … they always do it so pleasantly,” said Norweb.

            Bottom line, said Norweb, the CCC is open.

            A person can spontaneously bring lunch over to the Pavilion for some summer shade and use the restroom inside. Families are welcome to come in.

            For those interested in renting out the Pavilion or the building for special events, visit marionma.gov for details.

By Mick Colageo

Retaining Wall Materials Questioned

on

Additional information regarding the construction of a retaining wall planned for a Park Lane Extension residence came into question during Monday night’s meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board.

            The agenda item was merely an informational courtesy provided by the property owner Andris Rieksts and Lisa Francis to the board, offering them more details on materials planned such as a retaining wall.

            Board member Nathan Ketchel wanted more information on the material composition of the planned Lock+Load modular system and how it interfaces with natural materials on the site. Project representative Steve Courter said that critical to a successful installation is the use of compressed backfill to ensure adequate pounds per square inch of pressure. The company website states that Lock+Load provides structural capacity comparable to wet-cast panels and big block walls.

            In other business, the board approved two Approval Not Required requests. The first was filed by the Bay Club for 21 Bay Club Drive for a lot-line change, and the second filed by Windmill Square LTD, 5 Industrial Drive, to remove an existing easement.

            Ray Andrews of Bay Club Realty secured the return of a $47,000 road surety when he reported that all roadways under ownership of the Bay Club are now complete.

            A request by the Villages at Mattapoisett for the release of a $50,000 covenant-mandated fund for a stormwater-retention system was not heard. No one was present from the condominium association.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, August 21, at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

Down to the Sea in Ships – A Silent Film

on

Enjoy an open-air silent movie at Munro Preserve in collaboration with the Mattapoisett Museum and the Mattapoisett Land Trust. The movie, Down to the Sea in Ships, will be shown 7:30-9:30 pm on Thursday August 24 at the Munro Preserve on the corner of Water Street and Main Street.

            The film contains semidocumentary footage of whalers at work and was shot in historic locations in New England, most notably in New Bedford, at the Apponegansett Meeting House in Dartmouth and on Water Street in Mattapoisett.

            The authenticity of the whaling scenes are noted in the opening screen credits, which praise the bravery of the cameramen, “who, in small boats, stood by their cameras at the risk of their lives to photograph the fighting whales.” The Charles W. Morgan was one of the whaling ships used in the film.

            Please bring your own blanket or chairs to sit on, relax and enjoy the show.

Rochester Affordable Housing

on

Rochester Affordable Housing Inc. (RAHI) will have a Complimentary Brunch and Educational Event at the Rochester COA, 67 Dexter Lane, Rochester on August 26 from 10 am to 12 noon.

            Come learn about Affordable Housing and the options you might not have considered.

RAHI was formed out of a need for Rochester Seniors and Veterans housing. The need has not been met. This is partly because there is a lack of understanding of what “Affordable Housing” means. RAHI wants to create truly affordable housing to meet Rochester’s needs. It does not want to simply create housing to meet State Mandated guidelines that would make Rochester available to every citizen of Massachusetts. That’s for others to tackle.

            To meet RAHI’s goal, widespread assistance from individuals and Town Officials is required. Our seniors and Veterans that have called Rochester their home all their lives, cannot afford to stay in town, even if a senior downsized their home, there is nothing available, they don’t want to move to New Bedford or Wareham. Rochester is where they grew up, went to school, married, had kids and died in the town they loved.

 Come to the COA on August 26, 10 am to 12 noon, learn more. Be part of the solution. See how you can help keep our seniors and Veterans in Rochester. Come see, and talk to our State and Town Officials.