‘Moby-Dick’ Marathon Moves Online

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“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote…” – Ishmael, Moby-Dick

            The best-known literary event centered on Herman Melville’s iconic American novel, “Moby-Dick,” is moving online in 2021. The New Bedford Whaling Museum’s annual Moby-Dick Marathon attracts thousands of people of all ages from around the world who share a fascination with the sweeping story. The 25th anniversary of this remarkable read-a-thon falls in the middle of a pandemic, so organizers have moved the event online. The Moby-Dick Marathon runs from January 8 – January 10. Details are at www.whalingmuseum.org.

            Every winter, the Whaling Museum’s Moby-Dick Marathon marks the anniversary of Melville’s January 1841 departure from the Port of New Bedford aboard the whaleship Acushnet. Melville would later pen “Moby-Dick,” publishing the famous novel in 1851. Although the marathon will be virtual in 2021, Whaling Museum President and CEO Amanda McMullen is confident that participants “will still be drawn in by the drama and excitement of the hunt for the while whale. As always, there will be plenty of opportunities to have fun and to dive deeper into the content in our hosted talks with experts on Zoom.”

            Hundreds of readers from across the country recorded themselves reading passages from the book and sent them in to the museum to be stitched together as a full cover-to-cover reading of “Moby-Dick.” The final product will be played beginning Saturday, January 9, at 11:30 am and run through Sunday, ending around noon.

            Activities begin on Friday, January 8, at 7:00 pm with a lively online presentation, “‘A Wonder, a Grandeur, and a Woe’: Melville and Human Progress,” with Steven Olsen-Smith. A past president of The Melville Society, Olsen-Smith is professor at Boise State University and general editor of “Melville’s Marginalia Online.” Tickets for the Friday event must be purchased in advance and cost $10 for Whaling Museum members and $15 for non-members.

            All weekend long, people living in Dartmouth, New Bedford, Acushnet, or Fairhaven, Massachusetts can have warm chowder, delicious brews, or a full meal well-suited for a hungry sailor delivered to their homes, thanks to the museum’s event partners. Go to the museum’s website for details on how to order.

            A virtual chat with Melville Scholars takes place at 2:30 pm on Saturday, January 9, via Zoom. Whaling Museum Curator of Maritime History Michael Dyer will pair artworks with Melville’s writings during “Visualizing Melville: An Exhibition of Words, Ideas, Images, and Objects,” an online presentation on Sunday beginning at 10:00 am. These events and activities, as well as the reading itself, are all free and open to the public.

            Although participants will not be able to gather for the traditional “Stump the Scholars” session, scholars from The Melville Society have created a Moby-Dick quiz, so everyone can test their Melville knowledge. The quiz will be available online during the Moby-Dick Marathon on the museum’s website.

            The Whaling Museum, in collaboration with The Melville Society, is the established home of the Melville Society Cultural Project and the Melville Society Archive, which is housed in the Whaling Museum Research Library. The archive constitutes one of the best collections of Melville scholarship and resources anywhere in the world.

            Visit www.whalingmuseum.org for the full schedule of events and details on how to participate.

Marion Waste Water

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To the Editor;

            Let’s stop spreading incorrect and confusing information about Marion’s Sewer issues.

            It is puzzling why Mr. Rasmussen’s writes at this time; his motive is not clear. His article is unfairly extremely critical of Marion and its management.  His comments require clarification so that Marion’s residents understand the complete picture. He says:

            “Marion’s sewer rates are ridiculously high” – Marion’s rates are high.  We already know that. This is not some concealed fact or startling revelation.

            “It’s not because the town treats its sewage to a better standard than anyone else. In fact, the opposite has been true” – Mr. Rasmussen choses to ignore the fact that the Marion Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) effluent meets or exceeds the MassDEP and EPA requirements of our operating permit; a comparison is not necessary.

            “Marion residents pay more than double the statewide median” – This statement and the initial “ridiculously high” are not helpful.

            ‘The Selectman’s current advocacy aiming to secure a $2 million state grant is falling back on some tired political tactics – baseless rejections of science and scapegoating – and does little to set the town on a new course to fiscal responsibility” – Three years ago, we asked Representative Strauss for State help to offset the ratepayer financial burden. He identified an Environmental Bond Bill option for towns on Buzzards Bay with wastewater lagoons. He was successful in getting $2 million included in the approved bill. Marion applied for the grant and was approved; we are still waiting for the State to allocate the money to us. This is the reason for the October 29th letter. The charge of baseless rejections of science is insulting and is Mr. Rasmussen politicizing the use of the word, science. I have an engineering education, a career devoted to the design and construction of nuclear submarines, and was a member of the Conservation Commission for 15 years, science has been my whole career.

            “We’ve all learned a lot over the past decade about just how negligent the town has been in its management of the sewer infrastructure….bad decisions and deferred maintenance…” – This characterization is self-serving and baseless. Marion built a whole new wastewater treatment plan in 2005 that included the lagoons as an integral component.  It met all federal and state environmental requirements at the time it was built, and has been successfully operated and maintained it ever since. There have been no equipment breakdowns and no unauthorized discharges. Yes, parts of the collection system are 50 years old.  Marion is not alone, it is true for most towns in Massachusetts including Wareham, a town that Mr. Rasmussen puts on pedestal for its wastewater management.  Marion is making a systematic effort to repair it, primarily through lining pipes in our aging collection system.  We have budgeted approximately $200,000 per year for this work and will accelerate this repair work if more funds become available.

            “For 49 years now, Marion’ sewer plant has held raw sewage in the unlined lagoons prior to treatment” – Raw sewage is diverted to the lagoons only when the incoming flow temporarily exceeds the plant’s capacity to microbiologically treat it, which happens only when there is significant rain event increasing infiltration of storm water into the collection system. Subsequently that influent is pumped back into the plant for processing. The waste activated sludge product from Sequencing Batch Reactors is then discharged to Lagoon #1. Raw sewage has not been stored in the lagoons for 49 years.

            “Those lagoons leaked through their bottom into the town’s groundwater….fact first confirmed in a 2011 study….that finding was confirmed by the Town’s own engineers…” – The 2011 study had many technical errors. It indicated that there might be leakage, it did not confirm leakage. The Town’s engineers did an independent water balance study of the data from rain/snow, evaporation, and plant capabilities. Included was an uncertainty analysis of the calculations. The uncertainty could be attributed to rain/snow data measurement accuracies, evaporation estimations, plant pump/motor capacity variations, effluent addition/removal, or lagoon leakage. This is not confirmation of a leak, only indication that a leak could be a contributing factor. The sludge removed from Lagoon #1 was over a foot deep and basically impermeable to liquid transfer; think of peanut butter. Lagoon #3 is partially in the Aucoot Cove watershed, it is the least frequently used and never for raw sewerage.  Engineers estimate it would take 50 years for any leaking effluent to reach Aucoot Cove. Claiming that the lagoons have been polluting Marion water bodies for their whole existence does not make it true.

            “toxic sewage sludge….lot of toxic contamination sitting in town….sludge holds the accumulated stock of all of the contamination…” – Toxic sludge originates from industrial processes, only 1% Marion’s tax base is industrial. We simply to not have the potential for a  “lot of toxic contamination” in the sewage sludge. In fact, sludge from Lagoon #1 was chemically analyzed to determine the disposal method, the analysis revealed that the sludge is non-toxic.

            “Let’s be clear, the costs that Marion is facing right now to properly dispose of their sludge is not a new expense and Marion is not being treated unfairly” – Let’s be clear, there is no environmental requirement to periodically dispose of sludge. This is new, never required before the BBC interference.

            “…the town has no one to blame other than their own engineers (for misjudging the amount of sludge)…” – True. After the fact an independent expert noted that in his experience the amount of sludge is generally underestimated.  The fact the amount of sludge was initially underestimated does not change the final cost for removing it.

            “Marion is going to continue to go-it-alone and update its sewer infrastructure” – Implied is that Marion should be participating in the Wareham multiple community project. Marion is in fact participating in this ongoing concept exploration, a project that is probably 10 years away at best from having any operational facility. Meanwhile Marion has agreed to MassDEP and EPA compliance requirements that have specific near-term completion dates. Not complying with these can result in crippling fines.

            “Why is Marion still having just 1700 rate payers…” – Expanding the number of sewer system ratepayers requires expanding our service areas. Weston & Sampson was hired to prepare a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan which will identify and prioritize the parts it makes economic sense to extend the sewer to. As part of the contract, Weston &Sampson is required to hold several public hearings to review the report with the public, seek feedback and answer any questions. The preparation is behind schedule due to Covid. Our problem will be finding the money to expand service areas, while containing the burden on the taxpayer. 

            “Upper Bay Regional Wastewater Plant….provides long-term economies of scale…” – To date Marion is participating in this ongoing concept exploration. The key words are “long-term” as this project is many years away from any final design, construction, and operation. In the meantime, Marion is required to spend millions to upgrade its plant to meet legally imposed completion dates.

            “Marion has lot of work ahead of it as it transitions from decades of mismanagement to a town that is both financially and environmentally sustainable” – Accusing Marion of mismanagement without detailed evidence is less than useful and borders on libel.

            “The Selectmen should lay off the scapegoating and denial of science….” – Interesting that Mr. Rasmussen multiple times referred to the 2011 study, what it said and how it was used but when Marion talks about it it’s scapegoating. Their 2011 study had many technical errors. It is no coincidence that the first draft MassDEP/EPA operating permit reflected the 2011 study.

            In summary Mr. Rasmussen’s opinion is misleading and unhelpful. If the BBC seriously is concerned about funding the project work, they should make a significant donation to the Town for the project. Every penny we don’t have to borrow is money that the ratepayers will not see in their bill.

Norm Hills, Marion

Mr. Hills is a Marion Resident and a Selectman

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

‘Sammy Swims’ Raises $15,000 for Travis Roy Foundation

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            In the face of a daunting task, Sammy Davis got nervous just like anyone else would. It wasn’t December’s 45-degree ocean water that bothered her, more so she was afraid of letting down the Travis Roy Foundation.

            “I was nervous we wouldn’t reach our original goal,” Davis told The Wanderer.

            Uncertainty proved to be no match for the 2015 Tabor Academy graduate and her friend, Jenna Seibold, who together swam offshore for 24 straight days in December and raised $15,372 for the Travis Roy Foundation.

            The original goal was $2,400; it was topped in less than a week. Davis and Seibold blew their second goal of $5,000 out of the water as well. Momentum built as word got out, and more and more people wanted to jump in. A $14,000 goal was ultimately set, and they beat that one, too.

            “We’re over $15,000, and we were still swimming,” said Davis, overwhelmed with community support that ranged from family and friends from Tabor, her native Pembroke, and the Boston University and Boston Pride hockey teams. Even Boston Bruins right winger Chris Wagner, a Walpole native, joined in the fun.

            That Davis would find time to dedicate the first 24 days of December to such a fundraising mission alone suggests effort, considering holidays with the family, the advent of a professional hockey career— the BU graduate was drafted first overall into the National Women’s Hockey League by the Boston Pride— and a simultaneous path toward a doctoral degree in occupational therapy from Mass General Hospital Institute of Health Professions.

            “It can get busy at sometimes and overwhelming,” said Davis, whose surgical history, including both hips and a hand injury that led to treatment by an occupational therapist, influenced her career choice.

            Despite missing the entire 2017-18 hockey season, Davis came through successfully and returned to the Terriers in 2018-19 as a captain. She was named a Hockey East Distinguished Scholar by the conference.

            In an interview with uscho.com, Davis described how the thoughts that led to the 24-day effort had been simmering while she was in school.

            “Towards my end of my college career, I started learning that we have a voice and people want to listen to us. I knew I wanted to make change in something,” Davis said. “I’ve just been thinking a lot about Travis and thinking about how much he’s done to the hockey community and for people with spinal cord injuries in general. I just knew I wanted to do something for him. There are always people out there that need help. I think that that was one of our biggest takeaways. I feel like right now, in life, I am satisfied. I have everything that I could want. So how can I help somebody else?”

            Roy, who passed away in October due to complications related to his paralysis, wore No. 24 with the BU men’s hockey team, which retired the number in his honor. By the end of 2020, the foundation bearing his name helped over 2,100 people paralyzed by spinal cord injuries. In 2020 alone, there were 156 Quality of Life recipients of grants from the foundation for equipment to significantly improve their day-to-day lives. The foundation also contributes to research, and Roy tirelessly advocated for stem-cell advances.

            The idea for “Sammy Swims” came together at the gym where Davis works out and met Seibold, an Endicott College hockey player, who was 90 days into a 150-day swimming mission. Davis decided out of curiosity to take the dip. Then she connected the dots. “I already knew I wanted to donate money … why not do this? Let’s do 24 swims,” Davis told The Wanderer. “It went by so fast; it’s so crazy.”

            Making time to volunteer for her community is something Davis was already doing while attending Tabor Academy. “She’s an incredibly giving person, and there is no better cause than the Travis Roy Foundation for her to contribute her time and treasure, especially during this year,” said Tabor Interim Head of School Julie Salit.

            A three-sport star in field hockey, ice hockey, and softball, Davis excelled on the rink and was a First Team NEPSGIHA All-Star senior. In 2015, she was named winner of the Bruins’ John Carleton Memorial Trophy annually presented to the outstanding boys and girls high school hockey players in Massachusetts. Davis significantly expanded her hockey horizons in 2015 when she wore the “A” while helping Team USA’s U18 women’s team capture gold in the IIHF World Championships.

            Davis continued climbing at Boston University, where she was unanimously selected to Hockey East’s All-Rookie Team and finished second in the running for 2015-16 Rookie of the Year. As a senior, she led the Terriers in scoring and completed her college career with 66-76-142 totals.

            “If you’re really passionate about it and you want it, I love hockey, and I love being a part of a team. I told myself I’m going to have to make it work [and] sacrifice some things like a social life,” said Davis, whose lack of a conventional social life may hurt on certain days, but “one door closes and another door opens.”

            Davis’ volunteerism with the Bandits, her Bridgewater-based junior hockey program, participation in clean-up efforts at Mattapoisett town beach and a recycling facility in New Bedford, volunteering at Acushnet-based Gifts to Give, and working with New Bedford kindergartners are some of the other ways she has taken the lead in her school community.

            “She’s always been a leader. She was always one of those kids if something needed to get done,” said Tabor girls hockey coach Eric Long, who is also director of Admissions and Financial Aid. “As a high school kid, in the gym she was the hardest-working kid, getting up hours before school. She was the best role model for kids.”

            Long compared Davis’ effect similarly to former local hockey players, including Rochester’s Haley Frade, who went on to play at Providence College, and Halle Silva, who went on to play at Northeastern University. Silva, now Halle Young, is Long’s assistant coach.

            “All those kids, they feed into one another,” said Long, accentuating motivation that translates into academics and community involvement as being more integral to a program’s success than natural ability in a sport. “You have these kids who make my job really easy. They set the highest standard you can set…. Erin Kickham was that kid. [Davis] heard those names, too, and added on. It’s really neat to see the kids do that.”

            While the destiny of the Tabor girls hockey season is not yet determined, students tentatively return to campus on January 28. “I’m hoping we can get some games in,” said Long, who will see four 2021 graduates leave to play in Hockey East schools next fall. “We haven’t created a bubble by any means, but we have a more closed community.”

            Now six years removed from Tabor, Davis enjoyed revisiting the Marion campus for the final swim of her 24, accompanied by many supporters.

            Her hockey will be played inside a bubble in Lake Placid, New York, beginning January 23. The six NWHL teams will play a five-game, round-robin schedule, followed by a playoff round that will produce four semifinalists and finally two finalists for a Friday, February 5, title contest for the Isobel Cup.

            “I’ve been there before, it’s beautiful, it’s awesome and a great platform and great venue,” she said.

            As her world expands and the adventures pile up, Davis remains confident that she’s never far from home and all the leaders who helped her get where she is. December’s chilly ocean resides in her mind like a summer dip.

            “I think I benefitted more from [the fundraising project] than the foundation. I think I grew as a person, and I needed it,” said Davis. “It was the coolest 24 days I’ve ever been a part of and a great way to end 2020 on a positive note.”

By Mick Colageo

Season of Giving for Church on the Rochester Green

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This holiday season, the spirit of giving was alive at First Congregational Church of Rochester.

            For many families, COVID-19 has taken away jobs and food from dinner tables. We have seen on the news the long lines of cars waiting to have food placed in trunks and we may think to ourselves, “I’m so glad this hasn’t happened to my family, someone I know, or to families in my little town.” Well, it has happened to our local towns, and probably even to someone you know.

            For eight Sundays prior to Thanksgiving, the members of First Congregational Church of Rochester donated a specific food item to help fill thankful baskets for local families in need. Each week, the food bin overflowed with donations of the designated weekly item. Food from the weekly list was also collected by Friend’s Market of Rochester and distributed via the church. Thirty-five thankful baskets, along with biscuits, potatoes, and onions, went out to senior citizens when they received their annual turkeys and butternut squash from the Council on Aging. In addition to thankful baskets, nine families at ORRHS, three families from a daycare center, and seven local families also received gifts cards so they could buy a turkey, baked goods, and other items they needed.

            With a lot of volunteers and a little creative thinking due to COVID-19 guidelines, 256 shoeboxes were packed for Operation Christmas Child this year. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to provide God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. This whole process was made possible by caring individuals who packed shoeboxes full of quality gifts for children in need both nationally and internationally. Local scout groups, church members, the church’s ATOMIC youth group, and the Friends of Plumb Library all helped to fill the boxes. Operation Christmas Child may have looked different this year, but the joy on the faces of those who received our Christmas boxes was the same as in past years!

            Keeping with the Christmas spirit this year, First Congregational Church of Rochester provided bell ringers for the Salvation Army at the JC Penney in Wareham Crossing on three Saturdays from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Members of the church also filled 110 Blessing Bags for the homeless. A Blessing Bag contains items that are useful to those who might be experiencing homelessness or are otherwise struggling. The Missions Committee provided a gallon-size Ziploc bag containing the following items: a toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb, soap in a container, and a “suggested list” of items church members could purchase to round out the contents of the bag. A Christmas or note card with a Bible verse completed the bag. The bags were then distributed through Mobile Ministries of New Bedford, a social outreach ministry for the homeless and indigent working poor. Being able to share a Blessing Bag with someone allows for a human connection to be made and a sense of dignity to be preserved.

            The church’s Tri-Town Schools Care Team was also busy over the holiday season partnering with the Rochester Council on Aging and the Rochester Lions Club in adopting two children from the town employees’ annual Christmas Angel project. Members of the congregation generously sponsored a 13-year-old girl and 6-year-old boy and provided them with Christmas gifts of clothing and toys.

            From filling thankful baskets for Thanksgiving and shoeboxes with Christmas gifts for children, to ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, being Christmas angels to children of two local families, and filling Blessing Bags for the homeless, it truly was a season of giving for members of First Congregational Church of Rochester who gave generously of their time and donations.

By Nancy Sutcliffe

Edna S. (Simmons) Dunn

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Edna S. (Simmons) Dunn, 88, of Mattapoisett died January 1, 2021 peacefully at home surrounded by her family.

            She was the wife of the late Charles B. Dunn.

            Born in Fall River, daughter of the late Abram and Emilia (Malek) Simmons, she lived in Fairhaven most of her life.

            Mrs. Dunn was a graduate of Fairhavern High School, class of 1949. After graduation, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in modeling. After four years of modeling, she married and stayed at home raising her children.

            She played violin and piano and she loved reading and sailing.

            Survivors include her son, Jeffrey Dunn and his wife Lisa of Mattapoisett; a brother, Allen Simmons of south Texas; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

            She was the mother of the late Benjamin Dunn and the sister of the late Abram Simmons, Jr.

            Her private funeral arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Henry N. Carlier

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Henry N. Carlier, of New Bedford, passed away on Friday, December 18, 2020 at the age of 88. Known to close friends and family as “Pete,” he was the loving husband of the late Jeanne L. (Boucher) Carlier who passed away last year on February 18, 2020. She was 83. Jeanne was affectionately known to all as “DeeDee.”

            Born and raised in New Bedford, Henry was the son of the late George and Yvonne (Tetrault) Carlier. Jeanne was the daughter of Albert and Jean (Hubert) Boucher of Acushnet.

            They were lifelong area residents with many of their married years spent living in Rochester. It was during those years living in Rochester that together, they would establish their dog kennel Hillrise. Over the years, Henry and Jeanne became accomplished and achieved success in raising, training, breeding, and showing German Shepherd dogs. They would see their greatest success with Tanley’s Gold Dust of Hillrise. AKA “Dusty.” Their work with Dusty would bring them all national recognition and a champion select honor. Their crowning achievement. In their earlier years of obedience training, Henry and Jeanne would have success through their German Shepherd Vala’s recruitment and service in the US military.

            A Veteran of the Korean War, Henry served in the United States Army. After he completed his service, Henry worked for several years in the flooring industry, followed by part-time employment until his retirement. Jeanne was a lifelong employee of Verizon. In their later years, Henry and Jeanne would further their love of dogs through rescue. They were active supporting members of nonprofit rescue and animal rights organizations. They also took part in supporting K-9 officers through vest donation. Both very social, Henry and his wife enjoyed travel. Their door was always open and friends and family were always welcome. Henry would spend his last remaining few years in residency at the Oaks. Jeanne in residence at Sacred Heart. They are both loved and missed by all. Henry and Jeanne are survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond LaPalme of Venice, Florida as well as by godchildren, several nieces and a nephew.

            Due to current restrictions on public gatherings, their funeral and burial will be private. Henry will be buried with his wife at the national cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, contributions in their honor may be made to the Humane Society of the United States, 1255 23rd St., NW, suite 450, Washington, D.C. 20037

Legislature Approves Healthcare Reform Bill

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Rep. Bill Straus (D-Mattapoisett) announced on Wednesday that the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate have voted to approve and send on to the Governor health care reform legislation providing new flexibility for patient access to Telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

            The bill provides numerous coverage and health care access benefits to Massachusetts residents.

            Members of the House passed the initial bill H.4888 in July 2020, and after that, the legislation was negotiated by a conference committee with the Senate.

            “Telehealth coverage, Medicaid payments to community hospitals, and COVID-19 coverage will become permanently accessible to those needing better access to their physicians and providers. These added options for health care services are critical under the current pandemic restrictions and will remain important to the public,” said Rep. Straus. “We’ve learned this year that these changes are necessary for the health and wellbeing of the citizens of this commonwealth,” he added.

            There are three critical parts of the legislation. Of importance is the Mandated Telehealth coverage for all health care services that are covered for in-person physician visits; Enhanced Medicaid payments for independent community hospitals, which directs the state to distribute these Medicaid payments; and out-of-network billing, which assists consumers to avoid surprise medical bills by requiring health care providers and insurance carriers to provide better notice to patients of a health care provider’s network status before non-emergency procedures.

            Included in this reform is the allowance to MassHealth members of access to urgent care facilities without first obtaining a referral from a primary care provider before accessing services. Insurance carriers will be required, including MassHealth, to cover all COVID-19 related emergency, inpatient, and cognitive rehabilitation services without any out-of-pocket costs to patients. In addition, COVID-19 coverage for medically necessary outpatient services is covered under this bill.

            The bill now heads to Governor Baker for signature.

Elizabeth “Betty” Theriault

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Elizabeth “Betty” Theriault of Mattapoisett, MA passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, January 3rd, surrounded by loved ones. She was the devoted wife of Albert “Bert” Theriault for 61 years, living in the house they had lovingly built over many happy summers at Harbor Beach before moving from Holden, MA to enjoy their retirement year-round in Mattapoisett.

            Born to Mary and John Daly on September 28, 1933, she grew up in Wellesley, MA. Her father built a summer cottage at Harbor Beach in the 1950’s, across the street from what would be her own home decades later. She is survived by her daughter Mary-Alice Chasse and husband Jeff Chasse of Sturbridge and Mattapoisett, MA, as well as her grandchildren Anthony Chasse and wife Sarah, Emily Chasse, and Catherine Chasse. She is also survived by her son John A. Theriault and his partner Scott Kellogg of Mattapoisett, MA. Albert Theriault passed away in February of 2019.

            A 1955 American Literature graduate of Brandeis University, she continued with graduate work at Simmons College in Library Science. She then married Bert who she had met as an undergraduate at Brandeis. Later, she spent a year in the Netherlands accompanying Bert on his Fulbright fellowship and traveling through Europe with 2-year-old Mary-Alice in tow.

            They then moved to Holden, MA where she became an active volunteer in the community, serving on a variety of town committees. She was also active at St. George’s Church in Worcester, working for decades on the Christmas Fair including chairing it. She was a devoted mother, being first to arrive at every parent’s day, school play, track meet, and moreover the years. Upon retirement in 1990, they moved to Mattapoisett year-round, where she was again active in the community. She served as a Mattapoisett Library Trustee for 12 years, and as an active member of the Library Building and Renovation Committee for 10 years. From handicapped accessibility to the correct roofing tiles, she paid attention to the details of the process and spoke up when she thought changes were needed. Her goal was to make sure the town had the best library possible.

            In addition to community work, she and Bert were active in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for 41 years, both in Holden and Mattapoisett. For 19 of those years, she assisted Bert as a volunteer lighthouse keeper at Ned’s Point, giving community tours from the ground while Bert was at the top. In addition, she worked with the Mattapoisett Historical Commission to create wayside panels including at Ned’s Point to provide a brief history of the lighthouse to visitors. She was also active in the town’s Council on Aging and as a parishioner at St. Anthony’s Church for decades.

            In 2013, she was awarded “Mattapoisett Woman of the Year” by the Standard-Times.

            Given current public health concerns, services will be private. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Mattapoisett Library Trust, Inc., P. O. Box 475, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Carol A. Norman

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Carol A. Norman, of Centerville, passed away peacefully at the McCarthy Care Hospice Center in Sandwich on Christmas Morning 2020.

            Carol was the daughter of Dorris and Walter Longmore and grew up in Mattapoisett where she made life-long friends. She attended the Fairhaven Unitarian Church and sang in the children’s choir that her mother directed. It was a musical family and Carol played the trumpet, piano and sang in choirs and musical groups throughout her life. Carol met her future husband, Richard “Dick” Norman, at the Mattapoisett Public Beach when she was 14 and Dick was 15. They were an “item” from then on. They both attended Fairhaven High School where they played in the marching band. Carol and Dick both graduated from UMass Amherst where Carol joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She remained close until her death with several of her sorority sisters and their families. Carol and Dick married on September 11, 1954 during a hurricane (they celebrated their 66th Wedding Anniversary this past September). They had five children in quick succession. Carol and Dick brought their family to live next to Walter and Dorris on Point Connett in Mattapoisett in 1957. Summers were filled with beaching, boating and visits from their friends and their ever-growing families. Winters included rooting for the Old Rochester Regional High School basketball team that Dick coached.

            In 1966, when Dick became Barnstable Athletic Coordinator they moved to the house in Centerville where they would live for the next 52 years. For her friends and family, she served as her generation’s version of social media. If anyone wanted to share news or information, they called Carol and word spread. Her family was very proud of her many accomplishments, her contributions that reached around the world. Carol was instrumental in starting American Field Service (AFS) on the Cape and bringing exchange students from all over the globe to live with Cape families for a year and local students to study abroad. She worked with hundreds over the years and stayed in touch with many. Her grandchildren are particularly grateful that for them, she brought the world to her living room.

            Carol was a member of the Unitarian Church of Barnstable. The Church was her second home. She served as Director of Religious Education there for 20 years. She nurtured the growth and spirituality of children and youth in a church school that, at times, numbered over 100 children. She cared deeply about the plight of children and families worldwide and led awareness/fundraising efforts for UNICEF and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. In 1987, Carol, together with a group of UCB women, started the church’s women’s spirituality group—Womanspirit. She also worked for social justice in her own community, initiating the church’s monthly dinner provided to the NOAH Shelter. She coordinated the church’s monthly Overnight of Hospitality for men experiencing homelessness. She served on countless other committees and was the first recipient of the “Carol Norman Unsung Hero Award” given annually in her name to a church member who exemplifies selfless service and positive contributions to the church and community.

            She loved her husband, her family, her friends, her Church and her church family. She promoted world peace, one family at a time, one relationship at a time in the hope that all would learn that, essentially, people are all the same.

            Carol is survived by her husband of 66 years, Richard “Dick” Norman of Centerville; her sister, JoAnn Kelley of Yarmouth Port; her children, Susanne Norman of Brewster, Richard “Rick” Norman of Phoenix, AZ, Marcia (and Michael) Bear of Centerville, Nancy Donohue of Centerville and Andrea (and Terry) Meagher of Centerville. She is survived by her 10 grandchildren: Emma and Ben Vaneria; Elizabeth and Jacob Bear; Grace, Anna and Sheila Meagher; Patrick and Claire Donohue; and Sophie Norman. Carol is also survived by her 3 great-grandchildren—Charlie Mae and Teddy Vaneria and Charlie Hunt. There are many AFSers that are now a part of Carol’s family and include Karin of Austria, Donna “Montana”, Elina of Italy and Marianne of Denmark.

            A celebration of Carol’s life will be held when it is safe to gather. Memorial donations may be made to American Field Service International at afs.org or The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee c/o Unitarian Church of Barnstable, P.O. Box 3330, Barnstable, MA 02630

Travis W. Hannack,

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Travis W. Hannack, 46, of Rochester, passed away Saturday, January 2, 2021 unexpectedly at home. He was the husband of Melanie B. (Correia) Hannack.

            Born in Baldwin, WI, son of Jack and Bonnie (Sebion) Hannack, he lived in the New Bedford area since 2008.

            Travis had been employed for over 10 years as a Clinical Specialist in the field of Urology.

            He was a member of the Greater New Bedford Track Club.

            Travis enjoyed running and had completed several marathons.

            He is survived by his wife, Melanie; his parents, Jack and Bonnie of Spring Valley, WI; two sons, Oliver and Sebastian; two brothers, Aaron Hannack and his wife Becky and Jayden Hannack and his wife Casey; and several nieces and nephews, all of Spring Valley, WI.

            No funeral services are scheduled at this time. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.