Friends of the Marion COA

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An Invitation for you to join the Friends of the Marion COA for our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, November 6, at the Benjamin Cushing Community Center, 465 Mill Street, Route 6, Marion. Light Hors d’oeuvres served at 5:45 pm followed by our Annual Meeting at 6:00 pm. There will be much good news to share. The meeting will be followed by an inspirational performance by Sheryl Faye. All members and non-members are welcome to attend. Sheryl Faye Presents Historical Women-Making the Past Present, Clara Barton (1821-1912) -Civil War Nurse, Founder of the American Red Cross.

            From the time she was old enough to be a nurse within her own family, Clara dedicated her life to helping others. She accepted no pay teaching poor children whose parents had no money to send them to school. She raised warehouses full of food, medicine and clothing during the Civil War, and courageously went to the front to nurse the wounded and dying. Finally, she started the American Red Cross which is her legacy today.

Marion Veterans Day Ceremony

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The Annual Marion Veterans Day Ceremony will be held at Old Landing Veteran’s Park on Front Street on Monday, November 11 at 11:00 am.

            Our guest speaker is Marion resident Captain William J. Hollman, U.S. Navy (Retired).

            The Sippican School Band, led by Mrs. Hannah Moore, will perform selections of patriotic music.

            Please join the Town of Marion as we honor our Veterans at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center.

            The Marion Council on Aging will host a lunch on November 11 at 12:00 pm noon for veterans, active-duty service members, spouses, and guests.

            Please RSVP for the lunch by November 7 by calling 508-748-3570.

Joseph D. Alves

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Joseph D. Alves, 82, of Mattapoisett passed away peacefully after a period of declining health on Saturday, November 2, 2024.

            Born in Ohio, son of the late John D. and Maria (DeLuz) Alves, he lived in Mattapoisett all of his life.

            Joe enjoyed golfing at Little Marion and watching golf on TV. He loved his annual trips to Foxwoods with his family. Joe worked at Cameo Curtains in New Bedford for many years before working as a janitor at ORR.

            Survivors include his brother, Daniel Alves and his significant other Linda Kelly; his aunt Dominga Pina; his cousins Beverly Alexander, Dianne Luz, Mary Lisbon, Barbara Lisbon and John Lisbon; his sister-in-law Maria Alves and many nieces and nephews.

            He is predeceased by his brother, Robert Alves; his aunts Jenny Alves, and Elizabeth Lisbon; and his cousins James Pina, William Pina, Manuel Luz and Patricia Pina.

            His Funeral will be held on Friday, November 8th at 9 am from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett., followed by his Funeral Mass at St. Anthony’s Church at 10 am. Burial will follow in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 5-8 pm. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Promises, Promises, and Portuguese Pastry

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            The presidential election is finally upon us. Some folks have already voted by mail and others will vote early at town hall. Still, others will wait until actual Election Day. They can anticipate a large turnout so expect to deal with long lines at the polls, unless Mother Nature doesn’t like any of the candidates and sends us a drenching rain. Or, heaven forbid, a late-season hurricane that will surely keep people home, especially the undecided (are there still undecideds?).

            I, for one, have already cast my ballot, mainly because I don’t like long lines. Plus, a nearby restroom is a prerequisite for this old guy to stand in any line for longer than five minutes.

            I’ve been keeping a close eye on the candidates for what seems like a lifetime. You may have noticed that they all make promises and lots of them. Some presidents are able to keep their promises, but most cannot. Some offer pie-in-the sky just to gain votes. Others are sincere when they promise to do this or that, but then must face the reality that Congress actually calls the shots. There have been many promises kept while many never materialized.

            During his campaign, Democrat Lyndon Johnson promised to “never let our boys” go to war. His successor, Republican Richard Nixon, promised that he “had a secret plan to end” the Vietnam war. How’d that work out?

            Do you remember “Read my lips, no new taxes.”?  That was Republican George H. W. Bush’s famous promise. He based that promise on projections that the economy would grow. Instead, a recession began.

            Democratic candidate Woodrow Wilson promised to keep the United States out of war in Europe. Alas, 34 days after being elected to a second term, he signed a Declaration of War against Germany. Circumstances often control whether a promise can be kept.

            Republican Herbert Hoover is famous for promising “A chicken in every pot and two cars in every garage.” That was “fake news.” He never said it. The slogan, however, took on a life of its own and Hoover won the election.

            President James Polk, a Democrat, promised to resolve the border problem between Oregon and Canada. He did. He promised to reduce tariffs on foreign goods too. Any of this sound familiar? He also promised to serve one term, which he did, then died three months into it.

            Presidential campaigns produce so many promises it is hard to keep up. Promises, promises, and more promises!

            I have a few promises I have been waiting to hear from the current candidates.

            When I was a teacher, one school I worked at would play a game called “Bombardment” in phys. ed. class. It was actually dodgeball which surely has a different meaning than bombardment. I would like one candidate to promise to create a Department of Peace. The Department of Defense was once called the Department of War. Which do you prefer?

            Another promise that would have gotten my vote is to offer a large tax break to cover my annual cost of eating. Food prices are so high.

            And how about forgiving the loan I will be taking out when I install a new lawn next year. My lawn is a national disaster thanks to all the dogs that have stopped by to visit. Do you know how much grass seed, soil, and fertilizer cost?

            I am not greedy. One last promise that would have insured my vote, a nice warm malassada Portuguese pastry waiting for me at the polls.

            Didn’t happen. Oh well. Be sure to vote if you haven’t already!

            Mattapoisett resident Dick Morgado is an artist and happily retired writer. His newspaper columns appeared for many years in daily newspapers around Boston.

Thoughts on…

By Dick Morgado

NBSO Presents Bridging Oceans

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On Saturday, November 16, the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra presents “Bridging Oceans” in the Bronspiegel Auditorium at New Bedford High School. Music Director Yaniv Dinur and the orchestra welcome bandoneon player Hector Del Curto as the guest soloist.

            The program for the evening will pair the music of German composer Johann Sebastian Bach and Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla. Bach’s music often uses forms developed from dances and Piazzolla caused quite a stir when he merged his love of the tango with his love of classical music. At an early age, Piazzolla discovered the music of Bach and couldn’t stop playing it on the piano. He then became a virtuoso bandoneon player (an Argentinian accordion-like instrument that was invented in Germany) and learned to play Bach on that. Even when he formed his own tango band and played in the clubs of Buenos Aires, he infused his music with both jazz and Bach-inspired fugues.

            This concert will transport you back and forth between two worlds of music. Worlds that are in some ways very different from each other but in the most important ways very connected to each other.

            “Bridging Oceans” is sponsored by Bristol County Savings Bank and will take place on Saturday, November 16, 7:30 pm in the Bronspiegel Auditorium, New Bedford High School, 230 Hathaway Boulevard, New Bedford. From 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm, conductor Yaniv Dinur will hold his pre-concert talk in the auditorium with guest soloist Hector Del Curto.

            Tickets are $20, $40, and $65, with $10 student tickets (available at the box office only with student ID). Purchase tickets through the Z box office, 508-994-2900, or online at nbsymphony.org. Convenient and free parking is available in the lots near the entrance to the auditorium.

            All are welcome to the free open rehearsal in the auditorium on Friday, November 15, 4:00 pm to 6:30 PM. Seating is general admission, and no tickets or RSVP are required. Please note that this is a working rehearsal, and pieces may not be played in their entirety. A 20-minute break usually occurs between 5:00 pm and 5:30 pm. Come and go as you please.

            The NBSO is a professional orchestra that annually presents a concert series of classical and pops music with internationally acclaimed guest artists, as well as an outstanding chamber music series. In addition, the NBSO’s innovative and nationally recognized educational programs reach more than 8,000 students each year. The NBSO is dedicated to building a community of music in the South Coast. Visit www.nbsymphony.org today and find your serenity at the symphony.

Mattapoisett Museum Holiday Craft Fair

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Avoid mall parking lots! Don’t get stuck in holiday traffic! Instead, join the Mattapoisett Museum for our annual Holiday Craft Fair at 5 Church Street, Mattapoisett on Saturday, November 9 from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. Twenty vendors will be selling their handmade goods at this year’s Holiday Craft Fair. You’ll find jewelry, leather goods, drawings and prints, crocheted and knit goods, textiles, etched glass, custom dyed clothing, and much more. A cheery holiday atmosphere and vibe will be provided by “Guitar Dave” Sterenchock. Get in the mood with some cookies and cider and get your shopping done early this year.

Rochester Sharps Collection

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As of November 1, sharps (used needles, syringes, etc.) will no longer be collected at the Board of Health Office at the Town Hall Annex. Sharps will be collected at the Rochester Fire Department, Station 1, at 4 Pine Street. Collection will be on the second Tuesday of each month.

            A prior appointment must be made with the Fire Department. Appointments can be made by calling: 508-763-1709 from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, prior to the date of collection. Proof of residency is required.

            Questions should be directed to the Rochester Board of Health, 508-763-5421, and the Rochester Fire Department, 508-763-2611. All sharps must be in sealed containers.

Regular Sports Seasons Draw to a Close

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Unified Basketball

            The Bulldogs hosted Fairhaven on October 23 and won 61-57. The Players of the Game were Michael Hogan and Emilia Cantwell. They’re now 4-0 this season and were scheduled to host Joseph Case on October 25.

Boys Soccer

            Old Rochester hosted Somerset (11-6) on October 23 and lost 2-0. Somerset Berkley scored one goal in the first half, and one in the second half. ORR had 7 shots on goal and Somerset had 14. They finished the SCC schedule with a 9-4 record. They were scheduled to play their final game of the season on October 28 against Joseph Case. Old Rochester’s JV team also hosted Somerset and won 4-2. Goals were scored by James Jadlowic, Max Ferrari, Jack Thompson, and Sid Medeiros.

            “Bulldogs controlled the play for the most part and had a ton of scoring opportunities. The defense, led by Malcolm Bean stymied Somerset Berkley’s attack for most of the game. Chase Grillo played a great game covering the opponent’s best player and essentially shut him down for the entire second half. Goalie Own Harrington also made some key saves in the win” says ORR JV Coach Geoffrey Kelsey. They’re 9-7-1 and were scheduled to play their final game of the season on October 28, at home against Joseph Case.

Girls Volleyball

            The Bulldogs played their final game of the regular season on October 23 against Joseph Case and won 3-1. Set scores were 25-15, 25-10, 22-25, and 25-11. Aubrie Letourneau had 40 assists, Molly Franco had 18 kills, Cami Van Ness and Ava Vander Pol had 10 kills, and Caroline Brogioli had 17 digs. They finished the regular season with a record of 17-3. The Bulldogs finished conference play 14-0, winning 42 sets and only losing 3.

Sports Roundup

By Aiden Comorosky

Rochester Historical Society Museum

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The Rochester Historical Society Museum at 355 County Rd. will be open Sunday, November 3 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. You can explore the exhibit or shop for books, maps, tick-tack-toes, tees, hats, denim shirts, and 4 different styles of sweatshirts.

The Mysteries of the Midwater

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The Marion Natural History Museum will be hosting “The Mysteries of the midwater” – the Ocean Twilight Zone with Benjamin Grassian of WHOI. Benjamin Grassian is a Postdoctoral Investigator from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution working with imaging, acoustic, and net data collected during the Ocean Twilight Zone project. He is working with zooplankton image data collected from the “Stingray” and shipboard acoustic data. He focuses on describing the variable Diel Vertical Migration habits for different groups of animals. Event date is November 8 at 6:30 pm. To register, go to the museum’s website www.marionmuseum.org.