Marion Cultural Council Seeks Local Funding Proposals

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Marion Cultural Council is excited to receive online grant applications for individuals and organizations for art and STEM-related projects that will help to enrich the Marion community. Marion Cultural Council has set an October 15 deadline for organizations, schools, and individuals to apply for grants that support cultural activities and proposals for community-oriented arts, humanities, and science programs in the community. These grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Marion– including exhibits, festivals, field trips, short-term artist residencies, or performances in schools, workshops, and lectures.

            The Marion Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences, and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community. 

            For questions regarding the Marion Cultural Council, contact marionculturalcouncil@gmail.com. Online application forms and more information about the Local Cultural Council Program and a list of the council’s priorities are available online at www.mass-culture.org/Marion.

Upper Cape Tech Golf Tournament

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Upper Cape Tech is hosting our 22nd annual golf tournament and we have a few spaces available for teams or individual players as well as sponsorship opportunities. The cost is $125.00 per player or $500/foursome which includes golf, carts, high quality golf apparel, great prizes and raffles, and lunch catered by the chefs of the Upper Cape Tech Culinary Arts Department. All of the proceeds go to the students in the way of scholarships and tool awards. The event will be at the Falmouth Country Club on Saturday, September 28, 8:00 am registration, 9:00 am shotgun start.

            Please support the students who will support the communities of Cape Cod in the future. Please contact Roger Forget at 508-759-7711 ext. 202 with any questions.

            For further information and registration please visit www.uppercapetech.com.

Solar Array Planned for Bowman Road

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            The conference room at the Mattapoisett Town Hall was nearly filled to capacity when the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission opened its August 26 meeting. The application that brought out the Bowman Road neighborhood was filed by NextGrid Patriots, LLC, a nationwide alternative energy developer.

            NextGrid is a company that works directly with landowners and their representatives to purchase or lease land for the installation of solar farms.

            Representing the applicant was Richard Tabaczynski of Atlantic Design Engineers, Inc. Tabaczynski outlined the solar farm plan saying that the property, which had been for sale for a number of years and now owned by the developer, is a 20-acre parcel of which six acres would be disturbed for the installation of a 1-megawatt ground-mounted system.

            Over the next 15 minutes, Tabaczynski explained the complexities of the stormwater management system that would be used to control rain once the site was cleared of trees. He described the wetland system that consists of a vernal pool, streams, and bordering vegetated areas, which he noted would not be heavily impacted by the two areas where solar panels are planned.

            Part of the documents submitted by Atlantic Design Engineers included a stormwater runoff analysis and confirmation that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection did not have any comments regarding the filing, nor was the area in question considered priority habitat for wildlife.

            Tabaczynski also said that the solar panels would be between 20 and 50 feet from the nearest home with a natural tree line left in place. The two array locations on the property would be fenced-in with 6-foot-high chain link fencing, he said.

            The audience quietly absorbed all the information offered, including Chairman Mike King’s comments that the stormwater study included with the engineered system design would use the natural sloping of the parcel to move water away from Bowman Road and surrounding residences.

            When the hearing for the Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) filing was opened to the public, Mark Anderson, a Mattapoisett Land Trust member, read a letter from MLT President Mike Huguenin.

            The MLT owns property abutting the NextGrid parcel.

            The MLT letter read, in part, “The area to be cleared of forest is as close as 100 feet from the property boundary with MLT at the southern border. … This will place the solar arrays in full view of both people and wildlife using MLT lands.”

            The letter goes on to ask that the project be situated at least 100 feet from the MLT area. The letter also asks that the commission condition the project to include independent engineering oversight for such matters as wetlands delineation, stormwater management, and review of stormwater management detention ponds to ensure maintenance is taking place as required, should the project be permitted.

            King said on the matter of independent engineering oversight, “Mark Manganello of LEC is highly respected by his peers.” He said it was unlikely that the commission would order a peer review of the plans.

            LEC produced the environmental impact study and other technical reports for the submittal package.

            King also assured everyone that the project would be fully vetted by the commission and the conservation agent before any decisions would be made.

            “You’ll get another bite of the apple when it goes before the ZBA,” said King.

            The project requires a Zoning Board of Appeals special permit.

             Becky Zora of 1 Martha’s Way spoke passionately of the wildlife and the forest. She said she had spent a lifetime on her property making sure to leave as much of it as possible in its natural state. She described the birds and other wildlife that make the wooded area home and questioned if the stormwater plan would, in fact, prevent flooding on her property. Zora questioned if the solar system would create noise and if glare would reflect off the panels. She closed her comments by saying, “This is an historic area. … The whole thing will be disturbed. … There is a spirit and soul in this land!”

            Tabaczynski responded that the panels were non-reflective and that the inverters associated with the system would be some 500 feet from the nearest home; thus, any humming associated with them would not be heard.

            Later in the hour-long discussion, Zora would again make a case for preserving the forest for wildlife. King said that animals would not be impacted by the array and could enter and exit the fenced area without an issue.

            “But the trees won’t come back,” she retorted.

            Paul Osenkowski, a Mattapoisett Land Trust member, also spoke with rising emotion of the need to preserve the area for the protection of the watershed. He said the MLT had been working on adjacent lands for years to improve the area for wildlife and water quality, adding, “The area has historic and anthropological significance.” He also asked that a list of other solar sites developed by NextGrid be submitted.

            King closed the public hearing again, assuring the assembled that further review would be given to the application before decisions would be made.

            “We will address your concerns as best we can,” King said.

            The hearing was continued until September 9.

            In other business, a Negative Determination of Applicability was given to Better Community Living Inc., 71 Fairhaven Road, for the construction of a small addition and wheelchair ramp.

            Also receiving a Negative Determination was the RDA by David McIntire, Jr., 0 Industrial Park, for the installation of a sewer main for seven lots.

            Patrick Diggins, 2 Bayshore Drive, received a Negative Determination for his RDA application for the construction of a deck, as did James Barnes, 69 Mattapoisett Neck Road, for the removal of cedar trees and construction of a boat storage area and hoop building.

            Carlos and Aldora Pacheco, 133 Brandt Island Road, received conditioning for their Notice of Intent filing for the construction of a front porch, sunroom, and garage, as well as improvements to the septic system.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for September 9 at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

SLT Beer & Oyster Fest

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Sippican Lands Trust (SLT) is hosting its first-ever Beer & Oyster Fest on Saturday, September 7from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Silvershell Beach in Marion. Tickets are now available for purchase at www.sippicanlandstrust.org as SLT celebrates 45 years of land conservation in Marion.

            The SLT Beer & Oyster Fest will feature craft beer, local oysters, food from the Oxcart, music, games, and activities for kids and adults of all ages. And of course, a cash bar will be available offering a selection of fine wine, summer cocktails, beer, soft drinks, and water. 

            Ticket prices are as follows: Adult $50 (includes adult meal and beverage package) and $25 for children thirteen and under (includes child meal and beverage package). Tickets for the SLT Beer & Oyster Fest can be purchased online at www.sippicanlandstrust.org.

            Tickets purchased in advance will be held at the event registration table. The event will be held rain or shine, and event parking is available at Silvershell Beach in Marion. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.sippicanlandstrust.org or call Sippican Lands Trust at 508-748-3080. Hope to see you at the SLT Beer & Oyster Fest on Saturday, September 7 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Silvershell Beach in Marion.

Welcome Home

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On Sunday, September 8at 10:00 am the Mattapoisett Congregational Church will once again host its “Welcome Home” event at Ned’s Point. Everyone in the Tri-Town area is invited to celebrate with us in worship followed by a picnic lunch. Traditionally, representatives from the police and fire departments are recognized for their caring service to the people of Mattapoisett.  There will be games for the children plus great food provided by Oxford Creamery. Fun and fellowship for all.  Contact the church office with any questions at 508-758-6271 or mattcongchurch@gmail.com. 

Tabor Academy Opens its 143rd Year

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After a busy summer season running camps of all kinds and their Orientation at Sea Program on SSV TABOR BOY, Tabor Academy will open its doors on September 3 to new and returning students from 26 states and 21 countries from around the world for its 143rd academic year. Seventeen new faculty have joined the community, as well.

            The campus has been polished up in anticipation of the students’ return: tennis courts have been resurfaced, dorm rooms repainted, and classrooms refurbished. The school has re-roofed and re-painted many of the dorms and classroom buildings along Front Street and Spring Street and everything is ready for a great year ahead.

            Perhaps the most exciting change for the community is the opening of a new dorm, Cornelia Hall, opposite the Fire Station on Spring Street, which has allowed the school to repurpose Daggett House dormitory into use as office space. Four faculty families will welcome twenty-five girls into the new residence on September 3, creating an expanded living/learning community on the south side of campus which now includes three dormitories. 

            Before settling into classes, student proctors and athletes, as well as new international students, will arrive a few days early to campus for preseason sports practices, orientation, and leadership training. “Preseason is always a fun few days as we enjoy reconnecting with students after the summer and before classes begin. The students are energized as they prepare for new roles and opportunities in the year ahead, help new students learn about their new home, and show improvement in their athletic skills to their teammates and coaches,” shared Kerry Saltonstall, Director of Communications. “There is a lot to defend this fall in sports,” said Saltonstall. “Our Boys’ Cross Country team will be working hard to maintain their position as the ISL League champions, while our Girls’ Soccer team will work to stay on top and win the New England Championship again this year. We hope people will come out and enjoy the games with us.”

            When classes begin on September 4, the faculty and staff will have already been hard at work at opening meetings, preparing for the start and organizing their 10-year accreditation visit from the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC), a process they have been working on for over a year. The NEASC Visiting Team, made up of educators and administrators from like schools, will be on campus September 29 – October 2 to interview faculty, parents, students, and trustees. Saltonstall shared, “The visiting committee’s role is to ensure that what Tabor says about itself in its Self-Study Report is accurate, seeking proof of the narrative through interviewing members of the community, including faculty, staff, parents, alumni, students, and trustees. After all their discussions, the committee will provide a written report that can help the school zero in on areas for growth and improvement.”

            With the accreditation visit behind them, Saltonstall shared another area of focus for the school community. “We will continue our ongoing efforts to be a more inclusive learning community by encouraging healthy and informative conversations about different opinions, backgrounds, and cultures. To facilitate this, the theme of perspective has been chosen for the year. We hope to engage students in a wider sharing of opinions, world-views, and personal experiences at community forums and small group discussions in order to take best advantage of the learning opportunities our incredibly diverse and international community provides.” 

            As the fall arrives, Saltonstall encourages the area community to join Tabor for games, performances, and lectures that will occur throughout the year. “The first event is coming up on October 17th at 7:00 pm in Hoyt Hall. Our visiting author, Rachel Slade, will share a reading from her book Into the Raging Sea, a harrowing tale about the sinking of the container ship El Faro, on which Tabor alumnus Jeff Mathias ’92 served among the crew of 33 souls who were lost at sea. This is a great book to begin a discussion about perspective, leadership, ethics, and responsibility. I invite you to pick up the book and come join us.” 

Meditation Class

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Come and join your friends at the Marion Council on Aging for a free meditation class beginning on Tuesday, September 3at 10:30 am to 11:30 am and every Tuesday thereafter. Meditation is a natural and effective way of quieting the mind and reducing everyday stress. It will be taught by Susan Pisapia, a teacher of meditation for 25 years, also trained in Mindful Based Stress Reduction, Induction and various forms of meditation including Zen and Centering Prayer. We welcome beginners and well-established students. Come and join us for an hour of relaxation.

‘Mocktail’ Anyone?

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            Alcohol! It has long been the bane of temperance groups; for many, though, a bottle of wine or a cocktail is the prequel to the evening meal or celebration. At one point in human evolution, earlier forms of beer were actually safer to drink than water. Alcohol distillation is here to stay. Amen.

            When author Delia Cabe shared her research, now a book titled Storied Bars of New York: Where the Literary Luminaries Go to Drink, on August 21, the Mattapoisett Library’s meeting room was filled with people sipping ‘mocktails’. It was all part of her fun and well-informing presentation filled with anecdotal stories. Those stories tell of prohibition’s impact on rates of alcoholism and the underground hidey-holes frequented by writers – cultural greats of the past.

            Cabe started by going way back to the days when Walt Whitman found his way to the watering holes of Manhattan’s lower east side, and spanned all the way through to where the old speakeasies are today. The author’s historical perspectives were a treat.

            Cabe explained that with the advent of prohibition in 1920, bars and salons across the country found ways to distribute alcohol, outsmarting the cops at every turn. First, there was the movement of booze from places like Canada in the north and Cuba to the south, a network of boats big and small that managed to bring the good stuff to the U.S. shores. Then there were the motor vehicles. “They even used hearses,” Cabe said, to get the bottles to the hidden bars.

            Speakeasies didn’t trade in ‘bathtub gin’, though, Cabe pointed out. They only sold quality product. But, how to find them? Well, people had to know someone who knew someone who could not only find the hidden door, but any associated passwords to gain access.

            “They had to move often and change the bar’s name,” Cabe said of the speakeasy. If a raid happened, the patrons often knew which door to scram out of before the police could nab them. Then, after things settled down again, the bar would reopen at another location. “They paid off police and city officials,” she said with a chuckle.

            Prohibition was responsible for doubling the number of bars in New York City, Cabe said. At one point there were an estimated 100,000 bars in NYC alone.

            By the end of World War I, the country was ready for fun. There was a mood of gaiety and celebration, and none were more influential in promoting jocularity and the cultural profile of the nation than its literary greats. The famous Algonquin Hotel Round Table hosted a select group of those well-known merrymakers and literary snobs.

            Known as the “taste masters” of their day, a group comprised of Dorothy Parker, Ernest Hemingway, Dylan Thomas, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, Norman Mailer, and more, made the Round Table at the Algonquin their second home. Each day they lunched and drank together, shared their latest writings, were tough critics of other people’s works – a true force to be reckoned with. They called themselves “The Vicious Circle,” not to put too fine a point on it. Many of these famous folks had favorite drinks that have since become legendary, such as Parker’s gin cocktail, Hemingway’s dry martinis, and Capote’s screwdrivers.

            Cabe is completely at home with her material. She was able to not only take her audience on a tour of Manhattan through twentieth-century saloons and bars, but also provided insights into what those times did to influence the cultural norms of the day. She is, after all, first and foremost, herself. She has written for a number of popular magazines and newspapers. Cabe is also an educator. She teaches magazine and column writing at Emerson College.

            There is a love affair in Cabe’s book – her love of the subject matter and the place. She walks through the lives of literary greats from the past century, weaving them throughout the pages along with photographs of gorgeous bars illuminated in the best possible light. It is, after all, her childhood playground, the backstory of her own life having been raised on Manhattan’s lower eastside. You can take the woman out of NYC, but you can’t take the NYC out of the woman.

            Cabe’s take on famous watering holes is lush, informative, and just plain fun. A hard act to follow, just like the writers, actors, and other notables who populate Cabe’s highly regarded book.

            To learn about Delia Cabe you may visit www.deliacabe.com.

By Marilou Newell

Thank You

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To the Editor:

            Our family would graciously like to thank all those who shared in our sudden loss of Chad. Your presence and kind words of support meant so much to our family during this difficult time. It is deeply appreciated and gratefully acknowledged.

            Our Heartfelt Gratitude,

The family of Chad Rusinoski

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wandererwill 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 Wandererreserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderermay choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wandererhas the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wandereralso reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Mattapoisett Recreation

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Join MATTREC for another great season of Flag Football. Through a partnership with NFL Play 60, your child will learn the fundamentals of football in a safe and fun environment with experienced coaches. Each player will receive an official NFL Flag Football jersey and flag belt. This program is designed for girls and boys ages 6-13. Open to non-residents. Sessions run Sundays Sept. 15-Nov. 3rd at Tabor Football field from 8:00 pm – 9:30 am. Cost is $95 and includes Patriots jersey and an end of year Under the Lights game and pizza party at ORR High School football field.  Registration deadline is September 4.

            Mattapoisett Recreation along with coaches from Baystate Elite and Basketball Money programs are offering free Girls Basketball clinics for girls in Grades 2-8. Clinics will be held at Old Hammondtown School on Tuesdays from 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm on Sept. 10, 24, and October 8.

Clinics are open to all abilities and will focus on game fundamentals. Non-residents are welcome. There is no charge for the clinics -but please sign up online at www.mattrec.net