Upcoming Teen Events at the Mattapoisett Library

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As the summer winds down, the fun continues at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. Craft Tuesdays at our makerspace continues throughout August and September. Starting August 27, the start time will be 5:30 pm. Come by for a quick craft and some fun. No registration required. 

            We just added new dates for the Game Lounge. Come by and play some of your favorite games of all types, including Xbox 360- Kinect games on the big screen, on August 24at 2:30 pm, August 27at 4:00 pm, and September 7at 2:30 pm. All ages are welcome.

            On Saturday, August 31at 1:00 pm, we will be diving into the science of slime. Teens are invited to learn about and create Edible Slime. We encourage patrons to register by August 24. 

            On Thursday, September 12at 4:00 pm, students are invited to learn Lava Lamp Science. As the science around lava lamps is explained, patrons will have an opportunity to create their own. Recommended for ages 9 and up, we encourage patrons to register by September 5.

            On Saturday, September 21at 1:00 pm, our first teen cooking program, Teens Cook: Cheese, we’ll celebrate National Italian Cheese month. We will prepare a simple dish to eat and learn some tips and tricks for cooking with cheese. Patrons age 12 and up, please register by September 14. Space is limited.

            On Friday, September 27at 4:00 pm, students age 12 and up are welcome as we celebrate Banned Books Week by creating Banned Book Jewelry. We will make banned book pendants that can easily be made into necklaces or key chains. Please register by September 20. Space is limited. 

            We are also in the process of starting a book club for older teens and adults dedicated to Emma Watson’s Our Shared Shelf. If you are interested, please visit the reference desk to sign up or contact librarian Michelle Skaar at mskaar@sailsinc.org or by telephone at 508-758-4171. When you sign up, you will get an opportunity to vote for the first book and help us decide on the time we will meet.

            All programs are free and open to the public. If you have any questions or need special accommodations, please contact the library at 508-758-4171 or email the Adult Services/Reference Librarian, Michelle Skaar at mskaar@sailsinc.org.

Our Pal Harry

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            When my husband retired more than ten years ago, I decided he needed a dog to keep him company. After some internet research, he selected a Cairns Terrier. Enter Max, the dog. For the next four years as I continued to work full-time, Paul and Max became pals through and through.

            When I retired, I joined the “boys” while looking for new ways to engage my brain. I had always enjoyed dogs and training them came naturally to me. I seized upon the idea of getting another dog, one that I could train exclusively for the purpose of bringing joy to those trapped by illness or old age, an emotional support dog – enter Harry. Max, however, was not amused.

            While not overly aggressive towards Harry, Max was not eager to engage in playful pursuits. Things were okay as long as Harry stayed out of Max’s way. I was hopeful that over time the two dogs would bond. 

            Meanwhile, our routine of sending Max to daycare twice a week continued, thus giving me exclusive time to train Harry, first in obedience then in other skills needed for outbound comfort activities as he matured.

            But life is never a straight line from point A to point B and we were about to suffer a heavy blow.

            Max returned home from daycare one day not long after Harry’s arrival displaying anxious behavior. I cannot and will not for my own sake describe what the next 36-hours were like. Suffice to say, by the end Max became a memory. He’s prognosis and rapid decline left us devasted in a way we could not have imagined.

            Returning home with one empty crate and the other holding a tiny creature somewhat bewildered by the sounds emanating from deep within my body, we entered the house. We closed the door, pulled the shades, barely ate, or spoke, and spent the next week isolated from the world as we mourned Max and tried to care for Harry.

            Harry’s presence those first few days after losing Max felt like a massive intrusion to our grieving. We provided food and a safe environment for the months old puppy. We gave him exercise and instruction. As for my forming an attachment, well, that seemed impossible. We just wanted Max back, alive and well and beside me.

            As the days passed and the demands of living drew our attention back to the present, we got on with it. Harry looked into my eyes as if saying, “Love me. I need you.” I let go of what I could no longer have and drew Harry close. 

            For his part, Harry had simply been waiting. That’s what dogs do, even puppies. He observed us and waited for us to realize he was there and more than ready to be our private emotional support dog.  As each hour passed, he found new ways to seduce me into not just taking good care of him, but loving him. Dogs can be great healers when they get the chance.

            And so everyday Harry proved himself capable of drawing me out of my self-imposed prison of grief and into the world of sunshine, ball tossing, walks, and lots of hugging and patting. Although I had brought Harry into our home to become a trained support dog to others, he hadn’t needed training to heal our wounded hearts.

            As if knowing I needed more attention than Paul, he followed me everywhere around the house, learned the rules of good housekeeping almost overnight, and was not overly demanding most of the time. But he was present and watching and ready.

            I would take him to the nursing home and place him in the laps of residents whose wilted spirits would brighten, if only for a moment. My mother in her diminished capability to enjoy life perked up when Harry laid beside her. He was a lover not a fighter for sure.

            Ma passed and Harry was once again pressed into the role of grief counselor. But as sure as I had been that he and I would continue to work towards providing joy to others, I couldn’t bring myself to continue visiting nursing homes. First Dad then Ma. It was too hard to consider and so I abandoned the idea of training Harry for the benefit of other people. Selfishly, he would be all mine.

            Harry is a joy and has completely filled our need to have a pet in our lives. I do share Harry with Paul and Harry knows the deal. He knows who is going to take him out at 8:00 pm or 3:00 am, and who is going to feed him breakfast. He knows who is truly in charge and who he can trick into passing down those cookies. 

            For the past six years, Harry has proven he belongs with us: we are a pack. So when he recently blew out his ACL chasing a ball in the backyard, we went to work reorganizing our lives to accommodate our Harry. 

            As I write, he is tucked beside my hip resting, occasionally looking up as if to say, “When will this be over?” The vet said it may heal, but that the knee will always be a weak spot now, “No more chasing a ball … he’s now a senior citizen in spite of his age.” It was like a hammer came down on us. 

            Paul and I are committed to do all we can to give Harry a long and comfortable life. You may see us soon in Mattapoisett village pushing a dog stroller with our Harry riding inside. He’s got 12 weeks of recovery, then a lifetime of low-key living nestled in our love. We’ve become his emotional support system in his time of need. Paul and I have overcome our ego driven sense of feeling ridiculous pushing a stroller holding a dog. We’ll get through this; Harry knows how to wait. 

This Mattapoisett Life

By Marilou Newell

Selectmen Set Special Town Meeting

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The Rochester Board of Selectmen has set the date for the fall Special Town Meeting, settling on Monday, November 18.

            The deadline for warrant article submissions will be September 6.

            The board was originally looking at October 28 as a date, but the town clerk was unavailable for that date.

            The November 18 Special Town Meeting will be at 6:30 pm inside the Rochester Memorial School cafetorium.

            In other matters, during the short meeting on August 12, Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar reported that the town had received a significant check from Zero Waste, the parent company of the town’s curbside “pink bag” soft recycling program.

            For May, June, and July, Rochester residents recycled 2,085 tons of soft recyclable materials and small appliances, and at $1 a ton, that means a check for $2,085.

            In other business, Szyndlar made it a point to mention the cautionary signs that have been posted at Snipatuit Pond and now, more recently, at Mary’s Pond, warning people not to eat fish from the pond.

            According to Szyndlar, fish from the two ponds have tested positive for mercury levels that exceed the level deemed safe for consumption.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for August 19 at 6:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Jean Perry

What’s Happening at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Thursday, September 12at 6:00 pm – Author Visit with Elizabeth Bear – The Elizabeth Taber Library presents Hugo Award winning author and futurist, Elizabeth Bear at the Marion Arts Center. Bear will talk about her recent work, writing process, and will answer your questions. Copies of her latest books will be available for purchase and checkout at the library prior to this event. Please sign up at the library.

            Tuesday, September 10from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm and Tuesday, September 17at 6:00 pm – The Come as you Are Book Club – Try our new low-stress book club! No required reading assignments! Come for refreshments and conversation about whatever you’re reading, no matter what you’re reading. Get author and title recommendations from fellow readers and 

share your honest opinions about the titles of your choice.

Rochester Cub Scout Car Wash

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Show your car the extra love and attention it deserves after all your summer travels by visiting the Mattapoisett Fire Station, 26 County Rd, from 10:00 am to 2:00pm on Saturday, August 24. Cub Scouts from Rochester Pack 30 will be there, ready with suds, sponges, and hoses on hand to erase the pollen, dust, and beach sand from your car. Joined with their leaders, the cub scouts will show care as they clean your car while sharing their latest adventures.

            As an active pack, these cubs go on family camping trips, host fishing derbies, visit local historical sites, hike the local trails, attend scout camp, perform acts of community service, grow together through team building adventures, host the Regional Pinewood Derby, and practice the scout law daily. To offset the costs of their trips, campouts, hikes, and other activities, they hold fundraisers throughout the year.

            Their biggest fundraiser for the upcoming year will be the car wash on August 24 where they’re suggesting a $5.00 donation for each car to be washed. Please come to the fire station and meet the cub scouts to find out more about why they love scouting and leave with a clean car, ready for the new school year.  

            For more details, please visit www.facebook.com/events/741067492990849/

Paula L. (Wood) Clement

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Paula L. (Wood) Clement, 60, of Milford passed away Sunday, August 4, 2019 in her home with her family by her side, after a five-and-a-half-year long battle with brain cancer.

            Above all, Paula had a tremendous heart and giving nature. She is remembered by all her friends and family as someone with an immense capacity for love. She was a dear friend to many, a beloved mother to her two children, and adored by her two granddaughters. Paula was always quick to laugh, give a hug if you needed one, cheer you on when you needed support, and lift you up when you were down. She loved spending time with her friends and family.

            Paula was born on a military base on January 20, 1959 in Tachikawa, Japan, the daughter of Mildred and the late Paul Wood. Part of a military family, she lived throughout the United States as well as in Canada and Japan throughout her childhood, moving frequently before starting middle school in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts where her family settled for decades. She moved to Milford in 1982 and has called the town home ever since.

            She had many interests and talents. Paula was a skilled seamstress and crafter who designed and sewed clothes, bags, dolls and other accessories. She had a talent for sketching. She loved to read and listen to music. Paula took a keen interest in physical fitness and spent several years as a licensed personal trainer. She worked selling imported teas, high-end shoes and eventually landed at J. Crew where she worked as a personal stylist in the men’s department.

            Paula had an eye for color and style. Her bright and skillfully coordinated outfits were a hit wherever she went, but particularly with her team at Dana Farber where she lit up the room with her stylish outfits and her bright blue eyes and infectious smile — even through the toughest moments of her battle.

            She loved the beach and the ocean and found herself there any chance she could get. A nature lover, she enjoyed walking, biking and hiking and any excuse she could find to be in the sunshine.

            In addition to her mother, Mildred, she is survived by her daughter; Candace Clement, her husband Seth and their daughter Sophie; her son, Joshua Clement, his wife Amanda and their daughter, Aria; her sister, Pamela Fleming and her husband Ed and her children Sam, Matthew and Ryan; her brother, Dean Wood; and her nephew Logan Wood. She was predeceased by her brother Stan Wood and her father Paul Wood.

            A private celebration of Paula’s life will be held in September. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Brain Cancer research at Dana Farber at PO Box 949169, Boston, MA or online at danafarber.org/give.            To send flowers to the family of Paula L. Clement, please visit Tribute Store.

Tri-Town EEE Threat Raised to Critical

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            The first human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in the area has been confirmed, raising the Rochester and Marion EEE risk level to “critical”.

            State and local health officials announced the risk increase on August 10 after a resident identified only as someone living in southern Plymouth County had contracted the mosquito-born virus.

            Some local media sources had further identified the unidentified person via posts to social media, including one from a family member; however, The Wanderer, out of respect for the patient’s privacy, will only further specify that the person lived in the Tri-Town.

            As of press time Tuesday night, 232 mosquito samples have tested positive for the EEE virus, up from 186 this time last week.

            In addition to Marion and Rochester, seven other cities and towns are now considered at critical risk for EEE, with Mattapoisett and neighboring Fairhaven remaining within the “high” risk category.

            After initial ground spraying by truck last week, the state initiated aerial spraying as the first human EEE case was confirmed. Although weather hindered part of the aerial spraying operation over the weekend causing confusion as residents sought to take precautions such as closing windows and turning off air conditioners at night, the state did manage to complete the entire scheduled area Sunday night.

            The critical risk level has prompted Marion and Rochester officials to close all town properties, parks, and ball fields at 6:00 pm, which resulted in the cancelation of all Thursday and Friday of the Rochester Country Fair this past week and limited the Saturday and Sunday events to 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.

            The Town of Marion has now canceled the annual Town Party that was scheduled for the evening of August 24.

            Tri-Town boards of health and health agents are urging residents to remain vigilant in their prevention of mosquito bites and to continue to use mosquito repellant and wearing long sleeves and long pants when venturing outdoors.

            Although EEE is a relatively rare disease, it is a serious one and sometimes deadly. About 33 percent of EEE infected people die, while some survivors suffer from ongoing long-term neurological effects. There are some who may contract the virus but remain asymptomatic, while those most at risk of the more serious effects of EEE are under the age of 15 or over 50.

            Symptoms such as chills, malaise, fever, muscle pain, and joint pain can start between four and 10 days after a bite from an infected mosquito and can last one to two weeks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes the signs and symptoms in encephalitic patients as fever, headache, irritability, restlessness, drowsiness, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, cyanosis, convulsions, and coma.

            There is no vaccine to protect against the EEE virus.

By Jean Perry

John Nicolaci Memorial Float Fly

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The John Nicolaci Memorial Float Fly will be held at Mary’s Pond, Rochester, on August 17from 9:00 am to early afternoon. The event is for Radio Control Model Seaplanes and Flying Boats. Hosted by the Bristol County Radio Control Club. Spectators Welcome. Pilots must be AMA members. This is an Academy of Model Aeronautics sanctioned event. Entrance is opposite 507 Mary’s Pond Road.

Sippican Historical Society

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In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. The survey was funded one-half by the Sippican Historical Society and one-half by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Due to the limits of funding, not all of the historic buildings were surveyed, but over 100 were catalogued and photographed. The results of the survey are in digital form on the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s website and in four binders in the Sippican Historical Society’s office (and at the Marion Town Clerk’s office).

            Marion (Old Rochester) is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and the Sippican Historical Society maintains an extensive collection of documentation on its historic buildings. The Sippican Historical Society will preview one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture.

            This installment features 3 Main Street. The late Georgian-style residence at 3 Main Street occupies the site of the 1760 J.C. Luce House. Conveniently located near Long Wharf, this 1806 building originally contained A.J. Hadley’s Store where ships were outfitted for voyages in the eastern half of the first story. The western side housed the first post office in Marion. Clothing was made on the second floor, and sails were made on the third floor in the early 19th century. By 1855, this house was owned by Sumner Ryder, who served as the Town Clerk (1856-1858) and later joined the Union Army during the Civil War. By 1879, this house was owned by J. Abbott, and during the early 20th century by Miss Sarah W. Harwood.

Restore ORR Project

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To the Editor:

            The Restore ORR Project would greatly benefit students at the school by creating safer playing fields, improving the auditorium, and giving a revenue-generating opportunity to the town.  The main field, currently, is unsafe for students. The grass is patchy and there are holes and rocks covering the field, causing a hazard for those students playing a sport. As a result of the safety hazard, the main field would be redone as astroturf and the torn-up track would be resurfaced. An astroturf field would presumably cause less twisted ankles. The track improvement would create better running conditions for ORR’s award-winning track and cross country teams. The Restore ORR project would also aid the performing art programs, as well as community groups that meet in the auditorium. The project would involve repairing the lighting fixtures for the stage. Drama performances, band shows, town meetings, as well as local dance groups use the auditorium and would benefit from updated lighting. 

            Not only will the Restore ORR project improve safety, but it will raise money for the town through rental fees. With a turf field, ORR could rent out the field to local sports groups. Due to the lack of rentable field and auditorium space, the demand in our area is high.  The community would benefit from improvements such as safer playing fields, a better auditorium, and opportunities to boost funds for ORR and the town. There is a need for an enhancement of ORR’s facilities, and while the towns voted down the project, the need will only continue to grow larger.    The Tri-Town citizens must find a permanent solution to fix the facilities problems at Old Rochester Regional.

            Sincerely,

Julia Rood

            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.