Solar Project Deals with Bad Surprise

on

            The Old Middleboro Road Solar array project came up for discussion in the Rochester Conservation Commission meeting held on February 16. Though the project has already entered the construction phase, development has come to a halt after issues relating to the ancient way bordering the site were raised.

            Austin Turner, representing the project, explained that due to faulty survey data of the area, a previously plotted ancient way noted in the plans had been drastically misrepresented. Turner explained that where it was previously believed that the ancient way would fork and travel around the site, the reality is that the ancient way runs directly into the proposed area of work.

            Under the provisions of the project filing, the applicants for the solar project are required to ensure that the ancient way is maintained and is upheld as one continuous path from start to finish. As such, Turner now faces a major dilemma in project development, as construction cannot be completed according to the Order of Conditions without satisfying the Ancient Path requirements.

            The position of the path also makes relocation within the limit of work even more challenging. A stormwater basin, also a requirement for the construction of the solar array, sits in direct conflict with the simplest route for reconnection of the ancient way. This means that Turner will need to snake the path around the basin in order to reconnect it.

            Turner admitted that he had limited time to arrive at a solution for the problem but advocated for a selective amount of vegetative clearing outside of the proposed limit of work to redirect the ancient way around the site.

            Conservation Commission Chairman Michael Conway explained that conducting work outside of the predetermined boundary would likely require an amendment to the Notice of Intent or a complete refiling for the project.

            Turner told commission members that he would work to create a new proposal that would be more agreeable to their requirements and limit or completely eliminate any work outside of the project’s boundaries. Once they receive an updated proposal, commission members agreed to visit the site to gain a more detailed understating of the issue.

            Bill Madden of G.A.F. Engineering joined the meeting to provide updates on an Enforcement Order issued to Makepeace regarding complaints issued by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

            Madden provided commission members with an overview of the Morse Swamp Reservoir, which has come under review due to dredging activities and soil displacement in the area. The roughly 30-acre reservoir is the primary water source that feeds into the Makepeace cranberry bogs located nearby.

            According to Madden, constantly fluctuating water levels in the area made it difficult to accurately determine the scope of the reservoir. He explained that the area in winter looks significantly different than in spring or summer.

            Conservation Commission Member Kevin Thompson expressed the importance of accurately determining the limits of the reservoir and surrounding wetlands areas, as a misrepresentation could lead to the destruction of protected resource areas if they are not accurately identified. Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon echoed Thompson’s sentiment and recommended that commission members make a site visit to the area to further understand any work that might be proposed in a future Notice of Intent filing.

            The next Rochester Conservation Commission meeting is scheduled to be conducted via Zoom on Tuesday, March 2, at 7:00 pm.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Matthew Donato

A Pond Called Carolyn

on

Carolyn Longworth of Fairhaven is a retired director from the Millicent Library after some 25 years of dedicated service. After she retired, she was asked by the town’s selectboard to come to a meeting to review her distinguished record of achievement. She was very pleased when they read a proclamation of her diligence in working with various organizations in the SAILS Library network.

            Carolyn was even more surprised and pleased at the end of the meeting when they talked about her avid birdwatching hobby at a pond nearby that was her favorite birding spot adjacent to the hurricane barrier near Egypt Lane. Then she was even more amazed when they announced that, in her honor, the pond would be named “Carolyn’s Pond.” One of her fellow birders had suggested the name dedication to show Fairhaven’s appreciation of her service. She now says she cried when this award was presented because she felt it was the best thing that ever happened to her.

            The pond itself had been restored by the Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife Service from being a disposal area. Carolyn found it to be a very therapeutic and relaxing retreat to visit before work, during lunch, and after work. She was especially interested in her favorite bird, the Pie-billed Grebe (shown raising a family there in my illustration), because it was also listed as an endangered species.

            The Pie-billed Grebe was also the subject of my wildlife column in the October 2019 issue of The Wanderer. A Great White Heron also showed up with two mystical mute swans that brought many visiting birders to Fairhaven. Carolyn herself had written about the migratory grebe that winters as far south as Panama, returning in spring to this same restored habitat of its own choosing and preference. It is also found as far north as Walden Pond in Concord, the home of Henry David Thoreau.

            Thoreau was famous for building small cabins on its shore to lead a very quiet life exclusively alone to preserve the pond’s nature and to isolate himself from the trials and tribulations of other people.

            Like the owner of the pond, Ralph Waldo Emerson became a transcendentalist, a popular mentality of its day, thinking that people are at their best when they are truly solitary, self-reliant, and entirely independent. They wanted to believe that human beings could find their own spirituality in religion, finding and observing and living in the natural world. Thoreau, for instance, thought that the call of the loon on his pond was the most unearthly sound he had ever heard, just one of his interpretations of natural calls across the water that reverberated, echoed, and reflected images of heaven and earth on the horizon, as time went by.

            May this article and illustration for you, the reader, help us to understand why Carolyn was able to find inspiration and peace of mind at the pond that would bear her name after a career that truly benefited the Millicent Public Library System of higher education.

By George B. Emmons

Updated Floats Garner Favor

on

            Marion Conservation Commission member Jeff Doubrava recused himself from his commission role for his February 10 public hearing as an applicant in a Notice of Intent to improve access from 47 East Avenue to the waters of Planting Island Cove, Sippican Harbor, and Buzzards Bay for recreational boating, fishing, and swimming by removing the longstanding, bottom-anchored chain system with a plan to replace with a pile-held anchoring system.

            The chain system tends to scour the bottom and mess with eelgrass and shellfish habitat, according to Conservation Commission Chairperson Shaun Walsh.

            Representing Doubrava, Dave Davignon of Schneider, Davignon, & Leone told ConCom that all feedback from the state Division of Marine Fisheries has been positive and that the Army Corp of Engineers has signed off on the project. The National Heritage and Endangered Species Program also communicated approval, according to Davignon.

            Walsh asked for an explanation about the proposed float expansion that will require a Chapter 91 license due to the expansion on the seaward end of the piles. Doubrava confirmed that the 3-foot expansion to the existing float is intended to make it easier for boats to load and unload passengers.

            “It’s an environmental improvement to that area, so it’s a good project,” said Walsh, who called Davignon’s presentation a great overview of the project.

            Four piles instead of two will make it possible to chain the piles together, allowing the owner to hoist the float up to the level of the pier to offseason storage, eliminating the need for a boatyard to haul away the float.

             The public hearing was continued until February 24.

            As an abutter, Doubrava recused himself from the case of John A. & Carole F. Whittemore, 51 East Avenue, in their Notice of Intent to improve access to the waters of Planting Island Cove, Sippican Harbor, and Buzzards Bay for recreational boating, fishing, and swimming by removing the existing bottom-anchored chain system and replace it with a pile-held anchoring system.

            Representing the Whittemores as well, Davignon said the project was filed at the same time and is on the same path as Doubrava’s project of the same nature with all the same endorsements. Calling it a “no-brainer,” Walsh only asked Davignon if the chains would be permanently removed after the completion of both projects. Davignon confirmed that to be the plan.

            The public hearing was continued until February 24.

            The continued public hearing in which Blankenship Trust, LLC filed a Notice of Intent to construct an in-ground swimming pool, perimeter patio, and retaining wall with clearing, filling, and grading at 468 Point Road ended with ConCom issuing a special Order of Conditions, green-lighting the project.

            In a continued case, ConCom voted to issue the Town of Marion Facilities Department a Negative 3 determination of applicability for its proposed installation of two 100-gallon propane tanks at Pumping Station Road.

            In another continued case, ConCom voted to issue Karen Chacon a Negative 2 and 3 determination of applicability, clearing the way for the construction of a ramp on the side of her house at 98 Dexter Road.

            The Kittansett Club’s repeated continuances for its NOI to expand parking is delayed as the club works with an abutter and the town to potentially modify the plan. According to Walsh, the Planning Board reached out to the engineer, learning that a revised plan is in the works, but Kittansett requested and has been allowed a three-month continuance to May 12.

            Arthur Brenner of Alewives Anonymous, Inc. provided Marion with a compact disc containing photographs of his company’s cleaning along the Sippican River. Alewives Anonymous, Inc. has been moving fallen trees and other obstructions out of the way of herring that need to swim to their breeding grounds in Snipatuit Pond in Rochester.

            Under correspondence, the commission received a copy of a site plan from Rochester-based Charon (engineering) Associates for a Title V septic upgrade filed by Rivier University (New Hampshire) for property at 9 Pleasant Street.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Mick Colageo

ORCTV Video Production Scholarship

on

Each year, Old Rochester Community Television awards one graduating senior from our Old Rochester Regional High School video production program its “Outstanding Student Award.'” The scholarship is meant to assist the student as they move on to study video production or film upon entering college.

            During the summer of 2020, ORCTV’s first president, Ken Souza, passed away suddenly. In addition to having been the station president, Ken was also an educator who taught video production at Bristol Community College. With this in mind, ORCTV decided to honor Ken by naming its annual scholarship the “Kenneth J. Souza Memorial Award for Outstanding Video Production.”

            When ORCTV informed Ken’s wife, Margie Souza, of its intentions to name the award in honor of her husband, Mrs. Souza asked if it would be possible to create a process where those who wished to remember Ken could contribute towards the funding of the award.

            ORCTV agreed this would be a great way for those in the community to remember Ken and his contributions to the Tri-Town. If you would like to contribute to the Ken Souza Scholarship fund, please send a check to ORCTV at 135 Marion Road, Mattapoisett, MA 02739, and write “Ken Souza Scholarship” in the memo space. ORCTV is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, making all contributions tax-deductible.

Bishop Stang Second Quarter Honor Roll

on

Bishop Stang High School is proud of the accomplishments of our students, and recognizes those students earning Honor Roll distinction. Students on the President’s List have an average 95 or above, and a 90 or above in all courses. Students receiving First Honor have an average 90 or above, and an 85 or above in all courses. Those with Second Honor have an average 85 or above, and an 80 or above in all courses. The following students from our area are being recognized for their academic achievement at Bishop Stang High School for their performance in the second quarter:

            Marion— President’s List: Lillian Manning ’24, Elizabeth Russo ’24, Tayden Shaw-Nelson ’23; First Honor: Raquel da Costa ’21, Maeve Egger ’22, Sophie Lynch ’21, Molleigh O’Neil-O’Connell ’24, Redmond Podkowa ’23, Luke Tougas ’23.

            Mattapoisett— President’s List: Julia Downey ’23, Liam Downey ’21, Lillian Surprenant ’24; First Honor: Ella Meninno ’21, Sophia Meninno ’24, Joel Michaud ’21, Thomas Waldron ’24; Second Honor: Ryan Oliveira ’24, Eleanor Senna ’23, Claire Surprenant ’22.

            Rochester – President’s List: Lindsey Feen ’24, Sarah Pothier ’24; First Honor: Dylan Aguiar ’21, Kara Feen ’24, Bree Killion ’24, Isabella Marotta ’24, Briana Pothier ’22; Second Honor: Maxwell Brulport ’21, Kyle Viera ’24.

Gertrude Trumbull Burr

on

Gertrude Trumbull Burr died peacefully at home in her sleep, on Friday, February 12th, age 97, after a life well-lived.  No matter how busy, her home was always open, and she found time for all.  She and her husband Carleton Burr (dec. 2003) lived their lives surrounded by a very large cast of devoted family and friends.

            Gertrude was born and raised in Weston, MA, the daughter of Walter Henry Trumbull and Mary Winsor Trumbull. She attended Meadowbrook School, and in a harbinger of things to come, was the quarterback of the boys’ football team. She graduated from Winsor School in Boston, and then Vassar College, majoring in Math and Engineering Physics.

            After graduation in 1944, in the wartime accelerated academic program, she worked at M.I.T. in the aerospace effort, focused on calculating rocket trajectories. She was the only woman amongst 600 other mathematicians, engineers, and physicists.

            In 1949, she married Carleton and moved to Mattapoisett, MA. Building community and strengthening family were their lifelong passions.  She was an inspiration to her four children and a multitude of family members and friends, all the while being instrumental in developing the family business, Burr Brothers Boats. The business was a fitting continuation of her lifelong love of “messing about in boats”, which she had done since childhood sailing her Herreshoff 12, “Rosebud”.

            With her indefatigable energy and can-do attitude she helped steer the business into novel endeavors, such as becoming one of the first boatyards in the country to develop a computer system tracking all accounting and operations.  Her leadership in the industry also led her to become, in the 1970s, the first female Board Member of the American Boat Builders and Repairers Association (ABBRA), a national trade organization.

            For her mentally disabled daughter, Gertrude co-founded a non-profit community home, which became LifeStream, Inc. Today Lifestream is an organization with a staff of over 500, and it has served thousands of developmentally disabled people and others facing personal challenges.  

Gertrude’s civic involvements were too many to list. She loved working with people and was especially good at using her skills to help organizations in which she believed. Amongst these were The Garden Club of Buzzards Bay, The Unitarian Church of New Bedford, LifeStream, and The Rotch-Jones Duff House and Garden Museum.

            Over the years, Gertrude was also a member of numerous Clubs, which made for an active sporting and social life. She helped run various USTA tennis tournaments and managed to collect a closet full of trophies herself. Playing well into her 80s, she left opponents impressed not only with her play but also with her sportsmanship. She would win with such grace that she left everyone smiling. She was a very elegant skier, refusing to permanently come down off the mountains until nearly ninety years old. Her enthusiasm for hopping on board to go sailing continued into her 90s, while her rowing prowess lasted nearly to the end.

            Somewhere, she and Carleton are together sailing and serving aces.

            She is predeceased by her daughter Eleanor, husband Carleton, sisters Hope Moore and Eleanor Lowell, and brother Philip Trumbull. She is survived by her brother Walter H. Trumbull, her children and their spouses: Toby Burr (Barbara D. Burr), Cornelia Burr-Tarrant (Thomas A. Tarrant), and Walter Trumbull Burr. Also survived by four grandchildren: Tucker Burr (Luiza Casimiro Smith Burr), Alaska Burr Elia (Paul Elia), Thomas Tarrant IV, Elizabeth Tarrant; and two great-grandchildren, Thayer Gertrude Elia and Olympia Lorraine Elia; and scores of nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren, all of whom she kept track of with great joy.

            A celebration of life is planned when warm weather arrives and COVID has abated. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum (www.rjdmuseum.org; 396 County St., New Bedford, MA 02740) or the Mattapoisett Community Sailing Program (www.mattsail.org; PO Box 947, Mattapoisett, MA 02739). For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Wilfred E. “Gene” Genest

on

Wilfred E. “Gene” Genest died peacefully, at St. Luke’s Hospital, on February 6, 2021. He was the son of the late E.R. Genest and the late Emily Smith Genest. Mr. Genest was born on October 30, 1932 in Milford, MA. He was a long-time resident of Princeton, MA, recently moving back to the Mattapoisett–Fairhaven area, where he spent his youth.

Mr. Genest was Korean War veteran, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a graduate of Florida Southern College in Lakeland and work in finance until his retirement. In Princeton, Mr. Genest served on the Conservation Commission and was a member of the First Congregational Church, where he was a deacon. Mr. Genest was a life-long football fan and enjoyed tennis, sailing and was an avid world traveler.

Mr. Genest will be missed by his wife of 64 years, Priscilla Hiller Genest, daughters Priscilla Genest-Magee and Susan Adams Genest and his son, Charles Frederick Genest. He was a beloved grandfather of Priscilla Alden Magee, Katharine Magee Thene, Louisa Alley Genest, Michael Nikolai Genest, Daniel Frederick Genest and his great grandson, Ethan Foster Thene and step great granddaughters, McKenna Grace Thene and Kaelyn Elizabeth Thene. He leaves a sister, Marion Genest Lowenfeld and two nieces and a nephew. 

Due to the pandemic, a memorial gathering will be held later this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Parks Foundation (www.nationalparks.org).

Girls Basketball Title Run Height of Winter

on

            Old Rochester Regional High School could have very easily decided against offering sports this winter after postponing fall sports to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s designated Fall II season set to begin in early March. But the Bulldogs found a way as a community to come together and give the seniors one last campaign that saw the girls basketball team go undefeated through the regular season, taking their impressive run all the way to a 41-35 victory in Tuesday night’s South Coast Conference tournament final against Dighton-Rehoboth.

            Despite that success, the winter season was not without its challenges. Like the girls team, boys basketball had to quarantine for a period of time. ORR girls ice hockey also faced adversity after finding out they had faced a team with a player who then tested positive for COVID-19. But each ORR program worked its way through it all.

            “My girls were safe, they did what they were supposed to,” ORR girls hockey head coach Ted Drew said. “They seemed to have a lot of fun, even though we didn’t win a game. We had to battle back for a couple of those ties and stuff. They worked hard all the time. I think they were just glad to be out and be able to play a sport finally.”

            Among those just happy to be on the ice for the 0-3-4 Bulldogs was senior all-purpose captain Carly Drew, who led ORR in scoring with four goals and three assists in a condensed campaign that set the next stage for her career next winter at Anna Maria College.

            “Carly handled everything well as a leader,” Ted Drew, Carly’s coach and uncle, said. “I think that helped out, too, that she was going to continue playing at Anna Maria College.”

            While the constant concern over the virus was also an issue, there was also the matter of the truncated schedule. Coach Drew felt his defensively sound team was ready to turn a corner and post some wins, but what in other years would have been the midway point of the season turned out to be the end.

            Steve Carvalho felt Old Rochester boys basketball (3-7) ran into a similar issue.

            “The kids rolled with the punches,” ORR boys basketball’s head coach said. “I felt we were going to be a team in progress all year and developing. Part of the conversation we had at the beginning was, sometimes you develop midseason. This year, midseason was the end of the season. At the end of the day, there were some good experiences out there, and I think the kids handled it well.”

            Boys ice hockey had a little more luck, finishing 3-3-1 on the year without facing any exposure to the virus that would lead to a team-wide quarantine. As the team took the opportunity to grow for next season and enjoy this season for what it was, goalie Thomas Galavotti emerged as a difference-maker — and someone the Bulldogs will lean on next year.

            “He took huge strides in his development,” ORR head coach Zach Ledogar said. “He was the backbone of the team and took a good step forward as a leader. He totally transformed his game after [graduating] one of the best goaltenders in the state (Jake DeMoranville) last year.”

            Hopefully, by next winter season, Galavotti and all other ORR winter athletes will have a much better chance to showcase their abilities.

            Fall II sports: Football practice at ORR starts on March 3, and all other sports begin practice on March 8.

Sports Roundup

By Nick Friar

Residential Density Limits Heading Down

on

            Two important matters were addressed on February 16 by the Marion Planning Board, and neither was a public hearing, but in order to get an article reducing the allowable density in the Multi-Family District from 12 units per acre to six, there will be a minimum of two public hearings.

            The matter was discussed after the Bylaw Codification Committee worked on a potential draft warrant article intended to enact a change. It won’t be that simple on paper once the Planning Board tweaks and arrives at a bylaw it thinks can serve Marion for years to come.

            The Bylaw Codification Committee is working with SRPEDD on an alternative bylaw to thoughtfully preserve open space and allow density bonuses that accomplish particular objectives such as preservation of historic buildings or senior housing or low-to-moderate-income housing.

            “What we’re really trying to do is create a master density with bonuses…. It’s a really challenging question,” said Planning Board Chairman Will Saltonstall. “I don’t think we want to make it too restrictive, but 12 units (per acre) is very dense and, if we don’t do it the right way, it can really strangle the Marion landscape.”

            An updated bylaw would take into account the nature of the development, required parking, and required stormwater treatment.

            According to Saltonstall, Marion does not have any undeveloped multi-family lots at the present time. In order to receive the designation and apply the change, one has to come before Town Meeting and apply to have the zoning change made, Saltonstall explained.

            As for developer Sherman Briggs’ property off of Spring Street, the Planning Board has received a proposal and will soon begin evaluating, “but these proposed changes would not apply as that application has already been made,” said Saltonstall.

            Another exception is 40B (affordable) housing. The proposal currently on the table is subject to state regulations that would presumably allow significantly higher density than what the Planning Board is looking to bring to Town Meeting for voter approval.

            Member Norm Hills, the chair of the Bylaw Codification Committee, said, “The only real change, technical change, is from 12 to six dwellings (per acre).” The rest of the changes in the bylaw are to meant to clarify what Saltonstall said had been “really confusing.”

            Planning Board members, along with Selectman John Waterman and Open Space Acquisition Commission Chairman John Rockwell, pointed to various examples in Marion for density comparisons. Waterman pointed out that the Herring Cove, the proposed 40B development on Route 6, plans 120 units on 17 acres. That translates to approximately seven units per acre. Saltonstall noted that with 25.7 acres covered by Herring Cove, there are “things that affect this calculation, uplands, wetlands…. This is definitely driving part of this discussion.”

            Town Planner Gil Hilario reminded the meeting that Marion is very small, so any project can make a larger impact.

            Randy Parker joined the meeting, and with Waterman already on and Hills being a Planning Board member, the entire Board of Selectmen attended the discussion.

            Hills said a whole package of bylaw changes would necessarily be brought to the Planning Board. Saltonstall said there is a placeholder on the Town Meeting warrant for the article. “I’d like to see us advance the issue,” he said.

            Member Andrew Daniel motioned that the Planning Board proceed with the bylaw change from 12 to six units per acre. Chris Collings seconded, and the members all voted their approval. Saltonstall said the board would discuss it further, but the board’s intention has been established.

            Hilario said it would take two public hearings before it can go to the selectmen for their approval on the Town Meeting warrant.

            The Planning Board is beginning a process of amassing a new list of potential consulting engineering firms. The board had last done so in 2015.

            Hills said the 2015 list of 20 potential firms was whittled down to 12 that received requests for proposal (RFP) and only got four responses. The evaluation, said Hills, found all four firms to be acceptable, and the board sent them a letter indicating they would be used on a rotating basis. “Somehow, we got out of the rotation recently, I’m not sure how,” said Hills.

            The merits of rotation were debated, as Daniel argued it can be dysfunctional to avoid familiar firms that regularly appear before the Planning Board to represent applicants in cases heard by the board. Collings suggested that requirement might necessitate paying out higher fees and expanding the search out of the local area.

            Saltonstall estimated that an applicant pays a board-hired consultant between $2,000 and $4,000 on an average size project.

            “We choose only the appropriate responses. If an engineering firm is too high, too expensive, we’re not going to choose them,” said Hilario.

            Member Eileen Marum argued that the board should hire the best engineering firm it can. “The cheapest can lead to costly mistakes. We need a firm that’s proactive and responsive and answers our questions in a clear and consistent matter,” she said.

            Saltonstall suggested that the board make sure those firms that might be interested be on the RFP list. Daniel pointed out that Schneider, Davignon, and Leone Inc. is not on the former list.

            Hilario asked the members to look at the list. “We did our best to get the most prominent local firms,” he said.

            Hills said the policy of avoiding familiar firms has had no negative repercussions to this point. He added the suggestion that the board set a limit on how often the process is rebooted, and the board voted to update the list every two years.

            The continued public hearing for Tabor Academy’s proposed Campus Center on the site of the present Hayden Library at 85 Spring Street was again continued to March 1 at 7:30 pm. “We found out that we need a special permit for parking, so it makes sense to do it together on March 1 rather than separate it,” explained Hilario.

            Joe Rocha corrected a statement he had made in the last Planning Board meeting, clarifying that the sale of gas-powered vehicles is scheduled to cease in 2035.

            The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, March 1, at 7:00 pm.

Marion Planning Board

By Mick Colageo

Valentine’s Day Made Special for Seniors

on

            For all the hardship that dominates the news as businesses struggle to stay afloat, first responders take necessary risks, and administrators and faculty strive to maintain a stellar record at thwarting coronavirus transmission in the local schools, there is one group for whom winter cannot end soon enough, and that’s the seniors.

            Marion’s aged enjoy getting out and getting with their friends. It’s a vital difference-maker in their lives, especially in winter. So, when the Council on Aging announced its Valentine’s Day drive-thru luncheon for February 13, the seniors put it all in perspective with an overwhelming response.

            “We had 100 inside last year, and it was the last busy day before COVID struck. So, when we put this in the newsletter that they were doing another party this year, we sent out the newsletters on Monday. Tuesday morning, the phone started ringing because people remembered the party from last year and how nice it was and how much fun they had,” said COA Program Coordinator Linda Jackvony.

            Saturday’s cavalcade was only the latest among several lines of vehicles that have become a frequent occurrence these past few months at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center. The town’s drive-thru flu-shot clinic functioned as a dry run for the first responder COVID-19 vaccination clinics that followed, the retirement sendoff for former Chief of Police John Garcia, and most recently a COVID-19 vaccination clinic aimed toward Marion’s aged population.

            The Community Center has been a beacon of volunteerism, and Saturday’s small group of helpers was outside by the little shed like so many others of late.

            The February 13 event was initially scheduled for February 14, but the COA didn’t want to defy a weather forecast calling for snow. Even with the date adjustment, Saturday’s cavalcade showed up 100 strong, and it showed up early.

            The Italian lunch included a meat lasagna, broccoli with ziti in a butter sauce, a green salad with tomato, and a French roll. A rich chocolate brownie was packed for dessert with a gift bag including a notepad, pen, and individually wrapped chocolate hearts, all of it courtesy of Dwight Crosby, owner of a local business.

            “We opened a small business, a Christian-based business in the town, and just felt that we should give back,” said Crosby. “I can’t wait ’til this COVID stuff is lifted; we can get a deejay in here and get these people up and dancing and having a really good time. Last year they did karaoke, and it was fun.”

            The drive-thru event would not be able to compete with last year’s that had raffles and dancing to music provided by a live disc jockey, but the 2021 version of the event was embraced, nonetheless.

            “I just think it’s such a nice thing that he does for the community,” said Jackvony. “They’re very excited, it’s something for them to look forward to.”

            The majority of seniors engaging in COA programs range from age 75 to 80. “Some are older, but these are all people who used to come to the center on a regular basis,” said Jackvony, noting that the COA would have had 25 people in the building for Wednesday’s Memory Cafe. The COA also holds grab-and-go lunches for anywhere between 25 and 40 people on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

            The hope is that 2021 will eventually be different, and the seniors can get back to devoting three hours on Wednesdays for a program including lunch, exercise, and entertainment followed by dessert and coffee. Programs like these that bring activity stimulating the bodies and minds of those afflicted with Alzeimer’s or dementia even buoy the younger helpers who can use the camaraderie.

            “It’s not only good for the patients,” said Jackvony, “but good for the caregivers, too.”

By Mick Colageo