‘Distance Learning’ Keeps Prep Students on Track

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            With schools closed all over the state until May 4, school is still “in session” at Tabor Academy –at a distance. Though geographically apart, faculty and students jumped right into distance learning on March 26 to kick off the spring trimester.

            Tabor faculty worked over the break to rethink curriculum, learn new tools, and develop collaborative strategies online in order to ensure educational continuity for the students.

            “While the format and forum will be different, the skills and objectives we have been working on together since September will remain familiar,” says Eileen Marceau, Associate Head of School for Academic Affairs. “Our focus remains on developing our students as confident, independent learners, and our transition to distance learning is an opportunity to test our own progress.”

            With students at home in locations around the world, the school has set time aside for “synchronous” class experiences but is focusing on “asynchronous” coursework to help students keep pace towards the learning goals of their courses.

            Tabor teachers provide learning objectives, materials, and tasks in approximately two-week increments through the school’s learning management web portal. Classes and advisors gather in video conferences to check in on the assignments, ask questions, catch up with one another, plan and engage in some discussion about the material.

            “Asynchronous work is typically for deeper learning,” says Marceau, “while synchronous meetings are more about connection and maintaining community – an important goal of this effort.”

            Marceau explains that the teacher in this model becomes more of an instructional coach, learning mentor and facilitator, providing structure and goals for students and supporting them both individually and in group settings online as they fine-tune ideas, share work, reflect and expand their understanding, and demonstrate their learning through a variety of media.

            Developing community and sharing perspectives is also critically important to the Tabor experience. In order to maintain community, student clubs and activities can meet online after the school day and in the evenings.

            “Teams, discussion groups, dorms, friend groups and more are finding video conferencing to be an important tool for staying in touch and keeping the relationships and ideas going,” said Director of Communications Kerry Saltonstall. Advising and counseling are also continuing online. “Faculty advisors are in regular contact with students and families to be sure everything is going well and students have what they need and are staying engaged.” College counseling work continues individually, and even the school’s mental health counselors are available as needed for individual consultation during this uniquely stressful time.

            “It is pretty impressive to see how so much of what we strive to do normally can continue through connective technologies, even when we are apart,” said Saltonstall. “While we much prefer to be together on campus, sharing experiences in real-time, we are pleased with what has been possible through the hard work and perseverance of our community.”

            “It’s been a tremendous, all-hands-on-deck effort,” says Marceau. “This is our core value of life-long-learning in action.”

Marion Beach Parking Lots to Temporarily Close

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Town Administrator James McGrail and Health Director Karen Walega announce that, per order by the Marion Board of Health, the Town of Marion is closing all parking lots associated with beach parking as an additional step to encourage social distancing during COVID-19.

            This order is effective April 3 and will remain in effect until further notice.

            Lots associated with parking at Silvershell Beach, Planting Island and the Beach at Oakdale Avenue will be closed.

            The order does not include public parking at Island Wharf and Old Landing. 

            This decision was made based on the latest guidance from state officials regarding COVID-19 and social distancing efforts. Governor Baker ordered all coastal beach reservation parking areas managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation to close in order to reduce large numbers of people at the beaches.

            Marion officials would like to remind all residents that social distancing guidelines have been extended through the month of April, per federal and state orders. While the Town’s beaches remain open and residents are encouraged to get outside for fresh air, it is vitally important for people to stop congregating outside.

            Outdoor activities such as walking, running, biking and hiking, with members of the same household, are options for exercise and fresh air that minimize contact and maximize social distancing.

            Officials are closely monitoring state and federal guidance regarding the COVID-19 situation and will provide updates as new information becomes available.

Mattapoisett Tables Decisions on Town Meeting, Elections

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            Now the rule, not the exception, Mattapoisett’s Board of Selectmen met remotely on April 1, 2020. Before getting started, however, Selectman Paul Silva shared his thoughts on the COVID-19 problem and Mattapoisett’s response.

            “I want to thank everyone for their hard work in this tough time,” said Silva, speaking from his home, where he confirmed he was in self-quarantine having just returned from Europe. “Mattapoisett is special like the bumper sticker says, but we can have a false sense of security. This virus has no boundaries.” He urged the residents to be vigilant in maintaining CDC guidelines.

            Regarding the postponement and or rescheduling of the spring town meeting, Silva said, “I’m not sure any date can be held in concrete.” The immediate impact on the town’s ability to conduct business was discussed as Silva noted that the state has granted latitude to cities and towns regarding budgetary matters.

            Selectman Jordan Collyer said, “It’s my opinion to vote to postpone both town meeting and the elections, to reconvene on May 11 and reassess where we are at then… The reality is they both need to be pushed out.”

            Former Town Administrator and now town consultant Mike Gagne said that Town Administrator Mike Lorenco had been researching new state provisions. Lorenco stated, “Selectmen can approve a one-twelfth budget until we have an approved 2021 budget.” He later explained that the town could use a one-twelfth formula on a month-to-month basis calculated from the approved 2020 budget number.

            Silva called for a motion to postpone the spring town meeting until further notice and to reconvene on this matter on May 11 for further consideration. The motion was moved and carried.

            Town Clerk Catherine Heuberger offered her opinion regarding the May 19 elections. She said she was in favor of keeping the election date and moving forward as planned. “I can make accommodations for COVID-19, put safety guards in place.” She said that more absentee ballots could be used, that she would hire fewer poll workers, expand early voting and, “…people can use their own pens.” She went on to say that voting booths could be wiped with disinfectant clothes between uses, she would station hand sanitizers for people to use, and that poll workers would be given gloves to wear. She asked the selectmen to let the date stand.

            Silva voiced his concerns, saying, “There are two components to this election. I’m concerned for those running for office.” He said that usually the League of Women Voters gives candidates a forum to reach voters. Secondly, he said, “Candidates go out door-to-door as part of the campaign process.” With that option now unavailable, Silva thought they might not have the opportunity to run a campaign at all.

            Collyer said, “We can wait further down the road, maybe May 4.” He said he agreed in principle with Silva that candidates should be asked their opinion in this matter. “It wouldn’t hurt to ask if they can run a satisfactory campaign when you can’t talk to people face-to-face.”

            The only contested race is the vacant seat on the Board of Selectmen, Heuberger confirmed.

The selectmen agreed they would follow state guidelines for the time being while watching to see what the state might mandate. The candidates vying for the selectman seat are John DeCosta and Tyler Macallister.

            Heuberger said she would proceed with printing the ballot, checking the availability of poll workers, as the selectmen voted to take no action on this matter at this time.

            In other business, Gagne said that the Board of Health had received a $5,000 grant that was used to produce signs instructing residents to observe social distance and hand washing recommendations and discouraging groups of more than 10 people. “We’ll place those at Ned’s Point, Shipyard Park and around the community.” He said that the sand-lot play area next to Center School was taped off from public use as well as the equipment at the town beach on Water Street. The tennis and Pickleball courts would remain open for now, he said.

            Gagne said that the Mattapoisett Land Trust is keeping its properties open to the public for the present time, but that it, too, was placing notices reminding all of the importance of social distancing and moreover, keeping dogs leashed at all times. “It’s important that all dogs be leashed at all times,” he said.

            Gagne said that Amanda Stone, the public health nurse, and Kayla Davis, the Board of Health director, were working extra hours, “…to ensure that Mattapoisett is safe.” He discussed the proper handling of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as groceries and said a link would be placed on the town’s website with further details.

            Payments due to the town can be dropped off in the exterior drop-off box, Gagne reminded the public. He said that businesses needing assistance should contact the town tax collector/treasurer Kristie Costa. “We want to work with people, we want to make sure our community sustains and survives.”

            Silva spoke to the issue of people returning to seasonal homes or from trips outside the Commonwealth. “We are a seasonal community. It’s important that people self-quarantine for 14 days. I’m doing it. It’s not so bad,” he said.

            Before the meeting adjourned, Heuberger said, “I want to get a plug in for the census.” She said the federal census is now in full swing and urged the public to complete the process.

            No firm date or time was discussed for the next Board of Selectmen meeting.

Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen

By Marilou Newell

Bindas Awaits Her Day on Court

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Brooklyn Bindas has serious potential as a tennis player and greater potential as a student, so she’s taking the threat of cancellation of her second high school tennis season in stride.

            “I’ve been hitting every now and then, hitting with my friends at public courts,” she said. “Some Wareham friends and some kids from up north (travel here) because up north the courts are closed so my friends will come down…”

            The Lakeville Athletic Club, where her coach Alex Howard works, is closed. But, while high school student-athletes still don’t know if there will be a spring sports season, Howard’s work with Bindas continues.

            “When you’re with a kid, you’re all in. It’s not just a job. At Lakeville, we’re a small club and we treat everyone like family,” said Howard, who worked with Bindas on Monday morning at the Center School courts in Mattapoisett.

            “She plays like an 18-year-old. She’s mature, just in terms of shot selection and court sense,” said Howard, noting Bindas’ unusual racquet-head speed for such a young player (she turned 14 on March 28). “If you time the ball correctly, the power is going to be there. Her timing is so impeccable on her ground strokes.

            “She still has a learning curve and it’s not always going to be the right decision, but she’s very decisive in what she does.”

            In last week’s layout of the high school spring sports season, if public schools return to class on May 4 as scheduled, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) canceled the state individual singles and doubles tennis tournaments as part of a program meant to curb mingling for safety. There will be team competition and only for league and sectional championships.

            That’s a tough break for a player like Bindas, who had just turned 13 last year when she won four matches in the South individual singles tournament before eventual state finalist Alex Prudente of Notre Dame mowed her down, 6-0, 6-0, in the sectional semi-final.

            Compared to her top varsity competition a year ago, Bindas is noticeably stronger and, at 5-foot-6, is now as tall as her father Scott. That also makes her an inch taller than world No. 1 Ash Barty and the same height as perennial contender Simona Halep. Not that she’ll ever play against world elites, but the sport’s height wave won’t hold her back from reaching her own potential.

            “She’s lightning-fast… If you hit the ball to her… when you have her running, she does not let a ball bounce twice. That’s self-motivation,” said Howard. “She’s got that free-spirit personality. She knows how to slice; she’ll serve and volley.”

            A righty in life and on the court, Bindas wields a Wilson Pro Staff 97L racquet, a popular model among advanced players with fast swings.

            “I always work on my serve because it’s always going to be a big part of my game. It’s the one thing you can control in your game,” said Bindas.

            “It’s not a weapon yet, but it will be because the mechanics are there. That’s always the last thing to develop,” said Howard, who also coaches Prudente and Hingham’s Lexi Dwyer, two other state-title contenders in eastern Massachusetts.

            Howard’s experience coaching those players is only the tip of a career iceberg that tells him there are just certain developmental phases where boys tend to have more wrist snap than girls and can thereby generate more easy power on their serves. With a preoccupation on developing Bindas’ overall abilities, Howard thinks her instincts for the game are rare so he’s tailoring her practices toward developing those assets.

            “If you watch a typical training session… it’s 45 minutes of groundstrokes pattern, 10 minutes of crosscourt pattern, down-the-line point play, (but) not a lot of coming into net. I’ve been working on it with Brooklyn,” he said.

            The idea isn’t to turn her into Martina Navratilova, but Howard likes Bindas’ hunger to learn difficult shots that can come in handy at crucial points in a big match. “You might have to come into net at 4-all and deuce in the final set and it’s a big point. Brooklyn, I feel like, is ahead of the game,” he said.

            The Rochester native comes from a family of student-athletes. Her older sisters Alex (Old Rochester Regional High School class of ‘2013) and Katelyn (ORR ‘2017) played multiple sports in high school. 

“Alex likes working on serve plus one and return plus one with me,” said Bindas, who also works with Raynham-based pro Fil Miguel. “They try to teach me how to set up points so I can get to the net.”

            Like most area children, Bindas grew up playing soccer and played one year of basketball in elementary school at St. Francis Xavier in Acushnet.

            For a couple of years now she has only played tennis, a choice typically frowned upon at such an early age, but general concern that a child lacks a well-rounded life experience doesn’t apply in her case.

            As a 12-year-old in 2018, Bindas began attending Wareham High on school choice, splitting her time between attending seventh-grade classes and online classwork at home. She increased her attendance this school year, attending two half days and two full days in the fall semester before attending full time through the current semester until schools were closed on March 13.

            Because of Bindas’ background as a homeschooled student, the adjustment to doing her classwork at home has not been difficult.

            “It’s just a little bit weird not being able to talk to your teacher, but we’re kind of used to doing a lot of work on our Chromebooks from some classes,” she said. “English, we do all of our writing assignments online and we do all of our worksheets online.”

            As an elective, Bindas takes Mythology, watches documentaries, and does her history projects online.

            Part of the attraction of Wareham High is the town’s participation in the International Baccalaureate program, the brainchild of post-World War II Swiss educators looking to establish a suitable manner by which the well-traveled children of diplomats could qualify for acceptance to universities.

            The organization has evolved and expanded to cover a wider range of age groups. Locally, it offers Wareham High students who qualify on academic merit to choose as high school juniors to take IB classes or enroll in the full, two-year program that shapes the student’s entire curriculum for their final two years of high school.

            The most obvious emphasis is on small-group and project-based learning and the absence of a traditional classroom lecture hall setting.

            “I’m definitely going to do that,” said Bindas, who at 14 will be too young to start the full IB program next fall. As an eighth-grader age-wise, she currently takes sophomore-level classes at Wareham High. The IB is a two-year commitment, but that will wait. Next year, Bindas will take Advanced Placement courses.

            “I definitely want to go into pre-med,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to be a (veterinary doctor) and a pediatrician. Now I just don’t know because there are so many possibilities.”

            Bindas has gotten accustomed to a world full of possibilities.

            By the start of the month, the United States Tennis Association had not yet canceled the age 16 and 18 nationals in August. The late-June USTA sectional tournaments are still on, but Bindas is “pretty positive it’s going to be canceled.”

            But there may yet be a high school team tennis season, and the camaraderie that accompanies that format has brought a new element of joy and pressure that Bindas embraced.

            “She’ll play a lower-level tournament that’s not going to do anything for her ranking just so she can play with one of her friends, and I think that’s great,” said Howard. “We have a great time in our private (lessons), but she loves being part of group dynamics.

            “I ask her, ‘What do you know about this opponent?’ and she never says, ‘I’ll beat her (by such and such a score).’ She doesn’t take anyone lightly, almost to a fault. You don’t want to over-respect people either.’

            Wareham lost only two seniors to 2019 graduation, Ariel Lemieux and Emily Glidden, and figures to give South Coast Conference champion Old Rochester Regional and traditional contender Apponequet another run for the league title.

            If Bindas could hit balls with any player she wanted for an hour, she didn’t hesitate an answer: “It has to be Coco Gauff.”

            The American sensation from Delray Beach, Florida, now 16, began challenging the top players in the world a year ago and is at the center of a wave of next-generation talents already storming the WTA Tour. Bindas realizes that she is among many young tennis players who would love to rally with the likes of Gauff, so her tennis perspective stays in synch with her academic outlook. 

            “She’s so smart,” said Howard. “If she stays on this path, she’s going to be a top-notch (NCAA) D1 player. She has the fundamentals and the mindset. Who knows after that.”

            The positive experience of acceptance and the making of new friends on her high school team has developed an appetite in Bindas for college tennis assuming it fits her academic pursuits.

            “I’d love that,” she said.

By Mick Colageo

School Lunches Available

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Old Rochester Regional is continuing to provide meals for all children, ages 0-18, during school closure. These meals are free and can be found at the following meal site locations: ORR High School, Center School, Sippican Elementary, Rochester Memorial. Meals are available Monday through Friday from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Meals include free breakfast and lunch for each child.

Condo Project at 78 Wareham Road Hits a Snag

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            After another discussion as to whether to take a proposed zoning change at 78 Wareham Road to town meeting so that developer Henry DeJesus can build a 48-unit condo village intended to serve the needs of Marion’s aging community, the Marion Planning Board balked in its Monday night meeting.

            The April 6 meeting, held via live video conference, was the Planning Board’s first since February 18 and its first since the threat of coronavirus had closed public offices and gatherings.

            The board planned to convene with the intention of voting to support the application for a zoning change from a Residence D designation limiting the property to two-acre, single-family units to Residence E, allowing two units per acre. Approval at town meeting would transform the 29-acre property from being only be able to fit approximately 15 units to one able to fit as many as 50 units or, should the project include single-bedroom units, more than 50.

            To everyone’s apparent surprise, Town Counsel John Witten, who participated in the meeting by telephone, told the board that it is unlawful to attach a condition to a zoning change because it constitutes a quid pro quo and legally is no different than accepting cash from a developer to make a zoning change.

            As an alternative, Witten proposed a deed restriction in escrow so that the zoning change proposal could be brought to town meeting for citizen approval and, at the same time, provide the town a sense of confidence in the project being built as proposed.

            Witten explained that the zoning change would be effective upon passage, then the applicant would seek approval for the project and, if approved, that would trigger the release of the deed restriction.

            “The devil is in the details, but I have no doubt we can work it out,” Witten said.

            Members of the Planning Board weren’t so sure. 

            Until Monday’s meeting, the board had not been supportive of the scenario in which the proposed deed restriction would be lifted.

            Board of Selectman member John Waterman, who attended the online meeting, asked, “What if the project is not approved… so the deed is not released from escrow but the zoning change has gone through? It’s leaving us exposed on that basis. (The developer) could come along with a totally different project that the board doesn’t want to approve and he’s got his zoning change.”

            The concern is a Residence E zoning designation would technically open the door for a project of significantly higher density than what Marion wants to see.

            Witten acknowledged Waterman’s point, adding, “The other possibility… once the zoning is changed, the land could be sold to a third party. That is the risk of negotiating a zoning change… (that’s) why there’s a law.”

            Members of the board also objected to the town’s lack of protection, but Witten stated repeatedly that neither the Planning Board nor town meeting can enforce such an outcome. All they can do is approve or reject a zoning change, but a zoning change could come back to haunt the town should DeJesus sell his property rather than develop it.

            Patricia McArdle, the developer’s attorney, was on the call and said she was “flabbergasted” at the emerging skepticism, citing her client’s multiple gestures of goodwill.

            “I probably sound like a broken record at this point, but DeJesus is pushing hard into this,” said McArdle, noting the developer’s hire of Marion-based T2 Architecture and money spent pushing the project forward based on a 50-unit limit.

            Board member Christopher Collings brought up the situation that the town is in after a zoning change was granted to developer Sherman Briggs, whose 28-unit proposal was withdrawn in favor of a 42-unit project, calling it “a perfect example of what John Waterman is saying. My vote for the zoning change at the time was based on his project being in line with Marion’s Master Plan goals.”

            Vice Chairperson Andrew Daniel said he was “steaming” after unwittingly helping that happen by standing up in town meeting to support the zoning change that paved the path for Briggs’ change of plans. “I fell in love with the project that Mr. DeJesus (proposed)… as much as I want that project – and I really do – I’m feeling a little betrayed right now and wouldn’t want to stick my neck out again.”

            Board member Norm Hills said, “The second condition to come up in this meeting is not acceptable because we’re just going to get ourselves into another problem here.”

            Board member Eileen Marum called the new conditions “rather eye-opening”.

            “The town has been betrayed by Mr. Briggs… I have misgivings now approving this particular project after listening. I think we should give this very careful consideration, and it may be best to leave this zoning the way it is.”

            Board member Joe Rocha said, “Things are different since we had that (prior) meeting. (DeJesus) looked us in the eye and said, “two (units) per acre. That’s what I want to do, but that’s a big leap of faith.”

            Witten reminded McArdle that good faith exists between DeJesus and the Planning Board, but that it’s important the town protect itself against scenarios even DeJesus himself may not be able to control amidst the economic instability brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

            “Town meeting never approves a project; they approve a zoning change, but, as Mr. Waterman says, that could also be someone else’s project,” explained Witten. “You cannot fashion a project at town meeting, just a zoning change. If town meeting can’t do that, don’t grant the zoning change.

            “The only way around that is the restriction, that the owner is nervous about. That… is a problem.”

            McArdle argued that Title 5 will limit the property all by itself.

            “It’s 48 units. Once you cap off, it becomes extraordinarily expensive to get to the next type of unit. It is a self-limiting project unless he does one-bedroom units,” she said. “If we can’t move forward on this, he’s just going to sell it to somebody else.”

            McArdle said she did not mean that statement to sound like a threat, but stated it as a fact of the options DeJesus was considering.

            Noting the estimated $270,000 the town would have to gain in property taxes plus the excise tax revenue that residents’ vehicles would generate, Daniel said, “We have to be careful if we fight that kind of benefit to the town.”

            Witten told Planning Board Chairman Will Saltonstall that DeJesus’ property could theoretically be purchased and annexed.

            Witten recommended a new provision or the amendment of an old one to promise or commit to limit density so McArdle could give her client some comfort level and give the town the confidence it seeks. It would need a zoning change to the district and a zoning change to the bylaw, Witten said.

            “We don’t want to do more than we need to… but we could consider a bylaw change… that would give the potential applicant an ability to develop a project,” he said.

            Citing the timeline before the warrant needs to be ready for the printer for town meeting, Hills said the town does not have the necessary time to do something like that.

            Saltonstall said the meeting was held so that, if the zoning change gained the board’s approval, Town Administrator Jay McGrail would have it in time to include in the warrant for town meeting.

            Waterman said the Board of Selectmen was scheduled to vote in its Thursday, April 9, meeting on a postponement of town meeting. (McGrail told the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday that he will recommend postponement to an undetermined date no later than June 30 but with 20 days’ notice.)

            The June town meeting is expected only to function to establish the budget for Fiscal Year 2021. Waterman expects, in the event of a town meeting postponed until June, that McGrail will have more time to prepare the warrant for printing.

            Saltonstall asked McArdle to confer with DeJesus, then they would work to get inside the deadline. “Patricia, we’re all on the same page;” he told her. “(We’re) just trying to do our jobs here and would be willing to expedite a special meeting to get it on the warrant.”

            McArdle accepted Saltonstall’s overture, saying, “I would like (DeJesus) to hear all of this. If there is a way for us to think creatively… so it’s win-win for everybody, I would like this opportunity. I’m sure he would, too.”

            Collings said, “I think we just got a bad taste of what happens when it goes sour… I want to see something cool happen here.”

            Marum agreed: “It would be great to see this project go forward… My greater concern is for the seniors who want to downsize, move into condos, be part of an association, be surrounded by their friends, loved ones, community members, I would feel more comfortable if we could get some assurances.”

            “It’s a lot of details, but I don’t want Mr. DeJesus to lose faith,” Saltonstall told McArdle. “He has to understand what we’re going through. Please convey that to him…”

            Saltonstall also asked the Planning Board to go easy on Briggs, asking members “don’t jump down that one’s throat until you know a little more.”

            No date was set for the next Planning Board meeting.

Marion Planning Board

By Mick Colageo

Communities Still Making a Connection

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            While many businesses have closed or scaled back services, those providing essential support have gone into overdrive. One such group are the dedicated people who work or volunteer at the Tri-Town councils on aging. Never before have these agencies been pressed to do so much with so few people. Yet they carry on, ensuring that seniors in their communities have food, can get to a medical appointment as necessary or simply to say hello over the telephone inquiring into the health and wellbeing of the older residents in Marion, Rochester and Mattapoisett.

            Rochester Council on Aging, however, told The Wanderer on April 3 that the previously offered home delivery of meals was being temporarily halted to allow the building to be disinfected and to give volunteers and staff time to be apart. The building will be closed for one month.

            COA Director Cheryl Randall-Mach said, “We can’t stay six feet apart in the kitchen and most of our volunteers are seniors.” She said that if a senior household needed groceries, “We will shop for them and drop off the groceries.” She also said, “We’ll continue to provide transportation to healthy seniors who have medical appointments.”

            Randall-Mach said that Coastline Elderly Services had been advised of the situation and was prepared to provide Meals-on-Wheels to the impacted residents. “We miss everyone, miss the activity in the building… we can’t wait to get back,” she said.

            In the meantime, staff and some volunteers will be working remotely from home, Randall-Mach stated. You can reach the Rochester COA at 508-763-8723 and visit www.townofrochestermass.com.

            It was also announced as of April 3 on Rochester’s website that there was one confirmed case of COVID-19 in the community. All three communities are reporting confirmed case numbers at this time.

            Marion has melded its Recreation Department with the Council on Aging when it acquired the former Benjamin Cushing VFW building on Wareham Road. Former Board of Selectmen member and Director of Marion Recreation Department Jody Dickerson said, “When the town purchased the building from the veterans, it was the wish of the veterans that the building become a community center serving everyone.”

            The town invested in remodeling and refurbishing the building to be fully ADA compliant and gutted the former kitchen into a 21st century gleaming jewel. “We call ourselves a community center,” Dickerson said. “We are in the center of so many things.”

            Before the advancement of COVID-19, the daily lunch program offered to Marion residents was a great hit with homecooked meals, linen table cloths, and the opportunity for people to visit and mingle socially. Now the staff and volunteers have had to expand the Meals-on-Wheels program, serving approximately 30 people in Marion in a manner that bridges the need to be physically separated yet humanly connected.

            “The Recreation Department staff delivers the meals,” Dickerson stated. “They place the meal bag on a doorknob, knock on the door and step back.” He said they wait to make sure someone answers the knock. Once contact has been established, the delivery driver inquires if all is well, then carries on to the next stop.

            “All the drivers use gloves to handle the meals and door handles. They use the gloves once,” Dickerson confirmed. If the knock is not responded, the Police Department is contacted for a wellness check.

            The food provided to all the Tri-Town agencies comes from Coastline Elderly Services headquartered in New Bedford. A monthly menu can be viewed at www.coastlinenb.org/nutrition/menu/ or in the local COA newsletters.

            Staying on the theme of food, the Town of Marion, under the guidance of Town Administrator Jay McGrail, started a local food bank. Marion Council on Aging Director Karen Gregory said that anyone can pick up a bag of groceries in the parking lot of the community center parking lot on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 1:00 and 3:00 pm.

            Originally, the process followed up on a call to the COA office letting the staff know how many people are in the household with a delivery of the appropriate bag of groceries to the waiting vehicle. According to McGrail, that procedure was altered last week so that residents can step out of their vehicles and take a bag of groceries off a table outside the office.

            Gregory said donations of non-perishable foods or cash may be dropped off at the Community Center or at the Marion Police Station. She said that there is an outdoor dropbox for envelopes at the center. She also added that the COA board was discussing making outbound calls to seniors to give them a bit more social connectedness during these days of isolation. To reach the Marion COA call 508-748-3570 and learn more about Meals-on-Wheels, groceries, or other programs. For more information, visit www.marionma.gov.

            In Mattapoisett, outbound calling has begun.

            Jackie Coucci, Mattapoisett Council on Aging director, said that volunteers have been given lists and contact numbers for senior residents registered with the COA. The caller inquires if the resident has everything they need, if services are required, if another call in the coming days is welcomed, and generally assuring the resident they are not alone.

            While Mattapoisett’s COA was not providing a meals program, Coastline was at Village Court located off Acushnet Road. The group meal program, as in all other locations, is closed for the time being while the Meals-on-Wheels program has stepped up. “In the past two weeks since we let people know they can call us for meal delivery, we’ve seen an additional 25 requests,” Coucci said.

            Keeping seniors physically active is another area where the COA’s have provided programming. “We’ve got yoga online now,” Coucci happily reported. “It not only keeps people moving, it keeps them connected,” she explained. Other types of classes will be coming online soon, she said, such as Zumba. Those classes will be available for viewing through the town’s website, www.mattapoisett.net. You may also visit the COA’s Facebook page or call Mattapoisett’s COA at 508-758-4100 for updated details.

            Stay informed about COA programs by visiting the towns’ websites or by calling the COA in your community.

Update: Tri-Town Councils on Aging

By Marilou Newell

Helping Sippican Seniors

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Sippican School and VASE are working together on a project and need your help to spread happiness to the seniors within our community!

            This idea came about when a Sippican parent had reached out, trying to get a campaign off the ground for the residents at the Sippican Health Care Center, as one of her parents had recently been there. She knew first-hand how difficult it was for her elderly parent and wanted to find a way for the children to send cards to cheer up the residents. We reached out and discovered that, unfortunately, due to health concerns, we could not send cards.

            Then a light went on! If we can’t physically send the cards in, then why not create a slideshow of cards and video messages from the children, families and anyone in the community.

            We reached out to ORCTV and they were delighted to get on board and help! With ORCTV on board, we know that we can now reach so many more seniors and community members who are stuck inside and provide them with positive messages! We are asking our students, families, teachers, and community members to send in photos or short video clips that will be edited together to create a video montage. This video montage will be edited and aired by ORCTV, in the hopes that it will bring joy and happiness during this difficult time.

            Here is what we need from you…

            •Take pictures holding up signs and/or cards with positive and uplifting messages, or you can take a short video sharing some well wishes. Videos should be no more than 1-2 minutes long. (Check out this resource with tips on how to shoot a high-quality video!)

            •Upload photos and videos to the shared Google drive, “Photos/Videos for ORCTV

Senior Video.” (Email Ms. Sebastiao – contact below – for a link to the Google drive)

Submit all photos and videos by Friday, April 10 by 1:00 pm.

            If you have any questions or need help uploading files to the Google Drive, please contact Kathryn Sebastiao at kathrynsebastiao@oldrochester.org.

            We can’t wait to see the final product and hope everyone gets involved!

Bluebird Nesting Success

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Nearly eliminated from SouthCoast bird-watching pleasure due to lack of natural nesting cavities available, the Bluebird has made a remarkable comeback with the aid and support of local Audubon Society efforts, as well as supervising avid birdwatchers on how to build hundreds of nesting boxes with great success. This avian symbol of happiness can also be attracted to a shallow dish of bird feeder filled with mealworms, also available at most bird feeder stores. Males return here first often to last year’s nest, followed by the female, with a mouth full of pine needles, to furnish decoration for moving in.

            The successive reproduction in the same nest is advantageous because, when the spring fledglings are still there when the second are hatched, they will often help their elders catch insects to feed the next generation. And when it is time to migrate, they congregate all together to find and then share a winter box to share together.

            Bluebirds prefer nest-box locations in a forest clearing or semi-open country with scattered trees, big yards, orchards or hedgerows near open fields. Placement of more than one is advised if more than 300 feet apart. Hopefully the second will be taken by Tree Swallows, which are often very aggressively territorial to scare away Sparrows who will sneak into the Bluebird nest, as illustrated.

            The song of the Bluebird in spring is a soft, agreeable warble during the love season, with a quivering of wings similar in form and intention of the Robin Red Breast of jolly old England.

            As they said at the end of World War II, “There will be Bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover, tomorrow just you wait and see.” For you as a nest-box volunteer, hopefully your reward will be Bluebirds over fields of your own, with the satisfaction of bringing happiness on wings of spring to your neighborhood.

George B. Emmons

Stay Healthy and Get Outdoors

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Mattapoisett Land Trust invites everyone to use our properties during the COVID-19 pandemic. All MLT preserves are open, and outdoor exercise in the fresh air is a safe and effective way to stay physically and mentally healthy. Be sure to maintain six feet of social distance from others, and keep dogs leashed so that they do not enter others’ personal space. The flowers are blooming at Tub Mill and Dunseith, and the woods are awakening with the warmer weather! Trail maps for MLT preserves are found at www.mattlandtust.org. Please contact MLT at info@mattlandtrust.org or 774-377-9191 with questions or for more information.