Symphony Receives $150,000 Challenge Gift to Build Audience

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The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra (NBSO) has received a challenge gift from an anonymous donor who will contribute $1,000 for each new person who joins the symphony’s membership or subscription program from now until June 15, up to a total of $150,000. “Under the impetus of this gift, we are launching a Symphony Club membership program that provides unprecedented flexibility for concert-going at an affordable price,” stated NBSO President Dave Prentiss. The orchestra is also planning a number of audience-building initiatives for the spring, including a free, pop-up symphony concert at Kilburn Mill in the south end of New Bedford and a free, community concert in the greater Taunton area. “We want to introduce the NBSO to new people,” stated Prentiss, “so we are going to bring the orchestra to them and perform programs that are exciting, compelling, and fun.” The orchestra will also be working with arts, cultural, ethnic, community, and young professionals groups to welcome as many new people as possible to the concerts. To learn more, call the NBSO at 508-999-6276.

            The NBSO is a professional orchestra that annually presents a concert series of classical and pops music with internationally acclaimed guest artists, as well as an outstanding chamber music series. In addition, the NBSO’s innovative and nationally recognized educational programs reach 25,000 students each year. The NBSO is dedicated to building a community of music in the South Coast. Visit www.nbsymphony.org today.

Sippican Woman’s Club

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The Sippican Woman’s Club invites members and guests to its March 8meeting. Mrs. Elizabeth Sprague Pitcher Taber (1791-1888) aka Wendy Bidstrup invites us to tea and a light luncheon at Tabor Academy’s Head of School’s Great Room at 188 Front Street.

            The Town of Marion, while special due to its seaside location, has certainly been enhanced due to the foresight and generosity of Mrs. Taber. She funded many of the Town’s prominent and beloved buildings – The Town Hall, The Elizabeth Taber Library, The Music Hall, The Natural History Museum and in 1876, at age 85, she founded Tabor Academy. Quite an accomplishment for a 19th Century widowed woman who amassed her fortune due to her investment acumen. Wendy Bidstrup, past director of The Marion Art Center, will give us insight into who Mrs. Tabor was and why she lives on today. Bidstrup will be joined by Sophie Arnfield, the Tabor Academy Library’s archivist, who will bring a selection of Mrs. Taber’s personal items and papers.

            Attendees may enter at the sign that says Tabor Head of School and park on the grass. Non-members please make a reservation by calling Jeanne Lake at 508-748-0619 or visit our website: www.sippicanwomansclub.org.

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 9 Clark Street. The home at 9 Clark Street is a charming, Italianate dwelling built between 1855 and 1875. As early as 1867, it was owned, but not occupied by Ernest S. Clark, a carpenter. This property is listed on the 1879 map as belonging to S. Blankinship.

David A. Johnson

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David A. Johnson, 80, of Marion, MA died Thursday, February 28, 2019 at Sippican Healthcare Center after a long illness. He was the husband of Barbara A. (Lukoff) Johnson.

            Born in Hartford, CT, son of the late John O. Johnson, Jr. and Grace C. (Sabrowski) Johnson, he was raised in Norwich, CT, and had lived in Rochester, NY, Arlington Heights, IL and Topsfield, MA, before retiring to Charleston, SC. He had attended Norwich Public Schools and Norwich Free Academy. He was a graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a degree in chemical engineering. While at WPI, he was involved in the ROTC program, President of SAE, and was a member of SKULL, honorary society.

            He was a member of St. Gabriel’s Church in Marion, where he was active in church affairs at Sippican Healthcare Center.

            Mr. Johnson was formerly employed as an executive in graphic marketing for Kodak for 30 years until his retirement.

            He served in the U.S. Army, and retired with the rank of Captain after serving in the Reserves for 9 years. He enjoyed fishing, skiing, tennis, and golf, and had played varsity baseball and basketball in high school and in college. He also loved to sing.

            Mr. Johnson was Vice-President and on the Board of Directors for the Kiwanis Club and Ronald McDonald House, both in Charleston, SC, and was also active and involved for nine years with the Charleston Historic Foundation.

            Survivors include his wife, Barbara; a son, Paul Sherwood Johnson and his wife Hallie of Lake Forest, IL; a daughter, Cynthia Bliss Ray and her fiancé Mark Minton of New Bedford; four grandchildren, Samantha Alden Ray, Alyssa Wills Ray, Perry Reese Johnson and Luke David Johson; and several nieces and nephews.

            His Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 11 am in St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, 124 Front St., Marion, with military honors following outside after the service. A private burial will be held in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Visiting hours are omitted. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Multi-Family Proposed for Church Street

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            On February 25, the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission heard a Notice of Intent filing from Peter Botello and Richard Pasquill for lots located at 78, 80, and 82 Church Street. Represented by Rick Charon of Charon Engineering, the applicants are proposing to construct a three-family unit where currently three separate structures are in various stages of decrepitude.

            Charon detailed what has been discovered on the parcels regarding sewers and abandoned septic pits. A new structure, he explained, would be serviced by municipal sewer, and old pits would be filled. He said the structures on the properties would be razed.

            Stormwater management was a bit trickier, as Charon said that a drainage headwall near the property didn’t seem to serve any purpose, and that drainage from the site was being rustically handled by a small collection area that allowed water to migrate off the property. There was also mention of an intermittent stream running nearby. Charon said he was more concerned about the stream and a ditch located on the opposite side of Church Street.

            Charon said the property owners will need to seek and secure a Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals for the multi-unit home and associated off-street parking that is part of the conceptual plans. He also said that lot coverage would be approximately 26 percent of the total when the parcels are combined, another aspect of the proposed project that the ZBA will need to review.

            Conservation Commission Chairman Mike King questioned if roof runoff should be included when Charon considers stormwater management planning in greater detail. Charon said the surrounding grassed landscape and gravel driveway would allow roof runoff to drain directly into the ground, so the need to migrate it directly underground via a collection system was not necessary. King was satisfied with the construction of conventional downspouts. Charon added that the construction of the building called for slab on grade, saying, “Basements in that area aren’t a good idea.”

            The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection had reviewed the conceptual plans without comment, added Charon.

            Conservation Agent Elizabeth Leidhold’s comments included a request for compost wattles, silk fencing, and what the commission calls “standard special conditions” such as erosion controls, notice to the office and/or preconstruction meetings, as well as removal of excess material be required should the project move forward to construction.

            The project was conditioned, clearing the way for review by the ZBA and Planning Board.

            Also during the meeting, the commission addressed 10 Requests for Determination of Applicability, the majority of which were for parcels within the Preserve at Bay Club represented by Jason Youngquist of Outback Engineering.

            The Preserve at Bay Club LLC, lots 124, 125, 126, 127, 136, 137, 138, 139, 139A, and 139B, had all received notification from the Massachusetts Wildlife Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program that the proposed development of the parcels for single-family homes would have no impacts on wild species habitat. 

            Leidhold again requested that the development maintain standard special conditions. The proposed development of the parcels all received a Negative 3 determination of applicability.

            Other RDAs receiving Negative 3 determinations were: Neal Sandford, 4 Seaconet Road, for the construction of a shed; Frank Gerry, 59 Angelica Avenue, for the replacement of two structural piers and the construction of a 10×16-foot deck; William and Bonnie Medeiros, 17 Cove Street, for the installation of an elevator; and Aaron Bates, 9 West Hill Road, for the construction of a single-story 8×22-foot master closet addition.

            A Notice of Intent filed by the Mattapoisett Water & Sewer Department for property located off Tinkham Lane near Hereford Hill Road was conditioned, allowing for utility upgrades. The project will require the removal of trees for new overhead and underground electrical systems.

            Another Notice of Intent filing located at the Preserve at the Bay Club, LLC for Split Rock Lane requested approval for the extension of the roadway. King asked Youngquist about water quality studies. Youngquist reported those were underway, but not complete. King was hesitant to act upon the filing absent that report. Youngquist was concerned that the timing of the study would delay the roadway expansion, throwing off planned construction start dates. The NOI was continued until March 11.

            Finally, a Certificate of Compliance was issued to Wayne and Lori Caswell, 42 Crystal Springs Road.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for March 11 at 6:30 pm in the town hall conference room.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

Girls’ Hockey Takes Dominant Record to Postseason

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            Somehow Tabor Academy heads into the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Girls Ice Hockey Tournament as the third seed, despite only losing one game.

            The Seawolves’ 20-1-3 record slates them behind No. 2 Noble and Greenough, who won their lone matchup with Tabor 4-3, as well as No. 1 Williston Northampton School. Tabor could get another shot at Noble, but only if the Seawolves take care of business in the opening round on Wednesday at 2:30 pm at Travis Roy Ice Arena against No. 6 Phillips Andover. The two teams met earlier in the year with Tabor coming out on top by a score of 3-1.

            “They’ve got some really good players,” Tabor coach Eric Long said. “They had a great year; they have a great goalie, and it’s going to be another close game.”

            Phillips Andover is among the eight Division I prep schools in New England featured, but there’s a reason Tabor is a top-three team.

            The Seawolves have had a few close games throughout the season, but they’ve won a fair share of games by wide margins. In their first three games of the season, they outscored their opponents 15-3. Their next three games, 15-3 again.

            There were other impressive stretches mixed in – like the first three games of February where they won 8-0, 8-1 and 9-1 – but that second 15-3 run was an important one. That was the start of the Taft Tournament, right before the holidays. Tabor went on to win it for the first time since 2011, walking out with a 7-0-1 record. At that point, it was evident to Long his team could have a memorable season.

            “Six of the top-10 teams in New England were at that tournament,” Long said. “Once we got through that without a loss – typically it’s hard to get through that tournament – at that point it was like, ‘Alright, we have a handful of hard games left, but we just got through a handful of hard games the first (portion) of the year and we don’t have a loss.’”

            A big reason for the continued success and outpouring of offense is Tabor has two lines that can score. The first group of Skylar Irving, Annie Berry,and Abby Newhookhas combined for 44 goals and 39 assists. Irving leads the team with 18 goals and 15 assists (33 points), while Newhook has 15 goals and 11 assists (26 points) and Berry has 11 goals and 13 assists (24 points).

            Meanwhile, the second line of Olivia O’Brien, Cindy Giandomenico, and Ashley Clarkhas scored 27 goals and logged 17 assists. Giandomenico (15 points) leads the trio with 11 goals, while Clark (15 points) and O’Brien (14 points) each have eight. There’s also been help at the blue line with Julia Shaunessy(19 points) scoring 12 goals on the season to go with her seven assists.

            “I think that’s really been the difference this year to last year, the depth. And we’re a little bit healthier,” Long said.

            Among the group, Berry, O’Brien, and Giandomenico will play college hockey next year. Giandomenico will play for Colby College; Berry is heading to the University of New Hampshire; O’Brien is Yale-bound.

            The Seawolves will need all of them to be at their best, as well as goalie Christine Steege(.927 save percentage and 1.19 goals-against average), if they hope to play on Saturday in the semi-finals of the NEPSAC tournament and Sunday in the finals.

            Tabor Academy girls basketball qualified for the NEPSAC Class AA tournament as the second seed and plays host to Northfield Mount Hermon on Wednesday at 4:00 pm. If the Seawolves win, they play again on Sunday against the winner of No. 1 Worcester Academy and No. 4 The Rivers School.

            Tabor boys basketball enters the NEPSAC Class A tournament as the sixth seed. They play on Wednesday, on the road at Avon Old Farms against No. 2 The Hotchkiss School. If the Seawolves win, they take on the winner of No. 2 Williston Northampton School and No. 7 Choate Rosemary Hall in the semi-finals on Saturday.

High School Sports

By Nick Friar

Marion Art Center News

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New Exhibitions – The Marion Art Center (MAC) is pleased to present two new exhibitions. Students of Sippican and Menagerie at theMAC will open on Friday, March 1with a reception from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. The upper gallery will feature works by students in grades K-6 at Sippican Elementary and will include art books on loan from the Elizabeth Taber Library. This collaboration is arranged in conjunction with Children’s Librarian, Rosemary Grey, and Sippican art teacher, Erin Kirk. 

            The MAC’s lower gallery will showcase four artists who often depict animals in their work: Jane Bregoli, Stephanie Bush, Heide Hallemeier, and Nancy Whitin. These artists capture the anthropomorphic characteristics of, or unique relationships between, cows, donkeys, goats, dogs, and other beloved creatures. Menageriewill also feature a small selection of hand-printed goods by Shara Porter available for sale. The exhibition runs through Saturday, April 6.

            New Workshop – The MAC is offering a new three-day workshop, Dare to Decorate! with instructor Diane Kelley. Wednesdays beginning March 13at 10:00 am the MAC. March 13 and 27 classes will run 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at the MAC and the March 20 class includes a field trip to Boston Design Center (BDC) and will run 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Cost: $110 for MAC members/$120 for non-members, plus cost of lunch at BDC. For more information, call the MAC at 508-748-1266 with questions. Register for classes and workshops by phone, in person, or online at www.marionartcenter.org/classes/art-classes/.

            Students will be guided step-by-step on a creative journey to discover their own personal decorating style. In this fun, hands-on workshop you will select colors, fabrics, furnishings, and create an optional floor plan. We’ll also explore lighting, architectural elements, antiques, and artistic accessories, as well as floor, wall, paint, and window treatments. For inspiration, students will tour the BDC, Boston’s largest, most comprehensive decorating resource. Workshops are lecture-based with PowerPoint presentations, handouts and open discussions, followed by studio work sessions. At the end of your term, you may leave with a complete floor plan for one room in your own real, or imagined, dream home or office!

            The Cherry Orchardopens at the MAC – The Cherry Orchardby Anton Chekhov, directed by Kate Fishman, opens Friday, March 15at 7:30 pm at the MAC, with subsequent performances March 16-17, 21-23. The Sunday matinee will start at 2:00 pm and all other performances will start at 7:30 pm. An informal talkbackis scheduled on Thursday, March 21, following the production. This is a special opportunity for the audience to discuss the play with the director and the actors.

            The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov is a drama (dramedy) that examines and illustrates the prevailing class structure of Chekhov’s Russia. As Ranevskaya struggles to deal with the realities of losing her family estate, her daughters Anya and Varya choose their own ways to deal with the big changes ahead of them. Meanwhile their neighbor, Lopakhin, tries to solve everyone’s problems with new money and new ideas.

            Tickets available to MAC members in person or by phone beginning February 22 ($18). Tickets will be available online and to non-members starting March 1 ($20).

Open Table

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Join us in Reynard Hall at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church for pancakes on Shrove Tuesday from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm on March 5. Then at Open Table, enjoy a delicious meal on March 8for the first Friday in Lent. There is no charge for the meal, although donations are gratefully accepted. Doors open at 4:30 pm and the dinner is served at 5:00 pm. This is a community event and everyone is welcome. We look forward to seeing you there. 

Author Susan Quinn at the Mattapoisett Library

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As part of the One Book, Tri-town Series, author Susan Quinn will be speaking about two of her books at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library on Sunday, March 10at 2:00 pm. Focusing on Eleanor Roosevelt, Quinn will be presenting “Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair that Shaped a First Lady.” Published in 2016, it was voted one of the Best Books of 2016 by NPR and Harper’s Bazaar.  It details the relationship of two markedly different personalities, who were partners in life, politics, and social reform efforts.

            Quinn will also talk about her book focused on the Federal Theatre Project, “Furious Improvisation: How the WPA and a Cast of Thousands Made High Art out of Desperate Times.”  Hear about Orson Welles, John Houseman, Sinclair Lewis, and other great names whose ground-breaking work was funded by the WPA.

            The One Book, Tri-Town Series, offered by the public libraries in Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester, is culminating on May 19th with a visit by B. A. Shapiro, author of the selected title “The Muralist.” Prior to Shapiro’s visit, the libraries are hosting programs and events such as concerts, art-making, lectures, and book discussions that feature the themes presented in Shapiro’s award-winning novel. 

            A Sing-Along Session featuring folk songs of the 1930s will be held at the Mattapoisett Library on Sunday, March 17 at 2:00 pm. Organized by Plumb Memorial Library Director Gail Roberts, local musicians have been invited to play, and songbooks of lyrics will be distributed to the audience. Everyone is welcome to attend.

            For more information on the series, please visit the websites of any of the Tri-Town libraries or stop in your local library.

Movie Night: The Sequel

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The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra (NBSO) presents an evening of classical Hollywood movie music at its upcoming March 9pops concert, Movie Night: The Sequel, under the direction of Yaniv Dinur.

            Last year’s Movie Night pops concert was such a big hit that the NBSO has programmed this sequel to continue its exploration of the beautiful and unforgettable music of film. This year’s program includes selections from movies such as Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music, West Side Story, Casablanca, My Fair Lady, Babes in Toyland, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Mary Poppins, as well as the movies of Charlie Chaplin and Alfred Hitchcock. In addition, Maestro Dinur will once again entertain the audience with his hilarious antics.

            Movie Night: The Sequel will take place on March 9 at 7:30 pm at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center in downtown New Bedford. Tickets are $30‒$65, with $10 student tickets (not available online). Purchase tickets through the Z box office, 508-994-2900, or online at www.nbsymphony.org. Convenient concert parking is available in the Z garage.