The next Open Table will be on Friday, January 10 in Reynard Hall at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church. Come celebrate the New Year with a delicious hot meal. There’s no charge for the meal, although donations are gratefully accepted. Doors open at 4:30 pm and supper will be served at 5:00 pm. This is a community event and everyone is welcome.
Margot Appleton hasn’t been running cross-country races very long, but she is already gaining national recognition for her ability to put her best foot forward.
The Mattapoisett native is a junior at Portsmouth Abbey where she attends high school. Appleton is not new to competitive sports, having been a competitive swimmer in the recent past. And while she has been running throughout high school, including coming in third in her category a couple of years ago in the Mattapoisett 4th of July Road Race, cross-country running is still a new challenge for her.
As Appleton’s mother Sarah shared with a chuckle, “She has been toiling away in obscurity.”
It looks like that is about to change, Mom.
During the Foot Locker qualifying races, which were held in four regions of the US in November, Appleton was selected to run the Northeast qualifier held in Van Cortland Park, New York. She came in sixth in her category.
“It had been my goal all season to come in top 10,” Appleton confided. “But I was not necessarily expecting it to happen because the Northeast has no many fast girls.”
She placed 21st last year, but this year she came in much earlier, which bolstered her resolve.
“I am hoping to come in top 10 again next year,” she said.
This past summer, Appleton added swimming to her training routine along with running just about seven days a week. All of that hard work paid off. Having ranked in the top 10 in the Northeast region, Appleton qualified for the national event held in San Diego on December 14.
The Foot Locker Cross Country National Championships began in 1979 when the company was called Kinney Shoes and owned by F. W. Woolworth. Corporate moves through the decades renamed the event and changed it to Foot Locker in 1993.
It is the longest-running national cross-country race for high school students.
The top ten student runners from each of the four regions, 40 girls and 40 boys, are invited to San Diego for the event. The students are primarily selected from preparatory high schools.
Appleton said they arrived in San Diego several days ahead of the race.
“I did not feel my best leading up to or during the race,” she said, “but it was an opportunity to race with some of the fastest girls in the country, so I tried to make the most of it.”
Even though it was a difficult challenge, she said, “I had so much fun.”
Appleton finished in 22nd place with a time of 18:07.3 – just about a minute behind the winner, Marlee Starliper from Wellsville, Pennsylvania, with a time of 17:03.6.
In fact, it was the first time any female runner has come in at 17 minutes, and the first time two female runners had done so. Sydney Masciarelli from Northbridge, Massachusetts, came in at 17:18.7.
Appleton will, no doubt, be striving to improve her pace. After all, she did exceptionally well, given her health wasn’t the best at the time. My bet is she’ll shave seconds off that time, next time.
By Marilou Newell
Christmas tree pick-up in Mattapoisett is scheduled for the weeks of January 6 through January 17. Christmas trees should be placed curbside by 7:00 am on the day of your regularly scheduled rubbish pick-up. Trees are also accepted at the Transfer Station on Tinkham Hill Road. Trees in plastic bags or with ornaments will not be picked up. If you have any questions please contact the Mattapoisett Highway Department at 508-758-4181.
Falmouth Academy has announced its Head of School List for academic achievement in the first trimester of the 2019-20 school year. Students named to the list have earned at least three A’s and no grade below B-minus for the trimester that ended November 26, 2019. Falmouth Academy has 217 students in grades 7 through 12, from Cape Cod, the Southcoast, the South Shore, and Martha’s Vineyard.
Tri-Town students named to the list include:
Lyric Beecher ’25, daughter of Jena Beecher and Peter Cacace of Marion
Aubryn Dubois ’25, daughter of Christin Dubois of Rochester
Elizabeth Feeney ’25, daughter of Kristin and Michael Feeney of Marion
Jackson Gierhart ’25, son of Karen and Jack Gierhart of Marion
Camden Jeppson ’25, son of Jennifer and Erik Jeppson of Rochester
Athena Kettner ’25, daughter of Deborah Kettner of Mattapoisett
Jack McGinnis ’25, son of Karen and David McGinnis of Marion
Reid Reimold ’25, son of Kristen and Rya Reimold of Marion
Tessa Sperry ’25, daughter of Steph and Matt Sperry of Marion
Curtis Johnson ’24, son of Lauren De Simon and Clint Johnson of Marion
Patrick Shachoy ’24, son of Laura Ryan and Jamey Shachoy of Marion
Benjamin Giumetti ’23, son of Shannon and Donald Giumetti of Mattapoisett
Natalia Sudofsky ’22, daughter of Kate and Michael Sudofsky of Marion
For many local families and friends, the annual Helping Hands and Hooves Christmas morning swim has become a tradition – a growing tradition, according to the Mattapoisett-based non-profit organization’s director, Julie Craig.
“This year was our best year yet,” she shared.
And the weather could not have been more agreeable as several dozen hale and hearty participants stood on Mattapoisett’s Town Beach awaiting the signal to plunge into the freezing seawater.
Buzzards Bay this time of the year has an average temperature of about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. But taking the bite out of the cold water was a bright sun in the nearly cloudless sky. One could actually feel the heat of the sun; a tiny bit, anyway.
It wouldn’t have been a Christmas Day plunge without folks showing up dressed for the occasion in Santa suits, ‘ugly’ Christmas sweaters, fancy glittery neckties, and even a festively-dressed family dog.
Several intrepid bow-wows galloped into the salty brine following their humans.
Lou Casi of Mattapoisett attended the event with his son, Cabley, and nephew and first-time Christmas day swimmer Nate Syer, who was visiting from North Carolina. The 12-year-old boys sprang in and out of the water, no problem. Dad did okay, too, just a bit slower on the return.
The four-strong Foley family, along with their fur babies Annie and Breezin, were enjoying the party atmosphere. Breezin, a black lab, thought the whole event was just for him.
The event’s only challenge was the extreme low tide. This condition required the swimmers to slog out rather far before they reached enough depth to actually get fully wet. With screams, shouts, and with joyous laughter, the plungers appeared as a single unit moving quickly forward and back, grabbing towels and warm robes from their support teams onshore.
The event, while providing much-needed funding for the programs offered at Helping Hands and Hooves, also demonstrates to the community the need for enrichment, social opportunities, and the practice of daily living skills for those with developmental and cognitive disabilities that age-out of publically-funded education programs upon reaching the age of 22.
The programs offered at Helping hands and Hooves feature therapeutic horseback riding to assist in building confidence and self-esteem, as well as physical coordination and interaction with others.
Pat Goss, whose son Brendan has been attending programs at Craig’s Aucoot Road farm for the past 16 years, told The Wanderer during last year’s Christmas Swim, “There isn’t much for them once they reach a certain age.”
At Helping Hands and Hooves, cognitively and physically challenged adults have the chance to be outside, enjoy interaction with others, and experience the special therapeutic benefits animals provide humans.
Craig’s partner, Debbie Dyson said, “Many come from group homes where they don’t have a great deal of opportunity to socialize outside that setting.”
Dyson explained that at the farm the clients are happy, as evidenced by their demeanor, smiles, and overall joie de vivre.
To learn more about the programs and funding opportunities available at Helping Hands and Hooves, you can visit www.helpinghandsandhooves.org.
By Marilou Newell
The Mattapoisett Library’s monthly technology workshop series continues on January 14 at 5:00 pm with the free online service Universal Class. Universal Class offers over 500 courses, including: career training, business, finance, homeschooling, personal development, and more. Universal Class is an approved IACET Authorized Provider and can be an easy solution to getting the Continuing Education Units. This workshop will go over how to navigate the site and how to get the most out of the service. Please register by January 7. Universal Class could turn 2020 into a year for personal improvement.
All programs are free and open to the public. If special accommodations are needed, please contact the library at 508-758-4171 for assistance.
In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. The survey was funded half by the Sippican Historical Society and half by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Due to the limits of funding, not all of the historic buildings were surveyed, but over 100 were cataloged 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 feature one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture.
This installment features 533 Mill Street. Route 6 existed as a Native American coastal trail for centuries before the first English settlement of Marion in 1679. The Cape Cod home at 533 Mill Street was built in 1818, but is said to incorporate a room that dates to the late 17th century. The first identified owner of this home was Barnabas Holmes. He was a Quaker school teacher descended from Isaac Holmes, one of the original members of a local Congregational Church founded by Rev. Samuel Arnold in 1703. Barnabas Holmes and his wife, Sarah, left considerable property to the Town of Marion. The Holmes estate left $2,000 to the Old Landing Cemetery Association to “beautify the cemetery in which my family is buried”.
Richard J. Barrett, 73 of Mattapoisett died December 30, 2019 at Brigham & Women’s Hospital after a period of declining health.
He was the husband of Patricia Nicholson.
Born and raised in New Bedford, son of the late Edward and Yvonne (Masse) Barrett, he lived in Mattapoisett most of his life.
He was formerly employed as an instructor in the automotive department at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School for many years until his retirement.
“Dickie”, when not helping others or out and about socializing with his large network of friends, could usually be found in his work shop, affectionately known as the “Sawdust Café”. He was a true perfectionist when working or helping others with projects. He had a lifelong interest and knowledge of all things mechanical and structural. He always was willing to help his friends with anything at anytime, anywhere if they had an emergency. Those who knew him could count on him and he was always at the ready and available to provide advice, tools, or with anything related to all aspects of construction, word working, or home projects regardless of the magnitude of the job. He took pride in his ability to remain true to his Northern New Bedford roots and stayed close with his very large family. Dick was most proud of his professional accomplishments and the students whose lives he positively affected while working and retiring as an automotive instructor at the Greater New Bedford Vocational High School. Dick loved participating in all outdoor and athletic activities that were available to him, including, skiing, boating, riding his Indian motorcycle, tennis, softball and working out at the “Club”. In his later years, he participated regularly in yoga and pickle ball. Dick had a unique ability to meet a stranger while out socializing and shortly thereafter become good friends with them because he possessed the ability to connect with others either with his sense of humor, or easy way of communication. His smile is legendary, and exemplified the good natured man that he was. Needless to say, Dick will be sorely missed by all those whose lives he touched.
Survivors include his wife; 5 brothers, Roland Barrett and his wife Patti of Milford, James Barrett and his wife Nancy of Mattapoisett, Rene Barrett and his wife Dawne of Easton, Edward Barrett and his wife Evelyn of Lakeville and Charles Barrett and his wife Cheryl and Godson CJ of Dartmouth; 3 sisters, Jeanine Sasseville and her husband Gene and Goddaughter Susan of New Bedford, Claire Tellier and her husband John of Norwich, CT and Celeste Paleologos and her husband Phil of New Bedford; and many nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Marc Barrett.
His Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 11th at 11 AM at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 121 Mt. Pleasant St., New Bedford. Visiting hours will be Friday, January 10th from 3-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Rt. 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Mattapoisett Community Sailing Association Inc., P.O. Box 947 Mattapoisett, MA 02739. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
Robert Niemi, 78, of Rochester, died peacefully Wednesday, January 1, 2020 surrounded by his family at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford after a long illness. He was the beloved husband of Judith E. (Cusick) Niemi.
Born in Wareham, he was the son of the late Everett E. and Theresa L. (Mestieri) Niemi. Mr. Niemi received his Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering from Southeastern Massachusetts University, now UMass Dartmouth and owned and operated Niemi Electric for over 40 years. He was also a third-generation cranberry grower.
Mr. Niemi was a member of the Redmen Cromesett Tribe # 156 and the Wareham / New Bedford Lodge of Elks # 73. He was an avid hunter, enjoyed golf, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Judith of Rochester; his children, Sally Niemi-Farhoody and her wife Nassrine of Auburn, Stephen Niemi and his fiancé Trisha Osborne of Wareham, Jeffrey Niemi and his wife Lisa of Rochester, and Jennifer Proffit and her husband Steven of Rochester; his sisters, Elizabeth Galavotti of Cheyenne, WY, and Catherine Doris of Westport. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Michael and Mary Niemi, Zachary and Jake Proffit, Cameron and Courtney Osborne, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
His funeral will be from the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., (Rt. 28), Wareham on Fri., Jan. 10, 2020 at 9 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Church, High St., Wareham at 10 am. Interment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Wareham. Visiting hours will be Thurs. from 4 – 7 pm at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. of MA/NH, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452.
Old Colony boys basketball is playing well, but they are far from satisfied.
For the Cougars, the 2019-2020 year was going to present a challenge the program hadn’t dealt with over the last four seasons. That’s because the Cougars’ roster doesn’t feature Jake Jason for the first time since the Old Colony alum was in the eighth grade.
But the Cougars have responded well to his departure. JoJo Cortez and Hunter Soares were major contributors for Old Colony’s 2018-19 team and so far have taken charge of the team this year. As of now, the Cougars are 3-1 and have defeated Coyle Cassidy by over 40 points and Bristol-Plymouth 64-33 in their latest matchup, a game in which Cortez scored 21 and knocked down four 3-pointers.
“[JoJo] shot extremely well,” Old Colony coach Matt Trahan said about his point guard’s performance against the Craftsmen. “Our defense played well. We crashed the glass like we like too, and we got out on the run. We scored in bunches and played sound defense.”
However, Trahan and his players got together on the morning of New Year’s Eve. They wanted to tighten up a few things.
Even though they’ve won by significant margins, the Cougars identify there is plenty of room to improve.
“We’re playing well, the problem is there’s things within the game that need to be done in a cleaner fashion,” Trahan said. “We turned the ball far too much in our last game. It really kind of left a bad taste in my mouth.
“We’re just kind of holding the kids accountable for – yeah, great you won the game, but we’re still not playing to our ability, so we got back in the gym [Tuesday] and kind of corrected some things,” continued Trahan. “We certainly need to work on taking care of the ball and protecting the possessions.”
Part of what’s led to the Cougars’ turnovers has been the team’s unselfishness. Old Colony doesn’t solely rely on Soares or Cortez to provide the offense. Soares wasn’t even Old Colony’s second-highest scorer in the win over Bristol-Plymouth. (Jarrett Taylor scored 11 and Ryan Scott had eight).
But when the game is on the line or Old Colony’s opponent is taking control of the contest, the Cougars will need Cortez or Soares to take control.
“They’ve already proven to me that anybody at any time can take the ball and really make it happen. They’re really unselfish… It’s a fine line. You don’t want to be selfish, but there are times where they have to know, ‘I have to take it on my own,’” Trahan said. “ I think they know it’s going to be JoJo or Hunter who’s going to take that final shot.”
Unselfishness is not a problem that Trahan minds, though. Ultimately, that approach should make it easier for the Cougars to work toward their greater goal of being a more refined team by the end of the year.
“I’d say that we’re a very talented team that definitely has the ability to mature throughout the season and can certainly fill up the basket,” Trahan said. “But we need to do all those things that kind of make us – we want to play clean basketball. We’re not there yet.”
High School Sports Update
By Nick Friar