Eugenia (Pina) Oliver Hines

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Eugenia “Jeannie” (Pina) Oliver Hines, also known as the “Matriarch of the Oliver Family”, age 91, of New Bedford, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospital. She was the beloved wife of Charles “Chuck” A. Hines and former wife of the late John Oliver.

            Eugenia was born in Plymouth, MA to the late Antone and Anna Pina. She lived in Rochester, MA for many years where she raised her children, later moving to New Bedford where she had lived for many years until her passing.

            Eugenia was loved by many and will be missed dearly. She was a feisty 91 year old who had a heart of gold and a love of flowers and plants. She loved her family get-togethers and bingo. She especially loved dressing up and wore high heels while doing housework. Eugenia had been a school teacher at the Gomes Elementary School for many years.

            She is survived by her husband, Chuck; her sisters, Clara, Ginger, Pat and brother, Joseph; her children, Reenie, Roslyn, Duane (Ray), Debra, Edward and Vicki; as well as many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

            Eugenia was the mother of the late Linda, John (Buddy), Robert, Roberta, Frank, Richard and Angel. She was also the sister of the late Toni, Mimi, Edward, Louis, John, Anthony and Daniel.

            A special mention of her granddaughter, Amanda.

            Eugenia’s celebration of life will be held on Sunday January 26, 2020 from 2:00 – 6:00 pm. at Centro Luzo Club 34 Beetle St. New Bedford, Ma 02745. Her burial of cremains will take place on Saturday February 1, 2020 at St Patricks Cemetery Wareham, Ma at 10:00 am.

            Arrangements are placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home 111 Dartmouth St. New Bedford, MA 02740. Please see our website: www.perryfuneral.com for condolences.

Scouts Food Donations to Shepherd’s Pantry

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Rochester Troop 31 delivered food donations they have been collecting all month to Shepherd’s Pantry in Acushnet for Thanksgiving. November was Scouting for Food Month and Troop 31 Scouts and Leaders take this type of community service very seriously. This year they will be extending Scouting for Food to December as well!  The Troop has been providing many years of annual support to local organizations such as the Rochester Lions Club, helping them pack holiday meal bags for tri-town seniors and families in need each November and December. 

            This year they decided to make an even greater impact in their intentions to help people with their efforts, by collecting food donations for the Shepherd’s Pantry located at the Long Plain United Methodist Church in Acushnet for Thanksgiving and Christmas, extending scouting for food month through December. An effort spearheaded by David Andrews, Troop Chaplain, leader, and scout father to Eagle Scout, Jacob Andrews, who are both dedicated members to both their scout troop and church congregation.

            “It’s amazing to see how much of a difference you can really make in peoples lives by providing food to those who have fallen on hard times,” said Mr. Andrews. who has been a long-time volunteer at Shepherd’s Pantry.

            After collecting food throughout the month of November in a drop-box at the Plumb Memorial Library, scouts and leaders delivered the generous donations to Shepherd’s Pantry where they were greeted by Darryl Gifford, Long Plain United Methodist Church Board of Directors Representative.

            The Scouts were given a tour of the Pantry and learned that anyone in need is welcomed to stop by on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 11:00 am to receive food. They are currently in great need of diapers and baby food, as well as, non-perishable food donations. Volunteer help during this time is also always sincerely welcomed.

            Troop 31 will continue to collect food donations through Christmas time to continue their support the far-reaching efforts of Shepherd’s Pantry, serving families from all over the area.

Town Must Cut Funding for Rochester Country Fair

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            These have certainly been trying times for the Rochester Country Fair, a 20-years-long tradition to which its success rests solely on the right atmospheric conditions to draw the big crowds to the all-outdoor event. After this year’s country fair was cut short due to the Eastern Equine Encephalitis threat and a curfew restricting events on town land to daylight hours, the country fair took a major financial hit this year.

            On December 2 during the meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen, Kelly Morgado of the RCF Board of Directors learned that the country fair is facing another financial hit now that the RCF has recently changed its status from a town entity to a non-profit 501(c)(3), making it ineligible to receive funding from the annual $10,000 donation SEMASS gives to the town to help pay for town/community projects.

            The RCF had historically received $5,000 of the $10,000 in SEMASS funds each year, but in 2019 was already reduced to $4,000.

            The RCF is no longer eligible for town funding due to the “anti-aid amendment” to the Massachusetts Constitution, which prohibits public funds or property from being given to private organizations or charities.

            The Town of Rochester recently used the anti-aid amendment as its reason for not funding a Town Meeting article submitted by another non-profit non-government organization (NGO).

            Morgado said that when the conversation first arose in September about the RCF separating from the town to form its own NGO, she was concerned about whether the fair could still receive the donation money it had relied upon for years.

            “The town can’t give money to a non-profit,” said Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar.

            “Now, I think the fair falls into the [same] category as the Friends of the Library, the Boy Scouts… Those are all 501(c)(3)s,” said Selectman Greenwood “Woody” Hartley, “and we don’t give money to them. So, we either give it to everybody… We need to think about it.”

            According to Morgado, she was told that it would not be a problem receiving the funds during a September RCF “wrap-up” meeting with the Board of Selectmen, she claimed.

            None of the selectmen recalled ever having a conversation about SEMASS donation money with Morgado during a prior meeting.

            Without the funding, Morgado said as she got up to leave, “That’ll be interesting…”

            Earlier, Morgado requested to use the fairgrounds for 10 days to hold 10 fundraisers throughout the months leading up to the country fair, which will be held this year for two days only: August 8-9 during daylight hours only.

            The state expects another summer of elevated EEE risk.

            “The past three years have been pretty disastrous for the fair,” said Morgado in her request for approval of the 10 fundraiser days.

            The selectmen approved the use of the fairgrounds for the two country fair days only, and held off on approving the 10 fundraiser days.

            Hartley asked Morgado if she had asked the Pine Street neighbors if they would mind the 10 fundraiser events, which would include one or two hot modified tractor pulls in addition to the usual antique tractor pulls. She said that she did send a letter to the surrounding neighbors to inform them.

            “Positive feedback (from neighbors) will make it easier for us to say yes,” said Hartley.

            Also during the meeting, Mark Wellington, a member of the local 501(c)(3) Rochester Affordable Housing, Inc. appeared with a summary of six town-owned properties that would be appropriate as a site for an affordable housing development for seniors, and asked the board to transfer a piece of town property over to the non-profit for that specific use.

            Ironically, one such piece of land is the town-owned Pine Street fairgrounds, the site of the annual Rochester Country Fair.

            “We’re turning the material over to you gentlemen and we’re hoping that you can help us,” said Wellington. “In order for us to really get going, we need a piece of land.

            “Right now we don’t have anything to start with,” continued Wellington. “We’re really hoping that you folks can help us out.”

            The board took the matter under advisement to bring up again during its January 20 meeting.

            During a follow-up after the meeting, Szyndlar explained to The Wanderer how the anti-aid amendment that applies to the RCF does not apply to Rochester Affordable Housing, Inc.’s request for town property.

            According to Szyndlar, the town is working with town counsel to carve out a legal avenue to accommodate the land request, such as a land auction with a restriction that the land must be used for affordable senior housing.

            Also during the meeting, the board recognized Firefighter/Paramedic Jessica Vinjerud and Firefighter/EMT Andrew Weigel for each receiving a Norman Knight Award for Excellence in Community Service at the 30th Annual Firefighter of the Year Awards in Worcester on November 26 presented by Governor Charlie Baker.

            Chief Weigel said he nominated the two because of their work in coordinating the New England Brotherhood Ride.

            “That was quite an honor,” said Firefighter Weigel, “and it’s great to be part of this little town.”

            In other business, the board voted to set the January 1, 2020 beach sticker price at $20 – free for citizens over age 70, and the transfer station sticker was set at $40; $30 for over age 70.

            The board renewed the annual alcohol, Class II, Class III, Range, and Automatic Amusement licenses in Rochester. 

            Christina White was appointed to the Agricultural Commission, bringing the total number of members to four – a quorum, which now allows the commission to officially begin meeting.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for December 16 at 6:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Jean Perry

Emmalina Scrooge on the MAC Stage

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Steph DeFerie’s Emmalina Scrooge, directed by Jennifer Palmer, opens on the MAC Stage on Friday, December 6 at 7:30 pm. There will be five performances: December 6, 7, 13, 14, and 15.  All Friday and Saturday shows will begin at 7:30 pm, while the Sunday matinee will begin at 2:00 pm. The cast includes: Lily Ambrosi, Genevieve Arone, Jade Beauregard, Jack Boesen, Leah Bonia, Lee Bonia, Lily Bonia, Holden Campbell, Alane Carbone, Edie Dupre, Molly Dupre, Jackson Gillman, Suzie Kokkins, Thomas O’Shaughnessy, Zoe Pateakos, Angela Pedulli, and Christian Pedulli. Crew includes Andrea Cantin, Steve McManus, and Frank Mitchell.

            Why is young Emmy Scrooge such a… well… scrooge? Perhaps a visit from Charles Dickens and two ghostly sisters can persuade her to have a change of heart. But when even the spirit of her thrice-great-grandfather gives up on her, things don’t look promising… Sure to become your new holiday favorite! 

            Tickets are on sale now and are $18 for MAC members, $20 for nonmember, and just $12 for children 12 and under. Purchase tickets online at marionartcenter.org/events/emmalina-scrooge

            Holiday Stroll – The Marion Art Center will give away free hand-dipped chocolate pretzels during the Marion Holiday Stroll again this year, on Sunday, December 8 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. The make-your-own-chocolate-dripped-pretzel stations will be set up in front of the Marion Art Center, located at the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets. The MAC will provide pretzels, chocolate, and toppings – all are welcome! 

Elizabeth Taber Library Holiday Events

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Celebrate the Holidays with the Elizabeth Taber Library.

                        Winter Mini Book Sale: Friday and Saturday, December 6 and 7, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Find books, ornaments, and more, just in time for the holidays! Gift wrapping will be available for purchased items for an additional donation of $2. Proceeds will benefit the Elizabeth Taber Library.

            Harry Potter Drop-in Crafts: Wednesday, December 11, all day. Come to the library to create Harry Potter themed ornaments. All ages are welcome!  

            Holiday Cookie Swap: Thursday, December 19 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Bring cookies (two dozen recommended) and a recipe to share to create a delicious grab bag of holiday treats. Sign up at the library.

            New Year’s Eve Children’s Countdown Party: Tuesday, December 31 from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm (noon). For all the little ones who can’t make it to midnight; countdown the new year in style in our children’s department. Refreshments will be served. Sign up at the library. 

Santa Sightings in the Tri-Town

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            Jolly old Saint Nick has a busy weekend ahead of him with a number of back-to-back Tri-Town events where Santa (with some events accompanied by Mrs. Claus) will make appearances to spread the spirit of Christmas and listen well to what our Tri-Town kiddies want most this holiday season.

            We don’t want you to have to search high and low for Santa, so here is a compilation of the Santa sightings on our Tri-Town radar so that no child has to miss out on the fun!

            On Saturday, December 7, the Old Rochester Regional High School Drama Club will be putting on one of its “Santa Matinees” of its holiday production, “Elf the Musical”.

            The show begins at 12:30 pm and will conclude with a visit from Santa himself for a meet-and-greet with the kids. Parents, bring your iPhones because this will be the perfect photo opportunity for your kids’ annual holiday portrait with Santa.

            Also on Saturday, the annual “Santa Run” 5k race will feature hundreds of ‘Santas’ running through the village streets of Mattapoisett, a sight you won’t want to miss! The “Youth Elves Run” fun run (for ages 13 and under) starts at 12:30 pm, and the Santa Run 5k (14 and older) starts at 1:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Town Wharf off Water Street.

            The Santa Run has historically been held in Downtown New Bedford, but was relocated to Mattapoisett this year. Some of the proceeds of the race will be donated to the American Legion.

            On Sunday, December 8, Santa’s first stop during his busiest day in the Tri-Town will be at the Rochester Senior Center on Dexter Lane for the annual Breakfast with Santa Claus sponsored by the Rochester Lions Club. The event is from 8:00 am to 11:00 am and a full breakfast menu will be offered, along with holiday crafts, games, and cookie decorating. The Lions suggest a $5 donation for photos with Santa.

            Then it’s a mad dash over to Marion where Santa will arrive at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center on Mill Road for lunch at the Marion Police Brotherhood’s annual Pizza with Santa from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. The Police Brotherhood will be accepting new unwrapped toys for its “Fill a Cruiser” toy drive to provide gifts for area children in foster care and adoption services under the Justice Resources Institute.

            At 2:00 pm is another Old Rochester Regional High School Drama Club “Santa Matinee” of its holiday production Elf the Musical! Come for the show, stay for the Santa photo op!

            Then it’s back to Marion for one of our favorite events of the year: the Marion Holiday Stroll. Santa will appear from across yonder Sippican Harbor on his “water sleigh” at just about 3:00 pm and will arrive at the Marion Town Wharf off Front Street where hundreds eagerly awaiting his arrival twill greet him.

            From there, Santa will board his horse-drawn carriage for a parade through the village and offer carriage rides throughout the afternoon. Front Street will be closed off to traffic and filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of the holiday season with local businesses offering free hot drinks and food, and the Sippican School Band will provide the holiday tunes. Be sure to watch for Grinch sightings, too! The event is from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm and will conclude with the tree lighting at Bicentennial Park at the corner of Main Street and Spring Street.

            On Monday, December 9, the Town of Rochester hosts its annual Tree Lighting on the Rochester Green in front of Town Hall at 6:30 pm. Come and enjoy the holiday music provided by the Rochester Memorial School band and Chorus and witness the spectacle of Santa’s grandiose arrival via fire engine.

            Cookies and hot drinks will then be served inside the Town Hall meeting room after the lighting of the tree.

            After a well-deserved rest, Santa will be back with his annual appearance at the Mattapoisett Holiday in the Park on Saturday, December 14, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

            Local restaurants will be inside the big tent ready to serve the crowd heaps of free fresh food and hot drinks, and The Showstoppers will be gathered beneath the gazebo singing plenty of holiday hits.

            We can’t imagine a more festive setting for the holidays than right here in the Tri-Town. The Wanderer will be out and about at all of these events, so be sure to smile for the camera when we point it in your direction!

SLT Open House

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Come celebrate 45 years of land conservation in Marion with the Sippican Lands Trust (SLT) at its Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 5 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at 173 Spring Street in Marion.

            Bring a guest or two and learn more about the work of the Sippican Lands Trust including its new accessible boardwalk at Osprey Marsh and the volunteers, supporters, and friends who make this work happen.

            Light refreshments will be served, and parking is available behind 173 Spring Street. We hope to see you at SLT’s Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 5 starting at 6:00 pm. For more information call (508) 748-3080 or send an email to info@sippicanlandstrust.org.

Emergency Preparedness

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The Massachusetts Office on Disability, in partnership with the Mattapoisett Board of Health, is hosting an informational gathering for Mattapoisett residents who may need assistance in the event of severe winter weather or other emergency situations. Family members, caregivers, and First Responders are also welcome and encouraged to attend. Information and resources to help ensure personal safety and well-being will be provided. Pre-registered attendees will receive an “Emergency Go Pack” containing items that may be needed during an emergency. First Responders will receive Tips for First Responders, 5th edition. Light refreshments will be available.

            The event, free of charge, will be held on Thursday, December 12 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Council on Aging (COA), 17 Barstow Street, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. Please register to attend by calling the COA at 508-758-4110. 

            Emergency preparedness meetings and events help strengthen community resilience and ensure the best outcome for all. We hope you will join us. 

Area Sees First Significant Snow of the Season

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The area’s first wintery storm was off to a slippery start on Sunday, December 1, and then concluded on Tuesday, December 3, with more snow that prompted the closure of Tri-Town schools and the Mattapoisett Town Hall and Senior Center.

            The snowy start soon switched over to a wintry mix and eventually rain as temperatures started to climb in the evening hours of Sunday. A steady rain with wind persisted for the duration of the night Sunday and settled into somewhat of a lull on Monday as Winter Storm Ezekiel took its time after a slow and crippling crawl across the country before its northeastern arrival.

            The switch back to snow happened around 10:00 pm Monday night while temperatures plummeted and lasted into Tuesday afternoon, dumping a rather unexpected range of 4-8 inches across the Tri-Town before heading out to sea Tuesday afternoon.

            There were numerous emergency calls for cars that had slid off the road, but no widespread power outages in our area.

            Other parts of the state received between 8-20 feet of snow, with Worcester County exceeding 2 feet in some towns.

MAC Brings a Modern-Day Scrooge to Stage

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            Over a century after three ghosts fix the cold, miserly heart of Ebenezer Scrooge, he’s been called upon to help someone who is even worse than he was. As it turns out, that someone is his great-great-great granddaughter Emmalina, the central character in the Marion Art Center’s production of Emmalina Scrooge.

            Emmalina Scrooge, played by Zoe Pateakos, hates Christmas. She’s even nastier than Ebenezer ever was. “Boy, I thought I was bad,” her great-great-great grandfather declares after he visits her with a warning on Christmas Eve.

            Emmalina’s reason for being so miserable is very different than Ebenezer’s, but he still has his hands full with her. Ebenezer manages to impress himself while summoning cracks of thunder and pealing bells, but he’s not able to impress Emmalina, who rolls her eyes at his warnings and goes back to bed. Defeated, he calls in three ghosts: Emmalina’s sister, Jaime (Christmas Past), A Christmas Carol author Charles Dickens (Christmas Present), and the mysterious Ghost of Christmas Future.

            Jaime, as it turns out, has been keeping tabs on her sister from the afterlife. “You were such a nice kid,” she tells Emmalina with a raised eyebrow. “Now look at you. When was the last time you did anything nice for anyone?”

            Happy as Emmalina is to see her sister, she doesn’t heed her sister’s warnings. Thinking back on a recent Christmas party featuring a piñata, she points out, “I could’ve hit someone with a baseball bat, but I didn’t.”

            The Ghost of Christmas Present, too, tries to solve Emmalina’s woe, but finds very little interest on her part.  Dickens takes Emmalina to an orphanage on Christmas Eve, where he points out just how much Emmalina has to be thankful for, and what she could do to help others.

            Even the plight of orphans can’t warm Emmalina’s stone heart, though. Unruffled, she rebuffs Dickens’ attempts to reason with her and goes back to bed. “Don’t let the door hit you in the butt on the way out,” she tells him. “And get the lights!”

            In the end, it’s up to the Ghost of Christmas Present to convince Emmalina to change. Getting through to her might be too big of a challenge, even for that particular ghost, though.

            Emmalina Scrooge was written by Cape Cod-based playwright Steph DeFerie, who joined the MAC’s young cast via a Skype call to talk about the play on the night of Monday, December 2. When asked how long it took her to write the play, she estimated that it took about six months. “Not too long,” she added with a laugh.

            She gave the cast some words of advice before performances begin: “First of all, it’s supposed to be fun, so have fun!” she told them. “If you forget your lines, just keep talking. After all, the audience doesn’t have a script. They won’t know!”

            Emmalina Scrooge will be performed at the Marion Art Center on December 6 and 7, as well as December 13-15. All Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7:30 pm, while the Sunday matinee begins at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $18 for MAC members, $20 for non-members, and $12 for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Marion Art Center, over the phone, or online. Visit marionartcenter.org for more information.

By Andrea Ray