Tabor Academy to Host Blood Drive

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Please participate in Tabor Academy’s fall blood drive on November 19 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm for the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center benefitting Dana Farber and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. You will find the Blood Mobile in the parking lot at 256 Front Street Marion. Drop-in or visit by appointment by emailing cmoore@taboracademy.org. 

            Just 45 minutes of your time can help save lives. People undergoing treatment for cancer, as well as accident victims, transplant recipients, and many other patients depend on transfusions. Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for these patients.

            A photo ID is required and donors must be at least 17 years of age. Appointments take about 45 minutes.

Town of Rochester Tax Bills

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FY 2020 Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills were mailed November 8 and are due December 16, 2019. If paying by personal online banking, allow sufficient time for the bank to generate a check and mail it to the Town. Please supply sufficient information on the check identifying which bill should be credited. For online bill pay, visit townofrochestermass.com and click on Town of Rochester-online payment center. 

            There is a lockbox located at the bottom left side of the front stairs at Town Hall for your convenience checks only please.

            If you have not received your tax bill in the mail please contact the Collector’s Office at 508-763-3871 ext. 16. If you have questions regarding property values and abatements please contact the Assessor’s office at 508-763-5250. 

Gordon D. Franklin

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Gordon D. Franklin, 61, of Marion, died Monday, November 11, 2019 at Tobey Hospital in Wareham.  He was the husband of the late Deborah (Lopes) Franklin.

            Born in Ypsilanti, MI, he was the son of the late Gilbert E., Sr. and Alice P. (Dockett) Franklin. Gordon graduated from Wareham High School, East Coast Aero Tech and the University of Kansas. He was lead service technician for Abel-Womack.

            Gordon was a kind and gentle soul who made everyone smile. A great high school athlete, he loved all sports especially football and his beloved Oakland Raiders. He enjoyed everything about aviation and was a talented mechanic who worked on all types of engines.

            He loved all his family, especially all his nieces and nephews.

            Survivors include his step-daughter, Karen Lopes and her husband Brian Bolen of Ohio; his brothers and sisters, Paula Frye of Quincy, Gilbert E. Franklin, Jr. and his wife Pam of Marion, Karen Nixon of Cape Coral, FL, Gary Franklin and his wife Rhoda of E. Hampton, CT, Kendall Burgess and her husband Roland of Cheyenne, WY, Christina Beckham and her husband Roger of S. Beloit, IL, Gregg Franklin of Ocala, FL and Glen Franklin and his wife Robin of Shutesbury, MA. Also surviving are his companion, Maria Gomes of Wareham, his best-friend Joel Campinha of Wareham, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother in-law, the late Richard Frye.

            Relatives and friends are invited to visit on Fri., Nov. 15, 2019 at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy. (Rt. 28), Wareham from 9 to 10:30 am with a funeral service immediately following. Interment will be private.

Robert Medeiros Silva

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Robert Medeiros Silva, age 77, passed away on November 11, 2019 at home. Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Manuel and Elsie (Medeiros) Silva, he spent most of his life in Dartmouth. He was a standout student at Dartmouth High School receiving many accolades in both music and athletics. He graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor’s of Music in 1968.

            As a talented musician, he was very active in the Southeastern Massachusetts music community. He played in several local bands, including the Bay State Band, the Regional Symphonic Band (currently known as the Tri County Symphonic Band), and the Marion, Mattapoisett and Falmouth Community Bands. He also taught young children how to read and play music.

            He was a loving father, grandfather and uncle who will be forever remembered for his storytelling and sense of humor.

            Survivors include, brother Richard J. Silva of Dartmouth; sister Rosemary Bargfrede and her husband Richard of Dartmouth; daughter Kathy Silva Kichula and her husband John of Media, Pennsylvania; son Chris Silva of Dartmouth; grandchildren Jack, Emma and Sarah Kichula of Pennsylvania; niece Lisa Bargfrede Correia and her husband Aggie of Dartmouth; nephew Michael Bargfrede and his wife Megan of Abington; as well as several great nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Ronald Silva.

            Funeral services will be private for family. In lieu of flowers, kindly send donations to the Robert M. Silva Woodwind Scholarship c/o Dartmouth School Music Association, P.O. Box 80019, Dartmouth, MA 02748-0019.

            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.

Barbara Ann (Corriea) Carrier

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Barbara Ann (Corriea) Carrier, 89 passed away after a brief illness on November 8, 2019 surrounded by her loving family.

            Barbara was born July 22, 1930 in New Bedford, daughter of the late Beatrice Corriea (Duchesney) and Manuel J. Corriea. At the age of 13, Barbara met the love of her life Robert Carrier. They wed in 1951 and spent the next 63 years together. The couple made their home in Mattapoisett where they raised their family and worked at the family businesses, the Harbor Beach Club and Bob Carrier’s Fine Catering.

            Barbara loved travel, fine dining, Martha’s Vineyard, the beach, her pool, playing gin rummy, bingo and Sorry, swimming at the Y, reading a good book, especially mysteries and watching old movies and eating Chinese food on Saturday night with her son in law, Bob. Most of all Barbara loved her family, her friends and her home.

            She is predeceased by her parents, her husband Robert Carrier and her brothers and sisters Donald, Robert, Marjorie and Dorothy.

            She is survived by her sister, Beatrice May Batty of Northport Florida; three daughters, Cathy Bowers and husband Robert Bowers of Mattapoisett, Pamela Carrier of Mattapoisett and Jennifer Carrier and husband Charles Gross of New Bedford; two grandchildren, Jayme Wood of Mattapoisett and Amanda Gross of New Bedford; and one great grandson Brandon Siegal of New Bedford.

            Family and friends are invited to celebrate Barbara’s Memorial Mass on Saturday, November 23 at 11 am at St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett. Arrangements by Saunders Dwyer Funeral Home of Mattapoisett. For online condolence book please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Hertha (Lederbogen) Wolkowicz

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Hertha (Lederbogen) Wolkowicz, 89, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, succumbed peacefully after a short period of declining health in the early hours of Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at Tobey Hospital in Wareham. Born in Rostock, Germany, Hertha was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Dr. John S. Wolkowicz, in 2018.

            An incredibly fun and generous woman, Hertha will most be remembered for showering her family and friends with unconditional love and culinary delights. She was an avid fan of The Food Network and was passionate about cooking. Hertha cooked with the heart; she found great joy in creating favorite dishes for her children and grandchildren.

            Hertha and John loved to travel, visiting all corners of the world. Upon John’s retirement, they divided their time between New Bedford, Fairhaven, Boston, and her beloved Naples, FL. Spending time with friends and family at the Edgewater Resort in Naples during the winter months was the highlight of each year.

            The family was most important to Hertha. She is survived by sons Dr. Christopher Wolkowicz (Terry) and their children Aria and Justin, and Dr. Derek Wolkowicz (Candace) and their children Brooke and Drew. She also leaves two nieces, one nephew, and countless friends. Hertha’s happiest role was being “Omi” to her much loved grandchildren.

            Hertha’s family wishes to extend their gratitude to all at Sippican Healthcare Center, who provided her with dignified and compassionate care.

            Her memorial service will be held on Saturday Nov. 16th at 10 am at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park Street, New Bedford. Visiting hours will be on Friday, Nov. 15th from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers and because of Hertha’s lifelong love of animals, please consider a donation in her memory to her favorite charity, the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society, attn: Memorial Gifts, 425 Hawthorn Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 or online at bpzoo.org. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Marion Honors Vets of All Roles, All Wars

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            Monday marked the 100th anniversary of the Veterans Day holiday, originally called Armistice Day, master of ceremonies Lt. Col. Joseph Napoli told the standing room only crowd at Sippican School. It was one day after the end of WWII, he said, that the day of observance would be renamed Veterans Day.

            “President Eisenhower had the name changed to Veterans Day to honor all veterans of all services of all wars to begin with the Revolutionary War right up until the present day,” said Napoli. “And I think it’s a fitting change.”

            The idea of honoring every veteran, regardless of their role in whichever war they served, was a theme throughout the ceremony. The event program read, “Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime.”

            To honor those who were among the crowd, veterans were asked to rise from their chairs. About 30 men and women stood, reminding everyone to give thanks to their fellow neighbors who serve or have served.

            The Marion Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance while the Sippican School Band provided patriotic musical selections throughout the ceremony.

            “That’s the future of this country, right there,” said Napoli pointing to the stage full of students. “Somebody in that generation will be in a leadership position for this country when they reach the age for doing so.”

            That claim was appropriate, as U.S. Navy CDR Jesse McFadden, a Marion native and two-year Sippican School student, delivered the main address.

            “When I chose to attend the United States Naval Academy in 1997,” CDR McFadden said, “it was a much different global landscape than the one we are faced with today. The only major military operation that I can remember at the time was the Gulf War…

            “Since the attacks that took place on September 11th, 2001, we have experienced a drastic increase in military operations around the globe,” continued McFadden, “resulting in more than 15,000 deaths of U.S. service members and department of defense civilians in support of our global war on terror.”

            McFadden asked, “So, why is it that people chose to serve in the military? I think the answer is pretty simple. When service members first enter the military, the oath that they take is to support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies.”

            McFadden closed with a remark from fellow Naval Officer President John F. Kennedy. He said, “I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think, can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: ‘I served in the United States Navy.’”

By Katherine Martin

Tabor Delays Demolition of Historic Tenbrook House

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Tabor Academy announced on November 6 that it has changed its mind about moving forward with the controversial demolition of a historic house known locally as the Tenbrook House, and will instead welcome ideas for alternatives and consider any viable options to renovate or repurpose the structure.

            Designed by prominent architect, and summer resident of Marion, H.H. Richardson and built in 1881, 192 Front Street was purchased by Tabor Academy in 2008 and was used as faculty housing while trustees assessed the building for future possible use. Last month, the house was slated for demolition to make way for an expansion of the school’s facilities within the three-acre parcel, which resulted in public outcry erupting primarily through social media.

            In response, Tabor Academy Head of School John Quirk issued a statement on October 9 defending the school’s position that the Tenbrook House, also known as the Percy Browne House after its original inhabitant, could not be saved due to the financial impracticality of renovating the deteriorating structure.

            Residents took to social media to criticize the school’s decision to tear the house down rather than restore it in keeping with the character of the village.

            In his response to residents’ negative responses, Quirk said the school had engaged the Sippican Historical Society in its search for viable options to save the house, but the effort was unsuccessful.

            On November 6, however, Tabor released a statement announcing the temporary delay in demolishing the “building of such historical and emotional interest to many” to allow the town, its residents, and anyone from the broader architectural community to make suggestions and bring ideas to the conversation.

            “One of our mission tenets is to ‘promote a life-long love of learning,’ and we are always professing to our students the value of new, knowledgeable, and differing perspectives,” said Quirk. “To turn an over-confident blind-eye to the perspectives we have been receiving would be out of line with how we want to be as a school and how we want our students to be as thoughtful citizens. I don’t know that the essential conflicts of this dilemma are fully resolvable, and I want to be careful to manage peoples’ expectations on that matter.”

            Quirk continued, “Some of the most creatively beneficial solutions arise, however, when thoughtful and careful problem-solvers bring their divergent perspectives and resources together into one goal-oriented conversation. Perhaps that can happen here and that would be a great outcome.

            “No matter the outcome the investment of a few months and some open conversation is worthwhile, and I’m pleased we’re in position to delay,” said Quirk. “We will see what the next number of weeks bring in terms of opportunity, and adjust to reflect whatever progress is being made.”

            The school included in its statement the disclaimer that it remains doubtful that a viable option exists that would appropriately satisfy the school’s needs and remain financially feasible.

            Tabor’s plan to raze Tenbrook and expand the campus at the site had already entered the permitting process when public debate arose last month. It was originally slated for completion in early winter.

By Jean Perry

Bourne Wareham Art Association

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The Bourne Wareham Art Association is meeting on Tuesday, November 19 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at BB’s Bar & Grill, 2424 Cranberry Highway, Wareham. Food is available for purchase. The business meeting will be followed by a discussion by Dartmouth-based artist Heather Stivison. Stivison has studied at Parsons School of Design, Montclair State University, Rhode Island School of Design, and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She spent nearly two decades as a museum professional, most recently as the executive director of the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms. She was also president of the New Jersey Association of Museums, and later as president of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums. Like the sea she paints, Heather Stivison is multi-faceted and changeable. New members are welcome. Please see our Facebook page at The Official Bourne-Wareham Art Association.

Thank you Mattapoisett

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To the Editor;

            Thank you Mattapoisett. I would like to thank and congratulate all of the two hundred and fourteen voters who voted “no” on the town meeting “floor” to defeat Article One: Adult use marijuana establishments. Thank you again for a very good job!!  Extremely well done. 

            Thankfully, 

George Randall, Mattapoisett