Dan Shaughnessy to Speak at the Mattapoisett Library

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Author and Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy will speak on “The State of Boston Pro Sports Teams” at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library on Saturday, November 24at 4:00 pm. A reception will follow his talk, part of the Purrington Lecture Series sponsored by the Mattapoisett Library Trust.

Shaughnessy, the author of 12 books, including the New York Times bestseller “Francona” and “The Curse of the Bambino.” He joined the Boston Globe in 1981 and has been sports columnist since 1989. He has been named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year eleven times, among many other awards.

Round out Thanksgiving weekend with the latest news and commentary on this great year in Boston sports by one of New England’s best writers.

Seating is limited, so please call the library to make a reservation at 508-758-4171. The library is located at 7 Barstow Street.

Nasketucket Bird Club

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The next meeting of the Nasketucket Bird Club will be on Thursday, November 15at 7:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library.

We will be planning our strategy for the December Christmas Bird Count and club member Carolyn Longworth will be presenting her overview of the history of the restored marsh at Atlas Tack.

The Mattapoisett Free Public Library is located at 7 Barstow Street and is handicapped accessible. The program is free and open to the public.

Find out more about the club and upcoming bird walks at: massbird.org/Nasketucket

November Programs at Plumb Library

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Thanksgiving Story Time with Amos – On Saturday, November 17from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm, the Plumb Memorial Library, 17 Constitution Way, Rochester, will hold a Thanksgiving Story Time with Amos, our “Read-to-Me” greyhound. Amos’ human Holly and the Plumb Library Junior Friends will read Thanksgiving-themed stories while children and Amos listen. After the stories, a craft and snack will be available. All ages are welcome, though younger children will need adult supervision. Registration is required. Register on the Events Calendar on the Plumb Library website.

The Nonfiction Book Group will discuss “Blood Brothers: The Story of the Strange Friendship of Sitting Bull and Buffalo Bill” by Deanne Stillman on Thursday, November 15at 6:30 pm. This book documents the unlikely friendship between Buffalo Bill Cody and Sitting Bull, tracing the events of their brief but important collaboration during Cody’s 1880s Wild West Show and the impact of Little Big Horn, the contributions of Annie Oakley and Sitting Bull’s assassination in 1890.

The COA Book Group will discuss “Killers of the Flower Moon” on Tuesday, November 20at 10:15 am at the Rochester Council on Aging, Dexter Lane, Rochester. David Grann, the best-selling author of “The Lost City of Z”, presents a true account of the early 20th-century murders of dozens of wealthy Osage and law-enforcement officials, citing the contributions and missteps of a fledgling FBI that eventually uncovered one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history.

Cafe Parlez Book Group will discuss “The Bartender’s Tale” by Ivan Doig on Thursday, November 29at 6:30 pm. Running a venerable bar in 1960 Montana while raising his twelve-year-old son, single father Tom Harry finds his world upended by the arrival of a woman from his past and her beatnik daughter, who claims Tom as her father.

Plumb Library will be closing at 2:00 pm on November 21 for carpet cleaning, and will be closed Thursday, November 22, and Friday, November 23 for Thanksgiving. We will be open our regular hours on Saturday, November 24.

Marion Reflects on Gratitude, Sacrifice of Veterans

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“We set aside one day a year to honor our veterans,” said retired Lt. Col. Joseph Napoli, master of ceremonies for Marion’s November 11 Veterans Day observance. And while we honor those who fought in combat and engaged in active duty during times of war, as Napoli pointed out, it’s not just a day to honor war heroes, but a day to honor all those who have served and are serving in the military, regardless of their roles. “Anyone who donned the uniform … and served 90 days is considered a veteran.”

This Veterans Day, however, felt different than those of the previous years.

“Today happens to be the 100thanniversary of World War I, declared to be ‘the war that ended all wars’,” said Napoli. “It was a noble idea, but it never came to fruition. In my life we have been at war almost constantly.”

Inside the Sippican School, hundreds gathered to mark this significant anniversary, led in prayer by Rev. MaryAnn Purtill of the First Congregational Church to acknowledge the selfless acts of veterans and their families. The Sippican School Band offered its renditions of patriotic classics, while the local Scouts joined everyone in a brief history lesson given by keynote speaker retired Col. Jonathan Henry, a former selectman and the current interim superintendent of the Department of Public Works.

Henry fought in Korea and then was sent to Fort Knox to test prototype equipment. He later volunteered to serve in Vietnam where he came face to face with the horrors of war his first night there.

“When I got there … that night we got a rocket attack,” said Henry. “They got a few lucky hits on the base I was on … and some people were killed.”

The sacrifice of a veteran cannot be understated, alluded Henry, and that sacrifice oftentimes continues even after the war is over. Take post-traumatic stress disorder, said Henry.

“How essential it is to identify them early on and give them the treatment they need,” said Henry. “It’s your duty – and mine – as citizens to see that this happens, that it’s done right … and they receive the resources [they need].”

All three selectmen were present, with Board of Selectmen Chairman Norm Hills addressing the assembled, dressed in his Navy uniform, and read a proclamation of Veterans Day from the governor.

Napoli was certain to thank Donna Hemphill for having organized the event.

“I love doing events like this,” Hemphill told The Wanderer. “It just makes me very happy to do it.”

In closing, Reverend Purtill reminded us, “Let us be reminded of the good of this day, and the good in our lives.”

By Jean Perry

Bells of Remembrance

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This year is the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice of World War 1.  There were ceremonies throughout the United States to commemorate this event.

The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club has a project, Bells of Remembrance, where members of the Club contacted organizations throughout the South Coast (for example, Mattapoisett, Wareham, Marion, Fairhaven, Dartmouth), the Cape, Boston, and many other communities throughout the Commonwealth to ask for their support of this important event and on future Veteran’s Days by ringing their bells.

On Sunday, November 11 at 11:00 am, Roxanne Bungert, President of the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club, rang the bells of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church 21 times (as in a 21-gun salute) as townspeople gathered to honor those WW1 Veterans, all Veterans, and the men and women who are currently serving our country in the military.  This bell ringing will continue to be a Veteran’s Day tradition in the future.

First Congregational Church of Rochester

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Thanksgiving Fellowship Dinner – All are welcome to the third annual Thanksgiving Fellowship Dinner that will be held in the Fellowship Hall of First Congregational Church of Rochester, 11 Constitution Way, on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22. Doors open at noon and a free, traditional, homemade dinner will be served at 1:00 pm. No matter how big or small your family or group may be, we hope no one is alone on Thanksgiving. There is a limit of 100 seats, so make your reservations early by calling the church office at 508-763-4314. Tickets are free!

Shop ‘Til You Drop – On Saturday, December 1from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, First Congregational Church of Rochester, 11 Constitution Way in Rochester, is offering free babysitting by CORI-checked church members so you can get your Christmas shopping done. We’ll take care of dinner so you don’t have to, and we’ll make Christmas cookies and some surprises for Mom and Dad. Call the church office at 508-763-4314 for more information or register at vbspro.events/p/shop.

Marijuana Public Hearing Ignites Little Interest

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On November 5, the Mattapoisett Planning Board had a new member – for one night only. Boy Scout Andrew Poulin of Mattapoisett Troop 53 sat with the Planning Board members as he observed local government at work. Poulin is working on his Communications Merit Badge – one of many steps he plans to complete on his way to achieving Eagle.

After Poulin’s introduction, it was down to business as the Planning Board held a final public hearing to give residents ample opportunity to ask questions or voice opinions on the issue of creating a new zoning district specifically for the sale and distribution of medical marijuana ahead of the Fall Special Town Meeting – the silence was deafening.

Chairman Tom Tucker read the public notice, opening the hearing for an article to go before Town Meeting that creates a new zoning bylaw. The article titled “Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers Zoning Bylaw” was explained by board member Janice Robbins who gave a brief overview of the process employed by a subcommittee charged with the responsibility of drafting the new zoning bylaw. The subcommittee was comprised of personnel from the police and fire departments, two business owners, town counsel, and Robbins representing the Planning Board.

“The purpose of establishing a Medical Marijuana Overlay District (Section 5.11) is to regulate the use. Medical marijuana is treated differently then recreational marijuana,” Robbins said. The approach was to regulate where it could be sold. “We thought we’d be better off to implement controls for the interest of the town,” said Robbins.

Robbins said the committee drafted the zoning bylaw language under the guidance of town counsel and that the purpose of the new bylaw was not to impose additional regulations on it since the state has that authority, but to regulate where in the community it could be located within the confines of state regulations. She said that owners of medical marijuana outlets had to enter into an agreement with the state and the town, but that licenses are issued by the state.“

Tucker offered this perspective: “If we did nothing, they could be in any General Business District location.”

Robbins added, “Our General Business District along Route 6 is mixed with residential zoning. To avoid that, we picked the Limited Industrial District.”

Tucker, who over several public hearings on the topic urged residents to participate in debate and discussion prior to the Special Town Meeting, said again, “We hope this doesn’t get debated on Town Meeting floor.”

Tucker opened the hearing to public comment. There was none. The only question posed was an inquiry on where exactly the Limited Industrial District is located. After explaining that the location was, in fact, along Industrial Drive off North Street, there were no other questions.

The public hearing was closed and the Planning Board members unanimously voted to send the article to the selectmen for inclusion on the warrant.

Earlier in the evening, a Form A Approval Not Required application from Chase Canopy to subdivide a residential lot from a business lot located at 117 Fairhaven Road was approved as presented.

A public hearing for a Form C Definitive Subdivision Plan for Snow Fields Estates submitted by Dennis Arsenault was granted a 90-day extension and a continuation until November 19 to give the applicant more time to process peer review documents.

Also continued to November 19 was a public hearing for another Form C Definitive Subdivision Plan for Eldridge Estates, 8-8R Prospect Road, submitted by Scott Snow. Planning Board Administrator Mary Crain said the applicant would be submitting an entirely new plan that included a change from the original two-lot concept to a three- or four-lot plan.

The Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD), which has been studying the Route 6 corridor and gathering surveys for several months, will hold two public meetings, Robbins shared. The meetings will give SRPEDD the opportunity to hear residents’ concerns and help to craft future use for the state roadway. Robbins, the Planning Board’s representative to SRPEDD, said the agency is aggressively seeking input from the public in an effort to create a list of recommendations for state review. The project includes the towns of Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion, and Wareham, she said. The public can access the survey at www.srpedd.org or pick up a paper survey at Town Hall. The meetings will take place on Thursday, November 8, at 6:30 pm in the Wareham Town Hall, and again on Wednesday, November 14, at 6:30 pm at Old Rochester Regional High School.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for November 19 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

Marion Recreation Offers Youth Soccer

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If you are traveling on Dexter Lane in Rochester on a Saturday morning, you may see a future World Cup star. Why? The Marion Recreation Department offers a youth soccer program for boys and girls ages 3-13. Residents of the Tri-town area, Acushnet, and Wareham participate in this fun, learning experience. Currently, approximately 300 youngsters participate in the program under the direction of Eric Parada. Several volunteer coaches assist Coach Parada. The only cost is $95 for uniforms. For fifteen years, this program was known as the Oceaneers, but was taken over four years ago by the Marion Recreation Department.

You may be wondering what exactly do the little ones do in this program. They learn the basics of soccer, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Once they master the basics, they are able to have scrimmages with other participants their own age. More importantly they are outside getting exercise, fresh air, and having fun.

For older players who have the necessary skills, they engage in games with their peers. They also have the opportunity to play other teams in the area. The most experienced players may be part of the travel team. This team plays teams on the South Shore who are the same age. For any youngster hoping to play soccer in high school, this is an excellent way to learn the game. Soccer (or football as it is known across the pond) has become incredibly popular in the U.S. in recent years. Virtually any hour of the day, you can find a game on television. Both men’s and women’s World Cup are two of the popular events worldwide. Everyone recognizes the names Mia Hamm, David Beckham, Manchester United, and the New England Revolution.

If you are looking for an activity in the fall for your child, consider the Marion Recreation Department soccer program every Saturday morning (weather permitting). Safety and your child’s health come first. It is so much wiser to let your child learn the game from people who know the game. This is the best way to avoid injuries.

FMCOA Members Make it Happen

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At the recent Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Marion Council on Aging (FMCOA) held at the Cushing Center, the first six years of the organization’s community efforts were celebrated. Retiring members, Sue Wood, Chrissie Bascom, Priscilla Ditchfield, Jerry Garcia, and John Turner were acknowledged for their vision and hard work in bringing the Friends to where they are today. New officers and board members for 2018-19 are: Merry Conway, President; Andrea Keene, Membership Chair; Kathy Anderson, Treasurer; Jane Stankiewicz, Secretary. Board members include Joan Asker, Nancy Braitmayer, Jeanne Daly, Clare Healy Foley, Mary Ann Hayes, Edward Hoffer, and Jeanne Lake.

Merry Conway acknowledged and thanked the Friends of the Marion Visiting Nurses for their generous contribution to fund the partitions project at the Cushing Community Center and for the donation they have made towards the renovation of the Center’s office space. Frank McNamee, Chair of the COA Building Committee, shared the plans for the building’s two projects and spoke of the need for improving the existing space to accommodate the growing number of activities as well the need to offer seniors confidential consultation space when taking advantage of the growing number of services that are now available.

Kate Fentress, founder of Coastal Neighbors Network in Dartmouth, was the keynote speaker and outlined their program and how they are serving various needs of their community outside those being offered by local agencies. Socialization has been identified as an important element of their program leading them to solicit ideas for activities that resonate with its members. It was gratifying to hear what is happening in other communities and to realize how much the Marion COA is able to offer our community with a full-time director and building now in place.

Recognizing the success of the regular Monday programming, the Friends of the Marion Council on Aging is committed to ongoing funding to support these well attended educational, social, and engagement events. As programs and attendance at the Marion Council on Aging grows, so must our resources.

Members can make it all happen! To reach our goal, we are hoping to expand our membership with tax deductible contributions – big and small – to continue to support programs. We hope many residents of Marion – young and old – will consider becoming a member of the Friends of the Marion Council on Aging. Each membership will help defray the cost of the growing number of programs offered at the Community Center as well as provide the vital resources that make everything possible. Big or small, membership will make a direct and lasting impact on your Marion neighbors.

Gifts can be made on-line at www.FMCOA.org or by mail to Friends of Marion Council on Aging, P.O. Box 937, Marion, MA 02738. There are a growing number of volunteer opportunities. If you would like to get involved, please let us know.

2018 Marion 5K Turkey Trot

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This popular yearly 5K run or walk will take you on a fairly flat course along Sippican Harbor through the beautiful downtown streets of Marion. This is a timed event and results are available for all runners. All proceeds from the Turkey Trot go directly to Marion Recreation programs and initiatives. These funds are valuable to the success of our programs by investing and updating equipment, expanding program offerings for all ages, and maintaining parks, fields, beaches, and playgrounds in the town. Marion Recreation also uses funds to offer Financial Assistance to participants who qualify to make sure everyone has the opportunity to participate. All runners will receive a complimentary T-Shirt and top finishers in each age group will receive medals. The race begins and ends at Tabor Academy, starting on Sunday, November 18at 10:15 am. Registration is available at marionma.gov/recreation-department/. Registration Fee for Runners 18 and over is $22.00 and for runners/walkers Under 18 is $16.00 online. Day or race registration is available for $25.00 and $18.00 respectively