Leonard Prescott Cook

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Leonard Prescott Cook (Lenny), of Marion, formerly of Dover, MA passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Thursday, August 29, 2013 after a courageous battle with prostate cancer.

Born November 1st, 1940 in Melrose, MA to Edward Williston Cook Sr. and Helen Sweet Cook, Lenny graduated from Wakefield High School, and earned his bachelor degree from Springfield College in 1963. Enlisted in the US Coast Guard Reserves, he was selected for a commission, and rose to the rank of Lt. Commander before his retirement. Blessed with an engineers mind and a salesman’s personality he was a technical sales representative for many national manufacturers throughout his career.

Lenny touched many lives with his infectious laugh and generous friendship. He was an active member of the Dover Foundation, the Wimbledon Tennis Club, and an avid sailor in Marion where he retired with his wife in 2005. There he became a member of the Sippican Choral Society, singing bass for many years. Joining the Unitarian Memorial Church in Fairhaven, MA in 2006, he was an enthusiastic member on many committees and enjoyed every moment he heard the organ play. He also volunteered at the Plymouth Plantation working on the Mayflower.

Survived by his wife of 40 years Catherine R. Cook (Pippen), his two children, Carolyn Elizabeth Cook (C.C.) of Natick, MA, Christopher Williston Cook and his wife Mitzi Zarfoss Cook of San Francisco, CA.; his sister Beatrice Perkins of Lake Worth, FL; his brothers: Edward Cook and his wife Virginia of Costa Mesa, CA, Nelson Cook and his wife Linda of Centerville, MA, Donald Cook and wife Jan of Middleboro, MA.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 6, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Memorial Church at 102 Green Street Fairhaven, MA 02719.

In lieu of expression of sympathy, donations can be sent to the general fund at the Unitarian Memorial Church, 102 Green Street, Fairhaven MA 02719. 508.992.7081

Marion Council on Aging Gets New Van

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There were smiles all around during the ribbon cutting for the brand-new van for the Marion Council on Aging on Friday afternoon. The 8-passenger Type E Ford van was awarded to the town by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Coastline Elderly Services, which assisted in the paperwork in qualifying and securing the new vehicle. The new vehicle brings the fleet up to three vans.

“This isn’t just a van; it’s a social opportunity,” said Susan Schwager, Marion COA Director. “This van brings people together with friends to get out and live their lives.”

According to Schwager, many elder adults who no longer drive find friendship and happiness in boarding the van to grocery shop, go on outings, and otherwise get up and get out of the house.

Two vehicles were presented: one for Marion, and another for the Dartmouth Council on Aging. State Representative William Straus, D-Marion, and Representative Chris Markey, D-Dartmouth, and Paula Shiner, Coastline Elderly Services CEO, helped cut the ribbon and handed over the car keys to the COA.

Each Council on Aging contributed 20 percent of the cost of the van, while the State Department of Transportation funded the remaining 80 percent.

“People wonder where the extra pennies on the gas tax go,” said Rep. Straus. “It’s not just for roads and bridges, but also for daily transportation for older adults in our communities.”

Straus thanked Shiner for handling the lengthy paperwork involved in securing the state funds.

According to Schwager, the number of older adults age 60 and up in Marion increased in 2012 from 1,513 to 1,635.

“We expect to continue to see increases in the number and types of services provided by the COA so that Marion older adults will be able to continue to age in place and remain in their homes,” Schwager said.

The COA vans provided more than 5,996 rides in 2012, which is an increase of 733 rides, or 14 percent, over 2011 figures. In addition to van rides, the council van drivers delivered over 5,340 meals in 2012.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

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Healing Little Hearts Columbus Day 5K

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On Monday, October 14, Healing little Hearts will hold its first annual 5K and Fun Run to benefit pediatric heart research at Boston Children’s Hospital. The race begins and ends at Center School in Mattapoisett, where a 9:30 am start is scheduled for the Kids’ Fun Run, and 10:00 am for the 5K. The route will bring runners through Mattapoisett Village, along the waterfront, and around Ned’s Point Lighthouse. Registration is $20 for adults; $15 for children 12 and under running the 5K; $5 for the Fun Run only. T-shirts will be given to the first 150 adult 5K registrants and the first 50 children 5K registrants (not applicable to Fun Run). Registration is available online at www.healinglittlehearts.com.

Mattapoisett Friends of the Elderly News

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Our mission is to support the seniors of Mattapoisett and the Council on Aging. We do this most directly by hosting three luncheons at the Knights of Columbus Hall for Mattapoisett seniors. Introduced this past year, we sponsored a live band and Ballroom Dancing Party held at the KoC Hall. We had a Fall Luncheon to welcome the end of summer; for the Holiday Party, Santa and his elf assisted with the drawings; and a Leprechaun helped at the St. Patrick’s Day Party. As usual, our FoE Directors planned, set up and served the food. It is really a group effort to serve the 100 folks who attend. Thanks to all.

Another way the FoE supports the seniors is by our sponsorship of the Seasonings monthly newsletter. The FoE pays for the mailing permit and the cost of each monthly mailing. FoE Directors and members, along with CoA volunteers, assist in the folding and sealing of the approximately 1,200 individual pieces. Less obvious contributions are the continuous replenishment of coffee, tea, coffee cups and office supplies that are used daily. The Friends also respond to requests for items that are used in Senior Center activities, such as weights, large format scrabble tiles and bingo cards. In past years, we contributed to the cost of the new CoA sign outside of the entrance; to the replacement of computer and software for the CoA Director; and paid for compatible defibrillators for the newer CoA vans.

Thanks to the efforts of our Fundraising Committee and the Directors, we have had a successful Easter Pie and Goodies Sale, and a Harbor Days table. We supplemented our sales with attractive raffle items and had 50/50 luncheon raffles. This year, we sold a newly designed apron suitable for outdoor cooking. In addition, we had incidental sales of scrimshaw print sets, note cards, and adorable wire-frame wool poodles. Another source of funds is donations and membership dues. Every bit counts!

It is clear: Our success is due to the energy and dedication of our Directors. Good job, everyone!

The Mattapoisett FoE Annual Meeting takes place at 3:00 pm at Mattapoisett Senior Center on September 9. Action items: Bylaw amendment to change fiscal year to calendar year; Transition Motion to deal with exceptions caused by fiscal year change; Nominating Committee: Open nominations for Director (nominees must be present and FoE members); Election of (up to 21) Directors.

Not an FoE member? Go to download the PDF form by clicking on the Membership form link. Please check off as many volunteer boxes as you can. Submit your paid membership form before the meeting.

The FoE Fall Luncheon takes place at 12:00 pm on Thursday, September 19 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Mattapoisett.

The luncheon is available to all Mattapoisett seniors and FoE members. Entertainment is provided by Rick Leblanc. A reservation charge of $2 per person is required. In exchange, each guest will receive two tickets for the 50/50 drawing held at the luncheon. Stop by the Senior Center or mail your paid reservation (FoE, PO Box 1116, Mattapoisett, MA 02739) received by 3:00 pm on Monday, September 16 so we know how many meals to order. Please call the Center (508-758-4110) if you need transportation.

Tri-Town Republican Committees BBQ

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A Republican BBQ Chicken and Steak Tip Dinner will be held at the VFW in Marion on Saturday, September 21 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. Numerous guest speakers will be in attendance, including Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz, Rep. Keiko Orral and Rep. Susan Gifford. The event will benefit the Tri-Town Committees of Mattapoisett, Marion and Rochester, as well as VFW Post 2425. Tickets are $30; deadline to purchase is September 14. Contact Matt Nowick in Marion, 508-748-3303; Craig Parker in Rochester, 508-763-5245; and Jane Awad in Mattapoisett, 508-813-6304 for more information.

Hurricane of 1938 Remembered

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This September marks the 75th anniversary of the hurricane of 1938, a terrible disaster that devastated much of the Tri-Town community. In remembrance of those affected, the Mattapoisett Historical Society Museum and Carriage House will be displaying a new exhibit throughout the month. Curator Elizabeth Hutchison says the exhibit will include old photographs, newspapers and letters from the time of the hurricane. The museum has also collected books on the hurricane, published in the 1930s.

A prominent part of the exhibit will be personal stories, collected throughout various interviews of Tri-Town senior citizens. These interviews are being conducted by Old Rochester Regional High School student volunteers. Hutchison says the interviews are still in progress, but have been going well.

Elizabeth MacLellan is one of the ORR students who volunteered as an interviewer. Having already completed one interview, MacLellan said, “It’s coming along well and it looks like the exhibit in September will have some amazing stories.” As the citizens remember details of their experiences with the hurricane, they provide interesting glimpses into the past.

Organizers and volunteers hope the exhibit will be a great educational addition to the Tri-Town community. Brianna Perry, another of the ORR student interviewers, says the exhibit “is to inform the public of their past, enlighten those younger, and bring back the memories of those older.”

The exhibit will be on display at the Mattapoisett Historical Society Museum and Carriage House at 5 Church Street. It kicks off on Sunday, September 1 at 5:00 pm with a lecture by Seth Mendell of the Mattapoisett Historical Society. The event will take place at the Gazebo in Shipyard Park. This program is free, and donations are welcome. In case of inclement weather, the lecture will take place at the Museum. For more information, please call 508-758-2844 or email mattapoisett.museum@verizon.net.

By Renae Reints

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All Ages Enjoy Lions Movie Night

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Under a perfect late summer sky, temperatures in the low 70’s and the air free of mist which had plagued the previous day, the Mattapoisett’s Lions Club hosted the first in a series of outdoor movie nights at Shipyard Park.  A good sized crowd comprised of people of all ages, the young and the young at heart, gathered in a variety of seating arrangements to enjoy open air viewing of Back to the Future.  But in keeping with theater going of days gone by, first the crowd enjoyed ‘news of the day’ movie reels, a carton and then the main feature.

Dan Bamberger, King Lion, and Marianne DeCosta, 2nd year Director set up the 12′ inflatable screen which the Lions received as a donation from Dunn Insurance prior to Harbor Days.  During this year’s Harbor Days the Lions used the screen to show a movie one evening much to the delight of the visitors.  Building on that success the Lions Friday night movies will be shown in Shipyard Park for the next several weeks.  The movies are shown free of charge and moviegoers also receive free popcorn.

Based on this evenings attendance it appears that the Lions have a hit on their hands.

By Marilou Newell

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West Nile Virus Confirmed in Rochester

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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced Friday that West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from the Town of Rochester.

WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state, and are found in urban as well as more rural areas. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at a higher risk for severe infection.

By taking a few, common sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:

Avoid mosquito bites:

-Be aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening  or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant.

-Clothing Can Help reduce mosquito bites. Where long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

-Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use insect repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions on the product label.

Mosquito Proof your home:

-Drain standing water around your house. Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or get rid of items that hold water.

-Install or repair screens. Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Please contact the Board of Health office if you have any questions.

MHS 1938 Hurricane Exhibit

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Please join the Mattapoisett Historical Society in commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the 1938 Hurricane as we open a special exhibit, which will look back on September 21, 1938, a day of great loss and destruction for the town of Mattapoisett. The museum will be open Saturdays during the month of September from 1:00 to 4:00 pm for exhibit viewing, and will offer some special programs:

September 7: Open House. Come meet several members of the Community who remember the Hurricane from their childhood, and the ORRHS students who interviewed them. Light refreshments will be served.

September 21: Join us for a Special Film: “The 1938 Hurricane: A Wind To Shake The World – Everett S. Allen,” the full video version of Everett S. Allen’s 1976 bestseller, “A Wind To Shake The World: The Story of The 1938 Hurricane,” produced and directed by M.L. Baron. This award-winning classic takes you back in time to what the year 1938 was like and the hurricane that “destroyed the age of Innocence.” M. L. Baron will join us to give an introduction to the film.

Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children 6 and up, and free for members. For more information, please call 508-758-2844 or email mattapoisett.museum@verizon.net. Mattapoisett Historical Society, 5 Church Street.

Mattapoisett Free Public Library News

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New Story Walk: Families can take a stroll around the Mattapoisett Library’s grounds and read a story together. A new Story Walk has been posted, just in time for back to school. The picture book “First Day Jitters” is written by Julie Danneberg. Follow each page around the property and leave your comment in the mailbox at the end. A fun book to read together, even when the library is closed.

Summer Reading: The library has summer reading lists and copies of required titles to check out. Stop in and ask a staff member for help in finding the book you need. It’s not too late to get it done. See our comfortable teen lounge while you are visiting the library.

Fall Story Times: Registration for the fall toddler and preschool story times begins the week of September 17. The toddler group (children who are 2 years old) will meet on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:00 am, beginning October 1 for 8 weeks. The last session is November 19. Children and a family adult will join with the librarian for stories, finger plays and songs.

The preschool story times for children 3-5 years old will be held Thursdays from 1:00 to 1:45 pm and Fridays 10:30 to 11:15 am. Parents may register their child by phone or in person for one of the sessions. Children will sit with the librarian for stories, finger plays, and songs, and the family adult joins them afterward to make a simple craft project. Story times begin on October 3 and 4 and continue for 8 weeks, ending on November 22nd and 23rd.

Get More from Your iPhone or iPad: Join tech wiz Jacquie Pinto to learn easy tips to do more with your iPhone or iPad. A free Basics workshop will be held on Wednesday, September 25, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. This workshop will get you started using all the features of your device. Part II Advanced Tips and Features will be offered on Wednesday, October 9, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Call the library to register at 508-758-4171, or email mfpl@sailsinc.org to attend one or both. Bring you device to the workshop.

Online Computer Training: Wish you had time to take a class to learn Office or more about Google or Safari? These programs and more are available for free with your Mattapoisett library card. Atomic Training offers more than 300 training videos for dozens of types of software, including iTunes, Google Drive, and much more at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Need to improve your skills with Excel for work or school? Want to try Garage Band? This is a great way to do so in a way that fits your schedule. Visit the library’s website www.mattapoisettlibrary.org and click on the Atomic Training logo on the left side of the home page to set up your free account to access all the available training.

Writer’s Group: The next meetings of the Writer’s Group will be Wednesday, September 4 and 18 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Writers of all genres are welcome to read and discuss their work in a supportive, casual get-together.