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Events . . . . . . . . A day of
solemnity for veterans; fallen but not forgotten. Hundreds and hundreds of veterans and town
residents honored those who served our country by coming out Veterans' Day morning
to Beech Grove Cemetery in one of the largest remembrance ceremonies in
anyone's memory. A star-spangled commemoration of the
200th anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore and the "Star-Spangled Banner" was played by the Westport Middle School Band in its rendition
of our National Anthem. Monday, May 28, 2012 © 2012 All rights
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Local news and events you may be
interested in. Updated: Saturday, June 02, 2012 Photos/EverythingWestport.com except as noted.
05/21/2012 - New! Just released YouTube video of "Spaceman" Bill Lee at Lees Market! Click
here to view video now.
Cynthia Kozakieiwcz,
a Westport summer resident, was the first to correctly identify on 06/01/2012 at 05:25:43 p.m. the location as the "Westport Credit Union on
Main Road" For her speedy answer Cynthia wins a $25
gift certificate to Partners Village
Store and Kitchen, Westport's eclectic gift, book and delightful deli
store. EverythingWestport wishes to thank all
those who provided correct answers, and there were many, and wish you all
good luck on our next mystery photo to be posted sometime over the next week.
Kudos go to Westport River Gardener Geri Fortier for her explicitly correct answer of "wisteria floribunda vine at Westport
Credit Union on Main Rd.", but unfortunately she got beat out by Cynthia.
They also announced today the appointment
of Gina B. Palmer of Dartmouth to the position of Branch Manager/Assistant
Treasurer. Their latest branch is in addition to
existing locations in Fall River, New Bedford, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea,
North Dighton, Fairhaven, and Tiverton, RI. In Palmer's new role, she will lead the
operations of the bank’s newest location (across from Lees Market), located
at Main Road in Westport in the Central Village section. Her duties will
include building business in the area, managing daily branch operations and
overseeing the branch staff.
Look for a great menu, and thoroughly
modernized and comfortably chic interior. And speaking of Lafrance
Hospitality, their Bittersweet Farms
chef, Eric Lafrance, will compete in today's 31st Annual Schweppes Great Chowder
Cook-Off at the Newport Yachting Center. Lafrance will challenge southern New England's best in the
"clam" category with his New England clam chowder. Go to this
Cook-Off hungry as over 4000 gallons of chowder will be available for
sampling!
The new event featured a 3 mile and 6 mile
race starting and finishing at Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures in Westport.
Participants paddled kayaks and paddleboards around a buoy course on the East
branch of The Westport River with awards for the winners. Inset: After checking for lightening in the area,
Samantha Ladd of Osprey Sea Kayak launched the first wave of elite SUPs (stand-up
paddlers) in the rain down the Westport River. The event is sponsored by the Head of Westport-based
Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures. More later with photos.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. It’s great to
have a chance to listen to them and recognize their efforts,” Representative
Schmid said. Click here to learn which Westport
businesses hosted Representative Schmid.
05/30/2012 - Westport
Rivers Vineyard and Winery, a family-owned farm in Westport, Massachusetts, is
proud to announce its Sunset Music
Series for 2012.
05/28/2012 - A day of solemnity for all veterans; fallen
not forgotten. Hundreds and hundreds of veterans and residents,
honoring those who served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice, came
out to Beech Grove Cemetery this morning in one of the largest Westport
remembrance ceremonies in anyone's memory. A star-spangled
commemoration of the 200th
anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore and the "Star-Spangled Banner" was played by the Westport Middle School Band in its rendition of our
National Anthem. From Westport Point to the VFW on State
Road, seven wreath laying ceremonies honored our fallen
heroes. Click here to take a virtual tour of the laying of seven ceremonial wreaths. Click here to view video
of wreath laying ceremony at VFW on State Road. To view video of Veteran's Day Parade 2012,
click here. More photos and video to come.
The antique wooden
building replete with horse stalls is surrounded by the picturesque gardens
and patios of Partners, and is an ideal setting for the fresh and vibrant
exhibition by eight local area artists. The modern and traditional interpretations of land, sea,
and life feature painting, drawing, photography, and sculpture done in oil,
watercolor, acrylic, monotype, mixed, and metal mediums. The Gallery is now
open weekends 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will run throughout the fall. Visit
their website. Click here to take a virtual tour of the exhibition and
sale! 05/26/2012 - Schmid is in for September 16th
Primary! The Massachusetts Secretary of State’s
Office has 05/26/2012 - Local beer does good
just in time for Memorial Day. A
recent brew by the guys at Just Beer
in Westport, Semper Fi P
A (a pun on IPA), raised a significant amount of money (over $3000) to be
used for a monument to the fallen Marines of the 2/2
USMC. Yesterday, the monument for which they
raised money has arrived at Camp LeJeune, NC!
Considering this weekend was set aside to remember those who gave their lives
for our country, this is amazing timing.
General John A. Logan,
commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of
Union veterans, called for a holiday to be observed every year on May 30. Inset: Scoutmaster Steve
Weaver (kneeling) points to the grave marker honoring a boy scout, Roland
Johnson, who died at the age of 15 in 1931. At the time, that
holiday was known as Decoration Day, because Logan wanted to honor the fallen
by "strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating, the graves of
comrades who died in defense of their country during the late
rebellion." In that tradition, Westport Boy Scout Troop 100 assisted
by Westport's Veterans' Service Officer, Jerry LeBoeuf, decorated the graves
of veterans in Linden Grove and Maple Grove cemeteries, some of them from the
Civil War, on Friday. "We took over
decorating the graves about five years ago," said Scoutmaster Steve Weaver.
That was when the Veterans' Officer Ronnie Costa could no longer do it." "This observance
of honoring our fallen heroes kicks off the three day weekend of celebrating
our veterans, both living and dead," LeBoeuf said. LeBoeuf announced that
"James Morris Post #145 as the host
organization for the Westport Memorial Day Parade cordially invites all
active duty military personnel and veterans to march with us." The Parade will start at 10 a.m. from Town
Hall on Monday, and proceed to Beach Grove Cemetery. "Please be in place
by 09:30 a.m. at the Town Hall to get into lineup," LeBoeuf said. LeBoeuf added that there will be
transportation for those veterans who would like to participate and are not
able to march.
“The main goal of the hardworking PTO at our
school is to build strong working relationships among parents, teachers and
schools, in support of students,” said Westport Elementary School Principal
Tom Gastall. “We are thankful to Cumberland Farms
for helping our dedicated parents put together awards ceremonies, parent
education events, teacher appreciation activities and various other programs
and events for our school.”
But now the historic mill is grinding up a
different blend, several in fact, as a gourmet coffee shop. Gray's
Daily Grind has taken up residence in the 1800's
cedar-shingled mill building next to Adamsville Pond. Inset:
Tim Crough grinds a Daily Grind special in the
one-time corn-shelling room at Gray's Grist Mill. Mary Miska, a
former graphics artist for the providence Journal, is in partnership with
Gray's Grist Mill owner Ralph Guild. "Many of our pastries are made with
Johnnycake Meal including cornbread, banana breads and granola bars," Miska said. 05/23/2012
- The Bristol
County Mosquito Control Project begins its mosquito spraying program on
Monday, May 29, weather permitting. Spraying helps to control nuisance and
disease-carrying adult mosquitoes. To request spraying and to obtain further
information, call the project office at 508.823.5253 between the hours of 8
a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays. The office also can be reached via fax, 24 hours a
day, at 508.828.1868; or by email, RequestBristolMCP@comcast.net. To access schedules and locations of spray
applications only, residents may call 508.747.8726 a day in advance of the
applications. Do not use this number for spray requests. For
Westport residents only, the selectmen's office is
also taking requests at 508.636.1003. 05/22/2012
- Paxton, MA - Student receives degree from Anna Maria
College. Anna Maria College announced that Keith E. Nickelson
from Westport, MA, was awarded a Master of Public Administration degree on
May 19th, 2012. Keith became
a call firefighter in 1994 and was appointed to a career position in 1999,
and is a second-generation firefighter. Keith is a member of the Water Rescue
Team, the Training Division and the Standard Operating Procedures committee.
He currently serves as the Union President and has done so since 2005. Keith
works out of Station One, as a Firefighter/ Paramedic. 05/22/2012
- Westport - The Trustees of Reservations (The
Trustees), the nation’s oldest statewide land trust and one of Massachusetts’
largest nonprofits, announced today that Barbara
Erickson will become its next President. Following a nationwide search led by Boston
firm Isaacson, Miller, Erickson was selected from a wide field of
Central
Village Public Improvements co-chair Elaine Ostroff immediately resigned from
the committee, saying she "was disappointed but not surprised" over
the outcome.
"The
project is dead," Ostroff said. "Let
me be clear," town administrator Jack Healey said before the vote.
"Taking this vote will kill the sidewalk. There is no time left to
present another layout proposal to Mass DOT." The two
and a half hour, packed public hearing saw speaker after speaker give
passionate views over the proposed sidewalk, but the groundswell of
resistance from some abutters fearing long-term business disruption,
liability costs from "slip and falls" during winter months, long
term maintenance and upkeep, and promising litigation to stop the project
convinced selectmen to reject the proposed layout. Click on Learn More to view photos and read more. Above: Central Village Public
Improvements Committee member Elaine Ostroff and sidewalk architect Keith
MacDonald (foreground) listen to Selectmen chair Richard Spirlet poll members
on the motion to reject the sidewalk layout.
05/21/2012 - Petition for a Tobacco Pharmacy Ban. Judith Coykendall, a
volunteer for Voices for a Healthy Southcoast will
be putting on a presentation tonight to the Westport Board of Health at the
Town Hall Annex located on 856 Main Road, Westport. Visit their website.
Hall of
Famer conducts a clinic, touts the benefits of wooden bats, and shares his
side-splitting stories with adoring fans. Oh, and he also sold a bottle or
two of his award-winning Californian cabernet. Known for
his off-field socially-conscious, 1960s mentality as much as his on-field
heroics, the left-handed Red Sox Hall of Famer baffled opposing hitters and
management alike with a variety of pitches and verbal aerobatics. In the
1970s, Red Sox pitcher Bill Lee aka,
"Spaceman" became a folk hero to the Fenway faithful. He lived in a
world like no other; where competitive fire, Tibetan Buddhism, slapstick
comedy, social activism, and counter-cultural medication co-existed in
relative harmony. This past Saturday the Vermont native
hawked his wine and brand of social awareness at Lees Market to fans young
and old alike. Ray Jardin of
Somerset, now confined to a wheelchair, remembers the Spaceman from many
years ago when he went to a Toronto Blues Jays game at Fenway. "I was standing at the curb," Jardin said. "I was on crutches back then, and I had
a hard time getting between two parked cars and up the curb. Suddenly two
strong hands lifted me up and over the curb. I turned around and there was
the Spaceman, smiling at me." Clutching the two Red Sox tickets from that
day, autographed by Bill Lee, Jardin was looking to
once again meet the bigger-than-life sportsman who lent him a helping hand.
Click on Learn More to read
article, view photos and video clip.
The talented Westport
oil-artisan has studied the New Bedford waterfront for years, inspired by its
busy harbor and the fishing industry. "I have been out
in friend's boats and have walked the wharfs to sketch, snap images and
gather color studies of the boats docked or leaving and returning from
getting their catch," Millikin said. The thoroughly modern and airy Centre Street Gallery presented ghost-like portals through gauzy
light shades that gave visitors a firsthand look at the historic working
waterfront with its fishing fleet and counting houses so expertly captured on
linen by the fisherman's daughter. According to Milliken,
"My primary palette maintains harmony and color surprises throughout the
paintings. Thick paint exaggerates seemingly less important areas of objects
and negative space while thin areas give depth." The daughter of a swordfisherman from
Sakonnet Point, Atwater Milliken describes herself as a contemporary New
England coastal painter. The exhibition runs through Thursday,
October 18, 2012. Click on Learn More for a photo essay.
Senator Michael J. Rodrigues nominated Mrs.
Sullivan for this recognition because of her reputation, integrity,
dedication and service to the community. Mrs. Sullivan was honored with the
other Unsung Heroines for her outstanding contributions to her community in a
ceremony on May 16th in the Great Hall of the State House. “All her life, she has been a woman who
gives her all to anything she does,” Said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport). “My life, and
my family's, as well as those of the Westport community have truly been
enriched by knowing her.” The Unsung Heroines are women who use their
time, talent and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others and make a
difference in their neighborhoods, cities and towns. 05/18/2012 - 81-year-old Richard Wheeler
of Wareham to kayak 281 miles to celebrate Buzzards Starting tomorrow
morning at 10:00 a.m., local historian and educator Richard Wheeler will
kayak the entire shoreline of Buzzards Bay. His four week trip will start at
the Head of Westport where he
hopes to be joined on the initial leg of the trip by the general public. In 1991 Mr. Wheeler took
a 1,500 mile solo kayak journey from Newfoundland to Buzzards Bay.. Join him Saturday for a paddle down the
Westport River as they kick off Richard
Wheeler's Paddle Around Buzzards Bay. You can bring a canoe or kayak or
rent one from Osprey Sea Kayak. If you bring your own boat, it must be
seaworthy and you must have a life jacket. Reservations Required. Reserve your space today by calling or clicking
emailing Margo Connolly at 508.999.6363 x222 or email: connolly@savebuzzardsbay.org. 05/18/2012 - Join Country Travelers on their monthly bus trips from $18.00 per person (includes driver gratuity). Receive a $20.00 package from Foxwoods upon arrival.
Need not be a Click on Learn More to find out about their
upcoming special trips.
The Tiverton Library Foundation announced a
major donation from Al Lees, which he calls "a gift to the people of
Tiverton", to support the Local History Room in the new Library. Mr.
Lees is also serving on the Advisory Committee for the History Room's digital
projects. Inset: Al and Cindy Lees with Tiverton Librarian
Prudence Fallon at Fort Barton Historical Site. Besides being a local history buff, Mr.
Lees is owner of Lees Market in Westport, MA which his father started as a
general store in 1949. The “Stroll Down
Memory Lane” section of the Lees Market website includes historic postcards
of Tiverton and other locales.
An
estate book sale this past weekend of the extensive and unique library of the
late Bob and Anne “Pete” Baker
of Westport took place in the old cinder
block building behind Partners Village Store in Westport. It
was reminiscent of the annual Friends book sale that attracts book sellers
and enthusiasts from all over the area; people rushing the store at opening
and quickly picking as many books as possible before they're gobbled up by
someone else. The
Bakers were self-educated, and their library reflected their wide-ranging
interests. 860
books, all priced by Toby Hall after endless hours of on-line research, were
categorized and sorted for easy viewing by prospective buyers, and ranged in
price from $1 to $40 and more. "We
sold more than $4000," Millham reported,
"with all proceeds benefiting the Westport Historical Commission of
which Pete Baker was a founding member. Click
on Learn More for story with photos.
Article
9, to fund the Capital Improvement Fund, was passed over because " there
is no money to fund it," according to Finance Committee Chairman, Hugh
Morton. Inset: Town Administrator Jack
Healey takes a question through the Moderator at Westport's annual Town
Meeting. Town
Administrator Jack Healey in last night's select board meeting laid out the
cost to Westport property owners of the four override articles, and how they
will impact Westport's tax rate if all four articles pass the test at the
ballot box. "We
need to move out of the last century," Healey said of Article 9, a debt
exclusion to upgrade the town's data processing functions.
Because the town failed to submit a stormwater management plan
to the state two years in a row, they were fined $6000, which was just fine
with the WRWA. They got 60 hi-tech rain barrels in exchange for the
town not paying the state penalty, and were instructed to give them to the
first 60 residents who wanted one. The 60 cisterns were quickly given away Saturday
morning. But 120 residents signed up for the program, and more
are expected. The WRWA plans to buy more for distribution. Inset: WRWA Advocacy Director Betsey White
instructs Westport resident Barry Cusick in the operation of the Systern
rainwater runoff management system.
"There
were too many children running today," quipped Anderson. "These
aging legs had a hard time keeping up." Cool running. Despite the glorious weather and
mild wind, no records were broken except one. The
perennial Mother's day event always draws a good crowd of runner, "but
nothing like this year's participation," WFA's Jennifer Gelinas
said. "We had 170
pre-registrations, the most ever, and 50 registrations on race day." Highly-rated
runner Mimi Fallon of Walpole won the female division and took 5th overall,
beating last year's top woman finisher, Christine Anderson, by 1 minute, 6
seconds. Anderson is a two-time winner of the WFA's 8K. Click on Learn More to read article, view race times
and photos, and view video.
But is it the last of
its kind? Town Meeting was
intense, but not without its light moments. Complete story with
photos and meeting results posted today. Inset: Westport selectmen were
very active in supporting or speaking against several articles over three
nights of Town Meeting. 05/07/2012 - The Thursday Thrift Shop at United Congregational Church on the
Commons, Little Compton will be open for the season starting May 3rd. Hours are
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays from May to October. Visit our
Church Announcement page
for all the latest church news.
The Westport charity
sponsors this and other yearly fundraisers to assist those families with
children who have cancer. Mathew
Corr of Dartmouth, this race's bridesmaid but never
a bride, took second at 17.22. East Taunton's Peter Danzel
finished third at 18.42. Top
New Bedford competitor Joann Mathews, 2010's female winner, came in at 19.48,
despite recovering from multiple injuries that "have me still
recovering, so I'm a little out of shape." Great weather
produces great race times.
Drive by planting! In observance of Arbor Day, seven
members of the aspiring green-thumbed group, with the professional help of
Tim's Landscaping and crew, planted an impressive Japanese stewartia tree
at the Town Hall Annex in under 18 minutes! Hats
off to this group for beautifying Westport one small plot at a time. Club
member Carolyn Berube said the tree will bring a
new treat with each season. "In winter it
shows a beautiful mottled bark, in summer it has bright camellia-like
flowers, and in the fall the foliage turns a bright red," Berube said. Tim's Lawn Service will help
maintain the tree, as they do with several other WRG projects. The first Arbor Day, held
on April 10, 1872, encouraged individuals and groups to plant and care for
trees, and resulted with an estimated one million trees planted that day.
With a nod from
Westport River Watershed alliance experts Advocacy Director Betsy White and
Science Director Roberta Carvalho, Gonsalves checked height levels before he climbed out of
the large concrete box. "That should do
it," he said. 05/04/2012 - Westport woman solves mystery photo. Jane Bernardo quickly
figured out what many could not, and won a $25 gift certificate to the Back
Eddy Restaurant, which is now open for the summer. Click here to see what Jane knew. 05/04/2012 - New Senate bill support veterans, military members and their
families. Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport) announced Thursday that the Massachusetts Senate
has unanimously passed “The Valor Act” – new legislation that will expand
benefits and increase access to a range of services for veterans, active-duty
military and their families. “I’m very
excited this legislation is moving forward and has passed in the Senate, said
Senator Rodrigues. The Valor Act is the legislature’s latest effort to
support veterans, military members and their families. The Commonwealth will
continue to provide assistance to our distinguished service members, for
protecting our liberties and freedoms.”
Last
night's action will allow the Board of Selectmen to enter into contractual
relationships involving the capped landfill. The Select
Board last Monday authorized Town Administrator Jack Healey to begin
negotiations with American Capital Energy that was selected as a finalist
from a field of 79 RFP responders to install a solar project that could
produce up to 1mw of electricity. Dartmouth,
in an April 24th single-issue Special Town Meeting, voted to prohibit
commercial solar energy farms in all residential zones, putting a damper on
future solar projects in that town. Everybody
wants green energy, just not in their back yard. Click
here to learn why.
They were
soundly defeated after much confusion and discussion from among the 195
voters in attendance. Inset: Cynthia Raposa
of Village Livery Express took exception to the increased regulation and
expensive licensing in Article 34, debating that the language affecting
livery service in Westport was not necessary and burdensome. Tonight, Town Meeting attendees
will face 20 additional articles, beginning with a daunting 25-page
Science and Technology Overlay District Article 35 sponsored by the Planning
Board that is both complex with a myriad amount of zoning restrictions that
will allow better utilization and harmonious integration of land adjacent to
the Route 6 and 88 interchange.
05/02/2012 - Westport's annual Town Meeting
continues tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Westport
High School auditorium. In what may be the last contiguous Annual Town
Meeting, attendees took an unusually long two hours to get through the first
five articles. Westport voters in the recent April 6th election overwhelming supported
a non-binding referendum question to split Town Meeting into two sessions; a
financial meeting in the spring and most other warrant articles in the fall. Last night's meeting proved the wisdom of that vote as Town Meeting
grinded over budget line items for both level-funded and level-service budget
proposals, and took three hours to get through the first 13 articles. Moderator Steve Fors did a yeoman's job
keeping the meeting on point.
Inset: School Superintendent
Dr. Carlos Colley gives a small smile after Town Meeting approved his
Proposition 2 1/2 override articles. Articles 6, 7, and 8
will permanently add 70 cents to the tax rate if they all win at the ballot
box in a special town election scheduled for June 26th. Article 9, a debt
exclusion article for updating much needed town office telephones and
computers/software received unanimous approval, will add an additional 2 1/2
cents to the tax rate for a period of three years if approved by town voters
June 26th. "Approving this
Article will move our technology out of the last century," Town
Administrator Jack Healey said. Better than most. 684
voters were in attendance, a good turnout for Town Meeting, as parents of
children in the school system came out to support their Superintendent. The meeting was laced with humor and applause, but not without its
bickering and tedium, as the town had a difficult time balancing expanding
town department needs with meager revenue increases from taxation. Click here to review the final warrant. PDF
Strap yourself in
tonight for discussion on several complex articles (Articles 35 to 43)
dealing with zoning bylaws, the most significant of which will setup a
Science and Technology Overlay District as a zoning district in Westport
(land adjacent to Route 6 and Rt. 88) as Westport officials grapple with
projected growth and its impact on overtaxed town services. Bylaw changes will dominate tonight's
Town Meeting. Particular attention
should be paid to Article 54, a citizen's petition to drastically change the
current noise by-law. If adopted, Westport would have the most restrictive
noise bylaw in the state, and the most difficult for an over-taxed police
force to enforce. Article 44 will allow
the town to borrow $140,000 to begin work on repairing East Beach Road, an
action that would be most appreciated by all who live in Westport. The money
should be reimbursed from FEMA and the FHA. Article 25 will
provide funding low-interest loans (2%) to property owners to pay the costs
of septic system repairs, a very generous deal. This Article if adopted will
go a long way in helping reduce the high nitrogen levels in the Westport
River. Results of Town Meeting
will be posted nightly on EverythingWestport.com. Click
here for more previous
events and news you may have missed. Find out about all local area
upcoming events. Click here for our weekly calendar! See all theater and art events now!
Find out about all local area
upcoming events. Click here for our weekly calendar! |
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Events today you
don’t want to miss!
Saturday, June 2 v Tiverton Library 5K
Walkathon starts at 8:00 a.m. at the
Entry fee
is $20.00. Raise
money for the new Tiverton Library while getting some good exercise with
family and friends! Afterwards you can enjoy book, bake and plant sales as
well as a cook-out, kids activities and much
more. It's all part of the 2012 Community Festival at Tiverton High
School that takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit
their website.
For more information call or click 401.624.1293 or email: friends@tivertonlibrary.org. v 4th Annual Megan L. Cordeiro Memorial Soccer Festival from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Town Farm Recreation Area, Wampanog Lane and Main Road,
Tiverton. The event is free and open to all. Join them
for a fun-filled day of soccer, food, games, raffles and reminiscing to
benefit the Megan L. Cordeiro Memorial Scholarship
Foundation. This day will feature u8 and u10 girls soccer games. v Spring Yard Sale from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Bliss Four Corner Congregational Church, 1264 Stafford Road,
Tiverton. Space is
available for their Spring Yard Sale for $15.00/space; table not
provided. Stop by for lunch while shopping for bargains. For more information
or to reserve your space, call 508.678.9235 or call the church at 401.624.4113
and leave message. Email: monalynn76@aol.com. v Westport United
Congregational Church will hold its annual
yard sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the church grounds at 500 American legion
Highway, Westport. There is space available so bring your own table at a cost
of $20. Church
items will be downstairs in the church hall, rain or shine. Book leftovers
from the book fair will be on sale, along with a bake sale table and steamed
hot dogs, chips and drinks. For more
information call Mary at 508.636.4282. v Tiverton Community
Festival and Book Fair from 10:00 a.m. to
3:00 p.m. at the Tiverton High School,
100 N Brayton Road, Tiverton. There is
no admission fee and the event is open to all. It's a
great day to be in Tiverton! The Friends of the Tiverton Libraries host this
annual book sale and festival, which includes a bake sale, kids' activities,
touch-a-truck, cookout, and plant sale. Visit
their website. v Tiverton Garden Club
Plant Sale from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Tiverton High School, 100 N Brayton Road, Tiverton. There is
no admission fee. Tiverton
Garden Club will have a plant sale at the Tiverton High School in conjunction
with the Friends of Tiverton Library fundraiser. Members
will provide various plants, including heirloom tomatoes, peppers,
perennials, annuals and herbs, for sale. The
proceeds help fund the Blue Star Memorial Installation and dedication ceremony
and a donation will also be made to Friends of Tiverton Library. v Little Compton Golf
Outing. The Little Compton
Golf Outing at the Sakonnet Golf Club is scheduled for Saturday June 2 ,
2012. Please save the date! This is a wonderful opportunity to support a
great event and to enjoy an unforgettable day of golf at one of Rhode
Island's most beautiful courses. All proceeds will benefit the many programs
and services of the Little Compton Community Center (LCCC). Your participation will help support dozens
of Community Center programs for children and adults, will enable LCCC to
continue to offer free or low cost meeting space to over 20 local
organizations, and will help maintain and improve our beautiful 100 year-old
building. Click here for the Golf Registration Form. Click here for Sponsorship Levels and Benefits. v What’s Cookin’ at the Great
Chowder Cook Off? On Saturday, June 2, 2012, the legendary
Great Chowder Cook-Off officially kicks off summer in Newport! Be a part of the original, largest, and
longest running (over 30 years!), chowder bonanza in New England located
right in the buzz of historic downtown Newport. With a wide spread from
national to regional competitors, festival-goers will taste-test a myriad of
traditional and exotic chowders from all kitchens, then vote for the best in
three categories: Clam, Seafood and Creative. The winners’ pots are bigger
than ever this year making this culinary competition piping hot! In addition,
we’re cooking up new, exciting ingredients for the 2012 Cook-Off, so stay
tuned while we stew on the details and get ready to savor the start of summer
at this most anticipated annual event! Click here to get all the details!
Event will be hosted at Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial
Wharf, Newport. $25.00 All Ages For more information call or click
800.745.3000 www.newportwaterfrontevents.com v Bottle Engraving & Sampling at Lees Market from
12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. The
engraver will be on hand, engraving bottles of Jack in our Wine Department.
Free engraving with the purchase of the bottle! A great gift idea!
v Habitat for Cats
Adoption Days from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. at 1322 Ashley Blvd, New Bedford. Habitat
for Cats is holding an adoption day from 12-3 p.m. on Saturdays, June 2, 16
and 30, at the HFC adoption center and postcare
facility at 1322 Ashley Blvd. v
The Tiverton Garden Club will
hold a plant sale, at Tiverton
High School, 100 N. Brayton Road, from 10 a.m. to 3
p.m., in conjunction with the Friends of Tiverton Library fundraiser. Various plants, including heirloom tomatoes, peppers,
perennials, annuals and herbs will be for sale. The proceeds will help fund the Blue Star Memorial
Installation and dedication ceremony and a donation will also be made to
Friends of Tiverton Library. v Sandywoods Farm is offering a weekly Saturday morning drawing session. The drop-in life drawing workshop session
will have an experienced live model. Most sessions will offer nude or
semi-nude models, others will feature clothed or costumed models. There will
be no instruction provided. Artists of all experience levels and
disciplines are welcome. Artists must be ages 18 and up, or 16 and older for
sessions featuring clothed models. It will be an opportunity to draw, paint,
or sculpt live models in a relaxed, congenial setting, every Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $14 per
session. Pre-registration is not required. Artists should bring their materials, easel
or other preferred work surface. Chairs will be provided. Sandywoods is located just
behind the Bulgarmarsh Recreation Area, near the
intersection of routes 177 and 81. For more information, call or click Russ
Smith at 401.241.7349 or russsmith1956@gmail.com. v Saturday, June 2 - Landscape Drawing at the Westport Town
Farm! Grab your canvas and choice of media and get ready to explore the
natural landscape. Enjoy the company of others as you share and show off your
artwork. All ages welcome! Drawing pads are available but feel free to bring
your own supplies. 10 a.m. to noon. The event is free and open
to all. For more information please call or click 508.636.4693 x13, or
email: kheard@ttor.org. Sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations. v Sandywoods Gallery Opening Reception from 5:00 to 8:00
p.m. at Sandywoods Farm Arts and Agricultural Community,
43 Muse Way, Tiverton. The Sandywoods
Gallery will host an opening reception for its First Annual Members' Show.
New work from the current 11 members of the gallery co-op will be on display. The gallery is located at 63 Muse Way, next
door to the Sandywoods Center for the Arts. For
more information call 401.241.7349 or email: sandywoodsgallery@gmail.com. Visit their website. v Saturday, June 2 - Live Music at Sandywoods
Friday Night! 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Sandywoods
Farm Arts and Agricultural Community, 43 Muse Way, Tiverton. Sandywoods
Center for the Arts
continues its 2012 Concert Series. Doors open 6:30 p.m., BYOB
and food allowed $8 advance at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/236191,
$10 at the door. A night of folk music, for folks of all ages! Jonah Tolchin is a young musician (19!)
who mesmerizes audiences with his impeccable musicianship, foot-stomping
rhythms, and lyrical original songs - a blazing bluesman who will knock your
socks off! For more information call or click
401.241.7349, email: info@sandywoodsfarm.org. or visit their website. v Weekly dances at the Holy Ghost Club, 171
Sodom Road, Westport. Cost is $6. Saturdays,
7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Live bands, door prizes, 50/50 raffle. Each week except
the last week of the month which is reserved for special functions. For more
information call (508) 636-3661. v Live music Saturday nights at the Westport VFW. 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Join in on the fun. All are welcome and
there is no cover charge. VFW Post 8502, 843 State Road (Route 6) in
Westport. Call 508.678.9888 for more information. "Draft specials!" v Ham and bean supper at Acoaxet Chapel, 36 Howland Road, Westport Harbor at 5:30 p.m. Tickets
are $10 for a hearty meal of ham, the famous Acoaxet
beans (red and white), rolls potato salad, brown bread, dessert and beverage. Reservations are required, so call phoebe
at 401.635.4857 to save a seat. For more information call or click 401.635.4857,
email psimmons3@cox.net or visit www.acoaxetchapel.org. Find out more about
the above and other local area events coming up this week. Click here for our all
of this week's event listings! * *
* * *
* * *
* * * * Tips for healthy and safe living. 09/29/2011 -
Do you heat your home with fuel oil? Then you'll want to review new safety standards for
protecting against costly oil leaks that could be very expensive to remediate. Click here PDF
to see how to protect your oil tank's fuel line as required by law. The Massachusetts Homeowner Oil Heating
System Upgrade and Insurance Law requires you to upgrade your home
heating system equipment to prevent leaks from tanks and pipes that connect
to your furnace. By making a relatively small expenditure now, you can
prevent a much greater expense in the future. 08/28/2011 -
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) positive mosquito findings in New Bedford, Freetown
and a widening swath through Southeastern Massachusetts. Click here for more information and learn how to
protect yourself from EEE. 03/01/2011 -
A defective or non-functioning smoke alarm almost cost a young Westport woman her life in a recent
July 4th Drift Road fire. The house burnt to the ground but the woman was
saved by an alert Fire Chief. Protect yourself, your family and pets with
proper smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Is your property safe? Click here to get all the details and state requirements for all age
homes. Do it now. PDF Large file, Please be patient. 16 tips you need to
defend yourself against deer ticks and Lyme Disease for 2010. Click here to get them now! 10 tips for living with coyotes in Westport.
Click here to learn how.
PDF
Westport articles from the local newspapers. 04/19/2012 - In a series of votes on
April 12th, the Westport
Community Preservation Committee (CPC) approved FY13 spending recommendations
to Town Meeting for Community Preservation Act spending totaling $1.36
million, with the bulk of the funds earmarked for development of youth
athletic fields and affordable housing initiatives. More
from the Dartmouth Chronicle. 02/21/2012 - Let there be shellfishing. Only
recreational shellfishing will be allowed in an
area southeast of Westport Harbor known as the Let,
according to Westport's Shellfish Constable Gary Sherman.. For
years, Westport had allowed recreational and commercial shellfishing
in the Westport River, but Sherman said the new system will allow for
families to more easily fish quahog or oysters and make it more likely for
the town to win grants for recreational shellfishing. The
new recreational zone extends from the Emma Tripp landing off the inland side
of East Beach Road out 1,000 feet, as wide as both sides of the inlet. More
from the Fall River Herald News. 01/16/2012 - Adam Machado’s love for American roots
music began when he was a child, splitting his time between his father’s
home in Westport and his mother’s in Little Compton. His
stepfather, Bob Sayer, introduced him to the genre,
which encompasses artists like Mance Lipscomb,
Country Joe and the Fish, and Fred McDowell. Thirty
years later, Mr. Machado’s love for the music and the path he took to work in
the industry has gained him a Grammy nomination. He is nominated for Best
Album Notes for the 136-page book he wrote to accompany “Hear Me Howling! Blues, Ballads & Beyond: The Arhoolie 50th Anniversary Box Set.
More. 12/28/2011
- Westport's Capital Improvement Planning Committee
(CIPC) re-assembled last week to begin the arduous but necessary task of
preparing another six-year capital needs list for the town. The list will
include projected municipal capital expenses of $25,000 or more for all
departments, said Chairman Jack Baughan. More. 12/18/2011
- Massachusetts veterans now have an
easier way to identify themselves as eligible for services and
benefits thanks to a new feature on driver’s licenses. In
an effort spearheaded by Westport's State Senator Michael Rodrigues,
effective next month, veterans can bring their DD214 forms, which identify
them as having served in the military, to the Registry of Motor Vehicles to
have a special note on their licenses, state officials announced Friday at
the Fall River RMV. According
to Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, there are 400,000 veterans in Massachusetts,
including 37,000 who have served since 9/11.
More. 12/05/2011
- State takes control over East Beach Road. About three months
after tropical storm Irene ravaged the east end of Westport's East Beach
Road, the town was notified that the state will pay for most of the repair
costs. "We received
favorable reports in terms of reimbursements for the damages caused by the
tropical storm," Selectman Antone Vieira said.
"It's taken a little bit of time, but has been worthwhile." "East Beach Road
is a state Road now, " select board chairman Richard Spirlet said,
"and the state is accepting responsibility for it." More. 10/17/2011
- Prima CARE medical group expanding with office in Westport. Prima
CARE, a multispecialty medical group, is expanding once again with a new
medical office in Westport. The building, under
construction, will be located behind Westport Family Medicine at 829 Main
Road. It will be a 6,500-square-foot, single-story building.
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Previous Events and News you may
have missed.
The third generation Kennedy scion,
who hopes to carry
the family mantle back to Washington, was on hand Sunday morning to support
Rodrigues' bid for a second term as Westport's State Senator from 1st Bristol and Plymouth District. Following his
grandmother's advice, Kennedy, who will attempt to capture this fall the
congressional seat held for almost two decades by Barney Frank, delivered a
few remarks of support, slapped Rodrigues on the back and sat down to
breakfast. Over 400 guests,
including everybody who was somebody, were in attendance. The event
unofficially was not a fundraiser but an opportunity for folks to support
their popular and hard-working senatorial candidate.
But in observance,
seven members of the Westport River Gardeners with the professional help of
Tim's Landscaping and crew planted a five-foot stewartia tree at the Town Hall
Annex in under 18 minutes! Hats off to this group
for beautifying Westport one small plot at a time. Club member Carolyn Berube said the tree will bring a new treat with each
season. "In winter it
shows a beautiful mottled bark, in summer it has bright camellia-like
flowers, and in the fall the foliage turns a bright red," Berube said. Tim's Lawn Service will help
maintain the tree, as they do with several other WRG projects. The first Arbor Day,
held on April 10, 1872, encouraged individuals and groups to plant and care
for trees, and resulted with an estimated one million trees planted that day.
More later with video and photo album. 04/24/2012 - Coming soon to Westport . . . Click
here to find out more.
Westport's Deborah Lee
Valeri took first place with her warm and sunny seashore oil entitled "The Sailing Lesson," and
in an emotional presentation, Gordon Price's "River Road Marsh"
received the Special Award selected by Partners Village Store's Lisa Cusick
(pictured left).
"Water is necessary for life,
hydrating our bodies, cleansing us," WAG preshow literature said.
"It gives aquatic species a home and provides us with a pleasure land
for multitudes of leisurely activities." Indeed it does, WAG, indeed it does.
Many helped make this an effective event.
The Friends Food Pantry is in desperate need to assist those in our community
who go without food day in and day out. Inset: Past Post Commander Alfred Lima sorts through
some of the donations at the American Legion Hall. 04/23/2012 - Select
Board sound bites. Residents visiting Westport Town
Hall may have to hunt for a parking spot if Central Village gets its
proposed sidewalks. Selectmen voted at their last meeting to allow most of
the paved area behind Town Hall to be used as a community parking lot, to be
shared with Town Hall employees, and the Highway and Police Departments. The suggestion by the
Central Village Public Improvement Committee was formally adopted unanimously
by the Select Board, and should help deter sidewalk strollers and out-of-town
car poolers from long-term parking at Lees Supermarket and other Central
Village businesses. Signs will be installed at Town Hall to post the
designation. 04/22/2012 - Volunteer delegates formed
from five local veterans organizations were assigned the responsibility of representing their respective
Westport Veterans Organizations, and were present in constituting a quorum and an accounting
for.
"We
vaccinated a lot of cats and dogs," Lambert said. "We also sold a
lot of dog licenses. For a first time clinic it was very successful. All the
people who came in to utilize the licensing service were very happy because
for them it was hard to get to Town Hall during normal working hours."
Inset: Veterinarian Jackie Brito
vaccinates Westport resident Erica Brillon's 11
year-old Bolo while Animal Control Officer Donna Lambert holds his leash. Lambert, a Board
of Health member, plans to make the clinic an annual event. She also plans to
hold a second clinic in the very near future. Click on Learn More to get the
whole story with photos.
Total cost per person comes to only $70.00.
This price includes the bus, light refreshments, guide materials, literary
walking tour, and all administrative costs. A $25 deposit, non-refundable,
will reserve a seat. Cash, check or
money order accepted made out to Helene Korolenko
and mailed to Helene Korolenko, 565 Sanford Road,
Westport, MA 02790. Reservations with full payment or balance due must be
received by May 1, 2012. Please e-mail korolenko8523@charter.net to assure space
is available before sending payment. 04/21/2012 - The Westport Republican Town Committee is
now accepting letters of applications
for Poll Workers from any Westport registered Republican. Letters must be
mailed to: Chairman Westport Republican Town Committee, P.O. Box 3420, Westport,
MA 02790 by May 15, 2012. They will be voted on at the May 30, 2012 meeting.
We encourage applicants to attend that meeting.
The proposed district
would occupy 390 acres, with 39 people owning property within the district. The proposed district
runs south of Route 6, west of Route 88, east of Sanford Road and north of
Briggs Road. “I know this by-law
can work,” Raposa told her audience at the monthly
meeting of Westport Business to Business.
On certain Fridays, the Dartmouth Public
Library will present a story hour from 3 to 4 p.m., and local musicians will
be providing a variety of music for audiences of all ages. If you are a local
artist or musician and you would like to share your talent with our
community, please call or click Tony Melli at
508.636.8047 or email him at: Oliodimelli@comcast.net. 04/19/2012 - The Trustees of Reservations is currently
accepting applicants for its South Coast Youth Corps program. The South Coast Youth Corps offers in-depth
learning and leadership opportunities for youth who are interested in outdoor
environmental work. This summer, The Trustees is teaming up with the
Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance (SEEAL) to expand the program,
doubling the number of youth positions to include a New Bedford and Roving
Crew, in addition to a Fall River Bioreserve and
Westport Town Farm Crew. 04/19/2012 - Republican Town Committee News. On Monday, April 9th the Westport
Republican Town Committee at their re-organization meeting, following the
Presidential Primary, elected the following officers: Chairman - Mary Lou Daxland,
Vice Chairman - Lauren Bernardo, Secretary - Karl Daxland,
and Treasurer - Aldelino Pereira. 04/19/2012 - WRWA Summer Internships available. The Westport River Watershed Alliance is seeking two
qualified candidates to fill their seasonal, summer internship positions.
Their summer internship program is being generously sponsored by BayCoast Bank. The applicant must be a current
UMass Dartmouth or Bristol Community College student to be eligible for the grant
funded internships. The positions are 30 hrs/week at a rate of $10hr, from
early May until the end of August. Summer interns will work with school
programs, field studies, and lead lessons for our science-based summer
program. Complete position description can be found here, or by calling 508.636.3016.
Selectmen seat and
reorganize a new Select Board. Richard Spirlet remains as Chairman, Antone Vieira is appointed Vice Chair, and newest member
R. Michael Sullivan was named Clerk. But the Council of Aging stole opening ceremonies as
Mary Ellen Gomes marshaled a sea of senior supporters to push her cause for
adding two per-diem workers to her Day Care Program. "Third time's the charm," as they say, and
Gomes, in her third meeting with Selectmen, finally got their approval
despite a hiring freeze and level-funded budgets. The new Select Board then got right down to business
with a lengthy agenda that included among other items: authorized the
planting of a flowering tree at the Town Hall Annex by the Westport River
gardeners, addressed an issue raised by Attorney Dorothy Tongue on the
disposition of town-owned land, moved up the date to Monday, April 23rd
allowing East Beach trailers to return to the battered beach as long as
residents didn't occupy them until May 1st., and noted the approval of town
boards on accepting four town road layouts for town meeting approval. Click on Learn More for the full
article with photos.
The dig, led by Dr. David B. Landon,
Associate Director at Fiske Center for Archaeological Research at UMass
Boston, found little of historical interest of the kind that these dirt
detectives dream about in the dusty recesses of their minds. But a buried, monolithic stone walkway to
the main building's front door, and an unexpected quantity of beads and
buttons had the earth antiquarians scratching their collective head. "The preservation work at the Town
Farm involved some excavation around the foundation, so our major goal was to
make certain that there were no important buried archaeological deposits that
would have been disturbed by the work," Landon said. Click on Learn More to reads article,
view photo album and check out the brief YouTube video clip. 04/18/2012 - Westport Boat excise tax bills are due today. Outstanding bills will be
subject to a $10 demand fee, interest of 12 percent per annum and a $20 or a
20 percent penalty, whichever is greater. The town has also
mailed motor vehicle excise tax bills and they are due on or before May 14.
Taxpayers are asked to contact the collectors office if they did not receive
a bill. Those in need of an abatement may contact the assessor's office
directly.
Hats, visors, buttons and shirts displayed
the yellow smiley face, and the guests sang songs about smiles. Inset: Bill Miller sitting with
his three daughters Dorothy Grosswendt (left) and
Margery Miller (center), and Sue Smith with Husband George (right). My father is a Shriner," said Sue Smith of 113-year-old Noquochoke
Orchards in Westport. "For years Bill and the Shriners
ran Christmas parties for the kids, and now we collect money at his birthday
parties and donate it to the Swartz Center for Children in Dartmouth. "This year we
collected over $400," Smith said. Happy Birthday,
William! See you next year.
Click
here for more Clouds of Westport. 04/11/2012 - Al Lees speaks out on "pink slime." Lees Supermarket makes hamburg the old fashioned way. Click
here to read how.
Boat is "the talk of the
town" says Fire Chief Legendre. Like
its bigger brothers in New York Harbor, the Fire Department's latest
acquisition of an aging, 24 foot steel-hulled fire boat will upgrade safety
services in Westport Harbor. Inset: Firefighter Glenn Nunes points to the fire boat newly christened as the
Irving C. Hammond. The Irving C. Hammond, named after
Westport's first fire chief, was made seaworthy through donations, grants and
the volunteer efforts of Westport firefighters. But the Town of
Somerset-donated fire boat became the involuntary center of a firestorm
generated by a recent letter sent out by the Westport Taxpayers Association. "It's
outrageous," Fire Chief Brian Legendre said. "The boat was donated
by Somerset, and refurbished and made seaworthy with grants, donations and
personal efforts by our firefighters. Not one dime of taxpayer money was
used." The Fire Chief had
called a hasty press conference last Friday to rebut statements made in the
WTA letter. Letter
to the editor - Firefighter Dan Baldwin responds to WTA. Letter
to the editor - WTA berates Fire Chief and Finance Committee.
Inset: R. Michael Sullivan
accompanied by his wife, Martha, is sworn in by Town Clerk Marlene Samson as
Westport's rookie Selectman. The new Select Board will now have to come
up with the money out of the town's annual budget. Voters also rejected a movement to place
the Westport River under the Federal protection of the Wild and Scenic Rivers
Act. 3122 ballots were cast, representing 27.48%
of the town's registered voters, a sizable turnout considering there were no
contested races for public office. It was clear voters came out to speak
against the sizable tax override. Many residents called the Town Hall after
receiving the recent Westport Taxpayers Association mailing, asking the Town
Clerk's office where they could vote. As expected, Westport voters by 57% want
the annual Town Meeting broken up into two Saturday morning sessions. And in a surprising result that bucked the
electorate's apparent antipathy towards taxes, voters want to continue CPA
funding for historic preservation, land conservation and affordable housing
by a convincing vote of 1961 versus 1062, a 64.87% affirmation. Conservation Commission member R. Michael
Sullivan outpolled Select Board incumbent Craig Dutra 1827 to 1735. Both
candidates win spots on the Board of Selectmen. Precinct percentages and further analysis
with photos available by clicking on Learn More.
Nearby residents watched as what they came
to consider a neighborhood eyesore was leveled, crushed and trucked away for
disposal. Inset: The next door
neighbors watch the demolition, thankful that their two-year struggle to
settle the estate and make the property safe finally came to a close. The 202 Drift Road residence was the scene
of a near fatal fire that took the lives of seven pet dogs and cats. The Westport Fire Chief was driving by
early that morning when he spotted smoke from an upstairs window. Chief Brian Legendre called it in, and
quick action by an alert neighbor and firefighters using infrared detectors
located a sleeping Shannon Pearce, 24, and removed her safely from the
burning structure. Click here to read
more about the dramatic rescue of Shannon Pearce. 04/10/2012 - State Representative
Paul Schmid supports Job
Protection Legislation for Volunteer Firefighters. State Representative Paul Schmid
(D-Westport) joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of
Representatives This legislation adds a level of job
protection for call and volunteer firefighters to the current statute that
protects them from being dismissed from their primary job if they arrive late
for work because they were fighting a fire. This legislation broadens the
responsibilities of call and volunteer firefighters that may be excused by
primary employers to include natural disasters, emergency medical response,
and hazardous material incidents.
One of four major golf tournaments played
by invited amateurs and professionals from around the globe, the Masters
played at Augusta National Golf Club always seems to produce the unexpected,
and this year's contest was up to par on that account. Mathematicians would say that adding +3 and
-3 would equal zero, except at the Masters. In the final round South African Louis
Oosthuizen got a very rare "double eagle" or albatross (-3) on the
second hole, and three-time Masters' champion Phil Mickelson triple bogeyed
the par 3 fourth (+3), propelling Oosthuizen into the lead, a spot he would
retain to the 18th hole. Mickelson never recovered. Meanwhile, the highly creative and
unorthodox Watson with his pink driver was fighting his way up the leader
board and tied Oosthuizen on the 18th, forcing a playoff. Click above on Learn More to read more with photos
about the 2012 Masters, and review other interesting local info on our Golf
Page.
The
award is presented annually. This
year it was presented to Senator Rodrigues at the Council's annual banquet,
and it is "in recognition of legislative work with and in support of
matters of interest to the sportsmen and women of the Commonwealth,"
according to Council President Mike Moss.
Leo St. Onge was just a doughboy doing his job in France back in
May of 1944. He never intended and never wanted to be a hero. And today he still
doesn't understand what all the fuss is about. "His was a story
that needed to be told," friend and VFW Post Commander Lino Rego said. The first-time author
faced a lot of roadblocks in producing St. Onge's
story, the least of which was that St. Onge could
not recollect most of what happened back in 1944 due to wartime injuries and
trauma. But his Silver Star
and French Croix de Guere speak volumes about St. Onge's heroics. Sunday, Rego and wife Janet held a book signing at Janets Country Store in Westport, and the man who never
learned to read or write signed copies for friends, local politicians, and
those who came by honor and admire the venerable WWII veteran. With each passing of a
WWII vet, those who fought the bloodiest and greatest war of all time, are
fading from the collective memory of today's Americans. Click above on Learn More to read more with photos.
Ann Hood, author of The Knitting Circle and the Red
Thread, was there to speak about her books and how knitting has affected
her life. And accomplished spinner, dyer and artist Chrystee Governo of Play at
Life Fiber Arts stopped by with a trunk full of her yarns for sale, and
demonstrated how to knit with her silk roving hankies. Click here to read about
the beginnings of Sisters of the Wool. 03/31/2012 - Area fruit orchards escape disaster, for now. "But we're
not out of the woods yet," warned Brian Medeiros of Dartmouth Orchards. The
freak weather kept Medeiros sleepless throughout Monday night. Mother
nature played a cruel hoax on peach and plum growers by coaxing fruit tree
buds and blossoms out early with 60+ degree weather in March, only to stun
the fragile blooms with 20 degree overnight temperatures on Monday, followed
up by below freezing weather on Tuesday night. George
Smith of 111 year-old Noquochoke Orchards in Westport felt the strong winds
along the river likely prevented disastrous damage by mixing warmer air with
the chill that settles closer to the ground. "We
generally don't have problems with early spring freezes," said Jim
Smith, George's son. "But we will have to wait to see if any real damage
has been done. Some of our early producing apple trees, like the Red
Delicious, may have taken a hit." "Our
vines are all hunkered down for the winter," Westport Rivers Vineyard's Bill Russell said.
"We're close to the water and the cool air is what they need. Some rain
will be helpful, but we hope it will stay cool for a little while
longer." "I
thought I would lose my entire peach crop," Medeiros lamented. "At
this point it looks pretty good, but it's still too early to tell. We'll have
to get through the next month."
"We're not
precluding the other seven companies," Energy Committee Chairman Antone Vieira said. "But these two are the most
promising." "I don't expect
we will make any decisions at that time," Select Board Chairman Richard
Spirlet said. Inset: This is American Capital
Energy's plan to install a 608KW PV solar panel array on Westport's capped
landfill. Click on the image for a more detailed plan. The nine finalists
were chosen from almost 80 responses from the town's solar farm RFP (request
for proposal), according to Town Administrator Jack Healey. Both companies
proposed a "floating" array of solar panels on the top of
Westport's capped landfill that would generate from between 600 to 1000KW of
electricity, according to companies spokesmen. Westport joins many other
Massachusetts communities looking to benefit from unused landfills to generate
much needed revenue to support anemic town budgets. However, capped
landfills present their problems, the two companies said, but they are
manageable. More tonight. 03/26/2012 - Westport mulls over how to use $96K in excess funds. The town is
in the process of deciding what to do with $96,000 of income that accrued to
the Department Housing and Community Development home rehabilitation program
run by the town. “We’re winding the
program down,” said Town Administrator Jack Healey on Friday. “I want to see what
this money can be used for,” Healey said of the $96,000. “There are a lot of
rules.”
There is fishing
tackle galore: rods, reels, lines, and lures; and marine tackle including:
rope, cleats, radios, pumps, and more. Shopping was
heavy in the morning according to Russell Hubert of Fall River (inset with
his wife Michelle). The master "reelman"
was on hand with every conceivable fishing reel a body could want. Hey, admission
is only a buck, and there are refreshments and raffles, and everybody is
welcome. For more
information call at George Santos at 774.644.9512.
The 9th district, a
result of anemic population growth in Massachusetts which cost the state a
congressional seat, forced U.S. Representative Barney Frank's district
further north. Frank has announced he will not seek reelection. The 9th district
includes all of the Cape and Islands, stretches north on the South Shore to
Norwell and goes west including Westport and Fall River, where it includes a
couple of precincts from that city. Sheldon is exposed to
a possible primary if another Republican candidate announces, so he's focused
on building name recognition in a district where he has a very low profile.
Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson was a potential candidate but decided
against running. Sheldon is a
businessman, management consultant and a member of the Plymouth County
Charter Study Commission. Sheldon resides in
Plymouth. Click here to
read more about Sheldon on LinkedIn. View his campaign website.
The 2012 award will go to Sue and Neil Van Sloun, founders of Sylvan Nursery Inc. in Dartmouth and
Westport.
Sgt.
Bono, an Iraqi senior veteran, was killed March 17 in a motor vehicle
accident while Sgt.
Bono's body was flown into T.F. Green Airport where
planeside honors were conducted by Army personnel and Bono's
immediate family. The
Patriot Guard will be holding flags at the funeral home. Burial
will be in Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport.
"To be clear, I'm
opposed to the Central Village sidewalks," Lees Market owner Al Lees
told Selectmen at their Monday night meeting. "I will not sign off on
any temporary easements, or any other legal document relating to this, and if
necessary I will have no choice but to pursue any legal avenue to protect my
business and my investment in this town." Reading from a
prepared statement, he asked the Selectmen to avoid any financial or personal
unpleasantness and not vote to allocate any funds for this project. But Selectmen voted 3
to 2 to move forward with the funding request for $21,738.29, taking the
money from Chapter 90 funds, a transfer Select Board Chairman Richard Spirlet
opposed.
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