The South Coast Insider - December 2009

December 2009 / Vol. 13 / No. 12

coastalmags.com

Happy Holidays !

Embrace your heritage

Better to give

Light the lights

Keep kettles full

Bordertowns Bristol beckons

Plus Talking turkey, Wii workouts and holly jolly happenings

Wine Notes Noirs that sparkle

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Lees has been providing fresh locally-produced agricultural products for over 40 years Support our local community.

Buy Fresh, Buy Local.

Open Daily Complimentary Internet Access

796 Main Road Westport, MA Open Daily: 7am-9pm

www.LeesMarket.com

December 12 & 13 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 Rogers School Pancake Breakfast Children’s Crafts & Book Fair

Academy Building Open House

Rogers School, 100 Pleasant St., 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Antique toy display Main St. at Huttleston Ave., 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Holiday Marketplace

Colonial Club Open House

Craft booths & more Unitarian Church, 102 Green St., 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Fairhaven antiques & art on display 6 Cherry Street, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Town Hall Shops

Holiday Soup & Sandwich Luncheon

Booths by non-profit groups Town Hall, 40 Center St., 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Harrop Center, Center St., 11 a.m. -1:30 p.m.

Brick Church Fair

Congregational Church, 34 Center St., 11:00 a.m.

Craft booths, baked goods, thrift shop & more Congregational Church, 34 Center St., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Millicent Library, 45 Center St., 1 p.m.

Unitarian Church Tours Unitarian Church, 102 Green St. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Lobster Roll Luncheon Mark Twain Readings Open Mic Night @ Oxford Book Haven Church of the Good Shepherd, 357 Main St., 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 Old-Time Christmas Carol Sing

Service of Lessons and Carols

Trinity Lutheran Church, 16 Temple Pl., 1:00 p.m. Unitarian Memorial Church, 102 Green St., 4:00 p.m.

The Old-Time Holiday Weekend is sponsored by Fairhaven non-profit and church groups and is coordinated by the Fairhaven Office of Tourism. Complete program listings are available from http://FairhavenEvents.blogspot.com. For more information, contact the Fairhaven Office of Tourism, 43 Center Street, Fairhaven, telephone 508-979-4085, email FairhavenTours@aol.com.

Visitors Center hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 AT 2PM & 7PM

Unique source for holiday gift items at surprisingly affordable prices!

Books • Candy • Home Accessories • Fashion Accessories Including jewelry, handbags and scarves Items of Local Interest Visit our Candy Department for the largest selection of nostalgic treats in the area!

Sponsor:

Clearance and sale items excluded • Can not be combined with any other offer.

Monday-Friday 9a.m. to 4 p.m.

Weekend hours(from Nov. 21 to Dec. 27) Saturday & Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

451 Rock Street Fall River, MA corner of Maple Street (508) 679-1071 ext. 105

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December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

Season Producer:

Zeiterion Performing Arts Center online Box Office 10am–5pm TUES–FRI by phone in person 10am–3pm SAT! FREE PARKING in adjacent garage

www.zeiterion.org 508-994-2900 684 Purchase St. NEW BEDFORD

DECEMBER 2009

CONTENTS IN EVERY ISSUE

COVER STORY

WINE NOTES

5

10

38

8

42

47

48

From the publisher On my mind: Ho, ho! Ho boy!

by Paul E. Kandarian

Book Picks: A mixed bag

Celebrate Christmas past

by Elizabeth Morse Read

12

Give gratefully

14

Red kettles need green

16

Old fashioned Christmases

Sparkling noirs

by Alton Long

FOOD NOTES

by Stacie Charbonneau Hess

26

Turkey talk

by Bob Ekstrom

by Stan Epstein

by Magoo Gelehrter

Tarot-Scopes

by Zachary Boissonneau

by Charles Cochrane

Last Word

20

Time for lights

by Mike Vieira

36

Bordertowns

34

by Mike Vieira

30

REGIONAL NEWS

Oh-nine not all bad

by Stephen C. Smith

Relocation, ground-breaking and more

THINGS TO DO

Bristol

by Paul E. Kandarian

32

Wii workouts

by Robin LaCroix and Dan Logan

41

Restaurant Guide

44

Holly Jolly Happenings

On the cover We invite you to enjoy this holiday Season on the South Coast, to shop locally, and to share with others. Our wreath is courtesy of the gift barn at Frerichs Farm, on Kinnicutt Avenue in Warren.

The South Coast Insider / December 2009

7

UNDERWOOD FARM

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Tiverton – New listing. Stately 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath Colonial on highland road situated on nearly 2 acres of manicured grounds offering hardwood floors, mahogany paneled dining room & library, formal living room, central air, fireplace, 3 stall garage plus loft. Close to area beaches and coastal attractions. $915,000. Call 508-679-3998.

Westport – Exceptional 4,200 sf Colonial w/ 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths on 1.6 acre lot offering private living quarters perfect for au pair or in-law setup. Upgrades include irrigation, electric fence, custom closets, home theatre, security system, and stamped concrete patio, stonewalls and perennial gardens. Offered at $649,000. Call 508-679-3998.

South tiverton – New listing. Beautifully maintained 3,700 sf Colonial offering 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, master suite, hardwood floors, formal living & dining rooms, fireplace, custom built-ins, finished walk out basement, office, 2 stall garage, central air, stonewalls, privately located on over 4 acres. $525,000. Call 508-679-3998.

Westport – NEW LISTING – RARE OPPORTUNITY! 15.7 Acre estate with 536 Ft of frontage offering multi-level 3Bdrm, 3.5Bath home PLUS 40x80 brick 4-bay garage w/office PLUS 4-stall horse barn w/plumbing & electric. Previously used as a home business(Mixed Use). Beautiful manicured grounds w/plenty of room for a corral. SUBDIVIDABLE! Outstanding location – THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!

December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

FROM THE PUBLISHER December 2009 / Vol. 13 / No. 12 Published by

Coastal Communications Corp.

One of the hit songs of the Sound of Music suggests that

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

Ljiljana Vasiljevic

remembering your favorite things is a way to feel better. Around the holidays—especially in economically challenging times—

Editors

memories can soften the melancholy.

Joe Murphy Michael J. Vieira, Ph.D.

So, as Auntie Mame proclaims in another famous musical, we

Contributors

Zachary Boissonneau, Stacie Charbonneau Hess, Bob Ekstrom, Stan Epstein, Magoo Gelehrter, Paul E. Kandarian, Robin LaCroix, Dan Logan, Alton Long, Tom Lopes, Elizabeth Morse Read, Stephen C. Smith, Mike Vieira The South Coast Insider is published monthly for visitors and residents of the South Coast area.

The Insider is distributed free of charge from Mount Hope Bay to Buzzards Bay. All contents copyright ©2009 Coastal Communications Corp.

Deadline

need a little Christmas right now.

Elizabeth Morse Read provides ways to get back to the basics with a little help from your holiday heritage; Stacie Charbonneau Hess gives ideas about giving back; and Stan Epstein reminds us that the red kettles need to be filled today more than ever.

Still need more to be merry? Celebrate Christmas past at local landmarks with Zachary Boissonneau. Take the trip to LaSalette with Mike Vieira, try a local turkey with Bob Ekstrom, and take time to enjoy a concert, play or display. Our holiday happenings section can help.

20 days prior to publication.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means, without written permission from the Publisher. All information contained herein is believed to be reliable. Coastal Communications Corp. does not assume any financial responsibility for typographical errors in advertisements, but will reprint that portion of an advertisement in which the typographical error occurs.

As always, enjoy a look at a Border town, try a new wine with Al Long, gain some insight into regional news, and read a good book. Don’t forget to visit www.coastalmags.com for more information and explore www.SouthCoastGo.com, our free online classifieds. They’re a gift to yourself.

Happy Holidays,

Circulation

30,000 Subscriptions

$25 per year

Ljiljana Vasiljevic Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

Mailing Address

The South Coast Insider 144 Purchase Street • PO Box 3493 Fall River, MA 02722 Tel: (508) 677-3000 Fax: (508) 677-3003 Website

http://www.coastalmags.com E-mail

editor@coastalmags.com Our advertisers make this publication possible – please support them

Receive weekly events by email Subscribe online: www.TheSouthCoastInsider.com The South Coast Insider / December 2009

9

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Merry TubaChristmas!

December 5 • 2PM • Free

Participants for the following events must pre-register and pre-pay by visiting www.bpzoo.org or by calling (508) 991-4556 x 14.

New and Improved!

VISIT ANY YMCA SOUTHCOAST BRANCH TODAY TO SEE HOW WE CAN HELP IMPROVE YOUR

HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Holiday Fun

Come party with your favorite holiday characters!

December 6, 11-12 and 18-19 • 5:30PM to 7:30PM Zoo Members: $13/person • Non-members: $16/person

Milk and Cookies with Santa

December 6,12, 13, 19 and 20 • 1:00PM & 3:00PM Mondays, December 7, 14 and 21 • 12:30PM Zoo Members: $6/person • Non-members: $9/person

Breakfast with Santa

Saturdays, December 5, 12 and 19 • 9AM

Zoo Members: $13/person • Non-members: $16/person

Buttonwood Park Zoo

www.bpzoo.org 425 Hawthorn St. • New Bedford, MA 10

• (508) 991-4556

December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

GET MOVING

at YMCA Southcoast Dartmouth • Fall River Mattapoisett • New Bedford • Wareham www.ymcasouthcoast.org

NEW BEDFORD FESTIVAL THEATRE AN N O U N C I N G O U R 20T H AN N I V E R S ARY P R O D U C T IO N

The Greatest Americal Musical

PHOTO: 2008 BROADWAY REVIVAL

J U LY 16– 25, 2010 AT T H E Z EI T ER I O N P ER FO R M ING ART S C E NT E R

The Perfect Gift: A Ticket to Gypsy!

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$3 HOLIDAY DISCOUNT THRU 1/9/10 “Let Me Entertain You!”

ATTENTION: COLLEGE FRESHMEN Earn TOP $$$ while working this semester at Gold Medal Bakery!

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Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age.

Must be able to continue work during the summer months.

Don’t Miss out—Apply Now!!!

To apply, visit us at:

www.goldmedalbakery.com/jobs and complete Application #1 Or complete an application in person at 21 Penn Street • Fall River, MA

‘Tis the season to give and remember. Donate all winter clothing items at Divine Tranquility, for men, women and children. We will disperse them to the Shirley Angel Foundation. You will get a $10.00 spa voucher depending on how much you donate.

Donations are accepted at Divine Tranquility.

In loving memory of Joseph and Shirley Battistelli who are now with the angels.

— Salon hours —

Mon 9-4 closed Sun. and Tues. Wed-Fri 9-7pm Sat 9-3

Divine Tranquility Salon and Spa 1749 Main Road • Tiverton RI • 401-624-6844 The South Coast Insider / December 2009

11

ON MY MIND

Nose like a cherry

by Paul E. Kandarian

I made my annual pilgrimage to the majestically decorated Taunton Green to chat up the old fat man in the red suit. No, not a seasonally dressed lawyer waddling out of the court house, I mean Santa Claus, of course.

“So, big man, what’s happening this year?” I said, pulling up a stool, and noticing a discernible dimming of the twinkle in his eyes.

“You seem a little off.”

“Well, I am,” he sighed, pulling out his flask of Magic Santa Sauce and swigging mightily, wiping his bearded mouth with the back of one big white-gloved hand. “Been a tough year. Had to lay off 30 percent of my elves, dude, bad, bad economy, even up there.”

He jerked a thumb toward due north. I noticed a hole in the material there, presumably from so many twist-offs of the cap of the bottle in the other hand. Man, it has been a tough year, I thought, this old sainted rummy is hitting it harder than usual.

“It’s just so…I dunno…disheartening,” he shrugged, his big shoulders stooped, torso slumped, hands clasped around the bottle slung low between his legs. “I mean what’s wrong with you people?”

“Where do you want me to start, big man?” I sighed, reaching for the bottle and taking a healthy swig, looking outside the little Santa shed where we sat, parents and children happy in the glow of the colored lights all over the Green, laughter filling the air. “’Tis the season to be surly, trust me,” he said, noting me looking wistfully out the window.

“How so?”

“Sure, it’s all lovey dovey out there, peace-on-earth stuff, ya know?” he said, taking the bottle back for a prolonged pull, and continuing “but once these people get back in their cars, fuggetaboutit, pallie, it’s every man for himself…every Santa for himself, for cryin’ out loud.

“They get back in their cars and they’re changed people, you’d think they’d give some slack to a guy in a red suit driving a sleigh full of toys – toys for their kids, for God’s sake, but noooooooooo!

They cut you off, flip you off, it’s awful…good will toward men my fat velvet fanny…”

This was sad. He took another giant slug of the magic sauce, his twinkle dimming ever more, and I tried grabbing it. Angrily, he snagged it back, hugging it protectively to his chest, burying it in his beard like a mother kangaroo pouching her baby ‘roo.

“C’mon, big fella, ease up, ya know, you got some long work hours ahead of you,” I tried with a smile.

12

December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

“Gotta finish this off before Rudolph gets to it,” he burped.

“Rudolph? He…?” I asked astonished, making a tipping motion to my mouth with one hand, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Grow up,” he slurred. “You think he gets that red nose from the cold?”

His shoulders shrugged up in a giant sigh, a wet dollop forming in one eye, then the shoulders shrugging down again.

“You would think,” he began, standing and pacing, no easy feat in the tiny shed, “that after the election last year, the newest hero in the land would be President Obama, first black president and all, full of hope, the promise of change, filling people with that feeling, that good, good feeling, ya know?

“But no, that can’t last. For cryin’ out loud, I turn on the TV up there, and all I see lately is what I can only assume is the newest American hero: Kate! For the love of all things stupid in America, Kate? John and Kate plus eight?? She, they, whatever, all over the freakin’ news, for God’s sake, the network news, not to mention those lame-assed ‘entertainment’ shows..good grief, more like ‘John and Kate Plus 300 Million’ isn’t it? It’s ridiculous, haven’t you people got anything better to watch?”

I thought for a minute... and shook my head.

“And was 2009 the year of the stupid woman with multiple kids?” he continued, slapping his head. “I mean really, Nadya Suleman?

Nadya ‘I’m Soooooooo Jolie! Suleman? Men and women are dying – DYING—in an unwinnable war, and the nation is positively transfixed by a pair of bimbos with nearly two dozen children between them who should have had their tubes tied at puberty! Good lord, you need a license to shampoo hair in this country, but anyone with ovaries that can pop out entire football teams worth of kids and sell their pathetic stories to a nation that actually believes they have something to say?? What’s next? An investor bilking billions from innocent charities???”

I looked at him, sheepishly.

“No…don’t…someone made off with…?”

“Yes, Madoff made off,” I winced. “You may have heard of it?”

He started tearing up the place, his empty bottle shattering on the floor, so I ran out, down to the nearest packie, loading up bottles of everything and hauling back to the shed where little children near the window sprang up on tiptoes to see what was the matter.

“Santa needs his medicine, guys, it’s ok!” I said, rushing in and popping open bottles, which he noticed with a wink of an eye and

1964 A very good year!

The Ford Mustang, beatlemania and ernie Mizher’s insurance Agency.

And they’re all going strong 45 years later. Ernie Mizher’s insurance agency has grown to be one of the south coast’s leading firms, providing insurance solutions to area families and businesses.

Everyone at Mizher Insurance congratulates Ernie on his ongoing dedication to his customers and the community. He continues to provide the personalized service he committed to back in 1964.

In fact, things are going so well we’ve just moved into a new office in the Coles Landing Plaza on Route 103, right next to Citizens~Union Savings Bank. You’re invited to stop in and congratulate Ernie on his 45 years in the insurance business.

560 Wilbur Avenue (in the Coles landing Plaza) SwanSea, Ma • 508-675-0308 A DIVISION OF CITIZENS~UNION INSURANCE AGENCY, LLC

a twist of his head, which soon gave me to know we had nothing to dread.

Moments later, he was calm, looking more or less like his old self.

The moment had passed, children were lining up gleefully outside and we scooted the empties behind a pile of old Naughty Elves at Play magazines beneath his chair.

“We need you, man,” I said, patting his knee, looking him in the eye imploringly before I rose to leave. “We need you.”

He sighed and nodded, and motioned for me to go, opening the door to smile at the line of screaming, anxious children, a string of innocent, wriggling hope with anxious breath billowing in frosty bouquets from happy mouths.

“I see it all now, I see without doubt,” he sighed. “In those faces, you see…is what it’s all about!”

Whew, that was close…

The South Coast Insider / December 2009

13

COVER STory

Try a traditional holiday

by Elizabeth Morse Read

Remember weaving those dreadful pot-holders at camp or Scout meetings that you’d then give at Christmas to your grandmother and aunts? As humble (and lumpy) as they were, they were probably the most cherished gift of the season, much more so than the expensive trinkets and unneeded items we’ve become accustomed to giving or receiving. But you don’t have to revert to camp-crafts to make your holiday-giving more meaningful this year.

It’s the thought that counts That old maxim should still govern your choices, but that means more than just the act of giving—be mindful of each person’s needs and interests and let that guide your creativity in finding the “perfect gift.”

During stressful times, few people have the “mad-money” to pamper themselves— harried, hard-working parents and friends would probably appreciate a gift certificate to a spa, restaurant, theatre or favorite hobby shop.

Young families and college students need basics that will help them survive and prosper—but don’t be crass and give cash.

Give gift cards to discount/grocery stores, computer/bookstores.

Deck the Halls…

Get rid of those purple tinsel garlands with attached-NASCAR ornaments and the mega-watt Simpson Family light show on your front lawn. Celebrate the anticipation of the holidays by gathering family and friends to make cranberry/popcorn garlands, pinecone wreaths, pomanders and hand-made tree ornaments [see sidebar 1].

Instead of festooning your rooms with commercial poinsiettas and mistletoe (poisonous to pets and children) and plastic greens, force bulbs of paper-white narcissus or amaryllis in bowls of stones---. Stroll through the woods to gather pine-cones, boughs of pine or sprigs of bittersweet. Collect shells and stones along the shore. Bring the outside in and go green and natural this season.

Bring Back Christmases Past Did your grandparents put out Advent wreaths, paper-bag luminaria or serve seven-course fish dinners on Christmas Eve? Introduce your children and friends to the holiday traditions of your forebears, including the special foods, ornaments and observances. Teach them the hymns and

carols you sang as a child. Enjoy the foods and festivities of your neighbors from different ethnic/religious backgrounds.

We are a nation of immigrants, and the rich heritage of our holiday traditions need to be maintained and honored. While many of these customs were rooted in western Christianity, every nationality has preserved their unique traditions, and many have spread throughout the country to become “American” traditions. [see sidebar 2]

Renewing traditions Advent wreaths, a northern European tradition, mark off the four weeks preceding Christmas Day, in the western Christian tradition known as Advent, by lighting a candle each Sunday that’s nestled into the evergreen wreath. Most commonly, there are three purple candles and one pink/rose (the latter lit on Gaudete Sunday, halfway through Advent). But there are many variations on the number or color of the candles, country-by-country.

But these evergreen-wreaths-and-candlelighting customs predate Christian traditions. The unique New England custom of putting a candle on every windowsill is a direct descendent of this ancient urge

For a brief tour of the South Coast’s military history and a chance to see an amazing granite landmark, visit Fort Taber at Clark’s Point.

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December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

to “light up the world” at what is now the Christmas season, the coldest and darkest time of the year in the northern hemisphere.

Although I am not of Scandinavian descent, I have always enjoyed that the holiday customs of that part of the world have long been evident here on the South Coast. Candles everywhere, Yule logs, angel/candle chimes on the mantle, tree ornaments made of straw/wood or paper.

Scandinavian and New England winters are similar, so the warmth of fires and candles is a reminder that Spring will come and life will be renewed in the new year.

The ancient winter solstice/calendar customs of pre-Christian Europe, when grafted onto regional beliefs and Christianity, produced a treasure-trove of customs, crafts, folkways and foods that we can all revisit and share.

Luminaria, the Mexican-American sandfilled paper bags with votive candles inside, are lined up along the driveway and sidewalk on Christmas Eve so that the Christ Child can find the house. These glowing bags, pierced with designs to create a twinkling pattern, are now seen throughout America on Hallowe’en, too.

Christmas Eve is celebrated in many European cultures—from Portugal to Poland —with an extravagant seafood banquet.

Bacalhao (dried, salted codfish) seems to be a common ingredient, but local/regional fish and shellfish specialties, such as pickled herring, fried calamari (squid), even scallops and lobsters, distinguish each table. This “Feast of the Seven Fishes” (or 9 or 13…) is called la vigilia in Italian/

Research Your Holiday Roots No matter what your ethnic/religious background, there are myriad websites that can help your recreate the flavors and festivities of you’re your childhood Christmases.

Search online for [country/nationality] Christmas foods/customs —or ask all those elderly aunts who still use your potholders for the favorite cookie recipe. If they also give you family-made Christmas ornaments, handle with care and pass them along to your children.

Sicilian, wigilia in Polish and Consoada in Portuguese.

Where to Shop I remember people of my grandparents’ generation referring to the Sears and Roebucks catalogue as “the wish book.”

As much as I enjoy frequenting local shops and crafters when I do my holiday shopping, I admit to lingering over mail-order catalogues and browsing the Web for special one-of-a-kind gifts. And comparison shopping for sales and best S&H costs are much easier on-line.

And for friends who enjoy food, fruits, flowers, pets/wildlife, there are year-‘round gift deliveries you can sign up for. Put some thought into your gift choices, then research and comparison-shop away!

And don’t forget that every community and region offers dozens of opportunities to find hand-made or home-cooked holiday specialties. Check your local newspapers/ magazines for calendars of events near you – church fairs, school-sponsored concerts/ pageants, neighborhood/community bonfires/tree-lighting/caroling get-togethers.

And don’t forget that at holiday time, many churches and charities are looking for volunteers to make the holidays special, too, for the less-fortunate in your area. Give from the heart and share of your time and energy to help needy neighbors. And “volunteer” your children, too, so that they learn about “giving back” to the community.

And don’t hesitate to teach your children how to weave pot-holders, make popsiclestick jewelry boxes, paper ornaments for the tree or feeders for the birds outside.

Holiday Bird-feeders A fun family/kid project. Slather long pinecones with crunchy peanut-butter (room temp. is easiest to handle), roll them in wild bird seed and/or raisins, then twist some florist wire onto the stem and hang from trees and bushes outdoors.

If you have fruit left over from making pomanders, cut them into quarters, then tie them up in netting and ribbon and add them to the shrubbery outside, too. Suet balls are way too messy to make—buy the pre-made squares at discount stores, then wrap in netting and ribbons and hang outdoors. Hang dried cobs of corn to keep squirrels away from the bird-ornaments.

Homemade Holiday Treasures Popcorn/Cranberry Garlands Make sure adults supervise this activity. Rinse and drain bags of fresh cranberries, discarding all that are soft or wrinkled. Buy large bags of pre-popped corn, sift out the fullest and firmest kernels.

Using thin but sturdy needles with large eyes to double-strand with heavy white thread, carefully pierce and string cranberries and popcorn (separately or alternately) and drape across tree branches. After the tree comes down, throw the garlands into nearby trees and bushes for wild birds to feast on.

Wreaths Gift and craft shops sell pre-made wire wreath forms you can decorate at whim. Buy fine-gauge florist wire to secure branches, pine-cones, shells or whatever to the forms. Carefully stored, these will last for years (discard perishable greens first).

Candle-holders can be attached for making Advent wreaths. To find battery-operated LED light strands to weave throughout the wreath or garlands, go to www. gardeners.com.

Pomanders Bring the aroma of the holidays indoors! Pierce the skins of citrus fruits with a toothpick or sharp pencil.

Create patterns or lines with the holes, then carefully insert whole dried cloves into each hole.

Gather the fully-studded fruit in a large square of colorful netting, and tie off with a ribbon. They can be hung from doorways or the tree, even your rear-view mirror in the car, or put in closets and drawers to add scent and repel moths. Some crafters sprinkle additional ground spices (e.g., nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon) on the studded clove and then use cloth to wrap the fruit, instead of netting. (Discard pomanders when they shrivel or lose their scent).

Pomanders came to us from medieval France, where they were worn around the neck or hung from a belt to ward off disease and noxious smells. As with so many ancient customs, fragrant pomanders are now made for many special occasions, such as weddings.

Paper Ornaments If you’ve forgotten how to make them, search online for “making (Danish) paper Christmas decorations (or whichever nationality you choose) for detailed instructions. Make those endless chains of construction paper garlands, origami, Scandinavian hearts/ baskets/lanterns, cut-out snowflakes or luminaria.

With adult supervision (and lots of patience), this is a wonderful pre-holiday activity for your kids and their friends.

The South Coast Insider / December 2009

15

COVER STory

Giving GratefulLY

by Stacie Charbonneau Hess

For several years, I worked for a charitable foundation. My sole job and purpose was to give away money to local charities. We gave away hundreds of thousands of dollars every year and to put it bluntly, we…were…rich.

Not me personally of course; I made a nice salary for doing my job, but the foundation itself was wealthy beyond words.

Each year, for all of the foundation expenses, including administrative, we spent only the interest, never touching the principal.

That’s the way foundations are supposed to work. They are set up to exist in “perpetuity,” meaning, to outlive the founder, to live on and on, spreading money and wealth around to the most deserving charities.

Thanks but My position as director of the foundation granted me a particular power that I did not foresee when I was first hired.

I was partially responsible for deciding which charities were most deserving.

Because of my position, when grants were made I received far more accolades than I deserved. It was not my millions, nor my decades of work, that created the ability to give so much money away.

Nonetheless, executive directors and development officials of non-profits up and down the South Coast still thanked me profusely, invited me to fancy dinners, and sent me letters expressing their sincere gratitude for the thousands of dollars that the foundation so freely gave away.

When I stopped working full time to stay home with my growing family, I became just me again: mother, student, middle-class urban freelance writer and wife of a hardworking man.

No thanks Suddenly, I missed the praise. Where was all that happy mail I used to receive? Who was thanking me now? What about the exuberant phone calls? I was not executive director anymore, but the lessons I learned about the power of philanthropy stayed with me, and the habit of charity did, too.

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December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

My charitable contributions have not been the splashy four to seven digits I so casually issued on checks in my days working for the foundation. But to my surprise, the amount of the contribution hardly seems to matter to me, or to the charities. The point, I have learned, seems to be just…to give.

I receive letters thanking me for a $25 contribution that are filled with same kind of enthusiasm and joyful praise I used to think was reserved only for people like my former boss, who could give of his millions.

Lessons learned What I have learned from giving my own money, rather than someone else’s, is that it seems to increase my power.

I don’t mean to sound “New Agey” here, but I feel like my deeds are circling around as a ripple does, affecting others exponentially. I feel like I have invisible strength. To quote Martin Luther King: “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

And that is the spirit that I am carrying on—the one motivated by gratitude and love. The foundation was established as a way to say “thank you” for the community that made a business thrive for decades.

My contributions are also a thank you for the life I have now, however humble: my healthy family, wonderful schools and teachers, the mission of my home church.

Give just to give This season, with all the getting I’ll be doing, I want to be sure to give as well. There are some amazing, generous and effective charities along the South Coast that make giving easy: time, talent, or treasure, all are appreciated. The point is just to act. Just to give.

I think the point of charity, especially in a society that tends to consume rather than create, is to put yourself into something. To not stand idly by.

Giving is acting upon gratitude. It means you know you have enough, you appreciate what you have, and you are willing to share your bounty with others.

Here’s to a successful holiday season, and year ahead.

You can help What follows is by no means a complete list of deserving charities, but fodder for your own ideas. Whether you can donate a dollar, an hour, or some gently used items from your closet, the act of giving will remind you just how powerful you really are, and can be. Here are some ideas that you can do if you have the following:

Extra clothes & stuff Gifts to Give – An amazing charity in New Bedford that offers students and others service learning credit in exchange for processing, packaging and filling orders for in-need South Coast children. Gifts to Give takes only gently used and new items (clothes, shoes, toys, books, etc.) to be redistributed according to need. They are respectful and accept nothing ripped, stained, broken or otherwise defective. Learn more at http://giftstogive.org. Charitable idea: Throw a holiday party and have everyone contribute an item from their closet to donate to Gifts to Give.

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Big items The Salvation Army – The quintessential holiday charity is of course The Salvation Army. The familiar red kettle at the supermarket does more than most of us realize to help the many Salvation Army causes.

Adult Rehabilitation Centers, like the one in Providence, Rhode Island, affects change one person at a time, by requiring a six-month commitment to breaking the cycle of substance abuse and poor decision-making.

More information can be gleaned from the Salvation Army website, or if you know a potential candidate for the adult rehab center, call 1-800-SA-TRUCK. That’s also the number to use if you have furniture or household items you’d like to have picked up by the Salvation Army.

Environmental concern Start with SEEAL (Southeastern Environmental Educational Alliance), which is a project of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts that supports groups and charities along the South Coast, their mission to educate the local population about climate change. Volunteer opportunities exist at the Westport River Watershed Alliance (www.wrwa.com) and The Trustees of Reservations (www.thetrustees.org), among others. See the SEEAL website for more info: www.seeal.org.

Passion for animals Donate time, money, or supplies to an animal shelter, such as the Humane Society and Shelter South Coast (hsssc.org/donations.php) or, for a warmer, fuzzier feeling, become a foster parent to a pet in need. Forever Paws in Fall River is looking for foster pet parents who are willing to take in nursing mothers of the feline and canine varieties, puppies and kittens (without their moms), and injured or stressed animals that need extra attention. Call Bev Andrade, Foster Home Coordinator at (508) 6780804 to find out how to help.

Love of youth The Massachusetts YouthBuild Coalition was established along the South Coast according to a successful, national model that galvanizes youthful energy toward producing something positive and tangible.

“In YouthBuild programs, unemployed and undereducated young people, ages 1624, work toward their GED or high school diploma while learning construction skills by building affordable housing for homeless and low-income people. Strong emphasis is placed on leadership development and community service.” (from website) Youth Build is often hired by local businesses and charities to carry out projects that benefit our community. See how you can help at www.youthbuildma.org.

Just ask Your local church probably knows firsthand about what is most urgently needed in your neighborhood. The Department of Social Services and Child & Family Services carry ongoing lists of families who can’t afford to buy gifts for their children at Christmas, or even basic necessities. Charitable events sometime require a new toy for a child as part of admission, which often goes to organizations such as these.

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Call 508-677-1353 for private showing The South Coast Insider / December 2009

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COVER STory

by Stan Epstein

It’s a holiday tradition that’s lasted for over 100 years. And it all started with a single iron pot on a dock in San Francisco Bay. Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee had made a commitment to feed 1000 needy San Francisco residents on Christmas Day in 1891. But how to do it?

After several sleepless nights, he recalled that as a sailor in Liverpool, England, someone had placed a large kettle, called “Simpson’s Pot” at a boat ramp, into which people would place coins to help the poor.

The next day McFee placed a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing at the foot of Market Street, with a sign that said “Keep the Pot Boiling.” Within days, he had enough money to meet his commitment.

Thanks to his resourcefulness, indigent residents of the city enjoyed a sumptuous Christmas dinner.

The concept soon spread across the land.

By 1897, 150,000 dinners were provided to poor people nationwide. Today the Salvation Army helps more than 4,000,000 people in this country during the holiday season.

The Red Kettle phenomenon has gradually expanded throughout the world. The iconic kettles can now be found outside stores and marketplaces in 118 countries.

Although its reach is diffuse, the theme is universal, “Doing the Most Good.”

The campaign has also gone high-tech.

In some American cities, bell ringers are armed with credit card swipe machines to take contributions. Throughout the country, prospective donors can text their donations, contribute online or through a virtual red kettle on many corporate and individual web sites, as well as Facebook pages.

Providing hope... and toys On the South Coast, there are Salvation 18

Army chapters in New Bedford, Fall River and Taunton. Most of the money is still raised the old fashioned way, by people plunking bills, spare change, or an occasional gold tooth into the bell ringers’ pots at various retail establishments.

According to Corps Commanding Officer Captain Gilbert Parkhurst of the New Bedford chapter, 300-400 volunteers solicit donations at 21 stations in New Bedford, Dartmouth and Fairhaven.

Last year, the national Red Kettle campaign raised a record 130 million dollars, and serviced 30 million people. In the Greater New Bedford area, the campaign raised 122 thousand dollars, serving 2400 families.

Captain Parkhurst emphasizes that all money raised locally goes directly to the local chapter.

Last year’s campaign fell $16,000 short of the $138,000 dollar goal, due to the economic meltdown. This year’s goal is $140,000. Given the area’s continued financial freefall, that’s easier said than done —and the need is greater than ever.

“The economy—and unemployment rate—being what it is, there’s been a big

December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

Dana Desrosiers, bell-ringer.

increase in demand.” says Parkhurst. “Our food pantry and soup kitchen are seeing a lot of first time users. When I came here in 2007, 40-50 people came regularly to the soup kitchen – now there’s 80-100 people and the number’s growing.” He also notes that 2400 families filed applications for assistance for the holidays last year. This year,

600 families have already filed in the first two days of the registration drive.

The money raised helps fund several programs and services, not only during the holiday season but year-round. As an administrator from another human services provider said, “folks seem to think that people only get hungry at Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

The soup kitchen and food pantry are both beneficiaries of Red Kettle funds.

The former is open every Sunday and Wednesday evening. The food pantry serves needy families Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (closed from 12-1).

The pantry is open more hours than most because as Parkhurst says, the current need is so much greater.

The Salvation Army is a first responder at fires and other disasters, in tandem with the New Bedford Fire Department and Red Cross. Its canteen truck provides hot food and beverages, and full meals when needed. Clothing is also provided to the victims.

Red Kettle funds support the church’s youth and young adult programs—healthy alternatives to hanging out on the streets.

The headquarters on Purchase Street has a gym and game room, and provides snacks and meals to the youngsters.

Every year, the Salvation Army hosts Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for those in need. Parkhurst notes, “Nobody is turned away.”

From December 15-17, the gym will be magically transformed into a toy store. Food vouchers are distributed to the families, and toys are distributed to all the children.

Several area retailers provide support. Baker Books ensures that each child receives at least one book, and Domino’s Pizza handles special promotions. Volunteers are always needed to assist with the distribution.

Help wanted People who would like to ring bells for the Red Kettle campaign are also encouraged to volunteer. There are currently over 300 volunteers in the Greater New Bedford area.

Parkhurst says that when there’s a shortage of volunteers that the church has to hire bell ringers. Funds used for wages detract from the amount that would otherwise support programs and services.

Several bell ringers briefly discussed their experiences and what motivates them to serve the Salvation Army. Jacqueline Tabora says that she sometimes gets food or toys

from the Army to meet her own family’s needs. “I feel like I’m giving something back,” she says. “Things are so hard for so many people.”

She says that many donors make kind remarks, including “Thank God for the Salvation Army.” She mentions one man who lost his house in a fire and received substantial support from the Army. Each year he puts a $50 bill in the kettle.

Kevin Sargod, who is a paid bell ringer, says it helps pay his bills. He adds, “It helps the church and I feel that I’m doing good for other people.”

Rosemary Raphael, who has been answering the call for over ten years, says that the campaign gets her into the Christmas spirit. She adds, “I’m doing it in memory of my mother and in honor of my daughter and all little children. It feels great.”

The Salvation Army, founded in 1865

by Reverend William Booth in London, is a non-profit evangelical Christian church dedicated to serving people in need without discrimination. Booth noted, “We want to reach out to the down and out. You can’t tell men about the love of God if they’re hungry.”

The Army hopes to bring “spiritual light and love to those it serves at Christmas, so the real meaning of the season and those in need are not forgotten.”

To volunteer, donate or for more information, call the New Bedford office(508-997-6561) or the Fall River office (508- 679-7900), or visit the web site, www.salvationarmyusa.org.

Easton Tea Room 458 High Street • Fall River, MA Open Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.

Through December 27

Alterations • Tailoring Men • Women Leather jacket specialists

508•992•2468 Some other useful Salvation Army addresses:

106 State Road Dartmouth, MA

(Across from Bishop Stang High School)

www. DartmouthTailor.com

Providence Adult Rehabilitation Center 201 Pitman Street Providence, RI 02906 401-421-5270 Salvation Army Family Store 534 G.A.R. Highway Swansea, MA 02777 508-676-2226 Salvation Army Family Store 76 Broadway Newport, RI 02840 401-846-0896 Salvation Army Family Store 3074 Cranberry Highway, Route 6 Wareham, MA 02538 The South Coast Insider / December 2009

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COVER STory

The “Palette Pictures Exhibit and Silent Auction” begins on December 6.

Christmas, Victorian style

by Zachary Boissonneau

In December, some special places which serve, all year long, as windows on our past, bring The Gilded Age’s Christmas traditions to life. They invite us to step back in time, to stroll through settings that preserve and illuminate those bygone Victorian customs.

Splendor in New Bedford New Bedford is home to a number of decorated historic houses, one of them being the Rotch-Jones-Duff (RJD) House & Garden Museum. Built for whaling merchant William Rotch Jr. in 1834, the Greek Revival mansion became a museum in 1983.

The Christmas program at the RJD, Celebrate the Season, opens on Friday, December 4th with the Gala Preview Party with food, spirits, and the Wreath Silent Auction. The auction, taking place in the museum parlors, features custom wreaths, table decorations, and swags, with all

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proceeds going to support free student programs at the RJD. “The museum has over 2000 children who participate in educational programs, and proceeds from this event underwrite the cost of such programs,” says Executive Director Kate Corkum.

A visitor to the RJD this holiday season can expect to find collections of historic ornaments, live orchids and ivy, and— of course—Christmas trees on display throughout the house’s elegantly decorated period rooms.

“We are very fortunate to be the recipient of the talents and creativity of a number of

December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

very talented designers, both professional and amateur, who enjoy the opportunity to create beautiful exhibits in this unique historic setting,” Corkum says.

“Although the scale of large rooms and high ceilings can be a bit daunting, it also offers the opportunity to ‘think big’ and showcase objects in a dramatic and sophisticated manner.”

The five trees on display this year are all artificial, in keeping with fire codes for historic houses. David Haskell, of Haskell and Sons Nursery, displays a collection of live ivy plants, and the Garden Club of Greater New Bedford transforms a bedroom using hydrangeas and other natural materials. The trees are thematic and are coordinated with the decorating in a particular room.

The dining room is usually a favorite of visitors. A long table is set for a holiday meal, and cut and potted orchids presented by horticulturalist Steve Gonsalves of Eden’s Landscape in Marion serve as the centerpiece of the decorations. The flowers, along

with wreaths and the simply decorated tree, compliment the birds and plants of the room’s hand-painted wallpaper.

The museum is open daily and the exhibit runs from December 6th through the 14th from 10am-4pm Monday through Saturday and from noon to 4pm on Sundays.

The museum is open free to the public on Thursday, December 10 from 5-8pm as part of New Bedford’s AHA! (Art, History & Architecture) Program. The evening will feature a special presentation by students from Normandin School enrolled in an afterschool program at the RJD. For more information of to make reservations visit www.rjdmuseum.org or call 508-997-1401.

One City, Two Houses In the heart of downtown Bristol is Linden Place, an 1810 Federal period mansion built for General George DeWolf. 2010 marks the bicentennial birthday of the Linden Place Museum’s home, and this year’s Christmas festivities start the celebration.

“This year we’re going over the top to kick off our 200th birthday, but it’s going to be a real traditional theme” says Executive Director James Connell. The theme is Victorian Christmas and the house will be decorated accordingly.

“Alfred Brazil, owner of Alfred’s in Bristol, and a team come in and do all the decorations. Everything they do will reflect the period,” Connell says.

Like those at the RJD, the trees at Linden Place are artificial and are displayed in different places: in one of the parlors, in the south side conservatory, and at the foot of the spiral staircase. This staircase is one of the museum’s big attractions during the holiday season.

“It’s a four story unsupported spiral staircase, the only of its kind in the country.

We decorate it and it’s always a huge hit,” explains Connell.

Besides the structural and decorative adornments, Linden Place also hosts two special events during the month of December. “We always have one full day of entertainment and a Christmas concert with Michael DiMucci, but the final details for these events are not yet set,” says Connell.

Festivities begin after Thanksgiving and run through Christmas. Linden Place is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am-4pm or by appointment. To make an appointment or to check for updates visit

the website at www.lindenplace.org or call 401-253-0390.

Blithewold, another Bristol mansion is also celebrating the Christmas season in style.

The theme of the festivities at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum, Christmas at Blithewold: Fairy Tales and Fantasies, may not be Victorian, but it draws from European tradition and New England’s rich past.

During the Christmas season, visitors to the 1906 house meet the grand 18-foot “tree of fantasy” adorned with 2500 lights.

The decorations introduce the themes used throughout the house.

“There will be pictures on the tree depicting all the fairy tales in the house,” says Co-coordinator of Decorations Sally Phillips.

“We’ve used archival and personal books as a source for the pictures and it will basically reflect the overall theme,” she continues.

These tales and fantasies are found in the imaginatively decorated rooms. For example, the master bedroom honors the Van Wickle’s heritage with its tribute to the story “Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates” and Dutch traditions while the green, earthy looking billiard room is made even more forest-like with its “Hansel and Gretel” theme.

The all-volunteer team puts a lot of time into preparing Blithewold for Christmas: the display of nutcrackers in the living room took a team of decorators six full days to complete. Co-coordinators Phillips and Mary Ellen Dwyer say this effort is indicative of the preparations on a whole.

“Each decorator has his or her own things,” Phillips says of the process, “but for the most part the decorations are from the Blithewold collection. Things brought from personal collections enhance the presentation and make it even more beautiful.”

The fairy tale subject matter isn’t something only children can enjoy, as Phillips explains, there’s something for everyone.

“We chose the theme because we thought it would appeal to a wide range of ages, from adults who grew up with fairy tales to children who can enjoy the whimsy of the stories and decorations.”

Christmas at Blithewold opens on Friday, November 27, 2009 and runs through January 3, 2010. The exhibit is available for viewing seven days a week, SundayWednesday from 10am-5pm and ThursdaySaturday from 1-8pm.

Outside the mansions Bristol’s Grand Illumination is on Sunday, December 6 between 4 and 4:30pm at the Burnside Building, 400 Hope Street. Visit www.bristolri. us for updates and information about other holiday events, including “Breakfast with Santa” and ornament making.

Newport is a busy place, and the holidays are no different. There are a number of events and programs geared toward celebrating the season. On Saturday, December 5th the Bowen’s Wharf Company lights their annual Christmas tree.

Unlike the mansions, there’s no specific theme to the tree. “They’re your traditional Christmas decorations,” says Michelle Gagne, Marketing and Events Coordinator for Bowen’s Wharf Company.

The event begins at 4:30pm with the arrival of Frosty the Snowman and continues with carols until 6pm when Santa arrives and the tree, donated by a Rhode Island resident, is lit. You can learn more at www.bowenswharf. com.

The Bowen’s Wharf tree isn’t the only one in Newport. Monday, November 30th at 6pm the 39th annual Christmas in Newport celebration opens with the lighting of the tree in Washington Square, a proclamation from the mayor, live entertainment and more.

Founded in 1971, Christmas in Newport is a collaborative city-wide celebration. Some of the events are similar to the mansion exhibits, such as the candlelight tour of 18th and 19th century private homes, and there are puppet shows, concerts, holiday train rides, and many other activities for adults and families alike.

To learn more about Christmas in Newport or to view the calendar of events visit www.christmasinnewport. org or call 401-849-6454.

Continued on next page The South Coast Insider / December 2009

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Continued from previous page In addition to decorations, guests can also enjoy “Afternoon Tea” in the dining room (Wednesday-Friday at 2 and 3pm, reservations suggested), live musical performances (Thursday-Saturday at 6:30pm), and a story time for children (Wednesdays at 4pm).

Contact 401-253-2707 or visit www.blithewold.org for more information.

A Victorian Affair On Rock Street in the Fall River Highlands, there is nestled a tranquil granite mansion. Built in 1834 in for Andrew J. Robeson and now home to the Fall River Historical Society (FRHS) which is dedicated to preserving the “rich and varied” history of Fall River. With that mission and the period of the house in mind, the theme for this year’s Holiday Open House is Victorian Christmas.

“We try to have the house set up in a manner typical of the 19th century,” says Curator Michael Martins.

Christmas is the busiest time of year for the museum and the FRHS suspends admission during the holidays.

“It’s our way of thanking the community for their support throughout the year,” Martins says.

One of the main attractions is the first floor music room which features the largest tree in the house. In keeping with the German origin of the Christmas tree, the 14foot tree is trimmed with hand-blown glass ornaments, most of them German.

Many of these ornaments have legends surrounding them, including the green pickle: hidden in the boughs of the conifer, the first child to find it earned a special prize.

The tree in the music room may be artificial, but the pickle is there just the same.

The parlor, also on the first floor, similarly embraces European tradition, this time Russian. The tree here is decorated with delicate replicas of Faberge Eggs and a table displays items Elizabeth Brayton brought back from a visit to St. Petersburg.

The decorations in the parlor, like those in the rest of the house, are either antiques or replicas of period pieces.

Some of the trees, like the one in the dining room, can take up to one week to set up. It takes six weeks of hard work to get ready for the holidays, but in the end it’s worth it, “The Society is noted for its level of 22

Blithewold Mansion in Bristol at Christmas.

decorations and variety in different rooms,” Martins says.

Climbing the steps to the second floor visitors may gaze into the faces of some of Fall River’s past citizens before coming to equally ornamented, though more personal, displays. On this floor, a bedroom and even a bathroom are decorated. “It’s involved,” says Martins with a laugh.

Also on the second floor is a gallery not directly related to the holidays, but one that’s special in its own right. As a way to raise money for the Society, the FRHS is hosting an exhibit titled “Palette Pictures.”

Over 50 artists, most of them local— including Charles Boucher, Johanna McKenzie, and Nancy Cote—are contributing pieces in a wide range of styles: oil and acrylic paint, pastels, and ceramics are just some of the media on display.

The pieces, after being titled and valued by the artists, are donated to the Historical Society where they will remain on display through the holiday season. A silent auction will be conducted with proceeds going to support the Society.

What’s particularly interesting about “Palette Pictures” is the use of the roughly 8½x11 inch wooden palette itself as canvas or starting point for each piece, which adds an air of antiquity to the contemporary works.

“The traditional look of the palette evokes the feel of the 19th century, but the works are very modern,” Martins says. “It’s incred-

December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

ibly how they [the artists] transform plain wood palettes into works of art.”

From the carefully decorated period rooms to the “Palette Pictures” exhibit, the Fall River Historical Society is sure to be a busy place in December. Perhaps one of the more attractive aspects of the Society’s Open House is one of its most easily forgotten. The museum is more than a house for artifacts and relics, it’s a window into the lives of people long past.

“The house is very quiet, and when the doors are closed it’s like you’re transported to another time. You can explore it peacefully and really be absorbed by it,” says Martins.

The Holiday Open House is open seven days a week beginning Saturday, November 21 and running until Wednesday, December 30. Hours are 9am-4pm on weekdays and from 1-4:30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The museum in closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas and open from 9am until noon on Christmas Eve. During this time, the museum shop features one of the largest selections of handblown glass ornaments in the area and their similarly large selection of McWhirr’s candies; furthermore, the Easton Tea Room (adjacent to the FRHS in the Alexander Dorrance Easton House) is open on weekends from noon to 4:30pm.

For more information visit the Fall River Historical Society at www.lizzieborden.org or call 508-679-1071.

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FLASH

Candlelight Ball glowing success

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The Friends of Saint Anne’s Hospital raised more than $47,000 to benefit the Hudner Oncology Center in Fall River and the newly opened Oncology Center in Dartmouth, at its 51st Annual Candlelight Ball held recently at White’s of Westport.

The Fire & Ice décor, designed and donated by The Perfect Setting at Felicia’s of Fall River, set the tone for a festive and lively evening. The event featured a $5,000 Grand Cash Raffle, and a jewelry raffle for a 4-carat diamond and ruby bracelet donated by Hannoush Jewelers of Dartmouth.

All proceeds from this gala event go directly to Saint Anne’s Hospital’s Oncology Centers. To date they have raised over $2.2 million for the Hospital—not a bad gift at any time of the year, but especially welcome during the holidays.

1. Janna Lafrance, Helinette Souza, Carol Verrochi and Kyra Cordeiro 2. Kara Morgado, Lyndsey Rosario, Sheila Duval, and Patricia Phillips 3. Larry and Liz Coutu 4. Teri Ferreira and Donna Rebello 5. Lena Francisco, Cecila Botelho, Dr. Christopher Joncas and Grace DaCosta

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6. Mary and Anthony Rezendes 7. Cathy Ann Viveiros and Karl Hetzler 8. Connie and Jim Bancroft 9. Chris and Janna Lafrance 10. Kim Wheeler, Mary Falconero and Marcie Falconero 11. Cindy and Bob Guyon The South Coast Insider / December 2009 10

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COVER STORY

by Mike Vieira

For many of us, putting the lights on the tree remains a challenge. Despite the promises, the classic “one goes out­­—they all go out” issue still happens almost every year.

Maybe I’m getting old, but the new lights don’t really seem much like an improvement. The new LED super cool lights leave me cold—I do kind of like the bluish glow and the energy-saving features. But they seem to be a little too dull to create the holiday cheer that I recall.

I don’t know about you, but I miss the “real” Christmas lights. The ones that were really “clear” glass but were painted different colors—not even the colored glass versions were as good. They screwed in like normal light bulbs and reached a fingerburning temperature in minutes.

My Uncle Joe always had “bubble lights” on his tree. They were long cylinders of colored liquid that would make little bubbles (hence the name) when heated by one of those hot little bulbs. We ended up finding them for sale and bought some for our tree.

In recent years, they seem to be making a comeback at local stores.

The Arruda Family tree in Swansea had little metal fans inside a plastic thing that hung over the lights. They looked like little carousel buildings with ceiling fans that would spin from the heat of the light below.

I’ve never seen them anywhere except at that house, and now on the trees of their children’s families.

Besides the “little” bulbs—which were about five times bigger than those teeny glowing filaments that are powered by two little wires (how safe can that be?)­—there

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were some seriously big bulbs. They were about the size of small lemon and could be seen for miles.

My father would put them on the Christmas tree at the corner of our house and you’d swear that it was the scene of a major accident with the reds, blues, whites, and yellow bulbs lighting up Rhode Island Avenue in Fall River. But it did draw attention to the plastic Holy Family (that glowed thanks to 60 watt lamps inside) flanked by the plywood shepherds, kings and camels on the front porch.

We also had the giant bulbs in huge candles in our windows. They probably kept the neighbors awake. Between those beacons and the tree lights, I think we used to heat the living room and maybe the whole house with the Christmas lights.

And, I know that there were tragic tree fires, but in all the years of growing up, I really don’t remember one. But then again, we didn’t put our trees up the day after Halloween.There was a time when many families put up the tree after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. We always waited until the second week of Advent—around midDecember. A tradition we still embrace.

Another tradition that we still continue is the trip to LaSalette Shrine. For 56 years, LaSalette Shrine has been a beacon of Christmas cheer on rural Route 118 in Attleboro.

As a kid, the ride is a long trek through the darkness to a place of light. When I was young, I remember the journey, but also the little hot chocolate and the constant Prospect Street booth entrance to Southcoast Center for cold contrasting with the warm glow of Cancer Care thousands of lights.

December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

It’s still cold there—and there’s still hot chocolate (and cider and more). And, there are still lights. More than 300,000 of glowing glass giving glory to God. (And most of them are the old school screw-in type.)

This year’s theme is “Jesus is God’s Yes.” The display begins on Thanksgiving night and runs until January 3. The lights are on from 5 to 9 p.m. daily.

According to Shrine Director Rev. Andre Patenaude, better know as Father Pat, the theme of this year has everything to do with saying, “yes.”

“God loves all of creation, and will redeem, set free, and send a Savior,” he said. So, God sends Jesus to reconcile the world and give it Hope.”

But more than that, Fr. Pat explains: “God says ‘yes’ to humankind, and Mary says ‘yes’ to the invitation to be the Mother of the Savior, and we are invited to say ‘yes,’ to follow and make the world a better place.”

New this year, is display for children called “Clopper the Christmas Donkey.” It will be located around the Rosary Walk. There will also be a contest for children and teenagers in the area schools on this year’s Christmas theme with awards to be given after the lights are turned off.

Concerts with Father Pat are held every day except Mondays and on Dec 5. A number of special concerts will also be an added feature this year with orchestras, choirs etc.

For more information, visit the Shrine website at www.lasalette-shrine.org

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Let’s try again in 2010!

Once again, turning the page on our calendars provides an opportunity to start fresh. Our readers and advertisers share their wishes and dreams for 2010. We join them in wishing you and yours a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year.

Happy New Year Let us hope that in 2010, we will dispense with frivolity and concentrate on what’s really important to us.

–Ken Sutton K-Ellis Photocenter A safe and secure new year.

National Security Fire and Alarm of RI Wishes for a prosperous and healthy New Year.

–Elaine Martinez Lusitano Restaurant Happiness, Health & Hope for everyone!

–Debra Saucier The Bead & Wire Shop Health, wealth, and happiness in the New Year.

–Paul Sebra New York Life I wish that everyone would follow their heart and live in the moment. Each moment is a precious gift filled with grace and magic and majesty and limitless possibilities.

–Carl Ferreira Naturopathic & Alternative Health Consultant Love, Happiness, Health and Wealth all throughout the year.

–Marlene Sturgeon Ustinov Jewelers Be happy with what you have!

Beth, Dartmouth

Healthy New Year To help people heal and grow in body, mind and spirit through yoga, workshops, counseling, hypnosis and other wellness services. And to have fun doing so!

–Amy Edwardsz Lotus Rising 26

The best of health, wealth and happiness for 2010. Be blessed.

–Paul Chaisson Paul Chaisson Interiors My wishes for 2010 is continued success in my business and success with the expansions I would like to make. I would also like to see continuing good health and well being of my family, friends, and patients.

–Jamie L. Valcourt D.C./Valcourt Chiropractic I want everybody to be happy and healthy and business to be good.

–Ann Squire Country Woolens Good health (including the health of your circulation) is one of the most precious gifts one could receive. We wish everyone in the entire South Coast area a happy, active, and healthy 2010.

–Drs. Eid, Fogle Bigatel The PrimaCARE Center for Vascular Diseases I wish everybody health, happiness and love.

–Dana Giglio Back Into Balance To be at the table of life next year.

–Steven, Westport

Prosperous New Year We would like to see the economy improve for all small business and all those seeking work to find a new job.

Prosperity for All. –Celtic Cricket and Duir Kell The Silver Willow As we all know this year has been very difficult. In 2010 I want to continue to be creative, not competitive, and to give people 10 times in value, what

December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

they give me in money for my product and services.

–Jeff Moran burninwood.com

within this country and around the world, and the end of the need to express ourselves through violence.

–Michael, New Bedford

I hope that the economy turns around and more people get jobs and let’s hope that the New Year is a better year for everyone.

–Denise Miller The Claddagh Connection

Besides the obvious of world peace and the economy recovering I hope to spend more time with family and friends. I want to take the sentence “I don’t have time” out of my vocabulary.

–Barbara Frerichs Frerichs Farm

My wish for 2010 is that many more people will return to work and that I can help them by tailoring their business attire.

–Sue Chouinard Dartmouth Tailor To continue servicing my current clientele, in hopes that my commitment and passion will bring new customers. Thanks for your dedication and patronage.

–Grace Santos Facials by Grace I have 27 artists now and I want to get up to 31 and be known as a quality, eclectic, fine art and master artisans gallery. Best wishes to all my customers present and future. Thanks for a great year.

–Anita Trezvant Hope Gallery

Peaceful New Year I wish for peace on earth and an end to our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I also wish for good health for my family.

–Maria, Dartmouth I wish abundance, peace and wellness for everyone in 2010. I hope that my store can help people find a little peace, wellness or abundance.

–Moira Casey The Dragonfly Peace on Earth –Dave, Dartmouth I hope the coming year will mean a better economy nationally and for me personally. I hope the coming year will see more kindness between people

In 2010, I’ll be 58 years old and my beloved father will be 87. My children will be 22, 20 and 18, and I pray that the world they move into will be a safer and saner place than the world my father and I grew up in.

–Liz R., Fairhaven My hope for 2010 is for all to try to understand our fellow man. If we could take the lessons we learned as children and apply them as adults, many of our conflicts would cease to exist. Learning to live together and share our resources, both globally and individually, would provide us all with harmony, peace and assurance for our children that their world will continue to be a better place.

–Verena, Dartmouth World peace, I’m not kidding.

–Kate Kate & Company Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

–Jeff Guertler Redlefsen’s My wish for 2010 is that people would learn to appreciate the beauty in life and focus on the positive and learn to push negativity out the door.

Jeff Hirsh Lobster Pot

Sustainable New Year Organically good hopes for a more sustainable 2010 with continued breakthroughs in the fields of clean energy and organic farming, and of course, world peace.

–Victor Melfa Organically Good

Go green and save on monthly utility bills and take advantage of the $1,500.00 Federal Tax Credit and participating utility rebates by installing a high efficiency heating and cooling system in your home.

–Marc Messier Marc’s Heating and Air Conditioning Fresh water, and access to fresh water, for everyone in the world.

–Sarah, Dartmouth My hope for 2010 is that your tomorrow is twice as nice as your today.

–Kim Camara Yesteryear Cycle My wishes for 2010: To live life with passion and purpose, always putting people before projects, and cherishing each day as the gift that it is.

–Victoria Fonseca Revival

Practical New Year Cheap gas and great weather!

–Kane Crowther’s Restaurant I wish for all the politicians to stop focusing on undermining each other and focus on the demands of this country.

–Sandra, Fall River Ring in the New Year with a new set of concrete stairs.

–Bristol County Precast Family I am thrilled my children graduated from college and I wish that they all become employed.

–Elaine, Somerset To hear no more of Sarah Palin.

–Alice, Barrington That the hardships we are going through bring us all a little bit closer.

–Rick, Somerset I want to focus and buckle down to complete my Harvard classes.

–Gloria, Fall River That the Federal government stops debasing the U.S. dollar so I will be able to retire some day.

–Cecil, Tiverton

Loving New Year All you need is love.

–JoEllen, Portsmouth My hope for this nation is that it would turn back to God and learn to trust Him. –Pearl Pires, New Bedford I hope the people in Massachusetts will open their hearts and homes to the many children in need of a foster parent.

–Pat, Dartmouth I hope that in 2010 my fellow Americans will realize that what binds us together as Americans is greater than what separates us. Freedom of beliefs and freedom of expression is one of our basic civil rights. We are allowed to have differing political and philosophical views. This is what makes us all American. I feel sad that we Americans are so fractured now, when really, having different views is what makes us all fundamentally American.

–Tom, Westport

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Hope-filled New Year 2010 will be like the spring time, filled with bright rays of hope—followed by positive change and growth.

–Pete, Chepachet It’s been said that an optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. My husband says I always see the glass half full so I’m looking forward to good health, happiness, new lunch specials at New Boston Bakery and world peace, of course.

–Susan, Somerset The dawn of the New Year, 2010, brings continuing challenges and anxieties, particularly about the fiscal crisis, wars abroad, and energy/environmental affairs. Nevertheless, 2010 also carries seeds of hope not only for resolution of major matters but also for a renaissance of the American spirit which will sustain us through current and future challenges.

–Jack, Fall River

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The South Coast Insider / December 2009

27

One Stop Christmas Shopping

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December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

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The South Coast Insider / December 2009

33

FOOD NOTES

Talking turkey

by Bob Ekstrom

My road home is lined with artisans and studios and every kind of farm imaginable to the South Coast, yet each holiday season I pass them all by in favor of the mass-produced wares of grocery chains and online shopping.

I don’t mean to be rude. It’s just that, for a procrastinator like me, every season breaks down into a fire drill of last-minute preparations, even as the next begins with a resolve for change.

The inevitable fizzle is not for lack of either good intention or good start.

For example, before my daughter left for college we’d be on a Christmas tree farm by early November. We’d tag a tree, throw a scarf around our selection and top it with a hat, then come back in three weeks and drink hot cider while it was cut from its roots.

Usually by then, I’d be lagging in every other manner of getting into the spirit, and even the short drive back to the tree farm seemed too long.

Nowadays, we no longer tag; we select and cut on the spot. It saves time, and that’s what Holiday preparations are all about. What was once our pillar of tradition34

al value against a storm of Christmas rush has come to need reinforcement.

Which brings us to this year.

Earthy holidays On a seasonably warm Saturday in November, my youngest son and I were headed home when, with the approaching holidays in mind, I decided to finally look around at our many local offerings along the way. The idea of tagging a Christmas turkey hit me about the same time as the pungent odors of a roadside turkey farm.

If you’re not sure you’ve ever driven past a turkey farm, then you probably haven’t. The experience is unmistakable. Most residents learn to hold their breath along this stretch of road from Halloween on, as defense against the smells a rafter of turkeys can create.

Despite the stench, the farm holds for me a morbid fascination, sitting as it does

December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

just off the road. Each day and every night in the week leading up to Thanksgiving, the white-breasted livestock could be seen lining the screen of the main pen, jockeying for a glimpse of their frequent visitors.

A week later, it was like New York City after War of the Worlds, with the few shellshocked survivors huddled together in a remote corner furthest from the road.

The holidays account for half the annual sales on a typical New England turkey farm.

For every ten sold before Thanksgiving, only another one or two are sold after, yet Christmas remains one of the traditional turkey days on our calendar. It seemed as good a place as any to kickstart an earthly holiday season.

Besides, I wasn’t a complete neophyte around the slaughterhouse. As a kid on a business trip in Cleveland, I was indoctrinated into this world by a guy who was in every way the quintessential urban hunter-gath-

erer. His name was Ted, and he had been raised in western Pennsylvania on buckshot and Iron City Beer.

He stood 6’-4” and would come to work in an embroidered suit coat with tails that reached his knees. Capped by his Stetson and grounded in leather boots, he completed the image of Jed Clampett without need of his faithful dog Duke by his side.

One day before Christmas Ted took us to lunch, but we had to stop first at a slaughterhouse just outside of town. As he moved up to the pen without hesitation, I remember having the distinct impression that the holidays in no way influenced this lunchtime ritual. After studying the gaits of assorted birds, one caught his eye.

“She’s a taker, Pete,” he announced. “’Bout an hour,” came the only response.

I could think of nothing during that lunch but what might be going on back at the slaughterhouse. I fretted over a tossed salad while Ted ravaged the tongues of veal special.

On our way back to the office, the 20-pound carcass of Ted’s next meal wrapped thick in butcher’s paper lay on the seat right next to me. Ted always did have a sense of humor.

And now it seemed I was going to put my youngest son through the same thing.

Subject to Change During Hunting Season sign hung from the knob of a door that, when closed, would explain the proprietor’s absence. Of course. Where else would he be? The attendant helping us was his brother, Bobby.

I didn’t come to purchase, and Bobby intuitively sensed that. It didn’t matter; the season had been good to date, and we were still weeks away from another holiday feast.

“We sell about 3,500 to 4,000 turkeys for Thanksgiving,” Bobby explained, “but only about 400 for Christmas. We don’t even consider it a separate season,” he added, offering me the chance to back out without looking wimpy.

I took him up on it. I had come to see if I had it in me to make the big jump from cutting a pine tree trunk to cutting a turkey’s throat. Turns out I couldn’t.

As my son and I descended the shell-covered driveway to our car, the turkeys started up again.

My son asked why.

“They’re probably excited because they think we want one for a pet,” I offered.

He looked at them, their overstuffed white breasts, their red waddles flapping in the crisp air; and he smelled their pungent odor. It just didn’t add up.

“Why would they think they’d make good pets?”

I suggested that turkeys didn’t know they were unattractive, and in wanting affection they were no different than the ugliest animal in a pet shop.

“Haven’t you ever seen a puppy dog get all excited in his cage and knock over his water dish when you come in?”

Apparently, it wasn’t the turkeys’ lack of presentment that had puzzled him, and he countered, “But we don’t eat dogs.”

Nor would we eat turkey, at least not one we’d watched first-hand strutting around on the doomed side of a screened pen.

Once again this year, our meal was coming from the mass-produced wares of a grocery chain, and we were heading for the local Christmas tree farm.

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Lull before the storm We turned into the lot just off the road.

The farm was quiet. We parked as a sign directed, then followed a white-shelled driveway on foot as it ran alongside the pens and up to the office.

Hundreds of turkeys, undoubtedly growing alarmed at their dwindling numbers with each new visitor, now pressed against the screens and began clucking nervously, their heads bobbing up and down. The fuss caused enough of a stir to draw the attendant out.

“I think they know,” he confided to me as my son’s attention wandered elsewhere.

Up at the office, an obligatory Hours

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The South Coast Insider / December 2009

35

Thank you for helping us help others!

November 27 - 29 A weekend full of surprises, featuring 20% off in our Gift Barn.

Santa makes a stop at the farm on Saturday, 1-3 pm!

The arrival of Christmas trees and greenery from Maine and beautiful custom-work by David Frerichs.

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Trees & greens Decor Depot Cookies & hot cider!

(401) 245-8245 43 Kinnicutt Ave. Warren, RI www.FrerichsFarm.com

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December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

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A farm-fresh, hand-made Christmas A farm-fresh turkey experience may not be for all of us, but if it is for you there’s plenty to select from, including Belwing Turkey Farm in Seekonk, 508-336-9142, Rainbow Turkey Farm in Rehoboth, 508-252-4427, Stone Pony Farm in Westport, 508-636-9819, and Helger’s Turkey Ranch in Tiverton, 401-624-4087.

It’s best to call ahead, since the farms aren’t always manned on a daily basis after Thanksgiving and appointments are often required.Don’t expect any choice livestock from Tiverton’s Ferolbink Farms, but proprietor Jason Peckham has the best potatoes anywhere. Tag a tree on his farm along Fogland Road and experience them firsthand.

“We include a ten-pound sack with any type of tree,” he says of the product that has earned him national acclaim as supplier to both Stop & Shop and Frito-Lay. His farm is testament to the quality of the South Coast’s farmers and artisans who stay with what they know best.

“Around this time of year, we only do Christmas trees and butternut squash,” Peckham adds. Call ahead for holiday season hours of operation, 401-624-4107.

Looking for tree farms?

This website provides links and information about where to shop—and chop—in the South Coast and beyond: www.pickyourownchristmastree.org/MAxmasse.php A Quiet Place - Choose and cut Christmas Trees, hay rides, antique dolls & teddy bears. 1615 Drift Road, Westport. Phone: 508-636-8390. Email: aquietplace@ worldnet.att.net Bristlecone Farm - Choose and cut Christmas Trees. 779 Sodom Road, Westport.

508-636-8433.

Elm Knoll Farm - Christmas trees-you choose and you cut, Christmas trees- you choose and we cut, saws provided. 16 Williams Street, Rehoboth. 508-252-5558.

Email: alatham@howland-higgins.com Keith’s Farm - Christmas trees - you choose and we cut, free tree trimmings, winter hay rides, prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, school tours. 1149 Main St, Acushnet. 508 763 2622. Email: keithsfarm@ comcast.net Mini Acres - choose and cut plantation: You Choose (we cut), in December only after you find your tagged tree. 500 Allen Avenue, North Attleboro. 508-643-1232 or 508-695-6922. Sunday until the last Saturday before Christmas. 9a.m. to 3p.m.

Pinecrest Tree Farm - Choose and cut Christmas Trees, Tagging, Accessories, Shaking and Wrapping, Christmas shop, 294 Pine Hill Road, Westport. 508-6364567. Email: pinecrestfarm@earthlink.net Pleasant St. Christmas Tree Farm - Christmas trees-you choose and you cut, Christmas trees- you choose and we cut, Precut Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths and boughs, Santa appearances, Christmas decorations, trees bagged, free tree trimmings, sleigh rides, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, petting zoo. 187 Pleasant Street, Rehoboth. 508-252-6206. Email: hummingbird81203@ msn.com Simcock Farm - Precut Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths and boughs, Christmas decorations, trees bagged, trees tied, winter hay rides, prepicked produce, restrooms, picnic area, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours 361 Marvel Street, Swansea. 508-67-35721. Email: farmerfiddlermoo@yahoo.com Pachet Brook Tree Farm - We grow Christmas Trees, pumpkins, landscae (landscape) trees, cut flowers, and arborvitae. 4484 Main Road, Tiverton, 401-624-4872.

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508-673-4329 • 401-849-3791 The South Coast Insider / December 2009

37

BORDERTOWNS

Beautiful Bristol

by Paul E. Kandarian

To me, Bristol has always provided an escape. As a young man, I’d escape mundane classes at Roger Williams University (then Roger Williams College) to sit in Colt State Park to read timely tomes like The Greening of America and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, works of literature that fit my evolving political spirit of change and rebellion, forever linking those early years of intellectual excitement with one of the most fabulous pieces of public property in the entire state of Rhode Island.

It still does. Every chance I get, I wander through Colt State Park, a true gem in the state’s park system, 464 acres on Narragansett Bay with walking and riding trails and a four-mile bike path that connects to the 14-mile long East Bay Bike Path which runs from Providence to Bristol.

The park is widely known for its most iconic figures, two massive bronze bulls atop marble columns at the entrance on Route 114. The land was once owned by Samuel Pomeroy Colt, chairman of U.S. Rubber, and nephew of gun maker Samuel Colt, who bought the land in 1905 and never saw it as anything but a place for the public to enjoy, even though he used it as a farm to raise prize cows.

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When the marble gates went up in 1913, they were inscribed “Private Property, Samuel P. Colt, Open to the Public.” On sunny days, entire families would walk from town to picnic in the fields, dig clams in the Mill Gut salt marsh or fish for flounder, tautog and striped bass from the shores.

Not much has changed in that regard —and in fact has gotten better: the state, which bought the land and made it the park in 1968, most recently built a pier just for fishing in the bay. It is open year round, charges no admission, boasts 10 playing fields, a skateboard park, a public boat ramp, six picnic groves with more than 400 picnic tables, a jogging warm-up station and one very popular place to tie the knot in picturesque style: The Chapel by the Sea, nestled in a grove of trees on a hill overlooking the bay.

Famous farms Right next door is Coggeshall Farm, a living history museum that shows agrarian life while exploring the interaction between Anglo, African, and Native peoples on a coastal Rhode Island farm in the last decade of the 18th century. This 48-acre beauty features an historic 18th century

December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

farmhouse, rare breed livestock, heirloom gardens and fruit trees, and costumed live interpretation of rural life in Bristol during the Federal period.

And the historic hits keep on coming, in one town that is certainly one of the state’s most diverse and interesting. Consider: The Fourth of July Parade here, begun in 1785, is the longest-running July 4 parade in the country, with a permanent red-white-andblue stripe down the middle of the road it travels.

Also check out Mount Hope Farm, one of those best-kept secrets that are hard to hide and fun to find in such a small state.

This site is historic—here is the Governor Bradford House built in 1745 by Isaac Royall, then one of the country’s wealthiest men and which is now a private inn—but all around it are 200 heavily wooded acres, and streams, fields and ponds, connected by a myriad of walking trails, many of which open to sprawling water views of Mount Hope Bay and the Mount Hope Bridge spanning the bay and connecting Bristol with Portsmouth. The farm was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with purposeful patriotic timing, on July 4, 1976.

Nature lovers love Bristol, in particular the

Audubon Environmental Education Center, a state-of-the-art natural history museum and aquarium, located on the 28-acre McIntosh Wildlife Refuge where you can look inside a 33-foot life size Right Whale model, discover life in a tide pool, observe Narragansett Bay ‘s marine life, visit a rare blue lobster, or explore a cornfield at night.

Take a hike on trails that include a quartermile long boardwalk winding through fresh and saltwater marshes opening to the bay.

Who knew?

For one of those “who knew?” moments, check out the sequoia at Blithewold mansion, gardens and arboretum, built by the fabulously wealthy August Van Winkle, and yes I said sequoia. It is the tallest one east of the Mississippi (how many can there be?) at 85 feet. Anywhere you turn at Blithewold, you run smack dab into floral beauty so mesmerizing, you can spend hours walking the grounds— in warmer, more flowery weather of course. The estate’s 85-room mansion is closed for the season but happily, opens in festive manner for the Christmas holiday, November 27-January 3.

If you’re a fan of the movie The Great Gatsby, Linden Place in Bristol may look familiar.

It was featured in that Robert Redford 1974 film, but its fame is older. The mansion, built in 1810 for Gen. George DeWolf, has hosted four U.S. presidents and was home to the great actress Ethel Barrymore. It’s closed for the season but open for tours by appointment only, until April.

Bristol’s also a must-stop for anyone interesting in sailing. Here you’ll find the Herreshoff Marine Museum, testimony to one of the world’s most famous boatmaking families, and also the America’s Cup Hall of Fame, a fitting location in that Herreshoff is where yachts were built for eight consecutive America’s Cup defenses from 1893-1934. The collection here includes e plaques honoring the inductees; half-hull models of challengers and defenders; artifacts including spars, steering wheels, and tank test model hulls; and special exhibits about the America’s Cup. And after seeing all that and so much Bristol has to offer, head back to Colt State Park with a good book, settle down and escape for awhile.

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The South Coast Insider / December 2009

39

THINGS TO DO

Fighting exercise boredom

Nintendo Wii

by Dan Logan and Robin LaCroix

We wanted and needed more exercise.

But for whatever reason, we didn’t spend as much time riding the bike paths last summer and fall.

We walk the neighborhood almost daily, but that’s usually boring, and in the semirural area where we live, the narrow, winding main roads are a little too narrow and winding for walking and biking.

And we don’t always have time to drive to a better spot to exercise, either. Dan was getting chubbier, and Robin didn’t want to make inroads into the chubby category.

We began paying more attention to television ads, internet reviews and friends’ reports and ultimately wound up with the Nintendo Wii. The Wii appeared to offer entertaining software-based exercise programs for adult users.

Reportedly the Wii is the best-selling home game console, beating out Sony’s Play Station 3 and Microsoft’s Xbox 360. Nintendo has sold more than 21 million of the units, according to USA Today, and over1500 Wii games are available.

As we saw it, the Wii meant exercise, but it offered more opportunities to pick an exercise that suits our mood of the moment.

Can’t handle the careful control demanded by yoga—then let’s box!

console that holds a DVD, a motion sensor for the top of your TV, and a Wiimote hand controller. The basic package we got from BJ’s included the Wii Fit disk and five kidoriented game packages. The basic package may vary depending on where you buy it.

We added the Wii Balance Board, a white floor unit that resembles a scale; it handles the weighing, balance analysis and balance games, but it’s not required for many of the games.

We also added another Wiimote hand controller so we could play games against each other (up to four people can play most games). The total cost after we added our

We like Wii We found it easy to use. If you can use a computer and cell phone, you’ll quickly become comfortable with Wii. You can figure $300-500 to get started (the price of the console itself was cut to $199 in late September), with plenty of peripherals and software that can be added later. It’s cheaper than a good stationary bike or elliptical machine, and definitely more fun than either.

The basic Wii setup consists of computer/ 40

December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

wish list items was about $700.

Fire up Wii Fit and in a few moments you’re weighing in and your balance is being evaluated.

In Wii Fit you create an onscreen character (avatar) that represents you. Dan’s avatar has dark sunglasses, short hair and a slight paunch, while Robin’s is a svelte cutie with straight hair and big, round glasses.

Using the avatar, Wii builds a database of information about your exercise history. You can tell the program how much weight you want to lose, and how long you’re willing to take to make it happen, and it will chart your progress.

If you don’t want others to see your weight or workout information, you can set Wii to maintain your privacy.

Get Wii Fit Wii Fit has turned out to be our go-to program. We’re competitive, against each other and with ourselves. We weigh in on the Wii every day (tip: a firm exhale is worth half a pound), test our balance, and find out our Wii Fit Ages.

After we weigh-in we perform two balance tests of Wii’s choosing. Armed with the results from these tests, Wii comes up with our Wii Fit Ages. One day our Wii Fit Ages might have us several years older than our current chronological ages. Not to worry.

Tomorrow our balance will probably improve and we’ll each shed 15 or 20 years of Wii Fit Age overnight.

A number of games in Fit are aimed at making you more aware of your balance and how to improve your balance. Seeing the struggles Dan’s parents have had with balance as they aged, we have made regular use the balance games Wii provides.

We’ve become aware that good balance is a moving target. For example, for a few days in a row you see steady improvement and you begin to think you’re becoming a mountain goat. Then you hit a bad patch, kind of like Big Papi flailing away at balls he would normally relocate to Lansdowne St. Then, inexplicably, things improve.

We’re also learning how difficult it can be to shift one’s balance. One Wii test consists of shifting your balance to destroy blocks, kind of like a balance-based pong game.

You can see the block sitting there, but there seems to be no way you quickly can make yourself lean in the right direction to vaporize it.

Once you get through the weighing and testing (or you can skip the weighing and testing), Wii Fit has a slew of exercise programs aimed at improving your balance, cardio fitness and strength.

If you’ve never tried yoga, this is a good introduction to what all the fuss is about. It gives more insights into the value of balance and breathing, and how you’ve probably been screwing it up right along.

Some of the fitness games are challenging enough to induce anxiety in competitiondriven souls. In the soccer game your job is score points by heading the soccer balls coming at you to your right, left or down the middle. The game challenges you to quickly

change direction to get to the next ball.

That’s tough enough, but in the mix of balls flying at you is the occasional cleated shoe or pig’s bladder, which has to be dodged rather than hit or you lose points.

It’s amazing how the smack of digitized soccer cleats hitting your avatar’s head does a number on your focus.

The other balance games include slalom skiing and ski jumping, snowboard slalom, tightrope walking and a couple more. All are challenging. In most games you can choose from several skill levels, and new game variations are unlocked as you log more training time.

Your heart’s pumping, you’re breathing hard and you’re sweating.

Like the real thing The physical motions required for each game pretty well mimic the real thing, and the realism seems to keep improving as new software and accessories are released.

You’ll find yourself puffing through some of the workouts, and each games works different sets of muscles. We’ve had sore muscles the next day if we’ve been too enthusiastic in trying a new game.

One of our original game purchases was a collection of programs called Wii Sports, which offers good cardio workouts, like tennis, boxing and a baseball home run derby.

There’s also bowling and golf, which are a bit more sedate, but they get your competitive juices flowing.

We generally use Wii from a half hour to two hours a day. We often squeeze in a few holes of golf while dinner is cooking.

One sleepless night we found ourselves bowling at 3 a.m. Robin rolled a lame 99, Dan got some good laughs out of that, and then Robin rolled a 233, followed by a 255.

Enough said.

We’ve been adding new games more quickly than we can integrate them into our routine. Our favorite is Wii Sports Resort, an addictive collection of games set at a tropical island resort.

There’s wakeboarding (good for balance, because you don’t collect points from great aerials until you nail the landing), archery (nerve-wracking because of the accuracy required), table tennis (a workout), canoeing, swordplay, Frisbee and air combat.

Dan’s favorite in Wii Sports Resort is the mountain bike racing across hilly island courses. You use the Wii controller and the Nunchuk to pump with your hands, simulating the downward stroke of a pedal. Sounds silly (and looks kind of silly when you’re hard at it), but it’s a serious workout.

You pump your way up steep hills, steer and brake like crazy to keep from crashing on the downhills, push hard everywhere to pass the 29 other riders. Your heart’s thumping, you’re breathing hard and you’re sweating. If you’ve ever used handheld weights on a brisk walk or run, you get the idea.

Wii Sports Resort also offers an oddly appealing bowling game using 100 pins instead of the usual 10—try making some of those splits!

Slower paced but as grinding as the real thing, Wii offers golf games in several of its packages. We also acquired Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10, a pricier ($50), more stylish game that requires the MotionPlus peripheral for terrific realism. There’s a learning curve to Tiger Woods golf, but it’s the kind of game you can obsess over…like real golf.

The drawbacks to Wii? It can feel a little slow as it works through stock screens of information, but you develop a hair trigger in pushing the main control button. And as entertaining as it is, you might backburner Wii like you might an exercise bike if you’re not committed.

How has Wii paid off in fitness terms?

Robin uses it to maintain her weight. Dan lost 11 pounds in the first two months. Wii’s database makes it easy to see the overall downward trend, adding incentive.

The fun/competition factor may be the best part of Wii for us. Despite our unceasing efforts to completely dominate each other in every sport, Robin and Dan win some and lose some—except in boxing, where Dan has yet to find a way to keep Robin from knocking him out in the early rounds.

The South Coast Insider / December 2009

41

REGIONAL NEWS

Some good in 2009

by Stephen C. Smith

2009 will not be a year that will be remembered fondly. As a national recession took hold during the year, the South Coast saw more than its fair share of pain.

Unemployment rates reached levels that we thought would never return. Fall River and New Bedford each saw prolonged monthly rates in excess of 15%. Home foreclosures were distressingly widespread.

Personal and business bankruptcies were common. State and local budgets were slashed to the bone and then some. Police, firefighters and teachers were laid off. Public services were scaled back and facilities were closed.

As if to add insult to injury, it seemed to rain every weekend in June and July.

But there were a few bright spots, and as we head into 2010, it is worth reflecting upon the good things that happened in 2009.

Exit 8B – Freetown Construction bids were opened for this long planned exit off Route 24 on the Fall River-Freetown town line, and construction will commence early in 2010. This 42

new exit will open up hundreds of acres of industrial park land for development in Fall River and Freetown including the South Coast BioPark. This park should be a good building block for the region’s economy in the next decade. The interchange project, which is being developed with an innovative design/build approach, is being funded with federal stimulus funds. The low bid, opened in October, came in at less than half of the $70 million budgeted.

Taunton River Wild & Scenic Designation Last spring the Congress and the National Park Service granted “wild and scenic” status to the Taunton River after a decade long planning process. With Congressman Barney Frank acting as the project’s champion in Washington, a Congressional vote sealed the deal. This recognition provides added protection to this beautiful and underappreciated resource. Businesses in the Fall River area will not be affected by the designation.

New Bedford Hotel In the midst of one of the worst real estate markets in memory, ground was broken on

December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

the New Bedford waterfront for a new hotel, the first in the city in over forty years. While the hotel will be a welcome addition to the city’s burgeoning tourist scene, its symbolic importance cannot be overstated. LaFrance Hospitality Company is the developer.

Courthouse Projects The two new courthouses that are rising in downtown Fall River and Taunton couldn’t have come at a better time. When completed, these multi-million dollar construction projects will bring needed relief to our overcrowded court system, but for now they are providing a needed boost to the construction industry at a critical time.

South Coast Rail Corridor Plan No, we did not get the train in 2009, but the project got closer to reality. Most significant was the release in August of the South Coast Rail Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan by Governor Deval Patrick. This plan will make sure that this project is more than just a train, but also a tool for stimulating investment and smart growth along the corridor and at the

proposed station sites. While there are still significant hurdles for South Coast Rail (notably financial and environmental), we are closer to having a good project than we were a year ago.

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New Brightman Street Bridge It’s finally happening and the progress can be seen by all. After years of delays and foot dragging, the new bridge is rapidly taking shape. Steel beams have been lowered into place between lonely bridge abutments that have been standing unconnected for too long. When completed, the new bridge will solve traffic and navigation woes, but for now it is a welcome construction project providing needed jobs.

Two other big regional projects seemed to stall in 2009, and given their controversial nature, that might not be bad news for everyone.

The proposed Wampanoag casino in Middleborough hit legal and financial snags and at year’s end the tribe had announced plans for a much scaled back version. The proposed LNG terminal in Fall River was given a thumbs down by the U.S. Coast Guard, but Hess Oil is pursuing an alternate strategy of locating an “offshore” terminal in the middle of Mt. Hope Bay. We’ll certainly hear more in 2010.

On the political front, 2009 was an eventful one. There was a sharp shift in the country’s direction with the inauguration of President Barack in January. Massachusetts lost the lion of the senate in August when Senator Kennedy died. The state will have a new senator early in 2010 to fill the enormous vacancy left by the senator’s passing.

As the year closes, Fall River has a new mayor. And South Coast’s own Congressman Frank is leading the charge in Washington to plug the holes that brought us this recession. As Chair of the Financial Services Committee, he is seeking to overhaul the financial system to prevent future meltdowns.

As we head into 2010, we can take some comfort in the fact that during this past year, we were moving ahead as a region on many fronts that will hold us in good stead in the future. Most of us will be happy to see 2009 in the rear view mirror, but maybe we’ll look back and realize that many good things got started when things looked the bleakest.

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Mizher Insurance on the move Recently, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Mizher Insurance, a division of Citizens~Union Insurance Agency, LLC, at their new location in Coles Landing Plaza at 560 Wilbur Avenue. The company has outgrown its office at 306 Wilbur Avenue in Swansea and has moved to the new location to better serve South Coast residents. (l-r) Patrick Long, Kristine Rodrigues, Cheryl Curt, Ernest Mizher, Atty. Robert Mellion, Senator Joan Menard, Representative Steve D’Amico, Nicholas Christ, Robert Marquis.

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Southcoast breaks ground on new Cancer Center in Fairhaven Southcoast Hospitals broke ground on its new flagship Southcoast Center for Cancer Care in Fairhaven that, when completed, will provide convenient access to advanced cancer services to residents in the eastern part of the South Coast region. The center will create about 40 new permanent jobs and about 250 temporary construction jobs.

The new Southcoast Center for Cancer Care, scheduled to open in early 2011, will ensure coordinated, high-quality, streamlined care for cancer patients and their families. It brings

December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

together state-of-the-art radiation therapy and medical oncology, such as chemotherapy, in a beautiful and peaceful setting conveniently located off Interstate 195 in Fairhaven. The new outpatient center will also have the very latest advanced technology from radiation therapy to diagnostic testing and imaging to meet the growing needs of the regions cancer patients.

More information is available online at www.southcoast.org (photo l-r) Beth Kunz, Esq., Chair of the Board of Trustees of Southcoast Hospitals Group; Dr. Brian Bowcock, Fairhaven Selectmen; Joseph Borelli, Fairhaven Zoning Board; John B. Day, President & CEO of Southcoast Health System; Carl Ribeiro, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Southcoast Health System; Therese Mulvey, MD, Physician-in-Chief of the Southcoast Center for Cancer Care, and Keith A. Hovan, President & CEO of Southcoast Hospitals Group.

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Saint Anne’s Hospital expands services to Swansea To accommodate the increasing needs of patients with chronic pain—especially a growing number from communities west of Fall River and in the East Bay communities of Rhode Island—Saint Anne’s Pain Management Center has expanded to include a new 11,000-square-foot center in Swansea.

Located at 440 Swansea Mall Drive (Route 118), the new $3 million satellite center duplicates the hospital site’s same “one-stop” care for the management of chronic pain.

The Center for Pain Management is accepting new patients by physician referral.

The new center, which has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, offers a staff of more than 20, including a team of physicians and nurses who are board-certified in pain management, plus licensed mental health counselors and rehabilitation specialists.

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wine NOTES

Great sparkling wine from black grapes

by Al Long

Surprising sparkling wines, made from dark purple—almost black—grapes are perfect for a white holiday.

Many wine lovers are discovering a well kept secret: there are some great sparkling wines being made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, two of the classic red (actually quite dark purple) grapes of France as well as other traditionally red wines grapes.

Sparkling wines made from these very dark grapes can vary in color from pale pink or Salmon to almost sparkling clear. Some of the “clear” ones have a very light tint of pale pink when held up to the light and but many are just the usual slightly golden color of classic Champagne.

Many sparkling wine aficionados have fallen in love with this special class of Champagne and sparkling wines. They tend to find more complex flavors and the wine has a better aroma. Naturally, it has to be a well-made sparkling wine for these favorable characteristics to be found.

French noirs The French Champagne producers tend to lean toward making a cuveé that is predominately Chardonnay, adding a small amount of Pinot Noir and a touch Pinot Meunier to add complexity. However there are still some who make their cuveé with a significant amount of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. And there are a few others who make a Champagne from predominately Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, sometimes all the way to 100 percent.

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December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

One good example of a noir French Champagne made from predominately “noir” grapes is Pommery Brut Royale. The non-vintage Brut Royal is a blend of 35% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier. It is known for its great balance and complexity as well as being full bodied. It is just off dry yet not at all sweet.

It has a toasty aroma and flavor, with hints of honey and berries. But in spite of the intense aroma and flavor it is considered too light and delicate. This Champagne pairs well with a wide variety of foods and cheeses. The French are able to make this blend so that its color is a pale straw. Prices range from about $29 to in the $40’s.

Napa noirs A number of California sparkling wine houses offer a nice spectrum of sparkling wines and usually have a blanc de noir in their line up.

Many of them are spinoffs from Classic French Champagne producers. A good example is Mumm Napa’s Blanc de Noirs. The producers claim that this is quintessential California Blanc de Noir.

This delicious wine has a candied cherry and strawberry-punch fruit aromas with a fresh yeasty and fresh bread character. The pleasant mousse provides a taste of crisp citrus and more strawberry fruit and vanilla. It seems to have a low acidity and seems to be a bit sweet, so it works well as a dessert wine.

It is a charming light pink with a delicate, almost creamy, mouth feel, the perfect wine for a holiday celebration where sweet candies and cakes are being served. It typically runs about $25.

Another popular California Blanc de Noir is one produced by Domaine Chandon, another French Champagne House’s operation. A dark salmon color, it has a dark cherry, currant and strawberry aroma and flavor with hints of cassis and blackberry. These red fruits finish

with a soft, lingering, creamy texture. Domaine Chandon considers this as one of their most popular wines.

This mostly Pinot Noir sparkler goes with the foods you would normally chose to eat with a varietal Pinot Noir such as duck, mushrooms and salmon. The winemaker, Tom Tiburzi, suggests you try this versatile wine with everything from fruity to spicy to salty foods including Southwestern, Latin American, Mexican and Asian cuisine. A bottle runs about $20.

There are a lot of other Blanc de Noirs in California. One of the largest producer of sparkling wines in the U.S. is Korbel. They have several Blanc de Noirs, the most popular being their non-vintage, primarily based on Pinot Noir from Sonoma County and California’s Central Coast appellations. Some Gamay and other red varieties, including small amount of Sangiovese and Zinfandel, are added to help adds an interesting berry element to the blend.

The Korbel Blanc de Noirs is finished with a medium dry dosage level, which is perfect for drinking as a toast or to be enjoyed with a meal. This sparkler provides a classic pairing with spicy foods, smoked chicken, or deserts using chocolate or fruit.

Try roasted pork loin with raspberry chipotle sauce; smoked chicken salad; fresh fruit ice cream like peach, raspberry or strawberry; chocolate torte with champagne strawberry sauce. This wine is a bargain at $15.

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Australian noirs Even Australia has come up with some nice Blanc de Noirs. One excellent version is made by Grant Burge Wines, producers of the Jacobs Creek line, and located in Barossa Valley, in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills. The Pinot Noir grapes are carefully handpicked for their Non Vintage Blanc de Noirs.

The grapes are predominantly sourced from the cooler climate regions of the Adelaide Hills in South Australia and the Alpine Valley in Victoria, both premium wine growing regions. The NV Blanc de Noirs is a very pale gold with a tinge of copper, an elegant Australian sparkling showing alluring aromas of cream biscuits, brioche and fresh strawberry fruit. But the Australian wines tend not to be available in our area.

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South Coast noirs One of our local wineries, Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery in the Southeastern Massachusetts Coastal region, produces an outstanding Blanc de Noirs. The 2000 vintage was made with 87 percent Pinot Noir and 13 percent Pinot Meunier.

It has a light salmon color with a luscious aroma of berries and fruit and the same berries in the flavor and after taste. This wine is available at the winery and some local shops for $30 while it lasts.

Westport just recently released it’s 2001 vintage Blanc de Noir. It is essentially a blend similar to the 2000 Pinot Noir and Pinot. While it will probably have a similar aroma, flavor and color to the 2000, it does seem to really show off the rich cream and berries in its complex aroma. It is also priced at $30. It would be fun to compare and see what a year more of age—as well as a different vintage—does to this wine.

Blanc de Noir sparkling wines are just one of the many versions of what have become available now that winemakers in many parts of the world can do just about what ever they want when it comes to making exciting and different wines.

So celebrate these holidays by exploring some new and different sparkling wines.

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Together, we’ll get through this.

In these difficult times, dependability is hard to come by. At Bank of Fall River, our safe and strong performance has always been based on simple values.

This is why we’ve always avoided risky ideas like subprime mortgages. It’s also why our depositors have never lost a cent of their hard-earned savings, since the day we began.

We welcome the opportunity to assist you with any present or future needs– just as we have since 1888.

B A N K O F FA L L R I V E R ___________________________ C H A RT E R E D 18 8 8

The relationship you’ve been looking for.

508.678.7655

www.bankoffallriver.com Fall River • Dighton/Taunton • Fairhaven Member FDIC

Call ahead for refills 508-672-6911 • Easy Prescription Transfers • Delivery Service • Blood Pressure Monitoring • Flu Vaccine Clinics • Most Insurance Plans Accepted

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• Specialty Packaging • 24 hour Refill Line • Utility Payments • Money Orders • Postage Stamps • Massachusetts State Lottery

Member SIF

Equal Housing Lender

Join us for a Great Holiday Celebration at Our 9th Annual Home for the Holidays Sunday, December 13, 2:00-4:00pm • Delicious Dessert Buffet, Refreshments • Christmas Tree Tour & More • Piano Concert with Steve Piazza • Door Prizes & Fun for Everyone • Holiday Victorian Carolers

STANDARD MY NEIGHBORHOOD PHARMACY 246 East Main Street • Fall River, MA

239 Cross Road • North Dartmouth, MA • 508 992-8880

fax 508-677-2952

www.autumnglenatdartmouth.com

December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

RESTAURANT GUIDE B (breakfast) L (lunch) D (dinner) Anthony’s 1st Restaurant: 1027 GAR Highway, Swansea, 508-646-199. Also known as Anthony’s traditional brick oven pizza. Always great lunch specials.

— L,D Boat House: 227 Schooner Drive, Tiverton. 401-624-6300. The cuisine boasts a menu of fresh seafood and local produce, taking its cue from the picturesque backdrop of the Sakonnet River. www.boathousetiverton.com — L,D,Sunday Brunch The Bayside Restaurant: 1253 Horseneck Road, Westport, 508-6365882. Old favorites, daily specials and comfort food. Green, wireless and wicked good. www.thewestportbayside. com — B,L,D BeBop Burrito: 40 Market Street, Warren, 401-289-2740. Yummy Burritos, Tacos, Quesadillas, Vegetarian and Beef, Chicken and Pork, Eat In, Take Out, Delivery. www.bebopburrito.com — L,D Capital Grille: 1 Union Station, Providence, 401-521-5600. Nationally renowned dry aged steaks and the freshest seafood will ignite your culinary imagination as well as award-winning wines to awaken your inner sommelier. www.thecapitalgrille.com — L,D Christie’s: 351 Thames Street and part of the Forty 1º North Resort property, Newport. 401-847-5400. Serving up an Asian/Latin-inspired menu of big and small plates, salads and sandwiches.

Good food and conversation with a 20seat communal table. www.christiesofnewport.com — L,D Colonel Blackinton Inn: 203 North Main Street, Attleboro, 508-222-6022.

Charming dining of fresh seafood and prime cuts of Black Angus. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the Inn features a 32 Oz. Prime Rib and a 2-3 pound baked stuffed lobster. www.colblackintoninn. com — L,D Coastal Roasters: 1791 Main Road, Tiverton, 401-624-2343. Producers of fresh roasted coffee, fresh baked local breads, muffins and pastries, organic whole leaf teas, gizmos and gadgets for the coffee gourmet. www.coastalroasters.com Crowther’s Restaurant: 90 Pottersville Road, Little Compton, 401-635-8367.

American & European Cuisine. Big city pub meets coastal New England. www.crowthersrestaurant.com — L,D Eleven Forty Nine East: 965 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, 508-336-1149 Creative menu, and impeccable service, exciting entertainment. www.elevenfortynine. com — L,D

Fall River Country Club: 4232 North Main Street, Fall River, 508-672-0280.

Banquet facility offers the finest service and great food. Beautiful, secluded grounds overlooking the Taunton River. www.fallrivercc.com Green Valley Country Club: 371 Union Street, Portsmouth, 401-847-9099.

Banquet room with 225 person capacity.

Perfect for weddings. www.greenvalleyccofri.com Hoy Tin Restaurant: 630 GAR Highway, Route 6, Swansea, 508 675-2200. This Swansea restaurant serves American and Chinese cuisine. Exotic cocktails await you. Always win at Hoy Tin! — L,D Kent’s Restaurant: 1675 GAR Highway, Route 6, Swansea, 508 672-9293.

Specializing in Steaks and Seafood. Their extensive menu also consists of baked stuffed chicken breast and pork chops.

It is a great place to relax and unwind among family and friends.www.kentsrestaurant.com — L,D Lepage’s Seafood & Grille: Route 6, Fall River/Westport Line, 508-677-2180.

Specialty seafood dishes daily, steaks and pasta. Home and office catering.

Private room available for meetings or parties. www.lepagesseafood.com — L,D Marc Anthony’s Pizzeria: 190 Onset Avenue, Onset Beach, Wareham, 508-295-5956. This isn’t your average pizzeria. Choose a pizza with over 30 toppings. Beer and wine for dine in customers. Delivery. — L,D Marguerite’s: 778 Main Road, Westport, 508-636-3040. Specialties include burgers, daily seafood offerings, liver with onions and chicken pie. Delicious homemade desserts. www.margueritesrestaurant.com — B,L,D The Lobster Pot: 119-121 Hope Street, Bristol, 401-253-9100. Waterfront dining.

Finest seafood specializing in lobster.

For casual dining, special occasions and private functions from 15-150. www. lobsterpotri.com — L,D New Boston Bakery: 279 New Boston Road, Fall River, 508-672-0207, Homemade soups, muffins, cookies, pies, pastries, gourmet coffee & sandwiches. — L Organically Good: 267 Thames Street, Bristol, 401-253-0300. Meals, produce and 100% organic market items. Enjoy casual prepared meals and market items available daily. Creative catering and flexible prices. www.organicallygoodri. com — B,L Partners Village Store: 865 Main Rd., Westport, 508-636-2572. Homemade goodness and generous portions. www. partnersvillagestore.com — B,L

Quito’s Restaurant & Bar: 411 Thames Street, Bristol, 401 253-4500. Simple, fresh and flavorful seafood and steaks. www.quitosrestaurant.com — L,D Redlefsen’s Rotisserie & Grille: 444 Thames Street, Bristol, 401-254-1188.

Casual patio, comfortable bar and romantic dining room serving traditional German and Alsatian-inspired food all year long. www.redlefsens.com — L,D Rogers Family Restaurant: 1229 Wilbur Avenue, Somerset, 508 678-0201 Celebrating 50 years in business. Casual family dining, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enjoy their quiet neighborhood pub. Catering and private parties available. B,L,D The Rhino Bar and Grille: 337 Thames Street, Newport, 401 846-070. Large selection of delicious Pub food in a relaxed atmosphere. Stop by for dancing in the Mamba room next time you are in Newport. www.therhinobar.com — L (weekdays only) D

Special offer $10 off lunch or dinner entrée One coupon per table, not valid with other discounts.

Minimum order two entrees per table • Exp. 12 / 31/ 09

Open 7 days a week Serving lunch and dinner

Sagres: 181 Columbia Street, Fall River, 508-675-7018. Finest Portuguese dining since 1976. Soups, appetizers, fish, seafood, pork, beef and chicken entrees.

Portuguese music Friday and Saturday nights. — L,D Seraphim Tea and More: 193 Central Avenue, Seekonk, 508-915-4832. Wine, beer, tea room, gift shop and gallery in a lovely teahouse setting. www.seraphimteaandmore.com — B,L Simply Simons Restaurant & Pub: 481 Wilbur Avenue, Swansea, 508 6755531 Simons offers a hearty breakfast as well as a full lunch and dinner menu.

Over a dozen appetizers await you, including the best Calamari around!

Catering for special occasions is available. B,L,D T.A. Restaurant: 408 South Main Street, Fall River, 508-673-5890. Portuguese and American menu. Great selection of Portuguese wines and Port. — L,D

American & European Cuisine Roasted Prime Rib Au Jus 16oz. Queen cut– $20 Boiled Sakonnet Lobster Dinner– $20 Book your Christmas Dinner party early, now taking reservations

Crowther’s Restaurant 90 Pottersville Road • Little Compton, RI

401-635-8367

www.crowthersrestaurant.com

Tito’s Cantina: 651 West Main Road, Middletown, 401-849-4222. A taste of old Mexico. — L,D Ugly American Real Burgers, Dogs and Fries: 240 New Boston Road, Fall River, 508-672-4427. The burger enthusiasts burger. The “Cheese” as seen on Phantom Gourmet. Hand cut fries and sweet potatoe fries. www.uglyamericanburger.com — L,D Virginia’s: 140 Charlotte White Road (Drift Road Side), Westport. 508-6360550. If you are looking for a light and hearty breakfast, lunch or diner specials, soups or home style meal and dessert, this Westport restaurant is a satisfying spot. — B,L,D

The South Coast Insider / December 2009

49

BOOK PICKS BY BAKER

by Magoo Gelehrter Courtesy of Baker Books – www.bakerbooks.net

It doesn’t matter who’s been naughty or nice, there is something for everyone in this month’s Book Picks. Who in their right mind doesn’t love food, art, and music? Whether you spice up your life with The Flavor Bible or enjoy the memorabilia that comes along with The Grateful Dead Scrapbook, there is something here for everyone. Enjoy!

SESAME STREET

by Louise Gikow Workman Publishing $40 hardcover with DVD The most beloved children’s show of all time is turning 40! This celebration of four decades of groundbreaking educational programming invites fans young and old behind the scenes at 123 Sesame Street.

In a book as lively, energetic, and appealing as the television show it chronicles, readers are treated to an inside look at every aspect of Sesame Street. Beginning with the initial idea for the show and the creation of the pilot episode and moving through its evolution over four decades, Sesame Street provides an insider’s view of all of the delightful Muppet and human characters, as well as the writers, directors, producers, and all the other creative people who continue to make learning fun for generations of kids.

Step behind the scenes and learn how the Muppets are built, how they move, how they speak, and what they think and feel.

Did you ever wonder what Big Bird looked like in the first season of the show? Would you like to see the puppeteers behind (and under!) the set performing their roles? How about a picture of Bert being built? All of that and more, including facsimiles of the show’s pioneering scripts and some of Jim

50

Henson’s original sketches, are included in this revelatory and adoring celebration.

The 1,500 photographs—both in front of and behind the camera—come directly from the archives of the Sesame Workshop, and many of them have never before been published. The DVD includes the very first episode of this history making children’s television show.

For everyone who fondly remembers learning the alphabet and numbers from Sesame Street, for parents and grandparents of today’s Sesame Street kids, and for avid fans and collectors of everything Sesame, this gorgeous book makes a gift to be treasured.

THE FLAVOR BIBLE

by Karen Page Little Brown $35 hardcover Great cooking goes beyond following a recipe—it’s knowing how to season ingredients to coax the greatest possible flavor from them. Drawing on dozens of leading chefs’ combined experience in top restaurants across the country, Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg present the definitive guide to creating “deliciousness” in any dish. Thousands of ingredient entries, organized alphabetically and cross-referenced,

December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

provide a treasure trove of spectacular flavor combinations. Readers will learn to work more intuitively and effectively with ingredients; experiment with temperature and texture; excite the nose and palate with herbs, spices, and other seasonings; and balance the sensual, emotional, and spiritual elements of an extraordinary meal.

Seasoned with tips, anecdotes, and signature dishes from America’s most imaginative chefs, The Flavor Bible is an essential reference for every kitchen.

POP: GENIUS OF ANDY WARHOL

by Tony Scherman & David Dalton Harper Collins $40 hardcover To his critics, he was the cynical magus of a movement that debased high art and reduced it to a commodity. To his admirers, he was the most important artist since Picasso. Indisputably, Andy Warhol redefined what art could be.

This book is a major reassessment of the most influential and controversial American artist of the second half of the twentieth century. As the quintessential Pop artist, he razed the barrier between high and low culture, taking as his subject matter comic books, tabloids, Hollywood publicity photos,

and supermarket products. Through his films and the exotic milieu of the Factory, he exhibited an unprecedented talent for publicity and outrage, revealing an underworld of speed freaks, transvestites, and glittering, doomed superstars. Beneath the deceptively simple surface of his silk screens, the old hierarchies of art collapsed. Warhol’s x-ray vision exposed the garish, vulgar, and irrepressible new world of 1960s America.

Focusing on that influential decade, Pop disentangles the myths of Warhol from the man he truly was, and offers a vivid, entertaining, and provocative look at the legendary artist’s personal and artistic evolution during his most productive and innovative years. A detailed, insightful chronicle of his rise, as well as a critical examination of Warhol’s most important works, this groundbreaking book sheds light on a man who remains an icon of the twentieth century.

Drawing on brand-new sources—including extensive original interviews and insight from those who knew him best—Pop offers the most dynamic, comprehensive portrait ever written of the man who changed the way we see the world.

GRATEFUL DEAD SCRAPBOOK

by Ben Fong-Torres Little Brown $40 hardcover Grateful Dead fans are legendary for their Dead-ication to the band and its enduring legacy of freewheeling musical exploration.

The Grateful Dead Scrapbook collects rare removable memorabilia and evocative images culled from the Grateful Dead Archives at the University of California, Santa Cruz, including never-before-published photos, flyers, fan letters, and other ephemera.

To accompany the eye-popping visuals, renowned journalist Ben Fong-Torres draws on his personal knowledge of the

San Francisco music scene in a rich text that conveys the Grateful Dead’s story in a fresh way, centering each chapter on a pivotal song that encapsulates a certain era of the group’s songwriting, performance, and community. An attractive slipcase and an audio CD round out the book’s beautiful design, delivering a richly illustrated volume as colorful as the band itself.

Don’t let the high cost of heating hound you this winter Reduce your heating bills while increasing the comfort of your home with a new Lennox Signature Series high efficiency home comfort system you will be cozy and cash in on special savings.

A PHOTOGRAPHER’S LIFE

by Annie Leibovitz Random House $50 hardcover “I don’t have two lives,” Annie Leibovitz writes in the Introduction to this collection of her work from 1990 to 2005. “This is one life, and the personal pictures and the assignment work are all part of it.” Portraits of well-known figures: Johnny Cash, Nicole Kidman, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Keith Richards, Michael Jordan, Joan Didion, R2-D2, Patti Smith, Nelson Mandela, Jack Nicholson, and William Burroughs—appear alongside pictures of Leibovitz’s family and friends, reportage from the siege of Sarajevo in the early Nineties, and landscapes. The pictures form a narrative, of a life rich in contrasts and continuities. The photographer has a long relationship that ends with illness and death. She chronicles the celebrations and heartbreaks of her large and robust family. She has children of her own.

All the while, she is working, and the public work resonates with the themes of the life.

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Mention this ad and receive a Lennox Healthy Climate Media Filter ($300 value) on any new install.

The South Coast Insider / December 2009

51

HAPPENINGS Free initial consultation Please call for appointment

Through December 27 - A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Tickets are on sale now at the Trinity Rep box office, 201 Washington Street; by phone at 401-351-4242; and online at www. trinityrep.com

Deborah G. Roher

Through December - Palette Pictures Exhibit and Silent Auction. Artists’ Reception: Dec. 5th from 6-8. Mon-Fri 9-4 and Sat, Sun 1-4:30 p.m. For more information call 508-679-1071 or visit www.lizzieborden.org

Helping working South Coast families for 20 years with:

Through December - Holiday Fun at Buttonwood Park Zoo. 425 Hawthorn St., New Bedford. 508-991-4556. www.bpzoo.org

— Attorney at Law — Bad used car deals Bankruptcy Credit reporting problems Debt collection harassment Landlord/tenant problems

56 N. Main Street #413 Fall River, MA

508-672-1383

Island Creations

Come in, Hang out and Play!

Through December - Fun holiday events at Colony Place for the whole family. Free. MonSut. 10-9, Sun. 11-6. www.colonyplace.com Through January 3 - Fairies and Fantasies: Christmas at Blithwold. For more information call 401-253-2707 or visit www.blithewold.org Through January 3 - Christmas at the Newport Mansions. Open daily. For reservations call 401847-0478 or visit www.newportmansions.org December 3-6 - Our Town in the NBHS’s Little Theatre, 230 Hathaway Blvd., New Bedford.

Seats are limited, available by phone 508-6798052, email nbhsdramaclub@gmail.com December 4 - Sippican Choral Society, 2009 Christmas Concert: Songs of Hope and Peace.

8pm. Fee. Grace Episcopal Church, County Street, New Bedford. Dec. 6, 4pm, Wickenden Chapel, Taber Academy, Marion. www.sippicanchoral.org December 4 - John Prine at 8pm. PPAC, 220 Weybosset St., Providence. 401-421-ARTS or www.vmari.com

Create a pair of earrings or a bracelet for under $10.

December 4 - John Prine at 8pm. Veterans Memorial Auditorium Arts & Cultural Center (VMA) Event Calendar, Providence. Call Box Office at 401-421-ARTS or www.vmari.com

Don’t know what you are doing?

Ask us; we will get you started and do the finish work for $1.

December 5 - Defending the Caveman at 5pm and 8:30pm. Veterans Memorial Auditorium Arts & Cultural Center, Providence. Call Box Office at 401-421-ARTS or www.vmari.com

— CLASSES — One-on-One: $20/hour

December 5 - Seasonal Sparklers Wine Maker’s Dinner. Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery, 417 Hixbridge Road, Westport. For more information call 508-636-3423 ext.2 or visit www. westportrivers.com

2 or more: $25 for two-hour classes $35 for three hour classes Check schedule on our website www.islandcreations-online.com

Call 508-997-9800 info@islandcreations-online.com

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December 6 - The Providence Adult String Ensemble, directed by Jonne Gomes, and The Fall River Diocesan Choir and Cathedral Youth Choir led by Madeleine Grace, will present an Advent Concert at St. Mary’s Cathedral, at the corner of Spring and Second Streets, Fall River.

3pm. Free.

December 6 - United States Air Force Band of Liberty Concert at 3pm. Veterans Memorial Auditorium Arts & Cultural Center, Providence. Call Box Office at 401-421-ARTS or www.vmari.com December 7 - Pearl Harbor Day at Battleship Cove. 12:55pm. Open to the public. www. battleshipcove.org December 7 - The Allen’s Neck Community Club will have its Christmas holiday party. 7pm. $6.

Allen’s Neck Meeting House, 739 Horseneck Rd., Dartmouth. For more information call Hope Atkinson at 508-636-2904.

December 10 - Holiday Open House at the Tihonnet Village Market on Tihonnet Rd, Wareham. 6-9pm. Fee. December 10 - Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight! 8pm. PPAC, 220 Weybosset St., Providence. 401-421-ARTS or www.vmari.com December 10 - AHA! Night, Holiday Spotlight will be celebrating the arrival of both the winter & holiday seasons. 5-9pm. Downtown New Bedford. www.ahanewbedford.org December 11-13 - Jingle Belles and a Few Balls: A Space Odyssey. Perishable Theatre, 95 Empire Street, Providence. For tickets and informations call 401-621-6123 or visit www. arttixri.com December 11 - Holiday Extravaganza staged by the Bristol Community College Culinary Arts Program. Tickets are $45 each and available by contacting Chef John Caressimo at 508-6782811, ext. 2111

December 5, 6 - 18th Annual Holiday House Tour. Start at Wamsutta Club, 427 County St., New Bedford. Fee. For more information call 508-997-6425 or visit www.nbpreservationsociety.org

December 12 - Historic Holiday House Tour presented by Preservation Society of Fall River.

11am-4pm. Tickets at New Boston Bakery and the Fall River Historical Soc. Event day headquarters: Quequechan Club, 306 N. Main st. Call 508-673-4841 or visit www.fallriverpreservation.org

December 5, 6 - Holiday Open House in Tiverton Four Corners. For all schedule of events visit www.tiverton4corners.com

December 12 - Old Time Holiday Fair Weekend.

10am-3pm. First Congregational Church, 34 Center Street, Fairhaven.

December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

December 12 - A Christmas Celtic Sojourn with Brian O’Donovan. 3pm. Veterans Memorial Auditorium Arts & Cultural Center, Providence. Call

Swansea Mall St. Nick’s Pet Pics Bring your pet in for a photo with Santa Monday nights from 5 to 9 p.m. through December 14.

Pet Nights are sponsored by

Box Office at 401-421-ARTS or www.vmari.com December 12 - Annual Holiday House Tour and Tea by Sippican Woman’s Club. 10am-4pm. A hot holiday luncheon: 11:30am-1:30pm at the First Congregational Church Community Center, Marion. $9.50. Reservations recommended by calling 508-748-1053.

December 13 - Fall River Symphony’s and South Coast Community Chorale’s Christmas Pops Concert at the Margaret L. Jackson Arts Center Theater at BCC in Fall River. $20 and $5 for children at all SACU branch locations, at the door, or by calling 401-635-2401 or 508-252-3975 December 13 - Breakfast with Santa at the Fall River Carousel. 8am to noon. Reservations are required. www.battleshipcove.org

Visit them at 333 Swansea Mall Drive, Swansea, MA.

December 13 - Of God & of Men, chamber orchestra led by Judson Griffin. 3:30pm.

The Cathedral of St. John, 271 North Main Street, Providence. For tickets call 401-6216123 or visit www.ArtTixRI.com December 13 - Annual Children’s Christmas Concert, 1:30pm. Sippican School, 16 Spring Street, Marion. For more visit www.TriCountySymphonicBand.org December 16 – Museum’s Annual Holiday Party.

Free. Elizabeth Taber Library, 7 Spring Street, Marion, Mass. 3:30 to 4:30 pm.

December 19 - Nutcracker by Spindle City Ballet, 2-7pm. Bristol Community College, The Margaret L. Jackson Arts Center. For tickets call 508 536-6073 or visit www.spindlecityballet.org December 19 - Providence Singers Presents: Handel’s MESSIAH at 8pm. Veterans Memorial Auditorium Arts & Cultural Center, Providence.

Call Box Office at 401-421-ARTS or www.vmari. com

Swansea Mall Mall Hours: Mall Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10am - 9pm Sunday: 11am – 6pm 262 Swansea Mall Drive, Swansea, MA 02777 508-679-2543 •www.visitswanseamall.com

The South Coast Insider / December 2009

53

Save thousands in tax credits & rebates!

Plus 20% on your gas bill. Now’s the time!

Replace your old gas-fired heating system

BRISTOL COUNTY PRECAST Paul Mooney/President

Attention:

Homeowners/Contractors • Reinforced concrete septic tanks (1,000-10,000 gallon capacity) • Leaching chambers • Landscaping wall blocks & manholes • Manufactured & delivered brick face & plain concrete pre-cast steps (1-8 steps) (different styles available 4’ to 8’ wide) • Riser/covers to build-up your septic covers • Pre-cast sonatubes

23 Alberto Drive • Westport, MA

508-678-4666

www.bristolcountyprecast.webs.com

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December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

December Tarot-Scopes from The Celtic Cricket and Duir Kell

Lighthouse Promotions

We use the tarot to predict your horoscope. If you’d like more in depth & personal information, stop by our shop—The Silver Willow in Rehoboth, MA for a private tarot reading.

New Year’s Day

Aries - Right now you are heading down the right track, but as things start going your way, do not take on more then you can handle, as it is an easy time to get sidetracked.

Show & Sale

Taurus - With the stress of the holiday season, do not remain silent. Things will not just blow over. Be honest and compassionate to avoid misunderstandings into the New Year.

Gemini - Don’t wait till January, make your resolutions early this year. There is no time like the present to get things started; by doing so you will achieve balance in relationships or business.

Cancer - It is a time to throw the towel in on anything that is not working. Once all of that is cleared away, open yourself to any new adventures that present themselves.

The possibilities of what may be are surprising.

Leo - People will be generous with you this holiday season, but do not feel the need to go overboard. The best gifts you can give are yourself and your time. Focus on Quality, not Quantity.

Antiques

Scorpio - This is a time for forgiveness and resolution with those who have upset you; it’s a time to bring family closer, leave the past behind, and be generous with your love, kindness and money.

Sagittarius - Be the driver of your own life, do not let others control you or their opinions stress you out. You will create a positive outcome shortly after your birthday and new opportunities present themselves before the New Year arrives.

Capricorn – Perhaps the Capricorn needs to be reminded they can not control everything around them.

Sometimes someone saying no is a good thing. When someone disagrees with you do not take it the wrong way.

Aquarius - Good news will present it self to you this month, and paying attention to all the details and your positive attitude will be rewarded, perhaps with a raise, bonus or even a proposal. This is a good time to make a wish.

Pisces - People will respect and honor your opinion as the holiday season is upon us. You feel very confident and self assured in your actions. Give yourself a pat on the back as you will achieve emotional balance.

Psychotherapist

Peace a Harmony a Balance

Friday, January 1, 2009 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Venus de Milo Restaurant Route 6 - Swansea, Mass.

Now is the time to rediscover your True Inspiration in Life.

Enhance your strengths, coping skills and positive attributes.

— Next Show — Patriot’s Day - April 19, 2009

I look forward to working with you to attain your goals and aspirations.

Early buyer’s preview – 10 A.M. $10.00 each

Please call for individual or couples therapy appointment

Admission $6.00 each With this ad, admit 2 at $5.00 each

Virgo - Be very realistic and try not to please everyone.

Spreading yourself too thin will cause you to please no one. Remember, “If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” The best gift you can get this holiday season is taking time to make yourself happy.

Libra - Now is not a time to act on anything. It is a time to reflect and be non-judgmental. In reflection, clarity will show positive expectations. Meditate, have a glass of wine and chill out as the holiday season is temporary.

Marissa A. Gaboriau, LICSW

35 State Road • Westport, MA 401-640-4052 www.magcounseling.com

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508-676-1067 www.ndcfcu.com The South Coast Insider / December 2009

55

LAST WORd

Make the best of the worst times

by Mike Vieira

For some folks, January 1 is just another day.

In fact, for many cultures with other calendars, it really is just another day. But we’ve infused it with such special meaning that it’s almost un-American (or at least un-Gregorian) not to celebrate.

So we do. We wear funny hats and make noise (which for many people is also like any other day). We get drunk and over eat too much (which, come to think of it, is like any other day for some people.) But why celebrate another year?

It seems to stem from our need to think that things will get better. We wish for happiness, good health, prosperity, peace and other good things for ourselves and for others. That’s not a bad thing, but it implies that things are bad and they should be better. But they also could be worse.

Whenever we’d grumble, my father would say, “From the time you’re born, ‘til you’re riding a hearse, things are never so bad that they couldn’t get worse.” And, you know, he was right.

Appreciate the good Recently, I read a couple of books that made me think things aren’t so bad. The first, The Given Day by Dennis Lehane, recalls Boston back in 1918 and the years that followed. Those were the days just after World War I when anarchists were blowing things up, the molasses factory exploded flooding the streets with sugary lava, the police went on strike in Boston and Babe Ruth was traded to the Yankees. Talk about tough times.

In King of Heists, BCC’s own Jack Conway recalls 56

a famous bank robbery that netted the thieves the equivalent of what would be about $50 million. It also describes an America during the “Gilded Age” where the Rockefellers, the Astors, and those other folks reigned and built big “summer homes” in Newport— and where the corrupt politicians ruled. About one percent owned 99 percent of the wealth. There were very wealthy and very poor, and that was about it. So who were the real thieves?

There’s even a country western song by Brad Paisley called Welcome to the Future that talks about how things have changed. The nation has gone from the point where a cross is burned on the front lawn of the Black quarterback who dared to ask out the homecoming queen, to having a President of color. From fighting Japan, to being economic allies. Today’s United States still has a lot of problems, but we’ve made some progress.

So what’s the point? Things could be worse.

It seems that many people tend to look at our world through dark, dismal glasses. Poor me. Look at how bad things have gotten. Maybe we need to look at how good things have gotten.

All good things Nationally, things seem to be improving. At least we’re trying to deal with the health care mess in the country and recent trends indicate the economy is improving. For the first time in years, I really feel that the President isn’t an embarrassment. He speaks well, looks good, and has a vision for the United States.

Those are all good things.

December 2009 / The South Coast Insider

Recently, I’ve been teaching at night in New Bedford.

I remember years ago driving into the downtown area at night and it wasn’t pretty. Now, there are some funky new restaurants, cool new galleries and even a new hotel being built. Sure there’s still plenty of work to do, but the change is good.

It’s been fun watching the Brightman Street bridge replacement go up. I still can’t figure out how we’re going to get on and off from Fall River, but it’s pretty amazing what you can do with a few million dollars of concrete and steel. For a while, I thought I’d be making my first trip over the new bridge on my way to St. Patrick’s Cemetery, but I might actually still be able to drive when it’s done. That’s good.

Most of the major roads in Somerset and Swansea are getting resurfaced. It hasn’t been fun driving through the construction on routes six and 195, but now that it’s done, the smooth surface makes for a better ride. Even 138 going into Taunton is no longer equivalent to travelling on the moon. Now it’s a good place for a drive.

In some ways, the downturn in the economy has forced people to re-evaluate how they spend money and time. Can’t afford a movie? Sit at the top of North Park and watch the sunset. No funds for fancy food?

There are plenty of places for good food cheap in the South Coast. Nothing to do? Volunteer to help at a local school, Boys and Girls Club, church, or senior center. Just because things are bad doesn’t mean we can’t still do something good.

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