South Coast Prime Times - January/February 2020 by Coastal Communications Corp.

J anuary/F ebruary 2020 · Volume 16 · Number 1

Warm feelings Get zen Give more

Winter activities Look to the past

New Year. New You. PRIMARY CARE Internal Medicine/Family Practice SPECIALTY CARE Allergy Testing & Treatment Cardiology Endocrinology, Diabetes & Men’s Health Gastroenterology Gynecology & Women’s Health Infectious Disease Neurology & Sleep Disorders Optometry & Ophthalmology Otolarynology (Ear, Nose & Throat) Orthopedic Surgery, Podiatry & Chiropractic Rheumatology Pulmonary/Critical Care Vascular & Endovascular Surgery Weight Management

Prima CARE and Medi-Weightloss® join forces to help you lose weight and keep it off† in 2020. The teamwork of Prima CARE and Medi-Weightloss® provides the tools you need to successfully lose weight in the new year. Our program is physician-supervised, medicallyproven and a true winner. Let us customize your nutrition and exercise plan to show you why MediWeightloss is the one that works®. If this year’s resolutions include losing weight, now is the time to make that call. For the finest in weight management and medical care, choose Prima CARE. We’re by your side, and we mean it.

WALK-IN CENTERS – 4 Clinics RADIOLOGY & IMAGING

† On average, patients compliant with the Medi-Weightloss® Program lose 6.4 pounds the first week and 14 pounds the first month. Rapid weight loss may be associated with certain medical conditions and should only be considered by those who are medically appropriate.

prima-care.com 774-365-4542

277 Pleasant St., Ste. 309 Fall River, MA

Save hundreds in rebates! Plus 20% on your gas bill. Nowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the time! Replace your old gas-fired heating system

Most Efficient Efficient

2017 2019

www.energystar.gov

Hawthorn Medical

Treatment for All Aspects of Urologic Care ADULT AND PEDIATRIC l

l l l l l

Urinary incontinence for male and female patients Overactive bladder Bladder prolapse Pelvic pain Kidney stones Erectile dysfunction

Male Infertility

Vasectomy

Laser surgery

Robotic surgery

Bladder cancer

Prostate cancer

Kidney cancer

CONTENTS

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 In every issue

From the publisher

In Brief

by Elizabeth Morse Read

Prime living

Andy Boylan, MD

Derek Hausladen, MD

Paul Milhoua, MD

by Sean McCarthy

Life after joint replacement

Eliza DeFroda, MD

Harry Kamenidis, MD

Finding balance

by Cara Connelly

Albert Signorella, MD

Two Convenient Locations: Hawthorn Medical Associates 535 Faunce Corner Road Dartmouth, MA

Mark Ventura, MD

Saint Anne’s Hospital Medical Office Building 851 Middle Street Fall River, MA

Nicholas Ferreira, ANP Carol Fox, ANP Robert Marcolini, PA Anna Pepler, PA

For appointments, call 508-996-3991.

www.hawthornmed.com

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

J anuary/F ebrua

16 · number 1 ry 2020 · Volume

Warm feelings Get zen Give more

Winter activities Look to the past

We do rehab right. Tell your physician you want to reserve your room with us.

Prime season

Choose Right!

Enjoy winter! by Elizabeth Morse Read Joy to the world! by Ann Katzenbach

Short-Term Rehab

18 Winter wellness

Stroke Rehab

by Elizabeth Morse Read

Pulmonary Rehab Post Surgical Care

Good times

Ostomy Care, IV Therapy State-Of-The-Art Equipment

Ancestry afternoon by Steven Froias New local releases by Laura LaTour

Physical & Occupational Therapy Knee, Hip & Joint Rehabilitation Pain Management & Wound Care Speech Pathology

dhfo.org

Same old song by Paul Kandarian

Admissions 7 days a week Most insurances accepted

On the cover: These may be the coldest months, but they inspire the warmest feelings. Whether you’re spending your time inside or out, enjoy it with friends and family who inspire you year-round!

Stop by for a tour

508.996.6751

sacredheart-home.org Sacred Heart Home New Bedford, MA

508.999.4561

ourladyshavenhome.org Our Lady’s Haven Fairhaven, MA

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



508.679.0011

catholicmemorialhome.org Catholic Memorial Home Fall River, MA

508.822.4885

marianmanorhome.org Marian Manor Home Taunton, MA

J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

FROM THE PUBLISHER

During the coldest days of the year, it’s important to look for things that make us feel warm; a crackling fire, a meal with friends, a much-deserved night on the town. Don’t mind the wind chill and move at a brisk pace, because the South Coast doesn’t have time to hibernate! First things first: let’s talk about how much stuff there is to do this time of year. It’s not just indoor activities, either – those willing to layer up will find a plethora of opportunities to appreciate the outdoors. Want to hike, birdwatch, or crosscountry ski? Elizabeth Morse Read has suggestions for you on page 6. For those who would prefer that their fingers and toes stay attached, thankyouverymuch, there is still plenty to do to stave off cabin fever. On page 8, take a trip to your local library with Steven Froias, where you’ll see that it’s home to a lot more than just books. Modern libraries are community centers – places for like-minded, curious people to come together to celebrate their hobbies and interests (okay, there are also books and those are great, too). See what yours has in store! If you’re still hunting down that warm-and-fuzzy feeling, then look no further than Ann Katzenbach’s article on page 12, where she introduces us to some local charitable organizations keeping the spirit of the holidays alive throughout the year. You’ll not only learn about the great impact volunteers are having on the community, but also what you can do to help out. And that’s a feeling sure to keep you warm throughout the winter. However you choose to spend the cold months, we wish you vitality, happiness, and all our warmest sentiments. Have a very happy 2020!

Ljiljana Vasiljevic Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

facebook.com/thesouthcoastinsider

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

January/February 2020 n Vol. 16 n No. 1 Published by

Coastal Communications Corp. Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

Ljiljana Vasiljevic Editor

Sebastian Clarkin Online editor

Paul Letendre Contributors

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.

Next issue February 19, 2020

Circulation 25,000

Subscriptions $19.95 per year

M ailing address South Coast Prime Times P.O. Box 3493 Fall River, MA 02722

Phone (508) 677-3000

Website coastalmags.com

Offering Physical, Occupational, Speech and Respiratory therapy. Respite and Long-term care services also available.

E-mail

Our advertisers make this publication possible —please support them

508.998.7807 • TheOaksMa.com 4525 Acushnet Ave. • New Bedford, MA

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

55604

editor@coastalmags.com

PRIME SEASON

Enjoy winter on the South Coast! Compiled by Elizabeth Morse Read

Staying fit

Get healthy! On Sunday mornings, head for The Boys and Girls Club of Greater New Bedford for free yoga, cardio exercise, meditation, massage, qi gong, and nutrition education! Every three weeks there’s smoking-cessation hypnosis, and every month a visit from the South Coast Wellness van! On Saturdays, you can “Walk With a Doc” at the Dartmouth Mall, all part of the New

Bedford Wellness Initiative! For more info, visit nbewell.com. Stay in shape and engaged with your community – find out what’s going on at your local YMCA! For info on all locations, go to ymcasouthcoast.org. Talk a walk through the Acushnet Sawmills public park and herring weir! Canoe/kayak launch, fishing, trails. For info, visit savebuzzardsbay.org.

Check out what’s going on at the Sandywoods Center for the Arts in Tiverton! Heal with a Gong Sound Bath, or with Yoga: Mindful Flow & Meditation on Sundays, or with music and movement on JourneyDance, or join in the Contra Dancing. Sign up for lessons in Zumba, Pilates or figure drawing. For a complete schedule and more info, call 401-2417349 or go to sandywoodsmusic.com.

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

Stay fit with Yoga with Laura at the Boys & Girls Club in Wareham! For a schedule and more info, call 508-295-7072 or go to onsetbay.org. Wander through Parsons Reserve or take a stroll through Paskamansett Woods, nature reserves operated by the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust .For more info, visit dnrt.org. Explore the trails, wildlife and scenery of the Mattapoisett River Reserve –

E xplore the outdoors

Southcoast Health and the Buzzards Bay Coalition have created “Discover Buzzards Bay,” an initiative to promote active outdoor recreation. A series of guided monthly outdoor walks, called “Sunday Strolls,” and an online portal with information about more than 100 public places to walk, bird-watch, kayak/ canoe, fish or cross-country ski, can be found at savebuzzardsbay.org/discover – and check out thetrustees.org and massaudubon.org. To learn more about state parks and wildlife refuges in Rhode

Island, go to riparks.com or stateparks. com/rhode_island.

leashed dogs welcome. Hike, bird-watch, cross-country ski! For more info, go to savebuzzardsbay.org.

market near you, visit semaponline.org, pickyourown.org, farmfreshri.org, or localharvest.org. To find food and wine events, go to farmcoast.com, coastalwinetrail.com or ediblesouthshore. com.

Take a stroll through the urban greenspace of the Allen G. Haskell Public Gardens in New Bedford! To learn more, go to thetrustees.org or call 508-6364693. Jog along the Harbor Walk, a pedestrian/bike path atop the hurricane dike in New Bedford’s south end. Then, explore the Acushnet Sawmills public park and herring weir in the north end! Canoe/ kayak launch, fishing, trails. For more info, visit savebuzzardsbay.org. Explore the outdoors at the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge in Seekonk, operated by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island! For info, call 401-949-5454 or visit asri.org.

Winter farmers markets

Fill your baskets with local produce, baked goods and holiday decorations! To find a farm, vineyard or winter farmers

When you’re near Attleboro, stroll through Mass Audubon’s Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary and Nature Center! For more info, call 508-223-3060 or visit massaudubon.org. Go scouting for snowy owls at Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary in Westport on January 5 and January 19 or take a seaside seal stroll on Gooseberry Island on January 12! For details, visit savebuzzardsbay. com/discover/events.

Head up Main Street from Providence into Pawtucket to the Hope Artiste Village’s winter farmers market on Saturdays through April! Cash, credit, fresh bucks, WIC, SNAP/EBT accepted! For more info, go to farmfreshri.org. Eat Fresh! Eat Local! Head for the year-round farmers market at Stoney Creek Farm in Swansea! For hours and more info, go to semaponline.org. Enjoy fresh local foods year-round! Visit New Bedford’s Indoor Winter Farmers Market at the Kilburn Mill at Clark’s Cove Thursdays through May! Credit, debit, and SNAP accepted; free parking at the Elm St. Garage with validation. For more info, call 508-817-4166 or go to coastalfoodshed.org.

Enjoy the outdoors at the Lloyd Center for the Environment! Take the little ones to “Nature Discovery” on the third Saturday of each month. For details and pre-registration, call 508-990-0505 x 31 or visit lloydcenter.org. Get in touch with nature at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown! Take a free guided Sunday Bird Walk! For details, call 401-846-2577 or go to normanbirdsanctuary.org.

Head for the Mount Hope Bristol Winter Farmers Market at Mount Hope Farm! Cash, credit card, SNAP/EBT, WIC, and senior coupons accepted. For more info, go to farmfreshri.org. Take the family to the monthly Open Farm Days at Round The Bend Farm in Dartmouth! Grass-fed meats, local veggies, honey, maple syrup, and botanicals! For dates and more info, call 508-9385127 or visit roundthebendfarm.org. Head for the Original Easton Farmer’s Market on Saturdays at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church! For info, go to facebook.com/eastonoriginalfarmersmarket. On Saturdays, visit the Aquidneck Growers Farmers Market at the Newport Vineyards in Middletown year-‘round! Cash, credit card, SNAP/ EBT, WIC, and senior coupons accepted. For more info, call 401-848-5161 or go to newportvineyards.com or farmfreshri.org.

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

GOOD TIMES

Ancestry afternoons Steven Froias

As winter begins its siege on the South Coast, it’s useful to find means of escape and activities to combat the dreaded affliction known as cabin fever.

Have no fear! Because a free and fun afternoon out of the house is as close as your local library. To turn a trip to the library into a full-blown adventure, consider traveling into the past. At the New Bedford Free Public Library, part of the Southcoast Sails Library Network, Special Collections Library Assistant, MaryEllen Cecil is encouraging patrons to take advantage of the fact that they can access the Ancestry.com Library Edition of the popular genealogy program. It is free to use for cardholders, and allows users to conduct a comprehensive search into their family’s history, with only a few limitations from the personal version available for individual purchase. By using a library computer or by logging onto the SAILS network on your laptop, you can access all of the available databases Ancestry.com puts at your disposal. You can save any documents

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



that further your search into family history right onto your hard drive, thumb drive, or even print them out. You just won’t be able to save any information you collect into an account, however, or incorporate it into a personal family tree. No doubt there will be plenty to save or print once you decide to take a deep dive into the past. The Ancestry database contains a Vital Records section (births, deaths, and marriages, for example); a Census section; and an Immigration Records Collection. Cecil recently held a series of workshops to introduce patrons to the Ancestry Library Edition, but even if missed those, you can contact her for more information at the Special Collections Department of the New Bedford Free Public LIbrary via email (nbmhistory@sailsinc.org) or phone (508-991-6276). During the workshop in November on how to get the most out of Ancestry’s Census database, Cecil shared an eye-opening amount of pertinent information.

J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

Researching the past is a passion for Cecil, and her enthusiasm shined a spotlight onto the last few couple of centuries in this country.

E very person counts The United State Census Bureau takes a census every ten years by law. Its primary purpose is to allocate seats in the House of Representatives and to help guide lawmakers in the distribution of federal funds. So important is the census that cities like New Bedford have actually brought on help to ensure that an accurate count of its population happens during the upcoming 2020 census. Cecil urges all residents to make sure they take part in the census for another reason, too: to make sure everyone leaves this legacy of information to future generations who may want to research their own family history. “Please fill out your census!” she urges. For the historian, census records are a vital tool. The first census in the United States happened in 1790. Responses to the census are confidential for 72 years, so the last census available to the professional or amateur historian is the one from 1940. And what a census that was! Today’s online commerce is driven by data collection from Facebook and Google and your

Are you caring for a loved one? The A ncestry Library Edition genealogy program is available for cardholders free of charge at the main New Bedford Free Public L ibrary and its branches.

smartphone, to name a few examples. In emphasized in a tip sheet she provides 1940, anxious to discover how American at the Special Collections Department were recovering from the Great Depreswhich begins, “Tracing your family sion and seeking to understand how New history can seem daunting. To start a Deal programs had helped or hindered family tree, you need to identify certain that recovery, the Census Bureau basic facts that are unique to individuals significantly in your expanded the family. it s possible to trace the range and type “Start growth of the country of questions with it asked what you through census results Americans to know – in answer. this case from forward and The result is a yourself – treasure trove and work the social dynamics at work back in for history detectives, time to and a unique window into any family’s your parents, grandparents, and beyond, past lives (as is the entire database, even which will help identify gaps of missing before 1940). In fact, it’s possible to trace information.” the growth of the country through census In addition to the Ancestry Library results from 1790 forward, and the social Edition, the New Bedford Free Public dynamics at work. LIbrary also has a database subscription Included in that mix are members of to AmericanAncestors.org, from the New your very own family. It’s easiest to find England Historic Genealogical Society. them if you know their place of birth. But It can only be used on-site at the main don’t quit if a great-grandmother or uncle branch, but that just means a rewarding appears to be missing. afternoon – or several afternoons – down Cecil explains that when that happens, memory lane. Plus stepping into the past just widen your search beyond the city may just help you beat the winter blues! or town you thought they may have been born in to neighboring communities. You S teven F roias is a freelance writer will usually find the answer there – as she based in New Bedford and is a regular contributor for The South Coast Insider and did when looking for a relative. South Coast Prime Times. He can be reached She cautions that it is best to start your at NewBedfordNow@gmail.com. search with a research question. That is

’

1790

You may qualify for a MassHealth stipend If you have a relative or friend who needs help with an activity of daily living such as bathing, grooming or eating, MassHealth will compensate you from $600 to $1,500 per month to help these individuals.

• Adult family care • Family owned & operated • Keeping families together

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes

February 29, 2020



J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

PRIME LIVING

Finding balance Sean McCarthy

You want to feel healthy and you know that exercise could play a role. But the gym may seem daunting and many other options are too rigorous. It’s tough to go walking if it’s too hot or too cold or if it’s raining. The solution to your exercise needs could be an approach that has been producing benefits for more than 700 years: a slow and gentle form of activity known as Tai Chi.

Tai Chi is practiced around the world with proven positive results. Described as “meditation in motion,” it is an ancient Chinese martial art that can bring energy to the body and serenity to the mind. The benefits are both physical and mental. Tai Chi is a slow and fluid movement of postures that are combined with breathing routines that apply to a range of students, both new and experienced. “Tai Chi is good for people of all ages but it’s ideal for seniors,” says Joe Rebelo of New Bedford who has been teaching Tai Chi since 1985. He says that there are multiple benefits that come from this practice. “It’s wonderful for improving your balance, improving your breathing patterns, and lowering your heart rate and blood pressure,” Rebelo says. “You’ll become more calm, more tranquil, more serene. You’ll have a greater appreciation and understanding of your natural body systems including your cardiovascular system, your muscular system, your

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



circulation, and your nervous system. You’ll be more aware of the way they move in relationship to your environment and surroundings. You’ll be more aware of what’s around you, on you and in you.”

Mind, body, spirit “The beauty of the art,” Rebelo says, “is that anyone can learn it.” Rebelo is the owner of Rebelo’s Kenpo Karate in New Bedford. He uses the location to teach Tai Chi on an individual one-on-one basis. Rebelo says that the slow motion movements of Tai Chi can give you more focused concentration. “Tai Chi will give a greater understanding of your vitality and longevity – longevity adds life to your years and vitality adds years to your life.” Many regional Senior Centers and Councils on Aging offer a Tai Chi class once a week. Mattapoisett’s Senior Center has classes every Monday from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m., Dartmouth’s Senior Center has a class every Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m.,

J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

Fairhaven has a class every Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m., the Marion Senior Center has a class every Thursday from 9 to 10 a.m., the New Bedford Warming House at Buttonwood Park has a class for seniors every Thursday from 1 to 2 p.m., and the Westport Senior Center has a class every Friday from 1:30 to 2:30. Classes may require a fee, so call ahead of your session. Each class lasts one hour and students are allowed to wear regular clothing; there is no uniform required. Rebelo has been teaching at the Dartmouth location for 32 years while he just introduced classes at the Buttonwood Park location two months ago. Rebelo says that “each person takes their own journey with Tai Chi.” Different students may see different results depending on the individual. Each person will develop their skills on their own timetable. New students are welcome to any class. They will receive the attention of the instructor that will introduce them to the primary postures and movements which

give the more advanced students an opportunity to practice these steps with the goal of improving their technique. It is encouraged that students practice at home between classes. Some may work from memory while some may incorporate a DVD or manual to assist them. Nick Ukleja of New Bedford began studying Tai Chi with Rebelo in 1992. He is currently an instructor at the Fairhaven and Westport Councils on Aging, as well as teaching classes each Wednesday at the Fall River YMCA from 9 to 10 a.m. and every Friday at Healthtrax in North Dartmouth from 4 to 5 p.m.. “Tai Chi is pretty well known as an exercise that is very accessible and sustainable,” Ukleja says. “It’s something you can pursue that doesn’t require a whole lot of physical rigor that a lot of other exercises do. Most types of exercise that offer a lot of benefits have some sort of associated injury. If you’re a runner you might get shin splints. If you’re a tennis player you might get tennis elbow. The things you’re doing are kind of fast that you’re repeating with a kind of stress. Everything in Tai Chi is done softly, gently, and slowly. It’s something that can be practiced very regularly that gives benefits without a risk of injury. It’s something that can be practiced throughout a lifetime.” Ukleja cites Tai Chi’s complexity as something that has kept his interest. “With exercise there can be a drudgery aspect to getting a workout - people can get bored rather quickly,” he says. “You may want more variety or to change what you’re doing to sustain your interest.” The wide array of poses in Tai Chi provides that variety. “Tai Chi is an encyclopedia of motion,” Ukleja says. “It’s a series of techniques that are individually teaching a whole bunch of things. They work together so they can be practiced as a routine.” Ukleja points out the value of studying with an instructor. “It’s important to start out with an instructor as opposed to a DVD or book because they don’t offer feedback,” he says. “A video can’t tell you what you’re doing wrong and make adjustments because they can’t see you.”

Going through the motions “I saw benefits from Tai Chi right from the start,” says Anne Mazzone, who practices at the Fairhaven Senior Center’s Recreation Center. “The thing that I like the most is that it’s great exercise without it being stressful. For me it’s a wonderful mental exercise – an opportunity to learn something where you have to memorize

how each step is done and their progressions. “If you want to do it you have to use full concentration. For the hour that you’re there, whatever was preying on your mind that you were worrying about is totally forgotten.”

It gives me a mental break from the rest of the stuff that’s going on in my world “It’s good not to think about anything else for an hour,” says Cathy Tveit, who also practices at the Fairhaven location. “It’s both relaxing and challenging. It gives me a mental break from the rest of the stuff that’s going on in my world. It will give you improved balance and improved confidence. “It’s something I wish I’d started sooner.”

It’s something I wish I’d started sooner Sharon Dolan also practices in Fairhaven. She attends weekly classes with her husband Arthur. “It’s a relaxed, easy going environment,” she says. “Everybody is very helpful. You get to know the people that you’re doing it with. You’ll meet people who know some of the same people that you do. It can be a small world.”

It’s calming and therapeutic Jacqueline Coucci is the Director of the Mattapoisett Council On Aging, which has been offering Tai Chi classes for five years. She mentions the social aspect of the classes. “People will gather before and after the classes and speak with each other about what they’ve learned and how they feel about things. It will turn into general conversation and making new friends. “Most people who start taking these

classes become very dedicated and continue each week. They say that they feel more connected and that it balances them. It’s calming and therapeutic.” For almost a year Harry Norwell of Marion has been using Tai Chi as a tool to help him recover from a serious debilitation. “I became seriously ill in December and I needed something to help me get back mentally as well as physically,” he says. “I needed something to get over the shock of quickly going from healthy to very ill that fast. “I’ve been able to use my Tai Chi experiences on a daily basis. It’s a technique I’ve used on a number of occasions when I just needed to calm down a little. I’ve used it while having dental surgery, just envisioning the moves and doing the breathing that comes with it helped me feel rested when some guy was going into my mouth with sharp tools.” Norwell says, “One of the true attractions of Tai Chi for me is that I can do it any place at any time. I don’t need any special clothing. I don’t need anything but to stop what I’m doing, find a little open space, and go at it.” Susan Smith and her husband Barry have been studying Tai Chi in Marion for five years. “You’re invited to participate, whatever your level of ability is, without it being intimidating,” Barry says. “The instructor will adjust the class to welcome new students. It’s not embarrassing at all.” “You don’t have to get on the floor,” Susan says. “You can do the exercises as quickly or as slowly as you want at your own level of ability.” Mary Beth Soares teaches Tai Chi at the Mattapoisett Council On Aging. “It’s wonderful to have people come up to me at the end of a class and express something they’ve discovered or something that they’ve found out about themselves and how important the class is to them,” she says. “It’s not just about the hour of class it’s about what you can take away with you. When you’re in a stressful grocery line you can start breathing and relaxing, smiling and making the most of the time instead of going into overdrive about it. Our lives are spent on the run and we have to learn how to balance ourselves when we’re on the run.”

Sean McCarthy has been a freelance journalist for 27 years. He lives in New Bedford.

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

PRIME SEASON

Joy to the world! In August, some families are already thinking and worrying about Christmas. These are people who live close to the A nn line financially – folks who K atzenbach know that Christmas without gifts is a bleak hole in the calendar, a time of stress that should be joyful. Those familiar with My Brothers Keeper, a charitable Christian organization with locations in Easton and Dartmouth, know that phoning My Brothers Keeper will alleviate a lot of holiday stress. Callers give the names and the ages of each family member as well as a list of what each wants for Christmas. This includes the grown-ups in the family. “Lots of times the parents don’t ask for anything for themselves,” explains Joanne Maxwell-Babarito, a longtime volunteer. “You have

to encourage them. They’re not thinking of themselves.” The Dartmouth facility provides a helping hand for local people in need year round. A trained cadre of strong volunteers pick up donated furniture and other household items. These are stored and spruced up in a warehouse that was just completed in 2017. From there, the donations are delivered to families and individuals throughout the South Coast. Josh Smith, who directs the

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

Dartmouth facility, explains that the organization is privately funded. About half its annual ability to help the community comes from in-kind donations. Then there are fundraisers and contributions from businesses and individuals.

there are more donations and volunteers. Students from over 100 area schools and colleges are involved year-round and are especially helpful with furniture deliveries. Many speak of the gratitude expressed by people who often have few possessions.

In 2018, My Brother’s Keeper delivered personally-selected gifts to more than 13,000 children and parents from the North Shore down to Fall River and Cape Cod. My Brothers Keeper has its roots in Easton and has been serving communities since 1988. The Dartmouth branch began with an old warehouse and in 2017 moved into its current 23,000-foot building. As more people learn about it,

Christmas for all Each December, a transformation takes place in the warehouse. Countless tables and clothing racks and other display fittings fill the space, and then volunteers organize all the future gifts: brand new

For those who participate as December volunteers, the joy of Christmas is about helping others

toys, clothing, bedding, appliances, games, jewelry, bicycles, sports equipment – everything that was asked for is there as well as much more, because requests keep coming in. In 2018, The Easton and Dartmouth facilities of My Brother’s Keeper delivered personally-selected gifts to over 3,200 families – more than 13,000 children and parents – living in communities from the North Shore down to Fall River and Cape Cod. Four thousand volunteers and many community organizations and businesses made this possible. For example, in addition to their presents, each family also receives a supermarket gift card to help provide a special Christmas meal. In the well-stocked warehouse, volunteers select things that a family has requested. Each of these gifts are wrapped and labeled with the recipient’s name by another group of volunteers. These gifts are placed in black bags (so that Christmas will be a surprise), addressed, and organized for delivery. Volunteers bring their own children to help with gift selection and wrapping. Others help in the kitchen to help feed everyone. Students from local schools are involved

in this organized version of Santa’s workshop as well. Maxwell-Barbarito shakes her head with a smile, “We look at it all and ask ‘how can we get it done?’ and we do.” One mother’s thank-you note indicates how important this work is: “Words cannot express how thankful and blessed my family felt. The children loved their gifts – every one. I felt like a kid waiting on Santa when your staff came to my house. It was like magic. Thank you for all you do and God Bless.” For those who participate as December volunteers, the joy of Christmas is about helping others. The atmosphere of shared work towards a common goal infused with Christian spirit, gives everyone a boost. “I loved helping and being there,” says Susan Harding, who volunteered last year. “It’s a feeling that stays with you.” Find out more online at mybrotherskeeper.org. To volunteer, call 774-3054577. To request Christmas gifts, call 508-238-2562.

nbfestivaltheatre.com

Your Advertisement •••• Our Broadcast •••• 5,000 Local Readers

A nn K atzenbach has written for newspapers and magazines on art, travel, politics, and people. She has recently returned to the Southcoast after many years of nomadic life. S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

PRIME LIVING

L if e after joint replacement Cara Connelly

The most common total joint replacement procedures done in the United States are knee (about 700,000 a year) and hip (about 400,000 a year) replacement. With over 60 hospitals in the SouthCoast, Rhode Island and Boston area that perform these surgeries, there is no shortage of physicians or patients. The average age of replacement surgery for knees and hips is 65 years old and doctors say that both obesity and an active lifestyle are factors for the necessity of the surgery.

What happens after surgery? Some patients remain in the hospital for up to three days and then are discharged home or, more frequently, to a rehabilitation facility to relearn skills like walking comfortably, climbing stairs, safely getting in and out of a shower or car. According to a recent study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, most patients that live alone can be safely discharged home from the hospital to recover after knee or hip replacement surgery. Either way, once home, there are several things that should be in place to ensure the safety and continued healing of the patient. The time to make home adjustments is before the patient returns so, if you haven’t done so already, do it NOW! If necessary, contact your local council on aging or the patient’s physician to schedule an in home assessment of the home and make and implement recommendations made by a physical or occupational therapist. Gaining independence is imperative for patients. If a walker is

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

necessary, attach a sturdy bag or small basket for items such as a phone, notepad, pen or other necessary items. Set up railings, bathroom safety, sleep safety, keep tripping hazards out of the home and continue to encourage the patient to regain independence to get back to the activities enjoyed most.

R ailings • Railings are a simple way to ensure the patient is able to steady themselves going up and down stairs. • Begin with the entrance that will be used to get in and out of the home. Railings should be on both sides of the stairs. Both sides of the stairs should have a sturdy railing for the patient to hold with both right and left hand simultane- ously. Once inside the house, there’s plenty more to do, including ensuring railings are on all staircases.

Bathroom/bedroom setup

The struggle between history and progress

August Wilson’s

Radio Golf Tickets start at $27 (401) 351-4242 TrinityRep.com 201 Washington St., Prov.

PICTURED: JOE WILSON, JR.

• Have a bathroom on the same floor you will spend most of our time. Install railings or other handicapped accessible equipment to ensure toilet safety. • Install safety bars in your bathroom. Grab bars should be installed vertically and horizontally to the wall and not secured diagonally. Never use towel racks as grab bars as they can’t support your weight. You will need two grab bars. One helps you get in and out of the tub/shower while the other will help you stand. • Put non-slip mats or rubber silicone decals at the bottom of the tub/shower as well as a non-skid bath mat outside the bathing area for firm footing. • Use a shower chair that has rubber tips on the bottom, use a shower sponge with a long handle and place soap and shampoo where you do not need to reach, stand up or twist. • Have a bed low enough so your feet can touch the floor when sit on the edge of the bed. • Sit on the edge of your bed while extending the leg which received the hip replacement. • Support yourself using arms and scoot your bottom back. • To get out of bed, bend the leg that didn’t receive the hip replacement and use your elbows to support yourself. Slide your bottom until you are near the edge of the bed and using your elbows push yourself up from a semi-lying position. Slide your hips and legs over the edge of the bed and swing body to upright position. • Use pillows between the knees but, avoid using under knees for sleeping. • Do not cross legs or ankles.

JAN. 30– MARCH 1

SEASON SPONSORS

Avoid falls

Make things easy for the patient to regain and maintain independence. Ensure everything that will be needed daily is easy to get to and on the same floor where the patient will spend most of the time. Limiting stair use at the beginning of your recovery is essential. Continue to follow physician’s instruction and the advice of occupational therapy and physical therapy to increase activity. Getting to a ‘new normal’ will be paramount for the patient. Being able to rejoin activities enjoyed pre-op will be great not just for physical well- being but, also mental and emotional well- being too.

C ar a Connelly works in the field of special education and enjoys freelance writing. She is the mom of 3 boys, 2 rescue dogs and resides in Fall River.

WE SHALL OVERCOME A CELEBRATION OF

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. F E AT U R I N G DA M I E N S N E E D

Monday, 7:30PM

JANUARY 20 SEASON SPONSOR

• To avoid tripping, get rid of loose throw rugs. • Remove loose wires or cords from areas you walk through to get from one room to another. • Fix any uneven flooring in doorways and use good lighting. • Have night lights placed in hallways and rooms that can be dark. • Pets that are small or move around quickly may cause you to trip. For the first few weeks you are home you may consider having your pet stay with a friend or in a kennel. • Do not carry anything when you are walking around as you may need your hands to balance or brace an unexpected fall.

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

GOOD TIMES

New releases (by locals)

We have such a wealth of literary talent here on the L aura South Coast L aTour that it seems almost indulgent to read anything outside of our own borders. Romance, memoir, natural history, humor, you can find something that appeals to every kind of reader produced right here in our own backyards. Start the year off right by supporting local talent!

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



Bread Bags & Bullies: Surviving the 80s by Steven Manchester, $14.95 paperback This hysterical coming-of-age tale is jam-packed with enough nostalgia to satisfy anyone who grew up in the 80s, and in particular, anyone who grew up on the South Coast in that era. Steven Manchester, who spent his childhood in Westport, Massachusetts, peppers his story with local landmarks and businesses that will send readers on a fond trip down memory lane. It’s the winter of 1984. Twelve-yearold Herbie and his two brothers, Wally and Cockroach, are enjoying their winter break when a late Nor’easter traps their quirky family in the house. The power goes out forcing them to use their twisted imaginations in beating back the boredom. At a time when the brothers must overcome one fear after the next, they learn that courage is the one character trait that guarantees all others.

J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

The Tea Chest by Heidi Chiavaroli $15.99 paperback Swansea, Massachusetts author Heidi Chiavaroli celebrates the release of her fourth “time-slip” romance novel, The Tea Chest, on February 4th. A “timeslip” novel features two characters in two separate timelines who somehow influence or impact each other. The Tea Chest follows the stories of both Emma Malcolm, a woman in love with a lowly printer’s assistant and Patriot in 1773 Boston, and present-day Lieutenant Hayley Ashworth, who is determined to be the first woman inducted into the elite Navy SEALs but must first return to Boston in order to put the abuse and neglect of her childhood behind her. Two women, separated by centuries, both must find the strength to fight for love and freedom... and discover a heritage of courage and faith.

for the new year

Dogs Are Better Than People: Encountering Good and Evil in the Animal Rescue World by Lori Bradley-Millstein $14.00 paperback Lori Bradley-Millstein is a multitalented artist who works out of Hatch Street Studios in New Bedford, Massachusetts. She also teaches art and design Bridgewater State University. But her passion is rescuing misfit dogs from local animal shelters. Now you can read all about how Lori fell in love with animal rescue work, Pit bull advocacy, and New Bedford in her this recentlyreissued memoir, Dogs Are Better Than People. During one difficult year, Lori Bradley-Millstein’s parents become terminally ill, as she finds herself in yet another new town without any family nearby. When her favorite dog passes away, Lori becomes deeply and profoundly depressed. In searching for a way out of paralyzing sadness and isolation, she turns to her first love: companion animals. Dogs Are Better Than People tells the story of one woman’s transformation from armchair sympathizer to animal activist. Powerful and humorous, it is part memoir, part exposé, and a love letter to companion animals everywhere.

Ahab’s Rolling Sea: A Natural History of Moby-Dick

Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me

by Richard J. King $30.00 hardcover

by Adrienne Brodeur $27.00 hardcover

Richard J. King is an acclaimed natural history writer and a visiting professor at the Sea Education Association in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. His latest book, Ahab’s Rolling Sea, offers new insight not only into a cherished masterwork and its author but also into our evolving relationship with the briny deep. Ahab’s Rolling Sea is a chronological journey through the natural history of Melville’s novel. From white whales to whale intelligence, giant squids, barnacles, albatrosses, and sharks, King examines what Melville knew from his own experiences and the sources available to a reader in the mid-1800s, exploring how and why Melville might have twisted what was known to serve his fiction. King then climbs to the crow’s nest, setting Melville in the context of the American perception of the ocean in 1851 – at the very start of the Industrial Revolution and just before the publication of On the Origin of Species. King compares Ahab’s and Ishmael’s worldviews to how we see the ocean today: an expanse still immortal and sublime, but also in crisis.

On a hot July night on Cape Cod when Adrienne was fourteen, her mother, Malabar, woke her at midnight with five simple words that would set the course of both of their lives for years to come: Ben Souther just kissed me. Adrienne instantly became her mother’s confidante and helpmate, blossoming in the sudden light of her attention, and from then on, Malabar came to rely on her daughter to help orchestrate what would become an epic affair with her husband’s closest friend. Wild Game is a brilliant, timeless memoir about how the people close to us can break our hearts simply because they have access to them, and the lies we tell in order to justify the choices we make. It’s a remarkable story of resilience, a reminder that we need not be the parents our parents were to us.

L aur a S tout L aTour is a freelance writer, part-time library volunteer and voracious reader. She lives in Somerset, Massachusetts with her husband and two young children.

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

PRIME SEASON

Winter wellness Don’t let the cold temperatures, snowy weather, and dark days of winter affect your health! Don’t Be S.A.D. After all the Eliz abeth hoopla of the winter Morse Read holidays, people oftentimes suffer a bout of the “winter blues.” But the lack of sunshine (and the resulting drop in Vitamin D, serotonin, and melatonin in our bodies) can trigger an actual physical ailment called S.A.D. – seasonal affective disorder. Moodiness, depression, sleep problems, low energy, and a sudden craving for foods high in carbohydrates can be caused by the disruption of our circadian rhythm, better known as our “body clock.” If you find your mood darkening every year as the days get shorter, consult your health care professional. You may respond

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



well to light therapy lamps, mild antidepressants, or Vitamin D/omega-3 fatty acid supplements. Most of all, try to get outside as often as possible at noontime to expose yourself to sunlight. Make sure to eat well, especially foods high in omega-3 fatty acids like walnuts, flaxseed, and cold water fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, and herring [see sidebar].

Come in out of the cold Hypothermia (low body temperature) can lead to serious health conditions in older adults, so be mindful of staying warm both indoors and out. Bundle up in layered clothing when going outside, and make sure to cover your head and hands to prevent heat loss. Wrap a scarf

J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

over your mouth and nose to protect your lungs, but be careful not to obstruct your vision – wear sunglasses to reduce snow-blindness on a sunny day. Remove wet clothing as soon as you get inside. If it’s not just very cold but also very windy outside, minimize your outdoor exposure to prevent frostbite – better yet, stay indoors until weather conditions improve. Set your home’s thermostat to 68 degrees and close off unused rooms to reduce fuel consumption. Seal up leaky windows and doorways and board up unused fireplaces to reduce heat loss. Don’t try to save money by turning down your thermostat – hypothermia can be deadly! Dress in layers inside your house, too – woolen socks, sweaters, flannel shirts, hat, and corduroy pants, along with a good lap blanket, can keep you cozy and warm. Move around as much as possible to maintain body heat.

Estate and Medicaid Legal Services — For You and Your Family —

Keep an emergency kit in your car’s trunk in case you break down – flares, first-aid kit, blankets, booster cables, flashlight, dried food/ power bars, and handwarmers. And always carry your cell phone!

GET READY FOR 2020:

Schedule your Consultation Today! • Health Care Proxies and Living Wills • Durable Powers of Attorney

• Homestead Protection • Wills and Trusts • Medicaid Planning • Medicaid Applications

Jane E. Sullivan, Esq. 624 Brayton Avenue • Fall River, MA

508-679-0535

It’s All About Doing What’s Best for You and Your Family

www.janesullivanlaw.com

Where friends have met since 1933

Be safe on the roads Improve your seasonal safety by making sure your car is ready for the rigors of winter. Keep your gas tank topped off and add a gas line antifreeze every four or five fill-ups. Make sure your tires have sufficient tread to grip an icy road and that your windshield wipers and battery are in good shape. Keep all fluids topped off, too – oil, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid. Keep a supply of winter tools at the ready – spray-on window de-icer, longhandled window scraper, a bag of sand or kitty litter, and a small shovel. Speak with your mechanic about installing a remote starter system, so that you can warm up your car’s interior and engine and defrost your windshield while you wait inside your house. Whenever you plan a driving trip, make

sure to let someone know where you’re going, what route you’re taking, and when you expect to arrive. Avoid driving after dark whenever possible, especially if it’s snowing or the roads are icy. Keep an emergency kit in your car’s trunk in case you break down – flares, first-aid kit, blankets, booster cables, flashlight, dried food/power bars, and hand-warmers. And always carry your cell phone!

OPEN Sunday – Wednesday 4:00pm - 1:00am Thursday – Saturday 4:00pm - 2:00am

Reservation required for private parties.

34 Franklin St., Fall River, MA 508.673.2982

Don’t take the fall Whether it’s caused by slipping on icy steps or on wet spots indoors from tracked-in snow, falls are a major danger for older people. Make sure your shoes and boots have non-skid soles and replace worn cane tips for added stability. Put doormats at each entrance, as well as boot trays, and wipe up floor puddles immediately.

Continued on next page S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

Continued from previous page Have someone else shovel the snow from your porches, steps, and pathways, and sprinkle sand, salt, or commercial products like Icy Melt everywhere, especially along a shoveled pathway to your car.

Be prepared for storms When the winds are howling and heavy snow is falling,

power outages are all too common in winter. Have an emergency plan in place before that happens. Make sure you have access to a battery-operated radio, that your cell phone is always charged, and that you have new batteries in your flashlights. Stock up on non-perishable foods and bottled water, and have plenty of blankets and sweaters on hand.

Avoid Winter Colds, Flu – and Weight Gain Wintry weather oftentimes leaves you stuck indoors, bored, frustrated, and unable to get any exercise in the sunshine. In addition, being cooped up in the house leaves you vulnerable to viruses that thrive indoors, especially if you aren’t eating a healthy winter diet. Lack of sunshine not only lowers your body’s supply of Vitamin D, but it also weakens your immune system and the ability to fight off infections. In addition, a drop in your body’s serotonin levels can trigger unhealthy food cravings! So instead of munching on high-calorie, high-carb sugary snacks and sodas to stave off boredom, make sure you’ve stocked up on healthful winter fruits and vegetables (fresh or frozen), whole grain breads, pasta/rice and cereals (especially unsweetened oatmeal), low-sodium broths, Greek yogurt, nuts, and dark chocolate for cocoa. To boost your immune system, eat foods that are high in Vitamin C (citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, red peppers, cranberries, winter squashes, kale, and cabbages), iron (leafy green vegetables, red meat, lentils) and Vitamin B12 (cold-water fish, milk, cheese, nutritional yeast, eggs). To fight off infections, eat foods high in zinc (spinach, oysters, peas, and beans) and natural antibiotics like onions and garlic. Satisfy your sweet tooth with oven-roasted root vegetables. Fill up on hearty homemade vegetable soups (canned soups are full of salt), and boost your body’s serotonin levels by eating more whole grains and winter squashes. Start your day with a slow-carb bowl of real oatmeal topped with cinnamon, apples, dried cranberries, and a swirl of local honey or maple syrup. Eat a meal-size salad of fresh veggies and fruits or lunch on a tuna on whole wheat bread with a side of Greek yogurt. Enjoy a warming bowl of chili or winter vegetable soup or a dinner of grilled salmon with stir-fry veggies with brown rice or roasted root veggies and mashed sweet potatoes. Add powerfully-healing herbs and spices to your homemade dishes, like cinnamon, oregano, mustard, ginger, rosemary. Be mindful of portion size and eat slowly, savoring every bite or spoonful. Stay active indoors and get a good night’s sleep. Warmer weather always returns!

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

Thinking about selling your home?

Join our waiting list today!

If the power outage will be lengthy, have family or friends take you to their home or to the nearest emergency shelter where there’s power and heat.

Avoid carbon monoxide

poisoning When the power or heating goes out inside your home, many people use generators, fireplaces, or gas heaters to bring up the temperature. But unless these appliances are properly ventilated, deadly carbon monoxide can seep into your home. If your car is stored in your garage, make sure the garage door is open when your turn it on to heat it up, to prevent a potentially deadly buildup of carbon dioxide. Likewise, if your car is parked outside, make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t blocked by snow before you turn it on. Check that the batteries are fresh in each of your indoor carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms, and have your heating system and chimneys cleaned and serviced every year.

Adult communities for 55+ Join our extended family! Safe, worry-free living with fun activities and friendly on-site management Oakwood

– Swansea – 508-324-1279

OakwoodSeniorEstates.com

Westport Village

North Farm

WestportVillageApartments.com

NorthFarmSeniorEstates.com

– 62+ Westport – 508- 636-6775

— Equal Housing Opportunity —

Watch the weather

forecasts If you know there’s bad weather on the way, you’ve got enough time to prepare for some cabin fever and gloomy days. Stock up on essentials like toilet paper, easy-to-open non-perishable foods (tuna packets, ready-to-eat soups, crackers, cereal) and batteries. Refill your prescription and hit the library for books to pass the time. If you don’t have them already, invest in some portable LED camp lanterns. Fill a large picnic cooler with ice for perishables like milk – or insulin – and place it in the coolest place in your house. Gather together your warmest outdoor clothing, boots, mittens, hats, and scarves, and put a shovel or broom and a supply of sand/ salt/Icy Melt by the outside doors.

Elizabeth Morse Read is an awardwinning writer, editor and artist who grew up on the South Coast. After 20 years of working in New York City and traveling the world, she came back home with her children and lives in Fairhaven.

– Somerset – 508-676-9700

JEANNE FULLER-JONES

Seniors Real Estate Specialist/Partner

WWW.JFJHOMES.COM 774.240.8928 • jfuller-jones@kw.com 574 Washington St, Easton MA 02375

Advertising Sales Rep We're looking for an energetic, enthusiastic, and self-motivated person

PART TIME

Call 508-677-3000 or e-mail: editor@coastalmags.com

■ Insider

PRIME TIMES

Fall River's Best Taxi & Transportation Service Airport Transportation Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes

508-673-5843 

J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

For a complete

calendar of events, visit coastalmags.com

E xtra! E xtra!

In brief… Eliz abeth Morse Read

It may be snowy and cold outside, but there’s no time of year like the holiday season to keep you warm and busy! Bundle up and enjoy the many indoor concerts and holiday services. Brave the elements with a New Year’s Day polar plunge, or just take an after-dinner walk on a snowy road!

Across the Region

The Annual Festival of Lights at LaSalette Shrine in Attleboro runs through January 5 – more than 300,000 lights illuminating ten acres! For details, go to lasaletteattleboroshrine.org or call 508-222-5410. The Christmas Festival of Lights runs through January 1 at Edaville Railroad in Carver! Take the kids on heated train

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



rides illuminated by 17 million lights throughout the park! For more info, call 508-866-8190 or go to edaville.com. It’s time to sharpen the ice skates (or rent them)! For schedules and info about indoor skating in Fall River’s Driscoll Arena (508-679-3274), New Bedford’s Hetland Arena (508-999-9051), Taunton’s Aleixo Arena (508-824-4987), or

J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

Plymouth’s Armstrong Arena (508-7468825), go to fmcicesports.com. If you’re 60 or older, get the most out of life by visiting your local Senior Center/Council on Aging! Fitness classes, day trips, health insurance counselors, computer workshops, Memory Cafes, support groups – and more! Southcoast Health and the Buzzards Bay Coalition have created “Discover

Buzzards Bay,” an initiative to promote active outdoor recreation. A series of guided monthly outdoor walks, called “Sunday Strolls,” and an online portal with information about more than 100 public places to walk, bird-watch, kayak/ canoe, fish, snowshoe or cross-country ski, can be found at savebuzzardsbay. org/discover – and check out thetrustees. org and massaudubon.org. To learn more about state parks and wildlife refuges in Rhode Island, go to asri.org, riparks.com or stateparks.com/rhode_island.

All that glitters

Buy holiday gifts, goodies, and greenery at The Silverbrook Farm in Acushnet! For info, go to thesilverbrookfarm.com or call 774-202-1027. The holidays will “Sparkle” through January 1 at Blithewold Mansion and Gardens in Bristol! For more info, call 401-253-2707 or go to blithewold.org. Deck the Halls! Make a trip to the Fall River Historical Society for a Victorian-era Christmas through December 30! Tour the expertly-decorated mansion and trees, attend at High Tea at the Easton Tea Room, or shop for unique holiday gifts at the Museum Shop! For a complete schedule and more info, call 508-6791071 or visit lizzieborden.org. Head for Lakeville to see the Crazy Tech Christmas Animated Light Show, with synchronized music, through December 31! For details, go to crazytechchristmas. com/showinfo. Stroll through the holiday splendor of “Christmas at the Newport Mansions” through January 1! For tickets and details, go to newportmansions.org. or call 401-847-1999. Stroll on the 48th Annual Christmas in Newport candlelight tour of historic private homes on December 28! For details, go to christmasinnewport.org. Discover colonial Newport by going on a Holiday Lantern Tour! For info and tickets, call 401-841-8770 or go to newporthistorytours.org. Cut down your own Christmas tree at Escobar Farm in Portsmouth! For info, go to escobarfarm.com or call 401-683-1444. Find that special gift at the “Artists for the Bay” show at the Save the Bay Center through January 25, showcasing

the works of local artists, artisans and jewelers! For more info, go to savebay. org/art or call 401-272-3540 x 140. Kick off the holiday season! Buy your holiday trees, greenery and gifts at Frerichs Farm in Warren! For info, call 401-245-8245 or go to frerichsfarm.com.

We buy your unwanted firearms and accessories.

Sharing the bounty

Drop off your donations of animal food and needed supplies during the “Holiday for Animals” drive through January 28 at the Natural Resources Trust of Easton’s office! All donations will be distributed to local shelters and the Animal Protection Center of Southeastern MA. For more info, call 508-238-6049 or go to nrtofeaston.org. The Salvation Army is always willing to accept bagged/boxed donations – clothing, books, furniture and housewares. To schedule a free pickup, go to satruck.org/ pickup. Pet Food Aid collects pet food and pet supplies and distributes them to food banks and senior centers throughout Bristol County MA. Volunteers and donations gratefully accepted. For more info, visit petfoodaid.org or call 774-204-5227. My Brother’s Keeper of Dartmouth and Easton is looking for volunteers and gently-used residential furniture for South Coast families in need. Free pick up. Visit mybrotherskeeper.org or Call 774-305-4577.

Bringing in the New Year!

Start your new year with the Polar Plunge at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven on January 1! For more info, call 508-9794085 or go to fairhaventours.com. Get back to your musical roots with Common Fence Music! Don’t miss the New Year’s Eve Folkstravaganza on December 31 at Hope & Main in Warren! For tickets and info, call 401-683-5085 or go to commonfencemusic.org. Start your New Year with a free walk through the White Eagle parcel in Marion on January 1! For more info, visit savebuzzardsbay.org.discover/events.

Many households have unwanted firearms that may have belonged to yourself or a family member - and you’d like them legally removed from your home - and earn some cash as well. We come to YOU! For an in-home consultation, please call Bill Bachant (774) 263-3134 or email bgslakeville@gmail.com

www.GunOrphanage.com

Online advertising Effective, affordable local advertising

Our online advertising options are perfect for the client who wants to reach the largest local audience and drive direct traffic from our website to theirs. We can place targeted links and/banner ads with your message on our various web pages. Our readers live and shop in our surrounding area and we can help you reach them!

Join in the Seventh Annual Polar Plunge on January 1 at Sandy Beach in Fall River, a fundraiser for Forever Paws Animal Shelter! For more info, visit ahafallriver.com.

Learn more and reserve your online ad today! Call 508.677.3000

Check out what’s going on at the

CoastalMags.com

Continued on next page

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

Continued from previous page

Fiddler on the roof at PPAC

The strange undoing of prudencia hart at The Wilbury Group

All the world’s a stage

The Attleboro Community Theatre will perform “Over the River” February 21-23, 21- March 1, March 6-8! Go to attleborocommunitytheatre.com for more info and tickets.

Head for The VETS in Providence to see Paul Poundstone January 18, the Simon & Garfunkel Story January 19, John Cleese Live February 16! For tickets and info, go to vmari.com.

Enjoy the new season of Your Theatre in New Bedford! “The Gingerbread Lady” will be performed January 9-12, 16-19! For more info, visit yourtheatre.org.

Mark your calendars! Don’t miss “Game Changers” at the VETS February 7-9! For info or tickets, call 401-353-1129 or go to festivalballetprovidence.org.

Mark your calendar for the start of the new season at Trinity Rep in Providence! “A Christmas Carol” will be performed through December 29. “Fade” will be performed through January 5. “Radio Golf” will be performed January 30 to March 1. For tickets and info, call 401-351-4242 or go to trinityrep.com.

Check out the new season of The Wilbury Group in Providence! Don’t miss “The Strange Undoing of Prudence Hart” January 16 to February 2! For more info, visit thewilburygroup.org.

Sandywoods Center for the Arts in Tiverton! Don’t miss the 60’s New Year’s Eve December 31! For more info, go to sandywoodsmusic.com or call 401-2417349.

ers – and more! For more info, go to downtownnb.org.

Head for downtown New Bedford on December 31 for “City Celebrates New Year’s Eve”! Fireworks, live music, ice sculptures, dance party, street perform-

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



Discover the Barker Playhouse on Benefit Street in Providence, the oldest continuously-running little theatre in

Food & festivals!

Check out the free monthly “Film and Potluck” events on the first Friday of the month through March at the Dartmouth Grange Hall! For more info, go to dartmouthgrange.org.

J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

Fade at Trinity Rep

America! Don’t miss “The Country House” January 31, February 1-2, 7-9! For details, call 401-273-0590 or go to playersri.org. Enjoy a dinner-theatre night out at the Newport Playhouse! “A Christmas Comedy” will be performed through December 31. For info, call 401-848-7529 or go to newportplayhouse.com. Find out what’s on stage at the Providence Performing Arts Center! Don’t miss Shen Yun January 8-9, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban with the RI Philharmonic February 8, “Fiddler on the Roof” February 11-16! For info, call 401-2787 or go to ppacri.org.

Take a bite out of winter! Check out what’s on the menu during Providence Restaurant Week January 12-25! For more info, go to goprovidence.com/rw. Celebrate American craft beers on January 25 at the Eighth Annual Rhode Island Brewfest at the Waterfire Arts Center! For details, visit ribrewfest.com or artscenter.waterfire.org.

Plan ahead! Beat the mid-winter blues at the 32nd Annual Newport Winter Festival February 14-23! Ten days of non-stop music, food and Fun! For more info, visit newportwinterfestival.com or call 401-847-7666. Don’t miss “Wellness + Wine: Yoga with The Oil Collaborative” on January 22 at the Newport Vineyards in Middletown! For more info, call 401-848-5161 or go to newportvineyards.com.

Family fun

Check out the Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro! Call 774-203-1840 or go to capronparkzoo.com. Brave the outdoors and go ice skating (and bumper cars!) at The Providence Rink at the Alex & Ani City Center – twice the size of the Rockefeller Center rink in New York! For more info, call 401-3315544 or go to theprovidencerink.com.

go to normanbirdsanctuary.org or call 401-846-2577. Let your kids explore the Whaling Museum in New Bedford – check out the Discovery Center! For more information, go to whalingmuseum.org or call 508-997-0046. Go on a guided Seal Watch boat tour from November through April with Save the Bay, departing from Bowen’s Ferry Landing! For a schedule and info, call 401-203-SEAL (7325) or visit savebay.org/ seals.

Check out what’s happening at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol! For details, call 401-949-5454 or go to asri.org. Go on a guided hike, attend a demonstration/lecture or take a mansion tour at Borderland State Park in Easton! For more info, call 508-238-6566 or go to friendsofborderland.org.

Find out what’s happening at Roger Williams Park in Providence! Visit the Botanical Center, the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, or the Zoo! For details, go to rwpconservancy.org.

Enjoy free family fun and entertainment on AHA! Nights in New Bedford! Plan ahead for “History, Herstory, Our Stories” on February 13. For details, go to ahanewbedford.org or call 508-996-8253. Don’t miss the indoor planetarium shows on Saturdays and Sundays yearround, and daily during school vacations, at the Museum of Natural History in Roger Williams Park! For more details, go to provideneri.gov/museum. Find out what’s going on at the Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River! For info, go to cmgfr.org or call 508-6720033. Get in touch with nature at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown! Take a free guided Sunday Bird Walk! For details,

by Amy – Expert Nurse Injector

Botox/Dysport ◆ Dermal Fillers Kybella ◆ VI Peel ◆ PRP Facial Microneedling

Amy Donaldson, RN, BSN 781-291-9243 519 American Legion Highway Building 4 ◆ Westport, MA

Find out what’s on stage at the Providence Performing Arts Center! Don’t miss Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban with the RI Philharmonic February 8! For info, call 401-2787 or go to ppacri.org. Take the kids to “Disney on Ice” December 26-29, Monster Jam Triple Threat January 31-February 2 at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence! Check out the hockey and basketball games! For tickets and more info, go to dunkindonutscenter.com.

Find out what’s happening at the Easton Children’s Museum! For info, visit childrensmuseumineaston.org or call 508-230-3789.

Medical Skin SOLUTIONS

One-of-a-kind events

Plan ahead for annual Moby Dick Marathon reading on January 4-6 at the Whaling Museum in New Bedford! For details, go to whalingmuseum.org. Check out the “Friday Night Live!” Comedy Series at the Seaport Inn & Marina in Fairhaven! Enjoy Paul D’Angelo and Tony V. on January 17! For more info, call 508-997-1281 or go to seaportinnandmarina.com. Check out the exhibits, musical performances and dock-u-mentaries at the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center! Check out the new exhibits and educational programs “F/V Innovations,” exploring the evolution of vessels and gear, through March. For more info, call 508-993-8894 or visit fishingheritagecenter.org. Listen to lectures presented by the Sippican Woman’s Club in Marion! Plan ahead for “Tripping with Road Scholar” on January 20 and “Be Savvy Online,

Continued on next page

Can you spend one morning or evening a week helping adult students learn to speak English or to improve basic reading, writing, or math skills?

For more information call Donna Adams, Volunteer Facilitator

(508)997-4511 x2419 New Bedford Public Schools, Division of Adult/Continuing Education

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

Continued from previous page In Line & Beyond” on February 14. For details, visit sippicanwomansclub.org.

mance by the Naeve Trio on February 29! For info, go to rehobothantiquarian.org.

Check out the Newport Car Museum in Portsmouth! Sixty-plus vintage cars and driving simulators! For more info, visit newportcarmuseum.org or call 401-848-2277.

Enjoy the new season of Concerts at the Point in Westport with a performance by the Walden Chamber Players on February 23! For more info, go to concertsatthepoint.org or call 508-6360698.

Start dreaming of summer at the Rhode Island Boat Show January 3-5 at the RI Convention Center! For info, call 401-739-4040 or visit riconvention.com. Explore the city’s history at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park! For a schedule of walking tours and special events, visit nps.gov/nebe. Quench your thirst for learning – and beer! – at the free monthly New Bedford Science Café lectures and discussions held at the Greasy Luck Brew Pub in downtown New Bedford! For info, call 508-984-1955 or go to nbsciencecafe.com. Gamers, team-builders and mysterysolvers! Head for the “Mass Escape” in downtown New Bedford! Groups of 4-8 people can work together to prevent a nuclear crisis or solve a murder mystery. For info, go to MassEscapeRoom.com.

Classical acts

Mark your calendars – the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra will perform All Mozart on January 25! For more info, call 401-248-7000 or visit riphil.org. Celebrate Beethoven’s 250th birthday with “Beethoven CCL” performed by the South Coast Chamber Music Series on January 25 at St. Gabriel’s Church in Marion and on January 26 at Saint Peter’s Church in South Dartmouth! For info and tickets, call 508-999-6276 or visit nbsymphony.org/southcoast-chambermusic-series. Enjoy the 95th season of the Fall River Symphony Orchestra! Plan ahead for the Winter Concert: Blue on Match 8! Go to fallriversymphonyorchestra.org for details. Listen to the performances of the TriCounty Symphonic Band! Plan ahead for “Rossini, Reed and Raum” on February 9 at Dartmouth High School! For tickets, visit tricountysymphonicband.org. Enjoy classical music with the Arts in the Village Series at Goff Memorial Hall in Rehoboth! Plan ahead for a perfor-

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



South Coast sounds

Head for Running Brook Vineyards in Dartmouth for free live music every weekend year-round! For info call 508985-1998 or go to runningbrookwine. com/entertainment. The Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River has a fabulous line-up this fall – don’t miss Quinn Sullivan December 27 & 28, Funky White Honkies January 3, Trinity January 10, Cheryl Wheeler January 11, Bob Mould January 17, the Englishtown Project January 18, Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters January 25, Tom Rush February 1, Neal & the Vipers February 14, Eric Lindell February 15 – and more! For a complete schedule, visit narrowscenter.com or call 508-324-1926. Listen to monthly concerts at the Marion Music Hall! For schedule and more info, call 508-353-2150 or visit sixstringmusiccompany.com. Head for the Zeiterion in New Bedford for movie “Waiting to Exhale” January 6, NBSO All John Williams January 11, Second City: She the People January 16, We Shall Overcome January 20, Get the Led Out January 23, movie “Groundhog Day” February 3, Arc Attack February 9, Eric Wyatt Quintet February 13 – and more! For info and tickets, call 508-9942900 or go to zeiterion.org. Head for the Fete Music Hall in Providence for some great music! For a line-up and more info, call 401-383-1112 or go to fetemusic.com. Find out what’s on tap and on the menu – and who’s playing on stage – at the Greasy Luck Brew Pub in downtown New Bedford! For more info, call 774-4254600 or go to greasyluckbrewpub.com or vaultnb.com. Find out who’s on stage at the Spire Center for the Performing Arts of Greater Plymouth! Don’t miss Michael Sweet’s Fourth Annual Christmas Show

J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

December 21, Enter the Haggis December 28, Comedy Night January 4, Van Halen Tribute January 11, Jeff Howell January 17, Scott Sharrad January 18, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones January 25, Twisted Pine January 31, Jack Broadbent February 1, Front Country February 7, Kotoko Brass February 8, Tameca Jones February 15– and more! For tickets and info, call 508-746-4488 or visit spirecenter.org. Listen to the Lois Vaughn Jazz Trio on January 11, part of the Newport Public Library’s concert series! For details on all events at the library, call 401-847-8720 x 204 or go to newportlibraryri.org. Head for The VETS in Providence to hear, Hip Hop Nutcracker December 28, Paul Poundstone January 18, the Simon & Garfunkel Story January 19, John Cleese Live February 16! For tickets and info, go to vmari.com. Head for The Strand (formerly Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel) in Providence to hear great music! For a line-up and info, call 401-331-5876 or go to thestrandri.com. Find out who’s performing at the Columbus Theatre in Providence! For a line-up and more info, call 401-621-9660 or visit columbustheatre.com. Find out who’s on stage the District Center for the Arts in Taunton! Don’t miss Janis Joplin Tribute December 28, Spirit Says… January 12, Moondance January 24, The Journey Show February 8 – and more! For info and tickets, call 508-3869413 or visit thedistrictcenterforarts.com. Head up to The Met at Hope Artiste Village in Providence to hear some great music! For a line-up and details, call 401-729-1005 or visit themetri.com. Get back to your musical roots with Common Fence Music! Don’t miss the New Year’s Eve Folkstravaganza on December 31 at Hope & Main in Warren! For tickets and info, call 401-683-5085 or go to commonfencemusic.org. Head for Pilgrim Memorial Hall in Plymouth for great entertainment! Don’t miss the Fab Four on February 14 – and more! For tickets and info, call 800-5143849 or go to memorialhall.com. If you’re a fan of Americana and roots music, check out “Music in the Gallery” at the Wamsutta Club in New Bedford! For

Cheryl Wheeler at the N arrows

Get the Led Out at the Zeiterion

Sugar R ay & the Bluetones at the Spire

Paula Poundstone at the VETS

Moondance at District Center

Lois Vaughn Trio at Newport Library

tickets or info, go to brownpapertickets. com/events or contact korolenko8523@ charter.net or call 508-673-8523.

Living history

Remember our veterans! Journey through time and discover a sailor’s life at Fall River’s Battleship Cove, America’s Fleet Museum (battleshipcove.org or 508-678-1000 ) or explore the Maritime Museum (battleshipcove.org/ maritime-museum or 508-674-3533). Explore the past at the Lafayette-Durfee House in Fall River! For complete details, go to lafayettedurfeehouse.org.

Visit the whaling-era mansion and gardens at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House in New Bedford! For more info, call 508-997-1401 or go to rjdmuseum.org. Explore the city’s history at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park! For a schedule of walking tours and special events, visit nps.gov/nebe. If you’re interested in the history of Japan-America ties, visit the WhitfieldManjiro Friendship House in Fairhaven, where it all began. Go to wmfriendshiphouse.org or call 508-995-1219 for details.

Explore the region’s military history at the Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Military Museum in New Bedford! For info, call 508-994-3938 or visit forttaber.org.

Please note all times and locations listed are subject to change. Use the contact information provided to confirm details with event managers before planning your activities.

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

GOOD TIMES

Same old song You can tune a piano, but you can’t tuna fish. Buh-dum-tish! Thank you ladies and gentlemen, I’m here all week, try the veal! Okay, truly stupid jokes Paul K andarian aside, I passed a car on the highway recently that had one of those magnetic stick-on signs on the door. It read “Piano Tuning and Repair.” There was an old person, driving very slowly, because, I figured, how much of a rush could piano tuners be in these days? Well, turns out I was wrong because piano tuners are in demand – by orchestras, symphonies, colleges, etc. – with one website saying the market, with about 8,300 piano tuners nationwide now, will slowly keep growing. The pay isn’t as grand as a piano – averaging $39,000 a year – but hey, it’s a unique job to say the least and if you love music and helping others love it as well, that’s all that matters. But anyway, it made me think of the days we had a piano in my house growing up in Seekonk. My mom played as a kid, and continued to as an adult, so the piano had to be tuned up. It was usually the same guy (research shows virtually all piano tuners are male, no idea why), friendly enough, and I remember watching him plink keys and twist things inside the body of the piano until it sounded, well, tuned, I guess. Mostly I just got a kick out of looking inside the thing with its weird-looking strings and pegs and stuff. When no one was home one time, I distinctly recall opening the top of the piano and putting the cat inside, seeing if it made a sound. It did: the sound of a truly pissed-off cat. But my mom, as much as I loved her, made me take piano lessons. I don’t remember asking to. It was just a thing in those days, you were a kid, there was a piano in the house, and you took lessons, no questions asked. I had a lovely teacher – Mrs. Dutton I think her name was. She’d come to our

S ou th C oast P r ime T imes



house or I’d go up to hers, and she was a kind, sweet, wicked-old lady of probably 45 which at the time constituted wicked old in my mind. She really was patient with me, my childish chubby fingers trying to do the scale and the chords and other stuff, and she actually did get me to read music in a rudimentary way, absolutely none of which

Have you ever been to a party where there’s a piano and some guy just casually sits down and bangs out flawless party songs and you hate that guy but secretly wish you were him? I can recall today. I remember plinking my way through “Greensleeves” and “Beautiful Dreamer” and “Camptown Races” (at least the very easy parts) and thinking, “Yeah, this is cool, I got this,” and then hitting parts in the music which looked like gothic thickets of confusion, these clumps of little black berries hanging from or sticking out of poles, with weird markings all around and numbers and half notes and sixteenth rests and beats per bar… and…. I honestly just looked up sheet music researching this and felt my stomach churn and my head swim. So now you know why I quit music lessons after about three years of stomach-churning, head-swimming confusion. But I’m sorry I did. I play the guitar now, just strumming chords really, but regret not

J a nuary /F ebruary 2020

knowing how to read music. Or play the piano. Have you ever been to a party where there’s a piano and some guy just casually sits down and bangs out flawless party songs that people sing along to and you hate that guy but secretly wish you were him? Yeah. Me, too. But that’s part of growing up, I guess. Parents made you do stuff that you hated and maybe hated even more because they said, “It’s for your own good!” as if trying to digest a forest of incomprehensible musical scribbling would ever do me good. I felt that way about Scouting, too, which my Dad said I’d love. Wrong. I mean, I liked horsing around with other kids and being the class clown outside of school for a change. But being disciplined? And doing Scout things? Like camping? Are you serious? It’s cold out there. There are no bathrooms, no lights, no heat, no fun. I remember camping one weekend with my dad’s cousin Albert (he was a big shot in the Scouting world) and he was apparently leading this mission to the North Pole disguised as Rehoboth, and the other Scouts brought me to his tent one night because I was shivering so badly they thought I was dead. Honestly, it was like a soldier from the trenches walking into Patton’s tent during the war. It was warm, well lit, and he had a big fat steak. I stared at it longingly, my belly growling between shivers. He gave me a piece. One. Single. Piece. And laughed that “You’ll be OK,” as he sent me back to the gulag. Where I wasn’t okay. And where I was so cold I soiled myself rather than risk freezing to death in the outdoor toilet. And I quit Scouting the following day. I still can’t read music. I still can’t play the piano. I still can’t stand camping. But I can write about all the fun I had trying. And tell really stupid jokes.

Paul K andarian is a lifelong area resident and, since 1982, has been a profession writer, columnist, and contributor in national magazines, websites, and other publications.

For matters of the heart, we do More. Charlton Memorial Hospital Your Heart Hospital Since 2002, the Cardiovascular Care Center at 363 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA

Southcoast Health’s Charlton Memorial Hospital has done More to help heal over

hearts in our community.

•

There’s only one hospital in

+ Regional STEMI Center + Pacemaker + Defibrillator

+ A-fib Cryoablation + Atrial flutter ablation + Convergent A-fib ablation + TAVR + Watchman + Mitral clip + And More

southcoast.org/heart

More investing to build a world-class

program that has earned national

recognition for cardiovascular

our community with everything your heart needs. + Open heart surgery + Coronary by-pass surgery + Valve repair and replacement surgery

63,700

excellence. •

centralized destination with advanced technologies,

More innovation to establish a

experienced teams of surgeons and providers, and clinical expertise. •

More of the access you and your loved ones deserve for the specialized services and treatments you may need.

All in one place and

close to home.

That’s More than medicine.

Clifton

ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

The “Inn” at Clifton Offers a Careful Balance of Elegance and Affordability....... Imagine, living in a beautiful New England country inn that overlooks scenic Mount Hope Bay. Discover a carefree senior lifestyle that provides a wonderful new feeling of comfort and security. Contrary to living alone in a large oversized house, especially when assistance is needed, the “Inn” at Clifton can be significantly less worrisome and less expensive. At the “Inn” we have no typical apartments—each one is different and prices do vary according to apartment size, location and specific features. When compared to other assisted living communities, the “Inn” offers so much more. Clifton’s almost all-inclusive rates consist of amenities that many other facilities charge extra for, including.......  Three delicious Meals Daily  Personal Care Services  Green House  Medication Management  Scheduled Transportation  Walking Paths  Step-In Showers  24-hour CNA Staffing  Emergency Monitoring Systems  Library with Fireplace

 Daily Activities  Registered Nurses to monitor your health and well-being  Garden & Water Views  Walk-In Closets  Housekeeping and Laundry Services  Fitness Area  Non-Denominational Chapel  Whirl Pool Spa  And Much, Much More…

And.......here at the “Inn” we deal with the challenges brought on by severe winter weather. We do all of the shoveling. We clean off the frozen windows of your car. Your mail and newspapers are delivered inside. We face the bitter cold outside…while our residents can sit around the fireplaces in the Dining Room, the Parlor and the Library. With family, good friends, a cup of Hot Cider, Cocoa or Coffee, they can capture the special cozy, warm feeling that is unique to the traditional inns of New England.



444 WILBUR AVENUE, SOMERSET, MA 02725  508-324-0200 