South Coast Prime Times - July/August 2022 by Coastal Communications Corp.

July/A ugust 2022 · Volume 18 · Number 4

Faith in the future

Hot events Finest picks Seafood extravaganza

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GOOD TIMES

Onse t

he ats up ag ain

Michael J. DeCicco

ou know it’s summertime in Onset when you can smell the pizza ovens of Marc Anthony’s from yards away, see the families in beachwear crowding the streets, and hear the surf, the seagulls and the laughing beachgoers at Onset Bay.

You know it’s summertime in Onset when you can smell the pizza ovens of Marc Anthony’s from yards away, see the families in beachwear crowding the streets, and hear the surf, the seagulls and the laughing beachgoers at Onset Bay. When free live music and other family-friendly events return to the waterfront, you’ll know it’s time for Onset Bay Association’s summertime event schedule. After two years of pandemic restrictions, the 2022 Onset summer schedule is the start of back-to-normal times. “I’d say this year we are about 75 percent back to normal,” said Kat Jones,

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After two years of

pandemic restrictions, the 2022 Onset summer schedule is the start of back-to-normal times the Executive Director of the Onset Bay Association. “We’ve prepared the same as we normally would for what we know will be a very busy summer, though we are still cautious, with COVID still being out there. All our events are outdoors, so we are not overly worried.

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Jones is proud to note this year’s “Blessing of the Fleet” at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 2 will return to form at Onset Pier. They will also be bringing back the kids parade and the bicycle-petdoll carriage, occurring on the Pier right after the boat blessing parade around 11 a.m. Most noteworthy is that both the Chalk Full-O-Fun Sidewalk Art and Craft Fair (to be held on Saturday, August 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and the weekly Wednesday Summer of Love Concert Series (starting July 6 and ending August 31), have been moved from the Lillian Gregerman Bandshell to the Bay View Park gazebo located at 184

Onset Avenue, next to the town pier. Concertgoers are advised to bring their own chairs. The change of venue for these events is due to the fact that the Bandshell is still scheduled for reconstruction, Jones explained. Additional upgrades to Bay View Park itself will happen in the fall. Also new this year will be a revival of the Harvest Moon Festival on Saturday, September 24 (rain date September 25). The festival features a flea market, crafters and artisans, food trucks, a chili, chowder and stuffies contest, an antique and classic car show, and live music. Fireworks will take place at dusk. The Association is still seeking vendors for this event, as well as for the 30th Annual Onset Blues Festival, scheduled for Sunday, August 7 from noon to 5 p.m. This event too has changed its venue, to the Onset VFW open air pavilion, 4 Gibbs Ball Park Road, East Wareham. Picnic tables for 8 can be reserved for $50, or walk-in for $5 per person. Guests are asked to BYOChair. More info and tickets are available at onsetbay.org. “Staff shortages here have affected everything in town,” Jones said. “But our volunteers are ready to handle a busy summer. It’s a lot of work to have this much fun!” And she’s not just talking about organizing events and crowd control. Jones expects an uptick of both summertime visitors this year and an uptick in litter bugs. The Association’s other efforts beside hosting events is being stewards of Onset Beach and beautifying the Village of Onset with their own Garden Club, The OBA Beautification Team. While the Association emphasizes that event attendees and beachgoers pick up their own trash, the group also has a team of volunteers that regularly collects the trash left behind during the summer months. In other words, Onset is ready for anything this summer season, in more ways than one. For more details on any of the above, go to onsetbay.org. Michael J. DeCicco has worked as a writer for over 30 years. He is also the author of two award-winning young adult novels, Kaurlin’s Disciples and The Kid Mobster. He lives with his wife Cynthia in New Bedford.

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PRIME SEASON

Savvy

seafood shopping Eliz abeth Morse Read

Ahoy! Have you seen the price of frozen lobster tails ($35.99/lb.), sea scallops ($25.99/lb.), or tuna steaks ($25/7-9 oz.) lately? You so badly wanted to host a big family shindig this summer, complete with lobsters, steamers, stuffies, seafood kabobs, and all the trimmings. But with prices like these, how can you even come close to your dream reunion without taking out a second mortgage?

utritionists advise that we all eat fish at least twice a week – it’s a lean and relatively inexpensive protein high in omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin D. And when you buy fresh fish fillets, you’re not paying for bones, gristle, skin, or fat, as you do when you buy meat. So don’t get light-headed when you walk past the fish counter – read on and then dive in!

fishing industry – and learn to love the less expensive, underutilized by-catch fish, aka “trash fish,” or the lesserknown species that rarely show up in the supermarket. Can’t afford the salmon? Try its tasty cousin, Arctic char. Can’t afford the scallops? Experiment with skate wing! Can’t afford the fish steaks? Become a seafood kebabs grill master!

When a fillet of monkfish is sauteed in butter, it tastes very much like lobster! And, at about $6.99/lb., it’s a lot less expensive than the real thing and a lot easier to prepare. Add finely chopped celery to the fish, dollops of mayonnaise, and a good sprinkle of sweet paprika, and – voila! – faux lobster salad!

ONE MAN’S TRASH (FISH) IS ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURE

POOR MAN’S LOBSTER Nothing screams “summer” more than creamy chunks of lobster salad in a toasted hot dog roll. But would anyone really notice if those chunks were actually made of cubed and shredded monkfish?

Pollock, a plentiful and inexpensive white fish [see sidebar], tastes almost exactly like the more endangered and expensive codfish. It’s used in frozen fish products like fish sticks and breaded fish fillets, but a fresh pollock fillet is just

We may live in inflationary times, but we can educate ourselves on the economics and science of seafood and the

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as tasty as its codfish cousin. And, with pollock selling for about $6.99/lb. versus $10.99-$12.99/lb. for cod, it’s a much more affordable choice for your favorite baked fish, fish & chips, and fish stews.

CHOWDER FISH Did you ever wonder what happens to all the leftover bits and bobs of a whole fish after it’s been filleted or cut into steaks? The head, tail, bones and skin go into the

trash (or a stock pot), and all the strips and chunks of flesh become “chowder fish.” In other words, excellent (if oddly-shaped) seafood that’s perfect for stews, chowders, bouillabaisse, cioppino, tacos, or fish cakes [see sidebar]. And “chowder fish” is cheap – $3.99/lb. – and usually full of fresh white fish like haddock, flounder, or cod.

SEAFOOD KEBABS Nothing is more elegant – or

Note to readers: the prices quoted in this article are a combination of local prices and those quoted on the Fulton Fish Market website, both of which change daily.

FIND YOUR FAVORITE FISHMONGER! You wouldn’t buy sushi from a gas station convenience store, would you? Then why would you buy seafood from a cookie-cutter fish counter at the local supermarket, where the seafood was probably spent a day or two traveling in a refrigerated truck from a regional distribution center? Remember: the shortest span of time between a fish being caught to being served on your plate is the goal. In food stores in Japan, seafood prices are discounted every hour as their “freshness” decreases! It may be a bit out of your way, but it’s well worth your time and money to search for and buy from a real seafood store, where the seafood goes directly from ship-to-shop daily, especially for those special occasions this summer. For a seafood lover like myself, I live amidst an embarrassment of riches only a few miles from my house, all within a block of each other right off Route 195: the fish counter at Market Basket on Coggeshall Street in New Bedford, Kyler’s Catch Seafood Market on Washburn Street (kylerseafood. com) (which also ships seafood overnight), and the fish counter at Amaral’s Portuguese Market on Belleville Avenue (amaralsmarket.net). You can also order overnight delivery from Fulton Fish Market in New York City for hard-to-find seafoods like skate, shad roe, or smoked trout (fultonfishmarket.com).

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delicious – than swordfish or tuna steak kebabs grilled to perfection. But unless you’re taking out a loan to finance this BBQ, start thinking about alternatives. You can reduce the number of fish chunks and jumbo shrimp on each skewer and fill in the blank spaces with more vegetables, or you can alternate the fancy fish with marinated monkfish. Or, you could ask your friendly fishmonger how much he charges for swordfish or tuna “kebabs” – the leftover chunks from trimming fish steaks – they’ll cost you $6.99/lb. compared with $16.99/lb. for fresh swordfish steaks (or $11.99/ lb. for previously frozen steaks). Quite a savings for the savvy seafood shopper!

ONE FISH, TWO FISH, RED FISH, BLUEFISH Even avid fishermen who love the thrill of surfcasting for blues don’t always like the taste of bluefish. However, if you like your fish tasting more “fishy” or “gamey” than a delicate fillet of sole, then you must learn how to cook this plentiful and inexpensive fish ($6.99/lb.). First of all, bluefish must be cooked within 48 hours of being caught – it doesn’t “keep” well in the refrigerator or freezer. Buy bluefish early in the season, when they’re smaller and less oily than full-grown bluefish. They can be cooked just about every which way, but they’re especially good when baked or grilled – and they stand up well to strong seasoning and tangy, acidic marinades. To minimize any “fishy” odor, rinse the bluefish fillet in water, pat dry, then place it in a shallow dish, cover it with low-fat milk and put it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Rinse again, pat dry and score the skin a few times with a sharp knife-tip to prevent curling (if you’re grilling). If

you’re baking, spread a layer of Greek yogurt or mayonnaise atop the fillets to keep them moist and flaky. Bon appetit!

BECOME A SAVVIER SEAFOOD SHOPPER Even though New Bedford has been the country’s number-one seaport for value for years, the US still imports 80% of the seafood it consumes. Did you ever think about where all those fish came from, or whether the people who caught them were doing so according to international agreements [see sidebar]? It’s important that you buy only seafood that was sustainably sourced, caught, or farmed, and that does not contribute to the endangerment of other forms of sea life, like coral. You can educate yourself by reading guides produced by the Marine Stewardship Council (msc.org), an international nonprofit working to end overfishing and to ensure that seafood is caught sustainably. Another very helpful source of guidance is the Seafood Watch Program (seafoodwatch.org) of the Monterey Bay Aquarium (montereybayaquarium.org). Use their handy pocket guides to make seafood choices when you’re shopping or dining out – they help consumers and businesses choose seafood that’s fished or farmed in ways that support a healthy ocean, now and for future generations. You can also follow the fortunes of companies like New Bedford’s Blue Harvest Fisheries, where 100% of their seafood products are fully traceable from boat to plate, and 90% of their seafood is sustainably sourced from MSC-certified fisheries. Like many other sustainabilityminded fishing fleets, they promote the sale and consumption of underutilized but plentiful species.

FISH CAKES 101 Everyone knows someone who has perfected the art of making fish cakes, salmon cakes, crab cakes, or clam cakes. On special occasions and cookouts, they’re proudly served on the appetizer tray next to the stuffed quahogs and the scallops wrapped in bacon. Why, then, even when you use the same ingredients, do your fish cakes come out soggy, crumbly, and looking like something the family cat wouldn’t eat? Here are a few tips that may help: First, cook the potatoes and fish according to the recipe the night before you’re going to make the actual fish cakes. Give the cooked potatoes plenty of time to cool off and dry out in the refrigerator overnight. Second, refrigerate the prepared fish cakes (or place them in the freezer) for half an hour before you place them in the hot oil, and keep them in the fridge between batches – don’t let them reach room temp sitting on the counter while you’re cooking the first batch. You want them to be cold when they go into the hot oil. Third, don’t use too much oil in the frying pan or crowd the pan with more than four fish cakes per batch – the oil will cool down rapidly if you do that. And always let the oil reheat between batches; otherwise, it will just seep into the fish cakes, instead of cooking them. Cook each batch about 2 ½ to 3 minutes per side until golden brown and flip them only once. Drain them thoroughly on paper towels, then transfer to a serving plate.

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2 russet potatoes, peeled, cut up, rinsed and drained 1 lb. white fish, cut up/cubed * 1 large egg 1 Tsp. butter, melted 1 Tsp. grated onion or minced scallion 1 Tsp. chopped fresh parsley or dillweed 1 ½ tsp. dry mustard Pinch of white pepper Tsp. canola oil/batch *chowder fish, pollock, cod, monkfish, haddock, ocean perch In a large pot, cover the potatoes with water, then add another inch or so. Bring to a boil and cook until almost tender. Add the fish, continue cooking until both the potato and fish are tender and falling apart. Drain thoroughly and refrigerate overnight. Transfer to a large mixing bowl the next day and mash until smooth and well-blended. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, butter, parsley/dill, onion, white pepper, and mustard. Pour over the potato/fish mix and mash until thoroughly blended. Shape the mixture into eight equal patties; place them on a plate, cover, and refrigerate/ freeze them for 30 minutes. Heat the oil in a large skillet over a medium-high heat. Fry four fish cakes at a time, as described above. (You can use this basic recipe with salmon, chopped clams, lobster, or crabmeat, too!)

Elizabeth Morse Read is an award-winning 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.

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PRIME LIVING

Faith Sean McCarthy

La Salle Academy knows that an education can last a lifetime. Steeped in 150 years of educational excellence, La Salle is taking on the future with a fresh vision for the young lives it guides and shapes.

his Providence high school is welcoming three new administrators for its’ approaching school year as it builds a modern academic institution with the timeless teachings of the Catholic faith. Beginning this fall, La Salle’s administrative lineup will feature two new appointees, Principal Tim Welsh and Vice Principal of Student Life Joanna Doyle, who will be joining Michael Pereira, who is starting his second year as Vice Principal of Academics. There is excitement about the future at La Salle, and according to these three educators, there is a lot that makes La Salle special. “What’s really most special about La Salle is the people – the students and the staff,” Welsh says. “The students are incredible young men

in the future

They choose La Salle every day with their contributions in the classroom, their performances on stages, fields, and courts, their service to the community and the kindness they show each other. and women. They’re focused, they’re dedicated, and they’re part of a community that understands that while it’s important to learn the ABC’s and 123’s, it’s more important to learn to be a good person. We want to help build a person that changes the world for the better and has a moral baseline that will serve them well throughout their life, in whatever their endeavors are.” “Our young people are amazing,” Doyle says. “They are the heart and spirit of the school. At freshman orientation we tell

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the incoming students that La Salle chose them, and over the next four years it is their job to choose La Salle. They choose La Salle every day with their contributions in the classroom, their performances on stages, fields, and courts, their service to the community and the kindness they show each other. They share their gifts and talents with their Lasallian family every day and continue to grow the legacy of faith, service, and community.” Welsh and Pereira are both alums of La Salle, classes of

1994 and 2005, respectively. Welsh was Vice President of Institutional Advancement at La Salle for 12 years before becoming Head of School at Matignon School in Cambridge, Massachusetts for the past nine years. Pereira was a math teacher and Assistant Boys Soccer Coach for past 11 years, and Doyle has been Class Dean for the last seven years, and prior to that was Spanish teacher for nine years.

STUDENTS OF THE WORLD “La Salle pulls students and teachers from all over Rhode Island, southern Massachusetts, and eastern Connecticut, and builds a community all its own,” Doyle says. “We are a large enough school that every student can continue or develop a passion. With over

We do rehab right. Tell your physician you want to reserve your room with us. From L-R: Joanna Doyle, Vice Principal of Student Life, T im Welsh, Principal of L a Salle Academy center and Michael Pereira, Vice Principal of Academics.

60 clubs and activities and 45 athletic teams in 18 different sports, there is something for everyone. And if we don’t have the club you want, there are dedicated teachers that will help you start it.” “I’m really excited about the opportunities that exist for us to add to our academic program and to continue to provide students with the skills they need to strive in the 21st century,” Welsh says. “It’s been a hallmark of La Salle since its inception in 1871 and I’m very excited to work and serve with the staff and students to continue that.” “We are always adding to and improving our facilities for our students,” Pereira says. “Whether it be adding more innovative and collaborative learning spaces to encourage creativity and collaboration among students, or by enhancing the technology available to our students and teachers for learning, we are always looking for ways to improve the experience of our community.” According to Welsh, La Salle’s future is “limitless,” along with the futures of its graduates. “La Salle is one of the best high schools in New England, and we’re going to provide

opportunities and experiences that make it even better for our students. The future will be focusing more on experiential, deeper learning – taking what students learn in the classroom and allowing them to create their own knowledge in the real world. We want to allow them to transform their world and their communities, to go beyond just reciting knowledge.” “We have a new team of leadership that is ready to carry the torch and move La Salle forward,” Doyle says. “Even though we are new to our positions we respect the legacy and tradition that La Salle was built on and hope to make changes that will improve our school and the lives of our students.” “At a time when the social and emotional wellbeing of all students is being challenged, as with our mission, La Salle Academy is devoted to the holistic growth of its students and the larger community,” Pereira says. “It is our goal to continue meeting the needs of our students and to provide the environment for them to foster their own potential, to see themselves reach heights they never knew were possible.”

La Salle Academy is located at 612 Academy Avenue in Providence. Visit lasalle-academy.org for more information. La Salle will host its annual Open House for students grades 6-12 on October 23.

S ean M c C arthy has been a freelance journalist for 35 years. He lives in New Bedford.

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PRIME SEASON

a hobby in

bloom Brian J. Lowney

A summer visit to TomCat Daylilies Farm in Mattapoisett offers guests a multi-sensory experience that they will long remember, leaving them wanting to return to the picturesque gardens time and time again.

wners Tom Grondski and Catherine Jackie graciously share their 12 acre property along the Mattapoisett River at the historic Old Stone Bridge, where they cultivate up to three acres of the titular daylilies every year. The couple, both retired educators, began growing their gardens 45 years ago and have planted a large organic garden that includes several types of berries and fruit trees to feed family and friends. Jackie, who taught art, has long enjoyed an obsession with flowers, which has resulted in many perennial beds. “I used to grow everything,” she begins. “I was a seed saver. I found some daylily seed pods and grew them. For the past 30 or more years, my focus has been on the collection of daylilies. I am a daylilies

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hybridizer and I’ve cultivated many original cultivars.” Noting that she has an active garden from early spring until the first frost, Jackie says that she has grown tens of thousands of unique plants during her gardening career. “I make new seeds every year,” she shares, adding that she and her husband grow the seedlings starting in September in two greenhouses and put the young plants in the ground in the spring. “I select the best of the best and propagate them,” Jackie continues. “It takes between eight and 10 years by the time you have a sellable plant.” The horticulturist adds that daylilies are easy to grow and propagate. “Hybridization is a relatively quick

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turnaround,” she adds, noting that roses and other plants often take much longer. As a hobby hybridizer, Jackie never knows exactly what she will get when she combines two daylilies varieties or which new plants will thrive. Practice and research have given her better and faster results over the years. “The patterns and colors that daylilies form are just endless,” she said. “We are open July and August,”Jackie continues. “Daylilies have three seasons, Early (end of June), midseason (last three weeks of July), and late season (August). Peak bloom is in the middle of July, but we have many good plants available each season. If people buy from all three seasons, then it looks like their flowers last two months.

Catherine Jackie and Tom Grondski, both retired educators, began growing their gardens 45 years ago and have planted a large organic garden that includes several types of berries and fruit trees to feed family and friends.

“Some of the blooms are fragrant,” Jackie adds, but they are all unique, colorful, and beautiful. She shares that daylilies last only for a short time, hence the name “daylilies,” and emphasizes that the flowering plants can bloom for several weeks. Adding that she taught art to middle schoolers in Wareham before retiring, Jackie frequently draws flowers using pen and ink highlighted with watercolor. “I do it strictly for myself and family,” the artist continues, sharing that she is always thinking about future projects that she hopes to start once winter sets in. Meanwhile, Grondski keeps busy at the farm with a myriad of projects and sells daylilies at farmers markets in Plymouth, Osterville, Hingham, Attleboro, and annually at Harbor Days in Mattapoisett. “It is a labor of love,” he says, smiling. “It’s a hobby gone crazy.” Jackie says that guests from throughout the region and beyond visit the farm regularly to purchase plants, learn about different varieties, and to seek expert advice. “People have come from as far away as Florida to buy plants,” she notes. “I have also shipped plants to other parts of the country.” TomCat Farm Daylilies Farm is located on 25 River Road in Mattapoisett. For more information call 508-758-6219 or visit tomcatfarm.com.

B rian J. L owney is a freelance writer based in Swansea. He is the author of “Unconditional Love: Pet Tales to Warm the Heart”, which is available in local bookstores.

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PRIME LIVING

Sir Lance-a-lot Peter O’Neill

A couple of years ago, my friend Paulo (he goes by Paul now) invited me to accompany him to Fort Wetherill in Jamestown for one of his favorite pastimes: spearfishing.

ager to flee the ennui of Covid claustrophobia, I jauntily agreed. We had played tennis together for a few years, but this new adventure sounded fun and exotic to me, even if I was only called upon to be a handy assistant to a seasoned spearfisher. When we arrived at the parking lot, I became intrigued when I saw someone in a wetsuit clambering onto the back of his pickup truck to gather some equipment. I also saw a van marked University of Rhode Island; I suspected it carried a marine biology class or a diving club from the college. Perched upon sublime granite cliffs, Fort Wetherill State Park showcases a picturesque cove that attracts scuba divers, kayakers, swimmers, and anglers, including the atavistic spearfishing breed, like my mentor Paul. Paul’s pre-immersion preparations resemble the punctilious ritual of a medieval knight, donning his armor for battle. With his fishing spear, he earned the moniker “Sir Lance-a-lot.” After strenuously stepping into his wetsuit and slipping into his fins, Paul turned his back to me and asked me to zip up an awkwardly inaccessible section and affix a velcro ribbon across the nape of his neck. I carried out this tidy task with the solicitous

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He emphasized that the

source of his passion for the sea and spearfishing comes from the culture of his birthplace: Milan. care of a nurse assistant, punctuating her surgeon’s donning regimen before entering the operating room. Before Sir Lance-a-lot pulled his scuba version of a knight’s chainmail hood over his head, he doused his head and face with a mug of water; this moment felt like an apt ceremonial ablution to complete the pre-dive ritual. We descended the launch ramp with a kayak in tow. While wading in the water, Paul meticulously arranged his array of equipment for the dive, including a speargun, weight belt, knife, buoy with a dive-flag, floatline, fish stringer, and his snorkel and diving mask. I begin to admire Paul’s patient attentiveness and coordination of all of these elements of spearfishing. A professor of Italian for many years, Paul has taught Italian literature and language, including grammar. Clearly, having built an impressive acumen for

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this invigorating aquatic sport, he has also mastered the grammar of spearfishing. After a while, I slowly kayaked alongside Paul as he steered me toward jutting rocks near the left entrance to the cove where the shorebirds sojourned above and the stealthy tautog hovered below. Paul said that this is a choice spot for spearfishing. While I steadied the precarious kayak from the erratic, lapping waves, Paul disappeared, having plunged to the ocean floor for his first foray of the day into the murky depths. I stayed near his buoy flag and functioned as a type of spotter, in case he was down there too long or if he needed to call me soon after surfacing. As I knew from our prolonged tennis matches, we are both prone to cramping the night after a vigorous match in the summer heat. If he were to cramp while 30 feet below the surface of the sea, he could endanger himself. While I savored the aesthetics of the cove-scape, I also reveled in the suspense of Paul’s possible catch. In two-minute intervals, Paul surfaced to say that he had seen several tautog and some small stripers down there and that he barely missed a large tautog. He also reported that it was strangely turbid down there today and it was a challenge.

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family equivalent of the Still bouldery Whenhugging asked herthe favorite partSmithsonian of shore, the BookPaul Fair,and treasured forever. moved a bit farther out toward the mouth Baker-Smith replies, “The fifteen minutes the chilhoarding is aplunged mortal again. sin, I am ofIfthe and back dren getcove to pick out books before the My opening consigned to dive-flag the fires of hades for eternity turned to his while I watched whistle.” (The official start of the Book Fair begins because my lifetime accumulation of someoneofpolefish on the opposite shore, at 11 a.m.These but children are allowed intoproblem. the book I books. tomes pose aand realPaul suddenly heard splashing calling tentsome at 10:45 for exclusive browsing time.) In cases I feel that they are my best my name. “It’s wonderful toentertaining, watch children being fascinated friends – loyal, enlightening I paddled over to him and he smiled and by books,” continues Baker-Smith, “going down and inspiring. I’m really loathe to desert held up a large tautog, impaled almost the rabbit a story,of and sitting down my littleinhole collections of Irish exactly theofmiddle bypoetry, the spear. I on the grass to readcongratulated in an age wherehim everyone looking effusively and isthen at screens.” almost capsized from another abrupt burst so many decades, it is understandable ofAfter small waves. Paul placed the prize of the that many stories surround the Westport dayIf into a styrofoam-encircled netFriends that he hoarding is a mortal Book Fair.up. It isHe rumored that, he in the early years, had set said that was cold andone sin, Itoam consigned the wanted head back atofirst shore; theofto clouds book-browser discovered edition Moby werewhich building and for rain looked The imminent. Dick he bought fifty-cents. next year fires observing of hades for eternity Overall, spearfish that day he sheepishly returnedPaul to make a donation to the gave me a vicarious thrill. However, after because of them myhelifetime Westport Friends telling sold the book for a few outings with him, I grew more “a lot ofmore money.” accumulation of nature books hesitant of the The Bookabout Fair is the also inhumane full of traditions, including sport. the honorary “Blowing of the Whistle” to signal the I recently asked Paul what spearfishing official opening of the book sale. means to him. He emphasized that the “It is a great honor to be chosen,” says Greg history and the biographies source of hisliterature, passion for the sea and Marsello, citing this as his favorite part ofwith theofFair. and the novels that from I fell in in spearfishing comes thelove culture For Gretchen Baker-Smith, the annual night-beahis lifetime. Those law books I have not birthplace: Milan, Italy. “Like many yet disposed of, will soon hit the road fore-book-sale “Chopping of the Tabbouleh” is one I Italians, we love the sea and spearfishing. or the dumpster. I also inherited some of her fondest traditions. The tabbouleh, a type of love spearfishing because I love the ocean, wonderful sets ofand old books my Lebanese salad, is sold to the publicfrom ininto a flatbread its marine world, plunging the lawyer-uncle who was aday collector. I asked wrap every yearwater, on opening (along with other depth of the exploring, viewing, one of the family if there was any interest swimming creatures inhabit light luncheonwith items,the beverages andthat snacks). in was asked, “What color this mysterious and aquatic “Itthem takes aand small army ofwonderful people to chop theare salad they?” Given the fact of e-readers, world.” every year,” says Baker-Smith. “But peoplethere’s have little enthusiasm among the young for Again, he alluded the “grammar” of come to expect it.” overtothe years, many customers even leather-bound volumes other than the sport: “it requires knowledge and have expressed their relief to Baker-Smith, saying for decoration in as built-in bookcases. intuition, as well watermanship, is, was so afraid [the tabbouleh] wouldn’t bethat here.” “I This, I suppose,ofismarine progress and as such, the knowledge life.” “Probably my favorite part of the Annual Book isIn something old men should not seek to light of my evolving squeamishness Fair,” saysorDeanna Chase, “is Saturday evening after enjoin abash. about spearfishing, Paul noted that since the huge, long day” (volunteers arrive about 7 a.m. There’s the issue of the old (2001) ancient times, spearfishing has been a to help set up) “when we finally have time just Porsche convertible that into my source of911 food for humans. Hesits further sit under the tent and reflect back on the day, garage. My willingness to have this driven asserted that spearfishing presents an relaxing withbyfriends.” away a family member is sold predicated appealing alternative to fish comupon my accelerating belief that I look The Fifty-Fourth Westport Friends’ Book Fair offimercially in supermarkets. ridiculous it. (I have 911 in cially opens atdriving 11unwittingly, a.m. on Julydid 11,the rainsacramental orashine. The To reinforce, the past, but then I was age-appropriate sale will through Sunday, Julyhead 19 and will ritual ofcontinue pouring water over his for the diving, thing.) More and more I think be open from “dawn to fittingly dusk.” before Paul alluded to that the my operation of the car, top down on a psychologist Carlpaperback Jung’s insight about The six-for-a-dollar books may be one’s purglorious day, is the the third of a trio searchstarting forsummer identity: “Jung describes the chased at 10 a.m. on opening day and of ridiculous social identity gaffes byasold men. search for personal a swimmer the children’s book section opens exclusively for The first being guys their gray hair in venturing intowith the perilous journey kids at 10:45below a.m. Book prices range from one dolponytails and the second, those wearing of to self-discovery.” Clearly, the professor lar five dollars a book, with the average cost bebaseball caps backwards. All “I three are embodies Jung’s noble quest: enjoy ing $1.50. Light lunch, snacks, and beverages will probably silent cries for help, spearfishing because of the joylove, and or inner be sold on the opening day of the sale. attention. Here’s peace it brings to the me.”catch: the 911’s a six If you haven’t experienced celebration speed. It has ayetthird pedal,this called a clutch, of books and community, you need to. and is thus inoperable by any of Bring my issue. D r.family Peter eillFriends is a retired English your to theO’N Westport Book Fair and professor, who specializes in Victorian Studies start your own summer tradition. you won’t be and nature writing. disappointed. Continued on next page

11 17

GOOD TIMES

Setting the

tempo Sean McCarthy

His drumming talents have earned him international recognition and his music future is certainly promising, but for New Bedford’s Joaquin Santos, being successful as a musician means being a success as a human being.

he 34-year-old has learned that skills behind the drum kit require skills away from the drum kit. Five years ago, Santos’ face was on display in music stores around the globe, selling products for the world’s premier cymbal manufacturer, Zildjian Cymbals. At the same time he was featured on social media as the model for the company’s fashion line. Zildjian was impressed enough with his playing and his good looks to make him the face of their marketing strategy. Yet while his image may be international, Santos’s most valued experiences often come

locally. In addition to seeing steady benefits as a drummer in multiple music outfits, he relishes the personal rewards that come from educating young people in the art of drumming. While his skills have taken him to many stages and studios, his heart belongs to the classroom, shaping young lives through education in music and life. “I want to someday have my own music ministry where I can go all over the world and teach kids how to play music,” he says. “Music is healing to the soul, and every young kid should learn how to play an instrument.” Santos’s vision has already

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taken root. He currently offers private lessons to aspiring youths in the South Coast, and his education resume includes three years of teaching at the Fall River Arts Academy. For the past two summers he has taught a seminar at Berklee College of Music’s “Groove School.” “The most gratifying feeling I get from anything I’ve ever been involved in is when you take a young person with little or no experience on an instrument and you see them blossom, hone in on their craft, and get better and better,” Santos says. But the lessons Santos imparts go beyond sticks and

skins. He puts an emphasis on character and discipline as well. “As a musician, you’ve got to always show good character. No matter how talented you are, if you’re not a nice person people won’t want to play with you. You need to treat people with respect and be responsible, show up on time. You need to be receptive to criticism with the goal of improving. Every gig is an audition for another gig.”

ROLL SNARE Santos knows about gigs. For 13 years he has been the drummer for Radiance, a 10-piece group that performs

Santos is currently the drummer for The Dope Lotus, a group playing R&B, soul, and funk. The band’s self-titled album was released in 2019, and is available on all major streaming services. at weddings and high-end events, from ritzy Boston hotels to Vermont ski resorts to Newport mansions. In addition to Radiance, Santos has been the drummer for locally-based bands playing original music. He was a member of Cadbury Diesel, a band that put him in the company of Devin Lima, a former member of the group LFO, which achieved fame with the song “Summer Girls.” That group gave Santos “a taste of the big stage,” playing dates along the East Coast, and receiving write-ups from Billboard and AMP magazines. Santos is currently the drummer for The Dope Lotus, a group playing R&B, soul, and funk. The band’s self-titled album was released in 2019, and is available on all major streaming services. Santos has also had the opportunity to play with the group Tavares, including a show in Santiago, Chile to 12,000 people in 2019. “Being a professional musician requires a lot of effort and dedication. You can’t be complacent,” he says. “You’ve got to practice every day, keeping up your stamina and learning new songs.” But there is another major factor in Santos’ success – his genetics. His father, Jackie Santos, is an accomplished drummer and a full-time professor at Berklee College of Music. He has been a constant source of inspiration for his son, buying him his first drum kit at the age of three. “My father is someone I’ve

always looked up to. I’m fortunate to have his influence,” he says. “He inspires me to achieve greatness and that keeps me disciplined and practicing to get to the next level. It’s great when he comes to my shows and I can see on his face that he’s loving it. It feels great to think that he’s proud of me.” The father and son were recently the focus of a feature story in Drum Head magazine, written by New Bedford-based drummer Tom O’Leary, titled “Like Father And Son.” “Joaquin is an excellent drummer, and a great young man with a great personality,” says Wali Ali, an accomplished jazz guitarist from Boston who has included Santos in his band. “He’s focused and has a good head on his shoulders. He wants to be a great musician and I think he’ll be successful.” “Joaquin is always prepared. He’s loyal and responsible,” says guitarist Sal DiFusco, a Berklee professor who plays with Santos in Radiance. “He’s got a vibrant personality and he’s very funny.” “It feels great when people are enjoying what you do,” Santos says. “One reason why I want to share music with young people is that in this crazy world it’s important to give them something to gravitate towards. Not everybody has had the opportunities I have had. At the end of the day my true passion is to help people, and hopefully I can do that around the world.”

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PRIME SEASON

Lessons learned? It doesn’t take a genius to figure out America has a gun problem. Actually, America has a fill-in-the-blank problem – obesity, drug addiction, excessive use Paul K andarian of force by cops, racial injustice, Covid, global warming, economic inequality, gas prices, etc. It often seems that America’s problems may as well be listed on a Mobius strip, because it ain’t gonna end. I’m sitting here a few days into the latest brutal news of a school shooting. Another school shooting. I’m sitting here wondering how the hell a supposedly great country can see a mass shooting a day in all, but in schools in particular. The Texas shooting that killed 19 elementary school children and two adults was one of two dozen – in schools alone – as of the ironically named Memorial Day weekend. Gun deaths are now the leading cause of death in children. Not playground accidents. Not car crashes. Not disease. Goddamn guns. I’m as mad as hell as most of us are over this. But to quote the great movie line in full – “I’m mad as hell and I’m not gonna this anymore!” (whereafter the character Howard Beale is shot dead on live TV). What the hell can we do about it? The Second Amendment had its run when we were fighting the British and hunting for our food, not to mention slaughtering innocent Native Americans. We needed guns then. Not now. Soldiers do. Cops as well, at least the ones who don’t kill the unarmed citizenry. How much of this can we take? How many times do we have to hold vigils, walks, rallies, to shake the power elite

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We are a gun-crazy country, with almost 400 million owned. Second place is so far away, there may as well not be a second place. in this country to finally take action? We thought they would after Virginia Tech (33 dead, 2007). We thought they would after Newtown (28 dead, 2012). We thought they would after Stoneman Douglas High School (17 dead, 2015). We thought they would after Columbine (15 dead, 1999). We are a gun-crazy country, with almost 400 million owned. Second place is so far away, there may as well not be a second place. Numbers don’t lie. They are cold and immovable, much like the stone-hearted bought-and-sold in Congress who refuse to protect us. And who march out the tired, inaccurate trope about guns aren’t the problem, mental health issues are the problem. At issue is access to guns, notably assault weapons, the guns of preference of someone looking to kill a lot of people at once. The issue is not, as the common bleat from the right crows, “mental health.” In a USA Today article, Dr. Jeffrey Swanson, a leading researcher in violence and mental illness, said “We have way more gun deaths by a mile than these other [high-income] countries, and they don’t have a higher rate of mental

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illness or crime,” adding that America has similar rates of untreated psychiatric illness and mental health spending per capita to other countries. “Even if you were to do everything possible to eliminate mental illness,” said Dr. Reena Kapoor in the same article, professor of psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, “you’d really only be addressing around 3% of the violence in this country. “Mass shootings are a uniquely American problem,” she said. “Any reasonable person would think maybe that has something to do with the big difference in our gun laws and those in other countries, and that access to very dangerous weapons is much easier here than anywhere else in the world.” How many times can a nation’s heart shatter, sutured together every day by the gauzy, ineffectual promise of thoughts and prayers only to be torn asunder again and again and again, abetted by the bought-and-sold marionettes in Congress dancing at the end of lobbying strings, complicit in the slaughter of our young? They rally against abortion, protecting the unborn, but when birth brings them into the world to be cared for, they turn a blind eye. “You’re on your own, little one,” they say by their inaction. “We won’t protect what doesn’t give us money or votes.” Our power lies not in appealing to people with souls; theirs lie fallow in someone else’s cash register. Our power lies in the vote; we have that by the millions.

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.

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South Coast Prime Times - July/August 2022

Articles inside

Lessons learned?

Setting the tempo

Onset heats up again

Savvy seafood shopping

Faith in the future

A hobby in bloom