Rehoboth Ramblings

by Leslie Patterson

Visiting the Zoo in Winter

As I write this in late January, I can’t predict what the groundhog will do this year, except be annoyed that some humans in top hats have yanked him out of his cozy burrow, in front of a bunch of cameras. I seem to recall that a woodchuck wrangler got bit last year.

Speaking of animals, Roger Williams Park Zoo is offering halfprice admission throughout February to encourage more visitors in the off-season. The day we visited was cloudy and chilly. Most animals were on view, whether inside or out, though some looked happier than others. The giant anteater was pacing inside, obviously wanting to be outside, but it’s cold out there.

Also pacing back and forth was one of the cheetahs, avidly looking at the zebra and wildebeest next door and wishing this blasted high fence wasn’t in the way of a good chase. The other two cheetahs were perched high on the large boulders in their enclosure, looking like they were checking out the traffic on I-95.

In the delightfully warm rainforest building, the sloth was nowhere to be seen (there is an awful lot of foliage to hide in) and the giant river otters were apparently napping too. Perhaps the animals were waiting to come out at 4 pm when all the gawking visitors go home. A female tree kangaroo, in another building, has had a baby recently. The zoo posted a cute photo of the little one poking its head out of the pouch, but the joey was also staying “inside” at the moment.

The liveliest animals we saw were the two female Bactrian (double-humped) camels who were having a great time running about and playing together. They almost seemed to be smiling. Flamingoes gave a touch of tropical color to the zoo and didn’t seem to mind the lack of sun and palm trees.

I really didn’t like going to the zoo when I was a child many years ago, in a less enlightened era, because I thought of them as smelly places where unhappy animals were confined behind bars. As much as I appreciate the efforts of modern, well-run zoos to provide good environments for their animals, it still bothers me to see animals that need to run or that roam over large ranges in the wild confined to a fairly small space.

Yet the best zoos today work to save endangered species and to provide their animals with all the care they need. It’s one of those things in life which, unlike the zebras at the zoo, is not all black and white. A well-run zoo offers offer people the chance to see in person animals they’ve only seen on screen. You’re reminded once again just how tall giraffes are or maybe you’d forgotten just how enormous an elephant is or didn’t realize that camels could be so playful or that a Komodo dragon is just as scary-looking as you thought. The more you get to know animals, the more you will care about them, or so it is hoped.

It’s always good to be reminded that though we humans may think we’re far superior to all other creatures, this is not necessarily true. Just watch a cheetah run, an otter swim, or a kangaroo hop (boing, boing, boing). If you want to go south for the winter, can you just up and fly a few thousand miles (no luggage needed or airplane either)? People have always envied birds their avian freedom and been fascinated by animal behavior in general.

Speaking of otters, a couple of river otters have wandered over to our neighborhood from the Palmer River to hang out at the pond again. For how long, I don’t know. These slinky and sinuous creates are not always easy to observe. To borrow a line from an old folk song, “first they appear, and then they’re gone” as they pop up here and then quickly swim over there.

I hope neither of them becomes roadkill, like the poor juvenile otter I found at the side of the road two years ago, to my distress. Yes, people do drive way too fast on our twisty country roads. But it’s nice to know that even if you don’t go to the zoo, perhaps some animals will visit you, on their terms of course.

Patrick L. Darcey, formerly of Rehoboth, Sworn in as Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA), Criminal Prosecutor

Former Rehoboth resident, Patrick L. Darcey was recently appointed and sworn in as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA), criminal prosecutor, for the Middle District of Florida. Immediately prior to appointment, Attorney Darcey served as a judicial law clerk for U.S. Magistrate, Judge Lauren Louis in the Southern District of Florida. He was selected at law school graduation, to be part of the U.S. Attorney General’s Honors Program to work as an Attorney Advisor for the Executive Office for Immigration Review.

Patrick spent over nine years, seven years on active duty as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. As a Marine, he deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, assigned to the Central Command area during the Arab Spring, supporting NATO’s activities surrounding the fall of Libyan Dictator, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. His last overseas deployment was in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of military operations against the Taliban. He is a recipient of a U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal (NAM), Unit Citation medal (NUC), Meritorious Unit Citation metal and Afghanistan campaign medal.

Attorney Darcey is currently serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve as a Judge Advocate. Patrick is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis (BS, Political Science and Government), Boston University (MS, Business Administration and Management) and Emory University (JD).

He attended Rehoboth elementary schools and Bishop Feehan High School.

Attorney Darcey is the son of Rehoboth resident Lawrence J. Darcey and the late Valerie A. Darcey.

Rehoboth Local Promoted to Fundraising Associate at the Pan-Mass Challenge

The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), the nation’s single most successful athletic fundraiser, recently promoted Rehoboth Mass. local, Jessica Otto Guay, to Fundraising Associate.

In the newly elevated role, Jessica will continue to support the PMC in event planning and take part in overseeing the organization’s fundraising processing. The promotion comes after the PMC’s record-breaking fundraising year in 2022 as the organization raised $69 million for critical cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

No stranger to the organization, Jessica first volunteered in 2010 thanks to their father Peter’s Dana-Farber oncologist. In 2014, Jessica began riding alongside Peter, who together, have raised over $80,000 for the organization. Peter has since passed away from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma at age 54 in 2017.

Rehoboth Resident Christian Jenner Honored by the Narragansett Council Boy Scouts

Rehoboth, MA – Rehoboth resident Christian Jenner was awarded the Silver Beaver Award by the Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America at its annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner on January, 25, 2023. Silver Beaver Awardees have demonstrated significant leadership and commitment to Scouting and their community.

Christian started in Scouting as a Weblo with Pack 7, West Greenwich. He went on to achieve Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle, his culminating community service project involved refurbishing historical cemeteries in West Greenwich. Christian also served on staff at Yawgoog Scout Reservation, and has gone on to serve as the Council Friends of Scouting Chair, Activities Chair and as the Charter Organization Representative for Pack 88 Rumford where both his children are Scouts. In these leadership roles, Christian has consistently gone the extra mile for his Scouts and fellow leaders.

A Partner with Partridge Snow and Hahn by day, Christian also volunteers by hosting a mock trial club for local high schoolers.

“The Narragansett Council is made up of more than just Scouts and Troop leaders,” said Tim McCandless, Scout Executive and CEO. “Volunteers like the Silver Beaver Award recipients are those who make a difference and continue to embody what Scouting is all about. We’re incredibly grateful for Christian’s dedication to Scouting.”

Seekonk Resident James Tusino Honored by the Narragansett Council Boy Scouts

Seekonk resident James “Jim” Tusino was awarded the Silver Beaver Award by the Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America at its annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner on January, 25, 2023. The Silver Beaver Award is the highest award presented to volunteers who contribute significant leadership and commitment to their Scouts and community.

Jim started in Scouting with Pack 43 Milford and achieved the rank of Tenderfoot before perusing other endeavors. Later in life, Jim returned to Scouting as Cubmaster for Pack 88 Rumford, and later, Committee Chair for Troop 1 Seekonk. Jim has served on the Council Finance Committee, as the District Finance Chair and organizes the Council’s annual fundraiser at Comedy Connection.

For the past 3 years, Jim has served as the Unit Commissioner for the Southeast District. In these leadership roles, Jim has consistently gone the extra mile for his Scouts and fellow leaders.

Outside of Scouting, Jim volunteers with mentor programs in Taunton and Attleboro as well as sponsors two athletic teams for the Sporting Clays Classic. He continues to leverage skills both learned and mastered during his tenure in the Scouting program.

“Each year, the Council is thrilled to honor volunteers who exemplify what it means to be a leader, mentor and friend to youth in Scouting,” said Tim McCandless, Scout Executive and CEO. “Each recipient of the Silver Beaver Award has gone above and beyond to make each Scouts experience impactful and memorable. We’re incredibly grateful for Jim’s dedication to Scouting.”