Westport
in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Friday,
September 13, 2013
photos/EverythingWestport.com except as noted
Quick
Article Index . . .
The Shattuck
presents Witness by Julie Kiechel.
Life-long resident Agnes Potter,
84, passed away Friday, September 6th.
WHALE appoints permanent new Executive
Director.
Westport
Master Plan Update Subcommittee seeks town-wide participation for upcoming public
meeting.
WHALE to host 23rd Annual
International Wine Festival & Auction.
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The Shattuck presents Witness
by Julie Kiechel. Exhibition
runs from Wednesday, September 4th through Saturday, September 28th. EverythingWestport.com Friday,
September 13, 2013 Dedee Shattuck
Gallery presents Witness, an exhibition of sculptural installations and images
by Julie Kiechel. Kiechel
reflects on the evolution of humanity through a series of conceptual works,
which will be displayed for the month of September at the Shattuck. Kiechel has worked in manufacturing,
marketing, and design, with projects ranging from her own line of women's
apparel, to a collection of jewelry produced in collaboration with Calphalon cookware. In 2004, Kiechel
honed in her design and manufacturing experience into a MFA in metals from
Bowling Green State University. Her experiences working with manufacturing
facilities, the fashion industry, and the fine arts have developed strong
connections to materials as well as an awareness of the complex and often
problematic issues surrounding material culture.
Upon entering the
gallery, the viewer is presented with large white vinyl scrolls. Scrolls have
been used to record and disseminate religious and secular information across
many cultures and contexts. Here, the scrolls recall modern billboards and
promotional marketing materials, calling into question our current
relationship with public information. Kiechel also creates simplified
apparel forms from industrial felt arranged into graphic installations. The
apparel forms-a simple shirt, a geometric pant-are without specific reference
to culture, time period, or gender, therefore symbolizing any and every
human. The works remind the viewer that in spite of perceived boundaries created
by fashion, culture, time and economics, the essence of humanity remains
universal. Throughout the
exhibit, there are images painted on vinyl, foam cutouts, and felt depictions
of simplified human forms, referencing the figure sculptures of the Cyclades-a
Neolithic Aegean civilization. They stand sturdily, arms crossed, with
expressionless faces described only by a thin sliver marble nose. The artist sees these ancient figures as
the silent witness to an ever-changing human history. Kiechel sees a world that is
changing, but with this exhibit, asks the question- are we truly evolving?
Progression is often equated with material and technological innovation, but
when it comes with a human cost, can it truly be considered progress? When
unthinkable violence continues to occur on our planet, in our country, and in
our neighborhoods, have we really evolved at all? Kiechel
wishes to draw attention to these disparities, with the hope that viewers may
themselves move from the role of silent witness, to active participant. Dedee Shattuck Gallery, 1 Partners Lane (off 865
Main Road), Westport, MA. Hours; Wednesdays - Saturdays: 10am - 5pm, Sundays 12
p.m. – 5 p.m. Website: www.dedeeshattuckgallery.com Email: dedeeshattuckgallery@gmail.com
Phone: 508.636.4177 Life-long resident Agnes Potter, 84, passed away Friday,
September 6th. Co-owner of A. J. Potter Jr. & Sons EverythingWestport.com Monday, September
9, 2013 Agnes (Oliveira)
Potter, 84, of Westport, passed away Friday, September 6, 2013 at home. She
was the wife of the late Alston J. Potter, Jr. Daughter of the
late Manuel and Sophie (Fernandes) Oliveira, she
was born in Westport and a lifelong resident of the town. Mrs. Potter was
co-owner and secretary of A.J. Potter, Jr. & Sons, Inc. in Westport. She
was a member and past president of both St. John the Baptist Church Women’s
Guild in Westport and the Charlton Employees Retirement Association of Fall
River. She was a member and Chaplain of the Westport Women’s Club and a
member of the Westport Fair. Mrs. Potter was a voting poll worker for the
Town of Westport, Warden of Precinct B and a communicant of St. John the
Baptist Church, Westport. Survivors include
her 3 sons: Leonard F. Potter and his wife Mary of Westport; Ronald G. Potter
and his wife Elaine of Tiverton; and Alston J. Potter, III and his wife
Dianne of Westport; 3 daughters: Cynthia A. Anderson and her husband Stephen;
Sharon Potter; and Cathleen Perry, all of Westport; 1 brother: Antone Oliveira and his wife Judy of Westport; 1 sister:
Rose Quinlin of TX; 16 grandchildren; 15 great
grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral to which
relatives and friends are invited will be Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 9:00
A.M. from the Potter Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at
St. John the Baptist Church, Westport at 10:00 p.m.. Calling hours
will be Monday from 4 - 8 p.m. Interment will be
in Beech Grove Cemetery. Flowers are
acceptable or memorial donations may be made to the Westport
Fair Inc.: For Memorial Restoration of the Water Tower, P.O. Box
3455, Westport, MA 02790. WHALE
appoints permanent new Executive Director. Teri
Bernert, local community and economic development leader,
to take the helm of New Bedford’s historic preservation group. EverythingWestport.com Wednesday,
September 11, 2013 The Waterfront
Historic Area League (WHALE) today announced the appointment of Teri Bernert of Dartmouth as its new Executive Director. Ms. Bernert has over 20 years’ experience in community and
economic development and non-profit management, including 10years as the
Executive Director of The Neighborhood Corporation in Taunton. She has served as Executive Director of
the downtown Taunton Business Improvement District (BID) since January 2011,
as well as Director of its partner organization, the Downtown Taunton
Foundation, whose focus is on the revitalization of historic downtown
Taunton. Her selection follows a nationwide search. She takes the helm on October 9th but will
meet members and attendees at WHALE’s 23rd annual International Wine Festival
& Auction on Friday, October 4th.
“We could not be
more thrilled by Teri’s selection,” noted WHALE President Michael J.
Murray. “She has an impressive track
record in redeveloping historic properties, great partnership skills, and
significant experience in historic preservation, creative economy
initiatives, and non-profit leadership.
We think Teri will be a great addition to WHALE, and to New Bedford.” Ms. Bernert takes the helm from Wendy Nicholas, who has
served as Interim Executive Director since July 2012. In this year-long transition period, which
coincided with the end of WHALE’s first 50 years, the Board of Directors
focused on charting a strategic plan for WHALE’s second half-century. The plan was announced last week at WHALE’s
annual meeting. Ms. Bernert said, “I am honored, excited and extremely
motivated to join WHALE and its partners in their vital mission to create new
life and stories for New Bedford’s historic treasures through advocacy,
education and bricks-and-mortar preservation of the city’s architectural
heritage.” “Teri joins WHALE
at an exciting time,” said Wendy Nicholas.
“WHALE has adopted ambitious goals.
We’re inviting everyone in the community to join WHALE’s campaign to
revitalize New Bedford by continuing to preserve its historic buildings and
neighborhoods. Teri is just the right
leader for WHALE at this time.” Teri Bernert and her family are long-time residents of
Dartmouth. She has been involved in
numerous community organizations and efforts, including the Dartmouth Natural
Resources Trust, the Dartmouth Architectural Design Review Committee, and the
Dartmouth Master Plan Committee.
Additionally, she coordinated the development of Dartmouth’s Open
Space and Recreation Plan. About WHALE WHALE -- the
Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE -- is a private,
member-supported nonprofit that facilitates the preservation and continued
use of New Bedford’s architectural heritage so to foster the community and
economic vitality of the South Coast’s hub city. Since its founding in 1962, WHALE has been
fostering historic preservation in the city through advocacy, education and
training, and actual bricks-and-mortar restoration projects. For more
information, visit www.waterfrontleague.org. Westport
Master Plan Update Subcommittee seeks town-wide participation for upcoming public
meeting. First
public meeting will be September 25th at 4:30 p.m. at the Town Hall Annex. EverythingWestport.com Saturday,
September 14, 2013 Editor’s
Note: A Master Plan is a statement
that is designed to provide a basis for decision making regarding the long
term physical development of our town. A periodic Master Plan Update addresses
issues such as land use, economic development, housing, transportation and
circulation, natural and recreational resources, cultural and historical
resources, water and sewer, and public facilities and services. State government reviews a current Master Plan when considering state-funded
projects for a town. The Master Plan
Update Subcommittee of the Westport Planning board has been inviting input
from Town departments, boards, committees and nonprofit organizations as part
of its intent to gather Town-wide participation for the Master Plan Update.
Inset: John A.R. Fraser, project manager for The Community Builders, Inc., presents
the proposed plan for Noquochoke Village, a
subsidized housing project off Route 177 in Westport, to selectmen’s at a
recent meeting. A Master Plan helps pave the way for housing projects like the
50 residential unit Noquochoke
Village. Reports from the
various groups will be shared at the subcommittee's next monthly meeting on
Wednesday September 25, 2013 at 4:30 pm at the Town Hall Annex. The meeting
will also include a discussion of involvement with the schools.
Two parents with children in the Westport Community Schools, School Committee
member Melissa Pacheco and school psychologist Nancy Rioux
are members of the subcommittee. This is the first time that the schools will
be an integral part of the Master Plan. The group will also review the
process and timeline for drafting sections of the Master Plan and upcoming
public meetings. The public is
invited to attend these meetings. Minutes of previous meetings are posted on
the Planning Board website at: http://planningboard.westport-ma.com/master-plan. You can also
review the 2004 Master Plan, and the results of a town-wide survey soliciting
the public’s opinion for a 2014 update. Please contact
Town Planner James Hartnett at 508.636.1037 if you have any questions. Plan to attend and give the Subcommittee
your opinion on the town’s future direction. Reports from the
various town boards, departments, committees and non-profit organizations
will be shared at the September 25th meeting which will begin at 4:40 p.m. at
the Town Hall Annex. The meeting will
also include a discussion of involvement with the schools. The public is
invited to participate. WHALE
to host 23rd Annual International Wine Festival & Auction. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, September
15, 2013 The Waterfront
Historic Area League (WHALE) today announced the date for the 23rd Annual
International Wine Festival & Auction to be held on New Bedford’s working
waterfront on Friday, October 4, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. This year’s event
will take place inside the State Pier Building located at 93 State Pier with
free parking available at the Elm Street Garage, 51 Elm Street, Dartmouth. The Wine Festival
is WHALE’s largest annual event, attracting hundreds of foodies, wine and
beer enthusiasts, and supporters of historic preservation. Guests will enjoy an evening of sampling
dozens of fine wines and select beers from around the world paired with
signature dishes from the area’s top restaurants and caterers. Crush Fine Wine
Boutique of New Bedford and Chancellor Fine Wines and Spirits of Fall River
are honored to present this year’s Wine Festival. They are joined by approximately 20 area
restaurants and caterers who are preparing to delight guests with their
delicious cuisine. “This first-class event is something that so
many in our community look forward to each year,” said Stephanie Poyant Moran, Wine Festival Chairwoman. “WHALE is an
essential part of our city’s revitalization efforts. This event not only
showcases our area’s finest fine wines and culinary specialties, but also
highlights and supports WHALE’s tireless work to preserve and restore our
community’s historic and architectural treasures. It is an event that you do
not want to miss!” Guests will enjoy
live music by Greg Harper and piano stylist Art Medeiros. A silent auction
will top off the event with specialty items that range from sporting goods
and event tickets, to antiques and memorabilia, paintings, unique home
furnishings, and gift certificates to area establishments. “We hope people will bid high and bid
often,” encouraged Danielle Poyant, Auction
Committee Member and WHALE Treasurer.
“100 percent of the auction proceeds support WHALE's efforts in New
Bedford.” “WHALE has not only preserved
our history but has generated meaningful economic development in Downtown New
Bedford. We invite everyone to join us
as at this year’s event. Your
contribution and attendance will help ensure that WHALE continues its work
for many years to come.” WHALE
President Michael J. Murray. Tickets are
available in advance $65. Tickets can be purchased from WHALE by calling 508.997.1776,
online at www.waterfrontleague.org, and at Crush Fine Wine Boutique, 801
Purchase Street in New Bedford.
Tickets are also available at the door on the evening of the event for
$75. Seventy percent of each ticket is tax deductible to the full extent of
the law. The Wine
Festival’s major sponsors include Rockett Real
Estate Investments, SouthCoast Media Group, HallKeen, Joseph Barry Co., mediumstudio,
Reynolds DeWalt and Thompson Farland.
Sponsorships for this event are still available. Please call the WHALE office, at 508.997.1776
for additional information. About WHALE Waterfront
Historic Area LeaguE (WHALE) was established in
1962, when Urban Renewal threatened entire neighborhoods. Its founders were
committed to saving New Bedford’s history and architectural heritage from
“death by neglect and the tyranny of the bulldozer.” Perhaps, Sarah Delano,
WHALE’s President from 1966-1982, said it best, “If you bulldoze your
heritage, you become just anywhere.” WHALE was founded to ensure that New
Bedford is “Not Just Anywhere.” Over the past 50
years, WHALE has rescued more than 50 important, endangered buildings and
historic resources, most deemed ‘impossible to save.’ They include The
Zeiterion Theatre, the Rotch -Jones-Duff House,
Union Street Lofts and, most recently, the Howland House at 38 South Sixth
Street. Because of its non-profit status, WHALE can enter into a variety of
real estate transactions including purchase, rehabilitation, sale, and deed
restrictions. With these capabilities, WHALE has been able to save properties
which could not be handled by the private sector. © 2013 Community Events of Westport. All rights
reserved. EverythingWestport.com |
