SOUTHPORT STAFF PROFILE 

Sue Aitken

You can't miss her. Her office is just inside the main entrance to the Village Center, and the door is almost always open. Only if she's under pressure from a deadline or a project will you find the door closed and her hand lettered sign pleading "Sue is busy!" Otherwise Village Director Sue Aitken is happy to wave and let you know that she's glad to see you. "Sue is a wonderfully compassionate person who takes the time to know both residents and employees on a personal level," says Julianne Davignon, Southport's Health and Wellness Coordinator. I feel very fortunate to work with her and have learned a great deal from her."

Eleven years ago, Sue Aitken was looking for an opportunity to return to Massachusetts from Maine. She had grown up in Weymouth and was actively looking for the right position that would bring her home to Cape Cod and allow her to help care for her aging parents and cousin.

Opportunity didn't knock for Sue, but it did come by way of a 6:30 a.m. phone call from her cousin Ruth: "Your job is advertised in today's Cape Cod Times" was the important message Ruth had for Sue. The job in question was director of the Village Center at Southport.

Ideally qualified for the position, Sue was the final candidate to be interviewed. In fact the hiring committee had already decided on someone else for the job until Sue came along. But after meeting her and hearing about her background, it was clear to the committee that Sue and Southport were a perfect fit.

Everything that Sue had previously done professionally was a perfect lead-in to the job at Southport. She attended the University of Maine at Farmington in the home economics education program, and taught both junior high and high school classes in Massachusetts and Maine. After the birth of her son in 1979, she left teaching and spent two years as director of a Head Start daycare program so her son could attend daycare where she worked.

Following that, Sue and her husband became resident directors at the Brandon School, a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed adolescent boys in Natick, Massachusetts. With as many as 16 boys in their care at one time, this was an extremely challenging and rewarding responsibility. Sue feels that she learned a great deal about herself and human nature, handling difficult situations, and problem solving while at the Brandon School.

The next step in Sue's career involved returning to the flagship campus of the University of Maine in Orono to earn her master's degree in administration leadership in higher education. Sue next became a member of the university's Resident Life staff for 12 years and subsequently assumed the position of director of Alumni Relations for the University of Maine Alumni Association, where she organized homecoming, reunion, sporting and other social events on and off campus.

While at the university, Sue also started her own business, Campus Greeters, delivering cakes and balloons to students who were celebrating special occasions. She also raised and bred Siberian Huskies, a fiercely independent breed that she came to love for their joyful demeanor and love of life. And, as if keeping several diverse jobs going at one time were not enough, Sue was also a part time travel agent. Hard work and long hours became a way of life for her, and she thrived on the challenges she encountered.

Village Center Staff (l. to r.) Maggie Hunt, Sue Aitken, Julianne Davignon and Jean McGeown

Sue's professional career has progressed from generation to generation, beginning with infants and toddlers, to teenagers and young adults, and at Southport, to a mature adult population. Asked about her job responsibilities here, she smiles and says, "Director of Everything!" When she first arrived, Sue was a staff of one. As Southport grew it became obvious that more help was needed and she now has several part time employees.

Sue manages the Village Center schedule, equipment and staff, plans events and trips, and handles the resident administrative functions formerly overseen by the Sales Department.Many of the activities that take place at Southport were initiated as ideas or requests from residents. Want to schedule a weekly card game? Learn how to paint with oils? Join a fitness class? Take a cruise? See Sue.

"Sue possesses an amazing array of skills that enable her to keep every aspect of the Village Center running smoothly," attests Julianne Davignon. "She is able to quickly and effectively solve a problem or to interpret a policy consistently and fairly in the best interest of all residents. Under stress or during hectic times she remains calm and positive, and she has a great sense of humor."

Sue is very appreciative of the many residents who volunteer their time and energy to make things run smoothly at Southport and is quick to give them credit for their work. "Volunteers

Sue and granddaughter Sadie

are the backbone of Southport," she says. "We are a community of people who want to help make this a wonderful place to live." And that sentiment is definitely reciprocated. Gail Monson, a frequent volunteer, considers Sue "a true gift to Southport. Many people don't realize the scope of her responsibilities, from choosing tiles for the floor to planning and preparing our marvelous social functions. Sue hires the entertainment and is a master at getting performers to reduce their prices! There's nothing Sue won't do to benefit Southport residents."

When Sue is not busy orchestrating activities at Southport, she enjoys spending time with friends and family. Her new granddaughter, eight-month-old Sadie, is a delight. As a birthday present for Sue, her son and his wife gave her a whole weekend alone with Sadie. In other words, she got to babysit while the parents got a weekend away! That's fine with Sue. Watching Sadie grow and interacting with the other people she loves brings stability to Sue's life and reenergizes her for the job here at Southport.

Members of the Southport Residents Scholarship Committee Arthur Wagman (left) and Julie McDevitt (right) congratulate the Mashpee High School seniors who are the recipients of the 2011 SRSC Scholarships (l. to r.):  Zachary Martin, Saynab Maalin, Joshua Crossman, Kelsey Duarte and Jamie Popovics. Photo: Paul Butters

Thanks to the generosity of Southport residents and the hard work of the Southport Residents Scholarship Committee (Roland Laferte, Ed Larkin, Julie McDevitt, Dan Riley, Arthur Wagman), the five Mashpee High School seniors pictured above will head to the college of their choice with the help of a $1,000 scholarship from our community. Pat Farrell, guidance counselor at MHS, provided the following information about the scholarship winners. Paul Butters took the picture on Awards Night at MHS. 

• Joshua Crossman graduated number three in the Class of 2011 and was asked to make the valedictory address after the actual valedictorian chose to make her speech as Class President instead. Josh will attend Northeastern University in the fall with a major in aeronautical engineering. 
• Kelsey Duarte maintained her number two spot in her class and delivered the salutatorian address at graduation. She will attend St. Michael's College in Vermont. Kelsey has yet to decide on a major.
• Saynab Maalin will be headed to the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester in the fall and is also undecided as to which major to pursue. 
• Zack Martin is off to Endicott College in Beverly where he will pursue a major in business as well as play football. Zack was one of only 30 young men in the state named for the Shriner's football team.
• Jamie Popovics is New York bound in the fall where she will attend Pace University. Jamie plans to major in English with a minor in theatre.

 SOUTHPORT PROFILE

Margaret Dhionis

A Readiness to Participate Fully in Life

         an interview with Dick Fellenberg

Many of us at Southport grew up about the same time as Margaret Bunn, but few of us had similar childhood experiences. Living in Kings Lynn, less than 100 miles north of London, she was exposed to World War ll in a very real way. She, her mother and two brothers slept in an iron cage to protect against bombings. Margaret told me the cage was "about the size of a king bed" and was specifically made for protection against shrapnel and debris caused by bombs.

Margaret Dhionis

In elementary school Margaret carried a Mickey Mouse gas mask to school and every school had an air raid shelter. Air raid drills were a regular part of the school day and air raid alerts were frequent since Kings Lynn was an important port on the Ouse River. The sound of nearby bombing was a frequent reminder that the war was close by. Children were warned to watch out for pen size bombs, which might go off in a curious child's hands. Far different from my childhood during the same period!

Margaret's father served on a minesweeper in the Royal Navy. When a mine was discovered it had to be disarmed manually, and one of her father's duties was to row the demolition team to the mine, which had to be kept as far as possible from the ship. Fortunately he lived to tell about it! Occasionally he was able to get home, bringing oranges and other "goodies" that were impossible to obtain during the war.

Almost everything was rationed--even tea--no small sacrifice for a people addicted to tea much as we are addicted to coffee. You may remember gas rationing from those years, as I do, but that was not a factor where Margaret lived since practically no one had cars in a nation with excellent publication transportation.

The end of the war in Europe led to nationwide street parties. Margaret told me, "Everyone piled into the streets," bringing whatever food or beverage they could in a countrywide celebration. The iron cage was not seriously tested, Margaret's father came home in one piece, but the sounds of war close by were a lasting memory.

Margaret's high school years were spent in a girls' convent. She told me she was "slated for a life in a convent but wasn't inclined that way." Following graduation she worked in a department store; buying trips to London were one of her favorite duties.

After joining the US Air Force Lou Dhionis was sent to England and assigned to an ammunition depot near Kings Lynn. His commanding officer, briefing new arrivals, told them, "Thirty percent of you will go home married." They all laughed, but happily he wound up being part of that 30%.

Margaret's mother had always told her to "Stay away from those damn Yanks!" But she met Lou at a dance and that became one of the rare occasions when Margaret didn't follow her mother's advice. She said Lou seemed nice, but she had trouble getting to know him since "Blokes kept cutting in." Lou told me he kept cutting back in. He had the good sense and patience to persist, their romance flourished despite the "blokes."

Margaret and Lou married in 1955 and moved to Hudson, Massachusetts that same year. "Hudson was a bit of a shock," she said. Unlike her hometown of King's Lynn, a bustling market town with centuries old churches and historical buildings, shops, cinemas, a museum, and train and bus stations, Hudson was a small town with few activities or stores and no public transportation. A car was a necessity if one wanted to go anywhere.The Dhionis family grew to four with the addition of Linda in 1957 and Chrisopher in 1959. Margaret focused on the family while the children were growing up but eventually went to Framingham State College to earn a degree in elementary education.

After graduation Margaret landed a job in the Hudson school system, teaching "English as a Second Language (ESL). "Students were "immersed in the English-only program for three years and were able to speak, read and write in English" upon completion of the program, at which point most were mainstreamed into grade level classes. Margaret loved teaching, and her experience as a newcomer to America gave her empathy with her students, who were immigrants from all over. In a strange land with people speaking a strange language, the children needed to build self-esteem, which she considered an important part of her job to foster. 

In July 1982, shortly after she began to teach, Margaret had a serious heart attack and was unable to return to the classroom until October. A few years later Margaret was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disease that saps one's strength and can be crippling. Seeing Margaret at Southport, involved in just about everything, it's difficult to imagine her using hand braces or coming "down the stairs on my bottom" due to RA pain. She continued to teach in the ESL program until retirement.

Margaret and Lou retired in 1996 and moved to the Cape. She told me they "bought a beautiful home in Bayberry Place" in Hyannis. They spent part of each winter in Florida, trying Sarasota and Cape Coral before Naples became their favorite spot for winter breaks. Margaret told me she did some gardening and tended to their home but was hampered by the effects of RA. A few years before moving to Southport her doctors found a combination of medications that worked very well to relieve much of her suffering.

"When we moved to Southport in 2004," Margaret said, "it was the best move we ever made." With her RA under control she entered into life at Southport with enthusiasm. She took up golf and participates in the nine hole and eighteen hole programs, becoming treasurer of the latter. When bocce was started she became a fixture in the Women's League and she and Lou joined the Couples League. When shuffleboard recently came along Margaret joined up. Playing on the same team, I heard someone comment on a great shot Margaret made, saying "She does the same in bocce; she always gets good shots."

Margaret introduced "Hand and Foot," a card game similar to Canasta, to Southport. She learned the game in Florida and thought it would be great game at Southport. Thirty or more women play Hand and Foot each week with Margaret acting as the leader. Rosemary Palizzolo, who helped out with Hand and Foot when Margaret was ailing, says, "She is a totally enjoyable person. She's a real lady, I just love her." Carol Bloom stopped by during one of our discussions and asked: "You're interviewing Margaret? She's a great lady," she said. Margaret and Lou have gone on many Southport trips. She loved Italy and singled out Tuscany as her favorite spot there. They've also enjoyed river cruises in Europe.

What's always enjoyable about these interviews is wondering where discussions will lead. In this case the idea was to focus on Margaret's experiences during World War ll, but this is about Margaret, not about the war. What emerged during our talks is a story about a woman who overcame the debilitating effects of a serious heart attack and a chronic illness, events that can sap one's strength and dampen one's enthusiasm. Margaret's dazzling smile and her lust for life, her readiness to participate fully in life at Southport, can be inspiring for anyone looking for insight into overcoming adversity. Hats off to Margaret and a nod to Lou, you lucky dawg!

Margaret is our girl so fair,

Lady with the silver hair.

Went from teacher extraordinaire

To giving us all quite a scare.

When your big heart gave you trouble

Southport wanted to wrap you in a bubble.

With shuffleboard, bocce and golf

She certainly does entertain herself.

Our Hand & Foot club she began

To which 80 plus people immediately ran.

For the 18 Holers on Thursday morn

She has gotten up at dawn

Making sure the teams are set

And all the rules are properly met.

For a while she taught us art

And made us all feel so very smart.

The Events Committee takes advantage of her flair

For knowing what goes where

To make the ballroom look its best

We give her very little rest.

Our thanks to Lou

Because of you

England's loss

Is Southport's coup.

Written for Margaret Dhionis's 75th birthday in May 2011

by Dan Riley, with contributions from

Gail & Mel Monson, Norine & Leo Piscatelli andAnne Riley  

The whole thing started innocently enough. Leo and Norine Piscatelli had planned a return trip to Italy for a long time and, in discussing their plans with Dan and Anne Riley, they suggested that the Rileys might be interested in joining them. When the Piscatellis tell you about a great destination for food and wine, you would be a fool not to listen. Norine, a professional tour guide in her own right, had already researched the trip and found a great tour with Odysseys Unlimited in Newton, Massachusetts, which specializes in tours of 24 people or less. They offered a particularly attractive itinerary through northern Italy.

The Rileys had never gone on a group tour before and Dan had never traveled to continental Europe, but the trip just sounded too good to miss. Once the Rileys were on board, Gail and Mel Monson were double-teamed and convinced that they shouldn't miss this opportunity. The six of us were good to go!

View of Lake Maggiore from our hotel in the resort town of Stresa

Mariangela, our tour manager, greeted us at the Milan airport. She proved to be an absolute delight as she herded our group onto our tour bus where we met our driver Mauro. A short ride took us to the La Palma Hotel in the international resort of Stresa on beautiful Lake Maggiore. This lake, nestled in the foothills of the Alps north of Milan, is 40 miles long and six miles wide. We had several hours to admire the beautiful views of the lake and to take a brief walking tour of Stresa before meeting fellow tour members at a cocktail reception preceding our first dinner together.

The next morning found us at Villa Taranto, the site of one of Europe's most beautiful botanical gardens. The ornamental fountains, sculptures and waterfalls accented a diverse array of flora and provided gardening inspiration for Gail, Anne and Norine. We returned to lakeside for a late afternoon cruise to Isola Bella, set in the middle of Lake Maggiore. The island is completely occupied by the 17th century Palazzo Borromeo and its extravagantly landscaped gardens. It affords magnificent views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Norine was particularly enamored of the white peacocks that wandered freely through the gardens. The day ended with a delicious dinner at an island restaurant.
 

Milan's duomo is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world.

The following day was spent in Milan where one of the highlights was the 14th century Castello Sforzesco, which once hosted such luminaries as daVinci and Bramante. The castle's several museums exhibit antique art and musical instruments, including the works of Renaissance and 17th century Italian, Dutch, and French artists. It is also home to the unfinished last work of Michelangelo: the Rondanini Pieta. Next was a guided walking tour of Milan, which included the celebrated La Scala opera house and the impressive duomo, the world's largest Gothic cathedral, which dates back to 1386 and features some 135 spires. On our final evening in Streza, we enjoyed dinner in the local piazza.

Next morning we traveled south to the Liguria region and the beautiful oceanfront town of Santa Margherita, arriving early in the afternoon. After a walking tour of the town we decided that a sampling of local wines and cheeses would be a wonderful appetizer to enjoy before dinner. That's when we learned a very important fact about Italian customs: mid-afternoon is siesta time. The fact that there are plenty of tourists wandering around town looking to buy wine and cheese is not sufficient cause for local merchants to vary from this custom. We finally found an open shop, made our purchases and then returned to the Hotel Metropole for happy hour and an excellent dinner.

The villages of the Cinque Terre cling precariously to the cliffs above the Ligurian Sea.

On the following day we cruised the Ligurian Sea along the rugged coastline known as the Cinque Terre. For centuries, the five fishing villages that we passed, built into the side of the Apuane Alps during the medieval period, were inaccessible by land. Even today, no road connects all of them. We marveled at the scenery and wondered how it had been possible to construct those homes and churches high on the hillsides above the sea.

A ferry ride to nearby Portofino was on our schedule for the following day. Although known as a destination for the rich and famous, our visit was more noteworthy for the accomplishments of our group. To enjoy the panoramic view of this "port of the dolphins" one must climb a stairway of 112 steps and then continue up a hill to the first point of interest, the Chiesa di San Giorgio. The ascent continues to Castello Brown and through beautiful vegetation to the port's lighthouse. We all made it. Leo credits his winter ballroom walks and his Marine Corps training for enabling him to accomplish this feat without breaking a sweat!

We departed Santa Margherita next morning and headed for our Tuscan villa. On the way we visited Pisa's famous leaning tower, its 11th century duomo, and its gorgeous baptistry. After arriving at the beautiful Villa San Filippo in Tuscany, our home for the next four nights, we were treated to authentic Tuscan cuisine, which we enjoyed, and were jolted by a small earthquake (about 3.0 on the Richter Scale), an experience that we had no wish to repeat! 

Pisa's famous leaning tower, with the baptistry and duomo in the background

We spent the next day touring Florence--the Galleria dell'Academia, home of Michelangelo's David, the duomo, whose dome is the masterwork of Brunelleschi, and Piazza Della Signoria. We shopped on the Ponte Vecchio and walked to Fort Belvedere and the Palazzo Pitti. In the midst of all this Florentine beauty, Leo discovered what he later insisted was the best pasta Bolognese of all that he had sampled in northern Italy.

The next day began with a walking tour of Siena, which included the Piazza del Campo, one of Europe's great public squares and the site of the famous Palio, a horse race in which Sienese neighborhoods (contrade) compete. We also toured the duomo which we all agreed was the finest one that we had seen. The artwork in the cathedral included works by Donatello and Michelangelo. The black and white marble pillars and the mosaic floors were particularly impressive. Late that afternoon we motored to a winery in the village of Castellini in Chianti for a tour and wine tasting.

Southporters in Italy (standing l. to r.) Dan & Anne Riley, Gail & Mel Monson; (seated) Leo & Norine Piscatelli

Our final day in Tuscany was spent visiting the hill towns of Volterra and San Gimignano. Volterra is noted for its artisans, who produce alabaster carvings, as well as for the fact that it was the center of Etruscan art and commerce from the 9th century BC to the 4th century AD. San Gimignano features 13 medieval towers that survive from the 72 that once stood guard in this fortress town.

We left Tuscany for our final destination, Venice, where we spent a day and a half touring the city's famous landmarks: Piazza San Marco with its fantastic basilica, the Bridge of Sighs, the Rialto district with its bustling marketplace and, of course, the ever present Grand Canal. On our second evening at the beautiful Dei Dogi Hotel, we enjoyed a wonderful farewell dinner with our group of fellow travelers. Next morning we made our way by boat to the airport in Venice and the conclusion of what we all agreed was a beautiful and memorable experience.

This article was edited by Karlyn Curran.

LOCAL HISTORY

Wampanoag Life Before Europeans Arrived

        by Frank Lord

Thoughts from Life's Adventures to Nowhere

         by Joe Marino

I have no fear for our future and I have no fear about where minorities are going to surface. We are the minorities. We all hold a certain veto power in this great country, but alas we all share apathy in regard to our actions. We have a propensity for not showing up at our local elections, and then we bitch at every decision that our approval, our one vote, our ultimate say, would have changed the history of informed change. Right now, more than ever before, we must adjust our plan of attack to include the vote that we carry as citizens.

This time of year is the most important reminder of why we celebrate the freedoms procured by the people that came before us. Oh, we buy our fireworks and we say 'Happy Fourth of July,' but if you ask the average person, they won't be able to give you a history lesson as to why we as a nation celebrate this great event.

I'm sure the Brits of the 1770s would not want to celebrate our freedom from their rule. I'm sure that the so-called "Armies of the First World War" would not applaud the efforts of our soldiers to insure that we are free to express ourselves in any forum. I am also sure that the veterans who freed all of Europe during World War II could give us a lesson about what it was like to fight and die for us to be able to vote as a free nation.

Then, lest we forget, came Korea and Vietnam. They were not called "wars." If you remember, they were called "police actions." Tell that to the boys that came home covered with the stigma that is war; most of them are still alive to vote because they fought for the right to do it. I'm sure the soldiers "over there" would like to be over here, and if you ask them why they do it, well it's for the right to be free. They would also tell you that it's so our constitution, you know, the one that we go by, is spread to other nations. So that they, too, may enjoy the freedom to vote and be heard without fear of recrimination.

It used to be that immigrants came to this country because the streets were 'paved in gold.' Loosely translated, that meant that the opportunities of this great land were endless, and that we as a nation would always endure. Why? Because we are strong, we are committed, we are united behind our leaders and we have the right to change that leadership through our vote.

We as a people come in all sizes, all colors, all religions, and all ethnicities. Every group that settles here has the ability to succeed, and every group that settles here faces the same hardships as those who preceded them. But, they can become citizens of this country and, through their study of our freedoms and abilities, they can succeed and prosper.

In conclusion and simply put: Shake the hand of a veteran. Honor the memory of those that died for us to be free, and finally, the most important way you can honor those men and women, VOTE! Happy Fourth of July!
 

         As always, for now, be well and may your God bless you! Joe

DINING OUT

Casino Wharf FX in Falmouth

Good Food, Entertainment & A Sea Breeze

          by the Southport Phantom

Casino Wharf's decks overlook Nantucket Sound. Food is served on both.

When my wife asked if I wanted to try the Casino Wharf FX in Falmouth, my first thought was that I had had enough of casinos for a while. Having visited Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun and Twin Rivers frequently over the years without many rewards, I was leery until she told me that it was a restaurant with entertainment and not the type of casino that I was familiar with.

On our first visit we sat at a table in the corner and I couldn't figure out why so many people were sitting inside on a great sunny, warm day. I soon found out. Appearing that day was a group called the BaHa Brothers. Almost everyone was there to hear the music. They all knew something that I didn't--this group is one of the best musical groups on the Cape. They performed a terrific selection of music from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and more. 

Salad with shaved Parmesan and hardboiled egg

We stayed a lot longer than we had planned so we ordered two fried fish dishes that confirmed that the crowd was there for the entertainment only. But, never judge anything on the first experience. Give everything a second and third chance or you might miss out on a hidden treasure. We have since returned a couple of times and enjoyed every minute of our stay. You can't get much closer the water without a wet suit, and the view is without a doubt one of the best on the Cape. There are two levels of deck overlooking Nantucket Sound, with food service on both.

Steamers

Meanwhile, something happened in the kitchen because the fish dish we ordered on our second visit was as good as any fish we have had anywhere. The clam plates looked great with clams falling over the side of the plate. The salads and wrap sandwiches were prepared and presented with as much care as in the finest restaurants.

And did I mention that the view was incredible? By the way, park in their parking lot under the building; it's easy and all you have to do is tip the attendant. Parking on the street is limited to two hours and finding a spot is not an easy task. Guaranteed you will stay for at least two hours. Casino Wharf FX is located at: 286 Grand Avenue, Falmouth.

Summertime at Southport

We waited all winter for this!  Photo: Paul Butters

Kentucky Derby Day

Photos: Paul butters 

Maureen Joseph

Barbara Butters

Ellen Enright

Dave & Mary Drinkwater

Dom & Sheila Romano

Clay Buswell & Gloria Adler (left) defeated runners-up Jack Vartanian & Dave Drinkwater to become the 2011 Eight Ball Doubles Pool Champions. Photo: Nick D'Alessandro

Shuffleboard "Action" Photo: Paul Butters