By Beth David, Editor
Okay, My Faithful Readers, this is our last issue of 2018, so I’m listing a few events a bit ahead of time. Please SAVE THE DATES. We will be back on 1/3/19. See you next year!
Fort Phoenix Polar Plunge
January 1, 10 a.m., Fort Phoenix State Beach and Reservation, South end of Green St., Fairhaven, MA
Come start off the new year with a dash into the ocean! Challenge your family and friends to come out and plunge in remembrance of the victims of domestic violence. This year’s theme is the 1940s. Dress in your favorite 1940s style outfit. A donation of $25 buys a long sleeve T-shirt. Shirts will be available on a first come, first served basis. You can choose whether or not you jump in. Registration and t-shirts can be purchased at the Plunge from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Checks can be made payable to: Fairhaven Dollars for Scholars. Please note on check: Ft. Phoenix Polar Plunge.
For more information, call Kathy Lopes at 508-991-2194 or email lopeska@aol.com.
Moby Dick Marathon
The 23rd Annual Moby-Dick Marathon will be held January 4–6, 2019, at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, NB.
Join us for the 23rd annual read-a-thon of America’s most iconic novel, Moby-Dick. An experience you don’t want to miss, you’ll relive the famous, action-packed narrative and be transported back in time on the search for the elusive white whale. In addition to the main event, the Whaling Museum hosts two mini-marathons on January 5: a Portuguese-language reading of Tiago Patricio’s abridged Moby-Dick, and a children’s version by Classic Starts. #mdm23
The marathon is free. Some of the following events require paid tickets.
Schedule of Events
Friday, January 4 (not free)
5:30 – 9:00 pm. Pre-marathon Dinner and Presentation. Enjoy a meal well-suited for hungry sailors followed by an illustrated discussion “Gender and the Man’s World of Moby-Dick” by Jennifer Baker, Melville Scholar. Ticket Required: Members $40/Non-members $50. Call 508-997-0046 ext. 100, to buy tickets.
Saturday, January 5
THE MARATHON EXPERIENCE
From 10 am Saturday to 1 pm Sunday (schedule is subject to change as timing of Marathon is dependent upon reading pace.)
10 a.m. Stump the Scholars Test your knowledge of Moby-Dick and try to Stump the Scholars with questions for Melville Society Cultural Project members.
10 a.m. Children’s Moby-Dick Marathon Children of all ages can read a section of an abridged version of Moby-Dick by Classic Starts.
12 pm The Main Attraction The 23rd Annual Moby-Dick Marathon reading begins with celebrity readers nestled among the world’s largest model whaleship, the Lagoda. Next, head to the Seamen’s Bethel to hear Father Mapple’s rousing sermon (if your name is drawn in the seat raffle. Otherwise, watch a live stream of the sermon in the Museum’s theater). Readings continue while overlooking the New Bedford Harbor, with the exception of Chapter 40, “Forecastle-Midnight” in the theater with Culture*Park (http://www.culturepark. org). Listen to excerpts read in multiple languages, bringing to life Melville’s experience of a culturally diverse whaling crew.
3 p.m. Portuguese Mini-Marathon Join us for the fourth annual reading of Tiago Patricio’s abridged version of Moby-Dick in Portuguese. Read Melville in the Azorean Whaleman Gallery with forty other intrepid souls.
Junte-nos para a quarto leitura anual de versão abreviada de Tiago Patricio de Moby-Dick em Português. Leia Melville na Galeria do Baleeiro Açoreano com quarenta outras almas intrépidos.
Special thanks to the Azorean Maritime Historical Society and the Portuguese Consulate of New Bedford.
Um agradecimento especial ao Azorean Maritime Historical Society e ao Consulado de Portugal em New Bedford.
5 pm Cousin Hosea’s Chowder House & the Decanter Taproom Recharge and warm up with New Bedford’s finest soups and brews – guaranteed to get you through the night.
Sunday, January 6
8 a.m. 20th Hour Treat Enjoy malassadas to fuel you up for the home stretch!
1 pm Epilogue A few souls will be richly rewarded for impressively staying up all night.
(Timing of Marathon is dependent upon reading pace.)
For more information, visit https://www.whalingmuseum.org/programs/moby-dick-marathon-2019/
Holiday House Tour
The New Bedford Preservation Society presents the 27th Annual Holiday House Tour on Sat., 12/15 (4–8 p.m.) and Sun., 12/6 (1–5 p.m.). Begin at Wamsutta Club, Tour Headquarters 427 County Street, New Bedford. ADMISSION: $22 advance purchase online w/$2 discount to society members; $25 at the door ADAVANCE TICKETS ONLINE through December 14th.
To herald the season, residents of New Bedford’s historic neighborhoods will once again be opening their beautifully restored homes for the New Bedford Preservation Society’s signature fundraising event. Be inspired by the varied architecture and interiors, all beautifully decorated for the season. Always popular on the tour are the costumed historic interpreters greeting visitors at one of the historic homes.
Pre-tour brunch will be served on Sunday, December 16th (11 to 1 p.m.) and where the Holiday Raffle and Silent Auction will be held during tour hours. Brunch reservations ($20 including tax and tip) are suggested but not required. Call the 508-997-7431 for brunch reservations.
Ticket sites: Arthur Moniz Gallery, New Bedford Antiques at Wamsutta, and New York Shoe Repair; in Fairhaven at Periwinkles. Tickets purchased online will be held for you at the ticket table at Wamsutta Club
Call the society office 508-997-6425 or visit http://nbpreservationsociety.org/housetours.html
The society is a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization still run by private citizens who volunteer their time and effort to an annual Holiday House Tour, Garden Tours, Cemetery Tours, a Historic Marker Program, the development of self-guided architectural walking tour brochures, an urban landscaping program (New Bedford Re-Leaf), summer walking tours, and lectures on local history and historic preservation. Visit www.nbpreservationsociety.org.
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Click here to download the entire 12/6/18 issue: 12/13/18 TownHallSingAlong
