2nd Grade Concert, Karin Foley's best work yet

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Award-winning vocalist and music director Karin Foley led the second graders of North Pembroke Elementary School in a hopping and waving good-time holiday choral concert and poem-reading Thursday night, December 12th in the institution's cafeteria and stage area.

 

Patrons entered through the front doors and were approached and greeted by a trio of smiling students delivering holiday wishes and waving blue, dancing snow man decorated programs.

“I want to thank our ushers this evening who passed out programs, “said Principal Summergrad, referring to those animated and welcoming girls.  “They passed out programs with enthusiasm, you might have noticed.”

“The biggest 'thank you' for the evening goes to Mrs. Foley,” Summergrad continued, “whose patience and skill make possible what you are going to hear tonight: the joyful singing of our second graders. So without any further words from me, welcome and enjoy.”

The crowd of parents, relatives, and friends answered with resounding applause.

Foley then instructed each of the four second grade classes dressed in bright red, green, and white to wave.

“Mrs. Weir's class, wave to your parents,” Foley directed,  followed by Mrs. Snee's, Mrs. Batchelder's, and Mrs. Callanan's classes shaking fully out-stretched arms and hands.  One boy even jumped.

The entire performance is available at www.pembrokecommunitymedia.com.

“Jingle Jolliest Season” was sung first, then “Jingle Bell Boogie,” and a snow poem recited by classmates Kate W. and Jason F.

Mrs. Snee's and Mrs. Weir's classes belted out “Shalom Chaverim,” Bella G. read a dreidel poem, and Mrs. Callanan's and Mrs. Weir's classes sang a Hanukkah festival melody.

It's a brave second-grader who stands behind a microphone to read verse for a standing-room-only audience of over 300.  Besides the 3 courageous children mentioned above, Benjamin D., Vera R., Brendan A., John F., and Sophia P. also recited poems.

 

All four classes sang “Penguin Polka” for the grand finale.

The 25-minute video made by Pembroke Media shows teacher Mr. Moser after the concert saying “good job” and “high fiving” each student passing him while returning to classrooms where parents and youngsters rejoin to go home. 

So, let's have another round of applause for the amazing concert tonight,” ended Summergrad “We thank you again Mrs. Foley.”

Foley's masters degree in vocal performance is from the prestigious Boston Conservatory here in New England; and besides being a wonderful voice and general music teacher for Pembroke's public school children, she still finds time to sing with local church and choral groups.

Pembroke Media is a volunteer group of Pembroke residents of all ages interested in keeping local coverage alive.

 No funding comes from either the town or Comcast, all support is fully tax-deductible, and donations of $20 or more are recognized with a DVD of the show of your choice.

Community service hours can be earned towards the forty required for graduation from Pembroke High School by calling 781-910-8899 and talking about what is important to you in the world of media.

Watch the Pembroke High School Thanksgiving Game Here

Thank D J Mattinson for same-day football viewing

The Mattinson family of Pembroke has taken pride in getting Thanksgiving high school football games ready for immediate public viewing ever since the Pembroke/Silver Lake rivalry began. This holiday it was Pembroke Media volunteer D. J. Mattinson who accomplished the nearly impossible “same-day” feat that his dad, professional media entrepreneur John Mattinson, pulled off other years.

D. J. filmed the entire game and half-time show from the top stands at the 50-yard line, braving freezing wind and cold to capture all the festivities on tape with his professional-grade camera. He then rushed home where the quality footage was uploaded, edited, and burned to disc Thanksgiving Day afternoon.

Same-day viewing is far different from live feeds needing no editing. The refining process which removes, adjusts, adds, and removes pictures and sound can take days. The job of placing graphics, introductions, endings, and credits can continue for days, weeks, and months more.

D. J.'s remarkable, same-day, polished production can be seen at pembrokecommunitymedia.com in the sports section.

“I was recording for the coaches while D J was catching the action for all the rest of us,” the elder Mattinson said. “I look forward to being here every year, but it was damn cold. Players and fans were fighting the elements, and D J said he saw some parents shaking.”

The traditional Thanksgiving Pembroke Titans vs Silver Lake Lakers football game started 10 am with Titans first winning the toss, and finished with a 21-17 Titans win.

Pembroke Media is an all-volunteer group of students and others interested in keeping local media coverage alive in their town and surrounding area. The organization is Commonwealth of Massachusetts 501(c)(3) non-profit, and IRS tax-exempt. All support is fully tax-deductible.

Call 781-910-8899.

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WWII Tail Gunner George Bent, Jr.'s story

Pembroke Community Media's series about WW II continues with episode 5 in which Robert Kopper interviews tail and waist gunner Sgt George Franklin Bent, Jr., originally from Milton, Massachusetts.

Episodes one through four of this series have been airing weekly on television to over 3 ½ million viewers in PA, WI, IN, CA, ME, NH, and MA, and are  playing in 30 Massachusetts towns, including Marshfield, Hanover, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Danvers and Plympton. It is not playing in Pembroke.

A commercial for episode 5 shot September 18th by Pembroke Media volunteers with James Whooley making his acting debut, was shown as a promotional around the country prior to this video's release.

"You won't believe the original WW II documents you see," Jim says in the 55-second spot. "You have to watch this show."

If the Bent name sounds familiar, it's because the G H Bent company has been making crackers in Milton since 1801.  Locals call it "Bent's Cookie Factory."

Here's some information about George Franklin Bent, Jr.'s grandparents on his mother's side:

His maternal grandparents were US citizens.  They formed the Wiseman family of four.

Harrison S. Wiseman and wife Mary were born in NewYork in 1868 and 1873 respectively. In 1910 they lived in Pontiac, Michigan with 13-yr-old daughter Ruth Julia Wiseman (that's George Bent's mom-to-be)  and eleven-year-old son James Harrison Wiseman.  Both children were born in Michigan. Another child had since passed away.

24-year-old William Herzog from New York lived with them as a roomer, and worked as factory foreman in an automobile plant.

Mom Mary was a homemaker, and Dad Harrison fashioned leather for the auto industry.  On the paternal side, males named Shepherd, Joseph, Junior, and Josiah Bent all lived in Milton in the year 1800 according to the Census. Josiah was 29 at the time, having been born in 1771 to John Bent and Hannah Coller.

 Josiah is the relative who started the George Bent Cookie Factory in Milton, Massachusetts, famous for flour-and-water hard tack that became known as the first "cracker."  The staple required no refrigeration and was part of nearly every soldier's wartime diet.

It wasn't until 1873 that births were recorded in a family bible purchased by George and Edna who by then had babies Frances and Annie. These parents must have know their household would be expanding, since the illustrated and leather-bound book was a heavy thing with many empty pages for entries.

The children of George Henry Bent and "first wife" Edna Louise Hayden Bent as recorded in their bible:

Frances Ashton Bent was welcomed into the family on February 29, 1872. Sister Annie Mabel Bent(Bradlee) was born July 5, 1873; followed by Arthur Preston Bent on July 20-something in 1876; Gertrude Milton Bent(Read) on August 2, 1880; Emiline Hersey Bent on July 15, 1882;  Jesse Pierce Bent on December 2, 1883;  Harvey Bent on June 20, 1885;  George Franklin Bent on May 7, 1886; and Roy Bent on August 17, 1891.

That's nine children from "first wife" Edna who died December 17, 1895 at the age of 44.

A subsequent marriage to "second wife" Minerva Clarable Eddy Bent (and later "Higgins") added Helen Margaret Bent, July 3, 1907; William Eddy Bent July 2, 1909; and Charles Preston Bent September 4, 1910.  There were now a family of 14.

George Henry Bent, the father of these 12 children, and grandfather to our George Franklin Bent in Pembroke, Massachusetts, died April 13, 1915 from pneumonia.  The story goes that he hiked a lot with his dog Water Cracker Bill,  caught a chill, and died.

That brings us to our George's father who was the 8th child in the family of 12 siblings from Milton, Massachusetts.  He was George Franklin Bent, Sr who married Ruth Wiseman from Michigan.

George F. Senior served in WW I.

His and Ruth's children were Mary Catherine, Jean Marie, our George Franklin Jr., and then Sylvia three years later in 1928.

Today 88-year-old Sgt George Franklin Bent lives in Pembroke, Massachusetts with third wife Peggy.

This 5th episode of Robert Kopper's WW II series was recorded Saturday afternoon, August 24th, 2013 in the living room of Bent's Pleasant Street home.

On set, George was "grip," carrying all heavy filming equipment in and out of vehicles and through doorways.

Pembroke Media is an alliance of volunteers interested in recording local events and keeping history alive. Funding comes 100% from local businesses and people like you. All support is fully tax-deductible under IRS 501(c)(3) regulations and Commonwealth of Massachusetts non-profit guidelines.

Go the www.pembrokecommunitymedia.com or call 781-910-8899. You can sponsor a show, get a DVD, or just have fun viewing.

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Pembroke Media Crew films another “Expressions in Painting” show with Paul Crimi

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Fine Artist Paul Crimi turned a blank canvas into an outdoor scene in less than an hour during episode 16 in this recent series of "how to" videos called "Expressions in Painting."

Crew included Pembroke Community Middle School students Jessica Fano and Laura McCue on studio cameras one and two, and Pembroke Media's own director, Cathie Briggette on studio camera three. Each operator wore headphones and took directions for the entire hour from the director in the sound room.

Laura McCue, age 12, gave Crimi the 5-4-3-2-1 finger countdown at the beginning. She also held up the 30, 15, 3, and one-minute cards letting Crimi know how much longer until his time was up.

Jessica Fano's camera was angled to get close-up shots of both the painting and the brush while Crimi applied colors.

It was both Briggette's and Fano's first time using big cameras, and they did a wonderful job.

After 60 minutes of filming, everyone heard "It's a wrap," and knew it was safe to talk and make noise.

Crimi began the show with three finished paintings of bottles from other episodes.  "I like the personalities they have," Crimi said.  "They are starting to have their own kind of feeling."

He plans to make 25 or 30 similar works and have a series.

For this episode, Crimi created a Fall scene from his imagination. "I have all the colors, so let's just start," he said after squeezing two shades of green and blue from tubes into a Styrofoam dinner tray. "Then I'll sketch it out a little bit. I'll lay it out so we get some ideas."

Crimi continued and described the half-done painting. "It still has it's own personality and has a way of revealing itself.

This painting is going to look more impressionistic that realistic. I love impressionistic anyways. I call myself a contemporary impressionist."

Then Crimi advised the viewer that "You have to be patient. Just take your time and keep putting paint on the canvas.

If you just keep putting the paint on the canvas, eventually you're going to get to where you want to go."

He gave lots of instruction and uplifting advice.

"Painting is something you feel as well as see. After all these years I tell people that painting is an expression of your soul and how you feel about it. Especially when you are painting from your imagination and you have nothing to look at.

 "All you have to do is do it. Don't be too critical of yourself if you're painting. Just keep painting. I tell people that the worst thing you can do if you hate the painting is start all over again by painting the canvas black and begin again. I have a bunch of paintings when I first started that I must have painted 10 or 12 paintings on the same canvas. Those people who bought those have no clue that there are that many paintings underneath those canvases."

Crimi's phone number is 781-871-5333. He loves to hear from viewers, and wants you to know that most of his works are available for private acquisition, maybe even the actual painting from this show.

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Titans vs Knights, High School Football September 12, 2013

Published on Sep 14, 2013

Watch the Game HERE.  

Pembroke High School's Titans football team opened 2013 with a home game loss against Stoughton's Black Knights yesterday afternoon.

Pembroke was cursed from the beginning with the official timer malfunctioning and passes thrown to players who misunderstood their role. Nothing seemed to go right.

For Stoughton it was well worth the trip on two uncomfortably crammed yellow buses. They arrived 2:35pm at the front door with 4 coolers and a first aid box, then proceeded to claim the field with a 34-6 win, their second this season.

Their first victory was 28-0 against Marshfield just 2 weeks earlier.

Pembroke's 2nd home game is scheduled against North Easton's Oliver Ames Friday, September 20th, at 4pm, but there are rumors that the date may change.

It will be the 3rd game for Oliver Ames.

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Pembroke, MA Girl Scout Bridging 2013

The May 15^th Pembroke Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony filmed by Leader Kelly Holland and edited by Leader Holly Walsh is now playing in the “Community” section of pembrokecommunitymedia.com. It is easy-viewing at just 5 1/2 minutes.

“This annual ceremony is an important tradition in Girl Scouting,” said Holly.  “It celebrates a girl moving from one level of Scouting to the next.  The ceremony recognizes the girls' achievements, and shows support as they prepare for new challenges ahead.”

The evening started in the Pembroke Community Middle School auditorium with a traditional Flag Ceremony hosted by Troop 80393.Fifty-two girls “bridged” on-stage by walking one-by-one over a mock bridge colorfully decorated with bright balloons and flowers.  After crossing they received congratulatory certificates and patches. Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award recipients were recognized. 

“It's heartwarming to see so many girls coming together with their families to be part of this great Girl Scout organization in our hometown.” Holly continued. “I want all parents of girls to know that they can go to www.girlscoutseasternmass.org to sign up their girls for next fall.”

The modern music Holly used when editing this video was “Go Cart” by Kevin MacLeod, a choice that really livens up the show with its toe-tapping “electronica” genre and all-synthetic instrumentation.

Good work, Holly. We hope to see more of your Girl Scout videos in the future.

Pembrokecommunitymedia.com is run by Pembroke residents, and receives funding from local businesses and people like you.  All support is fully tax-deductible under IRS 501(c)(3) regulations.

Pembrokecommunitymedia.com is a Commonwealth of Massachusetts certified non-profit organization, and has the earned the coveted “Guidestar Gold Seal.”  We can be reached at 781-910-8899.

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The Robert Kopper Show

Kopper grew up in Washington, DC as the youngest of four children in a family that regularly discussed politics at the table. In 1985 he moved to Pembroke, Massachusetts where he now lives with his wife and children.  "People love to express their opinions," Kopper says, "and I am here to give them that opportunity. To give them a voice."

"I grew up listening to WBZ talk shows on my crystal radio," Kopper continued.  "There was Jerry Williams and Gene Burns on RKO.

"My brother had an alternative rock show during the 60s and 70s on WBCN 104.1 in the morning."

When asked  why he prefers the talk show genre, Kopper answered, "I like it because there's a lot to talk about, and I know that people are more interested in politics than they realize.  It affects their lives more than entertainment or sports ever could or will."

Published April 25, 2013 - Part I The Robert Kopper Show with Fighter Pilot Robert Roy III Torpedo bomber fighter pilot Mr Robert Roy, III invites us into his Pembroke home to see memorabilia and hear about war-time experiences.

Listen as he describes learning how to fly the torpedo bombers with 2,000 lb torpedoes into Tokyo in 1945.

Roy left Harvard University freshman year to join the service, having been impressed by an active-duty pilot in full uniform visiting area high schools.
"Only an 18-yr-old would think it fun to go to war," said Roy. "It was pretty shrewd of them to send a guy in uniform around to impress us kids."

Roy's mother Lydia in Wollaston signed the enlistment papers in 1942, and off he went to Florida for flight training which began with Piper Cubs and progressed to torpedo bombers..

Meet the Selectman Candidates

Robert Kopper introduces and interviews 3 selectman candidates vying for one, 3-year seat in the Saturday, April 27th election.

Taped by Pembroke Community Media as a vehicle for introducing hopefuls Michelle Burt, Dan Taylor, and John Mattinson to local residents.

This is your chance to meet them and garner their views.

Sponsored by McCue Well Drilling; NSK Inc., Information Technology Specialists; and Bittersweet Design in Pembroke.

Voting starts at 9 am in all 5 precincts.

The premier episode of "The Robert Kopper Show," filmed January 21st at Pembroke Community Media Center, features guest Howard Scott who is best known for his expertise as bee keeper and author.

Host Robert Kopper grew up in Washington, DC as the youngest of four children, in a family that regularly discussed politics at the table. In 1985 Kopper moved to Pembroke, Massachusetts where he now lives with his wife and children.

"People love to express their opinions," Kopper says, " and I am here to give them that opportunity. 'To give them a voice."

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John Henry O'Keefe Gets "Best Show" Award

CLICK HERE

High School freshman John Henry O'Keefe received Pembroke Community Media's "Best Show of the Month" award for his video, "Pie Night with the Scouts," during an April 17, 2013 ceremony officiated by Ann Ryerson who has been involved in Pembroke media endeavors for over 28 years.

A video of the ceremony is playing HERE in the “Awards” category.

Ryerson presented the document, asked John how he became interested in video production, and said she is looking forward to seeing his future productions.

John answered that his mom showed him how he could get involved. After his first video, "Scouting for Food," was well received, John decided "to get into it," and make "Pie Night with the Scouts.”

He shot all his footage at St.Theclas Church with a professional Panasonic camera, and edited with Final Cut Pro software.  When asked how he chose the silent picture-style accompanying music, John answered that  “It just seemed to fit.”

Volunteer Janet Callaghan assisted with camera and tripod equipment at the church.

With close to 600 views, the comedic short is the most watched show from November 2012.

“Congratulations, John Henry, on this wonderful award,” his proud mom, Kim O'Keefe said after the presentation.  “You did a great job. Thank you.”

Cookies were served as John Henry discussed plans for his next production to be filmed at the Herring Run with his uncle Bobby. “Bobby's knowledgeable about the Herring Run,” Kim offered, “and he can be interviewed.”

“Pie Night with the Scouts” was shown at two separate go-and-see-it Tiger Cub Scouting events held at Pembroke Community Media Center this past year.  Thanks to this budding filmmaker, laughing Tigers munched on popcorn, drank water,  and were able to watch whipped cream pies plastered on adults' faces, and green-colored applesauce goop poured over the adults' heads.

 

John Henry hosted one of those movie-night events by serving snacks and cleaning up afterwards. Pembroke Community Middle School volunteer, Billy Bracken hosted the other.

You can watch “Pie Night with the Scouts” in the “More Fun Videos” section of www.pembrokecommunitymedia.com.

Media production runs in John Henry's family.

Uncle Kevin O'Keefe, producer of “The Home Show” that ran on Pembroke Public Access from 1988 to 1990,  jokingly said “I taught that little kid everything he knows. No, just kidding.  Really, I think he picked it up from watching me.  Mostly he learned how to aggravate his father from listening to me.

“Johnny's a natural,” Kevin continued.  “I don't know how he does it, but he just picks things up. He's a smart kid.  When he likes things he just grabs it and runs with it.”

Kevin graduated in 1981 from North East Broadcasting School at 282 Marlboro Street,  Boston, Massachusetts, with a degree in radio and television communications.  He  interned at a now-closed Boston Radio station before serving two terms on Pembroke's Cable Access Committee.

Pembroke Community Media is a Commonwealth of Massachusetts non-profit, IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that was formed by Pembroke residents in June 2012.  It is run by volunteers with help from local businesses and viewers like you.  There is no affiliation with Comcast or pactv.  Pembroke Community Media is in Pembroke.

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Pembroke Community Media Celebrates it's One Year Anniversary

English writer Charles C. Colton's notable 19th Century phrase, “Imitation is the sincerest of flattery” applies most heartily to the feeling here at pembrokecommunitymedia.com, since other media entities are copying us, and copying us now more than ever.

It's been one year since a group of volunteer Pembroke moms, dads, children, and other residents banded together to keep local access and programming alive in our community by forming Pembroke Community Media.

Over 120 new shows have been filmed, edited, released, and viewed over 13,000 times.

Live-to-tape sports events and competitions including: coverage of girls' and boys' hockey, girls' field hockey, swimming, football, and basketball; religious presentations, historic genre, analysis, discussion, political forums, public service announcements, scouting events, original works of non-fiction, documentaries, art shows, award presentations, and more are completed and ready for viewing at pembrokecommunitymedia.com.

Halifax Cable Advisory Committee member Elaine W., referred to Pembroke Community Media's prolific offerings as “a magic act,” and we agree.  The magic lies in the vast number of Pembroke volunteers working together to make it all happen.

So, to those who continue monitoring our workings and copy what we do, we say, “Thanks for the compliment.”

We are not pactv.

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Happy Mother's Day from Pembroke Community Media

Mother's Day is just two days away, and pembrokecommunitymedia.com is celebrating with this photo gallery, and by continuing to bring you videos made by and including Pembroke's children, moms, and dads.

 

Community service hours required for high school graduation are offered FREE.
Editing instruction and production guidance are FREE.
Summer project interpretation is FREE.
Video creation help is FREE.

 

You get the idea. We never charge for what has always been volunteers working with other volunteers to bring this town the programming we've all come to love and expect.

Funding comes from local businesses and private contributions which are always 100% tax-deductible under IRS 501(c)(3) regulations and Commonwealth of Massachusetts non-profit statutes.
 

DVDs are free with a $20 donation to support Pembroke Community Media Center.  Call 781-910-8899, or CLICK HERE.

ALL SUPPORT IS FULLY TAX-DEDUCTIBLE

Have an idea for a show or want to cover a local event? Join the fun by contacting us today to start your project tomorrow. 

Pembroke Community Media Center, Inc., right here in Pembroke, is an IRS 501(c) (3) tax-exempt, Commonwealth of Massachusetts non-profit company created by residents, and is run by volunteers with support from local businesses and people like you.