(Emmanuel Catanzariti playing during one of Cozy’s past performances in New Orleans.)

Emmanuel Catanzariti, a 2010 Duxbury High School graduate, is doing big things these days. The Duxbury native and his band Cozy are gaining some major recognition across the country. While video chatting from Los Angeles, Catanzariti discussed his latest musical endeavors including one exciting and rather humbling experience.

“We got to perform at the Roxy Theatre here in L.A.,” said Catanzariti. “While we were there, an older gentleman who worked there came up to me and asked, ‘do you know who has performed on this stage?’ I knew of a few but hearing all the talent that had played there was incredibly humbling, especially as a small college band.”

Catanzariti and Cozy, the band he plays and writes songs for, played on the same stage that night that Guns ‘N’ Roses and Eric Clapton had played on before them.

(The band Despite Dwight, (from l-r) DiOrio, Ferrigno, Goldenberg and Berry, Koomey and Endresen after performing at the Solstice restaraunt benefit last Thursday.) Photo credit: Sarah Weston

It all started when a group of friends came together in Jim Goldenberg’s office to practice for the first time. Jim’s landlord, Dwight, an old, weathered man, was not amused by the group’s music that ran late into the night.

However, despite landlord Dwight’s displeasure, the band Despite Dwight is going strong. They recently played their seventh year at Solstice Restaurant’s summer party. The band is made up of vocalist Allison Berry and bassist Jim Goldenberg, along with guitarists Mark Endresen and Scott Ferrigno, Mark DiOrio on keyboard and Matt Koomey on drums. The six members of Despite Dwight aren’t your average rockers, they all have busy day jobs as well as children to raise.

(The Harbormaster’s shed at the opening of the walk-on beach is equipped with multiple cameras, as are other locations.)

No, it’s not paranoia. Someone really is watching you.

This past spring, the Duxbury Harbormaster’s Office installed numerous surveillance cameras at Powder Point Bridge and along the entrance to Duxbury Beach in an effort to monitor the goings-on at the privately-owned beach.

“The cameras at the beach we installed first went up about a year ago,” said Harbormaster Don Beers. “Then we improved upon it, so we have new monitors at the lot, the Powder Point Bridge, the entrance to the back road, we’re monitoring other areas and the Harbormaster’s building.”

Beers said the cameras aren’t there for his staff to watch bathing beauties during slow hours, but to assist his office for law enforcement and public safety purposes only.

With the end of the fiscal year looming on June 30, selectmen voted unanimously to honor five requests from town departments to transfer money within their budgets to cover shortfalls.

Finance Director John Madden explained Monday that under the Acts of 2005, towns have the flexibility to transfer funds within a department’s budgets or within the overall town budget to cover shortfalls.

He recommended selectmen approve the five transfer requests from four departments.

Martha J. (Cleary) Hoffman of Norfolk, formerly of Needham and Duxbury, died June 20, 2012. Beloved wife of the late Frederick L. Hoffman; devoted mother of Frederick L. “Ted” Hoffman Jr. of Norwood, Jane E. Hoffman of Norfolk, Joanna “Jody” Raymond of Randolph, Elizabeth “Betsy” Sugameli of Canton, Nancy Finnell of Randolph and Stephen Hoffman of Duxbury; 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; sister of the late Joan Mulock, Kevin Cleary and Philip Cleary.

Dr. Frank H. Blackington III of Duxbury, died on June 19, at 84. Dr. Blackington was born on May 25, 1928 in Keene, N.H. After receiving a bachelor’s degree at the Keene Teachers College (Keene State College), Dr. Blackington served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He returned to teach history at Marshfield High School, where he met his future wife Rosella Schatz, at the Easter sunrise service. He received his master’s degree from Boston University and his Ph.D. in philosophy of education at Michigan State University. Dr. Blackington served as a professor in philosophy of education at Michigan State and rose to become director of MSU’s Honors College. He then became the president of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown for 20 years until his retirement in 1994. He also served on the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Armed Forces. Dr. Blackington retired to Duxbury, where he remained active on the Board of Directors for the Sandwich Glass Museum, a member of the Snug Harbor Community Chorus and as a member of the Pilgrim Church of Duxbury choir. He enjoyed participating in the activities of his grandchildren, reading, and the gift of music.

Paul W. Weyand of Cumberland, Maine, formerly of Quincy and 33-year resident of Duxbury, died on May 22.  He was born on August 20, 1934, the son of the late William Weyand and Mae Sweeten of Quincy.

He was a 1952 graduate of Boston College High School and 1956 graduate of Boston College where he earned a BS in business administration.  Mr. Weyand served as a supply officer in the U.S. Navy from 1954-57 before embarking on a career in sales and management.  He served as a sales representative and sales manager for Sweetheart Cup Corporation for nearly 20 years before moving to Franklin and Perkins of Brockton where he served as general manager, president and chairman of the board over the course of the next 21 years.  Mr. Weyand’s leadership transformed the local paper distributor, Franklin & Perkins into one of the largest and most successful paper and food distribution corporations in the Northeast.  During this time the company was relocated to Taunton and renamed Perkins Paper.  The company’s success was catalyzed by Mr. Weyand’s vision, mentorship and concern for the well being of employees, and the network of trust he built within and beyond the company.

Mr. Weyand was the devoted husband of Judith Carlson Weyand for nearly 55 years, a dedicated father of four children and grandfather of six.  He had a warm and engaging personality and lifelong passion for athletics.  At Boston College High School, he served as president of the class of 1952, was captain of the basketball team, played football and baseball, and was voted the most popular member of his graduating class.  At Boston College, he pitched on the baseball team throughout his collegiate career.  He subsequently became a golf enthusiast and was a lifelong supporter of the Boston Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots and Bruins.

He leaves his wife, Judith Carlson Weyand; his children, Nancy O’Rourke and husband James of Cumberland, Maine, Peter and wife Donna Weyand of Dallas, Texas, Cynthia Vega-Weyand of Dallas, Texas, Paula Finlay and husband Brad of Cumberland Maine; six grandchildren, Kristen O’Rourke of Bridgeport Conn., Tyler O’Rourke of Arlington, Va., Megan and Myles Finlay of Cumberland Maine and Mikayla Weyand and George Smith of Dallas, Texas.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Martyrs Church, 266 Foreside Road (Route 88), Falmouth, Maine, on Friday, July 6, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Boston College High School Scholarship Fund, 150 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125. Condolences may be expressed at FuneralAlternatives.net.

H. Jeanne (Kessling) Cunneen, 84, of Cape Canaveral, Fla. and formerly of Duxbury died on May 24 after a period of failing health.

Mrs. Cunneen, a former high school English and chemistry teacher, was married for 60 years to her husband, William Cunneen, and was the mother of eight children. For many years, the family lived in Duxbury. Mrs. Cunneen’s love of the beach began one summer when the Ohio native traveled to Martha’s Vineyard to work as a waitress. It was there that she saw the ocean for the first time, and also where she met her future husband, Bill, a graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

 The couple married in 1952. They lived in West Roxbury, Cleveland, Ohio and then Duxbury. Duxbury became home to the Cunneen family.  Mrs. Cunneen worked at Duxbury Dental, and was a member of Holy Family Church.

 Mrs. Cunneen was an avid tennis player, and loved to travel. She and her husband together visited France, Austria, the Caribbean islands, Bermuda, England and Ireland.

 Her daughter, Mary Ruprecht, recalled her mother as a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother. “Family was so very important to Mom,” she said, adding, “She also loved Duxbury, the beach, and boating.”

 Mrs. Cunneen leaves her husband Bill; seven children, Robert Cunneen and his wife Rhonda of Kingston, Richard Cunneen of Kingston, Thomas Cunneen and his wife Elizabeth of Beverly, and David Cunneen and his wife Betsy of Cocoa Beach, Fla., Mary Ruprecht and her husband Michael, of Kingston; Anne Sullivan and her husband Rick of Plymouth; and Julie Lassiter and her husband Richard, of Raleigh, N.C. and  the late, William Jr., who died at the age of six months in 1952;  two sisters, Estelle Kessling, SND of Reading, Ohio and Geneveive Leist and her husband Ted, of N.C.; her brother, the late Bernard Kessling of Reading, Ohio; numerous nieces and nephews, and five grandchildren, Alicia (Ruprecht) Whipple and her husband Colby, of Plymouth, Alex and Megan Lassiter, of Raleigh, N.C. Trisha Sullivan, and Terrence Sullivan and his wife Kara; four great-grandchildren, Emma Sullivan, Molly Sullivan, and Hannah Sullivan, all from Middleboro and Taylor Estelle Whipple of Plymouth.

 A memorial service for Mrs. Cunneen will be held Friday, July 20, at 9 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, Kingston. Davis Funeral Home in Plymouth is handling the arrangements. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Cunneen’s memory may be made to the Sisters of Notre Dame De Namur, 701 E. Columbia Avenue, Reading, OH 45215.

Hecker was arraigned in Plymouth District Court on June 8 and bail was set at $2,500. According to Russ Eonas, a spokesperson for Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz, Hecker’s bail terms ordered that he abide by any active restraining orders and stay away from the parties in the case.

Efforts to reach Hecker for comment were unsuccessful. A pretrial conference will be held on July 23 in Plymouth District Court.

Boston Police, working with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, arrested a Duxbury man last week as part of an ongoing investigation into violent drug crimes in Charlestown.

Apprehended as part of Operation Tourniquet was Darnell Crump, 30, who gave his address as 748 Union St. He was arraigned in Charlestown District Court and charged with trafficking in a Class B substance, violating the state’s drug laws in a school zone, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and being an armed career criminal. According to Jake Wark, press secretary to Suffolk County DA Daniel Conley, Judge Lawrence McCormick held Crump on $66,000 cash bail.

Wark said Crump was allegedly observed attempting to sell crack cocaine in the Bunker Hill Housing Development. When police went to his sister’s Charlestown residence to arrest him, they interviewed Crump and he allegedly admitted to keeping more drugs in his sister’s home in the presence of young children. Police executed a search warrant and recovered 27 grams of a rock-like substance that tested positive for cocaine and a fully-loaded Spesco .38 revolver.

Operation Tourniquet resulted in the arrests of 20 suspects on gun and drug charges. All of the other suspects gave Boston addresses.

According to Duxbury Police Lt. Lewis Chubb, Crump is known to local police, but, said Chubb, “We’ve not had any significant contact with him.”

Announcing, the Essay Contest Winners for Duxbury’s 375th Birthday.

The 375 Committee sponsored an essay contest for all Duxbury students, grades twothrough 12, to commemorate the long and rich history of our town. The theme was “What Makes Duxbury Unique to Me.” The Committee received 154 thoughtfully written essays from all age categories. We are happy to announce the winners:

Grade 2 category: Caroline Eldredge, a second grader at Chandler School

Grades 3-5 category: Chasey Sampson, a fourth grader at Alden School

Grades 6-8 category: Lila Jones, a sixth grader at the Middle School

Grade 9-12 category: Cameron Myette, an 11th grader at Duxbury High School.

The winners were awarded cash prizes, as well as medals with the Duxbury 375th logo imprinted on them, at the town-wide picnic on the town green on Sunday, June 17.

My top five favorites, by Lila Jones, Grade 6
Hello and welcome to Duxbury, Massachusetts. Today we will be discussing my favorite attractions in this great town. You may have even have been to some yourself. Today I will be specifically focusing on my top five favorites. Let’s begin.

One amazing attraction in Duxbury is difficult to overlook, Duxbury Beach. Enter the beach by traveling over the half-mile long Powder Point Bridge; built in 1892 it became the world’s longest wooden bridge. After you cross the bridge, follow the path onto the beach. The path is bordered by a wooden fence, and lacy, bright pink beach roses. When you are finished walking the path, spread out your towel, lather some sunscreen on, and enjoy the beauty of the beach. The roar and crashing of the waves as they forcefully slam against the sand, their white tips perched on the denim blue surf. You will hear seagulls chattering and cawing above you, and squeals of laughter from delighted children splashing, boogie boarding, and building sand castles.

I know you’ve had fun on the beach, but now it’s time to move on to our next attraction, Bluefish River. Here at the Bluefish River you can let the tides casually propel you down the winding river or you could sit and fish. You can even jump off the Bluefish River Bridge, when it’s high tide of course. Not in the mood for getting wet? That’s all right, too. Just take the roughly five-minute walk to Snug Harbor. You can check out the boats, go whale watching, or get an ice cream from French Memories Bakery. You can check out some of the other shops also.

You might want to dry off for our next destination because unlike our first two, you won’t be swimming here. You may have guessed it, our next stop is Hall’s Corner. Halls Corner has been a very important crossroad since the days of the Pilgrims. It is named after Captain Daniel Hall, the owner of a tavern in the 1800’s. There is a gas station currently sitting where the tavern used to be almost 200 years ago. At Halls Corner you can explore the shops like Dunkin Donuts, Cottons, Scoops, One, Rock Paper Scissors, Westwinds Bookshop, and several more.

Our next destination is the Myles Standish Monument. The Myles Standish Monument sits on Captain’s Hill. When the people of Duxbury decided to make the monument, they received funds from Mr. J. Henry Stickney from Baltimore, Maryland. Building was started in 1871. When the monument was 70 feet tall, they ran out of funding. By the time they had enough funding to continue it was 1889. The granite on the lower part of the monument is slightly lighter in color, so today you can still see where the construction was delayed.

Next stop, the John Alden House Museum. John Alden was a ship carpenter and a cooper. He married Priscilla Mullins on May 12, 1622. John and Priscilla had 10 children. Today the house is owned by the Alden Kindred of America Family Association. You can tour the house and learn about what life was like then. I think the coolest thing about the Alden House is that it is one of the only houses from the 17th century left today that has been “untouched” in a sense. What I mean is that the Alden House hasn’t had any changes to keep up with modern times, like plumbing, electricity, modern kitchens, etc. Although these might be considered “improvements,” it takes away from the historic factor of the house, which I think is the coolest part. Unfortunately, this is the end of our tour, but not the end of this paper.

The pilgrims came here because they wanted a better life. A couple years ago, my family moved to Duxbury for the same reason. My parents thought it would be good for us to grow up near the ocean, and obtain our education in great schools, two things Duxbury has willingly offered. We have enjoyed living here so much. Everyone here is so nice. Duxbury is more than a town. We’re more like a family. You feel as if you know everyone. We love the safe and fun atmosphere Duxbury offers us. Even though I’ve just listed some of the main attractions in Duxbury, that isn’t the only thing that makes Duxbury what it is. There are plenty of equally great places to visit. Coastal Living magazine voted Duxbury on the Top 3 list for “cute, quaint beach towns”, and as flattering as this is, Duxbury is even more than that. It’s hard to describe what a great place this town really is, you have to visit us and find out. Living here, I can definitely understand why the pilgrims came here so many years ago.

Duxbury through the season, by Caroline Eldredge, Grade 2
Duxbury is unique to me because there is always something to do in every season. Every season brings changes to Duxbury. In winter Duxbury has the best sledding hills. To sled I like to go to Miramar. A lot of my friends go to North Hill. Maybe next year I’ll go. Duxbury has great places to ice skate, there are bogs and ponds everywhere. Who could forget the Christmas tree lighting on the Town Green? Hot chocolate and visits with Santa what fun. Duxbury is so beautiful around the holidays. I like driving around Tinker Town with my family on Christmas Eve to see the luminaries. Don’t get me wrong, winter isn’t the only great season.

When the weather warms up, Duxbury has so many things to do. Duxbury has the best playgrounds. My favorite is the one behind the Library. On the weekends you can find me playing sports. There are so many choices in Duxbury. When school is out, Duxbury is the place to be. No other town has a beach like ours. If you want ice cream, check out FarFar’s and Scoops. The toy shop, Once Upon a Time is next to FarFar’s. My mom used to work there. They have great toys. I’m always excited for the 4th of July parade. I love to see the parade and catch the candy. This year I am going to Camp Wing, it’s so cool that there are camps right here in Duxbury.

When the weather cools down again, it’s back to school. This time of year I like to sign up for classes at the Duxbury Art Association. I’ve taken Animal Art and Sewing already and I can’t wait to try more. This is when the leaves start to fall. I love jumping in the leaf piles my parents rake up. I also love to walk on the trails and around the bogs to see the fall colors. Duxbury is beautiful in any season.

A town full of camaradie, by Cameron Myette, grade 11
In the state of Massachusetts, every town is unique. One might have a history of  trade while others could be the birthplace of important people. The town of Duxbury is steeped in rich tradition and history in many ways. It was the second town incorporated into the commonwealth of Massachusetts. It was a producer of ships during the 17th and 18th centuries. Duxbury has been around for many years. And in those years, Duxbury has been a place I call home now.

The amount of camaraderie that Duxbury has is what makes Duxbury unique to me. When I came to Duxbury as a freshman, I was new and didn’t know anyone. I kept in mind that everyone in my grade was new to the high school but they had their group of friends and I had no one.

 I will admit, I thought the kids in Duxbury wore high class clothing to school and I thought I wouldn’t fit in. I strongly disliked middle school when I was living in my old town. I was bullied for stupid reasons, even by some of the girls. For me, it was not a good situation to be in. To my surprise and relief, the school had a day that was hosted by the link-crew to get all new students comfortable with the high school. Granted I still got lost sometimes but it did help. That same day, one student actually welcomed me to Duxbury. It was just a quick handshake and a few words, but it meant a lot.

The majority of students made it easy to fit in and by the second week, I had someone to sit with at every lunch and I was just like everyone else. It is this sense of camaraderie that makes Duxbury unique to me.

When my family and I moved to Duxbury, our new home was situated next to a cemetery. It was a little cemetery named Dingley Cemetery. I would have never thought that I would be living next to a cemetery. I quickly got used to it and later found out that it was the resting place of four Veterans of our past military. They fought in the American Revolution and the War of 1812.

My mother later informed me that every Memorial Day, the American Legion comes to the cemetery and takes part in a ceremony honoring the memory and sacrifices that each of them made. So on the morning of Memorial Day, out of respect, I put on my uniform and stood at parade rest at the entrance waiting for the American Legion to arrive.

I did not know what to expect so I made sure I looked good and ready. They arrived and asked me if I wanted to be in their formation. I immediately responded with a confident “Yes Sir” and joined them in the ceremony. I had never met them but because we shared a common purpose, to respect the ones who sacrificed everything, we trusted each other. It is this sense of camaraderie that makes Duxbury unique to me.

Fast-forward to August 2011 and we received the news that a West Point graduate from Duxbury had passed away while serving our country. As a town, we came together and supported Lt. Steele’s family and honored his memory admirably. The amount of respect and pride that I saw was strong, so strong that I have seen it this whole school year. As a student body, we created posters to remember him. The Duxbury football team dedicated their season to Lt. Steele’s memory. We will never forget his service to us. It showed me that this town of Duxbury is one unit, one team ready to support anyone in their time of need.

It is this sense of camaraderie that makes Duxbury unique to me. The town of Duxbury, Massachusetts has been around for a long time, 375 years to be exact. It is small in size but the hearts of the citizens that live here are huge in the idea of camaraderie. I was welcomed with open arms when I came here. We remember those who have fought for our freedom and support those in a time of need. We are one unit, one team with the colors of green and white. I am proud to be a Dragon, now and forever. Happy Birthday, Duxbury.

A very unique town, by Chasey Sampson, 4th Grade
Duxbury is a very unique town. Long, long ago, settlers came here on a ship called the Mayflower. They did not want to live in England because King James made unfair laws about churches and religion. The pilgrims did not like him, so they got on the Mayflower and they left. Two people on the ship were Captain Myles Standish and Henry Sampson. I am related to both of them. Henry Sampson was one of the first settlers of Duxbury. His nephew married Myles Standish’s granddaughter, and they had a son named Myles Sampson. This is my little brother’s name now. Henry Sampson owned the land where my church is now (Pilgrim Church). To me, it is unique that my relative owned the land where I now go to church! Myles Standish was also one of the first settlers of Duxbury. Now there is a monument dedicated to him. You can go up to the top and see almost all of Duxbury. There are 147 steps to reach the top, we counted.

The beach is another thing about Duxbury that makes it very unique. At Duxbury Beach the water is very cold, but I love to swim in it anyway. You can drive your car onto the beach. When I go to Duxbury beach, we stay until night time and we have barbeques. While I am at Duxbury Beach the sun beats down on my back and I feel the sand between my fingers and toes. I hear seagulls squawking and the sound of many people enjoying the beach. The beach definitely makes Duxbury unique.

Bluefish River and Powder Point Bridge are two things that make Duxbury unique. Bluefish River Bridge is a bridge you can jump off at high tide. Whenever we drive past the bridge, we look to see if it is high or low tide. Sometimes it is dead low tide and the boats are sitting in the mud. At high tide you can jump off the bridge. I have done this a couple of times. I swing my leg over the railing. I gracefully leap off the ledge and fly through the air and land with a pleasing splash in the freezing water below. The Powder Point Bridge is a long, long wooden bridge. When we drive over it, we try to hold our breath the whole time. You can either drive over it or walk over it to get to the beach. Those are two fun things that make Duxbury unique.

The library makes Duxbury unique to me. The Duxbury Free Library is a huge library filled with any type of book you can imagine. The shelves seem to touch the sky filled with books for all to enjoy. There are special rooms where you can do your homework or do an after school group activity. I do Junior Garden Club and knitting at the library. My favorite books to get at the library are Nancy Drew mysteries.

Another thing that makes Duxbury unique is Bumpus Park. With its luscious green grass, tall climbing trees, and the ocean right next to it, Bumpus Park is very unique. My family calls it “Daredevil Park” because we always climb trees and jump off them like daredevils. Sometimes we have picnic lunches or dinners at Daredevil Park. At Daredevil Park the trees are so close together that I try not to touch the ground and jump from tree to tree. It is a very unique place in Duxbury.

Lastly, Duxbury is unique because of the King Caesar House. I did a camp called Time Travelers Camp this past April vacation at the King Caesar House. We learned how to make paper, do calligraphy, make tin art, and make butter, ice cream, and “1,2,3,4 cake.” It’s amazing how hundreds of years ago people used to live in that house and that it wasn’t always a museum. At one time, it was Powder Point School for Boys. The King Caesar House makes Duxbury very unique.

Duxbury is a very unique town, and I feel glad to live in it. Duxbury is a town full of history. When we walk around Duxbury, we are walking where the Pilgrims walked. In most places you can’t walk around history all the time. Duxbury is a unique town. Happy 375th Birthday, Duxbury.

A water sample taken Friday afternoon at Duxbury Residents Beach came back with safe levels of bacteria, clearing the way for swimming at the popular beach.

According to Harbormaster Don Beers, the beach in now fully open.

Duxbury Harbormaster Don Beers is reporting that Duxbury Beach, specifically Residents Beach, will remain closed to swimming following continued high levels of bacteria in water samples. Only Duxbury Residents Beach is affected by high bacteria. Duxbury Beach at the Bath House, Landing Road, Shipyard Lane and West End all remain open with safe levels. Beers said he expects Duxbury Beach to remain closed to swimming through Tuesday when further water samples will be taken.

Sweet’s hat-trick, Narlee’s face-offs, and Bongo’s goaltending get job done

It was certainly the way Duxbury’s 18 seniors wanted to end their high school lacrosse careers. After cruising through three play-off games with an average victory by 12 goals, the Dragons had to hold on in the fourth quarter and defuse a late Needham comeback bid to win its ninth State title in the last 11 years with a hard-earned 10-8 win over No. 6 seeded Needham HS on Wednesday night at Harvard Stadium.

Duxbury Beach was closed yesterday when water quality tests taken on Wednesday showed a bacteria count of 3900 CFU/100ml. In 2011, all Duxbury Beach water quality tests had a count of just 10 CFU/100 ml. The Board of Health said the water was tested again yesterday, the results of which will be available today at noon.