1.25.23 - Volume 1, Issue 9

Longtime tailor dies just one month after retiring

BY LEIGH BLANDER

Charles Katsoulakos, a beloved tailor in Marblehead for 55 years, passed away on Jan. 15, one month after retiring. He was 96 years old.

Katsoulakos was reluctant to retire. There was only one thing he was looking forward to. “I have a chair in the trunk of my car and I will go to Devereux Beach and sit there,” he said.

In an interview with the Marblehead Current right before he reitred, Katsoulakos said

he had served “hundreds and hundreds” of customers over the decades. He saw dramatic swings in fashion, but never had a favorite style.

“For me, it doesn’t make a difference. I’ll narrow the legs or shorten the hemline to modernize.” He enjoyed working on prom and wedding dresses the most.

“Those beautiful dresses, I love seeing them,” he said. Many of his customers sent him photos of themselves wearing the outfits he altered.

One day last fall, a woman came in to pick up a jacket Katsoulakos had repaired.

“It’s my son’s jacket,” she said to him. “He doesn’t even wear it anymore, but I want it to last forever.” She left with a smile on her face.

Katsoulakos grew up in Athens, Greece, and spoke with a thick accent. He left school when he was 14. “The Germans and Italians occupied the city, and the schools closed.”

TAILOR, P. A2

Dynamic duo

Ashley, brother-in-law with Down syndrome team on striking images

BY KRIS OLSON

Nearly five decades ago, Marblehead photographer Rick Ashley quickly forged a tight bond with his brother-in-law, Michael. There was a memorable trip to Disney World. Other times, they would just hang out.

But that Michael, who has Down syndrome, would come to serve as the centerpiece of a series of images that would gain national acclaim is

something of a happy accident.

Residents can see many of those same images on display in the Larrabee Gallery at the Marblehead Arts Association through Feb. 26.

The project with Michael began when Ashley learned from his neighbor, accomplished photography editor, author and publisher Dennis Curtin, of a new way to transform a digital photograph. You could email the digital file to China, where it would be given to art school

students. Before you knew it, you would receive back a canvas bearing the brush-stroked version of the original image.

“I thought that was a spectacular idea,” Ashley said.

But what kind of image would translate best to the canvas, Ashley wondered. He settled on an image of Michael as the archetypal author, sporting a tweet jacket and holding a pipe. That first “Michael” piece is among those now hanging at the MAA.

Ashley said that he was so pleased with that first painting, he went a

ASHLEY, P. A8

Longtime dry cleaner closes

BY LEIGH BLANDER

Mayflower Cleansers on Atlantic Avenue closed its doors Friday, Jan. 20, after 87 years in business. Several dry cleaners have closed in town recently, leaving only one remaining.

“I’ll miss Marblehead. The people in Marblehead are nice,” Mayflower owner David Schleri told the Marblehead Current. “It’s a sad

moment.”

Schleri, who lives in Beverly, owned Mayflower since 2004. He says since COVID, people don’t need dry cleaning as much.

“Times have changed, especially with the pandemic. There’s remote work, Zoom meetings and an increase in casual wear. The bills keep going up and fewer people are coming in.”

Scherli said he tried to get another

dry cleaner to take over.

“I reached out to a lot of people. No dry cleaner is booming right now.” He does not plan to reopen anywhere else.

Stephanie Doliber Lynch worked at Mayflower for 15 years and said she’s “sad to see it go.” So are Mayflower’s customers, who came to pick up their clothes for the last time. Doliber

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Planning Board finalizes ADU proposal Members put rental restriction decision in voters’ court

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

Marblehead Town Meeting will now decide the fate of a zoning proposal that proponents say could help some seniors age in place, create affordable housing opportunities and add to the local housing stock.

Planning Board members have been working on the zoning proposal for months, aiming to regulate the construction and use of accessory dwelling units in Marblehead. ADUs are small living quarters that sit on the same property as single-family homes and are often called “in-law apartments.”

Planning Board members have reached agreement on nearly everything contained in the zoning proposal, including the following provisions:

restricting single-family homes to a one ADU per property;

requiring the owner of the single-family to occupy either the ADU or the primary residence;

» providing one parking space for each ADU must be provided; prohibiting the units from being separated and sold; and banning short-term rentals.

Yet, at the Planning Board’s Jan. 17 public meeting, there was a lack of consensus on whether to incorporate a rent-restriction provision in the Town Meeting proposal.

As it stands, the proposal would cap the monthly rent of ADUs built for affordable housing at no more than 70 percent of the fair market rent in Marblehead, based on the number of bedrooms, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which is currently $1,986 for a one-bedroom and $2,399 for a two-bedroom.

“The only thing that I’ve maintained is if we don’t have restrictions, there is no way we are going to create affordable housing,” said Planning Board member Barton Hyte. “It’s just not going to happen. I’m telling you, it’s impossible.”

Member Andrew Christensen joined Hyte in supporting some rent restrictions, while Edward O. Nilsson, Robert Schaeffner

COURTESY PHOTO

Photographer Rick Ashley stands in the Hooper Mansion amid his new exhibit, ‘Michael,’ which features images taken of his brother-in-law with Down syndrome. At right is a creation modeled after David’s ‘The Death of Marat,’ which earned a spot in the National Portrait Gallery.

January 25, 2023 | VOLu ME 1, ISS u E nO. 9 | M ar BLEHE a DC urr En T.OrG | On SOCI a L @MHDC urr En

n EWS FOr PEOPLE, nOT FOr PrOFIT.

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

Longtime Marblehead tailor Charles Katsoulakos in his shop just before retiring. He passed away on Jan. 15.

Funeral march to Glover’s tomb is Saturday

welcome

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

At the tail end of January every year, members of Glover’s Regiment muster around the Old Town House, 1 Market Square, before they march through the town’s historic streets to Gen. John Glover’s tomb atop Old Burial Hill.

The funeral march pays homage to the Revolutionary War general whose regiment carried out the military operation that ferried George Washington and his army across the Delaware River on Christmas Day in 1776. The Delaware Crossing allowed the Continental Army to launch a sneak attack against sleeping Hessian soldiers and secure its first major victory in 1776.

Many of the men in Glover’s regiment were Marbleheaders, and their actions at this turning point of the war remain a source of town pride.

To pay homage to Glover and the Revolutionary War veterans buried at Old Burial Hill, the present-day Glover’s Regiment carries out the funeral march on the Saturday closest to Glover’s death at 64 on Jan. 30, 1797.

“The Regiment always held the march on the 30th of January,” said Larry Sands, a member of the re-enactment group. “We started having it on the Saturday closest [to his death] because we have members coming from a distance.”

Seamus Daly, the re-enactment group’s captain, said the funeral march overlaps with twilight, creating a solemn aura around the marchers and the trail of people behind them.

“It’s a pretty poignant ceremony,” said Daly. “I just feel like we’re stepping back into history as we march down Old Town streets, making it all the more memorable.”

The Historic District comes alive as the re-enactors clad in 18th-century garb process through the town’s streets to the beat of a drum. Children peek out windows. Homeowners step

BY LEIGH BLANDER

On Martin Luther King Jr. National Service Day, volunteers gathered at the nonprofit SPUR to fill more than 100 soup jars, to be delivered to the Marblehead and Anchor food pantries. The jars contain all the ingredients for a healthy soup and just need hot water added.

“Today we celebrate Dr. King’s legacy,” said Kim Nothnagel, SPUR’s director of community outreach. “His legacy was so much around building strong, resilient communities.”

Liz and Hugh Buchan, of Marblehead, brought their two daughters to SPUR to fill the soup jars.

“I hope these kinds of experiences help them to realize how privileged we are, and that

He went to work with his father, who was also a tailor. But by the time he was 30, there wasn’t

public to muster at Old Town House

NEWSROOM

Managing Editor - Will Dowd  wdowd@marbleheadnews.org

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CONTRIBUTORS

Tristan Ashlock Linda Bassett

Nicole Goodhue-Boyd Scot Cooper Laurie Fullerton Mark Hurwitz

John Lamontagne Christine McCarriston Eyal Oren Frances Roberts Hill Pam Peterson Chris Stevens Linda Werbner

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Gene Arnould Jessica Barnett Ed Bell James Bryant - President Virginia Buckingham - Secretary Donna Rice Kate Haesche Thomson Richard Weed - Treasurer

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Kathryn Whorf

DIRECTOR

OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Marion Warner Greely

outside their front door. Others join in the procession.

The Marblehead Messenger in 1977 quoted the late member Ed Bauer, “When you’re part of the Regiment, you feel like you have one foot in two centuries.”

“This is something that the Regiment has done every year since they formed in 1974,” Sands said, adding that the funeral march is sacrosanct. “The Regiment’s members back then said even if there were two guys left alive, they would still do this.”

Daly and Sands welcome the public to join the regiment on Saturday, Jan. 28. People only need to show up at 4:45 p.m. at the Old Town House.

When the assemblage reaches Old Burial Hill, “we’ll do a speech commemorating Glover’s life,” said Daly.

“We’ll pray for Glover and the members we’ve lost in the past year,” Daly said. “We’ll render honors, and then we will march back.”

This year’s funeral march

follows the release of a report that Glover’s tomb requires $3,500 worth of conservation work.

“The base, constructed from modern bricks, is in good condition, but the mortar joints are beginning to open up,” the report reads. “The marble top is covered with biological growths but is in very good condition.”

The report also notes, “No foundation or brick vault is visible below the base, indicating that this may not be the original location of this tomb.”

to see them do such careful work for others.”

In addition to the soup project, SPUR volunteers collected extra food from Shubie’s to deliver to HAWC (Healing Abuse, Working for Change) in Salem as part of its regular Food Rescue program.

Kids across Marblehead also worked at home to design and create bookmarks for children’s libraries and youth literacy programs in Lynn, Salem, Swampcsott and Marblehead as part of SPUR’s literacy program.

“Dr. King spoke about the importance of literacy, fighting food insecurity and making communities more accessible to all,” Nothnagel told Marblehead

Current

it’s our job to give to others as we are able and to speak up against injustices we see,” LIz Buchan

enough work in the family’s shop to support them both.

“So I came to New York City with $400 in my pocket. But I didn’t know the language and I

said. “They seemed to enjoy it today and they took great care in filling the jars … it made me proud

didn’t like it there. I had a friend who owned a Greek restaurant in Malden and so I arrived at his door with my suitcase.”

Katsoulakos met his wife, Ellen, at the restaurant. “She made her own dresses and was voted best dressed at her high school,” he boasted.

Katsoulakos got a job at a Malden department store, but wanted to work for himself so started taking tailoring work from the Vinnin Square

clothing store, Judd’s.

community.

“I had a small rack at home where I kept the clothes, but it collapsed the first week,” because he had so much work.

Katsoulakos decided to open his own shop – first next to National Grand Bank and then, a few years later, down the street at 129 Pleasant. He and Ellen worked there together until she passed away about 20 years ago.

When customers walked into his shop they would see see five old sewing

machines, including Katsoulakos’ favorite — an old Singer that he’d had since he opened.

“Even about sewing machines I have memories,” he laughed, affectionately patting the Singer. There were clothes hanging on racks and dusty old family photos on the wall.

Katsoulakos had a message for all his customers. “I want to thank the people of Marblehead. They’ve kept me busy all the time.”

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In DEX

Art 1, 5, 16, 12 Business 1, 3, 5 Education 3, 13 Environment 7 Government 1, 3 History 2, 7 Library 11 News 1-4

Obituaries 15-16 Opinion 6-7

Public safety 3 Recreation 10 Religion 9 Seniors 5, 12 Sports 9-10 Theatre 16

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Learn more about SPUR at SPUR.

Seamus Daly, captain of Glover’s Marblehead Regiment, gives a speech at Gen. John Glover’s tomb on Old Burial Hill.

COURTESY PHOTO / EYAL OREN / WEDNESDAYS IN MARBLEHEAD

Glover’s Marblehead Regiment marches through the Old and Historic District to Gen. John Glover’s tomb in Old Burial Hill.

COURTESY PHOTO / SPUR

Molly Buchan, 10, worked with her parents, Liz and Hugh, to fill soup jars for local food pantries.

Photo passion becomes profession for Katz

BY MELISSA STACEY

The following is an interview with Mark Katz of Mark Katz Photography. To learn more about his business and see examples of his work, visit markkatzphotography.com.

Tell us about Mark Katz Photography.

I launched my photography business in 2013, finally investing time and energy into something I had always been interested in.

I was asked to take headshots for a law firm and things went well, so I went with the flow, further honed those skills, and a business was born.

Over time, I gravitated towards my true passion, landscape photography, which is what my business has evolved into entirely now. My artwork is split between Marblehead and Swampscott, and Vermont.

Broadly speaking, I think of photography not only as a personal outlet but an immersive outdoor experience and a means of conveying, accentuating or — at times — creating a mood.

Ultimately, I want investors of my artwork to experience the enjoyment and perspective that I’m able to enjoy behind the lens.

What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received?

“Keep as little inventory as possible.”

I must credit my wife with this great advice. I figure nothing bad can come from publicly telling my wife she’s right.

In hindsight, I probably printed too many photos in the earlier days and wound up with excess inventory. Now, most of my artwork is made to order, either via social media or my website.

What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why?

My favorite spot in Marblehead is Plus Cafe. I am a regular there and love everything about the establishment. My 2-year-old son usually accompanies me, and it has become a special place for us to hang out together.

My favorite spot to shoot in Marblehead is a toss-up between the dozens of

TOP

locations that offer so many unique views of water, boats and town structures.

Devereux is my indicator for where to find the best light and at times has determined where I choose to shoot.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

For a long time, photography played second fiddle to my career as a scientist in drug discovery-biology.

The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. Discover Marblehead is “dedicated to the promotion of our majestic seaside town of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Our mission is to highlight local businesses, tourism, community events and attractions through social media, email marketing and community outreach.” To learn more, visit discovermhd.com.

Mark Katz, above: ‘I want investors of my artwork to experience the enjoyment and perspective that I’m able to enjoy behind the lens.’

LEFT: Mark Katz’s photograph, ‘Split Fences,’ was taken in Warren, Vermont. It won the 2022 Best of Show Award in the Marblehead Festival of the Arts’ photography category.

BOTTOM LEFT: Katz’s photograph, ‘Racers Row,’ was taken in Marblehead. It is currently displayed in a Marblehead Arts Association exhibit for new members.

Murphy picked to lead Dedham schools

BY KRIS OLSON

The Dedham School Committee voted unanimously to offer its school superintendent job to Marblehead Assistant Superintendent Nan Murphy at a public meeting Wednesday night, Jan. 18.

While members of the Dedham School Committee discussed some of the strengths of each candidate, Murphy was the only one of the five finalists whose name was placed into nomination for the position.

Pending the successful resolution of contract negotiations, Murphy would start in her new role on July 1.

Murphy is the second top administrator in the Marblehead schools to be offered a promotion in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, Marblehead High School Principal Dan Bauer was offered the job of superintendent of schools in Danvers.

Dedham is seeking to replace Superintendent Michael Welch, who retired at the end of 2022. The district’s assistant superintendent of curriculum and assessment, Ian Kelly, has been serving as interim superintendent since the start of the year.

At the outset of the meeting, Dedham School Committee Chair Melissa Pearrow explained that, working with a consultant from the New England School Development Council, the district had developed a profile of a successful candidate for the superintendent position, which honed in on four qualities: » effective and forwardthinking educational

leadership; a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice; » collaborative communication and leadership; and

skilled operations management.

Board member Victor Hebert commented that he had been impressed by how Murphy managed to touch on all of the qualities the board was seeking permeated her answers, which said to him they were “top of mind” and part of her essence.

“It’s one thing to give a speech; it’s another thing for these things to be part of you,” he said.

Dedham School Committee member Josh Donati said he had been the one charged with doing a reference check with Marblehead Superintendent John Buckey and said he appreciated that he had reinforced his strong recommendation of Murphy by saying, “But it’s OK if you don’t end up hiring her.”

When he placed Murphy’s

name into nomination, Hebert added that Murphy had “brought me out, and I wanted to engage with her more, which is a powerful thing to do in an interview.”

Board member Cailen McCormick added that Murphy had risen to the top of her list when the feedback from different segments of the school community was so positive and touched on similar strengths.

“It feels like the community has a consensus, which is really exciting,” she said.

Member Chris Polito drew some unintentional laughs when he attempted to compliment Murphy’s ability to surround herself with good people by comparing her to Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

“Tough year to make that comment,” Donati quipped.

Tauro to fill Housing Authority vacancy

Interim appointment to expire in June

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

Marblehead resident Terri Tauro grew up in public housing, and it is a lived experience that she will now bring to the Marblehead Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners.

“I lived on Barnard Hawkes Court,” she said. “I was there from 3 months old until I was 18.”

On Wednesday, the Marblehead Select Board and the Housing Authority’s commissioners unanimously appointed the former 8th Essex District state representative candidate to fill the vacancy created after former commissioner Joan Cutler resigned in September.

Tauro said she got acquainted with tenant concerns and issues on the stump before the Democratic primary in September.

“I knocked on all of the doors in Marblehead’s public housing,” said Tauro. “I also held ice cream socials at all of Marblehead’s senior housing.”

She said public housing — which she made a centerpiece

in her campaign’s platform — is a good fit for her. She wants to help cultivate better communication between the board and tenants.

“I would like to build a bridge,” she said. “The housing authority could use some fresh

Former resident charged with murdering wife

BY LEIGH BLANDER

Brian Walshe, who lived with his wife, Ana, and their children in Marblehead recently, has been charged with her murder.

Ana Walshe was last seen in her Cohasset home on New Year’s Day. The case has rivoted the region and the nation.

Walshe was arraigned on a murder charge on Jan. 18. He is being held without bail.

The Walshes lived in Marblehead a couple of years ago. Their neighbor Judith Doane is heartbroken by the case.

“I’m beside myself. It’s a very scary situation,” said Doane, who sold the home at 6 Edgewood Road to Ana Walshe in 2018 and lived nearby. Walshe and her family moved to Cohasset in 2020.

“It’s all creepy,” Doane told

the Marblehead Current. “My concern is for the boys.” The Walshes have three young sons.

Doane remembers Ana as always looking her best. “She is absolutely beautiful, always decked out,” Doane said. “I never saw her in sweatpants or a sweatshirt.”

Doane kept in touch with Ana Walshe after she moved away. “We were going to visit them this year.”

She last heard from Ana the day after Christmas. “In her last text, she said that we were the best neighbors she ever had. She sent us a video of the boys with the Christmas presents we sent to them.”

Doane remembers Brian Walshe playing with his sons outside their Edgewood Road home.

“He was outside with the kids all the time,” she said.

blood.”

She looks forward to her service to the housing authority. She said she would be listening out of the gate.

“You have to get the lay of the land a little bit,” she said. “You never go in gangbusters when

what’s going on.”

On Jan. 18, Dedham School Committee unanimously selected Marblehead Assistant Superintendent Nan Murphy to lead its district.

you don’t know exactly what’s happening,

Tauro works in the Marblehead Harbormaster’s Office. She is the Marblehead Municipal Employees Union president.

Tauro’s interim appointment

ends in June. She will need to run for the remaining years of Cutler’s term in the next municipal election, and she intends on pulling the necessary nomination papers when Town Clerk Robin Michaud makes them available in March.

CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD

Marblehead officials appointed Terri Tauro to Housing Authority board.

COURTESY PHOTO / COHASSET POLICE

Police say Ana Walshe’s husband killed her.

Josie Crowley has happy memories of playing at Cow Fort

INTERVIEW BY LEIGH BLANDER

Name: Josie Crowley Age: 81 Place of birth: Mary Alley Hospital, Marblehead

How long have you lived in Marblehead?

I have lived in town for a total of 41 years. I grew up here and moved away with my husband when he was in the military and for his work. We’ve been back for about 20 years.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

Oh, I remember playing at

Cow Fort at the back of Seaside Park. We’d play tag and princess. We’d sit and giggle and laugh. We’d ice skate on a pond where the tennis courts are now and go sledding.

What jobs have you had and what was your favorite?

I worked as a pediatric nurse at North Shore Children’s Hospital but when we lived in Pennsylvania I became a special education aide. I loved every facet of working in special education. We’d go up to the state hospital in buses and pick up kids who had never been outside and bring them to our school. We’d also bring them

to the mall. They had never been out in the community. I thoroughly enjoyed working with those kids. I did it for 27 years.

Who is the most famous person you’ve met?

Oh, I’m not really that interested in famous people. I never met Elvis Presley. I have met a lot of wonderful people who aren’t famous. Oh, I met actress Rhonda Fleming when

she came to Marblehead to film “Home Before Dark.”

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the world? Social media. It drives me crazy. Although, I use it to talk to friends in Florida, where we used to be snow birds. (Crowley and her husband, John, spent winters in Fort Myers Beach until Hurricane Ian destroyed their home there in September 2022.)

What moment in history is most vivid in your memory?

John Kennedy’s murder. My husband was on leave and we getting ready to go somehwere when the phone call came from my sister-in-law telling us to turn on the television. That whole time was just so sad.

What’s your biggest accomplishment? Getting to 81!

What piece of advice do you have for young people today?

Put down the cell phones! Look at each other in the eyes and communicate. They are missing out on so much. I asked my kids, ‘Don’t you ever just sit on the curb and laugh ‘til you pee your pants?’ They think I’m crazy.”

Crowley exercises at the Council on Aging several times a week. She volunteers at the Veterans and Memorial Day breakfasts and served on the Friends of the COA for many years.

Creating a seat at table for African students

Local Rotarian raises funds to purchase ‘Tutu Desks’

Marblehead Rotary’s Charlie Milner recognizes that education is the pathway to economic mobility and a proven tool for solving global poverty.

For 24 years, Milner and his wife, Toby, have used their nonprofit organization, the Lillydale Literacy Project, to further education in South Africa’s rural communities.

The Milners have come

ADU

From P. A1

and Rossanna Ferrante took the opposite viewpoint.

Nilsson did make a motion to include a provision allowing homeowners to build ADUs by right and for affordable housing. But the motion was not seconded.

to appreciate how much the learning environment — a roof over their heads, and enough books, pencils, writing pads and other school supplies — influences the quality of children’s education. But 95 million children in subSaharan Africa lack a desk to do their school work.

“The lack of basic resources like desks holds learners back from achieving even a basic education,” Milner explained.

Then Milner learned about Tutu Desks.

The late Nobel Peace laureate Desmond Tutu

founded the Tutu Desk campaign in 2012 in partnership with the United Nations Special Envoy for Education.

Tutu Desks are made from a sturdy, child-friendly blend of polymers and can last a learner’s entire school career. They are both colorful and informative, displaying the alphabet, a multiplication table and a regional map.

Finally, the desks’ hole cut-out makes them easy to transport between home and school.

The Tutu Desk Campaign has provided

more than 1.5 million desks to disadvantaged African children since its launch.

Since November, Milner’s Lillydale Literacy Project and Marblehead Rotary have raised funds for Tutu Desks. At $20, the cost of a Tutu Desk equates to about four tall lattes at the local coffee shop, Milner noted.

To date, Milner has raised over $15,000, or the equivalent of 750 desks, helping to move the Tutu Desk Campaign closer to its goal of delivering 20 million desks to African children in need by 2025.

Some board members argued that a rent restriction could discourage homeowners from building ADUs because the return on their investment would be delayed.

Ferrante stressed to her fellow board members that the zoning bylaw they will present to the Town Meeting should not be too restrictive.

“My opinion is that it’s getting too restrictive,” Ferrante said. “I’ve [also] said it is not for me to decide; it’s a Town Meeting vote that decides.”

The Planning Board indeed voted to leave the rent restriction in place and let Town Meeting decide its fate, as Marblehead Town Planner Becky Cutting confirmed that Town Meeting could amend the zoning proposal.

Many communities, like Salem and Swampscott, have framed

their ADU policies as a way to mitigate the regional housing crisis.

The 2020 Marblehead Housing Production Plan noted the town’s demographic changes “compel expansion and diversification of its housing stock.” The plan listed ADUs as a way to “create naturally

occurring affordable housing.”

The data informing that recommendation included that the number of Marblehead households led by someone 55 or older had increased by 21 percent in seven years, from 6,597 households in 2010 to 7,978 households in 2017, while the number of residents between

the ages of 25 to 44 had shrunk by 63 percent.

Kurt James, a Marblehead Fair Housing Committee member and former Marblehead Housing Authority commissioner, has said that producing ADUs as affordable housing may require not just putting a bylaw in place but adding incentives.

James noted that approving ADUs would open the door to collaboration and leveraging resources.

“The Fair Housing Committee and the Affordable Housing Trust could all work together to identify resources to support the rent restriction,” he said. “In the slightly longer term, [we] work with the Planning Board and the assessor’s office to create a home rule petition to create

a real estate tax exemption for the value of the new unit as an added incentive and consideration of the affordable housing restriction.”

Jay Michaud and his wife, Susan, live in Florida for the winter and are interested in downsizing from their large home when they are in Marblehead. Michaud said converting a garage on their property would permit them to relocate into smaller living quarters and age in place.

“There are so many of us that want to stay in our town,” he said.

He added that an ADU would permit him and Susan to downsize and not “have to live in a big house with all the expenses that go along with it.”

From P. A1

Lynch said Mayflower was known for its community feel.

“We’re a family place with a homey feeling. And we’re very dog friendly. We always had cookies for the dogs.”

Katherine Koch, director at the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce, said she always brought her clothes to Mayflower. Even Santa got his suit cleaned there after the Christmas Walk every year, she said.

“Especially for Marblehead, which is a community that is proud to shop local, it’s unfortunate that we’re losing this longloved and established business,” Koch said.

News of Mayflower closing prompted an outpouring on Marblehead social media pages with hundreds of people posting.

“Absolutely devastated,” wrote one woman. “Loved this wonderful business, the amazing staff, the professional output and just the pure comfort of having a place I could effortlessly rely on. A huge loss.”

“So very sad indeed,” wrote another.

“To the owners and dedicated workers, a heartfelt ‘Thank you,’ and best of luck. You will be missed.”

Yet another: “Sadly, another Marblehead store is closing. I still miss going to Chet’s Video.”

The one remaining dry cleaner in Marblehead is Carter’s located at Village Plaza.

PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

A sign on the window at Mayflower Cleansers announces its closing.

COURTESY PHOTO

An infographic details the various iterations of accessory dwelling units.

CURRENT / WILLIAM J. DOWD

Marblehead Planning Board Chair Robert Schaeffner presides over a recent public meeting about accessory dwelling units.

Charlie Milner holds a Tutu Desk, a sturdy, portable learning surface developed to improve the learning environment of African students. Since November, Milner and the Marblehead Rotary Club have raised the funds to purchase 750 desks.

Josie Crowley, 81, takes exercise classes twice a week at the Senior Center.

EDITOrI a L

Super hirings underscore caliber of administrators

We wish Marblehead High School Principal Dan Bauer and Assistant Superintendent Nan Murphy well as they step up to the corner offices in Danvers and Dedham, respectively.

They are well-deserved promotions for both. And no, the sky isn’t falling on Marblehead schools.

Bauer was the right person for the job here when he was hired in 2016. The High School needed a lot of TLC, and he was the one uniquely qualified to offer it. His hale and hearty persona was welcomed in the high school halls. It seemed as if he was everywhere. We challenge anyone in the student body who would disagree.

There are some who will see the departure of two highly respected school administrators as a sign that there is a crisis in the Marblehead Schools. We disagree.

The fact that troubled school districts like Danvers and Dedham looked to Marblehead for their future leaders should be a feather in our cap. The Danvers schools lost the confidence of the town with their “circle the wagons” strategy in the face of a hazing scandal involving the Danvers High School hockey team. It backfired.

Bauer is faced with the challenge of rebuilding the trust of that community. And we believe he is up to the task. In the words of Danvers School Committee member Robin Doherty, “He will be able to come in and heal Danvers.”

In a testament to the quality of leadership in Marblehead, another school administrator has been in the sights of Bay State districts looking for a leader.

Assistant Superintendent Nan Murphy landed two “super” finalist spots in Milton and Dedham, and she was chosen by the latter.

Dedham began its search after Superintendent Michael Welch retired. Dedham has not been without its own school turmoil, having experienced a teachers’ strike in 2019. There is also lingering controversy over the firing of the high school football coach who questioned the district’s curriculum on inclusion and diversity. It was a move that divided the town, according to a recent Boston Globe article. Murphy will also face headwinds when she begins her new assignment at the end of the school year.

Bauer told the Current his greatest accomplishment has been working to create a culture of connection among students, faculty and the community. And it didn’t matter if it was a drama club performance or a major sports rivalry, Dan was always there.

Now, the school community and, indeed, the town must focus on finding the next principal for Marblehead High School and a new assistant superintendent. We encourage those taking on those tasks to seek someone who will build on Dan Bauer’s legacy; one that promotes openness, student rapport and diversity and to bring to the central office the experience of Nan Murphy.

The hiring decisions belong to Marblehead Public Schools Superintendent John Buckey, who told The Current, “We have a solid and very effective search process in place, which has yielded us several tremendous leaders over the last few years.”

In last week’s interview with the Current, Bauer reminded us that he will finish his term as principal at the end of the school year. He said when he came aboard, the search committee involved all of the stakeholders.

We urge Buckey to do the same and to include both Bauer and Murphy in the process of finding their successors.

Cheers for Marblehead principals

I write to offer three cheers for Marblehead principals Mary Maxfield (Brown School) and Hope Doran (Glover).

I’ve had the chance to sit in on meetings with each of these experienced educators, savvy administrators.

The subject of these meetings has been safety at school arrival/ dismissal. Whether kids

arrive by bus, car, on bicycle, by wheelchair or o foot, they’re clearly dedicated to providing a safe route to school — from home, to campus and from there into the building.

Moreover, Principal Maxfield related that she and Principal Doran, though heads of individual elementary schools, work together as Marblehead’s K-3 team. No parochialism here (if you’ll excuse the pun)!

Dan Albert Leicester Road

EVEry THInG WILL BE OK ay

The science of gratitude

BY VIRGINIA BUCKINGHAM

During the height of the pandemic, I occasionally used the hashtag #ScienceWillWin on social media, a creation of the communications team at Pfizer where I worked at the time.

By and large, science has. Vaccines have tamed the beast of COVID for most in terms of serious disease. I’m grateful for the scientists who discovered mRNA technology and applied it to this challenge. I’m grateful my family made it through mostly unscathed. I’m grateful for all the acts of common humanity that were lights leading us through the chaos. Remembering to be grateful throughout the pandemic is one of the practices I wish I turned to more regularly.

Which brings me to another topic in the same vein: Why does practicing gratitude help in hard times? What is the science behind it? And why is it so hard to be consistently grateful?

I’ve dabbled at being intentionally grateful — I’ll be in a grouchy mood and think of three things I’m grateful for at that moment. While I might be imagining it, it does seem there’s a shift in my brain. I’m definitely less grouchy as a result.

It turns out there’s something of a research cottage industry in figuring out the relationship between brain activity, genetics, personality traits and a grateful disposition.

In a 2008 study of the brain activity of people experiencing feelings of gratitude, scientists found, “Gratitude causes synchronized activation in multiple

For now, I’m sticking with my version of the “three things” approach. Let’s call it “think three things.”

brain regions, and lights up parts of the brain’s reward pathways and the hypothalamus. In short, gratitude can boost neurotransmitter serotonin and activate the brain stem to produce dopamine.”

The variance in certain genes, even among twins, especially those genes related to the release of Oxytocin, the so-called “love hormone,” have also been shown to influence one’s level of gratitude.

The benefits of practicing gratitude listed by researchers could fill the rest of the Current opinion page: a growth in overall satisfaction with your life; memory improvement, at least of positive things; a soothed nervous system; increased patience and resilience, and a feeling of overall relaxation. No wonder gratitude has been nicknamed “the mother of all virtues.”

So if we can easily switch to cooking only with olive oil for our heart health, why don’t we all jump on the gratitude bandwagon for our happiness health?

Ah, we would but for those notorious “thieves of thankfulness.”

Researchers have also determined that genes and brain activity aren’t the only determinants of whether you’re an anti-ingrate or not. Certain personality traits can act as “barriers to gratitude,” specifically envy, materialism, narcissism and cynicism.

In other words, all the things we learned in kindergarten not to do

y M arBLEHE a D FIrST TIME

or be.

What to do as grownups to tame these “thieves”? Some of the prescriptions for practicing gratitude strike me as onerous, even for one who’s a writer by nature.

Here’s a partial list:

» Write gratitude letters to 50 people in your life.

Keep a daily gratitude journal. Express gratitude through homemade gifts.

Dear professional gratitude practitioners: You lost me at “homemade.”

Even writing down three things you are grateful for, one of those “simple” approaches to fostering gratitude that is widely encouraged, seems hard to sustain. For instance, does writing on the back of a grocery receipt count?

For now, I’m sticking with my version of the “three things” approach. Let’s call it “think three things.”

I am going to try, daily, even when not grouchy, to think about three things I am grateful for. I’ll also try to be specific, having read that that is a more effective gratitude booster.

Want to try it with me? I’ll go first. Imagine I’m just thinking this, not writing it.

I am grateful my kids didn’t get the flu or COVID during finals.

» I am grateful for the bathroom tile designer lady who made the exercise fun, not stressful.

» I am grateful Shubie’s brought back in-store dining.

Let’s do it again tomorrow! #ScienceWillWin.

is a

I don’t think we’re in Wyoming anymore

BY COURT MERRIGAN

Hi, there. My name is Court Merrigan, and I just moved to postcard-lovely Marblehead from the high plains of Wyoming. I’ve come about as far east from home as you can go before you run out of land.

Speaking of. I recently ventured to the edge of this marvelous land’s end known as Marblehead and watched the Atlantic Ocean get angry enough to crash water over the causeway.

Now, back in Wyoming, the wind blows hard enough that sometimes you think you see boulders flying by. That’s just dust in your eye, though, or perhaps the occasional tornado

Here in Marblehead, the waves overtake the causeway when the wind blows. I saw it happen — right out there, driving to the Neck — and it was like nothing I’d ever seen. My car got soaked entirely both inside and out because my passenger had rolled down a window to take a video of the waves, and one wave in particular came crashing through the window — kind of like Marblehead has come crashing into my life.

A rewind: I hail from Torrington, Wyoming, a place you may never

have

after college and a decade abroad in East Asia, I made my home there for the last 13 years.

Before moving here, I’d been to Boston exactly once and Marblehead — never. But I’m not one to shy away from adventure.

So a couple months ago, the kids and I jumped in a U-Haul and hit the road for Massachusetts. As befitting Wyoming, there was

a windstorm that day, one other car out on the blacktop highway, 500 tumbleweeds blowing across it, and a couple of thousand cattle watching us pass.

You know how you drive 2,000 miles in a U-Haul? You sit there ’til you get there.

And from the first minute we hit Marblehead, I saw this is a place that lives up to its name. Every day I look around in wonderment that I live here. That’s why I approached Editor Will Dowd with the idea

Virginia Buckingham

weekly columnist and a member of the board of the directors of the Current.

heard of. It’s no Jackson Hole — think fewer mountains, ski ranges, Fed meetings, and more oil derricks, ranches and windswept prairie. I grew up in that country, and

Columnist Court Merrigan and his son, Waylon, check out their first Marblehead ocean storm last month.

M

Net-zero roadmap coming soon

BY LOUISE BULLIS YARMOFF

I’ve seen an advance-release draft of “Marblehead’s Net Zero Roadmap,” and so can you very soon by visiting the Green Marblehead Committee’s webpage at bit.ly/3HhntIO.

On Feb. 15, you’ll also have a chance to attend a public meeting via Zoom to see a summary of the document and tell the committee what you think of it. The committee represents all Marblehead residents. It has already heard from you through a survey and workshop and looks forward to discussing its draft recommendations.

Climate scientists have made it clear that to avoid catastrophic climate change we need to reduce global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero — soon. And local actions taken here in Marblehead can help. So, what does it mean to reach net zero?

According to Marblehead’s Net Zero Roadmap, “Reaching ‘net zero’ means that our community will reduce its GHG emissions as much as possible and remove or offset any remaining emissions by 2040 and ideally sooner. This will require a major shift in the way we heat and cool our homes, how we get around and where our energy comes from. It also presents a huge opportunity to change our community for the better. By achieving netzero GHG emissions, we can also have cleaner air, healthier

people and a more equitable and prosperous community for everyone.”

Inspiring, right?

Yes, and WE have a starring role to play in accomplishing that goal.

According to the Roadmap, each Marblehead resident emits 7.8 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. We do that by heating our homes, driving our cars and throwing away our trash, for the most part.

So, the Roadmap charts the way for us to reduce the emissions we create: Insulating and electrifying

M arBLEHE a D CHrOn ICLES

our homes

» Driving less and buying electric vehicles (including boats)

Advocating with the government and utilities to green our electric grid » Reducing our trash and increasing recycling and composting Planting more trees to cool our environment and absorb and store carbon while releasing oxygen Marblehead’s Net Zero Roadmap has been more than five years in the making, and Sustainable Marblehead

has been instrumental in its creation. In 2017, with data from various state, municipal and regional sources, we established Marblehead’s first GHG inventory, which the Green Marblehead Committee built as a basis for the Roadmap. At Town Meeting in May 2018, voters overwhelmingly passed an article sponsored by Sustainable Marblehead setting a goal of “using 100 percent carbon-free energy in Marblehead, including in energy production, building energy use and transportation, and moving with fiscal responsibility and all deliberate speed to achieve this goal.”

In 2019, at the request of Sustainable Marblehead, the Select Board formed the Green Marblehead Committee, with a membership composed of the heads of town departments (such as school, health, building inspection, finance, electric light and town planner), plus a Select Board member, the town administrator and two members from Sustainable Marblehead. With financial and staffing support from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), the committee developed a Climate Vision and plan to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040 (10 years earlier than the state’s goal). In 2020, the Select Board adopted the Climate Vision and 2040 goals.

Fixing 2040 as the net-zero goal is essential. The longer the current rate of elevated carbon

emissions continues, the more carbon dioxide and methane accumulate in the atmosphere, warming the climate year-onyear. To reduce the disastrous effects of these steadily increasing emissions, if we do nothing now, we will have to remove large amounts of carbon dioxide and methane from the atmosphere in the 2030s and 2040s. The technology does not exist at scale to achieve this large amount of removal, so it would be better to avoid putting carbon in the atmosphere in the first place, which is now.

Understanding this urgency, the Green Marblehead Committee has been meeting monthly to write the Net Zero Roadmap, assessing which of the nearly 125 suggestions it received have the most impact on lowering our town’s carbon emissions. It is poised to release its recommendations in the next couple of weeks.

The Net Zero Roadmap starts optimistically with a “Letter from the Future” dated July 4, 2040, congratulating Marblehead on achieving netzero carbon emissions. It’s wonderful to think that reaching net zero is possible in that timeframe, but what must we do today to get that point?

Read the draft Net Zero Roadmap and come to the meeting on Feb. 15 to find out.

Was the town’s founding in 1629 or 1649?

BY PAM PETERSON

Marblehead appears to have two founding dates — and there is a reason why. Marblehead was incorporated as a part of Salem in 1629.

At that time, it was a small fishing village, included in the overall group of villages known as Salem. Always isolated because of its geographic isolation, Marblehead was reachable primarily by sea. The roads in and out of town were limited and of poor quality.

Atlantic Avenue and West Shore Drive didn’t exist, and the population was settled in the Little Harbor area.

Merrigan

From P. A6

for this column: “My Marblehead First Time.”

I’m a first-timer, and I own it, from buying swordfish steaks at The Little Harbor Lobster Company (delish!) to navigating the crooked streets of Old Town (confusing!).

I met someone the other day whose family has been in Marblehead for 13 generations. That’s an unthinkably long time in Torrington, where a house built in 1937 is considered “antique.”

Back to the storm. I’ve lived by the ocean before, but those seas were nothing like the one here.

Good local sources tell me that this storm didn’t constitute really bad weather. To which I say: There were waves! Crashing over the causeway! But all right, all right: Perhaps Poseidon wasn’t playing hardball that day. I’ll be sure to write about it when he does.

We crossed back to the mainland just before the police wisely shut down the causeway road. Then I went home and did what anyone would — grabbed

Another way that Marblehead was isolated from Salem was through religious beliefs. Most settlers to Salem were Puritans. They arrived with a clear idea of how they wanted to practice their religion and how they wanted to govern themselves. Settlers to Marblehead had no such plan. They came to fish and make a better life for themselves and their families.

Friction between Marblehead and Salem was inevitable from the start and continued over the next 20 years. Early colonial court records indicate that Marbleheaders were frequently brought into Salem court for offenses such as public

my kid and took a walk to the seashore.

The rain had stopped coming down sideways by the time we made it past the Barnacle Restaurant, where I saw another thing for the first time: seawater blasting through a keyhole between two buildings on Front Street. Fascinating. The sea must come up, what, a dozen times a year like this? And knowing this, the builders built these buildings anyway?

Meanwhile, my son did precisely as you might expect a 12-year old to, scampering straight over to dodge the torrent blasting through the keyhole.

I soon made another discovery: My waterproof hiking boots aren’t. They were designed for drizzle in the Rockies, not a surge of Marblehead Harbor sea water.

That’s when I noticed that the locals (I can always tell a local by the way they know what they’re doing) wore knee-high muck boots — except the passel of boys who joined my son at the keyhole. Like most boys of that age, they favored Crocs, which are not quite sandals and not quite shoes

and have holes in them for some reason. For my part, I resolved to upgrade my own footwear before the next storm.

The boy and I sloshed along flooded Front Street to Fort Sewall, where the waves lashed the rocks and the sea wind was Wyoming-esque in strength and stature. Just stood there in that old fort where British and then American troops scanned the watery horizon for the enemy and Old Ironsides was saved.

drunkenness, foul language and not attending church, all

LETTErS POLIC y

behaviors condemned by the laws of Puritan Salem.

Finally, in 1649 Marblehead separated from Salem to become a separate and independent town, undoubtedly a relief to all. The town prospered and by 1660 the king’s agents declared Marblehead to be “the greatest Towne for fishing in New England.”

The small band of fishermen had grown into a strong community known for its hardworking, hard-living individuals.

We want to hear from you

The Marblehead Current loves to get letters to the editor. There are just a few rules you need to know.

Generally, letters should not exceed 500 words. The Marblehead Current reserves the right not to publish submissions over the word limit and may instead return the letter to the writer for editing.

Letters must include:

I pulled my boy close as we tasted the Atlantic on a rager for the first time. I’ve been in high plains dust storms, but they don’t make your lips taste like salt, and they don’t make you think of Greek gods.

My first real-life Atlantic seastorm! What a place, my friends, what a place.

I’ll be back next week with another installment of “My Marblehead First Time.”

Wyoming transplant Court Merrigan is a new Marblehead resident. His column “My Marblehead First Time” appears regularly in the Current.

1. The author’s name. Unsigned letters and form letters will not be published.

2. The name of the street the author lives on in Marblehead. Only the street name will be published next to the author’s name — not their full address.

3. For every letter, we will need an author’s daytime/ cell phone number (not for publication) for verification purposes.

4. If letters seek to introduce into a discussion purported facts that are not commonly known, writers may be asked to provide the source for those purported facts.

5. Letters must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday to be published in the following Wednesday’s print edition of the Marblehead Current. Letters will be published to our website at the earliest opportunity, after verification.

Email submissions to info@marbleheadnews.org.

While the Marblehead Current will make every effort to let writers have their say, it reserves the right not to publish letters.

Louise Bullis Yarmoff is the executive director of Sustainable Marblehead.

A Sustainable Marblehead graphic showing what happens after the town reaches net-zero transition.

COURTESY PHOTO / PAM PETERSON

An Entering Marblehead sign and the town seal display different years for the town’s founding.”

bit “over the top,” filling a studio room with oil paintings.

This hero wears cape

The next evolution of Ashley’s partnership with Michael came when Ashley started to incorporate Michael’s penchant for wearing Superman-themed clothing — there were the pajamas, and then also the daywear, with its built-in muscles — into the images.

For Ashley, it called to mind the way royalty would always be depicted in their finest oversized coats with fancy collars.

“I thought, ‘This is Michael’s formalwear,’” Ashley said.

With this concept in mind, Ashley created the first image at his sister-inlaw’s house. Her husband is not a hunter but loves to collect taxidermy.

The first of the Superman images shows a pensive Michael sitting in his wheelchair, staring off into the distance next to a large-eared African dog with a moosehead overhead.

But when Ashley decided to merge the Man of Steel with famous works of art, it opened up new opportunities — and acclaim.

In one of these pieces, Ashley decided to play off one of the most iconic images from the French Revolution, Jacques-Louis David’s “The Death of Marat,” which depicts the murdered revolutionary leader in the bathtub.

In Ashley’s reinterpretation, Michael is on the couch, not in the tub. Falling from his hand is a VHS videotape, not a

quill pen.

Ashley sent a copy of that image off to the curators at the National Portrait Gallery with zero expectations. To his astonishment, he soon learned that it had been chosen for the exhibit “The Outwin 2016: American Portraiture Today.”

With the help of his trusted printer, Bob Korn Imaging of Eastham, Ashley created the “gigantic” version of the Marat-inspired image now hanging on the MAA’s walls. There is a notable photograph of Ashley himself and Arnould

Gallery & Framery owner

Gene Arnould lugging the freshly framed image up Pleasant Street to his studio, Ashley noted.

Another piece from this part of the collection is patterned after Andrea Mantegna’s “Lamentation over the Dead Christ,” which hangs in the Brera Museum in Milan.

In both Mantegna’s painting and Ashley’s photograph, the subject’s bare feet are in the foreground.

Years ago, Ashley had the opportunity to see Mantegna’s work during a visit to Milan and realized that the size he

had made the photo — 16 by 20 inches — was not too different from the diminutive original.

‘Our project’

When the Michael images have been displayed previously, Ashley said he would periodically have people come up and tell him that they thought it was horrible that he was taking advantage of his brotherin-law in such a way.

“I’d say, ‘He’s taking advantage of me,’” Ashley said.

At Michael’s insistence, their work together then went down other avenues, Ashley explained. Michael is “very possessive” of that work, not taking kindly if a well-intentioned third party enters the frame seeking to help by, say, straightening an object on a table. While Michael has no speech, Michael’s “dirty looks” get the point across, according to Ashley.

“This is our project, no one else’s,” he said.

Another piece in Ashley’s exhibit looks like a giant contact sheet, the print of several negatives from a roll of film from which a photograph can review the images to decide which to print. In each of the six images, Michael is wearing a different mask — a way for Ashley to “take away the cue of Down syndrome,” he explained.

Other 8x10, black-andwhite images of Michael

have superimposed on them the text of letters.

One is handwritten by Michael’s mother and relates to an appeal the family had filed over Michael’s schooling with the Maryland Board of Education. Others come from professionals who had evaluated Michael and recommended that he be institutionalized.

Modest aims

Ashley had “not submitted anything in ages” before approaching the MAA with the idea of hosting a new opportunity to view the Michael images.

“It is the first time there has ever been a selection like this,” Ashley said.

The new exhibit has also opened up an opportunity that Ashley said he was very much looking forward to. Ashley is a frequent visitor to the regular dinners hosted at the Philanthropic Lodge A.F. & A.M. on Pleasant Street for adults with developmental disabilities served by the local nonprofit Anchor to Windward.

When Ashley floated the idea of having her dinner guests tour the exhibit before sitting down to eat, chef Louise Moore leapt at the chance. In two waves, the Anchor to Windward

participants — including the man who continues to enthusiastically greet him as “Mr. Leeann Ashley’s father” — will get a chance to see the exhibit.

Ashley said he has modest ambitions for the exhibit, accepting that changing people’s minds entirely may be beyond his reach. He realizes that not everyone has had as much exposure to disabled people as he has had — not just Michael, but a father who drew stares throughout his life after being left quadriplegic from a bout with polio.

But there was nothing wrong with his father’s mind. He graduated from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and ran two successful businesses.

With his loving images of Michael, Ashley may not be able to completely overhaul viewers’ perceptions of people with developmental disabilities.

“But maybe I’ll rattle their assurances a little,” Ashley said.

Rick Ashley’s “Michael” and the Marblehead Arts Association’s four other current exhibits may be viewed through Feb. 26 at the Hooper Mansion, 8 Hooper St., Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

COURTESY PHOTOS / RICK ASHLEY

Michael is shown as a pensive hunter in the first of a series of images in which he sports one of his beloved Superman outfits.

Another of the Michael Superman images is modeled after Andrea Mantegna’s ‘Lamentation over the Dead Christ,’ which hangs in the Brera Museum in Milan.

By putting Michael in a series of masks for this contactsheet-like collage, Ashley explained he was trying to ‘take away the cue of Down syndrome.’

Swimmers edge Beverly, remain unbeaten

BY JOE MCCONNELL

The Marblehead High boys and girls swim and dive team (4-0) kept its perfect season intact after beating Beverly on Jan. 10, 84-78. The Headers came through once again to win this close meet against a Northeastern Conference rival because of their extraordinary depth, according to their veteran coach Sue Guertin.

In the 200-yard medley relay, Jack Grady, Greg Podstrelov, Gary Podstrelov and Logan Doody (1:51, sectional cut) secured first place. The quartet of Clementine Robins, Bella Takata, Finn Bergquist and Sophia Weiner (2:00, state cut) came in third.

Cole Brooks (1:47.75, state cut) bested the entire field in the 200-yard freestyle. Doody (1:56.87,

state cut) ended up third, and Ezra Reid (2:14.78) was fourth.

Podstrelov (2:15.90) and Brady Leveroni (2:17.37) were second and third in the 200 IM. Maddy Auerbach (2:37.44) was credited with a fifth-place finish.

Cale Nelson (25.12) was tops in the 50-yard freestyle. Owen Torstenson (25.41) accounted for third, and Nate Rosen (25.74) was fourth.

The Panthers do not have a diving team, but the event was held after the meet, and Grady won it again.

Back to the 100-yard butterfly, Brooks (58.45, sectional cut) and Podstrelov (59.40) topped the ticket, while Finn Bergquist (1:03.81, state cut) was fifth.

Doody (53.64), Rosen

(56.25) and Ian Chemel (57.45) came in second, third and fourth in the 100-yard freestyle. Robins (5:24.67, state cut), Will Cerrutti (5:37.53)

and Brinleigh Callahan (5:46.22, sectional cut) swept the 500-yard freestyle.

Doody, Rosen, Grady and Brooks (1:34.54, new

Marbleheaders spark Prep soccer’s chemical reaction

Rigby, Kramer help steer Eagles to program’s first state title in 16 years

BY CHAD KONECKY SPECIAL TO THE CURRENT

The role and importance of chemistry is oft-debated in the sports world, but you won’t find any doubters on the 2022 St. John’s Prep varsity soccer roster.

In fact, from top to bottom, the recently crowned state champions view chemistry a little like fictional Wall Street icon Gordon Gecko viewed greed. Chemistry is good. Chemistry works. Chemistry clarifies, cuts through and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit.

Just ask either of the two Marblehead residents who were key components of St. John Prep’s extraordinary, unbeaten run to the state title this past fall.

“The team chemistry was off the charts,” said Callum Rigby, an

attacking midfielder, 17, who grew up on Selman Street. “I think I’ll remember the camaraderie most, whether it was singing on the bus, locker room chats or team dinners.

I think winning came as a result of the close relationships throughout

the team.”

Rigby added that selflessness formed an immovable retaining wall that buttressed those relationships.

“Everyone recognized their role

MHS school record, state cut), and Cecelia Robbins, Sophia Weiner, Bella Takata and Robins (1:48.76, state cut) were the top two teams in the

200-yard freestyle relay. Grady (58.28, state cut), Chemel (1:03.04) and Weiner (1:05.65, state cut) accounted for the second through fourth spots in the 100-yard backstroke, as did Nelson (1:10.40), Podstrelov (1:10.86) and Takata (1:13.35, state cut) in the 100-yard breaststroke.

The foursomes of Doody, Rosen, Grady and Brooks (3:43.03), and Leveroni, Cerrutti, Nelson and Torstenson (3:51.10) owned the top two spots in the 400-yard freestyle relay to complete the Beverly meet in style, while helping to produce another triumph for the team.

The Headers last week went up against Gloucester and Salem, as they look to stay on top with the regular season quickly winding down.

M aGICI an S nOTEBOOK

Boys hoop escapes Swampscott, Masco

BY JOE MCCONNELL

The Marblehead High boys basketball team (6-2 in the Northeastern Conference, 7-4 overall) was able to prevail in two close games against rival Swampscott (6160) and Masco (61-58).

Even though they ended up winning both, coach Mike Giardi understands there’s still much room for improvement.

“Both games were extremely close, and both opponents came to play, but we were not ready to play them,” he said. “We had to dig ourselves out of holes in both games to win them.”

The Magicians then lost to Beverly on Jan. 19, 74-67. It was only a three-point game with 45 seconds left in regulation.

“While we played with much more intensity against Beverly, we still had some lapses that allowed Beverly to go on a couple of runs,” Giardi said.

Swampscott led, 23-21 at halftime, and 43-40 after three. But Nick Lemmond and his teammates got to work in the fourth quarter to overcome those deficits.

Lemmond ended up pacing the offensive attack with 23 points. Magnus McCarthy was next in line with 16 points. Isaiah Makor chipped in with nine, Tryone Countrymon tallied five, and Lupo Cabassi accounted for four. Cameron Comstock and Matthew Sherf scored two apiece.

Against Masco, the Magicians trailed at halftime, 40-27, and 51-42 after three. But then, they outscored the Chieftains 19-7 in the fourth to pick up another triumph.

Lemmond (16), Countrymon (14) and Scott Campbell (11) were the top three scorers in the Masco game. Ryan Commoss had 10 points. Makor netted eight. Miles O’Neill ended up with two.

As of Jan. 20, the Marblehead boys are ranked 19th in Division 2. Malden Catholic is on top at 11-0.

Girls basketball wins low-scoring game

The Marblehead High girls basketball team (4-4 in the Northeastern Conference, 5-6 overall) was able to survive a low-scoring game against rival Swampscott, 16-14.

“We didn’t shoot the ball well, but we played really good defense,” said coach Paul Moran. “Both teams played hard and with heart, and I give credit to Swampscott coach Katelyn Leonard, who had her team ready to play us.”

Sarah Bosio was credited with the game-winning basket with a minute to go and ended up with seven points. Junior Samantha Dormer accounted for four

Members of the Marblehead High School swim team are shown in the pool, from front to back, Maddie Auerbach, Ezra Reid, Quinn Sullivan and Bella Takata; second row, captain Jack Grady, Ian Chemel, Cece Robbins, Finn Bergquist, Brinleigh Callahan, captain Cole Brooks, Song Waitekus, Sophia Weiner, Will Cerrutti and Cale Nelson.

Junior forward Graham Kramer (9) of Marblehead netted 11 goals for the St. John Prep’s soccer team to help lead it to the 2022 state championship this past fall. ‘I will always remember this season as my favorite because of the relationships we all formed,’ he says. ‘To top it off with a championship is simply unforgettable.’

Senior St. John’s Prep midfielder and Marblehead resident Callum Rigby (7) sparked the soccer program to its first state title since 2006 thanks to what his coach calls ‘an excellent first touch, strong dribbling skills and the ability to change directions on a dime.’

ZErO LOSSES

Wednesday, Jan. 25

6 p.m.

Wrestling vs. Lynnfield at Lynnfield HS 6 p.m.

Boys and Girls Swimming/Diving vs. Swampscott at JCC of the North Shore, Marblehead 7:30 p.m.

Boys ice hockey vs. Gloucester at Salem State O’Keefe Center Thursday, Jan. 26

6 p.m.

Alpine ski racing vs. TBA at Blue Hills Ski Area 7:30 p.m.

Girls ice hockey vs. Medford at Salem State O’Keefe Center Friday, Jan. 27

7 p.m.

Girls basketball vs. Salem at Marblehead HS 7 p.m.

Boys basketball vs. Salem at Salem HS Saturday, Jan. 28

TBD Wrestling NEC League at Pentucket HS 10 a.m.

Boys and Girls Indoor Track MSTCA Invitational at Reggie Lewis Center, Roxbury 6 p.m.

Boys and Girls Swimming/Diving NEC League at YMCA Sterling Center, Beverly 7:20 p.m.

Boys Ice Hockey vs. Melrose at Kasabuski Memorial Ice Rink, Saugus 7:30 p.m.

Girls Ice Hockey vs. Masconomet at Valley Forum, Haverhill Sunday, Jan. 29

10 a.m.

Gymnastics vs. Winthrop at Winthrop Gymnastics Academ y 10:30 a.m.

Boys Ice Hockey vs. Medford at Salem State O’Keefe Center Wednesday, Feb. 1

5 p.m.

Boys Ice Hockey vs. Masconomet at Valley Forum, Haverhill Thursday, Feb. 2

3:30 p.m.

Alpine ski racing vs. TBA at Blue Hills Ski Area Friday, Feb. 3

6:30 p.m.

Girls basketball vs. Danvers at Danvers HS 7 p.m.

Boys basketball vs. Danvers at Marblehead HS Saturday, Feb. 4

7:30 a.m. Wrestling vs. TBA at Whittier Regional Vocational Tech 1 p.m.

Boys and Girls Indoor Track NEC League at Reggie Lewis Center, Roxbury 7:30 p.m.

Girls ice hockey vs. Beverly at Ray Bourque Arena, Beverly 8 p.m.

Boys ice hockey vs. Winthrop at Salem State O’Keefe Center

LynCH Van/OTTErLOO y MC a

The Y honors its staff with awards

BY BRIAN FLYNN, LYNCH/VAN OTTERLOO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Y recently celebrated its 2022 Staff Awards and is pleased to acknowledge and share some of the amazing efforts of its staff members and the critical role they have played in providing programs, classes, events and activities for Y members as well as community members throughout the past year.

The Y is a community resource that is committed to welcoming all, strengthening the community, educating and nurturing children and promoting healthy living. The staff is integral to this commitment. We want to share a special shout-out and thankyou to our staff members for their dedication and service to our Y and our community.

First, a few impact highlights from 2022:

The Y provided an incredible summer camp experience for more than 3,500 campers, giving children the opportunity to get outdoors, discover new adventures and make lasting friendships.

The Y served more than 300 children daily in licensed childcare programs, providing high-quality programs for learning, growing and thriving.

Y membership continues to grow. To date, the Y has more than 8,000 members from Marblehead and Swampscott.

The Y continues to say ‘yes’ to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. This past year we provided more than $800,000 in financial assistance to those who need us the most.

Through all of this impact,

Hoop

From P. A9

each program initiative and all the community support, the Y staff remains dedicated to providing a welcoming, helpful environment to all who enter the Y. This amazing team greets members, engages and nurtures children, supports health and wellness for all ages and continues to display Y core values; respect, responsibility, caring and honesty in everything they do. Congratulations to the 2022 winners!

2022 Emerging Leader Awards: Shelby McKie, membership manager

In Shelby’s first year she helped to reshape our training of welcome center staff members. Shelby is a selfless leader and always puts her team first.

Soccer

From P. A9

Cass Souza, assistant Early Learning Center director

Cass is always smiling and keeps the most optimistic view even during the most challenging times. She is a nurturing, patient and kind leader in our Early Education program.

2022 Team Player Award: Lauren Pohlmeyer, member engagement specialist

Lauren is the ultimate team player. Her her role supports membership and fitness as well as after-school and summer camp when it is necessary.

Lauren models great customer service skills in her interactions.

Lauren helped relaunch the Connectors program for older active adults this year.

points, three assists, two rebounds and two blocks.

“It was her best game of the year,” said Moran.

The Magicians dropped a 49-30 decision to Masco on Jan. 17. Bosio paced the attack again with five points. Kate Burns and Carlin McGowan scored four apiece. Isabel Ferrante tallied three. Stella Monaco collected two points and four rebounds.

“We’re getting better all the time,” said Moran. “I like the fact that we’re moving the ball better and taking better shots. This is a fun group to work with.”

The Marblehead girls then bounced back to beat non-league Essex Tech, 45-30.

The Marblehead girls are ranked 47th in Division 2 as of Jan. 20. Walpole, at 8-1, is the top seed.

was to help the team win, and earning minutes individually was put on the backburner for team success,” he said.

“I’m a big believer in ‘iron sharpens iron,’ and I definitely think this attitude is mainly what allowed us to go undefeated [22-0-1] and become state champions.”

Of course, Rigby’s 13 goals and four assists didn’t hurt. Prep soccer head coach Dave Crowell, who just completed his 22nd season at the Eagles helm, credits Rigby for his contributions — not just for the senior’s habitual presence in the box score, but also for being the ringleader

2022 Department of the Year: Aquatics

James Sweeney leads this team with years of experience in the aquatics field. He is dedicated to providing the best swim experience for members and the community. With support from his veteran staff members including Susan Guertin, Jen Brehob and Chris Riedel, James continues to advance the Y’s aquatics program.

2022 Staff of the Year: Paula Fessenden, administrative manager

Paula supports the directors, frontline staff and the administration team. Her work over the last year has been invaluable. Paula builds strong connections internally and

of the Eagles “us not me” ethos last fall.

“For me, his greatest strengths are his unselfish play and his coachability,” he says. “He looks to move the ball to the right spot through his dribbling, rather than prioritizing setting up his own shot.”

Meanwhile, junior forward and Clifton Avenue resident Graham Kramer brought his own skill set and metaphorical seasoning to the Prep’s championship brew. He recorded 12 points on the attack, but what he’ll remember more than putting balls in the back of the net will be — wait for it — the team’s immutable chemistry.

“I think the most memorable part of our season, and one that was also key to our success, was our chemistry

externally with our Y members. 2022 Mission of the Year: Membership team members Jane Rizza, Shelby McKie, Paula Fessenden, Lauren Pohlmeyer, John Witt, Besty Stockwell and Keith Newburg. This wonderful, collaborative team makes sure everyone feels welcome. They provide the highest level of professionalism, kindness and customer service.

Celebrating the staff who are at the root of all the wonderful things happening at the Y is an important part of the Y culture. Sharing the achievements of team members and recognizing the importance of working together helps foster collaboration and a positive workplace. While we shout out the 2022 award recipients, we want to be sure to note that we are grateful for each and every Y employee who keeps the Y up and running all year long.

The Y offers meaningful membership where you can share in a mission to strengthen the community. Not a member? Take a tour and see all the wonderful things available at your Y. Reach out to Jane Rizza at rizzaj@northshoreymca.org.

About the YMCA

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits, strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

For more than 160 years, the YMCA of the North Shore has been the foundation of the community. It serves more than 40,000 members and program participants in 25 cities and towns across the North Shore and in Southern New Hampshire.

that we developed throughout the year,” said Kramer, 17. “On the field, it always felt like no one had to do too much, and we were always on the same page. We were able to do this not only through good communication, but also with the camaraderie and brotherhood we formed on and off the field.”

Once again, Crowell gives credit for the soccer acumen where it is due.

“Graham was a vital part of our success and was one of the team’s leading goal scorers,” he said. “He’s a hard worker with a nose for the goal who can finish in multiple ways consistently, and he can do it with either foot or his head.”

Chad Konecky is a communications specialist for St. John’s Prep.

YMCA staff award winners, left to right, Jane Rizza, Paula Fessenden, Lauren Pohlmeyer, Shelby McKie and Cassandra Souza

Dangerous dog hearing opened

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

At its Jan. 18 meeting, the Marblehead Select Board opened an investigation into an alleged dangerous dog at 45 Pickwick Road.

Per Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King’s request, the board tasked Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer with investigating the situation. He will report his findings to the Select Board in a public hearing, before which there will be at least 10 days’ notice.

Select Board Chair Moses Grader and Kezer were unable to provide resident Jodi Smith, who lives on Pickwick Road, with a specific date for the public hearing.

“I was actually here because I was under the impression that we’d actually get the date for the dangerous dog hearing,” Smith said.

Kezer said they would work “calendar magic” and coordinate the schedules of all the necessary participants.

Smith is anxious for the public hearing to happen, citing two incidents with the dog that she said had occurred in early December and January.

She asked if the dog would be sequestered in its home before the public hearing.

“My sense would be that that would be a discussion with the animal control officer and the chief at this stage as to what would be the appropriate action until there’s a hearing and a determination,” Kezer replied.

Village Street bridge repair

The town hopes to take the first steps to replace the Village Street bridge soon, Kezer told

H a PPEn InGS

the Select Board.

“We are expecting to submit to the Select Board at an upcoming meeting a contract with GreenPederson Inc., an engineering firm, for the development of a 25 percent design and consulting for submittal to the Boston Region Transportation Improvement Plan for funding of replacement,” Kezer said.

Kezer estimated the cost of the engineering firm’s services at about $400,000, which would be paid with available Chapter 90 funds.

The town believes federal and state dollars — including through the TIP program — can cover the estimated $2.2 million cost to replace the bridge.

Officials determined three years ago that the Marblehead Rail Trail below the bridge

posed a safety hazard due to the deteriorated state of the 87-year-old bridge. The town used fencing, staging and planks to create “a temporary exclusion zone” with a tunnel to accommodate Rail Trail users.

Appointments

Residents Judy Gates and Andrew Gallucci were appointed to the Old Burial Hill Committee. Gates has lived in a home across from the historic cemetery for 56 years.

“Over the years, I have pursued [Old Burial Hill] history and even participated in its care,” Gates told the Select Board. “I would prune back some of the vines that had been allowed to grow up around the fenced family plots and in front

of some of the graves.”

She regularly walks through the historic property and picks up trash.

Gallucci lived in Marblehead as a kid in the 1990s but never visited Old Burial Hill. He moved away and returned as an adult a few years ago.

“My first time there last summer with my nephew brought a sort of a spell over me,” he told the Select Board. “It was a sunny, beautiful morning. I had no idea of the expansiveness of the space.”

He added, “The views of the town and the complete quietness were amazing.”

He said a recent article about the state of the Lost at Sea Monument in the Current was one of the things that prompted him to put his name forward.

The pair’s appointments restore the Old Burial Hill Committee, formed by the Select Board in 2009, to its full membership. The five members oversee and ensure the restoration of the historic cemetery.

Gates and Galluci are joining the committee months after Town Planner Becky Cutting published a comprehensive report assessing the condition of the historic cemetery’s gravestones, tombs and markers. This report found nearly 170 Old Burial Hill grave markers and footstones need varying conservation and restoration work.

January schedule at Abbot Public Library

New digs

The Abbot Public Library has temporarily moved into the Eveleth School, 3 Brook Road, as their Pleasant Street building undergoes a multi-million renovation. Library hours are the following:

» Monday: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

» Tuesday: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday*: 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Thursday: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

» Friday: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

» Saturday: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday: Closed *Please note: the Children’s Room will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Returns are accepted inside the library in the blue library return bin near the main desk or outside our main entrance in the black library return bin if the library is closed. Book donations are only accepted on Book Donation Days.

For updates on the Renovations, please visit abbotlibrary.org/news/ renovation-news.

Sign up for the library’s newsletter at tinyurl.com/ Abbot-News.

Fines no more

Abbot Public Library is now fine free. Visit https:// abbotlibrary.org/about/generalinfo/ to learn more about borrowing materials and to get a library card.

Tech and misc. things

The library offers Book Club Kits, Chromebooks, Hotspots and more in our Library of Things. Visit http://bit. ly/3QVwxWX to learn more.

Need to use a copier?

Abbot Public Library doesn’t charge a fee per page, but it does ask that patrons contribute what they wish at the time of copying. Funds will be donated to The Friends of Abbot Public Library.

Get your museum on Visit abbotlibrary.org/whatwe-offer/get-a-museum-pass to reserve passes and promo codes for some of the best museums in the Greater Boston area. Thanks to the generous support of the Friends of Abbot Public Library, we offer passes and promo codes to:

Boston Children’s Museum

Harvard Art Museums (coming soon)

» The House of the Seven Gables*

» The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston*

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum* (new!)

» Museum of Fine Arts

» Museum of Science

» New England Aquarium (now a digital promo code)

Peabody Essex Museum

Trustees Go Pass* (new!)

» Zoo New England*

Patrons without access to the internet may reserve a pass/ promo code right at the Main Desk or by calling (781) 631-1481, though some passes may require an email address to be used.

Courageous Aging: a Support Group for Older Adults

Friday, Jan. 27, 3 p.m.-4:15 p.m.

Program room, Abbot Public Library at Eveleth School Are you getting older and need a place to process what matters

to you, who matters to you, what has given you purpose and meaning in life, what you feel good about having accomplished, what you feel grateful for, what you regret, what you feel passionate about and what you would you like to be doing going forward? If so, please join us for this program facilitated by Carol O’Brien, MSW.

Open Lab

» Mondays, Jan. 30, drop-in 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m.

» Program Room, Abbot Public Library at Eveleth School

Do you have a question about your computer, smartphone, or tech gadget? Do you want time to practice where someone can help if you get stuck? Every Monday, join a staff member for one-on-one help with your device. Windows laptops will be available for attendees who cannot transport their devices. Drop by the Program Room anytime between 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m. Registration is not required.

Mystery Book Group

» Tuesday, Jan. 31, 10:30 a.m.

» Program Room, Abbot Public Library at Eveleth School

On Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 10:30 a.m., Abbot Public Library will host an introductory session for its upcoming Mystery Book Group. Stop by and meet Adult Services Librarian Rachael Meneades to discuss if you are interested in joining and what you would like to read. This group will meet on the last Tuesday of every month and is open to adults.

Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program

» Mondays, Feb. 6, 13, and 27, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mondays, March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mondays, April 3 and 10, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

The Abbot Library will host the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program on Mondays starting Feb. 6 through April 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Reservations for this program will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 17, during regular library hours. To reserve a spot, please call the Reference Desk at 781-631-1481. Please be aware that you will need your last year’s tax returns and 2022 paperwork.

This program is sponsored by the IRS and supported by the AARP Foundation. Its mission is to provide free, essential tax return preparation for low to moderate-income taxpayers, with a particular emphasis on the elderly. You do not have to belong to AARP to use the service, nor is there an age requirement. The TCE program adheres to the strict ethical standards of the Department of the Treasury. It does not discriminate against taxpayers based on race, color, national origin, disability, sex, age, or reprisal. Registration required–call the Reference Desk at 781-631-1481 beginning Tuesday, Jan. 17

Chess Players Meet-Up

» Wednesdays, Jan. 25, 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Children’s Room, Abbot Public Library at Eveleth School

Chess students are invited to play with each other using

chess clocks after school on Wednesdays. Boards, pieces and clocks will be provided, but not instructions. Children who already know the game and some moves may play against each other. Competing pairs have a one-half hour to play. Caregivers are invited. Registration is required - please call the Children’s Room at (781) 631-1481.

Moving and Grooving Playgroup

» Mondays, Jan. 30, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

Program Room, Abbot Public Library at Eveleth School

CFCE of the North Shore sponsors this fun, interactive program for preschool children and their caregivers, live and in person! Music ignites all areas of child development and skills for school readiness, including intellectual, social-emotional behavior and language in overall literacy. It helps the body and mind work together. Music also helps with fine motor skills.

Children who are exposed to music during early development are permitted to learn the sounds and meanings of words. Registration is required. Call the Children’s Room at (781) 631-1481.

3D Printing

» Mondays, Jan. 30, 6 p.m.-7 p.m.

Children in grades 5-6 are invited to learn to code and laser print objects using 3D technology. Registration is required-please. Call the Children’s Room at (781) 6311481. This program is supported by the Oliver P. Killam, Jr. Fund.

Gallucci has professional experience managing residential buildings and overseeing capital projects.

LIBrary

CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD

The Marblehead Select Board has tasked Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer with opening an investigation into an alleged dangerous dog on Pickwick Road.

Winter at Me&Thee to feature diverse sounds

From the vibrant rhythms of Brazil to a homegrown talent from Marblehead, from the melodies of two young mothers who were rock stars to a father-and-son birthday performance, Me&Thee Music opens its winter season with a compellingly varied lineup.

The schedule kicks off with the warm sounds of Brazilian jazz and bossa nova by the Teresa Ines Quintet on Friday, Feb. 3, beginning at 8 p.m.

Ines, born in Rio de Janeiro, has performed to sold-out houses at the world-famous Zinc Bar in New York City, the Regattabar and Ryles in Cambridge, as well as in concert halls across Europe, South America and Brazil.

Joining her will be pianist Nando Michelin, flutist Fernando Brandão, Ebinho Cardoso on bass and South African percussionist Lumanyano Mzi.

Feb. 17: Hayley Reardon

On Feb. 17, Marblehead’s own Hayley Reardon returns to the Me&Thee in a concert that the pandemic delayed from March 2020.

After first appearing on the Me&Thee stage in high school, Reardon moved to Nashville and became a critically acclaimed pop

artist who has toured throughout Europe.

Her latest EP, “The Good Light,” was recorded in Barcelona with one of Spain’s finest guitarists, Pau Figueres.

March 3: Don White

On March 3, awardwinning singer, songwriter, comedian, author and storyteller Don White and friends will present his North Shore Birthday Show. After 10 CDs, three live DVDs and two books, White is still bringing laughter and tears to his audiences.

March 24: The Nields

On March 24, The Nields travel from the Berkshires to appear at the Me&Thee for the first time in years.

Sisters Nerissa and Katrina have performed with The Band, 10,000 Maniacs, James Taylor and the Indigo Girls.

The Chicago Tribune wrote, “The marvelously expressive Nields provide vocals that sound at various times very much like the Bangles, the Roches and Alanis Morrissette.”

About Me&Thee

The Me&Thee is partly supported by a grant from the Marblehead Cultural Council, a local agency that the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, supports.

Tickets are $25, $10 for students. Locally, tickets are available at Arnould Gallery, Washington Street, Marblehead.

are authorized. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., and the kitchen opens at 7:30 p.m. Me&Thee Music is a non-profit,

all-volunteer organization now in its 53rd season at 28 Mugford St. in Marblehead. Refreshments are served.

Programs, classes, events for seniors

All programs and events are held in the Judy and Gene Jacobi Community Center unless otherwise stated. Questions? Call 781-631-6225 or email councilonaging@marblehead. org.

Senior work-off program

The town of Marblehead is accepting applications for the senior work-off program until Jan. 31. The purpose of this program is to allow senior taxpayers to volunteer their services to the town in exchange for a reduction of up to $750 on their fiscal year 2024 property tax bills.

ELIGIBILITY:

» Must be 60 years or older. Must own (or be the spouse of the owner) and occupy the Marblehead residence for which the abatement will apply.

» Income must not exceed $51,528 for a senior household of one person or $69,824 for a senior household of two. Only one volunteer abatement per household is available per year.

» There will be 30 openings for 2023. Applicants must complete conflict-of-interest training and pass a CORI check. The town department head, Council on Aging director and the applicant must agree on placement.

Lunching at the COA

Lunch is offered on Tuesdays at noon for $3. The meals are prepared in the Council on Aging’s commercial kitchen. The Friends of the Council on Aging support these lunches.

Grab-n-go lunches

Grab-n-go lunches are offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the Council on Aging.

This program is offered through “AgeSpan,” formerly known as Elder Services of Merrimack Valley & North Shore. Pick up time is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Reservations must be made the Thursday before by calling 781-631-6225.

The Traveling Chef returns

On Friday, Jan. 27, at noon, Grab-n-go is replaced with a seated meal at the COA. RSVP at 781-631-6225. Suggested donation is $2.

Coffee with a Cop, now on Fridays

Join Chief Dennis King or someone else from the Marblehead Police Department to discuss community concerns. Fridays at 8:30 a.m.

Blood pressure clinic

Drop-in blood pressure clinic on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon.

Muscle Conditioning

Senior Muscle Conditioning with Kim on Mondays and Fridays at 9 a.m and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Cost is $3.

Stay Active

This osteo class with North Shore Physical Therapy runs Mondays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. There’s also Balance and Mobility with Mary Manning on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Each class is $3.

Zumba Gold

Zumba Gold classes are held on Wednesdays at noon. It is a lower intensity, Latin and world music inspired dance fitness class for all abilities.

Parkinson’s Fitness

The Parkinson’s Fitness class

is free on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. Specifically developed for folks with Parkinson’s disease but appropriate for all, this class focuses on strength, mobility and balance. This program is paid for by the Friends of the Council on Aging.

Indoor curling

Indoor curling takes place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

No experience is necessary for this indoor sport. Instructions on how to play the game and learn the rules will be available at every session. Yearly fee is $15. Contact pbibbo@aol.com with questions.

Strength & Stretch

The Council on Aging offers a Strength & Stretch class on Mondays at 11:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 11 a.m. Cost is $3.

Step it Up

Karen Jancsy leads this lowimpact movement and muscle conditioning class. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 a.m.

Weight training

A weight training class is held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8:45 a.m. Cost is $3.

Yoga with Evie

A yoga class is held on Mondays at 9 a.m., Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. and Thursdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m.

Chair yoga

Gail Perry Borden teaches chair yoga on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. Cost is $3.

Line dancing

Kate Hoffman teaches line dancing on Thursdays from 11

a.m. to 1 p.m. The first hour is focused on beginners; however, all are welcome and encouraged to participate. Cost is $5.

Drop-in Songs & Music

Enjoy this sing-along to golden oldies, show tunes, sea shanties and more. If you play an instrument, bring it along. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 11 a.m. to noon.

Quilting

Learn how to quilt in this class on Thursdays at 10 a.m. Cost is $5 per class. The Quilt Guild will meet Tues., Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m.

Cribbage

Cribbage is held on Tuesdays. Doors close at 9:30 a.m.

Mahjong

Play mahjong Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

I Love Bridge

This advanced bridge instruction class meets Mondays, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $5. Drop-in bridge is on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to noon, and Fridays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Canasta

Canasta is now at the COA on Thursdays 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Book Club

In January, the book club will meet Friday, Jan. 27, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Call Sharon for the book title at 781-631-6225.

Get a senior Charlie Card

People who are 65 years or older are eligible for reduced MBTA fares with a senior Charlie Card. These cards are valid for eight years. Call Nadine Lepick at 781-631-6225 Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to ask questions or make

an appointment to process an application. Cards can also be reloaded with cash on any bus.

Need help with heating costs?

The Home Energy Assistance Program at North Shore Community Action Programs, Inc. helps income-eligible households pay their winter heating bills even if the cost of heat is included in their rent. If your gross household income falls within certain limits, you may qualify for payment towards winter heating bills. In addition, eligible National Grid customers may qualify for a discount of up to 32 percent off their electric and gas bills. For more information about Home Energy Assistance, call 978-531-8810 or email fuelassistance@nscap.org.

Need a lift?

The COA offers transportation services to both in-town and outof-town medical appointments and in-town errands such as the hairdresser, bank, to vote or to the COA for programs and/or lunch. Weekly grocery shopping trips to Crosby’s and Market Basket and bimonthly trips to the North Shore Mall are also available. Transportation runs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. To schedule a ride, call 781-631-6225.

Home safety audits

The town offers home safety audits to local residents. A representative from both the Marblehead Fire Department and the Council on Aging will schedule a time to meet seniors at their homes and review and discuss home safety options.. Also, free fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and lock boxes can be installed. To learn more, contact Sharon Doliber at 781-631-6225.

COunCIL On aGInG H a PPEn InGS

Online info and no-fee tickets are available at meandthee.org. No phone orders are accepted, and no other ticket websites

The warm Brazilian jazz of the Teresa Ines Quintet opens the winter season at Me&Thee Music on Friday, Feb. 3. No-fee tickets and information are available at meandthee.org.

Educators’ ‘magic’ on display daily

BY JOHN BUCKEY

Every school day, I spend at least an hour at one of our five schools doing instructional rounds with the leadership team at that school. The days and the times rotate, allowing me to see different classes each week. I am joined by Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, Nan Murphy. It was so gratifying this week to see the work we have been doing the past several years on curriculum alignment on full display, from kindergarten math to elementary English language arts to middle school social studies. The content, aligned to the state curriculum frameworks, was mirrored across classrooms. What was different was how the curriculum and standards were being taught. That is the magic of our talented educators — how they take the same material and innovatively customize, personalize and individualize it to the diverse and unique needs of the learners before them. Perhaps that is why we are the Magicians — the magic of our educators.

Superintendentelect Murphy

Congratulations to Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Nan Murphy on her selection to become the next superintendent of schools in Dedham, effective July 1, 2023. Nan has been exploring

opportunities to take this next step in her career, and I am delighted that the Dedham School Committee made her their unanimous choice as their next district leader. Three years ago, Nan withdrew as a finalist in a superintendent search to take the role as Assistant Superintendent for us here in Marblehead. I am daily grateful for that decision and feel blessed to have had her shared leadership in our learning community. She has had a positive and measurable impact on our district. Nan will remain in her position for the remainder of this academic year, providing ample time for us to consider a successor. I will use the update to keep families informed as to the process and timeline for a search.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Speaker

On Tuesday, Jan. 17, students at Marblehead Veterans Middle School and Marblehead High School were fortunate to hear from a speaker about the impact Dr. King had, and continues to have, on our country. Ms. Caja Johnson, our METCO Director, arranged for Mr. Ron Jones to speak to our students. Ron Jones has been an educator, writer, actor and social activist for over 25 years. He is an Emmy Award winner and Executive Director of Dialogues on Diversity, one of the nation’s premier social justice, diversity awareness

theater companies. Mr. Jones focused on some key themes for his presentation, including civil rights, the evolution of our country and finding passion in a cause that can help others. Along the way, Mr. Jones demystified some vocabulary, used some humor and even taught our students about Dr. King’s last unifying focus before he was killed, the Poor People’s Campaign. A big thanks to Caja Johnson for bringing us this experience.

Preschool screening registration

Preschool screening registration is open for the 202324 school year. All interested peer partners must participate in a screening, which takes place on Feb. 1 and Feb. 8 at Glover. Peer partners must be three years old by Aug. 31 and

younger than age 5. Please find additional information at http:// bit.ly/3HhamY9. Contact Dr. Paula Donnelly or Alyssa Zimei for more information.

School choice

This coming week is National School Choice Week. I want to take this opportunity to thank the over 3,000 students, staff and families who choose to make the Marblehead Public Schools their home. There are many choices of educational venues — public, private, parochial, charter, independent and magnet schools. I am humbled that the overwhelming majority of our community chooses to educate our children in their hometown public schools: Glover, Brown, Village, MVMS and MHS. The pride and identity of a Marblehead education crosses many generations. I am proud of the work we do and join in celebrating the choice to maintain and honor that proud tradition of a Marblehead Public Schools education.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Former School Committee member Helaine Hazlett shared with me that the Marblehead Select Board has issued a proclamation for Jan. 27, which is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The day originally designated by the United Nations in 2005 is currently observed

in numerous countries worldwide. It commemorates the murder of 6 million Jews and millions of other minorities by the Nazi regime. The date recognizes when the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated in 1945.

On Friday, Jan. 27, Marblehead will recognize International Holocaust Remembrance Day. At noon there will be a candlelighting ceremony on the grounds of Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St. At 6 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El, 393 Atlantic Ave., during the Friday evening service, Rabbi David Meyer and invited guest Select Board Chair Moses Grader will address the congregation in commemoration of victims of the Holocaust. All are invited and encouraged to attend each of the services to honor the memory of all whose lives were lost during the Holocaust. I hope our families and staff will attend and use this as a powerful teachable moment for our students.

Superintendent coffee and budget workshops

The January Superintendent’s Coffee will be hosted at the Glover School on Tuesday, January 31 at 8:15 a.m. This will be an open conversation around topics of interest for our families and the community. It will also be the morning after our School Committee Budget Workshop, which is scheduled for Monday, January 30, at 6:00 pm at MHS and via Zoom.

Accessibility survey

Town Planner Becky Cutting invites the Marblehead community to an accessibility survey: bit. ly/3GExoqi.

Register dogs before Jan. 31

Jan. 31 is the deadline for Marblehead dog owners to license their dogs for 2023. Failure to license one’s dog could lead to a monthly $50 fine. For the town’s records, dog owners should let the Town Clerk’s Office know if they no longer have their dog.

Residents can license their dogs and pay the registration fee in the following ways:

Mail to Town Clerk’s Office in Abbot Public Library, 188 Washington St.

Drop in red mail box out front of Abbot Hall or the Mary Alley Municipal Building, 7 Widger Road

Pay online at bit.ly/3GAgrgR

Those mailing in or dropping off licensing payments should include the mailed license application that the town sent out. If you did not get one, download an application online: bit.ly/3k7CdRr.

Checks should be made payable to “Town of Marblehead,” and copies of rabies and neuter certificates should be included as well, if not already on record with the Town Clerk’s Office.

Questions? Contact the Town Clerk’s Office either at townclerk@ marblehead.org or by phone at 781-631-0528.

OMIA annual meeting

The public is invited to the Old Marblehead Improvement Association’s annual meeting on Sunday, Jan. 29, in the Old Town House, 1 Market Square, from 2-4 p.m. Awards will be given, and desserts will be served.

Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King will speak about “Modern Policing Surrounded by History.”

The survey is a way for the town to collect community feedback as it develops a comprehensive accessibility transition plan.

2023 town warrant open

Marblehead Select Board voted on Nov. 16 to open the town warrant for the 2023 Town Meeting to be convened on Monday, May 1. The deadline to submit citizens’ petitions is noon Friday, Jan. 27.

For a citizen’s petition form, visit bit.ly/3Fwi9k1.

Got volunteerism?

The following is a list of appointed town boards, commissions and committees with vacancies. Anyone interested in serving on one should submit a letter of interest and a resume to the Select Board, Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., or email wileyk@ marblehead.org. Call the Select Board’s Office at 781-631-0000 for more information.

» Two one-year vacancies, Marblehead Old Burial Hill Oversight Committee

One-year vacancy, Marblehead Affordable Housing Trust Fund

» Three-year vacancy, Marblehead Design Review Board

One-year term, Marblehead MBTA Advisory Board

One-year term, Marblehead Advisory Board

» Five three-year, staggered terms, Marblehead Cultural Council

One-year vacancy, Marblehead Forever Committee

One-year term, Marblehead Task Force Against Discrimination

Animal shelter accepting volunteers

Volunteers are always needed to help feed and care for abandoned animals housed at the Marblehead Animal Shelter, 44 Village St.

The nonprofit Friends of Marblehead Abandoned Animals was formed for this purpose.

To volunteer, call 781-631-8664.

Mattress, textile waste bans

As of November, landfills, transfer stations and waste-toenergy facilities across the state can no longer accept mattresses and textiles for disposal.

Beds must be recycled, and fabrics must be donated for reuse or other secondary uses.

The fee for recycling a mattress and box spring at the Marblehead Transfer Station is $25. Textiles include clothes, shoes, linens, towels, curtains and cloth accessories.

At the Marblehead Transfer Station, residents with facility stickers can recycle textiles in the clothing collection bins for no fee. Items must be dry and in trash bags.

Volunteer at Health Dept.

Residents may volunteer to serve on the Marblehead Recycling Committee, appointed by the Marblehead Board of Health.

The Swap Shed is another place where volunteers can help. Volunteers must also sell facility stickers and check cars for up-todate stickers as they enter the transfer station.

Contact the Public Health Department at 781-631-0212 for additional volunteer information.

Mikey, a special-needs cat, deserves a forever home

BREED:

SIZE:

AGE: Adult

SEX: Male

Mikey is a special-needs cat. He is deaf and has had some vision impairment since birth.

Mikey was originally taken in as a stray. When his rescuers brought him to a vet, they realized he was deaf and his vision was not 100 percent. Unfortunately for him, his rescuers had to move and could not take him, so they surrendered him to a shelter.

Mikey was then adopted by a woman who had him for a few years. She also had to move and could not take Mikey, so he has found himself back living at a shelter.

Mikey loves to receive attention and is quite the character. He deserves to find a forever home that will keep him and treasure him. He does not require anything special. Mikey has lived with dogs, and we were told did fine.

Mikey is up to date with routine shots, and is housetrained and neutered. Fill out an adoption application at bit.ly/3h3LR6u and you will be contacted.

COURTESY PHOTO Superintendent John Buckey.

Mikey is cat who is deaf and visually impaired.

PaWS & CL aWS

The Marblehead Current news in brief is a compilation of needto-know news items from various sources. Marblehead residents, governmental entities and nonprofits can email 150-200word submissions for inclusion in the weekly list to info@ marbleheadnews.org.

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Houses of worship service schedule

CATHOLIC

OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA

» 85 Atlantic Ave. 781-631-0086 sosmarblehead.org

Regular Mass Schedule

» Saturday Vigil: 4 p.m.

» Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.

» Every weekday (Monday-Saturday): 9 a.m.

Confessions: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Saturday

Adult choir rehearsals: Thursdays, 7 p.m., organ loft

» Children’s choir rehearsals: Sunday, 8:15 a.m., organ loft

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST 134 Elm St.

» 781-631-3868

» fccsmarbleheadma.wordpress.

com

Sunday Church Service: 10-11 a.m.

Sunday School (open to children and young people under the age of 20): 10-11 a.m.

» Wednesday Testimony Meeting: 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Reading Room (in church building): Open just after Sunday service and before Wednesday testimony meetings

COMMUNITY CHURCH GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH

17 Pleasant St.

» 781-631-9343

» gracemarblehead.org

» Discipleship Class: 9:15 a.m.

Sunday

Worship Gatherings: 10:30 a.m. Sunday

» Grace Kids (Grades K-5): 4:30 p.m. Wednesday

» Youth Group: 7 p.m. Wednesday

Women’s Bible Study: 10 a.m.

Thursday

Prayer Gatherings: 1 p.m.

Thursday

» Men’s Bible Study: 6 a.m. Friday

CONGREGATIONAL

OLD NORTH CHURCH, THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN MARBLEHEAD

35 Washington St. 781-631-1244 onchurch.org

» Wednesday, Jan. 18: 10 a.m., worship planning meeting; » Saturday, Jan. 28: 4 p.m., Glover’s Regiment in Parish Hall Sunday, Jan. 29: 8 a.m., Baptism and worship service; 9 a.m., choir rehearsal; 10 a.m., worship service; 11:15 a.m., Confirmation class; 7 p.m., budget meeting on Zoom

Monday, Jan. 30: 5:30 p.m., Outreach Ministry Board; 6:30 p.m., Women’s AA in Parish Hall

» Tuesday, Jan. 31: 9 a.m., Lectio Divinia

EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST. ANDREW, EPISCOPAL

» 135 Lafayette St. » 781-631-4951

» standrewsmhd.org

» Regular Sunday services (Rite II of the Episcopal liturgy): 8 a.m., spoken service; 10 a.m., musical service

» Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Gospel Reflections on Zoom

» Alternate Tuesdays, 11 a.m.: “This Magic Moment” Memory Café on

Zoom, a judgment-free zone for those with memory loss and their caregivers

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:153:30 p.m., Parish Hall open for exercise

» Wednesday, noon: Eucharist

» Second Saturday, 8:30-9:30 a.m.: Coffee Cups informal conversation and fellowship Sunday, Jan. 29, approximately 11 a.m. (after 10 a.m. service): Annual meeting

ST. MICHAEL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 26 Pleasant St. 781-631-0657 stmichaels1714.org

» Sundays: Holy Eucharist, Rite II, 10 a.m.; in-person and online on church’s YouTube Channel

» Wednesdays: Morning Prayer, 9:30 a.m. on Facebook Live

First Sundays: Choral Evensong (September through May), 5 p.m.; in-person and online on church’s YouTube Channel

JEWISH

TEMPLE EMANU-EL, REFORM CONGREGATION

» 393 Atlantic Ave. 781-631-9300 emanu-el.org

Shabbat: Friday, 6 p.m., in person and on Facebook Live

» Torah Study: First and second Saturdays of month, 10 a.m. on Zoom

Religious School: 9 a.m. Sundays

Senior Connection: 11 a.m. Tuesdays

» Mah Jongg: 7 p.m. Tuesdays

» Wednesday, Jan. 25: 5:45 p.m., Pre Confirmation Friday, Jan. 27: 6 p.m., Shabbat

service with guest speaker Moses Grader

» Sunday, Jan. 29: noon, SMARTY bowling and pizza

Wednesday, Feb. 1: 5:45 p.m., Pre Confirmation; 7 p.m., Monthly Movie Night

» Thursday, Feb. 2: 7:30 p.m., Executive Committee meeting TEMPLE SINAI, CONTEMPORARY CONSERVATIVE SYNAGOGUE

1 Community Road

» 781-631-2762

» templesinaiweb.org

» Kabbalat Shabbat: Fridays, 6 p.m.

» Shabbat Service: Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.

Minyans: Saturday, 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Monday, 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. (at Congregation Shirat Hayam, Swampscott) Wednesday, Feb. 2: 11:30 a.m., Jewish Prayer Workshop with Rabbi Michael Schwartz

LUTHERAN CLIFTON LUTHERAN CHURCH

» 150 Humphrey St.

» 781-631-4379 cliftonlutheran.org

Weekly worship service: Sunday, 10 a.m., live stream on Zoom

» Sunday School: Sundays, 9 a.m.

» Coffee Hour: Sunday, 11 a.m.

» Choir Chat: Tuesday, 4:45 p.m. over Zoom

Midweek Fellowship: Wednesday, 7 p.m.

» Bible Study: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

» Thursday, Jan. 26: noon, Mel Wilson team meeting Friday, Jan. 27: 11:45 a.m., Holocaust remembrance ceremony,

Abbot Hall; 6 p.m., Holocaust remembrance, Temple Emanu-El

» Sunday, Jan. 29: 10 a.m., Manna Project event Thursday, Feb. 2: 1 p.m., Marblehead Ministerial Association

METHODIST ST. STEPHEN’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

» 67 Cornell Road 781-631-2756

: www.marblehead.church Weekly worship at 10:30 a.m., followed by refreshments and fellowship.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF MARBLEHEAD

» 28 Mugford St. 781-631-1215 uumarblehead.org

Sunday service is at 10:30 a.m. and on Zoom: bit.ly/3EIRKiF All persons attending a regular Sunday Service in person are asked to wear masks in the sanctuary.

Sunday, Jan. 29: 9 a.m., Sunday Seminar; 10:30 a.m., Sunday Services; 11:30 a.m., After Service Social Hour; 12:30 p.m., Stetson Gallery Reception: Jean Fogle Exhibit

Monday, Jan. 30: 6:30 p.m., Marblehead Festival of Arts meeting

» Wednesday, Feb. 1: 9 a.m., Small Group Ministry; 7 p.m., Committee on Ministry

Saturday, Feb. 4: 9:30 a.m., Caring for the Caregivers

MHTV Program Schedule

Mhtv can be seen on comcast channel 8 and verizon channel 28 (2128 in hd).

Visit mhtv at marbleheadtv.Org.

Wednesday, jan. 25

8 A.M., Democracy now!

9 A.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

9:30 A.M., You gotta love marblehead!

10 A.M., Yoga for health & joy

10:30 A.M., Valda’s seeds of life

11 A.M., Mhtv community partners

Noon, ‘headliner — the news of marblehead

12:30 P.M., You gotta love marblehead!

1 P.M., Groovy glass

1:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners

3 P.M., Thomas crane library presents “staying healthy through winter”

4:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners

5 P.M., What’s cookin’

5:30 P.M., Eat well be happy

6 P.M., Battleship cove: inside the history 6:30 P.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

7 P.M., Marblehead select board meeting **live**

Thursday, jan. 26

8 A.M., Democracy now!

9 A.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

9:30 A.M., Mass coa connect

10 A.M., Let’s visit

10:30 A.M., Eat well be happy

11 A.M., Mhtv community partners

Noon, ‘headliner—the news of marblehead

12:30 P.M., Thomas crane library presents “aarp talk — the essentials of caregiving ”

1 P.M., Mhtv community partners

1:30 P.M., Community bulletin board

3 P.M., Marblehead select board meeting, recorded jan. 25

4 P.M., Mhtv community partners

4:30 P.M., Community bulletin board

5 P.M., Knowledgeable aging

5:30 P.M., Mass coa connect

6 P.M., Up for discussion

6:30 P.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

7 P.M., You gotta love marblehead!

7:30 P.M., Mhs sports on mhtv wrestling vs gloucester

9 P.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

9:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners Friday, jan. 27

8 A.M., Democracy now!

9 A.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

9:30 A.M., Tai chi through the seasons

10 A.M., Marblehead coa bulletin board

10:30 A.M., Delicious & nutritious

11 A.M., Mhtv community partners Noon, ‘headliner—the news of marblehead

12:30 P.M., What’s cookin’

1 P.M., Skydive

1:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners

3 P.M., Thomas crane library presents “heat pumps”

4:30 P.M., Community bulletin board

5 P.M., Off the shelf

5:30 P.M., New england authors

6 P.M., The garage with steve butler

6:30 P.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead **new edition**

7 P.M., Public safety round table

7:30 P.M., Thomas crane library presents “aging strong and falls prevention: mindset, reset”

9 P.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

9:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners Saturday, jan. 28

8 A.M., Community bulletin board

8:30 A.M., Saturday morning cartooning

9 A.M., Mike paige doodle club

9:30 A.M., What’s cookin’

10 A.M., Valda’s seeds of life

10:30 A.M., Battleship cove: inside the history

11:30 A.M., Smart boating Noon, ‘headliner — the news of marblehead

12:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners

1 P.M., Mhs sports on mhtv replay swimming vs. Salem

2:30 P.M., Mhs sports on mhtv replay wrestling vs. Gloucester

5 P.M., In the toybox

5:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners

6 P.M., You gotta love marblehead!

6:30 P.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

7 P.M., Thomas crane library presents “aarp talk: the essentials of caregiving”

8 P.M., Mhtv community partners

9 P.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

9:30 P.M., 502 Sessions

10:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners

11 P.M., Paltrocast with darren paltrowitz 11:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners Sunday, jan. 29

8 A.M., Groovy glass 8:30 A.M., Mass coa connect 9 A.M., Off the shelf

9:30 A.M., New england authors 10 A.M., Up for discussion

10:30 A.M., In the toybox

11 A.M., Saturday morning cartooning

11:30 A.M., Smart boating Noon, ‘headliner — the news of marblehead

12:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners

1 P.M., Imagination artist profile

1:30 P.M., Public safety roundtable

2 P.M., Two grannies on the road

2:30 P.M., Let’s visit

3 P.M., Mhtv community partners

6:30 P.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

7 P.M., Thomas crane library presents “heat pumpst”

8 P.M., Mhtv community partners

9 P.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

9:30 P.M., 502 Sessions

10:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners

11 P.M., Paltrocast with darren paltrowitz 11:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners Monday, jan. 30

8 A.M., Democracy now!

9 A.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

9:30a.M., Up for discussion

10 A.M., Two grannies on the road

10:30 A.M., A culinary journey

11 A.M., Mhtv community partners Noon, ‘headliner — the news of marblehead

12:30 P.M., Delicious and nutritious

1 P.M., Eat well be happy

1:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners

3 P.M., Marblehead league of women voters presents “greening our community: update on town projects and initiatives”

4:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners

5 P.M., Get healthy with holly

5:30 P.M., Valda’s seeds of life

6 P.M., Imagination artist profiles

6:30 P.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

7 P.M., Up for discussion

7:30 P.M., Mhs sports on mhtv girls hockey vs. Leominster

9 P.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

9:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners Tuesday, jan. 31

8 A.M., Democracy now!

9 A.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

9:30 A.M., Public safety roundtable

10 A.M., Knowledgeable aging

10:30 A.M., Ooma’s cookie jar

11 A.M., Mhtv community partners

Noon, ‘headliner — the news of marblehead

12:30 P.M., Imagination artist profile

1 P.M., Off the shelf

1:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners

3 P.M., Marblehead coalition presents “lucretia and joseph brown — the real story”

4:30 P.M., Community bulletin board

5 P.M., Two grannies on the road

5:30 P.M., Let’s visit

6 P.M., Public safety round table

6:30 P.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

7 P.M., Valda’s seeds of life

7:30 P.M., Mhs sports on mhtv girls hockey vs. Medford

9 P.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

9:30 P.M., You gotta love marblehead!

10 P.M., Mhtv community partners

Wednesday, feb. 1

8 A.M., Democracy now!

9 A.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

9:30 A.M., You gotta love marblehead!

10 A.M., Yoga for health & joy

10:30 A.M., Valda’s seeds of life

11 A.M., Mhtv community partners

Noon, ‘headliner — the news of marblehead

12:30 P.M., You gotta love marblehead!

1 P.M., Groovy glass

1:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners

3 P.M., Marblehead racial justice team: agnes gravestone dedication

4:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners

5 P.M., What’s cookin’

5:30 P.M., Eat well be happy

6 P.M., Battleship cove: inside the history

6:30 P.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

7 P.M., Imagination artist profiles

7:30 P.M., Marblehead league of women voters presents “greening our community: update on town projects and initiatives”

9 P.M., ‘Headliner — the news of marblehead

9:30 P.M., Marblehead league of women voters presents “overlooked too long: women of color and the struggles for suffrage”

10:30 P.M., Mhtv community partners

**Mhtv program schedule subject to change without notice**

elevator on Pleasant Street.

Thursday, Jan. 12

5 a.m. An officer filed a report after a two-vehicle crash on Humphrey Street and Rockaway Avenue.

8:25 a.m. A walk-in to the police station reported an issue with the traffic signal on Ocean and Atlantic avenues.

Friday, Jan. 13

1:02 a.m. An officer investigated a report of suspicious activity on Nonantum Road and filed a report.

2 p.m. An attempted traffic stop led to a police chase involving four officers in the area of West Shore Drive and Waterside Road.

2:17 p.m. An officer filed a report after investigating a general complaint on Broughton Road.

5:38 p.m. A caller reported kids on bikes doing wheelies on Lafayette Street. An officer was unable to locate them.

6:05 p.m. A 22-year-old resident was arrested on a Marblehead warrant on unspecified charges on Pitman Road.

Saturday, Jan. 14

2:58 a.m. Officers checked and secured a building after a report of suspicious activity on Pleasant Street.

9:14 a.m. An officer conducted

an investigation on Sewall Street after a walk-in made a general complaint and filed a report.

11:52 a.m. Drag-racing vehicles were reported on Humphrey Street. Officer could not locate them.

7:37 p.m. Caller reported a past accident involving two vehicles on Atlantic Avenue.

10:54 p.m. Services were rendered after an intoxicated woman was reported on State Street.

11:34 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Green Street and Tioga Way and filed a report.

Sunday, Jan. 15

12:51 p.m. An officer assisted at the scene as the Fire Department extinguished a fire in a bathroom fan on Merritt Street.

1:08 p.m. Officers investigated a report of a tree or branch down on Smith Street.

2:31 p.m. An officer filed a report after speaking with a Rowland Street resident about ongoing harassment.

2:32 p.m. Officers assisted with a bus that had gotten stuck on Pleasant and Washington streets.

2:53 p.m. Icy road conditions were reported on Village Street.

4:53 p.m. An officer investigated a 911 call from an

7 p.m. An officer filed a report after responding to the scene of a vehicle crash on Lafayette and Maple streets.

Monday, Jan. 16

12:23 a.m. Officers assisted Salem Police by closing Lafayette Street at Carna Road.

6:20 a.m. An Evans Road resident reported lost computers.

9:32 a.m. An officer investigated a report of past threats on Follett Street and filed a report.

10:42 a.m. An issue related to a town snowplow was reported on Tedesco Street.

11:43 a.m. A caller on Gas House Lane reported that the street had not been plowed. The complaint was passed along to the Department of Public Works.

12:25 p.m. A caller reported a dislodged manhole cover on Sargent Road. The hazard was removed.

3:46 p.m. Suspicious activity was reported on Farrell Court. No action was required.

Tuesday, Jan. 17

7:23 a.m. An officer investigated the report of a vehicle crash on Pleasant and Lafayette streets. 1:48 p.m. An officer

investigated a report of an unruly customer at the Dunkin’ in Village Plaza. An employee did not know the man’s name, but he was a regular customer. He was described as a middleaged, tall, white male with a large build. Employee said the man had come into the store and asked to use the bathroom. He was told that, per store policy, he would need to make a purchase first. The man became enraged, according to the employee, ranting and cussing at her and other store employees. To calm him down, they told the man he could use the restroom, which he did. However, he continued his tirade upon doing his business and exiting the bathroom. Before leaving, he threw a stack of cardboard trays in anger. He then got in his vehicle and drove away. The employees were advised to call the police if the man returned to the store.

2:17 p.m. An officer investigated a report of suspicious activity on Pinecliff Drive.

3:55 p.m. An officer investigated a report of a vehicle driven by a man that had been going slowly past a Turner Road residence for months. The resident had been able to take a picture of the vehicle’s license plate, from which police were able to

John W. Jacobsen, 77

John W. Jacobsen, a Renaissance man with a gentlemanly demeanor who helped shape the direction and development of museums in the United States and around the world, died at his home in Marblehead on Jan. 12 with his wife, Jeanie Stahl, by his side. He was 77.

He described his career as a “drunkard’s walk,” following his varied interests, which led him from theater scenic design to show and film production and, finally, for thirty years, to his beloved museum field. In 1988, he founded White Oak Associates, which led strategic planning initiatives for more than 100 museums.

His museum career began in 1985 as associate director of the Boston Museum of Science, where, under the leadership of Dr. Roger Nichols, he executive produced the museum’s $24 million Hall Wing and Mugar Omni Theater and oversaw the making of the popular IMAX short film, New England Time Capsule, with music by John Williams. John and his wife, Jeanie, later co-executive produced the IMAX film, “The Living Sea,” produced by MacGillivray Freeman Films, with narration by Meryl Streep and music by Sting. It was nominated for an Academy Award in 1995.

John was born Oct. 8, 1945, in Bronxville, New York, to Eric and Mary Jacobsen. His parents were Australian and Canadian ex-pats who wed in Montreal and, after relocating to the United States, moved with their three children to Brazil, where John’s father, an engineer, ran United States Steel’s mining and steel production operations. After eight years, when John was 13, they returned to Pittsburgh, United States Steel’s headquarters.

As a boy, John was fascinated by chemistry and physics. He had a fully stocked chemistry lab in the basement where he dabbled in magic experiments, explosives, and breeding hybrid fruit flies. When he got to college at Yale, he found his biochemistry classes boring and abstract, so he ricocheted from chemistry to English, to art history and then theater.

After graduating from Yale University in 1967 with a bachelor’s degree in art history and Yale Drama School in 1969 with a

master’s of fine arts in theater scenic design, he taught scenic design in the Emerson College Theater Department in Boston. He later joined the faculty at Wheaton College. During these years, he directed scenery and lighting design for more than 60 theater productions, including “Of Mice and Men” at the Loeb Drama Center, all the while dreaming of becoming a great fine art painter, laboring at night on large canvases in his carriage house apartment near Coolidge Corner in Brookline.

In the early 1970s, the advent of multimedia theater led him to take on his first museum project – The Salem Witch Museum’s innovative in-the-round presentation of the 1692 witch trials using life-sized stage sets and dramatic lighting and sound. Fifty years later, it remains the most attended attraction in Salem.

The project’s success led him to form White Oak Design with several colleagues in 1974. Together, they produced sound and light shows that attracted visitors for decades. These included “The Whites of Their Eyes,” sponsored by the Raytheon Corporation to commemorate the Boston Bicentennial; “The Voyage of the India Star” at Pickering Wharf in Salem; “Timespell” in the Watkins Glen Gorge in New York and, most notably, “An Elizabethan Pageant” in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, which was opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne in 1979 and continues today.

In 1980, John met the love of his life, singer-songwriter Jeanie Stahl. They were married in 1982, settled in Marblehead’s historic district and became, as he often said, “partners in everything.”

Following his tenure at the Museum of Science, John formed White Oak Associates, with Jeanie joining the company as vice president.

Over the next 30 years, with a team of experts and staff, they led strategic planning initiatives and development for museums in, among other cities, Anaheim, Calgary, Des Moines, Edmonton, Hartford, Kuala Lumpur, Calgary, Peoria, Richmond, Singapore and Exploration Place in Wichita, designed by architect Moshe Safdie.

As the museum boom slowed, John and Jeanie’s work shifted away from new museums to sustaining existing museums through their White Oak Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to conducting and disseminating research on museum impact and performance. They received grants from the National Science Foundation, the American Alliance of Museums, and the Association of Children’s Museums, among others.

Throughout their marriage, John continuously refined his woodworking and cooking skills. He maintained an impeccable workshop, designed and built a classic cherrywood bookcase for his library/study in their home, designed and hand-drew their annual Christmas card. He indulged his passion for cooking, delighting their circle of friends with his exceptional multi-course meals.

After retiring in 2017, John wrote three books for the museum community, published by Rowman and Littlefield, which detailed White Oak’s innovations and planning frameworks. He was an instrumental member of the planning committee for the renovation of the Abbot Public Library in Marblehead, providing insight and guidance. He served as a volunteer advisor to the Boston Museum of Science and the Emily Dickinson Museum, among others. Finally, he was able to pursue his interest in writing mysteries. His three Merriman Institute mysteries remain unpublished but honor his favorite mystery writers, convey his values and reflect his life experiences.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by his sisters, Marian Langdon and Joan Halbert, nieces and nephews, and close friends and colleagues who were like family to him.

A celebration of his life is being planned for late spring in Marblehead. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the museum of your choice. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for John’s family.

determine the identity of the driver. Earlier in the afternoon, the resident and her daughter had approached the vehicle and spoken to the driver, and some of his comments concerned them. Man explained that he had not been looking at her house but rather at the sign for Waterside Cemetery, where his wife is buried. Officer then spoke to the man who confirmed that he indeed drives by the cemetery daily, but only because he misses his wife. He apologized for any misunderstanding. Officer determined that the man did not show any signs of mental deterioration and that his explanation was sound.

4:01 p.m. A hazard was removed from Mohawk Road and Pleasant Street.

Wednesday, Jan. 18

9:28 a.m. Officer investigated report that vehicle’s mirror had been struck and damaged on Spring Street.

12:29 p.m. A Clifton Avenue resident asked to speak with an officer.

6:15 p.m. An officer responded to the scene of a vehicle crash on Pickett and Stacey streets and filed a report.

7:50 p.m. Officers performed a well-being check on Robert Road and filed a report.

Sandra Lorraine (Simon) Spector, 84

Sandra Lorraine (Simon) Spector died peacefully on Jan. 14 after a courageous battle with cancer at age 84. Sondra was the beloved wife of the late Arnold Spector, and the couple shared 60 years of marriage. Sandra was born in Chelsea and was a graduate of Chelsea High School. She and Arnold were the owners of Spector Pharmacy in Lynn, where they worked side by side for over 50 years.

In addition to her work, Sandra’s greatest joys in life were her family and her beloved dog, Abbie. Sandra and her constant companion were a familiar and regular presence in the neighborhood, two good friends taking their daily walks together.

Those left to cherish Sandra’s memory are her devoted children: Jill Keogh of Fairfield, CT; Ami Stix and husband, Michael of Lexington, MA and her adoring grandchildren, Benjamin and Jonathan Stix and Olivia, Isabelle and Ava Keogh; her loving sister, Iris Stein and husband, Robert of Marblehead, MA; devoted cousin, Michael Gladstone and wife, Gisela of Swampscott and her beloved dog, Abigail Rose.

A graveside service will be held for Sandra on Sunday, Jan. 22, at 11 a.m. at the Congregation Shirat Hayam Cemetery, Beth El Section, 506 Lowell Street, Peabody.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sandra’s memory may be made to the Sophia Gordon Cancer Center, 41 Burlington Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805. https:// www.lahey.org/lhmc/department/cancer-center/ at Lahey Hospital or the Northeast Animal Shelter 347 Highland Ave, Salem, MA 01970. https://www. northeastanimalshelter.org/ .

For more information or to register in the online guest book, please visit www.stanetskyhymansonsalem.com

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OBIT uary

Gail F. Stacey, 77

Haines FT and Stephanie L. Cappuccio 32 Curtis St. Jan. 6 $595,000

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SCHOOL STrEET

Gail F. Stacey (Fitzpatrick), age 77, of Marblehead passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, after a long and heroic battle with Alzheimer’s. She was the beloved wife of Charles G. Stacey, with whom she shared 56 years of marriage.

Born in Salem and raised in Marblehead, she was the daughter of Jim and Lillian Fitzpatrick (Jeffrey). Gail was the devoted mother of Melissa and Greg Stacey and the dear sister of Joan, Audrey, Alice, Mary Jane and Brenda.

She is survived by her husband, Charles Stacey of Marblehead; her daughter, Melissa Stacey of Marblehead; her son, Greg Stacey of Portland, Maine; her sisters, Mary Jane Riddell of Swampscott and Brenda Boyle of Atlanta; her brother-in-law, Alex Riddell of Swampscott; her sisterin-law Rita, Havens of Marblehead; and many nieces and nephews.

Gail grew up in Marblehead and graduated from Marblehead High School with the Class of 1963. She also graduated from Chandler School for Women in 1965.

She and Charlie raised their family in multiple cities all over the United States before settling back in Marblehead in 2009.

Gail was an extraordinary wife and dedicated mother. She loved home design, fashion, traveling, modeling and spending quality time with family and friends.

The best way to describe Gail is the way her family and friends described her, which was “the classiest woman they ever knew.” She was sweet and generous to a fault. Everyone who met Gail loved her kind spirit. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead, 142 Elm St. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave. in Marblehead. Burial will be private.

Due to Gail’s love of animals, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Marblehead Animal Shelter, 44 Village St. in Marblehead.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Stacey family may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com.

BY LINDA WERBNER

Stella Adler, the founder of the prestigious Stella Adler Studio of Acting, whose alumni include Robert De Niro, Salma Hayek and Marlon Brando, famously observed that “the theatre is a spiritual and social X-ray of its time.”

“Party?,” the new ensemble comedy which opened at the Marblehead Little Theater on Jan. 20, does just that.

This wicked, witty romp, which the play’s author and Marblehead resident, Anne M. Lucas, aptly describes as a cross-pollination of Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” meets Neil Simon, packs a bittersweet punch as it takes the audience on a rollicking spiritual and social X-ray of three marriages — couples in their 20s, 50s and 70s.

With its spot-on comic timing and spitfire exchanges, “Party?” nimbly captures multiple relationship crossroads in a funny, take-no-prisoners and warts-and-all style.

The play is New Yorkbound, Lucas says. Next year it will grace a New York stage. “Marblehead is a test audience for the play.”

Throughout Lucas’ one-act play, the audience laughed, gasped and even cheered as the eight actors brought to life Lucas’ story of three relationships, each with their unique struggles and challenges, triumphs and failures.

The play opens in the bedroom of Aaron (Ed Siegal) and Diana (Sharon Mason) in their posh New York apartment as they prepare to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.

Played with caustic, insufferable narcissism by Ed Siegal, Aaron is a 50ish, patronizing, pedantic and particular Morgan Stanley executive.

When we meet him, Aaron is barking out positive affirmations about himself into the mirror – “I am fit, fun and fascinating!” – pulled from the pages of ‘Male Satisfaction Over 40’ by Dr. Stang, a book he has adopted as a blueprint for living.

Diana (Sharon Mason) is accommodating and eager to please, putting herself second and enduring Aaron’s slights and criticisms and scampering to make sure his smoothies and organic chicken salads are just right and his ties, which she has lovingly selected from Bergdorf Goodman, are perfect.

Mason adroitly captures Diana’s dilemma with her expressive face and eagerto-please manner. She has no idea her husband of 25 years plans to announce he is divorcing her during the anniversary party in front of his parents, Esther (Betty Lautner) and Felix (James DeSantis) and their twentysomething son, Kason (Michael Mazzone), and his fiancée Caitlyn, (Victoria Berube). Aaron’s nonchalant, cheerfully sadistic attitude about why he plans to end his marriage takes the audience’s breath away.

“I am bored by her cheerful optimism,” he quips to his baffled and outraged son and father. “I made a mistake getting married, and I’m just not in love with her.” Aaron is dutifully following the advice of his mentor Dr.

Stang to reach personal perfection and delete anyone and anything that gets in the way.

With “Party?” Lucas has tapped into America’s slavish attention to the self-centered and narcissistic social media culture of influencers and gurus, the drive to be the best version of yourself, whatever the cost, no matter whom you have to trample and wound in the process.

Her characters selfdiagnose with ridiculous maladies that could have come from the pages of the DSM-5, like MDD (male dissatisfaction disorder) and UMM (unhappy male madness).

Aaron and Diana’s son, Jason, played with earnest insight by Mazzone, is outraged and horrified by his father’s selfish and cruel admission. “How could you humiliate her in front of us?” he asks. An impoverished graduate student, he is newly engaged to Caitlyn (smartly performed with delicious indignation by Swampscott’s Victoria Berube), a feminist who wants a polyamorous relationship that Jason struggles to accept. As a Gen Zer, Caitlyn doesn’t exactly trust the institution of marriage, she admits.

Meanwhile, we learn that Aaron’s parents, Esther and Felix, who appear to be a settled, happily-married couple in their 70s, have

also weathered storms and struggles in their marriage. Played with empathy and wisdom by James DeSantis, Felix had a midlife crisis of sorts when he was Aaron’s age. Unlike Aaron, he and Esther (performed with warmth and comic brilliance by Broadway veteran Betty Lautner) worked through their problems. “People of our generation stayed together,” Felix explains to Aaron.

What follows is an emotional bumper car ride with unexpected twists and turns. Each character has an awakening of sorts, but without giving away too much, Diana’s journey somehow feels like the most significant of all.

Asked about the impetus behind “Party?” Lucas explains that she wrote this play because she felt that “so many women are in relationships with narcissistic men, and they don’t understand why they are in such a painful situation. My hope is that people will see something that will help them.”

Director Myriam Cyr brings a deft comic touch to Lucas’ funny material.

Cyr, an award-winning actor, poet and critically acclaimed writer who lives in Beverly, is directing at the MLT for the first time. She has appeared on New York and London stages, including working opposite Al Pacino in Salome. In 2021, Cyr was voted Best Director in the Broadway World Regional Awards for her work in the Gloucester Stage production of Reparations.

Cyr marvels at how smoothly the production unfolded. “When I arrived, the set was already designed and the play was cast. The lighting is amazing, and the actors are just gems. We’ve really come together as a team.

“It’s been a fantastic experience,” she continues. “The MLT is a phenomenal space. This production runs like clockwork. And it’s very funny, this play. It’s rare to see a funny new play. I hope it will be sold out and that this play has a career and others will want to stage it.”

Although they traveled in similar theatrical circles and admired one another’s work, Cyr and Lucas had never collaborated on a project. “Anne and I had been looking for something to work on together. We have become real friends in the process of staging this play,” Cyr said.

Asked about the mysterious question mark in the play’s title, Lucas laughs and responds coyly, “I don’t want to spoil it. You just have to come to the MLT and see the play.”

“Party?” runs through Jan. 29 at the Marblehead Little Theater, 12 School St. Visit mltlive.com to learn more.

The ‘Play?’ cast and crew: Playwright Anne Marlyn Lucas, top far left, James De Santis, Ed Siegal, Micheal Mazzone, director Myriam Cyr and, bottom far left, Betty Kent Lautner, Sharon Mason, Vicky Berube