03.20.2024 – Volume 2, Issue 17

Restraint report due, budget meeting set

BY LEIGH BLANDER

Interim Superintendent

Theresa McGuinness sent an email Friday, March 15, saying the district will share its “Restraint Response Plan… Our Way Forward” this week, along with a legally redacted report on the district’s student restraint policies by the firm Comprehensive Investigations

and Consulting. McGuinness hired CIC after a student restraint crisis late last year that resulted in four Glover educators being placed on paid leave. Her email did not mention anything about the educators’ fate.

McGuinness said the district has applied for a $75,000 grant with the Department of Elementary and Secondary

Education to work with Dr. Stuart Ablon, founder and director of the Think Kids Partnership at Massachusetts General Hospital. Ablon has developed a program called Collaborative Problem Solutions.

“When school-based special education administrators and district administrators consulted with Ablon this spring, he

BY WILL DOWD

In a historic ceremony on Saturday, Marblehead Troop 79G conducted a Court of Honor for Marblehead’s first female Eagle Scouts, Zoe Gast and Katie Jenkins, at Abbot Hall. Eagle Scout is the highest achievement attainable in the Scouts BSA program. Troop 79G, founded just over four years ago, opened scouting to adventurous young women willing to break stereotypes.

Integrated into Marblehead Troop 79, which was founded in 1937, the girls troop has seen over 20 young women participate under the leadership of Scoutmaster Jennifer Stoddard.

“Today marks a historic milestone for BSA Troop 79G

as we celebrate our first Eagle Scouts, Katie Jenkins and Zoe Gast,” said Stoddard. “Their achievement is a testament to the resilience, dedication and leadership that define the spirit of scouting.”

In the Boston Spirit of Adventure Council, there are 47 female troops made up of just over 900 scouts. To date, just over 50 have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Across all of the BSA, only 6% of all Scouts achieve BSA’s highest rank. Through perseverance and hard work, Gast and Jenkins paved the way for future female Scouts by camping across New England, leading backpacking trips to Philmont Scout Reservation in New

described a research study that demonstrated on average an 80% reduction in restraints when CPS is fully implemented,” McGuinness said. “I will share more information on this later in the spring.”

McGuinness also shared that there have been faculty meeting presentations on “de-escalation, social-emotional support and best practices for supporting

students’ social-emotional needs, including a review of the District Curriculum Accommodation Plan.” Budget hearing

The School Committee planned to hold a public budget hearing Thursday, March 21 at the Veterans School Performing Arts Center to hear residents’

Simply one-derful

Lone goal is all Headers need to claim second state title in 13 years

BY JOE MCCONNELL

It was a season of perseverance, a shining example of sticking to one’s beliefs in the face of all sorts of obstacles.

The Marblehead High boys hockey team (17-9-1, sixth seed) lost its first six games but never gave up.

As a result of that attitude, the Headers were the last team standing in Division 3 after defeating Nauset (22-2-1), the tournament’s top seed, 1-0, in the state title game at the TD Garden on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17.

The Headers’ theme of perseverance this season was on full display at the Garden on Sunday. Nauset had a decided edge in shots, but somehow the Marblehead boys were able to turn away its opportunities, with some help from the goal post on a couple of occasions. It also helps to have a reliable goalie between the pipes, and junior Leo Burdge has been just

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that this season. Burdge came up with 32 saves to shutout Nauset, while his teammates managed just 14 shots. But they withstood the onslaught

FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGhT DancEnergy celebrates 40 years of movement, music, community

BY LEIGH BLANDER

Nearly 70 women crowded into a brightly lit studio at the JCC on March 12 to celebrate the 40th anniversary — to the day — of DancEnergy in Marblehead.

Founder Joyce Colahan, who still teaches five times a week, led the milestone class. She made it through to the last song before she started crying.

“The love I get from everybody… I feel so honored and privileged. I look back at it in awe,” she said of her career. “I had no idea when I started teaching that it would grow into this.”

Colahan, who lives in Marblehead, was a professional dancer and traveled the world with the Joyce Trisler

Danscompany. She started teaching at Energy Works on Barnard Street in 1984 and has worked with more than 800 students since. DancEnergy, which moved to the JCC 10 years ago, has seven instructors

leading a dozen classes every week.

Colahan’s students are devoted to her and her choreography.

“I’m 76 years old; this has kept

Exhausted but happy: Junior forward Crew Monaco casts his eyes to the heavens as he hugs teammate Avin Rodovsky while assistant captain Charlie Grenier tries to catch his breath after the final

Parents offer to share heart-wrenching stories of their children’s addictions Board of Health member repeatedly cusses at colleague

BY LEIGH BLANDER

Lainie Goodman knows all too well how a Marblehead kid can get caught up in drugs and derail their life. It is happening to her son.

“My son’s 23rd birthday was two days ago; I haven’t seen him since he was arrested in 2020,” Goodman said at a Board of Health meeting on March 12. “He went to Marblehead High School and was removed from the school. I’m not going to go through everything I’ve been through, but it’s been awful.”

Goodman’s son has struggled with addiction since he was 16 years old. He has been arrested several times and has been in and out of treatment programs.

Goodman and another parent, Tom Day, shared their stories and offered to work with the Board of Health to speak to local teens and families about addiction, either one-on-one or as part of group discussions.

“I am not a licensed therapist, but I am a parent with too much experience,” Goodman said.

Day’s daughter was addicted to heroin from 1986 to 1996 in her late teens and 20s.

“That was a tough time for us in the family. I think that’s something I could relate to other parents,” Day said. “The lying, stealing, getting poor grades in school, falling asleep at dinner. We probably made a lot of wrong decisions with the best of intentions.”

Robert Erbetta spoke about his work with the Navy’s DrugFree America campaign. He encouraged the BOH to work with Marblehead schools.

“They’re the ones who can make a difference,” he said.

Board of Health member Tom

McMahon said he wanted to run a task force under the board’s auspices, which would plan events and discussions with local residents who have struggled with addiction or cared about someone who has.

Members Helaine Hazlett and Joanne Miller, along with Public Health Director Andrew Petty, were open to the idea but suggested that mental health professionals be involved, too. They proposed partnering with the Marblehead Counseling Center or Mental Health Task Force.

“We want to make sure that we have people there who can assist,” Petty said.

Miller added, “Of course, bringing stories forward is a way to connect people to issues. My question is, if you’re able to build that… isn’t it important to have a professional mental health counselor, because they can help if there’s a trigger?

There could be triggers.”

McMahon replied, “I’m not afraid of triggers. I’m aiming for triggers… I want them (people at events) to be terrified.”

Petty interjected, “But we also want to provide the support that people need.”

Hazlett said, “If it’s coming under the auspices of the Board of Health, it’s important we have a plan.”

Hazlett then suggested that if McMahon did not want to partner with the MCC or other mental health professionals, he could move forward with his ideas as a private citizen.

“If you can make a difference in this whole town… and you are one person… I think that’s outstanding,” she said.

That prompted an angry response from McMahon. “That’s such bulls—, the way you just said that to me. You’re full of s—.”

A few minutes later, Miller responded to McMahon’s language and referenced a workshop the board had attended last week on how to communicate more effectively and respectfully.

“Tom, you have great ideas… occasionally, often,” she said. “But the way you scream at people is really…”

McMahon interrupted her to complain about Hazlett’s comment, which he called “hollow.”

Miller continued. “You’re interrupting me….. We spent two hours last week talking about

listening and active listening. You use language in these meetings that I ask you to refrain from. It is not helpful and it hurts the work that we’re trying to do here. If I can ask you to please make that commitment.”

McMahon replied, “OK.”

Miller added, “I would just suggest, and I mean this sincerely, there’s a lot of really good work that goes on here… the (Mental Health) Task Force, we’re working on these issues as well, the counseling center is working on these ideas. When you have a great idea, work with your board members… Let’s start with the way that we speak to each other.”

McMahon later made a motion for the board to move forward with planning addiction-related events. Neither Hazlett nor Miller seconded that motion.

Hazlett, Miller and Petty did agree to keep working with Goodman, Day and others to create programming that would allow local parents, former addicts and others to share their stories in hopes of helping others. Goodman left her contact information with Petty and encouraged parents to reach out to her.

“My kid is from Marblehead. My kid is Jewish,” she said. “It doesn’t happen in Marblehead, and it doesn’t happen to Jewish kids. But guess what? It did.”

Opioid recovery boxes Petty also said the town has purchased 25 samboxes, or opioid recovery boxes, to place around town. The boxes have two doses of Narcan with instructions on how to use them safely, as well as other equipment. The boxes will go up in town buildings near AED machines. Petty hopes they will also be placed in schools and other locations.

Teacher contract talks begin Union calls for public negotiations amid budget, student restraint crises

BY LEIGH BLANDER

The Marblehead Education Association, the teachers union in town, started collective bargaining talks with the School Committee on Thursday, March 14. Teachers wore red to school in solidarity. Many cars in school parking lots displayed MEA “We Stand Together” placards in their windows.

The MEA told the Current that the union “proposed bargaining in open session so the community could observe negotiations for themselves. The [School Committee] rejected it.”

School Committee Chair Sarah Fox did not comment on the MEA’s request for public

Chief,

negotiations. She did release a statement on March 15.

“The MEA presented the union’s set of proposals but as there was an agreed-upon end time for the negotiation session, the union was not able to explain all of its proposals and the session ended before the School Committee’s bargaining team could present any of its proposals,” Fox wrote. “The School Committee looks forward to reviewing the MEA’s proposals and to presenting its proposals.”

Fox continued, “The School Committee had hoped to have more sessions and more information before the May Town Meeting, but the next dates that the MEA is available

for bargaining are April 2nd and then not again until May 1st. We look forward to moving through this process efficiently to provide the best contract to meet the needs of our staff, students and community. “

The MEA, which already had Facebook and Instagram accounts, launched a TikTok channel, too, and shared videos by a Malden teacher talking about the Marblehead contract negotiations and urging people to support Marblehead teachers.

In a video posted March 13, the Malden teacher said, “We can show solidarity by doing things like wearing red for Marblehead tomorrow and posting videos and pictures on social media.

Then it sends the message to both the Marblehead Education Association — that they are supported because there’s labor solidarity — and it shows the employer that there are so many people behind the union educators in Marblehead who stand with them in their fight for a fair and just contract.”

In addition to the collective bargaining, the MEA is demanding that the School Committee and district reinstate four teachers suspended with pay after a student restraint crisis, and to fight for full funding for Marblehead schools. More than 1,000 people signed an online petition circulated by the MEA with these and other demands.

superintendent: Talk to kids about ‘disruptive and destructive’ behavior

BY LEIGH BLANDER

Police Chief Dennis King and interim Superintendent Theresa McGuinness sent a joint email to Marblehead parents and guardians Thursday about an “uptick in disruptive and destructive behavior” by schoolaged children in the community. They asked for help addressing “challenging behaviors from some of our students when they visit local restaurants and businesses.”

The email read: “We have heard from local business

owners and managers that they have experienced an uptick in disruptive and destructive behavior after school and on half-days from school-aged patrons. It has been reported to the Marblehead Police Department and Marblehead Public Schools that some students have been blocking store entrances, roughhousing in the stores, damaging displays and goods, throwing candy at passing vehicles, and have taken part in loud arguments using inappropriate language, chasing

out adult patrons.”

Recent police logs show incidents involving students at Village Plaza. (See page 14.)

King told the Current that the students involved have been from the Village and Veterans schools. No charges have been filed.

King and McGuinness asked parents and guardians to talk to their kids about appropriate behavior in local restaurants and stores. Principals and the school resource officer will also speak with students about behavior,

NEWS FOr PEOPLE, NOT FOr PrOFIT.

CO-CHAIRPERSONS

Jessica Barnett     Ed Bell

they said. “The Marblehead Police Department would rather focus their time on positive engagements with students. But they will not tolerate behavior that is dangerous to other students, or the public, and could rise to the level of disorderly or assaultive,” the email continued.

“It’s up to all of us to make sure our students are representing themselves in town in a way that reflects our values and builds positive relationships with businesses.”

contact: Kathryn Whorf at kwhorf@marbleheadnews.org.

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CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

From left, Bob Erbetta, Lainie Goodman and Tom Day speak about addiction at a Board of Health meeting.

Businesses owners express concern over proposed meals, room taxes

BY WILL DOWD

Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer and Finance Director

Aleesha Nunley Benjamin met with nearly two dozen local business owners March 14 to discuss proposed meals and room taxes, which are set to be voted on at the May Town Meeting.

The proposed taxes, outlined in warrant Articles 24 and 25, include a 0.75% local meals tax and up to a 6% tax on rooms in hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, and short-term rentals. If approved, the taxes are expected to generate significant revenue for the town, with initial estimates of $400,000 a year and potential future earnings up to $1 million annually.

However, some local business owners expressed concerns about the effect these taxes may have on their ability to compete.

“Marblehead is very different from the surrounding towns, especially our direct competitors,” said Carolyn Conway, owner of the Harbor

Light Inn. “Salem has over 500 hotel rooms. We have 32 between myself and Hotel Marblehead. There are also over 200 rentals via Airbnb and VRBO, with some homes having five or six rooms.”

Conway pointed out that the proposed taxes would disproportionately affect her business and Hotel Marblehead, as they are the primary sources of short-term rentals in town.

“This really does kind of unfairly target myself and Hotel Marblehead because this is our main [business],” she said. “We also pay all the inspections, permits and licensing fees.”

Marblehead is currently one of the few cities and towns in Massachusetts without a meals tax, room tax or short-termrental community impact fee. In contrast, neighboring towns have collected substantial tax revenue from these sources.

According to data presented by Nunley Benjamin, Salem collected $1.5 million from the meals tax and $1.6 million from the room tax in the last fiscal

by popular options.”

Conway also raised concerns about the lack of support for tourism in Marblehead, asking, “Is some of that money going to be put back into tourism? Because I will say, while we are competing with Salem, I have to do a lot to make my prices so that people will want to come.”

Kezer acknowledged the need for increased support and engagement with the business community, stating that the proposed taxes would help fund a new community development department focused on these issues.

year. Swampscott generated $267,300 from the meals tax and $80,000 from the room tax, while Beverly earned $1.1 million from the meals tax and $405,000 from the room tax.

Kezer and Nunley Benjamin emphasized that the proposed taxes aim to create a fair competitive environment for

all accommodations, including hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO. They also highlighted the town’s need for additional revenue to address its $4.2 million structural deficit. “Every little bit of revenue is critical,” Nunley Benjamin said. “Our revenues are constrained

“We don’t do enough reaching out to the business community,” Kezer said. “We just don’t have the personnel and the resources to have more engagement. I would say this is probably the start of increasing engagement.”

As the town prepares for the May Town Meeting, public forums and discussions with local businesses and stakeholders are planned to gauge the impact and gather input on the proposed taxes.

Select Board terms officially extended

BY WILL DOWD

On March 14, Gov. Maura Healey signed legislation extending the terms of Marblehead Select Board members from one year to three years. The home-rule petition, which was the result of a positive vote at 2023 Town Meeting, will take effect immediately, increasing the importance of the upcoming June 11 town election.

State Rep. Jenny Armini and Sen. Brendan Crighton expedited the home-rule petition through both chambers of the state legislature over the past year before it reached Gov. Healey’s desk for approval.

The decision to extend the Select Board members’ terms seeks to address concerns

about the constant campaigning required by the previous one-year term system, which some argued hindered longterm planning and effective governance.

Under the new system, the top two vote-getters in the 2024 election will initially receive three-year terms, while the next two will serve two-year terms. The fifth-place finisher will hold office for one year before facing re-election in 2025. This staggered approach aims to maintain an experienced base even as new members join the board.

However, the governor’s signature coincides with a citizen petition sponsored by Dwight Grader of Mill Pond, which will be taken up at Marblehead Town Meeting in May. The petition seeks to

reverse the recent change to three-year terms.

“It would go through the same home-rule petition process,” Armini told the Current on Friday. “It would be a hard sell, given the Legislature just took up three years.”

According to the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Marblehead was the last remaining Massachusetts town to elect its Select Board members to oneyear terms, a practice dating back to 1649.

Jim Zisson, who sponsored the 2023 Town Meeting article, argued that the Select Board serves as the town’s chief executive body, and longer terms would enable the more effective pursuit of long-term strategies and objectives.

Before Town Meeting, the

Select Board was divided on the proposed change in term length. Newer members Erin Noonan and Alexa Singer favored the three-year terms for enhanced long-term planning, while longer-tenured members like Moses Grader defended the oneyear terms, asserting that they allow voters to swiftly address dysfunctional boards. Supporters of the change also point out that it aligns with the terms of other town boards, such as the School Committee. Conversely, some residents have voiced concerns about the loss of the annual opportunity to hold Select Board members accountable through elections. They contend that one-year terms allow voters to quickly address any issues with the board’s performance or dynamics.

Laying out the road map for first charter

BY WILL DOWD

Representatives from The Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management presented a detailed road map for Marblehead’s charter review process during a recent Select Board meeting, emphasizing the importance of deep community engagement to ensure the final proposal reflects residents’ priorities.

As the Select Board takes steps to establish a charter review committee, its members are turning to Collins Center — which is based at UMass Boston and has assisted approximately 10% of Massachusetts’ 351 communities in developing or revising their charters — to guide the town through the complex process of reviewing and potentially adopting a charter.

Marblehead has been operating without a formal charter since its incorporation in 1649.

“Marblehead is fast approaching its 375th anniversary,” noted Collins Center Director Michael Ward as he displayed historical documents from the Legislature’s archive chronicling state lawmakers’ votes to incorporate Marblehead.

“Let me be the first to wish the town a happy 375 birthday in a couple of months.”

The town government has been guided by a patchwork of bylaws, special acts and provisions that have accumulated over the centuries.

Ward highlighted the significance of a charter as the foundational document for a municipality, outlining its governmental structure, organization and essential functions.

“A charter is really your constitution,” Ward explained. “Think of it as the framework which lays out the key elements of your town government.”

Officials are considering pursuing what is known as a special act charter, Ward said, which would involve the Select Board appointing a committee to spearhead the review process. The committee would spend an estimated 12-18 months studying Marblehead’s existing governmental organization, collecting input from residents and stakeholders, researching best practices from comparable towns and ultimately drafting a proposed charter. The Select Board is currently seeking letters of interest and resumes from residents who wish to volunteer

on the charter committee: Interested parties must submit letters of interest and resumes via email to wileyk@marblehead.

org before Friday, March 22.

“The first step is for the committee to really familiarize itself with the current structure and operations of the town,” Ward said. “We suggest doing this with two key questions in mind: what’s working well that you want to maintain, and what are some areas that could be improved.”

Throughout the review, the Collins Center would be available to assist with research tasks like surveying comparable towns and identifying relevant best practices and case studies. The Center could also help the committee seek public input through forums, focus groups and online tools.

Once the committee’s work is complete, any recommended charter would need to win approval from Town Meeting and the Legislature. The final step would be a vote by Marblehead residents to ratify the document.

“We’ve seen an uptick in communities looking to modernize their charters in recent years,” Wilson said. “There’s a recognition that

having a clear, thoughtful framework for governance is essential, especially as the responsibilities of municipalities become more complex.”

When implementing a new charter, Ward emphasized a cookie-cutter solution would not suffice.

“Marblehead’s charter must reflect the town’s unique character, culture and priorities,” he said.

In lieu of a formal charter, Marblehead’s government operates under an amalgamation of state laws and local bylaws, with piecemeal revisions and additions added when needed. As such, the town possesses a decentralized government with power distributed across dozens of elected and appointed entities. No single body or official can easily accumulate or exert excessive power.

Some areas the Collins Center suggests Marblehead examine include clarifying the roles and responsibilities of volunteer boards versus professional staff and analyzing which positions are elected versus appointed. Select Board members expressed enthusiasm for a methodical evaluation of Marblehead’s government structure, noting that every

time Marblehead wants to make specific changes like the number of members on the Board of Health or the length of terms, they must initiate the home-rule petition process.

“This year, we have an article to add a recall provision for elected officials,” said Select Board member Bret Murray. “But I think this is an opportunity to holistically examine our [government] and get advice from experts on best practices and what’s working well for other towns.”

Fellow Select Board member Alexa Singer agreed, saying she looks forward to creating a centralized, user-friendly resource with the town’s governance information.

“I think of how valuable it will be, not just for town officials but for residents, to have a single, clear, understandable document that lays everything out,” Singer said. Select Board member Moses Grader said the board will continue discussing the prospect of a charter review at upcoming meetings.

“It’s a significant undertaking but also an exciting opportunity to create a roadmap for a more effective, responsive and forward-thinking government,” he said.

‘Best efforts’ need push

Last May, resident Lynn Nadeau sponsored two laudable Town Meeting articles. One would have required town boards to record their meetings and post those recordings and/or minutes of those meetings on the town website. The other mandated universal adoption of so-called “hybrid” meetings, which would offer the option to attend and participate either in person or remotely.

On the recommendation of town counsel and a study committee formed as the result of an article Nadeau had proposed a year earlier, those articles got 11th-hour edits.

Those edits took what would have been binding propositions and made them advisory in nature. With a resounding affirmative vote by Town Meeting, those boards were instead urged to “undertake best efforts” to make meeting recordings available to the public and move in the direction of hybrid meetings.

A year later, what do those “best efforts” look like?

Color us unimpressed.

Best we can tell, little has changed. The boards and commissions that had already been committed to providing both in-person and remote attendance options have continued to offer them. But those who had been huddling in their technologically deficient home bases have extended that practice, too.

Nadeau told the Current she shares that assessment. “Territorialism” and a “lack of cooperation” have continued to frustrate the provision of easy access to public meetings, a necessary precursor to robust knowledge of and participation in town affairs.

We don’t dispute the findings of the study committee, which identified not only the technological shortcomings with Marblehead’s meeting spaces but also the added custodial and other costs associated with keeping those rooms open more often.

However, Nadeau is not wrong when she suggests that, in the 23rd wealthiest community in Massachusetts — and one that prides itself on being the place where the seeds of American democracy were sown — the current situation is simply unacceptable.

As the Boston Globe noted in a recent editorial, hybrid meeting access in Massachusetts is at something of a crossroads. Gov. Maura Healey’s wide-ranging Municipal Empowerment Act, which also includes provisions related to local-option hotel and meals taxes, “falls far short of a full-throated endorsement” of hybrid public meetings, which “could easily result in a whole lot of backsliding by municipalities.”

Under the governor’s bill, hybrid meetings would be allowed but not required.

That spells trouble, the ACLU Massachusetts, Disability Law Center, newspaper publishers’ associations and others told Healey in a Feb. 28 joint letter.

“Giving every government body covered under the [state’s Open Meeting Law] complete discretion about how to provide public access to their meetings means people with disabilities, parents with young children, people with limited transportation, and others will be completely shut out when city councils, select boards, or school committees decide to hold meetings exclusively in person,” they wrote.

Nadeau’s first choice — and ours, too — would be to take this decision out of local boards’ hands by passing H.3040/S.2024, which would make the provision of a remote attendance option mandatory.

The prospect of such a law is just another reason — not that one beyond fostering trust in government institutions through transparency should be necessary — that the town should find a way to invest in its remote meeting capacity, even during these challenging budgetary times.

The study committee called the $6,000 needed to outfit the Jacobi Community Center with hybrid technology a “debatable” expenditure of town funds due to “the lack of consistent availability of Recreation and Parks evening staff.” However, to us, that obstacle seems to be surmountable.

We will grant that expanding the use of the lower level of the Mary Alley Building, with its Americans With Disabilities Act accessibility issues, is more complicated — and expensive.

Nevertheless, between Abbot Hall, Abbot Library reopening in June and perhaps some limited use of the schools, the issue for some boards and commissions is less the availability of a facility with remote attendance capabilities and more a simple reluctance (or obstinance) to take their show on the road.

Progress with Nadeau’s other request — the recording of meetings and publishing of minutes — is even simpler, as we think we can demonstrate.

Our reporters tell us that they have been gobsmacked by how rapidly transcription software has improved. Give Microsoft Word or Otter.ai an audio file of decent quality, and within minutes — if not seconds — you will have a pretty darned accurate transcript. These programs can even distinguish between multiple speakers and denote that in the transcript (though you do have to give them a bit of help with the names).

We would like to run an experiment in government accountability. All we would need is one person with a smartphone in each “room where municipal business happens.” It could be a board member, or it could be a member of the public. The latter should follow the state’s Open Meeting Law guidance and notify the chair of the intent to record and comply with any reasonable requirements the chair imposes so as to not interfere with the meeting.

When the meeting starts, begin recording using the “voice memo” or similar app. When the meeting is over, send us the audio file. We will generate a transcript, inserting the names and fixing obvious errors, create “minutes” from those transcripts and then publish everything — recording, transcript and minutes — to our website.

We make the same offer to boards that are meeting exclusively remotely. Record your Zoom, send us the audio file and/or transcript. We’ll do the rest.

Do we have any takers?

SUSTa INa BLE M arBLEhE a D

The next generation of town trees

BY PALMA (PAL) BICKFORD

Research shows that trees, shade and green spaces are critically important to our life on earth — they improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide, capture dust and pollution particles, dampen noise, shade streets and buildings, absorb pollutants and prevent erosion. The shade alone reduces heat in an area by an average of 30 degrees Fahrenheit. This benefits people, our pets, the viability of our water supply and the health of those small but important elements we take for granted — bugs, fish, birds, small animals, predators…in other words, our entire food chain. Why is this?

Large swaths of hard-packed grass areas, pavements and the impermeable hardscapes surrounding our buildings and infrastructure are heat sinks. If there is no shade, they become heat islands. They absorb and reflect back large amounts of heat onto our buildings, cars and bodies. Further, the stormwater that accumulates on unshaded surfaces, particularly paved areas, is significantly warmer than water that drains naturally from the ground. These warmer waters have a negative, stressinducing impact on all marine life, both plant and animal.

We all have evolved to operate most effectively within specific temperature ranges. Hot water for our baths is nice but a lobster won’t concur — it’s stressful and life-threatening. Long-term stress inflicted on all animals and plants reduces life expectancy.

One way we can decrease stress is to increase the number and placement of trees, shrubs, water gardens/basins and parks that support a strong, sophisticated biological community. We also need to do it in a way that is manageable over many years and that does not impede our ability to safely walk, bike and drive along our streets.

As we look at our trees planted 50 years ago within sidewalks and encroaching on streets, fixing our tree situation seems an impossible task. Not to minimize it, but it is difficult but not impossible.

It’s striking to see pictures of Marblehead from many years ago. Industrial areas are now condos and parks; dumps and gravel pits are now playgrounds and conservation land; train tracks are bike/pedestrian paths; barren streets now have huge trees. Most of this change was the result of planning when it became obvious that the status quo could not be the future. We are again at that point with our urban forestry. The question we have before us as a town and as individual supporters of the future is how we can plan our way through this change most effectively.

While we are seeing the impact of street trees not being well managed, we can appreciate that we now have a talented town tree warden, Jon Fobert, who has the background to facilitate, implement and manage a town plan. We also have resources that can help Fobert. Salem State University has recently agreed to help with tree inventory

PEDI aTrIc SU rGEON VOLUNTEEr

work and planning. We also have volunteers from Sustainable Marblehead, the National Green Schools Society, the Marblehead Conservancy and garden clubs. What we lack is engaged resident funding in this process.

In 1975, then-tree warden Loring Clark established a tree fund for tree plantings. It is still functioning through the Tree Department and donations are needed. The Parks Department has used memorial donations to create native plantings at the Community Center and Chandler Hovey with more ideas in the works. The Marblehead Conservancy continues to make major improvements to our wilder areas. Sustainable Marblehead is reviewing how we can create the kind of healthy economic engagement we see in Manchester, Saugus and other towns around us. We need to balance the objectives of our immediate human comforts with the unintended stress on the environment. Please join us. Your interest, engagement and support are required.

Bickford leads Sustainable Marblehead’s Town Tree & Urban Forestry Working Group.

Israel’s doctors at war

BY DR. MICHAEL M. FUENFER

On the Black Sabbath morning of Oct. 7, Israel was once again forced to defend itself against an existential threat. Put into perspective, the attack on Israel that day would be equivalent to the terrorist attacks visited upon the United States on Sept. 11, 2001… times 20.

The sheer magnitude of major traumatic injuries on that day threatened to overwhelm the medical resources of hospitals in southern Israel.

In the ensuing weeks, thousands of missiles rained down upon cities, towns and kibbutzim throughout the country.

Fearing a war on three fronts, the Israeli Ministry of Health solicited medical volunteers from around the world willing to provide medical assistance if needed. I raised my hand, and after a few administrative formalities, I was fastening my seatbelt on an El Al flight from Boston to Tel Aviv.

Upon arrival in Israel, I boarded a train north for the two-hour journey to the city of Nahariya and the Galilee Medical Center.

As the conductor walked down the aisle, I noticed a 9-mm Jericho semi-automatic pistol tucked reassuringly into his back pocket. Welcome to Israel.

At each station, the platforms were crowded with young Israelis clad in their newly issued olive drab fatigues, combat boots and overloaded rucksacks enroute to their assigned units.

As a general rule, terrorists don’t wear uniforms or nametags, so IDF soldiers carry their weapons with them everywhere. If you’re one of those individuals who is prone to panic attacks at the very sight of an automatic weapon, a country at war is not a place you should visit.

COURTESY PHOTO / COURT MERRIGAN

Sustainable Marblehead is leading efforts to strategically plant and maintain the next generation of diverse, healthy trees.

How to kill two birds and save money

To the editor:

The town is always in need of more money for its various real and/or perceived needs. The town is planning to update the Gerry School playground into a beautiful playground/park.

For three years, I vigorously battled with a previous, dysfunctional Marblehead School Committee to ban daylight parking on the Gerry School playground.

When the School Committee found it necessary to turn the abandoned property over to the town, the Select Board immediately and unanimously voted to ban parking in favor of keeping and maintaining one of the very few, unique, safe, green play areas in downtown.

I am greatly in favor of a successfully rehabilitated playground/park, with all the benefits it would bring to the neighborhood, its children, their parents and others.

My question is, is there a need for any money (in this case a proposed $24,000) being spent on professional studies to figure out what is needed to make the playground so much better?

Maybe a few trees and bushes to grace the steep, historic, grass banking, with regard given to maintaining the traditional winter’s sledding paths, and keeping an open space below for firetruck accessibility? Maybe a new drinking fountain? Maybe a new fence to replace the old, beat-up cyclone one running along Elm Street? Maybe a new net on the little kids’ basketball hoop? Maybe some hopscotch, street hockey goal and bean bag lines can be painted on the hot top surface? And maybe some newer wood chips around the playground equipment area?

Most likely, when the playground/park committee is formed, they will be able to come up with many more expensemanageable, code-acceptable ideas.

If there is already a committee formed, please don’t get caught up in the “newer, bigger and better with racing stripes” trap.

A Disney Land north really isn’t necessary. Only a few simple things need to be done to create a fun, healthy, safe, accessible children’s recreational area. There already are individual benches, picnic tables, swings and play equipment; plenty of space for children to learn to ride their razors and bikes; kick, toss and hit balls; and just run around having fun playing tag, or whatever burns up energy.

Unless the consultant contracts have been already signed, and/or can’t be canceled, committee members go to it, create a plan yourselves for approval, and SAVE the town some overly scarce cash.

With no monopoly on ideas, anyone with other thoughts, please send them in.

JODY MAGEE GUERNSEY STREET

Bank your values

To the editor:

Choosing a local bank or credit union is not just a financial decision; it is an investment in the well-being of one’s community. First and foremost, local banks and credit unions invest in their communities. They reinvest in the local economy by channeling their resources back into the community through loans to local businesses and individuals, but they also nurture the community through donations and participation in local nonprofits. For instance, National Grand Bank, the eighth-oldest bank in the nation, donates to almost every nonprofit in the community — from the Marblehead Museum to Dollars for Scholars, to Rec and Parks and parent-teacher organizations, the Council on Aging and the Boosters. When Sustainable Marblehead was getting started, we hosted a sizable sustainability fair that the bank helped fund and its president attended and even drove one of test EVs. When the MHD Harbor Rotary Club needed satellite parking for their POPS event at Abbot Hall, the National Grand stepped up. This bank is a pillar of this community.

Marblehead Bank is rightly proud that its employees often volunteer time with local nonprofits. For instance, two weeks ago, members of its staff were volunteering with SPUR, an organization they have supported from its inception to help put together and deliver flowers and cookies to a variety of individuals and agencies within our community. As with National Grand, the list of their donations to local organizations is longer than both of my arms, using small font!

This contrasts with national bank chains like JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Citibank, which allocate a significant portion of their resources to distant markets and shareholders. Those markets may not align with your values. For instance, Chase has bankrolled the fossil fuel industry to the tune of $382 billion since the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, and the other three behemoths are not far behind. At a time in human history when we understand that fossil fuels have dangerously warmed our climate, causing fires, floods, droughts and famines throughout the globe, do you want to use your hardearned and saved money supporting further disasters? At a time when the extraction and processing of fossil fuels have been shown to cause severe environmental and social repercussions, including habitat destruction, air and water pollution, and displacement of indigenous communities, do you want your dollars used to exacerbate these issues? By banking with an institution that funds the fossil fuel industry, customers may find themselves indirectly contributing to all these negative outcomes.

Choosing a local bank or credit union is not just a financial decision; it is an investment in the wellbeing of one’s community.

The personalized service, competitive rates and commitment to local economic, social and educational development make local banks and credit unions standout choices for individuals who want to be more than just customers

— they want to be an integral part of a thriving community.

If you are interested in knowing more or joining with others to promote positive investment, 350Mass has a working group called Stop and Steer the Money: tinyurl. com/3mmdee24.

Stop The Money Pipeline is a national organization focused on the same objective: tinyurl. com/5eebkrbc.

And finally, you are welcome to join our protests at the Vinnin Square Chase Bank on the first Saturday of every month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We vote with our pocketbooks. Let’s vote for a healthier world.

Sincerely,

JUDITH

BLACK PROSPECT STREET

The countdown has begun

To the editor:

Well, the countdown has begun. Only a few days left until the Marblehead School Committee public forum, hosted by the Marblehead League of Women Voters. The last few days I have received texts and emails asking me to wear red to the meeting. Can you call your senior citizen friends to convince them the teachers need support? The schools need more money to keep or fully fund all schools in Marblehead.

I get to see both sides of this issue. One, I am a senior citizen and two, I am the mother/grandmother of a fifth grader. I have always supported teachers. My brother was a dean of students in California and his daughter was a teacher in Chicago and Boston. My nephew worked with autistic children. My godson and his wife are teachers and I was a permanent sub in Lynn. I have many friends that are/were teachers. I have supplied many teachers’ classrooms over the years. I have lost count.

Bless those educators and staff. We drop off our most precious gifts at school each day knowing they will do their absolute BEST to teach and keep our children safe. I have been saying for years that parents have to be more involved in the

behaviors of their children.

Our town has gone through chaos this year and I don’t see a solution in the near future unless EVERYONE sits down at the table and listens.

I suggested adding the town administrator and or a Select Board member to join the School Committee at the forum.

I get that selling one of the old school properties will be a one-and-done deal. The committee speaks about possibly needing another school if our student count goes up. The way we are heading, that won’t be a problem. You have to start somewhere. Sit down and make a deal, that those monies will go to the school department and earmark those funds in writing.

The members of this community want to trust our elected officials, they don’t! Possibly asking for a one-year override might pass and give everyone time to sit down and work on a long-term solution.

Former superintendent John Buckey sounded the alarm last year and the override did not pass. The stakeholders have seen their taxes skyrocketed last year and again this year. As a senior citizen that concerns me, can I afford to live here? As a parent of a young child, I see the need for a permanent override.

We see the cuts of teachers coming down the road. We see the lack of services in our schools. We see the increase in kindergarten and sports fees. We hear and see the inappropriate behaviors of children in and out of our schools.

Parents, this is your call to action. Knock on doors in your neighborhoods. The vast majority of stakeholders in town are over the age of 55.

I will be wearing red on March 27. I support teachers, no question about it. This School Committee has to convince this town to trust them.

Something is better than nothing in going for a one-year override.

Happy Ramadan, Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Happy Easter and next month, Happy Passover! Peace and goodwill to all.

MARY MCCARRISTON PINECLIFF DRIVE

‘Ski the East’ lives up to atypical hype

I’ve been noticing “Ski the East” bumpers stickers since I got here. Now, there are no corresponding “Ski the West” bumper stickers I’ve ever seen. Folks generally agree that the skiing in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, et al, is pretty OK.

So, I thought the slogan seemed oddly rah-rah, almost Midwestern in its enthusiasm.

Like the zeal displayed by Cawker City, Kansas, home of the World’s Biggest Ball of Twine. Having been there, I can confirm, that is one giant ball of twine, and they are proud of it. If you go in summertime, the helpful docent will hand you a line of twine, and you can circle the ball to help make it bigger still. I like that. I appreciate conviction wherever I find it. The point is, my experience is that the people of New England generally shrug off such overt displays of enthusiasm. Take the Boston Massacre site. You know, the place that sparked the powder keg of the American Revolution, altering the course of human history?

It’s commemorated today by a dull brick marker embedded in a nondescript sidewalk downtown. No signage, no fanfare. It’s mainly identifiable by the throngs of confused-looking tourists obviously expecting something more ... grandiose.

Nope! This is Boston, people. You get what you get, and you will like it. Or, you know, don’t. We don’t care.

I have formulated an equation to explain this phenomenon, which I like to call the Yankee

Formula: h + d(q) = Y where the variable “h” represents “This is Hard,” the variable “d(q),” stands for “Deal With It, Quietly,” and the “Y” represents “Yankeedom.”

Variations on “h” include “t” (Traffic); “c” (Clouds 117 Days in a Row); “s” (Snow and/or SkyHigh Cost of Living); and also “cr” (Crowds Everywhere at All Times). Each hardship is to be met with a Yankee shrug that implies, “Hey, if you find this all too much, maybe you’d be better off in Scottsdale?”

I appreciate the stoicism, I do. The country I come from out West is hard, too, in very different ways. Game recognize game. Fist bump.

So that’s why I found the

“Ski the East” bumper stickers a touch jarring. What’s going on there? Ball of Twine Gusto? Pride? A plea to keep dollars local? Are the slopes in decline? I can report, friends, that they are not. No, the slopes are in very good shape. At least the ones at Mount Snow, Vermont, are looking good. That’s where the family headed for some winter break skiing. A storybook mist hung about the peaks the morning we arrived. The chairlift rode us straight into the fog, a storybook thrill. The runs were excellent and long, the slopes varied and well-groomed. I can see how you

might get a little enthusiastic about the place. It is true that the snow was icy and hard compared to the powder you find out West. That just means you have to work a bit harder to stay in control. Or, if you are my kids, it means you zip ahead at top speed, leaving your old man to carefully slalom his way down.

Look, my main goal on the day was not to break the land speed record. My goal was to get to the end of the day without breaking a leg. I did take a few tumbles, which I tried to be quiet about, even as I muttered a few choice and unprintable phrases under

my breath.

All a perfect application for the Yankee Formula. Icy snow made for an “h.” The tumbles gave me the opportunity to practice “q.” The drive to Mount Snow of course acquainted us with “t.” I experienced the “sky-high cost” portion of “s” — taking the family skiing for a day cost more than my mortgage back in Wyoming. We also experienced the “cr,” because not only were the slopes crowded, but everyone else in New England seemed to be in the lodge that day, clomping around in boots.

It was nonetheless a sublime day. The sun came out, the skiing was sensational, and the slopes compared favorably with any I’ve skied out west. Of course there were crowds! Who wouldn’t want to be in such a place on a day like that?

So go on and Ski the East, friends. You can even be a little rah-rah about it.

As always, if you’ve got an idea upon which I can embark for a Marblehead First Time, drop me a line at court.merrigan@gmail. com.

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

COURTESY PHOTO

Columnist Court Merrigan and his daughter get some firsthand experience with the un-Yankee-like slogan, ‘Ski the East.’

me alive,” said Susan Stelk of Marblehead, who takes DancEnergy classes seven days a week.

Stelk added, “This is such a special thing. It’s not just a place to dance. People care about each other. We’re here for each other… when we have babies, when we lose spouses. Joyce created that caring feeling.”

Claudia Rodenstein has been taking DanceEnergy classes for 28 years and teaching them for a decade.

“Joyce has created a community that is supported through good and bad,” Rodenstein said. “She is at heart an artist and a caretaker. It’s a family, and she’s kind of the mom.”

Colahan choreographs four songs a year, and students spend about three months learning and perfecting each piece before moving on to the next. She estimates that she’s choreographed and

taught more than 300 dances over the years. The songs range from George Michael hits in the ‘80s to Ed Sheeran today. “I find the music, and then I feel what the music is telling me to do,” Colahan said, describing her process.

She often choreographs in her head while she’s driving, she added.

On March 12, she led her class through the music, calling out each move and encouraging her students, who have a range of experience and talent.

Jane Key of Marblehead started with DancEnergy in the early days on Barnard Street. In 2011, she suffered a debilitating

stroke but was back in class just six weeks later. She still comes, in her wheelchair, at least once a week, moving her arms to the music.

Asked what keeps her coming, she answered, “The dancing and the music, and the wonderful group of people.”

Colahan has no plans to retire any time soon.

“We’ll just keep going and going,” she said recently at the JCC, where the lobby was decorated for her anniversary with balloons and banners.

Students arrived with bouquets of flowers, gifts and cards.

Amy Forman of Swampscott has been devoted to Colahan and DanceEnergy for years.

“We would be bereft without her,” she said.

Mexico and giving back to the community through significant service projects, many said Saturday.

Gast’s Eagle Project focused on contributing to the Prison Book Program of Quincy, while Jenkins hosted a drive collecting supplies for transitional housing residents at the Centerboard Salem State Shelter.

State Rep. Jenny Armini, who spoke at the ceremony, emphasized the significance of Gast and Jenkins’ achievements in the context of the broader movement for gender equality.

“We all think about social change happening on a bigger stage than this one,” Armini said. “But in reality, social change, if it’s going to be meaningful, starts in places like this one, and moves on from here.” Armini commended the young women for being part of a generation seeking to expand opportunities for girls and women.

“You’re part of a generation seeking to

Looking to the future, Armini expressed optimism about the potential for Gast and Jenkins to inspire future generations of scouts.

expand opportunities for women and girls. Because you stepped up, others will follow. What can be more emblematic of the Eagle Scout than that?” she said.

Looking to the future, Armini expressed optimism about the potential for Gast and Jenkins to inspire future generations of scouts.

Jenkins, a freshman at Scripps College studying psychology, joined Scouting to support her best friend’s dream of participating in the program.

Both young women faced challenges balancing the rigorous demands of achieving Eagle Scout rank with other aspects of their lives.

“I’m hopeful that we will continue to encourage future Scouts along the way who no doubt will be inspired by their story,” she said. Armini presented the scouts with citations from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, recognizing their historic achievement and the significance of their leadership in the community.

“We can now add ‘lead like Zoe’ and ‘lead like Katie’ to the list of inspiring women,” Armini said, referencing the “Persist Like Elizabeth” sign in her office that encourages her to emulate the leadership of trailblazing women like Sen. Elizabeth Warren and poet Maya Angelou.

Don Doliber, a representative of the Masons of Marblehead, presented the Scouts with a special statue commissioned from an art studio in Marblehead.

“Today, I see two women who have lived up to their potential, two women who live up to their obligations and their commitments,” said Doliber.

Gast, a Florida State University freshman focusing on international affairs, is the second Eagle Scout in her family. Her great-grandfather, Stanley Vanderbeck, received his Eagle Scout rank in 1932.

“It’s hard in the sense that it is a lot of work and a lot of planning and a lot of time management,” said Jenkins.

Gast added, “I think the challenge is always just motivating yourself to do it. When there’s a long goal in the future, it can be hard to get the little steps done.”

Despite the obstacles, Gast and Jenkins hope their achievements send a message to other girls and young women considering joining the BSA.

“It’s not as unattainable as people think,” said Gast. “I think with the right planning and with the right people to support you, you can really do anything.”

Andy Barnett, Troop 79 Eagle Scout coach, offered historical context and personal insights during his remarks at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor.

He noted that while girls have been participating in BSA programs through Special Interest Exploring and Venturing units since 1969, it was not until the Boy Scout program was rebranded to Scouts BSA in 2019 that girls became eligible for membership and could advance through the ranks, including earning the prestigious Eagle Scout rank.

Barnett shared the story of how Georgia Lloyd, Jenkins and Gast, with support from their parents and the Troop 79 committee, established Troop 79G in 2020 as a linked unit for girls.

Despite the uncertainties surrounding how well the programs would integrate and what the reactions might be, Barnett and the leadership team were confident that the Scouting program would be equally successful for everyone.

“Eagle Scouts Zoe Gast and Katie Jenkins represent the future — a future embracing a sense of what is right and fair and just, guided by the ideals imbued in the Scout Oath and Law,” Barnett said. “Reaching the rank of Eagle for these two, two of the founding members of Troop 79G, is an impressive accomplishment.”

CURRENT PHOTO/WILL DOWD

From left to right: David Gast, Lisa Gast, Zoe Gast, Katie Jenkins, Jennifer Stoddard, and Mark Jenkins gather to celebrate Zoe and Katie’s historic achievement of becoming the area’s first female Eagle Scouts during a Court of Honor ceremony held at Abbot Hall on Saturday.

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

DancEnergy founder/teacher Joyce Colahan received flowers, gifts and cards before her 40th-anniversary class at the JCC.

Mountaineer, filmmaker Breashears dies

BY WILL DOWD

David Breashears, a trailblazing mountaineer, acclaimed filmmaker and beloved Marblehead resident who climbed Mount Everest five times, died Thursday, March 14, at his home on Pond Street. He was 68.

Breashears was best known for his groundbreaking work in documentary filmmaking, particularly his 1998 IMAX film “Everest,” which he co-directed and served as cinematographer. The film, one of the most successful IMAX documentaries of all time, chronicled the harrowing 1996 Mount Everest disaster, during which Breashears and his team helped rescue stranded climbers.

Marblehead resident David Fanning, a close friend and collaborator, worked with Breashears on several films, including “Red Flag Over Tibet” and “Storm Over Everest.”

Fanning, the former executive producer of “Frontline,” recalled their first meeting at WGBH, where they bonded over their shared interest in Tibet.

“David knew all this history, and I knew about this archive,” Fanning said. “We ended up making a film called ‘Red Flag

NEWS IN BrIEF

BY WILL DOWD

The Current welcomes submissions (150-200 words) to the news in brief. Send yours to wdowd@marbleheadnews.org.

Marblehead scholarship honors youth sports coach

The 2024 Charles J. Garrett, Jr. Memorial Scholarship will award $2,000 to a deserving Marblehead High School senior who has participated in the Marblehead Youth Soccer Association, maintains a minimum 3.0 GPA and plans to pursue post-secondary education in a STEM or STEMskilled field. The scholarship honors the life of Chuck Garrett, a Marblehead resident and dedicated youth sports coach who passed away in 2021.

Applications are due by April 21. For more information, contact cjgmemorialscholarship@gmail. com.

Slavery resistance in Colonial Marblehead

On Thursday, April 4, at 7 p.m., the Marblehead Museum will host a Zoom lecture by University of Tampa assistant professor G. Patrick O’Brien. The lecture will focus on the life of Flora Lee, an enslaved woman in Marblehead who fought to be reunited with her daughter during the Revolutionary era. For more information and to register, visit marbleheadmuseum.org/events.

Community invited to kindergarten readiness panel

The Epstein Hillel School is hosting an informative session on kindergarten readiness for local families on April 3, 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at the JCC, 4 Community Rd. Aimed at preparing both children and parents for the significant milestone of starting kindergarten, the event will feature a panel of seasoned educators and specialists. EHS Head of School Amy Gold will lead the discussion, offering insights and practical tips for a successful transition. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with the panel. Those interested in attending should RSVP to Rebecca Karen at rkaren@ epsteinhillel.org.

Over Tibet,’ where we secretly filmed dissidents and prison camps in Tibet.”

Their friendship deepened over the years, with Fanning ultimately influencing Breashears’ decision to move to Marblehead.

“David really loved Marblehead,” Fanning said. “He would often stay overnight at my place because we’d have dinner and [he’d sleep on] the couch.

One day, he came and said he’d bought a house a block away from us on Pond Street.”

North Shore NAACP branch announces book discussion series at Marblehead Museum

In a bid to foster community engagement and highlight critical discussions on race and history, the North Shore NAACP branch has unveiled its 2024 Book Discussion Series.

The series kicks off on April 23 with a session on Clint Smith’s “How the Word is Passed” at the Marblehead Museum. This free event, which starts at 7 p.m., is part of a broader initiative featuring six books that reflect the diverse work of the branch committees. Attendees have the option to join the discussion virtually or in person.

Susie’s Stories Bookstore, the only Black-owned bookstore in the North Shore, at 51 Bearskin Neck, Rockport, has been named the preferred book vendor for this series. Owners Susie and Doug Rich are celebrated for their efforts in promoting diversity and intellectual discourse in the community. Participants are encouraged to support this local business and enjoy a 5% discount on purchases with the code PREFERRED2024.

The 2024 Book Series aims to create an intimate dialogue around issues pertinent to the NAACP’s mission and the work of its branch committees in the region. The full schedule includes discussions on works by Erica Armstrong Dunbar, Bettina L. Love, Isabel Wilkerson and others, covering topics from the history of slavery in America to the concepts of vulnerability and shame resilience.

The North Shore NAACP branch, established in 2020, continues its commitment to eliminating race-based discrimination and promoting the well-being of all individuals through educational and social initiatives.

For more information on the book series and to register for the events, visit northshorenaacp.org and follow the Marblehead Museum on social media for updates.

Food pantry debuts website

The Marblehead Food Pantry is pleased to announce the launch of its new website, marbleheadfoodpantry.org. This online platform is designed to provide easy access to information about the pantry’s

superficial.

“David interviewed people around the world who were on the mountain during the 1996 disaster,” Fanning said. “The film is a significant historical correction to [the Jon Krakauer book] ‘Into Thin Air.’”

Breashears’ passion for filmmaking was closely tied to his love for mountaineering. He transmitted the first live television pictures from the summit of Everest in 1983 and performed the first live audio webcast from the summit in 1997.

Fanning fondly recalled their adventures in Tibet, where they navigated the challenges of avoiding Chinese authorities and smuggling their film out of the country.

“David was in charge. This was his territory, his landscape,” Fanning said. “We were not fooling around by talking to Tibetan dissidents in Lhasa under the eyes of the Chinese.”

“Storm Over Everest,” released in 2004, was a follow-up to the IMAX film, which Breashears felt was too

services, events and ways to support or get involved. Community members are encouraged to visit the site to learn more about the pantry’s vital work and resources available.

Rotary scholarships

Rotary Club of Marblehead is offering five scholarships for graduating high school seniors and college undergraduates. The scholarships include the Randolph E. and Barbara K. Goodwin Memorial Scholarship ($7,000), the Donald Humphreys Veterans Memorial Scholarship ($6,000), two Rotary Club of Marblehead Scholarships ($5,000 each), and a new scholarship for college undergrads ($5,000). The deadline to apply is April 7 at 11:59 p.m. For more information and to apply, visit tinyurl. com/34whfpy5 or email Nancy Gwin at gwinnancy@gmail.com.

The Rotary Club of Marblehead Harbor is accepting scholarship applications from graduating seniors of Marblehead High School or Marblehead residents attending out-of-town high schools. The club offers several one-year and enhanced scholarships, including the new Lee and Barry Weed Scholarship, a four-year scholarship totaling $20,000 for a student demonstrating exemplary service to the community, school or family.

The deadline to apply is April 7 at 11:59 p.m. To apply, visit marbleheadscholarship.org/ enhanced-scholarships/.

Hazardous waste collection

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day is Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m.- noon at the Transfer Station. This event allows Marblehead and Swampscott residents to safely dispose of household hazardous materials from homes, garages and yards. Certain items, such as empty containers, commercial waste and prescription medicines, will not be accepted. The cost for disposal is $24 for zero-to-10 gallons or pounds, and $44 for 10-to-25 gallons or pounds, with additional amounts priced accordingly. Grill-size propane tanks can be disposed of for $25, while small, torch-size tanks cost $5. For more information on what to bring, how to transport these materials safely, event details and a complete list of

In recent years, Breashears turned his lens towards documenting the impact of climate change on the glaciers of the Himalayas through his non-profit organization, GlacierWorks.

“David emphasized that the issue is not just ‘warming’ but ‘heating,’ impacting regions surrounding the Himalayas,” Fanning said.

A resident of Marblehead since 2005, Breashears was a cherished member of the community.

Petra Langer, a close Marblehead friend, described Breashears as an incredible visionary and an outstanding person.

“He was brilliant, obviously, incredibly accomplished,

costs, visit tinyurl.com/4utu8wts or contact the Board of Health at 781-631-0212.

Theater scholarship

The Friends of Performing Arts (FOPA) is offering a theater scholarship in memory of Jeff Scogland. Applicants should submit a letter describing their contributions to Marblehead High School theater/drama programs, how the arts have impacted their life and how they will contribute to the arts after high school. Applications should include the MHS general application form, resume, cover letter and an unofficial transcript. Submit materials via email to Andrew Scoglio at scoglio.andrew@ marbleheadschools.org with “FOPA Theater Scholarship in Memory of Jeff Scogland” in the subject line. The deadline is April 7 at 11:59 p.m.

Nominations open for teacher recognition award

Nominations are being accepted for the Margaret Voss Howard Teacher Recognition Award, a fund of the Essex County Community Foundation. The annual award honors one teacher each from the Salem and Marblehead school districts with a $500 unrestricted award. Teachers, school employees, parents, students and citizens may nominate a teacher by submitting a detailed letter to howardteacheraward@yahoo. com explaining why the teacher should be honored. Nominations are due by April 21 and should include the nominator’s full contact information or a nomination form. Honorees are selected by a committee of local educators. For more information and a nomination form, email howardteacheraward@yahoo.com.

Attention Marblehead boaters

Susan Cairns Fischer is inviting Marblehead boaters to share the unique stories behind their boat names for the upcoming third edition of “Marblehead Boat Names,” set to be released this summer. A decade has passed since the second edition, and with many new or updated boats and names in Marblehead’s waters, Fischer aims to include as many stories as possible in this edition.

Boaters interested in

handsome, and a very sweet person,” Langer said. “I imagine there are a number of people in Marblehead who will remember him with fondness and even love.”

Despite his global adventures and impressive achievements, Breashears remained grounded and connected to his adopted hometown. He once told the Marblehead Reporter that he was “baptized in the snows of Everest” and identified with lobstermen who similarly perform hard, cold work in the face of challenging conditions.

Judy Gates, Breashears’ next-door neighbor, shared heartwarming stories of their friendship.

“Once, we had Thanksgiving at my house, and David wasn’t there, but my kids slept over at his home because we needed extra room,” she said. “That’s the sort of friendship we had.”

Gates also recalled how Breashears would often be seen around town on his bicycle or stopping to chat with neighbors.

“He was a celebrity living next door, but he was also just a really good friend,” she said. “We would sit on our back porch, his or mine, and just enjoyed visiting each other and watching what we called sunsets.”

submitting their stories can visit MarbleheadBoatNames.com.

Lecture on coastal resiliency in Salem Sound

The Abbot Public Library will host the third lecture in the Underwater in Salem Sound series on Wednesday, March 20, 6:45 p.m.-8 p.m. at its temporary location, 3 Brook Rd. Barbara Warren, Salem Sound Coastwatch’s executive director, will discuss how the Commonwealth and Salem Sound municipalities are addressing coastal damage caused by storms, including the new ResilientCoasts initiative, and share progress on local resilience-building projects. The lecture is free and open to the public. Attendees may register for in-person or virtual attendance via Zoom at abbotlibrary.org/events or by emailing info@salemsound.org.

Shrink your financial footprint

The Council on Aging and the League of Women Voters will host a program titled “Hidden Gems: Town Resources to Shrink your Financial Footprint” on Wednesday, March 20, at 1 p.m. at the Judy and Gene Jacobi Community Center, 10 Humphrey St. The in-person program will feature presentations by Town Finance Director/CFO Aleesha Benjamin, COA Director Lisa Hooper and COA Outreach Coordinator Sharon Doliber. Attendees will learn about programs and services available to residents, including the town tax work-off program and tax abatement. To register, call the COA at 781-631-6225.

Marblehead Animal Shelter to hold fundraiser

The Friends of Marblehead’s Abandoned Animals, a 501(c)3 organization that operates the no-kill animal shelter at 44 Village St., will hold its annual charity dinner fundraiser at The Landing Restaurant, 81 Front St., on March 26. A portion of all in-person dinner proceeds will be donated to support the shelter. Silent auction items will be available for bidding. To make a reservation, call 781-639-1266. For more information, visit marblehead-animal-shelter.org Contact Sue MacInnis at 781244-0712 or suem97@gmail.com with any questions.

COURTESY PHOTO / DAVID FANNING

Marblehead resident David Breashears, renowned mountaineer and filmmaker, holds up a striped bass he caught while fishing off the coast of Marblehead. When not scaling the world’s highest peaks or documenting Himalayan glaciers, Breashears enjoyed spending time in his adopted hometown. He died on Thursday at 68 years old.

Best bets coming up in Marblehead

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email

Current editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org.

Leigh Blander

Old North Church Lenten Choral Concert

Sunday, March 24, 7:30 p.m.

The Old North Festival Chorus will perform its annual Lenten Choral Concert in the sanctuary, 35 Washington St. The program includes Michael Haydn’s Requiem in C Minor, along with

the local debut of “Fermata” by Dan Forrest. “Fermata” is an a cappella piece to the text of a poem written by Festival Chorus member Clem Schoenebeck. The concert is free and open to the public. More info at onchurch.org.

Charity night for Marblehead Animal Shelter

Tuesday, March 26, 6 p.m.- 9 p.m.

Join the Marblehead Animal Shelter for its charity night at The Landing Restaurant. Enjoy food, drink and a silent auction. The Landing will donate 10% of all food, drink and gift certificate purchases during this event to the shelter. No tickets are needed. Reservations recommended.

Power of Speech… and play

Wednesday, March 27, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Using AI in your business

Wednesday, March 20, noon-1 p.m.

During this live demonstration, learn about the benefits of using AI (artificial intelligence) to promote and enhance your business with simple tools. Learn how to attract customers, generate sales and have a strong social media presence with very little cost using AI technology. Stephen Bach of Digital Docs will lead this Chamber of Commerce program. Lunch will be provided. Free for Chamber members, $10 for others. Masonic Hall, 62 Pleasant St. Learn more at marbleheadchamber.org.

True North

Saturday, March 23, 9 p.m.

The Beacon, 123 Pleasant St., presents True North playing ’80s and ’90s hits. Learn more about this local band at truenorthrock.com.

Chat with occupational therapist Cassidy deBettencourt from The Power of Speech and make a craft with your toddler at Mud Puddle Toys, 1 Pleasant St. Kids and caregivers are invited to stay and play.

Poetry Salon at library

Thursday, March 21, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

The Poetry Salon will meet at Abbot Public Library, 3 Brook Road, and on Zoom to discuss the poetry of Yehuda Amichai, Israel’s most popular poet. Born in Germany and named Ludwig Pfeuffer, Amichai fled the Nazis in 1935 with his family and moved to Israel. The group will read his poetry in translation, thus losing some of the nuances of the original Hebrew language. What translates very well is how he treats issues of day-to-day life and philosophical issues of life and death. His work is characterized by gentle and often surprising imagery. Like many secular Israeli poets, he struggles with religious faith. More info at abbotlibrary.org.

Sports

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Players reflect on magical ride to state title

BY JOE MCCONNELL

The Marblehead High boys hockey team is in rarified air. Championships don’t happen that often, and they are savoring every moment of the experience after surviving a 1-0 thriller against top-seeded Nauset in the Division 3 state title game at the TD Garden on March 17.

Junior goalie Leo Burdge did his part once again to make sure there was a celebration afterwards. Burdge came up with 32 saves to record the shutout and said his teammates helped him remain calm throughout the game to get the job done.

“For the most part, I was able to track the puck, while commanding the defensive side of everything, except once, where I didn’t see one shot, but fortunately the puck hit me,” Burdge told reporters during a Garden press conference afterwards.

He added, “This means everything to us. We knew it was possible because we all bought into the notion that we could get here.”

There are only six seniors on the championship roster, and captain Hogan Sedky knew the role that the underclassmen had to play to win it all was a significant development.

The senior added, “I’m definitely envious that they get to come back next year. They all have bright futures ahead of them, and I wish I could be right with them, because this has been the best four years of my life.”

Sedky, who will be off to Boston College to study business in the fall, has one more season — lacrosse — in the red and black ahead of him, though he acknowledged with a smile that it might be tough to make it to the spring sport’s first practice on Monday.

“This means everything to me, just to end my [high school hockey] career right here at the

TD Garden,” Sedky continued. “I had a burst of emotions just touching that ice for the first time, but once the game began, I was locked in. I just had to ignore all of the other stuff to focus on my game.”

As the sixth seed, the Headers had to defeat the top three seeds to win the state championship. Despite the odds, Sedky was confident.

“We weren’t supposed to win, but that doesn’t mean we couldn’t,” he said. “I’m proud of all these guys. Our mental side of the game was to keep on working hard and maintain a good mindset.”

Junior forward Kyle Hart was the team’s scoring leader this year with 18 goals and 30 assists heading into the state final against Nauset. Hart tacked on one more assist on sophomore Avin Rodovsky’s first period goal that held up throughout the rest

of this close win.

They, along with junior James Caeran, formed one of the most dynamic lines not just on the North Shore, but the entire state.

They will all be back next year.

“I got a lot of help from my [linemates] and coaches this year,” Hart said. “They are the ones who helped me get all those points. It’s special to be this team’s scoring leader, but

nothing compares to winning a state championship for the school and the town.”

While slapping Burdge next to him, Hart said that the junior goalie should be getting the most hugs from the Marblehead fans.

“I think we’ll be riding around town when we get back there to celebrate with our fans,” Hart said. “You saw our student section; they deserve this as

much as we do.”

As far as next year is concerned, Hart said there will be expectations to repeat.

“But if we come with the same mentality, there’s a good chance we’ll have this state championship medal around our necks once again,” he added.

Hart continued, “We’ll certainly have a whole lot of motivation heading into next year, and if we end up back here (at the Garden), that’d be unbelievable.”

Getting to the Garden and winning the state championship remained a goal this year, even after the team lost its six first games, Hart said.

“Our thoughts at that point were just to keep on going,” he said.

And that’s what they did, all the way to the TD Garden for a magical night that they will never forget.

MYBA fifth graders take down Lynnfield to secure Cape Ann League championship

BY JOE MCCONNELL

The Marblehead Youth Basketball Association’s fifthgrade boys travel team are the 2024 Cape Ann League champions after defeating Lynnfield, 59-36 at Salem High School on March 10. Myles Olmstead (15) paced the offensive attack in the finale, followed by Chet Whitten (10), Dawson Higgins (9) and Jackson Berger (8).

These Junior Magicians finished up the regular season in first place with a 20-2 CAL Division 1 record that also included winning the MLK weekend tournament in January.

“This team came a long way from our first preseason tournament game in North Andover,” said head coach Tyson Whitten. “They were committed to competing in practice every day by working hard on defense and moving the ball as a team. It all translated to success on the court during the games. It was

really fun to watch.”

Throughout the two-week playoff, the Junior Magicians went undefeated in the doubleelimination tournament, beating the likes of North Reading (64-33), Danvers (51-33) and Masco (66-53) in order to secure a berth in the championship game.

During the entire season, Rhys Donovan, Nicholas Fiore, Max Hipsh, Jack Lang, Sebastian Nelson, Cam Pillo, Micah Sidman and Pete Walters made solid contributions that helped their teammates come out on top in the end. They were coached by Chris Walters.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the entire team. Every player contributed, whether in practice or in a game,” said Whitten. “They really developed over the course of the season, and I’m now looking forward to watching their progress through AAU and summer leagues, as we prepare to (go for the repeat) next season.”

Marblehead High sophomore forward Avin Rodovsky goes after the puck while trying to evade Nauset sophomore Logan Miller.

CURRENT PHOTOS/NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD Marblehead High boys hockey captain Hogan Sedky and junior James Caeran congratulate teammate Avin Rodovsky on his first period goal against Nauset during the Division 3 state final game at the TD Garden March

It turned out to be the only goal in the game.

Black & Blue wrestlers get together for season-ending banquet, awards night

BY JOE MCCONNELL

The Marblehead High Black & Blue co-op wrestling team finished up the season with a 6-16-1 team record with plenty of individual accomplishments. Head Coach Mike Stamison then held the annual awards banquet on March 13 at the Gerry 5 in Marblehead to recognize the many achievements by his athletes this year.

The Magicians had wins over Pentucket / Newburyport, Josiah Quincy School, Malden Catholic, North Middlesex, Essex Tech / Masco and Lynn. The tie came against Saugus / Peabody. They had close losses against Arlington, Triton, Danvers, Plymouth South, Pelham, New Hampshire and Winchester.

In tournaments, the Black & Blue ended sixth out of 16 teams during the Anthony Listiano Memorial at Wakefield. There was the 10th place finish at the Pentucket Holiday Tournament that featured 20 teams. In the Daniel Gionet Memorial Tournament at Pelham, New Hampshire, the Magicians were sixth among 13 teams.

During the annual CAL/ NEC Meet at Gloucester, the Magicians came in fourth. They were then seventh in the Division 2 North sectionals at Burlington, and 13th out of 48 in the Division 2 state meet at Algonquin. At the All-States in nearby Salem, the local grapplers finished in the top half of the 100-team field, coming in 43rd overall.

Stamison offered his thanks at the banquet to many who made the entire experience special for the young wrestlers, once again. “First and foremost, I want to single out our parents and families and boosters,” he said. “We raised a ton of money this year, and all the credit in the world goes out to them. Julie O’Brien, thank you for leading these efforts and putting this all together.

“To the families and significant others of our coaching staff, this is a grind and a huge sacrifice of time, energy and effort. I appreciate everybody in this group for what you are able to do for us throughout the past three months.

“To our administrators at both schools (Marblehead and Swampscott), Greg Ceglarski

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because they were battle-tested from a season of highs and lows, according to their coach.

“At times this season, it’s been frustrating, but this team never quit,” said coach Mark Marfione.

“When we were 2-8 and lost to Danvers (3-0) and didn’t show up against Essex Tech (a 7-0 loss), that was our lowest point. But we still knew we had a good team. It was a season of weird bounces, one-goal losses and giving up shorthanded goals, but after that stretch, we ended up beating seven of those opponents while settling for a tie against Danvers.”

The Headers needed just one goal to win the state title.

Sophomore Avin Rodovsky accounted for the score at the 4:41 mark of the first period from his junior linemate Kyle Hart.

“It feels great to score the goal, but I don’t know what I was thinking when it went into the net — but I do know it’s definitely the happiest moment of my life,” Rodovsky said afterwards.

After his lamplighter, the

and Mark Tarmey in Marblehead and Kelly Wolff in Swampscott.

To the MHS custodians, that’s a lot of work you do to roll those tables out and back every day.

To MexiCali in Vinnin Square for hosting a fundraiser for us. To Jason Grazado at the Marblehead Sports Shop for keeping us all looking sharp. To athletic trainer Maddie Rowe for doing her best to keep us all healthy.

“To Coach Cliff and his staff at Salem for those great joint practices, as well as Coach Shawn and Arch at Triton for hosting us for a practice, two JV tournaments and also hosting us for that quad meet, where we were able to grab two more dual meet wins.

“To the alums who came back to help: Ned Fitzgerald, Noah Faverman, Jack Henry Landry, Juan Garcia, Ben Segee, Nicolai Tarason, Cole Patrick, Nick Sirota, Stephen and Michael Hopkins, Kristian Kotov, Andy Rosa, Sam Sullivan and Connor O’Brien.

“And finally, thanks to my assistant coaches: Jeff Hinshaw, Rob Hopkins, Eli Smith, Andrew Norton, Jimmy Luscombe and Igor Babushkin. These guys give up a ton of time and effort, not only at practice, but making my life easier by riding the bus and going over film. Rob uploads

all the film and catalogs it, and runs the practices if I’m away at meetings. They are also friends, both old in Andrew, Igor, Jimmy and Rob, and new in Jeff and Eli. They love these kids, and they love this team. I’m forever appreciative of all of your efforts this year.”

Now onto the awards.

Outstanding Wrestler Lower

Weights: Brady Haskell

“At 106, eighth grader Brady Haskell (38-6) not only became the first eighth grader in our program’s history to wrestle at All-States, he also recorded a win there. He had a tough draw in the tournament, facing off against the eventual AllState runner-up from Greater Lowell, but then was able to pin his Bellingham/Blackstone Valley Tech counterpart, before falling to Rockland,” said Stamison.

“Brady wrapped up his first varsity season with an excellent 38-6 record. He had firstplace finishes in the Listiano Memorial, Pentucket Holiday and CAL/NEC Meet. He had seconds in the Gionet Memorial, and the Division 2 North sectionals at Burlington. He also had a fifth at the All-States, while also being named a NEC all-star.”

Outstanding Wrestler Upper

Weights: Mason Hinshaw

At 144, junior captain Mason

Hinshaw (41-9) wrapped up his season going 1-2 at All-States. He improved on last year’s 32-12 campaign.

“Mason placed third at the Lisitano Memorial, and third at the Pentucket Holiday this year. He was the Gionet Memorial champion, and was second in the CAL/NEC Meet. He then won the North sectionals and was third at the divisional finals. He is also an NEC all-star,” said Stamison.

Most Improved Wrestler:

Angelo Knight Senior captain Angelo Knight (26-17) was the D-2 North sectional champion in his 215pound weight class, despite a loss of weight, because of an illness leading up to this postseason meet.

Jeff Greenberg Coaches Award for Toughness:

Alejandro Haven “(Haven, 12-15) bleeds for this team, and grinds for us, even with pneumonia,” said Stamison. “Despite being a relative newcomer to our sport, he has started a ton of matches for us over the past two years. He was so close to placing in the sectionals at 157, before going 1-2 on that day after returning to the lineup from that bout with pneumonia.”

Pat Cook Coaches Award for

Fire: Captain Liam O’Brien Statewide, O’Brien (41-14,

Headers had to find a way to stop the Nauset Warriors.

“During the first couple of periods, we were fighting the puck,” Marfione said. “We were in survival mode. They were just coming at us. We finally got into a little bit of a rhythm in the third period, but overall, it was

just a battle out there. But in the end, it was just a matter of blocking shots and keeping the puck out of our net.”

Marfione said that Nauset took their game to a new level in the championship.

“When we were watching them on film, we saw that no team

was challenging their structured offense,” he said. “They get to the puck really well and were always in the right place at the right time. They also like to block shots.”

He continued, “I felt we were at a level that they had never seen before. But give them

120 pounds) was second in the sectionals, fourth in the divisional finals and seventh in the All-States. He was third in the CAL/NEC Meet, and won the Gionet Memorial earlier in the season. He ended up second in the Pentucket Holiday Tournament, and fifth in the Listiano Memorial.

Alex Carew Coaches Award for Leadership: Colin Hart

“Colin came on very strong starting with our dual meet at Gloucester on Jan. 17. He went 9-7 since that overtime win to grind out an 11-20 overall record,” said Stamison.

Plaques for seniors

Will Woodward (MHS, 138 pounds, five-year letterman, four-year starter, total wins: 35); Ben O’Brien (SHS, 190 pounds, two-year letterman, two-year starter, total wins: 34, 2024 D-2 North and CAL/NEC Meet fifth-place finisher); and Angelo Knight (MHS, 215 pounds, two-year captain, three-year letterman, three-year starter, total wins: 36, 2024 D-2 North sectional champion, 2024 Most Improved Award recipient, 20222023 Team Leadership Award, 2024 Dan Gionet Memorial fourth place finisher, 2023 Pentucket Holiday fifth-place finisher, 2024 CAL/NEC Meet fourth place finisher, 2023 Anthony Listiano third place finisher).

credit, they were better than what we thought they were. They pressured us all night long and also had a couple of shots hit the post. It was just a crazy game.”

Marfione summed up the tense afternoon.

“(Nauset) is a good team, but we had a little bit of luck and a little bit of Leo (goalie Burdge) to beat them,” he said.

After starting off the season 0-6, Marblehead went 12-3-1 in its next 18 games to close out the regular season. The Headers then smoked Foxboro, 7-2, in the Round of 32, before coming back against Methuen (16-4-2, 11th seed) with three third-period goals to win, 3-1 in a Sweet 16 game. The Headers then hung on to beat Scituate (17-6-2, third seed) and Shawsheen (22-2, second seed) by identical 2-1 scores to earn the invite to the TD Garden to play for the team’s second Division 3 state title in 13 years. Marfione said he is happy for the town because he knows it means so much to Marblehead.

“It’s great to see how important hockey is to them, and it’s pretty cool to bring this (trophy) home to them,” he said.

The Marblehead High Black & Blue co-op wrestling team got together for the annual banquet and awards night at the Gerry 5 in Marblehead on March 13. The award recipients are shown with the coaches in the photo. They are, from left, assistant coaches Jimmy Luscombe and Rob Hopkins, Brady Haskell (eighth grade, 106 pounds), captain Mason Hinshaw (junior, 144 pounds), captain Liam O’Brien (sophomore, 120 pounds), Alejandro Haven (junior, 157 pounds), newly elected captain Colin Hart (sophomore, 175 pounds), outgoing captain Angelo Knight (senior, 215 pounds), head coach Mike Stamison and assistant coaches Eli Smith and Andrew Norton.

CURRENT PHOTO/NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD

Marblehead High boys hockey fans celebrate with the team after the Headers defeated Nauset, 1-0 to secure the Division 3 state title at the TD Garden March 17.

Tea — high, low, up, down and how to stir it

BY LINDA BASSETT

Centuries before our ancestors decided to toss a few tea bags into Boston Harbor, ale was Britain’s national drink. From breakfast through bedtime, the bubbly brew was safer than foul drinking water. When their king married a Spanish princess, she brought her country’s access to the Asian teagrowing world. Fortunes were made.

The tea-drinking princess also started a custom that continues to this day. Royals, and anyone who wanted to be part of the “in” crowd, began drinking tea. (Brewing the leaves worked just as well at making drinking water safe as did brewing grains.) The habit filtered to everyday folk, further enriching tea investors. That is until they lost that huge shipment in 1773.

After that, this entire continent switched to coffee, eventually fostering Dunkin’ Donuts (and Ben Affleck), Starbucks (and the rebirth of unions). I never much liked tea, and especially enjoyed the Ted Lasso jokes and spit takes at its expense.

On a more civilized note, the practice of tea is a fantasy of flowery dresses and colorful cupcakes, usually the purview of little girls’ birthday parties, bridal showers and book clubs. That last, often when reading Jane Austen or Miss Marple mysteries. If any of those are on the agenda, it’s nice to note the following niceties.

Teatime occurs anywhere between 3 and 6 o’clock. It depends on the host and the venue: home, hotel, tearoom.

Many mistakenly believe that “high tea” is an elegant affair, but it is not what the name seems to imply. The only thing elevated here is the table. The meal actually features hearty servings of sliced cold meats, wedges of cheese, and

Schools

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meeting will be broadcast on Zoom and MHTV.

Before that, at 4 p.m., the School Committee planned to meet with the Finance Committee to discuss the budget.

The School Committee has not yet decided whether to ask residents to raise their taxes at May’s Town Meeting to prevent the deep reductions. The teachers union has circulated a petition, now with more than 1,000 signatures, demanding that the district “fully fund the public schools.”

The Current asked Chair Sarah Fox when the School Committee would decide on a possible tax override request and what would go into that decision.

Fox answered, “Those are questions I can not specifically answer. Everything is to the will of the committee. It is something that will definitely be on agendas coming up soon.”

McGuinness presented her reduced-services budget proposal late last month. In addition to eliminating 36 staff positions (33 that are currently filled), it consolidates the district’s therapeutic programs at the Brown School, increases fees for athletics and extracurricular activities, and cuts instructional supplies and

breads, spreads and pickles — sometimes leftovers from a previous dinner — eaten at the (high) kitchen table. Considered workingman’s fare, and occasionally called “supper,” it has nothing to do with elegance, only with feeding a body at the end of a long day.

The elegant event is actually called “afternoon tea,” taken on a tea table (what we call a coffee table) set low in front of a sofa or chairs. There are three categories of afternoon tea depending on appetite and/or whether there’s dinner to be had later that evening. The first category is cream tea and is more a snack than a meal, including scones and Devonshire, or clotted cream, for slathering. Light tea, the second, adds tiny cupcakes, cookies and maybe some other sweet confections beside the teapot.

Full tea is the gold standard, the experience, a meal in miniature, often served on tiered towers. The drink itself arrives in an assortment, e.g., Earl Gray,

oolong, etc., housed in a chest. There are tiny finger sandwiches plus a few “savories,” like baconwrapped dates or asparagus spears in puff pastry. Plus, all the same goodies of a light tea only more substantial( but still tiny) choices. Many hotels and tearooms, both here and in Europe, offer flutes of champagne or a glass of sherry.

Teatime etiquette can be baffling and is much looser than in the past, but it’s still fun to know the historical customs

Hold a teacup with fingers on the front and back of the handle, not looped through it. A barely and rarely raised pinkie is meant to keep the cup balanced, not for style. (This might take some practice.) Never hold the bottom of the cup in the palm of the hand

» On BBC period dramas, characters may arch an eyebrow concerning the addition of milk. (Never cream!) Once, it was common practice to add milk to the cup before the

tea was poured. This was to prevent the heated water from cracking the delicate porcelain, but modern teacups are made of sturdier stuff. So, pour the tea first, and flavor to taste with milk and/or sugar Stir the tea crosswise, not in circles, starting from 6 o’clock to noon. And, no clinking! Once used, the spoon sits on the saucer, not the tablecloth

Some people like lemon in their tea. The lemon should be cut into very thin slices (wedges are for cocktails or seafood) and served prettily on a small plate with a tiny fork. As with milk, lemon slices go into the cup after the tea is poured

» The saucer is home base for the cup, never to be lifted or otherwise leave the table. To host a tea party, it’s inadvisable to do all the work. Make sandwiches and/or savories at home. Head for a good bakery or confectioner — that pretty word seems right in this context

— for the sweets. Unearth greatgrandma’s teacups, saucers and silver teaspoons; starch and iron a tablecloth and napkins; and gather a few blooms from the garden or roses from the florist.

AFTERNOON TEA

SANDWICHES:

To make elegant tea sandwiches, look for thin-sliced sandwich bread (Pepperidge Farm makes a good one). Cut off the crusts and cut into shapes — rounds, triangles and rectangles for eye appeal. Conjure up a variety of fillings. Suggestions here:

To make the three below, buy soft whipped cream cheese rather than blocks. Bring it to room temperature. It won’t tear bread when spreading. Fold any of these classics into the cream cheese

Chopped stuffed olives

§ Golden raisins and chopped walnuts

» § Chopped candied ginger and walnuts

Heartier fillings, like the next three, will need a fine chop to match the delicate nature of the feast

» Devilled ham

» § Egg salad

» § Shrimp salad with dill

These last are often expected of a traditional tea party

Thinly sliced smoked salmon draped over bread rounds, sprinkled with lemon zest

» § Thinly sliced cucumber between buttered rounds of bread. (A modern version combines the salmon and cucumber in one sandwich.)

I like to cover the plates of sandwiches with plastic wrap to keep them from drying out until serving time. I find the traditional draped damp towel technique only produces soggy sandwiches.

Pinkies up … but not too high!

Linda Bassett lived in Marblehead for years and has worked as a cook, trained up-andcoming chefs, studied food history and led food tours. Her book, “From Apple Pie to Pad Thai,” is about local cooks and cooking.

professional development.

“At this time in history, the taxpayers of Marblehead do not have an appetite for an override, having twice failed in as many years,” McGuinness said at a School Committee budget workshop on Feb. 28.

Speaking about the budget process, she added, “I’m not going to say it wasn’t painful because it was, and it sort of still is.”

Even without adding staff or programs, rising expenses represent a $2.5 million or 5.77% increase in the school budget.

The biggest budget drivers are

staffing (contract negotiations began March 14), out-of-district tuitions and transportation, and operations and maintenance. Staff salaries are projected to increase $927,578, while out-of-district tuition and transportation are expected to jump more than $850,000.

The reductions McGuinness outlined include the following positions:

Four special education teachers.

» Student services assistant director.

» Three special

education support staff (paraprofessionals/tutors).

» Two adjustment counselors.

» One board-certified behavior analyst.

Four classroom teachers.

Veterans School assistant principal.

» Five general education support staff (paraprofessionals/tutors).

Two reading teachers. One English language teacher.

» Five clerical/administrative support positions.

» Two facilities staff.

» Four lunch supervisors (paraprofessionals).

» One driver.

At Thursday’s budget hearing, McGuinness is expected to present the committee with a staffing report with student and staff numbers from every classroom and program in all five schools. Athletic Director Greg Ceglarski and School Accountant Emma Puglisi are expected to present updated proposals for student fee increases. One plan outlined on March 7 included a 371% hike.

CURRENT PHOTO / LINDA BASSETT

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

A report on Marblehead’s student restraint policies will be released this week, according to interim Superintendent Theresa McGuinness. It follows a restraint crisis at the Glover School late last year.

Meet award-winning PBS celebrity chef Mary Ann Esposito at Caffe Italia on April 6

The Marblehead Current invites you to an event with PBS celebrity chef and cookbook author Mary Ann Esposito as she discusses her most recent book, “Ciao Italia: Plant, Harvest, Cook!” at Caffe Italia, 10 School St., on Saturday, April 6, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Esposito will go through the entire season-by-season culinary process from gardening to more than 100 easy, Italianinspired recipes. She describes her award-winning book as “a seasonal home garden vegetable journey focusing on simple growing tips for anyone interested in growing their own vegetables and how to cook them Italian style. No green thumb necessary.”

Esposito will be joined by her husband Guy, who supervises Ciao Italia’s gardens and is a physician, and by Linda Bassett, the Marblehead Current’s food writer and cookbook author.

Many know Esposito as the creator and host of the nationally televised PBS series “Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito,” America’s longestrunning television cooking show, and as the author of 14 cookbooks. She has shared traditional Italian cooking, history and culture with audiences around the world through “Ciao Italia” and working beside Julia Child and Jacques Pepin as well as

Fuenfer

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When Israel goes to war, everyone goes to war — the CEOs of companies, lawyers, students, rabbis, scientists, teachers, engineers, mechanics, shopkeepers, salesmen and doctors...especially the doctors.

The Galilee Medical Center is situated only a few miles from the border with Lebanon — or, put another way, an 11-second Hezbollah rocket flight away.

During the 2006 Lebanon War, Hezbollah fired 3,970 rockets into northern Israel in the course of a month, killing 43 Israeli civilians. One of those rockets exploded in the ophthalmology clinic at the GMC. There were no casualties, but this provided the impetus for the hospital to convert the underground floors into wards capable of providing patient care as a contingency for future emergencies.

appearances on other programs including “The Today Show,” the Food Network and “The Victory Garden.”

Her significant work to preserve the traditions surrounding Italian regional food and culture have been recognized by numerous organizations including the Order of the Star of Italy Cavaliere award from the President of the Italian Republic and the Premio Artusi award for promoting Italian food. The Italian Trade Commission named her a Hall of Fame honoree. The Order Sons of Italy in America honored her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Culinary & Cultural Arts of Italy award.

This special fundraising event supports the Current, Marblehead’s nonprofit newspaper. Seating is limited. Tickets are $60 each and are available online through the Marblehead Current’ s website at https://tiny.cc/ MeetChefEsposito. The ticket price includes a signed copy of “Ciao Italia: Plant, Harvest, Cook!” as well as focaccia prepared by Caffe Italia using Esposito’s recipes from the cookbook accompanied by a wine pairing and followed by a taste of gelato. This event is sponsored by Caffe Italia and Marblehead Gardens.

In the days following the Oct. 7 attacks, 96,000 residents of northern Israel were evacuated to the relative safety of the central and southern parts of the country. At the GMC, all patients, including those in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units, were transported to the confined subterranean maze of corridors and wards, protected by blastproof doors and reinforced walls.

Due to limitations on space and resources, each morning ambulances transport the less seriously ill patients to other medical facilities, including the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, where a massive, purposebuilt underground hospital can accommodate more than 2,000 patients.

Many hospital staff doctors throughout Israel are IDF reservists, and quite a few from the GMC were mobilized to their IDF medical units, leaving some departments, including

pediatrics, short-staffed. Several attendings had been working continuously without a day off for over four months.

Although the physical and mental strain was evident, there were no complaints, and an atmosphere of camaraderie fostered by shared sacrifice and a commitment to patient care predominated.

The population of northern Israel is a very diverse one, composed of Muslims, Jews, Christians and Druze sects who have been living and working together in peace for generations. This was clear among the staff of the GMC, whose inclusivity encompassed all religious affiliations and diasporas throughout the world. In the operating room, the surgeons were speaking Hebrew, the anesthesiologists were conversing in Russian and the nurses conducting conversations in a language that I was unable to identify.

The director of the GMC is

a Christian Arab. Peaceful coexistence is an attainable goal when all parties commit to it.

As Israel enters its sixth month of war, blaring sirens warn of incoming missile and rockets with regularity, terrorist attacks are a daily occurrence, over 134 people, including American citizens, remain hostages of Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah has thousands of Katyusha rockets aimed at northern Israel, Iran is on the precipice of having the ability to produce nuclear weapons, and it’s proxies in Yemen and Syria continue to attack U.S. troops and disrupt seaborne commerce in the region. This is the Middle East today.

The IDF is conducting the most complex and difficult military campaign in the history of warfare. It is implementing extraordinary measures to minimize civilian casualties, even with the knowledge that in doing so,

Is your internet sluggish?

BY STEPHEN BACH

While there can be many reasons for a slow internet connection, a sneaky neighbor could be stealing your Wi-Fi and chewing up your bandwidth. If you suspect anything untoward like this, here’s how to find devices using your Wi-Fi and give them the boot.

Windows Try this simpleto-use, free tool, Wireless Network Watcher (tinyurl. com/558d3jbp).

Once downloaded, it will reveal every device connected to your network. Through a process of elimination, you should be able to find any that don’t belong. Now don’t get flummoxed by all the devices you’ll see: sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between an Xbox and a mobile phone that will show up, but it will be pretty obvious if “MargeryMorningstar’sComputer”

Anyone

is listed, and your neighbor’s name is Margery.

Mac If you’re on Mac, unfortunately, there aren’t as many good options. While there are apps for this, most are paid services, and their free versions offer limited features.

Try your router’s settings page. It may have the info you need. Or, if you have an iPhone, you can give Fing a try. (Find it in the app store.)

If you do happen to catch a freeloader, no need to go into a tirade (or even confront them at all). Just kick them off by changing your password. (And if you don’t have one, get one!)

It’s possible you have a password but it’s on the weaker side and easy for neighbors to guess. A new password

should be enough to show any squatters the exit. The Docs like scary names for your wireless network, similar to “DANGER:FBI” or “DONOTCONNECT” to give someone pause before trying to connect/hack in.

Now if you have a lot of room in your internet plan, and you’re a forgiving person, you may think, “So the neighbor’s catching a little YouTube or Netflix on my internet, what’s the big deal?”

It IS a big deal. Anyone with access to your network

the risk to its own soldiers is greatly enhanced.

Despite these many challenges, the Israeli military will prosecute this war on its own terms and defend their country with resolve, strength and the determination to achieve total victory and freedom for the hostages.

It was my privilege to be given the opportunity to contribute in some small way to the care of children caught up in this terrible conflict.

Dr. Michael M. Fuenfer is a pediatric surgeon living in Marblehead who just returned from service as a volunteer at a large medical center in northern Israel. In another life, he served in the U.S. Army for 37 years as a Green Beret officer, combat surgeon in Afghanistan for two tours, Army and Air Force flight surgeon, and in various operational and administrative assignments in the Army Reserve, Army National Guard and on active duty.

could also access ALL the computers on that network, and that’s a risk. It means they could potentially get into files, infect your computer with malware or even steal your passwords and other information.

Now, there are three other reasons why your computer may be sluggish on the internet.

Your computer is so old that it’s just not ever going to be a speed demon. The Doc suggests a new one.

You haven’t run (Windows) updates in a long time; or, on a Mac, you are running a very old operating system. Update now, please.

3. You need a complete tune-up and clean-up and you’re just not comfortable doing it yourself. Contact a computer professional. For a reasonable fee, they’ll make your computer like new again (or tell you it’s time for a new one).

Something to think about.

Anyway, that does it for today’s simple tips.

Stephen Bach is the owner and chief of surgery at Marblehead-based The Digital Docs.

COURTESY PHOTO

PBS celebrity chef and author Mary Ann Esposito will share insights from her latest book, ‘Ciao Italia: Plant,

Harvest, Cook!’ during a special event at Caffe Italia in Marblehead on April 6.

BY MELISSA STACEY

The following is an interview with Dr. Devorah Feinbloom, owner of Marblehead Natural Healing, conducted by Discover Marblehead. To learn more about Marblehead Natural Healing and its services, call 781-639-0010 or go to marbleheadnaturalhealing.com.

Tell us about Marblehead Natural Healing and why you started it. I’ve been a practicing chiropractor for 41 years and opened Marblehead Natural Healing in 2013 when my family moved to Marblehead. I became a chiropractor because my terrible seasonal allergies, menstrual cramps and acne went away by seeing a chiropractor and I wanted to help others discover the innate healing power in their bodies. I learned a long time ago that bones in the spine misalign due to muscle imbalances and muscle imbalances come from physical injury, repetitive use, poor posture, toxicity, poor nutrition and/or emotional and mental stress.

My goal is to help people lower accumulated stresses of all types so they create health they can depend on. I use a technique called Applied Kinesiology; a manual muscle testing technique

that helps me ‘communicate’ with the body to understand what it needs to heal. I offer chiropractic adjustments, as well as design nutritional programs for strengthening immunity, supporting digestion and bowel health, lowering stress, improving sleep quality, boosting energy and aiding in detoxification. Another service I offer is neuro-emotional technique, a muscle testing technique that identifies emotional stress and where it’s located in the body, and helps rewrite the brain so that the stressor no longer triggers the fight or flight response. We also offer infrared sauna therapy for detoxification, metabolism boosting and stress reduction as well as BEMER therapy for improving microcirculation and pain reduction.

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

Marblehead Little Theatre is holding auditions for its next musical, “Something Rotten.”

Set in the 1590s, the show features brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom who are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rockstar known as “The Bard.”

When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theater involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self… and all that jazz.

Auditions are Sunday, April 7, and Monday, April 8, 6:30 p.m.8:30 p.m. at MLT, 12 School St.

of business advice I learned was a model for how to bring excellence into my business. The model says to be excellent at something you must start as a beginner. Beginners need mentors to train them how to move towards excellence. I listed every facet of business on a piece of paper and identified where I could improve. I delegated everything that I

The Marblehead Festival of Arts is putting out a call for artisans to participate in this summer’s popular Artisans Marketplace.

Festival organizers invite artisans working in various mediums, including ceramics, jewelry, textiles, woodwork,

Actors should sign up for a singing time slot at mltlive. org and prepare two, 32-bar contrasting song selections in the style of contemporary musical theater. Sheet music should be brought to the audition, hole-punched in a binder.

Callbacks with a dance call will be held Wednesday, April 10, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (a more specific time window will be announced if a callback is offered).

For actors who would like to brush up on their tap-dance skills ahead of auditions, choreographer Erin Pelikhov is offering a tap class at MLT for adults and teens aged 14 and up, on Monday, March 25. Visit mltlive.org for more information and to reserve a spot.

wasn’t good at, got trained to get the skills I needed and now have a relatively stress-free business.

What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? I love Front Street from Crocker Park to Fort Sewall. I love swimming near Fort Sewall, watching the fireworks on the Fourth of July and sitting by the water at The Landing. It’s pretty perfect.

glass, metalwork and more, to apply for a space in the marketplace.

“The marketplace is a vibrant hub of creativity and craftsmanship and we look forward to showcasing the talent and diversity of our local artisan community,” said Nancy

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Something people would be surprised to know about me is that I tried my hand at stand-up comedy years ago. As you can see, I didn’t quit my day job. The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. To learn more, visit discovermhd.com

Wolinski, marketplace co-chair.

Interested artisans can apply by March 31 by visiting marbleheadfestival.org/ artisansmarketplace.

The Festival will run July 4-7. Learn more at marbleheadfestival.org.

Excerpts from the Marblehead police log Feb. 27 - March 12.

Consistent with state law, police have adopted a policy of not providing media outlets reports related to incidents involving domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation.

Feb. 27

1:45 p.m. — Officers Luke Peters and Jonathan Lunt responded to a report of a lost sapphire and diamond ring valued at $23,000 at a Peach Highlands residence. The owner, an 83-year-old woman, noticed the ring missing after taking a walk in her condo building. A search of the premises yielded no results. The incident remains under investigation.

2:51 p.m. — Officer Luke Peters received a phone call at the station from a man reporting a suspicious call from someone claiming to be a sergeant from the Middlesex Sheriff’s Department. The caller informed the man of a warrant for his arrest due to failure to appear and contempt of court. Upon contacting the actual sheriff’s department, the man discovered the call was a scam attempt. Peters advised the man to block the scammer’s phone number and report any further suspicious activity.

Feb. 28

7:20 p.m. — Officers Samuel Rizos and Jonathan Lunt were dispatched to a residence near the Coffin School to take a report of a Facebook comment dispute. The reporting party expressed concern over an alleged comment made about her son’s driving habits and the public mention of their street name, fearing potential

vandalism to his vehicle. Rizos discussed the importance of safe driving and appropriate online behavior. Officers later learned that the son had been recently cited for a traffic violation. The matter was resolved through conversation, and a report was filed.

Feb. 29

4:45 p.m. — Officer Andrew DiMare responded to a Devereux Street residence for an ongoing neighbor dispute. The reporting party claimed her neighbor had been yelling in her direction as she pulled into her driveway. DiMare explained the First Amendment rights regarding freedom of speech and attempted to contact the neighbor, but was unsuccessful.

The reporting party was advised of the option to seek a harassment prevention order.

5:17 p.m. — Officer Robert Picariello was dispatched to the lobby to take a report of an online scam. The reporting party had applied for a job online and provided personal information, including a driver’s license, photo, bank account number and W2 form containing his Social Security number. He later received a check for $5,000 and was allegedly instructed to wire money to a technology vendor.

The bank confirmed the check was fraudulent, and the account was closed. Picariello advised the reporting party to file with the Federal Trade Commission and notify Social Security.

10:40 p.m. — Sgt. Eric Osattin and Officer Andrew DiMare responded to a single-vehicle crash on Atlantic Avenue. The vehicle allegedly veered into the southbound lane, leaving the roadway and striking a fence.

The operator claimed to have dozed off, losing control of the vehicle. The fence was destroyed and the vehicle sustained major damage. The operator requested to speak with Osattin, expressing dissatisfaction with the citation issued by DiMare. Osattin explained the decision to cite was appropriate given the severity of the crash and informed the operator of his right to appeal.

March 1

7:45 a.m. — Officer Andrew Clark responded to a Clifton residence to take a report of an attempted break-in. The homeowner reported being awakened by the home heating system shutting off and then noticed on security camera footage a dark-colored sedan with its hazard lights activated in the area. Later, the homeowner discovered the screen door ajar, but the interior glass slider remained locked. Clark advised the homeowner to contact neighbors with security cameras and to report any additional information. The report was forwarded to the Criminal Investigations Division for review.

3:32 p.m. — Officer Tyler Bates was dispatched to the station to take a report of identity theft. The reporting party discovered an unauthorized transaction of 145,700 American Airlines AAdvantage miles, valued at $4,298, made on his account by an unknown individual. Bates filed a report and documented the incident.

4:15 p.m. — Officer Robert Picariello responded to a Village Plaza business for a report of vandalism and ongoing issues with a group of kids. The store owner reported that the group

had stolen signs multiple occasions and had entered the store once to release a foulsmelling odor. Picariello advised the owner to call the police if the group was seen in the area again so that officers could speak with them.

6:25 p.m. — Officer Andrew

DiMare spoke with a man at the police station regarding concerns about his vehicle, a red 2011 Porsche Boxster, being the subject of numerous complaints about erratic operation. The man claimed he was not speeding but acknowledged the loud nature of his vehicle. He reported that an individual had jumped out in front of his car twice on Beach Street, and he feared the person was trying to get hit. DiMare advised the man to call the police immediately if the incident occurred again and to be extra careful when operating his vehicle in densely populated areas.

March 6

8:22 a.m. — Officer Charles Sweeney was dispatched to the front lobby to speak with an individual regarding fraud. The reporting party had received a phone call from a person requesting his bank and Social Security information to move money around. After providing the information, the individual realized he was being scammed and contacted his banks to flag his accounts. Sweeney advised the reporting party to monitor his accounts for any losses and to report any suspicious activities.

March 8

6:05 p.m. — Officer Andrew Clark spoke with two Beach Street residents regarding an ongoing issue with a red Porsche

Boxster traveling at high speeds on the street. One resident reported confronting the driver, who claimed to be going 25 mph and questioned the resident’s authority to stop him. The residents expressed concern about the safety of pedestrians and pets due to speeding vehicles. Clark forwarded the report to the Traffic Division for review and advised the resident that confronting the motorist was not the best approach.

March 9

8:25 a.m. — Officers Adam Mastrangelo and Andrew Clark responded to the area of the U.S. Post Office on Smith Street for a report of a male being punched in the face. The victim stated that he was jogging across the crosswalk when a black Jeep Grand Cherokee swerved around him, nearly striking him. The victim kicked the vehicle, prompting the driver to exit and punch him in the face before fleeing the scene. Witnesses provided descriptions of the driver and a partial license plate number. The investigation is ongoing.

March 11

10 a.m. — Officer Adam Mastrangelo was dispatched to the station to take a report of a neighbor complaint at a Sevinor Road residence. The reporting party claimed that her neighbor had become aggressive, citing a note left on her husband’s vehicle and an intimidating incident involving the neighbor staring at a guest. The reporting party declined to have the officer contact the neighbor, fearing escalation, and was advised to purchase a security system for the front of her property.

Breed: Domestic shorthair

Size: Medium

Age: Young

Sex: Female

Have you seen the commercial for Sour Patch Kids? First, they’re sour, then sweet?

Charli is so sweet but can have a sassy side to her, according to volunteers at the Marblehead Animal Shelter. They think she is not a fan of other cats, so that sassy side can come out as she is exploring the shelter or when the volunteers try to tidy up her apartment.

Charli came to the shelter when a police officer from a larger city found

and spayed. If you are interested in Charli, fill out an adoption application at marblehead-animal-shelter.org, and you will be contacted.

Shining a light on the news you care about!

Headlight

Written by the students of Marblehead High School for our school and community 2023 - 2024 Issue

www.mhsheadlight.com

MHS Math Team

Kathleen Hanson, Junior

With this year’s season coming to an end, the Math Team has done well when up against other schools. Marblehead’s Math Team is in Division II of the Massachusetts Mathematics League, where schools compete on the first Thursday of every month until March. The first meet was hosted in Marblehead, and the rest were away meets at a variety of schools. Some of the schools the Math Team has completed against include Swampscott High School, Lynn Classical, Beverly High School, Salem High School, and Malden High School.

Throughout the year, the Math Team has met every Tuesday to work on math problems ranging from Algebra 1 to Trigonometry, in preparation for said meets. “The Marblehead High School Math Team is one of the rare opportunities for students to challenge themselves mathematically outside of the classroom,” says co-president Ben Zaltsman. T

That’s not to say everything is about math, for there was even a cookie and ice cream event. As a member of the Math Team, and the social media manager, I can say that it has been a lot of fun, and it is a great way to spend time after school. Sophomore Ian Chemel agrees that "Math Team is a great experience to have fun, and meet

new people." Math meets are exciting events too, as the time not spent solving problems is used to socialize while enjoying pizza. Other than math events, the Math Team has also been working to raise money. One way of doing this was by selling Gatorade and candy at a track meet, raising over $120. The Math Team also sells snacks in Mrs. McGrail’s room, A209, after school each day. Each item is $2. A couple of members of the team also designed t-shirts, which are worn by members at math meets.

The Math Team's season runs from September to March, and many members have been a part of the club for multiple years. The Math Team is also currently looking for new members for next year, and anyone of any math level is welcome to join! Current members enjoy their experience and recommend that others join. Sophomore Graham Firestone shares, "Math Team is a club where you can find other people who enjoy the mental challenges of math."

Joining the Math Team can be a great experience, as well as being a good addition to college applications .

Math Team has done well in Division II, meets regularly to practice math problems and engage in social activities, has been organizing fundraising activities, and is welcoming new members of all math levels for next year.

MHS goes clubbing at The Mariner

Grey Collins, Sophomore

As I gripped the bean bag and prepared myself to toss it onto the board, I was surrounded by many faces staring in intense anticipation. When my bean bag finally slid into the hole, the room erupted with extremely quiet cheers. It may not have been the level of excitement I was accustomed to from my peers in gym class, but this wasn’t any high school gym class. This was the MHS Forever Friends club at the Mariner Senior Living Community.

Every Sunday without fail, a group of students from Marblehead High School travel to the Mariner and spend time speaking and participating in activities with the residents of the community. They usually play games such as cornhole, jeopardy, and balloon volleyball, a popular activity in which the students bounce a balloon back and forth with the seniors. Around Christmas time, they even baked and decorated cookies with the residents. But most importantly, they talked and spent time with them so that they could learn from their life experiences.

The club was founded by Marblehead High School sophomores Casey Gransbury, Raegan Case, and Bella Casale last fall, in the hopes of creating a bridge between generations.

“I wanted to start this club to make connections with residents at the Mariner who might not always have someone to talk to and be in their company. I think we have so much to learn from their generation, and they have so much to share as well,” said Bella.

“I personally have always been passionate about forming those bonds with people like the residents living in the Mariner,” said Raegan about why starting the club was important to her. "And getting to hear their life stories is great because they have so much to share and teach.”

Casey spoke about the process of naming their club. “We came up with the name Forever Friends because we wanted to represent our idea of trying to forge intergenerational connections.”

While the club is dedicated to improving the lives of the residents, the founders of the club expressed how the club has positively impacted their own lives.

Headlight Staff 2023-2024

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Ila Bumagin and Mona Gelfgatt

“Whenever I go to the Mariner, I leave feeling better about myself and feeling like I learned something new,” said Casey about what he has gotten out of the club so far.

Raegan recounted one day when a resident named Shirley brought the group up to the restaurant at the Mariner and got them ice cream after a game of jeopardy. They sat and chatted for over an hour, discussing the importance of taking risks in life.

“I feel like every Sunday has become happier,” said Raegan. “Not only from us kids

March 20, 2024

seeing the residents every week and getting to form connections with them, but also from their happiness reflecting back on all of us. It fills my heart for the week.”

I certainly learned a lot about taking risks in life when I jumped into (and I think I dominated) the balloon volleyball game last Sunday. While the room filled with bouncing, colorful balloons and wide smiles, I realized how special the connections between different generations can be. There aren’t supposed to be winners in this slow moving game, but I think that room was full of them.

How siblings become rivals

Rachael Albert, Senior, Assistant Editor

My brother and I were born two years apart and grew up during the golden age of technology. We did not rely on it for entertainment but enjoyed playing Mario Kart and Minecraft when the mood hit. This, of course, meant we led very normal, suburban childhoods. Every school morning we read Calvin and Hobbes comics while eating breakfast our father prepared. Siblings are conditioned to have the same interests and forced to bond over them by adults, and it works for a while, but they will inevitably want nothing more than to destroy each other. My brother and I used to watch TV together, taking turns picking the show and compromising on what volume to keep it at. But he soon found that if he put the television on volume 100, I would send myself screaming to my room. And after he became skilled enough on his clarinet to play a cacophony, he did not have to rely on technology to upset me with loud noise.

There is a point that you realize the relationship is changing but choose to ignore it because you would do anything to spend time with your sibling. Games turn from being fun to being exploitative to not existing at all. One of our “games” involved my brother bribing me with Pez candies to do chores for him. I would report to headquarters (his room) and eagerly await my assignment. After the task was discussed, the bartering began. “C’mon, that’s a three Pez job, taking out the trash AND the recycling?” “No, no, it’s not that bad. Two Pez,” he would say, and I complained. “Two Pez. Final offer.” I conceded. I couldn’t compete with the elite bargaining skills my brother had developed by existing for two years more than me.

Siblings understand when they no longer play as equals, but no one is prepared when they stop playing altogether. I resented being forced to grow up on my brother’s sched-

ule. When he decided he was done playing legos with me, I had to be done, too. My parents never told him “go play with your sister.” At this stage, a child has not bridged the gap between the youth of wanting to play and the maturity of being able to entertain oneself. I spent my Saturdays lying on the living room couch complaining of boredom. I understood that my brother wanted nothing to do with me, and so I resigned and pretended I wanted nothing to do with him, either. The only time we passed together was spent arguing and often ended in physical violence. Fights would escalate from throwing napkins to throwing punches and, at this stage in development, age was a larger influence on strength and fitness than exercise was.

When my brother began college across the Atlantic, our interactions became limited as we grew and learned separately. Physical distance does not force siblings to stop fighting; it forces them to play a battle of wits. Despite my brother being only two years older than me, he was three grades ahead of me in school. He has always been book smart and an eloquent speaker, so I avoided arguments when we were young because I knew I would lose. However, now I am no longer unlearned and can hold my own against my brother for the ultimate test: gaining the approval of our father. I have discovered, over the years, that much of what my father says is nonsense, yet to gain his favor in an argument against my brother makes me a champion. When your sibling concedes to your father, you know you have won.

We are born to rival our siblings; it is a question of survival. Children naturally compete in order to keep themselves alive. I throw shot put to feel stronger than my brother and take AP English to feel smarter than him. I try to out-perform him in everything, but I have to give him credit because without him, I would be a worse athlete and a worse writer. Siblings fight, but if rivaling each other is what makes them strive for greatness, then it is not a terrible thing.

ASSISTANT EDITORS: Benji Boyd, Rachael Albert TECHNOLOGY EDITOR: Kate Twomey

REPORTERS: Nathaniel Carper-Young, Grey Collins, Tucker Crane, Aislin Freedman, Samuel Jendrysik, Anya Kane, Nina Lees, Georgia Marshall, Charlie Seliger, Livia Weiss

FACULTY ADVISOR: Thomas Higgins

And then there

Final round in Marblehead’s Got Talent set for March 27

BY LEIGH BLANDER

Nearly 300 people packed into the Marblehead High School auditorium on March 13 for the Marblehead’s Got Talent semifinals and chose the 10 performers who will compete in the finals later this month. MGT is sponsored each year by the Rotary Club of Marblehead.

The 10 finalists are: August Belf, Emett Charney, Lani Gilmore, Lucy Key, Brooklyn Lorenz, Sadie Newburg, Jake Piascik, Anthony Vizzy, Brady Weed and Eldar Yahorau. Most of the students are singers; some play instruments.

“There was one thing for sure and

that is that Marblehead definitely has talent,” said organizer David Deutsch. “Fifteen students performed their hearts out, and every one of them did wonderfully, and I was very proud of them all. They not only sounded great, but they all dressed like stars.”

The finals will be on Wednesday, March 27, at the Cabot Theater in Beverly. Tickets are available at thecabot.org/event/ marbleheads-got-talent-2024.

The following prizes are up for grabs:

» $6,000 first prize.

$4,000 second prize.

$2,500 third prize. Four $500 fourth prizes.

The 15 semifinalists in the Marblehead’s Got Talent contest on March 13. Ten of these students will compete in the finals on March 27.