06.12.2024 – Volume 2, Issue 29

BY LEIGH BLANDER

The School Committee unanimously approved the hiring of John Robidoux, the current superintendent in Swansea, to lead Marbleheaed’s school district starting July 1.

While the job was advertised as a one-year position, the committee decided to offer Robidoux a two-year contract.

“It’s very exciting,” said Chair Sarah Fox. “This is one of the final pieces [of rebuilding the district after several departures].”

School Committee member

Alison Taylor said about hiring Robidoux, “There’s not one question in my mind about it. I loved his approach, his demeanor, his mannerisms. He had taken the time to watch some of our meetings … that sets him apart from so many other candidates. I think it shows he truly cares.”

Robidoux has been superintendent in Swansea for six years and is a former student services director there, too. He lives in Rhode Island and will have a two-hour commute,

according to Ota.

The School Committee also approved Scott Williams as the new Village School principal. Williams is currently a principal in Scituate.

Interim superintendent Theresa McGuinness said she would interview a candidate for the Glover School principal position on June 11.

Teacher contract talks

The Marblehead Education Association planned to rally outside the high school before a bargaining session on Tuesday,

BY WILL DOWD

In a ceremony that paid tribute to their firefighter fathers and the close-knit community they call home, Kathy Carey and Jerry Tucker, both lifelong residents of Marblehead, exchanged vows on a rain-soaked Sunday afternoon in front of a cheering crowd of family and friends.

Fire Chief Jason Gilliland officiated the ceremony.

The skies over Chandler Hovey

Brad Sheridan Teacher Coach

Park were overcast as a deluge of rain drenched the crowd. But the dreary weather could not dampen the spirits of the gathered spectators eagerly awaiting the bride’s arrival for the 12:30 p.m. ceremony. A heartwarming sight emerged as Marblehead’s Engine 2 fire truck, dedicated to the memory of the bride’s late father Jim “Jimbo” Carey, slowly made its way to the park.

Kathy Carey sat radiantly in the front seat, her elegant white wedding

gown a stunning contrast to the bright red of the truck. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause under a canopy of bobbing umbrellas, as the truck came to a stop with Gilliland, dressed to the nines in his ceremonial uniform, behind the wheel.

Kathy and Jerry’s connection to Marblehead runs deep, with their families intertwined for generations.

Kathy’s father, Jim Carey, and Jerry’s

June 11.

Last week, contract talks took a turn for the worse, with the MEA and School Committee subcommittee sending out dueling press releases after a tumultuous meeting on June 3.

“Today’s bargaining session came to a close after the Massachusetts Teachers Association representative Anthony Parolisi shouted an obscenity at the subcommittee followed by shouting in selfproclaimed anger by union

SCHOOLS State agency dismisses Ota’s discrimination complaint

BY LEIGH BLANDER

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination has dismissed a complaint filed by School Committee member Brian Ota against the Marblehead Public Schools. Ota, the former Glover School principal, filed the complaint in May 2022 after thensuperintendent John Buckey chose not to renew Ota’s contract.

Ota alleged discrimination based on his age (he was 71 years old), race/color (Asian) and national origin (JapaneseAmerican), according to the MCAD.

The MCAD said its investigation “reveals insufficient evidence” that MPS made the decision based on Ota’s age, race/color or national origin.

“The Respondent (MPS) provided evidence that it hired Complainant (Ota) when he was approximately 60 years old, and promoted Complainant when he was 64 years old,” the MCAD ruling reads.

The ruling also said that MPS’ reasons for not renewing Ota’s contract were “legitimate and non-discriminatory.”

“Respondent has provided the Commission with demographic workforce information, written warning letters issued to Complainant

Coach Sheridanleft alegacy of success forgenerations of Marbleheaders. Read the tribute by hisdaughter Christy Gable and contribute to the Bradley C. Sheridan Sports

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

John Robidoux has been offered the position of schools superintendent beginning July 1. COURTESY

CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD

Kathy Carey and Jerry Tucker exchange vows under umbrellas during their rain-soaked wedding ceremony at Chandler Hovey Park on Sunday afternoon. Fire Chief Jason Gilliland performed the ceremony.

OTA, P. A2

Charter eighth grader launches mental health awareness campaign

BY LEIGH BLANDER

Rori Rounds hopes her final project at the Marblehead Community Charter Public School will have a real impact on breaking down stigmas around mental health so people will feel more comfortable seeking help.

“I’ve always thought that mental health is important,” Rounds said. “I hope to spread awareness.”

Charter students work on community service learning projects throughout the year.

“The core of the program is to identify a problem, research the problem and its root cause, set a goal and create an impact plan,” explained Rounds’ teacher Nick Santoro.

Rounds identified stigma around mental health as a problem she wanted to address. She decided to create a public awareness campaign called “Step on Stigma.” It includes a website (steponstigma-org.weebly.com/) that defines and explores what stigma is and how it does harm.

“Some common stigmas are that people struggling with their

Rori Rounds has created a public

eighth-grade

mental health are less than, or won’t go far in life,” Rounds explained. She said other stigmas include that people with mental health issues are faking or seeking attention.

Rounds said most people who perpetuate stigmas are not doing it out of malice.

“People may be misinformed and uneducated about mental health,” Rounds said. “It may be because of their cultural or religious beliefs.”

Rounds presented her website project to her peers at Charter

members stating the proposals provided were insulting,” read the subcommittee’s release.

“Tensions became higher,” acknowledged MEA Co-President Jonathan Heller. “We had staff that did raise their voices because they’re upset, and rightfully so.”

According to Heller, Parolisi used the word “sh–ty” to “describe the substandard agreements of the past.” It was “not directed at the School Committee or any individuals,” he added.

After the June 11 talks, the MEA will stop bargaining until September, which means teachers, paraprofessionals, tutors and custodians will start the new school year without a contract.

Contracts expire at various times over the summer.

“Our membership has expressed the interest to utilize an extended bargaining team, including the core bargaining team and silent representatives,” Heller explained. “We are not contracted for the summer. We are under no obligation to bargain over the summer… our staff will not be around.”

Heller said the MEA does not want to start the new school year without a contract.

“We have been bargaining in good faith with the School Committee,” he added.

Proposals and counter-proposals

The MEA and subcommittee traded proposals for paid family leave but did not agree on what the current contract stipulates for parental and sick time, according to Heller.

The subcommittee outlined its offer to custodians, whose contract is the first to expire on June 30.

“The proposal included a 20% increase in sick time, a market adjustment wage increase, the new benefit of paid parental leave,

an enhanced bereavement leave and a vacation buy-back option,” according to the subcommittee’s press release.

The MEA released a statement saying, “The School Committee refused to address many of the common proposals (which apply to all union members) yet again, except to offer an initial counter on parental leave that actually reduces benefits for some members.”

The MEA also stated that the subcommittee’s paraprofessional proposals included a “zero percent wage increase in year one, followed by just 2% in years two and three. Proposals for tutors and permanent substitutes were no better.”

The proposal would leave paraprofessionals living under the poverty level, Heller said. He predicted some Marblehead educators will leave the district.

“Now you can understand why tensions were so high,” he said. “We are advocating so we

for performance issues, proof of counseling meetings it held with Complainant to improve his performance, multiple email complaints from parents regarding Complaintant’s continued failure to effectively communicate and problem solve, including complaints after these performance counselings meetings

began, and performance reviews showing that Complainant did not meet or exceed progress goals and that Complainant needed improvement in most areas of his job during the 2020-2021 and the 2021-2022 school year,” the ruling reads.

Ota responded to the dismissal by telling the Current, “After many years as a successful veteran administrator of a level one school with a strong, dedicated and excellent staff I had filed my

can attract and retain the best educators, which our students deserve. We need to catch up to the other towns that surround us.”

Heller pointed out that Marblehead superintendents and School Committee members come and go.

“The one constant is the teachers,” he said. “We are the foundation. Every single teacher, para, custodian, coach, cafeteria worker… we are the ones that work tirelessly to make sure we give our students the best.”

The MEA posts its proposals and updates at https://linktr.ee/ marbleheadeducators.

Communication survey

Ota and Taylor presented the results of an online survey that asked people their thoughts and suggestions on the School Committee’s communication.

Ota said 568 people responded.

“There were candid and very open comments. Some hurt, and some were very positive,” he

MCAD complaint when I was not rehired. I am confident that the process MCAD followed was comprehensive and fair. I accept their finding and am ready to put this behind me and move forward.”

Ota was criticized for not revealing his discrimination complaint during his 2023 campaign for School Committee. He said at a June 6 School Committee meeting that the Massachusetts State Ethics

on June 6. She plans to launch a social media campaign sharing the website and encouraging people to “step on stigma” to make the world a safer, more welcoming place.

“Even if I help just one person, that’s one more person who is being helped,” she said.

added.

Taylor said the anonymous survey results could not yet be released to the public as they were being redacted to remove any identifiable details.

About half of respondents said the entire committee should resign, and the other half said the committee was doing a good job, according to Ota. He broke the subject matter of responses down into categories: communications, transparency, former superintendent John Buckey, Ota himself and the teachers union.

Some of the suggestions related to communication included: active listening and less talking, answering questions, responding to public comments, meeting with teachers, publishing measurable goals, building better relationships with the media, publishing meeting minutes in a timely manner and updating the School Committee’s website.

Related to Buckey, respondents said there should have been more transparency around his departure. Ota said that Buckey resigned and was not fired. He said that a nondisparagement agreement signed by the committee and Buckey prevented the committee from releasing more information.

Several respondents complained that Ota did not disclose his own discrimination complaint against Buckey during his campaign. Ota claimed that he followed advice from the state ethics commission not to make that disclosure until after the election.

Many people also said they want the School Committee to make contract talks with the MEA public. The teachers union has asked for public talks, but the School Committee has declined.

At a communications subcommittee meeting on June 5, Taylor said she supports making the contract talks public and would ask the School Committee for a vote to do that. Taylor did not make that request at the June 6 meeting, however.

Commission advised him against disclosing the information until/if he was elected. Ethics Commission spokesperson Gerry Tuoti declined to confirm or deny if the commission advises candidates on whether to disclose information during campaigns.

Ota did disclose his complaint upon being sworn in as a School Committee member. He then recused himself from discussions that ultimately led to Buckey’s departure last August.

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

awareness campaign to break the stigma around mental health challenges. Her

teacher Nick Santoro assigns community service learning projects throughout the year.

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

Members of the Marblehead Education Association walk into a recent bargaining session as silent representatives.

ESPN comes to town for Lucy Frates special

BY WILL DOWD

On June 1, ESPN was in town to film 9-year-old Lucy Frates playing softball for a special feature honoring the 10th anniversary of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The special is slated to air in August.

Lucy’s father, Pete Frates, was the driving force behind the viral social media campaign in 2014 before he passed away from the disease in 2019 at age 34.

“We’re doing a story on the 10th anniversary of the Ice Bucket Challenge,” said Danny Arruda, the ESPN feature producer. “Part of that story is to update people on what happened to Pete, because I’m not sure a lot of people remember — after all the celebrity went away that month, what happened to him and his family?”

He added, “Part of that story will be showing people who Lucy is and what she’s turned into — a beautiful little girl playing softball, just like her dad.”

Arruda and his crew filmed Lucy catching and batting for her team, the Pink Pirates, in a game against Lynn behind Marblehead High School. The eight-to-12-minute segment is tentatively scheduled to air Aug. 4 on SportsCenter (“but things can always change,” Arruda cautioned).

“What impresses me is just she’s such a vibrant firecracker of a little girl,” said Arruda of Lucy. “She’s come from this place where she was obviously raised in a loving home with Pete and Julie. She’s able to take all that love she’s gotten from her parents and her grandparents and her cousins and just turn into this wonderful little girl who seems like she’s happy about everything.”

A day after the ESPN shoot, Lucy stepped onto the mound at Fenway Park and threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Red Sox faced the Detroit Tigers. It was the fourth time the third-grader from Glover School had taken part in this special tradition (“She must have the record for the most first pitches thrown by a child under 10 years old at Fenway,” Arruda told the Current with a chuckle).

“I was very nervous, but at the same time, it was really cool being on the field and seeing everyone watching me,” she told the Current.

Joe Kowalik, Marblehead Municipal Light Department general manager and Lucy’s grandfather and softball

coach, beamed with pride as he watched his granddaughter at Fenway.

“It’s electric,” he said of the atmosphere when Lucy throws the first pitch. “It brings tears to your eyes. It’s a very emotional experience.”

Peter Frates, a former Boston College baseball player and St. John’s Prep alumnus, was diagnosed with ALS in 2012 at the age of 27. He was an exceptional athlete, playing three sports in high school and trying out for the nationallyranked hockey team at Boston College before focusing on baseball.

His battle with the disease drew parallels to another baseball great, Lou Gehrig, who famously fought ALS in the late 1930s. The disease has since been commonly referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive

neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, atrophy and, eventually, paralysis.

According to a St. John’s Prep post,more than 1.2 million Ice Bucket Challenge videos were shared on Facebook in the weeks after Frates’ first challenge, and it was mentioned more than 2.2

million times on Twitter from July 29 to Aug. 17, 2014.

“The ALS Association picked up 260,000 new donors in 19 days,” the Prep wrote. “[The] Ice Bucket Challenge YouTube videos exceeded one billion views across 153 countries in 2014. Facebook video views eclipsed 10 billion, including 440

million posts featuring an ice bucket challenge.”

The challenge has raised over $220 million worldwide, with $100 million generated in the U.S. within just six months.

“I’m not sure something like this can ever happen again, for whatever reason,” Arruda said. “It just seemed like the perfect time and place in our country, where something that Pete knew could raise money for ALS went viral the way it did. With social media the way it is now, I’m not sure it could ever happen again.”

Peter passed away in 2019 at the age of 34, but his legacy lives on through his family’s commitment to the fight against ALS. The funds raised have led to an infusion of cash into ALS research. However, as Kowalik noted, “The desired major breakthrough still has not happened yet.”

Despite the challenges that lie ahead, the Frates family remains committed to carrying on Peter’s work.

Lucy’s love for sports (she also has played soccer) continues her father’s spirit. She enjoys the fellowship and sportsmanship shared among her teammates.

“The girls are really into it,” Kowalik said. “They cheer each other on from the bench and on the field. It’s great to see how much they’ve improved this year.”

Lucy loves having her grandfather coaching the team.

“He can be silly sometimes,” she said.

When she’s not catching fastballs, Lucy enjoys going to art class at the Acorn Gallery on State Street.

“In every way, she’s a typical, wonderful little 9-year-old girl,” Kowalik said.

COURTESY PHOTO / BOSTON RED SOX

Lucy Frates, 9, throws the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park before the Red Sox faced the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, June 2, as part of a celebration marking the 10th anniversary of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD

Lucy Frates, 9, at bat behind Marblehead High School during a softball game against Lynn, while being filmed by ESPN for a special feature. Lucy’s grandfather, Joe Kowalik, coaches her team.

Opinion

eDITORIAL

‘Goodridge’ at 20

Twenty years ago, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court made history with Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, a landmark decision that paved the way for marriage equality in the United States by making Massachusetts the first state to legalize gay marriage. This groundbreaking ruling marked the beginning of a new era for LGBTQ+ rights, but as we reflect on the progress made, it is clear that there is still much work to be done.

For couples like Jordan and Emily CaressWheelwright, who moved to Massachusetts from Nashville, Tennessee, where gay marriage was prohibited, the Goodridge decision was a beacon of hope. Similarly, Peyton Pugmire felt “seen” after the ruling and went on to marry his best friend, James Ashton, in 2020. Alexandra and Alison Middleton, the first gay couple to wed in St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in 2021, faced challenges in their path to parenthood, highlighting the need for legal protections such as second-parent adoption.

Despite the progress made in marriage equality, LGBTQ+ parents in Massachusetts still face significant hurdles due to the lack of comprehensive parentage laws. As a state known for its progressive values, the absence of such legislation is a glaring omission. LGBTQ+ parents are left in a precarious position, forced to go to court to assert their rights. As the Boston Globe’s editorial board aptly noted, “Massachusetts was the first state to legally recognize same-sex marriage, but it now has the dubious distinction of being the only New England state that has yet to enact a law giving clear legal protections for LGBTQ parents and all others who conceive through surrogacy.”

In addition to the legal challenges, LGBTQ+ youth in Massachusetts continue to face significant mental health struggles. While increased visibility and acceptance of gay marriage may have fostered a more supportive environment for young people to explore and affirm their identities, additional attention is needed.

The FY2024 Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ+ reports a substantial increase in youth identifying as LGBTQ+, from 12.6% in 2015 to 21.9% in 2021. This growing population requires ongoing support and advocacy, as state Rep. Jenny Armini emphasized in a poignant speech at Marblehead’s June 1 Pride Month celebration.

Armini shed light on the alarming mental health disparities faced by LGBTQ+ youth, who are more than twice as likely to experience prolonged periods of sadness and hopelessness compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers. Even more concerning is the fact that nearly half of LGBTQ+ youth in the state have considered suicide.

These statistics, coupled with the disproportionately higher rates of homelessness and food insecurity among LGBTQ+ youth, particularly those of color, underscore the urgent need for comprehensive support systems and targeted initiatives.

Given these challenges, it is heartening to see communities like Marblehead taking a stand in support of the LGBTQ+ community. In 2023, a peaceful protest outside Grace Community Church, following the removal of pride flags by church members, demonstrated the town’s commitment to combating discrimination and fostering inclusivity.

Furthermore, the Marblehead Select Board’s unanimous approval of a “pride sidewalk” featuring the progressive pride flag and symbols of love, peace and good fortune sends a powerful message of acceptance and tolerance. This pride art piece, designed by local artist TJ de Blij, serves as a year-round reminder of Marblehead’s dedication to diversity and inclusion.

Over the years, Marblehead’s pride celebrations have grown in scale and scope, reflecting the increasing community support and inclusivity. From humble beginnings of small gatherings and flag-raising ceremonies to the Select Board declaring June as Pride Month, the town has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. The annual pride flag-raising at Abbot Hall and the expanding festivities on the old town common serve as testaments to the progress made.

As Marblehead’s outward pride progresses, why not a parade in 2025?

e

V eRYTHInG

WILL Be OKAY

No need to forgive and forget

BY VIRGINIA BUCKINGHAM

I have a gift to offer, sons and daughters whose father has passed, including to myself, this Father’s Day. Sometime during the coming weekend, take a ride in your car, maybe pull over somewhere quiet and pretty, take a deep breath, close your eyes and listen to the song “Monsters” by James Blunt, either his original or the cover by Hawaii-born Iam Tongi. It will break your heart a little, maybe a lot. And just maybe heal a piece of it you didn’t even know still needed healing.

That’s what it did for me.

I didn’t do right by my dad at the end of his life, if doing right by him meant sitting by his side as he languished for over three years in a nursing home. He was trapped there, felled by stroke and Parkinson’s disease, unable to be cared for at home. He hated it and so did I. But unlike him who couldn’t leave, I had a choice not to spend much time there. So I didn’t. It’s a choice I don’t regret exactly, I knew my emotional limitations and I respected them, but I grieve the lost time nonetheless.

Blunt’s father was critically ill with kidney disease while the singer was himself raising young kids when he released “Monsters.” He describes the song’s title as indicative of that moment in life when roles reverse. When you, the child, are the one chasing the monsters away from your aging parents, in this case his father’s fear of death. If you were able to comfort your own dad in his last months and moments, Blunt’s words will sear, but perhaps uplift too, knowing you did what you could to ease the passage.

“Sleep a lifetime. Yes, and breathe a last word.

You can feel my hand on your own.

I will be the last one, so I’ll leave a light on

Let there be no darkness, in your heart…

Don’t be afraid, it’s my turn

To chase the monsters away.”

But not everyone has that experience for many different reasons. Perhaps you had no warning, death by accident or sudden illness, or the shock of suicide. Or you were estranged. My father’s end of life was slow but inevitable. I didn’t chase the monsters away for him. So why does this song help heal?

It heals because It offers a path to let go of unresolved grief and perhaps guilt.

Most of the commentary around the release of the song has to do with a different part of its message. Blunt sings:

“I’m not your son, you’re not my father

We’re just two grown men saying goodbye.

No need to forgive, no need to forget

I know your mistakes and you know mine.”

What does Blunt mean? Of course he’s the son and it’s his father. He explained in an interview with a British newspaper. “My father and I, we love each other and he’s been the most amazing father to me all my life and we know the bond that we have, but if you have a limited amount of time with that person on this Earth, then there’s some other things that I, as a songwriter, feel it would be a good time to say.”

Blunt further said, “Those are kind of risky things to say because you hope they’re not misunderstood or taken the wrong way, but they say something deeper than just ‘I love you, you’re my father, I love you as my friend as well.”

These words had a big impact on me not because I had the chance to become friends with my father. I didn’t. We ran out of time before that could happen. But the words speak to what seems fundamentally true. At some point, you get to this perspective in your heart, if not in your ability to express the words — “No need to forgive, no need to forget. I know your mistakes and you know mine.” Our parents have an enormous influence on us, of course, but ultimately, your dad — and mom — is just a fellow human being. My father made mistakes and so did I.

On one of my last visits to the nursing home, I entered the room tentatively where my dad lay in the bed, his dentures out so the bottom half of his face looked a little collapsed in on itself. It seemed he recognized me or maybe he thought I was his late mother who my sister always said I reminded him of. Upon seeing me, his face collapsed a little more and he let out a sort of soft cry of pain, not physical, but raw and emotional. And while I didn’t know he would soon pass away, I said something I really wanted him to hear. “Daddy,” I said, “thank you for always calling to make sure I got home safely when I left your house. No one else has ever done that for me. And I miss it.”

I was crying while I said it. I am crying now while I write it.

I’ll end with one more line from the “Monsters” song: “And while you’re sleeping I’ll try to make you proud So, daddy, won’t you just close your eyes?”

I know I made my dad proud in life, and if he’s watching, and I believe he is, since. And I am proud of him. I’m not his daughter. He’s not my father. We were just two people who loved each other and said goodbye as best we could.

President of the Marblehead Current’s board of directors, Virginia Buckingham is the former chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Port Authority, chief of staff to two Massachusetts governors, deputy editorial page editor for the Boston Herald and author of “On My Watch: A Memoir.”

Please join the Bradley C. Sheridan Sports Section Challenge

BY CHRISTY SHERIDAN GABLE

From the Marblehead Messenger, to the Reporter and now to the Current, my family has always opened the paper first to the sports section. We all wanted to know how our local teams fared this week and which Marblehead athletes were a standout in their respective sport.

Oftentimes, it was my father, Coach Bradley Sheridan’s, picture that we saw in the paper, crouched in a huddle or gesticulating wildly from the sidelines.

Let me back up a little and share just some of my father’s accomplishments. Following his graduation from Bowdoin in 1961, he received a master’s degree in education from New York University. In 1969 he joined the faculty at Marblehead High School as a mathematics teacher and coach; he chaired the mathematics and business departments at the high school for many years.

Coach Sheridan was the MHS men’s basketball coach for more than 21 years, golf coach for 16 years and math teacher for 32 years. Coach’s basketball teams recorded more than 250 wins during his tenure. They won the Northeast Conference in 1978 and 1985 and the Division II North Championship in 1978 and 1984. He was honored as the North Shore Basketball Coach

K eeP THe Cu RRen T COMInG

COURTESY PHOTO

Coach Sheridan was often featured in the local sports pages.

‘We can do better than this’

To the editor:

Marblehead is a town we share and love. We are a community blessed with rocky shores, beautiful architecture and a wealth of opportunities. We are her present caretakers and should recognize our responsibility to maintain her proud history.

But I fear we may not be rising adequately to the challenge. Public meetings are filled with loud, unruly and disruptive behaviors. We are better than this. Our current behavior is beginning to mirror that of this entire country. And again, I say, we are better than this.

Marblehead is a diverse community with strong and varying opinions. This diversification is what makes us strong. Respect is the key to implementing civil behavior in community decisions. And respect is accomplished through politeness. It is imperative to be polite to one another. Our current uncivil behavior is getting us nowhere.

To quote Arthur Schopenhauer, “Politeness is to human nature what warmth is to wax.”

We must relearn a guiding kindergarten principle: Be polite. It will allow us to all move forward and make decisions in a respectful and thoughtful manner. We can do better than this.

Betty Breuhaus Pequot Road

Old

Burial Hill Committee thanks 2024 donors

To the editor:

The Old Burial Hill Committee would like to thank all those who attended the committee’s fundraising night at The Landing this past April — it was a thrill to have a full crowd and an engaging discussion about the ongoing restoration and maintenance happening at Old Burial Hill. The night was made particularly special by the generosity of its many attendees, including significant donations from state Rep. Jenny Armini

and renowned sailor Richard Wilson. However, the committee would like to specially recognize its deep gratitude to Biff Michaud for his overwhelmingly generous donation of $5,000 to the committee’s preservation fund. Mr. Michaud, himself an ardent preservationist and student of New England history, shared these thoughts:

“When I read about what the Old Burial Hill Committee is doing to preserve and restore the gravestones on Old Burial Hill, I felt I had to make a sizable donation to encourage other people to donate. The preservation of our history is so important to me and my family.”

Mr. Michaud offered a quote from John F. Kennedy to summarize his sentiment: “A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.”

The generosity of the Michaud family and the committee’s other wonderful donors will help fund another round of critical repairs, including the reassembly of the Richard Reith headstone (1717) and the repair of the Jane Waters headstone (1698), which will be reinstated next to her mother’s headstone near Redd’s Pond. The committee expects that the repairs will begin during the second half of June and it looks forward to updating the community about progress soon.

Thank you again to the Michaud family and to the many other donors to the Old Burial Hill Preservation Fund. Your generosity helps preserve and protect one of the town’s most remarkable historic sites and the legacies of its founders.

With deep gratitude, Alex Finigan

The Old Burial Hill Committee

‘A

splash of springtime color’

To the editor:

I’m writing to express my gratitude to the Marblehead community. What a joy it’s been this spring to share a smile, a conversation and a laugh while fostering a connection to locally grown tulips among neighbors and friends. I’m especially thankful to Mookie’s at Mugford for sharing their storefront space with me for several flower pop-up events.

Flowers have become a way for me to experience Marblehead in a brand-new light. I’ve always known about our wonderful community, the importance of local business and the spirit this town exudes. It’s been a treat to experience these special qualities firsthand and to hear how meaningful a splash of springtime color from a flower can brighten someone’s day. Thank you, Marblehead, for being my splash of brightness and color this spring!

Carolyn Fraser, owner of Whipple Bee Flower Farm Overlook Road

‘Why are we being bludgeoned with this mandate?’

To the editor:

I keep coming back to my original question regarding, ‘Why are we being bludgeoned with this mandate.’ All we are told is that there is a “crisis.” We know from recent experience that once a “crisis” is declared, debate ends and we are to sit down, shut up, and eat our vegetables. Call me stubborn, but I’m just a detail guy. I need to know the why, how, when and how much.

Up to this point, I had looked at Maura Healey as a lidless reptile ravenously driven by naked political ambition. However, when lectured to by our town betters, I guess I was wrong. It seems that Maura actually cares deeply about legions of young Marbleheaders seeking to return home so they can swim back upstream to spawn in our headwaters. We have also been told that the 3A zoning mandate will “allow aging Marbleheaders the option to sell their homes and downsize while remaining in Marblehead.” It’s a touching picture. Shockingly enough, I’ve since learned that the 3A zoning mandate doesn’t care about the unique character, history or challenges of the communities involved. This is not only a state initiative, but also part of a national plan to restructure society. Not my theory. I strongly recommend that people read Stanley Kurtz’s piece in the April 9, 2024, issue of the National Review.

Kurtz notes the Federal Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) regulation and how it plans to reshape cities and suburbs across the nation. The idea is that suburbs must be “densified” to ease the pressure to commute to work in cities. Cars bad. Massive development good. Kurtz details the plan in his book, “Spreading the Wealth: How Obama is Robbing the Suburbs to Pay for the Cities.” Corporate employers looking to expand have had a hard time attracting employees due to rising home costs. In addition, many people would rather work and live outside of urban centers. I think of the phenomenon as young urban professionals (“yuppies”) who now want to become formerly urban professionals (“fuppies”). Looked at in this light, the intent of the MBTA Communities Act is to mandate that townspeople vote against their own interests to benefit those who are not even residents of their towns.

That’s right, folks, Maura Healey’s plan has nothing to do with people who live here, grew up here, or grew old here. It’s about yuppies. I’m glad that Marblehead supports diversity, because lord knows that we just don’t have nearly enough yuppies in this town. All the blather we have been told about “young families” and “older townspeople looking to downsize” is just a lie to sell the grand plan to further gentrify the towns of eastern Massachusetts. The clue is in the name: gentrification is about benefiting the gentry.

We have been told that the great crisis is a lack of housing inventory in the suburbs. To make matters worse, thousands of Marbleheaders have the audacity to think that they can grow old in this town rather than do their part by becoming a vacancy statistic and moving out of state. We’ve been told that the demand for housing in eastern Massachusetts must be met by increasing supply. It seems like there is an unspoken yuppie bill of rights where existing townspeople have to move back to the middle seat in coach so Maura can pack more high value taxpayers into the system. I’ve thought about it and realized that I have a strong

urge to move to Malibu. The problem is that the selfish townies there just won’t lower their housing prices. Where is Gavin Newsom when you need him to “densify” Orange County for slobs like me? Speaking of California, how do employers like Apple, Microsoft and Intel in Silicon Valley deal with high housing demands? Well, they have to pay their employees obscene salaries, that’s how. Not so in Massachusetts. It seems as if our Komodo dragon in charge of the State House is effectively subsidizing the local biotech bros, healthcare and education industries by ordering townspeople to zip it and scootch over.

The grand progressive social plans are usually predicated by an appeal to compassion. However, it always seems to be a one way street. In this case, we are asked to open our hearts to young upwardly mobile professionals who want to move to Marblehead, yet not for those who already live here and don’t want to buy into the promise of a brighter yet tighter Marblehead. For that matter, where is the concern for the numerous communities around the state that are in dire need of care and revitalization?

My family originally came from Lawrence. That once great mill town now is a hollowed out shell of postindustrial blight. The story is the same yet to different degrees in Springfield, Worcester, New Bedford, Fall River, Brockton, and other cities with proud histories. Where is the mission to provide training, jobs and opportunity for these working class people?

There are many issues wrapped up in the debate around the 3A zoning mandate and I’m only addressing motive. Before discussing any of the details, we all have to ask ourselves, cui bono (who benefits)? Then you have to consider who gets left out in the cold. The governor’s plan is as disingenuous and vindictive as it is unconstitutional. I’m asking Marbleheaders to resist the fear of reprisal and to have the courage to stand by their conscience.

Volunteers learn and are enriched

BY JO ANN AUGERI SILVA

I love this town in all its beauty and history, conflict and complexity. There is so much to learn and understand, so many layers that make up the whole. Since we moved to Marblehead in 1970, volunteering has been my preferred way to learn and then give back. The League of Women Voters was my first entree into the unique way the town was founded and run. With a toddler on my hip, engaging with women far smarter than I, I dove deep into intensive studies of municipal government. I soon realized that my freshly printed Bachelor of Arts degree represented woefully inadequate information, and none about my new “hometown.” As I learned more, I was impressed by the way the town was run by policy- and decision-making volunteers. Inspired, I spread my wings and volunteered more, valuing donated hours as much as hours spent working for pay. I’ve

written on these pages before that the town of Marblehead couldn’t survive without those volunteer officials, and, with dramatic exceptions, they deserve far more respect than they receive.

These days, approaching my ninth decade, I volunteer far fewer hours, but receive at least as much satisfaction from what I do. It’s my great good fortune to be one of the guides at the Jeremiah Lee Mansion

on Washington Street, and I’m even more fortunate to be able to research the Marblehead Museum’s extensive collection of historic family records.

If you grew up in Marblehead, you probably visited the Lee

Mansion and studied Col. Lee when you were in fifth grade — that’s a revelation I hear from most lifelong Marbleheaders when they decide to pay a return visit decades later.

Visitors from other parts of the state — and the country, and the world — freely admit that before they visited the museum, they’d never heard of Jeremiah Lee. Little wonder — Lee, one of the wealthiest men in the 13 colonies when he started building the mansion in 1766, only lived in the house from 1768, when it was finished, to 1775, when he died at 54 leaving no papers or writings to study. None. How, I wonder, would Marblehead remember Lee if the mansion hadn’t been owned by just three entities over its 256year life? Would our knowledge of John Glover and Elbridge Gerry have left the memory of Lee far behind?

Lee, a complicated man who used some of his significant wealth to purchase arms for Revolutionary soldiers, died after he spent a cold April night in a cornfield with

Jonathan Klopman Peach Highlands

I BeG TO DIFFeR

COURTESY PHOTO / MARBLEHEAD MUSEUM

The Jeremiah Lee Mansion is located at 161 Washington St. Lee started building his mansion in 1766. SILVA, P.

North Shore Myofascial Release

BY MELISSA STACEY

The following is an interview with Jessica Kaloutas, owner of North Shore Myofascial Release, conducted by Discover Marblehead. Myofascial release is a natural approach that combines hands-on treatment with mind/body techniques. The goal is to help clients reduce or eliminate pain so they can live their best life without medications, surgeries or injections. To learn more, go to northshoremfr.com

Tell us about North Shore Myofascial Release and why you started it. My background as a massage therapist working in a pain management practice allowed me to work with clients experiencing various types of pain. However, I often felt frustrated by the limited results from the techniques I learned in massage school. This led me to pursue specialized training in myofascial release for five years. Clients who had struggled with pain for years and tried numerous therapies found lasting relief, better sleep and became more active doing things they thought they wouldn’t be able to do. I also experienced significant improvements in my own body, more freedom, feeling calmer

and less pain. In 2009, when the understanding of fascia’s importance was still emerging, I saw the profound impact myofascial release had on my clients and myself. I became motivated to share these benefits more widely. I rebranded my massage therapy practice to focus exclusively on myofascial release and founded North Shore Myofascial Release in Peabody in 2014. I later relocated the practice from Peabody to my home office in Marblehead during the pandemic. I specialize in helping women out of pain so they can be active, enjoy time with their families, travel comfortably and age gracefully. This year I’m celebrating 10 years! Reflecting on this journey, I’m proud of the difference I’ve made in empowering women to find natural, lasting relief from pain. Myofascial release addresses

the fascia-related problems underlying issues like back pain, headaches, jaw pain and other pain symptoms, offering hope and healing to those who thought that they had to live with the pain. Beyond the physical benefits, my practice aims to foster a supportive community where women can share their experiences, learn

from one another and feel empowered in their health and wellness journeys.

What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? The best piece of business advice I ever received was to trust my intuition. Some of the biggest changes I’ve made that had the greatest impact

were made by listening to my inner self and taking action based on that guidance.

What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? We’re lucky to have many beautiful spots in Marblehead, but my favorite is Salem Harbor near Village Dock. Living along the harbor, I often go down to listen to the wildlife, watch the boats and read. There are incredible sunsets. Sometimes, I swim, practice yoga or paddleboard. The harbor is part of my daily life. It’s the perfect place to take time for myself and is a source of inspiration.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? People usually aren’t surprised to hear this after they get to know me, but before I started my career in holistic healing, I was a preschool teacher. The experience taught me patience, empathy and the importance of nurturing others, which influences my approach to myofascial release therapy today. I also have a strong creative side. I love to paint and collect items in nature to decorate my house.

The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. To learn more, visit discovermhd.com.

Is it worth it to fix my computer?

BY STEPHEN BACH

As a computer professional, this is one of the first questions I either ask or answer. Your trusty computer being on the fritz can leave you feeling lost, and the decision of whether to fix or replace can be daunting. Hopefully, this article will shed some light and help you navigate this tech crossroads.

Here are the key factors to consider:

The age of your machine: A younger computer (less than five years old) is generally worth repairing, especially for common issues like software problems or a failing hard drive or even a broken or malfunctioning LCD screen (on a laptop). Parts are readily

available, and repairs are often more affordable. However, an older computer (over seven years) is nearing the end of its lifespan.

The repair cost vs. new computer cost: Get a diagnosis from a trusted repair shop (or if you’re comfortable, do some basic troubleshooting yourself). If the repairs cost more than half the price of a new computer, it might be time for an upgrade.

The emotional attachment:

Let’s be honest: Sometimes, computers hold sentimental value. If your computer is a wellmaintained workhorse packed with memories, a repair might be worthwhile, even if it’s not the most cost-effective option.

Your needs and usage: Do you use your computer for basic tasks like web browsing and email, or do you need it

for graphic design, gaming or video editing? If you’re a casual user, a basic repair might keep you going. If you need more processing power or cuttingedge features, a new machine might be the better investment. Or, have you considered replacing it with a tablet? An iPad or similar tablet is more than enough for most tasks.

Here’s a handy rule of thumb: Repair: Younger computer

You’ve heard of “dog years”? Well, there are also “computer years,” except instead of being seven years for every one year of human life, a computer is more like 13 years old for every one year of human life.

(under five years old), reasonable repair cost (under 50% of new computer cost), important data or sentimental value or light computer usage. Replace: Older computer (over seven years old), expensive repair cost (over 50% of a new computer cost), readily available and affordable new computer options or need for more powerful features.

Here’s an analogy to put it in perspective: You’ve heard of “dog years”? Well, there are also “computer years,” except instead of being seven years for every one year of human life, a computer is

more like 13 years old for every one year of human life. So that means a 7-year-old computer is like it being 91 years old. Ultimately, the decision is yours. I hope this information empowers you to make the choice that’s right for you and your wallet. If you have any questions, feel free to contact The Digital Docs or reach out to your favorite trusted computer repair professional. Until next time … Happy repairing (or shopping)!

Stephen Bach is the owner and chief of surgery at The Digital Docs

National High School Coaching Gold Award for Boys Basketball in 1989. He was inducted into the North Shore Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1998. He was a member of the U.S. Tennis Association and competed on the Masters circuit on the national level.

As the consummate teachercoach, he was most proud of the

scholarship endowed in his name that is awarded annually to a MHS graduate to further their education. To date, more than 50 scholarships have been awarded via the Dollars for Scholars-Bradley C. Sheridan Scholarship.

Local sports were the fabric of our childhood in the days before club sports. We spent hours at Gatchells and Seaside park and even more in the gyms of every school in town participating in and cheering on the kids in

town. There were highlights and heartbreaks along the way, they were all captured in the pictures and articles of our local paper.

We are offering the Bradley C. Sheridan Sports Match Challenge to keep local sports coverage alive. If your family, like ours, loves our local sports teams, please contribute this week in Coach’s name. We will match every dollar up to $1500. Keep the Current coming and share the thrill of victory of our Marblehead athletes.

Coach Bradley Sheridan speaks to his players.

YELLOW

COURTESY PHOTO / DISCOVER MARBLEHEAD

Jessica Kaloutas owns North Shore Myofascial Release, a natural treatment that blends hands-on therapy with mind/body techniques, aiming to help clients reduce or eliminate pain without relying on medications, surgeries or injections.

BOH hears about whooping cough at MHS, survey

BY LEIGH BLANDER

The Marblehead Public Health Department has sent an advisory to families of high school students after at least one confirmed case of whooping cough, or pertussis, in the building.

Whooping cough is a disease caused by bacteria that spreads from person to person with close contact. Symptoms include a mild to severe cough, runny nose and sneezing. The cough lasts for a week or two, then slowly gets worse. Public Health Director Andrew Petty said other communities in Massachusetts are also reporting cases of whooping cough. He declined to say how many cases have been reported at MHS.

The advisory reads: “If your child has any symptoms of pertussis, please contact your healthcare provider and bring this advisory with you.”

Teen substance use and mental health survey

At the Board of Health’s June 4 meeting, MHS social worker Gina Hart presented the results of a substance and mental health survey administered last October, which she had also shared with the School Committee in May.

More than 740 students, or 85% of the school, participated in the survey.

“What’s really positive to see is a slight decrease in students at risk for depression,” Hart said.

The survey showed 24% of students reported anxiety,

down from 34% in 2022. Fifteen percent reported experiencing depression, down from 21% last year.

However, there was an increase is reported suicide atttemps from 1.6% in 2022 to 3.1% in 2023.

“That’s something we want to pay attention to,” Hart said.

Minority and marginalized students were more apt to report anxiety and depression.

Students above the risk threshold for anxiety and depression included:

» 64% of students who identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, asexual or pansexual.

79% of students who identified as transgender, nonbinary or another gender.

» 30% of students who identified as Asian.

» 23% of students who identified as Haitian Black, African American.

40% of students who identified as Hispanic/ Latina(o).

» 34% of students who identified as multiracial.

Also, 47.8% of all MHS seniors who responded reported struggling with anxiety and depression.

Forty-five percent of all respondents said they struggled regularly with body image, about the same as last year.

The percentage of students who reported drinking alcohol during their lifetime remained about the same at 40%. Students using cannabis increased slightly from 20% to 22%, while students

Elbridge Gerry and Azor Orne. The Marblehead rebels met with John Hancock and Samuel Adams near Boston earlier in the day, and thought they were safe in the tavern they chose for overnight shelter. British troops were hunting for men they considered traitors, however, and might have been tipped off about the men’s location. While Gerry and Orne escaped unharmed, Lee’s incipient fever worsened, and he died three weeks later.

Lee died intestate (without a will). His 20 ships were all at sea. There was little cash tender at the time, in an economy that was credit and debt based. Given the war and the confusion that ensued with the change from pounds to dollars, it took 13 years to settle the Lee estate.

Sadly, the estate was declared bankrupt, and the family had to sell off the house’s furnishings. Only two leather-seated dining chairs and two enormous portraits of Lee and his wife Martha remain — and the original portraits by John Singleton Copley are now in Hartford’s Wadsworth Atheneum.

With no funds to support the huge structure, eventually the house itself was sold to the newly founded First Marblehead Bank. The bank made few substantive changes to the structure other than installation of a large firstfloor vault (since removed). The bank rented out space on the first floor to Marblehead Savings Bank, and the second floor to a marine insurance firm. A few rooms were used to house the

spark.

father, Jerry Tucker Sr., both served as dedicated firefighters, protecting the lives and property of their fellow residents.

Tragically, Jim passed away from stomach cancer in 2004, but his memory lives on through the town’s Engine 2 fire truck.

Kathy and Jerry’s paths first crossed in childhood, attending the same schools and growing up in the same neighborhood. However, it wasn’t until about 10 years ago, at a retirement party for firefighter Mark Fader, that the two reconnected and felt a

using nicotine increased most significantly, from 34% to 38%.

The survey asked students when they first tried alcohol, cannabis and nicotine. The largest percentage of students, 32%, said at 15 years old.

Just over 2% of students reported driving after drinking, and 3.2% reported driving after using marijuana. But 21% reported being in a car with someone drinking alcohol.

Fifteen percent of students said they’d been in a car with someone using marijuana.

The survey also asked students about texting. Seventy-three percent of students said they never text while driving.

Hart said the district has many programs in place to support students’ mental health, as well as substance abuse prevention curricula, but said more can be done, especially for younger students.

Assistant Superintendent for Learning Julia Ferreira, who presented with Hart, pointed out that the Village School is getting its own health education program for

family of the bank’s head teller. Other than the perfectly knot-free floorboards Lee so painstakingly chose, there was very little wear and tear and no major reconfiguration done to the building.

When the First Marblehead Bank went out of business at the turn of the 20th century, the Marblehead Historical Society (precursor of the Marblehead Museum) engaged in a fundraising effort to purchase the mansion, and in 1909 the sale was complete. Thanks in large part to the efforts and funding of Louise DuPont Crowninshield, the mansion was reclaimed and restored to the beautiful specimen it is today.

But what of Lee? With no personal or business papers to study, we are left with the inventory of fine goods in his estate, what other people wrote about him, and records and documentation of transactions he made as a homeowner and businessman. And the mansion. The mansion says quite a lot about the man who built it.

Though it acquired a different reputation after the Revolution left the town in dark financial straits, Marblehead was one of the largest and most prosperous towns in the Commonwealth in the mid-18th century. Take a walk downtown to look at the mansions Lee’s fellow shipowners and merchants built for themselves. They are big, beautiful and impressive. But not as impressive as Lee’s.

Everything about Lee’s house, from its size and design to its choice of materials, speaks of privilege and a desire to impress. And impress in the style of the

“We kind of just hit it off,” Jerry recalls with a smile. “It was just a stage of life where we were happy to get involved with each other.”

Their shared background and values have been the foundation of their relationship, as Kathy explains, “We’re very similar. We’ve kind of grown up the same way in this sphere. Back then, you had enough money to live here, have fun and do your thing, but you weren’t rich by any means. We were both just happy families, and we’ve instilled that in each other.”

Gilliland not only attended school with Kathy and Jerry but also worked alongside their

the first time beginning in the fall.

Hart hopes the community will get more involved in supporting students around mental health and substance use issues.

“Early use, harm reduction, social-emotional support, body image and eating disorders… it’s really important for the schools to be doing this work, but how do we partner with parents and the community? How do we educate parents?” she asked.

Board of Health members talked about collaborating on programs with the schools moving forward.

Transfer Station renovation update

Petty said he sent out letters to 22 contractors about the Transfer Station renovation project and received five responses.

“We’re working with the new engineer to look at whether we need to change any of the bid documents,” he explained. “Is there any way we can speed up construction? One of the pieces that is going to be a choke point

very royalty he and his fellow Patriots wanted to overthrow.

Take one example: the wallpaper. Hand-painted scenes of ancient Rome on large individual squares of fine paper infused with linen decorate every inch of wall space in the immense front entry, up the double-wide staircase and surrounding the second-floor hallway and two front chambers. Imported from England, each square is imprinted with a tax stamp indicating how much Lee had to pay the British government for the privilege of purchasing this exquisite wall covering (the only example of its kind still in its original location, by the way).

Is that a conundrum? That a colonel in the Marblehead militia and a man so committed to the Revolutionary effort that he used his wealth to arm its soldiers also felt close enough to Britain that he wanted his mansion to emulate its aristocratic style? We will never know for sure.

One thing records do show for sure: Lee enslaved at least four people. We do not know if Jemmy, Cupid, Diamond and a woman whose name we no longer have records for worked at the town docks, on the fish flakes, or in the mansion serving the Lee family.

In the late 18th century, there were about 100 Black people, most of them enslaved, among the roughly 4,000 residents of Marblehead. It seems clear, if not well-known, that Lee and his wealthy shipowner neighbors would not have been able to achieve their success without the labor of enslaved people.

for us is changing the scale and installing the scale pit. What other places do we need to increase our efficiency?

“We’re making sure everything is what we want and getting ready to go back out” to bid, Petty added.

Vandalism

Petty said there have been incidents of vandalism at the Transfer Station on Friday or Saturday evenings.

“Kids come in after hours, smashing bottles and getting into items. It’s taken some time to clean things up in the morning,” he said.

There are security cameras posted at the site.

Veterans stickers

More than 100 veterans have come in for free Transfer Station and beach parking stickers since Town Meeting approved complimentary stickers for honorably discharged vets in May, according to Marty Flanagan, who works at the Health Department.

Miller makes way It was Joanne Miller’s last meeting as a Board of Health member. Miller joined the board three years ago during COVID and helped launch the Mental Health Task Force. Chair Helaine Hazlett, Andrew Petty and others praised her dedication and thoughtfulness, and thanked her for her service.

There is only one candidate in the June 11 election to replace Miller — Dr. Thomas Massaro.

With the fortunate purchase of the Brick Kitchen, the former Litchman printing building immediately adjacent to the mansion, the Marblehead Museum is learning more about the way the Lees and the people they enslaved lived each day. Forensic archeology has uncovered what may have been the sleeping quarters for the enslaved persons, and a large fireplace being excavated may have been the primary location where meals were prepared for the mansion, then reheated in the mansion kitchen, a not uncommon practice in large homes.

How will the discoveries in the Brick Kitchen affect the interpretation we guides bring to Lee Mansion tours? The Marblehead Museum is doing a concerted long-term process of education and training to be sure the information we give to guests is accurate, sensitive and fair. It’s not always comfortable to look at our “heroes” through a closer lens. It is always rewarding to know that the stories we tell are accurate, whether they are comfortable or not.

Next year at this time, the museum hopes to have the Brick Kitchen renovated and featuring an exhibit that explores the way enslaved people lived in Marblehead. My view: It will be a great enhancement to our knowledge of colonial and post-Revolution times, and embracing the learning process will enrich our lives. I hope many of you will come to visit and agree.

Marblehead resident Jo Ann Augeri Silva, a retired journalist, author, public relations professional and educator, was an editor of the Marblehead Reporter.

“How

kids get married? The odds of that are not great.”

Preparing for the ceremony was a labor of love for Gilliland, who received a one-day marriage officiant designation from the state.

“I spent at least a month putting the verbiage together,” he said.

A bagpiper added a touch of traditional elegance and the couple’s godson, Nick Fagone, walked Kathy down the aisle. Following the exchange of vows, the newlyweds and their guests celebrated at a reception held at The Beacon, where live music by Johnny Ray kept the festivities going. The couple will honeymoon on a cruise.

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

Families of MHS students receive an advisory about whooping cough at the school.

fathers during his long career. “It was an honor to be asked to officiate,” Gilliland said.

often do you see two firefighters’

CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD

Kathy Carey arrives at her wedding in Marblehead’s Engine 2 fire truck, a tribute to her late father Jim “Jimbo” Carey, with the help of friends and family.

Silva

From P. A5

Wedding

From P. A1

Select Board updates outdoor dining policy

BY WILL DOWD AND LIA GORBACH

The Select Board adopted a new outdoor dining policy on June 5, but not without pushback from some residents concerned about the potential impact on parking and local businesses.

During the height of the pandemic, many municipalities, including Marblehead, allowed restaurants to expand their seating areas onto sidewalks, streets and other public spaces to accommodate social distancing requirements and reduce the spread of the virus. The new policy is a formalization of those temporary measures that were put in place during the COVID19 pandemic to help struggling local businesses stay afloat. At the board meeting, Marblehead resident Albert Jordan argued that the policy would allow restaurants to monopolize public parking spots for extended periods without proper oversight.

“Restaurants are tying up these spots 24 hours a day to be used a couple hours a day,” Jordan said. “Let them buy a bigger building and have the seating.”

He suggested limiting the use of parking spots for outdoor dining during peak summer months to ensure access for other businesses and their customers.

“We should use common sense here,” Jordan added. “This is town property we’re talking about.”

Five to six restaurants have applied for outdoor dining permits in past seasons. Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer and Marblehead Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Katherine Koch said the alfresco

dining proved popular with both restaurant owners and patrons, leading to increased demand for outdoor dining solutions.

“The businesses that have to expand into public property have some more legwork to do, but I’m really proud of them for persevering,” said Koch. “The town wants to keep promoting tourism and supporting businesses to help them thrive.”

The Barrelman’s bartender, Sammie Farrar, said outdoor dining has been very popular with customers, despite the loss of a few parking spots.

WATER & SEWER RATES

LEGAL NOTICE

TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD, MA

“People just enjoy having that [outdoor space]. We get so many questions about it,” Farrar said. “Personally, I’d rather have it than not.”

Regarding concerns about parking, Farrar said most patrons find alternatives.

“We don’t really get complaints,” she added. “People will walk or get dropped off.”

The Barrelman’s chef, Nick Venezia, agreed the outdoor space is a big draw.

“If people are coming here on a nice hot sunny day, they are gonna be filling that out front

BOARD OF WATER AND SEWER COMMISSIONERS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Marblehead Water and Sewer Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. at the Water and Sewer Commission Office, 100 Tower Way, Building #11 and via Zoom Join Zoom Meeting at https:// us06web.zoom.us/j/81495954668 or dial +1 646 558 8656 US or +1 646 931 3860. Meeting ID: 814 9595 4668. The purpose of the hearing is to review and set water and sewer rates and fees for the coming year

All interested persons are invited to attend

F. Carlton Siegel, Chairman Water and Se wer Commission

(area) first, and then there’s more people coming,” he said. “It attracts people in a good way.”

Shubie’s doesn’t take up public parking spots, but it offers outdoor dining in its abutting parking lot.

“The outdoor seating during COVID really opened people’s eyes to continuous outdoor dining,” said Carol Shube, owner of Shubie’s. She said they lost some parking spots to the dining area but the trade off was “so worth it.”

The policy outlines requirements restaurants must

follow, such as prohibiting smoking and pets (except service animals), and properly handling trash and recycling “to prevent things from blowing around,” Kezer said.

“Outdoor dining areas must be contiguous to the restaurant’s establishment,” explained Kezer. “But we’ll have some flexibility in defining ‘contiguous’ based on the specific configuration.”

Restaurants must apply through the Select Board’s office and adhere to Americans with Disabilities Act, fire, building and zoning codes. Approvals can be revoked if outdoor dining negatively impacts public health and safety.

“We want to allow it, but in a responsible way that doesn’t create nuisances,” said Select Board Chair Erin Noonan. “The application process lets us review each case thoroughly.”

The move to formalize the policy, meanwhile, comes after Town Meeting voters adopted a 0.75% local meals tax in May. Marblehead was among the last towns in the region to implement such a tax.

If an application is approved, capacity for the outdoor seating will be capped based on the restaurant’s indoor occupancy limit.

Kezer said the goal is to support local eateries while balancing community needs. The outdoor dining season will run Memorial Day through October.

“I’m sure we’ll have some lessons learned,” Kezer said. “As we gain experience, we can modify the policies as we move forward.”

Marblehead resident Lia Gorbach is the Current’s college summer intern. She is pursuing a journalism and business degree from the University of Maryland.

CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD

The Barrelman’s chef, Nick Venezia, points to the two parking spaces utilized for the restaurant’s popular outdoor dining area.

Sports

SOFTBALL

Magicians advance to the Final Four

BY JOE MCCONNELL

It will ultimately go down as the most memorable week in the history of the Marblehead High softball program.

Led by head coach Johnny Gold, who is celebrating his 20th year as the Magicians’ coach, the Marblehead girls began the Division 2 state tournament by winning three straight games, the last two on the road, to advance to the Final Four, just a couple of more wins away from the state championship.

The Magicians (21-4), the ninth seed, have already made it an historical campaign with 21 victories, the most ever in program history. They secured their latest conquest after knocking off top-seeded Silver Lake Regional (20-3) in the Elite 8 trophy game, 4-3 at Kingston on June 7.

Sophomore pitcher Tessa Francis outdueled Delaney Moquin, the Lakers’ senior ace, to record another clutch win.

Francis gave up six hits, while striking out four. But she also had plenty of help from her teammates in the field.

In one inning, the Lakers loaded the bases with no outs, but right-fielder Isabel Mortensen started a double play to help get the visitors out of a monumental jam. Mortensen first caught a line drive, before firing a strike to catcher Luka Bornhorst to complete the twin killing.

Gold mentioned the defensive contributions of third baseman Tessa Andriano and first baseman Lyla McGovern, who also did their part to slow down the Silver Lake offense. But there was also a bit of strategy that limited the home team’s offensive production.

The veteran Marblehead coach took the bat out of the hands of Moquin, Silver Lake’s No. 3 hitter and all-around star player, by intentionally walking her four times.

“She’s their home run hitter, and I wasn’t going to let her beat us,” said Gold. “During the handshakes at the end of the game, she told me that was one of the biggest honors that ever happened to her in a game, and she appreciated the respect that I showed for her.”

Gold also lauded his own pitcher, who played a critical role

in the close win.

“(Francis) displayed total composure. She doesn’t get nervous at all in big games,” he said. “Before the home half of the seventh got underway, she put me at ease when she told me, ‘We know what we are going to do to get the final three outs.’”

And Francis and her teammates delivered the win with a fly to left fielder

Sophia Hallisey, followed by a strikeout. Gold then once again intentionally walked Moquin, before the budding young sophomore star hurler induced a grounder to second baseman Ruby Calienes, and the senior co-captain did the rest by quickly throwing to McGovern at first to complete the upset win.

Andriano knocked in the first

two runs of the game in the opening stanza with a single. Silver Lake then took a 3-2 lead in the fourth, but the Magicians regained the lead right away in the fifth on a two-run single by Mortensen.

“I still can’t believe where we are right now,” said Gold. “I know we are a good team, and will be a better one in the future, but to win two road games to get to the Final Four, I have to admit I’d have said no way this could have happened when we started the state tournament.

“But these playoff games don’t get any bigger for them, because they play with nothing but sheer grit and determination all the time,” added the veteran coach. “This is so surreal, but I think we have somebody watching over us

right now.”

Gold of course was referring to his longtime assistant coach Todd Norman, who passed away just hours before the first game of the year against Reading on April 8. He also mentioned that they had to overcome the preseason injury to co-captain Ila Bumagin. Bumagin suffered a torn ACL from a skiing accident, but she still shows up for every game and practice to lend her support to this winning effort.

There are seven sophomores on this team, but the added pressure of postseason play doesn’t faze them, because they have already been through tense contests, when they won championships as Marblehead Softball Little League and Junior Little League all-stars the past few years. Bornhorst, the varsity team’s all-star junior catcher, also played with this bunch on those all-star squads.

The Magicians took on Westfield (18-3, fourth seed) in a state semifinal game on June 11 at Worcester State after press deadline. Westfield defeated Notre Dame of Hingham in its Round of 8 game, 5-1.

Magicians pull off first postseason road win

The Magicians upset the Nashoba Regional Wolves

(17-5, eighth seed), 5-1 during the Round of 16 on June 4 in Bolton. Francis gave up just one run on four hits, while also whiffing 10. She helped herself out on offense with a solo home run in the second, and a single in the next frame.

The Marblehead girls scored once in the first, when Bornhorst walked, and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Mortensen, before coming home on a single by Hailey Schmitt.

The Magicians put three more runs on the scoreboard in the third. Mortensen started the uprising off with a single. Schmitt then reached on an error, followed by an Andriano hit that set the stage for Calienes, who singled home two. Francis’ aforementioned single knocked in Andriano with the team’s fourth run of the game.

Gold also had high praise for his defense. He mentioned that Andriano pulled off an unassisted double play; Schmitt was outstanding at shortstop; Bornhorst was once again sharp behind the plate; McGovern did her usual reliable job at first; and Hallisey ended the game spectacularly with a running catch in foul territory down the leftfield line.

Gold then added: “I’m so damn proud of these kids.”

Baseball Magicians finish winning season with postseason loss

Cannuscio, Keefe chosen to NEC All-Conference team; Schmitt, Sachs earn all-star status

BY JOE MCCONNELL

Sometimes a team is only remembered by the last game it played, and for the 24th -ranked Marblehead High baseball team (15-6) that would be a shame.

Coach Mike Giardi admitted his team did not play its best game against host Westwood (16-6), the ninth seed, in a Round of 32 Division 2 game on June 1, losing 9-3.

“Unfortunately, when you get in

the state tournament you have to bring your A-game all the time,” Giardi added. “We didn’t play poorly, but we didn’t play to the level that we have been accustomed to playing at all year long.”

If there’s any consolation, Westwood went on to double up Algonquin, 6-3 in the Round of 16. They were then scheduled to take on Walpole (18-4, top seed) in an Elite 8 game at Natick on June 8.

The Magicians struggled early

on in the Round of 32 game, but fought back to tie up the proceedings at three in the fifth. But in the bottom of the fifth, the visitors made a couple of miscues that gave Westwood a 6-3 lead. They never looked back from that point on.

“It was a psychological blow that was tough to bounce back from,” said Giardi. “But overall, it was a great year. We went from starting out 1-3 to a final record of 15-6 that included two

seven-game winning streaks during the regular season.”

The Northeastern Conference singled out four Magicians for all-star status. Giardi, of course, would have liked more on the star-studded roster, but added, “our team was just a product of the sum of its parts being greater than the individual parts. We had a solid team that relied on a variety of players at different times. It was a great group that was a ton of fun to coach.”

Senior co-captains Chris Cannuscio (pitcher, first baseman) and Brooks Keefe (centerfielder) were recognized as All-Conference players. Cannuscio also finished second in the NEC Player of the Year balloting, voted on by the NEC coaches. Seniors Riley Schmitt

and Charlie Sachs

rounded out Marblehead’s selections as members of the conference

(third baseman)

(right-fielder)

allstar squad.

DIAMOn D ne WS

COURTESY PHOTOS

Marblehead High softball pitcher Tessa Francis delivers another strike during an Elite 8 Division 2 state tournament game against host Silver Lake Regional on June 7. The Magicians won the close encounter, 4-3 to advance to the Final Four.

COURTESY PHOTOS Marblehead third baseman Tessa Andriano singles in two runs in the first inning against host Silver Lake Regional.

Tennis teams finish up in Round of 16

BY JOE MCCONNELL

Hopkinton upsets

the boys at home

The Hopkinton High boys tennis team (17-2, 12th seed) came to Marblehead on June 3 to take on the fifth-seeded Magicians (13-5) in a Division 2 Round of 16 matchup.

Unfortunately, the MetroWest visitors ended up leaving town with an upset 3-2 victory.

“There was plenty of excellent tennis up and down our lineup, with the wins coming from first and second singles players,” said veteran MHS coach Elisabeth Foukal.

Senior captain Mika Garber defeated Joe Krattenmaker in first singles, 6-0, 6-3.

“Mika has played No. 1 singles since his freshman year, and he went out with a bang winning his last match of his high school career,” said Foukal.

Junior captain Etan Farfel took care of Rishit Shekhar in second singles, 6-3, 6-3.

“Etan was the better player with more variety and power in his game,” said Foukal.

Sophomore T.J. Kelly lost to Hopkinton junior Ilian Glace in third singles, 6-4, 6-0.

“T.J. had a terrific first set, and gave it a good fight,” said Foukal. The first doubles team of junior captain Jayden Janock and his classmate Leo Winocour lost a competitive encounter to Kais Guessab and Chavdar Kamenorav, 6-3, 6-4.

“Trailing 5-3 in the second set and with Hopkinton serving for the match, while being up 40-love, our boys came from behind to win that game to force another game,” said Foukal

On TRACK

afterwards. “They showed true grit, which has been the (epitome) of this team all season long.”

Junior Anthony Vizy and

freshman Ty Cooper lost to two Hopkinton seniors — Sonoraj Sambasivam and Anay Pashori — 6-3, 6-0 in second doubles.

“They really played quality doubles against a seasoned team,” said an impressed Foukal.

“I’m so proud of how our boys competed, while also playing

with excellent sportsmanship,” added Foukal. “At one point, the ball bounced on a dead spot and our first doubles team offered to replay the point. This is what tennis is all about.”

Second seed Longmeadow eliminates the girls

The Marblehead High girls tennis team (13-7) lost a Division 2 Round of 16 matchup against host Longmeadow (20-0), the second seed, on June 4, 4-1 after edging Melrose in the Round of 32, 3-2.

“Longmeadow is a super strong team,” said Marblehead coach Tracy Ackerman. “There’s a reason why they are the No. 2 seed, but our girls finished the season with their heads held high. They gave it all they had out there in this match.

“This year’s group of seniors — Maddie Conlon, Aviva Bornstein, Aoife Bresnahan, Lucia Levin, Amelia Singer and Hannah Atkinson — was pretty special. They will all be missed,” added the veteran Marblehead coach.

Third singles player

Sami Dosch, who made the Northeastern Conference all-star team, accounted for Marblehead’s lone point with a straight sets win, 7-6, 6-3.

The first doubles team of Bresnahan and Levin were chosen to the All-Conference team, along with the second doubles tandem of Reese Friedman and Lani Gilmore. Ackerman shared NEC Co-coach of the Year honors with Beverly’s Craig Bern, as voted on by their fellow conference coaches.

Elite Magicians compete against the best statewide in the Meet of Champions

BY JOE MCCONNELL

At the State Division 3 Meet late last month, the Marblehead High boys and girls spring track teams turned in top 10 performances. The girls, going up against 48 other divisional schools throughout the state, ended up ninth after accumulating 38 points. The boys, also competing against 48 other divisional opponents, came in seventh with 40 points.

The Magicians had since moved on to the Meet of Champions, comprised of all teams and divisions statewide in Fitchburg.

Girls discus

Rachael Albert was the 19th seed, and so it didn’t seem likely that she’d make it to the finals. She immediately threw 113-feet, 11-inches — a 15-inch personal best — and it put her first on the leaderboard. But there were still 12 heavy hitters, who hadn’t thrown at that point, according to throwing coach Danny Plunkett.

“We were then naturally quite shocked when the second flight of throwers finished up, and Rachael had made it into the finals in fifth place,” added Plunkett. “We expected her placement to drop over the course of the finals as the other girls found their groove, but after each round of throws it just didn’t happen. There were some good throws, but only from the top four girls, and Rachael stayed in fifth to the end to qualify for the All-New England Meet, despite still being ranked 19th in the state. The top 6 athletes in every event end up qualifying for the regionals, and as a result she

bought herself one more week to compete; it was unexpected, but certainly not unwelcome.”

Two-mile

“In what was undoubtedly the greatest day of two-mile racing in state history, our two athletes also had great days of their own,” said assistant coach Will Herlihy.

“In the boys race, three athletes went under the nineminute mark. The girls race was equally as impressive, with nine going under 11 minutes and another three going under 10:40.”

Marblehead sophomore Marri O’Connell (11:03.44, personal best) ended up 11th.

“Marri ran her heart out for a five-second personal best,” said Herlihy. “In the same race last year, her time would’ve won the whole meet, which speaks volumes to how stacked the field was this year. It was a great race for the whiz kid, despite dealing with a large pack. It was a new experience for her. She usually runs up front. But nonetheless, it was a great final sendoff as the

2023-24 track campaign comes to a close. There’s no doubt that she will stay hungry to get under the 11-minute mark next year.”

Senior Isaac Gross (9:25.60, personal best) finished 18th in the boys race.

“Isaac capped off his high school running career with another personal best that further lowered the school record,” said Herlihy.

“Isaac has been outstanding all four years as an athlete and leader on the team, so to see him get one last personal best in his final race was amazing. For context, even in the days when the Marblehead boys were among the best distance runners in the state when the school won the state cross-country championship in both 2015 and 2016, none of those boys were as fast as Isaac was this year at this distance.”

Girls mile

O’Connell (5:19.91) ended up 25th overall in the state.

“The conditions for the mile were not quite as favorable as the two-mile that took place on

May 30. The mile ran on June 1, and it was a very warm day,” said Herlihy. “Marri once again had to contend with a large pack about halfway through the race, but held on to turn in another solid performance. Sometimes, it’s just not your day, but fortunately for Marri she’ll get more chances the next two years. It’s still an outstanding achievement to even qualify for this meet, and Marri has tons to be proud of this spring.”

Boys mile

Junior Will Cerrutti (4:34.46) ended up 27th.

“The conditions did not improve at all for the boys mile, and Will was feeling the heat during his race,” said Herlihy. “Despite his best efforts and preparation, it was not the result he may have wanted, but Will is no stranger to adversity, and there’s no doubt he will come back even stronger next year.

“With these late season meets, it’s very hard to stay sharp for a few extra weeks, but Will still came mentally prepared to compete for the win. However, his legs just didn’t have it,” added the veteran distance coach. “Will has come a long way since missing nearly all of his sophomore year due to injury, but in that time, he has learned so much about training smart that should undoubtedly serve him well next year as a senior.”

Boys 100 Thomas Carlson (11.31) capped off the season with a 22nd place finish.

“Tommy caught his spike on his third step out of the blocks that caused a minor stumble. It took the wind out of his sails,”

said head coach Nolan Raimo.

“It was a remarkable season for Tommy, one in which he shattered the 100 and 200 school records, and, with the help of some friends, the 4x100, as well. Tommy’s progression from sophomore to junior is without a doubt inspirational for every runner. He was able to take a leap forward from being competitive in the conference to nearly becoming a state champion.”

Boys 200

Carlson finished 24th with a time of 22.67, which was only a tad behind his personal best of 22.45.

“Tommy’s specialty is in the shorter sprints, and for him to make it to the Meet of Champions in his lesser event is remarkable,” said Raimo.

“With another offseason training program, I’m confident Tommy will enter his senior year as a force in all the sprints from the 55 to the 400.”

Girls 400

Sadie Halpern finished 26th with a time of 61.13.

“Sadie had a great year in the short sprints (55, 100 and 200), but also had an unbelievable year in the long sprints (300 and 400),” said Raimo, “where she helped notch a second state championship in the 4x400 indoor relays, before finishing third in the open 300. She qualified for the Meet of Champions in the spring without much of a foundation in the long sprints.

“Sadie is only a sophomore with potential to be one of, if not the, best long sprinter in school history,” added Raimo.

COURTESY PHOTO

Marblehead High boys spring track captain Alex Hersey hugs head coach Nolan Raimo upon receiving the MVP award at the team’s annual banquet on June 6.

COURTESY PHOTO

The 2024 Marblehead High boys tennis team is, from left, coach Elisabeth Foukal, Austin Bacon, Ben Zaltsman, captain Etan Farfel, captain Jayden Janock, Leo Winocour, captain Mika Garber, Alex Boehning, Ty Cooper, T.J. Kelly, Filip Wabno and Quinn Fletcher and Nico Altonian.

COURTESY PHOTO / LUANN GABEL

Marblehead High girls tennis senior captain Lucia Levin sends the ball back to Melrose during a Division 2 Round of 32 encounter at home on June 1.

Marblehead High girls tennis sophomore Samara Dosch returns a serve during the third singles match against Melrose.

Bike park marks anniversary with trail tours

BY LEIGH BLANDER

Celebrating its first anniversary, the Green Street Woods Bike Park hosted an open house on May 30, leading community members on tours through 1 mile of interconnecting trails.

“Put down the video controller and get outside,” said Recreation and Parks Commissioner Matt Martin who was on the tour. Rec & Parks members Linda Rice Collins and Karin Ernst were also there, along with Select Board member Jim Nye.

The bike park, at the corner of Green Street and West Shore Drive, opened on Memorial Day 2023, after volunteers worked for a couple of years to find the right spot for local kids and adults to ride off-road.

The once-overgrown lot has been transformed into a 5.7-acre park with handmade features like berms, jumps and bridges.

“Everything is built with all-natural materials,” said Elizabeth Eissner, who has helped with the project.

Matt Carter, 13, rides in the bike park every weekend.

“It’s awesome, I love it,” he said. “I’m advanced, and I like all

the jumps. They have stuff for beginners, too, so there’s a good progression for kids.

There are about 50 volunteers who work on the trails, which

BY KRIS OLSON

The hall at the VFW Post 2005 on West Shore Drive will be rocking for a good cause once again this Saturday night, June 15. That cause will be the new scholarship established to honor the memory of beloved coach and local business owner Todd Norman, who died suddenly on April 8. The scholarship will be awarded to a senior athlete graduating from Marblehead High School.

“Todd’s love for Marblehead and its athletics will always have a special place in his family’s memory,” the scholarship’s mission statement reads.

The VFW is proud to have worked with Norman on many community efforts in Marblehead, explained Ronald Knight, commander of VFW Post 2005.

range in difficulty from beginner to advanced.

The park has quickly become a popular spot for bikers, especially kids in grades three

through nine, organizers say. It’s best suited for mountain and gravel bikes.

The park, which is unsupervised, is open 8 a.m. to

more information, contact friendsofgsw@gmail.com.

Todd Norman scholarship

“Todd was larger than life and a true leader,” he said. “We are honored to host this event in Todd’s memory and to benefit the scholarship

fund to preserve Todd’s legacy as an inspirer of extraordinary student athletes in Marblehead.”

The featured performer of the all-ages show,

7-11:30 p.m., will be the Gus Percy Band. Cash donations will be accepted at the door, and minors accompanied by parents will be provided wristbands.

The opportunity to boost the scholarship would be reason enough to swing open the VFW’s doors. But the post is also hoping the event will be the start of a trend.

There are any number

of charitable opportunities in town that, as worthy as they are, may not have official nonprofit status from the IRS.

By partnering with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation, those efforts can benefit from tax-exempt donations, which may help those efforts attract sizable donations through family foundations, donoradvised funds and trusts. At least that is the plan, according to Knight. To learn more about partnering with the VFW, call (781) 631-9892 or email marbleheadvfw@ gmail.com. The post is also active on Facebook. For updates, search Facebook for “Marblehead VFW” and “like” the page.

MCC’sphilosophyisthatchildrenlearn best through play.Seeking enthusiastic, dedicatedprofessionalswho will engage in andupholdour mission Acollaborative &suppor tive environmentwith theopportunitytodevelop teaching skillsthrough education&training

Please contact gail@marbleheadchildrenscenter.com

Forinfoabout salary +benefits (includingfreechildcarefor full time employees).

COURTESY PHOTO

A teen rides in the Green Street Woods Bike Park, which is celebrating its first anniversary.

CURRENT

The Gus Percy Band will perform at VFW Post 2005 this Saturday, June 15 to benefit a new scholarship fund established to honor the memory of Todd Norman.

Todd Norman

BY WILL DOWD

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

org.

Abbot Library to reopen after $10M renovation

The newly renovated Abbot Public Library in Marblehead holds a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 20, at 4 p.m. The $10 million project, funded by an $8.5 million override and $1.5 million in private donations, aimed to modernize the 20th-century building. Improvements include new meeting rooms, accessible entrances, a makerspace, podcasting studio and upgraded technology. The renovated library will offer summer programming, including a summer reading program starting July 1 and the Marblehead Literary Festival from July 5-7.

Gas-powered leaf blower ban in effect

Marblehead’s gaspowered leaf blower ban is now in effect until Labor Day. The ban, adopted by the Town Meeting in 2022, prohibits the use of gaspowered leaf blowers from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Violations will result in warnings and fines, with property owners responsible for compliance. The first violation receives a written warning, the second violation a $100 fine and the third and subsequent violations a $200 fine. Exceptions may be made for emergency situations, as deemed by a Select Board representative. The police and Health departments have the authority to enforce the bylaw.

cost to the town.

Registration for the parade will take place at the Gerry 5 VFA, 210 Beacon St., on Wednesday, July 3, 6-8 p.m., or in the parking lot of the National Grand Bank, 91 Pleasant St. on July 4, 8-9:30 a.m.

For more information, contact McHugh at 781254-0751 or Champlin at 781-631-3264.

Rotary Club awards 2024 scholarships

marbleheadpickleball.org.

Rotary Club offers summer camperships

Donations sought for Fourth of July fireworks

In case of severe weather, the rain date is planned for July 5. Updates will be available at marbleheadfireworks. org and on X @ MHDFireworks.

“We have not yet raised sufficient funds and still need your support. If you have not yet given, please consider donating now,” wrote the committee’s chairman, Alexander Falk, in a press release. “You can send your donation via check payable to the Town of Marblehead, with ‘fireworks’ in the memo line, and mail it to Marblehead Town Hall, (188 Washington St.). This is a tax-deductible contribution.”

Have your say on the deceased whale

The annual Marblehead fireworks display will take place on the Fourth of July, with the Harbor Illumination starting at 9 p.m. and the main fireworks show beginning at 9:15 p.m. The fireworks will be launched from a barge at the mouth of Marblehead Harbor, offering ideal viewing opportunities from Fort Sewall, Chandler Hovey Park and Crocker Park. Sunset is at 8:25 p.m., and high tide is at 11:02 p.m. Boaters are advised to consider the rising tide when anchoring and to avoid the safety zone marked by orange buoys around the fireworks barge.

The EPA issued an emergency permit for Marblehead to dispose of a humpback whale carcass that washed ashore on Preston Beach on April 25. The carcass was towed offshore but returned to Swampscott on May 14. It was buried on the beach

on May 18 due to advanced degradation and lack of upland disposal options. The public is invited to comment on the EPA’s action by July 3. Questions or comments can be directed to Steven Wolf, USEPA Region 1 ocean disposal coordinator, at wolf.steven@epa.gov or 617-918-1617.

Inaugural flag retirement ceremony set for June 14

Resident Teresa Collins has received permission to hold the first annual Flag Day event in Marblehead on June 14 at 5 p.m., according to Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer.

The event will feature a flag retirement ceremony at Waterside Cemetery, 294 West Shore Drive. The ceremony aims to provide a respectful and honorable means of disposing of flags that have become unserviceable. The to attend is open to all who need to properly retire their flags.

Water and Sewer rate setting

The Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners’ annual hearing for water and sewer rates will occur on Tuesday, June 25, at 7 p.m. at the commission’s office at 100 Tower Way, Building #11.

Community Wellness Day

The Marblehead Counseling Center will host a Community Wellness Day on Saturday, June 22, 1-4 p.m. at Hobbs Playground, 57 Clifton Ave. The event will feature wellness and well-being vendors, cold treats and snacks, and various activities and amusements for kids. A temporary parking ban will be in effect for parts of Ware Lane and the MCC parking lot to facilitate the event. The public is welcome to attend and participate in the day’s activities.

Select Board OKs

Horribles Parade

The Select Board has granted permission to the Gerry 5 Veteran Fireman’s Association to hold the annual Horribles Parade on the Fourth of July.

The parade kicks off at 10 a.m., with a rain date of Sunday, July 7. The parade will start and end at the National Grand Bank’s parking lot, following the same route as in previous years.

Carol McHugh and Joan Champlin, co-chairs of the Gerry 5 VFA Horribles Parade Committee, wrote in a letter that the association sponsors this annual event in partnership with the National Grand Bank at no

The Marblehead Rotary Club has awarded its 2024 scholarships to five students. The club annually grants scholarships to four to six students for their excellence in academics, leadership, community service and extracurricular activities. This year, the recipients are Maeve McIlroy, who will study pre-med or biology at Brown University under the Randolph and Barbara Goodwin Scholarship; Charlotte Howells, who will major in early education at Stonehill College with the Donald Humphrey and Veterans Memorial scholarship; Matthew Callahan, who will pursue an economics degree at Amherst College; Griffen Collins, a sophomore at Tufts University majoring in music and cognitive brain science; and Angelina Nguyen, who will attend the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in applied mathematics with a minor in electrical engineering.

Fort Sewall Project earns award

The Fort Sewall renovation project in Marblehead has been honored with a Merit Award in General Design by the Boston Society of Landscape Architects. The award, presented on May 21, recognizes the collaborative efforts of the town, McGinley Kalsow & Associates, Inc. and Crowley Cottrell LLC in preserving and enhancing the historic site.

Paddle donation to MHS

Marblehead Pickleball has donated more than 30 paddles to the high school.

“It’s great that people are willing to help out our program by donating this equipment,” said MHS physical education teacher Michael Cecere. “The popularity of pickleball has really taken off amongst the high schoolers. Students are exposed to it each year of high school and they love it.”

For more information about Marblehead Pickleball, visit

The Rotary Club of Marblehead has funds available for Marblehead children who need financial assistance to attend summer camp. Through donor contributions and a portion of funds raised from its summer lobster raffle, the Rotary provides camperships of up to $600 per child. Over the last 20 years, the Rotary Club has awarded over $210,000 to more than 350 kids. Popular local camps include those run by the Marblehead Recreation & Parks Department, JCC of the North Shore and the Lynch-van Otterloo YMCA. One application per household is required. Apply at marbleheadrotary. com/page/camperships.

Last few days for STAR collection drive

The Police Department and Council on Aging are hosting a collection drive through June 14 supporting STAR, a community-based center for people on probation, parole or otherwise involved in the court system. Donations of clothing, hygiene products and gift cards are needed. Drop-off locations include the Police Department, Fire Department, Council on Aging, Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA and JCC.

Yoga Loft graduates 15 teacher trainees

Fifteen students have completed their 200-hour yoga teacher training at The Yoga Loft. The graduates will help restart Community Yoga, a weekly class on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. beginning June 19th. The training, which began in September and ended on June 1, covered topics such as sequencing, yoga philosophy, anatomy and the business of yoga. Studio owner Julie Helmes said, “Teacher training is vital to the studio pulse. It is an intense immersive experience to spend 12 full weekends studying yoga. The training started with 15 strangers and ended with a family.”

MHS Class of 1984 announces 40th reunion

The Marblehead High School Class of 1984 has announced its 40th reunion, scheduled for Saturday, July 27, from 4-10 p.m. at the Salem Waterfront Hotel. To stay informed, share memories and reconnect with classmates, graduates are encouraged to join

COURTESY PHOTO Lisa Spinale and Cheryl Patten with Marblehead Pickleball celebrate donating 30 paddles to the high school with MHS gym teachers Mike Lavender and Michael Cecere.

CURRENT PHOTO / NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD

Children participate in the 2023 Horribles Parade, celebrating the Fourth of July with colorful costumes.

COURTESY PHOTO

The Marblehead Rotary Club has awarded its annual scholarships. From left in the back row are Rotarian Scholarship Committee members Nancy Gwin, John Buckey, Ellen Winkler and Club President Don Dowling. Seated are scholarship recipients Maeve McIlroy, Charlotte Howells, Griffen Collins and Matthew Callahan.

MMLD installs secures substation with new fence

BY WILL DOWD

The Municipal Light Department is undertaking major infrastructure improvements along Commercial Street and Hammond Park, focusing on enhancing security measures and public accessibility.

MMLD General Manager Joe Kowalik said the project, with a total cost of $350,000, was prompted in part by security concerns. The centerpiece of the project is a new perimeter fence with motorized gates around the MMLD substation — which is part of the department’s Commercial Street complex.

“This is too much of a target,” Kowalik told the Select Board on May 15. “It is the original

substation of the town.”

Kowalik stressed that the substation building houses vital

electrical infrastructure serving homes, businesses and essential municipal services like the police station and fire department.

He underscored that enhancing physical security is crucial to safeguard this key asset.

In addition to the perimeter fence, the project includes more fencing separating the MMLD building from Hammond Park and new child-safe railings along portions of the park.

Two manual lift gates will also control vehicle access between the upper and lower driveways of the MMLD property.

Kowalik said the $350,000 cost will be paid for through the MMLD and a roughly $40,000

Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Grant.

On June 5, Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer updated the Select Board on the project.

“This is a fast burner in the sense that we need to complete this by June 30 … for the CZM grant funds to cover it,” Kezer said. He highlighted that the updates will lead to better connectivity in the area and allow for improved use of the waterfront spaces. However, Kezer cautioned that “some of this work does include chipping stone in areas so it’s gonna get a little noisy for the couple of weeks of work.”

Exploring pesto: Classic recipes and creative twists

BY LINDA BASSETT

Normally a food column ends with a recipe. This one is reversed, with the recipe at the top, followed by hints and alterations. This is an exploration of classic pesto, a sauce originating on the Italian Riviera, where basil grows in lush abundance. In gardens, on windowsills, in courtyard pots and wild by roadsides wherever the wind carries its seeds.

Blended with Parmigiano cheese, green olive oil and garlic, pesto is the definitive flavor of a strip of shoreline called Liguria.

CLASSIC PESTO

Makes about 1 cup.

Produces a bright green, creamy sauce with a bit of texture that easily coats a pound of pasta.

» 2 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves, stemmed, rinsed and dried Salt, to taste

1 clove garlic

2 tablespoons pine nuts

» 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, more if needed

1/2 cup grated

Parmesan cheese

Place basil, salt, garlic,

nuts and a third of the oil in a food processor or blender. Pulse 4-5 times. Add the remainder of the oil and process, stopping once or twice, to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.

Done!

Pesto is summer food, often paired with tomatoes at their peak and creamy mozzarella. I’m starting way ahead of July because so many supermarkets and farmers markets carry bunches of hydroponically farmed (in water in a greenhouse) basil, potted basil plants and plastic boxes of stems and leaves. A little wisdom here: the best basil is still picked from your own garden just before use or bought directly from the farmer and hurried home during the summer months.

In years of making this sauce, here and on its home turf, I developed some tricks and variations.

First the hints: Basil needs to be washed and dried before using or it will darken and taste bitter. Use a salad spinner or place leaves on a single layer of paper towels and roll it up to absorb the water.

Sliver basil leaves into a chiffonade by piling the leaves one on top of another, and rolling tightly together, then cut crosswise. It will resemble blades of grass. Basil dulls in color

during the time between garden and plate. A few drops, up to a teaspoon, of fresh lemon juice added during processing keeps the color bright.

Toss pesto with spaghetti or linguine and serve right away for best flavor! My new favorite pasta shape is cellentani or cavatappi (same shape, different names), a double twisted tube that captures sauce beautifully.

Ligurian cooks often combine the herbal sauce with gnocchi, potato cubes and green beans. You can do this without using three

pots. Boil all elements in the same pot, adding each to the boiling water for its optimal cooking time — potatoes first, green beans before the potatoes are fully cooked. Pierce a potato cube with a knife to make sure it is nearly ready. Finally, add gnocchi which will float to the top in mere seconds. Drain in a colander before tossing with the basil sauce. A lovely vegetarian supper! Once you master the classics, it’s easy to riff on the theme. Here are a few ideas:

This first, called

“MINNESOTA PESTO,”

a very American version that took first prize in a culinary challenge. Using the classic recipe as a guide, substitute 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves for 1/2 cup of the basil. (The other 1 1/2 cup measure stays the same.) Substitute toasted walnuts for pine nuts. And last, substitute 1/2 cup cream cheese (whipped, not the block kind) for the Parmesan. Skip the garlic.

PESTO BUTTER is a neat accent on fish. Mash four tablespoons of pesto sauce together with a stick of softened unsalted butter. Pack it tightly into a small, covered container and return to the fridge for a few hours. Then spoon it out onto grilled or broiled fin fish or shellfish. Lemon wedges on the side.

ARUGULA PESTO easily substitutes baby arugula for basil. Walnuts stand up better than pine nuts to this green’s assertive character. It’s a glorious match for skinless broiled or baked chicken.

MINT PESTO instantly brightens up a bowl of plain boiled vegetables. Try a drizzle over grilled vegetables, too. Simply substitute fresh mint leaves for basil. Try adding fresh parsley leaves to the mix.

You can even take pesto on an Asian trip processing together cilantro, mint, lime juice

and peanut oil instead of olive oil. No cheese here. Toss with toasted peanuts and snap peas or snow peas and Asian noodles. Serve at room temperature. Basil itself is useful beyond sauce. The leaves might take the place of lettuce in a sandwich or salad. Substitute whole basil leaves for lettuce in a BLT. Or make a BLT of an entirely different character by replacing the fresh tomatoes with sun dried ones, scattering bits of pancetta rather than bacon, between slices of focaccia (available at some bakeries and in specialty bread sections at the market). Use a few basil leaves to raise the flavor of cold sliced chicken on a croissant, or shrimp salad tucked in pita pockets — just not on a PB&J. In a green salad, scatter handfuls of smaller basil leaves, or larger ones torn in half. For a variation on potato salad, let basil and olive oil pinch hit for parsley and mayo. Serve this one warm. Take time to dream fragrant green dreams. Linda Bassett lived in Marblehead for years and has worked as a cook, trained up-and-coming chefs, studied food history and led food tours. Her book, “From Apple Pie to Pad Thai,” is about local cooks and cooking.

BY JARRETT ZEMAN

The building at 18

Prospect St., which houses the North Shore Children’s Theatre today, has a colorful history. Built as Hibernian Hall in 1871, it served as the headquarters of the Hibernian Friendly Society, which supported the town’s Irish Catholics. The society helped immigrants find jobs and housing, provided financial support if a man suffered a workplace injury, and assisted families with funeral costs.

By the 1890s, Hibernian Hall began hosting entertainment that many Marbleheaders frowned upon: boxing matches. Heavyweight boxers from Salem, Lynn and Marblehead sparred for an audience of drinking and gambling men.

Polite society viewed

boxing as a barbaric vice, so the boxers at Hibernian Hall followed the Queensbury Rules, designed to make boxing as respectable as other contact sports. The rules called for all boxers to wear gloves, ending the era of bare-knuckle bouts. The matches were split into three-minute rounds with a rest in between, and if a boxer fell down, he had 10 seconds to get back up; his opponent couldn’t continue to hit him.

However, boxing

never shed its brutish reputation. By 1910, Salem

banned boxing matches, and the Hibernian Society feared that Marblehead would follow suit. They made matches open to Society members only, who had to pay a fee to attend. On April 14, 1915, the Hibernians prepared the hall for its usual Wednesday night match.

Nine police officers surrounded the building, and one fellow officer stood sentry at the door, taking down the names of every man who went inside. The Hibernians canceled the bout, and they stopped hosting matches altogether by the 1920s.

Jarrett Zeman is the assistant director of the Marblehead Museum. “From the Vault” is a partnership between the Marblehead Museum and the Current.

FROM THe VAu

COURTESY PHOTO / PETRA LANGER

MMLD building.

CURRENT PHOTO / LINDA BASSETT Our columnist, Linda Bassett, snapped this photo of fresh cavatappi

Teaching your shy child how to self-advocate

BY LIZZIE ASSA

Hi Lizzie,

My 3-year-old child is very shy and reluctant to talk to anyone when we’re around. How can we help them become more comfortable and confident in social situations?

Hi reader, My youngest child was very shy, and I feared she would struggle to speak up for herself throughout her life. However, I’m happy to say that self-advocacy has now become her greatest strength. When she was little, we took several steps to help build her confidence and communication skills. We spent lots of time making her toys speak softly, at a medium volume,

and loudly, giving her a concrete understanding of what those terms meant. Adults were always telling her to “speak up,” so it made sense to show her exactly what that looked like. We kept books like “Quiet Loud” by Leslie Patricelli, and “The Quiet Book” and “The Loud Book” by Deborah Underwood in rotation, ensuring she had time to explore them independently.

When she was small, I would pick her up so she could see over the counter

MARBLeHe AD Y HAPPen InGS

while I ordered or paid, allowing her to observe these interactions without the pressure to participate. At restaurants, I might tell the waitress, “My daughter will order by pointing to what she’d like.” This allowed her to communicate comfortably, and eventually, she began confidently ordering herself.

On our way to social events, we would chat about topics she might want to discuss and with whom, giving her the confidence to initiate conversations. For example, she loved our small dog and talking about him always got her warmed up and chatting. I also asked her outspoken older siblings not to speak over her or for her unless she asked them to. While the process was gradual, with patience and consistent support, my

initial worries proved unfounded. Today, at 11 years old, she is outspoken and often won’t stop chattering to anyone who will listen. Her strong selfadvocacy skills are her superpower. It’s also important to reframe the perception of shyness as a strength rather than a negative attribute. Shy children often take their time to consider what they want to say, leading to more deliberate and thoughtful communication. They choose their interactions carefully, fostering deeper, more genuine connections. Their reflective nature can result in insightful, impactful dialogue. Embracing these positive aspects can help shy children build confidence and thrive socially. I hope these tips help you and your child. Lizzie

Let’s make drowning a thing of the past

BY GERALD MACKILLOP, JR.

As we head into warm summer days by the water in our seaside community, all of us must prioritize water safety and ensure that everyone can enjoy water-based activities without fear.

The Marblehead Y joins YMCAs across the country in a commitment to prioritizing water safety, allocating resources to ensure safe aquatic experiences for all, including children and caregivers. In 2023, YMCAs in Massachusetts provided swim lessons to over 68,889 youth, while training more than 1,459 lifeguards and 346 swim instructors.

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals a startling reality: Drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1-4, with incidents increasing by 28% among this age group from 2019 to 2022. Additionally, accidental drowning accounts for 91% of deaths for children with autism spectrum disorder, and kids with ASD are 160 times more likely to die from drowning than other children. In Massachusetts alone, 11

unintentional drowning deaths were reported among children aged 1-17 in 2021.

Tragically, drowning affects adults as well. In 2021, 58 unintentional drowning deaths occurred in Massachusetts, with 113 nonfatal near-drowning cases requiring acute care hospital treatment. These statistics are exacerbated by the alarming finding from the CDC that 55% of U.S. adults have never taken a swimming lesson. Furthermore, drowning rates vary by race and

WHeRe In MARBLeHe AD…

ethnicity, with American Indian or Alaska Native individuals experiencing disproportionately higher rates.

In anticipation of summer, all our aquatic directors urge caregivers to actively promote water safety with six key tips:

1: Always ask permission before going in or near water. Teaching your children to be water smart is the first step in water safety — be sure they understand the importance of asking permission before going

Thanks to everyone who messaged us on social media with guesses on Where in Marblehead this photo is snapped.

Marblehead High School student Grey Collins is taking photos, framed in unusual ways, and asking… “Where in Marblehead is this?”

The correct answer is: Terry’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream on Atlantic Avenue.

in or near the water.

2: Never swim alone without a water watcher. When children are swimming, make sure they are actively supervised at all times. Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty, or where a responsible adult agrees to watch the children in the water without distractions.

3: Supervise your children whenever they’re in or near water. Whether it’s bath time

or taking a dip in a pool or waterfront, make sure your children are within arm’s reach at all times.

4: Don’t engage in breathholding activities. Adults and children should not hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming.

5: Wear a life jacket. Inexperienced or nonswimmers should always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while in or around the water.

6: Don’t jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water. If an adult or child finds their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural reaction may be to jump in the water to try to save them. Even if they are a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them, pulling the rescuer underwater. The Y’s Safety Around Water program teaches the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them and pull them to safety. By using this technique, an adult or child can help a friend without compromising their own safety.

MacKillop is the chief operating officer of the YMCA of the North Shore.

YELLOW

COURTESY PHOTO

Swimming lessons at the Marblehead YMCA teach water safety skills to children.

Rand I. Bartlett, 77

Rand Ingalls Bartlett, 77, died peacefully at home on June 1. Randy was born in Marblehead on April 13, 1947, among the last generation to be born at the old Mary Alley Hospital in town. He attended elementary school in Marblehead for several years until his father’s Coast Guard career brought the family to new towns up and down the East Coast. As an adult, Randy eventually settled back in Marblehead.

Randy graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School in Mattapoisett in 1966. Following in his father’s footsteps, he enlisted in the Coast Guard that same year. In his four years of active duty in the Coast Guard, he served three years and six months on

Mary Kathleen (Kelley) Herald, 70

Mary Kathleen (Kelley) Herald, affectionately known as Kathy, passed away in Belleair, Florida., on Feb. 29, surrounded by her beloved husband and family following a brave battle

foreign or sea duty. He spent 12 months of duty in the coastal or brown waters of Vietnam, where he saw combat. Randy earned the rank of Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class. After discharge from active duty in July 1970, Randy remained in the Coast Guard Reserve for the rest of his 20-plus years of enlistment. In 1991, he was recalled to active duty during the Persian Gulf War, serving in the Middle East for a six-month tour.

with cancer. She was 70. There will be a Celebration of Life Mass at Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave., in Marblehead, on June 22, at 10:30 a.m. We invite all who knew and loved Kathy to join our family as we remember and celebrate her life. Burial will be at Waterside Cemetery immediately following the Mass. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com for Kathy’s family.

His awards include: Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, Vietnam Service Medal with silver star, Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation (Gallantry Cross), Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, Combat Action Ribbon, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Coast Guard Expert Rifle Medal, Coast Guard Pistol Shot Medal, National Defense Medal and many more Coast Guard medals.

After retirement from active duty in the Coast Guard, he enrolled in North Shore Community College, where he earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice while also working full time at the Vinnin Square service station. He worked for a number of years as custodial staff at Marblehead High School and then at the Marblehead/Swampscott YMCA. He was active in the Coast Guard Reserve in Gloucester,

The Marblehead Current publishes obituaries online for free and in its print edition for a flat fee of $200. Submissions or inquiries should be sent to notices@ marbleheadnews.org.

Submissions should include the name of the funeral home serving the deceased’s family, along with a daytime phone

which he loved, looking forward to his weeks of training in Gloucester every year. He also served on the board of the Marblehead VFW for a number of years.

In 2009, he suffered a stroke that left his left side impaired but didn’t stop him from leading an active life. He was an avid history buff with an incredible memory and a mind for detail.

A regular at the Marblehead VFW, he loved spending time with fellow veterans and friends.

He participated in many local veterans’ events over the years and attended his Coast Guard ships’ reunions whenever possible. Randy met the love of his life in 2015, and the two of them spent the next nine years enjoying life together, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Randy was predeceased by his parents, Walter Frank Bartlett and

number for a person to contact, in case we have any questions about the obituary.

Photos, preferably in JPEG format, are welcome. Photos should be of high enough quality to reproduce well in print. Generally, an image file created by a digital camera or smartphone will be fine; images copied from websites will not.

Wanda Jean (Price) Bartlett. He is survived by his beloved partner, Louise Bennett, and her family, who loved and cared for him; and his sisters and their families, Sandra (Bartlett) Wallace, Virginia Bartlett and Pamela Bartlett. He leaves many nieces, nephews, family and friends who will all miss his brilliance, his quirky sense of humor, his steadfastness and courage and his sentimental heart.

A funeral service for Randy will be held on June 14 at 11 a.m. at the Dr. Arland A. Dirlam Chapel at Waterside Cemetery. Interment will be private. There will be a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marblehead VFW Post 2005 in Randy’s name. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com for Randy’s loved ones.

Stolen BMW recovered in Salem, suspect eludes police

DOWD

COMPILED BY WILL

Excerpts from the Marblehead police log May 23 - June 2. 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.

May 28

8:47 a.m. — Patrol Officers

Samuel Rizos and Douglas Mills responded to a two-car motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Atlantic and Rockaway avenues. One vehicle allegedly failed to stop at the posted sign and struck another vehicle, causing it to spin and crash onto a residential property. The at-fault operator stated she was on her way to the Jewish Community Center on Community Road and did not remember how the crash occurred. Rizos subsequently issued her a citation for failure to stop. Mills spoke with the other driver and a witness, who corroborated that the at-fault driver did not stop at the sign, causing the collision. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. Rizos and Mills advised the homeowner on how to obtain an accident report and

file an insurance claim for the property damage.

7 p.m. — Patrol Officers

Jason McDonald and Adam Bate responded to a residential rental property on Gregory Street with the owner for a report of a possible squatter in the attic. McDonald and Bate checked the area and did not locate anyone but did observe evidence that someone had been staying there, along with some items left behind by a previous owner. There was no sign of forced entry. McDonald and Bate advised the property owner to secure the door and hire a company to clean out the space. They informed him that if the person staying there was allowed in by a tenant, he would need to pursue eviction proceedings. The incident was documented.

May 29

8:36 a.m. — Patrol Officer

Robert Picariello responded to a residence on Green Street for a report of two vehicles that were keyed overnight. The reporting party stated this is an ongoing issue with a neighbor on Lincoln Avenue that has targeted vehicles on the property before. Picariello advised the reporting party to install security cameras. He observed the damage and documented the incident should

it continue to occur.

11:10 a.m. — Patrol Officers

Robert Picariello and Andrew Clark were dispatched to Village Plaza on Pleasant Street for a report of an individual on the premises in violation of a no-trespass order. Upon arrival, Picariello and Clark spoke with the property manager, who stated the person had just left the area. The manager declined to pursue charges at this time. Clark attempted to make contact with the individual by phone to advise him of the consequences should he continue to violate the order. A message was left as the call went unanswered. Picariello and Clark documented the incident.

3:42 p.m. — Patrol Officers

Nicholas Michaud and Charles Sweeney responded to the Causeway for a report of a delivery truck striking a fire hydrant and had left the scene. The incident remains under investigation.

May 31

3:45 p.m. — Patrol Officer

Andrew Clark took a report of identity fraud. The reporting party stated she had been receiving alert emails about activity on her credit report but initially disregarded them as a scam. She then received letters from two different banks advising her that applications

Police chief secures contract extension for three years

BY WILL DOWD

The Select Board has approved a new three-year employment contract for Police Chief Dennis King. The contract runs from July 1 through June 30, 2027. Under the agreement, King will receive an annual salary of

accrual is capped at 40 days per fiscal year.

Other benefits include the town providing King with a vehicle for on-call use, a cell phone with data plan and a laptop computer. The town will also cover professional association dues and conference

attendance costs for the chief’s continued professional development. The contract allows the Select Board to terminate the chief for just cause following written notice and a hearing. If terminated without cause, King would receive the lesser of the balance of his annual compensation or 12 months’ salary as severance. The chief can voluntarily resign with 90 days written notice.

for credit had been declined. Clark noted the reporting party had not applied for these accounts. The banks confirmed that someone had attempted to open accounts in her name using her personal information. Clark advised the reporting party to freeze her credit. He documented the incident.

5:38 p.m. — Patrol Officer Nicholas Michaud took a report of an alleged scam involving the sale of a piano. The reporting party listed the instrument for sale online and was contacted by a potential buyer who agreed to purchase it. A check was sent for more than the sale amount, and the seller was instructed to cash it and forward the excess funds to a moving company. After doing so, the bank notified him the initial check was fraudulent.

Michaud reported the seller then researched online how to obtain a refund from the mobile payment platform and found what appeared to be a customer service number.

The person who answered instructed the seller to send large sums via gift card to process the refund and to allow remote access to his computer. The scammer had access to the seller’s personal and financial information and made several large fraudulent deposits to his account during this time. Michaud advised the steps

to take to secure his identity and accounts. He documented the incident and forwarded the report to detectives.

June 2

6:09 p.m. — Patrol Officer Robert Picariello responded to the Jewish Community Center on Community Road for a report of an alleged stolen motor vehicle. Upon arrival, Picariello spoke with the owner, who stated she had parked her black BMW SUV in front of the building and entered the facility, leaving the vehicle unlocked and the keys inside. A friend later reported seeing the vehicle being operated by an unknown man in the parking lot. Attempts to track the vehicle showed it stationary at an address on Beach Avenue in Salem. The vehicle was recovered, unoccupied and locked. It was processed by Picariello and officers from the Salem Police Department. Video obtained from the area where it was recovered shows a man exiting the passenger side of the vehicle and walking away towards the Salem Willows. The suspect was not immediately identified. Picariello released the vehicle to the owner and forwarded the report to detectives for follow-up.

King has served as Marblehead’s police chief since 2021, when he was appointed to the position following the retirement of longtime chief Robert Picariello.

Pu BLIC SAFeTY

CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD

Police Chief Dennis King, pictured in a file photo, has secured a new three-year contract approved by the Select Board.

Marblehead’s best bets

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

Juneteenth celebration, flag raising

Wednesday, June 12, 4:30 p.m.

The Marblehead Task Force Against Discrimination is hosting its fourth annual Juneteenth celebration on the lawn at Abbot Hall.

The one-hour program will begin with drumming and storytelling by Greg Coles. Founder and president of the North Shore Juneteenth Association, Nicole Mcclain, will speak about the history of the holiday. Terry Carter will share poems, and Janey David will sing the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Marblehead High School students will be featured at the ceremony. Marine cadets from Lynn English High School will raise the Juneteenth flag.

Playing with sea glass

Thursday, June 13, 7-9 p.m.

Join Marblehead Arts Association member and owner of Marblehead Sea Glass Amy Goldfarb as she guides attendees in the creation of their very own sea glass art. 8 Hooper St.

Choose from three different templates or create a design of your own. Supplies provided to create one 9-inch-by-9-inch or smaller piece of art. You may choose to bring washed sea glass from your own collection. If not, there will be plenty of beach-procured pieces of sea glass at the workshop for your use. MAA members: $25, non-members: $30.

JackRabbit Slims

Friday, June 14, 8 p.m.

Head out to The Beacon, 123 Pleasant St., for live

Welcome summer at the beach

Thursday,

Celebrate the summer solstice at the

Preston

Lisa Kawski and Kampa Vashi Deva will lead a service that includes the blowing of the conch shell as the sun rises. Everyone is welcome to bring metal instruments, such as Tibetan bowls and chimes, to “wake up” the sun. There will be singing and the setting of intentions, as well as community sharing, where people can share thoughts, poems etc.

Library reopening gala

Friday, June 14, 6-9 p.m.

The Abbot Public Library Foundation will celebrate the library’s reopening and $10 million renovation with a gala. Be one of the first to see the building’s transformation. For more information and tickets, go to abbotlibrary.org.

Abbot Public Library grand opening celebration

Thursday, June 20, 4-6 p.m.

Come experience the new Abbot Library after its $10 million renovation. There will be a ribbon cutting and special guests.

Jazz at the Arts

Thursday, June 20, 6:30 p.m. The Marblehead Arts Association and Gene Arnould present Jazz at the Arts, a concert series at the Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper St., featuring the Alex Minasian Quartet. Tickets ($35) are available at marbleheadarts.org or in advance at the MAA or Arnould Gallery, 111 Washington St.

Summer Soiree

Saturday, June 15, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Friends of the Marblehead Public Schools is hosting its largest fundraiser of the year, the Summer Soiree. Held each year at a private home, the event is open to the community, and 100% of the proceeds fund educational enrichment grants. This year, the event is hosted by the Teets family, who have two children in Marblehead schools. Tickets are $75. For more info, visit friendsofmarblehead.org/soiree.

250 career MHS wins 50+ scholarships awarded $1500 Sports Match Challenge Brad Sheridan left alegacy that few can claim:

ReadChristy Gable’stribute to her fatherand learn why the Sheridan family is offering the Bradley C. Sheridan Sports Match Challenge

Keep the Current sports coverage coming! marbleheadcurrent.org/donate/