The barge fire that led to the cancellation of Marblehead’s fireworks display and Harbor Illumination started
“accidentally,” Fire Chief Jason Gilliland told the Current on July 8. The fire broke out on the barge in the mouth of Marblehead Harbor on July
4 at approximately 1:30 a.m.
Marblehead’s fireworks had not yet been loaded onboard.
Gilliland believes “there were still some hot materials left over and smoldering” from when the barge was used in a Lynn
fireworks show on July 3.
Marblehead Fireworks
Committee Chairman Alexander Falk told the Current last week that there were no plans to reschedule the fireworks or Harbor Illumination.
This spring, the town signed a $50,000 contract with Atlas PyroVision Entertainment Group, Inc., to produce the fireworks display. All the money came from donations.
When asked what will happen with the $50,000 in donations, Falk said, “I cannot comment on that topic at this time.”
Marblehead, Gloucester and
homes on the “inner Neck.”
BY WILL DOWD
A commissioned report released Friday by the Board of Assessors revealed “significant issues” with last year’s property valuations, citing “incorrect methodology” that led to “unrealistic” rates.
The report, obtained by the Current via a public records request and authored by independent consultant Jim Doherty, found that adjustments to land value tables resulted
in unrealistic building cost table adjustments. Land value tables are tools assessors use to set property values across different neighborhoods or areas of a town. These tables help ensure that similar plots of land in the same area are valued consistently, taking into account factors like location, size and local amenities.
The audit reveals that many homes in the Naugus Head and Cloutman’s Lane neighborhoods were over-assessed, along with
The report noted that, in formulating the assessments, there were problems with both the building and the land costs used, which it noted are the “backbone and lead drivers of the valuation process.”
Doherty found that the assessor had essentially done the process backwards, adjusting the land values first, in what turned out to be a misguided attempt to bring assessment ratios more in line with Department
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Marblehead was buzzing over the Fourth of July holiday weekend with thousands of people packing the streets for the 58th Festival of Arts. From exhibits and live music, to monsters and a model boat regatta, the 2024 Festival attracted big crowds. Oh, and don’t forget about the pythons and boa constrictor.
The snakes (read more below) were new this year, along with a 10K walk/race that was added to the 5K started last year.
Also new: a vintage soda machine filled with small, more affordable pieces of art.
“It’s been really well received,” said Festival Art and Exhibits Director Meaghan Perlow, about the vending machine. “Seeing the younger kids try to operate a vintage soda machine has been a blast. [There are] lots of happy new art collectors of their tiny art today.”
People viewed nearly 1,000 pieces of art at six venues and, as always, the Concerts @ Crocker Park had people laying out their picnic blankets and enjoying music and harbor views. The program featured 15 acts over four nights and three days.
“We had a tremendous turnout this year,” said Brian Wheeler, who oversees all the performing arts events at the Festival. “We
of Revenue requirements. The problem with that approach was twofold, Doherty explained.
“The initial focus on adjusting
land values significantly not only created potential inequity
COURTESY PHOTO / MARGARET REUNER
Big Nazo’s monsters were a hit again at this year’s Street Festival.
COURTESY PHOTO / SEMPERDRONE, FRANCISCO URENA
The aftermath of a barge blaze that canceled Marblehead’s fireworks and Harbor Illumination.
CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER
People pack Washington Street during the Marblehead Festival of Arts.
Town: Toss most recent tax bill
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Marblehead Finance Director Aleesha
Benjamin has a message for residents: Throw out the most recent property tax bill you received from the town.
“The Treasurer’s Office, working with the Assessor’s Office, has discovered a software issue with the current assessor and collector software system, which caused preliminary tax bills recently issued to be inaccurate,” Benjamin wrote in an email. “Corrected FY 25 preliminary bills will be reissued as soon as possible.”
The incorrect tax bills were mailed on June 28. The new ones will go out on July 9. The tax payments are due Aug. 1 and Nov. 1.
Benjamin explained the error: “The town is currently in the process of converting its information systems to replace existing systems that are outdated, require manual tasks and lack the ability to communicate directly with each other.
“The new software will be fully integrated with automated robust systems designed to
ensure accuracy and transparency and will mitigate many of the issues that the town has encountered including this most recent issue,” she added. “We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.”
These are the first property tax bills
334 filed in January — the highest number since 2008.
amongst various neighborhoods but required nonsensical adjustments to building cost,” Doherty wrote.
It “should have been a clear red flag” that nearly half of the building style tables — for ranch, split-entry, bungalow, conventional and Cape-style homes — required a “downward adjustment,” he added. Instead, what the assessor should have done was adjust the building tables first, then the land tables, according to Doherty.
“The focus on the land tables initially caused the building tables to be radically adjusted to meet certification requirements,” Doherty wrote. “If the building rates were all adjusted at the beginning of the analysis the increase in land values would not have been so dramatic. No building base costs would have gone down.”
These issues led to a surge in abatement requests, with
The board approved over 80% of these applications, resulting in approximately $541,000 in refund checks.
The abatement process also revealed “indications of incorrect data on building characteristics and neighborhood coding,” Doherty noted. He recommended rebuilding the cost tables and conducting a field review to ensure the integrity of the data.
“It is critical that the property data be as accurate as possible, it is the foundation of the valuation,” wrote Doherty.
The Board confirmed that homeowners with over-assessed values who did not file an abatement by Jan. 31 are not eligible for refunds now.
Board member Jonathan Lederman emphasized that while many homes were overassessed, some were undervalued, incorrectly shifting the tax burden. He addressed residents’ concerns that the valuation process was a “money grab,”
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Campers at Children’s Island are back for another summer, despite vandals who did “tens of thousands of dollars” in damage to buildings and poured chemicals in the pool before the season started.
“We have seen past issues with vandalism, but this is one of the worst we have seen,” YMCA
Executive Director Brian Flynn told the Current.” Seeing the damage so close to the start of camp is disappointing.”
Flynn continued: “I’m very
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Congressman Seth Moulton, who represents Marblehead and much of the North Shore, is now urging President Joe Biden to bow out of the race for the White House.
“President Biden has done enormous service to our country, but now is the time for him to follow in one of our founding father George Washington’s footsteps and step aside to let new leaders rise up and run against Donald Trump,” Moulton said.
Moulton was the third member of Congress to say Biden
grateful for the staff and volunteers who quickly banded together to ensure that camp was ready on day one. We have an amazing group of young leaders who immediately and enthusiastically stepped up to cope with this challenging situation.”
Children’s Island, owned and run by the Y, is in the midst of a $1.3 million renovation, funded by donors.
Flynn offered an update on the renovation project: “We’ve completed one new building, specifically designed for `seal
issued since January, when many residents complained that their new property assessments, and taxes, jumped for no apparent reason.
“There were clearly errors made,” Board of Assessors member Jonathan Lederman said about the valuations at a July 2 meeting.
pointing out that the town collected only the legal limit allowed under Proposition 2 1/2 townwide, not more.
Board Chairman John Kelley said Town Assessor Karen Bertolino remains on paid administrative leave, costing taxpayers over $23,000 in the past three months.
“We want to resolve the issue as soon as possible,” Kelley said, referring to Bertolino. “We’ve already started the next fiscal year, we have a lot of work to get done.”
The board said there is some uncertainty on who fires and hires assessors, after a May Town Meeting vote that placed the assessor position under the jurisdiction of the Finance Department. Kelley said they’re still seeking legal advice on possible conflicts between state law and the recent Town Meeting decision about the assessor’s appointment process.
Kelley announced that the town is hiring Patriot Properties to start a complete reassessment this summer. Residents will see
a preliminary assessment, called an impact statement, this fall and will be invited to comment on the value before it’s finalized.
While Marblehead typically conducts a full revaluation every five years, with the next one scheduled for 2025, the board has decided to accelerate much of this process to 2024 due to the serious errors.
The board released a letter alongside the report Friday, explaining the report’s findings and their next steps.
“This revaluation process is designed to make sure that all properties are fairly assessed,” the letter read, emphasizing that it will not change the total amount of taxes collected across town, which is determined by Town Meeting.
The board’s letter concludes: “We sincerely apologize for the issues that have occurred and are committed to restoring trust in the assessment process. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work through these necessary remediations.”
pups,’ our youngest campers, ages 5 to 6, which will allow us to accommodate more camp families this summer and into the future. We’re also in the final stages of planning for two new, state-of-the-art restrooms that
feature environmentally friendly composting toilets. We anticipate these modern, eco-friendly bathrooms will be available for camper use next summer.”
Children’s Island has been welcoming campers since 1955.
should drop out of the race.
He was the first member of the Massachusetts delegation.
In an interview on July 5, Biden said only “lord almighty” could convince him to end his campaign.
In an earlier statement on July 3, Moulton expressed concerns about Biden’s ability to beat Trump.
“Beating Trump is imperative for the future of our democracy, especially now that the Supreme Court just handed him a blank check to act like a king. The unfortunate reality is that the status quo will likely deliver us President Trump.”
Moulton continued: “When your current strategy isn’t working, it’s rarely the right decision to double down.
President Biden is not going to get younger. I’ve always said
that America needs to elevate a new generation of leaders, and I respect those colleagues who have already spoken out. We should have all viable options on the table.”
On July 5, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey joined Moulton in issuing a statement that stopped short of calling upon Biden to withdraw, instead urging him to “listen to the American people and carefully evaluate whether he remains our best hope to defeat Donald Trump.”
She added, “Whatever President Biden decides, I am committed to doing everything in my power to defeat Donald Trump.”
COURTESY PHOTO
Children’s Island has been welcoming campers since 1955. It was hit by vandals right before the start of this season.
COURTESY PHOTO
Congressman Seth Moulton urges President Biden to bow out of the race.
More fun Festival snapshots
loved the tremendous support we got from the town.”
Robert de Saint Phalle of Marblehead brought his extended family to the Festival and waited in line for an hour for the St. Michael’s Lobster Lunch.
“We always come. It’s a tradition,” he said after finishing his lobster roll. “It’s something we can do with our community.”
“We always see someone we know,” added Zoe Culbertson from across the table.
Eric Piatelli was carrying his 2-year-old son, Teddy, at the Street Fair. They were checking out the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team’s exhibit with 30 live snakes.
“He’s loving it,” Piatelli said. “His mom is waiting in line for the balloon animals. We’re going to the Model Boat Regatta, too. We love the Festival. Everything is right downtown, closed off and safe.”
Each year, it takes about 400 volunteers to plan, coordinate and run the Festival.
Jodi-Tatiana Charles has been Festival president for the last two years.
“We’ve enriched and evolved our timehonored traditions at the Marblehead Festival,” she told the Current. “It’s been amazing to see so many families enjoying the arts while juggling their little ones, and the global presence of visitors at our events has been phenomenal.
She continued, “To watch our businesses thriving because we all showed up is also incredibly satisfying and inspiring. We truly had something for everyone — who would have imagined so many people falling in love with snakes!”
Opinion
EDITORIA l
Our current assessment
With Friday’s release of an outside expert’s review, the town has turned a corner on an unfortunate — and expensive — chapter in its history of assessing property taxes.
The problem first came to light last year, when hundreds of residents began receiving property tax bills embodying what the Board of Assessors has now called “dramatic and indefensible tax increases.”
As a result of those bills, the Board of Assessors received 334 abatement requests — many more than usual — and approved over 80% of them. The town has now refunded approximately $541,000 of the total tax levy it would have otherwise been permitted to collect under the limits imposed by Proposition 2 1/2.
The flip side of the revaluation process gone haywire was that, elsewhere in town, some property owners saw “equally indefensible decreases.” Of course, none of these homeowners complained, and the town had no way of revising their bills upward late in the game.
We now know what exactly went awry: Assistant Assessor Karen Bertolino did the revaluation process backwards, according to James Doherty of JFD Property Services. She made significant adjustments to the land values in the town’s property database first, creating “potential inequity amongst various neighborhoods.”
That then forced her to make “nonsensical adjustments” to building cost tables, compounding the problem, Doherty found.
The resulting numbers included a “clear red flag” that Bertolino missed, and it was also not clear that Bertolino had generated a report that may have caught the problem before tax bills were mailed, according to Doherty.
Bertolino has been on paid administrative leave since the end of March, and resolving her employment status is among the loose ends that the Board of Assessors still needs to tie up. Otherwise, however, the Board of Assessors has done a commendable job of getting its arms around the problem. To ensure there is no repeat of this issue this winter, the board has decided to accelerate the full revaluation of all town properties, which the state requires every five years. Instead of happening in 2025 for FY26, much of the process will now happen this year, with preliminary valuations published to allow property owners to provide the board feedback.
The board has also authorized Chairman John P. Kelley to deal directly with town counsel to ensure that Bertolino’s paid leave does not drag on interminably, as has been all too common with municipal employees in recent years.
The board seems to have gotten a boost from the addition of former School Committee member Jonathan Lederman, who gained his seat with an 11th-hour write-in campaign last month. A hallmark of Lederman’s previous town service was that he was never shy about calling out perceived incompetence when he saw it. That may not have always sat well with his colleagues, but brutal honesty would seem to be particularly helpful here.
The board should also be commended for allowing its recent meetings to become more interactive. Freewheeling public comment can become unwieldy and not always the best approach but in this instance has been welcome.
No one likes property taxes. But as long as they have to pay, residents should at least be assured that they are not forking over more than their fair share of the town’s tax burden. Thanks to the Board of Assessors’ efforts, residents should soon have that faith restored that is indeed the case.
EVERy THING WIll BE OKAy
An abundance of equanimity
BY VIRGINIA BUCKINGHAM
Are you grateful for the bountiful blooms on the hydrangeas this year?
Then, in part, thank last year’s rainy July and August weekends. Like many, I’ve wondered why my hydrangea bushes are dripping with flowers and learned the cause was the previous summer’s wet weather along with the mild winter. The combination of moist soil and moderate temperatures is promoting the prolific growth.
I find It interesting that something we abhorred — rain on almost every summer weekend — is at least partly responsible for something we adore. Good coming from bad. Given current events, that concept got me thinking about what, if anything, good might come from our political turmoil. Whatever party you support, it seems that there is an opportunity to use this fraught moment to cultivate abundance, in this case, of equanimity.
I remember sitting in my car in 2020 waiting to go in to a business meeting and listening to an interview with Deepak Chopra, the author and practitioner of integrative medicine and personal transformation. The interviewer framed her question something like this: “Everybody is so upset and worried about the outcome of this election, what do you advise them?” Chopra immediately said, before answering, some version of “I’m not upset and worried.” I was struck then and still think about all the time how he exuded a sense of deep calm and imperturbability — equanimity in the face of potential upheaval. It’s a personal goal of mine to face life’s storms — personal and in the broader world — with that same inner peace. I am pretty far from achieving that goal. But
FOOD 101
I still try. And I turned back to Chopra recently to see if he or his wellness foundation offered any tools that I can employ.
One of the foundation leaders, Roger Gabriel, wrote this: “If we look at life from the level of problems, our world will become small and limited, however, if we see everything as an opportunity for growth, we will learn to trust that whatever is needed is already waiting for us, we maybe just need to move it from there to here.”
I often, to the annoyance of my kids, tell them to be “solution-oriented” when they bring up a problem they are having. What Gabriel is proposing, especially given individually there’s not a lot we can do to solve the world’s problems, is more seizing, than solving. Can we seize this opportunity of political turbulence to strengthen our equanimity?
The Chopra team proposes these approaches: First, release resistance. This “inner fight against what already is” could actually be impeding our ability to accept the “present reality” and see our way clear to a broader perspective and taking a long view.
Second, recognize what you can’t control.
It was Victor Frankl, who endured more than any human being should who noted, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing… to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.” Third, revitalize in nature. We know the positive impact of the outdoors on our mental and physical health.
Fourth, renew through meditation. I’m a terrible meditator. My typical practice, when I do it which isn’t regularly, goes something like this “Om, om, breathe, what are we having for dinner, om, om, I forgot to send
that email.” I know meditation will be transformative if I ever commit to it, so why don’t I commit to it?
Fifth, reconnect to your values.
The Chopra team expands on this concept by writing, “Identifying and personally embodying your highest values allows you to find joy in your own actions… rather than searching for it in how others are expressing your values.”
Another way to put this particular approach is that well-known saying “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Sixth, revamp your routines. Do you start your morning watching MSNBC or go to bed after binging on Fox? I tend to doomscroll on X. I’m going to try to curb that behavior and double down on my healthier routines.
And seventh, reignite your passion.
“If you feel anxiety, agitation or anger in response to the current political scene, it is a sign that you need to reconnect to the activities that inspire your joy,” encourages Chopra. What inspires my joy? What inspires yours? The next few months seem like a pretty good time to commit to bringing more joy into our lives.
Back to the abundance of hydrangea blooms. In the “you can’t make this stuff up” category, as I was finishing this column, a member of my family came home and told me they accidentally ran over the gorgeous hydrangea at the side of my driveway with the car. Ran over, as in drove over, as in flattened. What good will come from this bad? I’ll let you know. Some day. If, I mean when, it does. Deep breaths, Virginia.
“Om….”
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.”
A summer touch of Nice
BY LINDA BASSETT
I’ve been making salade Nicoise for a long time. The vegetable medley from the south of France is one of my go-to dinners in the heat of summer. Very little time spent in the room where the hot stove lives. I recently told friends that I planned to try it on their 8-year-olds. The moms objected: Kids don’t eat tuna. Kids don’t understand a plate of veggies. And kids certainly don’t like veggies. That last one, I understand. Growing up, I never met a vegetable I liked. (I didn’t like pastry either.)
Instead of backing off, I doubled my resolve to try it with kids. I decided to polish my performance, and so turned to my fat, dust-laden Larousse Gastronomique, the acknowledged bible of French cooking. The photo did not look familiar. Well, at least not like the one I’d been making.
According to The Book, the salad is ... “typically southern, containing tomatoes, cucumber, locally grown fresh broad beans or small artichokes, green pepper, raw onions, hard-cooked eggs, anchovy filets or tuna, ripe olives, olive oil, garlic and basil.”
And one shocking sentence: “Neither potatoes nor cooked vegetables should
be added to this salad.” Wow! And, no! So I pulled out my copy of the equally thick Oxford Companion to Food, the British version of the French tome, or possibly their response to it. It meandered through an extensive history of salad — from the original Latin salata of classical Greece and Rome, to the French salade and the initial English salat, quoting French novelists and Roman poets. It ticked off tabbouleh, Caesar and Waldorf salads before veering into Asia.
According to the Brits, salade nicoise is “... a standard item, hundreds (sic) and even thousands of miles, from Nice.” The ingredients list skipped
olives, artichokes and garlic. The English are not fond of these. French cookbook authors added more garden ingredients. I guess those tiny green beans from the farmers’ market are OK. Still, I’ve always included a potato salad. Not, of course, the American picnic type with mayonnaise, but a more Mediterranean version with olive oil and capers.
I plate mine on the largest platter I can find, lining up each component sideby-side to show off the colors. I garnish with lemon wedges, then set it in the center of the table. It gives everyone
CURRENT PHOTO / LINDA BASSETT
The Current’s food columnist, Linda Bassett, writes that her Nicoise-style salad blends the vibrant flavors of the south of France, with fresh vegetables, tuna and eggs.
Seeing Arts Festival through a Western lens
BY COURT MERRIGAN
I walked over to the Marblehead Arts Festival the other day, and as I strolled among the art and artisanal exhibits, took in a couple movements of chamber music in Abbot Hall, and watched the children goggling at the Horribles Parade, I got to thinking about the history of farming out West. Let me explain. I grew up on a quarter-section farm on the Nebraska-Wyoming border. When that farm was homesteaded in the late 19th century, it supported one family at subsistence level. By the early 20th century, it took eight men and a fulltime cook to run the place. Rising commodity prices and technological advances made farming profitable. However, by midcentury, rising standards of living meant the farmer had to seek additional income off the farm, and relied on sons and daughters for free labor to fill in the gaps. By the farm crisis of the 80s, further advances in technology meant one person could run the farm part-time, before and after a day job in town, so long as the sons and daughters still provided free labor. That was me. I was the labor. By this time, our quartersection farm did not “support” a family at all; the family supported the farm. Nowadays, field machinery run on by smartphone and GPS has grown so massive and requires so much capital to maintain that
lETTERS
Island littering
mars Fourth of July
To the editor:
The Fourth of July is a celebration of independence.
We have thousands of men and women who have lost their lives to keep us free and allow us to have special holidays and free to make our own choices. As a ninth generation Marbleheader, I grew up loving this town and all the history it has. It was very special.
Unfortunately, things are changing and not for the positive. I watched many individuals enjoy the Fourth at Little Harbor and Brown’s Island (now known as Crowninshield Island). There were probably 300-400 young adults out on the Island. My frustration, while everyone was enjoying the day, was the lack of respect for the environment and community. This lit a fire for me to write this. As the day progressed, I observed several hundred cans and bottles just being thrown onto the beach. Hoping they would be eventually picked up, I found myself getting more and more upset with the lack of respect for the community and surroundings. As the day came to an end, I observed Carl Rodgers (son of Dave and Pam Rodgers) along with his son, Connor, walk over to the island and for the next 90 minutes, collect six, 40-gallon trash bags of bottles and cans.
Marblehead is a beautiful community, rich with history and charm. Unless we take a stand to change things, we will continue to go down that nasty rabbit hole. We have to make people responsible for their trash. If I had done this growing up, my father would have kicked me in the rear end, then made
a mere quarter-section farm cannot support it. Thus, our quarter-section farm, still in the family, is a cog in the machine of a much larger operation, rented out to an operator who runs enough acres on enough farms to keep a fleet of machinery profitable. Soaring land values and commodity prices keep the farm alive as part of a complex portfolio of Investments. Every time I am back west I go out to the farm. I now see the fields where I toiled as a kid through the lens of a spreadsheet like the movie “The Matrix”; and in that falling alphabet I sometimes see the ghost of that original homesteader with his mule,
me go clean it up and then do other community work as a punishment. Maybe some of the parents reading this should take the initiative to talk with their own kids about responsibility and their actions. We can continue to look the other way and hope it changes on its own, but we know that will never happen.
To protect Marblehead and its beauty we need to all make individuals responsible.
Frustrated Marblehead native, Bob Jackson
Grew up on Stacey Street
To the editor:
The Marblehead Festival of Arts Performing Arts Committee would like to thank the many people and community members that helped us present our 57th Performing Arts Concerts @ Crocker Park during our 58th Festival. As always, our lineup required an incredible amount of assistance and we’d like to acknowledge the tremendous support received this year.
Thanks to: All of the performers who were great to work with and really gave us their all for these tremendous shows! To the Festival volunteers who always enthusiastically do their part, specifically the sound and lights crew, without whom we could not do the gig, including; Claude Richardson, Todd Rocco, Cory Monahan, Rick Burke, Alex Burke, Eva Burke, Morrell Reynolds, Abby Wheeler, Joey Smith, Kim Belf & Lawrence Habin plus our in-house pros, Jerry Morvillo and Brody Pazol from Canvas Audio for making
It’s a wonder how the Festival manages to feature so much while still maintaining a
breaking virgin sod under the hot sun with a one-share plow. Marblehead was already 250 years old by that homesteader’s time; and has itself gone from a rocky outpost of hard-drinking and recalcitrant fishermen and their long-suffering wives to a peninsula so prosperous it can afford to regulate window panes on houses in the Historic District.
If you squint hard enough, you can see a fisherman untangling his nets by his dory on the rocks beneath present-day Crocker
it all look and sound so good!
To our Internship Program coordinator John Krivit and our amazing 2024 student interns continuing the 24-year tradition of education, very hard work and lots of laughs!
Special thanks to Tyson Miller for wonderful lighting design! Our deepest gratitude goes to the following local restaurants for their donations to feed our performers. As always, we invite you to visit these giving members of our community and when you do, thank them for their donations to this year’s Festival: The Landing (Rob), Three Cod Tavern (Chip), Evan’s Deli (Evan), CaféItalia (Donna & Mark), Casa Corona (Felix), Marblehead House of Pizza (Tom), Manhattan Sandwich Shoppe (Mike & Kaitlin), The Beacon (Johnny & Edgar) and The Riptide (Sue & Bryan).
Thanks also to Ralph Khouri for gracing our stage with the beautiful oriental rug!
Thanks to the Select Board and staff for its support. And to town officials for providing access to historic Crocker Park, one of the most beautiful concert venues in the world! Thanks also to Peter James and the Rec and Parks Department for helping us keep the park clean and safe.
Thanks also to Rick Macomber of Macomber Electricians for
Duties finished, I wandered back to the main level of Abbot Hall. Among all the artwork, I particularly enjoyed a quilt depicting the characters from “Alice in Wonderland,” sewn Nintendo video game-style. The piece exuded the nostalgia of my generation for those old games in comforting blanket form. Down the street, the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team exhibit was doing a brisk business with snakes kids could touch and hold. The streets were packed and the line for a lobster roll at St. Michael’s and the Muffin Shop were out the door. There was a carnival feel to the muggy air. It’s a wonder how the Festival manages to feature so much while still maintaining a cozy, county-fair feel. I can only imagine the thousands of volunteer hours that go into producing this week-long affair. My hat is off to you all.
Park, even as you are taking in a virtuoso performance given by a teenager with a ukulele. I mean it — the kid’s name is August Belf and he rocked. I even got to participate a bit in this year’s festivities. I’m still an active member of the Cranks, that group that keeps the bell up in Abbot Hall bonging every hour on the hour. On the Fourth of July, we help the public ring the bell. During my shift, I helped show both a group from Australia and a born and bred ‘Header how.
his annual efforts to keep the “juice”flowing.
Thanks to this years’Festival President Jodi-Tatiana Charles, Bill Smalley and the 2024 Festival Board of Directors, along with so many others for supporting our efforts.
Thanks to Fred & Karl of Marblehead Hardware for the very kind Weber Grill Giveaway prize donation.
Thanks to the Crocker Park neighbors and Mariner’s Lane Association. Hope your weekend was a great one...Thank you, Thank you!!
Finally, thank you to our beloved town of Marblehead and our incredible community for the forum to entertain and for being there to enjoy it all. It is so gratifying to see neighbors all together and to hear such positive feedback! It’s worth every minute of the time we put in to provide incredible performances to such a supportive audience!
We are already working on our 59th Festival and invite YOU to be part of the fun….Simply visit marbleheadfestival.org to join us or visit the Festival Facebook page for the latest updates and to post/share your Festival photos!
How lucky are we to share this great gift of performing arts with all of you. We never take it or your support for granted. A final thanks goes to you all!
Brian Wheeler, MFoA performing arts chairperson
A declaration for the Harbor Illumination
To the editor: When in the course of Fourth of July celebrations, it becomes necessary for one town to alter its traditional festivities due to
Sometimes I think about that long-ago homesteader farmer, how astonished he would be at the progress made on that quarter-section farm, and how pleased. The whole idea of going out to the high plains was to prosper. Likewise, I think that 17th-century fisherman, come out to Marblehead to throw off the yoke of the Puritans back in Salem and whose descendants would do so much to overthrow colonial oppression in the century to come, would look out on the Arts Festival and smile, too. The whole idea, after all, is to prosper.
As always, if you’ve got an idea upon which I can embark for a Marblehead First Time, drop me a line at court.merrigan@gmail.com.
unforeseen calamities, a decent respect to the spirits of the community requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the alteration. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all festivities are created with the intent to bring joy and unity, that they are endowed by our forefathers with certain unalienable rights, that among these are celebration, camaraderie, and the pursuit of festive traditions.
The history of this day in Marblehead is a history of bright displays and communal gatherings, dedicated to the proposition that all residents and visitors should experience the splendor of our fireworks. Yet, in the early hours of this very day, a barge, carrying our anticipated spectacle, was engulfed in flames, thereby depriving us of our customary fireworks display.
We, therefore, the representatives of the town of Marblehead, assembled here, appealing to the community for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of this town, solemnly publish and declare, that the harbor illumination shall proceed as planned. That this luminous display, where each resident shall light a red flare, casting a radiant glow upon the rim of our harbor, shall stand as a beacon of our resilience and unity.
And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the strength of our community, we mutually pledge to each other our resolve, our creativity, and our unwavering festive spirit.
Happy Fourth of July, Marblehead. The illumination shall go on!
Stoddard Vandersteel Tyler Row
CURRENT PHOTO / COURT MERRIGAN
The Arts Festival’s quilt exhibit at Abbot Hall caught Court Merrigan’s eye.
cozy, county-fair feel.
COURTESY PHOTO / BOB JACKSON
This is just some of the litter collected from Crowninshield Island on July Fourth.
Fishermen speak out against The Landing Restaurant’s patio dining
BY WILL DOWD
The Landing Restaurant’s outdoor patio dining area on Front Street has become a point of contention between local fishermen and popular restaurant.
The fishermen voiced their concerns during a recent Harbors and Waters Board meeting. Fishermen Jeff Flynn and Jay Sahagian, owner of the Barnacle Restaurant, expressed frustration over the continued presence of The Landing Restaurant’s outdoor patio where fishermen carry out their business. They said the set-up interferes with their work and poses safety risks.
“It’s an inconvenience for the fishermen,” Sahagian said.
“People look at you, little kids are running [around]. It’s a liability.”
Robert Simonelli, partner and general manager at The Landing Restaurant, emphasized the
positive impact of the outdoor patio dining on both his business and the town.
“It’s been marvelous,” Simonelli said. “People are so happy to be out on the waterfront and enjoying that.”
Simonelli explained that he’s made adjustments to the patio layout to maintain public access to the dock area, including keeping public benches in place.
The restaurant operates the patio Monday through Friday after 4 p.m, and Saturday and Sunday from noon to close.
Regarding conflicts with fishermen, Simonelli claimed there haven’t been recent issues.
“We’ve been doing [outdoor dining on the landing] for the past four years, and it has worked so well — we had zero issues,” he said. He
acknowledged some frustrations were voiced years ago but said he and the fishermen had talked and worked everything out.
Flynn argued that the valuable waterfront space should command a higher fee from the restaurant.
“All you hear about in this town is how [the government needs more money,” Flynn stated. “These guys have gotten that property for pretty much nothing.”
Simonelli defended the current arrangement, describing the cost per square foot at $1.50 as minimal and justifiable, believing it’s good for the town. The restaurant pays around $975 a year for its patio permit.
The Landig’s outdoor patio, initially implemented as a pandemic measure, has since been formalized by the Select Board with some modifications.
On the economic impact, Simonelli said the patio dining
does not significantly increase sales, but benefits the town by attracting visitors who enjoy being outside on the water. He sees the outdoor dining as part of a broader effort to support the local economy, encouraging people to come, enjoy the town, shop, eat and drink.
Harbors and Waters Board Chair Gary Gregory acknowledged the conflicting interests but emphasized the board’s attempt to balance the needs of various stakeholders.
“We’ve gone down there and marked it out with them. We’ve had a discussion,” Gregory said.
The board indicated it would continue to monitor the situation for safety concerns and conflicts between users. However, some board members suggested that broader issues of fees and land use might be better addressed by the Select Board or through town meeting processes.
Residents embrace battery storage systems
BY WILL DOWD
The Marblehead Municipal Light Department has recently streamlined its application process for residential battery storage systems, making it easier for homeowners to integrate these energy solutions while ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Some residential battery systems have been installed in Marblehead, according to officials, with some being put in place without a formal permitting process.
These systems store excess energy generated by solar panels or other renewable sources during the day, allowing homeowners to use the stored energy when they need it most, such as during power outages or when electricity rates are high.
George Hooper, a resident who installed Tesla solar panels three years ago, has been waiting for the permitting process to be approved to add a Tesla Powerwall battery storage system.
“I am working on the process now. My contractor is, hopefully in the next week or so going to put in a permit request,” Hopper recently told the Current. “So I’ve been waiting three years for this.”
The stream-lined process comes after months of collaboration with the Fire Department and the Building Department, addressing the concerns and experiences of local residents who had expressed frustration over delays
BY WILL DOWD
The Current welcomes submissions (150-200 words) to the news in brief. Send yours to wdowd@marbleheadnews. org.
Town lands $60K rail trail grant
Marblehead has been awarded a $60,000 MassTrails grant to support construction of the rail trail, according to state officials.
The grant will fund work on a section of trail between Pleasant and Smith streets. The town will provide $15,000 for the project.
“It is critical that we continue to provide support for the maintenance of our trails and pathways,” said state Sen. Brendan Crighton, who represents Marblehead.
The Marblehead project is one of 65 initiatives receiving funding through the MassTrails program this year. The grants, announced by Gov. Maura Healey’s administration,
aim to enhance recreational trails and shared pathways across Massachusetts.
State Rep. Jenny Armini called the rail trail “a vital public resource that positively contributes to our town’s quality of life.”
Abbot Library to open July 10
The newly renovated Abbot Public Library will reopen for regular business on Wednessday, July 10, after receiving a variance for its front walkway from the state Architectural Access Board.
The variance allows the library to resume operations on the condition that the town ensures the entrance is fully compliant with accessibility regulations by Dec. 1. The library’s original June 20 reopening was postponed due to accessibility issues with the front entrance ramp.
“The actual ribbon cutting will be delayed until the front walkway is complete,” Executive Director Kim Grad told the
and complex approval processes.
“These are new devices that require cooperation from multiple departments because all of this has a lot of moving parts,” said MMLD General Manager Joseph Kowalik. “We are all learning this together — there is no handbook that we can refer to. We must make sure they get deployed safely.”
Fire Chief Jason Gilliland stressed the importance of communication among departments during the battery permitting process.
“When the permitting process wraps up, the information of where these units are going is important.” He emphasized the need for his department to be aware of their locations since they can be fire hazards.
The Marblehead Municipal Light Commission has voted to allow UL certified batteries, those batteries that have been tested and certified by UL (Underwriters Laboratories), a global safety certification company. UL is a third-party organization that develops safety standards and tests products to ensure they meet those standards.
When a battery is UL certified, it means that the battery has undergone rigorous testing to verify its safety, performance and compliance with specific standards, according to industry professionals and regulatory bodies.
Residential battery storage systems, such as the Tesla Powerwall, LG Chem RESU, and Sonnen eco and ecoLinx, are gaining popularity among
Current.
Regular business hours are:
» Monday: 9:30 a.m.-9
p.m.
» Tuesday: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Thursday: noon-6 p.m.
» Friday: 9:30 a.m.-5
p.m.
» Saturday: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Patrons with mobility concerns can use the lower entrance, which provides Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant
access.
The $10 million renovation project, which began in October 2022, includes a redesigned main floor, accessible courtyard, makerspace and event center.
United Way honors state Sen. Crighton United Way of Massachusetts Bay recently honored state Sen. Brendan Crighton, who represents Marblehead, as one of its inaugural Legislative Champions for his leadership in promoting
homeowners seeking to save money on electricity bills and increase energy independence.
Commissioner Jean-Jacques Yarmoff recognized the need for a process that guides installations and helps residents navigate the approval process.
“Some already have batteries. Others are telling us, ‘I would like a battery,’” he said.
Residential solar battery storage systems typically cost between $3,000 and $20,000 before installation, with most systems falling in the $12,000 to $18,000 range, making them cost-prohibitive for some homeowners.
As Marblehead continues to adopt residential battery storage systems, lithium iron phosphate batteries, like those used in Sonnen’s eco and ecoLinx models, have been highlighted for their stability and safety.
“We must make sure they get deployed safely, with continued cooperation and innovation,” said Kowalik.
To learn more, visit marbleheadelectric.com.
thriving, equitable communities. Crighton received a Community Champion award at the State House for his efforts to advance economic justice and innovative legislation to combat chronic homelessness.
Got questions about new meals, rooms taxes?
Voters at the Town Meeting in May approved two new local taxes — a 6% local rooms tax and a .75% meals tax.
The Finance Department has been getting several questions about its implementation. Residents with questions about these new taxes can contact the state Department of Revenue at 1-800-3926089 or 1-617-887-6367 for more information.
Resident raises $25,000 for cancer research at Mass General Marblehead resident Alyssa Prince, co-founder of Cure By The Harbor, presented a $25,000 check to Dr. Zosia Piotrowska of the Mass General Cancer Center. The funds were raised at the first Cure By The Harbor benefit, held at the Dolphin Yacht Club, to support Piotrowska’s lung cancer research. The event honors Prince’s husband, Kevin, who died at 44 from an aggressive form of lung cancer affecting nonsmokers. Alyssa Prince was joined by her children, Callie and Cole, and co-chair, Liz Steinfeld, at the check presentation ceremony.
COURTESY PHOTO / TESLA
A Tesla Powerwall battery is mounted on the exterior of a home.
CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD
Outdoor patio dining area at The Landing Restaurant, with tables, chairs and umbrellas set up near the water’s edge.
COURTESY PHOTO State Sen. Brendan Crighton, who represents Marblehead, speaks after receiving the Community Champion award from United Way of Massachusetts Bay at the State House.
COURTESY PHOTO
From left to right, Cole Prince, Alyssa Prince, Callie Prince, Dr. Zosia Piotrowska and Liz Steinfeld attended a presentation ceremony in which the Prince family delivered a $25,000 check for lung cancer research.
Meet the man at the helm of Satori Sailing Marblehead
BY MELISSA STACEY
The following is an interview with Capt. James Ashton, owner of Satori Sailing Marblehead, conducted by Discover Marblehead. Satori Sailing’s mission is to share the joy of sailing with others. To learn more about their adult instructional classes or to book a sailing charter, go to sailsatori. com.
What inspires you about running Satori Sailing Marblehead? I’m inspired by the clients we serve. From Marblehead residents and beyond, I’ve met so many fascinating people over the past five years of being in business. It’s a privilege to offer a service that brings people such joy.
What are some of the new classes and offerings you have available this year? For the sailing school, we’re offering more advanced sail training to support clients at all stages of their sailing education. New classes include docking, sail trim and bareboat vacation charter training. Also, our women’s weeknight practice sails are a huge hit. On the charter side, we’re very excited about a new partnership with Sail Beyond Cancer (sailbeyondcancer.org).
We’re assisting this wonderful organization to fulfill their mission of offering patients and their families opportunities
to spend time together while enjoying the beauty of sailing.
What is something new you’ve learned as a business owner this past year? Just when you think you’ve got things a bit figured out, some new challenge arises but it’s best to just stay flexible. This is why I love the quote, “You can’t change the wind, but you can adjust your sails.”
What is something you’ve always wanted to do or be a part of (and why) in Marblehead, but haven’t yet? I would love to see Parker’s Boatyard revitalized to provide greater public access to the main harbor during the summer months. There are many of us in town, with a range of experience, who would be excited to volunteer our time. I am hopeful that this will come to fruition eventually.
The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. To learn more, visit discovermhd.com.
Scenes from recent Glover’s Regiment encampments at Fort Sewall
STEP BACK IN TIME
Glover encampment at Fort Sewall July 13
BY LIA GORBACH
Take a trip back in time and visit Glover’s Marblehead Regiment for their annual encampment at Fort Sewall
on Sat. July 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fort will be transformed into a bustling military camp with soldiers, sailors and civilians.
A spoonful of opium helps the medicine go down
BY JARRETT ZEMAN
The 19th-century ship was a home, a workplace and a deathtrap. With dozens of men living in close quarters and filthy conditions, a sailing vessel became an incubator for disease.
The Seaman Act of 1790 required each merchant ship to carry a medicine chest like the one seen here. The law also demanded that an “apothecary of known reputation” handle all medical treatments, but this task usually fell to the first mate or cook, who consulted books like “The Medical Chest Companion.”
Crews expected their substitute doctors to treat a dizzying array of ailments, by
mixing ingredients from a few well-chosen jars and vials. “The Companion” promised cures for minor complaints like headaches, indigestion and diarrhea, as well as contagious diseases like malaria and measles.
The Marblehead Museum’s chest contains ingredients for combating stomach pain, including Purging Powder, Rhubarb Powder and Stoughton’s Elixir, bottled by Salem pharmacist Jonathan Webb. Fifteen drops of White Vitriol mixed with wine provided relief from scurvy.
Doctors laced their remedies with opium and laudanum (a tincture of opium) to help the medicine go down, a prescription Mary Poppins might
Activities will include cannon salutes, arms drills, fife and drum concerts, a “tactical” at Gas House Beach and a last-man-standing contest. New this year is a
children’s area at the top of the fort with activities like making corn husk dolls.
The event is rain or shine. The full schedule can be found online at
gloversregiment.org.
If interested in participating in future reenactments, Glover’s Marblehead Regiment can be reached at captain@gloversregiment.org.
have skipped. Medicines mixed frequently with opium included Sugar of Lead, which treated burns and gunshot wounds, and Tartar Emetic, a fever reducer.
Of course, the use of narcotics led to lifelong addictions for some sailors.
When a sailor’s illness required quarantine, the ship transported them to onshore hospitals, funded by a 20-cent tax on their monthly salary. These hospitals became a refuge for sick sailors, who preferred the professional care of doctors
over the “medicine-by-numbers” they received from their cook. Jarrett Zeman is the assistant director of the
Museum. “From
COURTESY
PHOTOS
Marblehead
COURTESY PHOTO / MARBLEHEAD MUSEUM
Contents of a ship’s medicine chest, including Stoughton’s Elixir, White Vitriol, and Sugar of Lead, can be found in the Marblehead Museum’s archives.
COURTESY PHOTO / DISCOVER MARBLEHEAD
Capt. James Ashton, owner of Satori Sailing Marblehead, says he loves sharing the joy of sailing through instructional classes and charters.
58th Horribles Parade dazzles with record participation, whimsical costumes
BY WILL DOWD
Marblehead’s 58th Fourth of July
Horribles Parade drew a record crowd of young participants Thursday morning.
More than 375 children lined up in costumes for the parade along Pleasant Street. Some dressed as superheroes in capes and masks while others donned elaborate, colorful sea creature costumes.
Beverly fire departments responded to the blaze, along with the Massachusetts Environmental Police and the Marblehead and Beverly harbormasters.
People in town were saddened to learn about the cancellation.
“What do our fireworks mean to us here in Marblehead, the home of liberty? It’s a celebration of all Marbleheaders did for this country,” longtime resident Christopher Butler said. “Fourth of July is kind of like our Christmas here in Marblehead.”
Crystal Leiser was visiting Marblehead from San Francisco.
“We flew all the way here to watch fireworks with friends,” Leiser said. “So yes, we’re disappointed.”
‘Think it through’
Meanwhile, back on land, Police Chief Dennis King said he received about 10 calls reporting illegal fireworks.
“Based on the calls, my concern is the amount of illegal fireworks and the danger they create,” King said. “Anytime you possess, sell or use fireworks in Massachusetts you’re committing a crime and could be subject to confiscation of the fireworks, a fine or arrest in some circumstances. It’s totally irresponsible to light off fireworks, especially in a town where many houses are close together or in wooded areas, parks or trails. I really wish people would think it through when they are setting off an explosive in town and the consequences that could result.”
The whimsical themes continued with entries like a child-drawn wagon adorned with characters from the movie “Inside Out.” Political satire was also on display, including one group with a sign that read “Replace Biden with Swift.”
Historical and patriotic costumes were prominent, with some kids wearing traditional American symbols and others crafting intricate representations of landmarks, such as the White House.
Here’s a rundown of the winners:
` 1ST PLACE ORIGINAL (IN MEMORY OF RON CHAMPLIN):
Winner: Ella Parker Reid
Costume/theme: Goodnight
Marblehead
` 2ND PLACE ORIGINAL (IN MEMORY OF STU CURTIS/JACK ATTRIDGE):
Winners: Eleanor Finkle, Harper
McCooey, Piper Ellsworth, Alice Blonder
Costume/theme: Super Hero Girls
` 3RD PLACE ORIGINAL (IN MEMORY OF JOHN BANKS/VICKI MEUSE)
Winners: Elizabeth Quarles, Katie Quarles, Rose Quarles
Costume/theme: Welcome to the USA
Giant Pandas
` 1ST PLACE CURRENT EVENTS (IN MEMORY OF PAUL O’SHAUGHNESSY):
Winners: Polly Mentuck, Jackson
Mentuck, Thomas Taylor
Costume/theme: “Inside Out” All the Feels for Marblehead
` 2ND PLACE CURRENT EVENTS (IN MEMORY OF LLOYD CHISHOLM):
Winners: Jackson Mentuck, Madison
Williams, Henry Williams
Costume/theme: Celtics Rolling Rally
` 3RD PLACE CURRENT EVENTS (IN MEMORY OF SYLVIA O’MALLEY):
Winners: Eloise Gummere, Juliette Gummere, Ada Gummere
Costume/theme: USA Olympics
` 1ST PLACE HISTORIC/PATRIOTIC (IN MEMORY OF MICHAEL DAVIS)
Winner: Archer Sweeney
Costume/theme: General George Washington vs. the Red Coat ` 2ND PLACE HISTORIC/PATRIOTIC (IN MEMORY OF WAYNE MACK)
Winners: Vivienne Smith, Hazel Smith, Clara Smith, Isabelle Smith
Costume/theme: Red, White and Shades of Blue
` 3RD PLACE HISTORIC/PATRIOTIC (IN MEMORY OF TUSH JONES)
` BEST THEME/COSTUME MADE BY A CHILD OR CHILDREN (IN MEMORY OF REV. JOYCE BLACK)
Winners: Fionna Taylor, Parker Mentuck, Miles Mentuck, Gracie Hill, Louie Hill
Costume/theme: The Great (Leaf) Blower Debate of 2024
From P. A1
CURRENT PHOTOS / WILL DOWD
Children in sea creature costumes march in the Horribles Parade, carrying signs with playful slogans like “Release the Kraken.”
A young participant in the Horribles Parade rides in a decorated wagon featuring characters from the movie “Inside Out.”
MAKING A Ru N
Sports
Runners show spirit in Festival races
BY GREY COLLINS
On Saturday morning, 445 runners and walkers lined up for the Festival of Arts 5K and newly added 10K races.
Kyle Taylor, of Marblehead, finished in first place in the 5K with a time of 16:44. Jonas Hampton, of Swampscott, placed first in the 10K with a time of 30:52. The winning team was Notch Running Club.
“I just wanted to come out and run and have fun,” said Taylor, who ran for Notch Running Club. “It was a tight race. It was a group of about four of us for a while, and the second place guy was ahead of me for most of it, and then we had a little duel in the last couple hundred meters.”
Marblehead High School senior and cross country captain Will Cerrutti placed second in the 5K.
“I prepared by going to our cross country practices six days a week, and that set me up for a pretty good success today,” said Cerrutti. “I really wanted to show everyone how much work the cross country team is putting in every single day at practice.”
While for some the run was simply a fun time, for others it was a test of perseverance and grit.
“I was doing well for a while, but then all of a sudden, I just pulled over and started vomiting everywhere,” said Jonah Potach, a senior at MHS. “But I made it to the finish line and got top of my age group in the 10K. I’ve just always had that mentality.”
Festival President Jodi-Tatiana Charles, who made the race a reality in 2023, believes that it has made a big impact on the festival.
“I couldn’t understand why we didn’t have one,” said Charles. “I mean there’s not one time of day, night, fall, spring or summer where you don’t see runners in town and hear the pitter patter on the asphalt. But most importantly, this is a great way to raise money to sustain the Festival for years to come.”
Corinthian Yacht Club hosts
Youth Match Racing Championship
BY ELIZA GARRY OF US SAILING
The U.S. Youth Match Racing Championship for the Rose Cup was a thrilling event down to the final moments of the last race. The Corinthian Yacht Club hosted a fantastic event for all regatta participants.
The final round ended with a 3-1 win from Morgan Pinckney, Peter Barnard, Samantha Hemans and Kelly Holthus of Newport Harbor Yacht Club. Pinckney defeated Hamilton Barclay, Ava Anderson, William Baker and Hayden McCready of Lakewood Yacht Club in the finals.
The event began with two days of advanced match racing clinics from Janelle Zarkowsky Martin and Dave Perry. Due to tactical execution by the race committee, a full round robin was completed, followed by the final rounds of racing.
“This year’s Rose Cup was the most cohesive groups of kids, race supporters,
umpires and event staff,” said Ryan Davidson, US
representative.
Don
Kleykamp shows off his moves at the finish line.
YELLOW MAGENTA CYAN BLACK
Sailing Championship Committee event
The Nick Scandone Sportsmanship Award was given
to Peter Busch, Kate Joslin, Peter Joslin and Harrison Strom of San Diego Yacht Club. The trophy, named for the late U.S. Paralympic Gold Medalist Nick Scandone who, in addition
to winning the Gold Medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, was beating both able-bodied and physically-challenged competitors throughout the last year of his life as he fought
ALS. Nick’s persistence against seemingly insurmountable odds provides inspiration to winners of the Scandone Sportsmanship Trophy and to all sailors.
Final results are: 1. Morgan Pinckney, Peter Barnard, Samantha Hemans, Kelly Holthus 2. Hamilton Barclay, Ava Anderson, William Baker, Hayden McCready 3. Thomas Sitzmann, Robby Meek, Alice Schmid, Luke Woodworth 4. Dylan Sih, Dillon Garcia, Michael Sentovich, Shay Wood 5. Siena Nichols, Liliana Brennan, Eddie Kliem, Maddie Nichols 6. Peter Busch, Kate Joslin, Peter Joslin, Harrison Strom 7. Pearse Dowd, Lucca Antonietti, Eloise Goedkoop, Kate Myles 8. James Pine, Nathan Pine, Logan Mraz, Addyson Fisher 9. Connor Bennett, Allie Shand, Robbie Upton, Alec Van Kerckhove
10. Tor Svendsen, Tristan McDonald, Henry Scholz, Merritt Sellers
COURTESY PHOTO / LEXI PLINE
Match Racing finals photo features teams racing up close over three days off Marblehead light.
CURRENT PHOTOS / GREY COLLINS Runners come out hot at the 5K starting line.
5K winner Kyle Taylor reaches the finish line.
Left to right: Zach Pike, Cole Barbau and Will Cruikshank finish the 5K.
Familiar face takes over as AD at MHS
BY JOE MCCONNELL
Marblehead High School
Principal Michele Carlson announced on Monday, July 1, that Kent Wheeler is the school’s new athletic director replacing Greg Ceglarski.
Upon making the announcement, Carlson said: “Mr. Kent Wheeler has been a social studies and math teacher at Marblehead High School since 2015. Additionally, he has served as a freshman and JV baseball coach and freshman football coach. Please join me in welcoming Kent Wheeler as our new AD for the 2024-25 school year.”
Wheeler is also a wellknown name throughout the entire town. He
is the founder and program director of the Marblehead/Swampscott Post 57 American Legion baseball organization,
where he’s currently the U-19 head coach. He has also been a member of the Marblehead Youth Baseball League Board of
Directors since 2005.
In the private sector, he was a general manager at Lotto Sports North America, and has held sales management positions at Etonic Worldwide, Srixon Sports, USA and Mizuna USA.
Wheeler has earned a Master of Education in Athletic Administration degree from Endicott College after receiving a Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree from Ohio State University.
The new Marblehead High athletic director described in detail his longtime association with the town.
“I’ve coached and coordinated at every level of youth baseball and football in Marblehead,
and have sat on the board of directors in both the MYB (Marblehead Youth Baseball) and MYF (Marblehead Youth Football),” Wheeler said.
“I also started the Gatchells Park League for 10-12-year-olds, and the Mariners (American Legion) baseball program for 15-19-year-olds. I have also been the Babe Ruth baseball coordinator, and American Legion baseball District 8 chairman. At the high school since 2015, I have been a special education tutor and math teacher, and for the last five years I was a social studies teacher, while serving as a sub-varsity baseball and football coach.”
For the remainder of
Marblehead’s Frost, Gallagher, Giugino make NSBL all-star team
BY JOE MCCONNELL
The Fourth of July weekend is traditionally the halfway point of the season in the North Shore Baseball League. It also provides a well-needed break in the regular season schedule for players and coaches alike.
The Marblehead Seasiders had been off since June 30, before resuming the schedule on July 6 against the Rowley Nor’easters (6-6, as of July 2) after press deadline. They then took on the Beverly Recs (2-9) the next day. They were then off again until Saturday, July 13, when the Swampscott Sox (9-4) come to Seaside Park for a 2 p.m. game.
The North Shore Phillies (4-6)
will then play host to the local nine to complete the weekend on Sunday, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The Seasiders were 3-10 heading into the holiday break, and in 10 th place in the 11-team league.
“Winning games is all about getting the right players from our 20-plus roster to show up,” said general manager and coach
Joe McKane. “Over the past nine years, I have come to realize that summer baseball is not always our players’ first priority. Family, work, travel and social events will come before games. Our captains — Trey Blackmer, Ryan Gallagher and Mike Mitchell — do their best to get good attendance.”
But on June 27 against the Kingston Night Owls, the Seasiders came through with a thrilling 2-1 victory.
“It was one of those nights,” said McKane. “We had 14 players show up, and ended up winning one of the best games we have played in years.
“Jack Lindsay and Ian Gallagher combined on the
mound to win this game. Jack went 4.1-innings, giving up just one run, while stranding six. Ian then closed out the game throwing 34 pitches, 25 of them for strikes. He gave up just one hit and struck out four in his 2.2-innings,” added McKane.
Offensively, Brennan Frost tripled in the winning run. Gallagher accounted for the other tally. “We left 11 runners on base, and made hard outs twice with the bases loaded,” said the veteran Seasiders coach.
Shortstop Dereck Finn chipped in with two hits, Brady Lavender was credited with two difficult catches in left to end the game, and Schuyler Schmidt came up
the summer, Wheeler will familiarize himself with all the sports teams at the high school and their respective coaches, so he can hit the ground running when fall sports practices start up again in late August. But it helps that he already knows the athletes, and the athletes know him, and together they know what to expect from each other.
The Magicians will begin the new school year with a defending state championship team (boys hockey) and a state semifinalist squad (softball) to give themselves immediate momentum to tackle the challenges across the board in the Northeastern Conference, once again.
with a diving catch in right in foul territory to highlight some of the clutch plays the Seasiders had made during this game.
Three Seasiders chosen for all-star team
Frost (2 home runs, 9 RBI), a first baseman by trade, has also pitched nine innings to record a 1.45 ERA.
Ryan Gallagher, the team’s captain and catcher, leads the Seasiders in hitting with a .316 batting average. Pitcher James Giugino has two wins, and has an ERA of 2.45 over 28 innings. All three players recently made the NSBL all-star team. “(Giugino) has been our ace the last three years,” added McKane.
BY JOE MCCONNELL
The Marblehead/Swampscott Post 57 Mariners junior legion team are growing together rapidly in only its second year together. The core group of 13 returning players from 2023, who are all now primarily high school sophomores, has built on last year’s success, when they won the District 8 championship, with the addition of two juniors, two freshmen and one eighth grader on the roster.
As a side note on last year’s team, they went on to advance to the state semifinals before falling to Pittsfield, the eventual state champion.
Heading into this year’s Fourth of July weekend, they were 6-3, and are in second place behind only North Andover.
According to manager Steve Correnti, the team’s pitching has been the cornerstone of its success. They are currently boasting an impressive 2.41 ERA, led by starters Zach Alex and David Palmer.
“They have been exceptional starters, but have also been supported by reliable relievers Michael Collins, Chase Groothuis, Jesse Swartz and Connor Chiarello,” added Correnti.
As a staff, the hurlers have been greatly assisted by their catchers Cooper Correnti, Michael Collins and Beau Olivieri, who have all been reliable targets behind the plate.
On offense, junior Nick Berube leads the team in hits and batting average. He headed into the holiday break hitting an impressive .577.
Sophomores Adam Sparacio, Caden Ross, Michael Collins, Jesse Swartz, Chase Groothuis
and Correnti have also contributed significantly to the team’s offensive prowess.
Freshman Owen Coyne is surprisingly among the mix of talented offensive threats, currently batting .429 with six hits, including two doubles, and five RBI in just five games.
As a team, the junior Mariners are batting .384, and have outscored opponents, 65-25.
The team’s defense is pretty good, as well.
“Defensively, we have maintained a .970 fielding percentage,” said Correnti.
The manager singled out the defensive play of C.J. Hyer, Aidan Brown, Tim Hamilton, Chase Fasciano and Nate Lee,
who are playing errorless baseball to date.
Among the many strengths of this team is its speed. “Our aggressive base running has put pressure on opposing defenses after racking up 48 stolen bases in nine games,” said Correnti.
“Berube is our leader in that department with 18 steals.
“This blend of strong pitching, hitting and defense to go along with our aggressive base running has made us a formidable team to beat this summer,” added the Post 57 junior manager.
The Mariners got back to work this week with District 8 games against Newburyport and Lynn, before heading to Sandwich for a weekend tournament.
Action heats up for the Senior Division Mariners with
Prior to the Fourth of July break, Marblehead ties Newburyport in high scoring game
BY JOE MCCONNELL
The action is starting to heat up for the Marblehead/ Swampscott American Legion Post 57 senior division baseball team after a couple of weeks that had them playing just twice prior to the Fourth of July break. Their last game ended in an 8-8 tie against Newburyport at Seaside
Park on July 2. Bodie Bartram started the game on the mound, throwing 82 pitches, before giving way to John Downey, who accounted for 76 pitches during this high scoring game.
As a result of the tie, the Mariners are fifth in the sixteam league with a 1-5-1 record.
Lowell is currently on top with an undefeated record of 7-0-1.
Beverly follows in second place with a 5-2-1 record. Haverhill (4-3) is third, and Andover (3-4) fourth, just before the Mariners and last place Newburyport (1-7-1). The Mariners began week 6 of the regular season schedule this past Monday night (July 8) against Beverly at Seaside Park after press deadline. They
then took on host Haverhill last night, before returning home to Swampscott’s Forest Avenue Park to face Newburyport, starting at 7 p.m. to wrap up three straight games in as many nights. Post 57 will close out the week at Forest Avenue Park on Saturday, July 13, against first place Lowell, beginning at 3 p.m. The 2024 Mariners senior
division roster includes Bodie Bartram, David Bartram, Jr., Brooks Keefe, Matthew
Sahagian.
Mahan, Ben Milner, Stefan Shepard, William Roddy, Greyson Leventhal, Tyler Spear, E.J. Wyman, Ian Maude, Chris Cannuscio, Ian McComish, Breydan Callahan, John Downey, Dylan Glass, Riley Schmitt and Carter
COURTESY PHOTO
Kent Wheeler is the new athletic director at MHS.
Actor/author Delaney returns for good cause
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Actor and best-selling author
Rob Delaney, who grew up in Marblehead and graduated from MHS in 1995, is coming back to town for a special program called Hearts & Humor with the Marblehead Counseling Center. He’ll be joined by WBZ-TV News anchor Lisa Hughes.
Together, they will discuss Delaney’s memoir, “A Heart That Works,” which explores the devastating journey of losing his 2-year-old son, Henry, to a brain tumor.
The book, which the New York Times described as “allencompassing, heart-exploding love,” is devastating, bracingly honest, and occasionally, deeply funny. Ultimately, the book
Paul “Sammy” W. Samolchuk, 78
Paul “Sammy” W. Samolchuk, 78, of Aiken, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on June 28. He was the beloved husband of Madeline (Brett) Samolchuk with whom he shared 30 years of marriage. Born in Marblehead to the late Michael and Carolyn (Sweet) Samolchuk, Sammy
reveals Delaney’s hard-learned truths, and has proven to be a piece of solace for anyone who has experienced profound loss. As a passionate advocate for mental health, but also a
was a graduate of Marblehead High School and Massachusetts Maritime Academy. After the academy, Sammy
` Large or extra-large eggs
` Heirloom tomatoes, sprinkled with salt, pepper, chopped basil and parsley
the freedom to choose what they like.
For the kiddos this week, I plan to change up my delivery. Each child will get a small oval plate with a parade of veggies. I will encourage them to taste everything and eat what they like best.
So where did I learn this recipe? Not in culinary school or from a book. A friend who had spent years cooking in Paris drew it on a sketchpad. The photo here is the best recipe.
MY NICOISE-STYLE SALAD
The amounts depend on your crowd. Add a loaf of crusty bread and icy lemonade or a summery pink wine.
I’ve included substitutions to give the cook a free hand. Apply dressings — both vinaigrette and mayonnaise — with a light touch.
` Small yellow potatoes tossed with capers, chopped celery or fennel stalks, thinly sliced scallions in any combination
CuZNER IN NAT u RE
` French-style green beans — or snap peas — or canned quartered artichoke hearts
` Pitted ripe olives — or tiny Nicoise olives — from the deli department, not a can(!)
` Canned Italian-style dark tuna or another oily fish
` Red onion, halved and sliced
` Lemon wedges, for garnish
` Lettuce, e.g. arugula or microgreens, for garnish
` Best quality prepared mayonnaise thinned with fresh lemon juice, optional
Cut potatoes in halves. Bring to a boil in a water to cover, and cook until tender when pierced with a fork, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain in a colander. Drizzle with vinaigrette while still warm. Add some, not necessarily all, e.g. capers, etc.
Let eggs come to room temperature, about 20 minutes outside the fridge. Put them in a
An osprey family portrait
BY RICK CUZNER
With the warmer weather of summer comes the birth of lots of new wildlife. I recently captured this adult osprey keeping watch over her two youngsters. Ospreys, also known as fish hawks, are large raptors found in Massachusetts during the spring and summer. These birds primarily feed on fish, making them common near water, especially along the coast. Ospreys begin building their nests, or eyries, in Massachusetts around April, often returning to the same site each year. These nests, made from branches and twigs, can grow up to six feet in diameter.
The Marblehead Current is proud to partner with photographer Rick Cuzner. Over the past 16 years, he has taken thousands of nature photographs.
well-known comedian, Delaney does not shy away from sharing his own complicated journey and brings his signature wit to the topic.
“The Marblehead Counseling Center is absolutely honored
served as chief engineer in the Merchant Marine, a career that took him all over the world. He always returned with trinkets for his family and tales of his journeys. When he was not at sea, Sammy balanced his time between Marblehead and North Conway, New Hampshire. You could often find him at Maddie’s or the Red Parka Pub, where he met Madeline, the love of his life.
Sammy spent many summers lobstering, sailing and causing mischief down at the wharf with his friends. He was a co-founder of the Great Race,
pot with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Turn off the heat. Cover the pot and let it sit for 10 minutes. Drain in a colander under cold water. Shell the eggs, cut into quarters.
» Simmer the green beans until just tender. Drain; toss with vinaigrette while still warm.
Cut tomatoes into quarters. Salt lightly and sprinkle with basil and/or parsley.
» Drain olives and tuna, separately.
» Arrange each component, side-by-side, on a large serving platter.
Drizzle vinaigrette, sparingly, over tomatoes, olives and tuna. If preferred, lightly drizzle the thinned mayonnaise over potatoes and eggs.
Garnish with greens, lemon wedges and anchovies.
Linda Bassett lived in Marblehead for years and has worked as a cook, trained up-andcoming chefs, studied food history and led food tours. Her book, “From Apple Pie to Pad Thai,” is about local cooks and cooking.
to welcome Rob back to Marblehead to share his experience with success, fame, trauma, unimaginable loss, grief and grace,” said Ruth Ferguson, president of the Marblehead
a North Shore tradition for many years. Sammy’s other hobbies included fishing, golfing, traveling and skiing. He enjoyed racing at Attitash and teaching younger family members how to master the slopes. In his later years, Sammy worked as a groundskeeper at Wentworth Golf Club in Jackson, New Hampshire.
Sammy was predeceased by his stepson, Cameron Brett and his brother and sister-inlaw, Alan and Linda (Chimenti) Samolchuk. He is survived by his wife, Madeline; sister, Mary (Samolchuk) Economou and her
Counseling Center Board of Directors. “As the MCC offers services to those grappling with grief and other challenges, we appreciate someone like Rob sharing his perspective and unique experience to our community.”
In an informal and unscripted format, Hughes will join Delaney in conversation about his life experiences, the tragic loss of his son, Henry, the challenges of writing a memoir about something so personal and how people are capable of great resilience in the face of great struggle.
The event is Saturday, Aug. 10, at 6 p.m. at the Veterans School Performing Arts Center.
For more information and tickets (which are $30), visit https://loom.ly/YBORXH4.
husband, Nicholas; and sister-inlaw, Pamela (Button) Cameron and her husband, Robert. Sammy also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Memorial donations may be made to The Seamen’s Church Institute, 50 Broadway, 26th Floor New York, NY 10004 or seamenschurch.org.
The family will announce a celebration of life in the future. In the meantime, please raise a glass and celebrate Sammy in a way that you know he would have enjoyed. Fair winds and following seas, Sammy.
Helen and Lester MacLaughlin, longtime summer residents turned full-time Marbleheaders, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 27.
Marblehead couple celebrates 60 years of marriage
Helen, 80, and Lester MacLaughlin, 82, longtime summer residents turned full-time Marbleheaders, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 27. The couple first met in their hometown of Everett, where they grew up on the same block. Lester spent his summers in Marblehead, a tradition the couple continued with their seven children.
Now retired, Helen and Lester enjoy the town year-round, staying busy with their large family, which includes 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
COURTESY PHOTO / RICK CUZNER
Ospreys build large nests, often in treetops or on manmade structures, and return to them year after year.
OBIT uARy
COURTESY PHOTOS
Teaching your kids independent play
BY LIZZIE ASSA
Dear Lizzie, My 2- and 4-year-olds constantly interrupt their play to check in with me. While I love their enthusiasm, it’s exhausting and prevents me from getting anything done. How can I encourage independent play without making them feel neglected?
Dear reader, If you have a child who constantly seeks attention and feedback, you might think they’ll never play independently. But rest assured, all children can learn to play independently. It may just take a little extra effort and patience on your part. If you constantly hear “MOMMY! Come look at my building!” try creating accessible play prompts based on what your kids love. For example, if they love trains, make sure their play space includes an area where the tracks are already set up for them, with a few extra
pieces for them to add on. It’s more inviting for your child and they’ll be more likely to dive right in without needing to ask you for help.
If they love puzzles, put one out on the table with a few pieces together and the rest spread out around it. This way, they won’t need your help choosing a puzzle, getting it down and getting started. Do they love playdough? Take it out of the container and put it on a tray with two or three figurines or cutting tools. When kids are presented with the whole box of playdough, tools and toys, it’s too overwhelming for them to get started and maintain play independently. Take the “work” out of it for them, so that they can start playing without needing your help.
Next, try introducing small increments of waiting time. For example, if your child asks you to come to look at their building, respond by saying, “I can’t wait to check it out in two more minutes. Can you set a timer on Alexa for me please?” This helps them practice waiting and gives you a chance to finish up
If you constantly hear “MOMMY! Come look at my building!” try creating accessible play prompts based on what your kids love.
whatever task you’re working on. If they need more support try saying, “You want me to come right now and I am making lunch. Put four more blocks on and then I’ll be there to look!”
This tells your child that you hear them and understand them, and it gives them a concrete time that you’ll be able to attend to them. The more concrete you can be, the more successful this strategy will be.
If they keep asking, try this:
“I’m not going to look right now. Instead, can you describe your work to me?”
Make sure you stop what you
are doing when you say you are going to and attend to them fully. Put your phone down and don’t try to multitask.
When you are talking with your child about their play, encourage them to tell you about their process and effort rather than just the end result. This helps them focus on the process of play rather than just seeking validation from you. That might sound like: “Tell me about this part. It looks like you had to really think about how to make this work.” Or:
“I’m curious about how many tries it must’ve taken to get
those blocks balanced in that way!”
This won’t work right away. Like most things in parenting, it is a process. Remember that children who are used to constant entertainment and attention may need more practice in independent play. Be patient and remember that it’s a skill that can be developed over time.
Finally, don’t forget to encourage your child’s efforts. As they gain confidence and independence in their play, they will be more likely to seek it out on their own. Teaching independent play may take some time and effort, but it’s a valuable skill that will benefit your child in the long run. With a little patience and understanding, you can help your child who craves constant feedback learn to play independently and fill their own reserves.
Lizzie Assa is founder of The Workspace for Children, a parenting strategist, play expert and mother of three who lives in Marblehead.
Imposter syndrome — Who do you think you are?
BY WENDY TAMIS ROBBINS
“Who do you think you are?” Do you remember being asked that as a child by an accusatory parent or teacher?
At a young age, that question is dizzying. It knocks you off your axis and the answer must be, “I’m not enough yet to do what I did or say what I said.”
It’s intended to put you back in your place, wherever that is. Get in line, be quiet, stay small. And it teaches us to look outside of ourselves for who we are or, better said, who we need to be to get what we need — care, love and belonging.
I got yelled at, so I’m unlovable.
reacts to us. The gap between who we actually are and who we think we are begins to grow. We lose ourselves because we practice being someone else for so long. Truthfully, we forget.
Now who do you think you are?
yet feel unlovable. You become a parent and still feel like a child in many ways.
What is imposter syndrome?
Convinced we’re still not enough, you feel undeserving of what you have and what you desire. As a result, we adopt perfectionism, overachieving and people-pleasing.
I got a C in math, so I’m stupid.
I got cut from the team, so I’m worthless. We define ourselves based on how the world
You carefully curate how you show up in the world while watching faces, reading reactions, interpreting it all as, “This happened, so I must be __.”
As we become educated and gain more life experience, that question becomes more grounding. We likely also gain confidence in our competencies and an increased sense of value. Meanwhile, we’re exposed to more external influences that continue to chip away at it and convince us otherwise.
You might think, “I’m pretty good, pretty qualified, pretty attractive as a candidate, applicant and a partner.” And yet, your imposter syndrome — that voice in your head warning you of being discovered for who you truly are, a fraud — grows louder.
Soon, you get a job and feel unqualified. You make partner and feel undeserving. You become a manager and feel like a student. You get a raise or promotion and feel unworthy. You get married
Imposter syndrome is not having an internal sense of your own success despite your accomplishments and achievements.
The imposter makes you question and doubt your ability, competency, worth and value. And it’s not your fault. Imposter syndrome isn’t a mental health issue. It’s an equal opportunity insecurity affecting 85% of the population across genders and demographics.
Convinced we’re still not enough, you feel undeserving of what you have and what you desire. As a result, we adopt perfectionism, overachieving and peoplepleasing to be more, do better and prove it wrong. And we continue to believe the barometer of “enoughness” is external, seeking validation and reinforcement.
“I thought I knew who I was becoming, but now I’m not so sure,” can feel destabilizing. While not a
mental health condition, imposter syndrome affects our mental health dramatically fueling anxiety, depression, addiction, isolation and loneliness.
Based on her research, Brene Brown warns us, “Don’t walk through the world looking for evidence that you’re not enough, because you will always find it. Our worth and our belonging are not negotiated with other people.”
The secret to disarming imposter syndrome lies within. Rather than asking yourself, “Who do I think I am?” stop and listen to the whisper coming from deep inside of you. “Who do you think you are? Who do you believe you are? Who do you know you are?”
When it changes from an intellectual audit of your successes and achievements, to an internal investigation,
something magical happens. The voice asking is not threatening, but empowering, knowing and loving. It’s a familiar voice you may have not heard in a long time. It’s your authentic self, your essence. It’s the you who’s been there from the beginning and has been patiently waiting for you to remember. We look outside ourselves for the answer until we finally come back home and find it within. We find internal, intrinsic validation for exactly who we are and have always been.
Wendy Tamis Robbins is an anxiety expert, bestselling author of “The Box: An Invitation to Freedom From Anxiety” and founder of CAVE Club, a wellness community exclusively for professional women. She works globally as a mental health and wellness coach, speaker and advocate.
Story Time a Go Go is returning to Abbot Library with beloved leader
BY CHRISTINE MCCARRISTON
In a shady patch of grass behind Temple Emanu-El, Marblehead Public Library Story Time leader known as Miss Debbie walks around whirring like a dragonfly with a handful of preschoolers trailing behind, mimicking her every move and sound.
More than a dozen other preschoolers wait for her to “fly” by and show them the dragonfly page from Eric’s Carle’s “The Very Quiet Cricket,” knowing their favorite storyteller will speak their name and talk to them like they’re the only ones there. Miss Debbie makes them feel special.
“Here comes a dragonfly. We can be dragonflies,” Debbie Liebowitz tells her young audience while showing Carle’s popular illustrations. “Follow me.” And follow her they do. In fact, so many moms, caregivers and their little ones have followed Miss Debbie from the library to its temporary site at the former Eveleth School to Temple Emanu-El and are excited to follow her back to the renovated library starting Wednesday, Aug. 7. A recent Wednesday brought 26 children and 21 parents and caregivers to her 10:30 a.m. weekly show. It’s a tradition for many of them who have made friends at the weekly event.
The lifelong Marbleheader has entertained kiddos on site, off-site, inside, outside and even online since she pitched Story-Time-aGo-Go to head children’s librarian Marcia Cannon in 2019. During the pandemic, Liebowitz held her popular story time on YouTube, however,
to ensure there were no copyright violations, she wrote her own tales. “I wrote 68 stories,” the Shirat Hayam preschool teacher and director for 38 years recalled. “I did it online for 68 weeks until I could be in person again.”
She called the video era a learning experience as she managed to prepare the microphone, camera and an engaging background for toddlers to four-year-olds. “I wanted the children to be part of every story” she said, adding her original stories included characters and settings that moved or “popped out.” Her goal of having the children be part of the story helped her
come up with the name for her weekly presentation, Story Time a Go Go. “I named it that because children are always on the go,” Liebowitz said. “I never wanted to expect them to just sit there.”
Miss Debbie’s signature interaction and participant engagement was seen online as well. If you attended one of Miss Debbie’s story times, you won’t be surprised to know she did whatever she could continue entertaining and teaching children during the pandemic. She even brings extra blankets and towels when she’s reading outside in case someone needs one.
She starts every session
PAWS & Cl AWS
Teddy
Breed: Domestic
shorthair
Size: Medium
Age: Adult
Sex: Male
Teddy has beautiful markings and is eagerly looking for his best friend, according to volunteers at the Marblehead Animal Shelter.
“He loves to be the center of attention and loves to find some new entertaining toy to play with,” they said.
Teddy’s love of play can sometimes overwhelm the other cats at the shelter, so he would probably do best as a single cat so he can be
by asking the children’s names, encouraging their fellow book lovers to say hello to each other “with a smile. My intent is for the children to be welcoming and friendly to each other and to know how that makes them feel, then make someone else feel that way.” Ever the teacher, she is focused on fostering a passion for books and stories in the youngsters that come to listen and play.
“The way to do that is to make them part of the story,” she says with a smile. To this end, Liebowitz often creates props related to the book she’s reading, moves around the room
or grassy area, and calls out children’s names while she leads a group of toddlers and preschoolers following her gestures.
She even takes suggestions on stories to write.
“Once a little girl told me there were no books on mermaids, so I wrote one.” Her other originals are about animals, insects, the playground, and transportation. “Anything that is current to the children.” Liebowitz knew she wanted to continue teaching and working with children in some capacity when she retired after almost 40 years.
Upon retirement, the educator presented her proposal for a weekly story
time to Cannon who said yes. “I knew I wanted to do enrichment programs,” she said, adding that she does such events at Fairwinds Learning Center and Marblehead Parenting & Tot Club as well as the library.
Living in town her whole life and working in the community means Liebowitz often sees former story time participants as they grow up.
On a recent Wednesday, an 8-year-old walked by with her dad and the storyteller couldn’t help but stop for a minute to say hello. She gets lots of smiles and hugs from those who used to come to listen and watch her act out favorite books but have grown too old for her story time.
“It’s the best part of being a teacher in this community for so many years,” she said.
When she speaks of how many children come weekly, Liebowitz quickly adds that “the numbers don’t matter.”
Each child is important to her and if only one were to come, she would still put on her show with enthusiasm. Asked how her retirement job makes her feel, she says without hesitation: “It fills my soul.”
There are three things that Liebowitz finds joyful; things she calls her passions in life. They are simply: children, teaching children and writing stories for children. For over 40 years, so many of the children of Marblehead and the surrounding community learned this firsthand. They have filled her soul, and she has made them laugh, learn and love books.
Story Time a Go Go will run every Wednesday, 10:30-11 a.m., beginning Aug.7.
the “apple of your eye,” volunteers believe.
Teddy gets so excited to see people that he reaches out of his cage to try and grab your attention — literally, according to volunteers.
“Teddy will bring much delight to your home,” shelter volunteers say.
“If you are looking for a new best friend, someone who will watch you at the computer, sit next to you while watching a good movie or taking a nap, no need to look any further.”
Teddy is up to date with routine shots, house
trained and neutered.
If you are interested in Teddy, fill out an adoption application at marbleheadanimal-shelter.org, and you will be contacted.
COURTESY PHOTO
Debbie Liebowitz, holding the book, is bringing Story Time a Go Go back to Abbot Library.
COURTESY PHOTO Teddy is available for adoption at the Marblehead Animal Shelter.
Festival of Arts spotlights
“ My favorite part of the Festival would definitely be the live music at Crocker Park. I also love lobster so going to the Lobster Lunch is awesome. I’ve heard the fireworks are amazing so I would have loved to see that — I’ll have to come back next year.”
Julia Blunnie, Suffern, New York
Julia Blunnie was visiting a friend and fellow student at UMass - Amherst who lives in Marblehead.
“ It’s become a tradition for the two of us to visit because Marblehead is hands down the best place to be on the Fourth of July. I like walking around Old Town and going into all of the stores.”
her favorite
“ All of it really, but especially the Lobster Lunch and live music at Crocker. I like hanging out with friends on the lawn and bringing a blanket and some snacks.”
“ I’ve had a good time walking around Abbot Hall and seeing the different artisan booths. I love the atmosphere here, everyone is so spirited. Walking around Old Town has been really fun.”
Meet Lia Gorbach, the Current ’s summer intern
BY WILL DOWD
Lia Gorbach, a rising junior at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism, has returned to her hometown this summer to intern at the Marblehead Current. Gorbach serves as the general assignment editor for Her Campus, an online community and magazine aimed primarily at college women, at UMD. She brings a special perspective as a lifelong Marblehead resident and aspiring journalist.
“I’ve been so fortunate to grow up in our town,” Gorbach said. “It’s a place unlike any other, and living here is like being on vacation every day.”
Gorbach’s parents, both avid sailors, settled in Marblehead after her mother had lived in nearby Swampscott and her father moved to the area from Ohio and Colorado. The couple met at a Boston sailing center, and Marblehead’s coastal beauty caught their eye.
Growing up in a town known for its rich history and strong sense of community has influenced Gorbach’s decision to pursue journalism and her interest in local storytelling. She credits her passion for writing to several influential teachers throughout her education, including Elizabeth Pruett from the Village School, Lindsay Burke from fifth grade and Jenn Billings from her junior year of high school.
WILL DOWD: What inspired you to pursue journalism and enroll in the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism?
LIA
GORBACH: I didn’t know what I wanted to major in in college, but I knew I liked writing. I decided to pick a major based on what I considered to be my only true interest at the time. So far, I’ve found the world of journalism very interesting, but difficult. I’ve learned a lot in my classes at Merrill, and have discovered which aspects of journalism I like and which aspects I don’t. It’s been cool to major in something where we talk about current events 24/7 because it all feels very relevant.
DOWD: You’ve written extensively for Her Campus, rising to the role of general assignment editor. What have
been your main priorities and challenges in guiding the chapter’s coverage?
GORBACH: I’m in charge of approving pitches and giving articles a first read, then assigning subsequent reads to our team of copy editors. As I’ve taken on this role, it’s been difficult to find time to write my own stuff on top of my schoolwork, but I weirdly favor the “overseeing” part of journalism, so it’s been good. I especially enjoy copy editing. I actually remember going out to eat with my parents (I must’ve been 10, maybe 12), and marking up the mistakes on the kids’ menu. Haha.
DOWD: You’ve gained experience with FOIA requests. What was the most eye-opening part of learning to navigate public records?
GORBACH: The school has us do one to two FOIA requests per semester to aid the Capital News Service run through the school, and it’s cool because these requests usually get turned into published stories with our bylines. I had never heard of a FOIA request prior to Merrill, so this whole realm was new to me. Luckily, each experience I’ve
had requesting public records has been smooth, but I know this wasn’t the case for all of my peers, who had to send multiple follow-up emails and phone calls, navigate fees and sift through redacted documents. Last semester, one of my FOIA requests dealt with the list of banned books at a school in a Maryland county, and listed the reasons behind each ban.
DOWD: Your reporting for Her Campus has spanned topics like campus safety, COVID policies and local businesses. How do you approach balancing hard news with lighter fare?
GORBACH: I prefer the “lighter fare,” especially for a publication like Her Campus which has largely pop culture/ lifestyle/entertainment vibes. I had to write some hard news stories, which was challenging. I had to balance a story deadline on top of my other classes. One assignment was an enterprise story on our beat (mine was Annapolis), and I wish I had had more time to dedicate to the project. I like to spend more time on my writing when possible. I also find reporting to be
more interesting when you have fuller knowledge of the situation, which is why I think I like the “lighter” stuff.
DOWD: What drew you to intern at the Marblehead Current this summer? How does this opportunity align with your journalism goals and interests?
GORBACH: My mom encouraged me to seek out an internship this summer. This internship is definitely a huge helping hand in terms of getting experience in the journalism field, adding to my resume and portfolio and helping in my classes over the next few semesters.
DOWD: What skills — whether in writing, data analysis or community engagement — are you most excited to apply and develop during your Current internship?
GORBACH: I’m still playing with my writing voice and hope to develop that more. I definitely want to get better at interviewing people and taking photographs, so that’s another area I hope to improve upon this summer.
DOWD: Local news faces steep challenges in the digital era. Why do you believe publications like the Current still matter, and how do you hope to contribute to its mission?
GORBACH: People definitely take publications like the Current for granted, and it’s frustrating when people complain about certain reporting. The Current, as all organizations should, presents the facts about what’s going on around town to its residents. People don’t realize how in the dark they’d be without local newspapers. Ensuring equal access to the news is another principle of democracy people don’t consider, as well as unbiased reporting.
DOWD: What motivates you to pursue journalism despite the demands?
GORBACH: I’ve learned a lot in just a few weeks. I’m motivated to pursue journalism because it has a true purpose that I hope to contribute to. Besides, I don’t think there’s an “easy” career path out there, so I might as well take on something that’s difficult but enjoyable.
Quinn Kiss, Wilton, Connecticut Quinn Kiss was visiting his girlfriend who lives in Marblehead.
Patsy Cool, Marblehead Patcy Cool volunteers at St. Michael’s Lobster Lunch. What’s
part of the Festival?
Ella Burns, Richmond, Virginia Ella Burns was visiting a college friend. This was her first Festival of Arts.
JOu RNA lISM
WILL DOWD / CURRENT PHOTO
Lia Gorbach, a Marblehead native and rising junior at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism, has joined the Current team as a summer intern.
Interviews and photos by Lia Gorbach
in Show winners
Festival of Arts
BY WILL DOWD
Here is a list of the Festival of Arts winners by category.
CRAFTS
» Deborah Eckholm Frost Craft Award, Jane Saunders, “Divers”
» Carroll Moore Craft Award, Lisa Richardson-Bach, “Rogue Waves”
