After months of planning, 110,000-pound transformers arrive $9M upgrade to Village 13 substation begins with delivery of new equipment
BY WILL DOWD
Two massive transformers, each weighing more than 100,000 pounds, have successfully arrived at their new home — known as the Village 13 substation — along the Rail Trail behind the Marblehead Animal Shelter. The transformers were delivered and unloaded without incident, marking a significant milestone in the $9 million upgrade to Marblehead’s electrical infrastructure.
“The two transformers were successfully delivered
and unloaded,” Marblehead Municipal Light Department General Manager Joe Kowalik told the Current on June 27. “The crane is leaving tonight.”
The transformers arrived in a procession of two tractor trailers under police escort, entering the town via Tedesco Street, continuing down Pleasant Street, turning left onto Pleasant before making a final left onto the Rail Trail near Gilbert and Cole.
To ensure a smooth delivery, several steps were taken. Mayer Tree Service trimmed vegetation
along Bessom Street to Village 13. A large, 450-ton crane arrived the day before to handle the unloading of the transformers.
Residents experienced temporary parking and road restrictions along the delivery route, particularly on Village and Pleasant streets.
The new transformers serve a critical role in Marblehead’s electrical infrastructure by stepping down high-voltage electricity from transmission lines to a lower voltage suitable
The Festival of Arts kicks off with beloved Champagne Reception
Week of activities now underway
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Hundreds of Marbleheaders braved a severe thunderstorm watch from the National Weather Service to toast the start of the Festival of Arts at the Champagne Reception at Fort Sewall Sunday evening. They arrived in colorful, handmade hats to sip bubbly, enjoy food from local restaurants and dance to the band True North.
“The town always comes together,” said Festival Executive Director Jodi-Tatiana Charles, wearing a summer dress with knee-high red rain boots. Charles monitored the threatening forecast all day. She wasn’t surprised to see the huge crowd turn out, no matter the weather.
“People want to support the Festival. This is a touchpoint for people,” she said with a big smile.
People packed a huge white tent on the lawn at Fort Sewall and, as the sky slowly brightened, ventured out to check out the foggy view of Marblehead Harbor.
Artist Heather Henlotter took home first prize in the handmade
BY LEIGH BLANDER
The School Committee voted June 26 to approve up to $25,000 for an independent investigation into antisemitism accusations and counterclaims among district employees. School Committee members also decided to have incoming interim Superintendent John Robidoux select the investigator, with a deadline of July 19. Robidoux starts in Marblehead on July 1.
The School Committee’s lawyer has offered three investigative firms from which to choose. At an emotional public meeting on June 20, several community members asked for the right to vet the firms before one is selected.
School Committee member Brian Ota, however, cautioned against “investigating the investigators.”
“I am very concerned about biasing the investigators,” Ota said.
Member Sarah Fox initially proposed an earlier deadline for the hire, July 10.
“It’s very important to me that we’re getting this data back so we can start our school year fresh, and we’re able to implement the findings and make sure that our curriculum is reflective of it, and all recommendations are put into place,” Fox said. “So much work happens over the summer, I just want to make sure we have this back in a timely manner.”
HOlIDAy Town readies for Fourth of July
BY WILL DOWD
Marblehead is set to celebrate Independence Day with a full slate of events on the Fourth of July, featuring the town’s traditional Horribles Parade, a street festival, the Harbor Illumination and fireworks display.
The festivities will begin with the annual Horribles Parade, organized by the Gerry 5 Veteran Fireman’s Association. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 4, beginning and ending in the National Grand Bank parking lot at 91 Pleasant Street. Registration for parade participants will be held at two locations: Wednesday, July 3, from 6-8 p.m. at the Gerry 5 VFA, 210 Beacon St. » Thursday, July 4, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the National Grand Bank parking lot on Pleasant Street.
In case of inclement weather, the parade will be postponed to Sunday, July 7. Following the morning parade, the Marblehead Festival of Arts will host a Street Festival from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The event will take place along Washington Street between Rockaway and Darling streets.
As day turns to night, attention will shift to Marblehead Harbor for the annual Harbor Illumination and fireworks display. The illumination is set to begin at 9 p.m., with fireworks launching at 9:15 p.m. In the event of poor weather conditions, the fireworks
Chair Jenn Schaeffner was more comfortable waiting for community input.
“What I heard last week was a community of over 200 people that had very strong concerns about the process,” she said.
“I do not feel that we are in a huge hurry to fast track this. What I heard was a desire by the community to have this be a more robust review of who the investigators are. What that looks like, I don’t know.” Schaeffner referenced several
calls at the June 20 meeting, including from a Swampscott rabbi, for the district to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s definition of antisemitism. Critics, including Human Rights Watch, say two of the 11 examples of antisemitism IHRA lists can be exploited to censor criticism of Israeli policies. They are: “Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination,
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
One of two 110,000-pound transformers arrives in town, shutting down roads for a brief time.
CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER
Local singers Holly Cameron and Matt Arnold donned handmade chapeaus with fresh roses at the Champagne Reception.
Martha Williams’ hat featured a cardinal, red flowers and colored wheat.
Massive vessel arrives in Salem Harbor
BY WILL DOWD
A massive heavy-lift vessel, Sea Installer, glided through the fog into Salem Harbor on Sunday morning, June 23, for the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal project and quickly became a hot topic.
The Sea Installer, a self-propelled jack-up vessel designed for offshore wind farm installation, is 433 feet long, with a beam of 128 feet and a depth of 30 feet.
Weighing approximately 15,430 tons, the vessel can operate in water depths up to 213 feet and has a significant load-bearing capacity of 5,512 tons.
No definitive timeline has been provided as Sea Installer assists in the construction of the wind terminal, which is projected to be fully operational by 2025. The terminal will support several offshore wind projects up and down the Atlantic Ocean.
Sea Installer, featuring a towering crane designed to handle enormous wind turbine components and other loads, arrived to support the development of the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal, what the Healey-Driscoll administration has characterized as a cornerstone of the state’s ambitious clean energy goals. The vessel’s main crane has a lifting capacity of 992 tons at a 98-foot radius, making it capable of installing the latest generation of wind turbines.
The Salem Offshore Wind Terminal, located on a 42-acre site formerly occupied by a coal- and oil-fired power plant, is being developed by Crowley Wind Services Inc. as a marshaling facility for offshore wind projects. The terminal will play a crucial role in receiving, storing, assembling and shipping wind turbine components to offshore wind farms.
On-site equipment will include
high-capacity cranes capable of handling the massive turbine components, some of which can weigh up to 400 tons and reach heights of over 250 feet. The facility is designed to support the assembly and deployment of wind turbines, positioning Salem as a hub for the growing offshore wind sector in the northeastern United States.
Marblehead residents said the heavy-lift vessel piqued their curiosity.
“I live over here on the west side of town near the cemetery overlooking the water,” said Leon Rutkowski. “The ship came in Sunday during the fog. And it’s been sitting over there, and it’s not really bothering anybody. But you know, it’s huge.”
Rutkowski added, “It makes a small rumble that you can hear. But it’s not obnoxiously loud and then at night, they have a lot of lights on it, including on the crane.”
Some Marblehead residents were unaware of the terminal
being built, like Charles Gessner, who first noticed the massive vessel while he and his wife were on their boat.
“Progress is what it is. People forget that,” said Gessner on the large project’s construction. “I’m old enough to remember when they were building interstate highways and tearing up whole cities. This is nothing compared to that.”
Marblehead resident Judith Black pointed to the broader benefits of the project and the role it plays in addressing climate change.
“Our species is standing at the edge of extinction. So you might say, ‘Oh, I don’t like the way wind turbines look or the way the terminal looks,’ well, too bad,” said Black. “I mean, if you want to keep using fossil fuels, you are destroying our living climate. Some things have to change.”
Black added, “Keep looking at the big picture, not their own comfort, not their own backyard. But a slightly larger picture. Do
you want a livable climate for your children?”
However, not all residents have shared the enthusiasm.
Gregg Thibodeau, a retired engineer from Marblehead with over 40 years of experience, raised concerns in the past about the project’s impact on the community.
Those concerns include noise pollution, lighting issues, water and air pollution and visual impacts. Last year, he noted that the construction will require driving approximately 600 pilings into bedrock to support a new 400-foot jetty wharf and the 416-foot-by-66-foot pre assembly and load-out deck.
“The noise from the 24x7 pounding pile driving alone will have a major impact on the quiet enjoyment of the harbor’s recreational users and Marblehead’s West Shore homeowners,” Thibodeau wrote in a call to action circulated among members of the Naugus Head Association in 2022.
Thibodeau also raised concerns about the use of diesel-powered equipment for handling the massive windmill components, which he believes will add to air and noise pollution.
In a recent meeting, John Berry, director of terminal operations for Crowley, said the $180 million project, a partnership between Crowley, Salem and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, has received $78.8 million in state and federal funding.
Bruce Carlisle, managing director for offshore wind at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, explained the terminal’s role in Massachusetts’ goal of 20 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2050.
“Offshore wind is critically important to Massachusetts’ energy and climate future,” Carlisle said.
Town hikes water and sewer bills an average of $228 a year
Commission cites infrastructure needs, regulatory mandates for increases
BY WILL DOWD
Marblehead residents face an average of $228 annual increase in their water and sewer bills starting July 1, according to new rates set by the town’s Water and Sewer Commission on June 25.
An average family using about 20,217 gallons of water per quarter will see their yearly costs rise from $2,147 to $2,375 in fiscal year 2025. The rate hike stems from increases in both administrative charges and usage fees. The quarterly administrative charge for water service will jump from $28.75 to $40, while sewer service will increase from $27 to $37.50.
Marblehead’s water and sewer system includes over 83 miles of water lines, 28 pump stations and 100 miles of sewer pipes serving approximately 8,000 customer accounts.
Customers will pay $7.10 per
748 gallons for the first 22,442 gallons used quarterly, up from
$6.80 currently. Usage over 22,442 gallons will be charged at $11.50 per 748 gallons, a significant jump from the current $9.75 rate. The quarterly administrative charge will also rise from $28.75 to $40.
About 17% of accounts fall under the higher-usage tier.
On the sewer side, rates will increase to $12 per 748 gallons for the first 22,442 gallons and $12.25 per 748 gallons thereafter, with the administrative charge rising from $27 to $37.50 per quarter.
About 5% of accounts fall under the higher-usage tier.
Commission officials said the increases are needed to fund rising costs, debt payments and infrastructure investments.
The water department budget is increasing nearly $400,000 to $6.2 million, while the sewer budget is up nearly $250,000 to $5.4 million.
Many of the town’s water mains and sewer pump stations are aging and in need of upgrades or replacement, commissioners said.
The sewer department is also facing a federal Environmental Protection Agency order to reduce infiltration and inflow into the system over the next eight years, a project estimated to cost over $10 million.
The commission also approved increases to various miscellaneous fees:
Water Fees:
» Turn on/off: $100 to $150
» Labor additional fee (offhours): $150 to $250
Frozen meters/labor: $100 to $150
Mid-cycle reading: $100 to $150
» Cross connection survey: $100 to $150
Backflow preventer test: $150 to $200
Fire flow tests: $250 to $300
Tap fee: $1,500 to $2,000
Sewer Fees:
» Drain layer license: $300 to $500
Main to dwelling: $100 to $200
Main to curb: $300 to $400
Curb to dwelling: $300 to $400
» Pipe cut-ins and saddles: $150 to $300
» Demolition cap inspection: $150 to $300
Sewer application fee (residential): $50 to $100 per bedroom
» Labor additional fee (offhours): $250 to $500
Even with the increases, town officials said Marblehead’s rates remain comparable to other area communities.
Commission Chairperson Carlton Siegel said without the rate increases, the commission would be unable to properly maintain service and comply with regulations.
COURTESY PHOTO / CHARLES GESSENER
The heavy-lift vessel, with its towering crane, arrived in Salem Harbor on Sunday, June 23, to support the development of the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal.
Grandfather rappels down the outside of a Cambridge hotel, for a good cause
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Marblehead grandfather
Al Wilson has been climbing mountains most of his life. So it was an easy decision to rappel down the outside of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cambridge to raise money for the Epilepsy Foundation on June 15.
“Rappelling is no big deal for me,” said Wilson, who is 77 years old. “I’ve been a climber since I was a student back in the ‘60s, and I still climb.”
Of course, urban rappelling, as it is called, is a little different. For instance, Wilson was urged to wear a costume — a Batman or Spiderman outfit, perhaps.
“I decided to wear a business suit and dress shoes,” he said with a laugh. “They tell me I’m the only one who has rappelled in a jacket and tie.”
The Epilepsy Foundation partnered with Over the Edge, a company that organizes urban rappelling events as fundraisers. Wilson was hoping to rappel the Prudential building in Boston but was assigned the Hyatt instead.
“It was only about 150 feet tall,” he said wistfully.
Wilson, and a few other daredevils, took a glass elevator to the top of the 13-story Hyatt,
where they clipped into a rappel device and harness.
“You hold a little handle, a lever, and you just squeeze that to go down,” he explained.
He rappelled slowly, so people could snap photos. The trip
e.g. by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor” and “ Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.”
Call for new task force
In addition to the investigation, Schaeffner said she would call for an antisemitism task force to “embrace members of the Jewish community and the entire community of Marblehead.”
Schaeffner said she heard “serious concerns about antisemitism in our district, issues around curriculum and other very serious concerns. I feel that there’s more work to do here besides this investigation. We have an opportunity to make change in our district, in our town, in our community and to model for other districts that are going through similar situations.”
She added, “That’s what I saw last week — a cry from our community to ask us to do that.”
At a June 26 Select Board meeting, Chair Erin Noonan addressed the situation in the schools.
“It was heartbreaking to learn of the divisions and allegations of anti-Jewish rhetoric,” Noonan said.
“Our Jewish neighbors, friends, fellow residents are experiencing an enormous amount of fear right now just living their lives simply because of their religion.”
Noonan reported conversations with Jewish community members who described unprecedented levels of antisemitism.
One resident, Noonan said, told her, “As we go about our daily lives, we
are seeing things in the news that are hurtful and scary. We’re seeing things on social media that are terrifying, and we are concerned for what lies ahead.”
Noonan highlighted community efforts to combat discrimination, including Marblehead’s Task Force Against Discrimination and the Marblehead Police Department’s recent recognition by the
down lasted about a minute.
When Wilson started climbing, harnesses hadn’t been invented yet.
“We just had a rope go around our shoulder and under our thigh,” he said. “So if you were
Anti-Defamation League.
While affirming the right to criticize Israeli policies, Noonan stressed the importance of distinguishing between political criticism and antisemitism.
“When Jews and Jewish institutions are targeted, that is just unacceptable,” she said. “Let’s be mindful of this and remind others as well. Call out antisemitism if you’ve witnessed it, speak up
climbing the Alps and you let go of the rope, you’d be dead. Today, you can let go of the rope and wave at everybody.”
Wilson has climbed mountains around the world, including the Alps, Yosemite, the Tetons in Wyoming and the Atlas Mountains in North Africa.
“It’s a unique challenge,” he said. “It’s a great sense of achievement when you do a
and correct the blanket characterization of Jewish people alongside state policies.”
School Committee retreat
The School Committee also discussed plans for
climb. You’re usually in very attractive areas, so you get a unique view.”
Wilson, whose granddaughter lives with epilepsy, raised about $8,000 for the foundation. He plans to do it again next year, possibly with his 12-year-old son.
“He says he’ll do it with me, but it’s a full year away… so it’s a safe offer,” he said.
Wilson’s fundraiser remains open until July 1.
its summer retreat in July, where it hopes to set goals for the new school year.
“I think we have a lot of work to do as a committee, not just team building,” Fox said. “I felt like last year we were treading water all year, being reactive rather than proactive.”
Fox said she hopes the committee will work on conflict resolution at its retreat. Will Dowd contributed reporting to this article.
COURTESY PHOTOS
Marblehead resident Alf Wilson rappelled down the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cambridge to raise money for the Epilepsy Foundation.
Alf Wislon of Marblehead has been climbing mountains most of his life. Here he is hiking Squamish, a cliff near Vancouver, British Columbia.
EDITORIA l
A grand old flag
Opinion
There’s no better place in the country, in our humble opinion, to celebrate the Fourth of July than right here. As we kick off the 2024 Festival of Arts, our hats are off to the hundreds of volunteers and artisans who make the next few days both fun and inspiring.
Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate with the spectacular fireworks display and Harbor illumination, but our hearts are filled with gratitude for the continuation of these traditions. Young and old alike will sway along with the music at Crocker Park, and memories made at beaches and barbecues will be treasured.
It’s also no overstatement to say Marblehead will be awash in red, white and blue. Flags and buntings will be hung all over homes and businesses. And dare we say, not a single flag will be seen hung upside down.
We can’t guarantee that, of course. As a matter of protest, upside-down flags have been flown by the left and the right since at least the 1970s, when a U.S. Supreme Court case supported the right of a college student to hang a flag upside down outside his dorm room with a peace symbol across it.
But we wholeheartedly agree with American Legion National President Daniel Seehafer who said recently, “The American flag is a symbol of courage, strength, freedom and democracy. American Legion members swore with their lives to protect all that the flag stands for.”
Seehafer went on to point out that the Federal Flag Code, which the organization helped to develop, directs, “The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.”
The code also provides other guidance on proper display of the flag including,
“Out of respect for the U.S. flag, never:
- dip it for any person or thing, even though state flags, regimental colors and other flags may be dipped as a mark of honor.
- let the flag touch anything beneath it: ground, floor, water, merchandise.
- carry it horizontally, but always aloft.
- fasten or display it in a way that will permit it to be damaged or soiled.
- place anything on the flag, including letters, insignia or designs of any kind.
- use it for holding anything.”
There’s nothing in the code specifically about flying the flag from the back of vehicles or boats, though we are disturbed at the presumption by some that doing so is some kind of provocation or political statement. Whatever the individual motivation, the flag itself has only one meaning. It is a symbol of freedom. Fly it proudly, with the union up. From all of us at the Marblehead Current, Happy Fourth of July!
EVERy THING WIll BE OKAy
A beautiful algorithm
BY VIRGINIA BUCKINGHAM
I had just about given up on Facebook. Most of the posts in my feed were ads for stuff I was not interested in. But I must have been interested in them at some point, searched or clicked on or paused on an image or video.
And that behavior was fed into some big algorithm cruncher in the sky which resulted in ubiquitous ads for deck umbrellas (at one point I needed a new one), flattering swimsuit tops (always looking for those) and candles. Readers of this space know I have a thing for candles. The deluge of ads got so bad, that I could barely find organic posts — from friends or relatives — and sticking with Facebook seemed an exercise in frustration.
Then something surprising happened — my Facebook feed became filled with beauty, not beauty products. And, dare I say, filled with inspiration.
On any given day, when I open Facebook now, I find myself scrolling, and then scrolling some more — through posts of poems, or philosophical concepts, beautiful landscapes, and impressionist art. It’s as if Monet and Rumi themselves are programming the algorithm used to determine the content I see. If so, thanks guys! Alas, the intervention which changed my
I BEG TO DIFFER
feed is not of the divine sort, but rather likely the result of ever smarter artificial intelligence and machine learning employed by Meta, the parent company of Facebook.
I don’t pretend to understand how it works — I’m one who wonders if somehow Mark Zuckerberg is listening, even though I don’t use an Alexa, because after having a conversation about something, a post will show up featuring the very thing I was talking about. Spooky.
Not spooky is what more typically shows up these days. Here’s a sample from today:
A pencil drawing by Christine Malman from a 1935 issue of the New Yorker of a woman and her dog.
» An aerial photo of the medieval village of Rocca Imperiale in Calabria, Italy.
A painting of a evening rural scene by Maxfield Parrish featuring contrasts of blues and greens and grays with the fading golden light.
» 42 life lessons written by a 90-yearold from the Cleveland Plain Dealer with a delightful photo of the woman looking at herself in a gigantic mirror.
A post and photo about a double helix staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci in 1516.
Ah, and this, a post from a site called “Rumi Heals”: “Sorrow prepares you for
joy. It violently sweeps everything out of your house, So that new joy can find space to enter. It shakes the yellow leaves from the bough of your heart, so that fresh green leaves can grow in their place…” Seeing a Rumi poem pop up in my feed sure beats an ad from some place called “Market Umbrella.” Yes, I still get those, and lots of ads from Pottery Barn and Serena and Lily and other places I browse. But as one who has arrived in the second half of life far less cynical than I used to be and as a committed optimist (no one’s more surprised by these than me!), I must spend at least as much time browsing for inspiration. That the algorithm responds and feeds inspiration back to me makes me think maybe we can outsmart the looming monster of AI. It’s not so unlike the old expression from the early days of computing — “Garbage in, garbage out.” In other words, if you input flawed data into a computer program, you’ll end up with flawed output. Beauty in, beauty out. Maybe it is just that simple.
A member 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 celebration of community, creativity and dedication
BY JO ANN AUGERI SILVA
No differing this time — in fact, I’m delighted. The coverage in this and last week’s Current featuring the Marblehead Festival of Arts brought back a surge of happy memories.
We arrived in Marblehead in 1970.
Pregnant and anxious and living in midtown, we were oblivious to all the activities going on around Abbot Hall and Crocker Park.
By the next summer, pushing a carriage all over town trying to lose baby weight, the vibrancy and excitement of the Festival enticed us into the exhibits, to attend concerts and to ask how we could become a part of this amazing experience. As we made more friends, it became clear that most people in my cohort took some part in helping the Festival.
When it started in 1963, the Festival became a phenomenon that most, if not all, Marblehead residents embraced with joy. Those less than joyful folks were so unhappy with the Festival’s use of Abbot Hall grounds that in 1965 they persuaded the Select Board not to allow use of the grounds. Festival organizers, dejected, canceled that Festival. But by 1968, the public and organizers decided that Marblehead without an Arts Festival was too dull, and came back stronger and more exciting, and since then only skipped the first pandemic year.
It was that reinvigorated Festival I jumped into, first as cautiously as I toe-tested the icy water at Devereux Beach (I wasn’t on Long Island Sound anymore). My Festival reception was far warmer, so over the years, exhibit sitting expanded into joining a committee, then chairing a committee, then joining the board, then vice president. I learned
the amount of work that goes into putting on this extraordinary multilayered event, and admired systems that ensured everything worked as much like clockwork as possible.
Eventually, I invited my newlywed husband to join me in 1985, and, no shrinking violet, he jumped in with both feet, serving as president just a few years later. The triumph and culmination of our time volunteering for the Festival came in 1990, when we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the MFoA with a 10-day-long Festival, a parade, and an expanded program that included a thorough history of the Festival.
It was a euphoric time. Writing that history, I found and interviewed the people who started the Festival in 1963 and kept it going even stronger after
The triumph and culmination of our time volunteering for the Festival came in 1990, when we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the MFoA.
the blip. We found every logo design for the program cover and chose among thousands of great photographs to illustrate the program/history. We even included a walking tour of Marblehead. And we burned ourselves out. Offered the presidency for the next year, I declined. We decided it was time for new people to lead, and many folks who worked on the 25th anniversary agreed. The Festival rebuilt, and today seems stronger than ever. The current Festival president is dynamic and creative, bringing new energy and new ideas to this nearly 60-year-old event. Reading about the volunteers who work all year to make this 2024 Festival possible, it’s great to see mostly unfamiliar names, a new generation of people who not only recognize the unique greatness of this event, but also are willing to put in the hours to make it happen.
We’re excited to take part in this year’s Festival. We’re really looking forward to sharing the events with our 10-year-old grandson, who’s never attended before, and exploring new events. Our fingers are crossed for good weather (we’ve endured scorching heat and driving rain, and hope this Festival gets neither). Still, is it selfish of us to look at the Festival schedule and feel joy and satisfaction seeing that programs, events and exhibits we helped start are still going strong? The Senior Art exhibit has become an integral part of the
COURTESY PHOTO
Anthony and Jo Ann Silva on the steps of the Old Town House were auctioneers at the former Marblehead Festival of Arts Art Auction in 1990.
July 4th, 1976
BY BOB BAKER
“July 4th, 1976” is the title of the excerpt from a Marblehead novel which won Best of Show in the Short Short Fiction category of the 1988 Marblehead Arts Festival Writers World competition. The novel, “Reflections in O’Mara’s Mirror,” is the world – and worlds — as experienced by a cast of characters known to the mirror behind the bar of a fictional version of Maddies (a.k.a. The Sail Loft).
Though still sitting here in my vast estate in manuscript form, and shown only to a few people, publishing legend Herman Gollob, then top editor at Doubleday wrote back: “There are some terrific vignettes here. I know a guy who might be intrigued: Corlies Smith, he happens to be Jimmy Breslin’s editor.” To my infinite discredit, I didn’t follow up.
The following paragraphs are an excerpt from the Writers’ World piece; they make no pretense at familiarizing you with the storyline. They are simply the Fourth of July Marblehead Harbor scene as reminisced in nostalgic reverie by Elicia Stein-Watkins, a good- hearted single woman in her late 40s who is fighting alcoholism and just aching to be loved.
nnn
Beautiful day; Fourth of July; I’m just a little girl, seven maybe. Dad’s schooner, the beautiful white Ondine. Like a swan. We’d sailed all day, and it was a day like this. To Gloucester and into Manchester Harbor on the way back that thin channel with understatedbutgrand homes snuggled there on the rocky scape, most wooden, some stone, each with its latticework of stairs down to the white woodrailed pier, whiterailed ramp and utilitygrey float; and then we sailed to Marblehead and took our mooring about 7, and the harbor was already filled to almost overflow with boats visitors from Boston and Gloucester and Manchester and Beverly (I’ve always thought there should be an ‘e’ before the ‘y’), and Salem; yes, they all come here, because Marblehead really is the Fourth of July if not
the Fourth of the World and Home and Life Itself with the fireworks and the harbor illumination and all the history and tradition; and the fishermens’ town on the one side of the harbor and the Merchant Princes on the other; and all our beautiful, beautiful boats; the Old Glory of it all ... and weren’t his eyes beautiful ... Christlike, steady and clearpaleblue and wondering all at once ... and ... Off. Off it, Elicia! And Mommy told me to go below and put on my pretty white dress with the redwhite andblue sash, and then she braided my hair it was still blonde then and finished off the braids with redwhiteandblue ribbons; and when we came back on deck the thrill was growing throughout the harbor the boats all dressed in flags from stem to stern, the starspangled dissonance of the horns and rockets and flares and firecrackers and ships’ cannons; and Dad said I was the prettiest girl in the harbor, which he always did; and we had a picnic there in the cockpit of the Ondine, sliced chicken sandwiches and deviled eggs and potato salad and tomato slices, and sarsaparilla for me and scotch and soda for Mom and Dad, and nothing ever tasted better or even as good; and Mom looked so beautiful in her long white dress, with her hair up and a beautiful tortoiseshell comb in the back, and she had a redwhiteandblue sash about her waist, too, and I felt so good that we were dressed alike, and Dad told us that he was the luckiest man in the harbor, because he had the two most beautiful girls in the harbor to escort that evening; and Dad was so handsome in his white trousers and black blazer and King George bow tie, and Mom and I told him so, of course .... And at dark, the harbor illumination. Hundreds of dim red flares set out by all whose houses rimmed the harbor. That glimmering rose necklace about the hundreds and hundreds of boats now quieted in anticipation of the magnificent thunder and lightning to come. Bob Baker, an award-winning writer and creative guy who specializes in branding and tourism and economic development advertising, says, “Marblehead did not invent the Fourth of July ... merely perfected it.”
Criticizing Israeli policy isn’t antisemitic
To the editor: I read, with some heartbreak, about the accusations of antisemitism leveled against Candice Sliney. As a Rotarian, we have worked with her to establish programs at the high school and become more familiar with Team Harmony. It is hard to imagine a person who less fills the profile being presented than Candice. I would like to take a guess at what is happening in both our town and nation. The government of Israel, which we know does not represent at least half of its citizens, or world Jewry, has not asked us to weigh in on the genocidal campaign that is now being waged against Palestinians. When open discussion is welcomed, it becomes clear that ‘Jew’ does not equal ‘agreement with Israeli policy.’ Unfortunately, they have become synonymous and thus criticism of the Netanyahu government is assumed to be antisemitic.
Silva From P. A4
It is not! It is our moral obligation to do all we can to stop this deadly campaign, and discussion of it should be a safe topic, not one that damns you.
For 25 years, thousands of American Jews have joined J Street, an organization started by an American/ Israeli Jew that has consistently campaigned for a two-state solution. There is no safety without security. There is no security without peace. There will be no lasting peace until Palestinians have their own, secure nation within which to build a future on.
Please discriminate between antisemitism and anti-Israeli government policy. Let us always assume best intentions with our deeply committed teachers, and work for a lasting peace. Judith Black Prospect Street
Wellness Day a success thanks to generous support
To the editor:
On Saturday,June 22, the Marblehead Counseling Center hosted a Community
Festival. The Festival Scholarship has expanded to provide more funding to more students. The program is filled with ads. The trolley makes it easy for people to attend events and visit exhibits without parking worries. Artists who win awards for their work are celebrated at a winners reception. Kids build model boats and sail them in a regatta at Redd’s Pond. And Festival goers will “Meet the Artist” in exhibit spaces.
How glorious! From 1963 inception to 2024 fulfillment, the Marblehead Festival of Arts is a testament to the way volunteers (and only volunteers!) working for a common goal can not only succeed but thrive and grow.
I encourage you to attend. You’ll have fun! Remember: There is no charge to attend any event except the fundraising Champagne Reception. So, if a volunteer sitting behind a goldfish bowl or carrying a tote bag imprinted with the Festival logo asks you to donate, say yes and be generous — you’ll be helping to ensure there’s a 2025 Festival.
Wellness Day event, to commemorate the center’s 55th year of providing the town with mental health and social services. Working with our board and staff, I was pleased to pull together this event with the support of a community-wide team. Our generous financial sponsors not only helped make it possible but also successful. Our local vendors and practitioners in the wellbeing workplace were instrumental in providing an informational and entertaining venue for all who attended. We also had important collaborators and guidance from other nonprofits and the town of Marblehead Police, Fire, Recreation & Parks and Health Departments, without whom we could not have enjoyed such a safe and pleasurable day. Even Mother Nature cooperated. Finally, thanks to the many families who dropped by and found the event meaningful and worthwhile. On behalf of the MCC Board of Directors, we express our gratitude to all who made this festive day possible.
Ron Grenier Cloutmans Lane
Facing our own limitations can be hard
BY LISA SUGARMAN
I’ve always been an active person. Like super active. To the point where sitting still isn’t really part of my top-tier skill set. (Or any tier for that matter.) But that’s just how I’m wired. And I know I’m not the only one. But what happens when we can’t be active in all the ways we’re used to? Like when either our bodies or our minds — or both — start to fail us.
Because the reality is, what our minds often want isn’t always what our bodies can support, especially as we age — something I’m becoming more and more familiar with the further I climb in my 50s. And that’s because, even though we may go to great lengths to stay fit and to preserve our mental and physical health, sometimes aspects of our health and well-being are beyond our control because our bodies or our minds go rogue.
In my case, I love to move my body through fitness and flex my brain by creating content that makes people think and
question and engage. And I’ve been fortunate to have been able to do those things on the daily for decades. Well, until recently anyway.
That’s because, as luck would have it, I’ve had a few physical setbacks over the last year and as a result I’ve had to downshift my fitness gears (and some of my work) from roughly 110 mph down to a gentle idle. And for someone who’s used to leading a very physical and movement-driven life, it’s been a bit of an adjustment. And even though it’s nothing terribly serious (debilitating arthritis, just so no one worries it’s anything worse), it did require two back-to-back surgeries in the last 10 months that have really thrown me off my game.
This sudden and extended slow-down has forced me to pivot to a place of doing things very differently than I’ve done before, for an extended amount of time. And while I know that in my case this change of pace and capacity is only temporary, it got me thinking about how the natural process of aging and dealing with physical and mental limitations can affect our headspace. Because I know
for me, being even a little off my regular routine has had a direct impact on my mental health. And not in a positive way. Just as a quick example, although I’m clearly able to write the piece you’re currently reading, what isn’t obvious is that I’ve had to backspace about 286 times so far as I’m typing this and I’m only on the seventh paragraph. That’s because the girth of the mandarin-coloredand-quite-perky cast I have on my right hand is so damn wide that every time I try to hit one key on the keyboard, I hit six. And that’s just one silly example. Some of the other more, shall we say, frustrating ways that I find myself restricted involve things like not being able to run or lift weights or type for extended periods of time or put the 27 pounds of hair on my head into a bun or shave the calf of my right leg or button or zip things. You know, the big stuff. Point being, I’m a wee bit limited these days and I think it’s worth calling attention to the eventuality that we’re all going to be challenged by limitations somewhere down the line, whether it’s due to aging or
injury. Because whether we like it or not or whether we’re ready for it or not, we’re all going to reach a point where doing the things we’re used to doing isn’t easy anymore. And that can be a huge emotional hurdle to clear. So, what do we do? What did I do?
Well, here’s what I’ve learned from a temporary derailment that we can also apply to longerterm limitations that happen as we age:
» Acknowledge the changes or restrictions that are happening and work toward accepting where you are right now.
» Adjust your expectations so they better align with what your body can handle. Adapt your physical activities to be lower-impact or less strenuous.
» Find and join communities that are doing your level of activity.
» Seek support from mental health professionals or support groups to help you manage any feelings of depression or anxiety.
» And lean into the people around you for support.
Just remember, setbacks happen and most of them are beyond our control. But the one thing that’s always going to be in our control is how we react to them. So even though facing our own limitations can be hard, we always have the capacity to pivot in a new direction. And sometimes that pivot can lead us to an even better place than where we started.
Lisa Sugarman is an author, a nationally syndicated columnist, a three-time survivor of suicide loss, a mental health advocate and a crisis counselor with The Trevor Project. She’s also a storyteller with the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the host of “The Suicide Survivor Series” on YouTube. Lisa is also a Survivor of Suicide Loss Grief Group facilitator for Samaritans and she’s the author of “How To Raise Perfectly Imperfect Kids And Be OK With It,” “Untying Parent Anxiety” and “LIFE: It Is What It Is.” Her work has appeared on Healthline Parenthood, GrownAndFlown, TODAY Parents, Thrive Global, The Washington Post, LittleThings and More Content Now. Lisa lives and writes just north of Boston. Visit her online at lisasugarman.com.
Marblehead resident Jo Ann Augeri Silva, a retired journalist, author, public relations professional and educator, was an editor of the Marblehead Reporter.
The cover of the 1990 Marblehead Festival of Arts program and 25th anniversary history, featuring all 25 logos from past Festivals.
Library to open for Arts Festival
BY LEIGH BLANDER
The Abbot Public Library, which just completed a $10 million renovation, will be allowed to open to the public for the Festival of Arts July 5-7.
The library had to postpone its June 20 reopening due to Americans with Disabilities Act compliance problems with the front entrance ramp. Building Commissioner Steve Cummings issued the library a temporary occupancy permit for the Festival. Patrons will need to use the library’s lower entrance and won’t be allowed to use the parking lot.
Cummings said he hoped to issue another temporary occupancy permit for after the Festival, once he sees the library’s plans to address the ramp violations.
Abbot Library Executive Director Kim Grad is working with the architect and engineers to address the problem. The ramp, which spans 79 feet, lacks required landings and handrails on both sides.
Grad invited the Current for a tour of the library last week.
The new space is bright and airy and features a redesigned main floor with self-checkout; a new makerspace with 3D printer, sewing machines and more; a podcasting studio and an accessible courtyard with lighting and benches. There’s also a renovated event center with a kitchen, and three meeting rooms that can be reserved free of charge. Go to MarbleheadCurrent.org for the latest updates on the library’s opening. Will Dowd contributed reporting to this article.
Ready for a heavenly Lobster Lunch?
BY MELISSA STACEY
The following is an interview with Barbara Spiess Miller, longtime Lobster Lunch coordinator and volunteer at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, conducted by Discover Marblehead. The lobster lunch was first started in 1972 and has raised $435,591 for charity and mission work. To learn more about St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, go to stmichaels1714.org
Tell us about the Lobster Lunch at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. The first Lobster Lunch at St. Michael’s was held in 1972. After becoming an exhibit venue for the Marblehead Festival of Arts the previous year, it seemed a good idea to create a fundraising opportunity around the Festival. It’s been held every year since then with the exception of 1974 and the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. In the early days, lobster rolls were served in the basement of the parish hall. During the 1980s, members of the parish became more involved
with local mission work, as well as entered into a partnership with a parish, St. Thomas, in Arcahaie, Haiti. By 1994, it was decided that all net proceeds of the event would be shared between local charities and the parish of St. Thomas and its school in Haiti. Several years ago, we moved to serving the Lobster Lunches under the tent on our front lawn, which greatly increased our visibility and thus our revenue. To date we’ve raised $435,591 for charity and mission work.
What is your favorite part about being part of the Lobster Lunch? How long have you been helping to plan the event? My husband, Bill, and I
hat contest with a large flower chapeau made of printer paper. Her kids were there to show their support.
Local singers Matt Arnold and Holly Cameron were dressed to the nines, with fresh pink roses in their hats.
Russell Peach arrived with a large lobster hat, L.L. Bean boots and pants with a lobster print.
“I wanted to wear this outfit,” he answered when asked what brought him out that evening. His wife, Sue, was sporting a patriotic red, white and blue hat.
Festival lineup
The 58th Festival of Arts is in full swing this week. Art exhibits, live music and events start Wednesday, July 3, and run through Sunday, July 7. They include favorites like Concerts @ Crocker Park, the Street Festival, Model Boat Regatta at Redd’s Pond, Sand Castle Contest and more.
Also on Wednesday, 6-7:30 p.m., the Festival’s awards ceremony will be held outside
will be rescheduled for Friday, July 5. Resident Alexander Falk, chairman of the Marblehead Fireworks Committee, announced several new features for this year’s celebration.
“We have a brand new website at marbleheadfire. works, which is now much faster and more reliable,” Falk said.
“We’ve also added the ability to accept donations via Venmo, processed through our nonprofit organization, Friends of the Marblehead Fireworks.”
have been a part of the Lobster Lunch for at least 35 years. Over that period, I have either chaired or co-chaired it a number of times. It’s a ton of work, but we always have a great team. I can’t imagine celebrating the 4th of July any other way. It’s the most festive and fun atmosphere. My favorite part is being able to welcome the community to St. Michael’s and visitors to Marblehead.
What are the dates and times of the Lobster lunch this year? Are there any other activities included that day with St. Michael’s? This year the Lobster Lunch will be held Thursday, July 4, through Saturday, July 6, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. In addition, we’ll once again host the Festival of Arts Sculpture and Mixed Media exhibit in our parish hall. Historic church tours will be offered daily from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.. Our thrift shop will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. The public can also participate in ringing our bell at noon on July 4th to celebrate Independence Day. Last, but
Abbot Hall. The Literary Festival kicks off Thursday, July 4, when the winners will be honored at 28 Mugford St. Writers will read from their works. The Literary Festival continues July 5-7 at the newly renovated Abbot Public Library with book talks, workshops and interviews featuring 20 writers, including Julia Glass, Hank Philippe Ryan, Phyllis Karas and Jay Dolin.
What’s new
The Festival features several
Falk also noted the addition of a special notice page for drone operators on the website, addressing the increasing popularity of unmanned aircraft systems during public events.
To ensure public safety and manage the expected crowds, Police Chief Dennis King has outlined a series of temporary street closures and traffic regulations for the day’s events: Horribles Parade (starting at 9 a.m.):
» Pleasant Street will be closed between Spring Street and Washington Street (South).
Spring Street will become one-way from Pleasant Street
certainly not least, we have Sunday service on July 7 at 9 a.m. on the front lawn under the tent.
The community is invited. What makes St. Michael’s location so special? We’re located in the heart of town, where much of Marblehead’s early history happened. It’s a vibrant area where your neighbors are close and yet at times is amazingly serene and peaceful. When the breeze is right, you can smell the salt air wafting in through the open windows. It doesn’t get better
than that.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Something many people don’t know about me is that I’m also the directress of the Marblehead Female Humane Society (MFHS), having succeeded Lee Bartlett Weed in that role, who was a lifelong member of St. Michael’s Church.
The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. To learn more, visit discovermhd.com.
additions this year, including an art vending machine. Meghan Perlow, who chairs the Festival’s art exhibits committee, purchased a vintage soda machine that she’s filling with smaller, less expensive pieces of art for sale. The machine will likely be set up at the Festival’s information booth near the Old Town House on Washington Street.
“It’s a great way to buy an original piece of art at an
to Sewall Street.
» Essex Street will be closed entirely during parade staging and movement.
Fireworks display (starting at 7 p.m.):
Front Street will be closed to all traffic with no parking allowed between Franklin Street and Fort Sewall Lane.
» Franklin Street becomes one-way from Front Street to Washington Street.
Washington Street becomes one-way from Franklin Street to State Street.
Post-fireworks traffic plan:
Traffic leaving beach parking lots will merge with traffic from the neck, allowing only
affordable price,” Perlow said. The works of art will range in price from $10 to $25, and include things like “tiny paintings, print blocks and tiny sketchbooks,” Perlow added.
The Festival is adding a 10K race along with a 5K that started last year. The races step off at the post office on Saturday, July 6, at 7:45 a.m. Cost is $40-$50. Register at marbleheadfestival. org.
There will be two sessions of
right or left turns at Ocean and Atlantic avenues.
» Front Street will be closed at State Street for pedestrian traffic from Fort Sewall.
State Street becomes oneway from Front Street to Washington Street.
» Traffic between State Street and Franklin Street, including Pond Street, will be directed along Mugford Street and Green Street to West Shore Drive.
Festival of Arts Street Festival (11 a.m.-3 p.m.):
» Washington Street closed between Rockaway Street and Darling Street. Hooper Street closed
model boat making this year, on Thursday, July 4, at 10-11:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each session has 60 slots available. At 3 p.m., kids will bring their boats to Redd’s Pond for a regatta. Model boat kits are $30. Register at marbleheadfestival.org. For more Festival coverage throughout the week, visit MarbleheadCurrent.org. The Current is proud to be a sponsor of the Festival of Arts.
between Tucker Street and Washington Street.
» Mason Street closed between Tucker Street and Washington Street. No parking allowed on Washington Street between Rockaway Street and Darling Street.
King strongly recommends that residents and businesses in affected areas relocate their vehicles before 11 a.m. to avoid being blocked in.
The Police Department also notes that MBTA bus routes will follow pre-designated snow routes on July 4, 6-11 p.m. To follow updates, visit marblehead.org.
Artist Heather Henlotter, right, won top prize in the hat contest. She was at the Champagne with, from left, her sons Austin and Tyler, and Mya Grossman.
CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER
Marbleheaders didn’t let a severe thunderstorm watch keep them away from the annual Champagne Reception at Fort Sewall Sunday evening. The harbor was draped in a thick fog.
Retiring Veterans Agent Rodgers honored for
BY KRIS OLSON
The hall at VFW Post 2005 filled Sunday afternoon to give a grand sendoff to David Rodgers, a Marblehead native who is retiring after 25 years of serving as the town’s veterans agent.
And it seemed like everyone in attendance had at least one story about Rodgers going above and beyond to help them solve problems.
“Because of him, I can hear,” said Walter Horan, describing how Rodgers drove him to the Veterans Administration hospital in Jamaica Plain then sat in the waiting room while he was seen.
Former police officer and Vietnam veteran John Blaisdell had a similar issue with tinnitus years ago.
“I was looking at the [VA] paperwork, and it was like reading Chinese,” Blaisdell said.
He went to Rodgers simply hoping to get some guidance, but Rodgers insisted on filling out the forms on Blaisdell’s behalf.
“He goes so far beyond what he’s required to do,” Blaisdell said. “David walks the extra mile and never asks for recognition.”
Ron Knight, the VFW’s commander, recalled being stationed 15 miles outside of Baghdad in 2005 when Rodgers reached out after Knight’s good friend, Sgt. Chris Piper of Marblehead, was mortally wounded while serving in Afghanistan.
“What do you need?” Rodgers asked.
Knight explained that the temperature was known to climb to 130 or 135 degrees during the day inside the Sunni Triangle. If he couldn’t have a keg of beer — his first choice — he would settle for Gatorade.
Within a week, Knight said about 10 cases of 64-ounce tubs of powdered Gatorade.
Everyone else at the base demanded to know, “Who is this Dave Rodgers guy?”
“I said, ‘He’s a vet who cares about vets,’” Knight recalled.
Knight said that Rodgers has set the standard for veterans agents in the state, noting that a number of cities and towns have done away with the position or have veterans agents that may only work a few hours a month.
Knight, too, has had the experience of having had a medical episode and having Rodgers tell him, “Get in the car.”
“He’s more than a veterans agent; he’s family,” Knight said.
True to form, Rodgers resisted the idea of a party being held in his honor, explained David Graham, who served as emcee for a short formal speaking program. Graham credited Select Board member Moses Grader for making the event happen.
Grader read a proclamation from the Select Board recognizing June 30, 2024, as “David Rodgers Day” in the town of Marblehead. The proclamation traced Rodgers’ life in Marblehead, from
his birth in Mary Alley
Hospital to his service as a seasonal employee for the Recreation and Parks Department. Decades later, Rodgers would be elected to the Recreation and Parks Commission.
The first of several rounds of applause during the reading of the proclamation came when Grader noted that Rodgers had served honorably as a communications specialist in the U.S. Navy from September 1969 to April 1973, receiving a combat citation during the Vietnam War.
“David’s countless acts of kindness given without flattery or fanfare in the style of Marbleheaders of old earned him a special place in the hearts of all Marbleheaders,” reads another part of the proclamation.
Having already presented Rodgers with a citation from the Massachusetts House on Memorial Day, state Rep. Jenny Armini focused her remarks on a more
personal experience her family had with Rodgers. Her daughter had been given a school assignment to interview a Vietnam veteran, and Rodgers was the only one Armini knew.
Rodgers gave generously of his time, even though he had no doubt been tapped for interviews by other students as well.
Rodgers provided a “master class” that Armini said her father, a World War II veteran, no doubt would have loved to have provided to his granddaughter.
“A big historical event suddenly became the sum total of ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things in a very deadly situation,” she said.
Armini noted, “We are living in a moment in which phony heroes receive outsized attention before they are replaced by the next phony hero. I know we are all grateful that we have a model of authentic heroism, that
of Dave Rodgers, in our midst.”
She called Rodgers “the indispensable man of Marblehead.”
Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer acknowledged that he had known Rodgers for the shortest amount of time of anyone in the room.
But as a former Air Force combat communications officer himself, Kezer said he was quick to recognize in Rodgers a quality found among service members.
“When you meet another military person, you’re instantly friends, buddies, wingmen,” Kezer said. “You take care of each other. That’s just implicit in the role.”
Kezer called Rodgers “elite” in incorporating that level of caring into his work as veterans agent.
“You don’t train for that; it’s just inherent in the person,” Kezer said.
In the near term, it will be Kezer himself who will be trying to fill Rodgers’ shoes, answering questions and helping veterans access services as needs arise. However, Kezer and the Select Board are in the process of interviewing Rodgers’ potential successor, and Grader said his hope is that the person would be in place in about a month.
After initially resisting calls to step up to the microphone, Rodgers warmed to the task. After recognizing all of his family members in the room, including his two sons, veterans themselves, Rodgers explained that he had inherited his desire to serve the town from
his father, Clem, a police officer and the first town prosecutor. Clem Rodgers’ approach was to go the extra mile to ensure that a moment of indiscretion did not create for young people in town a record that would haunt them in the future.
“I’m really happy that I was able to kind of pick that up from him,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers noted that the job had allowed him to meet many “great people,” including members of the Greatest Generation, veterans of World War II. Rodgers wistfully noted an occupational hazard that came with his role.
“Unfortunately, I got really close with a lot of my clients and got to know them really well, and they’re not here anymore,” Rodgers said. “And that’s tough.”
Particularly tough was the death of Piper.
“Piper’s funeral was agony for me for 10 days,” Rodgers said. “I think I cried every day.”
But a silver lining was that the town “stepped up” to honor Piper and comfort the family.
“It was an unbelievable procession to the funeral, and it was old Marblehead all the way,” he said. Rodgers ended his remarks by saying, “I’m very blessed. It’s been a good run. And I’m not leaving town.”
While playing his violin, William “Sid” Tracy then led the crowd in the singing of the town anthem, “Marblehead Forever.”
Sports
the National
EYC finishes third in Thayer Trophy
Women’s Team Race in town
BY CHRISTINA PANDAPAS
AND LAURIE FULLERTON
With winds gusting into the 20s and double-point scoring evening the playing field for the finals, a strong New York Yacht Club team sealed the deal in the last 10 yards of a dramatic race against Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association to win the 2024 National Women’s Invitational Team Race for the Thayer Trophy hosted by Marblehead’s Corinthian Yacht Club.
New York YC came into the second day with six wins and only two losses. PRO Will Bailey and his race committee team held 80% of the first two round robins on day one, and although there were still five races to left to sail to determine the top four, New York had punched their ticket to the finals.
After a long wind delay Sunday morning, the breeze began to fill from the south and built steadily to 15 knots with
gusts in the low 20s. That made things particularly sporty on the downwind legs.
Racing was tight, spinnaker-handling mistakes were costly and there were plenty of opportunities for conversions.
All of that came into play in the final race between Chesapeake and New York.
Winning positions changed multiple times in the last few minutes of the race. Chesapeake had a tenuous 2, 3, 4 combination a stone’s throw from the finish when New York went on the attack, forcing one of the Chesapeake boats to duck and slowing another enough to barely eke out a 1, 4, 5 to win the race and the event.
“Boat handling was key as the wind came up,” said New York Team Captain Emily Maxwell.
“There were definitely moments when that was a challenge. Our team really had to stay focused.”
The loss was costly for Chesapeake as Marblehead’s Eastern Yacht Club came on strong in the finals to edge them out on points to take third overall. Newport
Marblehead rattles off two straight wins
BY JOE MCCONNELL
The 2024 Marblehead Seasiders of the North Shore Baseball League have gotten off to a slow start with a 3-8 record, but they won their two most recent games over the North Reading A’s (8-0, June 22) and Kingston Night Owls (2-1, June 27), so things just might be turning around as the calendar flips to July,
James Giugino has been the Seasiders’ best pitcher early on with two wins and a 2.78 ERA after 22 innings on the mound, according to coach Joe McKane.
Captain Ryan Gallagher is one of the team’s leading hitters with a .357 batting average. But McKane mentioned that Brannan Frost is the team’s most versatile player. Offensively, Frost has two home runs and nine RBI to date, including a run-producing triple against aforementioned Kingston.
On May 29, the Seasiders began the season with a win against the North Shore Storm in Saugus, 5-4. They then started the month of June with a 10-0 loss to the Manchester Marlins. The Swampscott Sox also shut them out, 7-0. The North Reading A’s then edged the local nine, 5-4. The Beverly Recs also beat them by a close score, 3-2. The Northeast Tides followed with a 6-1 victory over the Seasiders. The Manchester Marlins made it two in a row against the Seasiders, 14-4. Peabody Champions, a perennial NSBL title-contending team, shutout the Marblehead boys, 5-0. The Rowley Nor’easters
Harbor Yacht Club took second, two wins behind New York.
The Thayer Trophy honors Corinthian’s Joan and Elynore “Elli” Thayer’s significant contributions to women’s sailing: Joan as a passionate one-design skipper and organizer of the National Women’s Sailing Association Conference, and Elli as the first women skipper in the 110 Class and Marblehead Racing Association officer for more than 20 years.
The Thayer Trophy 2024 final results:
» 1st New York Yacht Club
2nd Newport Harbor Yacht Club
3rd Eastern Yacht Club
4th Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association
» 5th Royal Thames Yacht Club
» 6th Corinthian Yacht Club
Mermaid Race
In other news, the Fast Mermaid Pursuit Race on Sunday marked its third year as a fundraiserfor Lindsay Smith, daughter of 10-time world champion and
BY JOE MCCONNELL
The 2024 Marblehead High boys lacrosse team (14-5, 20 th seed), the Northeastern Conference Dunn Division champions, lost to host Bridgewater-Raynham (13-6, 12th seed) in sudden death overtime, 11-10 on June 2.
One year ago, the Magicians were one of the four best teams in the division. But coach John Wilkens’ squad started this spring in a rebuilding frame of mind, while fighting through a series of injuries. But they still won 14 games, and had the lead late in the Division 2 Round of 32 game. They then had a goal called back that would have given them the insurance tally, which would have nailed down the victory, because of a questionable too many players on the field penalty. The Trojans took advantage of the call to send the game into overtime, before winning it early on in the extra period.
“The referees claimed we had too many players on the field, but I didn’t see it, and I watched the game closely,” said coach John Wilkens.
But Wilkens then added, “we had some self-inflicted wounds in this game, but overall, I can’t
two-time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Jud Smith. Lindsay was a victim of domestic violence when leaving her job at Doyle One Design in Salem in November 2021 when her ex-boyfriend shot her at close range. All net proceeds from the regatta go to the Fast Mermaid Fund to aid her ongoing rehabilitation and physical therapy at Project Walk in Boston.
Before the shooting, Lindsay, who is a graduate of Smith College, was working at Doyle One Design in Salem and campaigning an all-women’s Etchells team called Fast Mermaid. Her sailmaker father had fashioned a pink spinnaker for the team, and inspired by a youngsters’ love of mermaids, they fashioned a pink mermaid logo on the sail. Lindsey Smith was able to race this year’s regatta with her Fast Mermaid team. The race was divided into one design and a PHRF spinnaker and nonspinnaker class. The PHRF winner in the spinnaker class was Jud Smith.
complain about the effort.”
The veteran coach also thought his players played well during the second half of the season, and has high hopes for next year. “We have a lot to work with,” he said.
“But we still lose several good seniors like Eliot Pluss, Hogan Sedky, J.J. Pollender, Wilson
Jack
and
For his efforts, Pollender is the lone Marblehead representative on the NEC All-Conference
Cam
and Sedky made the NEC Dunn Division all-star team.
Bullard,
Whipple, Braiden Kilroy, Greg Motorny
Drew Nelson.”
team. Charlie Grenier,
Waldman
Su MMER BA ll
BOy S l ACROSSE
COURTESY PHOTO / BRUCE DURKEE
The wind made things “sporty” at
Women’s Invitational Team Race for the Thayer Trophy in Marblehead last weekend.
COURTESY PHOTO
The Fast Mermaid Pursuit Race raises money for Lindsay Smith, a victim of domestic violence.
COURTESY PHOTOS / CHARLOTTE MOORE
Marblehead High boys lacrosse player J.J. Pollender plays defense against Winthrop during a game last month.
Marblehead High boys lacrosse player Charlie Grenier takes a shot on net against Winthrop last month.
Marblehead, Swampscott Post 57 Mariners keeping busy this summer
BY JOE MCCONNELL
The Marblehead/Swampscott American Legion Post 57 baseball Mariners began all over again last month for another summer season on the diamond. The Mariners as an organization have put together two teams this year, one in the U-19 Senior League and another one in the U-17 Junior League.
The U-19 squad consists of Bodie Bartram, David Bartram, Breydan Callahan, Chis Cannuscio, J.J. Downey, Dylan Glass, Greyson Leventhal, Brooks Keefe, Matt Mahan, Ian Maude, Ian McComish, Ben Milner, Will Roddy, Carter Sahagian, Riley Schmitt, Stef Shepard, Tyler Spear and E.J. Wyman.
The U-17 team is made up of Zach Alex, Nick Berube, Aiden Brown, Connor Chiarello, Michael Collins, Cooper Correnti, Owen Coyne, Chase Frasciano, Chase Groothuis, Tim Hamilton, C.J. Hyer, Colten Landen, Nate Lee, Beau Olivieri, David Palmer, Caden Ross, Adam Sparacio and Jesse Swatz.
Last year, the Senior U-19 Mariners were very competitive, while losing some close games early on. But they saved their best baseball for the postseason,
COURTESY
when they defeated Peabody in the first round of the District 8 playoffs, before dropping a 7-1 decision to Lowell.
The Junior U-17 Mariners finished the regular season on a seven-game winning streak to earn the No. 1 seed and a bye going into the District 8 playoffs.
The juniors ended up winning the districts to advance to the state tournament for the third year in a row. They won two games in the states, only to lose to Lowell, the eventual state and
regional champions.
“We have many returning players this summer,” said senior team coach Kent Wheeler.
“Interestingly, many of the Swampscott High varsity players are 17-years-old, and are playing on the U-17 team, while many of the Marblehead High varsity players are 18, and are playing on the U-19 club.”
The season began on June 11 for the senior players. They went up against Newburyport, and by game’s end they topped the Clippers, 5-3, behind the solid pitching of returning hurler Ian Maude. Chris Cannuscio pitched well the next night, only to lose to a formidable Lowell team, 3-0. Haverhill then edged the local nine on June 13, 6-5.
Beginning a new week on June 17, Ben Milner pitched a complete game against Beverly, but the Mariners gave up three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to lose, 4-1.
The Mariners (1-5) then dropped two close decisions to Andover by identical 4-2 scores, before the Lighthouse Invitational Tournament, scheduled for June 22 and 23 in Maine, was rained out.
The game against Haverhill on June 27 was suspended in the sixth inning, because of darkness, and will resume prior to the next scheduled game against each other on July 9. The Mariners faced Newburyport on July 2 at Seaside Park after press
deadline, their only scheduled game in week 5. They will return to the Seaside diamond Monday, July 8, against Beverly at 6 p.m.
“We have had some good pitching so far, while also playing Lowell and Beverly even, only to come up short in the end,” said Wheeler. “We can play with anyone, but we need a few timely hits to put us over the top.”
The Junior Mariners (3-2) started the season 1-2, but have since won two straight games under the direction of coach Steve Correnti. They exploded past Newburyport, 12-0 on June 18. One week later, they also smoked Ipswich, 13-3 on June 25.
The Mariners went up against Ipswich again on July 1 after press deadline. But following the Fourth of July break, they will be busy, playing five games in four days. It will all begin against Newburyport at Swampscott’s Forest Avenue Park on July 8 at 7 p.m. They will be at Beverly the next night for a 6 p.m. game, followed by another 6 p.m. game versus host Lynn at Fraser Field 24 hours later. They will then return home to Forest Avenue Park for a doubleheader against Middleton, beginning at 5:15 p.m. to complete the four-day baseball marathon.
Callahan
to continue their football careers and education.
defeated the Seasiders, 9-2. But on June 22, the Seasiders might have turned the corner with the win over North Reading, followed up by another triumph five days later versus Kingston.
The 2024 Marblehead softball little league U-10 all-star team went 2-2 in the District 16 tournament.
These young Marblehead stars defeated Winthrop in the opener, 12-2, before losing to Peabody, 18-3 that put them in the losers bracket in this double-elimination tournament. They then bounced right back to beat Winthrop again, 18-3, that earned them a berth in the district finals, where they lost to Peabody again, 18-8. As a result, the junior Tanners were crowned the District 16 champs.
The Marblehead U-10 stars are, from left, front row, Piper Curtin, Ellie Serafin and Elizabeth Bedrossian. Second row, Quinn Liggio, Avery Wilkins, Maya Olmsted, Gwen Pisa and Flynn Higgins. Third row, June Barnum, Emily Anslinger, Kate Sterio, Emma Conrad and Alex Marcus. Fourth row, coaches Tom Sterio, Jenny Wilkins, Renzo Pisa, Brian Serafin and Scott Marcus. U-12 stars drop heartbreaker to Wyoma
The 2024 Marblehead softball little league U-12 all-star team lost to Peabody in the District 16 opener, 19-1. The junior Magicians then lost a heartbreaker to their Wyoma counterparts out of Lynn, 12-11, which also eliminated them from this double-elimination tournament.
The U-12 stars are, from left, top row, Maria Kaloutas, Caroline Hogan, Kiley Lewis, Brooke Griffin, Ellie Bruette and Annabelle Cassidy. Front row, Lilly Wilkins, Tatum Cole, Amalia Rotigliano, Camilia Cross and Sophia Labraico.
This year’s roster includes Trey Blackmer, Colin Dhaliwal, Derek Finn, Brannan Frost, Ian Gallagher, Ryan Gallagher, Almani Gerardo, Ben Gillis, James Giugino, Brian Hadden, Caeden Hale, Andrew Hicks, Brady Lavender, Jack Lindsay, Eric Lucey, Harry Lynch, Nick Mazzarella, Nick Miraglia, Mike Mitchell, Bino Netto, Kyle Obst,
Bjorn Pluss, Enrique Quinonez, Nick Raimo, Aadil Rawash, Yan Ruiz, Schuyler Schmitt, Ben Shea, Kevin Soto and Rick Spencer.
As of June 28, the Manchester Marlins were on top with an 8-2-1 record, which accounted for 17 points.
The Peabody Champions (7-1) and Swampscott Sox (7-4) were
tied for second with 14 points apiece, followed by the North Reading A’s (6-9), Northeast Tides (5-2-1), North Shore Storm (5-5), Rowley Nor’easters (5-5), Kingston Night Owls (4-6), North Shore Phillies (3-5), Marblehead Seasiders (3-8) and Beverly Recs (2-8).
“Throughout the month of
July, we are scheduled to play home games most weekend days at Seaside Park usually beginning at 2 p.m.,” said McKane. The Seasiders will be back home at Seaside Park this weekend to play host to Rowley on Saturday, (July 6, and Beverly Sunday, July 7. Both games will begin at 2 p.m.
Marblehead’s Wells Gillett and Matthew
played for the North Shore in the Aleppo Shriners All-Star Football Classic on June 15.
St. John’s Prep graduates, Gillett is headed to Franklin & Marshall and Callahan is headed to Amherst
Marblehead/Swampscott American Legion Post 57 U-19 Mariners catcher David Bartram walks off the field after completing another inning behind the plate during a game at Forest Avenue Park in
COURTESY PHOTOS
2024 Festival of Arts SCHEDULE
Tuesday, July 2
5-8 p.m.
» Silent Book Reading Party, Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper St.
8:30-10:30 p.m. Film Festival, 28 Mugford St.
Wednesday, July 3
Now through July 7: Hidden Orbs
Search, along all Festival routes
6-7:30 p.m.
» Artist Exhibit Awards Ceremony, Abbot Hall upper grounds
6-10:30 p.m.
Concerts @ Crocker Park
» 6 p.m.. Jazz with the Debby Larkin/Jeff Stout Quintet
» 8 p.m. Latin dance and reggae with Combo Sabroso
Thursday, July 4
» June 30-July 7: Hidden Orbs Search, along all Festival routes
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
» Satellite parking and Festival trolley loop, Marblehead High School to Festival exhibits and activities (See schedule below)
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
» Exhibits at six venues - Abbot Hall, Old Town House, St. Michael’s Church, Old North Church, Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead and King Hooper Mansion (MAA)
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
» Artisans Marketplace, Abbot Hall upper grounds
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Chamber music at Abbot Hall
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Logo store – Abbot Hall and Old Town House
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
» Model Boat Building - Jeremiah Lee Mansion Gardens
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Street Festival at Bank Square - Washington Street from Lee Mansion to Darling Street
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
» Lobster Roll Lunch at St. Michael’s Church Noon- 3:30 p.m. and 6-10:30 p.m. Concerts @ Crocker Park
11:30 a.m.-noon: Classic rockers Squall House
» 12:15 p.m.-1 p.m.: Marblehead School of Music
2 p.m.: Indie alt rock band River Sang Wild
6 p.m.: Pop funk with The Far Out
» 8 p.m.: 10-piece Big Ol’ Dirty Bucket band with R&B, funk and soul This evening will also feature the traditional singing of the national anthem (by ‘Header Christina Easthope), along with the harbor illumination and fireworks.
1 p.m. » Literary Festival, 28 Mugford St. - Hear from the winners of this year’s Literary Festival.
3-4 p.m. Model Boat Regatta - Redd’s Pond, intersection of Norman and Pond streets Now until July 7, 9 p.m.
SCHEDULE, P. A12
» Festival of Cod and Whales: Enjoy various merchant locations around town until July 4. Afterward, all displays will come together at Abbot Hall for viewing. The Cod and Whales Auction is open for bidding online until July 7, 9 p.m.
Friday, July 5
June 30-July 7
Hidden Orbs Search, along all Festival routes
9-9:45 a.m.
» FORM 01945 Festival FitnessJeremiah Lee Mansion upper lawn
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
» Satellite parking and Festival trolley loop – Marblehead High School to Festival exhibits and activities
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Exhibits at six venues - Abbot Hall, The Old Town House, St. Michael’s Church, Old North Church, Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead, and King Hooper Mansion (MAA)
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Logo store – Abbot Hall and Old Town House
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
» Artisans Marketplace, Abbot Hall, upper grounds
10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Chamber Music at Abbot Hall
10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
» Literary Festival at Abbot Public Library
10:30 a.m.
» Alexander R. Brash: An Autobiographical Duet (author talk)
11 a.m. Laurie Stolarz: Square One: Beginning a New Novel or Fictional Story (workshop)
1 p.m.
» Enzo Surin and January O’Neil: A Poetry Reading (poetry reading)
2:30 p.m.
» Judith Nies interviewed by Claire Keyes: New Trends in Nonfiction Writing and Publishing (author talk)
4 p.m.
David Roper: Thinking of Writing a Book? So, What’s Your Story? (author talk)
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
» Lobster Roll Lunch at St. Michael’s Church
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Kite Festival at Devereux Beach
Noon-3:30 p.m. and 6-10:30 p.m.
Concerts @ Crocker Park
» Noon: Obscure Notation with jazz/fusion
2 p.m.: The Gus Percy Band with R&B
» 6 p.m.: Blue Tomorrow with indie/folk rock
» 8 p.m.: Soul Rebel Project with reggae
1-3:30 p.m.: Sand Sculpture Festival at Devereux Beach Now through July 7, 9 p.m.
» Festival of Cod and Whales: Enjoy various merchant locations around town until July 4th. Afterward, all displays will come together at Abbot Hall for viewing. The Cod and Whales Auction is open for bidding online until July 7, 9 p.m.
Saturday, July 6
Now thru July 7: Hidden Orbs Search, all Festival routes
7:45-10:00 a.m.
» Festival 5K & 10K Run/Walk Road Race – Race starts at Marblehead Post Office
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Children’s Festival - Jeremiah Lee Mansion Gardens
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
» Exhibits at six venues - Abbot Hall, The Old Town House, St. Michael’s Church, Old North Church, Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead and King Hooper Mansion (MAA)
10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
» Chamber Music at Abbot Hall
10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
» Literary Festival - Abbot Public Library
10:30 a.m.
E.B. Goodale: The Art of Picture
Book Illustration: Printmaking in Action (illustrator talk)
11:30 a.m.
2024 Festival of Arts SCHEDULE
» Phyllis Karas: Writers and Agents: A Conversation with Phyllis Karas and Doug Grad (workshop)
1 p.m.
» Carolyn Mackler: Writing Across Ages (author talk)
2:30 p.m.
Eric Jay Dolin: Left For Dead: Shipwreck, Treachery, and Survival at the Edge of the World (author talk)
3:30 p.m.
» Kevin Carey: Working the First Person Illusion in Middle Grade Fiction and Beyond (workshop)
4 p.m.
Dian Seidel Interviewed by Claire Keyes: Retirement? A Memoir of Reinvention and Adventure (author talk)
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Lobster Roll Luncheon at St. Michael’s Church
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
» Logo store – Abbot Hall and Old Town House
Noon-3:30p and 6-10:30 p.m.
Concerts @ Crocker Park
» Noon: School of Rock Norwood/ Natick
2 p.m.: The Christine Lucas Band with rock/soul
» 6 p.m.: The Jorgan Quartet with jazz and blues
» 8 p.m.: The Squeeze Box Stompers with Cajun/zydeco
2-5 p.m.: Art on the AvenueAtlantic Avenue between 13 Hawkes St. and 16 Atlantic Ave. Now to July 7, 9 p.m.
» Festival of Cod and Whales: Enjoy various merchant locations around town until July 4.
Afterward, all displays will come together at Abbot Hall for viewing. The Cod and Whales Auction is open for bidding online until July 7, 9 p.m.
Sunday, July 7
Now through July 7
Hidden Orbs Search, all Festival
routes
10:00am – 4:00pm
» Satellite parking and Festival
trolley loop – Marblehead High School to Festival Exhibits and Activities
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Exhibits at six venues - Abbot Hall, The Old Town House, St. Michael’s Church, Old North Church, Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead, and King Hooper Mansion (MAA)
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
» Chamber Music – Abbot Hall
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
» Logo Store – Abbot Hall and Old Town House
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Literary Festival - Abbot Public Library
10:30 a.m.
» Hank Phillippi Ryan & Kristy Woodson Harvey: A Fireside Chat (author talk)
with Susan Walker: In Their Own Words: Q&A (author talk)
Now through July 7, 9 p.m. Festival of Cod and Whales: Enjoy various merchant locations around town until July 4. Afterward, all displays will come together at Abbot Hall for viewing. The Cod and Whales Auction is open for bidding online until July 7, 9 p.m.
FESTIVAL TROLLEY & SATELLITE PARKING
Free satellite parking will be available in the Marblehead High School parking lot at 2 Humphrey St. A free Festival trolley will operate between MHS and exhibit sites. Here is the schedule: Sunday, June 30, no trolleys Wednesday, July 3, no trolleys
» Thursday, July 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. » Friday, July 5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
» Saturday, July 6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, July 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Select Board OKs Purple Heart designation
BY WILL DOWD
The Select Board voted June 26 to designate Marblehead as a Purple Heart Town, at the request of resident Teresa R. Collins.
The Purple Heart, established by Gen. George Washington in 1782, is one of the oldest and most recognized American military medals, awarded to those wounded or killed while serving. Collins arranged for Marblehead to be added to the National Purple Heart Trail and anticipated a proclamation from the governor honoring the town’s Purple Heart veterans.
“With this proclamation of Marblehead as a Purple Heart Town, we are not only remembering and honoring service members for their meritorious actions, we are also fostering an environment where we can teach future generations the value of freedom and encourage them to learn and share these stories of service and sacrifice,” Collins said.
Four signs displaying the Purple Heart medal and “Marblehead Purple Heart Town” will be placed at the main entry roads of Atlantic Avenue, Humphrey Street, Tedesco Street and Lafayette Street at no cost to the town.
Collins also sought to honor the service of Cpl. William Ferry, a Marblehead resident who died in France during World War I, with a memorial marker at Pleasant and Smith streets. Collins learned about Ferry while conducting research for
the Wreaths Across America program.
On hold
The Select Board also voted to place annual reappointments to the Harbors and Waters Board on hold, pending a review of the board’s composition and the number of alternate members.
Select Board Member Bret Murray proposed the delay, citing a lack of turnover on the five-member board.
“For the five members on this one board, [they’ve ] been there for a quarter century and more,” Murray said. “I keep having citizens come up and say, ‘I’m interested.’ What changes do we want to make?”
Murray suggested reviewing the board’s charge, makeup and size before the next Select Board meeting.
“Let’s look at the numbers. And then let’s look at who’s
Community meeting planned
BY LEIGH BLANDER
The Marblehead Housing Authority Board of Commissioners met June 25 and postponed a vote on whether to designate WinnDevelopment as a partner in a $67 million project at the Broughton Road public housing community. The Housing Authority sent several questions to WinnDevelopment about its proposal earlier this month and is still waiting to hear back.
“So far, they’ve been incredibly responsive,” said Housing Authority Executive Director Kathy Hoog. “They’ve provided us with a great deal of detail. I don’t have any reason at this point to be concerned.”
According to Housing Authority Chair Jenn Schaeffner,
for residential and commercial use, according to Kowalik. They are a key component of the Village 13 substation, which is essential for distributing power throughout the town.
A $9 million investment
Kowalik said the $9 million project represents a significant investment in Marblehead’s future, funded entirely through cash reserves accumulated by MMLD. This means, he said, the upgrade won’t impact residents’ electricity rates.
“We’ve been setting aside 5% of our revenue each year for capital improvements,” Kowalik said. “This allows us to make these significant investments without burdening our ratepayers with additional
Hoog and a consultant will make a recommendation about whether to partner with WinnDevelopment at the Board’s July 16 meeting. The next step would be to develop a memorandum of understanding with WinnDevelopment. The project could take three years to complete, including 18 months of construction.
The Housing Authority is also planning a meeting later in July with Broughton Road residents to hear their concerns and answer questions.
“It’s time to have a meeting regardless of whether we’re going to move forward with Winn,” said Hoog. “The resident participation will be paramount in this process. It will be a huge part of the drive of the design.
The feedback from residents is key.”
costs.”
The new transformers will replace aging equipment at the Village 13 substation that has far exceeded its expected lifespan.
The transformers themselves are complex pieces of equipment, primarily composed of copper wire and oil. They will not only replace the aging equipment but also increase the substation’s capacity. Each new transformer will allow for more power individually than the one it replaces, providing about a 50% increase in capacity.
The summer of 2025
Marblehead Municipal Light Commissioner Jean-Jacques Yarmoff and Kowalik said this upgrade is crucial for meeting Marblehead’s growing electricity needs, especially with the anticipated increase in electric vehicles and heat pumps in the
going to be on it,” he said.
Select Board member Moses Grader cautioned against overriding the Harbors & Waters Board chair in the appointment process.
“For each of these appointments, we kind of give deference to the chairs,” Grader said. “If we override that authority, that’s where I have my real concern.”
Grader acknowledged the importance of bringing in new volunteers but emphasized the need to generate interest first.
“My biggest worry is that people say, ‘No way, I don’t want to do it,’” he said. “We haven’t worked hard enough at getting people interested.”
Board member Alexa Singer noted that last year’s hold on appointments was meant to initiate a broader review of policies.
“It was really to take a look
at what is our current policy? What are the things that we do? How do we do it? What are some changes that we may or may not want to make?” Singer said.
The Select Board unanimously voted to keep the current Harbors & Waters Board in place until the review process is completed over the next two meetings.
“If you can get that voluntary, proactive, teamwork kind of attitude, that’s ideal,” Grader said. “And so I think kind of having a discussion with the [board] chair is perhaps having a broader policy that basically says, ‘Look, if there’s a backlog of interest, we ought to find a way to rotate.’”
Eagle Scout project
The Select Board also approved a request from a local Eagle Scout to use Abbot Hall
One woman who attended the meeting said residents are looking for information.
“People are afraid; they’re in denial,” the woman said.
Hoog outlined some of the questions she sent to Winn, asking for clarification about the Housing Authority’s role after the redevelopment. Under the current
coming years.
“We’ve been planning this for three years. It’s not just about replacing old equipment; it’s about preparing Marblehead for
for his Court of Honor ceremony and waive the rental fees.
Tyler Earp, a member of Troop 11, became an Eagle Scout after completing a substantial service project at Marblehead High School. Earp raised over $100,000 in monetary and in-kind donations to revitalize the school’s outdoor classroom area.
“This included removing invasive species, pruning overgrown shrubs, replacing deteriorated raised beds and installing a greenhouse,” Earp told the Select Board. “This project required over 600 individual hours and over a combined total of 1,500 service hours.”
The greenhouse is expected to be incorporated into various high school curricula beginning in September, benefiting subjects such as cooking, science and foreign languages.
“My hope is that this facility will continue to enhance the curriculum for many years to come,” Earp wrote.
Earp requested use of Abbot Hall Auditorium on August 10 for his Eagle Scout Court of Honor, a ceremony recognizing his achievement of the Boy Scouts’ highest rank. The event is expected to run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Noonan commended Earp for his significant accomplishment and service to the community.
“Eagle Scout is not an easy task, and to raise that amount of money and put in that amount of work is really to be congratulated,” Noonan said.
Schaeffner told the Current. “I have learned that there’s a lot to learn. A lot. The process of the redevelopment of these properties, this is the typical path — a public-private partnership. There is some control that is given up: physical control, financial control. What that looks like will remain to be seen.”
During construction, residents impacted would be temporarily relocated to other public housing units or provided with subsidized housing options in the private market, according to Kurt James of Marblehead’s Fair Housing Committee.
proposal, WinnDevelopment would become the property manager and the Housing Authority would no longer manage the property directly.
Some worry this structure could reduce the Housing Authority’s ability to serve its mission and maintain control.
“I can only speak for myself,”
the future of electrification,” Yarmoff said.
While the transformers’ arrival is a significant step, it’s just one part of a larger upgrade to the Village 13 substation. The new transformers will initially be stored on-site while additional equipment, like switch gears, is installed. The entire project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2025.
Yarmoff said the department has yet to figure out what to do with the old transformers — which will still have value once they are decommissioned.
This upgrade is not just about increasing capacity but also improving reliability and preparing for the future. Yarmoff elaborated on the long-term vision.
“We’re anticipating growth of about 1.7% per year in electricity use, taking into account electric vehicles and
“Members of the board are very committed and focused on making sure our tenants and residents are not [adversely effected] in any way in the long term,” Schaeffner said. “They will be in the short term, but in the end we don’t want them hurt in any way.”
heat pumps,” he said. “These transformers are going to get us part of the way there, but we’re also looking at other solutions like utility-scale batteries and encouraging residential solar installations.”
A critical component of this project was the construction of a land bridge on site, completed on May 15, at the Village 13 substation to hold the weight of the new transformers. This engineering feat was necessary to protect a 50-year-old sewer main pipe that runs adjacent to the main substation.
“We had to be absolutely certain we wouldn’t disturb that sewer main pipe,” Kowalik said. “More than 50% of the total sewage in Marblehead goes through that pipe. Breaking it was just not something we could even contemplate.”
Leigh Blander contributed reporting to this article.
CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD
Resident Teresa R. Collins presents the Select Board with signs designating Marblehead as a Purple Heart Town during its June 26 meeting.
A conceptual drawing of the Broughton Road redevelopment proposed by WinnDevelopment
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
A 450-ton crane carefully hoists one of the two massive transformers.
Fort ranger program begins at Fort Sewall
BY LIA GORBACH
Visitors to Fort Sewall can now get a tour of the inside of the fort as part of a new program that began on June 18.
The Recreation and Parks Department hired three people to be fort rangers at the historic site.
Bob Erbetta, Dave Cronin and Michelle Gatta walk visitors through the officers’ quarters, bunk room and storeroom. During the tour, visitors even get to go inside a small bunker.
So far, around 55 to 90 people have been coming through for a tour each day, according to Gatta.
“Typically we tailor tours to what guests are interested in,” she said.
Tours run Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Visitors can walk
Other duties of the fort ranger include opening and closing the interior of Fort Sewall, answering visitors’ questions and ensuring the safety and integrity of the fort.
The program is planned to run for 11 weeks from June 18 to Aug. 31, with potential weekends in May and September through Columbus Day.
Meanwhile, join the Glover’s Marblehead Regiment for their annual Encampment at Fort Sewall on Sat. July 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Activities include cannon salutes, arms drills, fife and drum concerts, a “tactical” at Gas House Beach and a last-man-standing contest. Learn more at gloversregiment.org.
lOCA l
A look inside of the fort’s bunkroom. According to Gatta, around 40 soldiers lived at the fort at a time, either inside the
Michelle Gatta was hired as one of three fort rangers to conduct tours around Fort Sewall this summer.
COURTESY PHOTO Glover’s Marblehead Regiment is planning its annual encampment at Fort Sewall
‘When you call them, you enter a version of hell’ Local woman shares story of being scammed to help others
BY LEIGH BLANDER
A 72-year-old Marblehead woman who was scammed and “held hostage” by hackers is sharing her story to help other people protect themselves.
“These scams can so easily happen to anyone,” said the woman, who met with the Current last week. She and the Marblehead Police ask that we not use her real name during the investigation, so we will call her Mary.
Chief Dennis King tells us Mary’s case is, unfortunately, not unusual. Marblehead residents are scammed out of about $100,000 a year.
Mary opened her Mac computer a couple of weeks ago, like she does most mornings.
“There was a message that took up the whole screen, telling me to call Mac support,” she said. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned since then is… don’t call them. When you call them, you enter a version of hell.” Mary did call them, only to learn later that she had been hacked.
“I was held hostage from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.” she said. “I felt like I was hypnotized.”
When Mary called the number on the screen, a man told her that Chinese and Russian hackers running a child pornography ring had infiltrated her computer and stolen her identity. He told Mary that the hackers had also compromised her phone and that she shouldn’t make any calls.
The man then patched her through to someone he said was with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation investigating the child porn case. The second man told Mary she might be charged in the child porn ring, but that she could help catch the suspects by going to her bank and taking out as much money as possible.
Mary withdrew $7,500 from her bank in Marblehead.
“He told me to tell the bank
teller that I had a medical emergency,” she said. “He said if I said anything else it would jeopardize the investigation.”
Then, Mary was instructed to deposit the money in a Bitcoin machine in Salem.
“It was hurry, hurry, hurry. Everything was rushed and had to be done right away,” she said.
“I haven’t felt that kind of stress since my 1-1/2-year-old baby had open heart surgery,” years ago.
Mary couldn’t figure out how to use the Bitcoin machine, so the man, who kept her on the phone, told her to mail the money instead. He had very specific instructions.
“He told me I needed to wrap the money in aluminum foil and bubble wrap and that I should put
a snack on top of it” to camouflage the items inside, she said.
After carefully wrapping the money and placing snacks on top, Mary brought the package to UPS in Marblehead and mailed it to a California address, as directed by the scammer.
Later that night, after dinner with a friend, it dawned on Mary that she had been duped.
“I said to myself, ‘Oh my God, I just got scammed,’” she said. “I came out of the trance I was in.”
Mary called Marblehead Police and told her story to an officer. They realized that there might be time to contact UPS and stop delivery of the package.
Mary and the officer called UPS, which agreed to send the package back to Marblehead
rather than deliver it to California. When Mary opened it at UPS, she unwrapped the bubble wrap and the aluminum foil and found her money.
“It was a miracle,” she said.
Mary says her friends and family can’t believe she fell for the scam.
“But they take over your rational mind and go straight for your gut,” she said about the criminals. “They don’t give you time to ask yourself, ‘What’s going on here?’”
King said many victims don’t report scams because they’re embarrassed.
“This case shows the power of persuasion and lengths that these scammers will go to and how the scams and methods have evolved over the years.,” he added. “Everyone should be mindful that it could happen to them or a family member and be vigilant. Never hesitate to call MPD for help on these types of calls/emails, or mailings.”
King has advice on what to look out for to avoid becoming a victim.
“Never give out your personal information on the phone, no matter what,” he said. “The government, your cell phone provider, your bank, credit card companies and utility companies do not seek out your information, they have it already.”
King continued, “Same thing
goes online. Don’t open things online (attachments) that are not familiar to you. People can be very convincing and hone their scamming skills for years. Common scams like the grandson/granddaughter ‘I need bail money’ are very convincing. You would never give somebody bail money over the phone; that would have to be done in person. Virus scams can be scary because you think your information will be exposed in a negative light, like a sexual predator. Tactics such as fear and threats are used so people don’t think rationally and make decisions they would otherwise not make.”
King urges any seniors who suspect they may be getting scammed to hang up their phone, log off their computers and contact the Marblehead Police or the Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11.
Since getting her money back, Mary has had to do a factory reset on her computer, get all new bank accounts, freeze her credit and get two-step verification on her emails.
“I feel compelled to help stop people from becoming a victim,” Mary said about why she’s speaking out.
She also encourages people not to make fun of scam victims for being too naive.
“I have a plea to well-meaning, caring family and friends to please be supportive,” she said.
Ledge removal sparks questions, improves public access
BY WILL DOWD
Residents took to social media questioning the recent construction activity on Commercial Street, but Marblehead Municipal Light Department General Manager Joseph Kowalik says it’s all part of a plan to improve public access to the waterfront.
“There’s been multiple public meetings over many hours about this,” Kowalik said. “There’s been
documents on the town website. We had prints in our lobby for months. It’s been in the Current.
The ledge hammering that sparked online discussions lasted for three days, according to Kowalik. Large pneumatic hammers mounted on heavy equipment were used to remove sections of ledge along Commercial Street.
While the heavy ledge hammering work is complete, Kowalik noted that some
additional ledge may need to be removed as the sidewalk is installed, though he doesn’t anticipate the large pneumatic hammers will be needed again.
The primary goal was to widen the street and create space for a new sidewalk that will run from the Light Department offices down to Hammond Park.
“Somebody can walk up a sidewalk and not have to walk in the street,” Kowalik explained. “There’s going to be a crosswalk about a third
of the way down to Hammond Park from our lower driveway.”
In addition to the sidewalk, the project has opened up a previously hidden “pocket park” with benches and unobstructed harbor views. Kowalik said the small park was largely inaccessible due to the surrounding ledge.
The ledge removal also aimed to improve parking and access for fishermen who use the nearby boatyard pier. The wider
street will provide more space for vehicles.
The Commercial Street enhancements are part of a larger project funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management. Improvements was expected to be completed by June 30. The Select Board approved $77,700 for the project.
Kowalik encouraged residents to walk down and check out the changes.
COURTESY PHOTOS
Scammers convinced Mary to withdraw $7,500 from her bank account.
The scammers told Mary to wrap the $7,500 in aluminum foil before mailing it to an address in California.
Mary shipped her money in a shoebox to an address in California but later had the package reversed and sent back to Marblehead.
Neighbors, family gather for
birthdays this spring and summer
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Marblehead knows how to throw a party. Friends, families and neighbors gathered at two very special birthday celebrations recently.
Carolyn Steadman, who lived nearly all her life in Marblehead, celebrated her 100th birthday on
June 23. She was born at the Mary Alley Hospital. Carolyn married Jim Steadman after World War II and they raised four sons here in town. She has five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
In the spring, the Pequot Road neighborhood gathered to honor their own, Max Kaulbach, seated in the center, on his 93rd birthday. Fellow cardiologists from Salem
Hospital were there, as well as friends from the Old North Festival Chorus, of which Max was a part. Also in attendance were men Max had played soccer with and against back in the day. His wife DL was by his side, in their 68th year of marriage. Congratulations to Carolyn and Max!
ABOVE: Pequot Road neighborhood gathered to honor Max Kaulbach, seated in the center, on his 93rd birthday.
RIGHT: Carolyn Steadman, born on June 23, 1924, celebrates her 100th birthday.
