Board to revisit MBTA zoning issue
BY WILL DOWD
The Select Board will again discuss the contentious MBTA Communities Act zoning issue at its meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. in Abbot Hall, following more than a week of behind-the-scenes discussions and community outreach.
The board’s renewed focus on the issue comes after a heated debate at its Aug. 28 meeting, where residents and officials clashed over whether
to hold a special town meeting to reconsider compliance with the state’s MBTA Communities Act. Voters narrowly rejected a proposed zoning change to comply with the act in May.
Select Board member Dan Fox said the board has been gathering information and consulting with various stakeholders, including state officials, to gain clarity on the potential consequences of non-compliance with the act.
“We’ve been talking to the state through [the office of Lt.
Seal of approval
Gov. Kim Driscoll], trying to get more information on exactly what happens if we are out of compliance,” Fox said. “We’re trying to get clarity on different grants and whether we stay in the queue or are knocked out for the year, where a lot of these grants are decided in the first half of the year.”
The MBTA Communities Act, signed into law in 2021, requires 177 communities served by the MBTA to zone for multifamily housing. Marblehead risks losing
BY LEIGH BLANDER
In addition to being a mother of four and a computer programmer, Maureen Lyons has what she calls a “side quest.”
She’s an endurance solo rower out of Marblehead’s RocknRow rowing club.
“I love being on the ocean,” Lyons told the Current. “It brings its own challenges that I find compelling. I’m also very into ultra distances.”
Lyons, who lives in Swampscott, just completed a 106-mile, four-day solo rowing trip along the Maine Island Trail. On her 19-foot boat, she had dry bags with gear and some food (more on that later.) After rowing seven-hour days, she camped on land at night.
Lyons is building a new boat that she can sleep on.
“I like rowing hand-built boats,” she said. “I’m building one out of marine plywood. It’s an Angus rowcruiser. You can camp and sleep in there rather than camping on land.”
Lyons, who is 42, trains about 12 hours a week — on the ocean in the
summer and on a rowing machine in her basement in the winter. She’s preparing for a 360-mile race in Puget Sound next summer. And in the summer of 2026, she hopes to compete in the 760-mile Race to Alaska.
“No woman has single-handed the Race to Alaska,” she said. “It’s on my bucket list.”
Lyons, who rowed on the Charles River when she was at MIT, learned some important lessons on her recent Maine voyage.
“I need at least eight liters of water a day, I had only budgeted five,” she said.
“The challenge is: Where do you store
access to certain state grants if it fails to comply by Dec. 31.
Fox emphasized that the board’s primary goal is to make an informed decision that benefits the town and promotes unity rather than division.
“Ultimately, we want to do what’s best for the community and bring this town together, as opposed to dividing it,” he said. “We’re just all, individually, talking to different people and
SCHOOLS
Next round of teacher contract talks set
Union blasts district for ‘botched payroll’
BY LEIGH BLANDER
The teachers union was expected to meet with the School Committee bargaining team Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 10, the latest session in contentious negotiations. Both sides have filed grievances against the other, the School Committee has called in a state mediator for the custodians’ contract, and teachers walked out of a meeting last month.
On Thursday, Sept. 6, the Marblehead Education Association slammed the district for what it called a “botched payroll.”
“As students and educators recently returned to school, Marblehead school administrators failed to update pay rates to agreed-upon steps and tracks. Stipends and paychecks for summer work were similarly withheld from educators, due to what interim Superintendent John Robidoux shrugged off as ‘an unfortunate clerical error,’” the MEA wrote.
Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Mike Pfifferling explained what happened. “The issue surrounded the loading of staff into the payroll system for the year’s first payroll,” he said. “The error affected 90 staff members, which is approximately 30% of the 10-month teaching staff. As soon as we received the first notification from our staff, we immediately investigated and began working towards a quick resolution. The school Business Office and town Finance Department spent the majority of the day re-calculating and re-entering the payroll difference for the 90 affected staff members.”
Sixth-grade teacher and MEA Co-President Jonathan Heller said there’s no excuse for under-paying teachers.
“We are already some of the lowest-paid educators in the region, and the School Committee keeps telling us that we do not deserve a fair wage,” he said. “Now, we’re starting the new school year without a contract, and they can’t even get our paychecks right? It only makes us feel more disrespected.”
MEA Co-president and third-grade teacher Sally Shevory added, “Our members have
COURTESY PHOTO Maureen Lyons launches her 106-mile solo row from Kittery, Maine, this summer.
COURTESY PHOTO / RICK CUZNER
Nature photographer Rick Cuzner snapped this shot of a lobsterman hauling his traps while seals rest at Great Pig Rocks off Devereux Beach. Cuzner says the seal colony there seems to be growing every year.
CUZN er IN NAt U re
Tensions lead to resignations on Cemetery Commission
BY WILL DOWD
Two members of Marblehead’s Cemetery Commission have resigned, citing an inability to fulfill their duties due to issues with the department’s structure and administration.
In letters dated Aug. 18, Janet Merrill and Pam Peterson submitted their resignations to the Select Board and town clerk, effective immediately.
Peterson, who has served on the commission since 2022, wrote that while “the structure of the Cemetery Department is clearly defined, it is not being followed.” She added, “I no longer wish to continue in this manner, and hope that by stepping aside, I will make way for someone else who can be more effective.”
Merrill, who was recently re-elected to her third term, stated in her letter that she “cannot work with the cemetery administration and as such I have been unable to fulfill the duties required.”
The departures come amid ongoing tensions between commissioners and cemetery leadership over issues including communication, transparency and long-term planning.
“I felt I could no longer be effective in the role,” Merrill said in an interview. “There were systemic issues that prevented us from making meaningful improvements.”
Peterson echoed those sentiments, saying she had hoped to modernize record-keeping and pursue grant funding for historic preservation projects.
— daycare, rent, mortgages — and the school administration’s mess is just piling on more stress for Marblehead’s educators. We show up every school year being asked to do more with less, and people are sick and tired of it. I can’t tell my mortgage company that my payment isn’t on time this month because of a ‘clerical error.’” Veterans Middle School nurse Meaghan Kalpin said, “Maybe if they weren’t so focused on paying an unscrupulous law firm to deny classroom educators a living wage, they’d be able to focus on these basic operational needs of our schools.”
‘Behavior episode’
On the second day of the new school year, a Village School student experienced a “behavior episode which required a ‘stay in place,’ where students and staff had limited access for short periods of time to certain areas of the building,” according to an email sent to families by new Village Principal Scott Williams.
“At no time were any students unsafe or in danger,” Williams continued. “The student was monitored at all times and staff was quick to respond to de-escalate the child.” Student behavior became a critical issue last school year, when, according to an investigation, a Glover School third grader was improperly restrained. The child’s family is suing the district for civil rights violations.
Dozens of teachers packed a School Committee meeting last year demanding that more be done to protect student and teacher safety. The issue is a topic at contract talks.
“What we can say is that after what happened last year
Both former commissioners expressed frustration with what they described as resistance to change and lack of collaboration from Cemetery Superintendent Catherine Kobialka, who has worked in the department for about 30 years. Kobialka did not respond to requests for comment.
The resignations leave the commission unable to conduct business without a quorum. The Select Board will work to appoint interim members to fill the vacant seats until the next town election.
Those interested in serving on the Cemetery Commission can submit applications to Kyle Wiley at kwiley@marblehead.org by Sept. 20.
Cemetery Commission Chair Richard Coletti, who has served on the commission for over two decades, said he was surprised by the resignations.
“I thought it must have been really bad for certain people,” Coletti said.
“My goal was to make important cemetery records more accessible,” Peterson said. “But efforts to digitize files or apply for grants were not supported by department leadership.”
He acknowledged there have
been challenges but defended the department’s operations.
“Us commissioners oversee the superintendent’s work,” Coletti said. “We take care of the budget after the superintendent prepares it.”
Peterson said she plans to share her experiences with the Town Charter Commission to inform potential reforms.
Both former commissioners expressed concerns about deferred maintenance at town cemeteries and lack of longterm planning. They pointed to deteriorating conditions at historic burial grounds like the Hooper Tomb on Harris Street as examples of needed improvements.
“Every budget for a long time has been level funded, so there’s an enormous amount of deferred maintenance,” Peterson said. “There’s no water in like a third of the cemetery, no running water.”
Both women expressed regret at leaving their positions but said they felt they had no other choice given the circumstances.
“I’m very sad about it. My
at Glover, we have proposed multiple solutions to issues of student safety in our schools to the Marblehead School Committee,” the MEA wrote in statement later that day. “Their refusal to collaborate with us on such critical elements of day-today school functioning is not only disheartening, it is a dereliction of their duty. Our School Committee refuses to listen to educators and take this crisis seriously. Instead, they choose to gaslight staff and families alike by claiming that ‘everything is fine.’”
Antisemitism investigation
At a Sept. 5 School Committee meeting, Robidoux spoke about the outside investigation into antisemitism allegations, and counterclaims, among teachers. “Several staff members have moved on from Marblehead, but (investigator) Alison Kurker will continue to work with those who are willing to do so in order to come to some conclusions,” Robidoux said.
In a spring webinar, a Veterans School teacher accused several Marblehead High School language teachers, along with the union, of antisemitism. At least four members of the MHS language department quit over the summer and are now working in other districts. They include: Spanish teacher Candice Sliney (19 years),
French teacher Andrew West (22 years), French teacher Mary Francois (12 years) and Spanish teacher Laura Alvarez (nine years).
“I left due to the toxic and unhealthy environment from the administration at MHS,” Alvarez told the Current.
Robidoux added about the investigation: “We’ve been having a lot of conversations with community members and parents and caregivers, and I think we’re in a really good place in understanding the more global concerns and how we operate with a different mindset.”
Social emotional learning
The School Committee approved a new social emotional learning curriculum for grades K-12 called Wayfinder. The $25,000 yearly cost will be covered this year by COVID-relief funding.
“It is so needed, so warranted and so well-vetted by our team,” Robidoux said. “I think it’s a win, win, win.”
Letters about the new program will be sent home to families, according to Assistant Superintendent for Learning Julia Ferreira.
Robidoux presented a brief update on the student services department, which has new leadership.
family’s going to be buried in Old Burial Hill. It means a lot to me,” Merrill said. “I love cemeteries. It’s weird to say, but I do.”
Peterson said she plans to remain involved in cemetery preservation efforts through other channels, including the Old Burial Hill Oversight Committee. She is also working to establish a new Harris Street Cemeteries Oversight Committee to address maintenance needs at that historic site.
“The historic cemeteries in Marblehead are very important,” Peterson said. “That’s why the Old Burial Hill Oversight Committee has been very successful, not taking any money from the town, but raising money through grants and donations.”
The Cemetery Department oversees several historic burial grounds in Marblehead. These include Waterside Cemetery, Harbor View Cemetery, Old Burial Hill Cemetery, Green Street Cemetery, Harris Street Cemetery and the Hathaway and Hooper Tombs.
“There’s a lot of stuff going on in special education… Case managers are going to be emailing out to the parents all the members of their children’s teams and their contact information, which I think will be nice for communication and collaboration,” he said.
Other highlights from the meeting:
Robidoux said the bus routes are “taking a little bit longer than we and the parents would like, but we’re looking into efficiencies at the schools that will hopefully address those concerns.”
The nonprofit Free Period is donating menstrual products at Marblehead High School and the Village School. Veterans School already offers the items.
The Board of Health donated Narcan kits to each school. Last spring, MHS seniors raised money during their senior project to buy and donate an AED for the Village School.
The School Committee approved a $30,000 donation from the Marblehead All Sports Boosters to redo the high school tennis courts.
Member Sarah Fox asked that the committee discuss at a future meeting a proposal to dedicate the Brown School garden in memory of Katie Martin, a Marblehead parent who worked on the district’s first organic garden at the former Bell School. Martin passed away last spring.
The School Committee asked for feedback from the community about meeting times. Currently, the committee meets the first and third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Robidoux raised the possibility of moving the meeting earlier, to 6 p.m. To share thoughts on the best meeting time, people can contact the committee at schoolcommittee@ marbleheadschools.org.
CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD
The Cemetery Commission office is at Waterside Cemetery on West Shore Drive.
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
The School Committee met for the first time this school year on Sept.
5 at Marblehead High School. Missing from the photo is Chair Jenn Schaeffner, who attended via Zoom.
Schools
From P. A1
that water in the boat?
The boat I’m building has tons of storage space and a huge weight payload.”
She also discovered that she needs to consume more calories. She typically relies on maple syrup packets for a sugar hit every hour or so.
“When you’re on the water for seven to eight hours, you need actual food,” she said.
That isn’t a problem because she likes to cook for her trips.
“I like to dehydrate food — dehydrated curries, pasta dishes,” she said. “You just boil some water and rehydrate it.”
From fog banks to porpoises
What are her scariest moments alone on the water?
“When a fog bank rolls in and you aren’t expecting it,” she explained. “The first time a fog bank lands on you, it’s pretty terrifying. I now have a handheld GPS, which has alleviated that fear.”
The gorgeous, serene moments more than make up for the nervous ones, she said.
“Once, we had a bunch of porpoises going across the boat on glassy water,” she said. “There were just perfect conditions. It almost looked like the Caribbean. It just felt like a magical, fairy tale moment.”
Help Wanted
Full Time Infant/Toddler &Preschool Teachers
big map of the Maine Island Trail and a pin with my picture on it. They kept moving the pin along.”
Lyons has learned something else lately, too — how to rely on other people.
“The Maine trip had been a private dream for six years,” she said.
“It wasn’t until I started asking for support from people that I could do it. It’s not possible to take on this kind of adventure without support, including my husband keeping everything on track here at home.”
Another big supporter is friend Diane Yates, who also belongs to RocknRow and provided land support for Lyons on her Maine voyage. “Because I have dabbled in longer distance sports with running and triathlons, I understood the logistics of managing the variables and wanted to offer support for her while she takes this first step,” Yates said. Lyons added, “The amount of support and love has been incredible.” You can follow Lyons’ rowing adventures on Instagram at moms. sidequest.
Support is key Lyons’ family is supportive of her side quest.
“The kids say, ‘Yeah, that’s just mom and mom’s weird hobby,’” she said.
During her Maine trip, her husband and children stayed home and had “a
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Maureen Lyons’ daughter, Darcy, keeps track of her mom’s progress on this map of the Maine Island Trail.
Maureen Lyons likes to dehydrate food for her longer rows.
COURTESY PHOTOS
Diane Yates, right, provided land support for Maureen Lyons for her four days of rowing in Maine. The two are members of Marblehead’s RocknRow rowing club.
Opinion
23 years later
BY MARBLEHEAD FIRE CHIEF JASON GILLILAND
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following remarks were scheduled to be given by the fire chief during the Sept. 11 ceremony at Memorial Park. Good morning and thank you all for joining us today to be part of this important remembrance ceremony.
We have come together this morning, as many of us have over the past 23 years, to honor and hold in our collective memories the 2,975 individuals who were killed on Sept. 11, 2001, in the terrorist attacks on America.
Just as we remember those who were lost on 9/11, let us also remember those who have become gravely ill or died of 9/11-related illnesses. The 1,140 individuals who lived and worked in lower Manhattan at the time of the terrorist attacks and suffered from many forms of cancer linked to the exposure of dust and debris from the crumbling towers. Let us remember and keep in our prayers the 1,400 first responders who assisted at ground zero in the days, weeks and months after the attack, and have passed away, predominantly due to injuries sustained or from cancer-related illnesses.
I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize all those men and women who risked their lives and rose in
e V erY tHING WILL be OKAY
service in response to the 9/11 attacks. The first responders, volunteers, rescue and recovery workers, and the hundreds of thousands of military personnel who serve or have served in our armed forces here at home and overseas, in an effort to keep us out of harm’s way.
Time has passed. We now
They came from away
BY VIRGINIA BUCKINGHAM
I thought I knew the story. Several books, news articles and a Tony-award winning Broadway show had told it thoroughly, compassionately and musically. But I didn’t. Not really, beyond the headlines from years ago and documented since. On September 11, 2001, some 38 planes were forced to land at a remote airfield in Gander, Newfoundland. More than 6,500 passengers were stranded far from their destinations when U.S. airspace was abruptly closed. Locals – Newfies –dropped everything to assist. Lifelong friendships and at least one marriage resulted. It was a bright spot of human kindness during a dark, dark time. Like the details behind most meant-to-be, quickly-digested news there is so much more nuance, heartache, joy and resilience layered in the story of what unfolded in the 126 hours between the time the first diverted plane landed and the last was allowed to depart. And the passage of more than 20 years has also enriched what is more than a feel-good story, as I discovered last week.
A friend and I exchanged books on a recent late summer evening. I gave him Rob Delaney’s hardcover, “A Heart the Hurts,” and he shared the paperback “The Day the World Came to Town” by Jim DeFede. I knew this friend, who I worked with at Logan Airport at the time of the 9/11 attacks, wasn’t one to dwell on those days, so this accounting had to be meaningful
if he was suggesting I read it.
It was. This is what I learned beyond my broad sense of the generosity Newfoundlanders showed to their unexpected guests.
First, there’s Newfoundland’s proper pronunciation. It’s Newfin-land, as if it rhymes, including the emphasis on the first syllable, with “understand,” and said, if you want to get it exactly right, very fast. A Canadian province only since 1949, the region has its own distinct time zone, dialect and culture. The area’s remoteness inspires a neighbor relying on neighbor ethos amongst the community. Its fishing and timber industry is long faded along with a once prominent role as a must-stop for U.S. military and commercial aircraft to refuel at an airfield capable of handling the emergency landing of the space shuttle. ‘ It was on that airfield in Gander that pilots headed to the United States in the cockpits of an alphabet soup of airlines – Aer Lingus to Lufthansa to Virgin Air – were ordered to land, along with many others across Canada, if they couldn’t turn around and return to Europe. I learned that once on the ground some passengers had to stay onboard the aircraft for more than 30 hours, as Canadian authorities tried to put in place adequate screening protocols and determine if there were additional terrorists posing as passengers and intending harm, a fear that hadn’t abated even when the planes were finally released to leave days later.
I learned that striking school bus drivers dropped their work stoppage and lined up to ferry
the passengers to churches and schools and community centers.
There were children, including some newly adopted from Russia, whose families had already traveled thousands of miles — the literal kind, and the figurative red-tape kind.
Some of the children were headed to a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Disney World, others were celebrating birthdays. Newfies found themselves dressing up as princesses and Santa Clauses to shower the children with toys and cake, but more important the lesson of showing kindness to strangers.
And in the true spirit of international air travel, there were refugees and princesses alongside one-star generals and CEOs, including the head of a world fashion brand whose company arranged a private jet to evacuate him. He ultimately canceled it in favor of sleeping on a cot in fellowship with fellow passengers.
There was a Beatles’ cover band which brought throngs of passengers crowded into a local pub to tears with its rendition of Lennon’s “Imagine.” And there were monkeys.
At some point after the passengers were deplaned, animal shelter workers realized there must be cats and dogs in the cargo holds who hadn’t been fed or cared for in any way for hours. They were right, and when they reached them, they found hungry, thirsty and lonely pets. And they found a pair of rare Bonobos monkeys enroute to a zoo in Ohio. Somehow the authorities were convinced to let all the animals be removed and kept in a hangar where a local vet provided medical care
find ourselves more than two decades removed from that fateful September morning, and while the images are still vivid in the minds of us who lived through 9/11, there is an entire generation that has grown to adulthood and has no personal memory of that day 23 years ago. This day of
remembrance is therefore of growing importance, to not only our youth but to all of us. This annual day of remembrance will continue to remind us of the remarkable courage and selflessness shown by so many brave individuals. It will remind us of the kindness that was demonstrated by perfect strangers, who showed up to support each other in time of need, and finally, to remind us that out of tragedy, our community and country showed the best we can be. And we should never forget that. In closing, I would like to recognize Diana Isbrandtsen, who passed away on Aug. 12 of this year, from multiple myeloma. Diana’s stepson, Erik, was one of the 1,402 victims who perished after the hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 hit the north tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, at 8:46 a.m. Thank you all for attending and God bless America.
and volunteers provided so much play and attention that a purebred cocker-spaniel puppy had to be secreted out of the hangar to a veterinary practice only to discover the dog wasn’t ill, just exhausted.
There was an orthodox rabbi who couldn’t leave Gander even when his flight was available because the timing fell on Shabbat and he had a sense that there was a reason he was stranded there. The reason became clear when an older local man made his way to see the rabbi and confessed he had hidden his Jewish identity most of his life after he was sent out of eastern Europe by his family.
His stepfamily, resettled in Newfoundland, didn’t allow him to discuss his background. To the stranger-rabbi, who should have been at his destination in New York not Canada, the local man for the first time showed scars and wounds he had suffered as a young Jewish boy beaten in the streets of Poland.
And there were New Yorkers, including the parents of a firefighter who had responded to Ground Zero and was missing. And a state police leader who worked in the World Trade Center offices of New York’s governor, trying to determine the fate of co-workers and friends, and chafing that he couldn’t be on the scene to help. What you may not get from a passing understanding of the plight of the “plane people” who were “from away” is how unbearable it was being unable to get home in those situations.
So much worry and fear, alleviated as best the Newfies could manage with stews and
sandwiches, donated blankets and towels, sightseeing drives around town and even showers offered in their private homes. In the edition of the DeFede book I borrowed, there was an afterword included by the author about a return trip he took to Gander near the 20th anniversary and visits he made with some of the passengers who had long returned home. The passage of time didn’t dull the sheen of true compassion shown by the local community or the impact felt even decades later by those stranded. But it did deepen DeFede’s understanding of these real human beings. “In Gander,” he writes, “we are reminded people get divorced, friendships end and families struggle with unemployment, alcoholism and drug abuse. In other words, life is not a musical.” Some of the romances started in Gander burned out, there’s jealousy over who got celebrated for their generosity on world stages, the young children are now grown, the secretly Jewish man died and was buried in a Catholic cemetery, the state police leader still suffers guilt from not being in New York that day, the firefighter’s mother mourns her son and now deceased husband every day.
It is a fuller story than we knew. And it burns brighter for it in the darkness.
President of the Marblehead Current’s board of directors, Virginia Buckingham is the former chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Port Authority, chief of staff to two Massachusetts governors, deputy editorial page editor for the Boston Herald and author of “On My Watch: A Memoir.”
CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD
Marblehead Fire Chief Jason Gilliland during a previous Sept. 11 ceremony at Memorial Park.
A short guide to substance use disorders
BY DR. THOMAS MASSARO
The misuse of substances is a major public health challenge. The most recent available data show that 107,941 Americans died from presumed overdose in 2022.
Many more lives and families are being compromised by substance misuse. To effectively address this problem, it is important for everyone to understand the basic facts behind this high-risk behavior. This guide aims to provide a common vocabulary to encourage meaningful discussions about this issue.
Key clinical terms in substance use
Dependence: Occurs when the body relies on a drug for normal functioning, leading to withdrawal symptoms when the substance is not used. For example, individuals dependent on alcohol might experience shaking or anxiety when they stop drinking.
Tolerance: The need to use increasing amounts of a substance to achieve the same effect. Someone who has developed tolerance to prescription painkillers might need to take more pills to get the same pain relief.
Addiction: A condition where an individual cannot control his or her use of a substance, even when it causes significant harm.
Addiction implies compulsive use, craving and impaired control in addition to physical dependence.
Substance use disorder:
The medical term for addiction, describing a set of symptoms related to continued substance use despite major negative consequences.
What is wrong with our Legislature?
To the editor:
What is wrong with our Massachusetts Legislature? The basic function of a legislature — passing laws — seems too difficult for them. The most recent two-year session has left important bills unpassed. This impacts every issue area that people care about: housing, criminal justice, economic development and climate.
The Legislature has egregiously failed to agree on a climate bill that would combine the omnibus bills passed in each chamber.
Over the last two years, we citizens have learned about proposed bills, attended briefings and hearings, weighed in with our state representatives and senators, and yet still, after two years, we are left right back where we started. The Legislature has failed to come to an agreement on siting and permitting of clean energy projects, on addressing plastic pollution, on plans to accelerate our transition away from gas, and on gas company profiteering by rebuilding remain stuck in limbo or outright dead.
It’s been frustrating for citizens and environmental groups to keep informed and to communicate with Representative Armini and Senator Crighton and then have the bosses in the Legislature fail to bring bills up for a vote. What is wrong with the Massachusetts
substances
Common
their effects
and
Opioids are designed to relieve pain.
Euphoria and other mood changes often accompany pain relief.
» At higher doses, respiratory depression is common and can be fatal.
Morphine and heroin historically were the most misused opioids.
» Newer drugs (e.g., oxycodone and especially fentanyl) are now widely available on the street and have become even more dangerous.
» Naloxone (Narcan) is an opioid antagonist which can reverse opioid overdoses in emergencies.
Alcohol is a very commonly used and often misused substance in our society.
» Light, intermittent, social use may promote relaxation, but regular and heavy use can lead to dependance, with liver and cardiac damage. It impairs judgment and coordination
Stimulants at low to moderate doses heighten wakefulness, improve alertness, diminish fatigue and provoke feelings of energy and well-being.
At higher doses, they produce agitation, hallucinations and paranoia.
» Nicotine, methamphetamine and cocaine are commonly abused stimulants.
Cannabis compounds promote relaxation and alter sensory perceptions.
» They are now widely available in many states for medicinal and recreational use despite their being illegal under federal law.
» Because of federal prohibition of relevant research, little is known about long-term consequences of
regular and significant use. Psychedelics have significant effects on psychological processes, such as thinking, auditory and visual perception, and emotion.
» Psychoactive drugs are often taken to produce an altered state of consciousness. They are sometimes seen as “countercultural” and include mescaline (peyote cactus), psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”) and LSD.
» Because most psychedelics are illegal, there is limited data on long term use.
However, there is interest in evaluating their use as treatment options for mental illnesses especially posttraumatic stress disorder (PTDS).
Benzodiazepines depress central nervous system activity, produce sedation and relax skeletal muscles.
» Librium and Valium are among the most common.
How substances enter the body
Dependent users find many creative ways to get substances into the brain.
» Oral ingestion (swallowing pills or liquids)
Inhalation, smoking or vaping
» Injection (subcutaneous, intravenous or intramuscular)
» Snorting (through the nose)
» Rectal and vaginal suppositories
Absorption through skin
Understanding routes of administration can help communities recognize potential signs of substance use. Finding syringes or small plastic bags in parks or vacant areas might indicate injection drug use.
Legal and societal responses
Prohibition: The Controlled
Substances Act of 1970 classified drugs based on their potential for medical use and abuse potential. However, over time, that classification has become somewhat outdated and controversial. For example, cannabis (marijuana) is classified as a very high-risk drug, but that designation is being widely questioned (a revision of that previous classification is currently being considered).
Harm Reduction: Approaches that aim to minimize the negative impacts of substance use, such as needle exchange programs or supervised injection sites.
Medications For Opioid Use
Disorder: This was previously known as MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment or MAT). It combines relatively safe prescribed opioid medications (buprenorphine, methadone) with counseling to help people recover from addiction. A local clinic might offer buprenorphine treatment for opioid addiction, helping individuals maintain employment and family responsibilities while in recovery.
Community-based approaches
Education: Implementing substance use prevention programs in schools and community centers. This could involve bringing in recovered individuals to share their experiences with high school students.
Support groups: Establishing local support networks for individuals and families affected by substance use. A church or community center might host weekly meetings.
» Training: Providing first responders and community members with training on recognizing overdoses and
administering naloxone. Local pharmacies could offer free naloxone training sessions.
Getting help:
Individuals who are possibly showing signs of substance misuse should be encouraged to speak with a healthcare provider (The Marblehead Counseling Center is an important resource for individuals and families in town.)
» In emergent situations, local substance abuse helplines should be contacted. (Call 911 immediately if there is any question of a substance overdose.)
» Friends and families reaching out to users can be important, even lifesaving, but should be approached with sensitivity and compassion.
Recognizing signs of substance
Changes in behavior, mood or appearance
Neglecting responsibilities at work, school or home
» Financial problems or unexplained spending
» Secretive behavior or lying
Conclusion
Substance use disorder is a complex issue that requires compassion, understanding and community-wide efforts to address effectively. Whether supporting a friend in recovery, advocating for better treatment options or simply being more aware of the signs of substance misuse, everyone can play a role in addressing this challenge.
Dr. Thomas A Massaro, MD and Ph.D, is a member of the Board of Health. The views expressed are his own and not of the board. Massaro also sits on the Mental Health Task Force.
Legislature? It’s well-paid, wellstaffed and full-time. But its productivity and functionality are among the worst in the nation. The Senate president and House speaker control their respective chambers and dole out chairships and other sinecures. In exchange, they insist on vote secrecy, fealty and unanimous votes. The industrial lobbyists must be chortling all the way to the bank. We get to vote on a question on the November ballot to require the auditing of the Legislature by State Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s office. Let’s vote for the Auditor’s Office to find the bloat and dysfunction!
Lynn Nadeau Surf Street
Classroom disruptions prompt call for united front
To the editor: Well, the new school year has begun and our school had to shelter in place on day two.
Parents, our teachers can’t continue to teach under these conditions.
Students shouldn’t have to jump in the car and in detail tell their parents what they witnessed or heard during classes.
Time and time again I have told this School Committee that parents need to be called sooner than later about their child’s behavior. I mentioned that I was a permanent sub years ago
in Lynn. If a child’s behavior didn’t get under control, a parent/guardian would have to accompany their child to school and sit next to them.
Our teachers are in the building to teach. Our children are in school to learn.
This problem isn’t just a concern in Marblehead, but throughout the country.
Stakeholders, I don’t want to see an override, but unless we want to see our teachers leave our schools, then we need to give them a contract that addresses the issue of safety, wages and benefits.
Parents, we need to work side by side with our teachers, administrators and staff to create an environment that is safe for all. Do we need to hire trained security to patrol the hallways of our schools?
We have lost multiple teachers, staff and administrators under this School Committee in the past year. We have new personnel in place and on day two we have behaviors that disrupt the school day. Do we blame the new personnel and let them go?
Parents you cannot leave it up to teachers to be your children’s parents! They are teachers!!
To the teachers that show up to school each and everyday, THANK YOU!
To the School Committee, these teachers deserve everything they are requesting.
If you want the stakeholders to jump on board, make these negotiations public. If some are on the fence for a permanent override then a one-year
override is better than nothing. Mary McCarriston Pinecliff Drive
I honor my family’s military legacy through voting
To the editor:
I vote for many reasons but one reason is my 104-yearold aunt and her sister, now deceased. Aunt Jean is the keeper of family history. Although her hearing and sight are failing, her mind is sharp. In 1943 during World War II, Aunt Jean enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the WAVES, the women’s branch of the U.S. Naval reserves. She was stationed at a number of bases along the East Coast. WAVES worked 24/7 in the control tower, guiding Navy seaplanes and small, two-man reconnaissance blimps. The new pilots came to be trained in the use of radar. Aunt Jean says, with a smile in her voice, that she chose the Navy because she liked the Navy uniform better than the Army, where my mother (her sister) enlisted the same year. My mother was first sent to North Africa and then to Italy as part of the 182nd Station Hospital Corps, wading ashore in shallows just cleared of mines. The 256-person Army unit set up hospital tents and treated the wounded on the site of the former 1940 World Fair Grounds near Naples, although the Germans were still on the
outskirts of town. In total, she served in two campaigns in the Mediterranean theater and received a Meritorious Service Unit Plaque for outstanding service.
When I ask Aunt Jean if she would like additional recognition for her service, Aunt Jean says, “No, I loved every bit of it.” So I vote. Voting is the least I can do to honor Aunt Jean and my mom, and the men who served with them and became their husbands. I vote to keep faith with all those who went before, in every generation, who served and preserved this country ... so I can vote. Kathleen Leonardson Cloutmans Lane
Housing plan exceeds state requirements
To the editor: Marblehead warrant Article 36 was rejected two times at Town Meeting in May. It would have approved a statedirected, multifamily housing development on 58.4 acres (56.5 acres when excluding certain land) of our small historic town at three locations. While the plan includes over 300 existing units across the proposed districts that already count towards Marblehead’s requirements, there is still potential for significant population growth under the mandate that the town zone for a total of 897 housing units.
Website devoted to 250th events debuts
BY WILL DOWD
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Marblehead is gearing up to commemorate its pivotal role in the American Revolution with a new website and ambitious plans for years of celebrations.
The Marblehead 250 Committee, co-chaired by Lauren McCormack of the Marblehead Museum, architect and historian Edward Nilsson and town historian Don Doliber, has launched a comprehensive online resource at marbleheadmuseum.
org/250resources/. The site serves as a central hub for upcoming events, historical resources and educational materials related to Marblehead’s contributions to the Revolutionary War.
“We’ve launched this webpage that will have our events, a bit about the committee, our sponsors and, most importantly, a wealth of historical resources,” McCormack said. “There’s everything from bibliographies to short, almost blog-like posts about various aspects of the Revolutionary War and architecture in town related to the conflict.”
The committee’s efforts extend far beyond the commonly recognized date of July 4, 1776. Marblehead’s involvement in the Revolution began well before the Declaration of Independence and continued long after.
“So many people think the Revolutionary 250 anniversary is 1776 to 2026, July 4,” McCormack said. “But the war starts in April 1775, and there are activities happening many years before that lead us to the outbreak of hostilities.”
The website will feature a timeline of major events
in Marblehead or involving Marblehead residents that influenced the broader conflict.
This comprehensive approach aims to highlight the town’s outsized impact on the course of the revolution.
Nilsson emphasized the importance of connecting local landmarks to the broader narrative. “We’re very much interested in two things in particular: the Glover farmhouse, which is part of the story with Glover being a key person in the revolution, and St. Michael’s Church,” he said, referring to Gen. John Glover.
“My wife, Frances, has been helping with research on St. Michael’s, which has a strong reputation for being Tory. We’re researching to find out how views shifted before or after July 4,” Nilsson added.
One of the committee’s primary goals is to make
doing some real, deep due diligence and listening and trying to decide whether or not this special town meeting is the right move.”
The board has been engaging with residents on both sides of the issue. Fox noted that these conversations have been productive and have helped board members understand various perspectives.
“I think we all want what’s good for this town,” Fox said. “It doesn’t need to come across in personal attacks or in an aggressive way.“
John DiPiano, a local attorney who has been vocal in opposing a special town meeting to reconsider the zoning change, has been part of these discussions. DiPiano said that, while his position hasn’t changed, the nature of the conversation has improved.
“The dialogues with Erin Noonan and Alexa Singer do not change my mind about or influence my position as to scheduling a special town meeting,” DiPiano said. “But it has changed the tenor of the conversation, which is welcome
Marblehead’s revolutionary history accessible and engaging to a broad audience. They plan to use social media, including a soon-to-launch Facebook page, to share historical tidbits and mark significant anniversaries.
“We could do a post about moments like when the British blockaded the harbor or when the Robie family, who were loyalists, had to evacuate because things got so bad for them here,” McCormack suggested. “It’s a whole story – Mrs. Robie reportedly said something like, ‘I hope when I come back, the streets will be red with your blood.’ Highlighting these moments for people to know about would be really fun and educational.”
The committee is also digitizing historical documents, including materials related to Glover’s regiment, in partnership with reenactors who
use the information to ensure historical accuracy in their portrayals.
“We have ledger books of all the people who enlisted and the supplies they received,” McCormack said. “It’s really neat. John Smith received a haversack, or Joe Schmo received his musket and bayonet. The reenactors use this to make sure they’re outfitted correctly.”
Marblehead’s contributions to the Revolution were diverse and significant. The town’s maritime industries played a crucial role, with many residents participating in the Continental Navy or engaging in privateering to harass British naval forces and capture needed supplies.
The committee is also committed to highlighting often-overlooked aspects of revolutionary history, including the contributions of women and people of color.
“We don’t want to forget the women who were maintaining home and family life,” McCormack said. “And with our interest in the history of Black individuals in town, we know there were a number who served in Glover’s regiment and also in the maritime industries.”
To this end, the committee is working on developing biographies of soldiers of color and hopes to expand this research as more information becomes available.
The Marblehead 250 Committee operates as a town committee, with meetings open to the public and held via Zoom. Members encourage community involvement and are seeking volunteers to assist with various aspects of their work, including historical research.
“We would need a contingent of dedicated volunteers for the next couple of years who’d be willing to sort of go person by
and overdue.”
DiPiano continues to advocate for delaying any reconsideration until after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rules on a related case involving the town of Milton.
“The best outcome for me with respect to my communications with Select Board members is a meeting of the minds as to a reasonable compromise measure delaying
any future consideration of Article 36 until the SJC has rendered its determination in the Milton lawsuit,” DiPiano said. “Premature scheduling of a special meeting undermines our town democratic process. A majority block of voters already decided to reject Article 36, knowing the potential risks involved.”
Fox acknowledged that the board is still in the process of
making a decision about whether to hold a special town meeting.
He expects to have more information from town staff at the upcoming meeting.
Fox said he anticipates hearing more facts about at-risk grants during Wednesday’s meeting.
”I’m expecting a presentation from town staff,” he said.
Fox noted that he’s still considering all aspects of the issue.
person through the Glover’s roster,” McCormack said, highlighting the scope of their ambitions.
Nilsson added, “The personal stories of what the Revolution was about are really fascinating material. We can make it personal, identify who the people were, what their connections were.”
As part of its ongoing efforts to bring Revolutionary history to life, the committee has announced its first major event.
The Marblehead Museum will host ‘Headers in the Revolutionary War on Saturday, Sept. 21, and Sunday, Sept. 22, from 11 a.m. both days.
“This event will offer visitors a unique glimpse into Revolutionary War-era Marblehead at various Old Town sites,” McCormack explained.
“It’s an immersive experience that will help people connect with our town’s rich history.”
Participants can meet historical figures, explore Fort Sewall with Glover’s regiment and experience a loyalist service at St. Michael’s Church. The event also features a recreated town meeting at the Old Town House, visits to the Powder House and viewing of the iconic Spirit of ‘76 painting.
“We’re particularly excited about the tours of the Jeremiah Lee Mansion and the opportunity to learn about the town’s Tory population at the Hooper Mansion,” McCormack added. “These activities really bring to life the complexities of the revolutionary period in Marblehead.”
Program books for the event will be available at the Marblehead Museum, located at 170 Washington St. Interested participants can find more information at marbleheadmuseum.org.
“I would be honest and say I’m still making up my mind until I have full information. I feel like I should be there by next Wednesday [on whether to hold a special town meeting],” he said.
DiPiano urged the Select Board to reconsider its role in the process. “A further successful outcome of our discussions would be for board members to realize that they were not elected to advance their personal political positions but to inform the voters of the particulars of the matter at hand to the best of their ability and let the voters decide their fate in accordance with the simple majority town traditions and principals in place for the past 375 years,” he said.
As the Wednesday meeting approaches, both officials and residents are emphasizing the need for civil discourse and a focus on what’s best for Marblehead’s future.
“We can disagree, but personal attacks have no place in the town,” Fox said. “I love to disagree. I’m happy to disagree. But I hear a lot of it, and I’m taking it in, and I really do see the opposing side and how they can feel disenfranchised with this discussion.”
Primary draws 17.8 percent town turnout
BY WILL DOWD
Voters across Essex County, including those in Marblehead, cast their ballots in the state primary election on Tuesday, Sept. 3, setting the stage for key local races in the November general election.
With about 16,885 registered voters in Marblehead, the primary saw a 17.8% turnout in town.
Democrats led with 2,308 ballots cast, while Republicans saw 683 voters participate. The Libertarian primary drew only 14 voters.
In the closely watched Democratic primary for Essex County clerk of courts, incumbent Thomas H. Driscoll Jr. secured a victory over challenger James FX Doherty. In Marblehead, Driscoll received 1,721 votes to Doherty’s 328.
“We’re going forward to the general election, and make no mistake, it is the most important election of our lifetime,” Driscoll said on his Facebook page. “I am committed to ensuring justice, fairness and transparency in our courts and throughout our
government.”
However, the general election in November promises to be more competitive for Driscoll, who has held the position since 2000 without facing an opponent. Todd Angilly, known to many as the voice of the national anthem at Boston Bruins games since 2019, has entered the race as an independent candidate.
According to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly reporting, Angilly is a former probation officer with 12 years of
experience based out of Essex County Superior Court. He has also worked for the Department of Correction and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. Since 2022. He has served as the director of workforce development at the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.
Meanwhile, the race for register of deeds in the Essex Southern District saw a competitive Democratic primary, with Eileen R. Duff emerging victorious over Joseph Michael
Gentleman III. In Marblehead, Duff, currently serving as governor’s councilor for the 5th District, garnered 1,718 votes, while Gentleman received 323.
“Thank you to all the folks who held signs for me yesterday throughout the district. Your love and support paid off,” Duff wrote on Facebook. “We were victorious last night. Now onto November.”
Duff has outlined plans to modernize operations and ensure seamless access to vital records for Essex County residents. She will see a face-off in November.
Jonathan Michael Ring ran unopposed in the Republican primary, securing 509 votes in Marblehead. Ring will challenge Duff in the general election.
In the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, John Deaton emerged as the clear favorite among Marblehead, and state, voters. Deaton secured 480 votes, far outpacing his rivals Robert J. Antonellis and Ian Cain, who received 129 and 54 votes respectively.
Several incumbent Democrats ran unopposed in their
primaries, including U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who received 2,138 votes in Marblehead, and U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton of the 6th District, who garnered 2,140 votes in the town.
State Sen. Brendan Crighton of the 3rd Essex District and state Rep. Jenny Armini of the 8th Essex District also ran unopposed in their Democratic primaries, receiving 2,001 and 2,117 votes respectively in Marblehead.
In the race for governor’s councilor in the 6th District, Democratic incumbent Terrence W. Kennedy secured 1,931 votes in Marblehead, running unopposed.
Other Republican races in Marblehead, including those for U.S. representative, state senator and state representative, featured only write-in options, with most voters leaving these sections blank.
The Libertarian primary, while small in turnout, saw voters primarily cast write-in votes or leave their ballots blank across all races.
The making of an Eagle Scout
BY GREY COLLINS
After months of planning, Patrick Brennan’s Eagle Scout project finally came to fruition on Saturday. He spent last Saturday morning leading an effort to improve a section of the trails in Steer Swamp. Brennan, members of the Scouts and the Marblehead Conservancy pitched in to improve the trail leading from Beacon Street into Steer Swamp. After lengthy preparation, Brennan is glad to see it all come together.
“I’ve been really stressed over the past week trying to get all the materials and people,” said Brennan. “But it feels really good just seeing actual stuff being laid down and having work be completed.”
Following Brennan’s careful instructions, the group started off the day by digging small swales, or trenches, across the trail. They then poured gravel into the swales and placed a
honeycomb gravel stabilizer on top. They finished it off by adding more gravel and dirt to the trail. This will help stabilize the trail and protect it from wear and tear, erosion and rainfall.
“This project is hopefully solving an ongoing problem during spring floods,” said Doug Perkins, a member of the Marblehead Conservancy who helped out with the project.
BY WILL DOWD
The Current welcomes submissions (150-200 words) to the news in brief. Send yours to wdowd@marbleheadnews.org.
COVID-19 tests available
The Board of Health announced it has received another limited supply of COVIDat-home test kits for residents. The kits are available at the Health Department office on Widger Road. Officials request that residents take only one kit per family member. The last batch of 900 tests were handed out in fewer than three days. For more information, contact the Health Department at 781-631-0212 or health2@ marblehead.org.
Care Dimensions seeks volunteers
Care Dimensions, the region’s largest hospice care provider, is seeking volunteers to join its team. Online training sessions will be held via Zoom on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9-11 a.m., starting Oct. 7 and running through Oct. 30. “Being a hospice volunteer
has changed my life because it keeps me grounded. Life is so much more enjoyable because I have a better appreciation for everything,” said Nancy Littlehale, a Care Dimensions pet therapy volunteer from Wenham.
Volunteers can make a difference by engaging in shared hobbies, helping with letter writing, visiting with approved dogs, reading to patients, or simply providing comforting support. Opportunities also exist for administrative roles and phone outreach. Register by Sept. 27 at CareDimensions.org/Volunteers or email VolunteerInfo@ CareDimensions.org for more information.
Women’s Suffrage talk at Marblehead Museum
The Marblehead Museum will host a talk on the women’s suffrage movement Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. Author Barbara Berenson will discuss Massachusetts’ role in the movement. The museum will display an 1887 banner from the Marblehead Equal Suffrage League. Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for
“The water comes down the main road and cascades down here, washing the trail out.” The project will help prevent this by forcing the water to flow off the side of the trail, instead of down it.
The actual work on the trail is only the last step of a lengthy planning process.
“I started in February, sharing emails with the Marblehead
non-members. For information, call 781-631-1768.
’Headers lacing up for Jimmy Fund Walk
Eleven Marblehead residents will take part in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk on Oct. 6.
Among those participating are Tricia (Pat) Donovan McLeod, John Marco, Emilia Marco, Mia Klein, Danielle Devlin, Dennis
Conservancy, trying to figure out a project that I could do,” said Brennan. “We settled on this in April, filled out the Eagle Workbook which we had to send to the district, and then made a full plan with the Marblehead Conservancy.”
Now that he has completed his Eagle Scout project, he is only a few merit badges away from becoming an Eagle Scout, the
highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America. This will complete a journey that he started more than 11 years ago, when he joined the Cub Scouts in first grade. Brennan picked this specific location next to Beacon Street because he thinks it is an important part of town and his life.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, my family and I walked here a lot,” said Brennan. “So I felt like I should do my project here to help better it, and help the conservancy.” Brennan also thinks that these trails are a vital part of our town’s culture.
“This is super important because Steer Swamp is such a beautiful walking trail hidden in Marblehead,” said Brennan. “But when it rains, the trail quickly becomes unusable because of how much mud there is. I’m hoping that this project will allow the trail to shed water more easily and let more people enjoy this area of town.”
King, Annie Marco, Rachel Marco, Patrick Devlin, Clover Reed, and one other Marblehead resident. They will join thousands of others in raising funds to support cancer research and care at DanaFarber Cancer Institute.
The Jimmy Fund Walk, which has raised more than $176 million over its 35-year history, aims to surpass last year’s record-breaking $9.4 million by raising $9.5 million in 2024. Participants can choose from four distance options along the Boston Marathon course, including a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Marathon walk. The event concludes at Boston Common with a celebration featuring food, entertainment, and more. For more information, visit JimmyFundWalk.org.
Fort Sewall cleanup day
The Fort Sewall Oversight Committee (FSOC) is organizing a volunteer cleanup day at Fort Sewall on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed to help with various tasks, including removing crabgrass, weeding paths and clearing bushes. Participants are encouraged to
bring their own tools if possible, though some will be provided. Refreshments will be available. For more information, contact FSOC Chair Larry Sands at 862-5797760 or lsands16@hotmail.com.
Boat storage
Winter boat storage at Parker’s and Cliff Street Boatyards begins Sept. 16. Previous customers have priority, with new applications accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Marb lehead residents receive preference.
Marblehead Trading Company will collect storage fees for the town, charging $5 per square foot based on the boat’s overall length multiplied by its beam width. This fee covers storage only.
For questions, contact Rachael at 781-631-4650 or email trucking@marbleheadtrading. com.
LWV promotes voting with lawn signs
The League of Women Voters of Marblehead is distributing lawn signs to encourage voter
COURTESY PHOTOS / CURRENT ILLUSTRATION / WILL DOWD
At left, 5th District Governor’s Councilor Eileen R. Duff, now the Democratic nominee for Essex County register of deeds, celebrates her primary win. At right, Essex County Clerk of Courts Thomas H. Driscoll Jr., victorious in the Democratic primary, faces a competitive general election in November. Both beat primary challenges on Sept. 3.
Patrick Brennan, Ethan Horgan and Nate Jendrysik work together laying gravel as part of Brennan’s Eagle Scout project at Steer Swamp on Saturday. The team installed swales and a stabilizer to protect the trail from erosion.
CURRENT PHOTOS / GREY COLLINS
Left to right: Doug Perkins of the Marblehead Conservancy, Brady Leveroni, Patrick Brennan and Ethan Horgan pause for a moment. The team worked on stabilizing the trail to prevent erosion and improve accessibility for the community.
Barbara Berenson, author of “Massachusetts in the Women’s Suffrage Movement,” will speak at the Marblehead Museum on Sept. 18. An 1887 banner from the Marblehead Equal Suffrage League will be on display during the event.
participation in upcoming elections. The signs read “Vote! Democracy is Counting on You.” They include a QR code linking to the LWVM’s Defending Democracy webpage with voting and election information. “Your vote is your voice,” said Bonnie Grenier, a representative of LWVM. The presidential election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Signs are available for $10 each. Interested individuals can email lwvmarblehead@gmail. com for more information. The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization, promotes political responsibility through informed citizen participation in government. Membership is open to all.
Sports
rIDAY
Costly mistakes fuel opening loss
Marblehead looks to rebound against King Philip Regional Friday night
BY JOE MCCONNELL
At the end of a game, if a football team had three fumbles, two interceptions and two fake punts go against them, which led to scores, the final outcome would be rather inevitable. And that’s what happened to the Marblehead High football team (0-1) at Donaldson Stadium on the campus of Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody last Friday night.
For the second year in a row, the Crusaders defeated the Magicians. Last year, it was a much closer, low scoring game, 14-10. But one year later after a competitive first half in which the visitors trailed by just six, 12-6, the Crusaders continued to take advantage of critical Marblehead mistakes to win the game going away, 25-6.
The Magicians actually led early on in the first quarter on a Bernardo Bannis four-yard touchdown run. But despite the one-sided nature of the game, there’s good news for Marblehead. In the modern world of power rankings where teams schedule non-league games against opponents based on stronger leagues and higher divisions, squads like the Division 3 Magicians have a better chance of making the playoffs. Only the top 16 clubs from each division make the postseason. It doesn’t get any easier for coach Jim Rudloff’s squad this week, when they have to head to Wrentham to play perennial powerhouse King Philip Regional Friday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m. But from the standpoint of the power rankings alone, it will be more positive points for the Marblehead boys.
Despite all of the machinations that come with qualifying for the postseason nowadays, the veteran Marblehead coach knows his team has to simply play better.
“It’s definitely not the result we wanted,” Rudloff said.
“Bishop Fenwick is a very good football team, and is very well-coached. But we had six turnovers, and you can’t expect to be successful when you give the ball away like that. We had some bright spots, and we will try to build on that, while improving on the things that we need to do better.”
Captain Crew Monaco thought they came out of the gates ready to go after a good week of
practice.
“We practiced well all week, and it felt like we were ready mentally,” said Monaco. “Our first drive on offense gave us great hope for the rest of the game, but the turnovers then killed us 100%, and you can’t win football games with six turnovers on offense. That’s just an impossible task. It felt like our defense was on the field
throughout most of the game.
“We had mental errors on multiple offensive plays, and we as a team seemed to deteriorate even when the game was close,” added Monaco.
Monaco understands they have another big week ahead of them, but he’s confident that they will bounce back.
“We learned from last year’s slow start, and now have a
more mature mindset on how we can stay together after a loss going into the upcoming week,” explained the senior slotback and defensive backfield specialist.
Captain Colt Wales agrees that turnovers and mental mistakes cost them dearly, but knows that it’s all correctible.
“If we can limit those two, the sky’s our limit,” Wales said.
“There weren’t many things we did necessarily well, but there were some bright spots. The first drive on offense was gold. After that, however, the mental mistakes and turnovers piled up. If we had limited our turnovers from six to four, it would have been a completely different game. We put the past behind us, and it’s now on to KP (King Philip).”
Speaking of King Philip, Rudloff knows they are faced with a huge task this week after the Hockomock League team defeated Walpole in its opener last Friday, 42-14.
“I wouldn’t expect them to do anything less than what Fenwick did. I expect them to run the ball right at us. It’s not so much about changing anything as much as fixing the things that we are doing wrong. We still have kids who are learning and improving, and hopefully we can fit them in when they are ready, which will give us more depth.”
For the record, King Philip has won three Division 2 Super Bowl championships throughout the last decade in 2016, 2017 and just last year in 2023.
Girls drop close contest to host Masco
BY JOE MCCONNELL
With the Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of the summer, now in the past, the 2024 high school fall sports season is underway. The Marblehead High girls soccer team is no exception. These Magicians opened up the regular season on the road against Masconomet in Boxford on Sept. 4, and they ended up being on the short end of a close 3-2 battle to the Chieftains.
Coach Lisa Wales utilized
two goalies in this game. Hailey Gilmore made three saves, while Lily Heller came up with five stops to help keep the game close.
Courtney Hitscherich and Callie Gilmore were credited with the Marblehead goals. Lucy Church chipped in with an assist on Gilmore’s tally.
Host Masco took the early lead, but the Magicians came right back to tie up the proceedings on a beautifully placed free kick goal by Hitscherich. However,
the Chieftains netted the next marker to take the lead at halftime, 2-1.
“Throughout most of the first half, we created scoring opportunities and controlled the play,” said Wales. “But Masco came out strong in the second half, but we were able to hold them off.”
That effort resulted in the game-tying goal by Gilmore from 30 yards out assisted by Church with two minutes to go in regulation. It was also her first
varsity goal.
But just 30 seconds later, Masco came right back with the game-winning tally to avoid overtime.
Overall, Wales was happy with her team’s performance on opening day.
“Our mistakes are correctable,” she said. “I was pleased that the girls never gave up, and played with a lot of heart.”
Wales singled out Church for playing a terrific game, and
also mentioned that Ainsley MacDonald was solid at center back throughout the entire contest. “We were able to rely on (MacDonald) all the time in this game,” the coach added.
After going up against Waltham on Sept. 6 and Swampscott Sept. 9 after press deadline, the Magicians will play host to Peabody Sept. 11 at 4 p.m. They will then be at Beverly to face the Panthers on Monday, Sept. 16, at the same time.
F
NIGHt LIGHtS
CURRENT PHOTOS / GREY COLLINS
Magician Brady Selvais plots his path up field during last Friday night’s game at Bishop Fenwick in Peabody.
Marblehead High senior quarterback Colt Wales surveys the field during the opener against host Bishop Fenwick last Friday night in Peabody. Wales is one of five captains on the team.
Marblehead High football fans came out en masse to support the team in its opener at Bishop Fenwick last Friday night in Peabody.
BY JOE MCCONNELL
The Marblehead High boys soccer team entered the season with high hopes, and they did not waste any time to make a statement.
On Labor Day, Sept. 2, the Magicians hosted Andover in their first game on the new Piper Field turf, and 30 seconds into the game, Miles Fontela-Tuttle scored on a close range shot from forward Ilan Druker, who dropped the ball into the box near the left post. That goal set the tone for what would prove to be a solid outing for the home team.
In the first half, the Marblehead boys controlled the pace of the game effortlessly, largely keeping Andover from crossing into its defensive third of the field. The Golden Warriors were unable to move the ball consistently against the fullback foursome of Colin White, Adam Loughlin, T.J. Kelly and Luke Miller, who neutralized their
Piper turf with shutout win
attack all game long.
Andover started to show resilience late in the first half, and was able to penetrate the 18 on a couple of occasions, but could not convert.
Early on in the second half, striker David Magen was tripped in the box, and subsequently converted a penalty kick to provide a buffer.
Marblehead now led 2-0, but an athletic play by Druker nearly widened the gap. From the left side at the edge of the box, he
m AGICIANS NOtebOOK
broke free of a defender and fired a shot, a beautiful bending ball that nicked the crossbar and sailed out.
But ultimately, the Magicians were able to hold off the Golden Warriors to secure the shutout win.
Two days later, the Magicians traveled to Boxford to face the Masconomet Chieftains on one of the few non-turf pristine fields remaining in Essex County.
The Magicians made an adjustment in their formation
MHS harriers, field hockey win; volleyball loses opener
BY JOE MCCONNELL
Boys cross-country smokes Salem
The Marblehead High boys cross-country team (1-0) defeated Salem in a virtual shutout, 15-45 at Winter Island in Salem on Sept. 4.
The Magicians were led by senior captains Nate Assa and Will Cerrutti, who crossed the finish line together in 17:45. They were supported by their junior teammates Henrik Adams (18:17, third) and Will Cruikshank (18:19, fourth, along with classmate Jonah Potach (18:21, fifth) with top five finishes.
Coach Brian Heenan’s team had since traveled to Newburyport’s Maudslay
Wednesday, Sept. 11
4 p.m., golf, vs. Saugus, at King Rail Golf Course, Lynnfield
4 p.m., girls soccer, vs. Peabody, at MHS Piper Field
4 p.m., boys soccer, vs. Peabody, at Peabody Veterans Memorial High
4:30 p.m., boys and girls cross country, vs. Beverly, at J.C. Phillips Estate, Beverly
Thursday, Sept. 12
4 p.m., golf, vs. Beverly, at Tedesco Country Club, Swampscott
5:30 p.m., volleyball, vs. Winthrop, at Winthrop High
Friday, Sept. 13
4 p.m., field hockey, vs. Peabody, at
Park to compete in the annual Clipper Relays last Saturday after press deadline. They will then return to the Northeastern Conference schedule Sept. 11 to go up against host Beverly at the J.C. Phillips Nature Preserve, starting at 4:30 p.m.
Girls cross-country beats shorthanded Salem
The MHS girls cross-country team won its first meet of the year on Sept. 4 by default, because Salem, the host team at Winter Island, did not have enough runners. Teams need at least five runners to qualify.
Junior Marri O’Connell (20:23) outdistanced her Salem counterpart Whitney New (22:58) to account for a firstplace finish.
MHS Piper Field
6 p.m., volleyball, vs. Salem, at Marblehead High gym
7 p.m., football, vs. King Philip, at King Philip Regional High, Wrentham
Monday, Sept. 16
4 p.m., girls soccer, vs. Beverly, at Beverly High
4 p.m., boys soccer, vs. Beverly, at MHS Piper Field
5:30 p.m., volleyball, vs. Peabody, at Peabody Veterans Memorial High
Tuesday, Sept. 17
4 p.m., golf, vs. Danvers, at Tedesco Country Club, Swampscott
Marblehead’s Emma St. George (25:30), Evie Becker (26:38), Mary Donnellan (26:50) and Thea Shaw (27:02) were the next four runners to finish the meet. Salem then secured the seventh spot, before Avery Barbeau (29:32) and Molly Helmuth (37:26) came in eighth and ninth to round out the top 10 Marblehead harriers.
“There was some confusion on the course, and as a result we had six runners disqualified for not following the course,” said coach Will Herlihy. “Fortunately, we had enough runners, who finished legally, to secure the win against a Salem team that only had three runners.
“Despite the confusion,
4:30 p.m., field hockey, vs. Swampscott, at Blocksidge Field, Swampscott
Wednesday, Sept. 18
4 p.m., field hockey, vs. Masconomet Regional, at Boxford Common
4 p.m., golf, vs. Masconomet Regional, at Ferncroft Country Club, Middleton
4:30 p.m., boys and girls cross country, vs. Swampscott, at Gatchell’s Playground
4:30 p.m., boys soccer, vs. Saugus, at MHS Piper Field
5:30 p.m., volleyball, vs. Beverly, at Marblehead High gym
Thursday, Sept. 19
to counter Masco’s three-back line. But in the early going, Masco possessed well in the Marblehead defensive third of the field, and as a result were able to transition through midfield effectively. They applied consistent pressure, but Marblehead’s defense never gave them a quality shot.
Marblehead struck first on an athletic play by Fontela-Tuttle.
After controlling a long ball, he beat a defender one-on-one, before waiting for the goalie to dive to strike powerfully through traffic to put the ball home. It was an incredible display of patience.
After the score, Masco continued to attack and collect corner kicks. They eventually put one in the back of the net to tie the game at one. It stayed that way heading into the second half.
In the second half, the Marblehead attack found a rhythm, and had success moving into the Masco backfield. But
the Chieftains ended up scoring again to go ahead 2-1 on another deflected ball, which turned out to be the final score.
A trip to Waltham last Friday afternoon earned another win for the Magicians. Goals by Mitch Goldwater and Druker put the Magicians on top in what was a hard-fought contest.
Marblehead did an outstanding job possessing the ball, especially in the second half. They played an opportunistic game on the attack. But Waltham gained momentum late after a direct kick led to a score through a swarm of jerseys, but the visitors then suppressed any Waltham chance to tie up the proceedings. And this time, the locals were on the right side of a 2-1 win.
The Magicians then took on Swampscott Monday, Sept. 9, after press deadline, before facing Peabody on the road on Sept. 11.
Troy Miller contributed to this report.
4 p.m., golf, vs. Salem, at Tedesco Country Club
Friday, Sept. 20
4 p.m., field hockey, vs. Ipswich, at Ipswich High
4 p.m., boys soccer, vs. Danvers, at MHS Piper Field
5:30 p.m., volleyball, vs. Notre Dame Academy, at Notre Dame Academy, Hingham
6:30 p.m., girls soccer, vs. Danvers, at Danvers High
7 p.m., football, vs. Shepherd Hill Regional, at MHS Piper Field
7 p.m., football cheerleading, vs. Shepherd Hill Regional, at MHS Piper Field
Monday, Sept. 23
4 p.m., girls soccer, vs. St. Mary’s
Lynn, at MHS Piper Field
Tuesday, Sept. 24
4 p.m., field hockey, vs. Saugus, at Saugus High
Wednesday, Sept. 25
4 p.m., golf, vs. Peabody, at Meadow Golf Course, Peabody
4 p.m., girls soccer, vs. Masconomet, at Masconomet Regional HS
4 p.m., boys soccer, vs. Masconomet, at MHS Piper Field
4:30 p.m., girls and boys cross country, vs. Winthrop, at Gatchell’s Playground
Thursday, Sept. 26
5:30 p.m., volleyball, vs. Danvers, at Marblehead High gym
COURTESY PHOTO
Marblehead High junior harrier Marri O’Connell (20:23) continues her dominance as a cross-country runner with a first-place finish against Salem at Salem’s Winter Island to begin another season on Sept. 4. The Magicians as a team defeated the Witches by default, because the host team did not have enough runners.
COURTESY PHOTO / TROY MILLER
Marblehead High boys soccer senior striker Stef Shepard rushes in to catch up to the ball in order to make an offensive play against Andover last week.
Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email
Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org.
Shopping spree
Saturday, Sept. 14, all day
The Marblehead Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Sidewalk Sales around town. Marblehead’s boutiques and eateries will offer sales and discounts for residents and visitors.
Improv for a good cause
Friday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of comedy, food and a silent auction while helping to raise money for the Marblehead Arts Association’s exhibits, performances and programming. Improv troupe Accidentally on Purpose will perform. 8 Hooper St. Tickets are $55 for MAA members, $65 for non-members. Visit marbleheadarts.org
Ghost hunt
Saturday, Sept. 14, 8 p.m.
Join the team from Boston Paranormal Investigations on an authentic ghost hunt through the Jeremiah Lee Mansion, 161 Washington St. Visitors will use special tools to talk to ghosts. Find out who may haunt one of Marblehead’s most historic structures. For more info and tickets, visit marbleheadmuseum.org.
All the right moves
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 3:45—4:45 p.m.
Children are invited to learn chess strategies and improve their game with Charles Gilligan at Abbot Library. The free class is for beginner through intermediate players. Chess boards and pieces are provided. Register at tinyurl.com/ Chess-with-Charles-Sept-2024
Rev your engines
Sept. 19, 5 p.m. to dusk
The VFW is hosting another antique car show at 321 West Shore Drive. All are welcome to this free event.
Company 2 Heroes 5K, concert
Saturday, Sept. 14
The Marblehead VFW will hold fundraisers for Company 2 Heroes, a nonprofit that trains service dogs for veterans. The first event — a 5K walk, run or ruck — will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. There is a $35 participation fee. That evening, 6-11 p.m., the Guy Ford Band will play. Admission is free; donations will be accepted.
Live theater
Sept. 27-Oct. 13
Tickets are now available for Marblehead Little Theatre’s production of “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui,” by Bertolt Brecht. The play is a dark commentary on the perils of unchecked power. It is directed by Greg Mancusi-Ungaro of Marblehead. General admission tickets are $28. More info at mltlive.org.
BY LEIGH BLANDER
The Marblehead Cultural Council is now accepting applications for the 2025 calendar year.
Each year, the MCC, which is funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, gives thousands of dollars to people and nonprofits that support community cultural, artistic, scientific and historical activities.
The MCC has funded everything from live performances and art installations to murals and field trips. All projects must benefit Marblehead residents.
“We hope to see this process result in many meaningful and inspirational projects in and around our beautiful town,” said MCC Chair Jennifer Uhl.
In 2024, the MCC awarded $7,800 to 11 recipients. Anyone interested can submit their online applications at massculturalcouncil. org/communities.localcultural-council-program/ application-process. For more info, contact the Marblehead Cultural Council at
Local attorney argues engagement ring case before state’s highest court
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Marblehead attorney
Stephanie Taverna Siden was in the spotlight on Sept. 6 when she argued an intriguing case before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The question for justices: When an engagement is called off, who gets to keep the ring?
Bruce Johnson and Caroline Settino were briefly engaged in 2017. Johnson gave Settino a $70,000 ring from Tiffany’s but called off the wedding after finding texts he said proved she was having an affair. According to Massachusetts law, an engagement ring is a “conditional gift,” and the giver can get it back as long as they can prove that they’re not at fault.
Settino prevailed at trial, but a panel of the Massachusetts Appeals Court ruled in Johnson’s favor. However, the Appeals Court also urged the SJC to take
up the case and decide whether Massachusetts should join other states where the rule is that engagement rings are always returned to the giver — no
matter who is at fault.
The SJC typically rules within 130 days. Taverna Siden, who lives in Marblehead, is part of Siden and Associates, based in
Boston and Beverly. Siden wrote in her brief, “This court should follow the majority of states and adopt a No-Fault Condition Gift Rule because it is the most equitable and efficient approach and prevents courts from wading into the details of private relationships.”
MHS student performers prepare for busy school year of art, drama and music
BY BENJI BOYD
As the school year kicks off at Marblehead High School, the performing arts department is already in full swing. This year is full of exciting events and opportunities for student performers, be they vocalists, instrumentalists or thespians. Choir teacher Andrew Scoglio, band teacher Rachel Michtom, orchestra teacher Julie Frias and drama director Ashley Skeffington shared their plans and hopes for the upcoming school year.
Scoglio, Michtom and Frias teach classes and extracurriculars at both MHS and Veterans Middle School, so the first week of school can be an especially fun time as they witness old students from eighth grade join the high school programs.
“I get to know the students early on,” said Frias, “and it’s always exciting to see how that community can grow together.”
Scoglio added that since most high school musicians stay in the program all four years, he often gets to see them
grow and begin to nurture younger students. The various high school singing groups — including mixed choir, treble choir and afterschool a cappella groups Luminescence and The Jewel Tones — are already preparing for their annual debut at the Veterans Day ceremony at Abbot Hall on Nov. 11. They will be keeping with their traditional song choices
of the national anthem, “Marblehead Forever,” and “America the Beautiful.”
Meanwhile, the concert band is hard at work learning pep songs to rally school spirit. This year is the first the orchestra will join the band on the field during football games, and Michtom is excited for the opportunity. Heading into the winter, all musical groups will be preparing for their Winter Concert on December 12. While most high school students are easing into the fall, the musicians of MHS are jumping into pieces such as “The Christmas
MHS HEADLIGHT RETURNS
The Current is excited to welcome back the Marblehead High School Headlight this fall. The student newspaper appears weekly in the Current during the academic year. Students report, write, edit and design each edition, with articles on sports, arts, education issues and more.
The Headlight also features teacher and student spotlights, as well as book, music and movie reviews. Be sure to look for the MHS Headlight in this space later this month or early October.
Tree Ship,” “‘The Snow” and “The Nutcracker” medleys.
When asked what the
Town of Marblehead, Massachusetts INVITATION TO BID The Town of Marblehead, in accordance with M.G.L. c. 30, §39M procedure and acting through its Recreation and Parks Commission, will receive sealed bids for Communit y Center Boiler Project. Bids are due at the Select Board Office Abbot Hall, 188
Bidding requirements and Contract Documents may be obtained beginning on September 4, 2024 after 10:00 am electronically at www.marblehead.org/procurement or by contacting jamesp@marblehead.org. The contract term shall be one hundred eight y
music staff were most looking forward to this year, the answer was unanimous: Ireland.
Over April break, music students who choose will embark on a tour through Ireland to perform in concert venues in three different Irish cities.
According to Scoglio, they are looking forward to good audience turnouts due to the cooperation between the tour
companies and local governments of Kilkenny, Killarney and Limerick. The trip will round out with an exchange with a local high school music program. Scoglio, Michtom and Frias are working closely with the Friends of the Performing Arts to raise funds so every student has the opportunity to go on the trip.
In the theater department, directors Ashley Skeffington and Tom Rash are looking forward to starting work on this year’s winter play “The Sleepwalker.” Rehearsals and auditions will begin in late fall and continue until March 1, when the first round of the 2025 Drama Festival will take place. Performances for the community at the Veterans School will be held Feb. 27 and 28.
Attorney Stephanie Taverna Siden
Meet Attorney Andrew G. Christensen
BY MELISSA STACEY
The following is from an interview, conducted by Discover Marblehead, with Attorney Andrew G. Christensen at the Law Offices of Harry C. Christensen.
Andrew Christensen has been practicing law for over 18 years. He provides clients with legal advice and advocacy. To learn more about Andrew’s areas of expertise, visit thechristensenlawfirm.com.
Andrew Christensen is an attorney working in the areas of real estate, estate planning (wills and trusts), probate/trust administration, asset protection and elder law. He helps navigate his clients through major life planning events, such as buying/ selling a home and making a will.
He also assists elderly clients with long-term care planning.
Andy grew up in Marblehead in a family full of lawyers and police officers, so it was likely his destiny that he would practice law. He got serious about becoming an attorney after he took an undergraduate business law class, which sparked his interest in the law, as well as helping people and businesses.
Marblehead means a lot to Andy. He is passionate about
supporting local businesses and is very involved in our community. Andy serves on the Planning Board, is a member of the Marblehead Rotary Club and is past president of the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce board.
When asked what he loves most about Marblehead, he replied, “I love how this community rallies behind each other in good and bad times, and the beauty of the ocean.”
When Andy isn’t practicing law or supporting our community, you will find him on the golf course, boating and spending time with his wife and two adorable dogs.
The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. To learn more, visit discovermhd.com.
What? Even Google?
BY STEPHEN BACH
The Washington Post recently published a well-researched article called, “Don’t trust Google for customer service numbers. It might be a scam.” Here is a summary of the key points.
The article discusses the growing problem of scammers targeting Google search results to trick people into calling
fake customer service phone numbers. These scams often involve posing as major tech companies like Google, Apple or Microsoft and offering technical support or claiming the user’s computer is infected with a virus.
When people call the numbers, they are connected with scammers who try to extract personal information or payment from the victims. The article notes that these types of scams have become increasingly common in recent years as
listings higher in search results.
Google and other tech companies are taking steps to try to combat the problem, such as banning certain types of ads and working with law enforcement. However, the article highlights how difficult it is to fully prevent these scams, as the scammers are continually finding new tactics to evade the tech companies’ defenses.
The article advises consumers to be very cautious about calling any customer service numbers
found through Google searches, and instead to only use official phone numbers provided on the companies’ own websites. It emphasizes the importance of verifying the legitimacy of any tech support calls before providing any personal or financial information.
So, as always, the Digital Docs say, until next time, “stay safe out there”!
Stephen Bach is the owner and chief of surgery at The Digital Docs in Marblehead.
Historic shoe shed undergoing renovations to become a museum
BY LIA GORBACH
A 19th-century shoe shed in town is undergoing renovations with the hopes of it becoming a museum.
The shoe shed, owned by the town, is located at the foot of Fountain Park on Orne Street. It was leased by a local resident for 50 years and used for storage. When that resident passed away, the town took it back in 2016 and reached out to Chris Butler, a history buff in town and building inspector at the time. The building needed some work.
“There was two feet of dirt on the uphill side. There was rotting and the windows were a mess,” said Butler, who is now associate commissioner for the Marblehead Historical Commission.
The so-called 10-footer (because it is 10-feet wide) dates back to the 1800s. Though Marblehead is known for its early fishing fleet, a bustling shoe industry emerged after a hurricane wiped out over 60 vessels and temporarily devastated the fishing economy. Additionally, about a quarter of
the Marblehead population at the time was fighting in the Civil War.
As fishermen began shifting to the shoe industry, large shoe factories were built in Marblehead, with over a dozen
The Marblehead Planning Board’s choice of three lots is a major expansion of the building needed to satisfy state law.
The MBTA Communities Law in MA Bill H3938 changed Chapter 40A Housing and added requirements for communities served by the MBTA by striking out section 3A, including the section 5 quoted by the Planning Board at town meeting.
“An MBTA community will provide at least one district of reasonable size in which multifamily housing shall be permitted without age restrictions and shall be suitable for families with children located within a high-capacity public transportation area.” The requirements include: Minimum density: A minimum gross density of 15 units per acre
» Age restrictions: The housing must be without age restrictions.
downtown. Workers could pick up leather at a factory in town to bring back to a small shed in their backyards and do piecework. Women’s and children’s shoes were of primary focus, says the
» Family-friendly: The housing must be suitable for families with children.
Size: The zoning district must be a reasonable size, typically about the size of a neighborhood. It’s worth noting that Marblehead, as an adjacent MBTA community, has some different requirements compared to communities with direct MBTA stations. The town doesn’t have to meet the requirement that the districts be .5 miles from MBTA transit.
commission’s summer intern Jonah Cadorette.
“People would work on shoes when they could and sell them back to the factory,” Butler said. Butler has come across three or four 10-footers in
But it’s clear that the Planning Board’s choice of three lots is a major exaggeration of the building needed to satisfy Massachusetts State law. If our Select Board believes voter rejection of Article 36 puts our town in fiscal jeopardy for state funds, defining a less intrusive housing plan that more closely matches state law requirements for adjacent communities is suggested.
Regards, Anthony Chamay Bonad Road
Marblehead. Some he has taken down, some Butler has renovated. Butler rated this particular building on a scale of one to 10. He deemed it a 1.5 structurally, but “historically for the town of Marblehead, it was an 11.”
With the help of Cadorette, Butler has replaced one of the windows, installing what’s called a six-over-six true divided light window to ensure historical accuracy. An extension to the ten-footer has been removed, and the shingling on the right side is being replaced. There’s also a meter socket and wiring inside the building that Butler wants to remove.
“You want authenticity, so get that electrical out of there, you don’t need that,” he said.
Next steps for the 10-footer include doing some cleanup on the inside. Rough plans for the interior include setting up an example of an old cobbler’s bench. Butler says a handicapped path is also being proposed to make the shed more accessible to visitors. All the improvements are funded with donations.
CORRECTION: There was an error in the last line of the Sept. 4 letter to the editor by David Reid, “Follow the Money” about the MBTA Communities Act. The line should have read: “Check the law again. This is for-profit, big profit, housing. There are no restrictions, only 10% is required to be affordable, that is 90 out of 900. Don’t be fooled, we don’t need 810 million-dollar condos.” The Current regrets the error.
COURTESY PHOTO
Attorney Andrew G. Christensen serves on Marblehead’s Planning Board and is a past president of the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce. Christensen specializes in real estate, estate planning and elder law.
scammers have gotten better at manipulating Google’s search algorithms to push their fake
SteppING b ACK IN tIme
LIA GORBACH /CURRENT PHOTOS
An extension was removed from the shoe shed and a window and the siding is being worked on.
The 10-footer on Orne Street is undergoing renovations to maintain historical accuracy and one day turn the building into a museum.
Marblehead’s proud privateers: Nathaniel Lindsey and the Brown family
This is the second of three articles on privateering in Marblehead history.
BY JO ANN AUGERI SILVA
Nathaniel Lindsey Sr. died in 1798. Marblehead at the time of his death, newly postRevolution, was grateful for the end of the war and the start of their new Republic, and proud of the role the townspeople had played in winning independence.
Marblehead was also reeling from the loss of so many of its ships, and especially its men, during the War of Independence. While still proud, Marblehead was no longer the very wealthy community it was pre-revolution.
The new democracy, so hard earned, was far from settled on the international front. By 1812, another hot war with Britain had started.
Nathaniel Lindsey Jr., a child during the Revolutionary War, seized the opportunity to benefit from the War of 1812 as a privateer.
Unlike his father, who served as an agent for various ships from land, Lindsey Jr. went to sea as captain of his privateer, the Brigantine Growler. Lindsey Jr. was also involved in ownership of the ships American Hero, Print, Legal Tender, Ruthy, Four Sisters, Victory and Spring Bird.
Nathaniel Lindsey Jr. did not compulsively save all his letters and documents. What we know of his naval career and his participation in the War of 1812 as a privateer follows.
Lindsey was an accomplished captain by the outbreak of the second war with Britain. He primarily captained merchant vessels owned by men in Salem and Marblehead, sailing throughout Europe and even as far as Alexandria, Egypt.
The embargo put in place by President Thomas Jefferson from 1807-1809, followed by the outbreak of the War of 1812, severely hindered the East Coast shipping business that had become brisk again following the Revolution.
After war was declared, many shipping vessels, like the American Hero and Two Brothers, were once again fitted out as privateers, adding swivel guns and cannons to otherwise barely armed ships. Once a ship was licensed as a privateer, all the usual fees applicable to shipping became costs which were charged against captured prizes and deducted from the funds that financed shares.
Records indicate that Lindsey claimed at least one significant prize as captain of the Growler. In April of 1812, he and his crew captured the 10-gun Brigantine Anne, which was laden with a cargo worth $100,000. Lindsey also is recorded as capturing at least two other enemy vessels. Lindsey continued his career
OV erLIN e: re AL eStAte tr ANSFerS
Buyer(s)
Caitlyn and Sidney D. Ridgley
Swampscott George J. and Konstandina
we still had some very good showings, even from those who were disqualified,” added Herlihy. “It was a very encouraging first meet for a team that has so many runners who are new to the sport. The most exciting finish of the race was between the ninth and 10 th place runners, with our own Molly Helmuth holding off a late surge to beat her Salem
opponent by just one second.”
The Magicians had since participated in the annual Clipper Relays at Newburyport last Saturday after press deadline, before returning to the Northeastern Conference schedule Sept. 11 to go up against host Beverly at the J.C. Phillips Nature Preserve, starting at 4:30 p.m.
Volleyball team drops opener to Masco
The Marblehead High
at sea for many years following his days as a privateering captain. In 1829, while captain of the merchant vessel Candace, Lindsey and his crew were captured by pirates but were released unharmed after surrendering their cache of money on board.
After retiring as a mariner, Lindsey served Marblehead as a selectman and as postmaster.
Like the Lindsey family, Marblehead’s Brown family also scrupulously saved letters and documents over the centuries.
Brown descendant Sally Sands has generously donated a significant portion of those papers to the Marblehead Museum for safekeeping and research.
At the time of the War of Independence and the War
of 1812, the Browns were primarily successful commercial fishermen. At the outbreak of the Revolution, family papers show that the family owned the privateer schooner Spring Bird (Nathaniel Lindsey Sr.’s records show that he served as an agent for the Spring Bird.)
The Spring Bird had a succession of commanders including James Dennis, William Denis, Thomas Elkins, John Pettin and Joseph Northey. (Note that these names are spelled in a variety of ways in a variety of documents.)
The Spring Bird was commissioned on March 10, 1778, and was outfitted with 14 swivel guns and four cannons. Spring Bird was a remarkably successful privateer. From April 1778 to July 1779, while
commanded by James Dennis, the boat captured 13 prizes. The Raven, another ship co-owned by the Browns with partners including Samuel Gale, was not as successful, or even very lucky. The Raven was commissioned on Aug. 28, 1778. She sailed for less than a year until captured by the British in May of 1779 while captained by John Brown. The Raven was grounded and abandoned in Nova Scotia, but the crew was able to escape unharmed. Once refloated, the Raven was brought into port in Halifax on June 19, 1779, to be auctioned off. By 1793, the Browns were back to their previous occupation as commercial fishermen.
Next up: Glover Broughton; privateer, prisoner and hero
volleyball team lost to host Masco in three games to begin the 2024 campaign on Sept. 4.
Lila Moniz collected six kills to lead the way for the Magicians. Sydney Faris and Sammy Walker were close behind with five apiece. Eva Burke was credited with 17 assists, while Meg Parkman accounted for 13 digs.
The Magicians have since gone up against Andover (Sept. 6) and Woburn (Sept. 9) after press deadline,before heading to Winthrop Sept. 12 to take on the
Vikings at 5:30 p.m.
Field hockey team edges Danvers to begin new season
The MHS field hockey team, under the direction of second-year coach Mia Maccario, defeated host Danvers, 3-2 to open up a brandnew season on Sept. 5.
Right midfielder Avery Black, Savannah Caruso and left midfielder Ava Salem were credited with the goals that won the game.
“I’m very proud of the entire team, and how they played against the Falcons,” said Maccario.
Seniors Gabby Hendy, Gretchen Smith, Black and Salem are this year’s captains. There are 22 players on the varsity roster, 14 of them are seniors.
The Magicians went up against Gloucester yesterday (Sept. 10) after press deadline, before hosting Peabody at Piper on Friday, Sept. 13, at 4 p.m.
BY JOE MCCONNELL
After two weeks, the Marblehead High golfers are 2-2 overall, and 1-1 in the Northeastern Conference. They recorded their first conference win against host Gloucester at Bass Rocks on Sept. 3, 42.5 to
29.5. Marty Ryan (6-3, shooting 35), Tyler Forbes (6-3, 36), James Bickell (5.5-3.5, 39), Greyson Leventhal (8-1, 35) and Max King (6-3, 38) all won their matches against the Fishermen. Jacob Hershfield and Will Macrina tied their matches to help account for the relatively easy triumph. Ryan and Leventhal were the team’s medalists after shooting even pars 35. But then, the Magicians lost to non-league host Austin Prep at Bear Hill in Stoneham two days later, 54-36. Bickell (5.5-3.5), Leventhal
(6.5-2.5) and Macrina (5.53.5) picked up the individual triumphs for the Magicians. Bickell was the team’s lone medalist with a 38. The Magicians had the weekend off to get ready for Peabody Sept. 10, after press deadline. It was the first of three straight matches in as many days for the Marblehead boys. They will be heading to Lynnfield Sept. 11 to go up against Saugus at the King Rail Golf Course, before returning home to Tedesco Sept. 12 to take on Beverly. Both matches will begin at 4 p.m.
COURTESY PHOTO / MARBLEHEAD MUSEUM
An image of one of many ships named Arbella, skippered by Marblehead Capt. Robert C. Hooper, typical of ships used as privateers during the Revolutionary War.
Colin Brenan, 63
Colin Brenan of Marblehead passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on August 30, after a five year battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Sandra Moores, proud father of Julia Brenan (Nicolai von OppelnBronikowski) and Michael Brenan (Meagan Murtagh). Colin is also survived by his siblings James Brenan (Josee Normand) and Mary Ellen Murphy (nee. Brenan) (Philip Murphy) along with numerous nieces, as well as extended family in Canada.
Colin was born on October 6, 1960, in Stoughton to the late John A.B. and M. Jean (Peterson) Brenan. Colin spent his childhood in Needham
Mary Kohler MacAllister, 77
Mary Kohler MacAllister passed away peacefully on Aug. 6, at the age of 77, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on June 29, 1947, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Mary was one of four children (along with John, Cheri and Dianne) and the eldest daughter of United Airlines executive John Kohler and realtor Virginia Lewis Kohler. When she was young, the family moved to Marblehead, where Mary would spend most of her life, forming a deep and lasting connection to the town.
In 1963, Mary met her high school sweetheart, Scott
Anne Harmon
Scully, 90
Anne Harmon Scully, 90, of Marblehead, died peacefully surrounded by family on August 28. She was deeply beloved and will be remembered for her generosity of spirit, sense of humor, strong intellect, optimistic nature and everpresent elegance and dignity.
Anne was born on February 7, 1934, to C. Montelle Harmon and Helen McGroarty Harmon in New York City, the youngest of three sisters. Growing up in Larchmont, New York, she developed a love of dancing and passion for learning. A talented student, Anne attended the Ursuline School in New Rochelle, New York, and Rosemont College in Pennsylvania, graduating with a bachelor of arts in English, minor in history, and a teaching certificate.
where he developed his love of science, nature and an insatiable curiosity for the world around him. As a Boy Scout, he achieved the highest rank of Eagle Scout, which instilled in him a lifelong passion for service. After graduation from Needham High School, he pursued a bachelor of science degree
MacAllister. Their beautiful marriage spanned 56 years. Together, they built a loving home on Front Street, where they raised their two sons, Scott and Alex.
Mary’s love for the arts guided her throughout her life. After graduating from Marblehead High School, she attended Arizona State University, where
She moved to New York City and embarked on a career in fashion advertising, working as a fashion coordinator at BBDO and then as director of fashion publicity at Best & Co. Anne was characteristically humble about her accomplishments as one of the few women executives at the time.
Anne and Francis (“Frank”) Scully Jr. were married in Larchmont in 1961, where she was certainly the most beautiful bride ever. The couple settled in Marblehead, where they raised their three children: Frank,
in physics (honors), 1982, a masters of science. in electrical engineering, 1989, and a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering, 1997, all from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. It was during this time he met and married his lifelong partner Sandra and the family grew. Following Colin’s graduation from McGill, the family relocated to Marblehead for his postdoctoral work at MIT in Cambridge.
Colin was professionally best known as a serial entrepreneur, inventor and experienced executive in the biotech industry. His goal was always to make meaningful impacts in drug development, improving the lives of everyone. This was notably achieved through several co-inventions and subsequent companies that revolutionized small molecule
she nurtured her passion for art and education.
A dedicated educator, Mary devoted more than 25 years to teaching art at the Bell and Eveleth schools, where she inspired countless students with her creativity, warmth and encouragement. She believed in the power of art to transform lives and was beloved by her students and colleagues alike. As a trustee of the Oliver Porter Killam Scholarship Foundation, Mary helped grant need-based scholarships to hundreds of local students pursuing college degrees.
In addition to her career in education and philanthropic endeavors, Mary served as a docent at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, where she shared her extensive knowledge
Tara and John. Anne was a loving and devoted mother. She volunteered in many capacities: as a leader of Marblehead’s Girl Scout troop, president of the Pingree School’s Parents Committee and founder of the Essex Institute museum store. Anne loved Marblehead and embraced it fully. A long-time member of the Eastern Yacht Club, she could often be found sailing on cruises with her family, laughing with friends on the porch or volunteering on the history committee. While raising her family she had a career in the fashion and retail industries. Throughout her life she and her family enjoyed their summers in Deer Isle, Maine. In her retirement Anne filled her time with her many passions, including tennis (both playing and watching), bridge and Parliamentary Law Club. Her friends were a constant source of joy and companionship. A voracious reader, she was a treasured member of three separate book clubs! Anne’s faith guided her
drug discovery. Colin was prolific in his career as an inventor on 24 US and foreign patents and more than 20 pending patent applications. These inventions enable scientific advancement globally. He skillfully navigated several start-ups to fruition with offices in Europe and Asia and was especially proud of 1CellBio which he founded in his Marblehead basement, with son, Michael, at his side. Colin will be remembered for his commitment to his community. A dedicated father, Colin coached both Julia and Michael’s Marblehead soccer teams for many years. Always the eager volunteer, he served in support and leadership roles for a number of professional organizations, including the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers. During
and passion for the fine arts with visitors from around the world. Her contributions to the museum were invaluable, and she remained an active member of the arts community throughout her life.
A gentle spirit with boundless love for all creatures great and small, Mary had a way of seeing beauty in the world around her.
Children were drawn to her infectious laugh and beautiful smile, and she had the rare gift of making everyone feel accepted, always embracing people for who they were.
Mary’s stunning beauty, both inside and out, left an indelible mark on all who knew her. Her batik paintings, often depicting the scenic beauty of Marblehead, are cherished by family and friends, serving as warm, meaningful centerpieces in their
throughout her life; she was educated by nuns at boarding school and was a weekly attendee at Our Lady Star of the Sea’s Sunday Mass. She loved to travel and delighted in the beauty of nature whether in faroff locations or watching the family of ducks outside of her window. Anne doted on her four grandchildren and was the best Grandmum one could hope to have, showering them with love, gifts, sage advice, her delicious key lime pie and coconut tarts, and hand-knit sweaters every Christmas.
Anne is survived by her daughter, Tara Rockefeller (Michael) of New York City; two sons, Francis (“Frank”) Scully III of Marblehead and John Scully (Hadley) of Bedford, New York; four grandchildren, Eliza and Alexander Rockefeller of New York City and Charlotte and John (“Jack”) Scully Jr. of Bedford; niece, Laura Loughlin of Plymouth and nephew Nicholas Loughlin of Norwalk, Connecticut; two great-nieces, Tess Morton Darci (Scott)
his long career he liberally donated his time and energy to teaching and mentoring young entrepreneurs in the biotech space.
Colin’s love of sailing began in his father’s home-built wooden boat on lakes in Massachusetts and Maine. There was nothing Colin enjoyed more than sailing out of Salem Harbor on a blustery day.
Beloved husband, father, brother, friend and role model, Colin will be deeply missed for his keen intellect, insatiable curiosity, eternal optimism and consummate kindness. He inspires us all.
In conjunction with IEEE, a scholarship will be established in Colin’s name at a later date. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com for Colin’s family.
homes, forever connecting them to her spirit.
Mary is survived by her devoted husband, Scott A. MacAllister of Salem; her sons, Scott J. MacAllister and his fiancé, Lee Hannula of Salem, and Alex MacAllister of Neptune, New Jersey; her grandson, Jameson MacAllister, and his mother, Jody Vorel; sister and brother-in-law, Cheri and Steve Saltzman of Marblehead; sister Dianne Smith of Phoenix, Arizona; nieces and nephews; and a host of dear friends and extended family members who will all miss her dearly.
A private service to celebrate Mary’s life and art will be held later in September.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Mary’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
of Scituate and Kate Morton of Salem; two sisters-in-law, Rosmarie Scully of Cambridge and Gail Norton of England; and many other beloved family members and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Francis Scully Jr., father C. Montelle Harmon, mother Helen McGroarty Harmon, sisters Claire Harmon and Jean Harmon Loughlin (Nicholas), and brothers-in-law Peter and Robert Scully and Robert Norton.
A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave. at 11 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Abbot Public Library Foundation, PO Box 1409, Marblehead, MA 01945 or Doctors Without Borders, USA P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030. For more information or to share a memory of Anne or send a condolence to her family, please visit murphyfuneralhome.com or call 978-744-0497.
Hellen B. (Missel) Rosenthal, 88, beloved wife of the late Edward Rosenthal for 66 years, passed away on Sept. 4. She was the loving mother of Steven (Joan) Rosenthal, Joel (Patricia) Rosenthal and Mara (Gary) Friedman.
up the street from her parent’s grocery store on Glenville Avenue. During her childhood and teenage years, Helen would pitch in at the store, keeping Max and Mary company as they worked seven days a week.
local community.
Helen was a proud graduate of Brighton High School and Boston University. In 1956, Helen married the love of her life, Ed, whom she met at age 14 as a high school freshman. In 1962, Helen and Ed moved to Marblehead, fulfilling their dream to live by the ocean.
Helen was born on Feb. 11, 1936, to Max and Mary Missel of Allston, where she was raised
Helen was the intensely proud grandmother of eight grandchildren: Lee (Kathryn), Jon (Kayla) Roze, Alex Rosenthal, Sarah (Benjamin Bronstein) and David (Eleanor) Rosenthal, Max (Sonja), Michael and Ariella Friedman, and devoted great-grandmother to Hazel, Warren, Ellis and Luella Rosenthal. She was preceded in death by her dear sister Lillian (Seymour) Futran.
Helen enjoyed her role as business manager in Ed’s office and engaged in numerous community activities including years of service at Temple Sinai, Hadassah and various family philanthropic endeavors in the
Helen was an avid reader, bridge player and world traveler. She and Ed enjoyed countless great adventures including to the former Soviet Union, Africa, the Galapagos Islands, Europe, the Far East and numerous family trips to Israel. Above all, Helen loved friends and family. She stayed in touch with a remarkable circle of friends from all chapters of her life, and she exemplified the joy of lifelong friendship. Helen was always enthusiastic about the activities of her friends and family, never wanting to miss a single birthday, game, recital, performance, graduation or award ceremony.
After Ed’s retirement, Helen and Ed enjoyed living in Naples,
Florida, and Swampscott — the perfect places to walk the beach together, and to enjoy their growing family.
A graveside service will be held at Dorchester Hebrew Helping Hand Cemetery, 232 Fuller St. Everett, on Friday, Sept. 6, at 10 a.m. Friends and family are warmly invited to gather at the home of Steve and Joan Rosenthal for shiva after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Helen can be made to Camp Tevya, c/o The Cohen Camps, 888 Worcester Street, Suite 350, Wellesley, 02482, cohencamps.org. For directions or online condolences please go to: goldmanfc.com. Arrangements by Goldman Funeral Chapel, Malden.
