03.29.23 - Volume 1, Issue 18

Override would add

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

Marblehead Select Board members will now place one general override, not two, before Town Meeting in May, and Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer put an estimated $2.5 million price tag on it.

“I don’t want anybody to get misguided by the raw numbers,”

GOOD DEEDS

said Kezer during the Select Board meeting on Wednesday night. “There will be tweaking.”

As they assembled the fiscal year 2024 budget, Marblehead Finance Director Aleesha Nunley-Benjamin and Kezer arrived at the $2.5 million number by subtracting projected revenues of $94.5 million under a no-override budget from

to tax base

projected expenditures of $97 million under a level-services budget. Departments made sacrifices to help address the structural deficit.

“You’ll see departments that have taken a good amount of cuts,” Kezer told the Finance Committee on Monday, March 21, adding that the target was a 4% reduction per department.

“There are departments that were significantly reduced to meet the target number. Other departments — there are no cuts.”

The override request targets the projected structural deficit stemming from the town’s reliance on free cash to balance its annual budget. In FY 2024, the town estimates free cash

SPUR’s growing season begins

to come in at $8 million, a $2.6 million decrease over the $10.6 million used to balance the FY 2023 budget.

As a general override of Proposition 2 1/2, the new taxes would become a permanent part of the town’s revenue base, helping the town avoid similar

WILDLIFE Learn about local coyotes

Animal control officer will cover ‘hazing’ techniques

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

Residents have an upcoming opportunity to learn more about local coyotes with Daniel Proulx, one of Marblehead’s animal control officers.

“Our mission is to educate the public and monitor and track coyote activities in Marblehead,” he said. “And the number one thing is to get coyotes to fear people again.”

Garden supplies fresh, organic produce to food pantries

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

Spring is in the air, and with it, SPUR begins another growing season.

On a recent Sunday afternoon, a legion of volunteers from the Marblehead-based nonprofit tended to the Community Roots Garden

situated on the steep hill outside St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Lafayette Street.

“We’re planting the first round of crops for the 2023 season,” Marblehead resident Cara Whelan said. “We’ve just weeded the beds and turned the soil.”

As she spoke, Whelan’s children, Adelaide, 4, and Foster, 8, flanked her to the left and right, curiously looking on as she carefully covered two rows of tiny seeds.

“I’m planting carrots. Others are NEVEr

Proulx’s presentation will take place in the Gerry 5, Veteran Firemen’s Association, 210 Beacon St., on April 13 at 6:30 p.m. All are invited, and Proulx said the program is meant to be fun and informative.

Between his time as an animal control officer in Swampscott and Marblehead, Proulx has several years of experience with wildlife.

“One of the problems is there are people

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

Gasps echoed throughout the Marblehead Community

Charter Public School cafeteria

as Henia Lewin projected a faded photograph taken following her parents’ wedding in the late

1930s. In the image, her parents smile as they sit at the head of a long, wooden table surrounded by a joyful group of roughly 40 friends and family members.

As an aside, Lewin said, “My mother had the most gorgeous wedding dress.”

“My parents are sitting at the table with my dad’s mother and father sitting next to them,” Lewin told an audience of seventh- and eighth-graders. “Out of this entire group, only nine people survived; everyone else was killed by the Nazis.”

Lewin offered the photograph as a powerful reminder of the Holocaust and the macabre atrocities carried out by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, resulting in the systematic murder of six million Jews, as well as millions of others

considered “undesirable,” including the Romani people, people with disabilities and homosexuals.

Nick Santoro, an eighth-grade humanities teacher, said nothing

‘Don’t be a bystander’ Holocaust survivor delivers powerful message at Charter School

$2.5M

PHOTO / NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD Debra Rubin, Maya Abramov, 5, and Boris Abramov plant lettuce seeds on March 26 at SPUR’s Community Roots Garden at St. Andrew Episcopal church.

McConnell jmcconnell@marbleheadnews.org

CONTRIBUTORS

BUSINESS SPOTLIGhT

This New England-inspired jewelry company is based in Marblehead

BY MELISSA STACEY

The following is an interview with Patsy Kane Wiswell, owner of Patsy Kane | Nautical, conducted by Discover Marblehead. To learn more, go to patsykane.com.

Tell us about Patsy Kane | Nautical and why you started it. Patsy Kane | Nautical is a Marblehead-based boutique jewelry design and manufacturing company. Our focus is on classic, maritimeinspired pieces in a variety of metals and materials. As a New England-based company, we try to ensure that the majority

NEWS IN BrIEF

The Current welcomes submissions (150-200 words) to News in Brief. Send yours to info@ marbleheadnews.org.

Preview of 2023 Town Meeting

The Marblehead Speaker Series will host a preview of the 2023 Town Meeting at the Council on Aging at the Jacobi Community Center on April 19 at 12:30 p.m.

Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to sign up to save a seat.

Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer and Town Moderator Jack Attridge will present an overview of the annual Town Meeting scheduled for May 1. The meeting’s warrant will include a variety of articles, encompassing both the proposed budget and additional changes with significant financial and governing implications.

Kezer and Attridge will offer insights into the articles and explain how the meeting is conducted.

Nomination papers available

As of Monday, March 20, nomination papers were available for voters interested in running for local office in the Tuesday, June 20 municipal election.

Prospective candidates must

of our products are produced in New England. Started as a creative endeavor, our designs are now offered through our website and in fine retail settings. We partner with the NortheastArc on our I Love You bracelet and Bosun bracelets.

What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? It’s a toss-up. “If you’re talking, you aren’t listening” and/or “Do what you’re best at and hire for the taskyou aren’t.”

What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? I have two favorite spots in Marblehead. I love to be tucked away inside our circa 1900 renovated beach cottage or out on our boat.

What is something people would be surprised to learn

submit a formal request in writing to pull nomination papers in person. Access the application at https://bit. ly/3yIIWFG.

“After receiving nomination papers, you will need to put your name and address (as registered to vote) on each nomination paper before obtaining the required 50 signatures from Marblehead registered voters,” according to the town clerk’s office. “You should obtain more than 50 to ensure you have enough.”

The cutoff to return signatures is Monday, May 1 at 5 p.m.

“If you are submitting papers on May 1, make sure to have extra signatures,” the town clerk’s office writes. “You will not be able to submit more papers after the deadline.”

Town Clerk Robin Michaud also reminds prospective candidates of the Office of Campaign and Political Finance’s filing requirements. All candidates must file three campaign finance reports, notwithstanding the election’s outcome or the amount of personal money spent.

Critical dates to file campaign finance reports are as follows:

Eight days before the election, June 8.

» Thirty days after the election, July 30.

End-of-year report, Jan. 20, 2024.

Animal shelter accepting volunteers

Volunteers are always needed to help feed and care for abandoned animals housed at the Marblehead Animal Shelter, 44 Village St.

The nonprofit Friends of Marblehead Abandoned Animals was formed for this purpose. To volunteer, call 781-631-8664.

Comment sought on Harbor Plan

The town of Marblehead began a planning process for Marblehead Harbor and the West Shore about a year ago. After several public meetings and background research by the consultant team, the draft plan is now available for public comment. On the town’s website, you can review the plan and answer a survey, which should take fewer than 10 minutes to complete: bit.

ly/3nkHw1C.

Appointed vacancies

The town of Marblehead is currently seeking volunteers to fill several vacancies on appointed town boards, commissions and committees. Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and a resume to the Select Board,

about you? I originally wanted to be a veterinarian (inspired by “All Things Great and Small”) and went to agriculture school for a semester.

The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. Discover Marblehead is “dedicated to the promotion of our majestic seaside town of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Our mission is to highlight local businesses, tourism, community events and attractions through social media, email marketing and community outreach.” To learn more, visit discovermhd.com.

Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., or via email at wileyk@marblehead.org.

For more information, contact the Select Board’s Office at 781631-0000. Below is a list of open positions:

MBTA Advisory Board

One-year term.

Marblehead Disabilities Commission

» Three-year term.

» One unexpired vacancy (term to expire in 2024). One unexpired vacancy (term to expire in 2025). Task Force Against Discrimination

» One-year term.

» Affordable Housing Trust Fund

One-year term.

Volunteer at Health Department

Residents may volunteer to serve on the Marblehead Recycling Committee, appointed by the Marblehead Board of Health.

The Swap Shed is another place where volunteers can help. Volunteers must also sell facility stickers and check cars for up-todate stickers as they enter the transfer station.

Contact the Public Health Department at 781-631-0212 for additional volunteer information.

Women’s History Month celebration in Gloucester

The public is invited to a Women’s History Month Celebration on Tuesday, March 28 at the Gloucester Stage Company in Gloucester. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.; the program will be from 6-8 p.m.

The event features an exhibit, “Tower of Strength:

Black Women of the Suffrage Movement” presented by North Shore Juneteenth Association.

A film from Suffrage100MA will be shown: “The Fight for Women’s Suffrage: Looking Back, Marching Forward.” A panel discussion will follow the film.

Panelists are Cheryl Clyburn

Crawford, MassVOTE; Sasha Goodfriend, MassNOW; Fredie Kay, Suffrage100MA; and Nicole McClain, North Shore Juneteenth Association. Pattye Comfort, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, will serve as moderator.

A reception with light

refreshments will conclude the event. Admission is $30. Proceeds will support eighth- to 12th-grade students at the inaugural Mass. Civics Project Showcase at Clark University on June 2.

For more info, see lwvma.org/ womens-history-month-eventregistration.

Will Dowd

David Moran

Kris Olson

Marblehead News 217 Humphrey St.

Marblehead, Massachusetts 01945 781.910.8658 info@marbleheadnews.org

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Patsy Kane Wiswell’s jewelry business partners with Northeast Arc

could substitute for hearing from a Holocaust survivor. The charter school jumped at the opportunity to host Lewin.

“The most powerful part of having a living Holocaust survivor come in is it shows kids that this isn’t ancient history,” he said. “There’s been an increase in the prevalence of Holocaust deniers, white supremacy and antisemitism, which is pretty alarming.”

He added, “I want us to arm them against that type of misinformation.”

The Kovno Ghetto

Lewin was born in 1940 in Lithuania. She projected a map of the country and pinpointed the city of Kaunas, where her father and mother, Gita and Jonas Wisgardisky, resided at the time. In 1941, she said the Nazis invaded the country and forced Jewish families into the Kovno Ghetto, including her parents, aunt and uncle, and younger cousin, Shoshanna.

“The apartment that we lived in had three floors, and we lived on the bottom floor with several other families,” she said. “The building was obviously overcrowded.”

The Nazis crammed between 30,000 and 40,000 people into an area that could fit 6,000.

“Even though it was called a ghetto, it really was a death camp,” she said. “It wasn’t like Auschwitz, where they burned and gassed people, but it was a death camp.”

She said that her uncle tried to smuggle a handgun into the ghetto baked in a loaf of bread. Upon breaking the loaf in half, a guard found the revolver.

“He was shot on the spot,” she said.

Gita found out that Nazis began taking children from their parents under the guise that they needed immunization shots. Distraught parents waited for their children’s return, but they never came back.

“At first, people thought that was insane. Would they really kill children? But then they saw that they actually were,” Lewin said. “And so my parents decided that they better sneak me, my cousin and other children out of the ghetto.”

For a period, they hid the cousins in a staircase behind a fake wall in their apartment.

“I loved playing with her when the parents were at work, and we would

play in that hiding spot,” Lewin said of Shoshanna, who was a year and a half younger. “She had black curls, and I would just play with her curls and make her look like a little Shirley Temple.”

Escaping the ghetto

Enter the Rev Bronius

Paukstys, a Roman Catholic priest who was the dean of a nearby seminary. Lewin’s mother had regular contact with the priest when she left the ghetto to work at an adjacent warehouse.

“He took a liking to her because she spoke Lithuanian like a farmer,” Lewin said. “Plus, she was a very intelligent, very bright woman.”

The priest told her that if she could smuggle children out of the ghetto, he, fellow priests and nuns would find homes for them in the Lithuanian countryside. Moreover, the seminary was home to a young priest who could draw up fake birth certificates.

When Lewin was 3 years old, her parents sedated her and placed her in a suitcase. They placed the suitcase in the back of a wagon, and she was successfully smuggled out. Paukstys paired the toddler with Jonas and Joana Stankevicz. She lived with the family for two years.

“I lived, but you know what? During the Holocaust, 1.5 million children were killed,” Lewin said. “Out of the 40,000 who entered the Kovno Ghetto, only 5%, or 2,000 people, survived because they fought off the Nazis when the Russians were coming.”

The Nazis set the ghetto’s buildings on fire with Jewish families inside them.

“And if somebody was hiding in the building and crawled out, they shot

them,” said Lewin. “And if somebody didn’t crawl out, they burned to death inside.”

She added, “My parents survived because they were smart enough to run away and hide on a farm.”

Lewin’s parents took Shoshanna in when they presumed her mother had perished in a concentration camp. But two years after the war, she walked through the door as though she had been resurrected from the dead.

Lewin, a Western Massachusetts resident, has lived all over the world. She became a professor of Yiddish language and literature,

teaching for nearly 20 years at the University of Vermont.

When she ended her talk, she said she was more disappointed in those complicit during the Holocaust. There is a lesson to learn, she told students.

“Don’t be a bystander,” she said. “Stop the evil because there’s always evil in the world. But there’s always goodness as well, right? And I know that you are good people.”

She continued, “If you see somebody who is acting in an evil way, stop them. Become an active person for good.”

Of this photo, Henia Lewin told an audience of seventh- and eighth-graders, ‘My parents are sitting at the table with my dad’s mother and father sitting next to them. Out of this entire group, only nine people survived; everyone else was killed by the Nazis.’

CURRENT PHOTOS / NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD

Before Marblehead Community Charter Public School students, Henia Lewin, 83, recalls how her mother sedated her and placed her in a suitcase to smuggle her out of a Jewish ghetto in Lithuania.

Police Academy takes people behind the scenes

BY LEIGH BLANDER

About 20 residents participating in the latest Marblehead Police Academy course got a private tour of police headquarters, including the dispatch center.

Marblehead Police offer the nine-week class in partnership with the Council on Aging. Chief Dennis King and officers teach about criminal law, defensive tactics, motor vehicle stops and OUI enforcement. Students also visit Salem Superior and District Courts, along with the Essex County Sheriff’s Department in Middleton.

This class of Marblehead Police Academy will graduate on May 2. The next class will begin in the fall. For more information, contact the Council on Aging at 781-631-6225.

L MONTh Brown School starts

March mornings with live music

BY LEIGH BLANDER

Every school morning in March, the halls of the Brown School have been filled with live music welcoming students to school. It’s part of “Celebrate Music in Our Schools Month.”

“It feels really good to walk in and hear the music,” said second-grader Lila Bennett as she listened to the Marblehead High School a cappella group The Jewel Tones performing on March 23. “Music is the most important thing to me because it tells a story.”

got to introduce my own father on the trombone, who was my inspiration to become a music teacher.”

On March 23, nine members of The Jewel Tones serenaded students with hits like Simon & Garfunkel’s “Cecilia” and the 1980s hit “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears. Students sat on the lobby floor, on the stairs and even peeked from the secondfloor balcony for the 20-minute performance.

From the balcony, Brown students and teachers look down and listen to live music in the lobby.

“If I’m in a bad mood in the morning, this calms me down and makes me happy,” added Avery Wilkins, also in second grade.

Brown School music teacher Eileen D’Amour has brought in more than 20 musical acts throughout the month.

“We’ve hosted current students, former students, our own teachers, retired teachers and different members of our Marblehead community — just to name a few,” she said. “I even

“There are a lot of songs that I know,” said third-grader Mac Minchall who stood rapt listening to the group. “It’s cool. The music makes me happy.”

D’Amour said the program has been a big hit, and she will bring it back next year.

“I can safely say that a lot of joy has been spread through the Brown School community this month,” she said. “Our students are listening, singing along and even dancing their way into their school day. It brightens each day. We get energized.”

COURTESY PHOTOS

Capt. Mathew Freeman leads a tour of police headquarters and speaks to participants in the Marblehead Police Academy.

MELODIca

CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER

Brown School students start the day with a live performance from the Marblehead High’s Jewel Tones.

Students stop and sit on the stairs and on the floor to catch live music in the lobby of the Brown School.

Coyotes

feeding them — like literally hand feeding them,” Proulx said. “That’s what happened with the coyote that was attacking or biting people in Vinnin Square.”

He added, “A couple of the restaurants were handing out food to these coyotes.”

Local coyotes have been conditioned to expect food and when humans stop giving it to them, he said, “They don’t know how to beg, so what they do is they will nip or paw people.”

Interest in the wild animal has risen since Nahant contracted with federal sharpshooters to kill coyotes that ate cats and small dogs.

“Marblehead never lost a dog to a coyote,” said Proulx, “so it has just been bites; we are trying to prevent any future incidents.”

Proulx’s presentation, in part, will teach people how to protect their pets and haze coyotes. Hazing is a way to move coyotes from one area to another or deter coyotes’ undesirable behaviors. Some tactics that Proulx uses include yelling, banging pots and pans and throwing small bomb bags (children’s toys that expand and explode).

“A lot of people are intimidated by the coyotes,” said Proulx. “They are scared to do it [hazing], and that’s understandable, but they are often more scared of you.”

With its bushy tail and pointed ears, the Eastern coyote looks like a mediumsized domesticated dog, and about 10,000 can be found in Massachusetts.

“Coyotes thrive in suburban,

Garden

From P. A1

planting beets,” she said. “All our seeds are donated from the Marblehead Garden Center.”

People of all ages were scattered about the 3,000-square-foot garden. Fresh produce grows here from 40 raised garden beds constructed out of oval-shaped metal tubs brimming with soil and compost. In a couple of weeks, the garden will provide a nutritious bounty for those in need.

Swampscott resident Suzanne Hale, a SPUR board member, said each season brings a varied yield to the garden.

“One of our pillars of volunteer work is fighting food insecurity,” she said. “And from day one, the garden here has provided. I believe last year we harvested around 800 pounds of food. That was lower than it has been in previous years, but last year, we did OK, despite the extreme drought.”

Lynne Krasker-Schultz, SPUR executive director and a Swampscott resident, said 100% of the organic produce is donated to a handful of organizations fighting food insecurity, from the Marblehead Food Pantry to the Anchor Food Pantry in Swampscott. She said they grow a diversity of produce, often what pantries tell them

urban and rural areas,”

MassWildlife writes. “They’re omnivores whose diet consists of a variety of foods, including rabbits, rodents, deer, birds, insects, reptiles, fruits and berries.”

When asked about the benefits of having coyotes around, Proulx was quick to reply.

“They eat rats,” he said. “That is one of the biggest, most beneficial things they do.”

He gets a sense of fulfillment from educating the public about coyotes.

“I love doing it,” he said. “And the reason why I love doing it is that I’m protecting the coyotes, and I’m keeping pets and people safe.”

they need.

“We were so proud of ourselves a couple of years ago because we grew so much kale,”

Krasker-Schultz said. “We’d drop it off until one day they said, ‘We can’t take any more kale - no one eats it.’”

She chuckled, adding that

the nonprofit learned from that experience. She said the garden’s volunteers reflect the best of SPUR’s intergenerational programming.

“This is all run by an amazing team of volunteers,” she said.

“We welcome new volunteers, and you don’t need to know how

to garden. It could be as simple as watering the plants for 20 minutes.”

With each seed planted and every vegetable harvested, Krasker-Shultz’s daughter, Savannah, said they were making a positive impact on the lives of those in need.

“I feel really happy and proud that I get to help people,” she said. “It’s good to help people.”

To learn more about how you can get involved and support this important cause, visit the SPUR website at http://bit. ly/3TNI24n.

Foster Whelan, 8, and his mom, Cara Whelan, water seeds on March 26 at SPUR Community Roots Garden.

COURTESY PHOTO

People can expect more coyote sightings during puppy season during the spring months.

CURRENT PHOTOS / NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD

Maya Abramov, 5, and Addie Whelan, 4, play in some soil as they wait to plant seeds on March 26 at the SPUR Community Roots Garden.

SPUR volunteer Julie Pitts adds some soil for a cover crop as she helps prepare the soil on March 26.

Opinion

FrOM ThE VaULT

New path for old fire station

By mid-April, Marblehead Finance Committee members are expected to have reviewed and analyzed all the 2023 warrant articles with financial implications and devised their recommendations for Town Meeting.

But there will be little mystery with Article 40, which requests an override of Proposition 2 1/2 to restore the Franklin Street fire station, which needs $2.3 million in exterior and restoration work, according to a conditions assessment funded through a Massachusetts Historic Preservation Grant and published in February.

The article’s main proponent, Marblehead Fire Chief Jason Gilliland, told the Current this week that he plans to recommend against favorable action on Article 40 when he appears before the Finance Committee.

“My personal opinion is that it be withdrawn or indefinitely postponed,” Gilliland said. “I think we wait a year and see how donations and grants go.”

While the need for the restoration work is clear, we share the chief’s view that it is prudent for the station to take a back seat temporarily, as the big ticket item on this year’s Town Meeting warrant is a Proposition 2 1/2 general override, which officials are proposing to use to address a structural deficit in the town budget for Fiscal Year 2024 and beyond.

A dozen firefighters staff 3 Franklin St., one of the oldest continuously operated fire stations in the commonwealth, which is situated to provide an extra layer of protection in the Old and Historic District.

“Franklin Street has played a key role in keeping downtown safe for many, many years,” Gilliland told the Current in February, noting that fire grows twice in size every minute. In other words, any conflagration in the Old and Historic District could have catastrophic consequences for irreplaceable structures dating back to Colonial America.

The breadth of work that the town’s consultants say is needed at Franklin Street spans 400 pages. In early February, architects gave a skinny version of it in Abbot Hall. Photos projected in the Select Board Room showcased bricks that need to be repointed, rotting wood trim, cupping wood shingles, cracks and holes allowing the cold to seep in, beaten-up gutters and accessibility issues. Gilliland said squirrels and birds have taken up residency in the attic.

Assuming Article 40 is abandoned, the town would approach the financing of the fire station’s renovation through the same private-public model used at Fort Sewall. In a future year, a Prop 2 1/2 debt exclusion override could finance whatever could not be raised from donors and grants.

We have confidence that the duo behind the restoration project, Town Planner Becky Cutting and Gilliland, will plot a sensible path forward, which may include everything from grants and phased renovations to partnerships and cost-saving measures.

While Fort Sewall and Franklin Street are historic properties, the fire station can be distinguished by the valuable purpose it continues to serve. While we are not enthusiastic about leaving the renovations dependent upon the generosity of donors, we believe residents will deliver.

LETTErS POLIc Y We want to hear

from you

The Marblehead Current loves to get letters to the editor. There are just a few rules you need to know.

Generally, letters should not exceed 500 words. The Marblehead Current reserves the right not to publish submissions over the word limit and may instead return the letter to the writer for editing.

Letters must include:

1. The author’s name. Unsigned letters and form letters will not be published.

2. The name of the street the author lives on in Marblehead. Only the street name will be published next to the author’s name — not their full address.

3. For every letter, we will need an author’s daytime/ cell phone number (not for publication) for verification purposes.

4. If letters seek to introduce into a discussion purported facts that are not commonly known, writers may be asked to provide the source for those purported facts.

5. Letters must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday to be published in the following Wednesday’s print edition of the Marblehead Current. Letters will be published to our website at the earliest opportunity, after verification. Email submissions to info@marbleheadnews.org.

While the Marblehead Current will make every effort to let writers have their say, it reserves the right not to publish letters.

The story behind the Lecraw watch

BY LAUREN McCORMACK

In the early morning hours of June 25, 1877, panic seized Marblehead. A fire that started in the barn behind the Marblehead Hotel on Pleasant Street quickly spread up the street, consuming buildings all along Pleasant, School, Sewall and Bassett streets. Cinders flew through the air, threatening to set even more of the town ablaze.

At the Unitarian Church on Mugford Street, a cinder landed on the roof and set the shingles on fire. Thomas J. Lecraw, a 46-year-old shoemaker, spotted the fire. With the help of Edward Hammond, Lecraw attempted to enter the church. Unable to do so, Lecraw “climbed the lightning rod, clambered across the roof and extinguished the blaze.”

Lecraw had saved the church, but the fire claimed 20 shoe factories, 30 dwellings, the South Church and Railroad Depot, and left 50 families homeless, according to the Marblehead Messenger.

Yet to the townspeople — and especially to the congregants of the Unitarian Church — Lecraw was a hero.

In honor of his quick thinking and act of bravery, the congregation presented Lecraw with a gold pocket watch featuring his monogram on the front. Inside, the inscription reads: “Presented to Thomas J. Lecraw by the Unitarian Society of Marblehead as a testimonial of their appreciation of his heroism on the morning of June 25, 1877 — whereby their church was saved from destruction by fire.”

Lecraw died in 1899 at the age of 68 and is buried in Waterside Cemetery. When his son, William Lecraw, died in 1930, William’s widow donated the watch to the Museum.

Though the Unitarian Church building survived the fire of 1877, it was eventually destroyed by another fire on Oct. 1, 1910. A year later, the present building was erected.

Lauren McCormack is the executive director of the Marblehead Museum.

From the Vault will be a monthly feature in the Current highlighting an item from Marblehead Museum’s collection of over 60,000 artifacts. Learn more and explore at marbleheadmuseum.org.

Living in a town where art is created — and respected

BY COURT MERRIGAN

I was standing around the office the other day chatting with some colleagues, when in walked a woman with some postcards.

Given that the office gets drop-offs all the time and it was nearly noon, I figured she was handing out flyers for a pizza special or maybe some discount sushi. But she was after something else entirely. Turned out, she was an artist, a real professional. Her postcards were an invitation to visit her art show opening in a few weeks time.

Harikleia Kuliopulos was her name. She’s a Boston-based painter who had secured a gallery for her showing, “Marblehead Seascapes.” She had come to the office that day to tell us about it.

Business of the moment temporarily forgotten, the small group standing there launched into a discussion of art we adored.

That’s the magic of Marblehead: one moment it’s nearly lunch, the next you’re discussing medieval art (a favorite genre of mine). And

more than that, people take time out of their day to appreciate that art, and to support the artists that make it.

Now, I am not an artist in the 3D sense, but I am a writer. I send words out into the universe and hope they are well-received. When that happens, people sometimes tell you about it. In person, by email, via message — it’s all

precious fuel reserves for the days when you’re just not sure you should be bothering at all. That said, I don’t hang this column on the wall and ask you over to my house to read it. But painters sure do!

In a world flooded with the blue light of screens, painters work for months on end, compete with

The Unitarian Church Lecraw saved from a conflagration on June 25, 1877, is depicted in this late 19th-century photograph.

COURTESY PHOTOS / MARBLEHEAD MUSEUM

This watch, presented to Thomas J. Lecraw, was a token of appreciation from the Unitarian Society of Marblehead.

‘Harbor Shimmer’ by painter Harikleia Kuliopulos is on display at the Marblehaed Arts Association.

Rotary Club reveals site for community clock

Unveiling slated for May 11

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

A community clock that the Rotary Club of Marblehead has gifted to the town will be installed on the same traffic island as the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce information booth.

The chosen location is a busy intersection near Memorial Park, across the street from Starbucks and a stone’s throw from National Grand Bank. The twosided clock matches the clock on the tower at Abbot Hall.

“The Rotary Club of Marblehead is proud to be celebrating its 100th birthday,” the club’s president, Nancy Gwin, told the Marblehead Current. “In honor of this milestone, we are donating a 10-and-a-half-foot town clock to the town of Marblehead to commemorate all the contributions this club has made to the town and all its residents over the past 100 years.”

Along with celebrating the club’s centennial, the gift is also meant to “commemorate our connection to our beautiful town,” Gwinn said.

The Rotary Club — whose motto is “Service above self” — plans to unveil the clock during a small ceremony at the

installation site on May 11 at 11 a.m., Gwin told the Select Board.

“We want to invite all of you to join us at this presentation and to accept the clock from our club,” Gwin wrote in an invitation addressed to the Select Board. “Immediately following this ceremony, we invite all of you to join us for lunch at the Boston Yacht Club to continue the celebration.”

The brand fabricating Marblehead’s community clock is Electric Time Street Clocks, a Bay State company founded in 1918. A quick Google search revealed that Rotary Clubs across the nation donate community clocks, especially to commemorate their centennial anniversaries.

Beware, tax season brings scams

STEPHEN BACH

It’s like Christmas to scammers looking to steal both your money and your personal information. Indeed, the IRS has warned of widespread attempts by fraudsters to get electronic filing identification numbers, which could be used to file bogus returns or steal your tax returns.

Here, then, are some simple ways to stay safe when filing your taxes online:

Pay attention to detail

The devil’s in the details, as they say. Read any emails you get on tax-related subjects with

care and suspicion, and avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments — especially if they come in unsolicited emails.

(Also, do NOT give out sensitive personal info like Social Security numbers, tax ID

SUPErINTENDENT UPDaTE

numbers or banking information via email.)

Next, watch for misspelled web addresses, a hallmark of phishing sites. You always want to be sure you are on the correct site, especially when filing electronically or using online tax software.

For example, does the web address shown in your browser actually say “turbotax.com,” or something like “turbtax.com” or “turbotax.ru”?

Stay one step ahead of crooks One way is to avoid public wifi connections when working with personal or financial info.

Because these are easy to fake, you’d be opening the door to cyber thieves.

If you receive a suspicious email or phone call claiming to be from a government agency, bank or bill collector, be sure to look up the organization’s contact information. Surprise claims of missed payments (or payouts) are big red flags to look out for.

Finally, keep in mind:

The IRS will never:

» Call to demand immediate payment with a specific payment method, like a credit card. They’ll typically send

Decisions on administrators near

BY JOHN BUCKEY

Good people of Marblehead Public Schools: March is a long month. There are no holidays; there are no vacations. It is neither winter nor spring.

On Nantucket, March is not-so-affectionately known as “hate month.” There are a variety of reasons for this, but suffice it to say, when Nantucket Nectars makes a trivia cap about it, it is a fact of island life.

Unfortunately, it seems the plague of March is creeping into

Merrigan

From P. A6

other painters to find a space, hang their work on the wall and then invite you over to judge it over a glass of wine. Akin to the musician or a stage actor awaiting your applause on the stage.

And mere kissing cousins to the writer and the poet. We are safely hidden away in a den writing something else by the time you crack open the page.

Not satisfied with this process, Kuliopulos took to the streets, going door-to-door to invite all and sundry to attend her exhibition. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the moxie. After all, I

Marblehead. At a leadership meeting this week, MHS Principal Dan Bauer was lamenting an uptick in negative, mean-spirited emails being sent to staff. Nods from his colleagues around the table affirmed that this is being felt across the district.

I write to ask that we take a collective step back and stop. Let’s return to a place of assuming positive intent. If there is a concern, reach out to schedule a time to meet face to face and discuss. The last thing our dedicated educators need at the end of a long day is to open a “flam-o-gram” questioning their intentions or integrity.

like action. And I respect these talented individuals who stand fast against the digital tide to create physical art in the real world. So I took one of her postcards and we made plans to go to my first Marblehead art exhibition.

I hope I never take for granted the degree of community support we enjoy here in Marblehead. I had imagined the exhibition would be a small, single-artist affair in a small gallery tucked away down a side street. Instead, the event turned out to be an entire shindig hosted by the Marblehead Arts Association.

It encompassed six galleries and the place was hopping with attendees. The show featured

Email can be both a blessing and a curse. All of us endeavor to give our best to our students and colleagues every day. Mistakes, misunderstandings and miscommunications happen. Adjudicating those through toxic and accusatory emails will generally not remedy things and almost always serve to increase the divide.

To quote an old song, “What the world needs now is love…” Let’s make March that month in Marblehead.

Search updates

We have made great progress this week with both of our searches, for the Marblehead

pros like Kuliopulos as well as high school students from across the North Shore.

I found a number of these pieces produced by local students striking, but the one that moved me the most was a photo called “Lost,” by Marblehead High School student Laura Botnaro. An image of a small child sitting alone on a\ couch in an abandoned building, it evoked exactly the sense the title indicates. Fine work, Laura!

The pro piece that really stood out to me was called “Moon Landing at Berkeley Hollow,” by Pamela Berkeley. Something in the ethereal colors and the foggy landscape seemed very much of a piece with our surroundings here in Marblehead. Back in

High School principal and the assistant superintendent for teaching and learning. I am hopeful that next week’s update will potentially announce decisions for both.

I am deeply grateful for the insightful and thoughtful participation of the search committees for these critical positions. We are on schedule to make decisions well in advance of the intended dates outlined in the search processes.

Public budget hearing

I am beyond grateful for the positive response to Tuesday’s public budget hearing. The catastrophic impact of an

Wyoming, sunny days are the rule. If it’s cloudy more than two days in a row it’s generally a blizzard or a forest fire. Meanwhile, I’m still adjusting to the long strings of slate-gray days we receive here in the Northeast. Berkeley’s piece contained a vibrancy in its portrayal of the local climate.

Finally, I turn back to Harikleia Kuliopulos, whose fearless doorto-dooring got me to the exhibition in the first place. I enjoyed her impressionistic-style pieces set in Marblehead. Many of them appeared to feature summer scenes, a season I’ve yet to enjoy here. Everyone keeps telling me, ‘Wait for summer! Summer is the best in Marblehead!’ And when I ask, ‘When is summer?’ they always answer

you a bill if you owe them money.

» Demand that you pay taxes now without giving you the chance to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.

» Threaten to bring in local police or any other law enforcement to arrest you for not paying. These sorts of “rough arm” tactics are typical of scam artists. If you’re ever in doubt, do not hesitate, call the IRS directly. Stephen Bach is the owner and chief of surgery at The Digital Docs in Marblehead.

$855,000 increase over our FY23 appropriation for FY24 would have on the district is real. We will present to the Finance Committee on Monday night at Abbot Hall to continue making the case for Article 31, which would be a level-service request, but require a joint override with the town. We appreciate the Select Board’s support in joining with us in the request to voters to support our schools and community.

All of our budget documents and information can be found on the homepage of the MPS website.

... June.

So, waiting for summer to arrive for real, I enjoyed those painted summer scenes instead. And although I am of the opinion that God’s own paintings back in Wyoming — fiery orange and purple sunsets and long, tawny reaches of high plains — ought to be the subject of a thousand paintings and just as many sculptures, I now live in a place that artists travel to in order to render on canvas. And even more so, a community where art is respected, admired and encouraged. I bear that in mind now every time I walk out the door.

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

Saying hello to a little friend

BY RICK CUZNER

For over 10 years, I have driven past this tree almost daily on the way home from work. Usually, I see a large empty cavity, but on occasion,

Buckey

From

Community

Art Night

The MHS National Art Honor Society would like to invite the Marblehead Community for a night of arts and crafts. The event will occur on March 31 from 5-8 p.m. in the MHS cafeteria.

Tickets are $10 at the door (cash only).

Activities for all ages

I have been pleasantly surprised to see a visitor. One nice, sunny day this winter was one such occasion when I spotted an Eastern screech owl basking in the afternoon sun.

will include rock painting, canvas painting, jewelry and keychain making, mask decorating, photo booth, face painting and more. NAHS will also sell crafts, art, and baked goods at the event.

Dollars for Scholars

In its 36th year, Marblehead Dollars for Scholars is sponsoring the third annual “Let’s Eat” during the month of March. Gift

Current is proud to partner with photographer Rick Cuzner. For the past 15 years, he has taken thousands of nature photographs that have captured the wild animals who call Marblehead home.

cards purchased at eight establishments (Shubie’s, Sea Salt, Caffe Italia, The Landing, Mino’s Roast Beef, Maria’s Gourmet, Soall and The Barrelman) will benefit Marblehead High School graduates.

Ten percent of every gift card will go directly to need-based scholarships for undergraduate college students. Each year, close to $200,000 is awarded to graduating seniors and advanced

standing students. Please participate.

Cheers to the achievers

Yesterday was a palindrome date, 3/23/23! March 24 is International Day for Achievers. Today we celebrate all those who have made significant contributions in their chosen fields and in doing so have made life a little better for all of us. Gold stars to our achievers!

The Marblehead

Ready for a repeat

Laxmen are defending conference champs

BY JOE MCCONNELL

The Marblehead High boys lacrosse team ended up 12-4 last year to secure the Northeastern Conference title, earning them the 10th seed in the Division 2 playoffs. The Magicians then romped over Hopkinton, the 23rd seed, in the Round of 32, 15-3, before dropping a close 8-5 decision to host Minnechaug, the seventh seed, in a Sweet 16 game. Veteran Marblehead coach John Wilkens anticipates another winning season with a good combination of veterans and underclassmen dotting the varsity roster. Tryouts for the

season started on March 20, and Wilkens welcomed 50 hopefuls to practice. Of the 50 players, 12 of them are freshmen.

“The new guys added some extra spark to the program,” Wilkens said. “We also have experience in each position on the field, but we now have to figure out how it all gels together in games.”

The Magicians coach added, “They all want to improve and are hungry and fired up to do so.”

Juniors Drew Nelson, Eliot Pluss, Wilson Bullard and J.J. Pollender will pose a solid defensive formation in front of senior goalie Finn

Magicians

seek

Maniaci. Maniaci returns after a sensational first year in the varsity net.

Maniaci is one of four captains on the team this year, along with Connor Cronin, Sam Annese and Carter Laramie.

Baxter Jennings, fresh off of winning the slalom in the state championship meet earlier this month and finishing second in the giant slalom, and Cronin, who recently announced on Twitter that he will be attending the Connecticut boarding school Avon Old Farms in the fall, will set the tone in the middle of the field this spring. Laramie will be joined by Charlie Grenier on the attack.

“If we just play our games,

» Winchester, April 1, 11 a.m.

» At Wakefield, April 6, 4:30 p.m.

» At Beverly, April 10, 4 p.m.

Swampscott, April 13, 4 p.m.

At Peabody, April 17, 10 a.m.

Danvers, April 19, 11 a.m.

» Masconomet, April 25, 4:30 p.m.

» Salem, April 27, 4 p.m.

» Beverly, May 1, 4 p.m.

At Danvers, May 4, 4:30 p.m.

we will have a good chance of repeating as (NEC) champs,” said Wilkens. “Masco and Danvers gave us good games last year, and we expect more of the same from them this season.”

» At Gloucester, May 8, 4:30 p.m.

» Bedford (N.H.), May 10, 4:30 p.m.

Peabody, May 11, 4:30 p.m.

At Masconomet, May 15, 4 p.m. Winthrop, May 18, 4:30 p.m.

» At Lexington, May 20, 3 p.m.

» At Newburyport, May 23, 4:30 p.m.

Melrose, May 26, 6 p.m.

After scrimmaging Austin Prep at home on March 25, the Magicians will begin the brandnew campaign on Saturday, April 1, against visiting Winchester. The game starts at 11 a.m.

return to winning ways

Girls lacrosse begins season Thursday at home

BY JOE MCCONNELL

Marblehead High girls lacrosse

coach Annie Madden understood that last year was going to be a transition year after losing three pivotal seniors to graduation.

The Magicians went through it and were able to survive the process to record an 8-12 regular season record before winning a Division 2 state tournament game, 18-6, against Tantasqua Regional, the 35th seed, in the preliminary round. They then lost to Bedford, the third seed, 16-6, in the Round of 32. The Marblehead girls were ranked 30th overall.

“We have a lot of girls coming back with at least one year of varsity experience,” said Madden. “They are all in good shape and working hard and getting better since we started practice (on March 20).”

To get ready for the season, Coach Madden brought her players to Lexington for a “Play Day,” which featured six 20-minute scrimmages against

Woburn, March 30, 4 p.m. Manchester Essex, April 3, 4 p.m.

» At Ipswich, April 6, 4:30 p.m.

» Beverly, April 10, 4 p.m.

» At Swampscott, April 13, 4 p.m.

At Danvers, April 15, 10 a.m.

Peabody, April 17, 10 a.m.

» At Masconomet, April 25, 4:30 p.m.

» At Salem, April 27, 4 p.m.

» At Saugus, April 28, 4 p.m.

At Beverly, May 1, 4 p.m.

Danvers, May 4, 4:30 p.m.

At Reading, May 6, 4 p.m.

» Gloucester, May 8, 4:30 p.m.

» At Peabody, May 11, 6 p.m.

» Masconomet, May 17, 4:30 p.m. At Winthrop, May 18, 4 p.m. North Reading, May 22, 4:15 p.m.

Westford, Framingham, Reading, Woburn, Phillips Andover and

Marblehead veteran boys lacrosse coach John Wilkens is ready to begin another season with a team defending its NEC title.

MHS BOYS LACROSSE SCHEDULE

GIRLS LACROSSE SCHEDULE

COURTESY PHOTO

Marblehead girls lacrosse captain Saylor Caruso carries the ball up field during a game last year.

LACROSSE, P. A10

Observer Corps Reports are provided by volunteers from the Marblehead League of Women Voters. To learn more about the League and its activities, see my.lwv.org/massachusetts/ marblehead.

Disabilities Commission

» DATE: March 9

» LWVM OBSERVER: Nancy Powell

» MEMBERS PRESENT:Laurie Blaisdell, Amy Hirschkron (remote), Ed Lang (remote), Samantha Marino (remote).

» GUESTS PRESENT: Pamela Daly

» MEMBERS ABSENT: Katie Farrell, Andrea Mountain, Cheryl LaLonde

Invited guest

Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King was welcomed to the meeting.

Commission members shared concerns about pedestrians having to move onto the street because of drivers who frequently park their cars on sidewalks or too close to corners or intersections. Hirschkron said this is especially dangerous for those with auditory, vision and mobility impairments. She noted that police, when called, will ticket illegally parked cars, but this doesn’t seem to be a routine procedure they follow.

King explained there is selective enforcement around traffic and timed parking due to coverage needs at any given time during the day. He urges citizens with such concerns to call the MPD non-emergency line so that an officer could be dispatched to address the situation by speaking with the vehicle owner or ticketing the vehicle. He further stated that multiple calls are helpful and always appreciated. He explained that the department does not typically tow a vehicle unless the violation persists.

Hirschkron proposed further steps to increase public and law enforcement awareness regarding this issue. Blaisdell will contact local news outlets to see if a friendly reminder could be published to highlight the sidewalk parking problem.

King indicated that in 2022 MPD received over 700 parkingviolation calls and collected in excess of $40,000 from parking citations.

Blaisdell said that monies accrued from handicap-parking citations ($1,500 in 2022) could be used to fund training of MPD officers in responding effectively when people on the autism spectrum or those with communication or sensory disorders are involved.

Blaisdell expressed concern that crosswalk light signals do not appear to be in the sightline of drivers, with some lights having sunshields covering the actual walk lights.

In addition, she pointed out that it is difficult for vehicles

turning right on red to visualize people crossing in wheelchairs, increasing the chance of a collision.

Lang wondered about the potential for vehicle accessibility to the lower sports fields at the high school. King expressed that vehicle traffic on that road might create a hazard for pedestrians but promised to explore that further.

Magic Hat Thrift Shop

Mary Ann Dunn and Farrell had previously notified Blaisdell of an accessibility issue at the Magic Hat located at the Veterans Middle School. The shop has an entrance with a ramp but has neither a curb cut nor a handicapped parking space.

A proposal was offered to move handicap access to another entry point that already exists in the building for use by people with mobility impairments. The Commission maintains that the shop should make the main entrance usable for all individuals for the sake of equity, and they have approached the school’s facilities director who is interested in making this happen. This project is estimated to cost between $3,000 and $5,000 and would be paid for by the Magic Hat.

Next meeting: April 13 at 4:15 p.m., Abbot Public Library, 3 Brook Road and via Zoom.

Recreation and Parks Commission

DATE: Monday, March 13, 6:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Jacobi

Community Center Dining Room

LWVM OBSERVER: Kay Rieper

MEMBERS PRESENT: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Derek Norcross. Present: Linda Rice-Collins, Matt Martin, Karin Ernst, Rosanna Ferrante, Peter James and Jaime Bloch. The minutes from the last meeting were approved.

Appearances

Four members of the junior and senior classes at MHS requested the use of Usher’s Field at Devereux Beach from April 30 until May 8 for the annual carnival. Proceeds will be split among all classes at the high school.

Steve Cooper and other supporters of the Marblehead Dog Park met with the Commission to discuss better access to the park for bringing in supplies to fix and improve the facility. At this time, supplies have to be

by Caruso, her classmate and captain, the coach said.

brought in by wheelbarrow load. The Commission will assist in finding out when better access will be available.

A proposal to put fundraising signs on the dog park fence would have to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Cooper also requested a bench to honor Dave Cameron some time in the future. Also present was Katie Jenkins, who is planning to improve the dog park facility as her Eagle Scout project. New business Norcross, James and Bloch met with Thatcher Kezer and COA members to establish a working group. James presented the budget to the Finance Committee. He was asked for a possible 4% reduction, depending on the fate of the overrides. One pickleball court at the Vets is damaged and unplayable. The School Department head of facilities will be advised as the School Department “owns” these courts.

Recreation

—Bloch reported that hiring for the summer is going well. The Daddy-Daughter dance is March 24 and will have cupcake decorating.

An “egg-drop challenge” will be on April 2.

» On Wednesday, March 15 at 11 a.m., kayak rack renewal permits will open online, and new permits will open May 1.

Parks

A section of the wall at Stramski’s has been completed.

» Invasive plants have been removed at Castle Rock.

» They are working on erosion mitigation at Chandler Hovey with boulders in place in five areas, paid for with FEMA funds.

» When it is dry enough, tarps will be removed from the fields, and mowing and fertilizing will be done.

The Department will receive $17,200 from the Shattuck Fund, which may be used to increase the times that the lights are on at the courts.

Kathy Helmes reached out to James about having her garden club assist with landscaping on the Neck parks.

» Sustainable Marblehead will have volunteers for plantings at Chandler Hovey with the department helping with obtaining supplies.

Harbors and Waters Board

DATE: Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m. at the Harbormaster’s Office

LWVM OBSERVER: Kathy Breslin

MEMBERS PRESENT: John Doub, Ken Breen, Clarke Smith, Rick Cuzner OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Mark Souza, harbormaster AGENDA

Meeting called to order and January minutes approved.

Public questions on State Street bathroom

Resident Phil Blaisdell brought up Article 32, sponsored by the Board of Selectmen and others, which was passed at Town Meeting in May 1996. It provided that the State Street bathroom would be kept open year-round, with the Recreation and Parks Department in charge; funding was provided. Ultimately, the furnace for heating during the winter was not serviced or maintained; it failed, and the pipes burst. Jurisdiction was subsequently transferred from Rec and Parks to Harbors and Waters. It has not been kept open during the winter for some years. Phil offered to assemble a group of volunteers to maintain the bathroom as had been done in the past.

The harbormaster, Mark Souza, stated that the furnace would likely need to be replaced. The recent $50,000 state grant to renovate the bathroom did not address the gas bills for heating. In addition, there is no line item for heating the bathroom in the general facilities budget. The Harbors and Waters Board does not feel they should oversee maintaining the bathroom. Souza stated that he would speak to Amy McHugh about the furnace and that he would investigate an alternative department to manage the State Street bathroom. The other public bathrooms are managed by Rec and Parks.

Blaisdell commented that keeping the State Street bathroom open year-round would benefit residents and especially tourists. In addition, Town Meeting voted for it, and the town’s will should be upheld. Rockport has a bathroom open year-round on T Wharf.

Resident Steve Wolf mentioned that the Marblehead Harbor Plan is in the rough draft phase and open for comments. Souza stated that he would submit comments for the State Street revitalization plan.

FY 24 budget discussions

Nothing to report since the last meeting.

Harbormaster report

» Parker’s boat yard docks are 90% built, awaiting decking.

Dave Haley moves all the town’s docks. He recently found the missing Village Street dock and brought it back.

» New software system update: The software company didn’t understand the department’s customers’ issues. Souza had been on the phone with them daily. The town requires documentation and registration for its mooring permits; other towns don’t. Souza would like to eliminate the documentation and

registration requirements. Now, registrants need the expiration date and registration number. The West Shore mooring wait list is now two to three years.

Stramski’s Beach accessibility: The eel grass is an issue, unsure about limitations. Ray Bates was consulted and found too many plants, but they are not on the eelgrass map. The town needs a survey; then the area will get on the eelgrass map.

Meeting adjourned.

Harbors and Waters Board

DATE: March 6 at the Harbormaster’s Office

LWVM OBSERVER: Kathy Breslin

AGENDA

Meeting called to order and February minutes approved. State Street conveyor belt repairs

The commercial fishermen take care of the maintenance of the conveyer belt. This year, a mounting pin needs replacing, and the town will assist.

FY 24 budget updates

Nothing to report as the town Finance Department has not finalized their budget.

Harbormaster report

Parker’s boat yard: The two new floats are complete. Craig Smith and the Marblehead harbormaster’s crew built them. The State Street gangway had a snapped bridle plate, tearing the eye bolts off. It was sent back to Gloucester where it was built and repaired at no charge.

» State Street bathroom: A meeting is planned with the harbormaster, Select Board and resident Phil Blaisdell. Another federal grant may be available to completely replace the bathroom. If it is state of the art, it will be easier to transfer to another department. Currently, the plumbing leaks, there is no insulation, and heating pipes can freeze. It needs a new roof. The cost to heat the building in the cold season is $500 per month.

» Moorings: There will be five boats in the harbor in the 50-60-foot-long range. DockWa opens March 15. There are usually 200 requests for the season. There is a three-day minimum for the July 4 holiday. Moorings are $50/ night, $6/ft per night.

Busy sailing season: From May 1 to Oct. 31, there is a regatta every weekend, in addition to the Halifax race. The Beringer Bowl regatta is not likely to happen but may be replaced by a one-day race to Scituate and back. There will be another Lindsay Smith regatta. Salem Harbor has 200 transient moorings. Hawthorne Cove in Salem has a launch service.

Algonquin.

Saylor Caruso and Sydney Langton are this year’s captains, and they will lead a team that will be working for every ground ball and showing up to compete both offensively and defensively, according to Madden.

“Their work ethic has really impressed me in the early going,” Madden said.

The veteran Marblehead coach has 41 players trying out this year, and five of them are freshmen.

“We have a large group of sophomores and juniors on this roster,” said Madden. “But we will still lean heavily on our six seniors.”

Among the seniors is second-year varsity goalie Kate Santeusanio, who works well with her defensive cohorts, led

Senior Isabelle Ferrante will be counted on to lead the offense, while Lucy Wales and Langton will provide aggressiveness at midfield to help her teammates finish off scoring plays.

Senior Tamia Johnson is back in uniform after recovering from an ACL injury, and her perseverance alone should help solidify the defense.

“(Johnson) will bring us to the next level with her strength,” said Madden. “These seniors should be able to pull this large group of sophomores and juniors together for a winning season.”

Two years ago, they had a winning season with a 10-5 record, and if everything goes well, they will get back on that successful track this spring.

These Magicians will open up the 2023 campaign at home against Woburn on Thursday, March 30, starting at 4 p.m.

Lacrosse CP_MBHC_20230329_1_A10

P. A9

March schedule at Abbot Public Library

New digs

The Abbot Public Library has temporarily moved into the Eveleth School, 3 Brook Road, while its Pleasant Street building undergoes a multi-million-dollar renovation. Library hours are the following:

Monday: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

» Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

» Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursday: Noon to 6 p.m.

Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

» Sunday: Closed.

Note: The Children’s Room will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Returns are accepted inside the library in the blue bin near the main desk or, if the library is closed, outside its main entrance in the black Library Return bin. Book donations are only accepted on Book Donation Days.

For updates on the renovations, visit abbotlibrary. org/news/renovation-news.

Sign up for the library’s

newsletter at tinyurl.com/ Abbot-News.

Fines no more

Abbot Public Library is now fine-free. Visit abbotlibrary.org/ about/general-info to learn more about borrowing materials and to get a library card.

Tech and misc. things

The library offers Book Club Kits, Chromebooks, hotspots and more in its Library of Things. Visit abbotlibrary.org/ what-we-offer/library-of-things to learn more.

Need to use a copier?

Abbot Public Library does not charge a fee per page, but it asks that patrons contribute what they wish when copying. Funds will be donated to The Friends of Abbot Public Library.

Get your museum on Visit abbotlibrary.org/whatwe-offer/get-a-museum-pass to reserve passes and promo codes for some of the best museums in

the Greater Boston Area.

Thanks to the generous support of the Friends of Abbot Public Library, the library offers passes and promo codes to:

» Boston Children’s Museum

Harvard Art Museums

(coming soon)

The House of the Seven Gables

» The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston*

Isabella Stewart Gardner

Museum

Museum of Fine Arts

» Museum of Science

» New England Aquarium (now a digital promo code)

» Peabody Essex Museum

Trustees Go Pass

Zoo New England Patrons without access to the internet may reserve a pass/ promo code right at the main desk or by calling (781) 631-1481, though some passes may require an email address to be used.

Courageous Aging: A support group for older adults Friday, March 31, 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. This weekly program is led

by Carol O’Brien.

Tax Counseling for the elderly program

» Mondays, April 3 and 10, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

To reserve a spot, please call the Reference Desk at 781-631-1481. You will need your last year’s tax returns and 2022 paperwork. For more information, please visit abbotlibrary.org/ tax-prep-program.

Consumer protection series

» Thursday, March 30, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Abbot Public Library will host Robin Putnam from the Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation in Boston, who will present a monthly series on safe practices for consumers. Putnam will discuss the topic of skimming devices and how to identify and protect yourself against credit card fraud. To register, visit tinyurl.com/ Mar-2023-Skimming

Story Time A-Go-Go

Wednesday, March 29, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Children are invited to the library’s weekly Wednesday program with stories and movements led by early childhood educator Debbie Leibowitz. This program is for kids ages 1-4 in the Program Room.

Chess players meet-up Wednesdays, March 29, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students in grades 4-6 who already know how to play the game are invited to play each other on Wednesdays after school in the Children’s Room. Boards and pieces will be provided. Players rotate through to give maximum practice with players of different skill levels. This is not an instruction class. The maximum number of participants is eight, and registration is required. Call the Children’s Room at 781-631-1481

shortfalls in future years.

The proposed override also includes funding for Marblehead Public Schools, allocating $1.388 million to town and $1.134 million to the school district.

“If an override went on the ballot and it had passed today, that would go into the town and the schools,” Kezer said. “My intent is to come through with some final numbers, and like I said, there’ll be some changes, but they’re relatively small.”

The schools’ allocation may seem smaller, but only on the surface, Kezer suggested.

“Be aware that a large chunk of the schools’ costs show up on the town side,” Kezer said. “That is the raw breakout.”

The Select Board cemented the one-override decision by signing off on “a statement of intent,” outlining how a general override would be used, if Marblehead voters approve it.

Members abandoned their plans for a second override to put money into the town’s stabilization fund, at least for now. Town Meeting has already deposited $500,000 in the fund over the past two years. Municipalities set up stabilization funds to squirrel away money and build a financial cushion.

With a two-thirds vote of Town Meeting, the town can dip into the reserve fund during economic uncertainty, revenue

shortfalls and unexpected emergencies. Reserve funds help keep what one might consider to be Marblehead’s credit score in good shape, translating to cost savings for taxpayers due to lower interest rates when the town borrows money.

“Our intent is to defer on proposing a second override to accelerate funding of our stabilization fund so that we don’t overburden the taxpayers this year by addressing the

stabilization fund and to allow our newly installed finance team, utilizing our new information systems, time to develop a longer-term strategy to address our financial challenges,” said Select Board Chair Moses Grader, reading from the statement of intent. “By taking this slower and more prudent approach, we believe we can take the time to address our challenges and streamline the override process this year.”

Meanwhile, Marblehead Finance Committee members have entered the final stages of their budgetary review, analysis and approval process before the Town Meeting in May. Wednesday’s decision allows members to move forward with that work.

Finance Committee Chair

Alec Goolsby said his committee would convene two public hearings to review and analyze each department’s budget before they hold their annual warrant

hearing. All will be held in the Select Board Room of Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St. The public hearings are scheduled as follows:

» Monday, March 27: Cemetery, Assessor, Health and Waste, Town Clerk/ Election and Schools.

Monday, April 3: Retirement, Water and Sewer, Rec and Park, Library, and Select Board.

» Monday, April 10: Warrant hearing.

Marblehead Finance Committee members discuss their schedule leading up to Town Meeting

CURRENT PHOTOS / WILLIAM J. DOWD

Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer addresses the Select Board on Wednesday, March 29.

‘I get to help’

Kennedy finds joy in meeting immigrants’ demand for English skills

BY CHRISTINE McCARRISTON

About 16 years ago, Trish Kennedy saw a notice in the Star of the Sea Church bulletin seeking volunteers to teach English to adults for Catholic Charities North. She answered the call and was so impressed by the program she went from being a volunteer to a lead teacher, program coordinator and finally the English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program manager, a position she has held since 2018.

“I wake up every morning so happy to go to work,” Kennedy said. “My heart leaps.”

The happiness comes from the collaboration with her coworkers in the Lynn and Salem offices of Catholic Charities North and the interactions with her students.

“At Catholic Charities, we all work together to help,” she explained. “We can direct people to health, housing and job resources. The whole team works together to serve the whole individual.”

The agency will also help clients through paperwork and bureaucracy that can be challenging.

The students are the key to Kennedy’s professional joy. She finds the people seeking to learn English willing to put in the work and then leaving with pride after learning the language of their new home.

“As they trust us more, they tell us more,” she said.

And when they divulge more, Kennedy and her coworkers are there to help more.

SchOOL BUDGET

As with most everything, the COVID pandemic changed the way Kennedy and Catholic Charities met the needs of their clients. Zoom was an adequate substitute for in-person English classes for adult learners, but much was lost for speakers of other languages.

“There is something dynamic that happens in person,” she said, smiling. “The students laugh more, make friends and learn about the culture.”

Kennedy added that when attending classes in person, students not only learn about the culture of America but each other’s cultures, too. Kennedy spoke of students who realize that some of their peers, like those who speak Arabic, are not just learning a new language but a new alphabet, too.

“There is mutual respect,” she said.

Some readers may recognize Kennedy from Marblehead High School, where she was a member of the lunch staff from 2004 to 2011 and a special education paraprofessional after that. Others may know her as their or their child’s religious education teacher at Star of the Sea, where she volunteered for about 10 years.

Kennedy said she “loved those jobs” but is very grateful for her current job.

“There was a student from Albania who came to a Know Your Rights talk,” she recalled. “He didn’t speak or understand English, but he came to learn. He handed me a small piece of paper that said: ‘Can you help me?’ The fact that I can say ‘yes, I can’ is

Some readers may recognize Kennedy from Marblehead High School, where she was a member of the lunch staff from 2004 to 2011 and a special education paraprofessional after that.

a gift. So many people want to help, but they don’t know how and I do. I get to help.”

In her current position as ESOL program manager, Kennedy helps write grants, plans and conducts training for volunteers, develops curriculum, attends seminars, and organizes and attends field trips with students. But her favorite part of the day is teaching English classes.

“I make sure that I teach at least one class,” she said, noting that the connection to the students is what is most important to her.

In the few years since the pandemic lockdown, Kennedy has found herself based in the Lynn office, where the need is great and continues to increase.

“Many of our students were frontline workers and still went to work during the lockdown,” she explained. “Others had children who were now at home

(in 2020). We had to build the program back up. We now have almost 200 students in Lynn with 15 to 20 more showing up each week, looking for English classes.”

The clientele in Salem generally came from the Dominican Republic. Last year in Lynn, students hailed mostly from Guatemala. This year, Kennedy sees many students from Haiti and Morocco. All of them are eager to learn and work hard.

“We had one student who came knowing no English,” she said. “She came to her English class but then asked if she could come to more to observe. She came to every single class from morning until night. Three years later, she was fluent in English and spoke for herself in a public setting.”

Kennedy added that the student also got a job during that time. The self-advocacy came

when she was speaking with representatives from the offices of Congressman Seth Moulton and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren. “The student was asked a question that someone started to answer for her, and she said politely, ‘I can speak for myself,’” Kennedy said.

Catholic Charities North is back to in-person lessons with just one advanced class held via Zoom. Kennedy works hard to place all those interested in learning English in a class but said it is getting more difficult, given the need.

Those who are not placed yet get a weekly call from Kennedy assuring them she will get them into a class eventually.

“How do you say no?” she asked. “They’ll work so hard. How do you say no?”

Kennedy’s daughter Eileen recently created a documentary about the refugee experience in Ireland, and she finds herself echoing her daughter’s words.

“Immigrants aren’t just a group; they’re an individual with hopes, fears and dreams,” Kennedy said. “That is the most important thing to keep in mind.”

30+ teachers, freshman sports on chopping block without override

BY LEIGH BLANDER

Superintendent of Schools John Buckey has outlined a long list of staffing and program cuts that will be necessary under a reduced services budget if voters don’t approve a Proposition 2 1/2 override.

“No one wants to make these cuts,” Buckey said at a School Committee public hearing on March 21. “We don’t want to eliminate freshman sports. We don’t want to have a middle school that doesn’t have a librarian. We don’t want to see class sizes increased.”

Buckey presented two budgets for fiscal year 2024. The first is the $44.7 million reduced services plan that includes a 1.8% spending increase, but does not require an override. The second is what Buckey called a “level services” budget of $45.9 million that would save jobs and programs but require an override. The Select Board has agreed to include school funding in its town-wide override request, estimated at $2.5 million.

Under the reduced services budget, the district would have to eliminate 33 positions across all schools, including

several special education staff, and reallocate or reduce another four positions. It would also cut all high school freshman sports along with the librarian position at Veterans Middle School. To see the full list of cuts, go to .

“I want to make it abundantly clear that I 100% support the ask for our levelfunded budget,” said School Committee Chair Sarah Fox. “I cannot fathom the results of not having level funding.”

Parents weighed in at the meeting, mostly supporting the level services plan.

“It’s heartbreaking that there’s even

an option that it could be less than that,” said Catherine Martin. “My freshman’s world culture textbook is from 1996. We need curriculum updates.”

Samantha Rosato added, “I’ve had a student in the district since 2009. I’m gutted that Vets might lose a librarian. Our students and staff were asked to make so many sacrifices during COVID, I don’t think they should be asked to give up anything else.”

Dan Albert asked why the cuts don’t include the superintendent’s office itself.

“I’ve seen a lot of scary things,” he said. “I didn’t hear anything about the central office. One of the most obvious solutions is to eliminate the superintendent and consolidate with Swampscott. I would certainly like to hear how we’re going to gut the central office before we’re going to gut the teaching staff.”

Buckey shared what he called “good news” that Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer will schedule a hearing to request that $350,000 in ARPA funds (federal money for COVID recovery efforts) go to the schools for textbooks, SMART panels, software and more. The hearing would

be before the town’s ARPA Committee, which decides how and where to allocate those dollars.

The town was awarded $6 million in ARPA funds. School Committee member Alison Taylor and several parents wondered why the schools have only received about 8% of those funds, even though the schools make up 50% of the town budget. To date, the town has given the schools $475,000 in ARPA funds, Buckey said.

“If we think we need more, then we should go for it, request it and get the public behind it,” Martin said.

Voters will get their say on the override request at Town Meeting May 1. If the override passes by a two-thirds vote, it will need to be approved in a town election on June 20. Additional $$$ for capital projects

Buckey also announced that “just today at the 11th hour, I met with Thatcher and the town has agreed to fund our capital requests.” The district asked for $234,000 to pay for capital projects including resurfacing playgrounds, updating exterior lighting, gym padding and a new school bus.

Retirement board seeks change to COLA calculation

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

The Marblehead Retirement Board has proposed an increase in the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) calculation base for retirees and beneficiaries of the Marblehead pension system.

At present, the COLA

adjustment of 3% is applied to the first $12,000 of a person’s total pension, known as the “COLA base.” The Retirement Board has unanimously voted to raise the base to $14,000, citing inflation. However, the proposal still requires approval from the Town Meeting to become

official, which is expected to be addressed under Article 33 on the 2023 Town Meeting warrant. Retirement Board Chair Bob Peck emphasized that the COLA base has remained at $12,000 for many years. He said increasing the base is important, given the current economic climate.

“More and more municipalities are increasing their bases,” he said. “Crazy inflation made this COLA-increase decision obvious.”

If Article 33 is adopted, 325 retirees and beneficiaries would be eligible for the $14,000 base, effective from July 1,

2023. The Retirement Board analysis determined that the change would raise the average annual pension by $460.92 to $29,530.54, or $38.41 per month.

In all, the proposed increase from the $12,000 base to the $14,000 base would cost $15,998 more annually.

COURTESY PHOTO

Trish Kennedy of Marblehead, center, teaches an adult English class at Catholic Charities North. Kennedy started as a volunteer in 2007 when she answered a Star of the Sea Church bulletin notice and is now the English Speakers of Other Languages program manager.

Programs, classes, events for seniors in April

All programs are held at the Judy and Gene Jacobi Community Center, 10 Humphrey St., unless otherwise stated. Questions? Call 781-6316225 or email councilonaging@ marblehead.org.

Lunch at the COA

Lunch is offered on Tuesdays at noon for $3. The meals are prepared in the Council on Aging’s commercial kitchen. These lunches are supported by The Friends of the Council on Aging.

Grab-n-go lunches

Grab-n-go lunches are offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the Council on Aging. Pick-up time is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Reservations must be made the Thursday before by calling 781-631-6225.

Traveling Chef

On Friday, April 14, at noon, enjoy lunch prepared by the Traveling Chef. There will be no grab-n-go lunch this day.

Friends of the Council on Aging

fundraiser

Save the date: This fundraiser will be Thursday, April 27, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Landing Restaurant. More details to follow.

Visit with your state representative

Chat with State Rep. Jenny Armini at the COA on Friday, April 14, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

COA Speaker Series

Preview to Town Meeting: Hear from Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer and Town Moderator Jack Attridge as they discuss the May 1 Town Meeting. Wednesday, April 19, at 12:30 p.m. To RSVP, call 781-631-6225.

Sing-along

Come sing to golden oldies, show tunes, hymns, folk tunes, sea shanties and more. Wednesdays, April 4 and 18, 11 a.m. to noon. If you play a musical instrument, bring that along. (Triangles and kazoos count!)

Movie Days

Come watch “Jerry & Marge’’ on Friday, April 14 at 1 p.m. When retiree Jerry Selbee discovers a mathematical loophole in the Massachusetts lottery, he and his wife go on an exciting, multi-million dollar winning spree with the goal of reviving their small Michigan town.

Then on Friday, April 28, at 1 p.m., watch “To Catch a Thief.” American expatriate John Robie, living in high style on the Riviera, is a retired cat burglar. He must track down a copycat thief to keep a new wave of jewel thefts from being pinned on him. RSVP at 781-631-6225.

Trips & Tours

The COA is planning several trips and tours this spring and summer, including a luncheon and Bee Gees tribute concert at the Danversport Yacht Club on Tuesday, May 23; a luncheon and The Texas Tenors concert at the Danversport Yacht Club on Tuesday, June 23; and a Montreal-Quebec trip July 18-21. For more information and to sign up, call Janice at 781-631-6225.

Coffee with a Cop

Join Chief Dennis King or someone else from the Marblehead Police Department to discuss community concerns. Fridays at 8:30 a.m.

Blood Pressure Clinic

Drop-in blood pressure clinic on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon.

Fitness Center is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Passes can be purchased for $10 for five visits.

Tap is Back at the COA

If you’ve always wanted to try tap dancing, or if you took

classes as a kid and want to start again, check out this introductory class on Thursday, April 13, at 9:30 a.m. Taught by Debi Cocco, the class will keep you moving and cover all the basic tap steps.

Tai Chi/Qigong

Tai Chi/Qigong is an excellent form of exercise for low-impact strengthening, stress relief, balance and flexibility. Qigong is an ancient Chinese system that combines breathing, movement and meditation to cultivate health and wellbeing. Thursdays at 1 p.m. $5.

Chair Volleyball

Chair Volleyball is now at the COA on Wednesdays and Fridays, 1 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Muscle Conditioning

Senior Muscle Conditioning with Kim on Mondays and Fridays at 9 a.m and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Cost is $3.

Stay Active

North Shore Physical Therapy runs an osteo class on Mondays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. There’s also Balance and Mobility with Mary Manning on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Each class is $3.

Zumba Gold

Zumba Gold classes are held on Wednesdays at noon. It is a lower intensity dance class inspired by Latin and world music.

Parkinson’s Fitness

The Parkinson’s Fitness class is free on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. Specifically developed for folks with Parkinson’s disease but appropriate for all, this class focuses on strength, mobility and balance. This program is paid for by the Friends of the Council on Aging.

Indoor Curling

Indoor curling takes place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

No experience is necessary for this indoor sport. Instructions on how to play the game will be

available at every session. Yearly fee is $15. Contact pbibbo@aol. com with questions.

Stretch & Strength

The Council on Aging offers a Strength & Stretch class on Mondays at 11:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 11 a.m. Cost is $3.

Step it Up

Karen Jancsy leads this lowimpact movement and muscle conditioning class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 a.m.

Weight Training

A Weight Training class is held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8:45 a.m. Cost is $3.

Yoga with Evie

This yoga class is held on Mondays at 9 a.m., Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. and Thursdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m.

Chair Yoga

Gail Perry Borden teaches Chair Yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. Cost is $3.

Line Dancing

Kate Hoffman teaches Line Dancing on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first hour is focused on beginners; however, all are welcome and encouraged to participate. Cost is $5.

Quilting

Learn how to quilt in this class on Thursdays at 10 a.m. Cost is $5 per class.

Knitting Group

Drop-in knitting is Thursdays at 9 a.m.

Cribbage

Cribbage is held on Tuesdays. Doors close at 9:30 a.m.

Mahjong

Play mahjong Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

I Love Bridge

This advanced bridge instruction class meets Mondays, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $5. Drop-in bridge is on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to noon, and

Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Canasta

Canasta is now at the COA on Thursdays and Fridays, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Medicare Advantage

open enrollment

If you’re currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan you can make a change to your coverage or change to Original Medical with a supplement and a Part D drug program. Changes can be made until March 31. If you’re new to Medicare or considering a review of your plan, call the COA at 781-631-6225 and schedule an appointment with a trained counselor.

Get a senior Charlie Card

People who are 65 years or older are eligible for reduced MBTA fares with a senior Charlie Card. These cards are valid for eight years. Call Nadine Lepick at 781-631-6225 Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to ask questions or make an appointment to process an application. Cards can also be reloaded with cash on any bus.

Want a lift?

The COA offers transportation services to both in-town and outof-town medical appointments and in-town errands such as the hairdresser, bank, to vote or to the COA for programs and/or lunch. Weekly grocery shopping trips to Crosby’s and Market Basket and bimonthly trips to the North Shore Mall are also available. Transportation runs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. To schedule a ride, call 781-631-6225.

Home safety audits

The town offers home safety audits to local residents. A representative from both the Marblehead Fire Department and the Council on Aging will schedule a time to meet seniors at their homes and review and discuss home safety options. Also, free fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and lock boxes can be installed. To learn more, contact Sharon Doliber at 781-631-6225.

Staff spotlight: Gymnastics Director Hall

BY BRIAN FLYNN, LVO YMCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Meet Kaitlyn Hall, the Y’s director of gymnastics. Hall is originally from Kansas City, MO, where she fell in love with gymnastics. From a young age, she developed a passion for gymnastics and competed in gymnastics on competitive teams and then in college. Hall was a Junior Olympic Level 10 national champion in 2013 and 2014. She then went on to compete at Rutgers University where she was voted an All-Big 10 selection and captain of the team.

Hall graduated from Rutgers in 2020 and moved to the North Shore. She was promoted to gymnastics director at the Y in the winter of 2021. Hall has already made her mark leading recreational and competitive programming. She is known for her passion and skills in teaching kids the basics of gymnastics and helping to develop their skills.

“One of the reasons I work for the Y is to help kids develop the love for gymnastics that I had as a child,” Hall said.

The Y offers recreational gymnastics classes and competitive teams in Marblehead, Beverly and Haverhill. Our progressive lessons help children

fine-tune their talents and love of the sport. With experienced instructors like Hall leading the way, students are excited and motivated to learn new skills each week. Gymnasts at every level receive a unique, fun and rewarding experience at the Y. There are options for children from preschool to teens with Y recreational and team programs. Our nationally ranked team, Phoenix United,

strives to train, teach and motivate children to achieve their potential in competitive gymnastics. Our program consists of USAG levels 2-9. Gymnasts compete in local, state and regional championships throughout the year. Team gymnastics is designed for children who are interested in pursuing gymnastics at a more competitive level, offering many benefits, including

the opportunity to compete against other teams, the chance to work with experienced coaches and the potential to earn scholarships and other rewards for their hard work and dedication.

Not ready to commit to a team? Recreational gymnastics is a fantastic sport that offers a wide range of benefits for children. This program is a great way for children to learn the basics of gymnastics in a fun and supportive environment. It is designed to introduce gymnastics at a beginner level, focusing on developing basic skills like balance, coordination and body awareness. Our program includes a variety of activities and games that help children learn these skills in a fun and engaging way.

The physical development gymnastics can encourage often translates to better overall health and wellness as children who are physically active are more likely to maintain a healthy weight, avoid chronic health conditions and enjoy better mental health. Children who participate in gymnastics often develop strong self-discipline and focus, as they must work hard to master new skills and routines. They learn to set goals and work towards achieving them, which can help them develop a sense of purpose

and motivation. Children who participate in team gymnastics also learn how to work together, communicate effectively and support one another, which can be invaluable skills in all areas of life.

To learn more about Y gymnastics visit https://www. northshoreymca.org/programs/ gymnastics-cheer-and-tumblingprograms

The Y is better together, refer a friend

Refer a friend to the Y and we’ll thank you with a free month of membership while your friend receives a $0 enrollment fee. Visit the welcome center or reach out to Membership Director Jane Rizza at rizzaj@northshoreymca. org.

About the YMCA of the North Shore

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits, strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. For more than 160 years, the YMCA of the North Shore has been the foundation of the community. It serves more than 45,000 members and program participants in 25 cities and towns across the North Shore and in southern New Hampshire.

Y Gymnastics Director Kaitlynn Hall wants to pass on her love of the sport.

Katharine ‘Kittie’ Cutting

Katharine “Kittie” Cutting, a longtime resident of Marblehead, passed away on March 23, 2023, in Danvers surrounded by her family.

Born April 12, 1929, in Troy, New York, to the late Walter and Katharine Conway (nee McManus), she was raised and educated in Albany, attending high school at the Vincentian Institute. After high school, Kittie attended the College of Saint Rose, graduating in 1951.

Kittie met her husband, Reed,

while vacationing on Nantucket. They were married in 1956 and settled on Nantucket and started their family. They moved to Marblehead in 1960, where they raised their five children. In 1973, they left Marblehead to live in Boulder,

Colorado, for a year, and in 1984 they spent a year in Oxford, England, where her husband was on a teaching exchange.

Kittie was employed for several years at MIT in the Office of Foreign Studies as an office administrator and at Devcon Inc. as the executive assistant to the president. She and her husband enjoyed traveling and entertaining. Kittie was a member of the Marblehead Arrangers Garden Club and an active parishioner at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Marblehead. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and many friends. She was also a longtime friend of Bill and Lois W.

In addition to her parents, Kittie was predeceased by her

husband, F. Reed Cutting Sr., who passed away in May of 2012, and her brothers, Bob Conway and Peter Conway.

She is survived by her daughters, Anne DeLucia and her husband, Anthony, of Danvers; Elizabeth Brownson of Denver, Colorado; and Kate Cutting of San Francisco; her sons, F. Reed Cutting Jr. and his wife, Rebecca, of Salem; and Richard Cutting and his wife, Kim, of Salem. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren — Rebecca and Dan DeLucia; Olivia, Nick and Jack Brownson; and Kit Luster — her sister, Patricia Dwyer, and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was a graceful and elegant woman who will be missed by many.

Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, March 28, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead, 142 Elm St. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead. Burial will follow at Waterside Cemetery, Marblehead. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Katharine’s memory to Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan St., Ste. B-102, Danvers, MA 01923 or via caredimensions.org. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Cutting family may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com.

Houses of worship service schedule

CATHOLIC OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA

» 85 Atlantic Ave.

» 781-631-0086

» sosmarblehead.org

» Regular Mass Schedule

» Saturday Vigil: 4 p.m.

» Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.

Every weekday (MondaySaturday): 9 a.m.

Confessions: 2:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday

Rosary Group: Thursdays, following the 9 a.m. Mass (approximately 10 a.m.).

Adult choir rehearsals: Thursdays, 7 p.m., organ loft

» Children’s choir rehearsals: Sunday, 8:15 a.m., organ loft

» Centering Prayer group: Mondays, after 9 a.m. Mass until 11 a.m.

» As the season of Lent continues, the sacrament of Reconciliation will also be offered on Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m.

» Also during Lent, a simple supper of soup and bread will be offered at 6 p.m. Fridays, followed by the Stations of the Cross.

Lenten Scripture Study, “Exodus: Journey Towards Freedom”: Tuesdays, 7 p.m. or Wednesdays, 1 p.m.

“Little Black Books” with six-minute

Lenten meditations are available at the rear entrance to the church while the supply lasts.

Donations gratefully accepted.

» An Easter Clothing Drive to provide a complete Easter outfit to children in need is underway. Donations are due by Monday, March 27.

» Saturday, April 1: 11 a.m., Creation Care Team to lead spring cleanup of church grounds

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST 134 Elm St. 781-631-3868

» fccsmarbleheadma.wordpress.com

» Sunday Church Service: 10-11 a.m.

» Sunday School (open to children and young people under the age of 20): 10-11 a.m.

» Wednesday Testimony Meeting: 7:30-8:30 p.m.

» Reading Room (in church building): Open just after Sunday service and before Wednesday testimony meetings

A link to watch a replay of the recent free online lecture on Christian Science, “How to Make Change for the Better,” is available on the church website.

COMMUNITY CHURCH

GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH

» 17 Pleasant St.

» 781-631-9343

» gracemarblehead.org

» Discipleship Class: 9:15 a.m. Sunday

» Worship Gatherings: 10:30 a.m. Sunday

Grace Kids (Grades K-5): 4:30 p.m. Wednesday

»

» Youth Group: 7 p.m. Wednesday

Women’s Bible Study: 10 a.m. Thursday

Prayer Gatherings: 1 p.m. Thursday

Men’s Bible Study: 6 a.m. Friday Thursday, April 6: 7 p.m., Passover Seder

CONGREGATIONAL

OLD NORTH CHURCH, THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN MARBLEHEAD » 35 Washington St. » 781-631-1244

» onchurch.org

» Thursday, March 23: 7 p.m., See No Stranger on Zoom

» Saturday, March 25: 10 a.m., Festival

Chorus rehearsal in sanctuary

» Wednesday, March 29: 7:30 p.m., Festival Chorus rehearsal

Friday, March 31: 7:30 a.m., Men’s

Breakfast in Great Room

Saturday, April 1: 10 a.m., Festival

Chorus dress rehearsal in sanctuary

Sunday, April 2: Palm Sunday, Communion Sunday; 8 a.m., worship service; 9 a.m., choir rehearsal; 11 a.m., worship service; 11:15 a.m., Confirmation class; 6 p.m., warmup rehearsal in sanctuary; 7:30 p.m., Lenten concert in sanctuary

» Monday, April 3: 6:30 p.m., Women’s AA in Parish Hall

» Tuesday, April 4: 8 a.m., Community Life Board meeting; 9 a.m., Lectio Divina; 7:30 p.m., Bell Choir

» Wednesday, April 5: 10 a.m., staff meeting; 7:30 p.m., choir rehearsal

Thursday, April 6: Maundy Thursday, 8 p.m., Service of Tenebrae in sanctuary

EPISCOPAL

CHURCH OF ST. ANDREW, EPISCOPAL » 135 Lafayette St. 781-631-4951 standrewsmhd.org

Regular Sunday services (Rite II of the Episcopal liturgy): 8 a.m., spoken service; 10 a.m., musical service Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Gospel Reflections on Zoom

Alternate Tuesdays, 11 a.m.: “This Magic Moment” Memory Café on Zoom, a judgment-free zone for those with memory loss and their caregivers

» Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:15-3:30 p.m., Parish Hall open for exercise

» Wednesday, noon: Eucharist

» Second Saturday, 8:30-9:30 a.m.: Coffee Cups informal conversation and fellowship

The Word Is Very Near You

Sundays during Lent: 9:10 a.m., book discussion, “The Word Is Very Near You: A Guide to Praying with Scripture” by Rev. Martin L. Smith Wednesdays during Lent: 7 p.m., “God in the Machine Age” joint discussion with St. Michael’s, Clifton Lutheran and St. Stephen’s United Methodist churches, in person and online (St. Stephen’s hosts on March 29)

» Sunday, April 2: Palm Sunday, 10 a.m. service begins

with Liturgy of the Palms

» Thursday, April 6: Maundy Thursday, 6 p.m., simple supper followed by Eucharist Friday, April 7: Good Friday, noon, solemn liturgy; 7 p.m., organ concert with Thomas Mellan

ST. MICHAEL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

26 Pleasant St. 781-631-0657 stmichaels1714.org

Sundays: Holy Eucharist, Rite II, 10 a.m.; in-person and online on church’s YouTube Channel; 11:30 a.m., Lenten Study

» Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m., Holy Eucharist, Rite I; 10:30 a.m., Bible study

» First Sundays: Choral Evensong (September through May), 5 p.m.; in-person and online on church’s YouTube Channel

» Wednesdays during Lent: 7 p.m., “God in the Machine Age” joint discussion with Church of St. Andrew, Clifton Lutheran and St. Stephen’s United Methodist churches, in person and online (St. Stephen’s hosts on March 29)

JEWISH TEMPLE EMANU-EL, REFORM CONGREGATION

» 393 Atlantic Ave.

» 781-631-9300

» emanu-el.org

» Shabbat: Friday, 6 p.m., in person and on Facebook Live

» Torah Study: First and second Saturdays of month, 10 a.m. on Zoom

Religious School: 9 a.m. Sundays

Senior Connection: 11 a.m. Tuesdays

Mah Jongg: 7 p.m. Tuesdays

Chai Baby: 9:30 a.m. Fridays

Wednesday, March 29: 7 p.m.,

“A Night of Music” rabbi sendoff at Cabot Theater, Beverly

Thursday, April 6: 10:30 a.m., Festival Service

TEMPLE SINAI, CONTEMPORARY CONSERVATIVE SYNAGOGUE

» 1 Community Road

» 781-631-2762

» templesinaiweb.org

» Kabbalat Shabbat: Fridays, 6 p.m.

» Shabbat Service: Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.

» North Shore Minyan: Congregation Shirat Hayam in Swampscott and Temple Sinai unite to provide a joint daily morning and evening North Shore Minyan. The schedule is as follows:

Sunday, 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. (Temple Sinai, Zoom only).

Monday, 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. (Temple Sinai, in person and Zoom)

Tuesday and Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. (Congregation Shirat Hayam, online only).

» Thursday, 7:30 a.m. (Congregation Shirat Hayam, Swampscott, in person and online).

» Thursday, 7 p.m. (Congregation Shirat Hayam, online only).

» Friday, 7:30 a.m. (Congregation Shirat Hayam, online only).

» Thursday, April 6: 6 p.m., Passover Second Night Seder

LUTHERAN

CLIFTON LUTHERAN CHURCH

» 150 Humphrey St.

» 781-631-4379 cliftonlutheran.org

Weekly worship service: Sunday, 10 a.m., live stream on Zoom

Sunday School: Sundays, 9 a.m.

Coffee Hour: Sunday, 11 a.m.

Choir Chat: Tuesday, 4:45 p.m. over Zoom

» Midweek Fellowship:

Wednesday, 7 p.m.

» Bible Study: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

» Wednesdays during Lent: 7 p.m., “God in the Machine Age” joint discussion with St. Michael’s, Church of St. Andrew and St. Stephen’s United Methodist churches, in person and online (St. Stephen’s hosts on March 29)

METHODIST

ST. STEPHEN’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

67 Cornell Road

781-631-2756 www.marblehead.church

St. Stephen’s is open for Sunday morning worship. Every Sunday, they have traditional worship at 10:30 a.m. with a time of refreshments and fellowship afterward. Worship may also be attended via Zoom.

» Tuesday mornings: Conversation and prayer on Facebook Live with Pastor Isaac (see facebook. com/marblehead.church)

» Wednesdays during Lent: 7 p.m., “God in the Machine Age” joint discussion with St. Michael’s, Church of St. Andrew and Clifton Lutheran Methodist churches, in person and online (St. Stephen’s hosts on March 29)

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF MARBLEHEAD

» 28 Mugford St.

» 781-631-1215

» uumarblehead.org

Sunday service is at 10:30 a.m. and on Zoom: bit.ly/3EIRKiF All persons attending a regular Sunday Service in person are asked to wear masks in the sanctuary.

Saturday, April 1: 9:30 a.m., Caring for the Caregivers

» Sunday, April 2: 9 a.m., Sunday Seminar; 10:30 a.m., Sunday Services; 11:30 a.m., After Service Social Hour

» Monday, April 3: 2 p.m., Aging, Decaying, Dying, and Divinity

» Wednesday, April 5: 9 a.m., Small Group Ministry; 7 p.m., Committee on Ministry

» Thursday, April 6: 5:30 p.m., Brown Bag Dinner (hosted by the PCA)

Sweepstakes scam targets two; hacked email thwarts boat engine buy

Thursday, March 16

9:02 a.m. An officer spoke by phone to a Kenneth Road resident who had recently received a voicemail that she believed had been a scam. She reported that an unknown person claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House informed her that she had won a prize of $5,000 a week for life. The woman knew it was a scam and ignored the message but wanted to report it to the police.

9:47 a.m. A power outage was reported on Glover Square.

10:48 a.m. An officer spoke in the station lobby with a woman who had recently found out that she had mistakenly used a fraudulent website to apply to obtain a new Social Security card. The woman had completed the form, which asked for all of her personal information, and she also had included a $44 payment. Since learning that the web site was fraudulent, she had canceled her compromised credit card and contacted the three credit agencies. The woman was advised to let the police know if she had any other issues.

11:04 a.m. An officer spoke at the station with a woman who had received a call earlier in the day from an individual claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House, who told her that she won $8.5 million. The shocked woman gave the caller some personal identifying information, including her date of birth and that she is a customer of Marblehead Bank, before ending the call, having come to the realization that it might be a scam. The woman said that she would talk to the bank about the incident and continue to monitor her credit.

11:06 a.m. An officer spoke at the station with a man who had received a phone call from a person purporting to be a public defender in New York, claiming that his nephew was under arrest in Boston and he needed to provide bail money. After a brief discussion of the facts surrounding this incident, the officer determined that he knew who his nephew was and had seen the nephew only a short time earlier and knew he was not in Boston Police custody. Satisfied, the man left the station.

12:34 p.m. An officer spoke by phone with a woman who had discovered approximately 10 fraudulent charges on her

Citizens Bank debit card, though she could not immediately access the exact dates or transaction amounts while we spoke. She stated that she had already contacted the bank, and they had canceled her compromised debit card and told her she would be reimbursed for $661 for the fraudulent charges.

The bank employee had asked the woman to report the fraud to the police as well. The officer advised the woman to report any additional fraud and to check her account daily. She was advised to monitor her credit report and to place a fraud alert with the major credit bureaus. The officer also gave the woman the information for reporting identity fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.

The officer also instructed the woman to call back if she could identify the exact dates and amounts of the fraudulent transactions.

3:06 p.m. An officer took a report of harassment over the phone and filed a report.

6:30 p.m. A walk-in to the police station brought in sunglasses that had been found on Atlantic Avenue.

10:11 p.m. A caller reported having lost an iPhone on School Street.

Friday, March 17

3:06 a.m. Officers investigated a report of suspicious activity on West Shore Drive and Evans Road but could not find it.

9:44 a.m. A 28-year-old Everett resident was arrested on an outstanding out-of-town warrant after a traffic stop on Darling Street.

1:22 p.m. A caller reported having lost money on Pleasant Street.

9:20 p.m. An officer investigated a disturbance reported on Walnut Street.

Saturday, March 18

8:42 a.m. A driver was given a verbal warning for a red-light violation on Pleasant Street.

9:55 a.m. A driver was given a verbal warning for a red-light violation on Devereux Street.

1:28 p.m. An officer investigated a report of larceny, forgery or fraud on Front Street and filed a report.

1:55 p.m. Officers assisted in the investigation of the activation of a fire master box alarm on Turner Road and filed a report.

10:07 p.m. Officers investigated a vehicle crash reported on Lighthouse Lane.

Creative Spirit & MacRae’s Sustainable Goods partner to host exhibit, ‘Earth in Bloom’

Marblehead businesses

Creative Spirit and MacRae’s Sustainable Goods will hold a public reception to celebrate the opening of their next collaborative art exhibit, “Earth in Bloom,” on Friday, March 31, 6 p.m. tp 8 p.m.

“Earth in Bloom” features artists of all ages, backgrounds and experience who will be showing and selling their work. This is the first exhibit in a series that will run at MacRae’s through the winter of 2024. MacRae’s is located at 108 Washington St., Marblehead. “Earth in Bloom” will run through May 14 and can be viewed during store hours, Tuesday through Sunday.

The exhibit includes works of art created by the following

Sunday, March 19

11:03 a.m. A dead skunk was reported in the road on Village Street.

2:01 p.m. Officers issued a citation after a traffic stop on Humphrey and Cedar streets and also filed a report.

5:53 p.m. An officer investigated a report that a stop sign was lying in the road on Lafayette and Pleasant streets.

10:17 p.m. An officer assisted at the scene of a cracked boiler on Cliff Street.

Monday, March 20

6:36 a.m. An officer investigated a report of vandalism on Roundhouse Road and filed a report.

10:04 a.m. An officer investigated a report of larceny, forgery or fraud on Lafayette Street and filed a report.

11:47 a.m. Officers investigated a report of water jugs in the road on Smith and Pleasant streets but could not find them.

3:16 p.m. Officers investigated a disturbance reported on Barnard Street and filed a report.

6:14 p.m. An officer met in the station with a man who reported that he was the victim of fraud. The man explained that he had recently moved from Pennsylvania to Marblehead and had received a bill from Optimum Cable collections department for about $1,000. The man said he had never lived in New York or had cable service from Optimum. The man had reported this information to the company’s fraud department and had been told to file a police report. The man was advised to report the possible case of identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission as well as through the state’s website, mass.gov.

6:24 p.m. Suspicious activity was reported on Atlantic Avenue and Commercial Street.

8 p.m. Officers investigated a report of suspicious activity on Creesy Street and filed a report.

Tuesday, March 21

8:59 a.m. An officer was dispatched to Farrell Court to investigate a report of a possible squatter in a Marblehead Housing Authority residence. The officer was told the named tenant on the lease was in the hospital. The Housing Authority and police were familiar with the squatter and were aware that the tenant there had let her stay over in the past. After the officer knocked on the door but

before anyone could speak to her, the squatter immediately told the Housing Authority that she was going to leave, which satisfied the Housing Authority. The officer informed the staff that a report would be on file for their records and that they could contact the police again if the squatter failed to follow through on her promise to leave.

12:09 p.m. An officer spoke by phone with a man who explained that he was in the process of negotiating the purchase of an outboard engine from a shop in Laconia, New Hampshire. He was communicating with a particular email address, and his mechanic recommended that he finalize payment so that he could take advantage of an expiring extended warranty offer. The man had agreed and wrote a check for the remainder of $6,000 and mailed it to the dealership. The following day, the man received an email from a similar email address but with an extra “r” on the end of it, explaining that a wire transfer would be better so that they were sure that they `did not miss the extended warranty offer. The man wired the $6,000 to the individual from his Citizens bank account. A few days later, while speaking with his mechanic about the installation of the new outboard, the man made reference to the now-voided check and the wire transfer. The mechanic had no idea what the man was talking about, and both later learned that the company email had been hacked. The man explained he was in the process of trying to reverse the wire transfer with his bank. The officer shared the information with detectives.

4:21 p.m. An officer spoke with a walk-in to the police station who reported that someone had made a claim for unemployment in his name. The man had received a Visa card in the mail to make withdrawals from an account, which he had immediately reported to his company and the bank from which he had received the card. The bank had put a stop on the account, and the man planned to shred the card. The officer advised him to monitor his credit, which he told the officer had not been affected.

6:32 p.m. Officers investigated a report of an intoxicated man on Pleasant Street.

7:38 p.m. An officer received general information on Creesy Street and filed a report.

Wednesday, March 22

11 a.m. An officer took a report over the phone about the theft of an Amazon package containing about $200 worth of decorations on Pleasant Street. The intended recipient had gotten a notification that the package had been delivered on March 12, but the accompanying photograph did not look like her home. She had asked her neighbors if they had received the package by mistake, but they said they had not. The woman asked that the officer write a report so that she could send it to Amazon. Detectives were also notified about the incident.

12:18 p.m. An officer spoke in the police station lobby with a man who had ordered a Dell laptop directly from the company’s website. The man said that he had received a tracking email for the shipment, which stated the package had been delivered to his home at 12:56 p.m. on March 20. The man stated that there were no packages at the home, so he checked his home’s security camera system and found no evidence of any deliveries having been made to his home all day. The man said that he had contacted Dell customer service, and they requested he report the missing package to the police. As of March 22, the package had still not been delivered.

3:49 p.m. Larceny, forgery or fraud was reported on Hines Court.

4:13 p.m. Officers investigated a report of a man threatening a child on Jersey Street and filed a report.

5:34 p.m. A laser level was found on Tedesco Street and Leggs Hill Road.

Thursday, March 23

7:52 a.m. A possible downed limb was reported on Atlantic Avenue.

9:18 a.m. An issue related to construction equipment was reported on Conant Road and Winthrop Avenue.

10:03 a.m. An officer assisted a Green Street Court resident and filed a report.

4:11 p.m. An officer investigated a disturbance reported on Front Street but could not locate its source.

6:01 p.m. Lights on flash reported on Ocean and Atlantic avenues.

9:06 p.m. An officer restored the peace after a disturbance was reported on Farrell Court.

local and regional artists: Michelle Brown, Ivy Dever, Brenda Kim and Patti O’Hare Williams of Marblehead, Kathryn Bartholomew of Somerville, Lane Billings of Beverly, Lynn Bradovchak of Swampscott, Kai Chao and Al Ragone of Winthrop, June Jordan of Randolph, Christina Neiman of Rockport, Sarah Tomkins of North Andover and Megan Walker of Dedham. Creative Spirit’s community gallery program celebrates all artists. All exhibits are nonjuried, meaning that artwork is not judged for entry. Artwork which complies with all artist guidelines will be hung for the duration of an exhibit, and works may be priced for sale. To learn more and submit your work, visit creativespiritma.com.

Cast sought for return of MLT’s ‘Gershwin & Porter’

Marblehead Little Theatre is pleased to announce non-Equity auditions for its upcoming production, “Gershwin & Porter, Who Could Ask for Anything More?”

In “Gershwin & Porter,” two of the greatest composers of the 20th century are brought to life through their music. First staged at Marblehead Little Theatre in 2014, this original musical revue

was written by Anne Lucas and Betty Lautner. “Gershwin & Porter, Who Can Ask for Anything More?” will return to MLT this summer, July 28-Aug. 6.

Auditions will be by appointment on April 3 and 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Marblehead Little Theatre, 12 School St. All adult singers (over 18) are invited to audition.

How suite it is

BY LINDA WERBNER

With its staging of “Plaza Suite,” the MLT continues a loose theme in its past three productions examining friendship, family, love and marriage, and how the passing of time changes the dynamics.

The Neil Simon favorite tells the story of three different relationships all played out in Suite 719 of the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Actors Stanis Ames and Gary Ames, who are married in real life, play all three couples with delicious chameleon-like flair, flawlessly delivering Simon’s trademark whiplash wisecracks and zingers. Both were virtually unrecognizable from act to act, changing the pitch, cadence and accent of their voices and wearing absurd period outfits replete with the requisite polyester, wide ties, gloves and bouffant hairdos, transporting the gleeful audience to “Mad

Men” territory. Between the witticisms and wisecracks, however, were moments of tenderness and pathos, which Simon does so skillfully in such works as “The Goodbye Girl,” “Biloxi Blues” and “Brighton Beach Memoirs.” Simon famously observed in an interview that this was his very goal when writing a play, to capture “how sad and funny life is.”

MLT’s take on Simon’s cheeky marriage triptych farce is an amusing romp, which drew many laughs and knowing sighs from the full house on a raw and rainy evening.

Simon wrote “Plaza Suite” in 1968, more than a full halfcentury ago, and during a time of great tumult and upheaval in American society. Yet this play feels oddly untouched by the sexual revolution that was roiling the country. The male and female characters in the three relationships are frozen in

Walk-ins are welcome and will be auditioned as time allows. Those auditioning are asked to prepare a piece of music by either Gershwin or Porter, bringing sheet music for the accompanist. Marblehead Little Theatre is committed to creating a welcoming environment. Marblehead Little Theatre does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, neurodiversity,

time, 1968 to be exact. Despite feeling dated much of the time, this comic-drama confection still works.

Under Steve Black’s deft direction, Stanis and Gary provoke, alienate and woo one another from act to act. The set is spot-on, mid-century modern with its clean lines and bourgeois art on the walls, the coffee tables and ever-present crystal decanter filled with liquor, which the characters vigorously swig.

In the first act, “Visitor from Mamaroneck,” we see Karen Nash, played with breathless, chatty angst by Stanis Ames, anxiously awaiting the arrival of her husband Sam, a distracted and brittle businessman, to Suite 719, where they had celebrated their honeymoon 24 years earlier.

Watching the dynamics of their relationship — his irritability and criticism of his wife and focus on getting back to the office to correct errors on a report rather than celebrate their anniversary — it’s clear that this marriage has been on life support for a long time.

When Sam’s fastidious and devoted secretary Jean McCormack, played with smug and breezy know-it-allness by

national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age or disability.

It encourages individuals of all backgrounds to audition.

It is the policy of Marblehead Little Theatre that all auditioners and staff must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Those auditioning should be prepared to present their vaccination cards.

About MLT

Julia Arey, appears at the door to save the day, Karen connects the dots and confronts Sam, who confesses that he is having an affair with Jean

“Everyone cheats with their secretary; I expected more from you,” she says dejectedly.

In Act II, “Visitor from Hollywood,” a now-famous Hollywood producer, Jesse, invites his high school sweetheart, Muriel, to Suite 719 after his third marriage has gone down the tubes. Jesse idealizes the married mother of three, whom he hasn’t seen in 17 years, as “pure and sweet.”

Nervous and awestruck by her ex-boyfriend’s fame and Hollywood glamor, Muriel vigorously insists that she is “happy’ in her marriage, but Jesse can see the cracks in the foundation as Muriel, who secretly had three vodka stingers in the lobby, becomes more and more receptive to Jesse’s oleaginous charms.

For pure farce, this act is the most entertaining of the three.

Watching Gary Ames, dressed like an American Austin Powers in his blue polyester suit and mutton chop sideburns, trying to seduce “unphoney” Muriel, only to have the tables turned where she devours him, is the highlight of the evening.

Started in 1955 by members of the Marblehead Women’s Club, the award-winning Marblehead Little Theatre is one of the oldest community theater groups in New England, having consistently presented livetheater productions for over six decades. See mltlive.org for more children’s program opportunities and upcoming auditions for the 2023-2024 season.

The third and final act, “Visitor from Forest Hills,” tells the story of an older married couple whose daughter, Mimsey, has locked herself in the bathroom of Suite 719 on her wedding day with a case of what they believe to be cold feet. The couple bicker and fret as they have bankrolled the wedding and worry that their money has been wasted.

Finally, Mimsey agrees to talk to her father, admitting that she is not so much afraid of getting married but afraid that she and her fiancé will become like her parents. Her father, Roy, played with cranky Job-like shpilkes by Gary Ames, summons the groom, Borden (Jason DeFillipo), to Suite 719, who liberates Mimsey from her bathroom refuge with the droll command, “Cool it.”

The MLT caps its 2023 season with two musical productions, “The Great Gatsby, An American Musical,” June 23 to July 2; and “Gershwin/Porter — Who Could Ask for Anything More?” July 28 to Aug. 6.

The run of “Plaza Suite” continues this weekend, with performances on March 30, 31 and April 1 at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. matinees on April 1 and 2 at Marblehead Little Theater, 12 School St. For more information, see mltlive.com.

MLT’s ‘Plaza Suite’ a bittersweet wink at love, marriage over time