02.22.23 - Volume 1, Issue 13

Town eyes state money for Village Street

Deck has had small repairs made to it over years

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

At over 85 years old, Marblehead’s Village Street bridge needs to be replaced, and the town hopes to tap into Massachusetts Department of Transportation dollars to pay for it fully.

“The town is in the process of applying for inclusion in the MassDOT Transportation Improvement Program to fully fund the construction of the

bridge replacement,” the town’s engineer, Charlie Quigley, told the Marblehead Current. “The town is anticipating covering the cost of the design services with Chapter 90 funds.”

Marblehead officials are already very familiar with the TIP program.

“This is the same program we used to fund the construction of the Village, Vine and Pleasant project, we are on the TIP with this project now,” said

Marblehead Town Planner Becky Cutting. “The way it works is we pay for the design, and the design engineer whom we hire will provide all of the design and interface with the TIP project for the town from options through final design.”

Constructed in 1939, the Village Street bridge is 50 feet long by 43 feet wide, allowing vehicles to pass over the

TV shows take intrepid ’Header around the world

bridge

Cinematographer

Native has worked on about 100 shows

BY CHRISTINE MCCARRISTON

At this time last year, cinematographer Bryan Adams emerged from the tent he was living in to a temperature of minus 58 while filming National Geographic’s “Life Below Zero” in Alaska. So, the 12 below zero we experienced recently was nothing for him. In fact, he went outside because he “hadn’t been out in that in a while.” He is definitely disappointed in our warm winter

weather after his Alaskan experience.

The Marblehead High School and Ithaca College graduate has worked on about 100 television shows around the country and the world. Last year, he spent weeks working with Ricko DeWilde, the Athabaskan Indian on “Life Below Zero.” When he saw the thermometer hit minus 58 degrees he was “so happy. I thought, ‘This is going to be a great day,’” he said. That day he hit a milestone for himself, as his previous coldest experience was minus 40 while filming on “Ice Road Truckers” in the Northwest Territories.

“There was a raging storm outside, but there were also amazing Northern Lights.”

Being able to withstand severe

temperatures, storms and conditions isn’t just for those starring in reality and documentary television. The crew must endure it all as well. Adams finished working on “The Amazing Race” last fall and is preparing for the new season this spring. “You’re basically doing it with them [the contestants],” he said. “You have to run and keep up with them and actually make good footage.” He is grateful for the improvements in camera technology as he works to keep up with the characters in the shows he films.

“Batteries used to be nine pounds themselves. Now it’s so much better, you can run better.”

PubLIC S a FeT y HearING

Owner says ‘dangerous’ dog has been addressed Some neighbors are still wary

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

Marblehead Town Administrator Thatcher

Kezer will recommend that the Select Board deem a Pickwick Road dog dangerous, he said in a public hearing on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 15.

Marblehead Animal Control Officer Betsy Cruger petitioned the Select Board to schedule the dangerous dog hearing following two attacks involving Nala, a 2-year-old pit-bull mix owned by Gina Rushton of 45 Pickwick Road, on Dec. 3 and Jan.10.

Cruger told Kezer that the first incident

PubLIC SCHOOLS bu DGeT

Staffing cuts predicted

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD AND LEIGH BLANDER

Superintendent of Schools John Buckey cautioned that if the town holds the district to a 1.8% budget increase for FY 2024, 33 staff positions will need to be cut. The current school budget is nearly $44 million. “It’s devastating to morale,” Buckey said. “People are already asking building principals and directors if they’re going to be out of a job. People will begin looking. I

COURTESY PHOTOS / BRYAN ADAMS

Bryan Adams stands on a glacier in McCarthy, Alaska, filming for Discovery Channel’s ‘Edge of Alaska.’

CURRENT PHOTOS / WILLIAM J. DOWD

Marblehead named the Village Street bridge after the town’s former engineer, Harold B. Breare, in 1939.

With new committee assignments, Armini, Crighton to focus on

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

State Rep. Jenny Armini stumped on environmental issues when she ran for the 8th Essex District seat in 2022, calling climate change “the existential crisis of our time.”

Now, the Marblehead Democrat will sit on two legislative committees charged with helping curb the adverse effects of climate change.

Massachusetts House Speaker Ronald Mariano, Democrat of Quincy, appointed the Marblehead Democrat to the House Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change and the Joint Committee on Environmental and Natural Resources.

“These assignments offer a tremendous opportunity to shape environmental policy at a critical juncture for the 8th Essex District and the entire commonwealth,” Armini told the Marblehead Current. “Marblehead, Swampscott and Lynn are coastal gems, rich in natural resources. The negative impact of climate change on these communities and every community demands we continue to build on what the Legislature accomplished last session.”

With these appointments, Armini will pick up the baton from her predecessor, former state rep. Lori Ehrlich. Ehrlich was a staunch advocate and activist for environmental causes. Armini, out of the gate, began talking about legislative priorities.

“I look forward to partnering

with my colleagues to secure our coastline, advance effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies and promote environmental protection and preservation,” she said. “I will also be working hard to amplify the voices and concerns of those living in environmental justice communities like Lynn.”

Moreover, Mariano appointed Armini to the Joint Committee on Higher Education and the House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling. She called higher education “the engine that keeps the Massachusetts innovation economy the envy of the world.”

“It is also what propels young people into the middle class and beyond,” said Armini. “Ensuring that all students who want the chance have it, without bankrupting their futures, is something I look forward to tackling this session.”

On the Senate side, state Sen. Brendan Cirghton will chair the new Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult

Justice.

“I deeply believe in making sure that our youth are being steered in the right direction and not in an overly punitive way, but in a thoughtful way that looks at them in a more holistic way,” Crighton told the Current in a phone interview.

The Senate committee’s formation comes on the heels of a joint legislative task force publishing a report on the status of Emerging Adults in the Massachusetts Criminal Justice System in 2020.

Senate President Karen Spilaka, Democrat of Ashland, appointed the Lynn Democrat as the chairperson of the Joint Committee on Transportation. The committee is responsible for “all matters concerning the development, operation, regulation and control of all means of transportation in the air, on land or in the water.”

Crighton is returning to the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, which he formerly served on.

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

SEN. BRENDAN CIRGHTON

Chairperson, Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice

» Chairperson, Joint Committee on Transportation

Vice Chair, Senate Committee on Personnel and Administration

» Senate Committee on Ethics

» Senate Committee on Rules

» Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Joint Committee on Rules

STATE REP. JENNY ARMINI

» House Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change

House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling

» Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

» Joint Committee on Higher Education

“[Mental Health Substance Use and Recovery Committee] is one that I care a lot about [and] has been pretty active,” said Crighton. “Obviously, we continue to have a crisis on both fronts, so it is an important committee to me, and I’m excited to be back on it.”

He will serve as vice chair on the Senate Committee on Personnel and Administration. And if his leadership posts weren’t enough, Crighton will serve as a member on the Senate committees on rules and ethics as well as the Joint Committee on Rules.

Roadmap paves the way for net zero emissions

BY CHRIS STEVENS

Is it ironic that it was 50 degrees on Feb. 15, the day Marblehead’s Net Zero Roadmap, a plan to combat climate change locally, was presented to the community?

In 2019 the Marblehead Green Energy Committee partnered with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and developed a Climate Vision Plan. Brooks Winner, a senior clean energy specialist with MAPC, called the plan a framework or a foundation for some of what is now in the Net Zero Roadmap. Winner, who presented the roadmap during a public meeting on that warm Wednesday evening, said some of the strategies would be implemented by Marblehead Municipal Light Department, and the town would lead some. Some are changes that residents and business owners will have to commit to making.

“One thing I’ll note,” he said. “This roadmap is for the whole community of Marblehead … we’re really looking at a community-wide effort.”

But how do we get there?

The roadmap, a draft of which people can access at http://bit. ly/3lHLReh includes six core transitions. They, along with some highlights, include:

Making homes and buildings super-efficient; this would include creating and preserving efficient, affordable housing, allowing changes to historic buildings that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and providing financing for residents to adopt electric and renewable technologies.

» Electrifying heating and cooking equipment

Electrifying cars, trucks, buses and other modes of transportation; that equals promoting and incentivizing electric vehicles for all

residents, a possible electric vehicle car-sharing program and the adoption of a zeroemissions fleet policy so all municipal vehicles, after a certain point, would be emissions-free.

Making walking, biking and public transit the best way to get around

» Greening the grid with renewable energy sources; transitioning the Marblehead Municipal Light Department to 100% clean energy, encouraging residential battery storage and incentivizing residents to use electricity during off-peak hours.

Produce more renewable energy locally; establish a community solar program.

Winner said the roadmap also has a section on naturebased solutions that include thinking about reuse water and conservation tactics, significantly increasing participation in composting programs and phasing out single-use plastic.

The guide ends with what Winner called a catch-all section that focuses on advocacy, education and information sharing, along with strategies for advocating for funding options and both federal and state grants.

“I think we really want to stress that this roadmap is about collective actions,” Winner said. “We don’t want to over-emphasize individual responsibility for reducing one’s own emissions, but we do know that it’s going to take a real team

effort to reach that end zero goal.”

Questions and concerns Residents asked about better solar power incentives. Winner said there were, in fact, better incentives coming from the federal level for solar power and battery/energy storage. MMLD General Manager Joe Kowalik also said he believes the barriers are being removed for solar battery storage on the residential side, and the light department is embarking on a project to bring in a five-megawatt battery at the town scale.

“We’ll be talking about that in, I believe, our next board meeting in February later this month,” he said.

Several participants wondered why the roadmap made little or no mention of bikes. Winner said that was because the town’s Complete Streets program seemed to be on top of prioritizing bike action, but not everyone agreed.

One Zoom participant called it disappointing that the roadmap lacked a bike plan.

“You know, one of the things that’s causing emissions is cars, and I think getting cars off the roads just feels like a very lowhanging fruit for a community like ours,” she said.

She also questioned whether Complete Streets was even meeting and or focusing on pedestrians and bikes. Winner said he thought the Green Committee could consider addressing bikes in a better way.

Richard Smith wondered if

there would be metrics around the economic impact of going to net zero on residents. For example, will they see their electric bills increase?

Winner said economics are somewhat discussed in the equity consideration section of the roadmap and they are very aware of things like energy burden. But he also said there have been discussions about the cost of doing nothing “and the fact that climate change is going to be very, very costly in and of itself.”

Laura Frank called the presentation perfect timing since she just moved to town two weeks ago. While the end goal is net zero emissions by 2040, she asked if there was a timeline for getting everything done, “and who’s in charge of implementation.”

Winner said they tried to designate a lead implementer for each section, and he, along with Green Marblehead Committee member Eileen Mathieu, reiterated the hope that the town would eventually hire a sustainability coordinator. She called it important to accomplish much of the roadmap and noted it’s what other towns have done.

Preston Ford, admittedly playing the devil’s advocate, asked what would happen if Marblehead failed to invest anything in the roadmap. Winner said for a coastal community, the cost of doing nothing would be high and could result in fines if the town or MMLD failed to comply with state regulations aimed at reaching net zero by 2050.

“We know that it’s really important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally to net zero by 2050 or sooner to avoid the worst effects of climate change,” Winner said early in the presentation. “We’re already seeing that January was the hottest January on record here in the Boston area, and it was 50 degrees in February today.”

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11, 15-16

State Sen. Brendan Crighton will serve on seven committees in the Legislature.

environment, justice, mental health

State Rep. Jenny Armini will serve on key environmental committees.

right-of-way underneath it. A tunnel sits below the bridge deck, permitting traffic along the Marblehead Rail Trail.

“Large utility vehicles travel under the bridge on a service road in the right-of-way to maintain the various utilities within its limits,” wrote the Marblehead Engineering Department in a request for design services. “The gravel and stone dust service road has been improved to carry a significant amount of pedestrian and bicycle traffic.”

Officials determined three years ago that the rail trail below the bridge posed a safety hazard due to the bridge’s deteriorated state. The town used fencing, staging and planks to create a “temporary exclusion zone” with a tunnel to accommodate rail trail users.

“The bridge deck has had small local repairs made to it in the past few years with an additional

small repair scheduled for this spring,” Quigley said.

Moreover, Quigley said MassDOT will vet preliminary design options from rehabilitation — the deck replacement and masonry repairs — to replacing the bridge with a new bridge or tunnel.

“If MassDOT selects the tunnel as being the most advantageous, it will be large enough to allow the largest emergency apparatus and utility vehicles,” Quigley said. “MassDOT officials have been quoted as saying the cheapest bridge to maintain is the one that’s not there anymore.”

The town engineer went on to note that a pair of similar MassDOT projects culminated with tunnel bridges in Amesbury and Foxboro.

“The tunnel option has the potential of creating the least impact on Village Street traffic,” Quigley said.

Marblehead named the Village Street bridge after the town’s former engineer, Harold B. Breare.

Officials determined three years ago that the Rail Trail below the Village Street bridge posed a safety hazard due to its deteriorated state.

CURRENT PHOTOS / WILLIAM J. DOWD

Marblehead officials hope to tap into state dollars to finance a Village Street bridge replacement.

Marblehead girls bring home state title

BY JOE MCCONNELL

The Marblehead High girls swim/dive team captured the state championship on Saturday, Feb. 18, at MIT.

“(Our girls) worked hard to get here,” said veteran coach Sue Guertin. “We were down before the 500-yard freestyle, but thanks to Clementine Robins, who won the event, we were up by four points.

“Amherst-Pelham won the West Sectional, and was slated to win the state championship, which they won last year,” added Guertin. “Amherst had two girls in the backstroke, who scored ahead of us. But in the breaststroke, we always have had great swimmers in that event, and we had three this year that scored valuable points, and Amherst had none, which gave us a good lead going into the 400-yard freestyle relay, the last event. Our girls – Anna Coleman, Sophia Weiner, Bella Takata and Robins – were seeded fifth in the final heat. Amherst was seeded to win it. The girls just had to hold their spot, because we were far enough ahead. However, we still could not make any mistakes. The relay team ended up placing first, while dropping seven seconds to establish a new personal berth. It was unbelievable.”

For the record, the Marblehead girls were credited with 241 points, easily outdistancing second-place Amherst-Pelham, who ended up with 196.5 points.

“It was a great weekend for the

DOC IN a bOX

Marblehead swim program,” said Guertin. “The girls represented their community, school and teammates well as talented, dedicated and committed student-athletes, who should all be extremely proud of their accomplishments, while the boys, with only five competing, finished ninth in the state, two places better than last year.”

The 200-yard medley relay team of Song Waitekus, Bella Takata, Finn Bergquist and Anna Coleman (1:54.6) kicked the states off right with a third-place finish.

Robins (1:52.58) was also No. 1

in the 200-yard freestyle. Sophia Weiner (2:02.76) was 11th. Waitekus (2:14.18) took fifth in the 200 IM. Bergquist (2:20.76) finished 22nd overall. Coleman (25.79) was 16th in the 50-yard freestyle.

Bergquist (1:03.6) was 20th in the 100-yard butterfly. In the 100-yard freestyle, Takata (55.76, sixth) and Coleman (55.87, eighth) had top 10 performances. Robins (5:06.8) did her part to ring up the first-place points, this time in the 500-yard freestyle. Brinleigh Callahan (5:31.31) was 12th overall in the entire state.

The 200-yard freestyle relay of Waitekus, Cecelia Robbins, Sophia Weiner and Robins (1:41.33) recorded a second-place finish. Weiner (1:01.80) came back to end up seventh in the 100-yard backstroke.

In that critical 100-yard breaststroke event, Takata (1:07.25) picked up second place points. Waitekus (1:10.27) was sixth, and Cecelia Robbins (1:12.94) 14th.

Now comes the most clutch performance of last Saturday’s state meet, and the likes of Coleman, Weiner, Takata and Robins (3:39.89, just one second

shy of the school record) did not disappoint to come out on top to secure the top prize in the state.

Determined effort by the boys

Again, with only five participants, the Marblehead boys finished ninth in the state. They were 11th last year. The 200-yard medley relay quartet of Cale Nelson, Gregory Podstrelov, Cole Brooks and Logan Doody (1:44.61) started off Sunday’s state meet right by coming in eighth.

In the 200-yard freestyle, Brooks (1:43.80) accounted for a second-place finish. Doody (22.45) was eighth in the 50-yard freestyle.

Brooks (52.00, fifth) and Podstrelov (56.61, 16 th ) did a good job in the 100yard butterfly. Doody (49.76) was seventh in the 100-yard freestyle. Nelson (5:15.8) was 16th in the 500-yard freestyle. Nelson (59.22) experienced similar results in the 100-yard backstroke. The 400-yard freestyle relay team of Doody, Nate Rosen, Nelson and Brooks came in sixth.

Guertin is graduating five seniors this year, and what a way it was to go out, before they embark on college careers. On the girls side, Robins is heading to Williams College, Coleman is committed to Colby and Robbins chose Union. The boys will be sending off Brooks, who is going to attend UMass-Amherst. Grady at this moment is undecided about his college plans.

How to protect yourself from computer viruses

BY STEPHEN BACH

Protecting yourself online is an important step in keeping your precious data and devices secure. In order to ensure that your information is safe, there are several steps that you can take.

To start, using antivirus and antimalware software can help protect against malicious programs and intruders.

Keep in mind that Windows 10 and Windows 11 come with their proprietary program

can see people hedging their bets saying, ‘I don’t know if I’ll have a Marblehead job next year so I’ll look elsewhere.’”

Buckey and the School Committee are discussing two budget proposals: one with the 1.8% increase and one that includes requests from principals and directors, which initially totaled a 10% increase. The latter budget would require an override.

“We need to put forth the needs of the district to reflect what students, families and staff,” Buckey said.

At a Feb. 16 meeting, School Committee member Tom Mathers expressed sympathy for the superintendent.

“I can’t imagine how hard this is for you and your leadership team,” Mathers told Buckey. “I just also will have to say — as a new committee member and relatively new to town — this is insanity, talking about a reduction of force, potentially of

called “Windows Security” (formally called “Windows Defender”). To read more about this feature, type “Stay protected with Windows Security-Microsoft Support’’ in your browser. If you are usually very cautious and have not been a victim of ransomware or viruses, this may be all you need to stay safe!

Keep in mind that NO product will be 100% effective. Much like the brakes on your car, whether you own a Mercedes or a Chevy, no manufacturer will promise that you won’t get in an accident if you head straight towards an unmovable object and do not

apply the brakes!

That’s why you NEVER click on a suspicious link, nor EVER respond to a pop-up that tells you to “call this number immediately.”

The Doc has been testing

a brand new service called “Guardio” that seems to do even more than traditional antivirus software. More about that in a future article when I’ve finished testing!

In addition, regularly updating any software and operating systems you have is essential. This will ensure that any security vulnerabilities are patched, and your system is as secure as possible.

Creating a strong and secure password is also a must. Make sure to use a unique password for each account, and don’t share it with anyone. Avoiding clicking on suspicious links

or attachments is also key. It’s important to be aware of potential scams and phishing attempts.

Finally, regularly backing up important documents and data is essential. Keeping this information stored in multiple places will ensure that if anything were to happen, you have a copy of all of your documents.

By implementing these five steps, you’ll be able to protect yourself online and keep your data and devices secure.

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

33 people in the school district.”

Override scenarios

With a deficit on the horizon, the town is considering asking voters to raise their property taxes via a Proposition 2 1/2 override.

Because the override depends on voter support, Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer has said officials “cannot assume the will of the voters.” So he has tasked every department

with putting forward more than one budget, including one that reflects a no-override scenario.

The 1.8 percent increase for the schools amounts to the the largest percentage of new revenue distributed to town departments. Still, Buckey says the increase won’t even cover the district’s contractual obligations for FY 24, which total $1.4 million. He is also anticipating increases in costs for special needs programs and

utilities.

If the town does move forward with an override, Buckey wants the schools to be considered for additional funding.

“We’ve been very deliberate to make sure that if the town is going for an override, the schools are included,” he said. Voters overwhelmingly rejected a $3 million override for the schools last June.

School Committee Chair Sarah Fox said it will be critical

to let voters know how badly the schools need the additional funding.

“It’s really going to be the work that we put into the next option that will get us to what the voters will support,” she said. “And what our students need and deserve.”

The School Committee meets next on Thursday, March 2, at 7 p.m. It will present its budgets to the Finance Committee on April 3.

COURTESY PHOTO

Marblehead High swimmers Sophia Weiner, Clementine Robins, Anna Coleman, Finn Bergquist, Cecelia Robbins, Brinleigh Callahan and Bella Takata proudly hold the state championship banner, while posing with the first-place trophy after finishing first at MIT Saturday, Feb. 18.

CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD

Marblehead School Committee members discussed the fiscal year 2024 budget on Feb. 16.

COURTESY PHOTO

A pie chart showcasing Marblehead Public Schools original budget for fiscal year 2024.

The day the Patriots came to town

BY MARK HURWITZ

The year 1961 was quite a year.

U.S. Cuban exiles and the CIA mounted an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro known as the Bay of Pigs. East German authorities closed the border between east and west Berlin, and construction of the Berlin Wall began. U.S. President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps. And in Marblehead, the Boston Patriots paid the town a visit to play a football game as a fundraiser for Marblehead youth football.

That’s right, the Patriots actually played a football game right here in Marblehead!

When the Patriots visited in 1961, they were then known as the Boston Patriots. Founded in 1959, the team was a charter member of the American Football League before joining the NFL in 1970 through the AFL-NFL merger.

The Patriots played their games at various stadiums throughout Boston until the franchise moved to Foxborough in 1971. As part of the move, the team changed their name to the New England Patriots. The primary logo used in the Sullivan era from 1961 to 1992 was known as “Pat the Patriot.”

In the summer of 1961, the Patriots played a number of intrasquad games around New England to help raise money for local charities and organizations.

On Aug. 14, the Boston Patriots visited Marblehead to play an intrasquad game to raise money for Marblehead youth football. If you’re not familiar with the term, “intrasquad” means that the original team splits into two teams, and they play against each other.

In the case of the Boston Patriots’ Marblehead visit, the

two split squads were dubbed the “Stars” and “Stripes.” The game was held at 8 p.m. on a field that was located behind the old Marblehead High School on Pleasant Street. Portable lights were brought in to light up the field.

Close to three dozen players showed up to play against each other that night. These are some of the players that came to play. If you are old enough, you might recognize them.

The Stars

Gino Raymond Michael Cappelletti — He played college football at University of Minnesota and was an AllStar in the American Football

League for the Boston Patriots, winning the 1964 AFL Most Valuable Player Award. He served as the Patriots’ radio color commentator until 2012. His nicknames included “The Duke” and “Mr. Patrio.” He was initially a kicker and defensive back. He switched to offense and teamed up with quarterback Babe Parilli to form a tandem nicknamed “Grand Opera Twins,” due to their Italian surnames.

Vito “Babe” Parilli — He was a quarterback and coach who played professionally for 18 seasons — five in the National Football League, three in the Canadian Football League and 10 in the American Football

League.

Parilli achieved his greatest professional success in the AFL as the starting quarterback of the Boston Patriots from 1961 to 1967. He earned three All-Star Game selections while leading the Patriots to their only AFL postseason and championship game appearance in 1963.

Edward F. “Butch” Songin

He was a quarterback for the Boston College Eagles and for the AFL’s Patriots and the New York Titans.

After signing with the Patriots of the then-new AFL, Songin played in the first-ever AFL game against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 9, 1960.

Ronald E. Burton — Burton was the Boston Patriots’ firstever AFL draft choice in 1960. He was the first Patriot to rush for over 100 yards, 127 against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 23, 1960, as well as numerous other firsts for the Patriots. His 91-yard touchdown return on a missed field goal in 1962 remains a Patriot record.

His sons are Paul Burton, a reporter for WBZ-TV, and Steve Burton, who is the sports director for WBZ-TV in Boston. His granddaughter, Veronica, plays basketball for the Dallas Wings of the Women’s National Basketball Association.

The Stripes Charles Long

He was an offensive tackle and guard. He played college football for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In 1961, he joined the Boston Patriots, playing for nine seasons and being named an AFL All-Star selection twice. He is a member of the Patriots’ All-1960s Team.

Thomas Stephens He played tight end for five seasons for the Patriots.

Raymond James Ratkowski

He was a halfback who played in college at the University of Notre Dame. He was drafted in the 17th round of the 1961 NFL draft and played for the Patriots during the 1961 AFL season. Ratkowski later served in the Marine Corps and worked for the FBI.

Lawrence Conway Eisenhauer A defensive end and a college standout at Boston College, he was one of several Boston-area athletes to join the Patriots. He was nicknamed “Wildman” by his Patriot teammates because of his unpredictable antics, such as running out onto Kansas City’s snow-covered Municipal Stadium field clad in only his helmet and athletic supporter, hitting his head on metal locker doors or ramming his forearms through locker room walls to motivate himself. Eisenhauer was an AFL AllStar in 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1966, and is a member of the Patriots All-1960s Team.

The final score

After a couple hours of play in front of a crowd of 4,238 spectators, the Stars defeated the Stripes, 31-6.

involved Chloe, owned by Rushton’s neighbor, Robert Barone. Barone, who intervened because his dog’s life was in peril, sustained a bite wound to his index finger, and the dog was injured as well.

Rushton’s lawyer, Jeremy Cohen, stressed that this was not “human aggression.”

“[Barone] intervened to save his dog’s life the way all of us would do as pet owners,” Cohen said.

“And when you do that, you’re gonna get bitten on the hand.”

Barone was present on Wednesday, but he declined the Current’s request for comment.

Kezer agreed Barone had been bitten because he intervened.

“If there was any indication or record that it was dog-on-human aggression, that would be a whole different context here,” he said.

The second incident occurred along a bike path near the Jewish Community Center on Jan.

10. Cruger said Nala “without justification” injured Gabriela, a dog owned by Swampscott residents James and Karen Gottschall.

In a subsequent interview, Cohen told the Current his client had paid $1,061 worth of vet bills, one for $741 and another for $320. He added she had paid for Barone’s $895 ambulance ride and a $471 medical bill.

A handful of residents said they

did not feel comfortable with Nala living in the neighborhood.

“I think this dog, even with a muzzle on, charging at another person — it can be a terrorizing experience for that person,” Barone said during the hearing.

“There’s a lot of children that walk little dogs on this street.”

Richard Goldfarb said Nala and Rushton’s other dog restrict his wife’s movement.

“She couldn’t go out the door she normally goes through because the dogs run wild,” he said. “This is constant with these dogs.”

Since the incident, among the actions that Rushton has taken or agreed to take include:

» Confining Nala securely indoors and outdoors.

» Humanely and securely muzzling Nala at all times when off the property. (Ruston ordered a muzzle, and it arrived the day after the second bite, she reported).

» Providing proof of insurance of at least $100,000.

» Providing to the licensing authority information that would help the animal control officer identify Nala throughout her lifetime, including but not limited to photos.

» Securing her backyard by installing a double gate in place, replacing all loose fencing and installing gates leading to the home’s front entrance.

» Purchasing a martingale

collar that a dog cannot slip out of.

Hiring a dog trainer.

“I have done all that I was supposed to do without a fight,” Rushton told Kezer. “I am just very sorry for what Nala did.”

Kezer acknowledged the effort Rushton has been making since the attacks, which would be incorporated into the summary report he planned to submit to the Select Board.

“I have a very high level of confidence in the way our ACOs have been doing their functions and how they’ve handled this case,” Kezer said. “What’s important is to ensure that the dog is secured, that there are mechanisms in place to prevent any accidental releases.”

CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD

Lawyer Jeremy Cohen (seated on the left side of the table) pleads the case of resident Gina Rushton to Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer during a dangerous dog hearing on Feb. 15.

Black History Month: An uncomfortable elevator ride

With Black History Month nearing an end, the debate over teaching Black history in America’s schools continues to divide an already polarized country.

Swept up in culture-war rhetoric, the controversy grows over how topics like the Black Lives Matter movement and critical race theory (a subject largely confined to graduate school curricula) ought to be approached. Or even discussed, period.

Most recently, Florida officials and others have moved to weaken a new Advanced Placement course in African American History by removing from its syllabus prominent Black authors and scholars deemed too “radical” for impressionable young minds.

The course is supposedly designed for high schoolers prepared to do college-level work. It was meant to be challenging, as it should be. If this is their first AP history lesson, it’s a discouraging one.

Then again, teaching Black history should not be confined to our classrooms only. Or hijacked by political or pedagogic agendas leaning right or left.

Marblehead schools and houses of worship have been offering multiple ways to observe Black History Month, using readings, videos, lectures, and biographical sketches to spark important discussions among all local residents, young and old.

During his upcoming visit, Black activist-educator Keith Jones told the Current, he will remind both students and teachers of “the need to have a foundational respect for peoples’ humanity and who they are,” a particularly timely message for 2023.

In addition, churches in Lynn and Marblehead will hold a community conversation on Feb. 26 around the murder of Tyre Nichols by Memphis police officers. Nichols’s death continues to haunt an America struggling with issues around equal justice and racial reckoning.

While these discussions and gatherings are important, let’s also celebrate resources like the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., where Black history comes alive 12 months a year.

Since its opening in 2016, the museum, part of the Smithsonian Institution, has welcomed over 7.5 million visitors. A fair percentage have been K-12 schoolchildren, including many from our own town and region. Another 21 million have conducted virtual tours online.

The museum is an architectural marvel and historical treasure trove housing nearly 40,000 artifacts, from abolitionist Harriet Tubman’s shawl to pop star Michael Jackson’s fedora.

When entering the museum, young people do not get a lecture on avoiding “racial grievance” messages or uncomfortable guilt feelings that may be “triggered” by what they see and read.

If anything, they’re cautioned about the graphic nature of images and artifacts from centuries ago, pieces of what historian John Hope Franklin calls “the unvarnished truth” about the Black experience.

To that end, each visit begins with an elevator ride downward, to the basement three levels below. There, an exhibit titled “Slavery and Freedom: The Founding of America” covers a period stretching from the 1400s to the Civil War.

The pictures and words displayed are tough to digest. Slave ships and slave markets are described in harrowing detail, as is their role in an expanding American economy. It is a history that becomes foundational – in every sense — to what’s depicted on the floors above.

Other exhibits cover the Jim Crow era, civil rights movement, Great Migration, and Barack Obama’s election as the 44th U.S. President. Especially powerful is the memorial to Emmett Till, the 14-year-old whose 1955 murder in Mississippi by white supremacists became an early rallying point for the civil-rights movement.

Higher floors contain exhibits dedicated to iconic Black figures from sports (Jackie Robinson, Wilma Rudolph), music (Chuck Berry, Leontyne Price), show business (Sidney Poitier, Oprah Winfrey), literature (James Baldwin, Toni Morrison), and other fields.

The cumulative message is inspiring. But as the museum’s creators intended, one is reminded, too, that their achievements rest upon the courage and sacrifice of millions who preceded them.

So let the debate continue over how best to teach Black history and its relevance for all communities, ours included. It is a vital part of American history and culture and deserves ongoing study. With another Black History Month in the history books, though, a good starting point might be an uncomfortable elevator ride downward.

Bringing back a bookstore

BY VIRGINIA BUCKINGHAM

No offense to the dentist’s office that now occupies the former location of the Spirit of ’76 bookstore, but I never drive or walk by that beauty of an old brick building on the corner of School and Pleasant streets without letting out an audible sigh.

I know I’m not the only one whose heart still hurts from the closure of our independent bookstore in 2019. Yet a few recent personal experiences, some smart innovations and an unexpected national trend give me hope that we may see a bookstore again one day in our town.

First, the personal. A friend and her family were visiting Boston from Virginia a couple months ago and asked for some suggestions beyond a Duck Tour and the Freedom Trail. I hadn’t been myself, but a new attraction in the Back Bay was creating a huge buzz — and it had nothing to do with sports, chefs or politics, the typical generators of Beantown excitement.

Beacon Hill Books and Café opened to great fanfare on Charles Street in September. It had been in the works throughout the pandemic. In many of its early days and even now there’s a line to get in, as if seeking a spot at the latest hot bar.

The visit was a huge hit with my friend and her young daughter, a squirrel mascot named Paige and the homey feel adding a sprinkle of magic to their bookbuying experience.

When I finally visited myself recently, each nook, each cranny in the four-floor structure had a kind of magnetic pull. I just wanted to move in.

Others seem to want to post a photo of their visit on Instagram. The store’s buzz, its owner Melissa Fetter has said, is due in no small part to the many Instagramworthy backdrops the store offers. Whatever it takes, so long as a book purchase is part of the social media visit.

Across the city in the Seaport is another recently opened bookstore, an outpost of Cambridge-based Porter Square Books, attached to the Grub Street writing center. Last week, it was mostly recovered from a flood caused by burst pipes during the recent arctic weather. On this unseasonably warm February day, I wandered the well-curated aisles in contented bliss.

Both of these newcomers happen to feature a café, one more fancy than the other, but with the common denominator of good coffee on site.

Cafés, though, aren’t the only innovation helping the indie bookstore rebound. According to the American Independent Booksellers Association, some 300 new stores have opened around the country in the last year alone with 200 more to come in the next couple. The association now has 2,023 member stores in 2,561 locations, up from 1,689 in early July of 2020.

Before COVID put what appears to have been only a temporary hold on bookstore growth, Harvard Business School professor Ryan Raffaelli released a multi-year study on their resurgence in 2019. His formula for success, what he called the 3 Cs — community, curation and convening — are also cited by Fetter of Beacon Hill Books, as key.

GueST COLu MN

“Serendipitously finding a book is something the algorithm can’t provide,” Fetter said. “You don’t always want to read books like the one you have before. You need time to browse. You need recommendations. You need us,” Fetter told the Boston Globe in a feature piece. Booksellers also count on customers feeling a sense of community in their stores, much like Cheers, where everybody knows your name. And bookstores are serving as the convener of conversation and edification through unique events — author talks, yes, but also other community-themed topics.

That doesn’t mean independent book sellers can ignore e-commerce. Participating has been made easier by online businesses like bookshop.org, which fulfills online orders and shares profits with its indie customers, some $18 million in 2021.

Technology-enhanced inventory management and meeting your customers where they are with a vibrant social media presence round out other progress.

Then, for the ambitious, there’s the example of Harvard Book Store, which hosts an Espresso Book Machine for on-demand printing of hard-to-find titles.

Still other booksellers are jumping on the social activism train that has jumpstarted other causes in recent years.

“We believe it’s time to embrace bookstores as a social cause. They are good for the community,” said one California owner in a Publishers Weekly deep dive on the industry.

What could operating a bookstore as a social cause look like? Experimenting with forming an adjunct non-profit literary foundation to support events and giveaways; “nesting” within another business, sort of like a pop-up, cutting overhead costs; or trying a cooperative model, where members own shares and have a say in decision-making.

Katherine Koch, executive director of the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce, has had no solid reports as yet of booksellers canvassing for a spot, saying, “I’ve heard several rumors of potential bookstores opening in town, but nothing concrete yet. It’s nice to know that it’s being considered.”

Koch also noted Mud Puddle Toys has opened a children’s book section.

Given data that shows bookstores are not only anchors but also economic multipliers for vibrant downtowns, I also wonder whether there’s a role for state or municipal governments to provide incentives and for civic-minded landlords to give a rent break?

A town with a movie theater, a live community theater, music venues and an independent toy store without a bookstore reminds me of a first-grader missing his front teeth. He’s cute, for that moment in time, but as he grows that gap-toothed smile gets filled in. Otherwise, future first impressions would be focused on what is missing.

Our beautiful town is missing something, too. Is there anyone out there ready to fill the bookstore gap? I can already see the lines out the door.

Virginia Buckingham is a member of the Current’s board of directors. Her column appears weekly.

The real deal ... and not so

BY BOB BAKER

My favorite people and things are what I call “the real deal”: people and things true to their purpose and nature in life, without pretension, artifice, aloofness or selfaggrandizing agenda. Some examples — real deal and not so.

September of 1970, the year of Bobby Orr’s legendary Stanley Cupwinning “winged victory” goal. I’m creative director of K&E ad agency, and we’ve signed Orr to do a TV commercial for B&M Beef Stew.

Three highly polished count executive suits and unpolished creative cuckoo me bop into the Bruins Boston Garden locker room

with a tape recorder to get Bobby to do some demo readings of his voice-over script to get an idea of how he’ll do come studio time.

Orr’s at his locker dressed in civvies. Teammates Pie McKenzie and Derek Sanderson hover nearby, grinning apishly, as Orr gives three great readings — and then volunteers to do another.

Bobby takes the mic: “So kids, be sure to tell your mom to get you some of that good old B&M Beef Stew for supper tonight … “ and, flashing an impish grin ... “it’ll make ya poop (the barnyard version)!”

Pandemonium! Every form of insane hilarity imaginable. Lockerbanging players, hoots, yowls, howls, barks, shrieks, snorts — me, even the suits — rampant hysteria! All along the corridors of the

Garden as we’re leaving I’m going on and raving about what a great down-to-earth fun guy Orr is. And with every rave and “wow!” the suits are mocking hero-worshipper me.

“So I’m a hero-worshipper ... he’s a great guy!” I say.

Right after that, from behind us on the stairs this voice filled with golly-gee enthusiasm sings out, “Are you the guys just interviewed Bobby ORR?”

We turn around, and it’s Bobby coming down, a mischievous grin on his face and a “see ya, guys,” as he heads off to his car.

Needless to say, his ability to make fun of himself sealed the deal for me, and I’m 10 steps ahead of

The ability to “actually make good footage” is key and Adams’ talent in that area has taken him from the Himalayas in India to the top of a pyramid in Mexico, Bhutan, a glacier in Antarctica and many other countries. He credits his mother, Pat, for sparking his love for photography. She bought him an Instamatic camera with flashcubes when he was five years old, and he began to “catch the eye.” He then became the family photographer and director who would tell his mom the best angle and lighting to use when shooting her family pictures. His dad, Tom, who traveled while in the Air Force, is his travel muse. When his parents (who still live in Marblehead) took him and his sister to Universal Studios, he was captivated by the Movie Ride. He knew then he wanted to work in movies and television.

After college, Adams came back to Marblehead but later wondered if he should be working in Los Angeles. He gets emotional talking about his late paternal grandmother, Alice, who changed the trajectory of his life with a few words of advice. “The worst thing that could happen would be if

you didn’t like it in L.A., you could move home, but if you never go, you’ll always regret it,” he recalls his beloved grandmother saying to him. There would be no regrets. He packed up his car and moved across the country where he worked for the next 10 years.

While recalling the long list of jobs he’s held since his junior year internship

in Los Angeles, the freelance cinematographer says his resume has been serendipitous. “I was only a PA (production assistant) once. That never happens,” he said, adding that he always got one job after the next. He believes that happens thanks to his knowing that life is about “people, places and things.”

“I was on ‘Blow Out,’ a Hollywood stylist show, and one day everyone was fired except me. Be a nice guy, come in and do your job and don’t cross boundaries,” is how he says he remained the last man standing that day. In reality and documentary television, there are many personalities and many possible lines to cross. His talent, personality and ability to just do his job enables him to get recommendations and

references from one shoot to the next.

While making sure to live with no regrets in L.A., Adams worked with Carney Wilson and rode with her to the set. On Catalina Island, he worked with Rob Lowe filming behind-the-scenes for a photoshoot. “It was just me and Rob Lowe,” he said, adding he heard lots of interesting stories from Wilson on those rides to work.

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Date: February 15, 2023 Pamela A. Casey O’Brien Register of Probate

He has been director of photography for several National Geographic, Animal Planet, TruTV and History Channel series including “Life Below Zero,” “Kingdom Hunter,” “Ax Men Season 2,” “Rattlesnake Republic” and more. As a camera operator and field editor, he filmed for “Edge of Alaska,” “America’s Cat: Jaguars,”

“Continent 7: Antarctica and Arctic Rescue.” He was a little closer to home as a camera operator for “Wahlburgers” and the Boston season of “Married at First Sight” (he’s done three other seasons of that show as well).

me help you tell yours.

He was producer and director of photography for the Iditarod Film Contest in 2019. He also held that role while filming medical missions in Nigeria and Honduras. Adams has done many reality and documentary shows but his experience also extends to sports and comedy shows. He shot events for Steven Tyler, Dana Carvey and Norm McDonald, “Unsportsmanlike Conduct” with Rob Gronkowski, surfing, triathlon and volleyball, and “Harvard vs. Yale The Game” for ESPN.

Trying to choose a favorite shoot, job or even destination is difficult for Adams, as you can imagine. His four months in India were life changing.

“I learned so much about the world and myself in it,” he said. While he has trouble choosing a favorite destination or shoot, he can speak to some highlights. Turning 40 while crossing the Drake Passage at the tip of South America in the Antarctic Peninsula filming humpback whales while they gave birth is one. Being alone on an iceberg with a colony of Gentoo penguins in Alaska while filming time-lapse video of the ice coming in and out is another. His highlight reel also includes the

Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan where he hiked up the side of a cliff to 10,000 feet. Another segment in his highlight reel of experiences would be the two medical missions where he documented hip and knee replacements for locals with no access to health care.

Adams is a married father of two boys. Life with his wife, Jessica, and sons, James and Noah, is clearly the most important thing in his life. Balancing family life with his kind of work is not easy. His current work on “The Amazing Race” allows him to spend more time with his family as he films for about a month in the fall and another month in the spring. He is supplementing with local jobs in between.

“What makes doing this job still possible at this stage of life is the 100% family support I get,” he said. “That’s not only Jessica allowing me to be gone for extended periods to pursue this career that I love while often missing out on birthdays and holidays, it’s also my family and friends as well who help us out in my absence.”

Of course, Adams can’t say where “The Amazing Race” will bring him next. He doesn’t know. Like the contestants, he is not told where he is going for the show. His experience in any temperature and weather condition and his ability to stay organized and prepared will help make sure he is ready for wherever the series takes him.

COURTESY PHOTOS / BRYAN ADAMS

Local freelance cinematographer Bryan Adams spent a ‘life-changing’ four months filming in India. Here he is pictured in the Himalayas.

One of the highlights of Bryan Adams’ experiences is climbing more than 10,000 feet to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan. He was filming ‘The Wizard of Paws’ in Bhutan about a man who makes prosthetics for animals.

Sports

Exchange rate rising for girls basketball

Magicians get competitive edge thanks to Italian influence

BY JOE MCCONNELL

The Marblehead High girls basketball team (8-7) is rounding into form, and just in time as it pursues a Division 2 state tournament berth. The Magicians battled a good Masco team throughout on Feb. 9 before losing, 40-33. They then took care of Gloucester at home on Feb. 14, 46-35.

The game against the Chieftains was a complete reversal from the first time the Marblehead girls faced Masco this season, when they lost by 40.

“The second time around we had more field goals (15-11) than them, but (Masco) made more free throws (13) to our none out of six attempts,” said coach Paul Moran. “We were aggressive in this game, and at times that hurt us.”

Masco only led by two at halftime, 20-18. Leading the way for Marblehead to keep things close was Samantha Dormer with 10 points. Freshman Tess Andriano was next in line with eight points, followed by Maddie Forbes with four, Katie Pyne three and Ramona Gillette, Katie Burns and Carlin McGowan two apiece.

The Magicians started slowly against Gloucester, trailing 9-4 after one quarter. But they picked up the pace in the second quarter to lead at halftime, 17-14.

“We started to put the pressure on against a good Gloucester team in the second quarter to overtake them,” said Moran.

Andriano was the top scorer against the Fishermen with 15 points. Burns, a junior, played her best all-around game this year to help lead teammates past Gloucester, according to Moran. She ended up accounting for six points and 15 rebounds. Sara Bosio chipped in with 12 points. Dormer netted 10. Stella Monaco finished with two points.

SeTTING THe STaGe

As the Marblehead girls work their way toward a postseason berth, they have been energized by two Italian exchange students — Giorgia Dalla Valle and Sara Bosio — who helped them become a cohesive unit that has challenged the opposition as the calendar has flipped to a new year. Both players recently took time between practices to answer the following questions for the Marblehead Current on their experiences playing on an American high school sports team.

Giorgia Dalla Valle

How long have you been

playing basketball, and on what teams and leagues, and how did it help you get ready for high school? Did you play any other sports, and what did you like about basketball over the other sports? I used to play basketball when I was little. I played for about five years on a team in Italy called BFM, which stands for Basket Femminile Milano, where I learned all the fundamentals of this great sport. I unfortunately had to quit at the beginning of high school because of COVID, but I am happy that now here I have the opportunity to do it again.

I also used to play tennis, but I don’t like it as much because I love the support, excitement and warmth that only a team sport

Swimmers begin postseason with another standout performance

Girls finish third in North sectionals, boys 14th

BY JOE MCCONNELL

The Marblehead High School swim team, authors of another Northeastern Conference title, posted strong finishes in the North Sectional Meet on Feb. 11 (girls) and Feb. 12 (boys) at the Sterling Center YMCA in Beverly.

“The girls had a stellar performance, finishing third overall in a very competitive field,” said coach Sue Guertin. “The boys, with only four qualifying in the individual events, finished 14th overall.”

Up next for the Marblehead swimmers was the state championship meet, after the Current’s press deadline.

“Both meets are incredibly

fast, and the swimmers know what they are up against,” Guertin said.

The All-State event was held at MIT on Feb. 18 (girls) and Feb. 19 (boys). Complete results will be in the March 1 edition of the Marblehead Current.

In the girls 200-yard sectional medley relay, Song Waitekus, Bella Takata, Finn Bergquist and Anna Coleman (1:55.56) finished fourth.

Clementine Robins (1:53.1) won the 200-yard freestyle.

Sophia Weiner (2:03.50) was ninth, and Brinleigh Callahan (2:06.45) 14th.

Waitekus (2:14.81) came in third in the 200 IM. Bergquist (2:21.11) was 10th.

Anna Coleman (25.89) earned

a ninth-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle. Bergquist (1:02.85) chipped in with an eighth-place finish in the 100yard butterfly Takata (56.68) was 13th in the 100-yard freestyle. Coleman (56.86) was close behind in 15th place. Bergquist (5:05.94) went to the head of the class in the 500yard freestyle. Callahan (5:43.89) ended up 11th.

In the 200-yard freestyle relay, Coleman, Waitekus, Weiner and Robins (1:43.45) teamed up for a second-place finish.

Weiner (1:03.85) was credited with a 12th-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke. Takata

can give.

What is it like to play in the girls basketball program? And what is it like to play for coach Paul Moran? What are some of your favorite team and individual memories? I’m an exchange student here at Marblehead High School coming from Italy, but even though I have not been here that long I have been having a great time. I have been working hard with the team and coach Paul Moran, who is teaching us new skills while at the same time always having fun.

I don’t think I have a specific favorite memory, but I definitely like all the talks in the locker room before games, and all the happiness and cheering after

winning games.

Do you play any other sports at the high school? I played volleyball in the fall. Have you decided on a college, and what’s your major? And what are your future ambitions? I am not sure what I want to do after high school just yet; I am still trying to figure it out.

The Dalla Valle Files

» Full name: Giorgia Dalla

Valle

» Age: 17

» Parents: Valentina Pagani

Donadelli and Zenone Dalla Valle

» Siblings and their ages: I have a brother Leonardo, who is

COURTESY PHOTOS

Exchange student Giorgia Dalla Valle is happy to be playing again at Marblehead High School after COVID put her basketball career on hold in her native Italy.

Like her fellow exchange student Giorgia Dalla Valle, Marblehead High School girls basketball player Sara Bosio draws inspiration from Italian Paralympic fencer Bebe Vio.

COURTESY PHOTO

From left, the Marblehead High School medley relay quartet of Finn Bergquist, Song Waitekus, Bella Takata and Anna Coleman are all smiles after ending up fourth in the 200-yard medley relay during the North Sectionals in Beverly.

SWIM, P. A10

ITALIAN, P. A10

Basketball Magicians bounce back at Gloucester

BY JOE MCCONNELL

It was a game that they could have won, but the Marblehead High boys basketball team (11-4) ended up dropping a 70-63 decision to host Masco on Feb. 10. The Magicians led at halftime, 32-28, but in the second half they were outscored, 42-31, to erase their advantage.

“We had a lead throughout most of the game and then went into cruise control,” said coach Mike Giardi. “We had a ninepoint lead at one point, but then we let (Masco) gather some momentum, and they got right back into it. We had some costly turnovers the last few minutes of the game and also missed some open shots, and Masco was able to take advantage of it to hit some big shots.”

Nick Lemmond paced the offensive attack against the Chieftains with 20 points.

Scott Campbell was next in line with 13. Isaiah Makor and Ryan Commoss scored 10 apiece. Tryone Countrymon netted six. Miles O’Neill chipped in with four.

But the Marblehead boys did not waste much time regaining their winning form, taking their frustrations out on host Gloucester four nights later, 77-58.

“We kept up the pace the entire game and really never let up,” Giardi said. “Ryan Commoss did a great job inside and really made their big man work for points. It was a good bounce-back win for us.”

Commoss poured in 22 points, making 11 of 15 field goals to lead

the winning effort. He also had help from four of his teammates, who also managed to get into double figures. Makor accounted for 16, followed by Lemmond with 15, Countrymon 11 and O’Neill 10. Campbell rounded out the winning effort with three points.

The local squad then beat host Swampscott on Feb. 16, 83-64.

Marblehead is the ninthranked team in Division 2, according to the latest power rankings on Feb. 17. Malden Catholic (16-2), Mansfield (17-2) and Sharon (14-3) are the top three squads in the division.

Blizzard of wins for boys hockey team

The Marblehead High boys hockey team (12-4-3) picked the right time to get hot with

the postseason looming on the horizon.

The hockey Magicians won their first five out of six games in February — 9-1-2 in their last 12 — starting with a 4-3 win over Masco on Feb. 1. They then dropped a 7-3 decision to Winthrop, before topping the likes of Swampscott (6-2), Danvers (6-2), Gloucester (4-1) and non-league Shawsheen (3-2 in overtime).

As of the Current’s press deadline, coach Mark Marfione’s team had two games left on the regular season schedule against Beverly (Feb. 18) and non-league Lowell (Feb. 19). The state tournament pairings are scheduled to come out around Feb. 24.

As of Feb. 17, the Magicians are ranked 10th

in Division 2, according to the MIAA (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) power rankings. Duxbury (13-4-2), Tewksbury Memorial (16-1-1) and Canton (15-4) are the top three clubs in the division.

Senior Drake Wyman netted the game-winner in sudden-death overtime against Shawsheen to keep the Magicians February victory tour going for another day. James Caeran and Jacob Aizanman each lit the lamp once to account for the other Marblehead scores. Senior captain Hogan Sedky, Crew Monaco and Wyman were credited with the helpers. Sophomore goalie Leo Burdge helped secure the win by making 19 saves.

Pickleball is back at Vets, sans nets

The School Committee has approved the reopening of the pickleball courts at the Veterans School, effective Feb. 21.

The scheduled opening times

will be as before: » School days, 2:30 p.m. Holidays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. Sundays, 9 a.m.

The gates will be unlocked, but remember the nets will not be up, but Marblehead Pickleball hopes they will be by mid-March. Therefore, participants need to

bring their own net or play with the community net that should be in the orange box by opening day. If you are playing with Marblehead Pickleball’s net and

players are waiting, players are asked to be respectful and play games until 11 and rotate off, and then put the net back in the box if no one is waiting to play.

Wednesday, March 1

TBD Boys indoor track pentathlon

Swimming

From P. A9

(1:07.95) bested the entire field in the 100-yard breaststroke. Waitekus (1:09.92) accounted for a fifth-place finish.

Takata, Cecelia Robbins, Weiner and Robins (3:46.93) combined to finish third in the 400-yard freestyle relay.

Boys show resolve

Cal Nelson, Gary Podstrelov, Cole Brooks and Logan Doody (1:45.51) rounded out the top 10 in 10th place in the 200-yard medley relay.

Brooks (1:45.11) took second in the 200yard freestyle. Doody (23.16) was 16th in the 50-yard freestyle.

Brooks (52.15) came back to finish fifth in the 100-yard butterfly. Nelson (5:12.23) was 12th in the 500-yard freestyle.

In the 400-yard freestyle relay, Doody, Nate Rosen, Nelson and Brooks (3:28.39) teamed up to finish 11th.

14

Italian

From P. A9

» Favorite TV show: “Friends”

» Favorite movie: “La La Land”

» Favorite book: “Eppure

Cadiamo Felici” by Enrico Galiano, an Italian author

» Favorite subject: Latin

» Favorite athlete, and why: My favorite athlete is Bebe Vio, who is an amazing athlete from Italy who has inspired me so much throughout my whole life. When she was 11, because of an illness, her arms and legs were amputated, but this did not make her give up on life. She worked hard to become a foil specialist in fencing, which led her to great heights as a Paralympic, world and European champion.

Sara Bosio

How long have you been

playing basketball, and on what teams and leagues, and how did it help you get ready for high school? Did you play any other sports, and what did you like about basketball over the other sports? I’ve played basketball in Italy for seven years. I started when I was 10 and played on a boys team for one year before going to a girls team named Basket Venaria. I’ve played on it for five years, and there I learned all the fundamentals of basketball. But my biggest improvement started when I was 15 when I switched teams again with all my teammates. While I was playing for Pallacanestro Moncalieri, I started to learn how to play basketball at a high level. My defense improved, and also my offensive moves and vision became better. When I was younger, I also played tennis and swam, but when I started playing basketball

Varsity state meet Reggie Lewis Center, Roxbury

Shown after the girls finished third overall at the North Sectionals in Beverly are, from left, assistant coach Jen Brehob, head coach Susan Guertin, Brinleigh Callahan, Anna Coleman, Finn Bergquist, Song Waitekus, Bella Takata, Cecelia Robbins, Sophia Weiner, Clementine Robins and assistant coach Jack VanMeter COURTESY PHOTO

it became immediately my favorite sport. I started to play it because my father played basketball his whole life, and my best friend was a member of my team.

Have you been on any championship teams? While playing on Basket Venaria and Pallacanestro Moncalieri, we as one team finished second in our region four years in a row, and last year we were really close to going to the state championship game, but we lost our last game that was going to permit us to participate.

What is it like to play in the MHS girls basketball program? And what is it like to play for coach Paul Moran? What are some of your favorite team and individual memories? I’ve been on the team for just a couple of months, and it has been an incredible experience. I

love all my teammates, and I’m very happy to be a part of this group. I really enjoyed playing for coach Moran, who made me improve a lot, even in this short amount of time.

My favorite memories from this year are the trip to Florida that we did before Christmas break, where I had the opportunity to get to know my teammates better, and when we went to the TD Garden to play on the (parquet) court.

Do you play any other sports at MHS? During the fall season, I was a part of the cross-country team.

Have you decided on a college, and what’s your major? And what are your future ambitions? I haven’t decided on a college just yet, because next year I will attend another year of high school back in Italy, but when I graduate there I’ll

probably attend the medical school in Turin, where I live.

The Bosio Files

» Full name: Sara Bosio

» Age: 17

» Parents: Francesca Tagliapietra and Roberto Bosio

» Siblings and their ages: sister Giulia, who is 19

» Favorite TV show: “Grey’s Anatomy”

» Favorite movie: “Coach Carter”

» Favorite book: “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

» Favorite subject: Biology

» Favorite athlete: Bebe Vio, and she is an Italian Paralympic athlete, who at the age of 11 underwent several amputations of all her limbs, but this didn’t stop her from being a fencer. She ended up winning two gold medals at the Paralympics and four more at the world championships.

Thanks to local man, family fun once again in the cards

To keep tradition alive, Carl creates online version of Hand & Foot

BY KRIS OLSON

For years before the COVID19 pandemic, it had been a treasured tradition at annual family reunions, said Marblehead resident Walter Carl.

Members of the family young and old would break out the playing cards and do battle in Hand & Foot, a version of the game Canasta.

Indeed, part of the allure of Hand & Foot is that players can compete across generations. There’s an element of skill, but luck affects players’ fortunes as well, Carl explained.

So, when the pandemic rendered an in-person reunion impossible, the family began a quest to see if their card game could be salvaged. Surely, someone had created an online or app-based version of the game that would feed their jones, they thought.

But one of the reasons people enjoy Hand & Foot is that there are myriad ways to customize the rules. As with the first two beds Goldilocks tried, nothing the family could find was just right, Carl said.

“My family’s very particular in how they like to play the game,” he said.

So, around August 2020, Carl set to work. After sketching out the game he wanted to see in the world, Carl hired a visual designer to help with the graphics and user interface.

The prototype launched — initially only within Carl’s family — just in time for Thanksgiving 2020.

But they had so much fun, Carl decided to share his creation with the world. Now, two-plus years later, Carl’s Hand & Foot Friends & Family Edition (HFFE) website, hffe. fun, has given rise to a vibrant community — mostly based across the U.S. and Canada — members of which compete in daily and monthly tournaments or just play with friends new and old.

To the complete Canasta neophyte, the rules — and in particular the lingo — of Hand & Foot may seem a bit daunting. What does it mean to “meld”?

Hand

What are the special rules that apply to the black and red threes?

To help new users up and over the learning curve, Carl has created a training section on the website with instructional videos.

Carl acknowledges that his online version of Hand & Foot does not yet have every customization under the sun, though new options and variations are being added slowly but steadily. To prioritize the customizations, Carl said he is listening to his loyal players.

Carl was able to undertake this project because, in his professional life, he has worked extensively with developers to create technological platforms to conduct market research.

But Hand & Foot is not an easy game to explain to someone who has not played it.

“You have to play one or two rounds to get your head around it,” Carl said.

It took a bit more time than he initially anticipated to translate the rules into code so that the game both worked correctly and looked good, Carl acknowledged.

But once his family had given the game their imprimatur, Carl was eager to roll it out to a wider audience. With the permission of the pages’ moderators, he began to market his online version of Hand & Foot in Facebook groups populated by Canasta enthusiasts.

Carl said the goal has never

Carl says considerable work went into the development of Hand & Foot Friends & Family Edition to ensure not only that the game functioned properly but that it offered the best possible user experience.

been to amass the largest group of Hand & Foot players but rather to appeal to the discerning player who would appreciate the user interface, including its robust capacity for keeping track of players’ statistics.

Carl added he was also hoping to attract the best players to his site’s tournaments, providing an opportunity for players looking to put their skills to the test.

“For the most part, we have succeeded,” Carl said.

In all, about 1,700 people have signed up and started a game on the site, while there may be on average about 100 daily users, according to Carl.

Just because HFFE has

BY BRIAN FLYNN, LYNCH VAN/OTTERLOO YMCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Introducing Brendan McEvoy, the Marblehead Y’s new director of schoolage childcare. Although Brendan is new to our Y, he is not new to after-school childcare. Brendan has been leading after-school programs for 14 years.

Brendan is a graduate of Salem State University and a certified history and physical education teacher. Brendan started his career with the For Kids Only after-school program in Salem, allowing him to develop his skills and advance his role and responsibilities to lead larger programs in Peabody, Everett and Revere. In the summer of 2021, Brendan began his career at the YMCA of the North Shore’s Cape Ann location as school-age director. When the position in the Marblehead Y became available, Brendan, a Salem resident, took the opportunity to work and live in his community. Brendan brings a genuine passion and enthusiasm for helping children learn, grow and thrive in our Y after-school program.

Brendan oversees the after-school staff as they implement enrichment programs each day from the end of the school day until 6 p.m. The Y’s

after-school programs serve more than 150 children each day at the Glover, Brown and Village schools. The Y’s after-school programs are a fun, educational experience that helps children develop self-confidence, interpersonal skills, positive values and academic achievement while building a true sense of community. All programs are licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education & Care.

get acclimated to the game.

To help new users up and over the learning curve, Carl has created a training section on the website with instructional videos.

managed to attract a high caliber of players does not mean that brand new players should feel like they would be walking into a lion’s den, Carl stressed. The site has a “coaching tool” to help guide new players through their first game. And if they find that navigating the site is a challenge, they can reach out to Carl.

“I’m the support team as well,” he said.

The game itself does not have a live chat feature — at least not yet, Carl said, noting that adding such a forum “can lead to some trouble in an online environment,” especially given how quickly online discourse can devolve.

But the lack of a chat feature has not stopped a community from forming, especially as participants in the monthly tournaments text one another to coordinate their schedules.

A particularly popular feature of the site is its daily “duplicate” tournaments, in which all of the players are dealt the same cards and then compete against the same automated “bot” opponent.

“It removes the luck factor and leaves just the skill of the

The Y provides families engaged in our after-school program with wraparound care during school closures due to inclement weather and during vacations.

February vacation fun

- Join us at the Y

In addition to plenty of open times in our pool, gymnasium and gymnastics center, we will host some fun family activities throughout February vacation week. Check our online schedules at northshoreymca.org/schedules for the most up to date information for open facility times to come in and enjoy the Y.

A peek at vacation week

Mardi Gras Celebration: Join us Tuesday., Feb. 21, in the lobby to create your own Mardi Gras mask and book marks. 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

» Bounce House Mania Day: On Wednesday, Feb. 22, we will have three bounce houses for members to come in, jump around and play. Open to members 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Member Appreciation Morning with coffee and protein bars is 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

» Healthy Hearts: On Thursday, Feb. 23, come to the lobby to create your own healthy snack mix. 11 a.m. to noon.

» New program alert: 60 Days to My 5K begins March 13 Have you run

Frustrated by his inability to find an online outlet that would allow his family to continue to play Hand & Foot together during the pandemic, Marblehead resident Walter Carl set about creating his own, which now has a loyal fanbase across the U.S. and Canada.

player,” Carl said.

There is nothing on the line aside from bragging rights, yet players keep coming back to see if they post the day’s best point total, Carl said. Almost half of the games played on the site are the “duplicate” variation, according to Carl.

While there is a free version of Hand & Foot Friends & Family Edition — after a 30-day trial period, users can keep playing by viewing ads between rounds — Carl said most of the game’s regular users have chosen to pay a nominal fee of either $1.29 a month or, much more frequently, the annual subscription of $9.99. The revenue helps offset the cost of the server to keep the games running, Carl said.

Through its “Play It Forward” social giving program, HFFE encourages users to sponsor an annual subscription for a player in a nursing home or 65 or older so they can play the game with their family and friends.

Carl has good reason to believe that HFFE can bridge both generational and geographical gaps, as he has seen happen in his own family.

During the darkest days of the COVID-19 lockdown, HFFE was just one of many online card games people used to pass the time. Some of those games are no longer around. That HFFE is still here, even after COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, is a point of pride for Carl.

“It’s great to see the game has had some staying power,” he said.

a 5K? Not sure where to start or need the motivation and accountability to get you started? 60 Days to My 5K is the place to start. Led by one of our personal trainers, this program is designed to build your muscles and your mind so you are ready for your first 5K. Get ready to join the “Head to the Hill 5K” on May 21. For more information, please contact Jane Rizza at rizzaj@northshoreymca. org.

The Y is better with friends

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

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 40,000 members and program participants in 25 cities and towns across the North Shore and in southern New Hampshire.

Brendan McEvoy joins the Y as the new director of school-age childcare

When Henry ‘Box’ Brown came to Marblehead

BY PAM PETERSON

Slavery was abolished in Massachusetts in 1780 and the importation of enslaved people into the United States became illegal in 1808. But slavery continued in the South and traders smuggled enslaved people into the United States under foreign flags. William Lloyd Garrison led the public attack on slavery in his newspaper, The Liberator, and the New England Anti-Slavery Society was formed in 1832. Many chapters were established in towns on the North Shore, including Marblehead. Their focus was to raise consciousness about the evils of slavery and to help enslaved people who had escaped.

As time went on it became more and more dangerous to hide and help runaways. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 made it illegal, punishable by a large fine and prison, to help an escaped enslaved person. It also gave law officers the right to track and capture enslaved people anywhere they found them.

In Marblehead, runaways were often taken to the home

of the town’s most well- known abolitionists. Betsy and Simeon Dodge lived at 236 Washington St. Their house still exists and is privately owned. The Dodges sheltered and helped many runaways, and they arranged for other safe houses in the town. A fellow abolitionist said of the Dodges, “It was much easier in those days to make

speeches than to do the work and run the constant risks — which was cheerfully done and bravely borne by the noble Simeon Dodge and his wife, of Marblehead.”

One of the many enslaved people who traveled on the Underground Railroad was Henry “Box” Brown. His story is a tribute to the bravery of both

escaping enslaved people and those who helped them. Henry Brown was born into slavery in Virginia. He was married and had three children. His wife and children were sold to another owner and taken away to North Carolina. He never saw them again. After that he decided to escape and came up with an ingenious plan. A large wooden

Henry “Box” Brown’ story is a tribute to the bravery of both escaping enslaved people and those who helped them.

box, two-feet wide by threefeet long, was made and Henry Brown was placed inside it, with one hole for air and some food and supplies. His box was labeled and taken to the train station where he was shipped from Richmond, Virginia, to anti-slavery supporters in Philadelphia. Henry “Box” Brown spent 26 hours on his journey. When he was let out of the box, the first thing he did was bow to his rescuers and say, “How do you do, gentlemen?” His story became famous and so did Henry. He went on to become a well-known speaker for the Anti-Slavery Society. In 1875, Henry Brown spoke in Marblehead at the Lyceum Hall. The Marblehead Messenger reported, “He delivered a lecture on his experience with slavery, and his wife, a white lady, recited an essay on the subject.”

Marblehead Harbor Plan nearly complete

BY ROB HOWIE

Marblehead’s greatest asset is its harbor, a source of employment, nourishment and enjoyment for the community and an economic driver that has served us well for four centuries. There is no town of Marblehead without Marblehead Harbor. Ensuring its future requires careful planning and execution.

The most comprehensive harbor plan in the past 14 years will be completed this spring, when we hope to begin the transition to the next phase — implementation. It’s an investment in the harbor’s future ability to be a primary source of economic and recreational opportunities for the benefit of all.

In 2021, the town received a grant from the Massachusetts Seaport Economic Council to update the existing 2009 Harbor Plan — including the Marblehead side of Salem Harbor. The objective was to identify community goals and recommendations for public and private use of the land and water of harbor areas and establish an implementation program to achieve desired outcomes. The focus was to identify and prioritize infrastructure needs for assets owned by the town.

An experienced harbor consultant and engineering firm were hired to assist with the planning process. The Select Board appointed a Harbor Plan Working Group consisting of various citizen groups and town staff to assist the consultant and engineer.

A parallel planning process, led by the town and assisted by Salem Sound Coastwatch and Woods Hole Group and funded through Coastal Zone Management, is focused on resiliency to sea-level rise and climate change. The town should combine the recommendations of the Harbor Plan with that of the coastal resiliency process to develop a complete picture of priorities for the harbor.

To date, some six Harbor Working Group meetings, including three public workshops, have been held, along with an online public survey. A vision of the harbor has been written, an inventory of harbor assets

completed, existing conditions documented, policies and goals identified, costs of key improvements estimated and an implementation strategy outlined.

An initial draft of the Harbor Plan is under review at present by the Harbor Working Group. Once completed, the plan will be made available for public review and comment in March.

We can share, however, the likely findings and recommendations in three key areas that will be in the final report: Infrastructure, access to the water and land-side uses. Within these areas are five key goals.

The first goal is to repair and maintain existing infrastructure, which includes rehabilitating seawalls and piers at more than 20 locations such as State Street Landing, Parker’s Boatyard and Front Street. All of the requisite infrastructure projects — multiple repairs and rehabilitation projects throughout the harbor — carry an estimated cost in 2022 dollars of $6.5 million (exclusive of additional costs of preparing

the infrastructure to address sea level rise).

It’s expected that the town will take advantage of various grants that are available to help fund this work — including design studies, construction drawings and actual construction.

If protecting what we have and ensuring its future is our single most important goal, the second goal is an equally high priority and closely connected: supporting public access to the water, which includes creating or improving public access points and ADA compliance at multiple locations such as at Village Street, Stramski’s and Gas House Beach.

A major focus of this goal is to plan and implement a

more effective use of Parker’s Boatyard (community boating center, electric boat charging stations, boat launch facilities).

It also includes adding a second trawl line for Town Class and other small boats.

The third goal is to support water-dependent and waterfocused economic development. The harbor has been at the center of the town’s economy for centuries, and we must ensure that economic value continues.

This includes a major facelift for State Street Landing (piers, parking, paving), Commercial Street Landing to support commercial fishing (new gangway, floating dock, conveyor belt system) and potentially dredging parts of Little Harbor.

The fourth goal is addressing public safety on the water, working with Salem on a joint public education campaign about water quality and steps to improve the ecological health of Marblehead and Salem harbors. This includes creating public education campaigns around boating safety for all craft.

The fifth goal is to develop

policies and identify investments to address expected long-term sea-level rise in those areas identified by scientists that will be affected in 2030 and beyond, including the Cliff Street Boatyard and Commercial Street Landing. This goal also includes revisiting the feasibility of a breakwater or wave-attenuation strategies in the harbor.

The plan also calls for supporting entrepreneurs with water-based businesses, including the commercial fishing community, core of our blue economy. In 2018, 83 boats landed catch (lobsters, striped bass, cod) valued at $3.28 million.

Together, we can leverage government funding and grants to help implement plans that will protect, enhance and make sustainable our greatest resource for future generations. Marblehead Harbor deserves nothing less.

Rob Howie is a member of the Marblehead Harbor Plan Working Group, Sailors for the Sea Skipper for Marblehead and a board member of Sustainable Marblehead.

Henry “Box” Brown arriving in Philadelphia via the Underground Railroad.

The most comprehensive harbor plan in the past 14 years will be completed this spring, and those who have been working on the plan hope implementation will begin soon thereafter.

Make Peace with Organizing

BY MELISSA STACEY

The following is an interview with Rachel Carlino-Dangora, owner of Make Peace with Organizing, conducted by Discover Marblehead. To learn more about the business, email rachel@ makepeacewithorganizing.com or visit makepeacewithorganizing.com.

Tell us about Make Peace with Organizing. I am the CEO and founder of Make Peace with Organizing, which is a home and business professional organizing company based out of Marblehead. We offer customized organizing solutions for home or office, aimed at enhancing productivity and creating a peaceful and confident environment. Services include home decluttering, downsizing, moving, office organizing, day-to-day life organizing and budgeting. My clients love my positive, upbeat, personable and non-judgmental manner. After each organizing session, I remove the heavy weight that is on their shoulders.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? The best piece of advice I have received is, “Run with your passion,” from my husband, Mike. After practicing law for eight years, I realized I wasn’t passionate about the law. I had always been interested in organizing

but wasn’t sure if there was a need. One Sunday morning, Mike was watching the show “Sunday Morning” and there was a story about professional organizers. An association of organizers was meeting the next night and Mike said he knew it was out of my comfort zone, but I should attend. After attending that meeting, I knew my true passion was helping busy people create a more organized life so they can focus on what matters, like spending time enjoying family and friends and building a business. I truly love what I do!

What is your favorite spot in Marblehead? My favorite spot in Marblehead is Devereux Beach. It’s so wonderful to live so close to the beach. I have fond memories of playing games with my children and walking the beach.

CurreNT reCOMMeNDaTIONS

In “Current Recommendations,” Frances Hill visits local businesses to ask people about their media recommendations.

The Bus Stop

» INTERVIEWED: Kathy Bruin, owner

» LISTENING: Classical in the morning and NPR back and forth in the car for work.

» WATCHING: C-SPAN every morning. I watch some streaming things, including “The Bear” (a cooking show) and “The Seaside Hotel.”

» READING: Right now reading “Wolf Hill,” a long, challenging history book. I picked it up at the COA (Council on Aging). They have books you can pick up.

» SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU OR YOUR CAREER: My store has been here for 47 years and in the beginning it was all handmade items. I had a sewing machine and made bonnets, quilts and sundresses.

Tory’s Jewelry

» INTERVIEWED: Tory Kelly

» LISTENING: I love 99.9 (a Hispanic station) or Classical, at least when I’m at work.

» WATCHING: The only TV I really watch would be on Brit Box or Acorn.

» READING: Louise Penny’s most recent, “A World of Curiosities.” And I just reread another one of hers.

» SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU OR YOUR CAREER: ‘I was a double major in Latin and anthropology, with a minor in psychology. What I use most? Psychology!

Trove » INTERVIEWED: Jack Davidson

» LISTENING: Jazz vocalists, old folk and new folk. Also Brazilian, as well as American music and all areas. I love that Evlis Costello voice.

» WATCHING: I don’t own a TV!

» READING: I’m reading a book called “The Latecomer” by Jean Hanff Korelitz. It’s dark and comedic, but very interesting and well-written.

» SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU OR YOUR CAREER: I’m from Philadelphia, went to Pratt Institute and had my own architecture firm in Philadelphia for 24 years. I burnt out. Looking for a change, I headed north to Maine, and also looked here. My store here came on, then off, then back on the market and I grabbed it. I love Marblehead!

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? That’s a tough one. I’d say people would be surprised that I like my quiet time. I am a very social person in my personal and business life. I’m very active on social media and a big networker. I’ve learned in my adulthood that it’s okay to take a break and take time for yourself. I feel that this helps me regroup and makes me a more productive person.

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.

Helen Mace: ‘Slow down and care for people’

INTERVIEW CONDUCTED

BY LEIGH BLANDER

» Name: Helen Mace

» Age: 89

» Birthplace: I was born at home in Marblehead, in an apartment above where Chet’s Video used to be.

How long have you lived in Marblehead? I have lived here my whole life.

What is your fondest childhood memory? Having so many friends and gathering with them. I mean, we played baseball in the streets, we played hide and seek and we always went home before the street lights went on. That was the rule. And it’s so strange because my youngest son is a retired Navy captain and he was on the Independence through Desert Storm. They asked him, ‘What do you tell your young men taking off from the aircraft carrier?’ And he answered, ‘Come home before the street lights come on. That’s what my mother always told me.’

What jobs have you had and what was your favorite? I did babysitting in high school and, of course, I love children. I love people. Right after graduating from Marblehead High in 1951, I started working at a real estate office in town and I really liked that. When my youngest child turned 13, I went to work at Salem Hospital in the admitting office. So many wonderful people worked there at the time and there were the patients coming in, too. They meant a lot to me. I welcomed them, took all their information and took them to their rooms. We really got to know the patients. Some you got very close to. I also enjoyed that job very very much.

What is the biggest change you’ve seen in the world? It bothers me that people don’t have any respect anymore. Even the young people. I believe they should have their beliefs and their opinions and it’s important, but there’s a

certain way of going about it. They don’t respect teachers, they don’t respect clergy. I think it’s really the foundation of all our problems today. People aren’t considerate. They don’t consider the other person. It’s a “me me” society, which bothers me having come up in the Depression when we didn’t have much. We had each other and we were happy to have each other.

Who is the most famous person you’ve met? I saw Pope John in Rome, but not to speak to. I saw Kennedy when he came to Boston but not to speak to. I met Sebastian Junger, the author. He wrote a book called “War” and made a documentary and my grandson was mentioned in both. He met my grandson in Afghanistan.

What is your most vivid memory from history? Oh, there are so many. There was World War II. We were in grammar school and we had the drills, what we were supposed to do when the whistle went off. Of course, there was the assassination of Jack Kennedy. Oh my god, my mother came from Ireland and adored the Kennedys and I did, too.

What is your biggest

accomplishment? My family. I didn’t go on to college because I was offered that job in the realty office and my family couldn’t afford it. And my husband only went through nine years of school and he joined the Navy. He was in the Korean conflict. We have four wonderful, wonderful children. And six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

Also, my volunteering at the Council on Aging. I’ve volunteered there since I retired from Salem Hospital in 1996. I was named the volunteer of the year in 2004. I have served lunch there and now I help mail out the newsletter. I still come to lunch every Tuesday. I also meet friends at the Muffin Shop every week and there’s a lunch bunch that meets at Three Cod Tavern, too.

What is your best advice to the next generation? Oh my gracious. Probably to slow down, care for people, help people. I don’t care if it’s just holding a door or holding someone’s coat. Just think about other people for a change.

What’s your advice on living a long, healthy life? Keep active. You have to keep active. I still do my own house keeping. I come to the COA.

COURTESY PHOTO: SUSANNAH BOTHE

Rachel Carlino-Dangora

Kathy Bruin

Tory Kelly

Jack Davidson

Helen Mace helps mail the COA newsletter every month.

beeN THere, DON e TH aT

Gender-neutral bathrooms, free diapers, Native American mascots topics of new bills

THE HOUSE AND SENATE:

Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ votes on roll calls from recent February sessions. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.

ALLOW 30 MINUTES BEFORE CONSIDERING

NEW ITEMS (S 17)

Senate 5-33, rejected a Senate rules amendment that would require a 30-minute recess before considering new items on the Senate agenda calendar. Current rules require a recess but do not specify the minimum length of the recess

“This amendment would have ensured at least 30 minutes of time for the consideration of new matters pending before the Senate,” said Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham), one of only two Democrats to vote for the amendment. “Especially considering the magnitude of some of the legislation that comes to the floor, 30 minutes seemed like a reasonable amount of time to review the content.”

“I respect the intent of the … amendment to ensure sufficient time to contemplate these issues coming before us,” said Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “But [I] would suggest that we don’t need a full 30 minutes to do so in every case.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the 30-minute recess. A “No” vote is against it.)

Sen. Brendan Crighton No

ELIMINATE REMOTE

VOTING (S 17)

Senate 3-35, rejected a Senate rules amendment that would strike the rule that allows a senator to participate remotely, from their home, office or other location. In a Senate session. The rule was first instituted during the pandemic.

Amendment supporters said it is time to abolish remote voting and require senators to show up in person for Senate sessions. They argued that the remote voting system was reasonable and useful during the COVID epidemic but noted that remote voting ends up in senators not being able to talk and communicate with each other during the Senate sessions.

Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Suttin), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated attempts by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him why he filed and supported the amendment.

Amendment opponents said that remote voting is a good second option for senators

who cannot be in the chamber because of illness, family matters and more. They noted remote voting increases opportunities for senators to vote instead of not being recorded on a roll call because they are not in the chamber.

(A “Yes” vote is for striking the rule allowing remote voting and is therefore against remote voting. “A “No” vote is against eliminating the rule and therefore in favor of remote voting.)

Sen. Brendan Crighton No

MINORITY

ALLOW

REPORTS (S 18)

Senate 3-36, rejected a joint rules amendment that would allow opponents of a bill to issue a minority report on why they oppose a bill being reported out of a committee. Current rules allow senators to indicate that they oppose the bill but only the senators who support the bill are allowed to submit their reasons for supporting it.

“Those in the minority of a committee decision should be allowed to offer a published record of why they dissented from the majority,” said Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “The Supreme Court allows the dissenting justices of a decision to offer a recorded opinion and I believe this avenue has helped shape future public policy for the better.”

“As we know, members are free to cast their votes in favor or in opposition to a chair’s recommendation and such vote is recorded under the … joint rules,” said Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “The addition of a minority report could actually create some confusion for the public on trying to discern the intentions of the committee. I therefore ask my colleagues to vote no.”

(A “Yes” vote is for allowing a minority report. A “No” vote is against allowing it.)

Sen. Brendan Crighton No

ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL

New bills filed for consideration in the 2023-2024 session include:

GENDER-NEUTRAL BATHROOMS (SD 316) – Would change the state building code to allow gender-neutral bathrooms in new construction and renovations of buildings.

Supporters say that sexsegregated restroom facilities fail to accommodate the needs

of every person, posing special difficulty to transgender and gender nonconforming students. They note that research shows that nearly two-thirds of transgender students avoid school bathrooms because they feel unsafe or uncomfortable.

“Massachusetts strives to be welcoming to all,” said sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “We were the first state to vote to uphold rights against discrimination for all people. This bill would strengthen those protections in a small but very important way, by reducing daily stress for transgender and gender nonconforming people.”

WARNING ON MOBILE PHONES (SD 2327) – Would require all mobile phones sold or leased to disclose, on product packaging, the following notice to consumers: “To assure safety, the Federal Government requires that cell phones meet radio frequency (RF) exposure guidelines. If you carry or use your phone in a pocket or the phone is otherwise in contact with your body when the phone is on and connected to a wireless network, you may exceed the federal guidelines for exposure to RF radiation. Refer to the instructions in your phone or user manual for information about how to use your phone safely.”

“Information and knowledge are key to consumer safety, especially when it comes to children,” says sponsor Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “[The bill] would require disclosures on cell phone packaging that inform consumers of the potential risk of radio frequency exposure and advise cell phone users to review instructions to use their phone safely. Health should always be a priority, and as people, especially young people, spend significant time in close proximity to cell phones, this bill seeks to promote awareness around the safe use of cell phones.”

FREE DIAPERS (SD 239) –

Would create a pilot program to provide free diapers to lowincome families at food pantries.

“Access to new, clean diapers is necessary to preserve our babies’ health,” says sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “No parent should have to resort to reusing soiled diapers due to an inability to pay or have to undergo further economic hardships to acquire diapers. This legislation puts the well-being of our infants and families where it should be, at the forefront.”

Don White and friends returning to Me&Thee

Award-winning singer/ songwriter/comedian Don White will celebrate his North Shore birthday show at Me&Thee Music on Friday, March 3, at 8 p.m., with his son Lawren, Christina Thompson Lively and other special guests. White is returning for the first time since the pandemic.

White has been bringing audiences to laughter and tears for more than 30 years. He has released 10 CDs, three live DVDs and two books, including “Memoirs of a C Student.” His latest album is “Live at the Guthrie Center.” White has opened for Arlo Guthrie, Ritchie Havens, Louden Wainwright III and Taj Mahal, and shared bills with David Bromberg, Janis Ian and Lyle Lovett.

White has been featured in storytelling festivals around

the country, including the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, and the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival in Utah. Since 2015, he has joined master storytellers Bil Lepp and Bill Harley in “Father’s Daze,” a hilarious three-man storytelling show about the triumphs and tribulations of fatherhood. He toured North America for nine years with folk songwriting legend Christine Lavin.

White’s approach to music is a unique blend of humor and powerful songwriting, leading one reviewer to say, “Don will split your sides with laughter while prompting you to go home and hug your kids.” He has received the Jerry Christen Memorial Award from the Boston Area Coffeehouse Association and been given a key

PROHIBIT USE OF NATIVE AMERICAN MASCOTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (SD 857) –Would prohibit public schools from using an athletic team name, logo or mascot which names or is associated with Native Americans, or which denigrates any racial, ethnic, gender or religious group.

“Passage of this bill is an obligation of justice, a recognition of the common humanity of all and a repair of historic wrong,” says sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “It also addresses the deep psychological harm caused by perpetuating harmful, racist stereotypes— harm caused to both people who are of Native American heritage and those who are not. This bill says that the time has come to say loud and clear to Native Americans who had been on this land for millennia before the Pilgrims landed a mere 400 years ago: ‘You are people, not mascots.’”

QUOTABLE QUOTES

“We know gun laws save lives. Massachusetts has consistently remained in the lowest three state rankings. As an urban state with the most effective gun safety laws, we treat guns like automobiles including renewable licensing, first in the nation consumer protection regulations for the gun industry and the most comprehensive assault weapon ban. It is no coincidence that once again we have the lowest gun death rate in the nation.”

—- John Rosenthal, Founder and Chairman of Stop Handgun Violence on a report that shows that Massachusetts ranked 50th in the nation for gun deaths per capita.

“Protecting the environment is a fundamental responsibility of state government and partnering with private businesses like these grant recipients helps us increase and improve recycling across the commonwealth. Our administration is pleased to support these companies as they grow in their local communities and implement innovative methods and practices that allow us all to achieve our common environmental goals.”

—Gov. Maura Healey upon awarding more than $950,000 in grants to six companies under the state’s Recycling and Reuse Business Development Grant program, which will enable Massachusetts recycling

companies to expand and grow their operations and increase the amount and quality of recycling in the state.

“Adding to employers’ woes is the inability to fully staff their businesses with qualified workers. Beacon Hill must proceed with caution this legislative session to avoid further increasing the cost of doing business in Massachusetts—giving small business owners yet another reason to move jobs to a state with friendlier economic conditions or worse, close their doors for good.”

—- National Federation of Independent Business’ Massachusetts state director Christopher Carlozzi.

“Regional Home Care engaged in illegal practices at the expense of vulnerable consumers across Massachusetts who depend on this medical equipment for their health and livelihood. As a result of this settlement, thousands of consumers who were harmed by this company’s actions will directly benefit, and our office will continue to protect consumers from predatory practices and scams.”

—-Attorney General Andrea Campbell announcing her office reached a $2.5 million settlement with Regional Home Care, resolving allegations that the company engaged in unfair, deceptive and abusive debt collection practices in violation of state consumer law and debt collection regulations and improperly collected money from members of MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program, for balances not owed or that were already paid for by MassHealth.

HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION?

During the week of Feb. 13-17, the House met for a total of nine minutes while the Senate met for a total of 15 minutes.

Monday, Feb. 13 House, 11:01 a.m. to 11:06 a.m. Senate, 11:06 a.m. to 11:18 a.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 14 No House session No Senate session

Wednesday, Feb. 15 No House session No Senate session » Thursday, Feb. 16 House, 11:02 a.m. to 11:06 a.m. Senate, 11:17 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.

Friday, Feb. 17 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com.

to the city in his hometown of Lynn.

The Me&Thee is supported in part by a grant from the Marblehead Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Tickets are $25, students and children $10. Tickets are available at Arnould’s Gallery, Washington Street, Marblehead. Online information and tickets are available at meandthee.org. No phone orders are accepted and no other ticket websites are authorized.

Doors open at 7:15 p.m. and the music begins shortly after 8 p.m. Me&Thee Music is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization now in its 53rd season at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 28 Mugford Street in Marblehead. Refreshments are served. Don

JCCNS is gearing up for summer camps

BY KAREN ROBINSON, JCCNS PR & MARKETING DIRECTOR

Summer at the J camps are gearing up another season of Kindercamp and Camp Simchah. Kindercamp, always focused on our youngest campers, will have a rotation of classic favorite specialties (art, science, music, sports, games, puppets and stories) as well as daily swim instruction.

In addition to our camp-wide spirit days, special events and camp amenities, Camp Simchah is bringing back popular specialty camps, like Tennis, Sports, Arts and Travel, while also getting ready to introduce our campers to new activities.

The JCCNS is excited to offer two weeks of Simchah Travel Camp this summer.

All CDC and Marblehead Board of Health safety protocols and procedures will be strictly followed.

Registration for Summer at the J is now open at jccns.org/ summer-camp/.

MHTV can be seen on Comcast Channel 8 and Verizon Channel 28 (2128 in HD).

Visit MHTV at marbleheadtv.org.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22

8 a.m., Democracy Now!

9 a.m., ‘Headliner — The News of Marblehead

9:30 a.m., You Gotta Love

Marblehead!

10 a.m., Yoga For Health & Joy

10:30 a.m., Valda’s Seeds of Life

11 a.m., MHTV Community Partners

Noon, ‘Headliner — The News of Marblehead

12:30 p.m., You Gotta Love

Marblehead!

1 p.m., Groovy Glass

1:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners

3 p.m., Abbot Public Library Presents Salem Sound Coastwatch “Saving Our Shoreline 2023 Building Resilience”

4:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners

5 p.m., What’s Cookin’

5:30 p.m., Eat Well Be Happy 6 p.m., Battleship Cove: Inside the History

6:30 p.m., ‘Headliner — The News of Marblehead 7 p.m.,Marblehead Select Board Meeting **LIVE** THURSDAY, FEB. 23 8 a.m., Democracy Now! 9 a.m., ‘Headliner — The News of Marblehead

a.m., Mass COA Connect

a.m., Let’s Visit

a.m., Eat Well Be Happy 11 a.m., MHTV Community Partners Noon, ‘Headliner — The News of Marblehead

12:30 p.m., Portrait Presentation to the Lucretia and Joseph Brown School

Got volunteerism?

The following is a list of appointed town boards, commissions and committees with vacancies. Anyone interested in serving on one should submit a letter of interest and a resume to the Select Board, Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., or email wileyk@marblehead.org. Call

the Select Board’s Office at 781-631-0000 for more information.

» One-year term, Housing Trust Fund.

» One three-year term, Design Review Board. One-year term, MBTA Advisory Board.

» Five, three-year terms, Marblehead Cultural Council.

» One-year term, Marblehead

of Marblehead

9:30a.m., Up For Discussion

10 a.m., Two Grannies on the Road

10:30 a.m., A Culinary Journey 11 a.m., MHTV Community Partners Noon, ‘Headliner — The News of Marblehead

Forever Committee. One-year term, Task Force Against Discrimination.

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

12:30 p.m., Delicious and Nutritious

1 p.m., Eat Well Be Happy

1:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners

3 p.m., Portrait Presentation to the Lucretia and Joseph Brown School

4:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners

5 p.m., Get Healthy with Holly

5:30 p.m., Valda’s Seeds of Life

6 p.m., IMAGINATION Artist Profiles

6:30 p.m., ‘Headliner — The News of Marblehead

7 p.m., Up For Discussion

7:30 p.m., Marblehead League of Women Voters Presents “Overlooked Too Long: Women of Color and the Struggle for Suffrage”

9 p.m., ‘Headliner — The News of Marblehead

9:30 p.m., Portrait Presentation to the Lucretia and Joseph Brown School

10:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners

TUESDAY, FEB. 28

8 a.m., Democracy Now!

9 a.m., ‘Headliner — The News of Marblehead

9:30 a.m., Public Safety Roundtable

10 a.m., Knowledgeable Aging

10:30 a.m., Ooma’s Cookie Jar

11 a.m., MHTV Community Partners

Noon, ‘Headliner — The News of Marblehead

12:30 p.m., IMAGINATION

Artist Profile

1 p.m., Off the Shelf

1:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners

3 p.m., Marblehead Coalition Presents “Lucretia and Joseph Brown — The Real Story”

4:30 p.m., Community Bulletin Board

5 p.m., Two Grannies on the Road

5:30 p.m., Let’s Visit

6 p.m., Public Safety Round

seeks

Marblehead Abandoned Animals was formed for this purpose.

To volunteer, call 781-631-8664.

Historical Commission seeks volunteers

The Marblehead Historical Commission is looking for two volunteers to help fulfill its mission of preserving Marblehead’s history. The commission specifically

Table

6:30 p.m., ‘Headliner — The News of Marblehead

7 p.m., Valda’s

1 p.m., Groovy Glass

1:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners

3 p.m., Salem League of Women Voters Presents “Offshore Wind in Salem” 4:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners

5 p.m., What’s Cookin’

5:30 p.m., Eat Well Be Happy

6 p.m., Battleship Cove: Inside the History

6:30 p.m., ‘Headliner — The News of Marblehead

7 p.m.,IMAGINATION Artist Profile

7:30 p.m., “Recycling Myths Busted”

9 p.m., ‘Headliner — The News of Marblehead

9:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners

**MHTV program schedule subject to change without notice**

Read the full volunteer descriptions: bit.ly/3Y4k2uD. Those interested should email to historic@marblehead.org an expression of interest and qualifications and/or resume. These volunteer positions are the following:

» Director of communications.

» Office director.

MHTV PrOGra M SCHeDu Le

JCC campers enjoy tennis

Programs, classes, events for seniors

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.

Lunching 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.

Marblehead Citizens Police Academy

The academy is launching a new class in March. Applications are available online at www. marbehead.org/policedepartment or www.marblehead. org/council-on-agingdepartment. You can also sign up at the COA or police station. Call Janice at 781-631-6225 with questions.

Movie Days

Come watch “The Banshees of Inisherin” on Feb. 24, at 1 p.m. RSVP at 781-631-6225.

Flying Solo

Joan Cutler leads this group designed specifically for people who live alone. Tuesday, Feb. 28, 1: 30 p.m.

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.

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 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.

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.

Need help with heating costs?

The Home Energy Assistance Program at North Shore Community Action Programs, Inc. helps income-eligible households pay their winter heating bills even if the cost of heat is included in their rent. If your gross household income falls within certain limits, you may qualify for payment

towards winter heating bills. In addition, eligible National Grid customers may qualify for a discount of up to 32 percent off their electric and gas bills. For more information about Home Energy Assistance, call 978-5318810 or email fuelassistance@ nscap.org.

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 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Need a lift?

The COA offers transportation services to both in-town and out-of-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.

Old North Church

in her her 34th season as director of the Old North Festival Chorus, is looking forward to the postpandemic return of the annual Lenten Choral Concert.

Maria van Kalken, director of the Old North Festival Chorus and minister of music at Old North Church, extends a warm and enthusiastic welcome to all singers to join the chorus for its annual Lenten Choral Concert, which will be the first time the chorus has performed with full orchestra in person since March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Celebrating her 34th season as director of the Festival Chorus, van Kalken has planned a memorable choral concert to take place at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 2, Palm Sunday.

The centerpiece of the

Over the years,

Lenten Choral Concert will be the “Requiem in D” by W.A. Mozart, universally recognized as among the most poignant and breathtakingly beautiful works of the sacred choral repertoire.

Members of the Old North Senior Choir, soloists and singers from the Old North Festival Chorus — accompanied by the Festival Orchestra — will present an hour-long concert in the sanctuary at Old North Church in Marblehead.

This event marks the beginning of Holy Week and was established to offer members of the Marblehead community a program of musical reflection by

candlelight.

Over the years, the ensemble has more than doubled from its original 40 singers to over 80, who present challenging and extraordinary musical programs.

The concert on Sunday, April 2 is free and open to the public, though a free-will offering will be gratefully accepted.

Registration and the first rehearsal will take place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22 in the Parish Hall of Old North Church. Subsequent rehearsals will take place every Wednesday evening from 7:30 to 9 p.m. until the April 2 performance.

Additional rehearsal sessions

may be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday mornings in March as needed. Details about Saturday morning rehearsal sessions will be forthcoming.

A mandatory dress rehearsal will take place on Saturday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Singers will be required to use the Bärenreiter Urtext edition of the Mozart “Requiem” vocal score; this edition will be available to borrow from the Old North Church Library, with a few available for purchase. These scores are also available online at Amazon and Sheetmusicplus.

All interested singers from high school age and up are

encouraged to join, including those who have performed in past Festival Chorus Christmas and Lenten concerts, as well as newcomers.

Auditions are not required, though participants are expected to have basic singing skills and experience with choral singing. Proof of COVID vaccination is required at registration and first rehearsal, and singers will be asked to take rapid at-home tests prior to rehearsals and the performance. Tests will be provided by Old North Church. At this time, masks are encouraged but optional.

All invited to join chorus concert’s post-pandemic return Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ among selections for Lenten show

Maria van Kalken, minister of music at

and

COURTESY PHOTOS

the

Old North Festival Chorus has more than doubled from its original 40 singers to over 80.

Chair Volleyball has started at the COA.

Abbot Public Library’s program schedule

Get a new library card

Have you lost your library card? Bring your identification on your next visit to the library to get a new card.

Do you have a library card and keep forgetting to bring it? Put it on your phone. Download an app to organize all your cards on your phone, or take a photo of the barcode of your library card, and the library will scan it from your phone. Patrons can even download and access your library card barcode through the NOBLE app. Learn more on your next visit or call 781-631-1481.

New digs

The Abbot Public Library has temporarily moved into the Eveleth School, 3 Brook Road, as their 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 does ask that patrons contribute what they wish at the time of 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* (new!).

» 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.

Tax counseling program

» Monday, Feb. 27, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Mondays, March 6, 13, 20 and 27, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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

The Abbot Library will host the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program on Mondays starting Feb. 6 through April 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Reservations for this program are being taken during regular library hours. To reserve a spot, call the Reference Desk at 781631-1481. Please be aware that you will need your last year’s tax

returns and 2022 paperwork.

Open lab

Mondays, Feb. 27, drop-in 2:30-4 p.m.

Do you have a question about your computer, smartphone, or tech gadget? Do you want time to practice where someone can help if you get stuck?

Every Monday, join a staff member for one-on-one help with your device. Windows laptops will be available for attendees who cannot transport their device.

Drop by the Reference Room anytime between 2:30-4 p.m. Registration is not required.

Community craft and chat

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 1-3 p.m.

Are you an adult who loves crocheting, knitting, embroidery or other contained crafts? Come to Community Craft & Chat!

Bring your project to the Abbot Public Library Program Room from 1-3 p.m.

This program is for adults.

Registration is recommended. Register at tinyurl.com/ Feb-2023-Craft-and-Chat.

Zine workshop for teens

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

If you still need to get familiar with zines, don’t worry! Easy to create and fun to share, zines are small folded

paper booklets bursting with creativity. Master the art of the zine fold during this program and produce your material to share with others.

3D printing

Monday, Feb. 27, 6-7 p.m.

Children in grades 5-6 are invited to learn to code and laser print objects using 3D technology. The printer and library Chromebooks are supplied to work on the coding steps during the program. Registration is required. Visit abbotlibrary.org/events/category/ childrens.

Books and brushes

Tuesdays, Feb. 28, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Children in grades 1-3 are invited to come and explore painting materials and styles while listening to a story or recording. The emphasis will be on having fun with the process; painting experience is not required.

All materials will be provided. Bring an old shirt or T-shirt to help keep clothing clean during class.

Registration is required as space is limited to eight. Visit abbotlibrary.org/events/category/ childrens.

The schedule will be as follows: Feb. 28, painting on fabric.

Library taking part in Boston Bruins PJ Drive

Donations

M arbLeHea D LITTLe THeaTre

‘Tuck Everlasting’ to open Feb. 24

Marblehead Little Theatre’s production of “Tuck Everlasting,” written by Claudia Shear and Tim Federle with music by Chris Miller and lyrics by Nathan Tysen, opens Friday, Feb. 24.

Produced by Erin Pelikhov and Ted Merritt, directed by Trudi Olivetti with music direction by Thom Smoker and choreography by Will Fafard, “Tuck Everlasting” will run through March 5 at Marblehead Little Theatre, 12 School St., Marblehead. Tickets can be purchased at mltlive.org.

The cast features Emilia Tagliani as Winnie Foster, Molly Brierley as Betsy Foster, Linda Jones as Nana, Allison Russell as Mae Tuck, Andrew Hankinson as Angus Tuck, Braden Foley as Jesse Tuck, AJ Macrina as Miles Tuck, David Foye as Constable Joe, Brendan Johnson as Hugo and Dom Pappagallo as The Man in the Yellow Suit.

Ensemble players include Catherine Bisi (dancer), Hannah Gearan, Allan MacTaylor, Jack Newton (dancer), Brooke Shelley (dancer), Carol Weekley, TS Burnham (dancer), June Gambale (dancer), Holly Inman (dancer), Rebecca Millman, Gene Pelikhov (dancer), Amelia Smith and Sarah Wolman (dancer).

Based on the children’s novel by Natalie Babbitt, “Tuck Everlasting” centers around 11-year-old Winnie Foster, who yearns for a life of adventure beyond her white picket fence. Not until she becomes unexpectedly entwined with the Tuck family does she get more than she ever could have imagined.

When Winnie learns of the magic behind the Tucks’ unending youth, she must fight to protect their secret from those who would do anything for a chance at eternal life. As her adventure unfolds, Winnie faces an extraordinary choice: return to her life or continue with the Tucks on their infinite journey.

About MLT

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 live-theater productions for over six decades. Check mltlive.org for more children’s program opportunities and upcoming auditions for the 2023-2024 season.

Abbot Public Library has teamed up with the Boston Bruins and Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners — as well as other libraries, schools and organizations — to participate in the 16th annual Boston Bruins PJ Drive to benefit the Department of Children and Families’ Wonderfund and Cradles to Crayons.

The PJ Drive’s goal is to collect 10,000 pairs of new pajamas. Many of the pajamas donated will go to local DCF offices in the area in which they were collected, benefitting local kids and teens. DCF estimates that, at any given time, the agency is working with 50,000 babies, children and teens. This year’s Boston Bruins PJ Drive will run through March 15. Bruins forward P.J. Axelsson and his wife, Siw, started the PJ Drive during the Boston Bruins 2007-2008 season as a way to give back to their community. The couple collected 1,600 pairs of pajamas for Cradles to Crayons, which connects with social service agencies to identify specific children in need.

Libraries from across the state joined the PJ Drive in 2014 and have collected over 53,000 pairs of pajamas since then.

Abbot Library will be collecting new pairs of pajamas for babies, children and teens, particularly the following sizes:

» Girls: 12-18 months, 18-24 months, 5/6 (child S), 18/20 (child XXL/adult M).

» Boys: 12-18 months, 18-24 months, 10/12 (child L), 14/16 (child XL/adult S), 18/20 (child XXL/adult M).

To donate, bring new pajamas to Abbot Public Library, currently located at 3 Brook Road in Marblehead, during open hours. The donation box is located right inside the main entrance.

If you are unable to bring PJs or prefer to participate monetarily, you can make a donation to cradlestocrayons.org/boston/

Lynn, Marblehead churches to convene Tyre Nichols conversation

On Sunday, Feb. 26, the Beloved Community Team of St. Stephen’s Memorial Episcopal Church in Lynn and the Church of St. Andrew in Marblehead will host a community conversation about the murder of Tyre Nichols. The event will be from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at St. Stephen’s, 74 South Common St, Lynn.

In this conversation, spurred by recent outrage at the killing

of Nichols at the hands of police in Memphis, community members are invited to explore what this event means to us as citizens of the United States and what it means on a local level. What can we do as citizens both nationally and locally to address injustice — and ultimately establish a just and hopeful world?

“This is important work during a month that is dedicated

to Blacks in America,” said Helen Patmon, Beloved Community Team leader. “Please join us in solidarity and hope and be the change you want in the world!”

The afternoon will be facilitated by Zena Link, acting director of the Mission Institute, public school educator and strategist for community organizations. Link has nationallevel experience in consulting

with organizations committed to the systemic fair treatment of all persons in order to facilitate

equitable outcomes. The event is free and open to the public.

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 (Monday-Saturday): 9 a.m.

» Confessions: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Saturday

» 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.

» Wednesday, Feb. 22: Ash

Wednesday, Masses at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 27: 3 p.m., Altar server training in church

» Annual food drive is ongoing through Feb. 26. Donations may be dropped off at the church on weekends or at the Parish Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Wednesday

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

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

CONGREGATIONAL

OLD NORTH CHURCH, THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN MARBLEHEAD

» 35 Washington St.

» 781-631-1244 onchurch.org

Wednesday, Feb. 22: Bell ringing for George Washington’s birthday; 7:30 p.m., Festival Chorus in Parish Hall

» Friday, Feb. 24: 7:30 a.m., Men’s Breakfast in Great Room

Sunday, Feb. 26: Rabbi Meyer preaching; 8 a.m., worship service; 9 a.m., choir rehearsal; 10 a.m., worship service; 11:15 a.m., Confirmation class

» Monday, Feb. 27: 6:30 p.m.,

Women’s AA in Parish Hall

Tuesday, Feb. 28: 9 a.m., Lectio Divina; 7:30 p.m., Bell Choir

Wednesday, March 1: 10 a.m., Staff meeting; 7:30 p.m., Festival Chorus rehearsal

» Thursday, March 2: 7 p.m., deacons’ meeting in Great Room

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, 2:153:30 p.m., Parish Hall open for exercise

Wednesday, noon: Eucharist

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

» Wednesday, Feb. 22: Ash

Wednesday 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 Wednesdays: Morning Prayer, 9:30 a.m. on Facebook Live

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

JEWISH

TEMPLE EMANU-EL, REFORM CONGREGATION

393 Atlantic Ave. 781-631-9300

» emanu-el.org

» Shabbat: Friday, 6 p.m., in person

Colorful stuffed elephant stampede invades gallery

Opening reception set for Feb. 26

A colorful show of stuffed cotton elephants created by Nancy Diaz is on display during February at the Stetson Gallery in the Unitarian Universalist Universalist Church of Marblehead at 28 Mugford St.

Diaz is also displaying stuffed teddy bears she has made as prototypes for puppets to accompany a friend’s book about the relationship between a polar bear and a black bear. The community is invited to celebrate with her at noon at the church on Feb. 26. Refreshments will be served.

During the COVID quarantine, Diaz was searching for a meaningful way to fill her time

at home and made 17 colorful gingham elephants, which she donated to Temple Sinai for its collection of gifts for the New American Center in Lynn.

The center, which supports migrants from countries like Afghanistan and Ukraine, not only was not only hunting for housing for the newcomers but sought toys and books for children.

“They were such a big hit, I made 20 more,” Diaz said.

These fellows are currently hanging from the walls of the church, looking for families to treasure them.

Diaz has sewn many of her own outfits; she also makes

quilts and knits sweaters for friends and family. Diaz teaches a knitting group at Temple Sinai, which makes hats, scarves, fingerless gloves and baby blankets for shelters like Lifebridge and HAWC, which offers help to abused women.

During the early days of the COVID epidemic, Diaz made hundreds of face masks from fabric she had collected over the years for people having trouble finding protective gear. She also has knitted a large supply of yarmulkes, which she plans to donate to local temples, where they can be used to cover the heads of congregants.

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

» Friday, Feb. 24: Noon, office closes

» Sunday, Feb. 26: 10:30 a.m., Pulpit exchange with Old North Church

Monday, Feb. 27: 6:30 p.m., Sisterhood Challah baking with Marla

Meyer and Sue Weiss

» Wednesday, March 1: 5:45 p.m.,

Pre-Confirmation; 7 p.m., Monthly

Movie Night

Friday, March 3: 9:30 a.m., Chai

Baby

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.

» Minyans: Saturday, 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Monday, 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.;

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. (at Congregation Shirat Hayam, Swampscott)

» Wednesday, March 1: 6 p.m., Jewish Prayer Workshop with Rabbi Michael Schwartz

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.

Monday, Feb. 27: 6 p.m., Black History Month Discussion at First Church in Swampscott

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)

» Wednesday, March 1: 7 p.m.,

Wednesday Evening Vespers

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, Feb. 25: 1 p.m., 350.org meeting

Sunday, Feb. 26: 9 a.m., Sunday Seminar; 10:30 a.m., Sunday Services; 11:30 a.m., After Service Social; 12:30 p.m., Life Span Learning Search/Exploration group

Wednesday, March 1: 9 a.m., Small Group Ministry; 7 p.m., Committee on Ministry

Zena Link, acting director of the Mission Institute, will facilitate a community conversation on the murder of Tyre Nichols at St. Stephen’s Memorial Episcopal Church of Lynn at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. The Church of St. Andrew in Marblehead is co-sponsoring the event.

Nancy Diaz poses with some of the colorful stuffed elephants she began to create during COVID quarantine.

STeTSON G a LLery

Rash of car breaks investigated

Excerpts from the Marblehead police log of Friday, Feb. 10 through Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. Consistent with state law, Marblehead Police have adopted a policy of not providing to media outlets reports related to incidents related to domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation.

Friday, Feb. 10

8 a.m. Police assisted with the disposal of fireworks or flares on Ocean Avenue.

8:36 a.m. A walk-in reported that a vehicle had been entered on Elm Street, but nothing was missing.

9:16 a.m. Another car break was reported on Elm Street.

9:22 a.m. A resident reported that a vehicle had been entered on Roosevelt Avenue, and unspecified items were reported missing.

9:26 a.m. Police received another report of a vehicle being entered on Roosevelt Avenue.

9:42 a.m. A break-in to a vehicle was reported on Curtis Street.

10:13 a.m. A cell phone caller reported two vehicles had been entered on Taft Street and that change had been stolen from them.

10:23 a.m. Another break-in to a vehicle was reported on Taft Street.

11:50 a.m. Yet another car

break-in was reported on Roosevelt Avenue.

12:14 p.m. An officer was dispatched to the area of Washington and Hooper streets on the report of a possible nonpermitted solicitor. Upon searching the area, the officer located the man in question in the area of Washington and State streets. The man handed the officer a Verizon business card with the contact information for his supervisor, explaining that he worked as a subcontractor for Verizon and was checking in on past and current Verizon Business customers. The officer then spoke over the phone with the supervisor, who professed ignorance about the town bylaws pertaining to soliciting and canvassing. After consulting with his supervisor, the solicitor decided to call it quits for the day.

12:31 p.m. Another car break-in was reported on Curtis Street.

2:15 p.m. An officer spoke with a Marion Road Extension resident who had been informed by his employer that someone had fraudulently filed for unemployment benefits using his personal information. The man had reported the incident to IdentityTheft.gov and placed a fraud alert on all accounts in case they were compromised. The man just wanted to

document the incident with his local police department as well.

3:05 p.m. A caller reported a broken hydrant on Cornell Road.

3:25 p.m. A 911 caller from Creesy Street made a report of bullying. An officer investigated and filed a report.

4:21 p.m. A minor two-vehicle accident was reported on Pleasant Street.

5:26 p.m. A caller on Curtis Street reported having recovered items.

7:45 p.m. A water problem was reported on Atlantic Avenue.

Saturday, Feb. 11

10:34 a.m. A vehicle was towed after a crash on Elm Street.

12:12 p.m. Officers investigated a report of kids throwing things on Roundhouse Road. The kids could not be located.

3:13 p.m. Larceny, forgery or fraud was reported on Humphrey Street.

4:58 p.m. An officer responded to a report of animals in the basement on Higgins Road. Log indicates that someone was transported to the hospital.

5:01 p.m. A vehicle was towed after an officer investigated a report of a car leaking gas on Mugford Street.

Sunday, Feb. 12

3:56 p.m. Officers investigated a disturbance on Evans Road.

8:23 p.m. Officers investigated

a disturbance on Westminster Road and filed a report.

9:46 p.m. Officers investigated a report that a caller’s daughter had left the house on Lucia Road and filed a report.

Monday, Feb. 13

9:18 a.m. An officer investigated a report of larceny, forgery or fraud on Foster Street and filed a report.

2:12 p.m. A vehicle with a broken window was reported on Fairview Road.

2:52 p.m. A caller on Creesy Street reported an issue with bullying. An officer investigated and filed a report.

4:29 p.m. A caller on Rockaway Avenue reported having received harassing phone calls.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

4:23 p.m. A caller on Pickwick Road reported his or her phone had been lost or stolen.

6:24 p.m. Officers investigated a disturbance on Pond Street and filed a report.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

10:50 a.m. A Walnut Street resident reported a sale gone bad.

11 a.m. An officer was dispatched to Atlantic Avenue to investigate a driver’s report that he had not seen a bicyclist while pulling into a parking space, which had forced the bicyclist

to move to the right and strike a parked car. The caller reported that there was no damage to his own vehicle. The officer then spoke with the bicyclist, who confirmed the story. The vehicle struck by the bike, a BMW, was left with a small scratch and minor paint damage, while the bicyclist reported that he was uninjured and his bike appeared to be fine, too. A dispatcher attempted to contact the BMW’s owner, but the number police had for him was not in service.

8:09 p.m. An officer conducted speed enforcement on West Shore Drive and Waterside Road until about 9 p.m. but did not observe any violations amid light traffic.

Thursday, Feb. 16

7 a.m. A dead squirrel was reported on Byors Road.

8:55 a.m. Officers investigated a report of an open door on Clifton Avenue.

2:21 p.m. A Westminster Road resident reported receiving a grandparent scam call.

4:33 p.m. An officer investigated a possible restraining order violation on Intrepid Circle.

5 p.m. Officers investigated a report of a suspicious package on Broughton Road.

11:49 p.m. Officers responded to the report of a vehicle crash on Front Street.

SJC upholds Marblehead man’s murder convictions

BY WILLIAM J. DOWD

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld the firstdegree homicide convictions of a Marblehead man Tuesday.

In the winter of 2014, a Salem Superior Court jury found Peter Ronchi guilty in the stabbing death of his pregnant girlfriend, Yuliya Galperina, and her nearly full-term fetus.

Following the two first-degree murder convictions, Superior Court Judge David Lowy, now an

associate justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, sentenced Ronchi to two life sentences without the possibility of parole.

With his appeal, Ronchi was attempting to reduce his first-degree convictions to manslaughter, which would have made him eligible for parole. But the court affirmed the outcome in the lower court.

Ronchi argued that he had stabbed Galperina in the “heat of passion upon reasonable provocation,” that being that the

Franklin J. Bunker, 95

Franklin Joseph Bunker, age 95, a resident of White Rock, New Mexico, passed peacefully and quietly on Jan. 5, 2023.

Frank has joined his loving wife, Patricia L. Bunker; his son, Bruce R. Bunker; parents, Raymond and Hazel Bunker; and his brothers, Arthur and Richard Bunker, on his new journey.

Frank’s successes in life consisted of being a senior

victim had disclosed — falsely — that he was not the unborn child’s father.

Ronchi also argued that he could not be held liable for the death of the fetus because he had not stabbed or otherwise injured the fetus. Instead, the evidence showed that the fetus had died because the mother’s blood had stopped circulating. Gaziano called “strained at best” Ronchi’s contention that the fetus was uninjured by the stabbing, even if none of the 15

engineer in the photo instrumentation department at the EG&G’s Los Alamos operations. In addition to his field and laboratory work at EG&G, Frank’s background in photography included two years of special studies in camera and processing techniques at the Eastern School of Photography in Boston, along with photographic and optical courses taken at both the Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester, and studies in chemistry pursued at the University of New Mexico.

stab wounds touched the fetus.

“By ending the mother’s life, he destroyed the viable fetus through the cessation of lifesustaining maternal blood flow,” Gaziano wrote.

The court also used Ronchi’’s case as an opportunity to address the question of whether it would continue to recognize “oral revelations of infidelity” as a basis for “reasonable provocation” in manslaughter cases, a matter on which the court had expressed “serious

Frank wasn’t always just in the photo processing business. After graduation from high school in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, he spent two exciting years with the Navy’s Seabees, sailing to Tokyo Bay with the occupation forces and getting a real glimpse of the Mt. Fujiyama. He spent the greater part of his Navy service in Guam.

Frank was born in Boston and lived in New Hampshire, later moving to Marblehead before moving to Los Alamos, New Mexico, in the early 1970s with his wife, Patricia.

The vast open spaces of New

doubt” last year in the case Commonwealth v. Steeves.

The SJC has now gone a step further, deciding that the principle had “run its course.”

“The exception rests upon a shaky, misogynistic foundation and has no place in our modern jurisprudence,” Gaziano wrote. “Going forward, we no longer will recognize that an oral discovery of infidelity satisfies the objective element of something that would provoke a reasonable person to kill his or her spouse.”

Mexico and especially the Sangre de Cristo mountains were much to Frank’s liking, and he spent much leisure time camping and hiking. At home, his diversions included making rugs, bread and studying Spanish. Frank has indeed become a legend of his time and will be greatly missed and remembered by many for his quiet, subtle sense of humor.

Frank is survived by his daughter. Dayle Bunker Persons of Marblehead, as well as several nieces and nephews who are living in locations throughout the United States.

The Marblehead Current publishes obituaries online for free and in its print edition for a flat fee of $200.

Submissions or inquiries should be sent to notices@marbleheadnews.org.

Submissions should include the name of the funeral home serving the deceased’s family, along with a daytime phone number for a person to contact, in case we have any questions about the obituary.

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

Court eliminates ‘oral revelations of infidelity’ as basis for lesser charge

gives

Finance Committee

» DATE: Monday, Feb. 13

» LOCATION: Abbot Hall/ hybrid

» LWVM OBSERVER:

Katharine Redmond

» MEMBERS PRESENT: Alec

Goolsby, Pat Franklin, Cameron Staples, Timothy Shotmeyer, Terra Samuels, Michael O’Neil, Molly Teets, Eric Knight, Michael Janko

» GUEST: Town Administrator

Thatcher Kezer

Update on FY24

budget process

The town has reached a

long-anticipated budget crisis, Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer reported. Ongoing baseline expenses have grown faster than available revenues for yet another year, and there is not sufficient “free cash” to close the gap. There is a structural deficit, and to submit a balanced budget at Town Meeting, departments

will need to make budget cuts, which will be visible and painful to all.

Kezer is working with department heads, and Finance Committee members are meeting with their liaison groups developing these painful budgets.

At the same time, Kezer and the Finance Committee liaison groups will continue meetings to hammer out an alternative budget, which would require an override to Proposition 2 1/2. Kezer aims to create budgets that accurately reflect the cost of doing the town’s business.

Part of the discussion will be to decide if the override should address the problem for FY 24 only or build a more long-term plan. (The “Town of Marblehead State of the Town” presentation is very informative. It is posted on the Town of Marblehead website under “Home/News”).

Tentative schedule of budget-review meetings

The Finance Committee’s tentative schedule of meetings to review budgets is as follows:

» Monday, March 20: Health and Waste, Library, Retirement.

Monday, March 27:

Recreation and Parks, Assessor, Cemetery, Town Clerk.

» Monday, April 3: Select Board, Schools, Water and Sewer.

Monday, April 10: Warrant Hearing.

These reports are compiled by volunteers from the Marblehead League of Women Voters’ Observer Corps. To see the full catalog of Observer Corps reports and learn more about the nonpartisan political organization, see my.lwv. org/massachusetts/marblehead.

Next ‘Conversation on Race’ set for Feb. 27

Task Force Against Discrimination

» DATE: Thursday, Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

» LWVM OBSERVER: Kathy

Leonardson

» IN ATTENDANCE: Diane

Gora and Helaine Hazlett (co-chairs), Scott Marcus, Chief Dennis King, Saria Miller, Reece Dahlberg, Louis Meyi (liaison to Marblehead Racial Justice Team), Helina Tadesse (student representative), Deacon Joe Whipple and Jay Morrison.

Deacon Joe Whipple had difficulty with his connection and left at 7:52 p.m.

Welcome new member

New MHS student member

Helina Tadesse was welcomed, and TFAD members introduced themselves. Tadesse also serves on Team Harmony at Marblehead High School.

Tadesse and TFAD student representative Celia Sliney both attended the Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony.

Update from Marblehead

Police Department

Chief King read the statement

he put out upon the release of the graphic video of Tyre Nichols being beaten by police. Chief King spoke to his officers about how it related to our community.

Incidents: There currently are none and no open cases under investigation.

Holocaust Remembrance Day (Jan. 27)

Hazlett and Chief King summarized the afternoon program that took place at Abbot Hall with 50-60 people in attendance. A proclamation from the town was read; poems were read. Rabbi Meyer invited Moses Grader to speak, and he gave a very moving talk that combined history with a personal story, receiving a standing ovation. The Select Board was asked to hold this event annually.

February Book Read

Reece Dahlberg said 100 books

“Stamped (For Kids)” were purchased for Black History Month. Dahlberg spoke to principals about distribution of the books. Parents can also order the books from Copper Dog bookstore at a special rate.

A flier will be created about the books. Copies will be available before February school vacation. School libraries and Abbot Public Library also have copies in their collections.

Report on Mass Cultural Council Grant Gora and Sliney applied for a grant for $1,000 last fall to fund activities for the upcoming Juneteenth celebration. MidJanuary, they received an email that they were awarded the grant. The program would include Greg Coles (drumming), storytelling, plus fund printing of brochures and fliers for publicity. The grant has various reporting requirements and provides reimbursement for expenses.

Chris Buell has been in touch with the president of the Festival of Arts about TFAD having a booth at the festival, and that is still pending.

Report on Marblehead Public Schools

Tadesse said Team Harmony is preparing to do seminars at the Veterans School on antisemitism, racism and

microaggressions.

Gora reported that for Black History Month at Glover Elementary School, a short video is shown each day that celebrates the accomplishments of Black people, such as Serena and Venus Williams. Students then read a short blurb about the individuals.

Glover School is also preparing for the Racial Justice Team to bring two pieces of artwork to the school on May 5, where they will reside for one year; the artwork is of John Lewis and Harriet Tubman. The artwork will move to a different school each year, May to May.

Update from Marblehead

Racial Justice Team

Louis Meyi and Jay Morrison from the Racial Justice Team spoke about the vigil held at Seaside Park last Sunday, attended by about 50 people.

Chief King, Rev. Bixby, Rep. Jenny Armini and Rev. Crawford all gave meaningful presentations. Morrison said that Chief King’s presentation was monumental in that it

was healing, hopeful and reassuring. The TFAD and MRJT collaborated on creating a poster graphic placard: “Hands Up for (blank),” fill in the blank.

Monday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. is the next monthly Conversation on Race, topic “Soundtrack of the Civil Rights Movement.” The program registration is listed on the Marblehead Museum website. The previous program with the Lynn Museum was very successful, held only online due to weather, with good attendance.

Morrison is working on a program for March 27, gathering people who were founding members of Marblehead Racial Justice Team, asking why they got involved and looking to the future.

Other business

TFAD has submitted its section of the town report for 2022 to the Select Board. Natalie Belli will talk about the TFAD book selection at the next meeting.

The next TFAD meeting will be Thursday, March 16 at 7 p.m.