01.21.2026 - Volume 4, Issue 9

IN THIS ISSUE

HEALTH

SPORTS

RICH & FAMOUS

Examining vaccine data for Marblehead students

MYSA celebrates a big milestone, looks ahead

Local author dishes about ‘mean girls’ and her new book

Page 6

Page 10

Page 13

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JANUARY 21, 2026

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VOLUME 4, ISSUE NO. 9

FIRST WAVE 1

School Committee approves new user fees for athletics, other extracurriculars. Page 2.

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MARBLEHEADCURRENT.ORG

Crowd gathers for singing, calls to action at MLK Community Breakfast. Page 14

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ON SOCIAL @MHDCURRENT

bands rock a Penguin selling and 3 Local 5 What’s 4 From out for hometown Plunge to live music for how much?

crowds. Page 12.

and open mic night, check out Current Events on page 13.

Check out real estate sales on page 14.

Five facts from this week’s Marblehead Current.

HOUSING

Town Meeting voters to decide fate of new multifamily zoning plan

BY LEIGH BLANDER The Planning Board voted unanimously Jan. 13 to place a new multifamily zoning proposal on the warrant for May’s Town Meeting, aiming to bring Marblehead into compliance with the MBTA Communities Act and regain eligibility for millions in state grants.

The proposal, still being finalized, would create three

multifamily districts: the Tedesco Country Club, part of the former General Glover House restaurant property, and Broughton Road.

On Jan. 14, Select Board Chair Dan Fox told the Current that he and other town leaders met last week with a state-funded consultant to address six technical issues flagged by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities in

Marblehead’s plan. Planning Board member Mark Liebman described the issues as “small hurdles,” including questions about frontage, parking, unit size, noise limits and design rules.

Fox said the town plans to send a revised proposal addressing the technical issues back to the state this week.

“I’m overwhelmingly positive about this,” Liebman said.

“What we achieved here is proof of concept that Tedesco will work.”

The Planning Board also plans community meetings on the proposal around March.

Voters rejected an earlier plan in July that targeted Broughton Road, Tioga Way and parts of Pleasant Street for zoning that would allow for multifamily housing as of right but not require any construction.

HONORING THE HAGGIS

Auld acquaintance not forgot at Marblehead’s Burns Night

In addition, the Planning Board approved a placeholder question for Town Meeting to amend bylaws regarding accessory dwelling units, which would bring Marblehead into compliance with new state requirements.

Coffin School reuse

Also on Jan. 13, the town’s HOUSING, P. 3

CONSERVATION

Speaking for the trees: Lorax-inspired plea highlights debate

BY LEIGH BLANDER

CURRENT PHOTOS / LUCA TEDESCO

Bagpiper Jeremy Bell of Boston recites the Robert Burns poem “Address to a Haggis” during the Burns Night celebrations at The Landing Restaurant on Thursday Jan. 15.

BY LUCA TEDESCO The sound of the bagpipes and the smell of haggis filled the air at The Landing Restaurant on Thursday for the annual Burns Night celebration hosted by Rhod Sharp and his wife, Vicki Staveacre.

A tradition dating back to 1801, Burns suppers celebrate the life and poetry of Robert Burns, the prolific national poet of Scotland best known as the author of “Auld Lang Syne.”

“I want to share my heritage with the people who have been so generous to me,” said Sharp. “I’m grateful to Marblehead for taking us in. A lot of what’s happened to us couldn’t have happened, I think, without the help of people in town here. I want to give something back, so this event is an act of giving back.”

Sharp, a native of Perth, Scotland, was the longtime host of “Up All Night,” a BBC news and sports radio

TREES, P. 7

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

Small bowls of haggis, a traditional Scottish dish, were eaten by revelers at the

HAGGIS, P. 3 Burns supper.

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At a Jan. 14 public meeting on requests to remove public shade trees, local conservationist Don Morgan rose to speak and sounded a bit like one of Dr. Seuss’ most beloved characters, the Lorax, who famously declares, “I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.”

“I think trees need an advocate, and I haven’t heard one,” Morgan told the Select Board.

Morgan said he has yet to encounter a tree that doesn’t provide value.

“I haven’t met a tree that isn’t a great tree.

They’re all doing something for us. They’re pumping oxygen out there, and they’re taking the crap out of the air we’re putting in,” he said.

Morgan acknowledged there are often trade-offs when trees conflict with infrastructure — whether wires, roofs or root-filled yards.

“We’ve got air to take care of, too,” he said.

Under Marblehead bylaws, public shade trees cannot be removed unless they pose an immediate risk to the public or are diseased.

Residents may request a public hearing to remove a tree, prompting the discussion at last week’s meeting.

The first request involved a public shade tree on Thomas Circle. Homeowners abutting the tree asked that it be removed,

Local conservationist Don Morgan, shown here looking at photos of the Marblehead Farmers Market that he helped start, spoke in favor of trees at a Jan. 14 Select Board meeting.

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2 Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Marblehead Current

PUBLIC SAFETY

Fire chief recovering after unexpected heart surgery

NEWS FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT.

BY LEIGH BLANDER

CHAIR AND PRESIDENT

Marblehead Fire Chief Jason Gilliland is home and recovering after undergoing unexpected heart surgery last week.

“I’m doing extremely well,” Gilliland told the Current on Friday.

Gilliland said he had gone in for what he believed would be a routine MRI when a radiologist made a potentially lifesaving discovery.

“I went in for a routine

MRI and, luckily, the radiologist went a little higher and noticed a golf ballsized tumor in my heart,” he said. “They said it’s lucky that a piece didn’t flick off, or I would’ve been dead.”

The tumor was noncancerous, Gilliland said.

“I had a really great surgeon at Mass General who took the damn thing out,” he added.

Gilliland said he had experienced no cardiac symptoms prior to the scan.

He is expected to recover at home over the next couple of weeks while senior officers oversee daily operations at the town’s two firehouses.

“I’m still at the helm as far as admin goes, and I log in remotely,” he said. “The only day I missed logging in was the day of surgery.”

Gilliland said he is working on his report for May’s Town Meeting and plans to attend the State of the Town address at Abbot Hall on Jan. 28.

Bob Peck NEWSROOM Editor - Leigh Blander

lblander@marbleheadnews.org

Consulting Editor - Kris Olson kolson@marbleheadnews.org

Sports Reporter Joe McConnell

jmcconnell@marbleheadnews.org

CONTRIBUTORS

COURTESY PHOTO

Fire Chief Jason Gilliland says he is feeling “extremely well” after undergoing heart surgery last week.

EDUCATION

Athletics, extracurricular fees to go up; Robidoux sees tough budget choices ahead

BY LEIGH BLANDER The School Committee voted Jan. 15 to increase user fees for athletics and other extracurricular activities. Member Melissa Clucas voted against the increases.

Committee Chair Al Williams was not present.

Fees for one season of sports at Marblehead High will rise from $540 to $555. The annual perfamily maximum for family fees will jump from $2,060 to $2,125.

Fees for preschool and kindergarten are also increasing.

The fee for full-day kindergarten is going from $4,000 to $4,120.

Families can apply for financial waivers.

“Our user fees are already so high,” Clucas said. “I think we’re trying to force fit these on parents to make up a budget gap. I don’t think it’s appropriate.”

The School Committee voted to place several placeholder override requests on the Town Meeting warrant (agenda). No dollar amounts are included. It also approved placing requests for 11 revolving fund accounts, including for kindergarten and special education.

Superintendent John Robidoux spoke about the ongoing budget process as the district tries to trim at least $1.7 million to meet the town’s level-funding mandate.

District leaders have already identified several efficiencies, bringing the gap down to about

The School Committee has approved this new schedule of user fees for athletics and other extracurricular activities, which Superintendent John Robidoux presented at a Jan. 15 meeting.

$800,000.

“It’s important for folks to understand the financial situation that Marblehead is in and what impact the students and staff will face as a result of the town’s directive,” Robidoux said. “I feel compelled to share that we’ve been working diligently to determine what staff reductions and operational efficiencies need to be implemented in order to

meet the goal of operating our schools next year with the same funding as this year.”

Robidoux continued, “This is a difficult but necessary task, given the increasing contractual obligations.”

Robidoux acknowledged “the need for ongoing, transparent and meaningful stakeholder engagement, especially within the entire townwide financial

picture.”

“I’ve been attending PTO meetings and have some advisory council meetings on the docket as a way to engage community partners and share what we have discussed within the budget subcommittee meeting as we move through the process towards our upcoming budget presentation and public hearing,” he said.

Robidoux concluded, “Please understand that we are in the business of students. They are our main priority, and we cannot lose sight of that.”

Robidoux will present his proposed 2026-27 budget on Feb. 5.

Also at the meeting, member Henry Gwazda announced that the School Committee denied a union grievance filed by Veterans School teacher Brigitte Karns.

Karns’ lead teacher position was “split” with another teacher, impacting her stipend and retirement benefits.

Karns accused the district of discriminating against her because she is Jewish and a Zionist. She also alleged the district retaliated against her for speaking out about what she described as antisemitism in Marblehead schools.

Gwazda did not elaborate on the committee’s decision.

The School Committee meets next Jan. 29 at 7 p.m.

NEWS IN BRIEF

BY LEIGH BLANDER The Current welcomes 150200-word submissions to News in Brief. Send yours to info@ marbleheadnews.org.

Immigration enforcement forum Old North Church, 35 Washington St., will host a panel with local immigration attorneys and a policy expert on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2 p.m. The event will feature attorneys Diann Slavit Baylis and Nancy Norman, both of Marblehead, and policy expert Dr. Alexandra Piñeros-Shields of Brandeis University. The discussion will focus on the latest developments in immigration enforcement and roles that concerned citizens can play in helping immigrant families.

Time running out to submit citizens petitions Residents can submit citizens petitions for the annual Town Meeting warrant until Friday, Jan. 23, at noon. Town officials have until Friday, Jan. 30, at noon, to submit articles. To submit a citizen petition, pick up a form at the Town Clerk’s Office at Abbot Hall and collect a minimum of 10 signatures of registered voters.

The clerk will then verify the signatures.

Immigration policy expert Alexandra Pineros Shields

Immigration lawyer Diann Slavit Baylis

SUP East Coast Style awarded new contract at Riverhead The Recreation and Parks Commission approved a new contract for SUP East Coast Style to run its water sports and recreation programs at Riverhead Beach. The contract is for one year, with the option to renew another two years. SUP has been at Riverhead for more than 10 years, according to Rec & Parks Commissioner Rossana Ferrante.

Cemetery Commission needs new member Gerry Tucker, member of the Cemetery Commission, has resigned. He is moving out of town. The Select Board will be seeking a replacement.

Holocaust Remembrance Day The town will observe its

Immigration lawyer Nancy Norman

fourth annual International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Friday, Jan. 30, noon, at Abbot Hall. The Select Board has proclaimed the day and recognized the month of January as Holocaust Remembrance Month. In 2005, the United Nations officially designated Jan. 27 for remembrance, and it is now observed by many countries worldwide. The day commemorates the over six million Jews and millions of other minorities who were killed by the Nazi regime between 1933 and 1945. The date of Jan. 27 marks the day the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated. Beginning at noon, a candlelight ceremony will be held with a reading of the proclamation by Dan Fox, Select Board chair. High school senior Sasha Ganezer, a grandchild of Holocaust survivors on both

sides of her family, will tell the story of their experiences and how it has affected her life.

Rabbi Michael Schwartz of Temple Sinai has generously organized this year’s Remembrance Day. He will conduct a 6 p.m. Friday evening service at the temple on 1 Community Road in commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust. Fox will be a guest speaker that evening.

All community members are invited and encouraged to attend both the afternoon and evening observances.

New FinCom member

Resident Ramon Garcia has been named to the Finance Committee, in the midst of a challenging budget season.

Garcia, who sits on the town’s Housing Committee, is an accountant.

Freelance writing opportunities The Marblehead Current has periodic, paid opportunities on an as-needed basis for freelance journalists, particularly those with an interest and/or experience covering municipal meetings and government affairs. To learn more, email editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org.

Lizzie Assa Stephen Bach Linda Bassett Virginia Buckingham Julie Flynn Laurie Fullerton James (Seamus) Hourihan Dr. Tom Massaro Christine McCarriston Maggie Mulvihill Eyal Oren Pam Peterson Emily Promise Chris Stevens FREELANCE REPORTERS

Grey Collins Luca Tedesco Akanksha Goyal Bella Travaglini

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Marblehead Current Wednesday, January 21, 2026 3

Haggis From P. 1

show which he broadcast from the attic of his Marblehead home.

While Burns Night is a celebration of the life of a poet, it is also a celebration of the cultural identity which Burns helped define.

Proceedings began just after 7 p.m. with the piping in of the haggis, a traditional Scottish dish consisting of chopped sheep’s liver and heart (and, formerly, sheep’s lungs before the USDA banned the consumption of all animal lungs in 1971) as well as onion, oats and pepper, all stuffed and cooked inside of the sheep’s stomach. This reporter tried the haggis and was pleasantly surprised by the dish’s almost sweet flavor.

After the haggis is paraded around the room to the din of bagpipes for the 65 revelers to gawk at, the ceremony reaches its climax with the recitation of Burns’ poem, “Address to a Haggis.”

CURRENT PHOTO / LUCA TEDESCO

Vicki Staveacre (left), Rhod Sharp, Shauna Martin, Jeremy Bell and Julianne Gearhart at the Burns supper at The Landing Restaurant on Thursday Jan. 15.

After setting down his bagpipes, Jeremy Bell, an Edinburgh-born piper, recited the poem in the traditional Scots, a sister language to English spoken by over 1.5 million people across Scotland

and Northern Ireland.

“You couldn’t do a Burns Night if you didn’t have a piper,” said Bell. “I’ll do six or seven of these this month alone, but this one is particularly good because the food is so good! And not just

the haggis!”

However, Marblehead’s Burns supper is by no means the only one to be celebrated outside of Scotland.

“It doesn’t matter where you live,” says Staveacre. “You could

Housing From P. 1

CURRENT PHOTO / GREY COLLINS

The state has given early approval to Marblehead’s proposal including the Tedesco Country Club as part of its MBTA Communities Act compliance plan.

Housing Committee approved a letter to the Select Board recommending the Coffin School property be used to expand “fair and affordable housing opportunities for Marbleheaders across different life stages while respecting the surrounding single-family neighborhood character.”

Some neighbors said

INVITATION FOR BID TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD 26-41 On-call Plumber MGL c. 149 Invitation for Bid The Town of Marblehead invites sealed bids from qualified firms for an On-call Plumber. The bid documents are available via the procurement portal https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/marblehead after January 21, 2026.

The bids are due by February 5, 2026 at 11:00 AM. A bid deposit of at least five percent (5%) of the total project is required. A Labor and Materials Payment Bond in the sum of 50% of the Contract Price, will be required of the successful Bidder. Project is subject to compliance with prevailing wage requirements.

This solicitation is being conducted in accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 149, and any resulting contract will be strictly awarded in accordance with the requirements of the solicitation.

Specifications, Terms and Conditions and Forms may be obtained via the procurement portal https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/marblehead.

The contract must be approved by the Select Board.

The Town reserves the right to reject any and all bids if it is in the Town’s Best interest to do so.

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be in Sydney, Australia, or you could be in Kansas. People of Scottish persuasion get together to celebrate Robert Burns’s birthday and enjoy his music, song, and poetry.”

they felt uninformed and want more input as decisions are made.

Ultimately, the Select Board will decide the property’s future. After gathering additional feedback, including from neighbors, the board will draft a request for proposals for development.

Potential uses include public housing by the Marblehead Housing Authority, a dog park by the Recreation & Parks Commission, and battery storage by the Light Department. The Cemetery Commission has also expressed interest in the land.

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4 Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Marblehead Current

Opinion EDITORIAL

It’s not too late

The flu season is currently at its peak in Massachusetts. It could last another three to four months. For those who have gotten the flu this winter, symptoms have included fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, and muscle aches and pains, which can last up to two weeks.

This year’s flu vaccine, though not a direct match for the flu strain, has helped reduce the severity of the flu and protected others from contracting it. Fortunately, you can still get vaccinated now to protect yourself and those around you for the remainder of the season.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is reporting very high and rising levels of influenza activity statewide as the state moves through the peak season.

Local experts believe a combination of factors is driving the higher numbers. This year’s strain of the flu appears to be more contagious. It is only partially matched by the current vaccine and is compounded by a drop in vaccination rates, about 36% this year compared to 40% last year.

For Marblehead, our vaccination rate is 49.1%, higher than the state average. But there is still room for improvement.

While the flu strain in the United States is different from the strain in this year’s vaccine, data from other countries suggest the vaccine is still helpful, Board of Health member Dr. Amanda Ritvo noted recently.

“While this year’s flu vaccine appears to be a strain mismatch, early data from the U.K. show meaningful protection, with vaccine effectiveness reducing emergency department visits and hospitalizations by approximately 72-75% in children and adolescents (<18) and 32–39% in adults,” she noted.

An annual flu vaccine remains the most important public health measure for preventing illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths from the flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vaccine may have significantly reduced the influenza burden, preventing 240,000 hospitalizations, 12 million illnesses and 5.7 million hospital visits.

The Board of Health follows the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in recommending vaccinations for those 6 months of age or older who do not have a medical condition that could cause the vaccine to be harmful to the patient.

Marblehead’s Public Health Director Andrew Petty has stressed the importance of staying up to date with flu and COVID-19 vaccines for those 6 months or older.

“Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of severe disease, including adults age 65 years and older, children between 6 months and 2 years old, people with chronic respiratory conditions or heart disease, individuals who are immunocompromised and people who are pregnant,” he said. “Vaccination also helps protect family members, coworkers and others in the community who may be more vulnerable to serious illness.”

The Marblehead Health Department intends to post important information on the flu on its website to help keep citizens informed.

Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein recently noted that spending time indoors and around larger groups increases the likelihood of exposure to respiratory viruses.

The following everyday measures can help prevent illness, he noted: • Staying up to date on flu and COVID-19 vaccinations • Washing hands frequently with soap and water • Staying home when sick • Covering coughs and sneezes • Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings, especially if you or a loved one is at higher risk.

Is it too late to get vaccinated this year? The answer is no, according to Dr. Paul Sax, clinical director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a professor at Harvard Medical School.

Sax said it takes a few weeks for the full benefits of the flu vaccine to build up, which is why health care providers recommend getting the vaccine early in the season. But because flu season can last through March or April, there’s still “plenty of winter to go,” he added.

Help protect yourself, our community, families, friends, classmates and co-workers by vaccinating before the season ends. In Marblehead, CVS and Village Pharmacy offer vaccinations. Visit vaccinefinder.org to find other locations in the area.

While the vaccine doesn’t help prevent anyone from contracting the flu, it can help reduce the severity of its symptoms. It’s a way to protect yourself and contribute to the good health of the Marblehead community.

EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY

Seasonally content

BY VIRGINIA BUCKINGHAM

As I write this, I am sitting by our beautiful harbor on a January morning watching sea birds skim across the surface of the 40-degree water. They seem content continuing their daily rituals regardless of the temperature. A temporary easing last week of the stretch of frigid air didn’t last but it gifted me a sense of contentment, too. Winter is not so bad!

Check in with me in a month or so to see how durable this feeling is, but once again, I’m in no rush for winter to pass. The “embrace” rather than “endure” approach to the least favorite season for most of us has been growing steadily in the past few years. Is that simply coincident with my overall sense of contentment with the new stage of later life?

Possibly.

There comes a point where we “accept the things we cannot change” as the Serenity prayer urges and the gray and cold of December through March isn’t ever going to be green and balmy just because I want it to be.

“I used to wish winter away and couldn’t wait for it to be over,” author Dr. Stephanie Fitzgerald writes. “And then one year I just stopped and took some time to sit with winter, be with winter, and I thought, ‘Oh, that’s what I’ve been missing.’”

Her book, “The Gifts of Winter,” joins the oeuvre of writers like Katherine May, whose famed “Wintering” not only coined a term but a way of thinking when it comes to this season of the year as well as

seasons of life.

So what was I missing all those years of wishing winter away?

First, the revelation of a lesser landscape. My friend came over for tea (more on that great interlude in a minute) and glanced out my back picture window. “Oh, it looks so different with the trees bare,” she exclaimed. The visual seclusion enabled by my backyard greenery was not just diminished in winter, it was transmuted. Think ornate wedding ring versus simple gold band. For years the reductive gray bothered me. Now I see the beauty in the simplicity. A bird perched in the bare birch focuses me on its tenacious grip as the branch sways. The pumpkin I’d left in the empty vegetable garden bed is more than half eaten but the little bit of orange shell remaining is more vivid against the brown dirt than it would be in the lush of summer.

I can see the houses behind us but also layers of afternoon sky beyond my typical field of vision. Ah, and the smoke emitting from neighbors’ chimneys? A reminder that we are in this together.

Loneliness this time of year is a real thing. Holiday events are behind us, and overall, we’re less social. The effort of dressing and getting into a cold car and driving to see someone seems like a lot to undertake. Make the effort. That’s what I am telling myself anyway.

The author Fitzgerald concurs and adds: “Embrace variety. If we have different points of connection in the diary, see different people, have different conversations, then that variety offers a sense of time that isn’t just a seamless blur.” So don’t just meet someone for tea at Mookie’s each week — visit a

The effort of dressing and getting into a cold car and driving to see someone seems like a lot to undertake.

Make the effort. shop together, go to a talk at the library, join an exercise class at the community center. But, also, do have that tea!

I was never a big tea-in-theafternoon person — more of a let’s grab a glass of wine-in-the-evening kind of person. But I’ve been missing out. Tea is the epitome of cozy. And cozy is the antidote to winter blues. Invite a friend for tea, and speaking of variety, take the opportunity to be introduced to a tea you’ve never tried. I had Ahmad’s Blackcurrant Burst at a friend’s this winter and if joy had a flavor, this would be it.

The “get outside, take a walk and enjoy the crisp air” advice is timeless and I swear I’ll follow it more regularly one day. In the meantime, on some sunny mornings, I have been sitting in the rocking chair on the front porch, albeit wearing a winter hat and gloves. A walker-by exclaimed upon seeing me, “I love that you are sitting out here in winter.”

Her attitude, like mine, won’t change the weather, but boy does it make me feel warm inside.

Virginia Buckingham is a former president of the Marblehead Current board of directors, a frequent commentator on WCVB’s On the Record and author of “On My Watch A Memoir.” She is working on a second memoir, “As This Mountain” and writes a biweekly column for the Current.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Running for a reason To the editor: In 1997, I ran my first marathon as a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team. Since then, I’ve completed the Boston Marathon eleven times and I am thrilled to let you know that on Monday, April 20, I will be running my 12th Boston Marathon.

Additionally, I am ecstatic to share that two of my boys, Adam and Jacob, have also been accepted as “Challenge Runners” on the DFMC team.

A “Challenge Runner” carries an obligation to raise money and awareness for the efforts of DanaFarber, enabling researchers to continue their quest for a cure. One hundred percent of your donations have funded and will continue to fund the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Cancer Research. The Barr program began in 1987 and provides funding for innovative and promising research into the root causes of cancer.

For every marathon I have run, I have set a goal for myself. For me, being a DFMC participant is not only about running 26.2 miles.

More importantly, being a member of this team helps me keep life in perspective by supporting others in need. Thanks to your generous contributions, I am so grateful to let you know that I have raised an overall total of $102,620! This year, “Team Sherf” aims to raise $45,000

for cancer research.

Our determination to participate in the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge stems from the simple fact that the battle against cancer continues. Far too often, we have experienced and witnessed the powerful impact a cancer diagnosis can have on family, teammates, friends, neighborhoods and even a small town. As a result of your generosity, every step we run from Hopkinton to Boston will bring us closer to the ultimate finish line — a cure for cancer.

On behalf of the Marathon Challenge team, we would be delighted if you would kindly donate any amount. All contributions are tax-deductible.

Please make your check payable to Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge or donate online through the Dana-Farber website at danafarber. jimmyfund.org/goto/TeamSherf.

Thank you in advance for your continued support and generosity.

Lori Sherf Pilgrim Road

Resident suggests New Year’s Resolutions for Democrats To the editor: “What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new Year.”

- Vern McLellan Happy New Year to you and your

family! I hope your holiday season was full of love and happiness. So, 2026 has arrived and ‘tis the time when we all assess our previous year and formulate our New Year’s resolutions to improve ourselves and our lives. Some people pledge to lose weight, some to get more exercise and some promise their spouse to get a start on that “honey-do” list that’s been hanging over their head since the summer.

(I’m all the above!) However, there is one group in particular that needs a complete overhaul of their views, values, attitude and ideology and that is Democrats.

And since the new 2026 me is willing to reach across the aisle so to speak, I have created a list of New Year’s resolutions for our Lefty friends to help them rejoin America and civil society.

1.) Develop a new message. I’m not even sure what the Left’s message is other than taking the opposite side of whatever President Trump says or does. If you object to an action taken by our President, explain what your side would do better if you were in power. Contradiction is not a plan for America. My hunch is that the Left’s positions are so out of sync with most Americans that they don’t want to express them publicly.

My views as a person who loves America do not include support for the “Maryland dad,” Hamas-run LETTERS, P. 7

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Marblehead Current Wednesday, January 21, 2026 5

SUSTAINABLE MARBLEHEAD

How food scraps fuel climate change and what we can do about it

BY AMY BERENSON

Each year, Americans throw away an astonishing 133 billion pounds of food — about 40% of all food produced in the country.

That’s the equivalent of tossing out a full meal for every person, every day. By weight, food waste is the #1 item in U.S. landfills.

Each of us has more power than we realize. By changing what goes into our garbage Bags — especially food scraps— we can make a meaningful difference for our climate and our community.

Here are the simple facts: 1.

Food scraps thrown in the trash end up in landfills, where they generate methane — a climate pollutant far more powerful than carbon dioxide.

2. Redirecting food scraps is easy — and when composted, they become a valuable resource instead of pollution.

More food than you think

Try this easy experiment: Put your scraps and leftovers aside at the next one or two meals, including broccoli stalks, green bean ends, pizza crust, uneaten portions, egg shells, peels and cores, stale crackers, moldy blueberries, etc. Then take a look at how much food waste this produced. I’m guessing you see a lot more than you had predicted.

When I make a meal (full disclosure, I eat a lot of vegetables), I can fill a compost jar or bag — yes, in just one meal. In a landfill, these scraps become a powerful source of planet- warming greenhouse gasses. In landfills, food is covered over and buried without oxygen, causing it to decompose anaerobically and release methane, a gas much more harmful than carbon dioxide.

In fact, methane traps 28 times more heat in our atmosphere than carbon dioxide. When food decomposes with oxygen — as in composting — it produces carbon dioxide instead, which has a far lower climate impact and can be redirected to beneficial uses.

Landfills are now the thirdlargest source of methane in the nation, largely due to decomposing food. “If global food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, right behind China and the United States,” as stated in the Food Waste Index Report 2024.

Think about it this way: Every banana peel, coffee ground or pizza crust in the trash is like a tiny engine running somewhere out of sight, warming our world, one meal at a time.

According to EPA estimates, the climate impact of the average household’s wasted food is roughly equivalent to driving a car over 1,000 miles per year. When we toss out food, we’re not just wasting dinner; we’re driving a car down the highway for over 1,000 miles, spewing invisible exhaust into the sky.

“Every small act of awareness adds up,” said Elaine Leahy, Executive Director of Sustainable Marblehead.

“When just one family starts composting or cuts their food waste, it inspires another to do the same and that’s how real change happens. If every household in Marblehead made even one simple shift, such as saving leftovers, composting scraps, or sharing excess food, we could keep tons of waste out of our landfill each year.

LUNCH BOX SAVINGS

One small change can really have a big impact.” Starting is easy In a small town like ours, each and every one of us can make a positive difference, if we’re willing. While the town doesn’t offer curbside composting yet, we do have plenty of options, some quite simple. For example: • Start small: Save vegetable peels, banana peels, coffee grounds and other table scraps and leftovers. Keep them out of your garbage. Bring your scraps to our town Transfer Station and deposit into the Black Earth bins there. What could be easier? And it’s free with your sticker!

• Use Black Earth: Black Earth provides a compost bin to collect your scraps and will pick up at your house on a weekly basis at a reasonable price.

• DIY $$: Buy The Mill. It churns your leftovers into compostables that resemble (and can be used for) chicken feed. You can also compost them in your garden, give to Black Earth or put in your compost bin outside. Not inexpensive but oh-so-easy.

• DIY $: For less cash outlay than a Mill, buy a compost bin and start your own low- impact, climate-friendly composting process.

• DIY: Buy a compost bin

Reducing food waste starts early and lunch boxes are a great place to begin. Tips to reduce the waste from your children’s lunch box from the FDA: Have kids help you prepare their lunch or give them 2-3 options to choose from to get them more interested in their food.

Pay attention to uneaten food that comes back home in the lunch box each day so that you know what to avoid packing in future lunches.

Check your fridge to see what you have and what needs to be used when preparing school lunches (and before heading to the grocery store). Use ingredients or favorite dinner leftovers that may be going bad in a few days. and start your own low-impact, climate-friendly composting process.

• Start a neighborhood compost hub. Gather a few households and share one compost bin in a convenient location.

• Freeze your scraps (vegetable peels, coffee grounds, fruit cores) and drop them off at a local farm or community garden that composts.

• Try “scrap cooking.” Save carrot tops for pesto, use citrus peels for natural cleaners or turn stale bread into croutons.

• Donate, don’t dump. Share excess food with pantries, churches or neighbors.

No matter which option you choose, the most important step is simply starting.

“Food waste is one of the simplest climate actions any household can tackle—and one of the few that saves you money at the same time,” according to ReFED Insights, 2024.

When food rots in a landfill, it doesn’t disappear; it turns into invisible heat-trapping gas.

But when it’s composted, it becomes nourishment for the earth, helping gardens grow and building resilience in our local ecosystems.

Just imagine Imagine a community where kitchen scraps from Sunday dinners help nourish local gardens, schoolyard green space or pollinator beds. It’s not just an environmental Win — it’s a chance to build connection, resilience, and pride in place.

As one Marblehead resident recently put it, “Once I saw how easy it was to compost, I couldn’t unsee how much we were wasting before. It’s changed how I think about food entirely.” All the peels, shells, coffee grounds and more that you divert from the trash is a quiet act of climate care, and a reminder that small town actions can have a big global impact. By thinking creatively and working together, our town can turn waste into nourishment for the planet. Every peel, shell and scrap is a chance to do some good.

After all, we’re not just throwing away food. We’re choosing what kind of future we grow together.

Amy Berenson is a Marblehead resident, Sustainable Marblehead member and environmental advocate who believes that small changes can add up to a more sustainable world.

HEALTH

Suicide Is a public health crisis; prevention starts with recognizing the signs

BY GREGG MULFORD, LMHC CLINICAL SUPERVISOR It is never easy to talk about suicide. The words seem inadequate, invasive or inappropriate. The fact is that suicide is a health crisis in this country, the 11th leading cause of death in the US. The reality is that we will likely meet or know someone in our lives who will either take their own lives, try to take their own lives or consider taking their own lives. At Marblehead Counseling Center, we work with individuals who are in the midst of this struggle, but as a community of caring people, we all need to consider how best to recognize the warning signs. Thankfully, there are a growing number of suicideand-prevention programs and emergency services that can help.

Is suicide seasonal?

It’s the start of a new year, and many of us have begun working towards goals for 2026.

However, reflecting on things we might improve on can be painful, reminding us of past failures and losses and adding pressure to make a ‘new start.’ Though suicide rates are not traditionally as high in the winter as in late spring and summer, there is

access to ‘lethal means’, such as guns and pills, are a huge risk factor. More than half of suicides use firearms to take their own lives.

Critical warning signs

a slight rebound in January compared to December, which has the lowest suicide rates of the year. For some, Seasonal Affective Disorder can bring on depression and feelings of isolation; others feel trapped by wintry, icy conditions. The joy of interacting with family and friends during the holidays can lead to post-holiday blues and loneliness. Non-holiday stressors return, and many experience an increase in monetary worries after the holiday. Although January does not have record suicide numbers, there are specific factors that put added stress on people at this time of year.

Common mental health risk factors People contemplate suicide for many complex reasons.

Mental health professionals look for a number of ‘red flags’

for people considering suicide, including the loss of a loved one, a relationship or a job. A person who feels isolated and alone, or who sees their current situation as hopeless might become suicidal, as may those who lack social support. Barriers to mental health treatment can be a risk factor. A history of mental health problems, or a family history of child maltreatment or neglect, traumatic experiences, such as witnessing or experiencing violence or a family history of suicide are all factors.

For numerous people there is still a stigma associated with seeking help, and this seems to be particularly true for many men. Even time of day can be a risk factor, with a recent analysis of 15 years worth of suicide data suggesting there is a five-fold greater risk of suicide between 2 a.m. and 3 am. Additionally, it can’t be emphasized enough that

People who are at risk of suicide may show signs that they are thinking about or planning an attempt. These are known as warning signs of suicide.

They include expressions of unbearable pain or hopelessness, a fascination with death and the belief they are a burden to others. Noticeable changes in behavior, including recent suicide attempts; losing interest in family, friends and favorite activities; saying goodbye to loved ones; giving away prized possessions; or changes in hygiene, eating or sleeping patterns can signify that a person is considering suicide.

Talking about immediate harm to oneself or others, searching online for information about suicide or acting in such an erratic manner that you have concerns about their safety, as well as violence or rage-filled reactions are also red flags.

The warning signs of suicide above may indicate an emergency is happening or that a person is in crisis. If you observe these behaviors, you should immediately connect the person

with professional help, such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, emergency medical services or a mental health professional.

Taking steps to prevent suicide: Only connect Absent an immediate crisis, are there steps that can be taken to help prevent suicide?

Mental health access is critical, particularly for those who are dealing with trauma or a history of mental health problems. There are many wonderful resources available in Massachusetts, including the Mass Behavioral Health Help Line, which helps people connect with mental health services and providers throughout the state. There are also programs for specific at-risk populations, for example, the MassMen initiative works with men across the state on issues of mental health and well being, and the National Alliance on Mental Health Massachusetts website features help for kids and teens.

The intervention model at MCC tries to address the common mental health risks that can turn into a mental health crisis. MCC has both a therapeutic and social services arm. Consequently, an older COUNSELING, P. 14

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6 Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Marblehead Current

PUBLIC HEALTH

Examining Marblehead school vaccine rates

BY JANANI SRINIVAS AND ANAINA VINEETH As controversy over childhood vaccinations rages nationwide, student immunization rates in Marblehead have remained steady over the past three years, with most schools reporting 90% or more of pupils have gotten all vaccines required by state law.

Dr. Thomas Massaro, a retired pediatrician and the chair of the town’s Board of Health, said the community’s demographics likely play a key role in maintaining consistent vaccination rates.

“Massachusetts is a pretty progressive state, and Marblehead is consistent with that,” he said. “About 77% of residents have at least one bachelor’s degree, and it’s an affluent community. People understand the benefits of vaccines, they judge them, and they decide to go ahead.”

Statewide, the number of students with all vaccines required for school averages 94.4% for kindergarten students and 90.7% for grade 7 students. Pupils in some parts of Massachusetts are getting vaccinated less and requesting more exemptions in recent years, Department of Public Health data shows.

Vaccination rates have been decreasing nationally since the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for kindergartners and as more parents question their effectiveness, though Massachusetts was recently rated by one national study as the state with the highest

COURTESY PHOTO

Childhood vaccination rules are the source of controversy, confusion.

vaccine rates for all residents.

State and local governments have the authority to impose vaccine requirements for students in their communities, though the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has traditionally recommended a vaccine schedule for those attending school. The CDC announced this month it was dropping recommendations that school-age children get six vaccines previously encouraged for students, including those aimed at preventing respiratory infections, Hepatitis A and B, and meningitis. Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, immediately announced students in Massachusetts would still be

required to get all vaccines mandated by state law, which include some of those eliminated by the CDC. Massachusetts children, from those attending day care and pre-school programs through those attending college in the commonwealth, are required to get a slate of vaccines as they progress through grades, including those preventing chickenpox, polio, diphtheria and measles, among others.

In December, state officials issued an alert about potential measles exposure in Massachusetts after an outof-state visitor contracted the disease. Since 2020, there has been only one case of a

Massachusetts resident getting the measles, state records show.

But for the first time in three decades, the number of measles cases in the U.S. rose to over 2,000 last year, according to the CDC. All 50 states require vaccinations for students, though Republican Florida lawmakers, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, have been battling to limit vaccine requirements.

Each year, the Massachusetts DPH surveys all day care, pre-school and kindergarten programs and middle and high schools, to gather immunization data on those in seventh and 12th grade. Those grade levels are targeted to align with the required state-required vaccines for children of those ages.

Students can request a medical exemption from the vaccines if certified by their physician or a state can waive exemptions if mandated immunizations conflict with a student’s religious beliefs.

Like the rest of the nation, medical and religious student vaccine exemption rates in Massachusetts have risen in the past four years, according to data shows.

In Marblehead, exemption rates across all programs and schools have hovered between 0% and 6% at the highest since 2022, DPH data shows. A bill pending in the Massachusetts legislature would remove the ability for a student to obtain religious exemptions, mirroring New York, Maine and Connecticut and California, which have eliminated them.

Massaro said the pandemic undermined public trust in government across age groups.

“One of the long-term negative consequences of the pandemic was a loss of faith and trust in public health,” he said.

“Vaccines are the prime face of public health to young people.

If the pandemic caused overall questions about whether they can trust the CDC or FDA, then it’s not surprising there’s been a slight diminution.”

Massaro also warned that misinformation circulating at the federal level may further undermine confidence.

“We’re subject to a much bigger decline with all the misleading information coming out of (the U.S. Department of) Health and Human Services right now,” he said.

Polls by the Kaiser Family Foundation show widening partisan divides over support for routine childhood vaccinations.

At the same time, states have begun to diverge significantly in how they regulate school immunization requirements.

New York and California eliminated nonmedical exemptions after large measles outbreaks in the past decade.

Other states have moved in the opposite direction. Idaho, Oklahoma and Utah have expanded or clarified access to exemptions, reflecting the broader national debate.

“It is a balance between the individual and the community,” Massaro said. “People need to trust the systems that protect them.”

This story was produced as part of Boston University Professor Maggie Mulvihill’s Data Journalism course in an ongoing collaboration with the Current.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Board warns of severe flu, talks youth substance use

BY AKANKSHA GOYAL With influenza severity reaching “high” levels, Marblehead health officials warned residents that the town remains in the midst of a difficult flu season and urged vaccination and continued caution in crowded indoor settings.

During the Jan. 13 Board of Health meeting, member Dr. Amanda Ritvo said hospital visits for influenza-like illness have reached levels not seen since the late 1990s, with roughly 11% of outpatient visits statewide involving symptoms such as fever, cough and sore throat.

She reported that 24.7% of respiratory samples tested positive for influenza A in the week ending Jan. 3, down from 32.9%, according to the latest CDC data. She cautioned, however, that the decline is likely the result of delayed reporting during the holiday period rather than a reduction in transmission.

“It’d be great if we’re past the peak, but that doesn’t seem likely,” Ritvo said. “It’s more likely that we have a few more weeks left of high flu activity.”

Despite a mismatch between circulating flu strains and the vaccine, Ritvo emphasized that vaccination remains the most effective tool for preventing severe illness. She also stressed the importance of basic prevention measures, including frequent hand washing, avoiding touching the face in public settings and staying home when sick to limit the spread of infection.

The board also addressed confusion caused by recent federal changes to the CDC’s childhood immunization schedule, which removed several vaccines — including influenza, COVID-19, rotavirus and

BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW

meningococcal — from routine universal recommendations.

“This change in policy is concerning because it signals that now these illnesses are less dangerous, and vaccination is now optional instead of routine,” Ritvo said.

Massachusetts will not follow the revised federal guidance, she said, and will continue relying on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which maintains the prior “evidence-based vaccine schedule.”

Residents are encouraged to speak with their healthcare providers and consult state-level guidance when making vaccine decisions.

Police chief meeting on youth substance use and social hosting Earlier in the meeting, Board Chair Dr. Tom Massaro detailed a recent meeting with Police Chief Dennis King regarding youth substance use and social hosting laws. Describing the conversation as “very pleasant,” he said the two shared concern about protecting young people from the consequences of alcohol and cannabis use.

While both agreed that enforcement plays an important role, Massaro acknowledged that their perspectives differed on enforcement strategies and that no resolution was reached during the meeting. Still, he said the dialogue would continue.

“From my perspective, I am cautiously optimistic,” he said.

Massaro said a key outcome of the meeting was agreement on the need to provide clear, factual information to the public about Massachusetts social hosting laws. In preparation for the conversation, he said he reviewed guidance produced by a district attorney’s office outlining the penalties for

distributed locally and expressed hope that Marblehead could adapt and circulate such information to make the legal framework more visible to parents, adolescents and other residents.

He said he plans to continue writing columns and working with the police department to ensure residents have access to current research and clear information as discussions continue.

COURTESY PHOTO

High flu levels have local health leaders on alert.

hosting gatherings where minors consume alcohol or cannabis.

The document states that people who host such gatherings “risk criminal prosecution” and that police who learn of such gatherings “have the duty and the right to enter someone’s home to make sure everyone is safe.”

Board member Tom McMahon said that language stood out to him, particularly given how frequently police may be aware of underage gatherings in advance through school-related information.

This material mirrored guidance previously shared with the Current by King, including information from Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker’s office addressing the same state laws governing social host liability, which allow for fines of up to $2,000, imprisonment for up to one year or both when alcohol is furnished to someone under 21.

King also shared provisions of the town’s local bylaws, which prohibit anyone in control of a residence from allowing minors under 18 to possess or consume alcohol on the premises and are punishable by a $150 fine.

Massaro said he had not previously seen similar materials

CAHM survey reveals high concerns about stress, depression The board then turned to preliminary results from the Creating a Healthier Marblehead wellness survey, which drew responses from about 15% of the town’s adult population. The questions, organized around eight dimensions of wellness, revealed high levels of concern about stress, anxiety and depression, particularly among residents aged 40 to 49.

Significant concern was also reported around child and adolescent mental health, substance use and work-life balance. One recurring theme, according to the board, was that residents were seeking resources that already exist but are difficult to find or navigate.

The board plans to work with UMass Boston to organize the data, convene focus groups beginning in March and develop measurable strategic goals that can guide public health policy across multiple town departments.

Town charter review

Much of the early discussion also focused on clarifying the Board of Health’s authority under a proposed town charter, particularly its ability to act quickly in emergencies. Under state law, Massaro said, boards

of health occupy a unique role that combines legislative and executive powers, including the authority to issue regulations and, in urgent situations, act without prior hearings.

The board discussed proposing clearer language to reflect that authority, citing scenarios such as water contamination or infectious disease outbreaks as examples of circumstances requiring immediate action.

Transfer station renovation, curbside contract updates Health Director Andrew Petty reported steady progress on the town’s Transfer Station renovation, with roughly 30 days of construction remaining in the current season. He said that although the facility has already resumed core operations, crews are currently prioritizing completion of the exit lane so vehicles can leave the site without passing through the entrance.

Petty also reported that license plate readers are fully operational and replace the need for visible vehicle stickers, though residents are still required to renew permits annually.

Turning to curbside collection, Petty said that if bids are approved, the town’s trash disposal contract would begin July 1, while curbside collection would transition in October, allowing the current contract to run its full term.

2026 Wellness Fair

McMahon confirmed that the town’s 2026 Wellness Fair will be held Feb. 28 at Community Center (10 Humphrey St.) featuring local health providers, wellness organizations and community resources.

The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 26.

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Marblehead Current Wednesday, January 21, 2026 7

COURT

Teen arraigned on vehicular homicide charges

BY LEIGH BLANDER Marblehead teen Oscar Galante faced a judge in Lynn Juvenile Court on Friday, Jan. 16, answering to charges of vehicular homicide in the Aug. 19 death of 13-year-old Savanah Gatchell, also of Marblehead.

Galante pleaded “not a youthful offender,” which is similar to a plea of “not guilty” in adult court. He walked into the courtroom in a blue suit and dress shoes, his family with him.

The judge accepted the plea and ordered Galante held on $20,000 bail and on conditions that he wear a GPS monitor

and be held in house arrest with 24/7 lockdown and to have no contact with the victim’s family or witnesses in the case.

Investigators say Oscar Galante was driving with Gatchell as his passenger when he crashed his car into a stone wall near 352 Atlantic Ave. just before 3 a.m. on Aug. 19.

According to the youthful offender indictment, obtained by the Current, Galante operated his vehicle recklessly and “did cause the death of Savanah Gatchell.”

Galante’s attorney, Joseph Dever, declined to comment.

The district attorney initially charged a then-16-year-old boy in

the deadly crash. Because he was charged as a juvenile, his identity was not released, in accordance with state law. The charges then included motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, operating under the influence of liquor and two civil motor vehicle infractions.

Gatchell’s mother and sister were in the courtroom on Friday, wearing pink sweatshirts bearing Savanah’s name and the words, “Forever 13.”

“We just want justice for Savanah,” said her mother, Christine.

The parties will be back in court March 13.

their front yard and driveway.

Ultimately, the Select Board ruled against the property owners, citing state and local bylaws protecting public shade trees.

The second case came from

Building Commissioner Stephen Cummings, who requested permission to remove three pine trees near the Mary Alley Building on Widger Road. Construction is nearing

completion on a new roof, and Cummings expressed concern the trees could damage the roof or nearby fiber-optic wiring.

The Select Board asked Cummings to work with Tree

Manager John Fogel to explore whether a pruning schedule could mitigate the risk. The board plans to revisit the issue in February.

the White House say that the ballroom is needed as there isn’t enough room to host large state dinners and the like? Was that discussed on your “news” channels? What if Obama did it? Would you still be outraged?

Democrats are also furious over the capture of Venezuelan dictator Maduro with wallto-wall coverage slamming the operation. However, how much coverage did you see of Venezuelans dancing and celebrating in the streets all over the world after Maduro was captured? I thought the Left believed in “No Kings!”

I thought because of Trump, dictators are bad. (The Left’s never-ending hypocrisy is for another day.) For those of us on the Right we know that it’s 100% lies that come from the corrupt Liberal media. It’s time the Left wakes up and realizes that a CNN education is a dangerous diploma to hang on their wall.

The bottom line is if you are a Lefty, it’s time you make some changes. If you’re uncomfortable with the USA being a superpower and finally having a president that defends our soil and our citizens, then maybe you’re in the wrong country. If you’re OK with taking no action as American tax payers are being ripped off by illegal immigrants and Democrat politicians and if the American flag and what it stands for doesn’t make you proud it’s time for you to go.

If you feel that socialism/ communism may be a viable option and big government should be more in our lives in the United States you, most definitely, have worn out your welcome here. The great thing about America is that if you’re unhappy, you’re free to leave at any time. Give Canada a call. I’m sure they have room for you.

God bless President Donald J. Trump and God bless the United States of America!

Mark W. Ferrante Ruby Avenue

Heather answered my call.

Since she worked at one of the businesses that Nikolay and I visited asking for donations for our “Shop Local” basket, she asked how he was. I started to cry and told her as Nikolay and Heather had bonded initially when he said he had worked at Johnnie’s Foodmaster when he was just 14. She said she wanted to drive over and give him a hug.

When I said the sister didn’t want anyone to know, she said the town loves him and she’d be doing Nikolay a disservice by not allowing everyone to express their love for him and help him during this horrific situation.

With that I again reached out to Olga and said what Heather thought and would she be willing to talk to Leigh and have her write a heartwarming story that portrayed Nikolay as how we all see him. And so the article came out and the outpouring of love, kindness and generosity toward not only Nikolay but his entire family was incredible. She never experienced such love from all of us.. So thank you, Heather, and thank you, Leigh, for supporting Nikolay during these dark days! I attended the private service this morning which was just family, a few close friends and two MHS teachers! I was so proud of Nikolay. He stood in front of us and said, “My mom taught me to be proud, my mom taught me to be strong, my mom taught me to be kind, my mom taught me love.” He turned to the casket and said, “Mom, thank you and I love you!” These were the words of the most inspirational man I have known. Good job, mom.

Rest in peace.

Sandi Cooper Sevinor Road

LETTERS POLICY

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

Marblehead teen Oscar Galante answered to vehicular homicide charges in Lynn Juvenile Court Jan. 16.

Trees From P. 1

citing its unusual lean toward the street and roots that disrupt

Letters From P. 4

Palestine, violence against ICE, socialism, the “shutdown,” the murder of Charlie Kirk, men in woman’s sports, welfare to illegal immigrants, DEI, releasing criminals back to the streets, universal healthcare, violence against Jewish people and violence in general, the war on fossil fuels and genital mutilation for children. And, within the last couple of weeks, Somali fraud and the ousted drug-dealing President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro.If you’re a Democrat who supports any of these issues, how long do you want to roll with these stances? Maybe stop trying to defend the indefensible.

2.) Change your leadership.

If the Left wants to change their message they have to change the messengers. To put it bluntly, but truthfully, your political leaders are a massive collection of unhinged, inept, treasonous, profane, socialist, lying thieves. You can start right here in Massachusetts by voting out Maura Healey, Liz Warren, Ed Markey, Ayanna Pressley and Seth Moulton. Members of the Left have got to understand that these people don’t give a damn about you or me. Political control for the “elite” and a well taken care of the illegal immigrant community is where their loyalties lie. Outside of our state the Left touts Kamala Harris, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, Tim Walz, Pete Buttigieg. Maxine Waters, AOC and the “Squad,” Eric Swalwell, Hakeem Jeffries, Ilhan Omar, Al Green, Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar, Jasmine Crockett and the absolute worst of them all, Adam Schiff.

Besides being a collection of inane blabbermouths, these people hate America. Even if you’re a Democrat shouldn’t you still put America and Americans first? They don’t. Ever. The Left needs to stop voting for them.

3.) Change the channel. If you watch CNN, MSNBC, PBS or any of the major TV networks you’re being lied to all day every day. I get it, you hate President Trump and love the incessant “Orange man bad” coverage and so want to believe all the propaganda that’s reported. But do you realize that what’s not reported is equally as dangerous as the lies that are? (I’ll leave out all President Trump’s accomplishments that are ignored.)

Here’s an example: Liberal heads have exploded over the Big, Beautiful Ballroom President Trump is constructing at the White House. Did you know that no zero tax payer money was being used for the construction? All privately funded. How about the fact that many who have worked in

Supporting Nikolay To the editor: In regards to the recent post concerning the death of Nikolay Kuzmina’s mom, I wanted to express my deep thanks to the editor of the Marblehead Current, Leigh Blander and also to one particular Marblehead resident, Heather DeJesus Bush!

When Nikolay’s sister called me the day after the accident, she asked if I’d call two families with this dreaded news. As she and I were talking, she also asked me to call an old classmate. But I was not to tell anyone else as she wanted the news not to travel around town. I tried to reach the classmate but instead

Innovation is how we save the American dream To the editor I’m a dad raising two kids here on the North Shore — and like a lot of parents I know, I’m worried about the future we’re handing them.

Everything costs more.

Housing is out of reach.

Childcare is crushing. Healthcare is a constant stress. You can do everything right and still feel like you’re falling behind. That’s not how the American Dream is supposed to work.

Washington calls this the “affordability crisis.” For families, it’s more personal than that. It’s wondering if your kids will be able to live anywhere near you when they grow up.

It’s watching young people leave Massachusetts because they can’t afford to stay. It’s small businesses closing because they can’t find workers or keep up with rising costs.

The Current welcomes letters to the editor and strives to represent a range of viewpoints on our opinion pages.

Generally, letters should not exceed 500 words. Letters over the word limit may be returned to the writer for editing.

Writers may be given more leeway to criticize national political candidates and other public figures.

However, in all cases, letter writers should refrain from name calling and personal attacks and instead focus on the substance of matters of public concern.

Letter writers may be asked to substantiate claims that do not relate to information previously published in the Current.

While we will make every effort to let writers have their say, we reserve the right not to publish letters.

Letters must include:

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

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

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Letters must be received by our newsroom directly from their writers (for special circumstances, contact the newsroom). Email submissions to info@marbleheadnews.org or use the submission form found at marbleheadcurrent.org/letters.

Some letters may be shared to social media. We will share a wide array of viewpoints.

Letters must be received by noon on Friday in order to be printed in the following week’s print edition.

We don’t fix that by arguing.

We fix it by growing the economy in a way that actually works for regular people.

And that starts with innovation.

I’ve spent my career working where finance, government, and new technology meet. I’ve seen what happens when we get this right: new companies get built, good jobs get created, and whole communities start to thrive again. That’s how people get paychecks that can keep up with the cost of living.

Massachusetts — and especially the North Shore — should be leading that future.

We have world-class universities.

We have talent. We have entrepreneurs ready to build the next generation of biotech, clean energy, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. But instead, too many of our young people are packing up and leaving because they don’t see a future here.

That should scare every parent.

More than 80% of businesses in our region are small businesses. They’re struggling with higher healthcare costs, fewer workers, rising rents, and more red tape. When those businesses struggle, families struggle — because those are the jobs that pay the mortgage and keep food on the table.

If Washington really wanted to put America first, they’d be fighting to build more businesses here, not cutting the funding that helps our universities, research centers, and employers grow.

Here’s the truth: when we build new industries, we create opportunity.

When we create opportunity, wages rise. And when wages rise, families can breathe again.

That’s how affordability actually improves.

So what does that look like in

practice?

It means making it easier for people to start businesses and bring new companies to Massachusetts — not harder. It means tax credits and startup grants that reward people who are willing to take a risk and create jobs here instead of overseas.

It means training our kids — and adults who want a better shot — for the jobs of the future, through vocational programs, apprenticeships, and real partnerships with growing industries. We should be preparing people for careers that can support a family, not just telling them to figure it out.

And it means smart rules that protect people without killing innovation. We’ve seen what happens when politicians either crush new technology out of fear — or let billionaires run wild for their own profit. Families deserve better than both.

I know some people worry that technology will take jobs away. But what really destroys opportunity is doing nothing while the rest of the world moves forward. If we invest in innovation the right way, we don’t lose jobs — we create better ones.

I’m running for Congress because I don’t want my kids — or yours — to grow up in a country that stopped building.

We can’t cut our way to a better future.

We have to grow it.

If we’re serious about making life more affordable, then we have to be serious about creating the kind of economy where hard work actually pays off again.

That’s the future I’m fighting for — not as a politician, but as a dad who refuses to settle for less.

John Beccia, Lynnfield Candidate for Congress in the 6th District

marbleheadcurrent.org

8 Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Marblehead Current

Nominate a community hero

Custom Woodwork.

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Do you know someone who makes a positive difference in our community? Marblehead Counseling Center accepting nominations for the second annual Amy Saltz Community

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Champions Award.

The award was developed in 2025 to honor a person making significant contributions to the health and wellness of the local community. Nominees have demonstrated

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781-956-2278

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service, compassion and leadership towards others, dedicating their time to creating positive change, and providing a shining vision of what the local community can achieve.

Last year’s inaugural winner was Anne Tassel Todisco of Marblehead.

The Amy Saltz Community Champions Award is named for the late Amy R. Saltz of Marblehead, who devoted her life to helping others and was a long-time supporter of MCC. Any resident 21 years and older living in the MCC’s service area is eligible.

To learn more, visit marbleheadcounseling. org/awards/communitychampions-award.

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Marblehead Current Wednesday, January 21, 2026 9

Sports BASKETBALL

MHS shuts down Salem Charter after falling to rival Swampscott

BY LUCA TEDESCO The Marblehead High School boys basketball team whalloped Salem Academy Charter, 54-35, on Jan. 16 at Salem.

Marblehead played lockdown defense in the first half, holding the Navigators to just eight points in each of the first 16 minutes of play.

Nine Magicians entered the scoring column with sophomore Tommy McGovern leading the way with 13 points and senior forward Cam Weaver adding 10 of his own.

Earlier that week on Jan. 13, MHS lost to the archrival Swampscott Big Blue, 69-55, at Swampscott High School.

“We let [Swampscott] get comfortable and get in a rhythm,” said Marblehead head coach, Michael Giardi following the Jan. 13 game. “Unfortunately, we let it get away from us and that’s why we’re on the short end of the scoreboard.”

After falling behind early, the Magicians would hit their stride late to lead 20-17 after eight minutes of play. Marblehead’s Cam Weaver made an early impact with six first quarter points while Finn Baron led the opening frame with 10 points including a pair of 3’s.

While an early Blake Golden triple would see Marblehead out to a six-point advantage in the early stages of the second quarter, Swampscott’s backcourt would begin to take over the game, knocking down three 3-pointers and going 5-of-6 from the line to take a 37-32 lead into the recess.

A lengthy scoring drought to begin the third quarter would finally be broken by a Swampscott 3-ball. The

CURRENT PHOTOS / LUCA TEDESCO

Marblehead’s Finn Gallup (10) guards Connor Chiarello (2) of Swampscott during a game between the Magicians and the Big Blue at the Swampscott High School gym on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Magicians began to claw back a 10-point deficit late in the third quarter with a solid 7-2 run, but the buzzer would seem to come just a bit too soon for the momentum to shift.

Marblehead’s perimeter defense fell short as the clock wound down as Swampscott hit four 3’s in the final term, including a run of three deep balls.

The 10-1 Swampscott run would finally be broken on a three-point play by Marblehead’s Benjamin Ross. The Junior’s free throw would be the last point of the night as Swampscott handed the Magicians their third loss of the season by the score of 69-55.

After splitting the week’s

LEFT: Finn Baron (24) of Marblehead attempts a 3-pointer during the third quarter of a game between Marblehead and Swampscott at the Swampscott High School gym on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

games, Marblehead moves to 6-3 on the season with a 3-3 record in NEC play. The Magicians

were expected play a conference matchup at Danvers High School on Jan. 20 night.

MARBLEHEAD SPORTS NOTEBOOK

Hockey Headers begin turnaround, swimmers beat Masco, wrestlers get third win

By Joe McConnell Hockey Headers get untracked With the second half of the season still on tap, the Marblehead High boys hockey team (1-8-1) appears to be turning the corner after picking up three out of a possible four points last week. They first tied the Peabody co-op, 2-2 in Peabody on Jan. 14, before escaping past Danvers in a back and forth battle last Saturday night at Salem State, 6-5.

The Falcons jumped out to an early 2–0 lead in the first period, but the Marblehead boys responded with precise “special teams’ execution” to begin the comeback route, according to first year coach Brendan Locke after last Saturday night’s game.

The Headers made their Danvers counterparts pay for consecutive infractions that created two and one-man advantages. As a result, they scored twice on those power play opportunities to tie up

BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW

the proceedings at two. Each side then produced a third goal to close out the high scoring period.

Hayden Gallo scored Marblehead’s first power play goal assisted by Kellan Laramie and Holden Ferreira. Max King then followed up with the team’s second man advantage score from Ryan Frary and Ryan Angilly. Angilly set up Teddy Dulac to account for the third first period tally.

The home team then took the lead after two periods, 5-4.

Jackson Drayer netted his first varsity goal to account for one of those scores. Shep Herring and Zander Salem had the assists.

It was also Salem’s first varsity point. Dulac notched the fifth goal from Ferreira and Gallo, and also shot home the eventual game-winner in the final period.

Ferreira was credited with the assist on that score, which was his third of the game.

“Despite being outshot, 37–13, we were able to ride the outstanding goaltending of

Bowden Laramie to secure our first win of the season,” said Locke. “He stopped 32 shots, including several in the final few moments of the game.”

Prior to the win, the Headers got the tie against host Peabody.

The visitors scored first in the opening period on a goal

by Dulac. Will DePhillips was responsible for the setup of that goal. But the Tanners accounted for the equalizer before the end of the frame.

They added another one in the second to take the lead until late in the third when Marblehead capitalized on a crucial power play opportunity.

With time winding down,

Gallo took advantage of a Peabody penalty to score the game-tying goal from Dulac and Ferreira to force overtime.

In the extra frame, the Headers controlled the play, which generated several solid scoring chances that fell short.

The visitors ended up edging Peabody in shots, 30-29, while Laramie did his part to secure the team’s first point in the standings.

Swimmers remain perfect The Marblehead High coed swim team defeated Masco at the Lynch/vanOtterloo YMCA on Jan. 15, 97-81 to remain undefeated after three meets.

“It was a great close meet that featured many new sectional and state cuts,” said veteran coach Sue Guertin. “At the end of the meet, Cale Nelson received the sportsmanship award from Masco.”

In the 200-yard medley relay, the foursome of Ian Chemel, Cale Nelson, Omar Elnabarawy and Orion Lewis (1:47.87)

came out on top, while Hazell Wright, Grace Ladouceur, Macy Ladouceur and Winnie Waddington (1:56.99, state cut) ended up second.

Brady Leveroni (1:57.69), Chemel (2:00.83) and Grace Ladouceur (2:04.10, state cut) swept the 200-yard freestyle.

Nelson (2:09.24, state cut), Wright (2:18.94, state cut) and Shaelyn Callahan (2:30.13) did the same in the 200-yard IM. Lewis (23.47, state cut) bested the entire field in the 50-yard freestyle. Phillip Gaber (26.15) finished fourth. Divers Callie Gilmore (150.50 points) and Claire Burke (140.50) were credited with fourth and fifth place finishes.

Elnabarawy (56.95, state cut) and Waddington (1:02:57, state cut) topped the ticket in the 100yard butterfly. Macy Ladouceur (1:07.06, sectional cut) was fourth.

Lewis (53.88) and Wright (57.26, state cut) secured the top NOTEBOOK, P. 11

marbleheadcurrent.org

10 Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Marblehead Current

PITCH PERFECT

Fifty years, thousands of players: Marblehead Youth Soccer celebrates milestone

BY JULIE FLYNN Marblehead Youth Soccer Association will celebrate its 50th anniversary in February.

In the five decades since its founding, thousands of kids have played soccer thanks to Dr. Maximilliaan Kaulbach (who passed away last year at age 94) and his wife, DL who founded MYSA in 1976.

Grab your shorts, socks, shin guards and cleats! Headlining local newspapers in February 1976 was the announcement that sign-ups to play soccer had begun for Marblehead boys and girls ages 11 to 18. According to MYSA historical records, by the fall of 1980 there were 40 teams — 25 boys’ and 15 girls’ — with 800 players participating. MYSA became part of Boston Area Youth Soccer.

There were many reasons for introducing soccer in the 1970s.

A relatively inexpensive sport, players only needed to buy their uniforms. Boys and girls were on equal footing and uniforms were identical. Kids from public and private schools, and other parts of town, all got to know each other.

Kaulbach told the Current, “In the soccer league early days, it was all hands on deck. Max was president (four years) and I was vice president and Bill Reagan was a coach. A few others helped and we all registered players, set schedules and managed transportation. Soccer really caught on and kids and parents wanted to get involved in this fun new sport. Over time, we grew and relied on more parents to volunteer as coaches, carpool drivers, team mothers and committee members.”

Growing up in the Hague, Netherlands, shaped Kaulbach’s life passion for soccer. He was a goalie in the Hague for the Houdt Braef Stant team, one of the oldest football (soccer) clubs in the Netherlands, founded in 1893. Kaulbach was so stellar between the pipes that he played all the way up to the First Team during his teen years. He played against Ajax and PSV, two of the most successful professional football clubs in Amsterdam.

After graduating from Leiden University Medical School and interning at The Brooklyn Hospital, Max married D.L., and continued his training at Dartmouth Medical School.

“When I moved to the United States in 1958 I did not realize that soccer was not popular in the United States. I became the soccer doctor for the varsity Dartmouth College team,” Kaulbach noted in his memoirs.

In the beginning, the Kaulbachs did everything from borrowing station wagons to driving teams to games, buying all the uniforms, lining the fields and coaching. D.L. was busy with administrative tasks, including managing registration, publicity and fundraising. “Our whole family got involved.” To this day, MYSA is an entirely volunteerrun organization.

The Kaulbachs’ son, Rob, was an early participant and later a coach, and grew up in MYSA. “MYSA was brand new when I started,” Rob said. “The coaches and players created a culture that was team oriented.

We worked hard to get to ‘states’ and had pride in our achievements. We rose up together as a team. It wasn’t about individual talent as much as all of us working together. I think I have taken that trait with me through life.”

For Marblehead resident Lisa Leaden-Miller, Marblehead Youth Soccer was life-changing.

A self-described athletic tomboy, she was one of the first girls to

Max, holding the bucket, and DL Kaulbach in the early days of Marblehead Youth Soccer Association, which they founded.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Dr. Max Kaulbach, co-founder of MYSA, coaching in the early years.

clinic, the youngest cohort in the program.

“We also served 230 young athletes in our town-based intramural soccer program for kids in second through fourth grades (G4 kids that do not wish to play travel). And our program counted 386 participants in grades four to eight, competing against teams across Essex County, All this is possible thanks to the 171 coaching volunteers across the program.”

MYSA also offers a high school program in the spring for students who play for MHS or other high school teams in the fall. Last year, 64 high schoolers participated.

Philip’s son still plays in the G6 boys travel soccer and her husband, Mark, coaches and is technical development director.

‘Family affair’ MYSA works with hundreds of players every season.

play Little League baseball in Marblehead. She signed up for soccer in 1976, at age 11, the same year the league began.

She remembers attending weekend tournaments all over Massachusetts, playing up to four games in one day.

“My confidence playing on the field propelled me to want to do bigger and better things. I think that learning how to play with a team, improving my skills and excelling are good life lessons. I remember Dr. Kaulbach running down the field, kicking the ball

around and teaching kids.”

Leaden-Miller played high school soccer in 1981, 1982 and 1983. She added, “Our team was undefeated in 1982 and 1983, and we were the runners up in the Eastern Massachusetts division two state championships my senior year.”

After high school, LeadenMiller was recruited to play soccer for Cornell and made the varsity team her freshman year.

“It instilled this work ethic. I honestly credit soccer with a lot of my successes in life. “ she

added. Leaden-Miller went on to build a successful career as a pilot.

The Kaulbachs’ judgement was right on target. Marblehead was ready for soccer. The enthusiastic response, popularity and tremendous growth of the sport was overwhelming.

MYSA today

According to Karen Philip, who’s been president since 2024, this past fall the MYSA welcomed 217 young athletes in the kindergarten/first grade

Since its humble beginnings, MYSA has been a family affair, driven by volunteers.

“It was fun for all of us because we met people we probably would never have met in Marblehead. Soccer was so new for everyone,” Kaulbach wrote in his memoir.

D.L. reiterated, “Max and I were very proud to be able to build this program in our wonderful Marblehead community. There are so many Marbleheaders who started in MYSA years ago and still play today in the over 30 or over 55 leagues and remain enthusiastic for this life-long sport.”

marbleheadcurrent.org

Marblehead Current Wednesday, January 21, 2026 11

VARSITY SCOREBOARD Monday, Jan. 12 Girls basketball: Notre Dame Academy-Hingham 43, Marblehead 39 Tuesday, Jan. 13 Boys basketball: Swampscott 69, Marblehead 55 Wednesday, Jan. 14 Boys wrestling: Marblehead 42, Danvers 33

Girls hockey: Masconomet 2, Marblehead 1 Girls basketball: Marblehead 48, Swampscott 36 Boys hockey: Marblehead 2, Peabody 2 Thursday, Jan. 15 Girls indoor track:Peabody 50, Marblehead 36 Co-ed swimming: Marblehead 97,

Masconomet 81 Boys wrestling: Marblehead 73, Lynn Tech 6 Girls gymnastics: Beverly 138, Marblehead 130 Friday, Jan. 16 Girls basketball: Marblehead 54, Everett 36 Boys basketball: Marblehead 54, Salem Academy Charter 35

Saturday, Jan. 17 Boys hockey: Marblehead 6, Danvers 5 Sunday, Jan. 18 Girls hockey: Medford 1, Marblehead 0

Otterloo YMCA 7 p.m.: boys wrestling vs. Beverly at MHS gym 7:30 p.m.: girls gymnastics vs.

Winthrop and Essex North Shore Agricultural at Lynch-van Otterloo YMCA Gymnastics Center Friday, Jan. 30 7 p.m.: girls basketball vs.

Masconomet at MHS gym 7 p.m.: boys basketball vs.

Masconomet at Masconomet gym, Boxford Saturday, Jan. 31 10 a.m.: boys and girls indoor track at NEC Championship Meet, Reggie Lewis Center, Boston 6 p.m.: girls hockey vs. Beverly at Endicott College Raymond Bourque Arena, Beverly 8 p.m.: boys hockey vs. Beverly at Endicott College Raymond Bourque Arena, Beverly Sunday, Feb. 1 10:30 a.m.: boys hockey vs. Methuen at Salem State Rockett Arena Monday, Feb. 2 6 p.m.: girls basketball vs. Ipswich at Ipswich High gym 7:30 p.m.: girls hockey vs. Concord-Carlisle at Salem State Rockett Arena

Tuesday, Feb. 3 5:30 p.m.: co-ed ski at Ski Ward Ski Area, Shrewsbury 7 p.m.: girls basketball vs. Salem at MHS gym 7 p.m.: boys basketball vs. Salem at Salem High gym Wednesday, Feb. 4 4:30 p.m.: boys and girls indoor track vs. Winthrop and Salem at MHS gym 7 p.m.: boys wrestling vs. Winchester at Swampscott High gym 7:30 p.m.: girls hockey vs.

Gloucester at Salem State Rockett Arena Thursday, Feb. 5 5:30 p.m.: co-ed ski at Blue Hills Ski Area, Canton Friday, Feb. 6 7 p.m.: girls basketball vs. Peabody at Peabody High gym 7 p.m.: boys basketball vs. Peabody at MHS gym Saturday, Feb. 7 9 a.m.: boys wrestling at Greater Lawrence Tech at Greater Lawrence Tech small gym, Andover 4 p.m.: boys hockey vs. Peabody at Peabody High baseball diamond 7:30 p.m.: girls gymnastics vs. Beverly at Sterling YMCA, Beverly

Team records (through Jan. 18)

Co-ed swimming: 3-0 Boys basketball: 6-3 Girls basketball: 6-3 Boys hockey: 1-8-1 Girls hockey: 3-7-1 Boys indoor track: 1-1 Girls indoor track: 1-1 Boys wrestling: 3-6

Girls gymnastics: 1-2

MHS VARSITY SCHEDULES Wednesday, Jan. 21 6:30 p.m.: boys wrestling vs. Salem at Salem High gym 8:40 p.m.: girls hockey vs. Bishop Fenwick at Essex Sports Center, Middleton Thursday, Jan. 22 4:30 p.m. boys and girls indoor track vs. Saugus at MHS gym 5:30 p.m.: co-ed ski at Blue Hills Ski Area, Canton 7 p.m.: co-ed swimming vs.

Gloucester at Lynch-van Otterloo YMCA 7:30 p.m.: girls gymnastics vs.

Salem at Lynch-van Otterloo YMCA Gymnastics Center Friday, Jan. 23 6 p.m.: girls basketball vs.

Winthrop at Winthrop High 7 p.m.: boys basketball vs.

Winthrop at MHS gym Saturday, Jan. 24 9 a.m.: boys wrestling vs. Triton, Pelham and York at Triton Regional High, Byfield 10 a.m.: boys and girls indoor track at Reggie Lewis Center, Boston 6:30 p.m.: girls hockey vs.

Newburyport at Henry Graf Rink, Newburyport 7:15 p.m.: boys hockey vs.

Masconomet at Valley Forum, Haverhill Sunday, Jan. 25 4:45 p.m.: girls gymnastics vs.

Bishop Fenwick at Legends Gymnastics, North Andover Monday, Jan. 26 6:30 p.m.: girls hockey vs. co-op with Barnstable, UCT and CCT at Kennedy Rink at Hyannis Youth & Community Center 7:30 p.m.: boys hockey vs. Hopkinton at Salem State Rockett Arena 7:30 p.m.: co-ed swimming vs.

Salem at Salem YMCA Tuesday, Jan. 27 6:30 p.m.: girls basketball vs. Beverly at Beverly High gym 7 p.m.: boys basketball vs. Beverly at MHS gym Wednesday, Jan. 28 4:30 p.m.: boys and girls indoor track vs. Swampscott and Danvers at MHS gym 7:30 p.m.: boys hockey vs.

Gloucester at Salem State Rockett Arena Thursday, Jan. 29 5:30 p.m.: co-ed ski at Blue Hill Ski Area, Canton 7 p.m.: co-ed swimming vs.

Swampscott at Lynch-van

Sunday, Feb. 8 10:30 a.m.: girls hockey vs.

Winthrop at Salem State Rockett Arena Monday, Feb. 9 5:30 p.m.: co-ed ski at Blue Hills Ski Area, Canton 5:30 p.m.: girls basketball vs. Shawsheen Valley Tech at Shawsheen Tech gym, Billerica 7 p.m.: boys basketball vs. Bishop Fenwick at MHS gym Tuesday, Feb. 10 5:30 p.m.: co-ed ski at Ski Ward Ski Area, Shrewsbury 7:30 p.m.: boys hockey vs. Danvers at Endicott College Bourque Arena, Beverly Wednesday, Feb. 11 7 p.m.: boys wrestling vs. Essex North Shore Agricultural at MHS gym 7:30 p.m.: girls hockey vs.

Masconomet at Salem State Rockett Arena Thursday, Feb. 12 5:30 p.m.: co-ed ski at Blue Hill Ski Area Ski, Canton 6 p.m.: girls basketball vs.

Gloucester at Gloucester High gym 7 p.m.: boys basketball vs.

Gloucester at MHS gym

STELLAR ALL-AROUND

Marblehead gymnasts reach new heights with team, individual highs against host Beverly

BY JOE MCCONNELL In only its third meet of the year, the Marblehead High co-op gymnastics team (1-2) was able to attain 130.95 points, something that it could not accomplish in any single contest last season.

Despite eclipsing that total so early on in the season, coach Samantha Klipper’s team still came up short against host Beverly at the Sterling YMCA, 138.7-130.95 on Jan. 15.

“We had stellar performances from all of our all-around gymnasts in this meet,” said Klipper afterwards.

After the meet against the Panthers, Klipper singled out Swampscott sophomore Bridget Maloney and Marblehead freshman Stella McLaughlin for personal highs. Maloney, in particular, was credited with new bests on vault (8.6), floor exercises (7.85) and bars (8.05).

Marblehead junior Susanna Cuzner achieved two personal highs on bars (7.75) and floor exercises (7.8). Swampscott sophomore Grace Morrison had a personal best on bars, while Marblehead sophomore Ava Hartley did the same on the floor

Notebook From P. 9

two spots in the 100-yard freestyle. Abby Moore (1:00.77) came in fifth.

Leveroni (5:23.11, sectional cut), Grace Ladouceur (5:34.76, state cut) and Macy Ladouceur (5:59.38, sectional cut) completed the sweep in the 500yard freestyle.

Elnabarawy, Lucas Rosen, Leveroni and Lewis (1:40.17, sectional cut), and Grace Ladouceur. Wright, Macy Ladouceur and Callahan (1:46.95, state cut) were the top two

COURTESY PHOTO

The Marblehead High gymnastics team poses for a photo, from left, back row, Bridget Maloney, Susanna Cuzner, captains Jamie Andrews and Olivia Healy, Tabi Geary, Grace Morrison, Alyssa Sapozhnik and Grace Miller. Middle row, Stella McLaughlin, Ellyana Barrows, Arianna Leahy, Gabby Berman, Ava Hartley, Hailey Singer and Neva DeMont. Front row, Izzie Gonzalez, Camilla Cross and Dounia Peters-Abbadi.

exercises with a 7.1.

But it was Marblehead freshman Izzie Gonzalez, who brought home the highest score from the Beverly meet, coming through with an 8.4 on the balance beam.

“We had athletes compete in new events, while their teammates came through with

scores that helped contribute to our outstanding team score of 130.95 in this meet,” said Klipper. “Gabby Berman and Dounia Peters-Abbadi, both of Marblehead, in particular, turned in solid performances that helped us reach that total.”

The coach added that Marblehead junior Alyssa

Sapozhnik “gave another beautiful performance on beam, as she continued to display poise and grace (of an experienced gymnast).”

Marblehead junior Arianna Leahy had top performances on the bars, beam and vault, scoring at least an 8.0 in each event.

“Overall, the team has done

an amazing job so far this year.

They have been able to increase their scores each week,” said Klipper.

These Magicians have since returned home to the Lynch/ van Otterloo YMCA Gymnastics Center for a meet against Salem on Thursday, Jan. 22, starting at 7:30 p.m.

teams in the 200-yard freestyle relay.

Chemel (59.53, state cut) and Elnabarawy (1:03.67) went to the head of the class in the 100-yard backstroke. Lorelai Mosher (1:18.48) was fourth.

Nelson (1:07.55, sectional cut), Waddington (1:16.63, state cut) and Monica Pechhold occupied the top three spots in the 100yard breaststroke.

In the 400-yard freestyle relay, Chemel, Lewis, Leveroni and Nelson (3:38.63, state cut), and Moore, Callahan, Macy Ladouceur and Pechhold (4:09.46, sectional cut) closed

out the meet with first and second place finishes.

150), Andrew Delisle (6-0, 157, forfeit), Max Letwin (6-0, 165), Colin Hart (6-0, 175), Colin Homan (6-0, 190), Phineas Jakious (6-0, 215) and Xavier Tejeda (6-0, 285, forfeit) secured the individual wins against Lynn.

non-league Everett (54-36) to close out last week on a successful note.

“Despite the loss, we played a great game against Notre Dame at home,” said Moran. “All of the kids hustled throughout the game.”

Greta Sachs once again paced the offensive attack with 14 points. Ainsley McDonald was next in line with nine. Lucy McDonald and Tessa Andriano each scored five points. Carys Moran was close behind with four. Nora Mahan chipped in with two.

Wrestlers secure third win The Marblehead High Black & Blue co-op wrestling team (3-6) picked up its third win of the year after beating a shorthanded Lynn co-op at home on Jan. 15, 73-6.

Jaymes Carey (6-0, 113-pounds), Kenny Drolette (6-0, 120, forfeit), Platon Danshyn (6-0, 126, forfeit), Ilan Hod (6-0, 132, forfeit), Liam O’Brien (3-0, 138), Phil Duclos (6-0, 144), Nolan Glass (4-0,

Girls basketball wins two after Notre Dame heartbreaker After losing a heartbreaker to non-league perennial powerhouse Notre Dame of Hingham on Jan. 12, 43-39, coach Paul Moran’s girls basketball team (6-3) won two straight over Swampscott (48-36) and

marbleheadcurrent.org

12 Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Marblehead Current

FOOD 101

My first beef Wellington

BY LINDA BASSETT

I’ve never made beef Wellington. This refined entrée’s popularity rose and fell with the Gilded Age. Julia Child revived it in “Mastering the Art.” A whole generation of midcentury hostesses made it the core of fashionable dinner parties. Creating this showpiece is timeconsuming, laborintensive. And now it’s back.

When Current editor Leigh Blander emailed a query about 2026 goals and resolutions, I’d already been mulling the culinary challenge. Just because it was there. (Like Kilimanjaro.)

I analyzed recipes from Julia to James to Gordon. As the recipe evolved, someone coated it with mustard. Good idea! The newest recipes wrap the beef in a layer of prosciutto. (I tried the classic, but a layer of prosciutto lining the pastry keeps the juices from seeping into it.)

I decided, for my first attempt, to short-cut the process. A butcher trimmed the beef. I bought frozen puff pastry crust and used store-bought pate to cut out hours of work, waiting. There’s a lot of waiting here — resting beef, chilling pastry, cooking down mushrooms!

Success! (See photo.)

I’m considering improvements. On my next try, I’m forgoing the pate and wrapping the roast in three layers — pastry and prosciutto spread with duxelles.

Sometime in 2026!

BEEF WELLINGTON SERVES 4 TO 6.

Notes: 1. Don’t let the word “duxelles” scare you. It’s just mushrooms seasoned and cooked down. 2. Bring everything — butter, beef, mustard, duxelles, pate, eggs — to room temperature first. 3. I’ve listed an overabundance of butter in case it’s needed.

4. Give the beef ample rest times (plural). This is not a mistake.

5.Use a food processor to chop the duxelles ingredients.

CURRENT PHOTOS / LINDA BASSETT

Current food columnist Linda Bassett made her first ever beef Wellington and it was delicious! ` 1 package puff paste ` Filet of beef tenderloin, about 4 pounds, trimmed ` 2 sticks butter ` Pepper, salt ` Dijon-style mustard, for slathering ` 2 cups duxelles (see directions) ` Prepared duck liver mousse pate ` 1 large egg, beaten with 1/4 cup cream

Defrost the dough in the refrigerator. (Do not leave out at room temperature.)

Rub meat with butter, salt and pepper. Let it rest about 1 hour on the

countertop. Preheat the oven to 425F. Thinly coat beef all over with mustard. Roast meat for 10 minutes. It will be very rare. Place on a rack; salt all over. Cool to room temperature.

Duxelles: ` 1 finely chopped small onion ` ½ cup butter ` 1 pound mushrooms, finely chopped ` 2 tablespoons ` Cognac or brandy ` ½ cup chopped fresh flatleaf parsley

In a skillet, cook onion

in 6 tablespoons butter over low heat until translucent.

Add mushrooms and 2-4 more tablespoons butter.

Add cognac and parsley.

Cook very slowly until the mushrooms are dark and dry, 45 minutes. (Can be done a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.)

Assembly: Roll pastry out large enough to cover beef entirely with some overlap one-inch at ends and bottom, like giftwrapping.

Trim excess pastry; reserve trimmings.

Preheat the oven to 425F. Spread mustard all over the beef. Spread the pastry with duxelles and place beef in the center.

“Gift wrap” the beef with the pastry, trimming any excess. Moisten with egg wash to hold the package together (as tape when wrapping a gift).

Place the “package” onto a foil-lined sheet pan. Cut pastry scraps decoratively; brush the back with egg wash to attach. Brush egg wash over the top of the pastry.

Cooking: Transfer the sheet pan to a preheated oven for 10-15 minutes.

Reduce heat to 375F for 20 minutes longer.

Remove from oven; let it rest, 20-30 minutes longer.

Transfer to a platter.

Surround the masterpiece with herbs or vegetables to show it off.

Slice with a serrated knife.

Linda Bassett lived in Marblehead for years and has worked as a cook, trained up-and-coming chefs, studied food history and led food tours. Her book, “From Apple Pie to Pad Thai,” is about local cooks and cooking.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

MUSIC

Local bands strike a chord with hometown crowds

BY BELLA TRAVAGLINI There’s something of an allure for Marbleheaders when local bands perform in town, said Robert Simonelli, co-owner and manager of The Landing Restaurant located on the harborfront.

“We have a packed house when we choose the local bands,” he said of gigs that take place every Thursday night, drawing 90 – 100 revelers. “They have a devotion.”

Turns out that there are several bands that play locally whose members are either all from town or have at least a couple of guys and gals who live in Marblehead. They range in age from late 30s to 70, have professional careers outside of music, a few have retired, and all have families. A lot to juggle, but they’re driven by their shared passion and they get a particular kick out of playing for the friends, colleagues, and family who turn up to support them.

“It’s awesome, I love it!” said townie Keith Hersey of Halfway Rock, a band that plays everything from rock ‘n’ roll to country, which came together about one-and-a-half years ago. “You do get a little

COURTESY PHOTOS

Halfway Rock members, who all live in town, tuning up at The Landing, May 2025. Left to right: Mike Crawford, Keith Hersey, Avrum Heafitz, Gus Percy, Dave Angily and Mitch Levine.

Marblehead’s Paula Gaull loves playing for her hometown crowd in Marblehead.

Derek Rando, center on guitar and vocals, performing with TenderHoof at Crocker Park during the 2024 Marblehead Festival of the Arts.

nervous about screwing up, but usually no one notices and we are doing what we really love.”

Many of the performers have impressive musical roots, with some playing nationally or overseas, or with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and have attended Berklee College of Music. Others are songwriters with albums that have been released.

INVITATION FOR BID TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD 26-40 On-call Painter MGL c. 149 Invitation for Bid The Town of Marblehead invites sealed bids from qualified firms for an On-call Painter. The bid documents are available via the procurement portal https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/marblehead after January 20, 2026. The bids are due by February 5, 2026 at 10:00 AM. A bid deposit of at least five percent (5%) of the total project is required.

A Labor and Materials Payment Bond in the sum of 50% of the Contract Price, will be required of the successful Bidder. Project is subject to compliance with prevailing wage requirements.

This solicitation is being conducted in accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 149, and any resulting contract will be strictly awarded in accordance with the requirements of the solicitation.

Specifications, Terms and Conditions and Forms may be obtained via the procurement portal https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/marblehead.

The contract must be approved by the Select Board.

The Town reserves the right to reject any and all bids if it is in the Town’s Best interest to do so.

Hersey, who sings and plays piano and owns a real estate title company, founded his band, along with his friend and neighbor, Dave Angilly.

Hersey discovered his love for music at Lincoln Sudbury High School, where he sang in the school band and got to sing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at the age of 12. All eight members of Halfway Rock are from town and play at other town venues, such as The Beacon Restaurant and Bar, as do other local bands.

While Hersey says that his newfound moonlighting gig is “a fun little hobby project,” these guys are doing something right. Halfway Rock has attracted the likes of Dave Mattacks, a renowned professional UK drummer who has made his home here for the past 25 years.

Mattacks has performed with Paul McCartney, Elton John and many other superstar musicians. On occasion, Mattacks sits in to play the drums with the band, as he often does with other locals.

Cover band True North, that primarily rocks out hits from the 80s and 90s with their own edgier spin, formed in the winter of 2020 as a group of local guys and Paula Gaull. Her husband Jami is also in the band.

“It’s so fun to be able to play in a band in my hometown,” Gaull said.

“Having grown up here, every time we play, it’s like a party … friends always show up and sometimes shenanigans ensue. And of course, it’s so awesome to have the support of so many locals…I love running into people in town who only know me from True North and the

first question they ask is ‘When are you guys playing again?’”

Derek Rando, who moved to town 12 years ago with his wife, Lindsay and their two sons, started writing songs at the tender age of 13 and never stopped. He plays guitar and sings while performing and recently released a new, 12-song record, “Long Way Around,” that deals with growing up, always being late to the party and finally getting it all together, he said.

Rando helps run Bobbles and Lace, a 30-location specialty jewelry and clothing franchise, which Lindsay cofounded, with its flagship store on Washington Street. Rando does mostly solo gigs now, but was recently part of the band TenderHoof, which he and his friend Gus Percy put together in 2023. They often performed at Percy’s family’s restaurant, Three Cod Tavern on Pleasant Street.

Rando grew up in Beverly before playing in Los Angeles for two years, influenced by his dad who played acoustic guitar and sang at home for friends and co-workers.

“So, I grew up around this, and it comes full circle,” said Rando. I don’t know if I would have gravitated toward music if I hadn’t. I guess it’s a generational thing.”

Perhaps there’s a next generation in the wings gearing up to take over where their parents leave off. One of Bathurst’s two daughters, Sofia, who attends the University of Vermont, has sung with his band.

One of Hersey’s two sons, Alex, has a band with classmates at Stonehill College. Twelve-year-old Jet Rando and 14-yearold Rex Rando both play guitar, piano and drums, even though they remain unimpressed when they come to see their dad play, he said.

marbleheadcurrent.org

Marblehead Current Wednesday, January 21, 2026 13

MEAN GIRLS

Author Tonya Walker dishes on her book, ‘Slim and The Notorious Mrs. Churchill’

BY CHERYL BYRNE Marblehead author Tonya Walker is launching her book, “Slim and the Notorious Mrs. Churchill, this week. The novel is a work of historical function that offers readers a glimpse into the glamorous and treacherous social world of New York and Paris in 1958.

This story will resonate with fans of Ryan Murphy’s recent award-winning television series, “Feud: Capote Versus the Swans.” Set among the wealth, ambition and shifting alliances of postwar high society, the novel centers on Pamela Churchill, the notorious mistress to millionaires. At 39, facing another failed love affair, dwindling finances and the unrelenting pressures of age and reputation, Pamela knows she needs a wealthy husband — and quickly.

Having cycled through eligible prospects across Europe and the United Kingdom, she sets her sights on the New World.

Walker’s characters are the Mean Girls of their day, but she notes, “That day was full of attractive people in attractive

COURTESY PHOTOS

Tonya Walker and her latest book.

places doing attractive things.”

Walker turns what could have been a familiar tale of romantic rivalry — Mrs. Churchill Harriman reportedly stealing Slim Hayward Keith’s husband — into a broader exploration of women’s friendships and rivalries.

“When you have been trained and raised not to fight, and those emotions are all still highly present, women learn to subvert them,” Walker told the Current.

“If these are the only tools you have, what else do you do? These are extraordinary women — but

small.”

Though the novel is rooted in history, much of the story comes from Walker’s imagination. Her fascination began with a 1990 Vanity Fair article, “Forever Slim,” which led her to read Keith’s memoir, “Slim: Memories of a Rich and Imperfect Life.”

“From the outside, from the photographs, this looks like the most incredible world,” Walker said. “Everything looked magical through that tiny camera lens. Everyone was rich and beautiful.”

Walker came to writing

through teaching, which she says requires many of the same skills: planning, structure and careful communication. Her writing career includes several projects where the focus was primary, but it wasn’t until her MFA program that she began writing seriously.

Her thesis, “A Monologue from Hell,” focused on Slim Keith and became the basis for “Slim and the Notorious Mrs. Churchill,” as well as her Substack channel (tonyaewalker.substack.com).

She has also written a young adult novel and a romcom — “more com than rom,” she says — and continues submitting work to literary journals. Her next project is another book on Babe Paley, the second in what she calls her “Slim series.”

Walker lives in Marblehead, having previously lived in Richmond, Virginia; New York City and Toronto. She runs Abbot Hall Properties, a small business focused on buying, renovating and renting homes. She served as secretary of the Abbot Public Library Foundation Board and now enjoys Marblehead’s lighter civic life: “That means pickleball at Seaside with the Seaside Netters,

Mahjong around neighbors’ kitchen tables, an everexpanding book club launched with my next-door neighbor, and, of course, participating in Marblehead’s most timehonored tradition: escorting my golden retriever, Lou, from one generously stocked treat jar to the next.”

Walker says promoting the book has been a joy, particularly as women readers respond enthusiastically.

“I hope it’s a lively read, with sharp dialogue and plenty to talk about,” she said. Book clubs are her ideal audience; she’s already scheduled readings with five clubs in Marblehead. Upcoming promotional events include a Dress Like a Swan party and a potluck dinner.

“When my pickleball group meets with my Mahjong and book club friends, look out!

I feel very lucky to be so well supported,” Walker said.

Walker will give a talk on “Slim and the Notorious Mrs. Churchill” at Abbot Public Library on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The book is available at Saltwater Books.

CURRENT EVENTS

Marblehead’s best bets Current Events spotlights notable happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org.

—Leigh Blander

Penguin Plunge

Vivaldi and Mozart candlelight experience

Saturday, Jan. 24, noon

Saturday, Jan. 24, 6-7 p.m. and 8-9 p.m.

Bundle up and dive in for a cause at Salem Coastwatch’s first Penguin Plunge at Riverhead Beach. Participants are invited to brave the cold waters, enjoy camaraderie and support efforts to protect and restore the coastal environment.

To sign up or donate, visit givebutter.com/ penguinplunge2026.

Experience the music of Vivaldi and Mozart by candlelight during this immersive concert presented by Lumos Experiences. The performances will be held at Old North Church, 35 Washington St. For tickets and additional information, visit bit. ly/4jpp9Bo.

Little Explorers Sunday, Jan. 25, 10-11:30 a.m.

Little Explorers is a Sunday morning series for children ages 2-5.

Children play and explore with arts and crafts, sensory activities and stories.

Parents get to connect with other parents — with coffee and snacks. Siblings welcome. RSVPs encouraged (but not required). Email rkaren@epsteinhillel.org. Free and open to all.

Writers & Readers Open Mic Monday, Jan. 26, 7-8:30 p.m.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, this is a chance to connect with your community. You can prepare a short story or a nonfiction prose piece. At each gathering at Abbot Library, there will be a featured reader, after which the mic will be open to the first 10 people who sign up. Readers are asked to keep readings to five minutes or less. Beverly Pierce will lead off the January session. Registration is required and limited to 20. More info abbotlibrary.org.

’90s Karaoke Night Friday, Jan. 30, 6-8 p.m.

Scurvy Fellows Indeed Friday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m.

Head out to Marblehead VFW for live music with Scurvy Fellows Indeed Band. All donations go to “Save the Glover.” VFW is located at 321 West Shore Drive.

Join Marblehead Charter for a ’90s-themed Karaoke Night. This is a free, all-ages community event. Sing your favorite ’90s hits, dress in your best throwback style, and enjoy a fun evening with friends and family. Food and sweet treats will be available for purchase. This night is part of MCCPS’ 30th anniversary celebration.

RSVP at https://bit.ly/4qSa6mh.

March to Burial Hill Saturday, Jan. 31, 5 p.m.

The members of Glover’s Regiment will commemorate the life of General John Glover in their annual march to Burial Hill. Gen. John Glover died on Jan. 30, 1797, and is entombed at Burial Hill. The commander of the regiment, Capt. Seamus Daly, will deliver an oration remembering Glover’s service to the country, state and town. Members of the regiment will then fire three musket volleys and will march back to the Old Town House. Members of the public and re-enactors are invited to join the regiment as they march under lantern light and drumbeat from the Old Town House on Washington Street to Glover’s tomb.

While members of the regiment will be in 18th-century attire, members of the public are welcome to attend in 21st-century clothing and are encouraged to bring candlelit lanterns.

marbleheadcurrent.org

14 Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Marblehead Current

OBITUARIES

Loretta G. (Lori) Chandler Loretta G. (Lori) Chandler, formerly of Marblehead, Swampscott and Boston, lived in Boca Raton, Florida, for the past 26 years, died peacefully in Delray Beach, Florida, on Nov. 6, 2025 at the age of 88. Born in

Boston Lori was the youngest daughter of Eva and Max Averbuck.

Lori was the beloved wife of her husband Melvin Chandler, and they shared 63 years of marriage. Lori was a great wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

Lori’s life was defined by her love of travel, and, more importantly, her devotion to her family and friends. Lori dedicated most of her life

to raising her children and spending time with her beloved family and friends, but when she wasn’t raising her children or doting on her grandchildren, she was a stewardess for Eastern Airlines, a travel agent and then worked in the field of destination management. Lori loved playing mah-jong, bridge, reading, shopping/walking through malls and stores.

Lori’s passion was her family and friends. Lori was the

loving mother of Marc and Michelle Chandler, and Peter and Sondra Chandler. She was the adored grandmother of Tyler, Sydney, Bradley, Brooke, Luke and Gabriella. She was a loving aunt to all of her nieces and nephews. Lori was predeceased by her sister Ruth Braun and her brother Paul Averbuck. Lori’s warmth, love and devotion to her family will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Crowd fills Old North Church for MLK Breakfast

BY LEIGH BLANDER More than 150 people braved snowy roads Monday morning to attend the second annual MLK Community Breakfast at Old North Church. Families, faith leaders and community members gathered for live music, a dramatic reading and reflection in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. A chorus from St. Mary’s in Lynn, led by the school’s music director, Brandon Mayes, opened the program with a stirring rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” as the audience joined in. Mayes then spoke — and sang — about the power of Negro spirituals and how they evolved into protest songs during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and ’70s.

Members of Marblehead Little Theatre followed with readings from King’s “Letter From a Birmingham Jail,” including his searing words on justice and the urgency of action: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Marblehead Museum Director Lauren McCormack received the Drum Justice Award in recognition of her work highlighting the history of Black and Indigenous people in town.

Kristin DuBay Horton later led a call to action, inviting audience members to stand and publicly commit to one step they would take this year to help make the world a better place.

One man shared a personal reflection, recalling his first encounter with segregation while traveling in the South in the 1960s as a member of the

Counseling From P. 5

client who is in danger of becoming un-housed, or a client needing a drug or alcohol program referral can find assistance through our social services unit.

Telehealth online therapy, which we and many other therapeutic centers now offer, brings professional counseling to those who might otherwise be unable to get help from mental health professionals. Access to professional help and assistance with life struggles are critical in mitigating suicide.

According to Dr. John Draper, founding director of the

CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER

Members of a St. Mary’s School chorus, led by music director Brandon Mayes, sang at Marblehead’s MLK Community Breakfast on Monday.

Lou Meyi and Molly Blander, members of the Marblehead Racial Justice Team, presented the Drum Major for Justice Award to Marblehead Museum Executive Director Lauren McCormack, far right.

Air Force. He described hearing a restaurant worker use a racial slur and said he regretted not speaking up at the time. He vowed to always call out racism when he sees it now.

At the end of the program, MRJT member Donna Cotterrel led the crowd singing the social justice anthem, “We Are a New and Unsettling Force.”

Afterwards, attendees traveled to SPUR, where they assembled

Donna Cotterell, a member of the Marblehead Racial Justice Team, leads the crowd in the social justice anthem, “We Are a New and Unsettling Force.”

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), there are ‘three Cs’ of suicide prevention: connection, collaboration and choice. Connection helps the person struggling to feel understood and not isolated.

Collaboration involves working together to identify potential solutions to their concerns or needs. And choice involves empowering the individual in the decisionmaking process for their care and recovery.

In a mental health crisis, trained professionals are essential. But there are many ways that our community might work to strengthen our connections with those who are struggling.

Suicide by the numbers:

From The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023): » Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. » 49,316 Americans died by suicide in 2023 » 1.5 million attempted suicide » 658 Massachusetts residents died by suicide » Firearms were used in 55% of suicides » Men died by suicide 3.8 times more often than women. » Adults aged 85 and older had the highest suicide rate » About one in 10 youth in grades 9-12 attempted suicide at least once in 2023, with » female students attempting to kill themselves at a rate

more than double their male counterparts » (Youth Risk Behaviors Survey of 2023)

RESOURCES:

» 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

988lifeline.org/ » SPRC Suicide Warning Signs article https://sprc. org/warning-signs-ofsuicide/?doing_wp_cron=176 8420081.33011198043823242 18750 » Mass Behavioral Health Helpline https://www. masshelpline.com/?utm_ source=google&utm_ campaign=mbhp_ phase2&utm_ medium=english_bhhl&gad_ source=1

jars of soup for local food pantries.

The MLK Community Breakfast was organized

by MRJT and co-sponsors Marblehead Ministerial Association, Marblehead League of Women Voters, Marblehead Task Force Against Discrimination, Marblehead Alliance for Democracy, NAACP North Shore Branch and the United Methodist Foundation.

» Suicide Prevention Resource

Center https://sprc.org/ » Mass Men Initiative https://

www.mass.gov/massmen » National Alliance for Mental Health - MA/Kids and teens https://namimass. org/kids/#165114440309737f07376-18b9 Gregg Mulford, LMHC clinical supervisor, has been a social worker for 35 years, the last three of which have been counseling individuals, families and couples at Marblehead Counseling Center.

He is a generalist who works with all populations, on a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, substance use, OCD, agoraphobia and bipolar disorder.

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS Buyer(s)

Seller(s)

Address

Date

Price

Margaret McNulty and Conor Morgan

2 Lindsey St.

Jan. 2

$725,000

Matthew R. Crowell and Emily M. Willis

Lyn H. Holian

3 Oak St.

Dec. 29

$760,485

Vladislav Bekker and Hillary Guerrero

Wormwood Marjorie M Est and Dianne W. Sleeper

6 Higgins Road

Dec. 29

$645,000

Lynne C. Graham-O’Brien and Sean O’Brien

9 Darling St.

Dec. 30

$950,000

Julianna Thibodeaux

Julianna and Stefan Thibodeaux

20 West St.

Jan. 2

$32,920

26 Mechanic Street LLC

MC RT and Elizabeth Jacobs

26 Mechanic St.

Dec. 30

$780,000

Courtney M. and Robert E. McNulty

87 Jersey St.

Dec. 30

$1,010,000

Adam Katzman and Michelle E. Tourgee

Jean Levesque RET and Jean Levesque

51 Barnstable St.

Dec. 29

$678,000

Matthew Wessels

Mercedes B. and Ruel W. Longfellow

98 Paradise Road

Dec. 31

$1,065,000

Neil and Vicki Katz

Arthur G. and Hazel D. Audet

309 Paradise Road

Dec. 30

$640,000

Marblehead Amanda and Pietro Giacalone

21-27 State Street RT and Matthew Gateman

Leif Jacobsen and Sarah Ryan Swampscott

BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW

marbleheadcurrent.org

Shining a light on the news you care about!

Marblehead Current Wednesday, January 21, 2026 15

Headlight

Written by the students of Marblehead High School for our school and community 2025-2026 Issue

www.mhsheadlight.com

Student art installation at National Grand Bank Anna Baughman, Reporter, Sophomore For close to twenty years, National Grand Bank has partnered with Marblehead Public Schools to display student artwork in January and June. After teachers from each grade choose artwork to be featured in the installation, the high school’s National Art Honor Society (NAHS) works to put them up at the bank.

The installation features artwork from students in kindergarten through high school.

To start the process of installing the artwork, student volunteers in NAHS lay all of the pieces out to decide where to place everything. They take into consideration the subject matter, the mediums and colors used, and the grade level of the artists in order to create a diverse visual for viewers. Once planned out, volunteers hang up the artwork throughout the bank on three large wall spaces.

The art comes in a wide variety of mediums, ranging from photography to collage to digital art. Mr. Proulx, the advisor of NAHS at MHS, explains that, “Marblehead has always been seen as very art heavy and art driven. We have many artists that live in town of all different demographics and generations.

We have plenty of photographers as well as fine artists, glass blowers, etc. So seeing the diversity in art that's being presented here gives an extra sense of where this foundation of artwork comes from.”

Mr. Proulx underscores the importance of having these kinds of installations, especially in buildings that are in the heart of the town, which “give the townspeople a chance to see what school systems are doing within

January 21, 2026

Undefeated and building the future: Marblehead JV players prepare for varsity Jack Buckley, Reporter, Sophomore

The Marblehead High always working hard.” our art classrooms and see how School Boys' JV basketball Communication and demeaningful the projects are that team is undefeated at 7-0, but fense have been two areas where we’re making.” wins are only part of the story. the team has made notable imMatt Martin at National Inside the gym, the focus goes provements so far. Over the first Grand Bank shares his experi- beyond the scoreboard, centerseven games, the players have ences seeing students’ respons- ing on preparation, effort, and learned each other's tendencies es to the installation, “The best creating habits that translate to and talked more. They are willing reactions are from the elemen- the varsity level. to put their bodies on the line and tary school kids. They come Practice moves at a fast hustle back to get another stop on in, and they're blown away that pace, with players running enddefense. their artwork is on the wall, lessly and competing at a high Under Coach Anja, efand they'll see another name level. Whether it’s learning fort is non-negotiable. Physicalor a friend that they know and how to switch on defense or ity, defense, and hustling back in they're excited. It's just awe- running offensive sets, they are transition are essential skills that some. It’s great to see.” challenged not just physical- are drilled. Murphy says, “He Mr. Proulx adds, “Hav- ly, but mentally. This diligent expects us to do everything right ing your artwork published in preparation enables them to exand sacrifice for the team.” a public setting is empowering. cel at the JV level and readies The JV team is undefeatTo be a part of an art class and them for the increased speed ed, but the wins reflect something not only get satisfaction through and physicality of varsity play. bigger. Every hard screen, congrades, but also through seeing It is a hardworking and tested rebound, or spring back on your work published can make competitive group. Everydefense shows that effort makes a positive impact on someone body pushes one another to these victories possible. Marbleas an artist.” Showcasing a stu- get better. As sophomore guard head is not just winning games. dent's work is crucial not only to Jack Murphy says, “We’re alThey are learning what it takes to benefiting the community and ways being physical, fighting compete at the next level. beautifying the town, but also through screens, and trapping, in supporting student achievement and satisfaction.

The MHS National Art DECA students' experiences Honor Society is partnering with several community organiat a District 6 competition zations and businesses for stuSophie Li, Reporter, Freshman dent art installations coming soon! Some of these include: Students from MarbleAnother competithe Abbot Public Library for head High School participated in tor, Varvara Polinovoskaya, a photography installation and a DECA competition on Tuesday, a freshman, participated in mural, the Peabody Essex Mu- January 6, where they competed in Principles of Business, Manseum for an art show for the business competitions that tested agement, and Administration.

Mass Audubon's Youth Cli- their communication, problem- Varvara prepared for the commate Leadership Program, and solving, and presentation skills. petition by using the DECA the Marblehead Arts Associa- DECA is a club that prepares stu- Plus website, where she studtion for artwork in their spring dents to practice leadership and ied vocabulary and reviewed gala. entrepreneurship skills and ap- examples of scenarios. “I Visit National Grand ply classroom knowledge in real- recommend using the DECA Bank to see the installation world scenarios. DECA also focus- Plus website because it’s reand check out Headlight’s In- es on preparing students for future ally helpful during preparation stagram page @headlight_mhs careers in business, marketing, fi- and can make the competition for installation photos and oth- nance, and management. feel much easier,” she states. er news!

Adele Gaunt, a freshman, Varvara shared that the most competed in a Marketing Roleplay challenging part of preparation Event. “During this event, com- was the amount of time it took petitors are given a business sce- to study and feel ready for the nario and must present solutions competition. “Competing felt to a judge after a short preparation more stressful at the beginning, period of 10 minutes,” explained but I eventually got the hang of Adele. One of the most difficult it, and it felt easier,” she said. parts of her preparation was underParticipating in these standing and using performance in- events can allow students to dicators, which are specific points be challenged in high-pressure competitors must use during their environments while learning competition. “You have to use all how to think quickly and refour indicators for a good score,” spond clearly. Both students Adele states. Although she felt ner- agreed that participating in vous during the event, Adele said DECA provided valuable exthat practicing beforehand helped perience and helped them deher feel more prepared. “Since velop important skills such as I practiced with another person, confidence, communication, competing didn’t feel much dif- and time management. ferent compared to practice,” she said.

Headlight Staff 2025 - 2026 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Grey Collins

ASSISTANT EDITORS: Evan Eisen, Anna Cruikshank, Georgia Marshall

REPORTERS: Maya Berman, Piper Browning, Jack Buckley, Nathaniel Carper-Young, Madeline Duffy, Teagan Freedman, Maximilian Kane, Sophie Li, Eve Magen, Mary Prindiville SOCIAL MEDIA: Anna Baughman FACULTY ADVISOR: Mr. Higgins

marbleheadcurrent.org

16 Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Marblehead Current

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Jackie Polimeni Your ‘GO TO REALTOR’ offering exceptional service, dedication & professionalism, while creating a special bond with my clients.

Love & Pickleball make the world go 'round.

Lise Danforth Buying & Selling is all about strategy & reading the market. If honesty & integrity, local expertise & a smooth successful transaction are important to you, call Lise.

781-929-8535 Jackie.Polimeni@cbrealty.com JackiePYourGoToRealtor.com

978-853-2228 Lise.Danforth@cbrealty.com LiseDanforth.com

Andrea Dodge If you are looking fora real estate agent with experience, knowledge and integrity please reach out.

We can meet to discuss the market and your g oals for buying and/or selling.

Dee Vigneron Buying & selling a home is fast paced in this market. Let my 44 years of experience assist you with all your real estate needs. Reach out if you 're planning a move.

Thanks, Dee!

781-953-4396 Andrea.Dodge@cbrealty.com AndreaDodgeSellsHomes.com

Janice Kostopoulos My priority is to recognize and respond to the needs of sellers and buyers. I provide confidence and trust based on my knowledge, experience and service.

978-407-4600 Dee.Vigneron@cbrealty.com DeeVigneron.com

617-365-6316 Janice.Kostopoulos@cbrealty.com

One Simple Goal.

Get You the Best Outcome.

Buying or selling isn’t just a transaction—it’s a negotiation.

With 23 years of experience, I protect your price, timeline, and peace of mind. From first home to luxury or investment, expect straight answers, smart strategies and relentless follow through from start to sold.

781-405-7122 Zoe.Karademos@cbrealty.com Zoekarademos.com

Coldwell Banker Realty | 2 Atlantic Ave. Marblehead, MA 01945 | 781-631-9511 | ColdwellBankerHomes.com

Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2025 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logo are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

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Discover life at The Mariner, call: 781.731.1583 or scan the QR code >> Discover Marblehead’s first and only Senior Living Community!

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