04.09.2025 – Volume 3, Issue 20

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‘WE WANT TO STAY’

Refugees cook for community

IN THIS ISSUE

SPRING SPORTS

ER ARTIST

MHS pitcher makes history

Local doc explores artistic side

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April 9, 2025

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VOLUME 3, ISSUE NO. 20

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EDUCATION

Report: Not enough evidence to support antisemitism claims

BY LEIGH BLANDER

An outside investigator hired to look into accusations of antisemitism — as well as counter accusations — among Marblehead educators has determined that there is not enough evidence to find that “any party was subjected to discrimination or harassment,

including antisemitism.”

The School Committee approved $25,000 for the investigation last June, after Veterans School teacher Brigitte Karns accused several Marblehead High School language teachers — and the district — of antisemitism. In a webinar a few weeks earlier, Karns identified one MHS

language teacher by her initials, alleging that she removed the Israeli flag from the cafeteria and threw it in a corner.

That educator, Candice Sliney, vehemently denied the accusations. At an emotional public meeting last spring, Sliney spoke about her public record of starting and leading Team Harmony, a local youth

organization dedicated to fighting hate; working on the Marblehead Task Force Against Discrimination; and partnering with the ADL to train students and teachers to fight antisemitism and discrimination.

At the same spring meeting, another educator, a few parents and some community members spoke about antisemitic

experiences their families have had in the schools.

The report, by the law firm Kurker Paget, was released just before the April 3 School Committee meeting. Attorney Alyson Kurker investigated “39 separate allegations of antisemitic discrimination and REPORT, P. A7

EDUCATION

DEMOCRACY

Dozens of Marblehead residents join ‘Hands Off’ rally in Salem

Committee tweaks draft flag policy Gives superintendent power to make recommendations

BY LEIGH BLANDER

CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD

Larkin Smith, 12, of Marblehead, invigorated the crowd at the Hands Off rally in Salem, where she led the crowd in chants calling for love and unity.

BY WILL DOWD Dozens of Marblehead residents joined hundreds of protesters in Salem Saturday as part of nationwide “Hands Off” demonstration organized to oppose the Trump administration’s policies. The crowd grew so large it had to be moved from City Hall to Riley Plaza, where demonstrators filled the brick-paved area beneath American flags.

Marblehead resident Larkin Smith, 12, led the crowd in an enthusiastic

chant after sharing her vision for unity.

“What we need right now is we need to come together, so love, not hate! Love, not hate! Love, not hate!” Smith called out, with a sea of protesters before her joining in.

Protesters of all ages carried handmade signs with messages including “Save Constitutional Rights,” “Hands Off Our Books,” “Dismantle Autocracy Not Democracy,” and “Trump Is Not Super He’s Corrupt.” Others read

Another iteration of a draft flag policy for Marblehead schools is moving forward with two key changes, one of which appears to give students an avenue to make flag and banner requests.

A new proposal, presented at the April 3 School Committee meeting, still permits only U.S., state and POW/MIA flags, but allows the superintendent to make recommendations to the School Committee for additional banners and flags. The School Committee could ultimately reject the superintendent’s recommendation, according to committee member Sarah Fox. Interim Superintendent John Robidoux told the Current on April 4, “I will always seek input from stakeholders when and where it is appropriate, so yes, if the policy is adopted as written after the three readings, FLAG, P. A7

“Hands Off Due Process,” “Free Speech” and “Our Constitution.”

The Marblehead League of Women Voters participated alongside the LWV of Massachusetts and the national organization in the nonviolent protest. According to a statement, the League supported the event to protest “federal threats to public education, Medicare, Social Security and democracy itself.”

Marblehead resident Mimi Lemay RALLY, P. A3

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

Flags and banners like these would be removed, at least initially, under a proposed School Committee policy.

TOWN MEETING

Voters to weigh $14.6M in debt exclusions for building repairs

BY WILL DOWD AND LEIGH BLANDER

COURTESY PHOTO

The roof at Marblehead High School leaks when it rains.

BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW

At Town Meeting next month, Marblehead voters will decide whether to approve two debt exclusion overrides totaling approximately $14.6 million that would temporarily increase property taxes to fund infrastructure repairs at Marblehead High School and Mary Alley Municipal Building.

The debt exclusion overrides require a two-thirds vote at Town Meeting and majority vote at the June election.

The proposals include a more than $6 million project to replace the failing 1950s-era HVAC system at Mary Alley and an $8,610,602 project to repair the leaking roof and install new rooftop HVAC units at Marblehead High School. If both pass, the combined debt exclusions would temporarily increase property taxes outside the constraints of Proposition 2½ limits until the borrowing is repaid.

Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer has highlighted the urgent need for HVAC replacement at

Mary Alley, where employees currently rely on space heaters and window air conditioning units due to system failures throughout the building.

“There’s huge concern in the building,” Kezer said. “So many of the systems have failed that there’s plug-in heaters in so many office spaces. It scares the heck out of people that if we went down over the weekend, we might have another insurance claim.”

“During the summer, we’re using window air conditioners to keep the building cool because,

again, systems have failed,” Kezer added.

The Mary Alley proposal, officially Article 33 on the warrant, would appropriate funds for design, construction, repair, renovation and equipping of the building, including windows, elevators and HVAC systems.

According to Kezer, the town is working with a contractor to finalize assessment of the project scope and expects to have complete pricing details OVERRIDES, P. A2

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A2 Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Marblehead Current

MAKING BAGELS & COMMUNITY

Local Ukrainian refugees create connections in town, hope to stay

BY LEIGH BLANDER They were engineers and entrepreneurs raising families in Ukraine before Russia invaded in 2022. Today, the three refugees, in the U.S. on U4U (Uniting for Ukraine) visas, work for Grab the Bagel based at the JCC in Marblehead. And they want to stay.

In January, President Donald Trump paused the U4U program, which provided a pathway for Ukrainian citizens to come to the U.S. for two years. It also allowed them to work here.

Then in March, Trump talked about revoking U4U visas altogether.

“I’m looking at that,” Trump said on March 6. “There are some people who think that’s appropriate, and some people don’t. I’ll be making a decision pretty soon.”

Trump did move to terminate visas for more than 500,000 people who entered the U.S. through a similar program for Cubans, Niucaraguans and Venezuelans. Many Ukrainians fear they could be next.

There are about 240,000 Ukrainians in the U.S. on U4U visas, including dozens on the North Shore.

Alla P., who asked that her last name not be used to protect her son back in Kiev, choked back tears as she described her homeland.

“Ukraine is very beautiful. The war is a tragedy for all people in my country,” she said. “They are destroying houses, destroying the lives and destinies of people.

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Ukrainian refugees, from left, Alla and Sasha and Yana Spasov work at Grab the Bagel, based at the JCC.

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

They want to stay in America. Ukrainian refugees, from left, Alla and Sasha and Yana Spasov work at Grab the Bagel and hope their special visas won’t be revoked. Grab the Bagel owner Dave Aldrich, front right, says they’re an important part of the community.

There are many dead civilians and animals.”

“It’s very scary,” Alla added, “because Russian soldiers abuse civilians a lot.”

She shudders whenever a plane flies above Marblehead, where she now lives. Her son, who is 27, sends her videos of bombing raids in his Kiev neighborhood. The

two talk on the phone every day.

Yana and Sasha Spasov arrived in Massachusetts in the summer of 2022 and also work at Grab the Bagel. Also with U4U visas, they live in Lynn with their daughter, 3, and son, 1.

Grab the Bagel founder Dave Aldrich described how panicked Alla became when she heard

Trump might pull U4U visas.

“I witnessed it, and it was pretty grim,” Aldrich said.

Even if they aren’t revoked, the U4U visas for Alla and the Spasovs expire in the spring of 2026. They do not want to return to Ukraine and hope to earn green cards by then.

“We want to stay legally in America,” he said. “We want to stay a part of this community.”

Immigration attorney Nancy Norman, who lives in Marblehead, advised Ukrainians here on U4U visas to consider applying for asylum as soon as possible.

“My office is continuing to submit asylum applications and other types of relief, and we’re receiving receipts, so the submissions are being accepted,” she told the Current. “I believe this will offer some protection. Information is being dispersed daily, and the rules are constantly changing.”

Aldrich is proud to work with his Ukrainian neighbors.

“These people are part of the fabric of who we are,” Aldrich told the Current. “They recognize the value of a work ethic. Believe me, you want them in your company.”

And the Ukrainians are grateful for Aldrich’s support and friendship.

“Dave changes lives,” Sasha said. “He gives us advice, tells us which way to go. He’s like family.”

Learn more about Grab the Bagel and its nonprofit work at grabthebagel.org. Aldrich and his team make about 2,500 bagels a week and sell them at the JCC, The Beacon Restaurant on weekends and at local farmers’ markets.

RELIGIOUS FIGHT WIDENS

Monk, town head back to court Religious nonprofit alleges inconsistent standards for granting and revoking exemptions

BY WILL DOWD A federal judge will hold a hearing on April 10 on whether to block Marblehead officials from inspecting an Orthodox monastery’s property — a dispute that has escalated from a routine tax exemption request into allegations of religious persecution and government overreach.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts in Boston will hear the motion by Egypt House for a preliminary injunction against the town’s Board of Assessors and other officials. The monastery, located at 12 Conant Road and led by Father Andrew Bushell, argues that allowing certain town officials onto its property would desecrate sacred space and violate its religious rights.

The motion stems from a broader federal civil rights complaint filed by Egypt House on March 12, marking the latest turn in nearly three years of escalating legal battles between religious associations related to Bushell and the town. While the federal case centers on 12 Conant Road, a related dispute is also unfolding in Essex Superior Court.

In January, the Shrine of St. Nicholas — another property overseen by Bushell — filed a state lawsuit challenging the

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ready before Town Meeting.

A debt exclusion temporarily raises property taxes above what would otherwise be allowed under Proposition 2 1⁄2, the state law limiting how much a municipality

CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD

Father Andrew Bushell stands inside a building under renovation affiliated with the Orthodox Christian community he leads. The Shrine of St. Nicholas, located on Pleasant Street, is at the center of a state court battle over revoked tax-exempt status.

town’s decision to revoke its longstanding religious exemption for 120 Pleasant St. The town has also denied a tax abatement for an affiliated property next door at 124 Pleasant St.

In U.S. District Court, Egypt House’s 400-plus page filing, including exhibits, alleges religious discrimination, claiming the town selectively enforces tax laws against Orthodox properties while exempting others. Meanwhile, the Shrine of St. Nicholas’s Superior Court case argues that 120 Pleasant St. should remain exempt based on its ongoing religious use.

Both entities are led by Bushell

and operate as part of the same Orthodox Christian community.

Egypt House and the Shrine of St. Nicholas operate within the same Orthodox Christian community under Bushell’s leadership, but are legally distinct and separately incorporated religious nonprofits.

Together, the parallel cases seek sweeping remedies: immediate limits on inspection procedures; recognition of tax exemptions and refunds for taxes paid; monetary damages for alleged constitutional violations; and systemic reforms, including the appointment of a special master to review all religious tax exemptions in Marblehead.

Egypt House, a religious nonprofit, bought 12 Conant Road in June 2022 and quickly filed for a tax exemption, citing its

can increase property taxes annually. Unlike an override, which permanently increases the tax levy limit, a debt exclusion expires once the specific borrowed amount is repaid.

The high school project, Article 34, represents the $8,610,602 appropriation that would pay for additional costs of a new roof at

the town’s high school, including the acquisition and installation of new rooftop HVAC units.

This isn’t the first attempt to address the high school roof issues. Town Meeting approved $5.3 million for the project two years ago, but it never launched.

If approved, the roof project would hike property taxes for 15

Broader legal dispute emerges over tax exemptions

use as a chapel, clergy residence and retreat center. The Board of Assessors denied the exemption that September, stating that the property did not meet the criteria for tax relief under state law.

Egypt House appealed to the state Appellate Tax Board, which ordered an inspection to verify the exemption claim.

Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer, Town Counsel Matthew Provencher and Assistant Assessor Todd Laramie did not respond to requests for comment.

However, Board of Assessors Chair John Kelley defended the town’s process.

“I stand by our decision,” Kelley told the Marblehead Current.

“All religious institutions must demonstrate they meet the criteria for exemption.”

He declined further comment, citing ongoing litigation.

Town officials barred from carrying out inspection All of this comes after federal prosecutors charged Bushell and attorney Tracey M.A. Stockton, in October 2022 with fraudulently securing more than $3.6 million in COVID-19 relief funds — alleging they used the loans to renovate their Marblehead properties and make luxury purchases rather than sustain legitimate nonprofit operations. A year later, BUSHELL, P. A14

years, adding $86 the first year to the bill for the median-priced home. Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin did not respond to questions about the tax impact of the Mary Alley project.

Town Meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 5, at the Marblehead Veterans Middle School Auditorium.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Marblehead Current Wednesday, April 9, 2025 A3

NATURE

Rally

Community and passion nurture year-round tulips with Whipple Bee Farm

From P. A1

said she wasn’t surprised by the turnout given current political tensions.

“I think we’ve reached a crisis point on so many fronts, whether it’s law and order, democratic norms or even national security,” Lemay said.

“The flaunting of Trump’s intent to break all these norms and to break institutions has affected such a large swath of the country that I think we’re seeing people come out who typically might not have.”

Lemay emphasized the importance of ongoing civic engagement beyond a single protest.

“It’s going to be a long four years and we need as many people to start resisting as possible, and we’re going to save our democracy,” she said.

“It’s going to be up to us having endurance to resist over time. That’s a very different kind of activity ... it’s a lot harder to resist over time.”

She stressed the significance of both national and local elections. “We have to see who in our local offices are working to preserve democratic norms and who are working to erode or take them away. I think it’s really important that everyone show up,” Lemay said.

“Regardless of what side of the political aisle you might normally have said, I think we all stand to lose far too much, something we cannot get back if our democracy erodes past the point of no return.”

Joe Pinto, Salem resident and Harvard professor, suggested people reach out to Trump supporters, while remaining firm against anti-democratic rhetoric.

“I listen to Trump supporters speak, and what I hear them say is that they believe that the working class, working people have been abandoned. I agree with them,” Pinto said, calling for understanding of the economic concerns

BY LUCY KRATMAN

CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD

Marblehead resident Mimi Lemay holds her puppy and a sign that reads “I stand on the right side of history” at the Hands Off rally in Salem.

that drive some Trump support. “Unfortunately, they have become susceptible to messages that have been corrupted by hate and attempts to dismantle this democracy.”

Pinto urged protesters to maintain compassionate engagement while defending democratic values. “Reach out to them with love in your heart.

Listen with curiosity. Draw lines. Do not stand for what you can’t abide. But by all means, be curious, be loving,” he said. “Let’s rebuild this movement.”

Robin Carlo traveled from Gloucester with her dog, Ruthie, named after Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Carlo cited family connections to her activism.

“I’m here because my father and my father in law fought in World War Two. So this wouldn’t happen, so the state of our country wouldn’t be this,” Carlo said. “Because my mother’s Social Security and many of her medical benefits are at risk, and because I have grandchildren, and I grew up proud of this country.”

Despite her concerns, Carlo maintained optimism. “I’m always optimistic because of this, and because there’s always a remnant, and the remnant is starting to make noise now,” she said.

Carlo also expressed regional pride: “I think New England, if I have to live somewhere in this country, I’m glad I live in New England. I think Massachusetts has a lot to be proud of.”

As spring emerges from the depths of winter, the anticipation of sunny days and blooming flowers fills the air. Few know this excitement better than Carolyn Whipple Fraser, owner of Whipple Bee Farm in Marblehead.

While most people associate flower farming with spring and summer, Whipple Fraser grows tulips indoors — even in the dead of winter.

For her, flower farming is a year-round passion — one that began with her family’s deep appreciation for the outdoors, especially her father, who was a hobby beekeeper.

“I’m fortunate to have grown up with parents who had an appreciation for the outdoors and for gardening,” she said. “The community has always been a part of who I am.”

As she got older, Whipple Fraser became involved in community gardens. But when the pandemic hit, she found herself reflecting on what more she could do. The answer always led back to farming.

Determined to learn more, she began volunteering with the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, a program through Tufts University. She eventually found herself at Moraine Farm in Beverly where she discovered their farm business school, which offered mentorship and courses like crop management.

Inspired, she applied.

“It was a leap I felt I needed to take,” she said. She was accepted and Whipple Bee Farms opened to the public in 2021.

After three years at Moraine Farm in Beverly, Whipple Fraser faced a new challenge: securing land in Marblehead.

Carolyn Whipple Fraser enjoying the sun and ready to get farming.

Whipple Bee Farm getting ready to bloom.

One day, while purchasing flowers at Five Foot Flower Farm, 15 Peach Highlands in Marblehead, Whipple Fraser shared her dilemma with owner Susan Greco.

In true Marblehead community spirit, Greco offered a partnership, providing space for Whipple Bee Farm to grow flowers. (Whipple Fraser partners with other local farms that give her growing space.)

“Working with Carolyn has been an unexpected joy,” Greco said. “We were very excited to help out another flower farmer and happy to share our land.”

Greco and her husband, Jan, opened Five Foot Flower Farms “as salvation” from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 with a piece of property across the street from their home in Marblehead.

After planting for the first time in May of 2020, they decided

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Christine Cummings and Carolyn Whipple Fraser together last Valentine’ s Day at a tulip pop-up event.

for them, hearing about their challenges and then sharing what you know is how everyone gets through those challenging times.”

One of Whipple Fraser’s most memorable moments came last fall at The Tulip Workshop, an on-the-farm training in Vermont. There, she learned from industry experts Emily Von Trapp of Von Trapp Flowers in Vermont and Linda D’Arco of Little Farmhouse Flowers in New York about the science and profitability of growing tulips indoors.

These farmers cultivate between 100,000 to 200,000 tulips between December and May. TULIPS, P. A6

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to do a pop-up bouquet sale on the weekends. A cyclist, Greco decided to donate the proceeds to the Pan Mass Challenge, an organization raising funds for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

“It was a safe place to hang out and just be with beauty.” Greco said. “People enjoyed purchasing the bouquets and giving back. It really was a win win.”

Farmers today face significant challenges, including limited land access and extreme weather. But according to Whipple Fraser, it’s the sense of community that keeps them going.

“It’s so important these days,” she said. “Being able to hear from others about what has worked

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Robert A. Erbetta

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A4 Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Marblehead Current

Opinion EDITORIAL

On town governance, civil servants, tread carefully How we govern and who serves to help us govern should always face periodic review and public consideration. So it is the case with a number of warrant articles on this year’s warrant for Town Meeting. Articles 37, 47, 48 and 52 all seek to reshape the “how” and “who” of managing our town’s affairs.

Article 37

Article 37 seeks to allow the hiring of police officers who are over the age of 32 on the date of their municipal police department entrance exam.

It does this by rescinding the town’s adoption of M.G.L. c. 31, §58A at the 2016 Town Meeting, which permits towns to use the age restriction when hiring police and firefighters. Then, as now, the age limit effort at Town Meeting was sponsored by the Marblehead chief of police. Now, as then, we should listen to our chief of police when it comes to understanding the staffing needs and challenges to maintain our public safety.

Removing a somewhat arbitrary and outdated agebased hiring practice will increase the number of qualified candidates as well as the breadth of experience those candidates bring to the police force. And considering that our public safety chiefs have warned that they’re operating at dangerously lean staffing levels, expanding

the candidate pool can only help the chief of police restore the department to its optimal strength with the best available talent. Town Meeting should vote in favor of Article 37.

the cost of living in Marblehead, which includes a median home price exceeding $1.2 million.

Town Meeting should reject Article 48.

Article 48

Article 47 would eliminate the town’s sustainability coordinator position. Lead sponsors of Article 47 look to reduce the town’s administrative costs.

As the Current reported, the sustainability coordinator position was created at the 2023 Town Meeting with a salary of $73,111.70. The sustainability coordinator’s role is to seek outside funding and help develop programs to advance the town’s environmental objectives (including coastal resiliency) and improve energy usage and performance.

Eliminating this position is the wrong way to approach fiscal responsibility and is a big step back from the town’s sustainability goal of helping to future-proof Marblehead.

With more than 13 miles of coastline and infrastructure facing constant climate threats along with increasing energy consumption and costs, Marblehead’s sustainability goals and methods are justified.

Hence the need for a dedicated professional to focus the town’s efforts on those issues with purpose and measurable outcomes.

In contrast to expanding Marblehead’s reach for talented, skilled and experienced civil servants, Article 48 would limit town hiring by requiring department heads to be Marblehead residents.

While we appreciate the sentiment that town employees should have a personal stake in and first-hand understanding of Marblehead’s affairs (and a salary that stays in the community), a hiring policy with an artificially restrictive geographic boundary does not guarantee that outcome and would be a self-inflicted wound.

If passed, Article 48 would severely limit candidate pools and may very well prevent the hiring of the most qualified individuals.

Just as important to keep in mind is that Article 48 as written likely requires removing existing nonresident department heads from their positions — casting aside existing contracts, deep institutional knowledge and notions of fair play. And Article 48 would also likely require wellabove-market compensation to attract qualified residents given

Article 47

Upcoming tariffs set to raise prices on electronics significantly

The sustainability coordinator position has met that need and, as a result, maintains strong support among town officials.

We can see why. According to Sustainable Marblehead’s Clean Energy and Public Policy Working Group, the sustainability coordinator has already helped secure approximately $458,000 in grants and provides energy and environmental expertise across town departments to help make our facilities more energy efficient and climate adaptable.

Because the sustainability coordinator position is already a net positive and helping town officials meet our environmental and energy goals, Town Meeting should reject Article 47.

Article 52

Article 52 attempts to add to town bylaws a recall provision for most elected town officials.

At first glance, a procedure that allows an electoral do-over has appeal. Recall elections can have many salutary effects. They hold officials more accountable for their decisions and actions, make officials more responsive to town needs and concerns and provide a safety valve to address and remedy serious misconduct or malfeasance. These objectives are central to a healthy political system and should enjoy widespread support in our community.

However, Article 52 as written may do more harm than good.

For example: It requires only a scant 25 registered voters to trigger the recall process after which only a mere 15% of registered voters must sign a petition to recall the official. These thresholds make the process ripe for partisan abuse.

It provides no guardrails or standards for what constitutes valid recall grounds, let alone for cause. Voters can petition for a recall based on unlawful conduct or for simply being left-handed, leaving the system vulnerable to partisan manipulation and personal vendettas.

There is no cool-off period or prohibition on successive recall attempts after failed efforts.

This makes real the potential for frequent — or worse, neverending — recall attempts that disrupt town governance.

It is silent on who bears costs for special elections following successful recall petitions.

It lacks clarity on the timing between a recall certification and a subsequent election.

While holding referendums on officials’ actions and decisions is a worthy pursuit, any recall provision should be carefully crafted to balance accountability with governmental stability.

This is not Article 52. We urge Town Meeting to reject Article 52.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

BY STEPHEN BACH

Starting May 3, new tariffs will significantly impact the cost of consumer electronics, particularly computers, laptops and tablets.

These tariffs are part of broader governmental efforts aimed at encouraging domestic manufacturing by increasing costs associated with imported electronics.

The tariff, which adds approximately 25% to the cost of these devices, is expected to have a substantial impact on both consumers and businesses alike. For example, a laptop that currently costs around $1,000 will increase by roughly $250, greatly affecting budgets and purchasing decisions.

Home users, businesses, educational institutions and nonprofit groups that depend heavily on affordable tech may face particularly challenging times ahead. In this day and age, we all rely on timely and cost-effective upgrades and replacements to maintain operations, educational standards and productivity.

With these rising costs, budgets could be stretched.

As the owner of the computer sales and service business, The Digital Docs, I’ve observed concern among our customers.

Many individuals and organizations are seeking advice on how best to navigate these upcoming changes. They’re anxious about the potential cost increases.

In anticipation of this price increase, many folks have begun purchasing equipment earlier than planned, aiming to secure lower prices and adequate stock availability. This rush has already started

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

Town Meeting voters will decide whether to approve a recall provision for elected officials.

impacting supply chains, potentially causing temporary shortages of popular devices.

The government argues these measures are necessary steps toward fostering greater self-sufficiency within domestic industries. The intention is to stimulate the growth of U.S.-based electronics manufacturing, thereby reducing the reliance on foreign imports over the long term.

Despite this aim, the immediate effects of these tariffs are undeniable and will soon be reflected at the retail level.

Consumers, businesses and educational institutions are advised to remain informed about these changes and plan accordingly!

As May 3 approaches, clear decisionmaking will be crucial for navigating this new pricing reality effectively. The Digital Docs are offering free upgrade advice, just by emailing doc@thedigitaldocs.com.

(This advice will only be offered through email due to demand.)

Until next time: stay safe out there (and save money)!

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

Accountability is a prerequisite for a healthy democracy To the editor: Citizens in a democratic society often struggle to remain engaged and active members of the electorate. Now, as a parent of two children and in my forties, I’ve realized that I cannot be complacent if I want to live in a functioning democracy. I must not just take part in its maintenance, but its protection as well. In the upcoming Town Meeting, Article 52 would empower our community to hold our elected officials accountable through enacting a recall process. If passed at the May 5 Town Meeting, it would then be sent to the state for approval. The language for this provision mirrors the provision in neighboring Swampscott, and will serve as an important reminder to our elected officials: holding public office is a privilege bestowed by the electorate, and must be done with the utmost respect for the democratic will of the citizens.

This proposed article is greater than any one person or individual motivation. As a citizen, I am

accountable for my actions. As a teacher, I am accountable for my actions. As a parent, I am accountable for my actions. Elected officials—entrusted with the responsibility to represent our community—must also be held accountable for theirs. The proposed recall mechanism and process through which it would be enacted has many safeguards to prevent any potential abuse.

In Marblehead, with 17,098 registered voters as of 2024, a recall would require valid signatures from at least 15% of voters — about 2,565 people.

That’s a high enough bar to make sure the process is not taken lightly, but attainable enough to ensure the process is actually possible. Accountability is a prerequisite for a healthy democracy, and the multitude of municipalities across the commonwealth with established recall provisions demonstrate that this mechanism is both reasonable and practicable.

Adopting this provision helps to ensure that decades from now, the community of Marblehead rests on a foundation with the right safeguards in place. Things will never be perfect, and LETTERS, P. A5

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marbleheadcurrent.org

Marblehead Current Wednesday, April 9, 2025 A5

MARBLEHEAD CARES

Boys becoming men isn’t so easy any more

BY DR. THOMAS MASSARO Richard Reeves’s book “Of Boys and Men” describes how young males are struggling in contemporary society. As a group, boys are not doing as well in school as they could or should be. That reduces the likelihood that they, as young adults, will get well-paying jobs which means they will have trouble contributing to the support of their families.Consequently, they are more likely to be poor husbands and fathers. The result is a generation of men prone to anxiety, depression, addiction and higher suicide rates.

Reeves describes “the great educational overtaking” which shows that between 1971 and 2019, men went from receiving more post-secondary degrees at all levels than women to a situation where women now receive from 30% to almost 60% more degrees than men depending on the degree level.

He also has a chapter on how previous policy interventions have not succeeded. He describes The Kalamazoo Promise program which pays college tuition for anyone graduating from the public K-12 system of that Michigan city.

The number of women getting bachelor’s degrees via this support increased by 45% while men’s graduation rates were unchanged.

Reeves strongly believes that advocating for gender issues is not a zero-sum game.

Supporting young males does not in any way imply less support for young female issues.

A society is balanced and fair when all genders are prospering.

He has written the book because the issues relating to young men have not been as widely discussed.

One of the book’s major

services. Only 24% of health-care roles are filled by men. b. Prime age employment for men without a four-year college degree has dropped from 87% in 1983 to 78% today. c. Men without a degree have seen stagnant wages for a quarter century.

4. Education

recommendations for societal response, i.e., holding back males before starting primary school for a year, was controversial. But perhaps the biggest explanation for the modest response to his calls to action is the lack of specificity of the data. When I first read the book, I thought this all makes sense at 30,000-foot level, but are these issues relevant to my son’s environment or his school?

On March 5, the Boston Foundation published a very detailed response to that concern for those of us in Massachusetts. The report “Boys and Men in Greater Boston: Challenges in Education, Employment and Health,” (co-authored by Reeves) provides a detailed assessment with contemporary data to evaluate the local situation.

It is worthwhile reading for anyone who has boys or young men in their lives. In short, the Gender Gap is alive and very unfortunately well in Massachusetts. On the positive

side, however, Marblehead is doing somewhat better at least in the education areas where we have more granular data.

The key findings of the Boston Foundation Report are:

1. Health

a. Life expectancy in Massachusetts for men is 78. For women it is 83. b. Men are twice as likely to die from injury than women. c. Of overdose deaths, 72% are men. d. Men are less likely to have health insurance.

2. Mental health

a. Three quarters of the suicide deaths in Massachsuetts occur in men. b. Men generally have fewer friends and are less likely to rely on them for emotional support.

3. Employment and wages a. The local economy has shifted away from manufacturing and toward professional

This is the area where the most local information is available. The statewide data of the BFR can be compared to what is publicly available about the Marblehead schools. b. The BFR says that statewide boys lag girls in reading and that gap is becoming wider. In addition, the early advantage of males in math erodes by middle school.

It is difficult to see those trends in the MCAS data that are available for Marblehead schools. It seems that yes, girls generally score higher in the verbal section, but a widening gender gap is not obvious in the last four years of local MCAS results.

Marblehead boys and girls seem to be fairly equal on MCAS with expected small year to year variability in the math and science areas.

The Marblehead High SAT scores confirm that impression.

They seem to show the same year-to-year variability with no consistent or increasing gap. In two of the four years between 2020 and 2024, males had slightly higher scores in the verbal section than their female

Letters From P. A4

opinions will always differ, but by granting this accountability mechanism to the voters of Marblehead, we increase the odds that those we elect will represent us in good faith and lead our community to be the best version of itself.

I urge citizens of Marblehead to strengthen democracy in our community and increase accountability for our elected officials by attending Town Meeting and voting yes on Article 52.

Michael Fu Smith Street

MEA is right to oppose ‘flag censorship policy’ To the editor, It is not surprising that the Marblehead Education Association has demanded that the School Committee “cease and desist” from moving further down the road of implementing a flag censorship policy. This deeply flawed, overreaching policy undermines our school district, as well as teachers’ rights to be free from censorship in their classrooms.

For 250 years we have trusted our trained principals to use their professional good judgement about what adorns school walls, as it relates to curriculum, mission, vision and values, without litigation.

The Select Board is entrusting the Town Manager with requests for flags and signs on other

One Town Meeting article would allow fishermen to store their gear in their backyards.

town properties. Why is a similar policy not good enough for the schools? If principals need to consult, they have a superintendent to turn to.

Let’s not politicize our School Committee elections and have to start worrying about what candidates might want to ban flags and books and possible School Committee creep into history curriculum under the guise of something else.

Renee Ramirez Keaney Beverly Avenue

Proposed fishing gear restrictions threaten town tradition To the editor: Town Meeting is democracy in its basic form by allowing all registered voters the opportunity to participate directly in our town governmental affairs.

Marblehead Town Meeting has been our form of government since the town was settled in

1629 by fishermen and formerly established, and incorporated, by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1635.

Open Town Meetings continue to be conducted since our date of incorporation.

This year’s town warrant (2025) consists of 52 articles, one of which directly affects the town’s oldest (legal) profession: commercial fishing.

“Article 45: Zoning bylaw by adding provision for the Storage of Fishing Gear and Lobster Traps” This article, though well intentioned, establishes a number of restrictions which will cause a great deal of harm to the town’s fishermen, both commercial and recreational.

Since the town’s founding, residents have traditionally been allowed to store lobster and fishing gear at their residential property. Although this article seeks to protect our fisherman’s “right”, or privilege, the way it’s proposed will harm our way-oflife, which has been the norm for almost four-hundred years.

COURTESY PHOTO

If you attend the 2025 Town Meeting, please vote for indefinite postponement of Article 45. Postponing the article will allow a new article to be drafted for your consideration at a future Town Meeting.

In the meantime, we, the commercial lobster fishermen of Marblehead, beg the town to exercise discretion and latitude when dealing with the issue of stored lobster traps.

To protect our town’s “character,” the town’s “characters” must be protected, of which we are some of the best examples.

Jay Michaud Ocean Avenue

Let’s promote collaborative conversations on flag policy To the editor: The April 3 School Committee flag policy discussion covered topics deemed procedural and the

counterparts. Conversely, girls scored slightly higher than boys in math in 2023. c. One of Reeves’s strongest recommendations has been to increase the number of male role model teachers in secondary education. MHS seems to be on the right track there. In 2024, 36% of MHS teachers were male as compared to 21.5 % statewide. d. Marblehead is also doing well in graduation ratios — possibly because of the number of male teachers. The BFR includes a graph where MHS is specifically identified. The graph also clearly shows how community poverty versus affluence has a major role in determining male success. e.The BFR also states that statewide males are less likely to enroll in college i.e., the Kalamazoo effect. This, unfortunately, appears to be an area where Marblehead is not an exception. In 2019, 87.1% of female students went on to 4-year colleges. And 86.1 % of the males did as well. In 2024, 86% of the girls went on to college but the percentage of boys had dropped to 75.

In summary, Richard Reeves and the Boston Foundation have outlined the challenges of boys becoming healthy and productive men in today’s complex world. This is a very important issue for us, and we should be grateful for their presenting it clearly and forcefully. We can be pleased that our school system appears to be moving in directions that support both young men and young women at the same time.

Hopefully, these discussions will continue, and the results will be positive for the entire society.

Dr. Tom Massarro serves on the Marblehead Board of Health.

responsibility of the interim superintendent. The committee stated an expectation that the interim superintendent would not just collect petitions but would choose the petitions to be presented to them for approval. The School Committee also considered the frequency for their approvals.

Annual approval reviews in August or quarterly reviews were two options discussed.

These examples illustrate the need for dialogue to distinguish policy from procedure, clarify responsibilities and validate that procedures will achieve what policy makers envision. School Committee members made it clear that it is the responsibility of the interim superintendent to develop procedures for this policy. What was not clear is if the School Committee will be sufficiently informed of how this policy will work in practice before they vote.

I strongly encourage the School Committee to request the interim superintendent to present a procedural plan for the proposed flag policy. The objective of this presentation would be to ensure that School Committee members have a common understanding of the anticipated operational and organizational requirements and impacts before voting.

This important decision demands thoughtful and deliberate consideration.

Thank you to the School Committee, administrators, faculty, staff, students and community members for taking care to promote collaborative conversations.

Jeanne Lambkin Devereux Street

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marbleheadcurrent.org

A6 Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Marblehead Current

Tulips From P. A3

So, how can tulips grow in the winter? It’s all about replicating natural conditions, Whipple Fraser explained. Tulips require a period of cold to bloom. By mimicking the low soil temperatures of winter, farmers can “wake up” the flower in the spring with warmer soil and air.

“Learning from people who have done it successfully is an important part of the equation for me.”

Whipple Fraser said. “The community that they foster for not only the on farm experience, but through their continued education.”

Since immersing

Winter indoor tulips in bloom.

herself in the world of flowers, Whipple Fraser has discovered something even more profound than the science of farming: the emotional connection people have with flowers.

“When I first started this venture a few years ago, I really was not aware of the stories and the connection that people have to flowers.” she said. “It has been an absolute privilege

to hear and understand how flowers are so meaningful in different ways.”

To learn more about Whipple Bee Farm and where you can purchase its flowers, visit whipplebeeflowerfarm. com.

Lucy Kratman is a student at Endicott College studying journalism.

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CP_MBHC_20250409_1_A07

marbleheadcurrent.org

Marblehead Current Wednesday, April 9, 2025 A7

PUBLIC SAFETY

Attempt to fire officer has cost taxpayers $340K … and counting

BY WILL DOWD Marblehead’s failed effort to discipline and terminate police officer Christopher Gallo has cost taxpayers at least $340,149 in legal fees, administrative leave pay and insurance premiums over 3 1/2 years, according to town financial records obtained through public records requests.

The cumulative total does not include additional compensation the town may owe Gallo following the arbitrator’s Feb. 12 ruling, which ordered that he be “made whole” for lost wages, overtime, detail pay and benefits from the date of his termination through his reinstatement.

Gallo officially returned to active duty on March 10, according to Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King.

In an email to the Marblehead Current, King said Gallo is “completing the requirements to become a certified officer under [the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission], which includes completing all training required by the [Municipal

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

The town’s attempt to discipline Marblehead Police Officer Christopher Gallo has cost taxpayers more than $340,000 over three and a half years.

Police Training Committee].”

Gallo was officially terminated on Feb. 23, 2024. Based on his hourly rate of $35.74 and a standard 40-hour workweek, his estimated base salary from March 1, 2024, through Feb. 28, 2025, was $75,774.52. That figure does not account for missed overtime, stipends or detail pay, which will likely increase the total amount owed.

Gallo had been accused in

an anonymous complaint of spending extensive periods at home during overnight shifts.

However, the town failed to authenticate the photographic evidence or assess the credibility of the informant, according to state arbitrator Mary Ellen Shea.

Shea ruled on Feb. 12, 2025, that Marblehead lacked just cause for both Gallo’s suspension and termination.

She ordered his reinstatement with full back pay, benefits and removal of disciplinary records.

The decision not only mandated compensation for lost wages but also for missed overtime and detail opportunities.

“After careful consideration, we have decided not to pursue an appeal in the matter of Officer Gallo,” Select Board Chair Erin Noonan said after an executive session last month.

“While we may not agree with the outcome, we respect the process and the arbitrator’s ruling, and we are committed to moving forward in the best interest of all parties involved.”

Documents show the town

paid attorney Marc J. Miller $87,744 between August 2021 and August 2022 and the firm Mead, Talerman & Costa $99,814 from May 2023 through February 2025 for legal services that prominently featured Gallo’s case.

While the invoices cover various municipal matters including union negotiations and employee grievances across departments, Gallo’s disciplinary case appears consistently throughout the documentation.

A review of the legal invoices reveals Gallo’s name appears at least 87 times, his attorney Gary Nolan is mentioned in 22 entries, and terms like “arbitration,” “hearing” or “disciplinary” appear nearly 100 times combined.

Conservative estimates based on explicitly labeled entries show attorneys billed at least $21,525 for work directly tied to Gallo’s case, representing 102.5 hours of legal work. This included preparing exhibits, attending multi-day hearings, reviewing audio and video

should adopt a controversial definition of antisemitism by the International Holocaust Remembrance Association.

Some civil rights groups, including the ACLU, have criticized the IHRA definition, saying it restricts protected criticism of Israel.

At the April 3 meeting, two parents spoke against the decision not to use the IHRA definition.

“I was appalled,” said Yael Magen. “It was a slap in the face for every single Jewish student, every single Jewish parent, every

single Jewish teacher and every single Jewish resident. I do not feel safe in a town that does not define antisemitism in the right way.”

She then announced that she would be running for School Committee in the June election.

Moving forward Robidoux said changes have been made in the district’s human resources department that will respond to the concerns raised in the report. The interim superintendent has also started an anti-discrimination committee made up of parents, community members, teachers and students to address issues that come up proactively.

Kurker’s final statement in her executive summary emphasizes that her investigation only looked at personnel accusations.

“The findings ... are not intended to suggest that Marblehead is free of antisemitism, but rather that the specific incidents and events that I was asked to investigate did not return sufficient information to support inference of a violation of the NDHP (the district’s nondiscrimination and harassment policy).

In a March 19 letter, the Marblehead teachers union urged the School Committee to cease and desist creating a policy, saying it “violates the state and federal constitutions’ protections for free speech and expression. As a union of education workers we have grave concerns that the committee seems determined to restrict educators’ and students’ academic and intellectual freedom.”

Speaking in favor of the draft policy, resident Emily DeJoy said, “I firmly believe that if we allow teachers and students to determine on a case-by-case basis, it could lead to increased tension, added pressure on educators and feelings of exclusion among students who may not feel adequately represented. Our focus must remain on creating an inclusive, distraction-free learning environment that prioritizes education above all else.”

Resident Sharon Rich also supported a narrow flag policy.

“We could go on and on and find that there are numbers of flags that would represent many points of view and many types of cultures and many types of affiliations,” she said. “I doubt

there would be room for any students in the school once we got the flags all up where they would potentially belong.”

Marblehead parent Angus McQuilken said that while he was glad some new ideas were incorporated into the policy, they don’t do enough to empower student and community voices.

“If they (the committee) can’t agree on a policy that protects the constitutional rights of students, teachers and the taxpayers and residents of Marblehead, such as the thoughtful proposal put forward by our students, then they should set this debate aside and move on to other topics that really need the School Committee’s attention,” McQuilken said.

Students had submitted their own policy that would allow them to work with administrators on deciding which flags can be displayed.

Schaeffner said she would update the proposal again to incorporate language developed at the meeting and present the policy again at an upcoming meeting.

The School Committee meets next Thursday, April 17.

Report From P. A1

egregious unprofessionalism,” according to the report.

She interviewed 26 people and reviewed 450 pages of documents.

“Most of the allegations could not be corroborated,” Kurker wrote. “It bears repeating that this does not necessarily mean that a party was being deceptive when asserting the claim — but it does mean that the allegation could not be substantiated.”

Karns did not respond to requests for comment.

‘I miss my students’

After reading the report, Sliney said, “The outside firm confirmed what my colleagues and I have said from the beginning: the accusers are not credible, and the manner in which it (the district’s initial investigation) was done was detrimental to our district,” Sliney said after the report’s release. “I spent my entire career working for inclusion and fighting all forms of hate including antisemitism.”

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

At its April 3 meeting, the School Committee discussed the results of an investigation into charges of antisemitism among Marblehead educators. An outside investigator determined there was not enough evidence to support the claims.

Sliney and several other MHS language teachers left the district after the controversy.

“I miss my students and especially my Team Harmony students who are graduating this year,” Sliney said. “I know they are capable of leading courageous conversations that should have been happening during these divisive times. I’m thankful for those who rallied around my former coworkers and me, knowing who we are as educators.”

Kurker was able to corroborate two things: first, that only one

party’s conduct violated the staff conduct policy (the executive summary does not include any names).

“I also found sufficient information to conclude that the district violated the Grievance Procedure and Staff Conduct policy by conducting an investigation in 2023 that fell short of being neutral, thorough, fair and adequate,” Kurker wrote.

Antisemitism definition Kurker declined to weigh in on whether the district

Flag

From P. A1 stakeholders will have a voice.”

The newest version will also include language specifying that the policy is for flags and banners “affixed” to school property. It would not regulate student clothing or other personal items like bumper stickers and locker signage.

Robidoux initially expressed concern about his role in the latest policy, asking for more clarity.

“Here’s what I don’t want to happen,” he said. “I don’t want it to end up being a situation where my feelings on the subject matter, my way of thinking about a certain flag or banner, is going to influence my recommendation, and it’s going to come back on me… I want no part of that.”

School Committee Chair Jenn Schaeffner said the superintendent would use the criteria that any additional flags or banners should “reflect the mission and values of the district” and not of the superintendent himself.

The committee agreed that it would be up to Robidoux to

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

Karen Tal-Makhluf, draped in an Israeli flag, speaks at the April 3 School Committee meeting.

“operationalize” the process by which people come to him with flag requests.

The April 3 meeting was the first of three required readings of the latest policy.

Several people spoke about flags during public comment.

Carrying three flags made by students for a recent Glover event, Diane Gora said, “I believe this policy poses a significant risk of undermining the very fabric of

the community, the welcoming our students and the freedom of expression. I feel the policy as proposed undermines teachers’ rights to be free from censorship in the classroom.”

Gora added, “Flags play a vital role in the elementary curriculum. Students learn about national flags to understand history and geography, exploring the significance of flags as symbols of countries and cultures around the world.”

evidence, and communications with Gallo’s attorney and the arbitrator.

The actual legal costs may be significantly higher, as many entries use generic descriptions such as “police personnel matters” or “civil service hearings” without specifically naming Gallo.

Beyond attorney fees, town payroll records reveal additional costs. While Gallo remained on administrative leave from June 2021 to February 2024, Marblehead paid him $251,824.94 in compensation while he wasn’t working.

The town also covered nearly the entire cost of his insurance premiums during this period.

Marblehead paid $66,735.99 for Gallo’s Harvard Pilgrim health insurance while he contributed just $13,668.87. Similarly, the town spent $65.01 on a Boston Mutual Basic Life policy for Gallo, who paid only $21.45 toward that coverage. This arrangement meant the town shouldered approximately 83% of these insurance costs.

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marbleheadcurrent.org

A8 Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Marblehead Current

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Marblehead Current Wednesday, April 9, 2025 A9

Sports ON THE RUN

Boston Marathon family tradition continues Freedman clan daughter will run her first Boston after dad ran the course 26 times

BY JOE MCCONNELL When the starting gun goes off in Hopkinton to begin the 129th running of the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, Marblehead native Vanessa Freedman will be there running it for the first time. She has run half-marathons and other road races before, but she wasn’t going to run any other full-marathon until she did it in her home state first, where thousands of runners come to test their skills on this unique meandering 26.2-mile course.

It’s a tradition like no other.

Perhaps another reason why Vanessa wanted to run Boston this year is somewhat more personal, and that’s because her dad, Gary, former owner of Marblehead Opticians, has successfully battled back from his second bout with cancer that was diagnosed in 2023.

“I’m so honored to be running Boston in celebration of my dad, who has now defeated cancer twice and continues to live happily in remission,” she said. “The Boston Marathon is so special to my family, and it’s truly a dream come true to run it this year after all my family has been through. This is a great way to celebrate and honor my dad (at the same time).”

Gary, now 64, is a Swampscott

COURTESY PHOTO

Marblehead’s Vanessa Freedman is with her dad, Gary, former owner of Marblehead Opticians, after running the Des Moines Half Marathon together in 2022. Vanessa is running her first full marathon this year, and appropriately it’s the legendary Boston Marathon on April 21. She’s running it for the Massachusetts General Hospital Charity Team in honor of her dad, who has successfully battled back from cancer twice, the latest being two years ago in 2023.

native, who has run Boston 26 times, while also running other marathons in 35 states, plus ultramarathons that have included 100- and 150-mile races.

Vanessa admits it was her dad’s love for running that got

her involved in the sport, but her desire to become a pediatrics physician is a direct result of Gary being a cancer survivor, and she wanted to be able to help others who are going through the same plight.

“I grew up with him first pushing me in the stroller, while he ran,” Vanessa said. “As soon as he let me start running — I had to wait until I was 12 — I fell in love with it quickly.”

Today, she’s 26, and that love for running still permeates in her.

Vanessa and her dad are hardly alone in their passion for running. Her entire family is consumed by it. Her mom, Esther, who grew up in Marblehead, has been a special education teacher in Lynn for over 20 years. At home, the family’s matriarch always had that encouraging word.

“My mom has always been a huge supporter of my father’s running, and now that support has bled into my running career, as well,” said Vanessa.

Vanessa’s older brother Zachary, who’s 28, has also been and continues to be a huge supporter of hers, which has dovetailed nicely into their journey together in the medical field.

“Zach is currently a first-year resident in anesthesiology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston,” Vanessa said.

“He has been a huge support system for me through the years, and it continues today as we both have been navigating

through medical school and the medical profession together.”

It all started at the Bell

Vanessa first attended the Bell School — now the Brown School — in Marblehead, before going to the Village, Veterans and finally the high school, where she’s a 2017 graduate. She then went on to the University of Michigan, majoring in neuroscience. In July 2021, she started medical school at the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, and will graduate from there in May. But in late March, she found out she matched into pediatrics at the Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and will be moving to New Brunswick, New Jersey, in June to start her residency in pediatrics there.

An athlete for all seasons Vanessa grew up as a soccer and basketball player and gymnast here in Marblehead.

But it was at Marblehead High, where she found out running was for her. “I realized I was a lot better at running than soccer, so I joined the crosscountry team in the fall. But in the winter, I continued to play basketball, but I returned to running with the spring MARATHON, P. A10

SPORTS ROUNDUP

SOFTBALL

BY JOE MCCONNELL

MHS junior throws perfect game to become first pitcher in program history to secure the rare feat

Baseball Magicians split first two games

BY JOE MCCONNELL

Magicians spring weekly notebook The Marblehead High baseball team lost a close decision to host Newburyport on April 1, 7-6.

The Magicians scored the first run of the game in the top half of the opening stanza, but walks and crucial mistakes led to some big runs by the Clippers, according to coach Mike Giardi, and the home team eventually led, 5-1.

But Giardi’s team hung tough, scoring twice in the sixth, and three more in the final frame, only to come up short by one.

They had the bases loaded with two outs in the seventh, but couldn’t get that one big hit to either send the game into extra innings or take the lead with time running out on the Clippers.

The Magicians managed just six hits in the game, and senior Cam Quigley and sophomore Ethan Harwood were responsible for four of them. They were all singles. Harwood knocked in two runs with his two hits.

But the Magicians turned around their fortunes in a hurry against host Manchester Essex in another close game last Saturday, April 5, 6-5.

It was a very cold, long day on Cape Ann, but Giardi’s crew persevered to even its record at one apiece. They were able to jump out to a 6-0 lead, and probably could have had more, but once again couldn’t get that one big hit in big situations to NOTEBOOK, P. A11

Tessa Francis makes history against Ipswich to help teammates remain undefeated

Much is expected from the Marblehead High softball team (2-0) this spring, and so far after two games they have probably lived up to the hype, and then some. Perfection is now in their DNA after junior pitcher Tessa Francis faced 15 Ipswich batters in Friday’s game (April 4), and retired all of them enroute to a 13-0 mercy rule road victory.

“This is Tessa’s fourth career no-hitter, but it’s her first perfect game,” said coach Johnny Gold afterwards. “I also do believe it’s the first perfect game in the history of our program.”

Gold went on to say: “(Francis) spotted her pitches perfectly, which is also a credit to her catcher Luka Bornhorst. She issued no walks, while striking out 10 over the five innings.”

Supporting what’s important to YOU since 1831 BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW

COURTESY PHOTO

Marblehead High junior pitcher Tessa Francis tosses a perfect game against host Ipswich to lead her teammates to a 13-0 five inning mercy rule win on April 4. Francis issued no walks, while striking out 10 to complete the masterpiece.

It’s believed that it’s the first perfect game in program history.

Francis was also Ipswich’s nightmare at the plate. She was credited with a two-run triple and a two-run homer to help power the team’s offensive attack.

Third baseman Tessa Andriano also factored prominently in the offense, collecting three hits and three RBI. Left fielder Nora Mahan came through with two hits in as many at-bats. Ashley Mortensen also had two hits. Her twin sister Isabel, Lyla McGovern and Kate Andriano, Tessa’s twin, accounted for one hit apiece.

“In terms of the overall team, we still have a lot of work to do in some aspects of our game,” said Gold. “We need to cut down on our strikeouts to become more consistent at the plate, which includes going for the simple base hits. But once we get on,

91 Pleasant Street, Marblehead, MA 01945 Phone: (781) 631-6000 Visit: ngbank.com

SOFTBALL, P. A10

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A10 Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Marblehead Current

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

Marblehead Current athlete profile: Alexis Hallisey

BY JOE MCCONNELL NAME: Alexis Hallisey AGE: 18 FAMILY: Mom: Danielle; dad: Steve; siblings: Sophia, 19; Andrew, 15 SCHOOL YEAR: Senior SPORTS YOU PLAY: Skiing FAVORITE SPORT, AND WHY: I love skiing, because of the community (nature of it).

I’ve been doing it since I was young, and it’s a lifelong sport that I can enjoy with family and friends.

MOST MEMORABLE MEET FOR YOU, AND WHY: Senior Night this year was the most memorable for me, because it was a chance to celebrate the four years that I’ve been on the team and the friendships I’ve

COURTESY PHOTO / ANGIE FISCHER

Marblehead High girls spring track athletes pose for a photo during the Peabody meet on April 2. They are, from left, Phoebe Crawford, Maren Rowe, Sarah Munroe, Audrey Faverman, Paige Waldman and Greta Sachs.

ON THE RUN made (from it).

COLLEGES YOU ARE PURSUING: I’m in the middle of deciding between Northeastern and URI. MAJOR: Undecided DO YOU WANT TO PLAY SPORTS IN COLLEGE: I’m not planning to, but maybe.

DESIRED CAREER: Undecided

The Current athlete profile is brought to you

by National Grand bank

Marathon From P. A9

track team,” she said. “I was a 12-season athlete in my four years at MHS, but my favorite sport is obviously running. But as a team sport, it is basketball, and the Celtics are my favorite team.”

Going the distance

“While, yes, this is my first marathon, I’ve always said that Boston would be my first, because I couldn’t imagine any other race to be my first marathon,” Vanessa said. “But I did run two half-marathons prior to this.”

Vanessa’s first one was the Des Moines Half Marathon in October 2022, where she ran alongside her dad. “That made it all the more special for me,” Vanessa said. “But my second half-marathon was in Gloucester —the Happy Holidays Half MerryThon — on Dec. 3, 2023.

I ran that race alone in the cold rain, but actually finished with a better time.”

Softball From P. A9

our baserunning has been great.

We are getting to where we are supposed to be, but there are still a couple of things that we have to clean up.”

Prior to the Ipswich game, the Magicians opened up the season at home against Masco on April 2, where they came out on top, 3-1.

In this game, Francis gave up four hits, no walks and no earned runs, while fanning 11.

In the fifth inning, Ashley Mortensen walked, and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kate Andriano, before scoring on a wild throw to third

“Another memorable moment was when my dad ran the Detroit Marathon in 2018, while I was attending the University of Michigan. This was his first marathon back since he got cancer in 2012. He thought he’d never be able to run a marathon again. I ran the last (three) miles with him. At that point, we were run/walking, but (we) still completed the race with tears in both of our eyes.

We never thought it would be possible for him to run again after having a bone marrow transplant, let alone run a marathon. It was indeed a very special day in Detroit.”

Running for MGH

Vanessa is running Boston for the Massachusetts General Hospital Charity Team. “Mass General is one of the hospitals that saved my dad’s life back in 2023, when he was diagnosed with his second cancer,” said Vanessa. To donate in her name, go to this link: givengain.com/ donate/ap/89377

in an attempt to pick her off.

In the sixth, Isabel Mortensen got on base, before Francis singled to begin another threat.

Keliane Salem then ran for Francis. McGovern followed with a deep fly to right that scored Mortensen with the team’s second run. Ashley Mortensen and Kate Andriano kept the inning going with singles that produced the insurance tally.

The Marblehead girls have since taken on non-league host Latin Academy on April 7 after press deadline. They will then be facing the Big Blue in Swampscott April 9 at 4:30 p.m., before coming home to go up against Peabody two days later, April 11) beginning at 4 p.m.

Marblehead spring track teams begin season against powerhouse Peabody

BY JOE MCCONNELL The Marblehead High boys and girls spring track teams opened up a brand-new season on April 2 against visiting Peabody, arguably one of the perennially toughest programs in the Northeastern Conference.

The Marblehead girls were able to pull off a sweet win over the Tanners, 78-58, while the boys fell, 97-39.

“It was a tough meet considering the (weather) conditions and limited training time we’ve had so far,” said coach Nolan Raimo. “This is one of, if not the, toughest meets of the season, and it just happened to be the first meet of the year.”

Girls shot put

The shot putters carried the momentum over from indoor to outdoor, with Lillian Reddy (29-3.5) leading the way with a second-place finish. Hannah O’Brien (23-6) finished fourth.

Hailey Gilmore (21-6) and Loren Liu (20-5), who joined the throwing squad this spring, ended up fifth and sixth.

Boys shot put

Facing one of the best throwing squads in the state, and frankly New England, Phineas Jakious (32-11) was fifth. Tucker Crane (31-7.5) was behind him in sixth place. Logan McRaeHughes (30-2.5) came in seventh, followed by Grady Norfleet (275, eighth).

Girls discus

O’Brien (90-9) led the way for Marblehead with a secondplace finish, just a few feet off her personal best. Reddy (85-5) accounted for third place. Liu (70-3) was fifth, and Campbell Crane (44-6) eighth to round out the Marblehead participants.

Boys discus

Graham Firestone had to juggle the triple jump and discus at the same time, and without a proper warm-up or throwing routine, he still finished second with a throw of 108-8. Tucker Crane (96-9) followed in fourth. McRae-Hughes (93-8) rounded out the top five in fifth place. Connor Noonan (50-9), a freshman, competed well in his first high school varsity meet.

Girls javelin

Mia Mabry (60-11) and Julia Betz (57-1) were credited with second and third place finishes.

Addison Rotigliano (44-11)

doubled up in the hurdles and javelin, and was able to come in fifth in this event.

Boys javelin

Jakious (136-1) wrestled this past winter, but when he first stepped on the track, he found immediate success with a second-place finish in less-thanideal conditions. Firestone (1104) placed third. Alex Humphreys (109-10) also made the top four.

Girls high jump

It’s a common matchup: Elise Burchfield and Paige Tredwell vs. Makayla Kokonezis of Peabody. They are three of the best high jumpers in the state.

Elise Burchfield (5-0) came out on top. Tredwell (4-10) was third this time.

Girls 100

Machado (12.7) won the dash in convincing fashion. Lucy Flynn (13.1) followed in second place. Charlie Roszell (13.7) narrowly missed sweeping the event for the team, and had to settle for fourth.

Boys 100

Jacob Bobowski (11.0) bested the competition with a firstplace finish. Corrigan (11-6) placed fourth. Selby (12.0) was sixth in his first varsity race.

Girls 100-meter hurdles Tredwell (16.2) cruised to victory. Elise Burchfield (16.7) was close behind. Faith Apostolopoulos (21.2) came in fifth in her first 100-meter hurdle high school race.

Boys high jump

Boys 100-meter hurdles

Girls long jump

Girls 200

Clark Roszell (5-6) continues to have an extraordinary freshman year with a secondplace finish against the Tanners.

Alex Humphreys (5-2) finished fifth. Colin Burke (5-2) set a sixth-inch personal best to come in seventh. Noah Vanden Heuvel (5-0) was eighth.

Elise Burchfield (17-2) notched the second-best jump in school history to finish first in this meet. She’s a mere one and half inches away from the school record set by Emma McGuirk in 2010. Tredwell (17-0) had the third best jump in school history to come in second.

Boys long jump

Like the shot put, Peabody has one of the best long jump squads in New England, but Ryan Corrigan (19-8) put up a battle to finish fourth. Colin Burke (18-2.5) improved by over a foot to end up sixth. Nate Selby (179), in only his second long jump ever including practice, finished seventh.

Girls triple jump

In a team-first effort, Ava Machado (31-10) willingly entered this event without much practice to score points for the team, and she did just that with a secondplace finish.

Boys triple jump

Firestone (33-1) finished fourth. Claudio Gusmao Gonzalez (32-8), who is essentially a player-coach for the jump squad, came in fifth.

Elian Colon (17.5) set a new personal best to finish second.

Noah Jackson (19.2), with limited recovery time after competing in the 400-meter hurdles, still finished fourth.

Brady Leveroni (21.9), who is coming off a great swim season, finished sixth.

Flynn (27.6) made her debut a successful one in this event with a first-place finish. Elise Burchfield (28.5) was also making her debut, and she finished right behind Lucy. Lilah Greten (29.4) placed fourth.

Boys 200

Bobowski (23.4) carried a solid performance over from the 100 to finish third. Ethan Horgan (23.8) set a new personal best to end up fourth. Corrigan (25.1) was sixth.

Girls 400

Machado (64.0) was a double winner against Peabody after coming in first in this event.

Gabby Hendy (66.4) was third, and Olivia Vanden Heuvel (70.5) fourth.

Boys 400

Eben Weed (56.7) closed out the indoor season with a remarkable personal best in the 300, and then he continued to show great signs of a great spring season with a secondplace finish against the Tanners.

Jack Franklin (56.7) was close behind in third place. Slater Johnson (58.9), who is returning from an injury, ran a solid race to TRACK, P. A11

VARSITY SCHEDULE Wednesday, April 9 4 p.m., girls lacrosse, Tewksbury, MHS Piper Field 4:30 p.m., baseball, Swampscott, Seaside Park 4:30 p.m., softball, Swampscott, Swampscott Middle Thursday, April 10 4 p.m., baseball, Peabody, Peabody High 4 p.m., girls tennis, Newburyport, Marblehead High 4 p.m., boys tennis, Gloucester, Gloucester High 4 p.m., unified track, Salem,

Marblehead Village School Friday, April 11 4 p.m., softball, Peabody, Marblehead Veterans Middle 4 p.m., boys tennis, ManchesterEssex, Marblehead High 4:30 p.m., girls lacrosse, Swampscott, Blocksidge Field, Swampscott 7 p.m., boys lacrosse, Swampscott, MHS Piper Field Monday, April 14 4 p.m., baseball, Salem, Gallows Hill Park, Salem 4 p.m., girls lacrosse, Danvers,

Danvers High 4 p.m., softball, Malden Catholic, St. Mary’s Park, Revere 4 p.m., girls tennis, Swampscott, Swampscott Middle 4 p.m., boys tennis, Beverly, Marblehead High 4:30 p.m., boys lacrosse, Danvers, MHS Piper Field Tuesday, April 15 4 p.m., boys and girls outdoor track, multiple schools, Marblehead Village School Wednesday, April 16 4 p.m., baseball, Beverly, Seaside

Park 4 p.m., girls lacrosse, Peabody, MHS Piper Field 4 p.m., boys lacrosse, Peabody, Peabody Veterans Memorial High 4 p.m., softball, Beverly, Beverly High 4 p.m., girls tennis, Peabody, Marblehead High 4 p.m., boys tennis, Winthrop, Winthrop High 4 p.m., unified track, Everett, Marblehead Village School Thursday, April 17

4 p.m., boys tennis, Malden Catholic, Marblehead High Friday, April 18 4 p.m., girls tennis, Beverly, Beverly High 4:30 p.m., baseball, Saugus, Seaside Park Monday, April 21 10 a.m., boys lacrosse, Wakefield, Wakefield High Wednesday, April 23 4 p.m., baseball, Danvers, Seaside Park 4 p.m., boys lacrosse, Masconomet, MHS Piper Field

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Marblehead Current Wednesday, April 9, 2025 A11

NEWS IN BRIEF

BY WILL DOWD The Current welcomes submissions (150-200 words) to the news in brief. Send yours to wdowd@marbleheadnews.org.

MBTA zoning presentation at COA The Marblehead Council on Aging will host an information session regarding the MBTA 3A Zoning warrant article on Tuesday, April 15, at 12:45 p.m. at the Jacobi Community Center, 10 Humphrey St. Representatives from the Marblehead Department of Community Development and Planning will present an overview of Article 23 of the town warrant, which proposes to amend zoning bylaws for a 3A Multi-Family Overlay District.

The presentation will explain the purpose of the proposed amendment and detail three potential zoning districts: Tioga Way District, Pleasant Street District and Broughton Road District. A question-and-answer session will follow. Article 23 will be voted upon at Town Meeting, May 5.

COURTESY PHOTO

Marblehead’s Emily Promise has been named one of Forbes’ 2025 Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State.

of Forbes’ 2025 Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State.

The 2025 Forbes list, compiled

by SHOOK Research, is based on a selection process evaluating advisors on key factors including client service, industry experience and best practices in wealth management.

Out of 44,028 nominations, approximately 1,700 women were selected.

Transfer Station compactor open The Transfer Station is open again for commercial weighand-pay trash at the compactor.

Entrance to the Transfer Station is back at Woodfin Terrace.

Public Health Director Andrew Petty expected to ask the Board of Health to permanently move the entrance to Green Street this month.

State accreditation Marblehead financial advisor named to Forbes list Emily Promise, president and financial advisor at Blakely Financial, has been named one

PIckleball tourney for mental health Registration is now open for the Rally for Mental Health Pickleball Tournament scheduled for Saturday, May 3, at the Veterans School courts.

Money raised will benefit the Marblehead Counseling Center,

finish fourth.

debut, ended up fourth. Grace Rowe (3:14.2) came in fifth. In the JV heat, Maddie Gelb (3:52.1) ran this event for the first time, and did well.

Girls 400-meter hurdles

Boys 800

Track From P. A10

Making her debut in this event, Norah Walsh (79.6) placed third.

Juliet Burchfield (84.9) was fourth.

Colin Hart (64.4), who is seemingly able to compete in every track event, according to coach Nolan Raimo, led the way for Marblehead with a thirdplace finish. He was followed close behind by Nate Jendrysik (64.6), coming in fourth. Noah Jackson (65.5) ended up finishing fifth.

Of the four Marblehead boys competing in this event, only one had ever run it before, and Filip Grubor (2:20) led the way with a third-place finish on the back of a strong second lap. Felix Regnault (2:29.3) had a heroic opening lap, before feeling the lactate buildup in his legs on the second lap. Despite everything, he gutted it out to come in fourth. Alex Murray (2:40.7) , a younger runner with a couple years of cross-country experience under his belt, finished sixth.

Girls 800

Girls mile

Boys 400-meter hurdles

Sarah Munroe (2:35.2) finished second. Freshman Grace Ladouceur (2:46.8), making her

Notebook

From P. A9 break the game even more wide open. “But credit the Hornets pitching staff to get their teammates out of those jams to keep the game close,” said Giardi afterwards.

The Hornets battled back in the sixth inning, just like the Magicians did against Newburyport.

“They really worked junior relief pitcher J.J. Downey,” said Giardi. But sophomore Owen Coyne followed Downey to the mound to pick up the twoinning save. Senior Carter Sahagian went the first four innings to get the win.

Senior Colt Wales and Harwood paced the offensive attack with

Jesslyn Roemer (6:26) came in third, followed by Ivan Nguyen (6:50.3, fifth) and Emma St.

three hits apiece. One of Wales’ hits was a triple that produced one run.

Harwood was also credited with an RBI with one of his singles. Coyne had four at-bats that resulted in two RBI. The Marblehead boys will play host to rival Swampscott April 9, at Seaside, starting at 4:30 p.m. They will then close out the week against host Peabody the next day at 4 p.m.

Boys tennis shut out Beverly in the home opener The Marblehead High boys tennis team (1-0), coached by Elisabeth Foukal, swept visiting Beverly away to win the home opener on April 4, 5-0.

which provides mental health resources.

“MCC is thrilled to partner with Marblehead Pickleball as a recipient of their fundraising efforts,” said MCC Board member Ellen Kessler. “Being a pickleball player myself, it seemed like a natural synergy to bring these two organizations together. We are planning a fun day for and with the community.

We hope to raise as much money as we can from players and sponsors, while also raising awareness to all that Marblehead Counseling Center has to offer.”

To learn more and register, visit marbleheadpickleball.org.

Applications open for Charles J. Garrett scholarship Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Charles J. Garrett, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, which offers a $2,000 award to a deserving Marblehead high school senior.

The scholarship honors Garrett, a longtime Marblehead youth sports coach who died in 2021 at 64 after battling dementia-related challenges.

Candidates must be current seniors graduating in May or June with a GPA of at least 3.0 and past or present participation in Marblehead Youth Soccer Association.

Eligible students must be pursuing post-high school educational studies in a STEM field, which can include traditional science and engineering majors or skilled trades like auto technician, carpenter or HVAC technician.

Applications require transcripts, résumés and essays about the student’s STEM interests and career goals.

The submission deadline is Monday, April 21, at 11:59 p.m. To apply, visit forms.

George (9:04.6, sixth).

Boys mile

Will Cerrutti (4:44.8) handily broke the tape first. Henrik Adams (4:49.2) finished just shy of his personal best to finish second. Will Cruikshank (5:05.4) had a strong closing kick in the final 100-meters to sneak past a Peabody runner for a fourthplace finish. Running as a JV runner, Zach Pike (5:06.3) was running very well alongside some of the varsity runners to secure a solid time.

Girls two-mile

Ruby Assa (12:43, personal best) opened up the spring season with a win. It was not just a personal best, but to do so she ultimately beat two Peabody runners in the final lap to break the tape first.

“Peabody has always had a strong distance group, and so to see Ruby run such a strong

Senior tri-captain Etan Farfel shutdown Logan Hall in first singles, 6-0, 6-0. Senior tri-captain Matthew Sherf took care of Thomas Menke in second singles, 6-1, 6-0.

Senior tri-captain Jayden Janock made it three in a row after beating Nathaniel Fein in third singles, 6-0, 6-1.

The first doubles team of senior Anthony Vizy and sophomore Ty Cooper defeated Jackson Maker and Alexander Alexeyev in straight sets, 6-0, 6-2.

Juniors T.J. Kelly and Adam Loughlin, playing second doubles, topped Diogo Pickler and Shane Griffin, 6-1, 6-0.

In sub-varsity action, sophomore Alex Boehning blanked Benjamin Walsh, 6-0.

gle/dxP4XBJCw9i8e7yy8. For more information, contact cjgmemorialscholarship@gmail. com.

Earth Day composting presentation at Star of the Sea The Creation Care Team at Star of the Sea is partnering with Black Earth Compost and Sustainable Marblehead for a community-wide presentation on composting on Earth Day. The free event will be held Tuesday, April 22, at 7 p.m. in the hall at the Parish Center.

Black Earth Compost serves as the composting service provider for both Marblehead and the church. The presentation will explain how composting reduces waste, reuses food scraps and returns nutrients to soil.

The company collects all types of food scraps including fruits, vegetables, meat, bones, shells and dairy products, along with compostable service ware.

The nutrient-rich compost is returned to customers, garden centers and farms in the area.

Black Earth also collects hardto-recycle materials such as electronics, textiles and plastics.

For more information, contact Peter Fallon at 617-921-6931 or pjjfallon@icloud.com.

Dollars for Scholars application deadline April 18 The Marblehead Dollars for Scholars application deadline for high school seniors is Friday, April 18, at 11:59 p.m. Students who demonstrate financial need based on the student aid index on their FAFSA are encouraged to apply for a scholarship.

Applicants must provide a copy of the financial aid letter from their intended college, cost information including tuition and mandatory fees, copy of

tactical race to get the win in the closing lap was awesome,” coach Will Herlihy said.

Evelina Beletsky (13:55) ended fourth.

Boys two-mile

Nate Assa made it a family sweep by cruising to a 9:52.1 win in the boys two-mile.

“Nate’s outstanding year has already been well documented, and he will look to continue that dominance throughout the Northeastern Conference (NEC) season and beyond,” said Herlihy.

Jonah Potach (10:45) had a solid opening race to finish third.

David Alpert (11:50) embraced his cross-country roots by stepping up to run the two-mile against Peabody. His experiences on cross-country courses paid off with a fourth-place finish.

Girls 4x100

Lilah Greten, Charlie Roszell,

The Marblehead boys were at Masco on Monday (April 7) to face the Chieftains after press deadline. They will then go up against host Gloucester April 10, before coming home to take on nonleague Manchester Essex the next day. Both matches will start at 4 p.m.

Girls tennis takes on powerhouse Winchester The Marblehead High girls tennis team (0-1) opened up a brand-new season on the road against non-league perennial state powerhouse Winchester on April 4, and were summarily shutout by the Red & Black, 5-0. But in the era of the power rankings, this loss will

their FAFSA showing SAI, recent academic transcript and a brief essay.

Students can create an online profile at marblehead. dollarsforscholars.org, where application instructions are available on the Students and Parents tab.

For questions, contact: Nina Miller at 781-732-4150 or ninatmiller@yahoo.com, Jennie Sheridan at 781-962-3594 or Jfsheridan9@gmail.com, Xhazzie Kindle at 617-513-1184 or xhazziekindle@gmail.com or Mike Weed at 617-823-9898 or mweed1973@gmail.com.

Rotary club awarding $25,000 in college scholarships The Marblehead Rotary Club will award five scholarships totaling $25,000 to qualifying high school graduates and college students this year. The deadline for applications is April 6.

Available scholarships include the Randolph E. and Barbara K. Goodwin Memorial Scholarship for students with strong interest in community service, the Donald Humphreys Veterans Memorial Scholarship for children or close relatives of U.S. military veterans, two Rotary Club of Marblehead Scholarships for graduating seniors living in Marblehead, and the Rotary Club of Marblehead Scholarship for College Undergraduates who graduated from MHS or are Marblehead residents.

Each scholarship is $5,000 for one year. Applicants must submit a general application, resume, cover letter, unofficial transcript and recommendation letters.

For more information, email benman.loretta@ marbleheadschools.org with “Rotary Club of Marblehead Scholarships” in the subject line.

Lidia Jasmine Tiedra and Liv Carlson (54.8) won this relay.

“The Peabody 4x100 team is one of the best in the conference, and despite limited practice, this group of girls beat them to come in first,” said Raimo.

“This was a great start to the season for them, and as a result we will likely see more of this squad together in the next two months.”

Boys 4x100

Ari Gold, Ethan Horgan, Drew Goldman and Luis Alvarez (49.1) came in second.

Girls 4x400

Norah Walsh, Sarah Munroe, Liv Carlson and Gabby Hendy (4:37) secured a first-place finish.

Boys 4x400

Will Cerrutti, Nate Assa, Henrik Adams and Will Cruickshank (3:49) sprinted to a first-place finish.

only help coach Tracy Ackerman’s squad.

Winchester is a Division 1 team, while the Magicians are always among the best in Division 2.

“Winchester is as strong of a team as we will see this season, and our team will use this match as a learning tool for our upcoming matches,” said Ackerman. “We got to play against very advanced tennis players, which was a good experience. I’m proud that all five lines for us did better in their second sets than the first set. We made some adjustments, and were able to get used to their pace of play.”

Daryana Skohelva defeated Marblehead’s Samara Dosch in first

singles, 6-0, 6-1. Andrea Bilic took down Nina Johnson in second singles, 6-0, 6-3. Sophie Kim did the same to Abbie Goodwin in third singles, 6-0, 6-2.

Esha Bhalla and Mia Lock teamed up in first doubles to beat Lani Gilmore and Reese Friedman, 6-2, 6-3.

Cate Sheehan and Avery Machemer completed the sweep with a second doubles victory over Josie Reers and Caroline Bruett, 6-0, 6-3.

The Magicians have since gone up against Masco in the home opener Monday afternoon (April 7) after press deadline.

They will close out the week April 10 also at home against non-league Newburyport, starting at 4 p.m.

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A12 Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Marblehead Current

CURRENT EVENTS

Marblehead’s best bets Current Events spotlights exciting 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

Poets Group Meetup Sunday, April 13, 3:30-5 p.m.

Marblehead Poets is a collective open to writers in any genre that meets once per month at the Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper St., on Sundays to discuss writing practices, share work and provide critical feedback.

Participants are encouraged (but not required) to bring copies of works in progress to share with the group.

To be added to the Marblehead Poets email list, please contact Katie Naoum Rogers at katie.na.rogers@gmail. com.

Sailing Valiant Wednesday, April 9, 7 p.m.

Owner/skipper Gary Gregory reflects on his 35-year journey sailing and maintaining Valiant, the last wooden 12-meter designed and built in 1970 to compete for the America’s Cup. Gregory is a veteran of more than a dozen Marblehead to Halifax races, as well as the winner of many prestigious classic yacht races throughout New England. This program, at Marblehead Yacht Club, 4 Cliff St. is free and open to all.

Register at marbleheadyc.org.

‘Meditations on the Passion’ concert Friday, April 18, 8 p.m.

‘Requiem For the Living’ concert Sunday, April 13, 7:30 p.m.

The Old North Festival Chorus, soloists and orchestra will perform a one-hour concert in the church’s sanctuary, 35 Washington St. Maria van Kalken will lead the performance in her 36th year as director of the Old North Festival Chorus.

Soloists for this performance include: Holly Cameron, soprano; Rebecca Kenneally, mezzo-soprano; Kevin Hayden, tenor; and Andrew Scoglio, baritone.

The choral centerpiece will feature Dan Forrest’s “Requiem for the Living,” which was originally programmed in 2020 but abruptly halted due to the COVID pandemic.

The concert is free and open to the public. Free-will offerings will be accepted.

Friends of the COA auction Thursday, April 17, 5:30 p.m.

The Marblehead Friends of the Council on Aging annual auction raises funds to support COA services and programs not otherwise covered by town or state budgets. The auction, at The Landing Restaurant this year, enables all Marbleheaders to participate in the fundraising, during a fun-filled night out with friends.

Call The Landing for reservations at 781-639-1266.

St. Andrew’s Church presents its annual performance of “Meditations on the Passion” a chorale piece by Bob Franke. Franke describes the work, first performed in 1980, as “not necessarily about being a Christian. It’s about being human in the presence of the divine, and about the presence of redemption in the midst of the most horrific and tragic dimensions of the human condition.” St. Andrew’s chorus will perform, along with guest soloists.

St. Andrew’s is located at 135 Lafayette St. There is a suggested donation of $10. No reservations required.

Dining for dollars Tuesday, April 15, 6-9 p.m.

Marblehead Dollars for Scholars will hold a charity night dinner and auction at The Landing Restaurant. The Landing will donate 10% of proceeds to the local nonprofit organization that since 1987 has provided financial need-based scholarships to Marblehead students pursuing a college education. The festivities will also include a raffle for a Shubie’s gift basket and a silent auction with great prizes such as a round of golf at the Tedesco Country Club, Red Sox tickets and a flag from the Masters Golf Tournament. Call The Landing to make your reservation 781-639-1266.

History comes alive Thursday, April 17, 7 p.m.

Marblehead Museum, 160 Washington St., will host Tammy Denease, director of the Hidden Women Stage Company, for a free program sponsored by Mass Humanities.

Denease will portray Mumbet, the first enslaved woman to successfully sue for her freedom in Massachusetts. Her case marked the beginning of a group of “freedom suits” that would ultimately lead the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to outlaw slavery in the state. After winning her freedom, Mumbet chose the name Elizabeth Freeman, became an abolitionist and spoke out passionately for the freedom of all enslaved people.

This program is free but registration is required.

To register, go to the marbleheadmuseum.org or call 781-631-1768.

TOWN OF MARBLHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday April 22, 2025 at 8:15 PM on the request of 185 Pleasant Street, LLC to vary the application of the present Zoning By-Law by allowing a Special Permit or Variance for a change of use to a converted dwelling for a combined residential commercial building with a fourth residential unit on the ground floor located at 185 Pleasant Street within the B1 District. The hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning ByLaw, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18. This hearing will bel held remotely in accordance with Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order superseding certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, section 18 and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by E-mailing: engineers@marblehead.org For any questions, please call (781) 631-1529. Details on how to access the hearing remotely via the internet will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48-hours prior to the meeting. The agenda can be found on the following link: https://www.marblehead.org/node/286/ agenda/2024.

Alan Lipkind Secretary

TOWN OF MARBLHEAD BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday April 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM on the request of the Christos Viorees, Trustee Johns Road Realty Trust to vary the application of the present Zoning By-law by allowing a Special Permit to demolish a pre-existing, non-conforming single family dwelling with less than the required Lot Area, Frontage, Front Yard Setback, Side Yard Setback, Open Area, and that exceeds the Height limit and to construct a new single family dwelling that will exceed the 10% expansion threshold for a non-conforming building at 12 Johns Road in the Single Residence District. This hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning Bylaw, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18. This hearing will be held remotely in accordance with Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order superseding certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c.30A, section 18 and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by E-mailing: engineers@marblehead.org For any questions, please call (781) 631-1529. Details on how to access the hearing remotely via the internet will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48-hours prior to the meeting. The agenda can be found on the following link: https://www.marblehead.org/node/286/agenda/2024.

Alan Lipkind Secretary

TOWN OF MARBLHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday April 22, 2025 at 8:15 PM on the request of Molly Strauss to vary the application of the present Zoning By-Law by allowing a Special Permit to construct a two-story addition to an existing single-family residence with less than the required Lot Area, Lot Width, Frontage, Front Yard Setback, and Side Yard Setback located at 7 Weston Road located within the Single Residence District. The new addition will have less than the required parking and exceed the 10% expansion limit. The hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning By-Law, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18. This hearing will bel held remotely in accordance with Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order superseding certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, section 18 and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by E-mailing: engineers@marblehead.org For any questions, please call (781) 631-1529. Details on how to access the hearing remotely via the internet will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48-hours prior to the meeting. The agenda can be found on the following link: https://www.marblehead.org/node/286/agenda/2024.

Alan Lipkind Secretary

TOWN OF MARBLHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday April 22, 2025 at 7:45 PM on the request of Susan B. Goldstein to vary the application of the present Zoning By-Law by allowing a Special Permit for the construction of a new bedroom over an existing two-car garage on a pre-existing non-conforming single-family residence with less than the required Lot Area, Lot Width, Frontage, and Side Yard Setback located at 12 Edgemere Road within the Shoreline Single Residence. The hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning By-Law, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18. This hearing will bel held remotely in accordance with Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order superseding certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, section 18 and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by E-mailing: engineers@marblehead.org For any questions, please call (781) 631-1529. Details on how to access the hearing remotely via the internet will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48-hours prior to the meeting. The agenda can be found on the following link: https://www.marblehead.org/node/286/ agenda/2024.

Alan Lipkind Secretary

TOWN OF MARBLHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday April 22, 2025 at 8:00 PM on the request of Thomas Saltsman to vary the application of the present Zoning By-Law by allowing a Special Permit for the construction of a second floor dormer and hallway extension on a pre-existing non-conforming single-family residence with less than the required Lot Area and Side Yard Setback located at 32 Pleasant Street within the Central Residence District. The hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning By-Law, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18. This hearing will bel held remotely in accordance with Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order superseding certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, section 18 and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place.

Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by E-mailing: engineers@marblehead.org For any questions, please call (781) 631-1529. Details on how to access the hearing remotely via the internet will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48-hours prior to the meeting. The agenda can be found on the following link: https://www.marblehead.org/node/286/agenda/2024.

Alan Lipkind Secretary

TOWN OF MARBLHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday April 22, 2025 at 8:30 PM on the request of the Richard Schenkel Trustee to vary the application of the present Zoning By-law by allowing a Special Permit to demolish a pre-existing, non-conforming single family dwelling that exceeds the maximum height and to construct a new single family dwelling at 349 Ocean Avenue in the Expanded Single Residence and Shoreline Expanded Single Residence Districts. The new construction will exceed the maximum height allowed, encroach on side yard setback (pool deck only), and will exceed the 10% expansion limit for a non-conforming structure. This hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning Bylaw, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18. This hearing will be held remotely in accordance with Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order superseding certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c.30A, section 18 and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by E-mailing: engineers@marblehead.org For any questions, please call (781) 631-1529. Details on how to access the hearing remotely via the internet will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48-hours prior to the meeting. The agenda can be found on the following link: https://www.marblehead.org/node/286/agenda/2024.

Alan Lipkind Secretary

TOWN OF MARBLHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday April 22, 2025 at 7:45 PM on the request of Michael Kaufman to vary the application of the present Zoning By-Law by allowing a Special Permit for the demolition of an existing garage, the construction of a new garage structure, and exterior landscaping work at a pre-existing non-conforming single-family residence with less than the required Front Yard Setback and that exceeds the Height maximum located at 421 – 423 Ocean Avenue within the Shoreline Expanded Single Residence District. The hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning ByLaw, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18. This hearing will bel held remotely in accordance with Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order superseding certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, section 18 and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by E-mailing: engineers@marblehead.org For any questions, please call (781) 631-1529. Details on how to access the hearing remotely via the internet will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48-hours prior to the meeting. The agenda can be found on the following link: https://www.marblehead.org/node/286/ agenda/2024.

Alan Lipkind Secretary

TOWN OF MARBLHEAD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday April 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM on the request of Heather & Brett Rosenbaum to vary the application of the present Zoning By-Law by allowing a Special Permit for a house addition and garage addition to a pre-existing non-conforming single-family residence with less than the required Side Yard Setback and that exceeds the Height maximum located at 363 Ocean Avenue within the Expanded Single Residence and Shoreline Expanded Single Residence Districts. The new additions will exceed the 10% expansion limits. The hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning By-Law, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18.

This hearing will bel held remotely in accordance with Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order superseding certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, section 18 and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather in one place. Request to make an appointment to review plans and information by E-mailing: engineers@marblehead.org For any questions, please call (781) 631-1529. Details on how to access the hearing remotely via the internet will be posted on the meeting agenda at least 48-hours prior to the meeting. The agenda can be found on the following link: https:// www.marblehead.org/node/286/agenda/2024.

Alan Lipkind Secretary

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Marblehead Current Wednesday, April 9, 2025 A13

AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH

Playing with language: How communication boards helps kids connect

BY LEIGH BLANDER Devereux School is the first in Marblehead to install a communications board to help students better communicate with their teachers and peers.

The board was designed by Marblehead speech therapist Jessica Brown, who owns The Power of Speech in town.

Brown partnered with the Friends of Marblehead Public Schools and the Recreation and Parks Department to fund and place communication boards at five playgrounds around town: Hobbs, Gatchell’s, Bud Orne, Seaside and Gerry. Rec and Parks is about to install one at Devereux, just in time for the good weather.

“They are a valuable tool for children who are still learning to talk and for neurodivergent kids who use alternative methods of communicating,” Brown siad. “They also provide an easy way to teach all kids about neurodiversity, which just means everything thinks, communicates and interacts with the world differently.”

The aluminum boards, 5 feet long by 3 feet tall, feature illustrations of kids doing a variety of activities — sliding, swinging, eating and more. Kids can point to the image that matches what they need or want.

Brown has placed 20 communication boards across the North Shore, including 10 at Beverly schools.

Devereux School Director Elizabeth Laub says the students there love it.

“Absolutely. It’s another means of communication and children speak in all different ways. It’s bright and eye-catching,” Laub said.

Carrie Potter’s 3-year-old

Carrie Potter’s 3-year-old son uses this special tablet to help him communicate. Jessica Brown’s playground communication boards are based on the same idea.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Students at the Devereux School use the communication board, developed by Marblehead speech therapist Jessica Brown.

son is autistic and uses an Augmentative and Alternative Communication device, which is a tablet that helps people communicate by pressing buttons that speak words.

He loves running over to communication boards at playgrounds.

“He totally lights up when he sees a board there,” Potter said. “It makes him feel like, ‘This place is for me, too.’ It’s a fun language tool and he’ll see neurotypical kids using it, too. It includes him in the playground

in a different way.”

Potter, who lives in Swampscott, hopes more schools will add communication boards to playgrounds.

This Autism Acceptance Month, Potter also urges people to “make our local spaces accessible for autistic kids and families. Just learning about autistic communication, how it typically looks, is helpful.

For instance, if you’re asking a kid questions and they’re not responding to you, don’t assume they’re being rude or

Carrie Potter’s 3-year-old son is autistic and loves using playground communication boards to interact with other kids.

ignoring you, and consider that they may have a different communication style that makes this challenging.”

“It’s about being open minded and knowing that everybody has their own unique way of communicating,” Potter added. “ If a kid is not communicating with you in an expected way, there might be a reason for

that.”

Brown says she is working with Rec & Parks and the local nonprofit SPUR to create more programming that is friendly to autistic people and their families.

To learn more about communication boards or therapy services, contact Brown at jessica@thepowerofspeech.us

LOVE LETTER TO MARBLEHEAD

From the ER to the gallery: Local doc explores photography passion

BY LEIGH BLANDER Pediatric emergency room doctor Julian Orenstein has enjoyed snapping photos for years but started to take it more seriously at just about the time he and his wife settled in Marblehead last June. His new hometown is giving him plenty of artistic material to work with.

“There are so many captivating places here,” Borenstein said, “from Old Burial Hill to all the little beaches. There are lots of wooded areas, too.”

Orenstein’s first photography exhibit is running at the Willie Shaker Gallery, 70 Washington St. His 23 color and black-andwhite photos are framed and vary in size and price (with the larger and most expensive costing $3,300).

You’ll see familiar locations through a newcomer’s eyes.

That’s how Orenstein came up with the title of the exhibit, “A Love Letter to Marblehead.”

“When I go out with my camera, the thing I keep in mind is: The greatest photographs haven’t been taken yet,” he said.

“And maybe I’ll take one of them today.”

Orenstein’s day job is at Beverly Hospital, where he treats young patients in the ER. He also travels to Las Vegas once a month for a few days to work in an ER there.

He described the overlap between his roles as physician and photographer.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Orenstein’s “Garmet Beach” photograph is part of his exhibit at the Willie Shaker Gallery.

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

Photographer and ER doctor Julian Orenstein points to one of the photographs in his show, “A Love Letter to Marblehead.”

One of Orenstein’s shots of Stramski Pier.

“They’re both about being attentive to what is in front of

me,” he said. “Is there more than meets the eye?”

He added that snapping photos helps keep him grounded and

focused.

“It helps me ease into a better frame of mind,” he said.

His wife, Heather, is also exploring her creative side.

A former hairstylist, she has started oil painting.

The first photo Orenstein shot in Marblehead is of a grave at Old Burial Hill. Another favorite pic is of Stramski Pier, draped in thick fog.

“This feels very spooky and mystical to me,” he said.

When his show ends on April 15, Orenstein is considering taking it on the road, possibly to Gloucester or Rockport. And he’s looking forward to another summer of snapshots here in town.

He and Heather plan to stay in Marblehead for “a long while.”

“This is exactly the home we’ve wanted,” he said.

Borenstein’s photos can be viewed and purchased at jborensteinphotography. zenfoliosite.com.

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A14 Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Marblehead Current

OBITUARIES

The family moved to Wenham where he attended high school at The Governor’s Academy in Byfield, graduating in 1962.

He went on to graduate from Yale, with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1966. In the fall of that year his draft board notified him that his number was next, and so, he joined the U.S. Army in September 1967. He liked to

say he received an all-expense paid trip to the highlands of Vietnam, during which time he served as a first lieutenant in the Signal Corp and manned a radar station. He ended his Army service in September 1969.

He went on to receive his MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth in 1971.

He started his career in New York City, but a New York City lifestyle was not for him. He moved to Marblehead and over the years commuted both to Boston and to New Hampshire with companies in his role as finance officer before opening his own company, Peacock Associates.

He always planned to retire early, and he did, often sharing his own advice with others that “you can always work longer and make more money, but you

won’t have more time.”

He and Marie both retired in 2001 and spent the last 23 years traveling the world. He tested the lifetime guarantee of many a suitcase.

He was blessed with many friends from high school and graduate school that he kept in close contact with via Zoom calls.

But it was the 20 years of boot camp buddies in Marblehead that brought him so many friends, the warmest memories, laughter and good times and the best coffee meet-ups a man could have.

Peter is survived by his wife Marie (Collings) Butler of Marblehead; brother, David Butler and his wife Margaret of St. Augustine, Florida; niece Meaghan Bird, her mother Carol, husband Justin

and grandnephews Jeremy and Timothy of Nazareth, Pennsylvania; brother-in-law Robert Collings and his wife Darian of Arizona, sister-in law Linda (Collings) Conner and husband William (Lon) Conner of Arizona.

Peter’s visitation will be at Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot St., Beverly, on Wednesday, April 9 from 10-10:45 a.m. with a service following at 10:45 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will be at Wenham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Peter’s memory to the Marblehead Museum, 170 Washington St., Marblehead, MA 01945 (marbleheadmuseum. org). Information, directions, condolences at campbellfuneral. com.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

United States Marine Corps.

Following his military service, he married Marianne “Marnie” Gray-Robinson, whom he first met as a 15-year-old during a family vacation near her home in Bermuda. Charlie and Marnie moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, shortly after their marriage, where he completed

a business degree at Franklin & Marshall College.

The couple settled in Marblehead in 1961, drawn to its seaside location. Charlie spent the majority of his professional life in fiduciary services and estate planning. Later in his career he was honored with a Lifetime Service Award by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils, recognizing his many years of dedicated service to the estateplanning profession. Due to his enduring work ethic and relentless energy, Charlie retired unsuccessfully at least twice, extending his career well into his 70s.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Charlie served as a corporator of the Boston Biomedical Research

Institute in Watertown. He was a steadfast supporter of several Marblehead institutions, lending his time and talents to the Abbot Public Library, MarbleheadSwampscott YMCA, Goldthwait Reservation and as a tax aide for AARP. A member of the Eastern Yacht Club for 60 years, Charlie participated in both the Marblehead to Halifax and Newport to Bermuda races.

Sailing was one of his lifelong joys, along with squash, paddle tennis and the occasional friendly round of golf.

An affable, gentle man known for the twinkle in his eye, Charlie will be deeply missed by his family. He leaves his devoted wife of 65 years, Marianne (Gray-Robinson) Ives, daughters Carrie Schluter

(Douglas) and Elizabeth “Leaf ” Wallace (Scott) of Marblehead and son Nicholas (Lainie) of Newburyport. He also leaves seven grandchildren: Christian, Amanda, Anna, Christopher, Charlie, Nicholas “Iggy” and Nathaniel. Predeceased by a sister, Laura Gailly de Taurines, Charlie is survived by his sister Barbara Riegel, of New York.

A celebration of Charlie’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 9 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Marblehead.

Following the service a reception will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Charlie’s memory may be made to The Goldthwait Reservation Inc., P.O. Box 1025, Marblehead, MA 01945 (goldthwait.org/ donate).

Ellen Hemenway Ranta, son Ned Ranta, son Keith Ranta, daughter Allison Church and husband Mike of Marblehead, and sister, Elaine D’Alessandro. Eddie treasured his role as Papa to his grandchildren, Lilly, Brady, Lucy and Annie Church, Sofia Ranta and late Charlie Nolan Ranta.

He loved his dog McMahon and

grand-dogs, Charlie, Winnie, Mayday and George.

Eddie grew up in Peabody, attending Brown elementary school and graduating from Saint John’s Prep in 1961. He continued on to the University of Vermont, graduating in 1965 with a bachelor’s in mathematics. He was an active member of Delta Psi at UVM and loved to tell stories of his exploits with his lifelong friend George Ghoirse. He met Mary Ellen, his loving wife, after college while on spring break in Bermuda. He went on to earn a masters of business at Boston University in 1974. Eddie started his career at IBM then continued on with Source EDP until he founded his own executive placement company, J E Ranta Associates.

Eddie loved living in Marblehead and was a member of the Corinthian Yacht Club, and a member, president and guarantor of The Beach Club.

He was active in playing golf with his buddies and enjoyed their Wednesday evening and Friday lunch get-togethers. He loved his days at the beach and swimming in the ocean. Eddie enjoyed a day out on his beloved boat Aquaduck for a ride up to Manchester. Since he was a kid he loved his cars and had a passion to keep them sparkling clean, starting with his MG convertible. He loved spending winters skiing at Sunday River with his family and great friends. He took great pride in watching his grandchildren play various sports throughout the seasons.

He loved to laugh and to entertain his people and never gave up living to the end.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, April 13, from 3-6 p.m. at Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead, 142 Elm St. His Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, April 14, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Salem.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Eddie’s memory to payable to St. John’s Prep 72 Spring St., Danvers, Massachusetts 01923 or via stjohnsprep.org/giving/ ways-to-give#.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com for the Ranta family.

unaffiliated Pleasant as Street School, St. Andrew’s Nursery Coop … and no less than 30 other similarly situated properties,” he wrote.

Court documents filed by Bushell describe 12 Conant Road as containing a consecrated chapel with an altar, iconography and religious artifacts. The property also houses a library of theological works, accommodations for visiting clergy and pilgrims, and gardens where plants used in Orthodox liturgical ceremonies are grown. According to complaint documents, the property hosts daily prayer services, spiritual retreats and religious instruction.

The ATB affirmed the need for an inspection in a Jan. 7 order. Egypt House filed for reconsideration, which was denied. It then appealed to the state’s Supreme Judicial Court, which dismissed the motion on technical grounds. That same day, the ATB reimposed the inspection deadline.

The dispute over 12 Conant Road is mirrored in the conflict over the St. Nicholas properties on Pleasant Street.

In 2023, the town revoked an existing religious exemption for 120 Pleasant St. — a chapel used by the same community — and denied abatement for 124 Pleasant St., which Egypt House in its complaint documents argues is used for support functions like clergy lodging and iconography workshops.

The ATB consolidated the Pleasant Street and Conant Road appeals into a joint proceeding.

Egypt House objected, arguing that the St. Nicholas site was not facing the same inspection conflict and that consolidation would unfairly delay resolution.

The Superior Court complaint, filed separately, also seeks to sever the cases and pursue statelevel civil rights claims related to the Pleasant Street properties.

Meanwhile, the federal court filing on March 12 invokes what is known as the Ku Klux Klan Act. The Reconstruction-era law was originally enacted to protect formerly enslaved people from discriminatory state action.

Egypt House argues this law applies because town officials allegedly conspired to apply tax laws unequally based on religious identity.

Named defendants include town assessors Kelley, Willis and Lederman; Town Counsel Matthew Provencher and ATB Chair Mark J. DeFrancisco.

Peter Butler, 81 Peter Butler, of Marblehead, passed away peacefully at home on March 31. Born in Augusta, Maine, he was the son of the late Louise (Peacock) and Lawrence Butler. He was the loving husband of Marie (Collings) Butler, with whom he shared 43 years of marriage.

Peter had wonderful memories of growing up in Maine, spending summers beachcombing at Ocean Point and later canoeing the Kennebec and other Maine rivers in his Olde Town canoe. He could do a mean Down East accent, in the humorist style of Bert and I, when called upon at a pub or around a campfire.

Charles C. Ives, 89 Charles “Charlie” Cromwell Ives II, of Marblehead, died peacefully in his sleep on March 31 following a brief decline.

Born Oct. 26, 1935, in Essex Fells, New Jersey, to Gordon Frederick and Helen (Hurd) Ives, Charlie spent his formative years as a student at Tabor Academy in Marion, graduating with the class of 1953. His lifelong connection to the school was evident in his steady loyalty and generosity as a Tabor supporter for more than seven decades.

After attending Princeton University for a year and a half, Charlie enlisted in the

John Edward “Eddie” Ranta Jr, 81 John Edward “Eddie” Ranta Jr, age 81, formerly of Marblehead, passed away peacefully on April 4 surrounded by family. Born on July 11, 1943, in Peabody, he was the son of the late Genevieve (Mogavero) and John Edward Ranta. He is predeceased by his brother James Ranta.

Eddie was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend to many. His outgoing nature and witty humor touched the lives of those who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Mary

Bushell From P. A2

in November 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office unexpectedly dropped all charges “in the interests of justice.”

Bushell, in a Dec. 3, 2024, email to Laramie, said he was willing to allow tax-exemption inspections — but only under strict conditions.

“You are welcome to inspect both St. Nicholas’ building at 120 Pleasant and Egypt House’s building at 12 Conant Road,” he wrote, “subject to the following conditions … this inspection will be visual only. There is no need to touch or photograph the holy altars, precious chalice, sacred reliquaries, holy icons or other religious items.”

According to the email, Bushell agreed to allow Fire Chief Jason Gilliland, Building Commissioner Stephen Cummings or Police Chief Dennis King to participate.

But he explicitly barred four individuals — Kelley, fellow Board of Assessors members William Willis and Jonathan Lederman, and town counsel

— whom he accused of harboring personal bias.

Allowing them access, he wrote, “would be like allowing a rapist to conduct a gynecological examination on a rape victim.”

Their presence, he added, “would inflame the Orthodox community and generate needless anger and suffering.”

Egypt House did not respond to the Current’s specific questions, but Stockton sent a letter referring the newsroom to court filings and reiterating the organization’s legal claims against the town

A consecrated chapel

In a Sept. 6, 2022 letter, the Assessors denied the exemption for the Conant Road property, citing concerns about Egypt House’s incorporation in Washington, D.C., and questioning whether the property was truly being used for religious purposes.

Bushell responded in a follow-up letter, accusing the town of inconsistent enforcement.

“The town has declined to request prorated taxes from Grace Community Church’s

A predetermined denial?

The federal complaint claims the town has granted tax exemptions to other religious and nonprofit entities without the same level of scrutiny, and that Egypt House has been subject to personal attacks and irrelevant inquiries, suggesting a predetermined denial.

“Defendants seek to deny Egypt House recognition under the Statutory Exemptions, while desecrating its sacred space and thereby damaging … the minority Orthodox Catholic religious practices of its faithful,” the complaint states.

The organization argues that requiring specific town officials to enter the chapel, handle icons or photograph religious objects amounts to an unconstitutional intrusion into sacred space and religious doctrine.

The April 10 hearing will focus solely on whether to grant the injunction — not on the larger constitutional issues.

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Headlight

Shining a light on the news you care about!

Written by the students of Marblehead High School for our school and community 2024 - 2025 Issue

www.mhsheadlight.com

April 9, 2025

Season 3 Invincible pulls no punches—again

Hadestown: Before the curtain Georgia Marshall, Assistant Editor, Sophomore

Will Pelliciotti, Junior

Every spring, the MHS Drama Club puts on a musical for the whole town to enjoy. While a large chunk of the community knows about and attends the shows, so much beyond what is seen on opening night is put into the performances. Members of the cast and crew dedicate themselves almost entirely, spending hours after school rehearsing, building sets, tweaking costumes and lighting, and fine-tuning choreography and individual performances until they are ready for an audience.

Ashley Skeffington, director of the Drama Club, shares her perspective on the group’s hard work on every production: “It never comes as a surprise to me when this team rallies for a production. This cast and crew is used to scheduling conflicts, technical issues, tough off-book deadlines... problem solving is stressful, but it's also part of the fun.”

This year’s production, on the weekend of April 11, is the Tony-winning Hadestown: Teen Edition. The musical is a mysterious, jazz-inspired rendition of the classic Greek tragedy of ill-fated lovers Orpheus and Eurydice and their journey to Hadestown, a dark underground factory ruled by Hades and Persephone. It blends elements of the traditional Greek tales with a gritty modern setting and narrative.

“I sat in rehearsal yesterday and saw some things come together beautifully,” says Skeffington. “It was just one of those days where I would periodically sit back and say to myself, "Ok, this is going to be a really good show.

As a director, you live for those moments. It makes all the stress totally worth it.”

A typical rehearsal starts at around 3:00 pm and goes till 6:00 pm, five days a week. After a meeting between the cast and director, the team begins rehearsing. Skeffington shares notes with the actors and dancers as they perform and re-

runs scenes to perfection on the newly installed rotating stage.

A group of students is primarily dedicated to dancing, while others rehearse musical numbers and scenes.

Actors are encouraged to play with their roles and create their own dynamics. Everyone treats each other with respect and encouragement as they perfect their individual performances.

Daphne Seliger, a freshman at MHS, describes her experience working on the musical and being a part of the Drama Club as a member of the ensemble: “I feel super welcomed as a freshman.

The environment is so nice and the group has been so welcoming and patient.” She is excited for everyone to see the hard work that has gone into the show. “Every single scene has some form of technical magic, from the rotating stage to the incredible lighting. I can’t wait for everyone to see everything, like the music, the costumes, and the sets.”

Daphne’s sister, Charlie Seliger, plays the lead role of Orpheus in the show. When asked about her experience within the role, she shares, “This show is very special to me, as I’ve always been obsessed with Greek mythology—the story of Orpheus and Eurydice in particular. I worked really hard to get the role I got, and I’m grateful for each moment I have to put more work towards developing my portrayal of him.” She encourages anyone who is on the fence about buying a ticket to go ahead and buy it, as they are in for a treat.

As the date of opening night draws ever closer, the cast, crew, and all members of the Drama Club eagerly prepare for the show. Every little detail, from dance steps to music notes, has been polished, and the dedication from every person participating in the show is evident in its execution. The Drama Club invites all members of the community to come to MHS on April 11 at 7:00 pm and April 12 and 13 at 2:00 pm for a night of blues, mystery, and romance, in the grand culmination of their performing talent.

The words of Invincible’s latest adversary have run circles around the internet. The third season of the highly acclaimed animated show Invincible recently wrapped with its eighth and final episode, concluding what was by far the best season so far.

The season picks up sometime after season 2, during which Mark has been training with Cecil and the GDA to increase his power levels after his struggles to protect Earth and others around the galaxy from the Viltrumites and other threats in the previous season. Oliver has grown significantly from the last season, growing from a toddler to the physical body of a middle schooler, and all seems well to Mark, his family, and the GDA. However, the falling out between Cecil and Mark early in the season takes a massive turn from the previous ones, setting the stage for the major conflict within the season. Much of the season refocuses on Mark’s dilemma over whether or not to kill his enemies, while Mark maintains that killing is wrong in the fear that if he does he will turn into his father. However, at the same time, Oliver contrasts this with a much more black and white view of killing that contrasts with Mark’s refusal to kill.

While this is happening, we continue the story of Allen and Nolan within the Viltrumite empire and we see the two’s re-

lationship develop from enemies to allies as they come to share the common goal of fighting the Viltrumites. At the same time, we finally get to see the relationship between Eve and Mark develop, as well as other characters like Rexplode and Shrinking Rae. Despite the rest of the season holding up quite well, notwithstanding the questionable animation, the final two episodes truly make this season stand out from the rest. Through the story, it’s slowly revealed that Angstrom Levy, a villain from the previous season, thought to be killed by Mark, is still alive and plotting his revenge against Invincible. To achieve this he brings different evil Invincibles from across the multiverse to wreak havoc across the world.

Immediately following this, we’re introduced to Conquest, the most powerful Viltrumite we’ve seen so far. The fight between Conquest and Invincible is nothing short of incredible, taking up almost an entire episode, and is one of the greatest fights I’ve ever seen in any animated show, rivaling mentions such as the last Agni Kai between Zuko and Azula in Avatar.

It's clear to see the majority of the budget went to these two incredible episodes and it completely makes up for any issues with the animation in the previous episodes.

The third season of Invincible is one of the greatest seasons of any show of recent times, and, despite some of its relatively minor flaws, it stands out as its best season.

Scholarship Application Deadline MHS Dollars for Scholars

The Marblehead Dollars for Scholars application deadline is Friday, April 18, at 11:59 P.M. High school seniors who demonstrate financial need based on the student aid index (SAI) on their FAFSA are encouraged to apply for a scholarship by visiting the following website and creating their online profile:

https://marblehead.dollarsforscholars.org.

Questions may be directed to: Mike Weed at (617) 823-9898 or mweed1973@gmail.com and Jennie Sheridan at (781) 962-3594 or Jfsheridan9@gmail.com.

MHS National Green School Society working in the MHS garden.

Headlight Staff 2024 - 2025 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Benji Boyd REPORTERS:

ASSISTANT EDITORS: Grey Collins, Kathleen Hanson, Georgia Marshall

FACULTY ADVISOR: Thomas Higgins

Nathaniel Carper-Young, Anna Baughman, Anna Cruikshank, Anya Kane, Evan Eisen, Niko King, William Pelliciotti, Peter Sullivan, Nasira Warab, Grace Wolverton, Madalyn Gelb, Teagan Freedman, Samuel Jendrysik, Nicholas Jones, Arabella Pelekoudas

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A16 Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Marblehead Current

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