Marblehead capped off an unforgettable Fourth of July celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday with a dazzling Harbor Illumination and fireworks display Friday night.
At least 1,000 people gathered at Crocker Park to watch the pyrotechnics and enjoy live music, while hundreds more lined the harbor to take in the show from beaches,
BY LEIGH BLANDER
docks and other vantage points.
“It’s so fun coming together as a community to watch the fireworks every year,” said Jace Rickards, who watched from Crocker Park.
Added Erin Wilder, “They were so beautiful and an awesome way to end the Festival of the Arts.”
Rain delayed the fireworks by about 10 minutes, but the wait proved worthwhile. The roughly 15-minute display featured hundreds of fireworks launched from a barge at the mouth of Marblehead Harbor.
At about 9:30 p.m., a large bonfire was spotted on the beach at the Eastern Yacht Club.
“Bonfires are not permitted, with the exception of the Epiphany tree burning in January,” Fire Chief Jason Gilliland said. “The EYC was told they could have a cook fire on their private beach, and someone got a little over zealous and built it too big. It was situated on the EYC’s private, rocky beach, and it was a safe distance
“The Festival of Arts faces all sorts of weather challenges from year to year, and this year it was extreme heat,” said festival board member Joe Tavano.
Despite the weather, Tavano said the festival was
a resounding success.
“Our Champagne Reception was the best attended ever, even beating our record 2025 attendance,” he said. “And all told, there were over 100 individual events, performances and exhibits across five days
TOO HOT Record heat knocks out power, affects Arts Festival
BY LEIGH BLANDER
A record-breaking heat wave walloped Marblehead during one of the town’s busiest holiday weekends, knocking out power to about 1,000 customers for up to 12 hours on Thursday and dozens more on Friday. Temperatures climbed into the upper 80s and 90s from Wednesday through Saturday. On Thursday, a “primary conductor overheated due to excessive current,” explained Marblehead Municipal Light Department General Manager Jon Blair. “This section needed to be rebuilt with new conductors and related hardware,” he added. “We called for mutual aid from our neighboring public power utilities and received additional crews from Braintree, Kennebunk, Groveland and Littleton.” Power was fully restored by 3 a.m. Friday. Crews worked a 16-hour shift, Blair said. Friday’s outage was due to “higher load, which is related to the heat,” according to Blair.
“We need to increase transformer size for several overloaded services,” Blair said.
Asked about the risk of future problems, Blair said Thursday’s large outage “was unique to that section of conductor, so I don’t see a broad or significant risk for a repeat. The new conductor we installed has a higher current rating than what we replaced, so that section should be much more robust moving forward.”
He added, “We are using (Thursday’s) event as a lesson learned to proactively target more aggressive replacement. We
COURTESY PHOTO / SANDI GOLDFARB
A young boy takes a break while his grandfather, Robert Howie, reads the Declaration of Independence at St. Michael’s Church on Saturday.
CURRENT PHOTO
GREY COLLINS
Veteran museum leader Marshall named new executive director
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Veteran museum professional Dan Marshall, of Salem, has been named the new executive director of the Marblehead Museum. He brings more than 25 years of experience in museums and public history to the role.
Marshall succeeds former executive director Lauren McCormack, whose leadership helped raise the museum’s profile over the last decade.
“This is a great opportunity to build on the successes,” Marshall told the Current.
He is especially excited about the recent opening of the museum’s Brick Kitchen exhibit, which highlights the lives of enslaved people in town.
“We’ve got the building, the space,” he said. “How do we continue to tell that story? We’ll be looking at developing educational programming and making sure that we have access to scholarship on the people who were enslaved in town.”
Marshall said he’s always been a history buff.
“I love spending time with my family, watching a lot of old movies and going to museums,” he added. “History has just always been a part of my life.”
Marshall began his museum career as
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BY LEIGH BLANDER
Water-and-sewer rates increase
Most Marblehead residents will see about a 5% increase in their water-and-sewer bills this fiscal year after the town’s Water & Sewer Commission approved new rates that took effect July 1. Water & Sewer Supervisor Amy McHugh said the increase was necessary to cover rising employee health insurance costs, assessments from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the town of Marblehead, as well as capital investments in the town’s sewer infrastructure.
Post office honor
Marblehead Post Office is one of seven across the state offering a special pictorial postmark to commemorate the 250th anniversary of America and the U.S. Postal Service.
Select Board member Moses Grader and Marblehead Postmaster Christopher King marked the occasion on July 2. The special postmark will be available for 90 days, free of charge.
Marblehead’s post office is among the original 62 post offices that have remained open since 1775.
New social service case manager at Counseling Center
Carol Hawthorne has spent more than four decades helping people in need across the North Shore, with roles at the Massachusetts Department of Social Services, Catholic Charities, Anchor to Windward and as an emergency room volunteer at Salem Hospital. She is now the new social service case manager at the Marblehead Counseling Center.
Since 2022, the Marblehead Female Humane Society has funded the position, which provides support to Marblehead individuals and families experiencing economic hardship or needing help navigating available resources.
The Marblehead Counseling Center offers two areas of assistance: mental health and social services.
a historical interpreter with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation before serving as manager of visitor services at the House of the Seven Gables in Salem and later as director of education for the Lexington History Museums.
Throughout his career, he has overseen interpretive planning, building operations, admissions, collections, exhibit development, budgeting and staff training.
Marblehead Museum President Patty Pederson said Marshall is known for creating collaborative workplaces and developing engaging, inclusive programming that connects communities with history.
Pederson said the museum’s devoted volunteers played a major role in choosing Marshall to take over.
“We have just the most amazing volunteers and docents who volunteer their time, which is so precious,” she said. “We have some docents and volunteers who have been with us for decades. What really stood out about Dan was his warm personality and, of course, his background with museums. He is a perfect fit to embrace the volunteers and docents.”
The museum relies on at least 35 volunteers and docents to help welcome visitors, lead tours and support programming throughout the year.
“I want to jump in,” Marshall said. “Let’s see how we can tell the rich story of Marblehead. There are so many ways, so many layers of history here.”
“Mental health issues often arise because of other factors, such as becoming unhoused, losing a job and not being able to feed your family, or being embroiled in a domestic violence situation,” Hawthorne said. The center’s goal is to help alleviate the stress that comes from major life challenges by connecting clients with programs available across the North Shore, she said.
“It doesn’t have to be a big problem to be big for the client,” Hawthorne added, citing one
family she helped find low-cost pet food through the MSPCA after its financial situation worsened.
Hawthorne succeeds Teri McDonough, who directed the Counseling Center’s social services department for the past 12 years. McDonough will continue in a supervisory role.
Y honors Lambkin
Jeanne Lambkin, a longtime Lynch-van Otterloo YMCA and YMCA of the North Shore board member, donor, volunteer
and advocate, received the David Sherman Community Strengthening Award during a ceremony June 18 at the Y.
The annual award, named for the most generous contributor to the Lynch-van Otterloo YMCA capital campaign that funded construction of the current building, was presented by Kathleen Alexandrou, one of Lambkin’s two daughters and the Lynch-van Otterloo YMCA’s school-age director.
“Everyone knows moms are superheroes, but I’ve never met someone who does quite as much as my mom, and she balances it all with ease and thoroughness,” Alexandrou said.
She was joined by her sister, Nicole, and her father, Leon Alexandrou, to celebrate the honor.
Lambkin, of Marblehead, recently retired from PricewaterhouseCoopers after decades as a change management consultant. She has served on the Lynch-van Otterloo YMCA and YMCA of the North Shore boards for more than 20 years.
In her current role on the YMCA of the North Shore strategy committee, she collaborates with Y leaders and staff to advance the organization’s mission of welcoming all, strengthening communities, educating and nurturing children, and promoting healthy living in spirit, mind and body.
COURTESY PHOTO
Dan Marshall is the new executive director of the Marblehead Museum.
Carol Hawthorne
COURTESY PHOTOS
Select Board member Moses Grader, left, and Marblehead Postmaster Christopher King at a special celebration marking Marblehead’s as one of 62 post offices that have remained open since 1775.
Jeanne Lambkin, center, receives the David Sherman Community Strengthening Award from Kathleen Alexandrou, left, and Lynch-van Otterloo YMCA Director Brian Flynn on June 18.
from the pier and other exposure. So it was never a threat of catching the pier. The only issue was not keeping the fire to a reasonable-size cook fire.”
REV250 celebrations
The fireworks capped a day of events commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Earlier in the day, the Select Board read the Declaration of Independence in front of the “Spirit of ‘76” painting at Abbot Hall. State Rep. Jenny Armini, who lives in town, presented town leaders with a replica of an early printing of the Declaration. The document was printed on the same type of Benjamin Franklin press used in 1776.
“Massachusetts is the only state that asked every town clerk to handwrite the text in the town’s record books and asked every minister to read it from every pulpit in every parish,” Armini said. “The state is commemorating the 250th by delivering a copy of the Declaration to every city and town in Massachusetts today.”
The Declaration was read again at St. Michael’s Church and later at Fort Sewall, where Glover’s Marblehead Regiment fired 14 cannon volleys — one for each colony in 1776 and a 14th to honor members of the regiment who have died.
A crowd gathered for the salute, following instructions to “cover their ears and open their mouths” to lessen the impact of the cannon blasts.
CURRENT PHOTO / KRIS OLSON Uncle Sam waves to families at the Horribles Parade Saturday.
CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER
Glover’s Marblehead Regiment fired 14 shots from a cannon at Fort Sewall
of the regiment.
The Select Board read the Declaration of Independence in front of the famous “Spirit of ‘76” painting on Saturday and State Rep. Jenny Armini presented the town with a replica of the document.
Opinion
How most lives are assembled
BY MARGARET BACON
My husband and I once spent the better part of three weeks selecting a sofa.
We had a system. We visited showrooms. We debated cushion firmness, leg finish and something called “seat depth,” which apparently determines whether you sit on a piece of furniture or are absorbed by it. We brought home fabric swatches. We held them up to the light at different times of day. We consulted people who had no stake in the outcome whatsoever.
We had three children. Looking back, I am fairly certain that the decision to have any one of them received less study than the sofa.
We took parenting seriously. It is simply that we never subjected the decision to have children to anything resembling the analysis
we gave the sofa. We were very busy with the cushions. The sofa, it turns out, was not an anomaly. The same could be said of marriage. My husband proposed and I said yes, and that was more or less the whole deliberation. We had, of course, spent time getting to know one another. It is simply that we never subjected the decision to marry to anything resembling the analysis we gave the sofa. A marriage license costs surprisingly little and takes remarkably little time to obtain. Nobody asks for references. Nobody asks for much of anything, really, except a valid form of ID and the correct spelling of your name.
Buying a car requires a credit check, a test drive and, in my experience, at least two return visits to the dealership to make sure you got the floor mats. Where we ended up living was no more carefully considered. Most people I know landed
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Aye! The Tartan Army was here!
To the editor:
Recently, I had been watching the World Cup soccer games with great interest, and like others, enjoyed the music, singing and sheer delight of the Tartan Army in Boston — kilts and all.
A week or so ago, while doing my laundry at Village Plaza, a couple seemed to be having some difficulty with the washing machine. So I approached them and asked if I could help. When they turned around, I was thrilled to see from their shirts that Scotland and the Tartan Army had indeed arrived in Marblehead. After getting quarters and placing their wash in the machine, we decided to get a cold drink at DD ( what’s more American than that?). When our laundry was done, I offered to take them on a driving tour of our historic town. What a joyous afternoon I had with John and Lucy Green! We drove by Devereux Beach and the Causeway, stopped at Castle Rock where John immediately started his climb up to that ocean perch. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon with perfect breezes from the ocean. Next, we went to Chandler Hovey Park where we enjoyed that spectacular harbor view. Everyone we met spoke enthusiastically to John and Lucy with comments like, “Welcome to town” and “So glad you’re here!” We then drove through Old Town where I pointed out landmarks that might fit into their stay, like Crocker Park, Old Town House, Fort Sewall, Redds Pond and the nearby Gen. Glover burial site. I showed them the Marblehead Museum and its new Brick Kitchen and Slave Quarters. Clearly, there’s much to see here in a few days!
John and Lucy commented on the true harmony and spirit of the World Cup fans to support each other, even in defeat. They also shared how welcoming Americans were to them in Boston and in every place they’d been. It made
me think, yes, Americans do reach out freely to help a newcomer or stranger. The workings of our government may not always be what we’d like, but the kindness and support of the American people cannot be denied. Recently, while walking up to Crocker Park, I noticed a bright orange cone applied to a statue there. Ah, clear evidence that the Tartan Army had been in Marblehead!
Ann McGreevy Prospect Street
Backup beepers not music to ears
To the editor:
As I write this letter, I have spent the last four hours listening to the relentless beep...beep... beep of a backup alarm echoing through my neighborhood.
My neighbors are replacing their driveway, and one consequence of that construction is that everyone within earshot has been subjected
Some decisions are not really decisions at all. A marriage, a child, a city to call home: these are leaps.
somewhere because of a job offer, a cheap apartment or because a friend said it seemed nice. A few followed someone they loved. Almost nobody I know conducted anything resembling a formal evaluation.
I did not arrive in Marblehead after an exhaustive study of New England coastal towns. Neither did my husband.
We arrived separately, each following our own series of unlikely turns, and somehow ended up in the same place.
Which is how we ended up together. No algorithm was involved.
Only later did it occur to me that we had devoted more analysis to buying a sofa than to many of the decisions that
to hours of continuous backup beeper noise for multiple days. Unfortunately, this is hardly an isolated incident. Whether it’s road crews, landscapers, utility trucks or construction equipment, backup alarms have become an almost constant soundtrack of summer.
Summer in New England is short. We treasure the opportunity to open our windows, sit on our porches and enjoy our yards. Yet that simple pleasure is increasingly drowned out by noise that is not merely loud — it is repetitive, intrusive and impossible to ignore.
Marblehead demonstrated that quality of life matters when residents came together to enact a seasonal leaf blower ban. The improvement has been remarkable. We recognized that excessive noise affects the wellbeing of an entire community, and we acted accordingly.
Perhaps it is time to have a similar conversation about backup alarm beepers.
No one disputes that protecting workers and pedestrians is important. Backup alarms exist for a reason. But safety should not exempt us from asking whether there are better ways to achieve the same goal. Modern technology now offers quieter alternatives, including directional “white noise” alarms, cameras and proximity detection systems that maintain safety while dramatically reducing the impact on surrounding neighborhoods. Every public policy involves balancing competing interests. At some point, we must ask whether the cumulative impact of thousands of hours of unnecessary noise is itself a public health and quality-of-life issue.
Marblehead has shown that it is willing to have thoughtful conversations about noise pollution. The relentless chorus of backup beepers deserves to be part of that conversation.
Alicia Hart Pond Street
shaped our lives.
I think there may be an explanation for all of this.
The things we deliberate over longest are the things we believe we can get right.
A sofa can be returned. A car can be taken back to the dealership. These are decisions with escape hatches, and we treat them accordingly, as problems to be solved with sufficient research and effort.
But some decisions are not really decisions at all. A marriage, a child, a city to call home: these are leaps. And some part of us understands, without quite admitting it, that this is not the kind of decision that yields to research.
You cannot test drive a life.
The variables are too many, the outcome too far off and the heart, which is doing most of the deciding anyway, is famously resistant to spreadsheets. So we jump. And then we go back to agonizing over the cushions.
Perhaps this is how most lives are assembled. We manage what we can, and for everything else we close our eyes and leap. It turns out the leaps were the best part. The children grew up fine. The grandchildren are magical. Marblehead turned out to be exactly the kind of place we didn’t know we were looking for. Looking back, the best parts seem to have arrived through some combination of choice, serendipity and grace.
The sofa, for what it’s worth, has held up beautifully, too. Margaret Bacon is the founder and senior editor of VeryCoolFacts. com, home of a free weekly newsletter, and Safe Harbor Media Group, an educational media platform built around verified, insight-driven storytelling. Her work explores history, science, culture and the enduring patterns of human behavior that shape how we think and act today. She has lived in Marblehead for 40 years.
FOOD 101
Crumbs of comfort: Why cornbread still reigns
BY LINDA BASSETT
Cornbread is baked into our American DNA. At the nation’s beginnings, colonists had no access to wheat flour, so replaced it with what was available — ground, dried corn (cornmeal). They baked their humble loaves in an alcove of the fireplace. (Some of these fireplaces can still be found in Marblehead.) Farmers and soldiers, in their disparate fields, baked cornmeal “hoecakes” using farm implements to hold them over open wood fires.
Over centuries, Americans developed an affinity for cornbread. Each region developed its own tweaks and accents. In New England the recipes are sweet enough to stand in for cake batter plopped into a pie plate of spiced apples or mixed berries for “cobblers.”
And as recently as a few decades ago, cornbread still appeared beside the scrambled eggs and baked beans at political unity breakfasts.
Southern recipes, more savory than sweet, enhance breakfast, brunch and barbecue. It also appears as a popular after-school snack crumbled into a glass of cold milk. Chef Edna Lewis offered a Virginia landmark recipe in her memoircookbook, “The Taste of Country Cooking.” In New Orleans, home and professional cooks jazz up a remarkable loaf with bacon, vegetables and cheese.
Three basic hints assure good results:
» First, bring all ingredients to room temperature before
COURTESY PHOTOS
Ann McGreevy spent a joyous afternoon with visiting Scots John and Lucy Green, above.
CURRENT PHOTO/ LINDA BASSETT Check out these twists on cornbread, the comfort food favorite.
Rock n Row celebrates 20th season
BY PAUL MAZONSON
Twenty years ago, friends Jack Tatelman and Paul Mazonson discovered a passion for rowing the beautiful waters off Marblehead. After completing their first Blackburn Challenge, a 20-mile open water rowing and paddling race around Cape Ann, they were inspired to start an ocean rowing club and named it Rock n Row.
Inexperienced rowers and largely self-taught, they hoped to encourage others to share their passion for rowing and build a community of rowers in our town. Twenty years later Rock n Row has become a thriving community based at the Beacon Street docks of Marblehead Trading Co. With 73 members, the docks
are busy most mornings with sunrise rowers venturing out at 5 a.m. and groups departing every few minutes. Tom Cheatam, club treasurer and rowing fanatic
said, “Being out at sunrise is inspiring — just us, the birds, a few lobster boats and a beautiful sky, absolutely the best way to start my day.”
Each season the club admits a few new members we call Newbies.
“I love watching our Newbies grow from tentative rowers to competent oars people. Our mission is all about introducing people to the sport” said membership chairperson Susan Lewis. Co-founder Jack Tatelman coached Newbies for years and rallied club members to rock as well as row, hosting parties, shepherding Newbies to row Sunapee Lake and encouraging folks to get out and row.
Halfway Rock is a favorite destination. We are blessed to have an incredible ocean playground to discover. Gooseberry shoals, Outer Pig
School’s out — Now what?
Rocks, Sand Dollar Cove, Misery Island — all favorite places to go.
We will celebrate our 20th season with a parade of rowing shells in the harbor. Neon Tide Water Parade begins at 9 a.m., July 25. Come celebrate with us at Fort Sewall or the State Street dock.
“We never envisioned Rock n Row becoming what it is today, a wonderful community of friends passionate about ocean rowing”, said co-founder Paul Mazonson. “We are grateful to Ralph Anderson, owner of Marblehead Trading Co, Harbormaster Mark Souza and the town of Marblehead for making this all possible.
Rock n Row, baby!
Dealing with the ‘summer scaries,’ loneliness and isolation
BY GRETCHEN O’BRIEN AND HALEY HASTINGS
Schools out for summah! The lazy days from now through August are ‘supposed’ to feel like, well, a day at the beach. But for many kids and teens, the season can actually be emotionally difficult, causing anxiety and depression.
Summertime loneliness, summer Seasonal Affective Disorder and even a form of seasonal anxiety in parents, dubbed the ‘summer scaries’, and rooted in their concerns about their kids during the summer vacation, can cause real stress to families.
At Marblehead Counseling Center, families who are concerned about their kids’ mental health year-round often find the summer months a unique challenge. In a recent survey of 1,000 parents by the Kids Mental Health Foundation, one in 10 parents was more concerned about their children’s mental health in the summer than other times of the year. Without the structure of a daily school schedule and regular social connection to classmates in the classroom and on the playground, many kids experience feelings of invisibility, loneliness and isolation. The casual way many kids connect with others in afterschool activities or hanging out at the playground during school pickup disappears.
Shy or introverted kids may find it hard to reach out to schedule summer playdates, and kids with mental health issues may become dysregulated or withdrawn without a dependable daily framework. It also doesn’t help that social media can make it feel that ‘everyone else’ is having a great time — at the beach, camp, or on vacation — looking like a supermodel and hanging with lots of friends, exacerbating your child’s feelings of being alone and excluded.
When summer loneliness becomes dangerous
Summer loneliness can sometimes trigger summer seasonal affective disorder.
The symptoms of SAD are more acute, and include insomnia, lack of appetite, weight loss, restlessness and agitation, anxiety, episodes of violent behavior, headaches and migraines, and higher suicide rates. Counseling is often recommended as a primary
treatment when SAD presents with more significant symptoms.
At MCC, families often find that a more flexible summer schedule is a good time for kids to start a therapeutic program with one of our counselors, and a regular weekly appointment is also a good way to give kids a bit of structure in the summer months.
According to the CDC, suicide remains the second-leading cause of death for teens and young adults in this age group.
A child who exhibits more acute signs of depression and who seems unable to cope could be facing a mental health crisis and parents should call 911 or seek help through the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline (988).
Get creative Summer loneliness is anxietyproducing for families, but usually can be mitigated by creating a simple daily routine, planning regular, scheduled activities and get-togethers with peers, limiting screen time and encouraging new hobbies that kids don’t have time for during the busy school year. Vitamin D, which is crucial for the synthesis of serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for stabilizing mood, happiness and anxiety, is actually recommended for treating SAD. Getting a healthy dose of the outdoors with your kids is a great boredom buster and a natural way to absorb this important vitamin.
Maintaining a routine that includes scheduled activities helps kids feel less alone, but be sure to include unstructured
time for relaxing after a long school year.
Encourage safe, independent activities. This season provides a great opportunity to teach them how to safely ride a bike, walk to a neighbor’s house or have a lemonade stand on their own. Such autonomy can allow a kid to feel more control in their day-to-day and encourages adventure!
Take advantage of the people you know. Plan a visit with relatives and far-away friends to ease your child’s loneliness. College and high school students with a special skill might be available to help your child try something they’ve always wanted to learn, whether it’s playing the guitar or perfecting her basketball skills. Older kids might want to volunteer in the community or get involved in a cause that matters to them. Your kids can be proactive, too, helping you plan some activities to connect with others in person over the summer. If your child is anxious about it, keep it lowkey, such as a family meet up at the beach. If you are open to it, consider giving kids a little extra screen time for a weekly Zoom call or an online game with a close friend who is out of town. During long ‘boring’ periods, encourage your children to work through feelings of sadness or loneliness through practicing self-care and wellness, such as exercising or meditating, or using their creative energy in journaling or the creative arts.
Remember to check in. It’s important to talk to your
kids about how they’re feeling, and let them know that you take it seriously and want to help.
The hype about summer is just that — it’s normal to have good days and bad during any season. Ask if they’re lonely and miss their friends.
Check out organizations that work with kids in your area, and see what types of resources are available during the summer. For LGBTQ+ and other marginalized kids, for instance, schools often provide additional support systems. A summer without them might feel even more isolating to these kids. Help your child find resources they might need during the long summer break.
Whether you are a parent with a case of the ‘summer scaries’ or a kid feeling anxious that you’ll be all alone this summer, a little creativity and a lot of great resources in the area should help make the summer blues a lot less difficult to manage.
Haley Hastings is a post-master’s mental health counselor with a focus working with children, adolescents and young adults. She enjoys working with a wide range of diagnoses including depression, anxiety, ADHD, adjustment issues, trauma, stress, relationship and attachment issues, and more.
Gretchen O’Brien is a postmaster’s therapist specializing in individual counseling for children, adolescents and adults with various disorders depression, anxiety, ADHD, grief and loss, relational concerns, life-stage transitions, substance use, and trauma. She also works with couples.
TIPS TO HELP KIDS WITH SUMMER BLUES
» Maintain your schedule and mimic home routines, even when traveling. Make it visual — post a schedule or calendar with events marked on it. Remind kids of upcoming events, especially those your family is looking forward to doing. Make plans, especially if connecting with friends is difficult for your child. Look into spaces that have dropin events where your child doesn’t need to know anyone, such as a library or museum or drop-in art space. Get outdoors. Create traditions, such as an evening walk, early morning swim or trip to the driving range.
» Maintain — or create — a behavioral system of expected use of the internet, time outside, or summer reading expectations.
» Find support through parent groups, counselors and school/ summer school teachers.
Work with your child’s strengths and interests. Summer is a great time to work on or try something new — encourage safe, autonomous activities! College students home on break might be willing to work with your child for a small fee. Ask around if your child likes that idea.
» Do something creative. Journaling, drawing and building things are great ways to engage your child’s imagination, and can turn into a fun family project.
» Pinpoint your child’s anxieties, ask questions and listen. Brainstorm solutions together. » Give the child time to adjust, and prepare yourself for some tough times Invite people your child cares about for a visit, such as a cousin or a friend living far away.
COURTESY PHOTO Rock n Row co-founder Paul Mazonson on the water.
COURTESY PHOTO
The summer can be a lonely time for kids.
A weekend of heat and history
CURRENT PHOTO / KRIS OLSON Artemis astronauts and crew join the Horribles Parade Saturday.
CURRENT PHOTOS / GREY COLLINS
Marblehead kids splash around and enjoy the water at the annual Fire Department summer splash.
Marchers push a miniature Marblehead lighthouse at the annual Fourth of July Horribles parade.
COURTESY PHOTO / TANYA BRAGANTI
People beat the heat by jumping off the dock at Crocker Park.
A group of marchers dress up with traffic cones on their heads to celebrate Scotland’s Tartan army.
Hundreds of people march in the annual Fourth of July horrible parade, dressed in colonial outfits to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
Tim Swigor marches in the Horribles parade with his family, dressed in colonial revolutionary garb.
also have improved insight into the conditions that might cause failure of that conductor after (Thursday) night, which will enable us to adjust load and operations accordingly.”
The town opened an emergency cooling center at the Brown School, where several residents sought relief from the sweltering temperatures.
Summer splash
About 300 people cooled off Thursday afternoon at the Fire Department’s Summer Splash outside the Community Center. Firefighters sprayed water over the crowd from a truck.
The heat and humidity forced Arts Festival organizers to cancel Friday’s Street Festival.
“After talking with our street performers and facilities team, the Marblehead Festival of Arts has decided we have no choice but to cancel the Street Festival … in consideration of our performers’ health,” festival board member Joe Tavano explained.
Beach closed Many Headers sought out local beaches to escape the heat, although Grace Oliver Beach was closed for two days because of elevated bacteria levels. Public Health Director Andrew Petty attributed the high bacteria count to contaminated water from an outfall pipe following heavy rain earlier in the week.
PHOTO / GREY COLLINS About 300 people beat the heat with the Marblehead Fire Department’s summer splash event on
CURRENT PHOTOS / GREY COLLINS
Mark Erelli & String Quintet perform at Crocker Park on July 1 to kick off the first night of concerts during the Marblehead Festival of the Arts.
The Sugar Kings, a rock and reggae music group, perform during the evening on July 2. Marblehead kids throw their handmade sailboats into Redd’s Pond at the beginning of the July 3 regatta.
Concert-goers, sitting on lawn chairs and blankets, gather to watch the music at Crocker Park on July 1.
At the Lee Mansion gardens, Marblehead kids and their parents paint model sailboats for the Redd’s Pond regatta July 3.
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER People explore and shop at the Artisans Marketplace outside Abbot Hall on July 4.
— one of the biggest ever in terms of programming.”
From paintings and
photography to sculpture and crafts, 11 exhibits at six locations throughout town showcased the work of local artists. (Read more on Page 12.) Longtime traditions, including
model boat making, Redd’s Pond Regatta, Children’s Festival and the Concerts @ Crocker Park series, continued to draw enthusiastic crowds despite the sweltering conditions.
“It was an epic, historic year,” said Brian Wheeler, who organizes the live music lineup. With the milestone festival now in the books, organizers are looking ahead.
“We’re already planning for 2027,” he said. “If you would like to get involved in helping organize next year’s festival, please contact us through our website (marbleheadfestival.org).”
From P. 1
MHS girls tennis begins new era next year after coach Ackerman and staff step down
BY JOE MCCONNELL
There will be a whole new coaching staff next spring in the Marblehead High girls tennis program.
After 10 years as head coach, Tracy Ackerman decided that 2026 will be her last season along the sidelines. Previously, Ackerman had coached the JV2 girls soccer team for two seasons, and was also a JV boys golf coach for one year, as well as a youth softball coach and board member, when her daughters went through the system.
Her husband and assistant coach, Bill, who has coached other varsity sports while also being involved in youth baseball as a coach and board member, not to mention youth softball and basketball, won’t be around either.
“We both got involved in coaching, because we felt that it was a great way to give back to the community,” said Tracy, who admits that it’s time to move on. “Bill started helping us out the last three years, and was able to bring his coaching (expertise) to the team right away, especially to our singles players.”
Tracy’s longtime JV coach LuAnn Gabel is also stepping away from the high school sports scene. “We started this journey together 10 years ago, and decided to end it together, as well,” said Ackerman. “LuAnn was the perfect JV coach. She prepared and motivated the girls to improve their games to (eventually) make varsity, while also providing a supportive environment for many, many girls that went through her program.”
Tracy’s career record as a varsity tennis coach was 126-45. Her teams reached the state tournament nine times in as many years. The only year that they missed the postseason was in the 2020 COVID year, when there wasn’t any.
In two separate regular
seasons, her Magicians recorded perfect 19-0 records. They also earned the second seed three times in Division 2.
To amass such a remarkable record, Tracy knows that she needed extraordinary athletes to pull it off. But there was one player who stood out above the rest, according to Tracy, and she was Michelle Shub, who graduated in 2019.
‘(Shub) was a sophomore in
my first year,” Ackerman said. “She completely dominated the (Northeastern Conference) all three of those years that I coached her, before going on to play at Tufts University. Her talent and work ethic were extraordinary. Even after she graduated, she would continue to show up at practice to talk to the girls or just to say hello. As an aside, my favorite days were always when alumni would pop
by to say hi. I was really proud of that.”
As far as trying to list an AllAckerman Team, Tracy said that would be just an impossible task.
“There were too many (talented) kids to count, but they know who they are,” she said.
Sports have always played a huge role in Tracy’s life. “They were a big part of my youth,” she said. “I loved to play them all, and did not specialize in any
World Cup fever hits close to home on MHS boys soccer team
BY JOE MCCONNELL
It’s been a summer to remember for soccer enthusiasts everywhere, as once again the World Cup is on the line. Every four years, countries from all over the globe come together to compete for the coveted trophy, and in 2026 North America is the designated host. Locally, Marblehead High School boys soccer captain and center-midfielder Erik Badzak is watching the games intently, especially those involving Bosnia & Herzegovina. Badzak has family ties in Bosnia, where his grandparents (Ibro and Jadranka), aunts and uncles, cousins and friends reside.
With everything going on in the soccer world, Erik, ironically, is currently on a “planned family trip” to visit his Bosnian relatives, while adding, “I go almost every year with my parents (Oz and Maja) and younger sister Nina, 15, to visit my family over there, including two of my cousins –Alan Pajevic and Orhan Voloder – who are also good friends of mine.”
Before they took off for Bosnia, Erik and his parents and sister watched Bosnia
& Herzegovina (1-1-1 in Group B play) defeat Qatar, 3-1 on June 24 in Seattle to secure a spot in the Round of 32, where they were shutout by Team USA, 2-0 in Santa Clara, California on July 1. The loss eliminated them from the World Cup.
The Americans ended up 2-1 in Group D play, and following the win over aforementioned Bosnia & Herzegovina, they took on Belgium in the Round of 16 on July 6 in Seattle after press deadline.
Erik says that there weren’t any mixed emotions, because he knows that Team USA “is good this year,” before going on to say, “I think from now on more people will take the sport seriously here in the United States after what they have done so far.”
But the Marblehead Magician won’t soon forget going to the Qatar game. “One of the most memorable things about that game was to see just how many of our fans were there in Seattle to watch it,” he said. “Overall, it was an unbelievable experience, and something I can’t even describe in words. It was great to share it with my parents and sister.”
Erik credits his paternal grandfather
Ibro in developing his appreciation for the sport. “He definitely inspired my love for the game,” he said. “He’s always watching soccer games, and being with him (in those settings) just rubbed off on me.”
His favorite player in this year’s World Cup is Colombia’s Daniel Munoz. Coming out of Group K, Colombia had two wins with one draw. They then edged Ghana in the Round of 32, 1-0, and were scheduled to play Switzerland in the Round of 16 on July 7 in Vancouver, after press deadline.
Badzak predicts that Colombia will play France for the championship on July 19 in the New Jersey Meadowlands. “Both are fast, quality teams,” he said.
At the start of the tournament, Badzak attended watch parties with his Marblehead teammates. “The parties were awesome, and we loved talking about different teams in it,” he said.
The feelings on this year’s World Cup are the same here, as well as abroad.
Erik’s relatives in Bosnia love it, and, according to him, they think that “it’s the best World Cup in a long time.”
The residual effects of having the
one thing, but soccer, basketball, softball and tennis were my favorites.”
Tracy, a 1984 MHS graduate, along with her husband Bill, was a three-sport captain. “I was on a very successful tennis team that went 72-0 in my four years as a Magician athlete,” she said. “I played first singles in my senior year. Bill also played first singles on the boys team that year, before going on to become a college player.”
Tracy attended Boston College, where she did not play any sports. But about 20 years ago, she started playing competitive tennis once again at the Bass River Tennis Club in Beverly. “I’m still really involved in team tennis there, and I love it,” she added.
In the 10 years that Tracy has been at the helm, she’s most proud of getting the new tennis courts built at the high school in 2020 for her players, as well as the community at-large to enjoy. “When I took over the program, the courts were in such bad shape that we had to play our matches at Seaside Park,” she said. “But then, a group of 10, led by Muffy Paquette, which I was also a part of, spearheaded a project to (solicit) private donations to cover 100% of the costs for the new courts.”
But when it’s all said and done, it’s the student-athletes that Tracy will miss the most. “The personal development and growth of the girls over the years was extremely satisfying to me,” she said. “But it’s the behindthe-scenes little things like the laughter during warmups, the chatter on the bus, the small talk of exams, prom dates, college decision times, ice cream trips, nicknames and so on that I will never forget. Overall, I hope I have passed on my love and passion for tennis to (all my athletes). To me, tennis has been a lifetime sport, and I hope it is for many of them,” as well.
World Cup so close to home could have immediate results as early as next month’s MHS boys soccer tryouts. “I think a lot more kids will want to play soccer, because they can see just how much fun it is,” said Badzak.
COURTESY PHOTO
Marblehead High girls tennis assistant coach Bill Ackerman, head coach Tracy Ackerman and JV coach LuAnn Gabel, from left, recently announced that they were stepping away from the courts as coaches following another successful spring. The team finished up with an 11-6 regular season record, and was the 14th seed in Division 2. They went 1-1 in the postseason after losing to Duxbury, 5-0 in the Sweet 16.
COURTESY PHOTO Marblehead High senior boys soccer captain and center-midfielder Erik Badzak, right, poses with his dad, Oz, during a Group B game at Seattle (Lumen Field) Stadium against Qatar on June 24. They won the game, 3-1, only to lose to Team USA in the Knockout Round, 2-0 on July 1.
Meet Marblehead Custom Jewelry
BY MELISSA STACEY
The following is an interview with Steven Manchini, co-owner and jeweler of Marblehead Custom Jewelry. Marblehead Custom Jewelry is a local studio located at 66 Washington St. Specializing in custom jewelry design, in-house gemstone cutting and expert repairs, the team works closely with clients to bring meaningful, personal designs to life. With everything done under one roof, it’s a trusted spot in town for both restoring cherished pieces and creating something entirely new. Learn more at marbleheadcustomjewelry.com.
Tell us about your business and how you help/serve your clients. Marblehead Custom Jewelry is a small, independent studio specializing in customdesigned pieces, heirloom redesigns, expert repairs and the informative buying and selling of gold and other precious metals. We work one-on-one with clients to transform their ideas, stories and sentimental jewelry into pieces they can wear every day, guiding them through materials, design options and budgets so the final piece feels both deeply personal and beautifully crafted.
What inspired you to start your business? This business grew from a love of both craftsmanship and connection. Over the years, we saw how meaningful jewelry can be when it truly reflects someone’s life — whether that is an engagement ring, a memorial piece or a family heirloom needing a new chapter. Creating a dedicated space for that kind of thoughtful, collaborative work in Marblehead felt like a natural next step.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in running a business? One of the biggest lessons has been the importance of clear, caring communication. Being transparent about timelines, processes and what is realistically possible helps build trust and longterm relationships. We have also learned that staying flexible and listening closely to client feedback is essential for sustainable growth while still honoring our values and standards.
What do you love most about Marblehead? Marblehead has a unique mix of history, coastal beauty and a genuinely supportive small-business community. There is something special about working in a town where people value local, handcrafted work and where neighbors truly want to see each other succeed. While having friends and family support us is one thing, seeing the wider community so invested in our
cheese
success has been especially meaningful and motivating.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? People are often surprised to learn that everyone at Marblehead Custom Jewelry is a first-generation jeweler, not part of a long line of jewelers or a legacy family business. Unlike many jewelry shops that are passed down through generations, we each chose this field independently and built our skills, studio and systems
from the ground up. This gives us the freedom to question “the way it’s always been done” and to approach design, customer service and problem solving with a fresh, open mindset.
The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. Discover Marblehead’s mission is to highlight local businesses, tourism, community events and attractions through social media, email marketing and community outreach. To learn more, visit discovermhd.com.
starting the recipe.
» Second, stir the ingredients until just combined. Don’t mix too enthusiastically.
Overlook a few lumps to ensure a good crumb. And last, be sure to preheat the oven for even baking.
EDNA LEWIS’ CLASSIC
CORNBREAD
MAKES 5 TO 6 SERVINGS.
Based closely on a recipe from “The Taste of Country Cooking” by Edna Lewis.
`
`
2 cups sifted white cornmeal
½ teaspoon salt
` 1-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
`
2 teaspoons baking powder
` 3 eggs, beaten
` 1 teaspoon lard
` 1 tablespoon butter
` 2 cups buttermilk
` Heat oven to 400 degrees. Stir together cornmeal, salt, baking powder in a bowl.
Stir in beaten eggs. Place lard and butter into a 9x10-inch baking pan; transfer the pan to the oven.
Stir the buttermilk into cornmeal mixture. Do this step very quickly. Remove the pan from the oven. (It should actively sizzle.)
Tilt to coat the bottom with the melted fats. Immediately pour the batter into the hot pan. Transfer pan to the oven to bake, 26 to 30 minutes. Remove; cut into squares while still hot.
PEPPER AND ONION
CORNBREAD, NEW ORLEANS-STYLE
MAKES ONE 8X8 SQUARE PAN.
Vidalia onions, when available, add a particular sweetness. Best hot or still warm from the oven, slathered with sweet butter.
Some cooks enhance this recipe adding chopped hot peppers.
` 3 slices bacon
` 1 small sweet onion, finely chopped
` 1 scallion, finely chopped
` ½ cup chopped red and green peppers
` 1 to 3 small dried hot peppers, seeded and chopped (optional)
` 1 ½ cups yellow cornmeal
`
½ cup flour
¼ teaspoon salt
`
` 1 tablespoon baking powder
` ¾ cup grated cheddar
` 1 egg, lightly beaten
` 1 small can cream-style corn
` 1 ¼ cups buttermilk
Preheat the oven to 450F. Oil an 8x8-inch square baking pan; place it in the oven.
Cook the bacon until crisp. Remove from pan; place on paper towels to drain.
Pour the fat from the pan, leaving 1 tablespoon for cooking. Crumble bacon.
Heat the bacon fat in the skillet. Add onions, peppers, and hot peppers (if using).
Cook until tender. Set aside.
Combine cornmeal, flour, salt, baking powder. Stir in the cheese, cooked vegetables, eggs, corn, buttermilk and bacon.
Take the hot baking pan out of the oven. Pour the cornmeal mixture right into the pan while very hot. (The pan will sizzle.)
Bake 20 to 25 minutes until bread pulls away from the sides of the pan. When out of the oven; cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes so it cuts easily.
Linda Bassett lived in Marblehead for years and has worked as a cook, trained up-and-coming chefs, studied food history and led food tours. Her book, “From Apple Pie to Pad Thai,” is about local cooks and cooking.
The Marblehead Custom Jewelry team
Marblehead’s best bets
Current Events spotlights notable happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email info@ marbleheadnews.org.
Sick and Tired Tour
Thursday, July 9, 4 p.m.
The Marblehead Museum will hold a walking tour on the controversial history of health and medicine in town from colonial times to World War I. Stories from the tour include the smallpox epidemic of 1730, when a local mob nearly tore down a judge’s house to protest inoculations; Dr. Elisha Story’s battle with anti-vaxxers in 1800; a colorful Marblehead pharmacist who
Intuitive Connection
Sunday, July 12, 10:30 a.m.
Feeling scattered, heavy, or unsure of your next step? This is your invitation to reconnect with your inner wisdom. Join Lighthouse Fitness Studio and Jody Lemieux for an inspiring experience designed with practical insights and discussion. Explore how to access your intuitive abilities and strengthen your connection to your authentic self. Discover practical ways to access your natural intuitive abilities, deepen selftrust, and live in greater alignment with who you truly are. Register at lighthousefitness.net.
ARTS & CULTURE
sold medicines mixed with cocaine; and a heroic nurse who ran an emergency hospital during the Spanish flu pandemic.
Museum Associate Director Jarrett Zeman will illustrate the connections between the COVID-19 pandemic and health threats of the past, and explore how Marbleheaders have fought each other for centuries to ensure healthcare for all.
Tickets are $15 each and can be ordered at marbleheadmuseum.org or by calling 781-631-1768.
Paddle board yoga with The Yoga Loft
Saturday, July 11, 2-4 p.m.
Enjoy a 60-minute yoga session on the water with instructor Jennifer Craig. Your paddle board becomes your floating mat and all levels are welcome. Equipment is provided by SUP East Coast Style and they will make sure to introduce the basics of paddle boarding. $50. Register at https://loom.ly/Q9rqORQ.
Painting class for adults at MAA
Thursday, July 9 - Aug. 13, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Let your creativity flow by learning watercolor painting techniques and how to set up a studio in a 6-week class. Join award-winning artist Todd Zalewski who will guide you through realistic painting in watercolor. Beginners and pros welcome. MAA Members: $225, non-members: $250. Register at marbleheadarts.org.
Singer Donna Byrne at the MAA
Thursday, July 16, (doors open 6:30 p.m.) 7-9 p.m.
Listen to live music by Donna Byrne at the Marblehead Arts Association as part of its Jazz and the Arts concert series. The cost is $35. Register at marbleheadarts.org.
By Julia Rockler
of the Mentor’
Wednesday, July 15, 7 p.m.
Bestselling author and Marbleheader Eric Jay Dolin will return to the Marblehead Museum to speak about his new book, “Wreck of the Mentor: A True Story of Death, Despair and Deliverance in the Age of Sail.” Dolin vividly reconstructs the doomed voyage of a whaleship in 1832 on a remote reef in the western Pacific, and the adventure the survivors faced, including contact with the Indigenous people of Palau, and the fraught naval rescue mission that followed. Register at marbleheadmuseum.org. Museum members $10.60, non-members $15.90.
From murals to marine science, MCC grants fund range of local projects
BY LEIGH BLANDER
The Marblehead Cultural Council is showcasing recent results from the 2026 grant cycle. These funds annually support community cultural, artistic, scientific and historical programs. The Marblehead Cultural Council is one of 329 local organizations funded directly by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
AgeSpan Inc. and residents of the Marblehead Housing Authority’s Farrell Court were granted funds for a communal mural project to revitalize concrete planters in the common green space. The Farrell Court apartments provide supportive housing for low-income Marblehead residents over age 60 and individuals under 60 with a disability.
Local artist and educator Sarah Scoville spearheaded the project. In recent years, she has been a mural artist specializing in collaborative design for public and private projects. Scoville facilitated design sessions with residents, who envisioned using the opportunity to enliven their communal outdoor space.
SPUR, a local service organization, assisted by repairing and prepping the planters for painting, using volunteer labor to eliminate a large portion of project expenses.
“Bringing color, fun and joy to forgotten spaces is what I love to do as an artist,” Scoville said. “I’m glad to be a part of the collaborative team that created
the Farrell Court murals.”
The following grants have also created community experiences for Marblehead residents: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary presented a nature and bird-watching walking tour at Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary.
Marblehead Museum and Historical Society Inc. was granted funds to support the inaugural, semi-permanent (three-plus years) exhibit at the
Jeremiah Lee Brick Kitchen & Slave Quarters building.
The Marblehead Festival of Arts grant supports the live music portion of the festival, where more than 20 bands will be showcased at Crocker Park over four days.
Salem Sound 2000 Inc./Salem Sound Coastwatch continues to bring hands-on marine science education to Marblehead through its School to Sea program at the Marblehead
Community Center and Abbot Public Library.
From April through September, a four-part public history lecture series on “Heroic Revolutionary Captains from Marblehead” is being presented by Marblehead Town Historian Don Doliber.
Lanes Coven Theater, in collaboration with the Marblehead High School English Department, held in-class workshops with freshmen
studying “Romeo & Juliet.” They also presented an abbreviated version of the play in the auditorium for the freshman class.
Friends of North Shore Children’s Museum Inc. offered several free-day admissions for Marblehead residents. To learn more about the Marblehead Cultural Council, contact the MCC at marbleheadculturalcouncil@ gmail.com.
COURTESY PHOTO
Local artist and educator Sarah Scoville worked with residents at Farrell Court to design these murals, using a Marblehead Cultural Council grant.
Community, creativity fill galleries
BY MARIELLE SABBAG
The heat wave didn’t stop locals from traveling around Marblehead to see the Arts Festival’s exhibits Thursday, July 2. The 60th Marblehead Arts Festival exhibits featured about 500 artworks from local artists, categorized into drawings, photography, printmaking and more.
“It’s a big showcase opportunity for budding artists to come and show their art,” said Maggie Smist, festival co-chair. Smist added that this year saw a 10% increase in art submissions over last year.
Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St.
At Abbot Hall, galleries of crafts, paintings and printmaking surrounded the hall. The cod and whales from the previous month’s First-Look party were also on display.
Tracy Finn, a Marblehead resident, has been involved with the festival since she was a kid. She said she won her first award in middle school. This year, her painting “Golden Hour” won Honorable Mention.
“We’re lucky to have this festival,” Finn said. “It draws so many people, and it’s a great opportunity for artists to show their work.”
The festival indeed brought in several visitors, like Carling Farley, originally from London, who was introduced to the festival last year by her boyfriend, Evan Thorne, a Marblehead resident.
Farley said she was transfixed by Amy Hourihan’s printmaking project, “Early Morning Rowers,” which won Best of Show.
“I have had experience rowing,” she said. “The different textures transported me back to that feeling.”
St Michael’s Episcopal Church, 26 Pleasant St
The St. Michael’s Episcopal Church had digital art, mixed media and sculptures.
Marblehead resident Erik Smith was having a fantastic time with Best of Show winner Ed Lewis’ “Time Mirror,” a digital artwork on a TV. With the press of a button, the screen changed to several different styles, from rainbows, black & white, and slow motion capture.
“There’s something new every year, like this,” Smith said, adding that he is a fan of art.
Old Town House, One Market Square
A photography gallery was set up in the Old Town House.
“Photography has been here and evolved with tech,” said Mary Alice Alexander, a co-chair of the festival.
Alexander explained that the photography exhibit traditionally has two categories: black & white and color.
This year featured a new category, the Joseph Dixon Award — Alternative Methods.
Patricia Scialo won “Best in Show” for this category with her photograph of “Bonsai Roots.”
Marblehead resident Doug Moon is a festival volunteer.
“A lot of people come in, and I hear them talking and get inspired by all the artwork,” Moon said.
“The festival is a gateway to explore your own creativity.”
Unitarian Universalist Church, 28 Mugford St.
The UU Church featured drawings and senior art from artists 65 and older.
David Barber’s
“Happy Trout” drawing won honorable mention. He used only red markers as his medium.
Barbara Nasser, from Marblehead, was volunteering for her 12th year. Her painting
“The Blue Cache” won Honorable Mention.
“So many of us here are artists.
This event brings all artists together,” Nasser said.
Old North Church, 35 Washington St. Seven-year-old Izzy Brown, from Swampscott, was so happy to have one of her oil paintings, “Mateh,” exhibited in the festival this year.
She created the oil painting, inspired by a green woodpecker she saw outside one day.
The Old North Church had several works of art of children from various schools around the North Shore.
“It shows our community youth arts program,” said 14-year-old London Perlow, who was volunteering this year.
Robert “King” Hooper Mansion, 8 Hooper St.
The Hooper Mansion features paintings from “Paint the
Town,” the town’s outdoor painting event co-chaired by Eugenia Guastaferri and Carol McLaughlin.
“You can judge the health of a community by their embrace of the arts,” said volunteer Eric Knight. “It’s important for the community to support their artists.”
Marblehead resident Andrea Bunde returned to buy Sheila Farren Billings’ acrylic painting, “Fishy Shanty Stroll.”
The painting was dedicated to Margaret “Peggy” Farrell, a dedicated member of the Marblehead Arts Association, who died earlier this year.
“We all need art in this world. It gives us good feelings,” Bunde said.
Best in Show
Here is a list of all Best in
Show winners. To find the list of other honorees, visit MarbleheadCurrent.org.
CRAFTS: Diane Treadwell, “Open Water”
DIGITAL ART: Ed Lewis, “Time Mirror”
DRAWING: Todd Zelewski, “Craggy Rocks of Chandler Hovey Park, Marblehead Lighthouse”
MIXED MEDIA: Yelena Kalevski, “Ikebana”
PAINTING: Todd Zelewski, “Because Tomorrow the Sun Will Rise and Who Knows What the Tide Will Bring”
PAINTING THE TOWN: Leon Drachman, “Morning Calm”
PHOTOGRAPHY: Ulrike Welsch Photography, “Peekaboo” and Glenn Engman, “Puma”
PRINTMAKING: Amy Hourihan, “Early Morning Rowers”
SCULPTURE: QuitsaKiki Designs, “Ancient Ruins of Atlantis”
SENIOR ART: Instagram Bedazzled Fish by Dawn, “Tinkerbell”
CURRENT PHOTOS / MARIELLE SABBAG “Fishy Shanty Stroll,” a painting by Sheila Farren Billings, is dedicated to the late Margaret “Peggy” Farrell.
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Best in Show “Tomorrow the Sun Will Rise and Who Knows What the Tide Will Bring” by Todd Zelewski.
Izzy Brown, 7, of Swampscott, stands with her oil painting, “Mateh.”
Visitors at Abbot Hall check out festival exhibits.
Vehicle break-ins, DUI arrest, scams
Saturday, June 6
» Alarms: 3
» Building/property checks: 4
» Abandoned 911 calls: 0
» Vehicle stops, citations: 1
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0
12:01 p.m. Officers and firefighters investigated a report of a truck that struck power lines, taking them down and causing a power outage in the area of Stonybrook Road. Upon his arrival, one of the officers was met out front of the two homes most directly affected by their respective owners. One homeowner showed the officer the damage her home had sustained, as the truck ripped her entire electrical service off her home and also caused damage to her electrical box on the inside of her home. He then spoke with the other homeowner who also pointed out the damage to his electrical service, which had also been ripped off the side of his house. Both homeowners reported that the truck belonged to an appliance store, and that the driver had left the scene, apparently unaware the truck had taken down the wires. The officer called the store and confirmed that the driver had no idea that he had pulled down any wires. The driver thought the truck had simply brushed up against branches. After officers documented the scene, the Light Department arrived and began working to restore power to the area.
11:48 p.m. An officer investigated a report of a large fallen tree limb at Abbot Hall. Upon his arrival, the officer confirmed the report, noting that the heavier section of the limb was inside of the yard at Abbot Hall, and there was a section of the limb that was on top of the hood of a vehicle that was parked on Washington Street. He could not immediately determine if there was any damage. A Tree Department employee then arrived and cut up the limb into smaller pieces and placed them in the yard of Abbot Hall. The officer then was able to observe that the vehicle did not appear to have any obvious damage, although he noted that the lighting was dim.
Sunday, June 7
» Alarms: 0
» Building/property checks: 6
» Abandoned 911 calls: 2
» Vehicle stops, citations: 1
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 2
4:01 p.m. An officer was dispatched to Ruby Avenue to investigate a complaint of an item left on a car. Upon his arrival, he was greeted by a resident who put him on the cellphone with her mother. The mother reported that an unknown person had left door hangers under the windshield wipers of three vehicles in her driveway. The door hangers were urging a “no” vote on the overrides in the June 9 election. The officer wrote in his report that he did not see any criminal intent but did agree with the woman’s concern about trespassing
7:27 p.m. An officer spoke at the station with a man whose WhatsApp account had been hacked. The hackers had then started messaging his contacts, asking them for money. The man had since deleted that WhatsApp account. The man had not lost any money himself but wanted the incident documented. The officer advised the man to contact WhatsApp about the hacking.
10:26 p.m. An officer was dispatched to the area of Orne Street to investigate a report of a large group of kids in the street. By the time he spotted the
group, which was on Doaks Lane, he was past Doaks Lane and had to reverse direction on Orne Street to get back to the scene. In the process of doing so, the officer’s cruiser collided with the siding of a home on Orne Street. The officer immediately radioed a sergeant to come to the scene and document the accident. The residents of the Orne Street home were not there, so the sergeant said he would call them to let them know what happened. There did not appear to be any structural damage to the home, according to the sergeant’s accident report. The cruiser was left with a broken taillight and white scrapes on its rear driver’s side.
Monday, June 8
» Alarms: 2
» Building/property checks: 2
» Abandoned 911 calls: 1
» Vehicle stops, citations: 2
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 1
11:45 a.m. An officer went to Market Square to speak to a man about a letter dated May 28 that he had received from the Department of the Treasury regarding somebody else attempting to file for his 2025 tax return. The letter stated that verification of identity would be required for the tax return.
The man was unsure how his Social Security number had been leaked, but he did follow the directions on the letter to notify the IRS that he had not filed this return. After contacting the IRS, the man had set up Norton LifeLock for identity theft protection. The officer asked him if he noticed anything other suspicious activity indicative of his personal information being leaked, and the man said that Chase had alerted him that somebody had attempted to purchase a pre-paid cell phone on his credit card account. The man stated that he canceled that card and the bank account associated with it and froze his credit with all three major bureaus. The officer advised him to continue to monitor his accounts and offered the man a copy of his report, if he needed one. The officer planned to share his report with detectives as well.
4:18 p.m. An officer spoke with a man on Broughton Road who had received a call from an unfamiliar number notifying him that he had won $2.5 million, which the man recognized as a scam. The man had exchanged words with the scammer, who threatened his life for not cooperating. The officer advised him that scammers often try to intimidate victims into giving up their personal information. He also advised the man that most call centers are overseas, and he should not fear someone paying him a visit. The man was satisfied with that information, and he blocked the number and reported it as spam.
6:14 p.m. An officer took a report in the station from a man who initially believed that his cell phone and keys had been stolen out of his child’s stroller while they were at Goldthwait Beach. After giving the officer his report, the man returned home and his wife called the officer with the location of her husband’s phone using the Find My iPhone app. The officer then used the wife’s instructions to pin down the phone’s location. It turned out the phone and keys were in a different pocket in the stroller that the husband hadn’t checked. Nothing had been stolen.
Tuesday, June 9
» Alarms: 1 » Building/property checks: 0
» Abandoned 911 calls: 2
» Vehicle stops, citations: 0
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 1 1:49 p.m. An officer went to Ocean Avenue to speak to a man who was keeping an eye on his parents’ house while they were in Florida. Today, he had noticed that someone had been loitering on the back deck of the house. He showed the officer a photograph of a can of eaten fruit, a vape, an empty pack of cigarettes, several smoked cigarettes and several nicotine patch wrappers that had been left behind. He also pointed out an exterior power outlet that had been opened. The officer asked the man when he had last seen the property undisturbed, and he said approximately two weeks earlier. The man pointed out a hole in an abutting fence that was next to Castle Rock through which he believed the person could have entered. The officer surveyed the rest of the property and found an additional empty can of fruit and various items of trash next to the entryway to the back deck. The officer packaged up all of the items and disposed of them, per the man’s request. The man showed the officer a Ring doorbell camera, which films out over the driveway. The officer said he would share his report with detectives.
Wednesday, June 10
» Alarms: 0
» Building/property checks: 4
» Abandoned 911 calls: 2
» Vehicle stops, citations: 1
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 1
12:44 a.m. An officer spoke by phone with a man who wanted to report a past assault. The man said that he had been standing near the National Grand Bank bus stop when a man he did not know who was walking his dog came up to him and pushed him in his chest. The man stated the man with the dog then got in his face and started yelling at him and pushed him again. Once the man got home and thought about things, he decided that it was not that big of a deal and said he did not want any further assistance from the police.
11:03 a.m. An officer was dispatched to Ticehurst Lane to speak to a woman who wanted to report credit card fraud. The woman explained that she was recently in Africa and returned home to notice someone had been ordering items fraudulently on her credit card. The fraudulent purchases from an online retailer of guns and ammunition included three $450 high-candela weapon lights that punch through ambient light, tinted windows and photonic barriers to allow the user to identify long-range targets at a distance. The officer advised her to cancel her credit card, notify the credit agencies and let her banks know about the fraud. The officer shared his report with detectives.
11:10 a.m. Officers and firefighters assisted with the investigation of a stolen vehicle that ended up in the water off Grace Oliver’s Beach.
4:52 p.m. An officer took a report over the phone from a woman about some suspicious activity at Goldthwait Beach. The woman explained that goes down to walk and clean the beach every morning before work and yesterday had noticed a set of tire tracks on the beach
that went from the Devereux resident parking lot side to the Goldthwait side before making a U-turn by the boardwalk ramp and heading back. Because she is there every morning, the woman surmised that the vehicle must have been there sometime early Tuesday morning or late Monday night. The woman said that she did not see any damage but wanted to report the incident. She had also emailed her neighbors in the Goldthwait Reservation area to ask if they had seen anything.
6:09 p.m. An officer was dispatched to Castle Rock to investigate a report that a boat had washed up onto the beach. Upon his arrival, the officer found a white center console, the Lilly E, on the beach. He found its owner, who explained he had been driving towards Swampscott when he hit a rock off Castle Rock (presumably Ted Moore’s Rock), which caused his boat to start taking on water and go ashore. He and his passenger declined medical attention. The man planned to work with Sea Tow on the salvage efforts. With the approval of the officer-incharge, the officer gave the two people a ride back to the marina in Salem.
8:20 p.m. A 66-year-old Marblehead woman was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after officers, firefighters and an ambulance crew investigated the report of a vehicle crash on Gingerbread Hill Road and Beacon Street.
Thursday, June 11
» Alarms: 3
» Building/property checks: 10
» Abandoned 911 calls: 2
» Vehicle stops, citations: 1
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 2
2:32 p.m. An officer spoke in the lobby with a woman who wanted to report a scam. The woman explained that she has been using the same landscaping company for some time. A few days ago, a different landscaping crew arrived with the apparent intent to perform work that she neither needed nor had requested. She subsequently received a bill for $110 from the new company, even though she had told the workers to leave before they had performed any work. She had subsequently done some online research, which indicated that others had been targeted with a similar scam by the same company.
Friday, June 12
» Alarms: 0 » Building/property checks: 5
» Abandoned 911 calls: 3
» Vehicle stops, citations: 1
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 6
10:20 a.m. An officer investigated a possible violation of a non-criminal town bylaw on Flint Street.
2:04 p.m. An officer assisted at the scene of a vehicle crash on Maple Street.
2:17 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Ocean Avenue.
10:37 p.m. An officer rendered services after investigating a report of suspicious activity on Captains Walk Lane.
Saturday, June 13
» Alarms: 7 » Building/property checks: 10
» Abandoned 911 calls: 2
» Vehicle stops, citations: 0
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0
12:02 a.m. Officers investigated a general complaint on Willow Road.
5:19 a.m. An officer investigated a report of suspicious activity on Johns
Road.
6:37 a.m. Police received the first of a series of calls about burglaries or break-ins of vehicles on Hibbard Road. Additional calls came from Kenneth Road (three), Mound Road (two), Naugus Avenue (five), Johns Road (three), Batchelder Road, Sparhawk Terrace (two), Hibbard Road (three additional) and Harbor Spray Lane.
4:54 p.m. An officer assisted at the scene of a vehicle crash on Washington and Mugford streets.
5:48 p.m. An officer spoke in the police station with a woman who had lost her wallet, apparently in the Village Plaza parking lot. The wallet had been found and handed to an officer and returned to the woman, but upon its return, the woman noticed $80 in cash was missing.
12:35 a.m. Officers investigated a report of suspicious activity on Broughton Road.
6:12 a.m. An officer investigated a disturbance reported on Front Street.
8:14 a.m. An officer investigated a report of a burglary or break-in to a vehicle on Naugus Avenue.
8:49 a.m. An officer investigated a report of a burglary or break-in to a vehicle on Hibbard Road.
2:47 p.m. An officer investigated a report of suspicious activity on Pleasant Street.
3:55 p.m. An officer investigated a report of a burglary or break-in to a vehicle on Kenneth Road.
4:40 p.m. An officer investigated a report of suspicious activity on Ruby Avenue.
4:47 p.m. An officer investigated a report of larceny from an apartment on Rowland Street. The resident told the officer that only she and her sister had keys to the unit.
9:37 p.m. Officers investigated a disturbance on Merritt Street.
1:41 a.m. Officers, firefighters and an ambulance crew responded to the scene of a vehicle crash on Lafayette and Maple streets in which a white Ford pickup truck wound up wedged deep into trees lining Lafayette Street. Upon his arrival, one of the responding officers walked around the truck and saw that the truck’s front end and front passenger side had extensive damage, its front tires were flat, and a number of tree branches were crushed or broken and wedged against the doors. The vehicle had also evidently crashed through and damaged four sections of the stockade fence of a home on Clipper Way. The truck also suffered extensive damage to its bed on the driver’s side from striking trees and the street pole at the corner of Lafayette and Maple streets, where the traffic light assembly was now leaning over. The officer also observed fresh, bright black skid marks for 10 to 20 feet, which led to the curb where the truck had left the road. Another officer photographed the scene. One officer spoke with the
Stephen and Karen Arnold
The family of Stephen Gardner Arnold and Karen Frances Arnold announces with deep sadness that they passed away within days of one another: Stephen on June 9, 2026, and Karen on June 22, 2026. Karen and Steve — or “The Girlfriend” and “The Boyfriend,” as they called one another — shared everything in life: love, marriage and family. In that way, there is comfort in believing they were called home together to continue their love story.
It all began on St. Patrick’s Day in 1983, when Steve was at a business dinner and Karen was dragged out by friends. Steve spotted Karen from across the bar and left his colleague to try to woo her. While the Arnold men were well known for their wooing abilities, Karen was not so easily swayed. Ever the romantic, Steve sent countless
notes, flowers and cards — until Karen broke up with him!
Nevertheless, he persisted, and with some encouragement from her mother, Connie, Karen decided to give him another chance. Before long, Karen came home one night with a ring and told her parents she was getting married. The story goes that her mother exclaimed, “I told you to date the guy, not marry him!”
The rest, as they say, is history. Karen and Steve were married on September 22, 1984, and shared 41 years of marriage.
Stephen Gardner Arnold
Adeline Catherine Hennigar (Dellagona), 91
Born May 3, 1935, Adeline Catherine Hennigar (Dellagona), a loving, nurturing and supportive wife, mother and Nonni, peacefully passed away on June 26 at the age of 91, surrounded by her loving family. Addie was born in Boston and lived in Fitchburg with her mother, Lucy Maffei Piccozzi, and father, Henry Dellagona, and younger sister Joanna Dellagona (deceased 2018) until her father’s premature death in 1943. Her family moved back to the North End of Boston to be surrounded by her big Italian Family — aunts, uncles and cousins.
Addie was proud to be a laboratory
Michael E. Waldman, 84
Michael E. Waldman, of Marblehead, entered into rest on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the age of 84. Son of the late Philip and Sophie (Aronow) Waldman. Mike earned his master plumbing license in 1965 and at the time was
Police
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owner of the Clipper Way home with the damaged fence, who said she had rushed outside immediately after hearing the crash and found the driver stuck inside the vehicle because the doors were crushed and blocked by branches. She called 911 and also spoke with the driver, a 32-year-old Lynn man, who explained that he had come to Marblehead because he could not sleep and decided to drive by the ocean. One officer described the driver as being “conscious, alert and oriented” when he arrived on scene. Another officer was able to speak with him once he was extricated from the vehicle. The vehicle was so deep into the tree line that the tow truck had to pull the vehicle from the area with cables before it was towed away. The driver was transported to the hospital, and he was also issued a citation.
9:27 a.m. An officer assisted at the scene of a vehicle crash on Atlantic Avenue and Hawkes Street.
1:11 p.m. Officers responded to the scene of a vehicle crash on Washington Street.
2:54 p.m. Officers responded
was born on February 21, 1954, in Fall River, to Byron Lester Arnold and Barbara McCoy Arnold. A graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, Class of 1972, he developed a lifelong love of music — especially the clarinet, which he played in the pep band at games. Although Durfee usually lost, it was always fun nonetheless. Stephen graduated from Southeastern Massachusetts University in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in English. An avid reader in his youth, Steve said that he would have loved to be a history teacher had he not gone into sales. He spent his career in retail and sales, first at CVS, followed by BJ’s Wholesale Club, Hills Department Stores, Pergament Home Centers and finally Toys “R” Us, where he retired as vice president of sales for the outdoor division.
When he was not working, Steve could be found on the golf course or with his family — his two greatest loves. He was always quick with a joke or a funny anecdote, and at an Arnold family gathering you could rest
technician in charge of the phlebotomy lab for Boston Lying In Hospital. For fun she spent time going ballroom dancing and it was how she met the love of her life Charles B Hennigar(deceased) in September 1960. They resided in Marblehead for 53 years. Addie and Charlie loved to dance together both square dancing and ballroom dancing. They also had a love for the beach and enjoyed spending winters in Naples, Florida, and always
the youngest master plumber in the state. He soon took over the family plumbing and heating business in the 1960s as a third-generation owner, and the business continues today as a fifth generation-owned family business. He was widely admired and respected by his customers and colleagues for providing compassionate and trustworthy service.
Above all else, Mike’s family meant everything to him. They were the light of his life.
to the scene of a vehicle crash on Sevinor Road and Humphrey Street.
4:57 p.m. Threats related to a neighbor dispute were reported on Londonderry Road.
2:40 a.m. Officers, firefighters and an ambulance crew responded to the scene of a vehicle crash on Beacon Street.
Upon one officer’s arrival, he noticed a black BMW on the wrong side of the road with its hazard lights on with two men standing outside of the vehicle.
In response to a question from the officer, the driver identified himself. The driver explained that he had been heading up Beacon Street outbound towards West Shore Drive.
As he was turning on the “S” bend, he accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake, causing the vehicle to hit the stone wall, which suffered no conspicuous damage. The officer observed damage to the right side of the vehicle; the front right tire was
assured that your glass would never run dry. Karen Frances (Tierney) Arnold was born on September 15, 1958, in Lockport, New York, to Leo Edward Tierney Jr., USMC, and Constance Murphy Tierney. Raised in Brockton, Karen graduated from Brockton High School in 1976. She continued her education at Aquinas Junior College in Milton, where she earned her associate degree. Karen worked for several years as a legal secretary until the birth of their first child, Andrew, in 1988, followed by Matthew in 1990.
Karen loved reading, gardening, lunch dates with friends and shopping, but most of all she loved her family. She was a marvelous homemaker and cook, although dinner often began around 9 p.m. because she loved talking while she cooked. Karen always thought of everyone before herself: cards, meals for sick neighbors, custom baby baskets for friends’ grandbabies, the occasional polo shirt and shorts from Kohl’s because, “I just had to buy it for you!” and
looked forward to their children’s and grandchildren’s visits. They had an abundance of love and patience for each other as well as their family.
Addie, Mom or Nonni as her grandchildren called her, is survived by four children, Caroline Vogel (Jim) Vogel, Lisa (Paul deceased) Callahan, Chuck (Kim) Hennigar and Joe (Kate) Hennigar; nine adored grandchildren, Anna Vogel Huth, Dieter Vogel, Joe Jr. Hennigar, Kai Hennigar, Zachary Hennigar, Christian Hennigar, Kaitlin Parthum Drandell, Christopher Parthum and Megan Parthum; and five great-grandchildren, Cooper Drandell, Charlotte Drandell, Arlo Huth, Ada Huth and Cassius Vogel, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Mom and Nonni will be deeply missed and forever loved.
Addie was an amazing Italian cook, and she loved having Sunday dinners surrounded by her family. She was kind, always willing to give a helping hand,
He is survived by his wife Joan with whom he shared 61 years of marriage; his children Jill Murtaugh, Jeffrey Waldman and Ken Waldman and his wife Elizabeth of Natick; his grandchildren, Jake, Riley and Robyn Murtaugh, Casey and Luke Waldman and James Waldman; his siblings Dr. Ellen Fields and her husband Rob of Maryland, Joseph Waldman and his wife Donna of New Jersey, and the late Marjorie Zoll and many beloved nieces and nephews.
completely deflated, all airbags were deployed, there was slight damage to the right-side bumper and scuff marks all through the right side of the vehicle, which the officer photographed. While the officer was speaking with the two men, another officer was speaking with a retired police officer who lives near the crash scene, though the officer did not mention having witnessed the crash itself. The vehicle was towed, and the two men were picked up by the driver’s mother.
10:27 a.m. An officer was dispatched to Farrell Court to speak with a man about a stolen grill. Upon the officer’s arrival, the man brought the officer back to the common area in Farrell Court to show him the spot from which his grill had been taken. The man was unsure when he had last seen the grill. He noted there had been a lock on it, which had been cut off.
6:45 p.m. An officer spoke in the police station lobby with an intern at a local insurance company who had fallen prey to a scam. The intern had received an email, purportedly from his boss, stating that the boss needed his cell phone number, which the intern provided. The intern then received a text
so much more. She tried so hard to make everything beautiful for everyone.
Stephen and Karen are survived by their sons, Andrew Arnold and his wife, Claire Symanski, of Holbrook, and Matthew Arnold and his wife, Holly Cameron, of Marblehead; Karen’s siblings, Kathy Cogliano of Plymouth, and Kevin Tierney of Brockton; Steve’s siblings, Mark Arnold and his wife, Jill, of Jacksonville, Florida, and Terri Arnold of Fall River; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews and six beloved grandkitties.
They also leave behind many beloved friends, including Fred Hurley; Susan and Tim McMullen; Cheryl and Robin Sampson; Joe and Peggy Lancelotti; and so many others. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, July 11, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Marblehead. A private burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Stephen and Karen’s memory may be made to an animal shelter of your choice.
and loved her family immensely. Addie enjoyed many years as a kindergarten aid at Glover School, volunteering at the Our Lady Star of the Sea teaching CCD, being a member of the Harbor Women’s Club as well as chauffeuring and attending countless dance recitals, baseball, hockey, softball, lacrosse, soccer and basketball games, paintball tournaments and karate demonstrations.
The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers of The Residence at Vinnin Square, Compassion Care Hospice and Patriarch Healthcare for the extraordinary care, dignity and comfort they provided Addie and her family.
A Catholic funeral Mass will be on Friday July 10, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave, Marblehead. Private burial will follow the Mass for the family. For more information or online guestbook, please visit MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.
His funeral service was held at Stanetsky-Hymanson Memorial Chapel, 10 Vinnin St., Salem, on Sunday, July 5. Burial was at Shirat Hayam Cemetery, Beth El Section, Lowell Street, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
For more information or to register in the online guestbook, please visit stanetskyhymansonsalem.com.
message — again, purportedly from the boss — instructing him that he needed four $250 Sephora gift cards for their staff. The intern went to Stop & Shop in Swampscott and bought the gift cards and texted the information on one of them to the fake boss before contacting his employer and learning that it was a scam. The intern had not sent the other three gift cards to the scammer and had already contacted Sephora to initiate the process of getting the money refunded. The officer photographed the gift cards to accompany his report.
Wednesday, June 17
» Alarms: 1
» Building/property checks: 6
» Abandoned 911 calls: 3
» Vehicle stops, citations: 1
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 2
7:58 a.m. Officers helped defuse a road rage incident that unfolded in front of the police station on Gerry Street and Atlantic Avenue. When one officer arrived, he could hear two men yelling at each other. He asked one of the men to come speak with him while two other officers spoke with the other man. When the
officer asked the man what had happened, the man replied, “Nothing happened.” The officer asked why he was yelling at the other man, and the man said the other driver had pulled over and started yelling at him first. The officer asked what had precipitated the confrontation, and the man continued to insist that nothing had happened. The other officers learned that the incident had begun when the other man was dropping his children off at school, during which the other man began yelling at him and proceeded to follow him. Once the officers intervened, the two men returned to their vehicles and went their separate ways.
1:08 p.m. An officer investigated a report of larceny, forgery or fraud on Pleasant Street.
1:24 p.m. An officer investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle that turned out to be a crash on Ocean Avenue.
1:52 p.m. An officer assisted at the scene of a vehicle crash on Humphrey Street and Broughton Road.
2:47 p.m. An officer assisted at the scene of a vehicle crash on Shorewood Road and West Shore Drive.
