07.16.2025 – Volume 3, Issue 34

IN THIS ISSUE

SAILING

STAYCATION

SPORTS

A recordbreaking finish to the Halifax race

Local summer camps are bustling

Rounding the bases with the Seasiders

Page 3

Page 10

NONPROFIT ORG PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

MARBLEHEAD, MA PERMIT NO. 25

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NEWS FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT.

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JULY 16, 2025

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FIRST WAVE

Starting this edition, the Current will choose five facts each week to highlight.

VOLUME 3, ISSUE NO. 34

1

The trash strike entered its third week Monday with the Transfer Station handling double usual traffic. Page 1.

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MARBLEHEADCURRENT.ORG

2

The town lists more than $4 million in jeopardy after voters reject zoning changes. Page 1.

3 Marblehead schools may lose

nearly $70,000 in federal education funding. Page 2.

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ON SOCIAL @MHDCURRENT

social justice new record 5 The 4 Local advocate Judy for the Marblehead

Gates joined the Peace Corps at 65. Page 9.

to Halifax race is 28 hours, 2 minutes and 56 seconds. Page 10.

TRASH TALK

Town provides updates on trash strike

BY LEIGH BLANDER The trash strike hitting Marblehead and 13 other North Shore communities entered its third week Monday, with Republic Services and striking Teamsters scheduled to meet for another round of negotiations on Tuesday. The strike began July 1.

Marblehead Public Health Director Andrew Petty answered questions from residents and the Board of Health Thursday night. Republic has two trucks

with replacement workers collecting trash MondaySaturday in Marblehead; however, many residents report their trash has not been picked up.

“Marblehead has close to 300 streets. It’s 4 square miles and very densely populated,” Petty said. “It becomes complicated for the drivers.”

He urges residents whose trash is not picked up to call or email the Health Department, so he can add their address to the missed-street list.

Republic Services and striking workers were expected to meet Tuesday, as the work stoppage entered its third week

“It has been extremely difficult,” Petty said. “We have suspended service for recycling, and we’re just concentrating on trash collection. That is the greatest health concern.”

People who don’t drive or are handicapped can contact the Health Department for assistance in getting their trash to the Transfer Station.

Thursday night, Petty clarified that residents should leave their trash out if it is not picked up.

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

TRASH, P. 2

FROM HARBOR TO STATE HOUSE

Teen testifies in support of lobstering COURTESY PHOTO

Peighton Ridge testifies in support of lobstermen at the State House with lawmakers Sen. Patrick O’Connor, R-Weymouth, and Rep. Jennifer Armini of Marblehead.

COURTESY PHOTO / DAN DIXEY

Peighton Ridge has been working on his grandfather’s lobster boat for years.

BY LEIGH BLANDER Peighton Ridge, 19, has spent many summers lobstering with her grandfather on his boat, the Donald.

That made her especially qualified to testify at a State House hearing on July 8.

“I shared my first-hand experience lobstering,” Ridge told the Current. “I explained my day and the impact we have on our community.”

The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries is debating a bill that would support lobstermen during the months they are prohibited from working (February to mid-May) due to right whale conservation. The bill, H.110, would pay lobstermen $1 per trap per week. The fund is time limited to three years. The goal is to get more lobstermen to become incorporated (paying into unemployment) so they can then apply for benefits, according to Marblehead state Rep. Jenny Armini.

Ridge, who graduated from

Marblehead High in 2023, is studying psychology and pre-law at Boston University. In the summers, though, she gets up early to help her grandfather, Jeff Flynn, on his lobster boat.

“I bait the traps and band the lobsters, pull the traps to the back of the boat… do any of the cleaning,” she said. “It’s my grandfather’s job to check the lobsters, gauge them and steer the boat.”

Ridge loves the time on the boat with her grandfather.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very hard job at times,” she said. “I just love getting to spend more time with my grandfather and be out on the water. I feel like I appreciate Marblehead so much more, getting to see the sunrise and everything.”

This summer, Ridge also has an internship with Armini at the State House. Armini suggested that Ridge testify.

“Peighton’s perspective and TEEN, P. 7

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Officials: 3A noncompliance puts $4.6M in limbo

BY WILL DOWD The Select Board was expected to meet Tuesday, July 14, at noon to discuss appealing to state officials for leniency after Marblehead voters repealed MBTA Communities Act zoning changes, putting more than $4.6 million in grants at risk.

“We are discussing, you know, potential correspondence with the appropriate officials at the state level, which I’m

anticipating would be the governor and attorney general,” Select Board Chair Dan Fox said. “We plan to discuss our situation and what we’ve done and to appeal to them to consider our unique situation.”

That situation came on July 8 following voters’ rejection of multifamily zoning requirements by a margin of 3,642 to 3,297.

The town faces the potential loss of $1.28 million in alreadyawarded (but not yet contracted)

state grants for projects including shipyard resilience, MBTA safety improvements and community celebrations, plus another $354,792 in contracted grants — money already committed for infrastructure and planning projects that may be reconsidered due to noncompliance.

Additional pending grant applications worth more than $3 million for projects including historic preservation, Rail Trail

improvements and downtown planning are also at risk, Kezer said.

“It’s not just about the money, it’s about the benefits of the projects that this money is for,” Kezer said. “That’s the real impact on the community.”

Contracted grants potentially in jeopardy include Mass Work funding for the Five Corners redesign project, a community planning grant for the master plan and municipal fiber

Be sure to visit MarbleheadCurrent.org for all the latest news.

network phase three funding for expansion to the neck.

Kezer warned that the town’s noncompliance could force it to forgo an $11.6 million federal port infrastructure development program grant because Marblehead would need to provide a $1.1 million local match previously covered by state funding.

The town also risks losing

This summer, there will be special content online that does not appear in print. Be sure to check it out!

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3A, P. 5

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2 Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Marblehead Current

FEDERAL FUNDING

Schools may lose $68K due to Trump cuts

BY LEIGH BLANDER

programs » $10,000 for student support

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

Superintendent John Robidoux is taking a wait and see approach to threatened federal cuts.

Marblehead Public Schools may be affected by federal education grant cuts announced by the Trump administration.

In fiscal year 2025, Marblehead received nearly $1 million in federal education funds.

The following are now in jeopardy, according to Assistant Superintendent of Finance Mike Pfifferling: » $39,930 for supporting effective instruction » $17,921 for English Learner

and academic enrichments “Based on 2025 awards, it could be as much as $68,000 in lost grant funding to the Marblehead Public Schools for this new year (started 7/1/25),” Pfifflering wrote in an email.

“We are meeting as an admin team to discuss the possible impacts that this may have,” said Superintendent John Robidoux.

“Much like earlier declarations from Washington, we will ensure that we have accurate information before

we make any wholesale changes to how we operate. This will be an ongoing dialogue, I am sure.”

In a statement, Gov. Maura Healey condemned the Trump Administration for what it called an “unprecedented” withholding of billions of dollars in education funding across the country, including $108 million for Massachusetts schools.

The statement noted that the annual funding had already been appropriated by the U.S. Congress, states were expected to receive it on July 1.

CHAIR

Bob Peck NEWSROOM Editor - Leigh Blander

lblander@marbleheadnews.org

Community Editor - Will Dowd wdowd@marbleheadnews.org

Consulting Editor - Kris Olson kolson@marbleheadnews.org

Sports Reporter Joe McConnell

jmcconnell@marbleheadnews.org

Interns

Benji Boyd Grey Collins CONTRIBUTORS

NEWS IN BRIEF

Stephen Bach Linda Bassett Nicole Goodhue-Boyd Laurie Fullerton James (Seamus) Hourihan Christine McCarriston Eyal Oren Pam Peterson Chris Stevens

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

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Virginia Buckingham - President Gene Arnould Brian Birke Cheryl Byrne Bob Peck Donna Rice David Vigneron Richard Weed - Treasurer

Artists to create pop-up sculpture installation at Goldthwait beach Artistic design team Jeremy Barnett and Jason Maracani will create their third public art pop-up sculpture installation in Marblehead on July 19 and 20 at Goldthwait Reservation Beach.

The pop-up art, designed by Marblehead native Barnett and his New York-based creative partner Maracani, uses a series of serpentine arches, coils and curves to rise over the ocean’s edge. Within a 12-hour period, a wooden sculpture over 100 feet long will be constructed on Saturday, July 19, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The artists are committed to the principle that public art should be accessible and interactive. The public is encouraged to watch the construction process and to have conversations with the artists about their work and about public art throughout the building process.

The public is invited to celebrate the completion of the work with a sunset viewing on July 19 at 8 p.m., followed by a beach-side campfire at 8:30 p.m. beneath the sculpture with roasting marshmallows provided.

The sculpture will remain in place on Sunday, July 20, and will be removed from the beach Monday morning, July 21.

In addition to their work in Marblehead, Barnett and Maracani have constructed public art throughout the American Midwest, Iceland, Portugal, Scotland, Spain and Thailand.

Goldthwait Reservation Beach is located on Goldthwait Road off of Atlantic Avenue in Marblehead.

For more information about Barnett, visit jeremybarnett. com. For more information about Maracani, visit jasonmaracani. com. For more information about Goldthwait Reservation, visit goldthwait.org.

NEWS FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT.

COURTESY PHOTO / THOMSON COMMUNICATIONS

Courtesy photo

Artistic design team, Marblehead native Jeremy Barnett (left) and New York-based Jason Maracani, return to Marblehead on Saturday, July 19, to construct a 100-foot pop-up sculpture on Goldthwait Reservation Beach within an amazing 12-hour period. This will be the team’s third installation in Marblehead and its second at Goldthwait.

Michael Christian has been appointed to the Northeast Arc board of directors.

transformer deliveries,” according to MMLD documents presented to the Select Board.

Marblehead resident joins Northeast Arc board

CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

A 450-ton crane carefully hoisted one of two massive transformers into place at Marblehead’s Village 13 substation on June 27, 2024. Each transformer weighed about 100,000 pounds. New switchgear sections, set to arrive in mid-July, will expand substation capacity and enable future battery storage.

MMLD to restrict parking for massive switchgear deliveries Marblehead Municipal Light Department will implement temporary parking restrictions and road closures July 16-18 as five oversized tractor-trailers deliver electrical switchgear equipment to the Village 13 substation, marking the next phase of a $10 million infrastructure upgrade project.

The new switchgear acts like a giant electrical control panel, helping the substation safely manage and distribute power to homes and businesses. Their deliveries will follow the same route used for transformer

installations in June 2024, beginning at Tedesco Country Club and proceeding down Tedesco Street to Humphrey Street, Pleasant Street and Bessom Street before entering the Rail Trail near the Marblehead Animal Shelter.

Each trailer measures 78 feet long, 14.25 feet wide and weighs 60 tons, carrying sections of what will become a 60-by-30foot single-story metal building when assembled on site. The equipment was ordered in October 2022 and manufactured to custom MMLD specifications in Canton, Ohio.

“The switchgear deliveries will be wider loads than last summer’s

Northeast Arc, a not-for-profit organization that helps children and adults with disabilities and autism become full participants in the community, has elected Michael Christian of Marblehead to its board of directors.

Christian is the board president of Someone Else’s Child Inc., a position he has held for nearly 25 years. The foundation supports youth causes throughout the United States, Africa and Central America with areas of emphasis including education, the arts, youth living with disabilities, economic justice and collective action efforts. He is also the managing partner for Community Impact Ventures, a venture capital impact fund that provides financial support to social entrepreneurs and for-profit companies that have missions similar to that of Someone Else’s Child.

“We’ve known Northeast Arc for several years and financially supported the launch of its innovative Pathways to Opportunities program,” said Christian. “It is one of the most impactful initiatives we have supported. Everyone at Northeast Arc is dedicated to and focused on the mission. They are devoted to the people they serve, and I look forward to contributing as a board member for this outstanding organization.”

EDITORIAL BOARD

Brian Birke Virginia Buckingham Kris Olson Will Dowd Bob Peck Joseph P. Kahn DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Kathryn Whorf FOUNDERS

Jessica Barnett Ed Bell Leigh Blander Will Dowd David Moran Kris Olson DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

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IN MEMORIAM

Ed Bell, co-founder, co-chair (2022-2025)

Trash From P. 1

Once trash is collected, residents should bring their empty barrels back inside.

The Transfer Station is open to all Marblehead residents during the strike.

The hours are 7:30 a.m.-3:25 p.m. MondaySaturday. It is closed 12-1 p.m. each day.

Typically, Republic delivers all the trash it collects in Marblehead to the Transfer Station.

All recycling picked up, however, is carted away and sold.

Now, the Transfer Station is being inundated with recycling brought in by residents.

Petty said the Transfer Station sees about 1,000 cars on a busy day. During the strike, that number has doubled.

Resident Jonathan Lederman asked whether the Transfer Station could hire extra workers and extend its hours during the strike. Petty said those weren’t good options.

Sneaking in Petty expressed concern that non-residents are sneaking into the Transfer Station during the strike. Member Tom McMahon was at the

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CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER

Board of Health members receive an update on the trash strike. They are, from left, Dr. Amanda Ritvo, Dr. Thomas Massaro and Tom McMahon.

Transfer Station Saturday, making sure only residents entered.

He encouraged people to settle into the idea of the strike and roll up their sleeves.

“Assume that this strike is ongoing. If you didn’t have trash service ever again, what would you do?” he asked. “Get your hands dirty. We need a little more self-reliance and helping your neighbor… and then we cruise through this.”

McMahon said his 78-year-old mother is bringing her trash to the Transfer Station.

Money back?

Republic charges about $20,000 a week for

curbside trash and recycling collection. Asked whether it will reimburse the town for weeks missed during the strike, Petty said he hadn’t looked into that yet.

The town’s contract with Republic ends in September 2026, and Petty has started meeting with new companies.

“We want to have a contract resolved this fall, so trucks can be built for 2026,” he said.

The town will likely move to automated trash collection (with trucks that have robot arms to pick up barrels), with each residence allowed one trash and one recycling barrel, according to Petty.

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Marblehead Current Wednesday, July 16, 2025 3

STAYCATION

Local summer camps in full swing

Marblehead is home to several summer camps where hundreds of kids spend their days sailing, swimming, playing sports, creating art, and more. Check out all the fun in this photo gallery! More photos, Page 8.

Camp Simchah at the JCC features several sports, including tennis, lacrosse and soccer.

The Y’s Children’s Island has been attracting campers for decades.

Young scientists get their hands dirty at the JCC’s Camp Simchah.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Sailing is a popular camp run through Rec & Parks.

The outdoor pool at the JCC is a great way for KinderCampers there to keep cool.

The JCC’s splash pad offers camp sweet relief from the heat.

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Opinion EDITORIAL

Living history lessons and those who teach them As the longest continuously active association in the New England States Veterans Fireman’s League since 1894, the Okos compete in eight summer musters from Maine to Connecticut. Their recent testing of the 1861 hand-pumped engine Okonmamakamesit at Redd’s Pond demonstrates the team’s commitment to maintaining competitive readiness, not simply displaying antique equipment.

Hand tub competitions require physical strength, coordination and teamwork. Teams pump furiously to generate water pressure that can spray streams hundreds of feet, continuing a sport that emerged when steam engines replaced manual pumpers for actual firefighting in the late 1800s. The Okos have earned the best competitive record among Marblehead’s handpumping teams through decades of dedicated training and participation.

While the Okos maintain an active group, they operate with a small core of dedicated members. Families like the Bartletts continue traditions spanning generations, but the team would benefit from additional participants to strengthen their competitive edge and share the responsibilities of maintaining equipment and traveling to musters across New England.

The Okos demonstrate that community traditions thrive through active participation rather than passive preservation. Their continued success in regional competition proves that historical practices remain vibrant and relevant when supported by committed participants.

Marblehead residents interested in joining a competitive team with deep local roots should consider the Okos. This tradition continues because people actively participate, not simply because it exists. To learn more, visit bit.ly/469NE1a.

Another cherished tradition, the Glover’s Regiment reenactors and their replica 18th-century camp at Fort Sewall, is on sabbatical this summer. By no means, though, is it taking a prolonged break during what promises to be a glorious, year-long celebration of our nation’s founding.

Indeed, as we roll toward the 250th anniversary of Independence Day on July 4, 2026, and with it the 50th birthday of the regiment’s harborside camp, its presence in our community takes on even more meaning and purpose than ever. Also, it could be argued, more relevance to current events and what we hope are (and remain) bedrock American values of equity and inclusion.

“Our primary mission is education, and we strive to fulfill that mission,” says regiment captain Larry Sands, a 35-year veteran of the troupe, who joined a small group of Marbleheaders during Gloucester’s June 21-22 reenactment of the 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill. Other recent 250th anniversary events in Salem, Lexington, Concord and Arlington have also drawn Marblehead reenactors and their supporters.

Noting the diverse makeup of John Glover’s original militia — which, virtually unheard of at the time, included free and enslaved Blacks, Native Americans and Jews, all “unified in their belief in a cause greater than themselves,” as popular historian Patrick K. Connell once wrote — Sands says there’s a lesson in that, too.

“I hesitate to call it DEI, but we were a diverse group,” he says. “And we enjoy the fact that we can display some of this history as it was back then, when it was not just old white men serving in the military.”

At a time when our military leaders in Washington seem intent on purging so-called “wokeness” from their ranks, and officers of color are summarily removed from positions of high command, that should qualify as more than a footnote to how America fought for and won its independence — and who did the fighting when the call to arms was sounded.

For Glover’s Regiment reenactors, the calendar ahead includes a minicamp in Fort Sewall Park this September, part of the Marblehead 250 festivities, and trips to other sites — notably where Gen. George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River, thanks largely to the heroics of his Marblehead oarsmen, and won the pivotal Battle of Trenton.

As always, regimental leaders welcome new recruits to their ranks, women and children very much included.

Why not consider it this year, if you’re so inclined?

For further information on Glover’s Regiment, go to gloversregiment.org. Larry Sands can be reached at captain@gloversregiment.org.

And if picking up a musket isn’t your thing, at least pause to salute — and support — those who do. They’re not only making history come alive. They’re making it fun, too.

MONEY MATTERS

The million-dollar question: How much do you really need to retire?

BY EMILY PROMISE

If you’ve ever wondered how much you need to retire, you’re not alone.

If you Google this question, you’ll find a wide range of answers. So, how much do you need to retire?

Some sources suggest that $500,000 might be enough, while others claim that $1.26 million is the new “magic number” for retirement in 2025. So, which is it?

The truth is, neither Google nor AI can give you a one-size-fits-all answer — because retirement planning is deeply personal. Your ideal retirement number depends on many individual factors, and what works for someone else may not work for you. Retirement isn’t just about covering the basics like housing, food and healthcare. It’s also about your desired lifestyle.

Do you envision traveling the world, picking up new hobbies or helping fund your grandchildren’s education? These choices significantly impact how much you’ll need. For some people, $1 million may be more than enough to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

For others, particularly those living in high-cost areas or with expensive tastes, $10 million might still feel tight. This is where working through your own personal situation becomes invaluable — your vision for retirement will be translated into real numbers.

Several key factors influence how much you will need to retire comfortably, including: the age you wish to retire, your expenses, both necessities and desires, and the type of assets you retire on. The earlier you retire, the longer your savings need to last. Retiring at 55 requires a much larger nest egg than retiring at 70 because you’ll have more years to fund without a paycheck.

Not all assets are created equal. Some people retire with the bulk of their wealth in retirement accounts like Individual Retirement Accounts and 401(k)s, while others rely on brokerage accounts, real estate or even rental income. The types of assets you hold — and how accessible they are — play a big role in your retirement plan. This relates to the tax nature of the different assets — which is a whole separate conversation!

It’s wise to overestimate your expenses and underestimate your asset pool.

Another often-overlooked aspect is whether you want to leave a financial legacy. The popular book “Die With Zero” by Bill Perkins encourages people to spend their wealth while they’re alive, aiming to maximize life experiences instead of accumulating money for the sake of leaving an inheritance. But that philosophy isn’t for everyone. Many families still place a high value on leaving something behind for their children, grandchildren or charitable causes. Your personal beliefs about legacy will influence how much you save, how you spend and how you pass on your wealth.

In previous generations, many workers could count on employer-provided pensions to fund a significant portion of their retirement. Today, pensions are increasingly rare. The shift to 401(k)s and other selffunded accounts means the responsibility to save and invest wisely has fallen squarely on the shoulders of individuals.

This new reality makes careful retirement planning more important than ever.

So, how can you figure out your own “magic number” for retirement? Start with these simple steps. » First, determine your estimated annual expenses. » Next, envision what you want your retirement to look like — your lifestyle, activities and goals. – Finally, identify areas where you could be flexible or make adjustments if needed.

A word of caution: be conservative with your estimates. It’s wise to overestimate your expenses and underestimate your asset pool. You’d rather have more than enough than risk falling short, especially if you live longer than expected.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Emily Promise is president of Blakely Financial, a Marblehead native and the new financial columnist for the Current.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Resident thanks Transfer Station employees for patience To the editor: I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the employees of the Transfer Station. The last couple of weeks have been incredibly hard on the men and women. They have been nothing but helpful and kind and displayed the patience of multiple saints.

Remember … patience is a virtue.

Thank you, thank you.

Mary McCarriston Pinecliff Drive

Marblehead referendum challenges Town Meeting primacy To the editor: So. In the words of the celebrated political prankster Dick Tuck, upon learning that he polled less than 10% in California’s 1966 primary for state senate, “The people have spoken.”

Tuck famously used some additional words to describe his unconvinced electorate, but what did “they” say? To get a plurality of Marblehead voters by unearthing a never-before-used law that is older than most voters and reverses the settled 951-759 decision of Town Meeting was a kind of achievement.

In the words of the little red door hangers which blossomed like a rash on our Marblehead body politic over the holiday weekend, “Why is this on the ballot?”

Blaming “deep-pocketed real estate developers” barely concealed the refusal to take “yes” for an answer.

We cannot know what the state’s response will be, but it cannot be nothing. In that sense, “no” on 3A may ultimately turn out to be “yes” with bells on. For example, should the state Supreme Judicial Court follow the precedent already usefully set for us by Milton and reject Marblehead’s desperate plea to be considered as special, what could prevent a new, possibly more extensive, zoning ordinance being imposed from Boston under the 3A rule? Of course, the changes could be delayed by lawsuits, paid for by the taxpayer and pursued as promised by this tenacious team of “winners.”

Perhaps the greatest challenge for the people of Marblehead lies not in the result of the referendum but in fact that it took place. For the first time since the town was granted its independence from Salem in 1648, the primacy of Town Meeting as the legislative body has been challenged and overturned. The committee now drafting a written constitution for Marblehead will have to take this into account.

We may not like where we are, and we may even come to think we have been blinded by a string of false promises, but there is no going back.

Rhod Sharp Franklin Street​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

MFoA Performing Arts Committee thanks community To the editor: The Marblehead Festival of Arts

Performing Arts Committee would like to thank the many people and community members that helped us present performing arts concerts at Crocker Park during our 59th Festival. As always, our lineup required an incredible amount of assistance, and we’d like to acknowledge the tremendous support received this year.

Thanks to all of the performers who were great to work with and really gave us their all for these tremendous shows. To the Festival volunteers who always enthusiastically do their part, specifically the sound and lights crew, without whom we could not do the gig, including Claude Richardson, Todd Rocco, Cory Monahan, Rick Burke, Alex Burke, Eva Burke and Lawrence Habin plus our in-house pros, Bobby Abruzzesse and Brody Pazol from Canvas Audio Entertainment for making it all look and sound so good. To our internship program coordinator, John Krivit, and our amazing 2025 student interns continuing the 25-year tradition of education, very hard work and lots of laughs.

Special thanks to Michael Dynice and WRG for wonderful lighting design.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the following local restaurants for their donations to feed our performers. As always, we invite you to visit these giving members of our community and when you do, thank them for their donations to this years’ Festival: The Landing (Rob), Three Cod Tavern (Chip), Evan’s Deli (Evan), Marblehead LETTERS, P. 7

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Marblehead Current Wednesday, July 16, 2025 5

BACKPACKS AND HOPE

SPUR prepares kids in need for school

BY GREY COLLINS Summer may be less than half over, but volunteers at the Marblehead nonprofit SPUR are already hard at work collecting school supplies for more than 600 students in need in Marblehead, Swampscott and Lynn.

With the help of volunteers and sponsors, SPUR will provide students from low-income families with backpacks filled with pencils, crayons and more.

Kim Nothnagel, director of SPUR’s communications and community relations, believes that these students often don’t have an equal opportunity to thrive in academic environments because they lack access to quality school supplies, and that this drive gives them an equal shot at success.

“For the kids that get these backpacks, it’s a chance to fit in,” she said.

SPUR purchased school supplies, which were delivered

COURTESY PHOTO

SPUR volunteers and sponsors are collecting backpacks and school supplies for students in need here in Marblehead, as well as Salem and Swampscott.

to their Anderson Street office last week.

“Our offices are absolutely bursting with boxes of Crayola crayons and three-ring binders, and notebooks, index cards and backpacks, and all that good

stuff,” Nothnagel said.

Now, SPUR is asking for community members to consider sponsoring students.

“If you go on our website (spurnorthshore.org) , you can see a button on the top that

says sponsor a student, and that shows you all the different ways you can sponsor.”

They are also talking to social service providers to get a specific number of students for the drive this year. On July 21, volunteers

will meet at SPUR to fill the 600 backpacks with school supplies for the fall.

This project has been long in the making. It began all the way back in February, when SPUR began contacting vendors to get school supplies.

“Even though we’re talking about crayons for the first of September, we need to figure out how to get them more than six months before that,” Nothnagel said.

This drive has been a tradition at SPUR for almost a decade.

Nothnagel believes that making school supplies accessible to these 600 low-income students is making a huge difference, and that it gives them a real chance to succeed.

“This is a chance for them to feel just as deserving as all the other kids in that classroom to succeed and to thrive and to learn,” she said. “So when you sponsor a backpack, you’re not just giving pencils and crayons, you’re giving a kid a chance to thrive.”

LIVING HISTORY

Ancient mulberry tree stands as witness to Marblehead history

BY GREY COLLINS For three centuries, one gnarled old tree has stood guard over the people of Marblehead.

It watched as local men marched off to cross the Delaware River and build a new nation. It provided shade as fishermen worked to grow their town from a tiny fishing village into a bustling suburb. Through endless change, hardship and growth, countless generations of Marbleheaders have lived and died under its presence.

At about 60 feet tall, with a 7-foot wide base, this tree still stands tall at 5 Pond St., watching over and giving shade to another generation of Marbleheaders.

Jim Kelliher, an arborist who has been taking care of Marblehead trees for more than 30 years, believes this tree is the oldest in all of Marblehead.

“I’d say that this tree is a few centuries old,” Kelliher said.

He approached and reverently placed his hand on the thick trunk, as if he was feeling for a wooden pulse, or trying to connect to its ancient past.

Kelliher explained how he could tell its relative age through visual inspection. Looking at the extent of stress growth — which occurs in the trunks of old trees — can help arborists determine

3A

From P. 1 eligibility for future grants, including $2.98 million for Village Street bridge reconstruction. While that project sits on the state’s Transportation Improvement Plan’s “conveyor belt,” Kezer said the question remains whether the Metropolitan Planning Organization will remove noncompliant communities from consideration.

Pending state grant applications at risk include: » Funding for the Abbot Hall attic and accessibility project worth just under $1 million for historic preservation storage spaces. » $866,000 for Rail Trail improvements » Additional funding for State Street Landing resilience

the approximate age.

“We can tell the age from the tree’s stress growth and the diameter,” he explained. “A tree

will tell you its whole life story if you’re looking at it.”

The distinctive markings on the trunk tell the story of

decades of adaptation and survival.

“You can see all of these gnarled ridges on the tree trunk, that’s called stress response growth,” Kelliher explained. “It happens when the tree grows to manage weight and stress over time.”

Due to its advanced age, this tree has lots of stress growth, giving it a gnarled and ancient appearance. The asymmetrical development reflects the tree’s long battle with natural forces.

While Kelliher can determine the approximate age of the tree from its appearance, it’s not possible to find out the exact date when it was planted without a boring test, which would drill into the tree trunk to discover the exact age.

The white mulberry tree species originated in China and was often cultivated to feed silkworms in the commercial production of silk. Cultivation of the white mulberry tree began about 4,700 years ago.

They are known for their sweet and edible berries, which have been used to make jam and wine. The bark and leaves of the tree have also frequently been used for medicinal purposes.

The seed that sprouted this tree was likely brought by a boat from England in the early 1700s.

The white mulberry tree

design, Americans with Disabilities Act projects and downtown planning initiatives.

Select Board member Moses Grader emphasized that the town should continue pursuing critical infrastructure projects regardless of funding uncertainties.

“I think we ought to continue that effort,” Grader said. “Rather than looking to state funding, I think you know, if, if it’s not available, we have to determine that we go before the town of Marblehead and assess, you know, what kind of debt capacity we have to get these projects going.”

During public comment, resident Yael Magen, who helped lead the repeal effort, called for unity following the divisive referendum campaign and urged the board to seek alternatives to full compliance.

“I think at this time, what we

really should do as a town — as a Select Board — is really listen to the constituents,” Magen said.

“Listen to what many residents have asked to do, whether it’s to ask for an exception, an exemption. Negotiate with the state.”

Former Select Board member John Whipple defended the board’s efforts to maintain state compliance.

“I think it’s highly unfortunate that some people are questioning the board’s motives in public meetings and social media,” Whipple said. “I am confident from just what I’ve seen you do, that you’ve been trying to keep the town out of trouble by enabling the town the chance to stay in compliance with state law.”

Whipple acknowledged the town’s precarious position, saying “We almost are in a situation where we have to throw ourselves on the mercy of

the Attorney General.”

Voters rejected Article 23 by a margin of 3,642 to 3,297, a difference of 345 votes out of 6,939 ballots cast from 16,732 registered voters.

Resident Albert Jordan expressed broader concerns about municipal spending and hiring amid the financial uncertainty, noting recent increases in water and sewer bills and ongoing trash collection issues.

“We’re going to pay a lot of money for litigation,” Jordan said. “I really don’t think we’re going to succeed, but I just really think you’ve got to really take it into consideration before we keep hiring, we’re hiring all these people.”

Community Development Director Brendan Callahan attended the meeting to help explain the grant impacts.

Kezer said the town continues searching for additional grants

CURRENT PHOTO / GREY COLLINS

Jim Kelliher, a Marblehead arborist, rests his hand on the massive trunk of a centuries-old white mulberry tree on Pond Street. Believed to be the oldest tree in Marblehead, it has stood for more than 300 years.

has a relatively short lifespan compared to other species of trees. They usually live for less than a century, but can survive for much longer in the right conditions.

“These trees are only supposed to live for decades, but this tree is a few centuries old,” Kelliher said.

The white mulberry tree is also very fast growing and usually can grow about 5 feet per year in its youth. However, this growth slows down with age.

Despite the tree’s advanced age and its ancient appearance, Kelliher says it’s still relatively healthy. The tree shows signs of continued vitality despite its centuries-long existence.

“If you see these bulges and columns like these in the trunk, that means that there’s growth inside the tree,” he said, pointing at spots along the tree’s base.

The tree also helps itself survive by “entrenching,” or dropping unnecessary branches when it becomes too big and unsustainable. This helps it preserve energy and stay alive.

“It’s like self pruning,” Kelliher said.

Passersby can spot the white mulberry tree from the street and take pride in the fact that the same tree that witnessed the birth of the nation still watches over the town today.

that may be affected as state agencies update eligibility requirements.

The MBTA Communities Act requires 177 cities and towns served by or adjacent to MBTA transit to create zoning districts where multifamily housing can be built without special permits. The Healey-Driscoll Administration reported that 139 communities have achieved compliance.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell told WGBH Radio recently that she was “disappointed” in Marblehead’s vote and has a “responsibility to enforce the law,” though her office has not specified what enforcement actions it may take.

The Select Board has not announced specific next steps regarding compliance efforts or grant preservation strategies.

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6 Wednesday, July 16, 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

Recycled regatta Friday, July 18, 4:30 p.m.

The Recycled Regatta is a hands-on competition for kids and community members at Stramski’s Park. The challenge is to repurpose and use recycled material to build a seaworthy sailboat and race to victory! Boats may compete in two races: speed and seaworthiness. Entry fee is $8. * 4:30 p.m. Life vest checks with harbormaster * 5:00 p.m. Entry and dimension check-In * 5:30 p.m.

Regatta races and awards Visit https://loom.ly/O_IVp7U to register through the Park & Recs Department.

Musical story time Monday, July 21, 6:30-7:15 p.m.

Join Dara VanRemoortel for a summer evening musical storytime program in the courtyard at Abbot Library. (The program will move indoors if the weather is bad.) Dara will weave stories through an assortment of seasonal songs and creative movement. Bring a blanket. The program is designed for ages 2-5, and online registration is required at tinyurl. com/Summer-Dara.

Realistic painting in watercolor Thursday, July 17, 9 a.m.-noon

Join award-winning artist and Marblehead Arts Association member Todd Zalewski as he teaches about the tools and techniques in creating realistic

watercolor paintings. In this six-week class, Zalewski will demonstrate the following techniques: dry-brush, wet on wet, gouache on toned paper, and the use of masking fluid/tape as paint restrictor. Learn more and register at marbleheadarts.org. MAA members: $225 | non-members: $250

Drop-in tech help Tuesday, July 22, 3-5 p.m.

Bring your devices to Abbot Public Library for personal, one-on-one tech help with Theresa Milewski. All tech and computer questions are welcome, from troubleshooting to operation tips to general tech advice. Milewski helps people of all ages navigate their devices.

Owner of All Computers Great and Small, Milewski is a patient computer tutor with 30-plus years of experience with tech. No registration required.

Summah Readin’ Roadtrip Wednesday, July 23, 2-4 p.m.

National Book Award finalist and TED speaker Jarrett J. Krosoczka comes to Abbot Library as a part of his Summah Readin’ Roadtrip. Known for his engaging storytelling and impactful illustrations, Krosoczka will present a multimedia presentation on his creative journey and the process he takes to create his award-winning books. During the program, Krosoczka will share insights into his creative process, discuss the importance of storytelling and encourage library patrons to explore their own creativity. No registration required.

HISTORY IN STONE

Peterson publishes field guide to Marblehead burial grounds

BY WILL DOWD A single museum presentation sparked historian Pam Peterson’s years-long journey through Marblehead’s 13 historic cemeteries. What began as a basic presentation on them evolved into the first comprehensive book on these burial grounds.

Peterson’s new book — “A Guide to Historic Burial Grounds of Marblehead” — fills what Marblehead Museum Executive Director Lauren McCormack calls an informational vacuum.

“We don’t have a lot of information in one spot,” McCormack told the Current at the June 30 book launch. “So this book is sort of filling a vacuum and putting it all into one place, so that we can access it really easily.”

McCormack praised Peterson as “a great writer” and “great storyteller” whose work helps ensure important stories remain accessible.

The project began modestly when Peterson agreed to give a museum talk about local cemeteries. That surface-level overview soon evolved into something far more ambitious.

“I realized as I was doing it that there wasn’t any single place with all the information

CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD

Pam Peterson, center in black-and-white blouse and white cotton pants, stands with friends and fellow historians during her book launch party at the Marblehead Museum on June 30.

about them together,” Peterson said.

The roughly 130-page book, complete with photos, portraits and maps, serves as both a directory and a deeper exploration of Marblehead’s cultural roots, treating cemeteries as “landscapes of memory” that trace the town’s evolution over nearly four centuries.

From the stark Puritan iconography of Old Burial Hill to the Victorian park-like design of Waterside Cemetery, these sites

LEFT: Cover of “A Guide to Historic Burial Grounds of Marblehead” by Pam Matthias Peterson, a new book exploring the town’s 13 cemeteries as “landscapes of memory” and chronicling Marblehead’s evolving relationship with death and remembrance.

chronicle changing attitudes toward death and remembrance.

Peterson, who also authored “Marblehead Myths, Legends and Lore” in 2007, uncovered compelling human stories behind the headstones. Among

her favorites is Ezekiel Darling, a young sailor who served aboard the USS Constitution during the War of 1812.

“He was apparently wounded during the war,” Peterson explained. “After the war, he applied for a disability pension and got one, but not a large one, because it said he was disfigured but not disabled.”

Darling later became Marblehead’s first lighthouse keeper, living in isolation on PETERSON, P. 7

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Marblehead Current Wednesday, July 16, 2025 7

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Magic Hat celebrates 20th anniversary

BY MELISSA STACEY The following is an interview with Stephanie Sullivan, president of the board of directors of Magic Hat Thrift Shop, conducted

by Discover Marblehead. The mission of Magic Hat is to generate funds for the parentteacher organizations of the Marblehead Public Schools for student education enrichment programs. They achieve this mission by selling donated items at the Magic Hat Thrift Shop in Marblehead. To learn more about their organization and their hours, go to magichatthriftshop.com Tell us about the Magic Hat Thrift Shop. Our founder and current board member Frances Tully, who was also a Marblehead Public School teacher, came across a thrift

COURTESY PHOTO / FIL NENNA

A child looks at toys for sale at the Magic Hat Thrift Shop, which is celebrating its 20th year.

store in North Carolina that raised funds for public school student enrichment. When Frances returned, she brought the Magic Hat to life with the help of several women who incorporated the Magic Hat as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and then ran the shop as an all-volunteer working board. The Magic Hat funds MPS student educational enrichment programming by selling donated items. We partner with the five MPS PTO/ PCOs and allocate funding to each biannually. Allocations

are based on the number of volunteer hours each school provides. The Magic Hat prides itself on being a community store. We also work with school counselors and nurses to provide items to students in need and provide a 50% discount to MPS teachers for classroom materials.

How is Magic Hat celebrating their 20th anniversary year?

We commenced our 20th year by celebrating the allocation of over $2 million since our inception.

We also had a 20% off sale in

January and hosted a small gathering for all current and former board members, PTO/ PCO Magic Hat representatives and staff.

How can the community become more involved and support Magic Hat? Come visit the Magic Hat to shop, donate and volunteer. You never know what you’ll find thanks to the generosity of our community.

All are welcome to volunteer, and volunteers receive a 25% discount. You can learn more about our hours and what

donations we accept by visiting our website.

What is something people may be surprised to learn about Magic Hat? All the amazing educational enrichment programs our PTO/PCOs provide are funded by the Magic Hat Thrift Shop — over $2.2 million allocated to date.

The nonprofit spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. To learn more, visit discovermhd.com​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

Peighton Ridge, 19, shared her first-hand experiences working on a lobster boat with state lawmakers on July 8.

Teen From P. 1

her experience offered the committee a rare personal look at the generational importance of lobstering, as well as its vital place in our economy and our culture,” Armini said. “Her youth, intelligence and obvious passion for lobstering grabbed their attention and powerfully conveyed that this is an industry

Letters From P. 4

House of Pizza (Tom), Manhattan Sandwich Shoppe (Mike and Kaitlin), The Riptide (John), Spitfire Tacos (Ryan and Kathleen), Cafe Vesuvius (Bart), The Beacon (Johnny and Edgar) and Amore Café (Enrique).

Thanks also to Ralph Khouri for gracing our stage with the beautiful oriental rug.

Peterson From P. 6

Marblehead Neck for more than 25 years with supplies delivered only by boat.

Peterson found herself drawn into many unexpected rabbit holes — but none captivated her more than Darling’s story. It remains one of her favorites, and she’s eager to learn even more about him.

Her research also revealed stories of triumph and tragedy intertwined across the burial grounds. Old Burial Hill contains graves of an estimated 600 Revolutionary War soldiers, most unmarked, creating what Peterson describes as a

worth supporting.”

Armini added that the committee will now vote on the bill and decide whether it should go to the House Ways and Means Committee.

In her testimony, Ridge told lawmakers, “H. 110 matters because it supports working waterfronts and protects the people who have built their lives around lobstering.

This industry is the reason why they are able to support

their families, even amid the already low payouts. Without intentional policy like this, we risk losing generations of knowledge, stewardship and community connection.”

She added, “Lobstering is not something you can just learn from a book. It’s passed down, like it was to me.”

Ridge said she may not make lobstering her fulltime career,

but she’ll always be connected to it.

“I’ll do more things that can support lobstermen,” she said. “I know that lobstering will always be part of my life.”

Thanks to the Select Board and staff for their support. And to town officials for providing access to historic Crocker Park, one of the most beautiful concert venues in the world.

Thanks also to retiring Peter James and the Recreation and Parks Department for helping us keep the park clean and safe.

Thanks also to Rick Macomber of Macomber Electricians for his annual efforts to keep the “juice” flowing.

Thanks to this years’ Festival President Cynda Rohmer, Bill Smalley, Joe Tavano and 2025 MoFA Board of Directors, along with so many others for supporting our efforts.

Thanks to the Crocker Park neighbors and Mariner’s Lane Association. Hope your weekend was a great one. Thank you, thank you.

Finally, thank you to our beloved town of Marblehead and our incredible community

for the forum to entertain and for being there to enjoy it all. It is so gratifying to see neighbors all together and to hear such positive feedback.

It’s worth every minute of the time we put in to provide incredible performances to such a supportive audience.

We are already working on our 60th Festival and invite you to be part of the fun. Simply visit marbleheadfestival.org to join us or visit the Festival Facebook

page for the latest updates and to post/share your festival photos.

How lucky are we to share this great gift of performing arts with all of you. We never take it or your support for granted. A final thanks goes to you all.

Brian Wheeler Waterside Road The letter writer chairs the MoFA Performing Arts Committee.

silent monument to collective sacrifice. The cemetery also holds the remains of Joseph Brown, a free Black man who owned a popular tavern and fought in the Revolution.

One of her most poignant discoveries involved two young friends who drowned while working on a fishing schooner in Marblehead Harbor. Their shared gravestone in Harris Street Cemetery connects to an Ashley Bowen drawing depicting their massive funeral procession around the old townhouse.

“The whole town was very sad about this,” Peterson said. “They had this huge funeral for them.”

The book documents not just individual stories but broader

cultural shifts. Peterson traces the evolution from colonial churchyards managed by churches to the 19th-century rural cemetery movement that created park-like spaces for public contemplation. Waterside Cemetery, established in 1859, exemplifies this transition with its 46-acre landscape designed for both the living and the dead.

Her research also explored how embalming became widespread as families sought to bring soldiers home, with President Abraham Lincoln’s funeral train serving as a powerful demonstration of the technique’s effectiveness.

“That sort of turned the tide for people, making them feel like

this was acceptable,” Peterson explained, noting how funeral parlors eventually replaced the tradition of families preparing bodies at home.

The book encompasses public cemeteries like Waterside and Harbor View, private family tombs including the recently threatened Harris Street Cemetery, and denominational grounds such as St. Michael’s Episcopal Churchyard and Star of the Sea Cemetery.

Peterson’s work extends beyond documentation to preservation advocacy. Her involvement with the Old Burial Hill Oversight Committee led to restoration projects funded by the Massachusetts Historical

Commission. The success of that model inspired the creation of the Harris Street Cemeteries Oversight Committee to rescue neglected family burial sites.

Despite the book’s comprehensiveness, Peterson expresses characteristic humility.

“I feel like I could have done more. I should have done more, and you know, I ran out of time,” she reflected. “I think you always feel like that with a research project, because, in a way, it’s never done.”

Peterson also writes the Marblehead Chronicles column for the Current every other week.

Her new book is available at a.co/d/2bBKCqM.

COURTESY PHOTOS / DAX DIXEY

Peighton Ridge helps her grandfather, Jeff Flynn, on his lobster boat. Ridge testified July 8 at a State House hearing about the importance of supporting local lobstermen.

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8 Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Marblehead Current

STAYCATION

Summer camps in full swing

COURTESY PHOTOS

Riding a ferry to the YMCA’s Children’s Island is a great way to start the day.

Simchah campers play in the JCC’s Gaga Pit.

Summer bubble fun is part of the plan at Camp Devereux.

Camp Simchah at the JCC offers a range of sports, including lacrosse.

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Marblehead Current Wednesday, July 16, 2025 9

MARBLEHEAD STORIES

Judy Gates reflects on Peace Corps service

BY GREY COLLINS Judy Gates sat at her kitchen table in her historic Marblehead home, surrounded by photographs and wooden carvings of horses, camels and goats from across the world – trinkets from her crusade to make the world a better place. Gates, 82, is a Marbleheader known by many for her advocacy, adventures and dedication to improving the lives of others. She spoke to the Current about her memories of raising a family in Marblehead.

She recalled her many attempts to lift up her fellow Marbleheaders throughout her long years of advocacy. And her eyes lit up with the passion of an adventurer when she spoke about taking her efforts across the globe in her journeys to Mongolia with the Peace Corp, and all the fascinating people that she met there.

Gates grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, and moved to Marblehead with her husband in 1966.

She still lives in the historic home in Old Town — with a magnificent Marblehead Harbor view — where Gates and her husband lived and raised two children. Throughout her career, Gates worked in advertising and marketing. She also developed skills in computer and electronics, which served her well in her future endeavors.

Gates has always taken an active role in the improvement of the Marblehead community.

She describes herself as a “book person,” and served on the Abbot Public Library Board of Trustees. Gates has also been one of the earliest and strongest voices for diversity, equity and inclusion around Marblehead.

She has been involved with the Marblehead Racial Justice Team.

“Marblehead should strive to be more diverse, that’s part of what we’ve been doing with the Racial Justice Team,” Gates said. “I’ve been an active part of it for a long time, and

CURRENT PHOTO / GREY COLLINS

Judy Gates flips through a photo book chronicling her Peace Corps service in Mongolia. Gates joined the Corps at 65, teaching English and supporting local businesses on the Mongolian steppes.

we’ve been trying to encourage more diversity here in this community.”

Gates has also advocated for Marblehead’s elderly. She helped found the Sea Glass Village organization in 2021, which aims to help senior citizens in Marblehead, Nahant and Swampscott maintain their independence by offering them rides, care and community.

“I was very involved in the founding of Sea Glass Village,” Gates said. “It was established to help people get the help they need and continue to live in their own communities.”

After retiring, Gates realized she was not done yet. Her compassion extended far beyond Marblehead borders. Although she had never had the time to give it a try, Gates had always been fascinated with the idea of joining the Peace Corps and improving people’s lives across the globe.

“Our president said ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.’ And when I heard about that, I thought that I’d

Judy Gates in Mongolia.

love to do that,” Gates said.

“But I was in college at the time, I graduated in 1964 and I still owed some money, and I got married and had a family soon after, so I wasn’t in a position to apply.”

After the loss of her husband, Gates decided to finally join the Corps in 2008. The application process was rigorous, and Gates went through countless applications and interviews

COURTESY PHOTO

before being selected. After being accepted to the program at 65 years old, she was notified that she would be sent to Mongolia.

“I was on the phone with the kids, and I can remember both of them at the same time saying ‘Wait a minute Mom,’ because they had no idea where Mongolia was,” Gates remembered. “It was pretty much on the opposite side of the world. Noontime here

is midnight there, and it was a two-year commitment.”

Traveling to the other side of the world was a daunting task, but Gates was up to the challenge. In 2008, she boarded a plane bound for Mongolia, determined to make a difference.

After arriving in northern Mongolia, the culture shock was intense. Many Mongolians work as herders on the grassy steppes, living in temporary shelters and relying on diets of meat and dairy. Gates felt as if she was in an entirely new world.

“They lived in gers,” Gates said, holding up a small model of a traditional Mongolian temporary hut that she had brought home with her. “They raised the five snouts: sheep, goats, horses, cattle and camels.

And that’s what we ate.”

She lived and worked in Mongolia for two years from 2008 to 2010, and again in 2011 and 2012. As a volunteer, Gates taught English to the locals, and worked as a business volunteer with their local chamber of commerce. She would also help the locals with their electronics, setting up their emails and teaching them the basics so they could be successful in the 21st century.

In 2012, Gates returned home, arms filled with wood carvings of Mongolian herd animals, a cornerstone of Mongolian culture, given to her as a thank you for her years of service.

As she spoke, she picked up a large carving of a boy and a girl sitting on a horse. It was a three-dimensional adaptation of a photograph of Gates and her brother during their childhood in Ohio, and was carved as a surprise by one of the many kind and fascinating people she found on her journey. Sitting among them 13 years later, she reflected on how that experience impacted her.

“I learned so much. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” Gates said.

NEW BEGINNINGS

Financial advisor Emily Promise joins Current as newest columnist

BY WILL DOWD Emily Promise was licensed to provide investment advice before she had a driver’s license.

Now 27, the Marblehead native and president and owner of Blakely Financial will bring her expertise to readers of the Marblehead Current as the newspaper’s newest columnist.

Promise grew up in Marblehead, playing softball, volleyball and basketball at Marblehead High School. Her path to finance began during her senior year when she won an athletics award that included a luncheon with Massachusetts state treasurer Deb Goldberg, who introduced her to Sarah Samuel, the woman who managed the Massachusetts State Pension Fund at the time.

“It’s the weirdest way from a Marblehead High School senior project, I met this woman who ran the pension fund who talked me through all the different career areas,” Promise said, seated in the conference room of her South Street office.

Samuel became a significant mentor. When Promise arrived at High Point University in North Carolina, she discovered newfound free time after years of local

employment at establishments including Stowaway Sweets and Marblehead Parks and Recreation.

“I had so much free time, so I cold called local advisory firms to see if anybody wanted an intern, and Blakely was the first one to offer me an internship. So I started as a freshman my first semester,” Promise said.

Her analytical abilities and passion for numbers initially drew her to finance, but client interactions proved equally compelling. By her sophomore year, she had obtained her Series 7 and Series 66 securities licenses — certifications that allow financial professionals to sell investment products and provide investment advice — and was meeting with clients at 18 years old.

A sophomore-year internship at Goldman Sachs in New York City provided valuable perspective but reinforced her commitment to Blakely Financials’ familyoriented approach.

“After my time at Goldman, I ultimately made the decision to continue on with Blakely, because at Goldman, I didn’t get to see the end participant and see the actual value add is one to one with families,” Promise said.

Promise graduated from High

CURRENT PHOTO / BLAKELY FINANCIAL.

Emily Promise, president of Blakely Financial, is the newest columnist for the Marblehead Current.

Point University in 2020 with a bachelor’s of science in finance and accounting, having earned her Certified Financial Planner® designation before graduation.

Promise subsequently bought a Marblehead advisor’s book of business from Rebecca Linhart and has helped grow Blakely Financial to manage $1.394 billion, employing 22 people.

Promise’s commitment to Marblehead extends beyond her business. She serves as treasurer

for SPUR, a local nonprofit supporting community initiatives and events, and she is co-leader of the Marblehead chapter of Women’s Business League.

She also serves on the Visitors Board at High Point University.

Additionally, Promise established the “Woman with Promise” scholarship at Marblehead High School, which annually supports a female student pursuing studies in finance or STEM. Jennifer Billings, her former English teacher, chairs the scholarship board.

“Marblehead has a special place … It was a community that really benefited me growing up, and I wanted to give back,” Promise said.

Forbes has recognized Promise multiple times, including as a Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisor in 2023 and 2024 and as a Top Women Wealth Advisor Best-inState for 2025.

She holds numerous professional certifications including Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Accredited Investment Fiduciary and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designations.

Promise’s approach emphasizes comprehensive financial planning over investment management alone.

Her philosophy centers on building trust and understanding client needs holistically.

“People don’t care what you know, until they know you care,” Promise said, describing a guiding principle learned early in her career.

Her monthly column will address a gamut of topics from retirement planning, wealth transfer, and tax strategies and seasonal financial topics.

Promise aims to make complex financial concepts accessible to all readers, regardless of whether they work with professional advisors.

“These are things that anyone should have access to, not just folks that are using a financial planner,” Promise said. “That’s where the quick tips can hopefully make an impact with people that aren’t even using an advisor.”

Promise continues her Marblehead traditions, frequently running along the causeway and maintaining connections throughout the community where she now owns a home in the historic district.

She wants to answer readers’ financial questions, too, so send yours to info@marbleheadnews. org with “Question for Emily” in the subject line.

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10 Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Marblehead Current

Sports Seasiders pick up the pace for the stretch run

BY JOE MCCONNELL It was 10 years ago when Joe McKane had this vision to bring a men’s baseball team to Marblehead, and as a result the Seasiders soon joined the popular North Shore Baseball League.

Still the owner and general manager – and proud batboy – of the franchise, McKane’s enthusiasm for the sport and the Seasiders has never wavered over the years.

“It’s still fun to be around young guys who love the game of baseball,” said McKane, now in his early 80s.

“They obviously have more responsibilities and interests as adults, like college or work or both, but their hustle to play the game on the field is (a constant).”

Over the past decade, the Seasiders have made the playoffs twice, and, despite starting slowly this summer, they have been playing better baseball. They are 3-10 in the 11-team league, as of the July 9 standings. They were 0-7 before recording their first win of the year, a 1-0 victory over the North Reading A’s on June 21.

Of the Seasiders’ previous seven games, they lost three of them by just one run, which gives McKane much optimism heading into the final 11 of the regular season. “The top eight teams make the playoffs, but first we have to get a couple of more quick wins to be in contention for the stretch run,” he said. “I think eight or nine wins should be enough to

make the postseason.”

The Seasiders are just ahead of the last place A’s, who are 3-15. As usual, the Peabody Champions, a perennial powerhouse, are near the top of the league, once again. They are in second place with a 10-3 record, only trailing the first place Northeast Tides, who are 12-4.

Trey Blackmer, a former Marblehead High athlete, is the team’s player manager, once again, and he’s assisted

by Mike Mitchell, who also plays in the games. “Blackmer is an original Seasider,” McKane said.

Besides Blackmer, Bodie Bartram (first year with the team), Brady Lavender (four years), Enrique Quinonez (four years), Drew Whitman (two years) and Schuyler Schmitt (four years) are the other Marblehead residents on this year’s team.

James Giugino is their most dependable pitcher, already logging 60-plus innings, according to McKane.

The weather, however, hasn’t cooperated with McKane’s team so far this season.

They have already had six postponements, and couple that with the poor drainage at Seaside Park, it creates delays in getting these games rescheduled quickly. McKane is looking into improving that situation.

“Sometimes it takes two or three days after it rains for the infield to dry out,” McKane said. “But despite all of that, SEASIDERS, P. 11

COURTESY PHOTO / BRUCE DURKEE

Temptation/Oakliff, from Long Island, made history at the Marblehead to Halifax race.

SAILING

Marblehead to Halifax race has ecord finish Junior Race Week & Race Week start July 21 and the Current will have you covered! Visit MarbleheadCurrent.org.

BY LAURIE FULLERTON It was a historic finish to the Marblehead to Halifax sailing race on July 7.

Kerr 50 Temptation/Oakcliff (USA 119), of Long Island, claimed line honours, finishing first at 18:52 ADT in an elapsed time of 28 hours, 2 minutes and 56 seconds. That broke the old record by 45 minutes and 94 seconds. The boats pushed through sustained winds of 21-27 knots early in the race.

With a crew of 19 and expert navigation, Temptation/ Oakcliff sailed a near-flawless race.

“We wanted to get here first – and we achieved that goal,” said America’s Cup veteran and television commentator Gary Jobson.

This was the 40th biennial running of the premiere ocean

CURRENT PHOTO / GREY COLLINS

Forty-six boats competed in this year’s Marblehead to Halifax race.

race, which is 361 nautical miles.

Forty-six boats competed this year.

Results for Marblehead boats The J133 Fast Company, owned by Philip Helmsmen, finished 27th in line honors. Fast Company finished tenth in the ORR-3 division.

Eliot Shanabrook on the J-109 Hafa Adai (Marblehead

EXCELLENCE REWARDED

MHS grads Roszell, Shepard chosen 2025 Sterny’s Way Scholarship recipients

BY JOE MCCONNELL Marblehead High School 2025 graduates Charlotte “Charlie” Roszell and Stefan Shepard are this year’s recipients of the Sterny’s Way Scholarships. These scholarships are given annually in memory of David Stern, a former Marblehead youth sports coaching legend who was a strong supporter of the arts. Sterny passed away in 2010, and the scholarships in his name were formally established in 2019.

Roszell gets arts honor

Roszell, the Sterny’s Way Arts Scholarship recipient, is an accomplished photographer whose work has been displayed at Tufts University, Marblehead Festival of Arts, Marblehead Arts Association and in the National Grand Bank calendar. In addition, Roszell’s writing skills earned her silver and gold keys from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards committee.

As an outstanding studentathlete, Roszell served as a

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Yacht Club) finished 31st in line honors. Hafa Adai finished fifth in ORR-4 division.

Brian Barmmer on the J109 Saorsa (Boston Yacht Club) finished 37th in line honors.

Saorsa finished seventh in the ORR-4 divsion.

John Thompson’s Frers 36 Hall Pass (Eastern Yacht Club) finished 38 in line honors. Hall Pass finished ninth in the ORR-4 division.

BASEBALL

Post 57 American Legion baseball Mariners gaining momentum after slow start

BY JOE MCCONNELL

MHS grad Stefan Shepard chosen for the annual Sterny’s Way Sports Scholarship.

captain for the girls spring track team. She was also on the crosscountry and indoor track teams.

Roszell excelled in the 200, 400 and the 4x200 and 4x400 relays.

Charlie was a member of the National Green School Society, MHS Democrats Club and Team Harmony. She was also a photographer for the school’s sports teams.

Roszell demonstrated dedication to the community throughout her high school career

by her work with young children and other volunteer efforts. She worked as a therapeutic horse handler at Windrush Farm in North Andover, assisting special needs students with horseback riding classes. She also served as a track meet official at the Veterans Middle School.

Roszell will attend the University of Vermont in the fall,

The Marblehead/Swampscott American Legion Post 57 senior division Mariners (3-4-1), coached by Steve Correnti, settled for an 8-8 tie against Methuen to open up the season.

But since then, they won three times, while dropping four contests. Their latest victory was against Andover prior to the Fourth of July holiday break. The games that were scheduled for last week after the Fourth were postponed, because of rain.

In that game against Methuen, the Rangers scored three runs right away in the top of the first. But the Mariners came back to take the lead after two, 4-3. After Beau Olivieri doubled down the leftfield line, Nick Berube was hit by a pitch.

Olivieri eventually went to third, before scoring on a sacrifice fly. Cooper Correnti followed with a walk. As the inning progressed, Berube and Correnti ended up scoring the team’s third and fourth runs.

But Methuen regained the lead by one in the fourth, 5-4. It didn’t last long, however, when Berube belted a solo shot to left to even the score.

This back-and-forth game continued in the next frame on the strength of three runs by the summertime Rangers. The Mariners answered back quickly once again with three of their own in the bottom of the fifth. Caden Ross was issued a bases loaded walk, and Dylan DiFilippo knocked in a run on a

SCHOLARS, P. 11

MARINERS, P. 11

COURTESY PHOTOS

MHS grad Charlotte “Charlie” Roszell receives the annual Sterny’s Way Arts Scholarship.

marbleheadcurrent.org

Marblehead Current Wednesday, July 16, 2025 11

OBITUARY

Elizabeth “Betty” (Bender) Kelley, 93 Elizabeth “Betty” (Bender) Kelley, 93, passed away on Wednesday, July 2.

Betty was born Aug. 18, 1931, in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. The daughter of the late Dr. Frank C. Bender and Helen (Vizard) Bender, Betty was the second oldest of five siblings.

Betty attended and graduated from Rosemont College in Rosemont, Pennsylvania, where she earned both her bachelor and master’s degrees of education.

For over 50 years Betty

devoted her life to teaching elementary-aged children, shaping not only young minds but also the hearts and futures of generations. Beyond a place of learning, her classroom was a place of discovery,

Seasiders From P. 10

it’s still the best park in the league.”

McKane added that they also have to share the field with Marblehead Youth

Baseball and the American Legion Mariners, but all three teams have coexisted nicely over the years. It’s just when Mother Nature comes into the picture, it can create scheduling nightmares. “I’m working with the town trying to fix this drainage problem,”

Scholars

Shepard earns sports scholarship

where she will compete on its track and field team. She plans to major in sports psychology, combining her love of athletics with her desire to help support other athletes in their mental well-being.

Shepard is the Sterny’s Way Sports Scholarship recipient. As an outstanding MHS three-sport athlete, Shepard was a member of both the varsity soccer and baseball teams for three years.

He served as a tri-captain in soccer last fall, while playing

From P. 10

encouragement, creativity and joy. She believed that every child had a special gift within them, and she made it her mission to help each achieve it.

Her love for teaching was matched only by her love for learning. A true lifelong learner, she embraced change with grace and curiosity, always seeking new ways to connect and grow.

Whether that was learning something completely new or building on a skill.

Betty was an incredible cook and baker and it was one of the ways she showed her love. Her kitchen was always filled with warmth and laughter, where everyone was welcomed. She didn’t just make meals — she created memories.

Her faith was the quiet, steady foundation of her life — a constant source of strength,

comfort and purpose. She didn’t wear it loudly, but she lived it fully. Whether through giving generously of her time, serving on numerous committees and volunteering for events and outreach efforts of her church community or to the values she passed down to her children.

Her love of God was evident in everything she did. Her faith wasn’t just something she believed — it was something she embodied.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Dr. Frank L. Kelley. She is survived by her children Frank L. Kelley Jr. and his wife Traci of Virginia, Maryhelen Kelley of Boston, Brian Kelley and his wife, Elise of Beverly Farms, and Elizabeth Kelley of Marblehead; the cherished grandmother of Joseph, Kathryn, Jack, Kaitlyn,

McKane explained.

Upcoming Seasider schedule

After taking on the North Shore Phillies on July 13 after press deadline, the Seasiders will be at World Series Park in Saugus later July 16 to face the North Shore Storm at 7 p.m. On Saturday, July

striker. He also played guard on the boys basketball team. This past spring, he was a captain of the baseball team, while playing second base or shortstop. He was also named an All-NEC All-Star.

Shepard had a unique and special tie to David Stern.

Stefan’s dad, Paul, enjoyed a

Paul (wife Samantha), Patrick (wife Saige), Iseabail and McKeown Kelley; and greatgrandmother of Mateo, the dear sister of Frank C. Bender Jr. (Liz) and the aunt and greataunt of several nieces and nephews.

Visiting Hours will be held 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday July 11 at Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead, 142 Elm St. followed by a funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave. Interment at Waterside Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Adopt a Classroom in honor of Betty at (adoptaclassroom.org). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com for Betty’s family.

19, the Peabody Champions will visit Seaside for a 2 p.m. game.

The Seasiders will then play a doubleheader the very next day against the Northeast Tides at Exeter High School. The games are slated to start at 1 and 4 p.m.

30-year friendship with David, dating back to their youth sports days. They also graduated from MHS together, and were teammates in the town’s softball leagues.

A strong advocate for helping others enjoy sports, while developing their skills, Shepard volunteered as a soccer

instructor and referee for the North Shore Rovers, a local sports organization that focuses on students with special needs.

Shepard will attend Elon University this fall, majoring in finance with a minor in sports management.

The Sterny’s Way scholarships are $2,500 each.

COURTESY PHOTO

The 2025 Marblehead/Swampscott American Legion Post 57 senior division baseball team is, from left, front row, Michael Collins, Jesse Swartz, Caden Ross, Luc Tardif and David Palmer. Second row, assistant coach Kyle Spear, Beau Olivieri, Nick Berube, Jack Spear, Cooper Correnti, Aiden Brown, Dylan DiFilippo, Tyler Spear and head coach Steven Correnti.

Missing from photo, Dylan Glass, Stefan Shepard, Carter Sahagian, Greyson Leventhal, Ryan Angilly and Will Brogna.

Mariners From P. 10

fielder’s choice.

Pitcher Will Brogna surrendered three hits and five runs (two earned) over the first four innings, while also striking out two and walking five.

Marblehead’s Greyson Leventhal, Ross, Olivieri and Berube (2 RBI) each collected one hit for the Mariners. Jesse Swartz drove in two, and Correnti walked three times in the game. Altogether, his teammates were issued 11 free passes throughout the contest.

In Game 2, the Mariners were at Andover, and by game’s end they were still looking for their first win of the year. This game was pretty much over after the first inning, when the home team scored 10 times, before going on to beat Post 57, 12-2.

Olivieri was the hitting star for the visitors, going 2-for-2 at the plate that resulted in two RBI. Despite a more consistent offensive attack, Post 57 dropped its second game of the year, this time to Beverly back at home at

the Swampscott Middle School, 3-1. Berube paced the offensive attack for the home team with two hits.

Swartz walked with the bases loaded in the opening stanza to give his teammates the early lead, but the Panthers came right back with two to take the lead for good. They then added the insurance run in the third.

David Palmer took the loss for the Mariners on the mound after going four innings. Of the three Beverly runs, only one was earned off him. Palmer struck out four and walked only two, while he was out there.

The Mariners finally broke through with a win, beating visiting Lawrence, 7-6.

Olivieri got his teammates off to a fast start with a solo home run, before DiFilippo singled in two more in the first. But Lawrence tied up the proceedings with three in the second. The Mariners, however, regained the advantage in the home half on a passed ball.

Lawrence then tied it up again with another run in the third.

The Mariners took a 5-4 lead on a sacrifice fly by Ross. But

once again, Lawrence evened the score in the sixth. But in the home half, the Mariners took advantage of a passed ball and an error to take the lead for good.

Marblehead graduating senior pitcher Carter Sahagian earned the complete game seven inning win for the Post 57 Mariners.

He gave up 11 hits and six runs (five earned) over seven innings, while striking out eight and walking just one.

Ross, the Mariners’ second baseman, drove in two on one hit to help lead the way on offense. He also stole three bases. Olivieri collected two hits.

For the second time this summer, Beverly defeated the local nine. Post 57 really never got going in this one, and ended up getting shutout, 12-0. The Panthers set the tone early on with seven runs in the first inning.

Berube pitched three innings in relief for the Mariners, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits. He also fanned two, and walked one. Tyler Spear, DiFilippo and Correnti each collected one hit for the Mariners.

Chelmsford, the home team, was next up, and the Mariners

didn’t fare much better, losing 6-2. The Lions scored single runs in the first three innings, before breaking the game open with three in the sixth.

Palmer took the loss for Post 57 on the mound, going six innings. He yielded six runs (five earned) on six hits, while striking out six and walking nine.

Luc Tardif, Palmer and Correnti were each credited with one hit.

Lawence forfeited the game to the Mariners on June 30, prior to their 5-1 victory over Andover to begin a brand-new month on July 2.

Jack Spear was dominant on the Post 57 mound, scattering two hits and one run over seven innings. He whiffed four.

On offense, DiFilippo singled down the leftfield line to start the second inning, before scoring a short time later on a sacrifice fly.

Aiden Brown scored once.

Altogether, the Mariners piled up nine hits in the game.

Michael Collins, occupying the ninth spot in the lineup, knocked in two of the team’s runs on one hit. Tyler Spear, DiFilippo and Swartz also contributed to the offensive effort with two hits

apiece. Swartz stole two bases, as well. The defense was just as sharp, committing no errors.

Correnti had the most chances in the field with 11.

2025 American Legion Mariner All-Stars Four members of the Mariners – Cooper Correnti, David Palmer, Jack Spear and Jesse Swartz – are Massachusetts American Legion baseball 2025 all-stars, representing Post 57 and District 8. The all-star game was played on July 7 at Adams Field in Quincy. Team Stripes (Districts 10 and 6) scored eight runs in the second inning, which helped them defeat Team Stars (Districts 8 and 4).

Team Stars piled up 11 hits, led by Cooper Correnti of the Mariners, who provided pop in the middle of the lineup that resulted in two RBI.

Marblehead players on the Mariners Dylan Glass, Greyson Leventhal, Carter Sahagian, Stefan Shepard and Ryan Angilly are the Marblehead players on this year’s Mariners.

marbleheadcurrent.org

12 Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Marblehead Current

For over 200 years, Marblehead Female Humane Society has remained faithful to its original mission of quietly and respectfully helping Marblehead residents in need.

If you’re struggling to pay your bills or are experiencing a sudden and unexpected financial hardship, we’re here to help.

Individual requests for financial assistance must be referred through a third party for consideration.

We urge you to contact our partners listed below, or speak to your local clergy to request assistance from Marblehead Female Humane Society: Marblehead Counseling Center 781-631-8273 Marblehead Housing Authority 781-631-2580 Marblehead Council on Aging 781-631-6225 Marblehead Food Pantry 781-631-8340

www.marbleheadfemalehumanesociety.com

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