FIRST WAVE
BY LEIGH BLANDER
In the wake of a July 4 disturbance involving “hundreds of youth” and alleged underage drinking on Crowninshield Island (formerly Brown’s Island), some juveniles have been identified and are facing court action, Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King said Monday.
“Based on the facts of this
incident, the violations were MGL (Massachusetts General Law) violations, minors in possession of alcohol and disturbance activity,” King told the Current in an email.
“We were able to seize a considerable amount of alcohol, disperse the crowd safely and identify a few juveniles that will be facing court action for underage drinking,” King added.
‘Spring-break-style beach party’
According to the police report of the incident, officers witnessed “significant amounts of underage and open consumption of alcohol, in addition to trespassing on private property, as hundreds of youth made their way to and from Brown’s Island,” where the Trustees of Reservations
prohibits alcohol consumption.
“What we observed was a massive, spring-break-style beach party with significant drinking, people urinating alongside the tree line at the edge of the beach and generally unruly behavior,” the report reads. On the private beach by Harding Lane, an officer observed multiple instances of young children playing on the
BY MARIELLE SABBAG
Customers can now “say cheese!” — or better yet, taste cheese — at Le Petit Comptoir Wine and Cheese. The new wine bar, owned by Marblehead resident Alex Lewis, officially opened its doors earlier this month. Located at 1 Atlantic Ave., Le Petit Comptoir offers rotating wines selected specifically to pair with artisan
cheeses, along with cheese boards and gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.
Lewis, a 2005 Johns Hopkins University graduate, briefly operated a hookah lounge until changes in smoking laws forced it to close in 2017. He later worked in data management while continuing to build his dream business.
“I wanted to own my own place,” Lewis said. “My dad has
always been big into wine, and I’ve always been a foodie.”
His passion for cheese began during a memorable meal in Las Vegas. At the end of the tasting menu, a server presented a cart with French cheeses and explained each one in detail.
“I remember thinking, ‘Wow, cheese is good,’” he said. “It opened up my eyes to the world
beach or in the water who had to run away from groups of rowdy and unruly teenagers. One officer stopped or intercepted multiple individuals, all of whom were in possession of alcohol or had trespassed onto private property, according to the report. With the assistance of other officers, the officer
Titles come down to the wire
BY LAURIE FULLERTON
The final day of competition at Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series at Marblehead Race Week delivered on its reputation for being a highly competitive event where often the winner is not decided until the final day or even the final leg of the last race. Featuring 10 classes, 100 boats and over 200 sailors, the 137th Marblehead Race Week lived up to its reputation for down to the wire racing — especially for Rhodes-19 winners Charlie Pendleton and James Raisides of Marblehead on Bad Hombres.
There was a lot on the line for this team that had just returned to the 22-boat strong Rhodes-19 fleet after campaigning nationally on a J70 sport boat for many years. Pendleton and Raisides had always known they would return to the Rhodes-19, but this marked their first Race Week in the Rhodes-19 fleet in a long while. It meant they had a steady climb back but going into the final day it was unclear how it would turn out as veteran fatherand-son team Jim and Nate Taylor were leading the regatta. They faced
BY KRIS OLSON
The Current welcomes 150- to 200-word submissions to News in Brief. Send them to info@ marbleheadnews.org.
Marblehead Museum Associate Director Jarrett Zeman, the museum’s associate director, will present new research in his Aug. 12 talk, “Marblehead’s Liquor War: The Temperance Movement, 1840-1930.”
Museum presents ‘Marblehead’s Liquor War’
On Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m., the Marblehead Museum will host a lecture featuring new research on the history of drinking in Marblehead. Jarrett Zeman, the museum’s associate director, will present “Marblehead’s Liquor War: The Temperance Movement, 1840-1930.”
Zeman will showcase how Marbleheaders fought each other for the right to buy alcohol. Fed up with their unruly men, the local temperance movement made Marblehead a dry town for 50 years. Barmen kept liquor in secret hiding places, and shoemakers sold moonshine out of their kitchens. This led to an all-out war complete with police raids, street violence, attempted murder and courtroom drama.
The lecture will be held at the JOJ Frost Gallery at 170 Washington St. Tickets are $10 for museum members and $15 for the public. Tickets are available on the museum’s website at marbleheadmuseum. org or by calling the museum at 781-631-1768.
for the
Abbot Library summer food drive
Throughout August, Abbot Public Library will be hosting a community food drive to help restock the shelves of the Marblehead Food Pantry. Drop off your donations right inside the library’s main entrance during the library’s regular weekly service hours.
The pantry is currently experiencing high demand for specific pantry staples, baking basics and essential toiletries. Community members are encouraged to focus their donations on the following highpriority items:
1 lb. carton of sugar
2 lb. bag of flour
2
Marblehead resident wins $1M Powerball prize
Richard Mulombre, of Marblehead, is the winner of a $1 million prize on a Powerball ticket purchased in Massachusetts for the multistate game’s Saturday, July 18, drawing that featured a $526.4 million jackpot.
Mulombre won the prize after the first five numbers on his Quic Pic ticket matched those selected in the drawing. He claimed his $1 million prize (before taxes) Thursday, July 23, at the Massachusetts State Lottery’s Dorchester headquarters. He said he plans to put the winnings towards retirement. His winning ticket was purchased at Quisqueya Food
(mayo, ketchup,
salad dressing)
» dry beans
» jelly
Three weeks left in reading challenge
toothpaste
unsweetened cereal
» To ensure the safety of our neighbors and remain in compliance with the Marblehead Food Pantry operating guidelines, please note that the drive happily accepts any non-perishable food items, shelf-stable goods, paper products, and unopened toiletries. However, expiration dates matter, and all donated items must have a current expiration date; expired or near-expired goods cannot be accepted. Additionally, all food and personal care items must be factory-sealed and entirely unopened. Please do not donate items in damaged containers, including significantly dented cans, rusted tins or bloated packaging.
Every donation makes a tangible difference to a family right here in town.
To learn more about the pantry’s mission, go to marbleheadfoodpantry.org.
Drop-in life, portrait drawing sessions
Hone your drawing skills and meet new friends at the Marblehead Arts Association’s Sunday morning Drop-In Life & Portrait Drawing Sessions.
The MAA’s talented models will be posing for you to capture their essence on paper. Models alternate between men and women weekly. There will be a male model on Aug. 2 and a female model Aug. 9.
“Whether you’re an experienced artist or just starting out, everyone is welcome to drop in and get creative!” the MAA said.
The MAA said it offers a lively and welcoming atmosphere, so you can chat with other artists, share tips and techniques, and have a great time.
“It’s the perfect way to spend a Sunday morning!” the MAA said.
If you are working in any medium other than pencil, you must bring and use a drop cloth. A limited number of easels are available.
The sessions run from 9 a.m. to noon. The MAA is located at 8 Hooper St. Cost is $15 for MAA members, $20 for non-members.
For more information, call 781-631-2608 or email info@ marbleheadarts.org.
All summer, Abbot Library has been encouraging students up to age 12 to keep their literacy skills strong while discovering the joy of independent reading. The library’s incentive program is designed for all levels, and pre-readers are encouraged to join with the help of a caregiver. For every 10 titles read, participants can choose a free book to take home.
Participants are invited to celebrate the close of the program with a free ice cream cup and a book giveaway on Friday, Aug. 21.
The library also makes it easy to find everything on the Marblehead Schools’ summer reading lists for both children and teens. Physical books are available for checkout or via reservation through NOBLE, and students can also access titles as e-books or e-audiobooks through the Libby app.
Students are invited to visit the library all summer long for fun programs, expert book recommendations and more.
‘Medea’ auditions this weekend
Marblehead Little Theatre, 12 School St., will hold non-equity auditions for “Medea,” the Greek tragedy.
Betrayed by her husband, the Greek hero Jason, the sorceress Medea is humiliated and driven to violence in Euripides’ classic tale of a woman scorned. Far from home and thrown into exile, she must plot not only her escape but also her revenge on those who have wronged her. Auditions are on Sunday, Aug. 2, 3-6 p.m., and Monday, Aug. 3, 6-9 p.m. with callbacks on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m. Video submissions will be accepted no later than Aug. 3.
Those auditioning should prepare two short monologues, one classical and one contemporary. Actors may perform them in either order, and they do not need to contrast in tone. There will be 12 performances from Oct. 2-18.
Survey says…
The town of Marblehead is partnering with FlashVote, a public survey platform that helps local governments gather timely resident feedback. The goal is to help inform municipal decisionmaking. Registration takes less than one minute at flashvote. com/marbleheadma. Each survey takes about a minute to complete and remains open for 48 hours.
After a survey closes, participants automatically receive a summary of the overall results and can compare their responses with those of other Marblehead residents. All responses are anonymous. Personal and demographic information provided during registration is never shared with the town or any third party.
Property inspections underway
The Marblehead Board of Assessors is conducting site inspections of properties that have recently been offered for sale or are part of the town’s ongoing property valuation review process. According to the town, the inspections are intended to verify and update property information used to determine fair and equitable assessed values. Accurate property data is essential to maintaining a consistent assessment system for all taxpayers, officials said.
A complete inspection may include both an exterior and interior review. Interior inspections are generally brief and involve viewing areas such as the basement and living spaces to confirm property characteristics and features.
The Board of Assessors has contracted with Catalis to assist with the inspection process. Representatives from the company will conduct inspections on behalf of the Assessors Office.
If no one is home or if a homeowner declines an interior inspection, the representative will complete an exterior inspection, including measuring buildings on the property. Residents with questions may contact the Assessors Office at 781-631-0236.
Jimmy Fund Walk registration open
Registration is open for the 2026 Jimmy Fund Walk for Dana-Farber. Scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 4, the walk raises funds to support all forms of adult and pediatric care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. This year’s event aims to raise $10 million in support of Dana-Farber’s mission to defy cancer by leading the way in groundbreaking research and lifesaving patient care. More info at danafarber. jimmyfund.org. Look for the link “Jimmy Fund Walk for Dana-Farber.”
COURTESY PHOTO
COURTESY PHOTO
Abbot Library will be collecting donations
Marblehead Food Pantry in August.
COURTESY PHOTOS
Prizes await young readers who participate in Abbot Library’s summer reading challenge.
Mart, 34 Union St. in Lynn, while he was waiting with his kids for a pizza order nearby.
BY MARIELLE SABBAG
Honeycomb, a local bakery and cafe in Hamilton, is preparing to expand with a second location in Marblehead.
Owners Lauren and Billy Moran opened Honeycomb in June 2017. The bakery includes an assortment of baked goods, sandwiches, and refreshments.
Over the years, the Morans said the community has been the best part about owning Honeycomb. They enjoy seeing customers come into the place to buy a pastry, have a coffee, and meet for conversation.
“My favorite part about owning Honeycomb is that it is truly a happy place,” Lauren Moran said. “We have always tried to create a sense of community in our space.”
For the last few months, Billy Moran said they have been working on the idea of expanding the business to Marblehead.
“We have always wanted to open a location in Marblehead and have been looking for the right space,” said Billy Moran.
When they heard the former owner of Barrelman was selling their space, the Morans toured the area. Located on Washington Street near Marblehead’s Five Corners intersection, the area felt right to operate a new business, Billy Moran said.
Last year, the Morans thought about expanding to Gloucester, but plans fell through. Although they love the area, it wasn’t the right fit, according to Billy Moran.
BEACON
“I think that every restaurant/ cafe/bakery opening is part planning and part trusting the process,” said Lauren Moran. They anticipate opening in Marblehead in February. Before construction can begin, the couple has significant work to do to develop design plans and obtain the necessary permits and approvals, Billy Moran explained.
A Wenham native, Lauren learned to cook from her large Italian family, then spent summers during her college years working in various frontof-house restaurant positions on
The Massachusetts Senate voted this week to regulate electric scooters, e-bikes and other micromobility devices under a new speed-based framework, part of a broader economic development package passed after two days of debate.
The bill creates a tiered system that applies safety standards, equipment requirements and right-of-way rules according to a device’s speed, an approach designed to keep the law current as new types of vehicles come to market. It also sets a default 20 mph speed limit on shared-use paths, bars children under 14 from operating powered micromobility devices, and prohibits mopeds and similar vehicles from bike lanes and shared-use paths.
Additional provisions extend the state’s youth helmet law to cover all micromobility devices and require
Nantucket. In 2008, she enrolled in Boston University’s culinary certificate program, studying under Jacques Pepin and many of Boston’s top chefs.
Shortly after graduating from Boston University, Lauren worked as the pastry chef at Sel de la Terre on Boston’s waterfront under Chef Frank McClelland before moving on to serve as executive pastry chef at a number of other notable Boston restaurants, including Island Creek Oyster Bar and Row 34. She met Billy behind the bar of his family’s 45-year-old pub across the street.
Billy Moran pledged that the
helmets for riders of any age on anything above the lowest speed tier, known as tier 0. The bill also sets new electrical safety standards for lithium-ion-powered mopeds, aimed at reducing fire risk, and establishes a working group to address related issues, including updates to crashreport forms and a proposed micro-ID
Marblehead Honeycomb would embody the same commitment to quality and customer service as the original Honeycomb, but with a twist.
“We want the space to feel connected to the original Honeycomb but also be unique and have its own identity,” said Billy Moran.
Lauren Moran said she hopes to recreate the Hamilton Honeycomb’s welcoming atmosphere in Marblehead. She said the Marblehead location would begin by serving the same breakfast and lunch menu as Hamilton, which includes a variety of sandwiches, pastries, bowls and salads.
“We hope to start with
breakfast and lunch and then add some sort of dinner service,” said Lauren Moran.
The Hamilton Honeycomb holds pizza nights weekly on Thursday, offering 14-inch pies made with sourdough crust.
As they work towards their Marblehead grand opening in February, Billy Moran shared one of their goals: to create a passionate working team and help shape a comfortable atmosphere.
“We hope it broadens our reach and gives the residents of Marblehead another great dining option,” he said. “We are hoping to create an opportunity for them to enjoy our food and drink on a regular basis.”
pilot program.
Sen. Brendan Crighton, D-Lynn, the Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation, said existing law had not kept pace with recent advances in e-bike and scooter technology, leaving gaps in safety oversight for devices that can reach speeds of 30 mph.
“E-bikes and other micromobility devices are an important part of our transportation system, giving an affordable way for residents to get to work, school, the grocery store, medical appointments, and connect with our public transportation system,” said Crighton, whose district includes Marblehead. “As Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation, I was proud to collaborate with stakeholders in municipal government, law enforcement, small business owners and transportation
advocates to build a framework that prioritizes safety for everyone on our roads, bike lanes, sidewalks and trails. Striking the right balance between accessibility and safety, this policy is a critical step to prevent serious injuries and save lives.”
The bill builds on recommendations from the Special Commission on Micromobility, which released its report in January after reviewing the state’s current laws and regulations.
Crighton served on the commission in his role as Senate transportation chair; other members included law enforcement officials, representatives of the Healey-Driscoll administration and transportation advocates.
The Senate has sent the bill back to the House for further consideration.
COURTESY PHOTOS
North Shore natives Lauren Moran and Billy Moran bring nearly four decades of culinary and restaurant experience to their bakery and cafe, Honeycomb.
Co-owner Billy Moran says that the Marblehead Honeycomb will
Opinion
EDITORIAL
Celebrating a maritime mecca
From Hollywood to Boston Harbor and last weekend’s Race Week 2026 Regatta, this month has been a nonstop love fest for local sailors of all stripes — and for anyone who loves a good salt-sprayed adventure yarn or colorful parade of sails, onshore and off.
A cinematic reimagining of Homer’s “The Odyssey” — arguably the greatest seafaring saga of all time — appeared in theaters in mid-July and quickly reached blockbuster status. Then Sail Boston 2026 brought more than 50 of the world’s most awe-inspiring vessels into North Shore waters, appointment viewing for many of us who managed to cruise alongside these magnificent Tall Ships while they rested at anchor not far from our shores.
To cap off a very busy month, Marblehead played host this past weekend to the 137th annual Race Week program, long a seasonal highlight in a town known worldwide for its sailing culture and spirited competitions.
We are indeed a maritime mecca, and proudly so.
Hosted this year by the Corinthian Yacht Club, Race Week — the fifth of six regattas in the Helly Hansen Sailing World Series — began with a threeday Junior competition (we launch ‘em young around here) followed by four days of high-level racing among a variety of boat classes. The schedule also featured social gatherings, award ceremonies, music concerts and other feel-good events.
Gorgeous weather was a welcome bonus for spectators who were race-watching from numerous vantage points in and around Marblehead Harbor.
“Each regatta has its own unique identity, and this one is our most hyperlocal event, where bragging rights really are part of the series,” Dave Reed commented to us Friday on the back porch of the Corinthian.
Reed, the regatta’s director and editor-in-chief of Sailing World, noted that rotating host duties among three local yacht clubs has helped give Race Week a special place in the Helly Hansen lineup. That, and the welcoming vibe created by the town’s many volunteer housing hosts and after-hours gatherings at hangouts like Maddie’s Sail Loft.
“The regatta has changed over the years, but it’s still great how the community comes together, with all the yacht clubs,” agreed Bruce Durkee, a longtime veteran of the local sailing scene. Historically centered around the fishing industry, he said, Marblehead’s vibrant sailing scene — both competitive and recreational — is now a central part of the town’s culture and identity.
For all this past week’s hoopla, Race Week marked just the midpoint (or so) of a nautical season bustling with activity on all fronts, from Pleon instructional classes to races attracting skippers and crews from all over the East Coast.
Early June brought the fifth annual Fast Mermaid Pursuit Race, a celebration and fundraiser for Marblehead sailor Lindsay Smith. The victim of a horrific domestic violence shooting in 2021, Smith, the daughter of a legendary North Shore sailing family, has, along with her therapy team at Project Walk Boston in Stratham, New Hampshire, made great strides in her ongoing recovery.
This year’s 5-mile race drew two dozen boats, raising funds for Lindsay’s rehab efforts, which are not covered by insurance.
“To see the community supporting me is just beyond words,” Smith told the Current last month. Meanwhile, she continues to speak out about the warning signs of domestic violence, a profile in courage both inspirational and influential.
June also brought us the biennial Newport Bermuda Race, this year featuring a pair of Marblehead teams; the IOD World Championships, hosted by the Eastern Yacht Club; the return of the Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) New England Championship, hosted by the Boston Yacht Club; and the CYC-hosted National Women’s Invitational Team Race for The Thayer Trophy. Aside from the premier invitationals, we’ve had the Marblehead Racing Association Weekend Series, which continues through mid-September; the summer-long town class series; and EYC-hosted Friday pursuit races. For local anglers, this week’s second annual Striped Bass Open fishing tournament has been their chance to show off their skills, too.
To make all these activities run smoothly, we salute the many organizations and individuals who have worked hard to make Marbleheaders proud. They include the leadership teams at the MRA and Helly Hansen, employees and volunteers at all our yacht clubs, Harbormaster Mark Souza and his team, and many more.
Soon, the calendar will turn to August. To which we say, sail on.
MONEY MATTERS
You’ve built wealth, but have you built a plan?
BY EMILY PROMISE
Last month, we explored why planning ahead is one of the most important steps toward long-term financial success. While planning ahead is always ideal, financial success isn’t determined by when you start; it’s determined by whether you have a coordinated plan for where you’re going.
I’ve found that many families don’t have a savings problem; they have a planning problem.
They’ve done an excellent job accumulating wealth over the years — built successful careers, purchased homes, invested consistently and even owned businesses. Despite their financial success, many have not coordinated their investments, taxes, estate planning, retirement strategy, insurance and cash flow into one cohesive financial plan.
Planning ahead is important, but eventually the conversation shifts from building wealth to making sure everything you’ve built is working together.
One of the most common things I hear is, “I wish I had started planning sooner.” Surprisingly, that doesn’t usually come from someone who hasn’t been financially successful. More often, it’s from successful individuals who have done many things right over the years.
Their question isn’t, “How do I save more?”
It’s, “Am I making the most of everything I’ve worked so hard to build?”
Accumulating wealth and managing wealth are two very different skills.
As your financial life becomes more successful, it also becomes more complex. Retirement accounts grow. Tax decisions become more impactful. Stock compensation, charitable giving, aging parents, college funding, healthcare costs, business succession and estate planning all begin competing for attention. Without a coordinated strategy, it’s easy for each of these pieces to operate independently rather than work together.
That may mean identifying opportunities to reduce taxes over your lifetime rather than simply this year. It may involve coordinating retirement income so assets
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Attridge’s contribution ‘Indispensable’
To the editor:
We all should thank Jack Attridge for having the foresight to invite the author of “The Indispensables,” Patrick O’Donnell, for his recent weekend visit to Marblehead.
While Patrick was provided with the opportunity to visit the annual Glover’s Encampment at Fort Sewall on Saturday evening, Sunday afternoon in our historic Abbot Hall auditorium Patrick provided a wonderful recap of just how significant General Glover and the Marblehead fishermen were to the success of the American Revolution — all of which provided an opportunity to give awareness of the current effort to Save the Glover House.
Huzzahs to Jack Attridge for making this all happen!
Twig Burke Goldthwait Road
Mark your calendar to vote
To the editor:
The lazy hazy days of summer are upon us. Wildfires burn in Canadian forests and the U.S. The skies in Marblehead turn orange. Breathing for some is difficult, dangerous for others.
Meanwhile, earlier this year: The administration pays nearly a billion dollars of taxpayer money to TotalEnergies so they
are withdrawn in the most tax-efficient order, ensuring your estate documents still reflect your wishes, or determining whether excess cash could be working harder. These aren’t investment decisions; they’re planning decisions.
The good news is that it’s almost never too late to bring these pieces together.
Financial success isn’t measured simply by how much you’ve accumulated. It’s measured by how intentionally your wealth supports the life you want to live, the people you care about and the legacy you hope to leave.
Three questions to ask yourself this summer and easy check-ins:
1. Are all my financial decisions working together? Your investments, taxes, retirement plan, estate documents, insurance and cash flow shouldn’t exist in separate silos. A coordinated strategy often uncovers opportunities that individual pieces alone cannot. Do you have a place electronically or physically where you can view your entire financial life?
2. Has my financial plan kept pace with my life? Promotions, selling a business, retirement, grandchildren, inheritances or changes in tax law all create new planning opportunities. If your financial plan hasn’t evolved alongside your life, it may no longer reflect your goals. Have you reevaluated your goals and placed specific dollar amounts and time frames on them in the last 12 months?
3. Am I optimizing my wealth — or simply accumulating it?
Building wealth is only the first step. The next phase is making sure your assets are tax-efficient, protected and positioned to support both your lifestyle and the next generation. Have you reviewed your investment accounts for any saving opportunities or inheritance implications since the 2020 Secure Act?
Financial planning isn’t about regretting what you didn’t do 20 years ago. It’s about making smarter decisions with everything you’ve built today.
Emily Promise, CEO and financial advisor at ShorePoint Advisory Group (formerly Blakely Financial), is a Marblehead native and the financial columnist for the Current.
don’t build a wind farm. The Environmental Protection Agency rejects the scientific finding that greenhouse gases threaten human life, following Project 2025’s plan. Limits are removed on carbon dioxide, methane and four other greenhouse gases that scientists say are supercharging weather.
Do you believe people should have clean air to breathe or not?
VOTE!
Do you think man-made climate change is a hoax or real? VOTE!
Do you believe government should dictate science or not?
VOTE!
The primary election will be held Sept. 1, and the general state election will be held Nov. 3. Mark your calendar. Check your voter registration. Make a plan. Make a difference. VOTE.
Kathleen Leonardson Cloutmans Lane
An update to the long-delayed election ballot
To the editor:
To the many people who expressed interest in the welfare of my mail-in ballot for the town election of June 9, this story now has an end.
In the intervening weeks since saying goodbye to my ballot envelope at Muirton Post Office in Perth, Scotland, on June 1, I tracked its journey through the websites of Britain’s Post Office Ltd and subsequently USPS. You may recall that it was last heard of at the U.S.
Customs desk in Jamaica, New York, on Friday, June 5. (“Voting from Scotland? Don’t bother” Current letters, June 15.) Many thanks, therefore, to Jennifer Glavin at the Town Clerk’s office for her eternal vigilance, which was finally rewarded on Monday, July 20, on which date, Jennifer writes to say that “We received Rhod’s ballot in the mail today!” I plan on writing to Secretary of State Bill Galviin, not necessarily to claim the prize for one of the longest held-up ballots in Massachusetts history.
A person of suspicious mien might consider it something of a stick-up, however, by a federal agency bent on obstructing our democratic process. Why should I? Rhod Sharp Franklin Street
To those who saved my life — in spite of my efforts
To the editor:
On Monday, July 8, the day before my 84th birthday, I went to the Marblehead Y for my usual water aerobics class. I had been ignoring experiences that should have alerted me that my body needed attention: I woke up on my kitchen floor in a pool of my blood, with no idea what caused the long cut on my scalp.
My wife was away, so I called some friends with nursing skills
Heat pumps: The flexible choice for an energy-efficient home
BY JESSICA VALATKA
If you’ve been spending more time in air-conditioned rooms over the past few summers, you’re definitely not the only one. As our communities experience extreme weather effects due to climate change, more people are looking to lower greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring their homes are resilient to extreme heat. Turns out, you can take steps to tackle both of these at once!
Residential energy use accounts for roughly 20% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Currently, many homes use natural gas, heating oil or propane for heating, and air conditioning units for cooling.
Residents in Massachusetts are lucky to have renewable energy incentives that open up opportunities to reconsider how we power our homes and buildings. The technology that is frequently chosen is the heat pump.
Heating AND cooling
It is a common misconception that heat pumps only heat your home. In actuality, they provide both heating and cooling!
To cool the building, the technology pulls heat and humidity from the inside and transfers it to the outside. It works just as well as a traditional air-conditioning unit.
To warm the building, it does the reverse: It pulls heat from the outside and transfers it to the inside.
Modern cold-climate heat pumps can operate efficiently well below freezing. Even when it’s very cold out, there is heat in the air that can be extracted and brought indoors, which is much more efficient than generating new heat.
Heat pumps typically deliver two to four units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed, whereas generating new heat only delivers under a single unit of heat per unit of electricity.
There are two main parts of the
system: the source side, where heat is gathered from, and the load side, where the heat is being delivered to the building.
Heat pumps can be air-to-air systems but also air-to-water systems, which provide domestic hot water in addition to heating and cooling.
There are also water-to-water or water-to-air systems, which require geothermal drilling yet are still options that you can consider so that your system is tailored to the needs of your home and finances.
Choose your style
Heat pumps can be installed
in a variety of buildings, such as single-family homes, apartments, schools, offices, hospitals and industrial facilities. There are both ducted and ductless heat pumps, allowing them to be suited to homes or businesses with or without existing ductwork.
We’ve already mentioned that there are multiple installation types, but they can also be installed in newly constructed buildings or used to replace existing furnaces, boilers or electric resistance heaters. You can choose to use a heat pump or mini-split for one room or the whole house.
Cost competitive
Heat pumps are already widespread technology. They are found in water heaters, pool heaters and even in some electric vehicles for optimal energy efficiency.
The upfront cost of installing a heat pump is comparable to a new furnace or boiler and
Your brain wasn’t built for this
BY MARGARET BACON
I can name all three of Prince William and Kate’s children, in birth order. I also know more about Tom Brady than I ever intended to. I discovered this about myself last Tuesday while standing at the kitchen counter, waiting for the coffee, thinking of nothing in particular. I have visited England more than once, and the royal family has never once invited me to tea. Tom Brady has never called either. I could not, if you asked me right now, tell you the names of all of my cousin’s children, and I have known her my whole life. This bothered me just long enough to look up why. There is a name for this phenomenon. It’s called a parasocial relationship.
Sociologists coined the term decades ago after noticing how attached people became to media personalities they had never met, and it turns out the description still fits most of us.
Here’s the trouble with being a person: our instincts are old. Our brains evolved for one world but now must navigate another. For most of human history, the people you saw regularly were members of your own community, and your survival depended on remembering whether that person had ever stolen your goat.
The brain built a very efficient rule: a familiar face is someone worth tracking.
Nobody warned the brain that one day it would see thousands of familiar faces every week. Most would never meet you.
Many would be paid to appear in a small glass rectangle and look you straight in the eye.
This is, if you think about it
who got the bleeding to stop then ignored their advice to go to an ER to get stitches. I wasn’t bleeding, and hours in an ER had little appeal. I did notice that I was getting dizzy spells, but I had a doctor’s visit scheduled for the end of the month.
Heather, the teacher of the aerobics class, noticed I was not functioning as usual and came over to check me out. I assured her I would be fine. She ordered me out of the pool, got staff to help me get dressed and called an ambulance.
In the lobby of the Y, I was met by a Marblehead police officer who told me an ambulance was on the way. I told him that I had no intention of using the ambulance and was going to drive home. The officer, realizing that he was dealing with an idiot, amiably stalled me until the ambulance arrived.
The paramedics told me that they were required by law to
We like to think modern fame and modern gossip are new diseases. They are old ones with better delivery systems.
for more than a minute, a rather touching design flaw. We are creatures built for connection, so ready to form social bonds that we’ll invent them from a familiar face or voice rather than go without. Watch someone long enough and your brain begins filling in the rest of the relationship on its own.
I bring this up not to excuse myself but to spread the blame appropriately across the centuries. Readers were buying pamphlets about famous actors and their scandals in the 1700s, long before anyone had a screen to stare at.
By 1911, movie studios had figured out how to package the whole business, and magazines like “Photoplay” were selling
readers a curated, breathless intimacy with people they would never meet.
By the 1940s, “Life and Look” had turned that intimacy into a weekly ritual. Glossy photo spreads let ordinary readers study a star’s face the way they might study a family member’s, and people lined up at the newsstand for every issue.
We like to think modern fame and modern gossip are new diseases. They are old ones with better delivery systems.
Social media simply put them on a 24-hour schedule and gave everyone a front-row seat.
I have made a kind of peace with the fact that I am a villagesized creature trying to navigate a globally connected society
central air conditioning. Plus, costs of a heat pump system can be offset by the savings in your monthly utility bills.
If you have solar panels, you are the supplier of the energy that the heat pump uses, which drives down those monthly costs dramatically. You likely won’t find these kinds of savings with propane, oil or electric resistance as your chosen source. Further, rebates may be available to you, and Sustainable Marblehead can help you figure out if you qualify.
If you would like to learn more about heat pumps, the opportunities available to you, and how to install one in your home, sign up for a free consultation with Sustainable Marblehead’s trained, local volunteer energy coaches at sustainablemarblehead.org/ energycoachform or visit sustainablemarblehead.org for more information.
Jessica Valatka is a summer intern for Sustainable Marblehead.
with a brain that evolved to keep track of a much smaller circle of people.
Some of us give that attention to a princess. Some of us give it to Tom Brady. Some of us give it to the faces that appear on our phones every day.
The instinct isn’t the problem. The object of our attention deserves a little more scrutiny. Our brains evolved to recognize familiar faces. They were never meant to encounter so many of them.
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.
I am writing to express my appreciation to the many people: Heather and the staff of the Y, the Marblehead police officer who absorbed my idiocy with patience and skill, the EMTs and warm skillful staff at Salem Hospital, who acted to save my life in spite of my efforts. Thank you. I got better than I deserved.
Michael Elkin Prospect Street
SENDING LETTERS
Letters must be received by our newsroom directly from their writers (for special circumstances, contact the newsroom). Email submissions to info@marbleheadnews.org or use the submission form found at marbleheadcurrent.org/ letters. Some letters may be shared to social media. We will share a wide array of viewpoints. Letters must be received by noon on Friday in order to be printed in the following week’s print edition.
COURTESY PHOTO Resident Rhod Sharp fills out his Marblehead June 9 election ballot while on vacation in Scotland.
21 other boats on the starting line.
“Saturday had been a light air race and we had 11th place in one race, so we needed to do really well on Sunday. We also knew that Jim and Nate Taylor are super-fast in heavy air and they were in first place going into today and there was a strong breeze.
The first race the breeze stayed up but we got first. That set the pace for the next two races,” Pendleton said.
The final score for the day was 1, 2, 2 giving them a total of 37 points “We love the people in this fleet, and it has grown extremely competitive,” Pendleton added.
Second place in Rhodes-19 went to Jim Taylor and his son, Nate.
“Race Week gives us 10 races over four days so this is really full on. Because we do not have any throw-outs, you must try to stay in the top 10 each race. Further, we don’t have the opportunity to race in a large fleet as often today, so this is it,” Taylor said.
With many of the 10 fleets competing for either three or four days, Tomas Hornos of Marblehead also had to finish well in the final race if he were to get the overall win in the 19-boat strong Etchells.
“First place for us came down to that last leg of the regatta and it was between us and Tar & Feather. We were not leading the regatta this week until the very end,” Hornos said.
Both teams finished with 20 points, but Hornos and his team won it in a tiebreaker.
A tiebreaker in sailing relies on specific criteria like headto-head results, higher-place finishes or the last race outcome to rank boats that finish with the same total points.
Tar & Feather owner Don Dowd of Rye, New York, raced with two of his sons and has been an Etchells sailor for 40 years.
“I really enjoy sailing here in Marblehead and we are seeing some big-time growth in the fleet here. We hope to be back again,” Dowd said.
Another tiebreaker came in the nine-boat strong International One Design fleet with Bill Widnall and Greg MancusiUngaro finishing with 22 points, but the tie-breaking win went to Widnall.
The J105s were also facing some close racing with the overall win going to Charlie Gerrard and team on board Merlin. Gerrad noted that he went into today with a good lead and he was happy to be sailing with the team he has been with
for over 20 years.
“When my veteran crew is all together, I do better and I don’t sail as well without them.
I cannot say enough about this team,” Gerrad said.
Second place in the J105s went to Ric Dexter on Brouhaha who was incredibly happy with his second-place finish.
“On the final day, we moved up from fourth place to second.
I am very happy about that,” Dexter said.
Race week is very often a kind of marathon where teams tend
to improve performance by increments over the event, and then having it come down to the wire is what makes it exciting, and sometimes frustrating for competitors.
“What I like about J105 is it is a level playing field as we are all one design and you really have to rely on teamwork,” said Ken Bowden, who owns the J105 Knotless.
Whether in the Town Class featuring 13 boats or the traditional 110 and Lightings, there was a lot of focus on
veteran tried and true teams this year, as the event does require a level of commitment from all.
“I think a lot of these fleets, like the Vipers or J70s and others, do a lot of traveling to get to regattas these days, but every sailing town should have that kind of event where everyone returns home to race.
A lot of people did get out this week and had time to compete on a very level playing field. It is great to keep the traditions of a hometown regatta going,” said Dave Reed, regatta director and editor of Sailing World
Magazine.
Reed added: “This event had a lot of highlights and the sailing was spectacular. I think because the event gives teams the opportunity to race consistently, through light and shifty air or stronger breezes like today, they really have to work for it and as an example, the Rhodes-19 hometown team of Charlie Pendleton and James Raisides, they were a team who wanted to come back to their home fleet and they really had to work hard for their win but I am glad they are back.”
COURTESY PHOTOS / BRUCE DURKEE
One of the more competitive fleets during Marblehead Race Week belonged to the Vipers pictured here sailing under spinnaker with the Boston skyline in the distance.
The Etchells fleet is one of the fastest growing in Marblehead with many veteran and new owners facing off this past weekend. The Etchells winner was Tomas Hornos of Marblehead who also received the Norman Cressy trophy for his overall performance.
The Lightings are a nostalgic boat for Helly Hansen Sailing World at Marblehead Race Week and the fleet arrived in town in impressive numbers.
Two J70s racing downwind on Saturday during Helly Hansen Sailing World at Marblehead Race Week.
Locals protest ICE killings, honor victims
BY GREY COLLINS
On Saturday afternoon, more than 100 people stood together at the intersection of Lafayette and Maple streets, many carrying hand-made signs, to protest the fatal shootings of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Texas and Joan Sebastian Guerrero in Maine by federal ICE agents, and hold a vigil to honor their memory. The event was organized by the group North Shore Indivisible. The protesters waved as cars drove past honking in support. After about an hour, the group formed a circle for a vigil honoring the memory of Araujo and Guerrero. Rev. Marybelle Hollister began the vigil with a moment of silence and prayers
for unity from Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions.
Leslie Smith-Rosen, chair of North Shore Indivisible, spoke next. In her remarks, she condemned what she described as the injustice and brutality of the killings, and called on Marbleheaders and others around the North Shore to organize and become more involved. She emphasized the importance of demanding justice and accountability from elected officials, and organizing communities to combat what she described as growing fascism in the United States.
“We again mourn and bear witness, as we did six months ago. But let us resolve to do more in the coming 14 weeks,”
said Smith-Rosen. “If there’s any chance to curb the likelihood that we will need to gather again, and again and again it is that we must have free and fair elections so we can put some kind of constraint on this lawlessness and fascism.”
Then Smith-Rosen read a poem by Amanda Gorman, written in honor of Alex Pretti — who was also shot and killed by ICE agents earlier this year.
“Our greatest threat isn’t the outsiders among us, but those among us who never look within,” Gormon wrote. “ Fear not those without papers, but those without conscience. Know that to care intensively, united, is to carry both pain-dark horror for today & a profound, daring hope for tomorrow.”
Finance director, administrator searches continue
Planning Board vacancy filled; criteria for senior tax break set
BY ALEKA KROITZSH
Marblehead currently has two open positions following the resignation of Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin and the forthcoming retirement of Town Administrator Thatcher W. Kezer.
At the July 22 select board meeting, Kezer gave an update on the search to fill these soonto-be vacant positions. Benjamin announced her resignation on July 10 and will leave at the end of August, and Kezer will depart at the end of this year.
Kezer emphasized the importance of having a new chief financial officer in place before the start of the next budget cycle, adding the position requires someone with “top-ofthe-pyramid municipal financial knowledge.”
To find someone with this level of expertise and to replace his own position, Kezer recommended that the town hire the Collins Center as a recruiting service. A recruiting firm will be helpful to find candidates who are not necessarily looking for a job, he
Select
said.
The Collins Center proposed charging $16,000 to recruit a new town administrator and an additional $10,000 for a chief financial officer. In the town’s budget, these expenses will fall under the line item for professional consulting services.
To cover the role while the town searches for a new chief financial officer, Kezer recommended hiring a member of the CliftonLarsonAllen to focus on financial matters and a retired Massachusetts Department of Revenue member to train new staff.
Architect Koelle appointed to Planning Board
In other business, the Select Board appointed Susan Koelle to the town’s Planning Board.
Koelle has been a licensed architect for 20 years. For 10 of those years, she has owned her own firm in Marblehead, where she manages commercial and residential projects. Prior to opening her own firm, Koelle worked on a wide variety of projects, including major parks,
affordable housing and highend corporate interiors. She has lived in Marblehead for over 10 years.
“I’d love to help out however I can. I’m always impressed with all the community members taking time to be on boards,” Koelle said.
The board had planned to interview both Koelle and incumbent Steve Leverone before voting on whom to select. But when it was Leverone’s turn to be interviewed, he announced that he would not be running again.
“I want to thank the members of the Planning Board and the select board. I’ve learned a lot about how this town works and enjoyed the opportunity,” he said.
Koelle’s term on the planning board will expire in 2029.
Town, unions agree to health insurance optout for cash savings
The town and its Public Employee Committee have reached a new health insurance agreement that creates an optout incentive program “designed to reduce future health insurance costs,” according to Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer.
Under the agreement, eligible
employees who have participated in the town’s health insurance plan for at least two consecutive years and have qualifying health coverage elsewhere may voluntarily opt out of the town’s plan.
Employees who choose to waive coverage will receive an annual incentive payment of $4,000 for declining individual coverage and $8,000 for declining family coverage.
According to Kezer, each employee who voluntarily opts out is expected to generate an estimated annual savings to the town of approximately $8,900 for an individual plan and $23,900 for a family plan, based on current premium rates.
“The new health insurance opt-out option is a win-win for both our employees and the town,” Select Board Chair Dan Fox wrote in an email to the Current. “It provides a meaningful financial benefit to eligible employees who have access to health coverage elsewhere, while also creating significant savings for the town.”
Eligibility set for senior tax exemption
The board also approved the guidelines of eligibility for Marblehead’s new senior tax
exemption.
This tax exemption has been created for and tailored to the needs of Marblehead residents, said Finance Committee Chair Molly Teets. It is designed to work in conjunction with Massachusetts’ state Senior Circuit Breaker income tax relief credit when individuals need further aid.
“It’s really meant to help the seniors who need it the most,” Teets said.
After doing research, Teets found that there were around 100 Marblehead residents who would be eligible for this tax credit. Because the town has $200,000 set aside to fund it, Teets recommended and the board approved $2,000 as maximum exemption for each participant.
The board also agreed on what constituted “excessive assets.” This is defined differently depending on the tax break, but the board decided that to be eligible, residents must not own a second home.
Residents also must be at least 65 years of age and have lived in Marblehead for 10 years.
Teets said she hoped to host workshops and info sessions to inform seniors in the community of this new program.
Board sets goals, charts 10-year financial strategy after override
BY GREY COLLINS
The Select Board sat around a conference room table overlooking Marblehead Harbor, sipping coffee and eating blueberry and chocolate chip muffins as members discussed goals for the next fiscal year and laid out plans for the town’s post-override future.
At its annual retreat on July 24, the board looked beyond the budget crisis that dominated much of the past year, set priorities for the coming year and outlined a long-term financial strategy designed to keep Marblehead on stable footing for the next decade.
“What we accomplished this year is we went from looking down into the dark valley to actually having the ability to really control your finances in a very optimistic way,” Town Administrator Thatcher Keezer said. “We can actually look forward now.”
After voters approved a $15 million operating override in June, helping the town avoid a
Officer Aleesha Benjamin, spent the morning discussing how to move from responding to financial emergencies to longterm planning.
They reviewed progress on goals established for the previous fiscal year and developed new priorities for fiscal 2027.
Among those new goals is conducting an independent operational review to evaluate the town’s organizational structure, identify opportunities for increased efficiency and establish monthly financial reporting to the Select Board.
The reporting would include budget-to-actual comparisons. It would also identify revenue and expenditure risks and opportunities, and monitor volatile accounts.
Another key goal is developing a leadership transition plan for key municipal positions expected to become vacant this year, including the town administrator and finance director.
CURRENT PHOTO / GREY COLLINS
Ginny O’Brien and Lesley Tracy hold up signs at the vigil to honor the victims of ICE shootings around the U.S.
CURRENT PHOTO / GREY COLLINS
The Select Board met in its annual retreat July 24, setting goals for the next 10 years.
stopped and identified three young men who had backpacks full of booze, from whom they confiscated significant amounts of alcohol.
Repeal social host bylaw?
The development comes as the Board of Health was scheduled to discuss Tuesday whether to repeal Marblehead’s 1995 social host bylaw, which allows the town to fine (up to $150) adults who knowingly permit underage drinking.
Massachusetts also has a social host law that carries significantly steeper penalties than the local bylaw, including fines of up
to $2,000 and the possibility of jail time for adults who knowingly provide alcohol to, or allow drinking by, people under 21.
“I think we should strengthen every justification we can find for reducing substance use in young people,” Board of Health Chair Dr. Tom Massaro told the Current. “And clearly, if the Commonwealth version is stronger, clearer and more defensible, then that becomes the standard for the town.”
The Current asked King if he supports Marblehead’s bylaw, but did not receive an immediate response.
District Attorney Paul Tucker’s Office said the DA will not weigh in on the local bylaw.
Visit MarbleheadCurrent. org for updates.
of cheese.”
His interest grew through traveling. After he and his wife married, Lewis said they traveled to France when his father, Philip Lewis, was officiating a wedding at a 14th-century chateau. They visited a renowned cheese shop in Paris where they tasted French food.
That experience, along with trips to London and a five-day intensive cheese course in San Francisco, convinced Lewis to create a wine bar rather than a traditional cheese shop.
Lewis and his family moved from Boston to Marblehead in 2019. He called Marblehead a perfect area to launch a business.
“There were no wine bars in this area,” he said. He titled the business Le Petit Comptoir after a favorite Parisian bistro the family discovered during their travels.
But it wasn’t an easy road to opening. Lewis purchased the business in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic started. Construction
and permitting delays postponed the opening for several years until the restaurant welcomed guests at its July 10 soft opening.
Lewis said the dining room was filled within 30 minutes.
“The people in Marblehead are awfully nice,” said Philip Lewis, the co-owner.
One of Alex Lewis’s favorite parts is introducing customers to new cheese pairings. Lewis’s favorite pairings include Stilton with port wine, Gouda with dark chocolate, brie with kimchi, and ParmigianoReggiano paired with prosecco. He also recommends pinot noir as a unique pairing with cheeses.
The menu features Lewis’ “Fancy Grilled Cheese for Adults,” made with pecorino, Gouda, and Comte cheeses.
“I think my grilled cheese is top-tier,” said Lewis.
In addition to its menu, Le Petit Comptoir hosts classes, including Cheese 101, American Wines and Cheeses, French and Italian Wines, and Unconventional Pairings. Currently open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m, Lewis hopes the wine bar will become a gathering place for the community.
“I hope we fill a void,” Lewis said. “Customers love that it isn’t loud; they can sit and talk and have a glass of wine. We have made this our town — we love it here.”
CURRENT PHOTO / MARIELLE SABBAG
Co-owners Philip, left, and Alex Lewis endured years of construction and permitting delays before welcoming customers to Le Petit Comptoir Wine and Cheese.
COURTESY PHOTO Le Petit Comptoir offers a curated selection of wine and cheese.
Sports
ON THE WAVES
Youth sailors compete in Junior Race Week
BY GREY COLLINS
On July 20, before Race Week brought hundreds of people to Marblehead to compete on the waves, Marblehead’s youngest sailors took center stage at Junior Race Week.
The annual youth regatta drew 170 sailors from around Marblehead and the North Shore.
Ages from eight to 18, the kids sailed in Optimist and 420 class sailboats and participated in 12 races outside of Marblehead Harbor over the three-day regatta.
The conditions were perfect.
“It went really well. It was really fun to get to race at home, and me and my crew were really starting to bond throughout the week, so it was just really fun,” said Maggie Svencer, a 16-yearold sailor at Marblehead’s Pleon Yacht Club, who won first place in the 420 Championship Division alongside crewmate Jack Gabriel.
Getting a chance to win first place on their home turf was a special experience. Svencer, who has competed in Junior Race Week since she was 10 years old, said sailing continues to challenge her both mentally and physically.
“Sailing is a really great sport. There’s lots of tactics involved so you have to use your brain a lot, which I love to do,” she said. “And I just love getting out on the water.”
Pleon sailor Grafton Hamilton, who finished fourth in the 420 Championship fleet with crewmate Clare Bush, said racing against new competitors was one of the week’s highlights.
“My favorite part of the race was just being out there and meeting new people,” said Hamilton. “It was definitely really cool.”
Pleon Commodore Thomas Svencer, 18, served on the race committee boat this year, overseeing the 420 course. He said the regatta featured close competition throughout all three days.
“It was a really good regatta. We had three good days of tight competitive racing out there,” Svencer said.
Svencer, who is heading to the University of Wisconsin this fall, grew up sailing at the Pleon Yacht club, and got the chance to step up this year and lead the younger sailors as commodore.
Watching from the race committee boat gave Svencer a new perspective. “It was weird being on the
other side of it,” he said. “ But it was good to see the next generation of sailors coming in and racing.”
Jim Dasilva, co-chair of the Marblehead Junior race week, said that the regatta this year showcased the talent and leadership skills of the young sailors, as well as the strength of the local sailing community.
“You don’t find many places in youth sports where the leadership is the kids themselves. We’re also really fortunate to have this community that rallies together,” DaSilva said. “It was definitely a whole-harbor effort.”
ABOVE AND RIGHT:
The Rhodes-19 fleet was a hotly contested race with competition over four days.
Winners Charlie Pendleton and James Raisides of Marblehead took the win on Sunday when winds were heavier, giving them conditions they wanted.
COURTESY PHOTOS / BRUCE DURKEE
CURRENT PHOTOS / GREY COLLINS
Sailors tack to change direction during the 420 Champion race on Monday afternoon.
Sailboats head downwind with their spinnakers unfurled on July 20.
Sailboats compete neck-and-neck toward the finish line during Marblehead Junior Race Week.
ABOVE AND BELOW:
The Town Class is the most iconic boat in Marblehead Race Week as it was originally designed and built for our town’s sailors. Pictured here sailing downwind with Marblehead Light in the background.
Football Magicians enjoy Maine summer weekend…. on the gridiron
BY JOE MCCONNELL
The Marblehead High Football Magicians were off to Berwick, Maine once again to play in another 7-on-7 tournament at Marshwood High School.
With a more veteran group last summer, the Magicians came home with the championship.
But the current stable of young players also enjoyed success in the Pine Tree State, only to lose, however, to Cambridge’s Buckingham Browne & Nichols (BB&N) prep school in the finals. They finished up with a 6-1 record.
The Magicians took on the
Londonderry, N.H. High School
A-team in the Maine opener. It was a game that went down to the wire, before they defeated their Granite State counterparts by two points, 20-18. They then faced three Maine schools –Noble (20-6), Bonny Eagle (206) and York (24-12) – and took care all of them to complete pool play.
Heading into the next round, they went up against the other Londonderry team in this tournament, winning pretty much going away, 27-12, setting the stage for the semifinal triumph over Chelmsford, 19-6, to propel them to the
championship game against aforementioned BB&N.
The Magicians were definitely confident for a repeat of last year’s championship heroics. “Our goal coming into this tournament was to win it again,” said senior Pete Rhodes. “But there are a lot of new kids on our team this year, who are still trying to learn the playbook, and right now that’s more important than winning every 7-on-7.”
Nonetheless, it was still a close final that ended up going BB&N’s way to the tune of 15-12.
While it is fun playing in these organized summer scrimmages, the real work to
get ready for the season lies within the daily grind. “We have morning workouts Monday through Thursday beginning at 6 a.m.,” said Rhodes. “We have conditioning drills on the field, before lifting weights in the weightroom. All of this helps us get ready for the preseason (in late August) and ultimately the regular season.”
Tim Wales, Rhodes’ classmate and teammate, thought they did “phenomenal” in Maine, before losing to “a very good BB&N team.”
Wales was impressed by quarterback Marcus Waitekus, along with the “usual standouts”
like Madden Lyons, Trent Brown and James Machado. “The younger players also stepped up nicely, when we needed a break,” added Wales, who also mentioned that seniors Owen Coyne, Armany Villar and Vidal Clarke among others have been “amazing” on and off the gridiron, as well.
The Magicians have since returned home to resume daily workouts, while getting ready for more 7-on-7s against more familiar North Shore foes every Sunday at Piper until the first day of practice with head coach Jim Rudloff and his staff on Aug. 24.
MHS boys soccer coach Magana, captain Badzak express mixed reviews on the World Cup final
BY JOE MCCONNELL
The 2026 World Cup is now in the books after Spain dominated Argentina in a defensive masterpiece, 1-0 at East Rutherford, New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium – renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament – on July 19.
Marblehead High School boys soccer coach Elmer Magana and one of his captains, Erik Badzak, were two of millions of fans, who were intently watching pretty much all the games throughout the entire six-week tournament that brings the world together every four years.
Magana’s pick to win it all at the start of the World Cup was Argentina, and though disappointed with the outcome, he knew that it was still a win for the sport, especially here in the United States.
Magana sheds a tear for the great Messi
“Our sport is both beautiful and cruel at the same time. It gave us the joy to once again watch Lionel Messi’s Argentina (team) reach the finals, while also possibly getting a chance to see (him) hoist his second World Cup trophy in perhaps his final appearance (ever on the pitch),” said Magana, who predicted a 2-1 Argentina win over France in the title game back in June. “But it was also a bumpy road for the defending champs with close calls against Egypt and old foe England, but as they say, never underestimate the heart of a champion. It was beautiful to see Messi – to me he’s the G.O.A.T. – compete for a second World Cup, but it was also cruel to see his tears of sadness, instead of tears of joy. If you truly love soccer, you felt Messi’s pain.
Everybody, especially him, were (probably) thinking the same thing: “Is it over? “Was this his last dance? We hope not.”
But Magana saw that time was running out for Argentina, even before the final game got underway. “I knew Argentina was going to struggle to create scoring chances, (or) even possess the ball after Spain was able to completely shut down France, which had the most potent offensive attack in the tournament,” said Magana. “Although Argentina had
Messi, he’s only one player, and our sport is a team sport. Spain (was) a well-oiled machine. They possessed the ball throughout, which frustrated the defending champs to the point where fouls were committed, and they had to play a man down against a young, talented Spain team.” Nonetheless, despite the bitter loss, Magana tips his cap to Spain. “As a disciple of the game, I congratulate Spain on a well-deserved team win. But as a fan, I too had tears running down my face during the trophy
presentation. It was not tears of joy, but tears of imagining soccer without Lionel Messi.”
Captain not thrilled with the final game
Badzak thought Columbia would be playing France in the championship game. Needless to say, that wasn’t the case.
The MHS boys soccer captain still says that France and Spain were the two best teams in this year’s World Cup. “They were undoubtedly the (two) strongest World Cup teams on paper in
this year’s tournament,” said Badzak, “and throughout group play both teams showed (off) that strength of dominance and speed.”
But as far as the championship game was concerned, it was far from memorable, according to Badzak. “I thought the final was actually boring and disappointing,” he said. “The third-place match (between England and France) was far more interesting. I was rooting for Spain to win, and was very happy when they beat Argentina.”
England defeated France in that back-and-forth consolation match, 6-4.
Badzak said that he was not surprised by anything that took place in the final with the exception of Argentina’s poor play. But despite that, he too still admires the soccer legend. “I think Messi changed the sport a lot, and is definitely a legend of the game,” he said.
The summer is almost over for Magana and Badzak. They will return to the pitch in less than a month, when Magana welcomes Erik and his teammates back for the first official day of practice on Aug. 24.
COURTESY PHOTO
The Marblehead High School 7-on-7 summer football team poses together after going 6-1 in Berwick, Maine, on July 19. They are, from left, front row, Brandon Jacquez and Armany Villar. Second row, Charlie Annese, Vidal Clark, Tim Wales, Landon Dosch, Ryan Rhodes, James Machado, Marcus Waitekus, Trent Brown, Madden Lyons, Bailey Finkle, Pete Rhodes, Nic Epstein, Gabriel Jones, Nolan Glass and Wyatt Martin.
FILE PHOTO Marblehead High School boys soccer coach Elmer Magana.
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.
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. By
Julia Rockler
Dads & Donuts Event
Saturday, Aug. 1, 10 a.m.12 p.m. Join Hestia Creations for a fun Dads and Donuts event — a great time for kids and their dad to play in Paint Your Own Pottery studio. There will be free donuts and a creative environment. You can either drop-in or make a reservation online.
Women’s History with Marblehead Museum
Thursday, July 30, 4 p.m.
Join Jarrett Zeman, museum associate director, for a tour of downtown Marblehead focused on Women’s History from the 1860s to the 1920s. You will dig into stories of courageous women who helped end slavery and fought for women’s rights. $15.90. Tickets available at marbleheadmuseum.org.
Live Music at The Landing
Thursday, July 30, 7-10 p.m.
End your Thursday listening to live music with rock band The Baldones, led by resident Rob Mazow. Among their fans is former Gov. Charlie Baker, who once said, “Saying these guys are a ‘cover band’ is kind of like saying a North Shore beef is ‘just a sandwich.’” Location: 81 Front St., Marblehead.
Cold Chocolate
Saturday, Aug. 1, 7.30 p.m.
Join Homegrown House Concerts for a night of live music with Cold Chocolate. The duo features Ethan Robbins and Ariel Bernstein who bend genres including folk, funk and bluegrass to create sounds all their own. Make a donation and reserve your spot by filling out a Google form at sites.google.com/ view/homegrownhouseconcerts/ upcoming-shows.
Revolutionary Dwellings walking tour
Friday, July 31 and Sunday, Aug. 2, 4-6 p.m.
it’s probable that many if not most of the nearly 300 houses in Marblehead still surviving from before 1775 were homes of ‘Headers who served in the Revolutionary War. Join Judy Anderson to see the exteriors of homes of some of the town’s more famous — but still surprising — servicemen, part of the Marblehead 250 celebration. Free, no RSVP necessary. Meet in front of Abbot Hall. More info: marbleheadtours. com/2026_JA_Programs.pdf
Open Build Lab: Creative Construction for Teens
Monday, Aug. 3, 3-4 p.m.
Beaded Link Jewelry Class
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 4-6 p.m.
Get creative by learning to use spooled wire and beads to make a beaded link necklace. You choose the shape, size, style and color of your bead choices at Eos Designs Studio, 43 Pond St., Rear Cottage. Cost: $28 plus materials.
Reiki 1 Certificate
Saturday, Aug. 8, 1-7 p.m.
Teens ages 13-18 are invited to experiment with a variety of hands-on building systems (K’NEX, ZOOB, Engino and more) in this drop-in session at the Thompson Makerspace at Abbot Public Library
led by Dan Saulnier, technical resource specialist. Participants can continue work on the community K’NEX Ferris wheel or create an original project. Drop in anytime during the session to build, experiment and bring your ideas to life. No registration required. More info at abbotlibrary.org
By the end of this six-hour workshop at The Yoga Loft, 27 Bessom St., up to six participants will have earned Reiki 1 certificates, having received training material and experience practicing Reiki healing for themselves and others. Reiki is the Japanese name for “universal life force energy” and can be used to bring comfort to people and animals. $222. Register at theyogaloftmarblehead.com/ sign-up.
Marblehead Arts to host opening reception, art crawl
Marblehead Arts Association is pleased to announce two cultural, community events on Sunday, Aug. 9 and Sunday, Aug. 16. The first, on Aug. 9, 2-4 p.m., is the opening reception for the Marblehead Arts Association Late Summer Solo Exhibits with inspiring works by juried artists Lucia Balinbin, Annette Sykes, Jessica Murdock, Christen Mailler and Richard Honan, as well as “The Spirit of ’76” themed artist members’ exhibit. Admission is free, and complimentary refreshments will be served, with opportunities to meet the artists, and view and purchase art. The exhibits are running at the MAA, 8 Hooper St., Marblehead through Saturday, Sept. 19. MAA galleries are
Association’s Art Crawl & Open Studios is a free, self-guided tour for visitors and will take place rain or shine. Maps can be downloaded one week prior to the event for a great afternoon of meeting local artists, shopping for art and supporting the local arts community. For more information, see marbleheadarts.org/ mhd-art-crawl.
Breed: Domestic
shorthair
Size: Medium
Age: Kittens
Sex: Female and male
The Marblehead Animal Shelter recently took in a mother cat, whom a rock ’n’ roll fan in the shelter’s volunteer corps dubbed Mother Love Bone, along with her litter of kittens. Those kittens — females Thin Lizzy, Molly Hatchet, Blondie (who is actually calico with more black) and Metallica and males Zeppelin and Nirvana — are now ready and waiting to be adopted.
All of the kittens are friendly, playful and outgoing, according to
shelter volunteers (though they are a bit older now than shown in their pictures).
The shelter only adopts young kittens in pairs or to homes where there is another young, playful cat. Potential adopters must be registered with a veterinarian, as they will need additional vaccinations and to be spayed or neutered. Mother Love Bone’s kittens are up to date with routine shots and house trained. If you are interested in meeting any of the animals at the shelter, you must fill out an adoption application online at marbleheadanimal-shelter.org.
The Merry Mixers celebrated their 76th year by presenting Salem Hospital with a recordbreaking donation of $132,000 to support the Merry Mixers Patient in Need Fund. This year’s gift also marks the establishment of the Merry Mixers Pediatric Patient in Need Endowment, creating a permanent source of funding that will provide immediate support to pediatric patients and families facing financial hardship for generations to come. Founded in 1950, the Merry Mixers is a volunteer organization dedicated to supporting children and families through fundraising efforts that benefit Salem Hospital. The money raised will directly benefit children and
boy
Sunday, July 5
» Alarms: 0
» Building/property checks: 7
» Abandoned 911 calls: 1
» Vehicle stops, citations: 1
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0
12:20 a.m. Officers investigated a general complaint on Elm Street.
7:42 a.m. An officer investigated a report of a tree or branch down on Everett Paine Boulevard and Warwick Terrace.
8:14 a.m. Another agency was given assistance on Lee Street.
9:48 a.m. An officer investigated an issue related to utilities on Tedesco Street and Leggs Hill Road.
11:13 a.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Front Street.
12:13 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Pleasant Street.
12:31 p.m. An officer investigated general information on Intrepid Circle.
1:21 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint that proved to be unfounded on Whittier Road and Beacon Street.
5:44 p.m. Services were rendered after a general complaint on Village Street.
6:05 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Ocean Avenue.
8:02 p.m. Officers investigated a general complaint on Norman Street.
8:16 p.m. Officers, firefighters and an ambulance crew investigated an abandoned 911 call on Humphrey Street.
10:55 p.m. Officers, firefighters and an ambulance crew responded to the scene of a crash in which a vehicle reportedly struck a pole on Jackson and Cleveland roads. Upon one officer’s arrival, he was initially unable to locate any signs of an accident. In a subsequent search, he came upon two teenage girls sitting. He asked if they had seen anything, and they replied that their friend had been in an accident but was fine. They said that the vehicle’s airbag had deployed but that he had driven home. When the officer
families by providing critical, immediate support to pediatric patients experiencing financial hardship. The Patient in Need Fund helps cover essential items and services not typically covered by insurance, including safe car seats for newborns, transportation assistance for families visiting hospitalized children, warm clothing and other necessities that directly impact a child’s well-being.
The fund empowers clinicians to respond quickly and thoughtfully to families’ most urgent needs during difficult times.
The Patient in Need Fund supports pediatric care across Salem Hospital, including Labor & Delivery, the Special Care Nursery, Pediatric Emergency
On the Agenda provides a brief overview of upcoming meetings of Marblehead municipal boards and commissions, Meeting schedules and agendas are subject to change. For the most current list and for Zoom links to online or hybrid meetings, see marbleheadma.gov/events.
Wednesday, July 29 9 a.m.: Board of Assessors Assessor’s
asked for the driver’s name, the girls became evasive and said he lived on West Shore Drive. Another officer was dispatched to West Shore Drive to search for the driver. The officer then began to check the area around the pole that reportedly had been struck for debris, and when he turned back around, the girls were gone. The officer then spoke with the resident who had called in the accident, who explained that she had heard a noise and had come out to see the vehicle at the pole with its airbags deployed. She did not get a good look at the driver or the vehicle before she ran to call 911, and while she was on the phone, she heard the car peel off. A search of the area did not turn up any damaged vehicles. The officer could not see any obvious damage to the pole but requested that the Light Department check it in the daylight.
Monday, July 6
» Alarms: 2
» Building/property checks: 9
» Abandoned 911 calls: 0
» Vehicle stops, citations: 0
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0
10:17 a.m. A past hit-and-run crash was reported on Norman Street.
1:21 p.m. An officer investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle on Vine and Village streets.
2:13 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Anderson Street.
2:26 p.m. General information was provided on Broughton Road.
3:25 p.m. A citizen was assisted on Union Street.
8:59 p.m. An officer restored the peace after a disturbance was reported on Everett Paine Boulevard.
Tuesday, July 7
» Alarms: 1
» Building/property checks: 3
» Abandoned 911 calls: 0
» Vehicle stops, citations: 0
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0
6:57 a.m. Officers investigated a report of an open front door on
Front Street.
10:06 a.m. A lost necklace was reported on Clifton Avenue.
12:38 p.m. A 61-year-old Dracut woman was arrested on a pair of out-of-town warrants after police, firefighters and an ambulance crew responded to the scene of a vehicle crash on Humphrey and Doane streets.
2:32 p.m. An officer investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle on Front and Franklin streets.
2:33 p.m. Running hydrants were reported on Tioga Way.
2:48 p.m. Services were rendered after a general complaint on West Shore Drive.
4:13 p.m. Services were rendered after a general complaint on Pleasant Street.
4:53 p.m. Services were rendered after a boat complaint on Marblehead Harbor.
8 p.m. An officer investigated a report of a tree or branch down on Front Street.
9:10 p.m. An officer investigated a disturbance on Doane Street.
11:15 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Foster Street and Harbor Avenue.
Wednesday, July 8
» Alarms: 2 » Building/property checks: 4
» Abandoned 911 calls: 1
» Vehicle stops, citations: 0
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0
8:28 a.m. Officers investigated the report of a vehicle crash on Village Street and West Shore Drive.
9:06 a.m. Services were rendered after an issue related to utilities was reported on Maple Street.
10:43 a.m. A complaint was made about a moving vehicle on Pleasant Street and Ocean Avenue.
1:43 p.m. A vehicle was towed after a crash on Washington Street. 1:48 p.m. An officer investigated a report that a vehicle struck a bicyclist on Beacon Street.
2:21 p.m. An officer investigated a report of threats on Marion Road.
Services and Pediatric Psychology. Throughout the year, the Merry Mixers host several signature fundraising events open to the community, including the 50/50 Raffle,
Galentine’s Night Out, the Merry Mixers Tennis Open and the organization’s annual gala. For more information about the Merry Mixers or to learn how to get involved, contact merrymixer@gmail.com.
Merry Mixers Board
Carol V. Cote
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Carol V. Cote on July 6, surrounded by the love of her family.
Carol grew up in Manasquan, New Jersey, where she developed the warmth, kindness and sense of humor that defined her throughout her life. She attended Centenary College in New Jersey, where she formed lifelong friendships and embraced the values that guided her through the years.
Throughout her career, Carol worked as an administrative assistant at several leading financial institutions, where she was known for her professionalism, dedication,
Norman Ketola, 88
Norman Ketola, born February 5, 1938, in Morristown, New Jersey, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and greatgrandfather, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2026. Norm grew up in Brooklyn New York, and as a young boy he and his childhood friends were often up to great mischief: riding their motorcycles, making zip guns, going to dances throughout Brooklyn and New York City. He and his friends drove across the U.S. at the age of 17 with a big Studebaker complete with
kindness and unwavering work ethic. She also devoted part of her career to special education, where her patience, compassion and gentle spirit made a meaningful difference in the lives of the students she served.
Carol spent many happy years living in Narragansett, Rhode Island, where she treasured
Paul Richard Cutler, 72
Paul Richard Cutler, 72, a resident of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, but forever a Marbleheader, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, with his unwavering wife of 29 years, Susan Cutler, by his side. Paul was the son of the late Philip Cutler and Elsie.
A former Marblehead Magician
running boards, taking jobs across the country, including fighting forest fires to finance their trip.
He attended Brooklyn Tech High School, followed by City
crash on Pleasant Street.
12:54 p.m. A general complaint was made on Ocean Avenue and Nanepashemet Street.
2:35 p.m. Officers investigated a property line dispute reported on Bubier Road.
6:34 p.m. An officer and the department’s mental health counselor went to Front Street to attempt to provide assistance but could not locate the person.
6:56 p.m. A citizen was assisted on Farrell Court.
9:54 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Mohawk Road.
Thursday, July 9
» Alarms: 2
» Building/property checks: 2
» Abandoned 911 calls: 0
» Vehicle stops, citations: 0
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 1
12:02 a.m. An officer investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle on Guernsey Street and Evans Road. The vehicle could not be located.
7:40 a.m. A citizen was assisted on Lighthouse Lane.
9:46 a.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Washington Street.
12:12 p.m. An officer assisted at the scene of a minor vehicle
summers at the beach and created countless cherished memories with family and friends. She later returned to Marblehead, a community she loved and was proud to call home.
Carol possessed a creative and entrepreneurial spirit. In the 1980s, she and a close friend started a small business designing and selling handstenciled belts. She took great pride in their work and found joy in sharing her artistic talents with others.
An avid gardener, Carol found great happiness in cultivating beautiful gardens and was a proud member of the Marblehead Garden Club. She was also an accomplished golfer who loved the game and treasured the many friendships it brought throughout her life.
on the basketball court and football field, Paul was most at home by water, whether at sea or by the pool, surrounded by family and close friends. He especially enjoyed playing volleyball in his sister’s backyard and singing karaoke, which he first embraced during his business travels to Taiwan and the Philippines. Sue received many Frank Sinatra serenades throughout the years.
Paul was a loyal Boston sports fan with deep roots in Celtic
College of New York, and the University of Arizona, Tucson, studying mechanical engineering. Upon completing, he began his career as a mechanical engineer, and served in the U.S. Army. In 1974, he founded his own company, Applied Resource Integration, Ltd., with a friend. It was during this time, he met and fell for the love of his life, Deborah, marrying in 1986. Norm and Deb loved their life and time together. They began every day with a cup of coffee, hers black, his with a lot of half-and-half. Together they enjoyed traveling through Greece, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Ireland, Costa Rica and many other places throughout the
Whether tending her garden, spending time on the golf course, or enjoying a day at the beach, Carol embraced every moment with enthusiasm, gratitude and joy.
Carol was predeceased by parents George and Elizabeth Vogel of Sarasota; her beloved husband, Ralph Cote; her stepson, Christopher Cote; and her sister and brother-in-law, Whitney and Ray Armstrong of Manasquan, New Jersey.
Above all, Carol cherished her family. She is survived by her sister, Elizabeth “Bitsy” Graham, and her husband, Tim Graham, of Ashland, Massachusetts; her daughter, Erin Mahan, and her longtime partner, Andrew Brittain; her son, Greg Mahan; her grandchildren, Matthew Mahan and Nora Mahan; her
Pride and Patriots Nation. He was also a lover of period films and musical theater, especially with female powerhouse vocalists like Barbra Streisand. Throughout his life, Paul lived many chapters — from athlete to business owner to teacher in his final years. He is survived by his four children: Mal Silva and daughterin-law Anna Silva, Alyssa Cutler, Caitlin Burhkhardt, and Jennifer Burkhardt. He is also survived by his sister Judy Goodman and brother-in-law
U.S., Caribbean and Canada.
Some of their favorite memories were the mystery rides they would take together on a lark, never really knowing where the ride would take them, music loud and wind blowing. His favorite place In the world, however, was 57 where he and Deb loved entertaining family and friends, spending 35 years together in their Marblehead home.
stepchildren and their spouses, Donna and John Gaumond, Michelle and Ken Adams, David and Betsy Cote, Doug and Jennifer Cote, Lisa Cote, Paul and Paula Richard, Susan Cote Bleuel, and Laurie Cote; her 23 step-grandchildren; her 21 stepgreat-grandchildren; and many extended family members and dear friends, all of whom were touched by her love, generosity and wonderful sense of humor.
Those who wish to honor Carol’s memory may make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association to support research, care and hope for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease. A private family gathering will be held.
Arrangements by Solimine Funeral Home, Lynn. Online guestbook at www.Solimine.com.
Dr. Robert Goodman, his niece Jena Timson, her husband Chris Timson, his grandniece, Skylar, and grandnephew, Lucas; as well as his niece Leah Goodman and her husband Christos Douroudis. Paul will be deeply missed and forever remembered. In lieu of a public service or flowers, in honor of Paul’s devotion to the family dogs of past and present, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the ASPCA or a local animal rescue organization.
1:27 p.m. An officer investigated a report of the theft of a package from Macy’s that had been left at a front door on Evans Road. The resident showed the officer a picture of the package at the front door, which was no longer there. The officer asked if she had asked her neighbors about whether they might have taken it in. The woman replied that the door at which the package was placed was in front of an unoccupied unit. But she said she would check with other neighbors as well. The officer asked the resident to forward him the email with the shipping information.
3:22 p.m. A citizen was assisted on Little Harbor.
3:34 p.m. A general complaint was made on Smith Street.
8:26 p.m. Officers assisted Swampscott Police with the search for a missing boy in that town. While they were en route to the scene, a dispatcher advised that a caller from Marblehead had seen a child running down the street barefoot and trying to hide.
The caller was in the area of Humphrey Street and Marion Road. The caller provided a description of a young male with a red shirt, black shorts and barefoot. One of the Marblehead officers diverted to that area and found the caller, who told him that he had seen the child run behind the Oliver’s Pond apartments. An officer and a sergeant made their way behind Oliver’s Pond, where they could see the child walking away from them. After the dispatch gave them the boy’s name, they called out for him, and he stopped. The officers convinced the boy to walk with them back to the nearest cruiser, where he took a seat to wait for Swampscott Police to arrive with his parents. The officers reported that the boy seemed uninjured and offered no reason for running away from his house. Swampscott Police then arrived, and the boy was turned over to them and his parents.
10:35 p.m. Officers restored the peace after a disturbance was reported on Leicester Road.
Friday, July 10
» Alarms: 0
» Building/property checks: 2
» Abandoned 911 calls: 1
More than anything, Norm was always his happiest when surrounded by his wife, four children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His face would always light up as each family member entered their home. He was tremendously proud of his family. Norm is survived by his wife of 40 years Deborah, his four children, Kurt and his wife Teri; Kris and his wife Dora,; daughter Katrina and, son Josh; and Amelia; eight grandchildren, Barry, Kaegan, Shane, Abi, Elijah, Daisy, Finn and Aubrey; and two great grandchildren, Roisin and Oslo. Norm will be remembered for his love of his family, and his kindness. Anyone who knew him loved this kind, thoughtful and brilliant man.
» Vehicle stops, citations: 0
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0
3:41 a.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Pleasant Street.
10:25 a.m. An officer rendered services after a general complaint on Atlantic Avenue.
2:24 p.m. A vehicle crash was reported on Pleasant Street.
3:10 p.m. An officer rendered services after a general complaint on Bradlee and Mooring roads.
3:21 p.m. The report of a wire down on the road on Tioga Way was referred to another agency.
7:26 p.m. Officers investigated a boat complaint on Salem Harbor.
7:59 p.m. An officer investigated the report of a vehicle crash on Atlantic Avenue and Commercial Street.
11:45 p.m. Officers rendered services after a general complaint on Hazel Court.
Saturday, July 11
» Alarms: 1
» Building/property checks: 7
» Abandoned 911 calls: 2
» Vehicle stops, citations: 0
» Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0
6:41 a.m. A general complaint was made on Gallison Avenue.
A celebration of life will be held on Aug. 8, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 28 Mugford St., Marblehead, 10:30 a.m.-noon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Care Dimensions Kaplan House in Danvers.
8:37 a.m. A general complaint was made on Schooner Ridge.
10:43 a.m. A citizen was assisted on Franklin Street.
12:13 p.m. Officers assisted another agency on Lafayette Street.
1:38 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Gregory Street.
2:52 p.m. Services were rendered after a boat complaint on Marblehead Harbor.
3:53 p.m. An officer, firefighters and an ambulance crew responded to the scene of a vehicle crash on Pond and Lime streets.
4:20 p.m. An officer rendered services after a general complaint on Lafayette and Maple streets.
7:35 p.m. An officer investigated a disturbance reported on Creesy Street.
9:36 p.m. An officer investigated a report of vandalism on West Street.
10:01 p.m. Services were rendered after a complaint about a moving vehicle on Front Street.
10:15 p.m. Officers investigated a general complaint on Cowell and Russell streets but could not locate the issue.
If
We urge you to contact our partners listed below, or speak to your localclergy 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
