HARBOR HIGHLIGHT
FALL PREVIEW
MHS AD talks about the upcoming season
Top sailors, tight finishes at Ted Hood Regatta
IN THIS ISSUE
BACK FROM BROADWAY
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Marblehead native brings latest production to MLT
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AUGUST 19, 2026
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VOLUME 4, ISSUE NO. 39
FIRST WAVE 1
Superintendent wants to restructure the schools’ finance department. Page 7.
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MARBLEHEADCURRENT.ORG
2
may be 3 Summer winding down,
Current Editorial Board weighs in on the local social host bylaw. Page 4.
but there’s still lots to do in town. Current Events page 12.
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ON SOCIAL @MHDCURRENT
logs: Thefts buying? Who’s 5 Who’s 4 Police target a vintage selling? A robust list
turtle. Page 15.
of real estate transfers this week on page 14.
Five facts from this week’s Marblehead Current.
SELECT BOARD
Town to seek Coffin School reuse proposals in early September Flex-time proposed for town workers BY LEIGH BLANDER
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
The Coffin School is boarded up while the town decides how the property should be repurposed.
The town plans to invite companies to submit proposals for the Coffin School reuse project in early September. The school closed in 2021. The property includes roughly 3 acres and was assessed at $3.4 million in 2025. The town has hosted several public forums and meetings to gather input on how the property should be used. Ideas have ranged from town-owned green space and a dog park to townhouses and a development
for seniors and veterans. Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer told the Select Board at its Aug. 12 meeting that the RFP is being finalized and that the town has incorporated public input into the document. A key component, he said, will be establishing the criteria by which proposals will be evaluated. The town is considering whether to include provisions or criteria addressing potential “pre-emptions” before the RFP is issued. Discussion centered in part on whether a portion of the Coffin School property could
ARTS & CULTURE
Town’s first Art Crawl opens artists’ studios to community
be set aside for public purposes, including open space or a dog park, rather than having the RFP focus solely on maximizing revenue from the property. Kezer said the RFP process is intended to allow the town to evaluate proposals against a defined framework rather than simply accept the highest financial offer. The RFP will be open for 30 days. Kezer said he intends to establish a review committee that would include two Select BOARD, P. 7
HATE SPEECH
Racist graffiti carved into apartment hallway BY LEIGH BLANDER
CURRENT PHOTOS / MARIELLE SABBAG
People check out the art at Arnould Gallery and Framery during Marblehead’s inaugural Art Crawl & Open Studios event.
BY MARIELLE SABBAG Marblehead artists opened their studios to the public Sunday, inviting residents and visitors to step inside their creative spaces for the town’s first-ever community-wide Art Crawl & Open Studios event. The idea was inspired by Marblehead Arts Association Director Xhazzie Kindle, who experienced a similar art crawl while on a trip to London. As organizers developed the event, Amy Hourihan said they reached out to artists associated with the Marblehead Arts Association and invited them to participate. “The criteria was simply that the artist needed to have a functioning studio space and room to show
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their work,” said Hourihan, who is a printmaker. The inaugural Marblehead Art Crawl invited residents and visitors to explore the studios and creative spaces of 32 local artists, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their work and the stories behind their art. “It is an honor to show our work and spend time explaining why we do what we do,” said Michele Fandel Bonner, a 3D and mixed-media artist with a studio on Jersey Street. Peter Ziegler displayed his landscape work in his home. “I think it’s valuable to raise the level of knowledge about what artists do,” Ziegler said. For many of the participating ART CRAWL, P. 6
Chatting about art at Marblehead’s first-ever Art Crawl & Open Studios event Sunday.
Marblehead Police are investigating a string of racist graffiti incidents at Landfall Apartments on Creesy Street. Most recently, a family moving Aug. 5 reported that a racial slur was carved into the hallway near their apartment. “Property manager did call to report that several times over the last two months there have been racial slurs written on the property,” Police Chief Dennis King told the Current. “Investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information on these reported clearly abhorrent acts of vandalism can call the Marblehead Police Department.” Harbor Management, based in Beverly, runs Landfall Apartments. President Dean Siflinger said his company is “outraged” and said the graffiti was erased as soon as it was reported. “Whoever is responsible for this will be evicted as soon as legally possible,” he added. Donna Cotterell, president of the Marblehead Racial Justice Team, said, “Regardless of who wrote it or when, this is deeply disturbing and unacceptable.” Cotterell added, “I feel strongly that incidents like this should not be ignored or quietly erased. Bringing awareness to what happened is an important part of making sure our community continues to confront racism when it occurs.”
COURTESY PHOTO
A family moving into Landfall Apartments in Marblehead discovered a racial slur carved into a hallway wall. The Current has obscured the slur in this image.
marbleheadcurrent.org
2 Wednesday, August 19, 2026 Marblehead Current
COMMUNITY
After a decade, ElderAct Garden needs some new green thumbs A couple of volunteers tend the Stramski’s Park garden nearly every day. Now they’re hoping others will help keep it going. BY LEIGH BLANDER On a recent summer morning at Stramski’s Park, the ElderAct Garden was bursting with cucumbers, tomatoes, summer squash, zucchini, potatoes, green peppers, jalapenos, green beans, onions and eggplant. For about 11 years, Chicky Curtis, 85, has been making sure the garden keeps producing — coming almost every day to weed, water, plant, harvest and deliver fresh vegetables to Marblehead’s public housing developments. Last year, Curtis and her friend Penny Gerow, 72, harvested 75 pounds of fresh produce. They typically spend about 250 hours at the garden each season. But after years of doing most of the work themselves, Curtis and Gerow say they may be nearing the end of their time tending the garden. Curtis says this could be the garden’s last year unless more volunteers step forward. “If anybody young would like to help take it over, that would be great,” Curtis said. The garden began about 11 years ago, when ElderAct — a senior volunteer group formed in 2014
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Penny Gerow, left, and Chicky Curtis tend the ElderAct Garden nearly every day. They are looking for new volunteers to help out.
and sponsored by the Rotary clubs of Swampscott and Marblehead Harbor — took over a gardening project that Rotary had started. The Rotary clubs continue to support the garden, including providing money for fencing last year. The town’s Recreation and Parks Department allows the group to use the land. The work, however, is substantial. Curtis starts thinking about the garden in late April or early May. The soil needs to be turned,
beds prepared and weeds pulled. And there is no permanent water spigot in the garden. Instead, Curtis runs a hose from the Stramski House, about 150 feet away, to water the plants. Recently, there’s been another problem: People have been taking the hose and moving it around the park. The hose is heavy, and when it is left somewhere else, Curtis and Gerow have to haul it back to the garden. “It was all the way down there,”
Curtis said, pointing to the beach. Curtis said she doesn’t mind people using it as long as they return it to the reel and don’t drive over the connections, which can damage the hose. The garden has also been the target of other petty theft and vandalism. Someone recently stole two table umbrellas. During the Fourth of July weekend, some jalapeno peppers disappeared. Curtis reported the stolen umbrella and hose problems to police and asked that officers check the area during their patrols. The garden is part of a larger ElderAct effort to serve the community. The organization has made hats and scarves for people in need, prepared “ditty bags” for programs that distribute them overseas and supported organizations including the Haven Project in Lynn. For Curtis and Gerow, the garden is one more way to give back. They hope the community will help make sure it continues. And for those who simply want to use the hose, there is one simple request: “Just put it back in the reel.”
TOWN GOVERNMENT
Select Board dissolves Charter Committee after receiving final work BY LEIGH BLANDER
The Select Board has formally dissolved the Town Charter Committee after receiving the committee’s final work product. The Charter Committee was formed April 24, 2024, with the mission of developing Marblehead’s first town charter, similar to a constitution. The group examined Marblehead’s existing government structure, authorities and processes. The committee submitted a package of materials, including
Draft C of a proposed charter, an executive summary, appendices, organizational charts, potential recall language, public forum and hearing points, and alignment memoranda. Drinker emphasized that Draft C is not intended to be treated as a finished charter ready for adoption. “I just want to really make the point that Draft C is a working draft; it is not a final draft of the charter,” she said. “It’s 32 pages long, and it may serve as a baseline for further charter development.”
The executive summary includes suggested next steps and a proposed timeline if the town decides to continue pursuing a charter initiative. Drinker asked that the materials be posted to the town’s charter webpage. Board members thanked the 11 current and former committee members for their work, noting the amount of time devoted to the project and the range of information members reviewed while developing the proposed charter. The board plans to take additional time to review the
materials before discussing what, if any, next steps it wants to pursue. Drinker urged the Select Board to review town bylaws and “make revisions/updates before continuing the charter process. Consider a periodic bylaw review process.” One lesson learned from the Charter Committee’s hundreds of hours of work? “After 375 years without one, there has to be a good answer to the question, ‘Why does Marblehead need a charter now?’” Drinker said.
NEWS IN BRIEF BY LEIGH BLANDER
Town to mark 25th anniversary of 911 The Marblehead Fire and Police departments will lead a remembrance ceremony on September 11, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Memorial Park to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. “Twenty-five years after that tragic day, we continue to remember the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania,” said Fire Chief Jason Gilliland. “We also honor the firefighters, police officers, emergency medical personnel and other first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice while responding to the attacks.” Local leaders, veterans and the community are invited to attend the remembrance ceremony.
Finance Committee vacancies
The Select Board is seeking letters of interest and resumes to fill two vacancies on the Finance Committee. The committee reviews the budgets of all town departments and holds a public hearing on all Town Meeting warrant articles calling for the expenditure of town funds. Applications are due Sept. 4. Send letters with a resume to: Select Board, Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., or email wileyk@ marbleheadma.gov.
Retirement funding
At its Aug. 12 meeting, the Select Board
unanimously approved a 60% OPEB (benefits promised to employees after they retire, beyond their pension) funding plan beginning in fiscal 2028, following a presentation on the town’s long-term retiree health care liability and 10-year financial forecast.
Reserve fund transfers
The board also approved reserve fund transfers of $41,000 for a contractual vacation payout for Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer (who is leaving at the end of December) and $26,000 for the executive search for a new town administrator and chief financial officer.
Lynnway project
Select Board members approved sending a joint letter with Swampscott and Nahant expressing concerns about the Lynnway multimodal corridor project and its potential effects on traffic and emergency response. The communities are also seeking mitigation measures during construction, including consideration of improved transit options to the commuter rail.
Praise for boat accident response At the Aug. 12 meeting, Kezer recognized Marblehead’s first responders for their handling of the recent incident involving a boat on the rocks. The response involved the Marblehead Harbormaster’s Office, Police and Fire departments, Beauport Ambulance, dispatchers and mutual-aid partners from surrounding communities. Kezer said the response demonstrated the value of training, preparation and coordination.
“The key was the coordination, the response time, and it was an unusual incident,” Kezer said. “It’s not a rescue or response that you get every day, but the way everything was coordinated and flowed together, and the different components of first responders blended together very well to respond very quickly and very professionally to the whole incident.” He described the response as an example of why the town invests in professional development, planning and preparedness.
New Light Board member
The Select Board and Municipal Light Board voted Kathleen Waslov as the newest member of the board. Waslov, who is an Abbot Library trustee, is a retired financial risk consultant. She fills the seat vacated by Adam Smith, who moved out of town.
Pickleball with a purpose
Registration is open for the fourth annual Win-4-All Pickleball Tournament to benefit Girls Inc. of Boston and Lynn. The event is sponsored by TQM Wealth Partners and offered in conjunction with Marblehead Pickleball. The tournament is Sept. 19 at the Veterans School courts. Register at marbleheadpickleball.org/leagues-events.
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CONTRIBUTORS
Lizzie Assa Stephen Bach Margaret Bacon Linda Bassett Virginia Buckingham Cheryl Byrne Julie Flynn Laurie Fullerton James (Seamus) Hourihan Dr. Tom Massaro Maggie Mulvihill Eyal Oren Pam Peterson Emily Promise Chris Stevens FREELANCE REPORTERS
Grey Collins Aleka Kroitzsh Marielle Sabbag Luca Tedesco Akanksha Goyal
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, August 19, 2026 3
SAILING ACROSS BORDERS
Pleon exchange connects young sailors from Marblehead and the Bahamas BY GREY COLLINS For generations of Marblehead sailors, Pleon Yacht Club has been a place for kids and teens to learn to sail and form a community. For Will Dailey, a Pleon alumnus, it inspired him to create an exchange program connecting coaches from Marblehead with sailors from a grassroots sailing academy on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. The partnership between Pleon and the Eleuthera Sailing Academy began after Dailey, who had sailed at Pleon his whole childhood, spent two months coaching at the academy in November and December of 2024. Dailey connected with Martin Manrique, who founded and runs the Eleuthera Sailing Academy with his wife, Carlien. After exchanging a few emails and phone calls, Dailey was on a plane to the Bahamas in a spur-of-the-moment trip. “I lived on this catamaran, like 200-300 feet off shore,” Dailey said. “Every morning I would swim into the beach and go sailing for the day. It was a total blast.” The small academy operates from the beach of Eleuthera, a small island in the eastern part of the
COURTESY PHOTOS
Left to right: Former Pleon Commodore Ella Benedetto, Bahamianian sailors Mymy and Kaykay, and Lizzie Ayer at the Pleon Yacht Club this summer.
Bahamas archipelago. It serves students from a variety of backgrounds, and the islanders often don’t have access to the same services that are available in Marblehead. Dailey says it opened his eyes to the difference between the two sailing communities. Toward the end of his stay, Dailey and Manrique began discussing setting up an exchange program. The goal was to teach sailing, but also expose coaches and young sailors to different communities — and sailing programs.
“We wanted the Pleon coaches to get exposure to what it’s like at a grassroots sailing program,” Dailey said. “And we wanted the kids from Eleuthera to see what a large-scale junior sailing program looks like where you have a 100-plus kids.” The exchange began last year where Pleon coaches Ashley Goguet and Lane Kaeuer spent about five weeks during May and June living in Eleuthera and coaching at the academy. Later that summer, Bahamian sailors 12 year old Deja and 14
MyMy and Kaykay who traveled to Marblehead from the Bahamas, sailing a 420 class sailboat at outside of Marblehead Harbor during July.
year-old Denee traveled to Marblehead, sailing at Pleon and competing. This year, the program continued to grow. Pleon coach Max Dressel traveled to Eleuthera in the spring to coach at the academy. “The experience was lovely,” reflected Dressel. “I had a wonderful time engaging with Bahamian culture and learning about the different classes of boats that they had there while also expanding on my ability to coach.” In July, Shamarr, Mymy
and Kaykay, three teen sailors from the Bahamas, traveled to Marblehead and stayed with Dailey while taking classes at the Pleon Yacht Club. 16 year-old Shamarr came to Marblehead first, and competed in the Laser class during Junior Race Week. Mymy and Kaykay came later, and spent two weeks taking Pleon classes
in Marblehead. At the end of Junior Race Week Shamarr won the top Corinthian award for his sailing performance. Dailey credits the Pleon Yacht Club and the Marblehead community for supporting the program and making it a success. Pleon program director Lizzie Ayer helped cover Junior Race Week fees and transportation for the sailors and instructors, and several families helped with housing the sailors. Dailey was thankful for the welcoming atmosphere that the Pleon community gave the sailors. Dailey spoke about how life on Eluerthera can be outside the comfort young people take for granted in Marblehead. For Dailey, the program aims to share the experiences that Pleon gave him growing up. “Pleon is a really special place, and growing up there it had a huge impact on me,” said Dailey. “So really the goal of the programs was to create an opportunity for those kids to experience the same thing.”
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4 Wednesday, August 19, 2026 Marblehead Current
Opinion EDITORIAL
Shift in focus needed Let’s start with what’s most important: Best we can tell, our town officials — and indeed, most adults — share a commitment to doing whatever they can to lessen the chances that another local family will have to bear the worst consequences of teen drinking. Unfortunately, what that concern has recently spawned — a debate led by the Board of Health over whether the cause might be served by repealing the town’s social host bylaw — is a case of misdirected energy. To review: The state’s social host law, G.L.c. 138, §34, makes it a crime punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 or up to one year in prison to furnish alcohol to a minor, where “furnish” means “to knowingly or intentionally supply, give or provide to or allow a person under 21… to possess alcoholic beverages” on the owner’s property. Meanwhile, in the 1990s, the town enacted a local bylaw meant to complement the state law. The town bylaw differs from the state law in a few respects. First, it is concerned with alcohol possession by people under the age of 18, not 21. The sanction — a $150 fine — is less steep. But unlike the state law, which requires “knowing or intentional” conduct, someone who owns or controls a property need only fail to prevent a person under the age of 18 from using or possessing alcohol to be subject to a fine. In other words, there are circumstances — a parent upstairs unaware of what teens are doing in the basement — in which a homeowner could violate the town bylaw without violating the state law. Underlying the push to take to Town Meeting a proposal to repeal the town bylaw is a false premise. “My thought was, why have a weak law on the books?” Chair Dr. Thomas Massaro said at a meeting last month. “If we remove the bylaw, then the stronger one would become the law driving the town culture.” There are a few flaws with that theory, however. Apparently, the underlying premise is that the absence of the town bylaw would force the hand of a police department allegedly reticent to “throw the book” at parents who allow drinking parties, thereby sending a strong deterrent message. But Police Chief Dennis King has explained, he and his department are not reluctant to enforce either law. Instead, as King told the Current in December, “Not every call meets the legal threshold for charges or fines.” In other words, the state law’s “knowingly or intentionally” requirement can make it hard to make a criminal charge stick, and the appropriate response to any particular house party is highly dependent on the circumstances. One could also argue that the greatest deterrent related to social hosting has nothing to do with the police at all. Sitting atop a state fact sheet created with the help of former Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett is a hypothetical budget for a party — $75 for food, $500 for a DJ, $190 for “alcohol for underage drinkers.” The next line reads, “Damages From Civil Lawsuit: $8,694,162.” While the state social host law theoretically provides for jail time, when a Beverly mother was sentenced to six months in prison for permitting teenage drinking at her home in 2012, it was the first time anyone had been sent to jail when no one had died, as far as officials knew. Though it could come in tandem with criminal penalties if the worst happens, the prospect of a financially ruinous civil lawsuit is perhaps the more foreseeable negative consequence for a homeowner who makes a poor decision with social hosting. In addition, the structure of town government places oversight of the Police Department with the Select Board. The Select Board, not the Board of Health, should be hosting any policy discussion about how the department is enforcing the state or local social host laws. It would be nice to think that one could flip a switch, enforce one law instead of another, and “drive the town culture” with respect to underage drinking. But time has shown that this thorny problem does not lend itself to such a simple solution. We support the “community conversation” Massaro envisions would occur if the Board of Health sponsored a Town Meeting article related to the town’s social host bylaw. But rather than being repealed, the local bylaw could perhaps be improved — by raising the age from 18 to 21 or by beefing up the penalty. However, there is no reason the community conversation has to occur in the context of a Town Meeting article at all. Indeed, in one sense, such a conversation has been a constant in the community for decades, with tragedies unfortunately bringing renewed urgency to it periodically. The Board of Health can play a vital role in that conversation with activities like developing a comprehensive understanding of the latest research on youth brain development and sharing what it has learned with the community, or marshaling resources to bring innovative programming to students and their parents. In other words, it could be a valuable partner to those already engaged in important work in homes, schools and, yes, the police department. The board would be well served to shift its focus in such a direction. Doing so would be a better use of its time and energy than trying to repeal the town bylaw.
EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY
A backyard wonder BY VIRGINIA BUCKINGHAM
I’ve only seen one of the seven wonders of the world in person. But the eighth has to be a backyard in New England in August. Lucky us. I’ve written before about the soothing power of the color green. The physical explanation that your eye doesn’t have to make any effort because the it focuses green right on the center of your retina makes sense. As does the evolutionary explanation that green sends a signal of safety and plentitude. Yet what is the science behind a hue of grass dappled with sunlight and shade so inviting you lay a blanket on it and recline in the middle of the afternoon like a character in a romance novel? I did that recently and it felt, well, like being a character in a romance novel. Leaves on the deciduous trees danced gently in the wind, a perfect complement to the stoic evergreens, like ladies and gents shyly enticing each other across a ballroom. (I would be a very bad romance writer.) Both kinds of trees serve as summer homes to backyard birds and I spent one afternoon earlier in the summer watching a mourning dove patiently building its nest. It took the same exact route to a leave-and-twigfilled spot to gather materials, then perched on a fencepost adjacent to its chosen tree. It seemed to be contemplating its next move like an architect at a drafting table before hovering in front of a break in the evergreen boughs. Rather than hop or fly, the dove then dove headfirst into the opening where it presumably added to the floor or walls. Then it flew out and repeated the same cycle again and again, dive and all. Now in August, from my position on the grass, I watched the entry spot to the nest in vain but no one seemed to be home. When else other than in late summer can you spend time wondering where the birds spend their day before returning to roost? Similarly, a late summer backyard chorus elicited an only-in-August dilemma that Chat GPT had to resolve. The crickets were in full voice one evening, which caused me to urge David to come outside and listen. He observed that it was odd to be asked to listen to crickets when the expression “I hear crickets” means hearing nothing. Why argue, I mean ponder, when a friendly neighborhood AI bot is at the ready in the palm of your hand?
CURRENT PHOTO / VIRGINIA BUCKINGHAM
A scene from columnist Virginia Buckingham’s backyard
“The key isn’t that crickets are silent, it’s that their chirping is the only sound you hear when everything else is silent.” Ah. Thank you technology. A Google search also yielded that there are several members of the Orthoptera insect family responsible for the summer eve songs — crickets, grasshoppers and katydids and each has a distinct sound. I’d try to distinguish between them but I’m back on the blanket on another perfect August afternoon waiting for a hummingbird to make an appearance near the full-in- bloom Rose of Sharon. While August lingers, it doesn’t last forever and there’s so much more to see from my blanket on the grass. Virginia Buckingham is the former president of the Marblehead Current’s Board of Directors, former chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Port Authority, chief of staff to two Massachusetts governors, deputy editorial page editor for the Boston Herald and author of “On My Watch: A Memoir.”
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Open letter to Select Board To the editor The recent letter to the editor regarding the sorry state of our roads in Marblehead (Aug. 10, 2026) was all too familiar to me. For the last six years I have had the DPW repeatedly come onto my property without permission to destroy it. They have also destroyed trees I have legally planted in the right of way in an effort to improve the streetscape and replace trees they had removed, and without notice relocated an MBTA bus stop from an appropriate location to an unsafe, unlit location with multiple hazards right next to where they knew I had just made significant and costly improvements in my backyard. This seemed personal and malicious without any regard for proper safety. Sure enough, a serious accident recently occurred adjacent to that very spot. When I brought my concerns to the Town I was treated rudely by the Director and ignored by the Select Board. Then when I brought alleged abuse of DPW Director’s position to their attention they continued to ignore me. Now the account of roads in improper repair and neglect
once again speaks loudly to the unprofessionalism and ineptitude of our DPW management, which is responsible for overseeing right of way construction and maintenance projects. The misuse of scarce funds for ill advised projects that seem motivated by malice while roads openly descend further into disrepair is an odd way to treat the residents you work for. Although I was not among them, the Town recently voted to entrust departments like the DPW with utilizing our resources in a cost effective and responsible way. It seems this trust has certainly been misplaced as sidewalks to nowhere are installed all over town while our most important transportation routes become more dangerous by the day. Sincerely, Chris Reilly Tedesco Street
New resident, business owner finds a home To the editor: My family moved to Marblehead with absolutely no knowledge of its historical character. We simply sought a home close to Landmark Academy so our daughter Charlotte, newly diagnosed with dyslexia, could drive herself to
school once she was accepted off the waitlist. What we found is a tiny hamlet that welcomed us with open arms. We also found an outstanding public high school that served her well, addressing her learning differences while also allowing space for her favorite activity, photography. She is now a rising junior at NYU. As an empty nester, I made a career shift. In 2025, I launched Like Mom Made Marblehead focused on what I love to do and aligned with my natural skills, baking and cooking. In my first year there was a lot to learn about licensing and business. My husband and “chief cherry pitter” graduated from Harvard Business School and provided the necessary support for me to get started. We soft launched during the end of fall 2025 season at Marblehead’s Farmers Market. Although my family and friends have told me for decades how much they loved my pies, I was still genuinely surprised to see that strangers loved them, too. I’ve found a licensed kitchen (and cooking “home”) in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post on West Shore Drive. So in a tribute to my father’s service in WWII, our pies support those who served. To kick off spring of 2026, I was a visible vendor at the Marblehead LETTERS, P. 5
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, August 19, 2026 5
FOOD 101
Summer discoveries to tuck away for fall BY LINDA BASSETT
It seems that no matter where I roam, I discover new flavors, or new ways of combining old ones. New techniques or a revival of a centuriesold method. Often unexpected, often surprising. This summer, a salad dressing in Cooperstown, New York; a surprising Milwaukee pizza; a twist on a beverage at a Southern bar; Irish sausage, cheese and butter; and a classic cold potato soup in Manhattan. So, as summer shifts toward autumn, I am cataloguing them here as I riff on their flavors in my kitchen playroom, starting with … Dublin coddle — a traditional Saturday night supper in that city, a pen pal of New England baked beans — is a dish that cooks and holds for a while. On this side of the pond, it also works well as a Sunday brunch. It keeps warm in the oven and makes friends with eggs cooked any style. Sausage is the starring ingredient here, one that is less fatty than the familiar Polish kielbasa, Spanish or Portuguese chorizo, Greek loukaniko, Italian hot or sweet, or New Orleans andouille. (There are hundreds more that I can’t begin to name.) Irish sausage a.k.a. black or white “pudding” or English
Letters From P. 4
Festival of Arts champagne reception in early July. We were off and running and gave away not only 200-mini pies that week but all our stock of full size pies! After a few weeks at this summer’s Marblehead Farmers Market, we added multiple sizes for the pies, fruit jams and infused vinegars. I am proud that I use every part of the local organic produce I source. I was taught by my parents of the Depression how to cook and conserve. Starting a new business is never easy. Like Mom Made Marblehead isn’t yet profitable, yet. But I want to offer some shout-outs to Marbleheaders who have helped me. » Suzanne at the VFW who worked for months to get me the opportunity to present my business concept to the commander of the VFW (aka Ronnyi). Now Ronny has turned into a father figure as he worries when I arrive at their commercial kitchen later than expected. » I also want to thank Maria of Maria’s Catering and the Driftwood who took me to Chelsea Produce Market to increase the quality of my produce while decreasing my costs. Steve at the Farmers Market shares my pies and specials via social media and is a coach to all of the vendors. I have found that people in small towns support one another without expectations. There are folks who stop by my stall, not only to see what I’m sampling, but also to tell me that they referred a friend who got six midis for an event. It’s the lovely woman who brought her neighbor over to say “forget birthday cake, serve this pie on Sunday at the party!” My very favorite story is the woman who told me she thought I was crazy to charge $50 for a pie so she bought a 5-inch one for $15. Then she came back the following week to buy a full size
Current food columnist Linda Bassett shares her recipe for Dublin coddle.
“bangers” use oatmeal as a filler. They are available at specialty butcher shops. Substitute a plain breakfast sausage, one without the maple flavorings. I auditioned the classic, then I fiddled with it until transformed, but with its ancestry still recognizable. DUBLIN CODDLE MAKES 4 SERVINGS.
This traditional Irish recipe uses a casserole with a
pie — noting the 5” was the best thing she’s ever eaten. Repeat customers and word of mouth are the only ways we have grown so quickly. Small businesses, in small towns like Marblehead, employ people. I hired five Marblehead High School students this summer who are all now expert pie bakers. When they return to school in the fall, I’ll be looking to hire new folks so if you are interested in working for a woman-owned, local small business and, most importantly, learning how to make pies, please stop by at the Marblehead Farmers Market on Saturdays to say hello as well as taste what we’re baking. I’m happy to share my culinary history and experience with all of my new neighbors. By moving to Marblehead, I have accidentally found a wonderful and kind community of people willing to work with and help me as I turn my personal passion into a small business. Thanks for making Marblehead my new hometown. Kristin duBayHorton Orne St Owner, baker, mom Like Mom Made Marblehead
Why I’m running for the Governor’s Council To the editor: As we approach the September 1 Democratic primary, I wanted to share with voters why I decided to run to be your next Governor’s Council. As I’ve traveled across the 20 communities that make up our Governor’s Council district (which stretches from here in Marblehead to Somerville and Cambridge), the first question I get when I talk with voters is, what is the Governor’s Council? It’s the right question to ask. The Governor’s Council is the elected body in Massachusetts that confirms judicial nominations made by the
tight-fitting lid so the vegetables steam and tenderize and the flavors mingle. It is more essential than my translation. ` 6 slices bacon or ham ` 1 pound mild pork sausages ` 2 pounds Idaho potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced ` 1 large white or yellow onion, peeled and sliced thinly ` 4 tablespoons chopped parsley ` Salt, pepper
Cut bacon or ham into four pieces each. Pierce sausages all
COURTESY PHOTOS
over with a fork. Put the meats in a pot; cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, 5 minutes. Take the meats from the pot with tongs; drain on paper towels. Reserve the cooking liquid. Preheat the oven to 250F. Put the meats in the bottom of the casserole. Arrange potatoes and onions on top of the meats. Sprinkle with parsley, salt and pepper. Add just enough of the reserved cooking liquid to cover.
COURTESY PHOTO
Diann Baylis of Marblehead shares why she is running for Governor’s Council.
governor, at every level of our courts, including the Supreme Judicial Court (the Governor’s Council also confirms nominees to the Parole Board, notaries public and justices of the peace, and they play an important role in our elections). I decided to run for Governor’s Council for three main reasons. First, as an immigration attorney, I represent immigrant children as they seek a special juvenile visa that starts in the probate court (not in the federal immigration courts). I have dealt with probate judges that are not being open minded to these kids’ unique circumstances and as a result are delaying their progress, leaving them vulnerable to deportation. I want to better vet and educate these judges, so that we can streamline this process and protect immigrant kids. Second, in my past work as a family law attorney, including as a pro bono attorney for the “Lawyer of the Day” program at the Essex Probate Court, I have supported women and children in proceedings involving restraining orders, divorce, custody, and child support. I have seen first-hand the sometimes arbitrary decisions that probate judges make, that fundamentally affect the lives and safety of women, children and families. I have seen women and children who would show up in desperate need of the court’s services but were very wary to face a judge without some
support which we provided. I want to make sure they are dealing with judges that will show fairness and compassion. The third reason is that I want to make sure, as a lifelong Democrat, that every vote is counted and that our democracy is protected and preserved for future generations. The Governor’s Council is the body that certifies state election results before they are considered final. In the current political climate, with democracy under threat, this role could become vitally important. As your Governor’s Councilor, I ultimately want to make sure that judges that are nominated are not only educated but also open-minded, with integrity and compassion. I have travelled to all 20 communities in this Governor’s Council district and have talked to many residents who share the same concerns as I do. I will represent these views as your representative on the Governor’s Council. Please vote by mail, vote early, or vote in person on September1, but I am asking for your vote in the Democratic primary. Learn more on my campaign website at.votefordiann.com. Diann Baylis Ticehurst Lane
Markey vs. Moulton debates To the editor: On Aug. 3, Sen. Edward Markey met Rep. Seth Moulton for the
Cover the casserole. Bake for 1 to 1-1/2 hours. The liquid will reduce and vegetables should be tender when pierced with a fork. For my updated version, I flipped the potatoes from sliced to mashed stirring in dollops of Irish butter (Kerry Gold) and cheddar cheese (an Irish brand is ideal) shredded from a block, using a vegetable peeler. If a cook prefers pre-shredded cheddar, a mild one melts more evenly than sharp. I brown the sausages, then slice them diagonally, about ½-to ¾-inch thick. Then I layer all the goodies into a casserole, mashed potatoes first, topped with the sausage. I finish it all in a 350 oven for about 30 to 40 minutes and take it out when the top is golden brown. I bring it into this century topping the whole thing with a big handful of fresh greens. I like pea shoots tossed with a teaspoon of vinaigrette, barely enough to lightly coat them — freshly ground black pepper, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt (Maldon). Breakfast, brunch, or supper, this is a great make-ahead for a busy family. Linda Bassett lived in Marblehead for years and has worked as a cook, trained up-andcoming chefs, studied food history and led food tours. Her book, “From Apple Pie to Pad Thai,” is about local cooks and cooking.
second of three televised debates in advance of the Democratic primary. If you have not taken the time to tune in, I urge you to do so for the third debate which will occur on Aug. 20. Why? Because the major takeaway from the confrontation could not be learned from the printed transcripts or from reports of the debate. Despite a few points of conflict, the political positions of the two candidates are similar. The important difference is the aura that each candidate projected around himself. Sen. Markey is 80 years old. He has been in Congress since 1976. Although he appears well for a person of his age, the television cameras did not do him a favor. He appeared somewhat fragile and diminished by age. He spoke defensively about his past accomplishments, much less about his hopes for the future. Mr. Moulton on the other hand was at the top of his game. He showed great enthusiasm for some ideas that he believes will lead to a better future for Massachusetts, such as his plans for a rapid transit system that would integrate all of eastern Massachusetts and also yield space for housing development where it is sorely needed. Marshall McLuhan memorably said that the “medium is the message” by which he meant that the very process of how information is conveyed affects the perceived content. That was certainly true on Aug. 3 with the rather striking contrast between a man in his prime looking forward with enthusiasm and one with declining vigor, defending the past. I am very sympathetic to Mr. Markey, since I am a contemporary of his. However, anyone who has reached this age or has lived with someone who has should acknowledge reality. At 80 and beyond our reaction times slow, our hearing and vision decline, and certainly continued vigor for the next 6 years (a Senate term) is not LETTERS, P. 7
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6 Wednesday, August 19, 2026 Marblehead Current
Art Crawl From P. 1
artists, art holds a deeply personal place in their lives. Olesea Fiodorova, owner of Olesea’s Art
Studios in MacRae’s store on Washington Street, has been an art teacher for 30 years. “I can’t imagine my life without art,” she said. Fiodorova said she
enjoyed seeing people walk in throughout the day to look at her paintings. Using a digital map, participants traveled along Marblehead’s scenic roads on self-guided tours to the various studios. Marblehead resident Bernie Miner spent much of the day exploring the
crawl with her friends Jennifer Rein and Nicole Decardenas. While visiting Steve McClure’s studio at the Willie Shaker Gallery, Miner spoke about the importance of the connection between artists and their audiences. “My favorite part is meeting the artists and
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CURRENT PHOTO / MARIELLE SABBAG
Creating and enjoying art at the Acorn Gallery School of Art. Co-owner Deborah Highberger sits at far left.
sharing what’s special,” Miner said. At the studio of Jonathan Sherman, Sherman displayed a wide range of his work, including oil paintings, sculptures, drawings and original manuscripts. He said the Art Crawl gave visitors an opportunity to experience the creative process in a more intimate way. “The invitation to look
behind the curtain of creativity connects them with an aspect of their own humanity,” Sherman said. Paul McCarthy, a Marblehead resident whose office is across the hall from Sherman’s studio, does not make art himself but said it is important for towns to have art. “What kind of town is it if you don’t have art?” McCarthy said. “The fact there’s a lot of people wandering around gives you a sense of community.” Throughout the day, residents talked with artists about techniques, listened to stories and participated in classes at the Marblehead Arts Association. Kindle said hundreds of people participated in the Art Crawl. “We’ve had so much positive feedback that we’re definitely going to make this an annual event,” she added. Deborah Highberger, co-owner of the Acorn Gallery School of Art, agreed it was a big success. “Part of art is to share it with the community,” she said. “The Art Crawl gives people the opportunity to meet and share.”
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, August 19, 2026 7
EDUCATION
Schools to restructure finance department after Pfifferling departure BY LEIGH BLANDER The School Committee unanimously approved Superintendent John Robidoux’s plan to restructure the Marblehead Public Schools’ finance department following the departure of Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Mike Pfifferling. Pfifferling announced his resignation in early August, but may stay for 90 days per his contract. Instead of replacing Pfifferling’s position, Robidoux is asking the School Committee to approve a new director of finance position. The new position would not include facilities and operations responsibilities. Robidoux said he hopes to recommend a candidate for the committee’s approval at its Sept. 3 meeting, although the timeline could be extended if necessary.
Focus on finances
Robidoux said the proposed structure is intended to allow the district’s finance leader to concentrate on school finances, including the budget and grant funding, without the additional operational responsibilities that came with Pfifferling’s assistant superintendent role. “This gives an opportunity to have a person that can focus mainly on the school budget on the inner workings of the grant monies coming in and out and not have the operational stuff on the backend and seep in and get in the way,” Robidoux said. “I think it’s a good model. I’ve seen it work in other districts.” The salary for the new director of finance position is listed as $160,000-$175,000. The timing is particularly important because the district recently received voter approval for a $15 million override. School Committee members noted that the finance director will have significant responsibilities related to the override and reporting to the
town. Robidoux agreed. “With the override and knowing what those pieces are, I think whoever comes into the role is really going to have to focus on that because we have reporting that we need to do out to the town,” he said. “I feel confident that that allows the person to kind of really focus on those pieces that are going to be really important, especially the next two to three years.” Robidoux also said the change would address concerns about the size of the district’s administrative structure. “I would be remiss in not mentioning that I think having three assistant superintendents — operationally I think it works well — but I think conceptually it looks like we’re really top
heavy in administration,” he said. “I have heard that feedback, so this is partially addressing that, too.”
Board
Kezer proposes flexible workplace policy
difficult-to-fill positions. The proposed policy would not make remote work an entitlement or fundamentally change how town government operates. Kezer said the town is “not interested in totally remote” work. Instead, the policy could allow arrangements such as one or two days of flexible work when they benefit the town and are appropriate for a particular position. The proposal is intended to help the town remain competitive when recruiting employees while also providing flexibility during the Mary Alley construction project.
Town seeks organizational assessment
need to use or disconnect our hose which is our only means of watering the garden.I would like to remind everyone that we are old women taking care of this .Any suggestions would be appreciated. Chicki Curtis Farrell Court
considers next steps in the charter process. A submitted executive summary includes an overview of the charter committee’s work, suggested next steps for the select board, and a timeline. These materials will be available on the town web page marbleheadma.gov/ town-charter-committee. I’d like to thank the 11 members of the Town Charter Committee, both current and previous, for their participation and collaboration in the TCC’s charter deliberations. Current members of the committee are: Ron Grenier, Seamus Hourihan, Tom Massaro, Caleb Miller, Victor Wild, and me. Former members are Rossana Ferrante, vice chair; Sean Casey; Bill Conly; Amy Danforth; and Jim Zisson.
From P. 1 Board members, a Planning Board representative, himself and Brendan Callhan, director of the town’s Community Development and Planning Department. The committee would review the proposals and could identify one or more finalists. Once a finalist is selected, the Select Board could reject all proposals and determine how to proceed or negotiate an agreement with a selected developer within parameters established by the board.
Letters From P. 5
assured. Mr. Markey has served the Commonwealth honorably for many years. We should thank him for his service. It is, however, time to move on. Watch the debate and see for yourself. Daniel Rosenthal Harbor Avenue
Why is the ElderAct garden being targeted? To the editor: I’m not sure why we keep having issues with theft and damages to the ElderAct garden. So far, vegetables were taken
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Superintendent John Robidoux is restructuring the administration team as the district searches for a finance director.
Kezer also told the board he plans to submit a flexible workplace policy for town employees, citing both an upcoming construction project and the town’s efforts to recruit employees for critical positions. The first reason is the planned construction around the Mary Alley building, which Kezer said is expected to create significant workplace disruptions. The second is competition for municipal employees. Kezer said flexible-work arrangements have become a recurring question from applicants, particularly for
on July 4th, as well as our hose being damaged. Today as we checked for ripe veggies to deliver to elderly housing ,we found two large table size outdoor umbrellas have “disappeared.” These were donated to us by the Lobster Shanty last year and due to rain and wind we had not put them in place. I’m aware that police patrol the area regularly and maybe they would notice nonelderly people in the garden area.? I didn’t want to put up cameras but this is only the second year of a 10 year project by ElderAct that we’ve had so many issues.The inability of the general public in the use of faucets never ceases to astound me since there are two ways to get water at that tap. There is no
Facilities responsibilities shift Under the proposed structure, the district’s facilities director would assume more responsibility for facilities operations, including custodial and maintenance oversight and building projects. Once a new facilities director is hired, that person would report directly to Robidoux. Pfifferling had been overseeing the facilities director, but Robidoux said Pfifferling’s role became more visible after the death of facilities director Todd Bloodgood, when Pfifferling stepped in to handle additional
Town Charter update To the editor: The Marblehead Town Charter Committee has submitted materials to the select board and concluded its work on drafting a preliminary town charter document. The submitted Draft C is a working draft, intended as a baseline document for the select board to use as it
responsibilities. The facilities director would also become the district’s point person on the School Committee’s Facilities Subcommittee, with larger questions or issues moving up to Robidoux.
Transition period
Pfifferling has offered to remain with the district for the 90 days required under his contract, which would keep him on board until roughly Nov. 6. Robidoux called that “a luxury” that will help with the transition. Once Pfifferling returns from vacation, Robidoux said the two will develop a plan for September and October to determine what information needs to be transferred before
The board also received an update on plans for an organizational assessment of town government, one of the action items identified during its recent retreat. The town is seeking proposals for a consultant to evaluate the government’s current organizational structure and operations, including departmental responsibilities, staffing, reporting relationships, opportunities for greater coordination and efficiency, and the roles of town boards, committees and commissions.
Pfifferling leaves. When a new finance director is hired, Pfifferling’s primary role during the transition will be to bring that person up to speed on the district’s finances and ongoing work. Asked about how the restructuring will impact the district’s FY27 budget, Robidoux answered, “We won’t be able to specifically determine the fiscal impact until we hire someone and negotiate a contract.”
New hires
Key hires include Lydia Rundell as assistant director of student services and Allison Alves as assistant principal at the high school. As the Current previously reported, Mary Leblanc is the new principal at the Glover School.
The assessment is also expected to compare Marblehead’s government structure with those of similar municipalities and produce prioritized recommendations and an implementation roadmap. Proposals are due Aug. 17, with the assessment expected to be completed by Nov. 30. Kezer said the town is exploring whether a state Community Compact grant could help pay for the study. He said he hopes to have the process underway while he remains town administrator and leave a clear roadmap for his successor.
Thank you to the town boards, committees and officials who met with the TCC to answer questions about their respective responsibilities and department affiliations. Thank you to Thatcher Kezer for his thoughts and perspectives serving as a non-voting member of the committee, and many thanks to Kyle Wiley for her patience and assistance to the TCC. Thank you also to the Collins Center for its input on charter issues and to Lisa Mead, Marblehead town counsel, for her review of draft charter language and answers to the committee’s questions. Respectfully submitted, Amy Drinker, TCC chair Gregory Street
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Sports
COURTESY PHOTOS / BRUCE DURKEE
Three J105s head downwind under spinnaker during Sunday’s Ted Hood Regatta, a two-day event for this fleet. The overall winner in the J105s was No Quarter.
SAILING
Ted Hood Regatta reunites the Finn class and brings out top competitors BY LAURIE FULLERTON This past weekend marked the ninth annual Storm Trysail Club Ted Hood Regatta with down to the wire racing in both the PHRF, J105 and Finn Classes. The winner of the 21-strong Finn Masters was decided in the last leg of the last race when leader Darrel Peck of Oregon scored a total of 17 points after eight races giving him the overall win. John Dane of Mississippi finished his eight races with 18 points while North Shore sailor Luke Buxton of Hamilton took the bullet in the last race of the eight-race regatta and finished third with 27 points. “The win today came down to the final moments,” said Peck, who has five Olympic campaigns under his belt. “We had champagne conditions all three days with tight competition and fantastic racing.” The Finn dinghy was an Olympic class for nearly 70 years, so some of the master sailors today — who are over 40 — have continued to compete at the highest level of the sport while some are simply top-notch sailors trying out the Finns. For second place finisher John Dane, he noted that “This is one of the best regattas I have attended this year. Right now, it is 110 degrees in Mississippi, and we are simply loving this,” For Luke Buxton, who both helped organize the Finn event and who also competed, placing third behind such sailing greats like Dane and Peck was a thrill. “What helped me is the top two boats were covering each other and vying for first, so I was only getting loose cover by the other boats,” Buston said. “I had a good start, good shifts and got in the lead. Taking first in the last race elevated me to third place overall.” One of the unique
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ABOVE: Three J105s at close quarters sailing downwind during the final day of the Ted Hood Regatta. LEFT:The Finn Masters is a race where sometimes finesse and skill overcome age as this fleet has a long list of champion sailors. From Aug. 14-16, 21 Finns competed over three days.
characteristics about the Finn is that it was an Olympic class boat for nearly 70 years. For much of its existence the Finn was a one-person dinghy with a large sail area that favored the heavier sailors where weight was an advantage. To make up the difference, many Finn sailors wore layers of heavy sweaters — and sometimes doused themselves with water to REGATTA, P. 11
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FALL PREVIEW
A primer for the Marblehead sports community as a new school year is about to begin Registration deadline is Thursday
We also have a great team of coaches and outstanding student-athletes, who embrace these values and use them to drive success on and off their (fields of endeavor), and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
BY JOE MCCONNELL Unfortunately, for many of us, the summer season is quickly coming to an end. The warm weather — even with the humidity — will soon be wishful thinking. But at the other end of the spectrum, the beginning of another school year is ready to get underway, and with it follows high school sports. For local sports fans, it doesn’t get any better than that. Marblehead High Director of Athletics Kent Wheeler can’t wait to start his third year as the Magicians sports boss, and in the following text here’s a who’s who and what’s what on what’s going on this fall. For instance, Marblehead High will have over 65 teams this year, and 28 of them are on the varsity level. Over 80% of the student body participate in athletics, or approximately 700 of that population. A total of 150 more athletes play on the middle school level. They are all impressive numbers to be sure. There is also no shortage of instructors for these players. The MHS athletic department employs 130 coaches, and over half of them are on the varsity teams with college experience. All of this coaching has certainly paid off over the past two years, with more than 10% of the graduating seniors going on to play varsity sports in college. Wheeler specifically listed all of his fall head coaches this year on both the high school and middle school levels, which includes Brian Heenan (varsity and JV boys cross-country), Will Herlihy (varsity and JV girls cross-country), Kylynn McKinley (middle school boys, girls crosscountry), Elmer Magana (varsity boys soccer), Connor Ryan (JV boys soccer), Chris Cifuni (JV2 boys soccer), Lisa Wales (varsity
Taking stock on the future
COURTESY PHOTO / MHS ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT WEBSITE
Here’s an aerial view of Piper Field, the home once again to the football, soccer and field hockey teams this fall.
girls soccer), Phill Witt (JV girls soccer), Tayla O’Leary (JV2 girls soccer), Jim Rudloff (varsity and JV football), Samantha Klipper (varsity cheerleading), Savannah Mathers (JV cheerleading), Alison Carey (varsity field hockey), Charlotte Plakens (JV field hockey), Tawny Callaghan (middle school field hockey), Bob Green (varsity golf), Bjorn Plus (JV golf), Tracey Lichtig (unified basketball), Shelley Burns (varsity volleyball), Annie Kay (JV volleyball), Ari Nass (JV2 volleyball), Stacey Faris (middle school intramural volleyball) and Sue Guertin (middle school intramural swimming). There will be no shortage of athletes for these coaches to teach this fall, but there’s still time to sign up for one of the above-mentioned sports. The registration link for MHS and middle school sports is on the athletic department’s website, and has been available since early July. “We’d like to close registration by Thursday, Aug. 20, at noon, so we have some time to finalize rosters before (practice) begins,” said Wheeler. “All student-athletes are required to have an approved registration that includes a physical dated on or after July 24, 2025,” said
Wheeler. Here is the link to the website to still register: marbleheadschools.org/ students-families/athletics. All fall high school teams are scheduled to begin practice on Monday, Aug. 24. The first day of middle school practice is Sept. 8. Times and locations for the first day of practice on Aug. 24 are listed on the athletic department’s website.
New year brings renewed excitement, challenges Wheeler can’t wait to begin another year as the athletic department’s sports boss. “The start of a new school year is always exciting,” he said. “We had a great fall season last year, and we are looking forward to more of the same this year. We have some outstanding experienced coaches, as well as some new coaches starting this fall. The kids I have seen in the Recreation and Parks programs this summer are also excited about the start of the fall season. There’s a lot of positive energy, and it should be a great ride.” There has to be that love for the job to compensate for the long hours it entails daily, and Wheeler certainly has it. “I have always been involved with
athletics, (because) I enjoy being around kids, and that’s what I like best about being the athletic director,” he said. “During the school year, the job never ends, and the hours add up fast. It can be difficult to manage, but I’m fortunate that I live in town and have had Mark Tarmey working with me as the assistant athletic director (for the past two years), and now Christine Silva since Mark retired (last March). I couldn’t do (this job) without them and a lot of passionate coaches.” Wheeler is proud of many initiatives that have been started under his watch as athletic director. “When I first started, I asked all the kids why we have sports in school? The answer, of course, is because athletics is co-curricular, and it teaches life lessons and values that some students (can’t) get in the classroom,” he said. “I have preached the values of integrity, teamwork, responsibility, commitment, respect and sportsmanship at every opportunity over the years. With that in mind, we started the Captains Leadership Council, and as a result I believe that we have developed a positive culture of community in the athletic department.
Like any good organization, there are goals to be reached every year. “We have a mission statement centered on our core values which I mentioned earlier — and on preparing our student-athletes for life after high school,” Wheeler said. “I meet with all of the head coaches before each season begins in order to set team goals, and then we have a postseason review meeting to evaluate them. These goals and evaluations are specific to a coach or team, and will take into consideration feedback received throughout the season. Athletics at all levels are rapidly changing. Between club sports, private school options and the push toward college athletics, studentathletes have more choices than ever before. To maintain our athletic participation and our ability to compete, we need to keep more Marblehead student-athletes in Marblehead, and focused on Marblehead athletics. We send a good number of student-athletes on to play college sports, while also sending them to some of the best schools in the country (for academics). But we just don’t promote either enough. We had a coaches advisory meeting at the end of (this past school year), and in it we outlined our strategic priorities. We have to do a better job promoting our coaches, facilities and program successes, as well as our combined athletic and academic accomplishments. This year, we are going to focus on the 4 C’s: Coaches, Commitment, Competition and Choices. There is more to it than that, but I will be talking a lot about the 4 C’s (starting) this fall.”
Marblehead Youth Baseball all-stars stand out on national stage at Cooperstown’s Field of Dreams BY JOE MCCONNELL A summer trip to upstate New York to visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum in Cooperstown is a pretty cool vacation destination for all fans of the sport. But for a young player to go there and play a series of weeklong games, it’s a chance of a lifetime to be a part of history. Marblehead Youth Baseball has annually participated in the Field of Dreams Tournament in order to give its 12-year-old all-stars one last opportunity to be with each other on this level, and this year was no exception. They were one of 104 teams nationwide playing on the 24 fields that make up this sprawling campus. It all started for Marblehead on Monday, Aug. 3, and it was just one of many weeks that featured games there from May through early September. “This was a culminating experience for these kids, who have been together as all-stars since they were eight-yearsold, when they won the state championship,” said coach Eric Weisman. “This was a great chance for them to play baseball in a tremendous environment, while living with their teammates and coaches away
COURTESY PHOTO / COACH ERIC WEISMAN
The 2026 Marblehead Youth Baseball 12-year-old all-stars pose for a photo after ending up in the Round of 32 out of 104 teams nationwide during the annual Field of Dreams Tournament in Cooperstown, New York, earlier this month. They are, from left, top row, assistant coach Eric Weisman, Archie Wynn, Chet Whitten, Will Manning, manager Pat O’Leary, Charlie Ainlay, Landon Coyne, Kevin O’Leary and assistant coach Jesse Ainlay. First row, Zach Weisman, Landon McKay, Wylie Aamoth, Holden Philip and Roy Berman.
from the diamond in a clubhouse with bunks.” These Marblehead stars went 2-3 in pool play, and were 2-1 in the single elimination portion of the tournament. They defeated a team from Lakeville, 11-6, before beating up Bronxville, New York, 19-11. However, it all came to an end in the Round of 32 against Fairfield, Connecticut. “All the players still got rings and team photos as keepsakes to remember their time there playing in the Cooperstown tournament,” said Weisman.
Pat O’Leary has been the team’s all-star manager for the last five years, and Jesse Ainlay and Weisman are his longtime assistants. They have shared many memorable moments over the years with this group, but the pool play game against a national club team out of Mechanicsville, Virginia, the top-ranked squad in the tournament, stands out as their third favorite game. “That team from Mechanicsville had outscored the opposition, 80-2, prior to playing us,” said Weisman, “and
we nearly beat them. They ended up winning the game by only three runs, 10-7. Our ace pitcher Charlie Ainlay and his 75-mile per hour fastball pitched the first four innings, and allowed only five runs, while striking out eight. He’s our stud, who also showed off his power as a finalist in the tournament’s homerun derby contest.” The coaches top two favorite moments, however, were the aforementioned state title game and beating powerhouse Lowell narrowly in the state
tournament as nines one year later. Will Manning, Landon McKay and Landon Coyne rounded out the team’s pitching staff after Ainlay, and they primarily threw to catcher Kevin O’Leary. Chet Whitten and Coyne shared the first base duties. Roy Berman and Holden Philip split time at second base. McKay and Ainlay took turns at shortstop. Manning handled the hot corner at third base, while at times Ainlay was seen there. Archie Wynn and Whitten patrolled leftfield throughout the all-star season. Zach Weisman utilized his speed to snag flyballs in centerfield, while Wylie Aamoth and Philip were in right. “All of our 11 players were proud to be in Cooperstown,” said Weisman, “because they all enjoy being with each other, and are good at playing baseball, as well. But through the years, they have also learned life lessons playing a game that’s built on failure, and as a result they have a better understanding on how to compose themselves, while facing adversity.” The wins are nice, and championships are even better, but now they are better equipped to take on the next challenge in and out of baseball.
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, August 19, 2026 11
COURTESY PHOTOS / BRUCE DURKEE
The 21-strong Finn fleet sails downwind during the Finn Masters that took place during the Ted Hood Regatta.
Regatta From P. 9
increase their upper body bulk during competition. Today, carbon fiber masts mean that modern technology has made boats more stable so lighter sailors can compete. This is drawing a lot more sailors to the fleet. The Finn dinghy has a long history and its sailors rank among the best in the world. That includes master Finn sailor and 92-year-old Augustus “Gus” Miller who finished 14th . “The Finn has a real pedigree. It is very physical and rewards physical effort. It also takes finesse, and finesse is the essence of sailing,” said Hamish Nichol of Australia who placed 18th overall. “Although someone like Gus Miller may not have that same strength now, he can still compete and do well because he has so much finesse.” The racing also included the J105 and PHRF line which also featured high stakes competition. In PHRF 1, David Powers and brother, Tim Powers, and team took first place on Agora, the Beneteau First 36.1 from Boston with six points. “We came in to today determined to overcome a couple of setbacks the day before and the wind kept building which is great for us and what we like,” said David Powers. “The boat took off in those conditions. We have been coming to this regatta for many years, and we have always enjoyed it.” The Farr 30 Indra placed second and Fred de Napoli placed third on his Beneteau First 10R Black Magic. “We fought really hard and it was down to the last leg,” said Indra crew member Michael Cunniffe. In the J105 class, which featured eight boats, the racing remained tight, but No Quarter dominated the four races with four bullets winning with four points. Charlie Garrard placed second with ten points and Ric Dexter was third with 18 points. In the PHRF 2 class, first place went to the J/80 Peter Pappas and second went to Linda Hosking on the C&C40 Ares.
BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW
A spinnaker takedown during last weekend’s Ted Hood Regatta.
ABOVE AND BELOW: The Finns had tight racing over three days. Competition was tight during what the sailors called champagne conditions. The Finn is a very physical boat and the sailors tend to be some of the best in competition today.
jib which Hood invented. Hood’s success meant that he outgrew his facilities
The J105 fleet featured very competitive racing during the two day Ted Hood Regatta. The team of Matthew Herbster from Beverly took the win with four bullets with a final score of 4.0.
“Overall, it was a highly successful Ted Hood Regatta, “said Capt. Clarke Smith, regatta director and president of the Storm Trysail Marblehead chapter. “The participation of the Finn Masters was a huge bonus and the local J105
and PHRF participants were great. Next year will be out 10th year and we have some plans to make this a significant Event.” During the era when Ted Hood was in Marblehead, sailors from all over the world used to get their sails made by his sail loft.
Many were also drawn to stay here after working for Hood and pursued careers in yacht design and other areas of the marine industry. Being around Hood meant that sailors and colleagues were at the forefront of innovation including the roller furling
here and made the decision to move in 198586 to Portsmouth, Rhode Island, on Narragansett Bay. It was a loss to the town, but he left an enduring legacy, including the success of his nephew Chris Hood who owns C.W. Hood Yachts and has built and designed awardwinning boats like the CWHood32 daysailer. Robbie Doyle, who worked for Ted Hood for ten years, reminisced about him while at the Eastern Yacht Club on Saturday afternoon. “I worked for Ted Hood for 10 years as a sailmaker and when I left to start my own sail loft he could not have been more supportive. Ted was very forward looking and although he would have loved to have stayed in Marblehead, he had a vision for his business which led him to Newport. He would have loved to see Marblehead as the center of yachting but that has moved on to Newport.” For more information go to .yachtscoring.com/
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12 Wednesday, August 19, 2026 Marblehead Current
CURRENT EVENTS
Marblehead’s best bets Current Events spotlights notable happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email info@ marbleheadnews.org. —By Leigh Blander
Adult Craft Night Thursday, Aug. 21, 7-9 p.m.
Join Slime Time Studios MHD for Adult Craft Night, 10 Spring St. Come with friends, make new friends and go home with a beautiful craft that you create. For their first Adult Craft Night you will be making beautiful pressedflower frames while we chat and have a good time! Feel free to BYOB. Tickets are $35. slimetimestudiosmhd. com.
5XFast live Saturday, Aug. 22, 9 p.m.
Head over to The Beacon for live music with indie band 5 Times Fast. 123 Pleasant St.
Summer Play Reading: ‘We Were There’
Glover’s Farmhouse in Vinnin Square
Saturday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m.
Come experience this staged reading of the play “We Were There” by Marblehead resident Donna Cotterell at Marblehead Little Theatre. The reading brings to life the overlooked stories of Marblehead’s Revolutionary generation, highlighting the courage of Black, Indigenous and working-class residents whose sacrifices helped secure American liberty. The reading is free. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., 10 School St.
Sunday, Aug. 23, 4 p.m.
Come learn the history of the farmhouse Gen. John Glover purchased the year he remarried, just before retiring from seven long years of service in the Revolutionary War. The Save The Glover nonprofit has been working to preserve it from demolition. Come hear why it matters with speaker Nancy Schulz at Goldthwait Beach Reservation. Free admission. Donations accepted. Bring your own chair.
Lee Fish Trio Sunday, Aug. 23, 2-4 p.m.
Gather for Jazz in the Garden with the Lee Fish Trio. All concerts are 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Reserve seats by emailing margiflint117@gmail.com. Bring food and beverages. $20-$30 donations for the musicians. 10 Central St.
‘Glover and His Crucial Leadership in 1776’
Treasure Sale
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 7-8:30 p.m.
Learn about the crucial leadership of John Glover during his time as colonel of the Marblehead Regiment in this talk presented by Larry Sands, captain of the Glover’s Marblehead Regiment reenactment unit. This event is presented in collaboration with the Marblehead 250 Committee and Abbot Public Library. This program will be hybrid. For more info, visit abbotlibrary.org.
Saturday, Aug 22, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Don’t miss Marblehead Museum’s annual Treasure Sale at the Jeremiah Lee Gardens on Washington Street. This year, items up for grabs include Victorian-style library stairs, vintage radios and a vintage luggage set from Saks Fifth Avenue. Also, a small four-poster bed, antique Lustreware, early Native American jewelry and a globe featuring the historic routes of early European explorers. All money raised supports Marblehead Museum programming.
MARBLEHEAD ROOTS
From MLT to Broadway and back: Ari Conte brings ‘The Women We Carry’ BY MARIELLE SABBAG
COURTESY PHOTOS
Marblehead native and New York City performer Ari Conte is bringing one of her own productions home to MLT.
A concert from the past is returning to Marblehead Little Theatre on Friday, Aug. 21. “The Women We Carry” is an original concert reading performed by Ari Conte that explores family, heritage and the women whose stories have become part of her own. Originally from Marblehead, Conte is a theater producer and communications strategist based in New York City. She graduated from Marblehead High School in 2011. Growing up, she enjoyed performing, starring in plays at MLT, and participating in Marblehead A Capella Choir. She studied musical theater and business at Emerson College. Throughout her career, Conte has worked in media including “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and Netflix’s “Tick Tick... BOOM!” She also worked on Broadway productions “Suffs” and “Gypsy.” Conte first performed her show at Marblehead Little Theater in 2019 as a full production. “MLT has always been supportive of me and my work,
so it was a great place to share my show at this stage of its development,” Conte said. Seven years later, Conte is returning with a concert version of the show, featuring new material. “The Women We Carry” is inspired by Conte’s Italian greatgrandmother, Linda, whom she never met. “It’s a small story, but it doesn’t mean it’s not important. I want to make (my great-grandmother) feel like the protagonist even if she didn’t feel like that in her life,” Conte said. Women-based stories have always been Conte’s main niche. “It all started with knowing we don’t get to hear them often,” Conte said. The performance will feature original text and music, as well as musical theater and
traditional Neapolitan selections. Accompanying Conte on piano and vocals are music director Bethany Aiken and Marblehead native Alea Moscone. Andrew Barnett, the MLT facility manager and technical director, said the theater staff is excited to be a part of Conte’s event. “For those who do not know Ari already, this is a chance to see someone who is a rising star in the theatre and entertainment industry,” Barnett said. Conte has not revealed her set list yet, wanting audiences to be surprised. All proceeds will go towards Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a nonprofit organization that supports American theaters. Conte said this organization means a lot to her and she has CONTE, P. 13
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, August 19, 2026 13
DECISIONS ’26
Moulton, Markey set for final primary debate BY LEIGH BLANDER Marblehead native and U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton will face Sen. Ed Markey in the final of their three debates on Thursday as the two battle for Markey’s Senate seat in the Democratic primary Sept. 1. The debate will air Aug. 20 at 8 p.m. on WCVB-TV and WBUR. Meanwhile, a new UMass Amherst/WCVB poll puts Markey well ahead. Among 445 registered voters surveyed, 61% supported Markey, compared with 32% for Moulton. Early voting in the Massachusetts primary begins this weekend at Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St. » Saturday, Aug. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. » Monday, Aug. 24, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. » Tuesday, Aug. 25, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. » Wednesday, Aug. 26, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. » Friday, Aug. 28, 8:30 a.m.-noon On Aug. 16, ABC News featured the Massachusetts
Marblehead native and U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, right, will face Sen. Ed Markey in their final debate for Markey’s seat on Thursday.
Senate race with stories dedicated to Moulton and Markey. ABC’s Martha Raddatz interviewed Moulton at his campaign headquarters at Derby Wharf in Salem, where he spoke about the need for generational change in Washington. “One out of three Massachusetts residents last year thought about leaving the state because costs are
too high,” Moulton told ABC. “Housing costs are skyrocketing, electricity bills are twice the national average. I mean, if you think that’s getting stuff done, then vote for the status quo. But what I hear from residents across this Commonwealth is that we need to do better. Senator Markey has been elected longer than I’ve been alive, so he’s had a lot of time to shake hands and meet voters, but as
they get to know me throughout this campaign, they’re ready for change. They’re ready for a new generation of leaders, and that’s ultimately what this election is all about.” Raddatz interviewed Markey in Worcester, who said age should not be an issue. “If someone can’t do the job, they should step down,” he said. “And that’s regardless of your age. And that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to continue to fight and fight and fight for the
people. If I couldn’t do the job, I would step down. But there’s no indication that that is the case.” To learn more about the primary race in the 6th Congressional District to replace Moulton, check out the Current’s Voters Guide, featuring consolidated coverage from the North Shore/Merrimack Valley news consortium comprising the Current, Swampscott Tides, Andover News, Manchester Cricket and Burlington Buzz. Find it at MarbleheadCurrent.org.
NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT
Step inside the Marblehead Food Pantry
BY MELISSA STACEY The following is an interview with Marcy Schwam, board president of Marblehead Food Pantry, conducted by Discover Marblehead. The Marblehead Food Pantry has been serving the community since 1991, providing food to Marblehead residents facing food insecurity. Powered by dedicated volunteers and supported through the generosity of local donors, businesses, schools and organizations, the Food Pantry ensures that no neighbor has to face hunger alone. To learn more or donate, go to marbleheadfoodpantry.org.
Tell us about the Marblehead Food Pantry and how you help/serve Marblehead. The Pantry is a nonprofit 501 3C that is 100% volunteer. We rely on the Marblehead community for donations, both monetary and in nonperishable food. We service Marblehead residents that are in need of supplemental grocery items. Our distribution days are Tuesdays, 9-11 a.m. and Thursdays 5-7 p.m. We service approximately 70 households weekly at the Star of the Sea Parish Center. What are some of the changes that have been made in the last year? There have been some wonderful enhancements to our service and program over the past year. The biggest is a newly renovated pantry — we had our location cleaned and painted with all newly built shelving and a new floor installed. There is now more room on the shelves as well
Conte From P. 12
supported it since her college years. “I really saw how hard they
COURTESY PHOTOS
Marcy Schwam is board president of Marblehead Food Pantry,
as a bright fresh atmosphere. We also have a wonderful group of new volunteers that are active and available to assist with a number of tasks. The pantry has become much more integrated with the community as we’ve met with many organizations such as Discover Marblehead. Another real plus for the pantry is the organization of an elected board of directors. The pantry is now operating as a full organization and holds regular meetings to address needs and issues. We’re very fortunate to have partnered up with the Salem Pantry, and the Salem Mobile Pantry visits our location once a month offering fresh produce and protein.
worked during the pandemic even when theaters were shut down,” Conte said. Along with this one-woman show, Conte said she plans to run in the New York City
who could attend to discuss what to do — there was no plan in place. I had thoughts of how it should be run, but in no way wanted to undertake the task. I kept thinking of my father’s moral compass and what he would have told me. Long story short, I took the plunge and haven’t looked back.
this past fall. What do you love most about Marblehead? It’s a close community that shares both joy and sorrow. There are resources here for everyone from the 65+ community to mental health services to things like the pantry.
How did you get involved as the president of the Food Pantry? I started to volunteer at the pantry when I retired from corporate life. When our former director had to step away, a meeting was assembled for those
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned since stepping into the President role? Have trust in your volunteers and ask for help. It’s absolutely not a one-person job. Also, have faith in your community, that they will rally and get your organization over the hump — for example the SNAP debacle
The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. Discover Marblehead is dedicated to the promotion of the town. Its mission is to highlight local businesses, tourism, community events and attractions through social media, email marketing and community outreach. To learn more, visit discovermhd.com.
Marathon in November to raise money for Broadway Cares. On the day of the show, Conte said she hopes audiences make a personal connection. “I hope people think about
their grandparents and people who came before them,” Conte said. “It’s something people don’t give enough time to.” “The Women We Carry” is Friday,
Aug. 21, at Marblehead Little Theatre at 7:30 p.m. It is an hour long. Tickets are $30 at mltlive. org. Following the show, there will be a post-show reception, with cookies and prosecco.
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14 Wednesday, August 19, 2026 Marblehead Current
OBITUARIES
Harry played football for Marblehead High School and graduated from MHS in 1954. He attended Massachusetts College of Art (Class of 1958) and graduated with a bachelor of fine arts. It was there he met the love of his life, Elaine Caliri. They were married for over 66 years and together raised four children, Gregg, Glenn, Dianna and Harold (“Ned”) Edward Daly, III. While raising his family, Harry built a successful career in advertising. He landed his first job at Scott Advertising after being hired by an ad executive whose lawn he had mowed. This put him on a path that ultimately led to Hill, Holliday, Connors and Cosmopulos, where he served as senior vice president. In 1982, he established his own advertising agency, Cosmopulos, Crowley & Daly, where he served as CEO, president and chairman. He was a member of the Advertising Club of Greater Boston, the New England Broadcasting Association (director 1976), the USO of New England (director) and a guest lecturer at Simmons College, Bentley College, Salem
State College, Harvard Business School, Boston University and Northeastern University. Harry served his town and country. He was a proud member of the Finance Committee of Marblehead, an active member of Ocean Park Civic League and an active member of the Marblehead Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Congress) where he spent many Christmas seasons selling trees to benefit various charitable initiatives. Harry served his country as a member of the Naval Reserves. At his core, Harry was an outdoorsman and up for anything that took him outside, particularly to the mountains or to the sea. He could be found on the weekends in the trees of Marblehead working with former Marblehead tree warden Dick Farrar. He was an avid mountain climber who climbed most of the mountains in the New Hampshire White Mountain Presidential Range. Every year, he would convince family, neighbors and friends to travel up to the Chimney Pond campground in Baxter State Park in northern Maine. There, he would lead climbs up Mt. Khatadin with an army of kids in tow, and at night, join his friend Eric Nyberg at the campfire in reciting “The Cremation of Sam McGee” and other poems by Robert Service. An avid skier, he had many skiing adventures at mountains throughout New England, Durango CO and the European Alps. He was a member of the Stonehutters and the Boggestow Ski Club where he led many a musical evening after long days
on the slopes. Harry loved boating and was a member of the Boston Yacht Club for many years. He raced on Dick Welch’s Rhodes 19 “The Real Gusto” and Charlie Quigley Sr.’s Etchells 22 “Chancy Too.” He sailed throughout New England, the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean and would often reminisce about a 1979 family sailing trip to the Virgin Islands where, on the front edge of Hurricane David, they recorded the fastest time sailing from Virgin Gorda to St. Thomas, bringing the family to safely ride the storm out in a sand bagged beach house. When he wasn’t sailing, you’d find him with his grandchildren on his motorboat “Ripple,” named after his favorite Grateful Dead song. A consummate musician, he learned to play ukulele from his mother and then learned guitar. He was a member of the band “The Tumbleweeds” playing music by Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and other country artists of the 50s and 60s. Throughout his life, the Daly living room was filled with family, friends and music. With Harry on the guitar and Elaine on the washboard, all joined in with guitars, banjos, ukuleles, washtub bass and any other contraption that would make noise, singing along to country and western music, George M. Cohan medleys, classic folk tunes from the 60s and 70s, and Irish music. Later in his life, Harry lived for golf and Starbucks. A member of the Galant Golf Players, he was known to play 36 holes
in one day and for playing in any weather, once insisting on finishing a round in a raging storm while visiting Howth, Ireland. For many years he enjoyed going to Starbucks every Monday through Saturday morning to meet with “the guys” to opine on a multitude of topics over coffee and, in Harry’s case, a chocolate chip cookie. Wherever Harry went in his life and work, he connected with people, was remembered for his great sense of humor, and had a way of bringing people together. He will be greatly missed by his family and his friends. He is survived by his loving wife Elaine Caliri Daly, his children Gregg and wife Kristen Daly, his son Glenn and wife Carol Maselli Daly, his daughter Dianna and husband Tony Blackman, his son Harold “Ned” E Daly III and wife Kristin Hoff and his seven grandchildren; Christopher Daly, Alex Vazquez and husband Carlos Vazquez, Danielle Daly, Elena Daly, Cara Blackman, Ryann Gonzales and husband Dylan Gonzales, and Ian Daly. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend a celebration of Harry’s life on Aug. 30, from 1-4 P.M., at the Hawthorne Hotel, 18 Washington Square West, Salem, to share memories, music and friendship. Donations in Harry’s memory may be made to the Marblehead Museum, Kaplan Family Hospice House or other charity of your choice. For more information and online guestbook, please call Murphy Funeral Home at 978-744-0497 or visit murphfFuneralhome.com.
one of the nation’s leading shipyards. The company built naval vessels for the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Navy, as well as several notable ships, including the presidential yacht enjoyed by five presidents, later renamed Honey Fitz by President John F. Kennedy, and the research vessel R/V Knorr, which played a key role in the discovery of the RMS Titanic. At just 5 years old, Barbara had the honor of christening the
114-foot Cruisemaster, a memory she cherished throughout her life. She remained deeply proud of her family’s contributions to Bay City and beyond. Barbara married Bob Myers, and together they shared 49 years of marriage while making their home in Marblehead. Family was the center of Barbara’s world. She was a devoted mother to Stephanie Maitland (Scott), Amy Grammer (Bob) and Bill Myers, and a loving granny to Allison Marino (Paul), Molly Grammer and Jillian Drob (Tyler). She was a proud great-grandmother “Josie” to Jackson and Matthew Marino. She held close the love of her stepbrother, Ned Burdick (Brenda), her stepsister Molly Marinaccio (Jim), her sistersin-law Peggy Myers and Sandy Karamol (Ed), and her extended family, all of whom brought great joy to her life. Barbara treasured her Bay City childhood and often shared fond memories
of her adventures with the “5th Street Gang:” Penny Sarkozy, Ellen Campbell, the late Janny Bollinger and the late Kaymary Rettig. She was also grateful for her dear friend Brenda Robert, with whom she attended productions at the North Shore Music Theatre. Music and theater were lifelong passions. Her love of performing began as a child with backyard musicals and continued with high school productions and the Bay City Players. Barbara was a highly talented composer of art songs for voice and piano. Composing was her most treasured activity, and she would spend hours each day painstakingly perfecting her songs. Her music has been performed and recorded in Canada as well as the United States. She also loved dancing, found peace in nature and had a lifelong affection for animals. She embraced life with curiosity and adventure. Traveling
brought her immense joy, and one of her favorite experiences was an unforgettable African safari. Whether exploring a new destination, attending a musical, spending time with family or relaxing with a classic Coca-Cola in hand, she found happiness in life’s simple pleasures. Barbara will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, creativity, adventurous spirit and unwavering love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the memories she created, the songs she wrote, the traditions she shared and the love she gave so freely. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made in Barbara’s memory to Doctors Without Borders or the World Wildlife Fund, two organizations that reflect her generous spirit and her love for life and animals.
Harold (‘Harry’) Edward Daly, Jr., 89, Harold (“Harry”) Edward Daly, Jr., 89, husband, father, beloved “Fred” to his grandchildren, lifelong Marbleheader and Shipyard legend, peacefully passed away on July 31, 2026, surrounded by loving family. Harry was born at the Mary A. Alley hospital in Marblehead on Oct. 19, 1936, son of Margaret (Cunningham) Daly and Harold E. Daly, Sr. He spent his first years at Allerton Place and then 21 Commercial St. along with his parents and beloved sisters Patsy and Reba. He and his friends, proud members of the “Wharf Rats” gang, roamed the town causing all manner of mischief that would later become memorialized in stories he told year after year to friends and family. Harry was an altar boy at the Star of the Sea church and was a Boy Scout in Dan Riorden’s Troop 32 receiving the Ad Altare Dei Medal, (a medal given to selected Catholic Boy Scouts) from Archbishop Richard J. Cushing in Boston. When Harry was in the ninth grade, he and Eric Nyberg, Jr. were credited with saving the life of Charles Gerlach, 69, who was drowning off Commercial Street Pier. They jumped in the water, retrieved Gerlach, and Harry administered CPR he learned in Boy Scouts until firemen arrived.
Barbara Jo Defoe Myers, 83 With love and gratitude for a life beautifully lived, we celebrate the life of Barbara Jo Defoe Myers, who passed away peacefully on Aug. 5, 2026, after a devastating fall on July 10, at the age of 83. Born in Bay City, Michigan, Barbara spent much of her life in the city she proudly called home. She graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1961 and was the beloved daughter of Mary Jo Burdick and William Martin Defoe, and sister to the late Billy Defoe, whom she adored. Barbara took great pride in her family’s legacy. Her family founded Defoe Boat and Motor Works, which later became Defoe Shipbuilding Company,
OBITUARY SUBMISSION POLICY
The Marblehead Current publishes obituaries online for free and in its print edition for a flat fee of $300. Submissions or inquiries should be sent to notices@marbleheadnews.org. Submissions should include the name of the funeral home serving the deceased’s family, along with a daytime phone number for a person to
contact, in case we have any questions about the obituary. Photos, preferably in JPEG format, are welcome. Photos should be of high enough quality to reproduce well in print. Generally, an image file created by a digital camera or smartphone will be fine; images copied from websites will not.
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS Buyer(s)
Seller(s)
Address
Date
Price
Homes Mortgage T and US Bank Trust Na Tr
282 Pleasant St.
July 28
$751,000
Maleah Piazza and Vincent Stancato
33 Franklin St.
July 30
$2,525,000
Marblehead Pavel and Korynna Batsian Michael Jones Tentindo and Ajisa Liti Alexander Heather E. Thompson
Heather E. Thompson
33 Front St.
July 30
$1
John Patrick Mcgrath and Eliza A. Voltz
Emmelyn Monteagudo
39 Clifton Ave.
July 29
$1,790,000
Alexandra Garfield and Coli McDonald
Elizabeth C. and William Quigley
5 Coolidge Road
July 31
$2,645,000
Judith A. Wayne T and Judith A. Wayne
57 Auburndale Road
July 27
$1,065,000
John M. and Judith E. Arnold
7 Bradford Court
July 27
$1
David C. Westcott
David D. and Tracy Westcott
108 Greenwood Ave.
July 28
$1
Elizabeth M. Coleman
Brett Rubin
14 Curry Circle
July 31
$670,000
Harold C. Roberson IV and Emily Roberson John M. and Judith E. Arnold Swampscott
De Leon-Al-Bidery, Yuri N
Gordon, Jonathan and Gordon, Roberta
21 Salem St
07/29/2026
660000
Kevin and Susan-Hubley Hawke
Steven and Sarah Holshouser
22 Beach Ave.
July 30
$852,000
Colin Smith and Carrie Potter
June A. and Edward D. Kalman
49 Ocean View Road
July 31
$1,385,000
John Patrick Mcgrath and Eliza A. Voltz
77 Shelton Road
July 27
$840,000
Anita and Dirk Bender
9 Sheridan Road
July 31
$935,000
Maya Palumbo-Travis Emily A. Jones and Robet S. Warendorf III
marbleheadcurrent.org
Marblehead Current Wednesday, August 19, 2026 15
POLICE LOG
Thefts target vintage turtle, valve stem caps, ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ flags Monday, July 27
» Alarms: 0 » Building/property checks: 1 » Abandoned 911 calls: 3 » Vehicle stops, citations: 6 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 2 12:15 a.m. An officer investigated the report of a scratched car on Pleasant Street. 3:25 a.m. Officers investigated the report of a disturbance on Pitman Road. 8:17 a.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on West Shore Drive and Lafayette Street. The issue could not be located. 10:06 a.m. An officer spoke in the lobby with the owner of a Washington Street business about the apparent theft of a vintage silver turtle Tiffany bracelet. The business owner explained that a couple who said they were from New Hampshire had come into her store near closing time and were browsing and picking out items to purchase. After the woman picked out some items and placed them on the counter, the business owner showed her the Tiffany bracelet and let her try it on. The business owner believed that she had taken the bracelet back from her and placed it back in its box but did not lock the box. Moments later, the woman asked to use the business’ restroom and asked about cameras, which struck the business owner as strange. The business owner had since come to believe that the woman may have still had the bracelet at the time or that she may have taken it after entering and exiting the bathroom. She said the woman then purchased the items that she had picked out earlier and left the store. The next morning, an employee asked her if someone had purchased the turtle bracelet, which raised her suspicions. 11:07 a.m. An officer responded to the scene of a vehicle crash on Smith and Pleasant streets and filed a report. 11:55 a.m. A general complaint was made on Mechanic Square. 12:55 p.m. An officer took a report over the phone from a woman who earlier in the day had found that all four valve stem caps were missing from her vehicle, which had been parked on Commercial Street in front of CVS from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. the previous day, and then in her driveway last night from 10 p.m. until 7 a.m. The missing valve stem caps were pointed out to her while she was getting gas. The woman said that she wanted to report the incident in case anything else were to happen to her vehicle. The officer gave her advice, which she said she appreciated. 1:50 p.m. An officer responded to the scene of a vehicle crash on Pleasant and Gerry streets and filed a report. 2:42 p.m. An officer investigated and filed a report after general information was provided on Farrell Court. 3:18 p.m. A person was transported to the hospital after an officer, firefighters and an ambulance crew investigated an abandoned 911 call on Rowland Street. 5:16 p.m. An officer responded to the scene of a minor vehicle accident on Lafayette and Martin streets. 5:32 p.m An officer spoke at the police station with a man who was concerned about a person
Boat storage notice The winter boat storage season will begin Sept. 15 at Parker’s and
who disturbs him and several of his neighbors on Intrepid Circle. The officer advised the man to call the police as the disturbances were happening so that the police could take action if warranted or offer services if requested. 6:34 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Front Street. 7:43 p.m. Officers investigated a general complaint on Washington Street.
Tuesday, July 28
» Alarms: 0 » Building/property checks: 5 » Abandoned 911 calls: 3 » Vehicle stops, citations: 2 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0 8:16 a.m. A possible violation of a non-criminal town bylaw was reported on Preston Beach Road. 9:18 a.m. A general complaint was made on Corinthian Lane. 9:25 a.m. Solicitors were reported on Clifton and Atlantic avenues. 9:58 a.m. A stolen vehicle was recovered on Hawthorn Road. 1:40 p.m. An officer went to Bradford Court to speak with a man who initially believed that an air conditioner he had been trying to sell had been stolen. The man had placed the window unit on a rock wall in front of his home with a sign that indicated that it was for sale for $75. The air conditioner had then gone missing. About an hour later, the man called with an update. A landscaper had taken the air conditioner, mistakenly believing that it was free. The landscaper returned to the property, learned of the misunderstanding and paid the man the $75 for the air conditioner. 3:20 p.m. An officer investigated a report of a possible violation of a noncriminal town bylaw on Stevens Road. The alleged offender could not be located. 3:21 p.m. An officer investigated a report of larceny, forgery or fraud on Front Street. 3:52 p.m. An officer investigated a report of suspicious activity on Brookhouse Drive. 4:10 p.m. A general complaint was made on Baldwin Road. 5:02 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Broadmere Way. 8:51 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Broughton Road that proved to be unfounded. 10:16 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Ocean Avenue.
Wednesday, July 29 » Alarms: 0
» Building/property checks: 6 » Abandoned 911 calls: 2 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0 9:43 a.m. An officer spoke in the police station lobby with a man who had been the victim of credit card fraud. The man reported that on June 10 he had let his daughter use his credit card to purchase a bike for $50. Soon after the purchase was made, he realized that the website was fraudulent. Subsequently, a series of charges totaling thousands of dollars had been made on the card at the Apple Stores in Lynnfield and Natick, Dicks Sporting Goods in Danvers and Millbury, a Best Buy in Marlborough and supermarkets in Chelmsford and Auburn. The information was shared with detectives. 10:51 a.m. An officer was dispatched to be on the lookout for a vehicle suspected in a hitand-run that had just occurred in Swampscott that was now traveling inbound without its front bumper on Humphrey Street in Marblehead. Soon thereafter, a Marblehead sergeant radioed that he had the vehicle stopped at the intersection of Pleasant and Devereux streets. The officer responded to the scene and confirmed that the vehicle was missing its front bumper but otherwise appeared driveable. The officer explained to the driver why the detail officers had stopped her. The driver understood that she had been in an accident and admitted that she should have stayed on scene to exchange information with the other driver but explained that she had not stopped because she was on her way to a doctor’s appointment. The officer explained to the driver that the Swampscott Police were on their way to finish their investigation. Once the driver was done speaking to the Swampscott Police, the Marblehead officer advised her that although her vehicle could be driven safely, she should drive straight home and contact her insurance company to make arrangements to have the vehicle taken to a collision shop, as she should not be driving around with a missing front bumper. The driver said she understood. The officer observed as she navigated a three-point turn without any difficulty and continued outbound on Pleasant Street without incident. 1:07 p.m. An officer investigated a report of annoying phone calls on Willard Lane. 1:30 p.m. A stolen vehicle was recovered on Fox Run Lane. 1:55 p.m. An officer spoke
Cliff Street boatyards. Boats stored 15 on a first come first serve basis at either boatyard last season will with Marblehead residents receivreceive preference to store their ing preference. boats this season. New applicants Marblehead Trading Company will be accepted beginning Aug. will be collecting the storage fee
in the police station lobby with a fraud victim. The man stated that while he was doing research on his computer, his computer began to freeze. Eventually, a voice memo on the computer instructed him to call “Microsoft” at a particular phone number. The man called the number and was asked to provide his personal information, including his name, address and Social Security number. The man said that he did give the person on the other end of the phone his Social Security number and was then asked to provide his bank account number. It was then that the man became suspicious, and he hung up the phone. The man stated that he had already contacted his bank to notify it of the situation and request that he be alerted about any potentially fraudulent activity. The officer advised the man to consider freezing his credit using the three major credit bureaus and report the incident online at IdentityTheft.gov. 2:59 p.m. An officer was dispatched to Harding Lane to speak with a woman whose $4,000 gold engagement ring was missing, which she believed had been stolen. The woman explained that she hides the ring in a locked box in her room and did not remember taking it out of the box. The officer asked her if she suspected anyone, and the woman said that had not had anyone in her home that would take it and rarely leaves the house for more than an hour. She also mentioned that construction workers had been working on her neighbor’s house. 3:45 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Ocean Avenue. 8:03 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint that proved to be unfounded on Chestnut Street and Atlantic Avenue. 8:12 p.m. Officers checked and secured a building after a general complaint on Atlantic Avenue. 8:20 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint that proved to be unfounded on Mill Pond. 8:57 p.m. Officers investigated a general complaint on Ocean Avenue. 10:21 p.m. An officer restored the peace after a general complaint on Creesy Street. 11:04 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint that proved to be unfounded on Elm and Watson streets.
Thursday, July 30
» Alarms: 0 » Building/property checks: 9 » Abandoned 911 calls: 0
» Vehicle stops, citations: 2 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 2 5:33 a.m. An officer investigated a report of a tree or branch down on Gregory and Hawkes streets. 8:48 a.m. Officers recovered a stolen vehicle on Everett Paine Boulevard. 9:02 a.m. An officer investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle on Green Street. 12:44 p.m. Officers checked and secured a building after a general complaint on Euclid Avenue. 2:37 p.m. An officer spoke in the police station lobby with the owner of a boat from which items had been stolen while moored in Marblehead Harbor. The man explained that someone had been stealing flags off the center console of his 24-foot boat that is moored towards the mouth of the harbor. The man said he has had four Gadsden (“Don’t Tread on Me”) flags taken and one American flag taken, which he has been replacing by buying new ones. The man also mentioned that, after the first flag was taken, someone had put up an antiTrump flag in its place. The most recent theft of the man’s two new flags had occurred earlier in the week. 3:57 p.m. An officer responded to the scene of a vehicle crash on Atlantic Avenue and Commercial Street and filed a report. 4:27 p.m. An officer assisted with a report of found or lost property on Hammond Place. 6:40 p.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Elm Street. 8 p.m. An officer assisted a citizen by checking and securing a building on Gerry Street. 8:57 p.m. A verbal warning was given after officers investigated a general complaint on Bessom Street.
Friday, July 31
» Alarms: 2 » Building/property checks: 13 » Abandoned 911 calls: 0 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 4 12:46 a.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Lafayette Street. 9:24 a.m. An officer investigated a possible violation of a non-criminal town bylaw on Columbia and Alden roads. The alleged offender could not be located. 3:10 p.m. An officer assisted with a disabled vehicle on Washington and State streets. 3:11 p.m. An officer assisted with a stuck truck on Beacon Street and Harding Lane. 11:54 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Creesy Street.
for the town. That fee is based only. on a rate of $6 per square foot If you have any questions, call as determined by multiplying the Rachael at 781-631-4650 or truckoverall length of the boat by its ing@marbleheadtrading.com. beam width. This fee is for storage
marbleheadcurrent.org
16 Wednesday, August 19, 2026 Marblehead Current
CUZNER IN NATURE
Humpback whales put on a show off the North Shore
BY RICK CUZNER These are photos of humpback whales I’ve seen on a few different trips. At one point, I had around a dozen moving along the coast just off Gloucester in the schools of pogies (a type of fish).
Over the past month, I have seen several as close as Halfway Rock. They are quite a sight to see. Humpback whales are common off the coast of Massachusetts from spring through fall. They gather to feed in rich local waters, typically arriving
in April and heading south to the West Indies around October or November. The Marblehead Current is proud to partner with photographer Rick Cuzner, who has been photographing local wildlife for nearly 20 years.
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