IN THIS ISSUE
GRIT & GLORY
MOVIE MAGIC
Marblehead gets its first taste of HYROX
Header comes home to film on the harbor
Page 9
Page 12
SPORTS SPOTLIGHT
Meet local tennis pro Vence N’Tcha
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AUGUST 26, 2026
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VOLUME 4, ISSUE NO. 40
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Marblehead restaurateur/singer to open Swampscott Performing Arts Center. Page 3.
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MARBLEHEADCURRENT.ORG
History, live music and theater — it’s all on deck in Current Events. Page 12.
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ON SOCIAL @MHDCURRENT
drops in 3 Back-to-school 4 MHS advice for preschool national schools
through college. Page 5.
ranking. Page 2.
5 Needlepoint nirvana: A new shop opens on Washington Street. Page 8.
Five facts from this week’s Marblehead Current.
DECISIONS 2016
Early voting underway in contentious races Senate, Congress contests top ballot BY LEIGH BLANDER In-person early voting started last Saturday and runs through Friday for the Sept. 1 primary election, with Marblehead voters choosing candidates for Congress and U.S. Senate. Here are the remaining
opportunities for early voting: Wednesday, Aug. 26, 8:30 a.m.5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, 8:30 a.m.-noon
Senate showdown
Marblehead native and U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton is challenging incumbent Sen. Ed Markey for
the Democratic nomination for Markey’s Senate seat. The two men faced off in their third and final debate Aug. 20, just days before the primary. Moulton, 47, again made Markey’s age and long tenure in Washington — 50 years in the House and Senate — central to his case for replacing the 80-year-old incumbent, arguing that it is time for generational
change. “I respect the work that you’ve done, and I’ve supported it, but it’s not enough,” Moulton said to Markey. “It’s time for a new generation of leadership.” The age issue was front and center when the candidates were asked whether they ever use artificial intelligence. “I use whatever is inside my iPhone or my iPad, whatever
RENEWABLE ENERGY
‘Flower’ at Transfer Station is harvesting sunshine
comes up,” Markey answered. He later added, “It doesn’t make any difference whether it’s called Siri or it’s called Claude… We need to build safeguards around it.” Moulton answered, “With all due respect, Senator, if you don’t even know what you’re using on PRIMARY, P. 7
SCHOOLS
Robidoux looks toward a more stable future Classes begin Aug. 31 BY LEIGH BLANDER
There are about 2,000 SmartFlowers in operation around the world.
COURTESY PHOTO / SMARTFLOWER
BY LEIGH BLANDER If you happen to spot a giant flower blooming at the Transfer Station, don’t worry — it’s supposed to be there. The striking, sculpture-like structure is a SmartFlower, a solar energy system designed to turn sunlight into electricity while making renewable energy impossible to miss. “It’s a pretty cool thing. It’s very eye-catching,” said Matt Lipsitz of Marblehead, who works for SmartFlower. The flower, which stands about one story tall and stretches roughly 17 feet across when fully open, is temporarily on display near the Swap Shed at the Transfer Station. The demonstration unit is on loan to the town and is not currently connected to the electric grid. The installation was coordinated with Public Health Director Andrew Petty and is intended primarily as a demonstration — a way for residents to see renewable energy technology up close rather than hidden away on a rooftop. “It’s intended to bring awareness of renewable energy,” Lipsitz said. “Renewable energy can have an attractive SMART, P. 3
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Matt Lipsitz, who lives in Marblehead and works for SmartFlower, stands in front of one of the kinetic sculptures at the Transfer Station.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Police chief set to retire in June BY LEIGH BLANDER Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King has notified the Select Board that he intends to retire when his contract ends June 30, 2027. King became Marblehead’s police chief in 2021 after serving 25 years with the Salem Police Department. For the final year of his three-year contract, King’s salary is $195,000. Asked when the Select Board will begin looking for King’s replacement, Chair Dan Fox told the Current, “The Select Board has not started a search
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committee as the timing is close to a year out.” King is the latest town leader to announce a departure this summer, joining Nantucket-bound Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin, whose last day in Marblehead was Aug. 21; Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer, who plans to retire at the end of the year; and Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Mike Pfifferling, who is set to leave in October to become the assistant superintendent of finance and administration for the Andover Public Schools.
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Police Chief Dennis King has announced his intention to retire next June.
After a few turbulent years marked by a teachers strike, deep budget cuts and a contentious override campaign, Superintendent John Robidoux is heading into the new school year with a more predictable road ahead. Marblehead schools begin the new year Monday, Aug. 31, after a budget process that resulted in $4.7 million in cuts and the elimination of 22 full-time-equivalent positions. The $15 million operating override approved by voters in May does not restore those cuts this school year. Instead, it establishes a multiyear funding plan that allows the district to begin planning for investments in future years. “The override is helping to stabilize things,” Robidoux said. “I know what we have this year. I know what’s coming in next year and the following year. It’s not what I want. It’s not what we need, but at least I know what we have to work with.” The first major investments are expected in 2027-28, when the district plans to introduce free full-day kindergarten and undertake a technology refresh. The following year, the district expects to add curriculum updates and bring back an 18-to-22-year-old special education program. The latter would serve students who have graduated from high school but remain eligible under Massachusetts law for special education services through age 22. Robidoux said the program would focus in part on adult living skills and could allow eligible students to remain in Marblehead rather than being educated out of district. “We’re going to bring that back because it’s needed,” he said.
A leaner district, a longer view
The budget reductions remain in place across the district, with Robidoux describing the changes as “right-sizing.” The district expects free full-day kindergarten to begin in 2027-28. Robidoux estimates that the program could increase the number of students attending fullday kindergarten by roughly 10% to 12%, although he emphasized that is only a projection. With this year’s budget largely settled, Robidoux said he can spend more time on the academic issues he wants to address SCHOOLS, P. 7
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2 Wednesday, August 26, 2026 Marblehead Current
ON THE ROAD
Looking for answers to road and sidewalk projects BY LEIGH BLANDER Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer says there is a “method to the madness” behind Marblehead’s muchcriticized road and sidewalk work, while acknowledging that communicating that plan to residents has been a challenge. The condition and construction of the town’s roads and sidewalks have become a heated topic on social media and in letters to the editor, with residents questioning how projects are prioritized, how money is being spent and what work is planned next. People are also complaining about bumpy patchwork, saying it creates dangerous conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. “It is unfortunate that our town has some of the worst, potholed and construction-depressed roads of all the towns. If people do not complain the roads will not get fixed,” David Kauder, a cyclist in town, wrote to the Current. John Alford added, “Our streets are more like scarred pathways with uneven patchworks of tar than regularly serviced roads of asphalt. You spend most of your time driving seeking to avoid holes and divots versus being in a relaxed state. It is certainly not a pleasurable experience to drive in our town.” In 2022, voters approved a $12.475 million debt exclusion for road paving and sidewalk reconstruction. After several requests for an interview, DPW Supervisor Amy McHugh sent an email Friday sharing some information. “The Department of Public Works has actively collected an extensive inventory of relevant data, coordinated with multiple utility stakeholders and developed several infrastructure plans to coordinate a comprehensive capital improvement strategy for roads and sidewalks,” McHugh wrote. “This strategic approach is designed to facilitate comprehensive street improvement projects, to be implemented based on available funding and project prioritization.” Asked how much of the $12 million has been spent and on what, McHugh wrote: “To date, $4,171,339.73 has been expended from Article 11 funds. In addition, purchase orders totaling $1,622,744.58 have been committed for FY 27 work scheduled and in progress. As a result, $6,680,915.69 of Article 11 remains. Additionally, a portion of the funds covers consultant services for design and engineering, ensuring that more
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer says Marblehead aces a mix of relatively straightforward road projects and sections that require extensive engineering
complex projects meet quality and safety standards.” She also sent this information:
Detailed breakdown of completed pavement and sidewalk improvements ` FY 2024-2027 PAVEMENT
» Four preliminary design and
construction estimates for complex projects » Pavement management support Source: Amy McHugh, DPW supervisor
AND SIDEWALK NETWORK IMPROVEMENTS » Atlantic Avenue (Gerry Street to Bubier Road) » Bubier Road » Florence Road » Mystic Road » West Street » State Street » Commercial Street (Atlantic Avenue to harbor) » Elm Street (Spring Street to Mugford) ` FY 2023-24 PAVEMENT ONLY (NO SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS) » Tedesco Street (Brookhouse Drive to Salem line) » Humphrey Street (Hereford Road to Swampscott line) » Beacon Street (Mill Pond to Schooner Ridge) » Rockaway Street » Wyman Road » Ocean Avenue » Watson Street » Elm Place » Story Terrace » Countryside Lane » Broughton Road » Thompson Road » Ida Road » Leo Road » Elizabeth Road » Richard Road ` FY 23-27 SIDEWALK NETWORK IMPROVEMENTS ONLY » West Shore Drive — ADA transitions » Tedesco Street — New sidewalk to Salem line » Lafayette Street —New sidewalk to Salem line » Front Street — Sidewalk rehabilitation (storm damage) ` FY 23-27 CONSULTANT SUPPORT » 15 conceptual designs for intersection improvements
Kezer weighs in
on Aug. 19 to residents who requested them. About 400 people asked for the smaller bins. The larger bins — delivered in June — are 95-gallons for trash and 65-gallons for recycling.
as a psychological operations team leader at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In that role, he managed equipment, training, security and daily operations for a small independent team, often in remote locations where replacement parts and outside technical support were limited. “Trevor is technically skilled, calm under pressure, methodical and able to explain complicated problems in plain language,” said Stephen Bach, owner of The Digital Docs. “His military experience taught him to take responsibility, solve problems and follow through.”
In a wide-ranging interview with the Current on Aug.13, Kezer and Community Development and Planning Director Brendan Callahan addressed some of the complaints, including about sidewalk changes and new curb ramps. Kezer said the capital override is being used for “road and infrastructure work,” including sidewalks because they are part of the public right of way. Kezer defended the town’s approach to installing curb ramps in groups rather than waiting until entire stretches of road are reconstructed. The town faces a mix of relatively straightforward road projects and sections that require extensive engineering, he said. Some projects can be completed using standard designs, while others involve slopes, drainage, trees or other complications. The curb ramps on West Shore Drive are an example of that approach, Kezer said. Rather than waiting for every section of the road and sidewalk to be fully designed, the town identified crossings that could be completed using standard designs and grouped them into one project. “There’s a method to the madness,” Kezer said. He added that a lot of coordination is required on road projects. “You never want to put a new road on old pipes,” Kezer said, explaining that coordinating road construction with water, gas and other utility work is another factor.
Communication
Kezer acknowledged that residents are frustrated by the
lack of information about the larger plan, including how much of the money allocated for road and infrastructure work has been spent and what work remains. He said communication is an area where the town needs to improve. One possibility he is considering is setting aside a portion of funding for communications when major projects are approved, allowing someone to focus specifically on explaining projects to residents. The town does send out emails announcing roadwork projects coming up in the following days. To receive those emails, sign up on the town’s website at marbleheadma.gov.
Questions remain
The Current sent McHugh and Select Board Chair Dan Fox a number of questions about road and sidewalk repairs, seen below. » On Friday, McHugh responded, “I have drafted a response addressing your remaining questions; however, I will submit it to the working team for review and feedback prior to releasing it to the press.” » How much of the money allocated for road and infrastructure work has been spent, and on what specifically? » How much remains, and what projects are those remaining funds earmarked for? » What is Marblehead’s current road and sidewalk priority list? Is there a publicly available list showing which streets are scheduled for work and when? » Is there a long-term road and sidewalk capital plan showing where the town hopes to spend the remaining override money? » Would the town support creating a publicly accessible dashboard showing project status, cost, funding source and expected completion date? » Could DPW provide residents with a map showing completed, active and planned road and sidewalk projects? For some residents, the frustration goes beyond questions about funding and project priorities — it is about the condition of the roads they use every day. Susan Alford wrote to the Current, “We take pride in our community, but we should be ashamed of our roads. Many of the roads in Marblehead are no longer roads but rather crumbling islands of black top. The residents of Marblehead need to stand up and say enough is enough.”
NEW IN BRIEF The Current welcomes 150- to 200-word submissions to News in Brief. Send them to info@ marbleheadnews.org. BY LEIGH BLANDER
Marblehead High drops in state ranking In the new U.S. News & World Report ranking, Marblehead has dropped to the 78th best school in Massachusetts. That’s down 17 spots from No. 61 in the 2025 ranking. The new ranking is based on 2024-25 school-year data. The ranking looks at six categories, including college readiness, state assessment performance and graduation rate. Swampscott schools came in at 58th this year.
Smaller trash, recycling bins arrive The town began delivering smaller trash and recycling bins
Digital Docs welcomes U.S. Army veteran Trevor Scotti The Digital Docs, a locally owned computer service and technology support company serving Marblehead and nearby North Shore communities, Trevor Scotti has hired U.S. Army veteran and Marblehead resident Trevor Scotti as a computer repair and hardware technician. Scotti served in the Army from 2019 through 2026, most recently
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.
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Celebrating 70 years of live theater Join Marblehead Little Theatre and celebrate its 70th anniversary at a fundraising gala. There will IN BRIEF, P. 7
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, August 26, 2026 3
ARTS & CULTURE
Johnny Ray to lead new waterfront restaurant, entertainment venue in Swampscott BY LEIGH BLANDER A Marblehead restaurateur is taking his experience in restaurants and entertainment across the town line to help launch a new waterfront destination in Swampscott. Johnny Ray, owner of The Beacon in Marblehead and co-owner of Johnny Ray’s Music Emporium, is leading the operation of the new Swampscott Center for the Performing Arts at the townowned Hawthorne By The Sea property. Ray is partnering on the project with Richard Messinger, his business partner at Johnny Ray’s Music Emporium. The center is expected to open by Labor Day weekend and will include a restaurant, bar and entertainment venue. Plans call for live music, comedy, educational programs, community gatherings and private events. Last December, Swampscott Town Meeting approved a request for proposal allowing for a lease of up to 30 months from the date of the vote, extending through June 2028. The Athanas family announced the restaurant’s closure in November. The short-term lease is intended to prevent the building from sitting vacant as long-range plans take shape. The Swampscott Center for Performing Arts’ entertainment,
Smart From P. 1
and beautiful element. The SmartFlower brings joy. It also represents a commitment to renewables.”
A solar array that follows the sun The SmartFlower looks more like a kinetic sculpture than a traditional solar array. At sunrise, the flower automatically unfolds, with its petal-like panels spreading outward like a fan. Each petal contains solar cells made of silicon, which convert sunlight into electricity. A tracking system then allows the flower to follow the sun across the sky throughout the day, keeping the panels positioned for optimal
The former Hawthorne by the Sea restaurant will be the new Swampscott Center for the Performing Arts, opening over Labor Day weekend.
COURTESY PHOTOS
Marblehead restaurateur and business owner Johnny Ray is opening the Swampscott Center for the Performing Arts.
common victualler and liquor licenses were recently approved by the Select Board. Ray said the project brings together his background in both the restaurant and entertainment industries. “Being directly involved in a performing arts center represents a lifetime of work in the entertainment industry,” he
exposure. That movement is one of the system’s main advantages over conventional rooftop solar panels, which remain fixed in place. SmartFlower says its system can produce up to 40% more electricity than a conventional solar array of the same size, depending on location and conditions. A typical system produces between 4 and 6.5 megawatt-hours of electricity per year. The electricity generated by the panels passes through an inverter, which converts it into usable power. In practical terms, the system can generate enough electricity in a day to run a refrigerator for about 24 hours or an air conditioner for roughly 12 hours, depending on conditions and energy use.
said. The restaurant will offer casual dining and handcrafted cocktails. Renzo’s Pizza will be among the food options, and Maria’s Gourmet, founded by Maria Torres, will also have a location at the center. Entertainment will be a major component of the venue, with performances planned across a
More than solar power The company behind SmartFlower moved to Boston in 2018 and has its sales and engineering operations in Massachusetts. It sells the systems around the world. More than 2,000 SmartFlower systems have been installed worldwide, including at the Franklin Park Zoo, in Boston’s South End and downtown Boston, and in Springfield. Major companies — including Toyota, Volkswagen and Siemens
range of musical styles, including jazz and classical music. The center is also working on future programming with the North Shore Children’s Theatre and plans to host comedy nights. Opening night will be Saturday, Sept. 5, and feature Marblehead crooner Matt Arnold and his new band, Fats Arnold and His Amazing Midnight Hotdogs. Several other events are already being planned for the fall. On Oct. 1, the center will host “Swampstock,” a Woodstockinspired event featuring multiple bands and a community drum circle. Proceeds will benefit the Marblehead Counseling Center. A S.U.R.E. Diversity event is also planned for October, with additional concerts, performances and community programs expected to be
— have also installed SmartFlowers. The company’s primary market is businesses and organizations that want to demonstrate a commitment to renewable energy. That visibility is part of the appeal. “It’s a great platform for promotions,” Lipsitz said, describing the SmartFlower as both a renewable energy device and a way for companies to showcase their environmental commitments. The systems can also be
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A demonstration for Marblehead While the SmartFlower is not connected to the grid, Marblehead Municipal Light Department General Manager Jon Blair is a fan. “The SmartFlower installation is more than a renewable energy generator; the dynamic sculpture exhibits a number of concepts
spanning life science, physics and engineering (I’ll resist making any STEM puns),” Blair wrote in email to the Current. “While there are more practical and costeffective ways to produce power, the SmartFlower is a clever and artful demonstration that can both inform and inspire.” The town may keep the SmartFlower for another month or two, according to Lipsitz. A SmartFlower costs about $45,000 before installation.
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announced. Ray will devote much of his attention to getting the Swampscott center up and running. As part of the transition, he plans to take a more behind-the-scenes role in the daily operations of The Beacon in Marblehead, while remaining involved with both businesses. Ray and Messinger, who also operate Johnny Ray’s Music Emporium, said they hope the center will create what they described as “a very special experience to the entire community.” More details about performances, community events and other programming will be announced as plans are finalized. Swampscott Tides contributed reporting to this article.
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4 Wednesday, August 26, 2026 Marblehead Current
Opinion EDITORIAL
Answering the bell To the moms and dads and grandparents and relatives and friends and all the other members of The Village It Takes, please know you’re still important. But this message isn’t (totally) for you. This one’s for our younger readers, the ones about to walk through the doors of Brown, Glover, Village, Charter, Vets, MHS, Tower, Epstein Hillel, Devereux — or maybe their own house. The ones who are sad that summer is over, excited to start something new, and mostly wondering who they’ll sit next to at lunch. If you’re reading this online, send your student a link. If you’re reading this in the paper, hand it to your kid and explain what a newspaper is. So, here’s the tough news: School is hard. It’s supposed to be hard. It’s supposed to challenge you and make you think and grow and change. It’s also supposed to be fun and full of friends and moments you’ll talk about a long time from now. In case you’re feeling like it’s different for you than it was for your parents, you’re right, it is. AI and social media are changing the landscape faster than your teachers, your parents or anyone else knows what to do about it. Your teachers are still figuring out what counts as help and what counts as cheating when it comes to AI. Phone policies seemingly change by the week. Social media is connecting you to people across the world (yay!) but also amplifying arguments and negativity and the bad “isms” more than ever (boo!). Your parents are dealing with these same issues at work. You’re not the only guinea pigs for new technology. What you might not realize is that you will be the leaders on this stuff before you know it. To a (frighteningly) large extent, you already understand these tools better than most of the adults trying to write the rules for them. So if your parents seem confused about a new app, or nervous about AI or unsure how to help with a project that involves technology they don’t understand, you can be the one who explains it. You don’t have to have all the answers. But your voice matters, so use it. Talk to your parents, your teachers, anyone who is willing to share ideas. Good leaders are good listeners. And when (not if, when) it feels like too much, it’s OK to ask a teacher, a parent, a coach, an older sibling, “Wait, can you explain that to me?” It’s OK to need a minute some days. That’s not a sign that anything is wrong with you. Scientists at Caltech found that your brain can only really think about one thing at about 10 bits per second, while your eyes and ears are feeding it billions of bits every second. Most of that gets thrown out just so you can function. So, if it feels like too much sometimes, that’s because it is. Our brains aren’t built to keep up with this level of frenzy. Remember to close your computer, put your phone down and just… sit. Mr. Rogers used to say that when he was a kid and saw something scary in the news, his mother would tell him, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” That’s still true here. Your teachers are here because they want to help you. So are your neighbors, your coaches, your librarians, your family. You don’t have to go looking far. This is a big year to be a student. AI, phones and everything else changes by the day, and you have to navigate it alongside everyone else. There’s no textbook for this, and nobody’s saying you should have it figured out. Here’s a thing worth remembering, though: You don’t always know what someone else is carrying, and they don’t always know what you’re carrying either. That’s where kindness comes in. There’s a line you might know from the book “Wonder.” “When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.” Your job this year is to show up, try your best and choose kindness. So, welcome back. Have a good first week. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Explain the app to your dad when he’s stuck. Do it slowly, like he’s a golden retriever. Whatever this year throws at you, in a classroom or on a phone screen or in a headline, there are a lot of people in this town rooting for you to make it through in one piece, and to have some fun while you’re at it. We’re glad you’re here.
SUSTAINABLE MARBLEHEAD
Electric vehicles: Clean, affordable, fun BY JESSICA VALATKA
Every time I walk by a gas station with my dad, he looks up at the price and sighs in disappointment. It’s expensive. He owns a (gas and electric) hybrid car, charging it routinely and leaving gas as a backup. Even still, my family knows the burden of relying on that price, and we think of friends and other families who continue to do so. The hybrid car has saved a significant amount of money through electric charging, and it would only be better with a full electric vehicle. You might be looking for a new car, and wondering if an electric vehicle (EV) is right for you. Whether you prioritize protecting the environment, enjoy thrilling acceleration or need a car that fits your budget, EVs deliver it all.
Cleaner air, safer climate
Transportation is the single largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Massachusetts, accounting for about 38% of total statewide emissions. Of those statewide emissions, 27% comes from light duty vehicles, which includes cars, SUVs, minivans and small pickup trucks. Unlike gasoline-powered vehicles, battery-electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions. That means no exhaust coming out of the vehicle while it is driving. That doesn’t mean an EV is completely emissions-free. Manufacturing an EV battery requires energy and raw materials. The better comparison is the total emissions over the vehicle’s lifecycle, rather than tailpipe vs. no tailpipe emissions. And on that
transportation system we would like to build.
Fast speed and instant power
EVs have moved well beyond the time when they were primarily expensive vehicles for early adopters. measure, EVs have a significant advantage. Instead of burning fossil fuels weekly, you use energy from the grid. The cleaner our grid electricity supply becomes, the cleaner an EV becomes without the driver having to change anything about the vehicle. Some homeowners decide to install chargers that are directly connected to home systems such as their solar panels and heat pump. We’ll go over financial benefits later, but the best part of using home energy systems is that your weekly transportation energy is essentially free, in addition to your other residential energy needs. From a sustainability perspective, walking, biking, public transportation and reducing unnecessary driving can sometimes be even better than replacing one vehicle with another. That does not make EVs less important, but it is important to think of them as a piece of the sustainable
If you have never driven an EV, the acceleration may surprise you. Electric motors produce torque almost immediately, allowing many EVs to accelerate extremely quickly and smoothly. There are EVs capable of going from 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds, which is a trait that was once associated primarily with high-end sports cars. This is quite appealing if you’re merging onto a highway. Because electric motors do not require traditional gear shifting in the same way gasoline engines do, the experience is remarkably smooth.
More choices, more competition EVs might still feel quite new, but they have moved well beyond the time when they were primarily expensive vehicles for early adopters. The International Energy Agency reported that in 2025, more than 20 million electric cars were sold worldwide, equivalent to about one out of every four new cars. That rate is expected to grow. The first generation of modern EVs was dominated by a relatively small number of models, many of them positioned as premium products. The amount of electric car models has boomed in recent years. Today, consumers can choose among compact cars, sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, luxury vehicles SUSTAINABLE, P. 7
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
MHS cross country/track teams led by great coaches To the editor: As my son prepares to head off to college later this month, I was reflecting on his time at Marblehead High School. He had some great teachers and experiences, but his time running for the cross country and track & field teams stand out. Not surprising given how much time he invested in them (11 of his 12 athletic seasons). Also not surprising given the success of the teams. For example, last fall’s boys XC team finished 8th in Division 2 at the MIAA Meet of Champions, a division that has nearly 70 teams. But I attribute my son’s positive experience primarily to the coaches of these teams: Brian Heenan (boys XC), Brian Herlihy (girls XC, track & field distance),and Nolan Raimo (head coach of track & field). These coaches consistently build competitive teams that welcome everyone who wants to participate. There are nearly 20 events in track & field and Coach Raimo encourages athletes to try different events with the thinking you might discover you can high jump as well as you can run. I can also think of plenty of examples where they
taught the kids about leadership, being a good member of this community and so on. In short, these are the types of adult leaders you want your kids around in high school. Please join me in thanking these three (and other assistant coaches on both teams). And I encourage all Marblehead students to get involved with these teams; there’s plenty of time to get in shape for XC this fall! Pete Adams Guernsey Street
Get out to vote Sept. 1 To the editor: What would it take to get 75% of eligible voters to actually vote in Marblehead? Do you need a ride to the polls? Ask a neighbor. Do you need help with how to register to vote in the first place? The Town Clerk at Abbot Hall can help you. Do you maybe not care and are happy to let others make the decisions for you about who represents us in the government? That seems so sad. Do you feel inadequate to choose and uninformed about the issues and the candidates? See the next paragraph: We are so very lucky in Marblehead to have three local news sources just for us. The Current comes to your
mail box every week and is full of helpful info for deciding what to do at the voting booth. So is the Independent, which comes to your email. And The Marblehead Weekly, mailed to everyone, also has helpful news. My main thought is “Democracy is not a spectator sport,” as we say again and again in the League of Women Voters. Hope to see you at the voting polls on Sept. 1 and Nov. 3. The Town Clerk’s office can also help you with early voting and/or to find your very own voting precinct. You will feel very good about being there -—a friendly place with ready help for how it all works. Mimi Hollister Glover Square
Kennedy has earned our support To the editor: As voters across the 6th District prepare to cast their ballots in the upcoming Democratic primary, it is vital to look past campaign rhetoric and evaluate candidates based on actual legal experience, administrative execution and proven dedication to the Commonwealth. While challenger Diann Baylis has framed her campaign around important ideals, LETTERS, P. 5
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, August 26, 2026 5
MONEY MATTERS
The true cost of raising kids BY EMILY PROMISE It’s back-to-school season. For parents, that means new clothes, school supplies, fall sports registrations, activity fees and the inevitable lastminute trip to the store for something you forgot. As you watch all of those expenses add up, have you ever stopped to think about what it actually costs to raise a child? According to a 2025 study by SmartAsset, Massachusetts ranked as the most expensive state in the country to raise a young child. Using data from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the study estimated that two working parents face an additional $44,221 per year in costs associated with raising one young child, including childcare, housing, food, transportation, healthcare and other necessities. If a family experienced that same level of spending for 18 years, it would total nearly $800,000 per child, and that is before college. This number also does not include private school or extensive extracurriculars. Of course, families don’t spend
the same amount every year. Childcare can make the early years particularly expensive, and those costs may decline significantly once children enter school. But other expenses replace that cost. Daycare becomes summer camp. Then come sports, activities, technology, bigger grocery bills and family travel. Before long, you may be adding a first car, insurance and college to the list. If your children play competitive sports or participate in multiple activities, those costs can climb even faster. Travel teams, private coaching, camps, equipment, hotels and tournament travel can push the cost of raising a child considerably higher. The expenses change, they do not necessarily disappear One of the biggest challenges of raising children is that the expenses are constantly evolving. No one receives one giant bill for raising a child. Instead, the costs arrive little by little over 18 years and beyond, making it easy to focus on today’s expenses without considering what may be coming next.
That’s where planning ahead can make a meaningful difference. Know your family’s real number Rather than focusing solely on national or state averages, determine what your family actually spends. Add up sports fees, equipment, lessons, camps, clothing, school activities, birthday parties, dining out, entertainment and travel. A sport, for example, may have a $500 registration fee, but that does not necessarily include equipment, uniforms, lessons, tournaments, hotels or travel. Looking at these expenses over an entire year can provide a much clearer picture of what raising your children actually costs. Think about the next stage Parents should also consider what the next three to five years may bring. If daycare is ending next year, could some of that money may be redirected toward a 529 college savings plan or retirement? If your 12-year-old may need a car in four years, could you begin setting aside money today?
If your child loves a sport that may eventually involve competitive teams and travel, how might 0that affect your future budget? Anticipating these transitions can turn future expenses into planned expenses. Decide what matters most Parents naturally want to give their children every opportunity. But saying yes to everything can quickly put pressure on other financial goals. Every family has to decide what matters most. The same applies to college. Do you hope to pay the entire cost? A percentage? Undergraduate tuition but not graduate school? Will your child contribute? There is no universally correct answer. Setting expectations early can help parents determine how much they should save while also teaching children that financial resources have limits. Don’t forget about your own future Perhaps the most important balancing act is providing for your children without compromising your own financial security. It can be tempting to reduce retirement savings when
childcare, sports or tuition bills feel more immediate. But remember your children will likely not support your retirement. It is like what they say on an airplane, put your own mask on before others. You want to make sure that you are financially secure for the future. Leave room for surprises. Emergency savings and flexibility can help prevent an unexpected expense from disrupting your larger plan. Ultimately, there is no single number that captures the true cost of raising a child. Every family will make different choices based on its lifestyle, priorities and resources. Financial planning is not about predicting every dollar you’ll spend over 18 years. It’s about understanding what matters to your family, anticipating the major expenses ahead and making sure today’s decisions don’t come at the expense of tomorrow’s financial security. Emily Promise, CEO and financial advisor at ShorePoint Advisory Group (formerly Blakely Financial), is a Marblehead native and the financial columnist for the Current.
ASK LIZZIE
Crying at drop-off is not a red flag BY LIZZIE ASSA
You stood at the school door this morning. You said goodbye, and maybe they skipped in and maybe they held onto your leg, stretching out your leggings and leaving wet tear and drool marks all down the side. Either way you walked back to the car and started worrying before you even got your seatbelt on. Now you’ve got a few hours. You’re going to spend most of it holding your breath and wondering: Is she crying? Did anyone play with him? Does his teacher like him? Should I have kept him home another year? I taught preschool for years before I had my own three, so
Letters
From P. 4 her platform and background do not match the extensive, battle-tested qualifications of incumbent Councilor Terrence Kennedy. Terrence Kennedy brings more than 40 years of practicing criminal defense and trial experience to the Governor’s Council, having successfully litigated thousands of cases. He started his legal career as an assistant district attorney in Norfolk and Middlesex counties; Kennedy possesses an intimate, working familiarity with the entire judicial system, the judges on the bench, and the practitioners who appear before them. In contrast, Baylis highlights her background as an immigration and family law attorney and volunteer. While immigration advocacy is a noble calling, its singular focus is irrelevant to the comprehensive scope of the Governor’s Council. The council is responsible for vetting and confirming judges
I knew what was happening on the other side of that wall, and I sat there and worried anyway. Knowing better didn’t help me one bit. So if you’re worrying too, I just want you to know that your child is not supposed to arrive at school already knowing how to do school. That’s what they’re there for. It’s OK that they don’t know their letters. Learning how to negotiate space at the water table and in the block
area matters more right now. Learning to trust a grown-up who isn’t your parent or your babysitter is the hard work, so it doesn’t matter much who knows A is for Apple. Being at school is the curriculum, and plenty of kids are still adjusting in October. Crying, acting “babyish” or resisting school are not red flags in the early months. Those are just signs of a child learning how to leave the comfort of home and be part of a new community.
across all levels of Massachusetts courts—including criminal, civil, appellate, and supreme courts, as well as many other executive appointments. Reviewing judicial nominees requires a seasoned legal background that spans criminal prosecution, defense, and complex civil litigation, rather than a single practice area. Furthermore, Kennedy’s tenure is defined by concrete actions protecting civil rights and ensuring balanced representation on the bench. When the late Supreme Judicial Court Justice Barbara Lenk faced intense nationwide backlash for being a member of the LGBTQ community, Kennedy was a vocal, steadfast supporter of her historic nomination. Similarly, when the SJC lost its only African American member following the George Floyd protests, Kennedy successfully held the executive branch accountable to ensure that vacancy was filled by a qualified African American jurist. Baylis speaks vaguely about open-mindedness, but these are
principles Kennedy has actively defended and executed under intense political pressure over the last 16 years. The Governor’s Council is not a place for on-the-job training. Vetting, questioning and confirming judicial nominees requires delicate negotiation, institutional trust, and a deep understanding of executivejudicial dynamics. Baylis’s proposals to “better vet and educate” judges read more as aspirational talking points than a realistic methodology. Beyond her legal background, Baylis has established a pattern as something of a perennial candidate — having previously considered a candidacy for the U.S. Congress, but not ultimately running. She appears to be an office seeker in search of any available job rather than a dedicated public servant rooted in the community. Ultimately, Baylis offers nothing other than opposition to a successful, dedicated public servant who has delivered steady, reliable leadership on the Governor’s Council.
So when the school day is over and you’re left with a puddle of tired, dirty, hungry kid, try to remember how hard they are working just to be there. Skip the after-school playground, skip the lines at Market Basket. Take them home, fill the tub with extra bubbles and let them play. Skip the questions you’re dying to ask, skip the extra demands of “back-to- school routines” you see on social media. Transitions are a lot on everyone. I know we’re all chasing the dry-eyed drop-off and the “I made a new friend!” report, but the real wins are hiding in plain sight. If your daughter cried at dropoff and her teacher picked her up and she let her, it means someone who isn’t you can hold her when she falls apart. And if
your son did the same puzzle four times and never talked to anybody, that’s fine. He figured out what to do in a loud room full of kids he didn’t know. That might not sound like much in the group chat, but it’s a win. And if they got in the car after school and didn’t answer a single question, they held it together all morning. Let the car be the one place they don’t have to. They’ll talk at bath time, or they won’t, and either way school has started and they are figuring it out. Lizzie Assa is the author of “But I’m Bored,” and the founder of The Workspace for Children. A mom of three in Marblehead, she writes one of Substack’s top five parenting newsletters. This is part of a back to school series. Find her on Substack for more.
Rather than satisfying an office-seeker’s personal ambitions, we should vote for Terrence Kennedy in the primary on September 1st. He has earned our support and will maintain stability, integrity and experienced leadership on the Governor’s Council. Yours truly, Thomas F. Connolly Gerald Road
and loved her, that day carries profound emotional weight. Her loss is exactly why many in our community continue to reflect on underage drinking, adult responsibility and how to better protect our children. Because of that, the editorial article felt especially painful and dismissive of ongoing grief and efforts to prevent future tragedies. This is not about avoiding discussion of social hosting laws — they should be discussed — but about recognizing that timing matters when a community is still grieving. I hope the newspaper will consider this perspective in the future. Our community deserves journalism that addresses difficult issues while remaining mindful of the people and families affected. I would appreciate a response and an apology to the family and community about the poor timing of this and for the future, hope you will take this concern seriously. Elloree Jennings Elm Street
Poorly timed editorial felt dismissive To the editor: I am writing regarding the recent editorial piece published about the repeal of our town’s social hosting laws. While I understand the importance of shining a light on community issues, I found the timing of this article deeply insensitive. It was published on the same day our community was observing the one-year anniversary of the passing of a young girl who was tragically killed in a drunk driving crash. For those of us who knew
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6 Wednesday, August 26, 2026 Marblehead Current
MEMORIES OF OLD MARBLEHEAD
Growing up at 120 Pleasant St. — Part Three BY DON ORNE Editor’s Note: Donald Orne, 84, is a lifelong Marblehead resident whose family has been part of the town for generations. His father, Bud Orne, owned the barber shop at 120 Pleasant St., where the family also lived. This series shares Orne’s memories of growing up in Marblehead during the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s. The essays have been edited only for length, grammar and clarity. This is the third installment of Orne’s writings. You can read the first two installments at MarbleheadCurrent.org. I need to mention here that skating on ice became a way of my early life. My father, Bud, had me on skates before I could walk and I had my own skates right away. By the way, Bud never owned a pair of hockey skates. He always used figure skates to wear and teach on. He wore them almost until the day he died. Long before Bud started Marblehead Youth Hockey, he and I skated on all the ponds in town. We started with Bobby’s Pond, Redds Pond, Flax Pond and several others. Only at Bobby’s Pond did we have boards, a warming house, lights and parking. Bud created a small piece of ice next to my clubhouse in our backyard at 120 Pleasant St. where we could skate around and play. It really was a magical space that he created for me and the neighborhood kids to play and have fun without interruption or care. Bud helped build an ice rink in Marblehead off West Shore Drive, and it had boards and a warming
Neighborhood kids skating in Don Orne’s backyard at 120 Pleasant St.
COURTESY PHOTOS
Marblehead Youth Hockey founder Bud Orne skating at Redd’s Pond. Bud Orne typing up schedules for Marblehead Youth Hockey.
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house and was used for figure skating, hockey, playtime and just plain love of skating in all its forms. Later, when Lynn Arena was built, Bud became the chairman of the North Shore Figure Skating Association in the 1950s. Launching Marblehead Youth Hockey There was one reason that my father started Marblehead Youth
Hockey. Unfortunately, it was because he went to my game against Lynn English at Lynn Arena one night where he saw Tippy Johnson score three goals against us and never get stopped! Johnson was the best opponent I had ever faced as a right defenseman. I believe the score was 10-1 that night. Bud saw that many of our players could not even skate backwards. Marblehead and surrounding teams did not have the access to ice time
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like the Lynn teams did. The result was we didn’t stand a chance and we realized these better teams were starting their kids skating long before junior high and it made all the difference. Bud had the pro at the Lynn Arena give me private lessons, and I learned how to skate backwards and do turns, spins and jumps, as well as dance. Bud and I ended up doing a comedy act for the ice shows they put on there.
Off the ice, Bud used the basement of the YMCA for stick work and drills. Some of the fathers of the boys began showing up and wanting to help Bud as coaches. Many of them stayed on for years after their kids had graduated. Bud used an Underwood typewriter to print up schedules and many other important pieces of business to raise funds for the players to buy their equipment and pay for icetime. Bud had helpers at MYH like Ed Tufts and Colly Williams and Rollie. It was a team effort to help the kids get to practices and games in uniform with all the equipment ready for battle. Skating through high school I skated all four years in high school. I was the best skater, but not the best hockey player. I went on to college and skated on that team for two years before going into the Navy during Vietnam.I served as a meteorologist in Hawaii, where I met and married a girl from Newton. We came home to Marblehead and went back to 120 Pleasant St., where I worked as a barber and then expanded the little sports shop in the back of the barber shop that Bud had started in 1967. So I had a job barbering and creating Orne’s Sports Shop with my wife. She helped with advertising, and I bought a skate sharpening machine and a racquet stringing machine. I hired a young boy to help me named Sean Casey, and he was a wonderful helper and friend. The shop was mainly skating and racket sports like tennis, badminton, squash, and we sold everything those sports entailed. On June 26, 1970, our son Doug Orne was born.
Tennis
Many of the trees in 120 Pleasant St. backyard had come down in hurricanes through the years, and when the last one fell, I decided to clear the land and build a tennis court to teach on and rent out. To be continued….
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, August 26, 2026 7
Primary From P. 1
your phone or your iPad, this is why we need a new generation of leaders to regulate these technologies to make sure that they are safe.” Moulton supports term limits and an age limit in Congress. Markey does not. “Everyone watching this debate can see that I’m more energized than I’ve ever been before,” Markey said. “If somebody can’t do the job, they should just step down. But I can do the job.” Markey cited his experience pushing progressive causes, including co-authoring the Green New Deal resolution. Moulton argued that Markey’s efforts were “not enough” and noted that the Green New Deal itself did not pass Congress. Moulton apologized again for his comments in 2024 that he would not want his young daughters playing against transgender athletes. He said he believes transgender athletes
COURTESY PHOTO
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, a Marblehead native, is challenging sitting senator Ed Markey.
should be allowed to participate in girls’ sports “with a discussion about where we have issues of safety and fairness.” Markey accused Moulton of throwing trans kids “under the bus” for political gain. The candidates agreed on several issues, including the importance of fighting President Donald Trump, ending the war in Iran and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The winner of the Sept. 1 primary will face Republican
John Deaton in the November election.
6th District race
Six Democrats are vying to succeed Moulton in the 6th Congressional District. They are Bethany Andres-Beck, John Beccia, Jamie Zahlaway Belsito, Dan Koh, Mariah Lancaster and Tram Nguyen. The candidates have emphasized issues including affordability, housing, health care, education, immigration
School From P. 1
across the district. He sees instructional leadership as one of Marblehead’s strengths. “In each one of the buildings, we have solid instructional leaders, instructional coaches and teachers,” he said. “They’re using data-based decision making, which is I think a strength of the district as a whole.” The district is continuing work on aligning curriculum across grades and schools and using student data to identify achievement gaps and determine where additional support is needed. “Gaps aren’t huge,” Robidoux said. “They’re just small pockets.” Robidoux also wants to increase student engagement, which he sees as closely connected to attendance and academic performance. “The biggest push that I’ve seen from everybody is just making sure that the kids are in school and attending and being engaged,” he said. He said attendance improved by about 5% over the previous year. The district is also working to reach out to families when students are absent to determine
Sustainable From P. 4
and performance models. That growing competition matters, as it incentivizes improvements in technology while bringing down costs. EVs can also offer lower operating costs. Electricity is often less expensive per mile than gasoline, especially when charging is done at home. EVs also have fewer moving parts and no internal combustion engine, which generally means less routine maintenance.
What about the battery?
EV batteries require minerals such as lithium, graphite, nickel and manganese. Mining and processing these materials, as well as battery manufacturing, can have significant environmental and social
In Brief From P. 2
be live performances, light food and refreshments, a raffle and silent auction. The gala happens Saturday, Sept. 19., 7 p.m. at Abbot Hall. Tickets are $70 for reserved table seating and $40
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Superintendent John Robidoux recently sat down with the Current for a wide-ranging interview in his office.
whether there are ways to support them. The district expects to begin the year with just under 2,600 students. Enrollment remains relatively steady, Robidoux said, although administrators are watching transition years such as the moves from sixth to seventh grade and eighth to ninth grade.
New faces, continuing changes Several new administrators will be in place when students return. Lydia Rundell-Gjerde has
impacts. The encouraging news is that battery technology is evolving quickly. Manufacturers are developing batteries that use different materials, last longer, store more energy and can be manufactured with fewer environmental impacts. For example, lithium-ironphosphate batteries have become increasingly common. They do not require nickel or cobalt and have lower lifecycle emissions than some high-nickel battery chemistries. Recycling is another important factor. As more EV batteries reach the end of their useful lives, recovering materials from those batteries can reduce the need for additional mining and move the industry toward a more circular system.
Some common objections “The grid can’t handle more
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Boat storage notice
The winter boat storage season will begin Sept. 15 at Parker’s and Cliff Street boatyards. Boats stored at either boatyard last season will receive preference to store their boats this season.
joined the district as assistant director of student services, replacing Victoria Ryan. At Marblehead High School, Allison Alves has been hired as assistant principal. Robidoux also praised new Glover Elementary Principal Mary LeBlanc, a longtime Marblehead educator who most recently served as an instructional coach. “Mary just stood out,” he said of the hiring process. There are still several teaching and support positions to fill, including a high school math
EV chargers.” Claims that EVs (and heat pump installations) will overwhelm the grid are based on the unrealistic assumption that nearly everyone will trade in gas-powered vehicles for EVs (and convert their existing boilers) within the next year or two. Both ISO New England, the organization that manages our regional electric grid, and Marblehead Municipal Light Department are planning for an orderly increase in the demand for electricity from new electric heating systems, EV charging as well as population increases. Additional clean power generating sources from solar, wind and hydro are being developed and will be brought online. The transmission network will also be expanded. “What if I need to travel further than the car’s range?”
New applicants will be accepted beginning Aug. 15 on a first come first serve basis with Marblehead residents receiving preference. Marblehead Trading Company will be collecting the storage fee for the town. That fee is based on a rate of $6 per square foot as determined by multiplying the overall length of the boat by
and the role of the federal government. At an Aug. 6 forum in Lynn, the candidates found common ground on issues such as housing costs and health care while drawing distinctions over foreign policy, political experience and the role of government. On the Republican side, Micah Q. Jones of Essex is the only candidate seeking the GOP nomination, so there will be no Republican primary contest for the seat. The Democratic
nominee will face Jones in the Nov. 3 general election. Before you head to the polls, check out the Current’s Voters Guide to the 6th District race at MarbleheadCurrent. org. It features consolidated coverage from the North Shore/Merrimack Valley news consortium comprising the Marblehead Current, Swampscott Tides, Andover News, Manchester Cricket and Burlington Buzz.
position, a special education position, instructional assistant positions and a BCBA (board certified behavior analyst). Robidoux also expects to hire a facilities director. The district is preparing as well for the departure of Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Mike Pfifferling, whose final day is currently scheduled for Nov. 6. Robidoux said the district will discuss the search process at an upcoming School Committee meeting. Despite the turnover, Robidoux said the mood inside the district feels different from a year ago. An administrative retreat in early August brought together central-office administrators, principals, assistant principals and team chairs for team building and planning. “It was just all positive,” Robidoux said.
with staff and the broader community, including helping residents better understand the distinction between the School Committee’s role in policy and budget oversight and the superintendent’s responsibility for day-to-day operations. “That goes back to the collaboration and communication,” Robidoux said. “How do we communicate that better?” Robidoux, who has two years remaining on his contract, said he hopes to remain in Marblehead. He acknowledged that he had an opportunity to take another job earlier this year but declined it. “I love it here, and I’d like to continue the good work we’re doing,” he said. For all the challenges ahead, Robidoux said he is entering the school year with a more positive outlook. “I’m excited that there’s this feeling of positivity,” he said. “I don’t know how else to describe it.” And with the budget settled for the year and a multiyear funding plan in place, Robidoux said the focus can now turn toward the work inside the schools. “I just feel better about everything, so that’s great,” he said.
Looking three years ahead Robidoux said his priorities for the next three years are improving communication and collaboration, closing achievement gaps and strengthening instructional leadership. He said the district can improve how it communicates
It is true that some EV drivers suffer from range anxiety, but charging recommendations are built into EV’s native navigation systems. Meanwhile, expanded charging networks and faster charging times are taking away the stress for longer trips. Range has been improving, and will continue to improve, in newer models.
EV incentives
Federal government incentives have played an important role in encouraging EV adoption, but the market is no longer dependent entirely on federal policy. Here in Massachusetts, state support remains available. The Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles, or MOR-EV, currently provides rebates for eligible new and used battery-electric vehicles, along with additional incentives for
its beam width. This fee is for storage only. If you have any questions, call Rachael at 781-631-4650 or trucking@marbleheadtrading. com.
Pickleball for a purpose Registration is open for the fourth annual Win-4-All
income-qualifying residents and certain other categories. This program can provide $3,500 to $6,000 in potential savings. It is also being updated, so make sure to check the current requirements. The bottom line Electric vehicles are more than just a trend; they’re a powerful step toward a cleaner future for transportation. Whether you prioritize the environment, the thrill of the drive, or the bottom line, there’s an EV out there ready to meet your needs. And, the time is now to take advantage of the rebates. Come see a variety of EVs up close at the upcoming Marblehead Cruise-in” event, which will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 6-8 p.m. in the Devereux Beach parking lot. Jessica Valatka is the summer intern for Sustainable Marblehead
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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8 Wednesday, August 26, 2026 Marblehead Current
NEW BUSINESS
A new point of connection: Needlepoint shop stitches together a community BY OLIVIA GATES Hidden a few feet back from Washington Street. in the Old & Historic District is Marissa Dittrich’s store, New England Needlepoint. Since opening July 3, the store has quickly become a destination for Marblehead stitchers and visitors alike. According to Dittrich, the Marblehead community’s response has “been wonderful. Everyone has been so supportive and kind and welcoming.”
While New England Needlepoint has quickly become successful, for Dittrich this has been a long time coming. After spending several years working as an occupational therapist, she decided it was time for a career change. “There’s something that happens in your brain after you have kids where you really think hard about how you want to spend your time away from them,” says Dittrich, “and after having worked in healthcare for the last
decade, which can be hard, I really wanted to do something that made me happy every day.” Upon visiting various needlepoint stores, Dittrich realized “being in the stores, around all the colorful threads and canvases, and around all the people, how happy that made [her].” Once Dittrich decided to take action towards opening a store, she wanted to see if the local community would be interested in a needlepoint store. So, she created an
Customers from across Massachusetts and even out of state come to shop at New England Needlepoint.
CURRENT PHOTOS / OLIVIA GATES
Marissa Dittrich in her new store, New England Needlepoint on Washington Street.
Instagram account and started posting her current projects, including selfmade Marblehead designs. Through this process, Dittrich found out “there were so many other stitchers around.” Following up on local interest, Dittrich began hosting needlepoint events where she met what she described as “really wonderful women”
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who “were all so sweet and supportive and helpful in their business advice.” That community has extended far beyond Marblehead. Customers have traveled from Boston, western Massachusetts and even out of state to visit her store. Dittrich says that people who have come to visit the area see her store on social media and add it to their travel
itinerary, even if it means a detour. Social media has also played a significant role in New England Needlepoint’s success. Dittrich says she “didn’t realize the power of [social media] as a marketing tool,” and she feels that “every day, at least one person comes in who says that they found [her] on TikTok or Instagram.” However, social media is not the only important factor in New England Needlepoint’s success. Marblehead’s coastal aesthetic aligns with a very NEEDLEPOINT, P. 13
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, August 26, 2026 9
Sports SWEAT, GRIT & GLORY
Marblehead gets its first taste of HYROX BY LEIGH BLANDER Marblehead got a taste of the global HYROX fitness phenomenon this summer as 10 local competitors took on the town’s first-ever simulated HYROX race Saturday at FORM 01945. The competitors arrived at the studio Aug. 15 after eight weeks of training, ready to test their running, strength and endurance. “It was a wonderful morning and truly the best part was seeing the participants cheering each other on,” said Ann Moon, an instructor at FORM. “The sense of community was just beautiful. The sweat was flying, the space was totally electric. Almost felt like the Olympics!” HYROX combines running with functional fitness exercises in a race designed to test both endurance and strength. FORM 01945 is now an official HYROX affiliate facility, bringing the training program to Marblehead. For the event, competitors worked in teams of two. They tackled eight functional exercise stations, with a 1-kilometer run between each station. The stations included: » SkiErg » Sled push » Sled pull » Burpee broad jumps » Rower » Farmer’s carry » Sandbag lunges » Wall balls The format made for a demanding workout, but participants ranged from HYROX first-timers to seasoned athletes. Leading the group through the eight-week training program
COURTESY PHOTOS / DOUG MOON
HYROX hug: FORM 01945 owner Kelly Lorenz hugs a participant in the HYROX challenge.
was HYROX coach Maya Tavares, a Marblehead native who is currently a student at the University of Miami. The program is designed to be challenging without being limited to elite athletes. Exercises and workouts can be adapted to accommodate different fitness levels, making HYROX accessible to a wide range of participants. FORM 01945 plans to host another round of HYROX training and competition this fall.
HARBOR HIGHLIGHT
Townies take to Marblehead waters for national regatta BY LEIGH BLANDER The National Town Class Association hosted its annual regatta out of the Corinthian Yacht Club last weekend. “The story of the weekend was Bart Snow and crew Cheryl Schilling winning the regatta on a tie break over Mark Maitland and Phoenix Varela. Bart first won the Town Class Nationals more than 60 years ago in the early 1960s,” said regatta
BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW
coordinator Joe Fava. To see all the results, visit mheadrace.org Town class sailboats are 16 1/2 ft long dories, constructed in either wood or fiberglass. The Town Class was designed as an affordable boat for the townspeople, hence its name. There are Townie fleets in Marblehead, Nahant and Touisett, Rhode Island. Current contributor Bruce Durkee shot a photo gallery from Friday’s sailing action.
Lucia Levin pushes the sled in the FORM 01945 HYROX challenge.
Wall ball challenge: Athletes throw a heavy ball at a high target on the wall.
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10 Wednesday, August 26, 2026 Marblehead Current
ON THE PITCH
MHS boys soccer captains give their thoughts on the upcoming season BY JOE MCCONNELL Technically, summer is not over for most of us, but if you are a fall high school athlete in this state, you are governed by a different calendar. The traditional vacation season for them ended this year on Monday, Aug. 24, which was when they reported to their coaches for the first official day of practice. Marblehead High School boys soccer coach Elmer Magana followed the routine precisely by welcoming back his three captains — Erik Badzak, Mark Vinokur and Mitchell Goldwater –—and the rest of his returning players, who finished up last year with an 11-6-2 record after losing to host Hingham, the ninth seed, in the Round of 32, 2-1. The Magicians were the 24th seed in Division 2. Since then, the sport of soccer experienced a sudden boon in popularity from the wildly successful World Cup that attracted huge crowds throughout North America, including right here in Greater Boston with several games being played at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. The Marblehead captains are looking forward to seeing the residual effects of what it all means this fall. “I’m really excited going into this season,” said Vinokur. “Having the World Cup here should give the game a boost. More people were suddenly exposed to the sport, and they want to give it a try themselves. I think we’ll see increased signups to play, but more importantly there is a lot more excitement around here for the sport.” Vinokur, a center midfielder, thinks that the team’s biggest
Marblehead High boys soccer captain Mitchell Goldwater
COURTESY PHOTOS
Marblehead High boys soccer captain Mark Vinokur.
strength this year lies in its chemistry. “We have a good mix of returning players and new guys, and that’s going to make us a really competitive and fun group to be around each other all season long,” he said. Goldwater added that the Magicians will have a “fairly young team this year,” but it doesn’t mean that they still can’t
Marblehead High boys soccer captain Erik Badzak, right, is with his dad, Oz, at a World Cup game this summer in Seattle.
be successful. “I think there’s going to be a ton of room to grow as a team, and that should give some opportunities for the younger players to make the varsity roster, assuming that they come in with the correct attitude and work (ethic) from the start,” he explained. But Mitchell, who’s primarily a defender, doesn’t see any
bump in interest from the World Cup right away. “I think that’s something that you may see in the coming years from youth soccer, while now it’d be amazing if the World Cup buzz attracts any more fans to our games,” the MHS tri-captain said. As far as the varsity team is concerned, Mitchell envisions that it should be solid
all-around. “We will be counting on players to become catalysts on the offensive side of the field, while still seeing continued improvement throughout all areas of the roster,” he said. But he knows that it’s going to be up to the younger players to work hard for the team to be successful, while elaborating, “They have the potential to be the strength of this team as the season progresses.” Badzak personally experienced the World Cup after attending a game in Seattle with his family between Bosnia and Qatar. His rooting interest was on Bosnia’s side, where he has family roots, and they didn’t disappoint him, coming away with a 3-1 win. “That whole World Cup experience definitely raised good awareness for the sport among many more people,” said a very thoughtful Badzak. Like Vinokur, Badzak is also a center midfielder, and he “feels very good about the upcoming season,” while adding, “We’ve been training for most of the summer with a lot of emphasis on high intensity game play and decision-making.” With all of that said, Badzak added that the team’s strengths this year are its “quick thinking and tactics.” After four scrimmages against Bishop Fenwick (Aug. 28 at Piper, 4 p.m.), St. John’s Prep (Aug. 31 at Piper, 4 p.m.), Burlington (Sept. 2 at Burlington’s Simonds Middle School, 5 p.m.) and Wayland (Sept. 5 at Wayland High School, 10 a.m.), Coach Magana’s team will open up the regular season at Piper against Danvers on Tuesday, Sept. 8, starting at 4 p.m.
GRIDIRON
Changes abound for fall sports; football playoff alignment to have one less round BY JOE MCCONNELL On Aug. 19, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association voted 12-2 in favor of the Super 8 rule that will change high school football for many years to come. The rule will restructure the current playoff format for the 2027 season. It will still consist of nine divisions, but instead of the Top 16 making the postseason from each division, only the Top 8 will make it from now on. The decisionmakers believe that there were many issues with the current format, and this new rule will maximize the relevance of the regular season. The MIAA wanted to align each division evenly, forcing each one to have a minimum of 30 teams. This change will result in cutting the number of playoff teams from Division 3 to Division 8 roughly in half. The state’s governing board for high school sports was also looking to find a way to reduce the frequency of uneven games, particularly for seeds 9-16, which historically have a lower winning percentage. The total number of wins for those seeds has been 52, with seeds 12-16 making up just nine of those. The total number of wins for seeds 1-8 added up to 546. The committee was also taking into account the number of times that Division 1 and 2 clubs have appeared in the finals, hoping that it will give more
CURRENT PHOTO
No matter if it’s at Fenway Park, Piper Field or in Swampscott, the Thanksgiving Day game is here to stay, despite the recent MIAA changes to promote a better playoff format among the eight divisions.
teams a chance to compete for a championship. The Xaverian Hawks, for example, have won the last three Division 1 state crowns. They were also looking to reduce the number of consolation games and the number of teams opting out after being eliminated from postseason competition. These proposed changes will drastically impact the regular season, as well. Starting this season, every regular season game will contribute to a team’s power ranking, which are used to formulate the postseason matchups, and as a result teams will play nine games, instead of eight.
There won’t be a minimum number of games to automatically qualify for the playoffs. A team could go 7-2, and may not qualify for the tournament, because of the strength of its schedule. Division 1A will also be introduced in 2027, which will be considered a top-tier bracket featuring Division 1 and 2 teams. These two divisions will also include eight teams, which will be identified by the power rankings after Week 9. The top eight teams in each division from one to eight, including the Division 1A teams, will qualify for the postseason.
In summation, there will be 72 postseason teams over nine divisions. With the regular season now stretching over nine weeks, Week 10 is planned to be the first round of the playoffs and consolation games. Week 11 will be the state semifinal rounds. Week 12 will be the traditional Thanksgiving Day game. The MIAA believes that these games are important to most communities, and decided to keep them, despite the schedule changes. Finally, Week 13 will feature the nine Super Bowl games. How will this affect the
Marblehead High football program? Head Coach Jim Rudloff breaks everything down as clearly as possible, while also blaming the traditional Thanksgiving Day games for the playoff dilemma. “We (have) to extend the season by one week to accommodate the semifinal and final games (and one more regular season game),” he said. “This is a massive sticking point with the MIAA.” Fall practices for all sports started on the same day this year, which was on Monday, Aug. 24, but Rudloff finds that rather ironic. “Oddly enough, when you think about it, the spring sports season has never started on time, because of the field conditions. So why are we pushing (fall sports) back one week? Maybe we can start baseball on a real field, and not in a gym (with a later start date).” The football Magicians nine regular season games are as follows: Lynn English at Piper on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m.; Medway at Piper on Friday, Sept. 18, at 6:30 p.m.; at Scituate on Friday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m.; at Danvers on Friday, Oct. 2, at 6:30 p.m.; St. Mary’s at Lynn’s Manning Field on Friday, Oct. 9, at 5 p.m.; Beverly at Piper on Friday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m.; Peabody at Piper on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m.; Masconomet at Piper on Friday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m.; and at Swampscott on Thursday, Nov. 26, at 10 a.m.
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, August 26, 2026 11
ON THE MOVE
Danvers Indoor Sports Marblehead helping develop tots’ social and sports skills BY LUCA TEDESCO Danvers Indoor Sports has been a titan in the North Shore youth sports market for nearly four decades. With participation in rec sports on the rise, DIS has expanded to a new location in Marblehead that will have a focus on children as young as 18 months through the age of seven. “The community brought us here,” said DIS co-owner Kelly Craigg. “Marblehead has always been known as a community that is highly supportive of investing in their kids… For us it was an easy decision to consider Marblehead.” DIS Marblehead is located at 40 Tioga Way and opened in May. Marblehead was selected as a way to bring DIS programming to a community that has had to go out of its way to get to the main facility. “We know [Route] 114 can be tough during the day,” said Carrie Berger, director of business development for Danvers Indoor Sports. “It was like, let’s try bringing our quality programs to Marblehead.” At approximately 2,500 square feet, the Marblehead location is quite a bit smaller than the main 160,000 square foot facility in Danvers, but it is the perfect size to help young kids develop valuable skills through sports. Outside of the main field, Danvers Indoor Sports Marblehead has a birthday party function room, an art classroom as well as rooms with sports, ocean and space themes. The two main programs hosted at the Marblehead
necessarily get all the way over to Danvers because it’s a trek.” Within the DIScover programming is “Athletic Artist” which runs as a partnership between the facility and The Power of Speech, a play-based occupational therapy center located in the same building. Led by a certified occupational therapist, the program promotes the development of motor and social skills in children aged two through five. “Our goal is to come in here and collaborate,” said Beger. “How can we work with other small businesses in this community to provide quality programming to families in this area? Yes, we’re in Marblehead, but we’re looking to draw from Marblehead, Swampscott, Lynn, Salem, Nahant. Those are really our top five that we want to draw from.” With the focus of the new facility squarely targeted at young families, the staff at DIS Marblehead hope to help children from across the North Shore develop physical and emotional skills at a young age to ready them for the world ahead. “We have parents that understand the importance of their kid’s motor skills as well as social development,” said Craigg. “That’s why we want to branch out and understand that evolution. We’re working with our younger toddler programs on a smaller scale than what we’re doing in Danvers and reaching out into the communities that we think will actually take great advantage of what we do.”
COURTESY PHOTOS
Danvers Indoor Sports has opened a location in Marblehead, focusing on kids 18 months to 7 years.
location are “Lil’ Kickers,” a national franchise focused on child development through soccer, and “DIScover” which has multisport, gymnastics and fitness activities. “We’re working with parents and making sure they feel comfortable and confident with bringing their kid to one of the first programs that they’re introduced to,” said Lil’ Kickers coordinator Erin Madden. “When the opportunity arose to help out in Marblehead, I jumped at it because it’s a great location. It’s a great community over here. It’s just a chance to help out families that can’t
SPORTS SPOTLIGHT
Meet Marblehead tennis pro Vence N’Tcha BY JULIE FLYNN With his wide-brimmed hat and ever-present smile, Vence N’Tcha is a familiar sight around the tennis courts at Eastern Yacht Club. In some ways, that’s nothing new. N’Tcha says he was “pretty much born on the tennis courts.” Originally from Benin in West Africa, N’Tcha is now in his fifth season as a tennis pro at Eastern Yacht Club. Dan McCormick, a friend and the former tennis director at Eastern Yacht Club who hired N’Tcha, said “Vence has an infectious positivity that I’ve never seen before. He brings a great deal of energy with him whether he’s walking on the court or into a room.” By the time N’Tcha, the youngest of three children, was born, his older sister Niba was already competing. He considers his mother his biggest influence. “My mother didn’t want to shuttle three children to different activities, so everybody played tennis,” he said. His mother would drop them off at Friendship Stadium, a huge sports complex with six tennis courts, two soccer fields, 12 basketball courts and an area for volleyball and soccer. N’Tcha found ways to occupy himself: picking up balls for members, serving as a ball boy or umpire, making friends and essentially living around tennis. After winning his first tournament, N’Tcha made Benin’s national team and traveled around West Africa. “Back home you wanted to be on the court as long as possible. You wanted to be a ‘grinder’. You wanted to grind. Over here it’s more about the bigger shots,”
Eastern Yacht Club tennis pro Vence N’Tcha uses a mix of intense and fun coaching.
NTcha said. “We call them ‘moon balls,’ which send balls as high as you can,” he added. His path to the United States began with his sister, Niba, who had moved there several years earlier. Faced with the choice of turning professional or attending college, Niba chose Samford University in Alabama. Her decision inspired her brothers to pursue college tennis, N’Tcha said, partly because it could help pay for their education. “You’re pretty much competing for your own degree,” he said. N’Tcha eventually followed the college-tennis route
COURTESY PHOTOS
Tennis pro Vence N’Tcha has been working at the Eastern Yacht Club since 2022.
to Alabama A&M University in Huntsville. The differences weren’t limited to playing style; the courts themselves were different. “I grew up playing exclusively on hard courts in Benin. In the U.S. you have hard, clay and grass. My favorite in competition would be hard courts. My favorite to coach on would be clay courts. Hard courts are much faster. You want to have a fast game on hard courts and the matches aren’t as long. On clay courts the ball bounces and slows down a bit. It’s very physical. The good thing about
clay courts is that it doesn’t reflect the heat. I can be on the courts for eight hours and my feet are okay.” N’Tcha arrived in the United States in January 2020 and began applying for tennis jobs. What followed was a fortunate chain of connections: an application to Winchester Country Club led him to Vic Cran, who put him in touch with Dan McCormick, then Eastern’s tennis director. McCormick hired him, and by the summer of 2022, N’Tcha had found his way to Eastern’s courts. N’Tcha had intense coaches growing up. He learned that
competitive players sometimes need someone who pushes them. But he also learned the importance of encouragement. McCormick showed him another way to coach — patient, positive, joking, encouraging. N’Tcha, who teaches players ranging in age from 3 to 93, now combines the two philosophies. “I have a mix of both. I try to be a little bit intense and we keep going,” he said. “I love everything about the Eastern — its traditions, colors and the cannons. I’ve never heard so many cannons going off in one day,” he said laughing. “My first summer here in 2022, I was always jumping, jumping, jumping every time a cannon would go off. The more I saw the flag and burgee go up and down, I recognized it as a sign of respect. People are adventurous here and are well-traveled. Marblehead has a very rich history. You can feel it in the architecture.” “Vence approaches every day with a smile on his face, is always willing to try something new and creates a sense of ease and excitement about everything he’s involved in,” Director of Racquets Vic Cran said. Cran particularly remembers Vence’s first Marblehead winter after years in Benin and Alabama. “Even though he could barely feel his fingers, he was out there every day shoveling snow, learning a new sport — platform tennis — and making the most of all the new people and experiences he was having. I feel very fortunate to not only work alongside Vence, but call him a friend,” Cran added.
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12 Wednesday, August 26, 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
Shell Builders workshop with Salem Sound Coastwatch Friday, Aug. 28, 2:45-3:30 p.m.
Engineer a super-strong “shell” dome using shapes and simple materials, then load-test it to see how much it can hold. Investigate real snail, mussel and oyster shells at the touch tank and discover how shell shape and structure protect animals from waves and predators. This program is for kids 8-12 years old. Register at abbotlibrary.org.
‘Glover and His Crucial Leadership in 1776’
Marblehead 250: Nicholson Broughton, first captain of the privateer Hannah
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.
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 7-8:30 p.m.
Capt. Nicholson Broughton gained fame as the captain of the even more famous schooner Hannah, the “first” official privateer vessel sent out from Marblehead and Beverly waters under a commission from George Washington in service of his Continental Army, on Sept. 2, 1775. This program is led by Town Historian Donald Doliber. It can be attended in person at Abbot Library or by Zoom. More info at abbotlibrary.org.
Summer Play Readings — new works by local writers Friday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m.
Jazz at the Arts Thursday, Aug. 27, 7-9 p.m.
The Marblehead Arts Association and Gene Arnould present Yoron Israel and High Standards as a part of their Jazz at the Arts concert series. Tickets are $35. 8 Hooper St. More info and tickets at marbleheadarts.org.
Marblehead High School teacher and drama director Ashley Skeffington will share her play, “The Mender,” at Marblehead Little Theatre. Three siblings during the Vietnam War, facing a nation divided, discover their differing personal beliefs, what it means to be American, and family bonds. Years later their children come together after a startling discovery. This event is free.
True North Thursday, Aug. 27, 7-10 p.m.
Head out to The Landing Restaurant for a night of live music with local band True North. 81 Front St.
ARTS & CULTURE
Marblehead native comes home to direct first short film BY GREY COLLINS For three cold, windy May days this year, a sailboat moored in Marblehead Harbor became a bustling film set. Led by Marblehead native Molly Greville, the cast and crew of the short film “Waspringa” braved the inhospitable conditions to get the job done and send the film to the post-production phase. Greville wrote, directed and stars in the film. The 18-minute movie, which Greville describes as a dark comedy and a coming-of-age story, explores the dynamics between family members on their annual sailing trip in Maine. When the daughter, the main protagonist, Liv, is accidentally outed by her siblings, the family is forced to navigate an uncomfortable situation while trapped in close quarters aboard the sailboat in the middle of the ocean. “It’s about trying to get the people you love to understand you, and the very imperfect ways that families love each other,” said Greville For Greville, “Waspringa” marks a new chapter in her artistic career. She earned a bachelor of fine arts in theater at Boston University, and has spent the last eight years living in New York as an actor and writer. She has worked in film and theater development, and has written plays, including
COURTESY PHOTOS
The film crew of “Waspringa” prepares to begin filming at Riverhead Beach in May.
The crew of short film “Waspringa”poses for a photo on the bow of the sailboat they filmed on, after a day of filming.
“Unmentionables,” which was produced at two regional theaters. This film was her directorial debut. “Definitely being behind the camera was something I’d never done before,” Greville said. “It’s like a totally different language to theater.There were so many moving parts, so it was a totally new learning experience.” Learning that new language, and leading her own production for the first time, came with plenty of hurdles. “It was extremely challenging at some points,” Greville said. “There were some times where people were saying things and I literally had to be like, ‘What does that mean?’ It was very humbling.” Still, she described it as a
Although Greville, who grew up around boats, was comfortable on the sailboat, many of the filmmakers had never stepped foot on deck before, let alone filmed a movie inside of one. “We had a lot of people on set who were film geniuses, but boating novices. A lot of people had never been on a sailboat,”said Greville. “We definitely had some people throwing up over the side of the boat.” Despite the difficulties, Greville says the confined setting was essential to the story, because it really lets her explore the complicated family dynamics present in the story. “The boat for the storytelling mechanism was amazing,” she said. “Because by putting all of these characters in a confined
rewarding experience and chance to grow as a filmmaker and a leader. Filming in Marblehead also gave Greville a chance to return to her hometown, where her love of drama began. The cast and crew of about 30 people in total spent three days filming on a sailboat in Marblehead Harbor, and at Riverhead Beach in May, in what Greville called the “funnest week of my life.” Each morning, the crew launched from the Boston Yacht Club to reach the boat. In a daily logistical puzzle, they had to transport 19 people and $250,000 in rented equipment to the sailboat before filming, often in cold, rainy and windy conditions. But that was just the first step of the process.
space, it just makes the pressure and stakes so much higher.” As they finish the postproduction work on “Waspringa” this week, Greville hopes to share her movie with audiences at film festivals later this year, and maybe even have a hometown showing in Marblehead. She hopes to use her film to communicate themes about family and new beginnings. “Families are complicated and imperfect, but that’s okay, and that’s still love,” she said. “And it’s also a coming-of-age movie, so I hope people take away the fact that life begins anywhere. Just because you grew up one way doesn’t mean you have to end up that way. You can start a blank page anywhere.”
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, August 26, 2026 13
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Visit O’Hare Williams studio
BY MELISSA STACEY The following is an interview with Patti O’Hare Williams, artist and owner of O’Hare Williams, conducted by Discover Marblehead. O’Hare Williams is a Marblehead-based artist and creative studio known for fine art, graphic design and visual storytelling. Patti creates expressive still lifes and landscapes inspired by New England’s coastal beauty, combining color, graphic lines and a touch of nostalgia in both watercolor and acrylic works. To learn more or view her artwork, go to oharewilliams.com. Patti, tell us about O’Hare Williams. For many years, I’ve enjoyed working with businesses and organizations. As a graphic designer, I work to create attention to the client’s messaging and their product with design, photography and illustration along with their social media posts and content. My focus is sharing my artwork with Discover Marblehead members, area residents and Marblehead visitors. I’m a fine artist who has spent most of my life in Marblehead. I find inspiration
COURTESY PHOTO
Patti O’Hare Williams, artist and owner of O’Hare Williams
in the natural beauty and endless changes of the ocean that surrounds us here. I work to capture those nostalgic moments and places that hold a meaning for people. I paint landscapes, pet portraits and commission work in watercolors and acrylics. There is a selection of my work displayed at my studio here in Marblehead and at the North Shore Art Association in Gloucester. A commissioned mural is also at Caffe Italia on Bessom Street. What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in running a
business? The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to listen and focus on what a person is looking for. The artistic nature has a tendency to take things further than the intent and the client is then disappointed. I’ve learned to hone in to create art that fits the desire of the client and is satisfying to produce. What do you love most about Marblehead? Marblehead has a way of being very charming. The working waterfront, the ever-changing tides, the quiet inlets along the water and the colonial homes
all beckon to a story we can conjure to another time. This is what I love about living here in Marblehead.
Keene Sentinel and transmitted through UPI wire service. The three men each received life sentences.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Most surprising to people is that I was a courtroom artist for a murder trial held in the Middlesex County Courthouse in Cambridge. Three men (later convicted) from Keene, New Hampshire, committed a brutal murder in Tewksbury. This assignment included the probable cause hearing to sentencing for the
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.
DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS
Cook pursues a career in nursing BY NANCY MARRS Olivia Cook always had an aptitude for science and after excelling in AP environmental science and anatomy and physiology classes at Marblehead High School, she enrolled at Connecticut College and majored in biological sciences with a minor in psychology. She also pursued a set of courses and experiences in the Public Health Pathway program. Cook worked hard at school, was challenged by courses in statistics, general chemistry and microbiology, and she valued the lab component of her academics that gave her hands-on experience and fieldwork opportunities. Immersing herself in campus life, she served as a student advisor for the pre-health club, held work-study jobs at the school’s sports medicine facility and Child Development Lab School, and was inducted into Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology. “These experiences helped me build leadership skills and connect with other students pursuing careers in healthcare,” said Cook.
Needlepoint From P. 8
popular style of needlepoint designs, and yet, before Dittrich opened her doors, the closest needlepoint stores were in either Winchester or Boston.
Passionate about community service and public health advocacy, Cook was a safety volunteer at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London and worked as a certified nursing assistant at Pendleton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Mystic. During her senior year, Cook presented research she’d completed for her Public Health Pathway program at an all-college symposium. “This project explored how the physical, emotional and social demands of nursing affect nurses’ well-being and how supportive workplace practices can improve both nurse wellness and patient outcomes,” explained Cook. After graduating from Connecticut College last December, Cook began a 16-month accelerated BSN (ABSN) program at Endicott College and upon graduation she’ll take the national council licensure exam to become a registered nurse. She works part-time as an emergency department technician at Beverly Hospital. Cook believes her Marblehead
Dollars for Scholars scholarship made a meaningful difference in helping her family pay for college. Reapplying for the scholarship each year motivated the future nurse to stay focused, maintain good grades and to pursue impactful experiences
through her work and research. Throughout her undergraduate years, Cook said it meant a great deal to know that people in her hometown believed in her and wanted to help her succeed. “I am incredibly grateful to everyone who
contributes to Marblehead Dollars for Scholars,” Said Cook. “I appreciate the investment they made in my education and future.” Nancy Marrs is a member of the Marblehead Dollars for Scholars Board of Directors.
New England Needlepoint customer Deb Waters believes that these circumstances will help ensure the longterm success of New England Needlepoint. “I think there’s such a market for it,” says Waters, “with everybody now wanting to needlepoint and no stores
nearby. I think bringing it closer to home will definitely help keep her in business because she’ll have everyone local going there.” Christine Boehning, another New England Needlepoint customer, believes that although needlepoint is a trend, “there are enough people who aren’t doing it necessarily as a short-term
fad… who are invested in this and have done this for a long time and will continue to do it, that it will create longevity for that.” Dittrich hopes to continue serving the local needlepoint community through classes and an open invitation to use her store as a place to practice
needlepointing. Currently for sale now in the store: canvases, thread, needles, stretcher bars, bags, selffinishing items, needleminders, needle threaders, seam rippers and needlepoint guide books.
MHS and Connecticut College grad Olivia Cook is working to become a nurse.
COURTESY PHOTO
marbleheadcurrent.org
14 Wednesday, August 26, 2026 Marblehead Current
POLICE LOG
Engineer seeks to stop poop bags in catch basins; pickleball noise irks neighbor Saturday, Aug. 1
» Alarms: 1 » Building/property checks: 9 » Abandoned 911 calls: 2 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 4 8:02 a.m. A citizen was assisted on Rockaway Avenue. 8:54 a.m. An officer investigated a report of a possible violation of a noncriminal town bylaw that proved to be unfounded on Ruby and Emerald avenues. 10:18 a.m. An officer assisted another agency on West Shore Drive. 11:40 a.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Pleasant Street and Ocean Avenue. 12:21 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Darling Street. The source of the complaint could not be located. 12:54 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Heritage Way. 1:05 p.m. Services were rendered after a general complaint on Commercial Street. 4:32 p.m. A citizen was assisted on Arnold Terrace. 6:04 p.m. Services were rendered after a general complaint on West Shore Drive. 6:32 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Devereux Street. 7:46 p.m. Officers investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle on Ocean and Atlantic avenues. A verbal warning was given. 9:30 p.m. A general complaint was made on Green Street. 10:55 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Nahant Street.
Sunday, Aug. 2
» Alarms: 0 » Building/property checks: 4 » Abandoned 911 calls: 3 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 1 7:22 a.m. An officer, firefighters and an ambulance crew assisted with a disabled vehicle on Lafayette and Maple streets. 3:42 p.m. Officers investigated a general complaint on Farrell Court. 4:01 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Atlantic Avenue. The issue could not be located. 4:13 p.m. An officer investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle on Pleasant and Smith streets. 4:21 p.m. A complaint was made about a moving vehicle on Humphrey and Pleasant streets. 7:32 p.m. An officer stopped a man who was riding a moped without a helmet on the causeway. The operator acknowledged that he needed a helmet. The officer gave him a verbal warning and allowed him to push his moped to a legal parking spot on Ocean Avenue. The man said he planned to have a helmet dropped off to him. 8:31 p.m. An officer responded to the scene of a vehicle crash on Nashua Avenue and filed a report. 9:24 p.m. Officers restored the peace after a general complaint on Smith Street. 11:40 p.m. Officers rendered services after a general complaint on Kenneth Road. 11:59 p.m. Officers were dispatched to Kenneth Road to investigate the report of a house party. Upon their arrival, they did not see or hear anything coming from the house in question, which officers were familiar with due to the fact that it was being used as an Airbnb rental, and they had been called there to investigate
noise complaints multiple times before. The officers then saw about six people sitting on the back porch of a neighboring home, talking and grilling. The officers informed the main renter of the property of the noise complaints, and the renter said that they were almost done grilling and would head inside as soon as they were done.
Monday, Aug. 3
» Alarms: 3 » Building/property checks: 5 » Abandoned 911 calls: 2 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0 8:53 a.m. An officer spoke by phone with the manager of the Marblehead Mountain Bike Club regarding vandalism to a shed in the Green Street woods that she had built at the beginning of the season to store tools. The woman explained that this was the second time someone had vandalized the shed, this time by kicking down its side walls. The woman said that she plans to build a sturdier shed next year and for now just wanted the incident documented with police. 9:01 a.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Front Street. 9:57 a.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Foster Street and Harbor Avenue. 10:09 a.m. An officer spoke in the station with a man who had been the victim of identity theft. He explained that the Farmers and Merchants Bank in New Castle, Virginia, had contacted him to let him know that someone had obtained his driver’s license and had attempted to use it to open an account. The man said he confirmed that the bank was real and had them email him the information. The man said the person had a picture of his driver’s license and showed it to a teller as he attempted to open an account. The man confirmed that the bank denied the attempt and had the interaction flagged. The officer advised him to have his driver’s license number flagged at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The officer also suggested that he report the incident to the Craig County Sheriff’s Office in New Castle. 12:52 p.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Beacon Street. 1:39 p.m. A downed tree or branch was reported on West Shore Drive.
Tuesday, Aug. 4
» Alarms: 4 » Building/property checks: 6 » Abandoned 911 calls: 2 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 1 10:41 a.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Willow Road. 11:03 a.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Heritage Way. 12:39 p.m. An officer assisted with a disabled vehicle on Ocean Avenue and Wallace Road. 4:37 p.m. A cellphone was found on Washington Street. 8:09 p.m. Officers investigated a general complaint on Pleasant Street. 9:44 p.m. Officers restored the peace after they investigated an alarm on Pleasant Street.
COURTESY PHOTO
Police are investigating vandalism to this shed at the Green Street Bike Park.
Wednesday, Aug. 5
» Alarms: 1 » Building/property checks: 6 » Abandoned 911 calls: 6 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0 7:51 a.m. An officer went to Commercial Street to speak with a driver for a seafood company about a past minor vehicle crash involving his work truck. The man explained that, a couple of days earlier, he had backed his large work truck down to the gangway of Commercial Street dock to conduct business, and a black pickup truck was parked next to his truck. Due to the downward slope of the street, when the pickup truck had gone to leave, the downward slope of the street caused the truck to strike the front bumper of the seafood company truck. At the time, the drivers had decided that there was no damage to either truck, though days later the seafood company noticed damage to its truck, which the driver presumed was from the accident, though other drivers had used the truck in the intervening days, and the truck in question was not on site to allow the officer to assess the damage. The officer explained to the seafood company driver that he would document his version of events but because of the lack of definitive evidence as well as an unclear timeline, the officer did not believe there was sufficient reason to continue to investigate the matter. 10:06 a.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Ocean Meadow Lane. 10:58 a.m. Officers recovered a stolen vehicle on Hawthorn Road. The vehicle was towed. 10:59 a.m. An officer rendered services after general information was provided on Bayview Road. 11:11 a.m. An officer investigated a report of larceny, forgery or fraud on Euclid Avenue. 12:17 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Heritage Way. 1:53 p.m. An officer investigated a general complaint on Driftwood Road. 10:32 p.m. Officers investigated a general complaint on Auburndale Road.
Thursday, Aug. 6
» Alarms: 2 » Building/property checks: 6 » Abandoned 911 calls: 2 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 6 5:36 a.m. Officers investigated a report of suspicious activity on Angenica Terrace. 7:21 a.m. An officer went to Lee Street to speak with a man who had found a young girl who had been separated from her mother at Crosby’s Market. The officer was able to locate the mother who explained that that story was not quite right, that she and her daughter had walked to Crosby’s together and returned home together, and
the girl left home again at some point thereafter. Either way, the girl was safely reunited with her mother. 8:43 a.m. An officer spoke in the police station lobby regarding a case of identity fraud. The man explained that somebody had opened an Xfinity account under his deceased mother’s name, which he learned when got an alert from Experian about a debt that had yet to be paid from Xfinity, with which he had no accounts. He had then gotten a call from a collection agency about a $750 debt owed to Xfinity. He asked about the address to which Xfinity had provided service and learned that it was the town where his mother had lived until she died in 2023. The man explained that he needed a police report to show the debt collectors. The officer also recommended that he visit IdentityTheft.gov to fill out a Federal Trade Commission affidavit. 9:58 a.m. An officer rendered services after a vehicle stop on Humphrey Street and Thompson Road. 12:16 p.m. Services were rendered after general information was provided on Baldwin Road. 12:50 p.m. Services were rendered after general information was provided on Humphrey Street. 3:08 p.m. An officer investigated a possible violation of a non-criminal bylaw on West Shore Drive and Jersey Street. 3:59 p.m. An officer investigated a disturbance on Brook Road and Rose Avenue. The disturbance could not be located. 4:28 p.m. A citizen was assisted on Weston Road.
Friday, Aug. 7
» Alarms: 0 » Building/property checks: 7 » Abandoned 911 calls: 3 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 1 1:36 a.m. Suspicious activity was reported on Columbia Road. 8:30 a.m. An officer went to the area of Phillips and Locust streets to meet with the Highway Department regarding illegal dumping in the area. The officer was met by the town engineer who wanted it documented that people had been discarding their dog waste bags in the catch basins around town. Earlier in the morning, the Highway Department had pulled out approximately 15 to 20 bags from the catch basin at Phillips and Locust streets. After they cleaned the catch basin, workers observed a man walking his dog discard a dog waste bag into the catch basin. The workers had been able to photograph the man but did not know who the man was. The photograph was shared with the officer who said he would document the incident. In addition, the officer recommended the Highway Department put up trail cameras
at the most problematic locations in order to identify the culprits and deter people from the practice of disposing of dog waste in the catch basins. He also suggested the Highway Department post something on social media explaining that it is illegal to dispose of dog waste bags into catch basins, and that police were aware this was happening. 10:17 a.m. An officer investigated a noise complaint related to pickleball on Ocean Meadow Lane. The officer spoke to the reporting party in his driveway. The man explained that his neighbor whose property is behind his plays pickleball every day in his yard, which causes lots of noise, and that there was a group playing there at the moment. The same officer had investigated a similar complaint two days earlier and did not find the noise from the game to be unreasonable for the time of day. The complainant said that his neighbor has people on his property playing tournaments and taking private lessons daily, creating noise that the man believed was a zoning violation. The officer explained that this was more of a civil matter and explained that he did not find the noise level unreasonable, given the hour. However, the officer said that he would go and speak with the man’s neighbor. The neighbor explained that he had received a permit to build the court and that he only plays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. When the officer arrived, nobody was playing pickleball, and it was only the man and his wife sitting on the front porch. He explained that he had installed acoustics on the fence surrounding the courts to lessen the noise and that he was building a shed behind the court, which should also help lessen the noise. The officer made the man aware of the complaints, and he told the officer that he would be mindful of the noise, adding that he does not have people over to play daily. 12:12 p.m. Services were rendered after general information was provided on Turner Road and Green Street. 1:08 p.m. A general complaint was made on Atlantic Avenue. 2:53 p.m. An officer investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle on Driftwood Road. 3:19 p.m. An officer investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle on Pleasant Street. 3:25 p.m. An officer assisted with a disabled vehicle on Orne Street and Doaks Lane. The vehicle was towed. 4:24 p.m. An officer assisted a citizen on Smith Street. 5:15 p.m. A credit card was found on Front and State streets. 7:30 p.m. Officers investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle on Atlantic and Ocean Avenues. 8:29 p.m. Officers investigated a complaint about a moving vehicle on Flint Street and Ocean Avenue.
Saturday, Aug. 8
» Alarms: 0 » Building/property checks: 4 » Abandoned 911 calls: 2 » Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0 12:32 a.m. Officers rendered services after investigating a disturbance on Village Street. 12:40 a.m. Officers investigated a disturbance on Guernsey Street. 6:45 a.m. Officers investigated a general complaint on Green Street.
marbleheadcurrent.org
Marblehead Current Wednesday, August 26, 2026 15
OBITUARIES
Eugene F. Brennan, III, 68 Eugene Francis Brennan III, known to those who loved him as “Geno” or “Gene,” was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend. Known for his strength, Geno battled early onset Alzheimer’s for 11 years. He was with family and friends in his final days and peacefully passed away on Aug. 15, 2026 at the age of 68. Perhaps born with a mustache, Geno grew up in Worcester. He attended UMass Amherst, where
he majored in food science and, more importantly, met the love of his life, Susan. Together, they traveled the world before settling in Millis, followed by Lee, New Hampshire, where they raised their two daughters. Geno
and Susan moved to Marblehead where he spent his final years close to family and just a walk away from the ocean. Geno loved being outside. He enjoyed going to the beach, working with Susan on their gardens, hiking, helping others (especially if it involved using his truck), holidays and playing games. Geno also loved going to the YMCA every single morning, which he managed to do well into his final months. An avid Boston sports fan, Geno loved going to Bruins, Red Sox and Patriots games. He was especially passionate about going to Bruins games with his family and loved teaching his daughters all the pregame songs
Peter V. Kent, 83 Peter Vincent Kent of Marblehead passed away on Aug. 2, 2026 after a long illness. Peter was born in Marblehead to Vincent and Dacre Kent. Peter’s generosity, kindness and sense of humor created a legacy of friends and family that will truly miss him. Peter grew up in Marblehead, where he met his high school sweetheart, Betty, whom he later married. He graduated from the Centre College of Kentucky in 1964 and Suffolk University Law School in 1967. He then focused on healthcare law where he advocated for hospitals and Medicaid recipients. He was proud to have argued before the Massachusetts Appeals
and Supreme Judicial Court, resulting in legislative changes in favor of his clients. He founded his own law firm, PV Kent & Associates, in 1988 which allowed him to follow his passion and create a family amongst his loyal and dedicated staff. Peter was well loved by all. He was known for his bigheartedness to friends and
family, as well as to strangers in need. He enjoyed traveling all over the world with Betty, including her annual birthday trip to the Caribbean. His summers were spent on the sailboat and watching the Red Sox. Peter was predeceased by his parents Vincent and Dacre Kent and his brother Christopher. He is survived
OBITUARY SUBMISSION POLICY
Steven J. Dugas Steven J Dugas, of Marblehead, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, with loved ones at his side. Son of Edward and Ethel Dugas of Attleboro, (both deceased) he is survived by his sister, Lynne Richer, and brother-in-law, Matthew Richer; and their children, Adam Richer, along with Greg Richer and wife Jena Richer and their children Ignacio and Fionn. He is also survived by his dear friend Jocelyn Oliver, along with many other friends and colleagues. Burial and funeral services are private for family only. Those wishing to provide a remembrance for Steve may make a donation to the Marblehead Council on Aging, where he spent many happy hours playing cribbage and enjoying the companionship of friends and staff there.
levels of experience. She found her passion for teaching early through her work with the city of Revere and Camp Columbus/ Columbia in Danvers. Her years spent in Hamilton-Wenham, Marblehead and at Cohen Hillel Academy were particularly rewarding. She had a rare gift for connecting with middle school students. One of her tricks was
through weekly games both at the JCC and at home with friends. Ruth had boundless energy, and when she saw an opportunity to improve her community, she made it happen. She was immensely proud of her role in founding the Swampscott Tides newspaper and of her service as a board member of Congregation Ahavat Shalom, where she was instrumental in distributing funds to organizations benefiting local Jewish community members in need. Ruth and her husband, George, were blessed with an extensive circle of devoted friends, both in the community and around the world, who were an incredibly important part of their lives. Ruth is survived by her beloved husband of 65 years, George Rooks; her sister, Diane
Volk and her late husband Steven Volk; her late brother Arthur Kemelman and his wife Ziona Kemelman; her daughter, Nina Rooks Cast, and her husband, Jim Cast; her daughter, Jennifer Rooks Dolin, and her husband, Eric Jay Dolin; her son, Jared Rooks; four cherished grandchildren, David, Lily, Harry, and Michael; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Ruth was dynamic, dedicated, loyal, passionate and proud of her family, her friends and her community. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to the Swampscott Arts Association (swampscottarts. org), Swampscott Tides (swampscotttides. org) or the Friends of the Swampscott Library (swampscottlibraryfriends.org).
in the town he would call home for over 45 years. Bruce practiced general dentistry in Marblehead and, because of his warmth, gentle touch and dental artistry, he was trusted and loved by his patients, many of whom became dear friends. Bruce also supported the community in many ways, including as a member of Marblehead Rotary Club. In addition to his
contributions to the Rotary’s local and international causes, he enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow Rotarians as a member of the scholarship committee and helping to sell tickets for the annual Rotary Lobster Raffle during the Festival of the Arts. He appreciated the beauty of his community and the friends and neighbors who were a part of his life. Bruce made the most of every day, often asking “What’s next?” so he would not waste a minute. In his leisure time, he was happiest being active and pursued interests that were aligned with his love of nature. He brought passion and commitment to golf, sailing, skiing, bicycling and hiking. He was a long time member of Tedesco Country Club and Eastern Yacht Club. Some of his achievements include winning or placing in many Tedesco golf tournaments
and in championship regattas as a member of the Marblehead Rhodes 19 Fleet. Bruce was also an avid traveler, always ready for interesting adventures to meet new people and explore new places. With a warm smile and genuine interest in others, Bruce would readily strike up a conversation with people he met along the way, whether on a chair lift going up a mountain, teeing up in a random pairing for golf or in a museum or concert venue. He had a great appreciation for the arts, supporting local artists and musicians, the Marblehead Arts Association, Marblehead Festival of Arts, Marblehead Summer Jazz and Peabody Essex Museum. Bruce filled his home with music from a diversity of genres, that ranged from old favorites to new recordings, and he would share his love of it with
everyone who visited. Bruce is survived by his loving wife Kim Barber; his sister Judy Deutsch and her husband Stephan; his niece Rachel Gingold, her husband Brian, and their children James and Avery; and his nephew Charles Deutsch, his wife Leslie, and their children Beau and Roman. He was predeceased by his brother James Bolen. Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Bruce’s life on Sept. 16, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Tedesco Country Club, 154 Tedesco St. Memorial donations to honor Bruce may be made to: Care Dimensions (75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA 01923 or caredimensions.org/donate), or Alzheimer’s Association (320 Nevada St. Suite 201, Newton, MA 02460 or alz.org). For online information and tribute wall, please visit bostoncremation.org.
Bruce Paul Bolen, 77 Bruce Paul Bolen, DMD, a fondly regarded and highly respected dentist to several generations of the Marblehead community passed away on Aug. 16, 2026 at the age of 77. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Bruce was the third child of the late Earl and Olga (Carraro) Bolen. Growing up with his brother James, his sister Judy and a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins in Chicago and later in Westfield, New Jersey, Bruce had an insatiable curiosity for everything life had to offer and lived with pure joy. After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Bruce found his way to Marblehead and set down roots
by his wife, Elizabeth J. Kent (Betty), with whom he shared 62 years of marriage, and his two children: Heather (Kent) Bernardin and her husband Georges, Charlene (Kent) Giangrande and her husband Christopher, and his beloved grandchildren John and Melissa Bernardin, and Trevor and Owen Giangrande. Peter was a friend of Bill W. A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27 at the Unitarian Universal Church, 28 Mugford St. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to honor Peter to the Marblehead Food Bank P.O. Box 233, Marblehead, MA or Project Cope, 66 Johnson St., Lynn, MA 01902. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com for Peter’s family.
was deeply loved. And he will be missed more than words can say. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, Aug. 28, at 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady, Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave. A celebration of life will follow immediately after the Mass at the Gerry 5 VFA, 210 Beacon St. In lieu of flowers, please consider an act of kindness in Geno’s memory or a donation to Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln, c/o Care Dimensions, Suite B-102, 75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA 01923 or via caredimensions.org/donate. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com for Gene’s family.
to insist that they remain seated, which was the only time she had a height advantage over the growing pre-teens. Ruth was active in Boston’s arts community, where she was elected a Copley Artist, as well as in the Marblehead Arts Association and the North Shore Arts Association. She was a former president of the Swampscott Arts Association and a founding member of ReachArts. She proudly shared her talent for painting with novice and accomplished artists, although she was a fierce advocate for art in all forms and media. Her interests and accomplishments were broad and extensive beyond the arts. She was a talented and dedicated bridge player, and she treasured the communities she found
Ruth Kemelman Rooks Ruth Kemelman Rooks passed away peacefully on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, surrounded by her family. Ruth was born in Boston, the eldest daughter of author Harry Kemelman and local icon Anne (Kessin) Kemelman. She moved to Marblehead as a teenager, and after college and brief stays in New York City and Delaware with her husband, George, she settled back on the North Shore, where she felt most at home. Ruth was a wonderfully talented artist who shared her love and enthusiasm for art with students of all ages and
and chants. Known for his kindness and big heart, Geno valued his relationships with family and friends more than anything. He will forever be missed by his wife, Susan Brennan; his daughters, Carolyn O’Connor and Eryn Taylor; his sons-in-law, Patrick O’Connor and Bryan Taylor; his three grandsons, Finn Taylor, Jackson Taylor and Macklin O’Connor; and his sister, Mary Brennan. He will also be deeply missed by his extended family and many friends who were lucky enough to know him. Geno leaves behind a lifetime of memories. He was strong. He was funny. He was kind. He
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.
marbleheadcurrent.org
16 Wednesday, August 26, 2026 Marblehead Current
NEW Sunday Special! Run out of benefits for food and fuel?
We're here to help. If you’re struggling to pay your bills or are experiencing a sudden and unexpected financial hardship, we’re here to help. Individual requests for financial assistance must be referred through a third party for consideration. We urge you to contact our partners listed below, or speak to your local clergy to request assistance from Marblehead Female Humane Society:
Marblehead Counseling Center 781-631-8273 Marblehead Housing Authority 781-631-2580
Roasted prime rib served with fingerling potatoes, broccoli, au jus, & horseradish cream sauce
Marblehead Council on Aging 781-631-6225 Marblehead Food Pantry
Upcoming Music 8/27 - True North • 9/10 - GiGi & The Noize 9/17 - B Side Hustle • 9/24 - Halfway Rock 9/30 - Funbucket • All Music Starts at 7 pm
For over 200 years, Marblehead Female Humane Society has remained faithful to its original mission of quietly and respectfully helping Marblehead residents in need.
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