Several MHS teams compete in the playoffs Page 9
Sixth graders get creative at vocab parade Page x3
Have you
Celebrating 150 Issues of the Current!
Since our founding in 2022, the Current has delivered on its promise: to provide clear, unbiased reporting on the issues shaping Marblehead news that informs, connects, and strengthens our Town
Since our founding in 2022, the Current has delivered on its promise: to provide clear, unbiased reporting on the issues shaping Marblehead news that informs, connects, and strengthens our Town.
For 150 issues, you have brought this paper to life
But ad printing costs continue to rise, sustaining this work depends on the generosity of those who value it
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CELEBRATING 150 ISSUES OF THE CURRENT!
Now is the moment to become a donor or to renew your commitment to keeping local journalism strong. Your support keeps the Current independent, reliable, and free for all of Marblehead.
Donate today!
For 150 issues, you have brought this paper to life. Thank you for reading, sharing, writing, advertising, volunteering, and donating your time and resources.
Every fall, we ask for support and every year, Marblehead shows up. Since our founding, nearly 1,500 have donated.
Donate today!
Thank you for reading, sharing, writing, advertising, volunteering, and donating your time and resources
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This year, your gift goes even further Thanks to the Carole Remick Foundation, every donation from a new donor will be tripled up to $5,000 and repeat donors’ gifts will be matched 1:1 through NewsMatch, a national campaign supporting nonprofit news
This year, your gift goes even further. Thanks to the Carole Remick Foundation, every donation from a new donor will be tripled up to $5,000 and repeat donors’ gifts will be matched 1:1 through NewsMatch, a national campaign supporting nonprofit news.
Point your phone camera at this code, or visit
Point your phone camera at this code, or visit
Local volunteers join food rescue efforts
BY LEIGH BLANDER
As food prices surge and federal benefits appear in jeopardy during the government shutdown, volunteers around Marblehead are working nearly every day with food rescue programs to ensure that no groceries or meals go to waste.
On Oct. 28, Mimi Hollister and Richard Thibedeau picked up 100 pounds of produce and bread — past their prime but still healthy and nutritious — from Crosby’s Marketplace in Marblehead and delivered it to Lifebridge in Salem.
Hollister and Thibedeau are members of Old North Church. Volunteers from ONC bring food from Crosby’s to Lifebridge Monday through Friday, and they’ve been doing it for the last 11 years. The total amounts to about 280,000 pounds.
“It’s a huge help,” said Karen Andrews, who runs the kitchen at Lifebridge. “We go through what would have been thrown away and pull all salvageable produce and bread from the bags.”
BY LUCA TEDESCO AND LEIGH BLANDER
Thousands of people (and monsters, superheroes, princesses etc.) hit the streets of Marblehead last week to celebrate Halloween.
The hottest attraction was the giant, animated hermit crab, designed and built by Marblehead architect Tom Saltsman outside his home at 32 Pleasant St. Crowds gathered to watch the 10-foottall creature, the latest in 20 years of Halloween installations Saltsman has created. Around the corner, Beatles tribute band, Studio Two, played in the Jeremiah Lee Mansion garden to a crowd of people singing along.
Thursday night, hundreds of trick-or-treaters filled downtown
Marblehead going store to store for sweet treats.
“I came out to get candy,” said Hunter, 9, who dressed up in a Jalen Hurts Philadelphia Eagles jersey. “My favorite candy is Snickers!”
Local business owners were also enjoying Thursday evening’s festivities
“I love seeing how thriving the Marblehead business district is,” said Noelle English, owner of B-Tone Fitness. “I love seeing clients walking by with their kids and kids telling me ‘My mom comes here every day.’”
And at the Lee Mansion, scores of pumpkins carved by Marblehead’s best and brightest jack-o’-lantern designers lit up the night for the 17th annual Pumpkin Illumination.
She added that the donations are especially valuable during the fall and winter months “when our gardens are no longer producing fresh produce.”
Thibedeau is amazed at how Andrews whips the food into a
feast.
“She takes it all, waves her magic wand and turns it into a wholesome meal for residents and needy people,” he said.
Lifebridge serves 60-80 guests three times a day, totaling about 7,000 meals a month.
Thibedeau, 80, looks forward to his weekly volunteer job.
“I’m doing something concrete to help the needy of the world,” he said. “I can’t save the world, but I can do something that’s practical. If every grocery store in the country allowed this to happen — hooking up with a church, Rotary Club — you would go a long way to solving the food crisis in America.”
Crosby’s also partners with Marblehead-based nonprofit SPUR, whose volunteers pick up food from Crosby’s three days a week and deliver it to Elliot House in Swampscott, RCC in
Lynn and the Lynn Community Fridge.
“We like giving back to the community,” said Crosby’s Marblehead General Manager Mike Bosse. “Times are tough. All the food is still good. We have great products. If an apple has a little dent on it, it’s still delicious. We were throwing out so much, it was like, ‘We have to think of ways to give back.’” SPUR also partners with Shubie’s to deliver food to the Anchor Food Pantry in Swampscott and Ruth’s Way in Lynn.
“It tends to be a lot of baked goods, but our prepared foods certainly make it into their orange pick-up bags — mini cheeseboards, crudite, tuna salad, chicken tenders. As long as we are confident that
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Old North Church volunteers Mimi Hollister and Richard Thibedeau pick up 100 pounds of produce and bread products from Crosby’s to deliver to Lifebridge in Salem.
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Tom Saltsman’s giant, moving hermit crab captivates Halloween crowds.
BY LEIGH BLANDER
About a dozen people came out to learn more about the town’s options for its new trash and recycling contract, which Public Health Director Andrew Petty predicted will jump about $1 million a year. The current contract is for about $1 million a year.
Marblehead’s 10-year trash and recycling contract expires at the end of August. Petty plans to put a new contract out to bid this month, and the Board of Health will pick a vendor sometime in December, he said.
At the Oct. 30 public meeting, Petty explained he is asking for pricing on three potential plans:
» Automated weekly trash and recycling collection (using trucks with mechanical arms that pick up “toters”).
Residents could choose either 35- or 65-gallon toters.
» Automated weekly trash and every-other-week recycling collection with a 95-gallon
BY LEIGH BLANDER
John Peffer was born and raised in Marblehead and loves coming back to his hometown whenever he can.
He traveled the world as a sales and marketing executive, but he says there’s no place like home.
“I’ve been to some beautiful spots, but there’s just no other harbor in the world that beats Marblehead,” he said.
Peffer, 62, is coming home again on Saturday, Nov. 15, for an ALS fundraiser in his honor. He was diagnosed with the debilitating disease last year. His father died of ALS in 2002. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is fatal.
After his diagnosis, John discovered that he had inherited a gene that causes ALS from his dad. John’s brother also carries the gene but has not tested positive for the disease so far.
“My kids haven’t gotten tested yet,” John said. “My daughter, who just got married, wants to before she has children.”
Peffer can still speak and breathe on his own, but his life is dramatically impacted otherwise.
“Imagine not having the use of one hand,” he said. “I can’t do buttons. I can’t put on socks. It’s all the things that you think are so simple, but now they’re
Volunteers
From P. 1
the food is safe to eat, we will send it,” said Shubie’s General Manager Doug Shube. He added, “Sadly, ‘food insecurity’ is a hot phrase these days, and I think it’s more important than ever to do as much as we can to help our neighbors and our community. This food is still delicious and can make a difference. It shouldn’t go into the dumpster.” Kim Nothnagel with SPUR says there’s a lot of food waste in the country.
“Each year, over 30% of
recycling toter. Manual weekly trash and recycling.
(Collection options may vary in the Old & Historic district, given space issues.)
Petty said no major company has been willing to bid on the manual collection.
He is also getting pricing for processing trash and recycling.
Board of Health member Tom McMahon answered questions and said he had spoken with several community members.
“I haven’t heard from anyone with an appetite for recycling every other week,” he said.
A few residents at the meeting urged the board to consider moving to a pay-to-throw collection system, which is used in Swampscott.
Bob Haskell said if residents had to pay per bag or toter, they would be incentivized to create less trash. He said that should be a priority with Massachusetts landfills expected to close in 2030.
“If one of the objectives is
waste reduction over a period of time… the only thing I can think of is that if you assign one barrel and you pay for another barrel,” Haskell said. “It ought to be a payas-you-go system.”
Petty said that option would dramatically increase costs.
“If I start to allow unlimited trash collection, the company bidding on curbside trash collection has no clue how much trash is going to be out there, and the numbers become very big,” he said.
McMahon urged supporters of pay-as-you-throw to bring the idea to Town Meeting by writing an article and getting signatures.
“It’s very easy, and then you stand up and you sell your case to the town,” McMahon said.
Any residents who want to share thoughts on the new trash and recycling contract can email bohemails@marblehead.org.
There is also a public comment opportunity at every Board of Health meeting.
impossible. I have braces on my legs. They say there’s a two-tofive-year survival.”
Peffer has learned that about 30,000 people in the U.S. have ALS. While the Ice Bucket Challenge and related efforts by the Frates family raised $115 million and awareness of the cause, ALS is still underfunded, Peffer said.
On Nov. 15, he will be partnering on a fundraiser with Curt Havens, co-owner of The Beacon Restaurant, who also grew up in town. They hope to raise $50,000 for the Therapy Development Institute, a nonprofit that conducts ALS research.
Peffer is planning another fundraiser at the Lee Mansion in June.
“I’m a huge advocate,” he said. “I started posting about ALS. I do a daily TikTok, speak on panels and attend a lot of fundraisers.” Havens is happy to help.
“I felt compelled to do something,” Havens said. “I reached out to him (Peffer), and the family was more than eager to participate.”
The event, which begins at 5 p.m., will feature the Marblehead band True North, a silent auction, raffles and, of course, food.
For more information about the event, visit https://fundraise.als. net/beacon.
all food in the U.S. goes unserved and ends up in landfill,” she said. “That’s over 133 billion pounds of food annually.” Food waste produces large amounts of methane, too, a dangerous greenhouse gas, she noted. “SPUR’s food rescue program helps our community shrink our environmental impact while meeting critical — and growing — needs in our community every day,” Nothnagel said. Another way to help is to donate — either food or money — to the Marblehead Food Pantry. Learn more at marbleheadfoodpantry.org.
and recycling contract for the town.
COURTESY PHOTO
SPUR volunteer Katrina DeMilo of Marblehead picks up a food rescue at Shubie’s.
COURTRSY PHOTO
John Peffer, far right, stands with his brother and sisters, who all grew up in Marblehead. John inherited ALS from their dad.
Good journalism is a community effort — join ours
When the Marblehead Current (then, the Marblehead News) published its very first post in the spring of 2022, we made a promise to our readers: We would deliver accurate, independent reporting that reflects the full life of our town. We pledged to tell Marblehead’s stories with care, to hold our institutions accountable, and to help our neighbors stay informed about the issues that shape our shared future.
Three years and 150 print issues later, we’re thrilled to say that we’ve kept that founding promise. Each week, the Current reaches more than 10,000 homes and businesses in print — and thousands more readers online — with news that matters. We’ve chronicled elections and budgets, school debates and the triumphs and tribulations of individuals. We’ve celebrated our town’s artists, athletes, nonprofits and businesses. And when Marblehead has faced hard truths or difficult choices, the Current has been there to report with depth, accuracy and context.
That kind of journalism doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because a community decides it matters.
As you likely know, we’re a nonprofit newsroom — free from corporate ownership or outside influence. Our work is powered by people who value what we do: the loyal readers, more than 100 local advertisers and almost 1,500 donors who understand that strong journalism is a critical component of a strong community.
Every time someone buys an ad or makes a contribution — or even when they read, share or write a letter about one of our stories — they are part of our shared effort. Together, we’ve built something special, and now
Donate today! Point your phone camera at this code, or visit
we need to keep it strong. This month, we’ve been challenged to welcome 100 new donors into our circle of support. Thanks to the generosity of Marblehead’s very own Carole Remick Foundation, every gift from a first-time donor will be tripled — up to $5,000. That means your $50 becomes $150; your $200 becomes $600. If you’ve ever thought, “I
should support the Current someday,” we hope you’ll make today your “someday.” Your first gift will go three times as far to keep Marblehead’s independent news free and accessible to all.
Our newsroom runs lean — a small staff doing big work, with columnists, interns, board members and other volunteers all contributing their time and talent. Sustaining that work
in a time of rising costs takes everyone.
We’re proud of what the Current has become: a trusted source of information, a platform for civic dialogue and a reflection of Marblehead at its best. But this doesn’t just magically happen. The paper’s strength depends on the breadth of its support.
So if you value having a local newsroom that belongs to the community — one that informs, connects and strengthens Marblehead — join us. Good journalism is a community effort. And with your help, ours will continue to thrive.
— The Board of Directors, The Marblehead Current
Sixth graders impress with their vocabulary and clever costumes
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Nearly 200 Village School sixth graders showed off their vocabulary skills and creativity at the 18th vocabulary parade, organized by teacher Natalie Belli.
“I loved the energy,” Belli said. “The kids also loved it, and we were really excited with the turnout.”
Students picked their favorite homonyms, homophones, idioms, puns and other words and created a costume to match. They lined up along the school’s track Oct. 29 while parents and teachers walked by enjoying the cleverness. Belli is already looking forward to next year’s parade.
CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER
Students Leo Pizzano, middle, Anneke Lord, left, and Harper Vining chose the phrase “thrown under the bus” and recreate the scene.
A few different groups, including Bobby Dowling, left, and Owen Waters, did their best to bring “monkey business” to life.
Lucy Lock uses her dad’s shark onesie to portray “card shark.”
Julia Webster sports angel wings, a trench coat and dark glasses for “blessing in disguise.”
Sloan Assa (left) and Taegen Thompson illustrate the old adage, “Don’t cry over spilled milk.” Gary Tavarez, Asher Elkayam and Cameron DiChiara act out “hitting the books.”
Donna Rice
Cheryl Brolin Byrne Brian Birke Bob Peck David Vigneron Rick Weed Gene Arnould
Opinion
EDITORIAL
Make a healthy choice
Have you taken the Creating a Healthier Marblehead survey yet?
If not, time is running out.
The window to respond to the survey will close in about 10 days, Board of Health Chairman Dr. Thomas Massaro reports.
Here’s why we think you should find time within that span to answer the series of questions.
First, while it has become fashionable to complain that elected officials are out of touch and unresponsive to their constituents, this stands as a counterexample. Our Board of Health is not just asking “what do you need?” but seeking to drill down to understand the depth of those needs.
“We are asking residents what they think so we can respond to issues that matter to them,” Massaro tells the Current.
Robust data on what the town wants and needs can help guide decision making for years to come, Massaro has explained.
Massaro, a retired pediatrician and University of Virginia faculty member who worked as the chief medical officer in the New Mexico Department of Health during COVID, noted how public health officials lost trust during the pandemic. Concerns about school and business closures and mask mandates often fell on deaf ears.
“Most of us who had some responsibility during that time know in retrospect that mistakes were made,” he says.
By asking about the town’s priorities proactively, the board hopes to minimize potential incorrect assumptions in the future, Massaro says.
For as long as most can remember, Massachusetts residents have enjoyed access to what is widely considered the best healthcare delivery system in the country, Massaro notes.
When he first got elected, Massaro met with state Rep. Jenny Armini and state Sen. Brendan Crighton. Both told him they had never had a single constituent ask them to prioritize strengthening public health.
“That may change,” he says.
Healthcare is only getting more expensive, federal support is less certain, and there is a major shortage of primary care physicians, Massaro notes.
“Strong and well-managed public health cannot replace primary care physicians, but anyone who has lived or worked in other countries knows it can make primary care more efficient and cost effective,” says Massaro, the founding dean of the University of Botswana School of Medicine.
A robust response to the survey will help local health officials be better partners to front-line providers, Massaro believes.
Upon being elected, Massaro also visited local pediatrics offices and was told he was the first Board of Health member to reach out and ask how the board might be able to help them care for their patients, he says.
“Results from the survey may provide insight into how we can work better together,” Massaro says.
Private equity is also exerting more influence on healthcare organizations, which Massaro calls “perhaps the most destructive health issue in health care today.” The failure of Steward Health is a prominent local example.
By contrast, public health is concerned about wellness, not return on investment, Massaro notes.
“Having more people complete the survey provides greater statistical legitimacy to our attempt at promoting wellness locally and beyond,” he says.
Massaro, the Board of Health and the CAHM team he has assembled have done the town a great service in marshaling the resources to make the CAHM survey possible. They got buy-in — literally — from both of the town’s Rotary Clubs, the Marblehead Female Humane Society and the Mariner, ensuring that no tax dollars would be spent on this effort. That organizations with a history of supporting the town’s wellness found this project to be a worthy investment speaks to its potential value.
He also connected with a team at UMass-Boston with a ton of experience conducting similar assessments. Salem and Swampscott are just two of the 80 cities and towns with which it has worked. Residents can be confident that individual responses will remain anonymous, given the team’s welldeveloped protocols.
In other communities, those assessments have identified a variety of needs. What will they be in Marblehead? Support for substance use and mental health issues? A teen center? Better sidewalks? More affordable housing?
There’s only one way to find out, and it starts with you completing the survey.
Point your phone’s camera at the QR code here or pick up a paper copy at Abbot Public Library, the Jacobi Community Center or Mary Alley Municipal Building.
We urge you to seek out the CAHM survey today and to respond as openly and honestly as possible.
MARBLEHEAD MUSINGS
The Select Board — so many musings, so little space
Board finally posts goals, but goal posts and goal line are undefined
BY SEAMUS HOURIHAN
In my Aug. 27 column, “If you don’t know where you are going, any path will take you there” I asked the question whether our School Committee and Select Board, our two “executive” bodies, have strategic initiatives aligned with real critical issues facing the town. Do they have specific measurable goals for these initiatives? Do they have schedules? From my perspective, the answer for the School Committee was no. For the Select Board, the jury was out since they hadn’t posted their FY26 goals yet.
On Oct. 7, the Select Board finally posted its FY26 goals developed at their mid-summer retreat on July 18 nearly three months earlier. Real timely, huh?
This four-page document identifies 37 objectives in seven goal areas: 1. Good governance, 2. Communications and public engagement, 3. Finance and budgeting, 4. Capital planning and investment, 5. Community quality of life, 6. Workforce and human resources, and 7. Community development and economic growth. These numbers are even bigger than the School Committee’s! And like the School Committee, the Select Board objectives don’t define a location for the goal line or goal posts. You can’t tell when they score — what defines accomplishing a goal. In a reply to Select Boarder Erin Noonan on my perspectives, I stated they are a “mushy amalgamation of FY25 activities and FY26 plans.” To repeat some closing comments in my earlier column: “Both the Select Board and School Committee are missing focus — a laser focus on a very small set of high priority SIs that address our most critical issues. Each strategic initiative must have an action plan with an owner, an outline of the actions or steps that the plan will pursue and a schedule. And the goals need to be measurable in some way. Progress reports should be published quarterly. “ Continuing my comments: “Our municipal service organization and schools are both hamstrung by very modest property tax revenue increases of 2.5% and escalating operational costs well above this percentage. Consequently, both the Select Board and School Committee should each have strategic initiatives related to 1. increasing revenue and 2. controlling/reducing costs.
And since student academic performance/testing may be viewed as below peers, the School Committee should have a strategic initiative related to curriculum. And how about a strategic initiative related to increasing Town Meeting participation? That’s a total of six. Doable? Hope so!” And here’s the latest news. In the Oct. 22 Select Board meeting, Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin predicted the need for the first general override since 2005 “to sustain high-quality services.” Maybe we don’t need high quality services in all areas. Maybe “good enough” is good enough.
Select Board misses the boat with town administrator contract renewal
I am an advocate of running Marblehead as a real business. In this context, the compensation of executive and senior management is typically structured as salary plus incentive compensation. For example, two thirds of target compensation would be salary and one third tied to management-by-objectives bonuses. There might also be the ability through overachievement on MBO performance to earn more than 100% of target compensation.
In May, the Select Board extended Town Administrator Kezar’s contract for three years with a
of public concern.
salary of $218.800, representing a 7.9% raise, 2% COLA increases each year and improvements in numerous benefits. No formal performance reviews were included.
“Where this is a last contract extension because he is retiring after it we didn’t include a new term about a performance review,” then-Select Board chair Erin Noonan told the Current.
But the contract should have included annual formal performance reviews of jointly developed annual MBOs. The problem? The Select Board didn’t and still doesn’t have measurable annual goals. The board didn’t even discuss their poorly crafted FY26 goals until their July 17 retreat and only approved them at their Aug. 13 meeting. The town administrator is now a lame duck. The SB missed an opportunity for managing the Town Administrator over the next three years.
Not Headers, inflated heads
I am not one for “titles” but it appears that Kezer and Benjamin are. Kezer positions himself as Marblehead’s “chief administrative officer,” yet his official title is simply “town administrator.” Same thing for Benjamin. She positions herself as “chief financial officer” with an official title of “finance director”. Now I do think Benjamin has been doing some good things and has plans to do more. The Select Board would be well served to have them earn these titles by giving them very specific jointly developed goals to be completed in very specific time frames. With Kezer announcing his retirement in 2028, some residents need no longer fear Kezer becoming Mayor of Marblehead. Unless, like Trump, he decides to run for a third term.
3A: Select Board is tone-deaf
At the request of the Select Board, Governor Healy is spending your valuable tax dollars on yet another goose chase in Town. The Barrett Planning Group has been hired to identify alternatives to the MBTACommunities Act (3A) plan rejected by voters in July. This includes identifying additional districts or different districts for 3A overlay zoning. They also say they are meeting with the No 3A (N3A) crowd to get their input as they develop a new proposal. The Select Board is tone-deaf. Marblehead needs to zone for 897 units for 3A compliance. The tone of the 3A opposition — they will not support any plan that supports that number and its potential impact on Marblehead’s character, quality of life, schools, utilities, traffic, police, fire, aesthetics and more. It doesn’t matter how many overlay zoning districts there are or where those districts are located.
The No 3A leaders did an unbelievable job of rallying their troops for the special election. The Yes 3A crowd, after their Town Meeting victory, became apathetic.
I can envision another round of battles in what will become a not so civil war over 3A compliance. Town Meeting 2026 will entail a fourth vote. Whichever side loses would again seek to overturn the Town Meeting vote in another special election. Could this go on forever? The only way to end this war is for one side to win the next two votes. This comes down to two questions: 1. Which sympathizer group is bigger? 2. What leaders can better motivate their sympathizers to show up for the vote? Buckle up your helmet.
Talk to me at marbleheadmusing@gmail.com.
James (Seamus) Hourihan was born in Marblehead and is a MHS graduate. For 35 years, he worked in finance, marketing and executive management roles at high-tech companies. He has lived here full-time since 2009. He currently sits on the Town Charter Committee.
The Current welcomes letters to the editor and strives to represent a range of viewpoints on our opinion pages.
Generally, letters should not exceed 500 words. Letters over the word limit may be returned to the writer for editing.
Writers may be given more leeway to criticize national political candidates and other public figures. However, in all cases, letter writers should refrain from name calling and personal attacks and instead focus on the substance of matters
Letter writers may be asked to substantiate claims that do not relate to information previously published in the Current.
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Letters must include:
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Letters must be received by our newsroom directly from their writers (for special circumstances, contact the newsroom). Email submissions to info@marbleheadnews.org or use the submission form found at marbleheadcurrent.org/letters. Some letters may be shared to social media. We will share a wide array of viewpoints.
Letters must be received by noon on Friday in order to be printed in the following week’s print edition.
Who reads cookbooks?
BY LINDA BASSETT
Who reads cookbooks? Who buys them? Who are they written for?
The first acknowledged cookbook, De Re Coquinaria, was authored by Apicius during the Roman Empire.
Discovered among musty manuscripts during the Renaissance, it is more a memoir of elite parties in Imperial Rome, more suggestion than instruction.
In the following centuries, cookbooks guided heads of large kitchens who oversaw a staff of cooks in a castle or a manor. (Home cooks learned by rote from mothers and grandmothers.) Later, books personally addressed “the lady of the house” to direct her (mostly) non-literate cooks. She didn’t roll up her sleeves, but took all the credit. Today cookbooks are written for home cooks.
(Remember Julia Child writing for the “servant-less kitchen”?) But why? Family meals? Entertaining? Or, for backyard gardeners who cook what they grow?
I recently met Michael Twitty, a culinary historian whose life work is the study and demonstration of ancestral recipes from Africa and the American South. Whether delving into a great-greatgrandma’s kitchen wisdom, or excavating nuggets from scraps found in museum libraries, he relentlessly follows the food. His most recent book, “Recipes from the American South,” appeals to home cooks, readers seeking their ancestry at the stove and historians tracing migration patterns.
There are so many ways to read a cookbook. At Abbot Public Library, a group of cookbook enthusiasts convenes monthly
to discuss the in-and-outs of a chosen book. They exercise culinary muscles and probe the “who, how and why” while cooking, tasting and critiquing the format and recipes. A discussion might center on suggested improvements and tweaks. Some just go ahead and make the alterations. And — WOW!
The group recently put Samin Nostrat’s “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” under the microscope.
The thick volume is a refreshing take on a basic culinary school textbook. Nostrat assumes that home cooks are as serious as those
aspiring to the professional kitchen.
Illuminated with colorful hand drawings and pull-out charts, this is not a book of staid instructions and ingredients: international flavors and enthusiasm abounds. Cooks can see the ways fats, salts, acids are used around the world. Ingredients only found on restaurant menus such as garam masala, shishito peppers or rase el hanout, are less mysterious. A cook can select one from a flavor wheel and use it confidently.
While Nostrat’s is a spectacularly accessible textbook, Twitty’s is also
spectacular, as a compendium of one of the country’s most delicious regions. Both books break the “fourth wall” in the American home kitchen.
In the spirit of autumn, I offer a seasonal and versatile apple recipe, easy for a weeknight dinner or a weekend breakfast. The seasoning mix was common in Colonial America.
VIRGINIA FRIED APPLES ADAPTED FROM “RECIPES FROM THE AMERICAN SOUTH” BY MICHAEL TWITTY. MAKES 4 TO 6 SERVINGS.
Chef Edna Lewis first published this simple recipe.
Its striking seasoning “kitchen pepper,” travelled here over continents, oceans,and centuries by way of medieval Europe and West Africa.
Mix several apple varieties for best results. A great side dish with chicken or pork, it also works at breakfast as a topping for French toast or pancakes.
` 3-4 tablespoons clarified butter or bacon fat
` 6 medium apples (about 2 pounds) cored, peeled and sliced into eighths
` 1/3 cup superfine or brown sugar
` Pinch or two “kitchen pepper”, to taste
In a medium cast-iron skillet, melt the bacon fat over medium heat. When it is sizzling, add the apples in one layer. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to medium low and cook until apples begin to soften, 5 to 8 minutes.
Uncover, sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over the apples. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they give up their juices, 10 to 15 minutes.
Add water to the pan if the mixture seems too dry. The apples area done when soft and fragrant, slightly jammy and a medium amber color.
KITCHEN PEPPER MAKES ½ CUP.
` 2 tablespoons coarse ground black pepper
` 1 tablespoon ground allspice
` 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
` 1 tablespoon ground ginger
` 1 tablespoon ground mace
` 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
` 1 tablespoon ground white pepper
` 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper Mix all ingredients; store (with spices) in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Marblehead resident Linda Bassett has worked as a cook, trained up-and-coming chefs, studied food history and led food tours. Her book, “From Apple Pie to Pad Thai,” is about local cooks and cooking.
Visit Lighthouse Fitness Studio
BY MELISSA STACEY
The following is an interview with Kim Crowley, owner of Lighthouse Fitness Studio, conducted by Discover Marblehead.Crowley’s goal is to inspire, guide and encourage her clients to find a stronger self. She works with her clients one-on-one or in group setting fitness classes. Lighthouse Fitness Studio is located at 89 Front St., Suite 211. To learn more about the fitness classes and view the schedule of classes, go to lighthousefitness.net.
Tell us about Lighthouse Fitness and why you started your business. Exercise has always been a part of my life. As an adult, I discovered group fitness classes after we lost my mom to breast cancer. It was a release for me, and it became the place where I found happiness again. I knew I wanted to find a way to bring that joy to others and help them feel well. That’s when I began a 16-year journey
in educating myself to be the best instructor and champion for others that I could. I wound up becoming a director at Lynch/ van Otterloo YMCA, and, six years later I set off to open my own group fitness and personal training studio, Lighthouse Fitness. My path has led me to some rewarding work. Working with folks with Parkinson’s, young adults with severe autism and cancer survivors are proud parts of my career. Watching the people I work with achieve new goals is incredibly satisfying.
What’s the best piece of business advice you ever received? One of the best tokens of wisdom that has helped make my business successful is a quote from Olympic gold medalist runner Gail Devers, “Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” I’ve often found that the risk is worth it and you’ve just got to give it a shot. I’ve definitely had a few stumbles, but I’ve been really pleased with where the risks have led me.
What’s your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? I will always have great memories collecting sea glass with my children at Fort Beach, walking among the rocks and looking off at the lighthouse across the Harbor. How lucky are we to be able to enjoy this beautiful place?
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Some might be surprised to know that I studied art in college. After several years in marketing, design and
publishing, I happily changed paths into the fitness world. I love what I do, the people I connect with and the role I play in making people feel good.
The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. Discover Marblehead’s mission is to highlight local businesses, tourism, community events and attractions through social media, email marketing and community outreach. To learn more, visit discovermhd.com.
CURRENT PHOTO / LINDA BASSETT Who reads cookbooks?
COURTESY PHOTO
Kim Crowley owns Lighthouse Fitness Studio in town.
A sustainable home and fashion company opens a pop-up in town
BY BELLA TRAVAGLINI
The worlds of fashion and art collide as designer, Erin Beatty, brings her sustainable home and fashion brand to a pop-up at The Willie Shaker Gallery on Washington Street.
Visitors will be treated to goods from Rentrayage, French for “to mend,” translating into a unique form of fashion that transforms vintage clothes and fabrics into one-of-akind creations.
“Many don’t realize that over 50% of fabrics are made and never used,” said Beatty, the brand’s dynamic sole designer, who once served as creative director for the ready-to-wear line at Tory Burch. “There are tons
of deadstock fabrics that exist and this is us tapping into that.”
In addition to utilizing deadstock (unused or leftover) fabrics, Beatty’s garments are fashioned in New York City from upcycled vintage clothing – vintage clothes that she literally cuts up and reinvents, she said. Given her storied history in the world of fashion, she knows of small factories, or “sample rooms” in the city where her creations come to life.
Beatty’s flagship shop is located in Kent, Connecticut, and her brand is also sold in specialty stores across the country. She sells some home goods wholesale, which are available on https://abchome.com/. Artist and gallery
proprietor, Steve McClure, and his wife, Sandra, who is the design director for a specialty clothing brand, had Beatty’s work on their radar and decided to collaborate with the designer. They knew of Chloe Guss, who works for Beatty, and Guss happens to be college friends with Mariel Lane, who lives in town and is overseeing the
pop-up rollout.
“As an artist, it’s what I do, so, yes, we are cut from the same cloth,” said McClure.
“I like this technique of reusing and recycling obsolete fashion. It’s worthwhile to reuse, it’s smart, and creative, too,” he said.
The Rentrayage pop-up will occupy about 60% of
the gallery’s space in the front gallery room and center hallway. Beatty will be featuring her unique fashion pieces, including her denim line, homewares she has designed, ceramics from Puglia, Italy, as well as luxury blankets from Mantas Ezcary of Spain.
“The blankets are stunning and ethically made,” said Beatty. They raise and shear their own sheep, who are treated and cared for properly. The ethics and sustainability of the brand is what I love.”
The opening will happen on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. at The
Washington St. and will remain open through the end of the month. Depending on demand, that could expand into December, said Beatty. And should there be enough interest, Beatty would consider opening a brick and mortar in town — a location she has grown fond of. “My husband grew up in Nantucket. Visiting Marblehead reminds me so much of it. +It’s such a beautiful town,” she said. For more information on Rentrayage, visit rentrayage.com.
Willie Shaker Gallery, 70
COURTESY PHOTOS
Longtime Moulton aide with town ties running for Congress seat
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Rick Jakious wants to make you trust government again. The longtime aide to Congressman Seth Moulton, who lives in Swampscott, is running for the 6th District seat Moulton is leaving to run for Senate.
Like Moulton, who grew up in Marblehead, Jakious has ties to the town.
His wife, Rachel Smullins, is a math teacher at the Veterans School.
At an interview at Mookie’s coffee shop, Jakious emphasized that he wants to hyper-focus on his constituents’ needs, to help people trust and value government again.
“Do we need another talking head on cable news?” Jakious asked. “I don’t think we do, right? So the question is, how do we get through all this? And I think you’ve got to go back to the root cause, which is people have lost faith in government.
And they’ve lost faith in government because they don’t think that their elected officials are listening to them.”
Jakious added, “Politics doesn’t need to be a blood sport. Politics can be about making people’s lives easier, period, full stop — and then get the hell out of the way and let people live their lives.”
Jakious kicked off his
BY SAOIRSE STALLINGS
The Marblehead Municipal Light Department reached an impressive milestone recently — 73% of its power now comes from carbon-free sources.
MMLD hit that benchmark three years ahead of schedule.
“We’ve progressively worked toward improving our carbon footprint as we aim for ambitious targets in Marblehead,” MMLD General Manager Jon Blair told the Current. “Our load continues to grow, and our power resources are continually dropping out of our portfolio as assets reach end of useful life or contracts expire. Therefore, it requires us to remain in constant pursuit of opportunities and to take decisive action when such opportunities are identified.”
MMLD dramatically increased its carbon-free electricity portfolio from 42% to 65% in just one year, marking significant progress toward the town’s clean energy goals while simultaneously reducing costs for ratepayers.
The progress extends beyond environmental benefits. The
average wholesale power cost decreased 3.4% year-over-year, dropping from 11.28 cents per kilowatt hour in 2023 to 10.9 cents in 2024. This creates what officials describe as a rare scenario where cleaner energy actually costs less.
To achieve this, Marblehead sources its electricity from a mix of nuclear, hydroelectric, wind and solar power. The town purchases nuclear energy from Millstone Nuclear Power Station in Connecticut and Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant in New Hampshire, which provide steady, around-theclock electricity. Hydropower plays a major role, with sources like New York Power Authority Hydro (8,626 MWh), Hydro Quebec (6,588 MWh), FirstLight Hydro (6,707 MWh) and Brookfield Hydro (7,123 MWh) delivering renewable energy from rivers across the Northeast. Wind power comes from Berkshire Wind 1 (953 MWh) and 2 (1,739 MWh) and Hancock Wind (2,186 MWh), though its output fluctuates with the seasons. Marblehead is also expanding its solar capacity with power from the MSGT Cotton
campaign with a “39 in 30” barnstorming tour, visiting all 39 cities and towns in the 6th District within 30 days. He said the goal is to meet voters, listen to their priorities and share his vision for “a government that works for people.”
Jakious’ path to public service didn’t begin in politics. While parking cars part-time to help pay for college, he heard a
radio ad about national service and dropped out of school to join City Year, an education nonprofit. He said that decision sparked a lifelong passion for public service. (He later completed his degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.)
Jakious also served as CEO of the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network, where he helped create an affordable retirement savings plan for nonprofit workers — the first program of its kind in the nation.
In 2014, then-Gov. Deval Patrick appointed Jakious to the Massachusetts Health Connector board, where “he helped preserve health insurance benefits for tens of thousands of residents after it was determined that the state’s health exchange was not ready for public rollout,” according to a campaign announcement.
In addition to access to affordable healthcare, housing is
Solar Project (1,217 MWh).
Marblehead is committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, a decade ahead of the Massachusetts state mandate for municipal light plants, which requires net zero by 2050.
Blair pointed out that getting to the department’s goal of a net-zero emissions portfolio by 2050 won’t be easy.
“Each milestone becomes more difficult to attain as we approach 100% carbon-free
energy, as the proverbial lowhanging fruit is no longer available,” Blair added. “MMLD must ensure that we are not only achieving our decarbonization goals but also that we are adhering to our fundamental responsibility to do so in a way that maintains reliability and affordability for our customers. This often requires more patience and effort than other ‘shortcut’ methods to net-zero; ultimately, we believe doing the right
a big issue for Jakious.
“We need more market rate housing,” he said. “We need more naturally affordable housing. We need more subsidized affordable housing. We just need more and more and more of all of it. There’s a handful of ways we can do that. I think incentivizing and creating ways to put denser housing near real, significant transit hubs … downtown Lynn is a perfect example of where there could be a lot more housing with the train station, and that would support a really vibrant downtown.”
At least five other candidates have announced runs for Moulton’s 6th District seat: former Biden White House aide Dan Koh of Andover, state Rep. Tram Nguyen of Andover, financial tech veteran Dan Beccia of Lynnfield, former state representative Jamie Belsito of Topsfield and software designer Beth Andres-Beck of Middleton.
BY LEIGH BLANDER
It was a record turnout for the Marblehead Rotary’s 5K for Mental Health on Sunday, Nov. 2. Two-hundred runners laced up and raised about $45,000 to fund the Inner Explorer mindfulness program in Marblehead Public Schools. Last year, 153 people participated.
“This was absolutely our best event ever,” said Rotary’s Nancy Gwin, who helped organize the race. “We even ran out of t-shirts, which is a first.” The race started and ended at Crocker Park, winding through the Old & Historic District.
One likely reason for the large turnout might
“The
things in the right way for the right reasons will result in lasting, positive results for the community.”
Battery project
MMLD is also discussing a new battery storage project.
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is proposing to build a facility in Marblehead where energy batteries can be housed.
The batteries store energy during off hours, and are able to disperse the energy during high-use times, leading to lower electricity costs and lower carbon footprints.
One possible location for the facility is at the Village 13 substation, along the Rail Trail.
The cost of the project is $5.5 million, and MassCEC is offering to fund $4.5 million. MMLD would also collect fees from other entities using the facility.
“The benefit of the battery during peak capacity and transmission times clearly would be something that we would want,” said Jean-Jacques Yarmoff, chair of the Light Commission.
well,” McMahon reported Sunday. “Great showing. And the fast people SHOWED UP. Especially the Middle and High School cross country team. Some of those kids took the top times. Very impressive.” He added: “I cut a check for $350 to the organization for all the people that beat me.”
MHS High School girls cross country coach Will Herlihy crossed the finish line first with
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Rick Jakious stands outside Mookie’s on Washington Street. He’s running for Congress to represent Marblehead and the rest of the 6th District.
Dozens of jack-o’-lanterns filled the Lee Mansion for the 17th Annual Pumpkin Illumination event put on by the
and
“We come every year and kind of compare ourselves to all the
cool pumpkins here,” said Larkin Smith, 13, who dressed as her role model, Amelia Earhart. The event, put on by the Marblehead Family Fund and the Marblehead Museum, was
moved indoors due to weather, but was still a smashing success.
“We love seeing all the creativity,” said Kristine Quirke of the Marblehead Family Fund.
“My favorites are always the
school group category because there’s lots of
and
Marblehead Museum President Patty Pederson hopes the
“It’s
and for the children and the parents,” she said.
CURRENT PHOTO / LUCA TEDESCO
Marblehead Family Fund
Marblehead Museum.
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
The Beatles tribute band, Studio Two, performed at the Lee Mansion Gardens on Halloween night.
Sports
Magicians head to playoffs after losing last game of regular season
BY LUCA TEDESCO
The Magicians dropped the final game of the regular season to the Danvers Falcons, 21-7, at Piper Field on Friday night.
“[It was] just embarrassing,” said head coach Jim Rudloff postgame. “Obviously, the turnovers killed us… but we didn’t perform tonight. We didn’t do, you know, any of the things we’ve done all season. We just played really poorly.”
Danvers opened the scoring with their first possession, marching 73 yards and running 8:37 off the clock. The drive ended on a two-yard quarterback sneak by junior signalcaller Nate Wise to give the Falcons a 7-0 lead late in the first.
The Magicians played decidedly more up-tempo than their opponents. Marblehead’s two-headed backfield monster of Breydan Callahan and Finn Gallup combined for 52 yards with Callahan punching the ball in for a two-yard score to tie the game as the first quarter came to a close.
Danvers’ option attack dominated the Marblehead defensive line, driving 80 yards across the ground with Wise
diving over the line for his second score of the game late in the second quarter.
After the Falcons booted the succeeding kickoff out of bounds, the Magicians began their drive with strong field position. The Marblehead offense drove into enemy territory on the strength of a
20-yard run by Callahan to set them up on the brink of the red zone. The possession would end up fruitless, however, as the Falcons would come up with an enormous fumble recovery to send the game to the half.
Out of halftime, Marblehead’s struggles continued. After
picking up a quick first down, the Danvers defense came up big, sacking Gallup for a 15-yard loss.
After trading punts, Marblehead cornerback, Trent Brown, made a massive pass break-up in the end zone on Danvers’ sole aerial attempt of the game to force a turnover on
downs.
Gallup appeared to come up with an enormous fourthdown conversion, but a holding penalty turned the first down into a fourth-and-medium. Marblehead came inches away from gaining a first down, but Gallup’s pass would fall incomplete, giving the Falcons the ball at the Magicians’ 22-yard line.
Danvers would make quick work of the short field with wingback Zachary Fultz poking the ball over the goal line for a one-yard score, giving the visitors a 21-7 lead with just over three minutes to play.
Marblehead would again start with strong field position after a fouled kickoff from Danvers. Callahan turned a quick pitchand-catch into a 25-yard gain on third down to put the ball at the Falcons’ 40-yard line. With the ball in enemy territory and needing to convert a thirdand-10, the Danvers defense would win a wild tip drill and come away with an interception to put the game away.
With their second loss in a row, Marblehead heads to the state tournament with a record of 6-2.
Magicians sweep Woburn in tourney opener
BY LUCA TEDESCO
The #6 Marblehead Magicians girls volleyball team extended its win streak to 12 matches Nov. 1, sweeping the #27 Woburn Memorial High School Tanners (25-20, 25-17, 25-12) in the Round of 32 in the MIAA Division 2 state tournament.
“These kids really deserved it,” said Marblehead head coach, Killeen Miller. “We worked tremendously hard to get where we were today. Our goal was, ultimately, to play our game and just settle our nerves. I thought our kids stepped up and did a really nice job.”
The first set started out as a back and forth affair until the Magicians broke off an 8-4 run led by front row players Mari Modrzynska and Lila Moniz with Woburn’s star outside hitter, Sasha Lefang, rotating off the court.
Lefang took over the game upon her return, guiding Woburn on a five point run. The Tanners’ momentum would be short-lived, however, as a string of three attack errors gave Marblehead the lead and forced Woburn coach, Scott Roy, to call timeout.
Out of the timeout, Marblehead continued to pile on the pressure. Senior captain, Greta Sachs, fired home a pair of aces to put the hosts within three points of a first set victory. Powered by a 6-1 run to end the
set, the Headers would take the opening frame 25-20. Marblehead would take a commanding lead early in the second set, but Woburn was able to fight their way back into the game, bringing the score within
two points. Under pressure from the Tanners, the Magicians put their foot on the gas, winning four points in a row and forcing Woburn to call timeout. The Tanners came out of the timeout with renewed vigor,
reducing the deficit to four late in the set and forcing Coach Miller to call a timeout of her own. With their nerves settled, the Magicians were able to
COURTESY PHOTO / EYAL OREN, WEDNESDAYS IN MARBLEHEAD
The Magicians lose a second straight game to end the regular season on Halloween. The football team will be hosting Shepherd Hill Regional Friday night at at Piper Field in the Division 4 Round of 16 opener of the Super Bowl playoffs.
CURRENT PHOTOS / LUCA TEDESCO
Coach Killeen Miller hands out gold stars to her team after their sweep of Woburn in Saturday’s playoff match.
Magicians back on the road to begin the playoffs in Hingham
BY JOE MCCONNELL
The final week of the regular season was anticlimactic for the Marblehead High boys soccer team (11-5-2). They were the 17th seed in the Division 2 power rankings at the beginning of the week, but when the calendar flipped to November last Saturday, the Magicians found out that they are the 24th seed, and will be playing host Hingham (13-3-3, ninth seed) in the Round of 32 on Nov. 4 after press deadline. But the only thing that they cared about was that they are in the postseason, something they have been working to attain since late August.
For the record, the Magicians last week tied Winthrop (1-1, Oct. 27), but lost to host Melrose (2-0, Oct. 29) to end the regular season.
Winthrop’s Millers Field was packed to celebrate the Vikings’ Senior Night, and once the game began, the defense took over the action.
“(Winthrop) was on the defensive, and defended they did, all game long,” said coach Elmer Magana. “I can describe their tactics as anchoring the Viking Ship in order to stop our offensive attack. Every Viking was behind the ball, waiting for us to make a mistake, which came in the last two minutes of the first half, when a cleared ball
Running
hit a Viking helmet, and landed on the foot of a Winthrop player, who put it home. I must point out that our starting center back T.J. Kelly didn’t play, because he was ill, so his absence left a big hole in our defense.”
In the second half, the Marblehead boys kept on trying to poke a hole in the Viking ship. They eventually scored in the last 30 seconds of the game on a corner kick that was headed three times, and was
even blocked by the Winthrop goalie once, and one other time by one of its defenders. But then, Bubacarr Jallow charged toward the bouncing ball in the box, and proceeded to drill it into the net to tie up the contest.
“I’m beyond proud of my boys for not allowing the Viking ship to sail away with a victory,” said Magana.
Two days later at Melrose, it was do or die for the Red Hawks. They needed a win
or tie to get into the playoffs, so they came out flying and hungry. They took advantage of a shorthanded Marblehead squad. Kelly was once again out, but unfortunately, he was also joined by Ilan Druker and Jared Halpern on the sidelines.
“We didn’t play at Melrose High School. We played in a small park, which doesn’t help our offensive attack that requires space in order to develop the scoring plays,” said
Magana afterwards. “The Red Hawks knew how to play in a small space, and were quicker than us. They passed, pressed and defended better.”
Melrose’s first goal in the first half was a result of a communications breakdown between the between keeper and defender. Their second goal in the second half was on a penalty kick.
“Our keeper Matias WattsCruz got a piece of the ball, but it was a powerful shot that just went in,” said Magana.
“We were fortunate that we had already qualified for the playoffs, because Melrose’s hunger and desire to get into the big dance was not going to be unmatched on this rainy afternoon played on a tiny field,” added the coach. “But the one positive thing that came from this game was the return of forward David Magen, whose fast, aggressive, technical attack style will definitely help us in the playoffs.”
Magana says that he’s very proud of his team to be in the playoffs, before adding, “we played a very challenging schedule against top-ranked clubs throughout the state, and it paid off in terms of the power rankings.”
The veteran Marblehead coach was hoping to host a game, but instead, they are the road warriors, with the first stop at Hingham on Tuesday afternoon.
whiz O’Connell still second to none in the NEC; boys finish third at conference meet
BY JOE MCCONNELL
The Marblehead High girls cross-country team capped off its undefeated season with a team win in the annual Northeastern Conference Championship Meet at Gloucester’s Stage Fort Park on Oct. 25.
“This strong team performance was made possible by all of our top seven varsity runners,” said coach Will Herlihy. “In her last NEC race, senior captain Marri O’Connell once again took the top spot, but it was not without drama. With less than a half-mile to go, Marri was trailing Swampscott’s Annabelle Averett by 30 meters, but she dug deep and was able to erase the lead to snatch the win from her.”
After the race, O’Connell reflected on the moment. “I knew I had my work cut out for me in the last half-mile, but I just kept on ramping up my stride and turning my legs over, because I didn’t want to end my senior year with a second-place finish,” she said. “I also knew a first-place finish would help my team win the title, so I just kept on chipping away at the lead. I eventually was able to take the lead, and then hold off (Averett) in the home stretch. It’s an amazing feeling, and I’m so proud of myself and my team for everything we’ve accomplished this season.”
Herlihy continues to shake his head just thinking about O’Connell’s accomplishments.
“Her NEC run throughout the last four years was one of, if not the best, runs any NEC (track) athlete has ever had. She has now been able to pull off backto-back-to-back individual titles after finishing second in her freshman year,” he said, “and that doesn’t take into account
she never lost a regular season meet in four years.”
Not far behind the NEC Meet leaders in the second group was Marblehead’s Sarah Munroe, who finished fifth overall after leading the chase pack for the majority of the race.
Norah Walsh and Ruby Assa came in 10th and 12th, respectively, and the team’s fifth and final scorer was Evelina Beletsky, who crossed the finish line in 18th place.
Sophia Letwin (22nd) and Jesslyn Roemer (24th) also participated and finished the race for Marblehead. “I can’t praise our varsity
runners enough,” said Herlihy.
“Sarah Munroe and Norah Walsh were making their crosscountry debuts this season, and both were outstanding.
Ruby Assa, Evelina Beletsky and Jesslyn Roemer are returning runners, and they all took big steps forward in their development, as well. Sophia Letwin made the smooth transition from JVs, and ended up being a huge part of our varsity squad all year long.”
For the record, O’Connell and Munroe earned NEC AllConference honors, and Walsh and Assa made the all-star squad.
Marblehead also dominated the JV race after taking the first five spots, led by freshmen Ginny Donato. “Ginny’s win was nearly wire-to-wire, and, if she had been in the varsity race, she would have finished 26th overall,” said Herlihy.
Senior Hailey Schmitt was second. Freshman Nadia Siragusa accounted for third, followed by junior Maggie Miller and freshmen Izzy Anaya Lanzillo, who were the fourth and fifth place runners in that order.
Of Marblehead’s Top 12 runners at this meet, only two are seniors – O’Connell
and Schmitt – as the future continues to look bright for this program.
Cruikshank makes All-Conference after finishing eighth in NEC Meet
The Marblehead High boys cross-country team finished third in the annual NEC Meet at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester on Oct. 25.
“After finishing fourth in the regular season, the boys ran one of their best races of the season to end up third with 72 points,” said coach Brian Heenan.
Peabody (56 points) and Swampscott (63 points) topped the NEC ticket this year in a meet that determines the all-star team.
The Magicians were led by Will Cruikshank, who ended up earning All-Conference honors after coming in eighth overall. Henrik Adams (ninth) and Filip Grubor (12th) made the all-star team with Top 16 finishes. Zach Pike (20th), Colin Hart (23rd), Isaac Durand (25th) and Thomas Svencer (33rd) rounded out the Top 7 Marblehead varsity runners.
In the JV race, Felix Regnault (second), Ivan Monin (fourth) and Victor Pechhold (fifth) led the way for this Marblehead crew. Grey Collins (22nd), Graham Firestone (26th) and Daniel Le (37th) also ran well.
“Felix and Ivan had their best races of the season, leading throughout most of it,” said Heenan, “and it was also great to see Victor return to racing after recovering from an injury since August.”
The varsity boys are now prepping for the State Division 2A Championship Meet at the Northfield Mountain Recreation Area in Erving on Saturday, Nov. 8.
COURTESY PHOTO / KATE WALSH
These Marblehead High girls cross country runners, proudly wearing their medals, are among the NEC 2025 elite this year after their top performances at the conference meet in Gloucester on Oct. 25. They are, from left, Ruby Assa (NEC All-Star), Norah Walsh (NEC All-Star), Sarah Munroe (NEC All-Conference) and Marri O’Connell (NEC All-Conference).
COURTESY PHOTO / MHS SENIOR KAI ROZINSKY
Marblehead High boys soccer senior captain Ilan Druker maneuvers around a Danvers player during a recent game.
11-year-old twins lace up for same local hockey team
BY LUCA TEDESCO
Seemingly more than any other sport, hockey has a long tradition of elite siblings. Brady and Matthew Tkachuck, the Hughes trio and Wayne and Brent Gretzky have all reached the pinnacle of the sport alongside their brothers. Maybe the most notable NHL brothers were Henrik and Daniel Sedin, a set of identical twins from Sweden who played their entire 17-year careers alongside one another with the Vancouver Canucks.
The on-ice tradition of sibling connection has continued in Marblehead with twins Kelly and Jack DeGrass playing for the Marblehead AAA PeeWee hockey team.
“It’s kind of cool to have your sibling on the same team as you,” said Kelly. “But it’s not much different than just having a regular teammate on your team.”
While they play on different sides of the puck, with Kelly
playing defense and Jack playing as a forward, they still find ways to work together on and off the ice.
“It’s better because you can have another person to practice with when you’re alone,” said Jack. “You kind of know how they play, so it’s easier to memorize how everyone on the ice plays. There’s one less person.”
The DeGrass twins are playing together on the same team for the first, and last, time in their hockey careers. As they advance out of PeeWees (the under-12 age division), co-ed hockey also comes to a close. However, the DeGrass family sees the twins playing as teammates as an incredible bonding moment.
“I think it’s meant a lot to us as a family to have one season to play together,” said Megan DeGrass, the twins’ mother.
“Especially because it’s their last year, their second year of PeeWees, they won’t have an opportunity to play again
together.”
Outside of hockey, the twins take the role of a built-in best friend very seriously.
“If it’s your first time being on a new team, going to practice, having your first time going to a new school, anything, it’s nice to have a twin because you can go with them,” said Kelly. “You’re in the same grade, usually you’re on the same levels with that stuff, so it’s nice to have someone by your side if anything goes wrong.”
However, once they take the ice, the DeGrass sibling rivalry becomes very real.
“It’s motivating because you want to be better,” said Jack.
“It’s always nice to be known as the better athlete, the better player. And, if they’re better [in] one game, you can use that to push yourself to be better the next game.”
When asked which is the better player, the answer was, of course, said in perfect unison: “Me!”
Girls soccer to host Round of 32 game at Piper Wednesday night
BY JOE MCCONNELL
The Marblehead High girls soccer team (12-1-5) completed the regular season last week unbeaten after tying Newton South (2-2) and shutting out Salem (3-0), and it’s looking forward to continuing this extraordinary season in the Division 2 state tournament as the 10th seed. They will play the winner of the Walpole (4-8-6, 23rd seed) / Putnam Vocational Tech (7-6-0, 42nd seed) preliminary round game on Wednesday night (Nov. 5) at Piper in the Round of 32.
Volleyball
From P. 9
The game is scheduled for 6 p.m.
In the Newton South game at Piper on Oct. 27, the Lions scored the first two goals, but sophomore Phoebe FontellaTuttle got one back with her first career varsity goal from senior Isabel Mortensen less than two minutes to go in the first half.
Senior captain Sydney Ball then tied the game up midway through the second half assisted by junior Callie Gilmore. Sophomore goalie Lily Heller came up with two saves to keep things close for her teammates.
find their footing once again. Finishing the set with an ace by Sydney Da Silva, taking the second leg of the match, 25-17. After dropping the first two points of the third set, Marblehead would hold serve for seven consecutive points, forcing Woburn to call an early timeout. The Magicians would seldom relinquish control for the remainder of the set, going on an eight point run to bring their advantage to 11 late in the match. The Headers domination continued to the final whistle, emphatically winning the third set 25-12.
“We had the better of the play in the second half,” said coach Lisa Wales. “Newton South is a Division 1 team, so this was a good tune-up for us going into the playoffs.”
Ainsley McDonald and Ashley Mortensen anchored the defensive efforts, while Lucy McDonald had a terrific game as a midfielder, according to Wales.
On Phoebe Fontella-Tuttle, the second-year coach said of her: “she has been battling an ankle injury all season long, and so it was great to see her get (untracked offensively).”
“This team has worked immensely hard,” said Marblehead’s leading scorer, Lila Moniz, who finished with 11 kills. “We’ve really worked for this playoff run and we’re ready to keep going. I think we deserved this win.”
“Everyone was really hyped,” said Sammy Walker who finished with nine kills of her own. “It
“We have been resilient this year as our players keep on stepping up, despite (a myriad of) injuries,” said Wales. Against the Witches two nights later on Senior Night, Lucy McDonald, Liv Carlson and Carys Moran scored the goals. It was Moran’s first career varsity goal that resulted in a solo effort. Ball led in assists with two. Heller was credited with another two saves to help record the shutout. Senior twin sisters Ashley and Isabel Mortensen played well in front of her on defense.
was definitely hard getting around the blocks, but we did a good job adjusting.”
Marblehead advances to the Round of 16 in the state tournament where they will host the #11 Burlington Red Devils on Tuesday. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m.
VARSITY SCHEDULE
Wednesday, Nov. 5
6 p.m., No. 10 girls soccer vs. winner of No. 23 Walpole and No. 42 Putnam Vo-Tech, Piper Field (Round of 32 playoff game)
4:30 p.m., No. 22 boys soccer vs. No. 9 Hingham at Hingham High (Round of 32 playoff game)
Saturday, Nov. 8
1 p.m., co-ed competitive cheerleading at Gloucester High School
2 p.m., boys and girls cross country, Northfield Mountain Recreation Center
Wednesday, Nov. 12
4 p.m., co-ed unified basketball vs. TBD at Danvers High Saturday, Nov. 15 TBA, boys and girls cross country, Fort Devens, Willard Park Field
Thursday, Nov. 27 10 a.m., boys football vs. Swampscott at MHS Piper Field To view livestream of girls soccer playoff game, visit fan.hudl.com and search “Marblehead High School.”
BY JOE MCCONNELL
The Marblehead Little League Softball U-12 team closed out an impressive fall ball season with a dominating 16-2 victory over host Charlestown on Saturday, Oct. 25 to claim the Middlesex League Fall Ball Championship.
Marblehead began the playoffs by beating up North Shore rival Danvers in a semifinal round game, 9-4.
Pitcher Tatum Cole, the granddaughter of Marblehead High School veteran softball coach Johnny Gold, led the charge in the circle in both this semifinal game and the finale against the aforementioned Townies. She recorded 15 strikeouts, while giving up just one hit in five innings against the junior Falcons.
In the championship game against Charlestown, Cole whiffed 14 more batters, and issued only two hits and one walk during the five-inning
result of a powerful offensive performance by the entire lineup that included Ellie
Quinn
Kate
Amalia
Alex Marcus, Georgia Dolan and Cole herself, all of whom came up with key big postseason hits.
Cole also teamed up with her catcher Amalia Rotigliano, who was incredible behind the plate in both games against Danvers and Charlestown. They formed the perfect battery to frustrate both opponents.
The victory capped off a solid fall campaign that showcased their depth, discipline and teamwork. With a blend of great pitching and timely hitting, these Marblehead players were able to finish off their first Middlesex
fall ball season on a high note.
Kate Cole and her dad, the aforementioned Johnny Gold, guided this group of enthusiastic softball players to the ultimate prize.
mercy rule game that sealed the championship deal.
Marblehead’s dominant championship win over the
Townies was fueled not just by Cole’s pitching. It was also the
Serafin,
Liggio,
Rotigliano,
Sterio,
League
COURTESY PHOTO / MEGAN DEGRASS Marblehead twins, Kelly and Jack DeGrass, are playing on the same hockey team for the first time — and likely last — time.
COURTESY PHOTO
The Marblehead Little League Softball U-12 team is all smiles posing with the championship trophy after winning the 2025 Middlesex League fall ball title against host Charlestown in the finale on Oct. 25. They are, from left, back row, assistant coach Kate Cole, third baseman Alex Marcus, outfielder Quinn Liggio, outfielder Valentina Whalen, first baseman Gwen Pisa, shortstop Ellie Serafin, outfielder Georgia Dolan, outfielder Emma Conrad, outfielder Brooklyn Potach and head coach Johnny Gold. Front row, second baseman Kate Sterio, outfielder Flynn Higgins, pitcher Tatum Cole, catcher Amalia Rotigliano and outfielder Anneka Lord. Missing from photo first baseman Kaylee Aulson.
Marblehead’s best bets
BY SAOIRSE STALLINGS
Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org.
Leigh Blander
Harbor Holidays at the Boston Yacht Club
Friday Nov. 21, 6-9 p,m,, Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Celebrating 17 years, Harbor Holidays returns to the Boston Yacht Club for this pre-Thanksgiving shopping tradition. Free and open to the public on both days, the show features work by a group of local and regional artists and craftspeople. Mediums include painting, jewelry, ceramics, hand-made clothing, photography, woodworking, soy candles and craft sweets. As part of the event’s tradition of supporting charitable giving, “Making Ends Meet” will be raffling a gift basket and SPUR will kick off its annual Christmas Cheer Drive. Grab a beverage from the cash bar and enjoy shopping directly on Marblehead Harbor. The B.Y.C. is located at 1 Front St, Marblehead. For more info visit the HarborHolidaysBYC.com.
Marblehead Harbor Rotary to honor Holiday Pops featured artist Paul McMahan
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 5-7 p.m.
Marblehead Harbor Rotary will honor artist Paul McMahan at a reception as he unveils his watercolor painting, “Abbot After Dark,” this year’s Holiday Pops signature art. The reception for McMahan will be held at the Masons’ Philanthropic Building, 62 Pleasant St., 5-7 p.m. There will be light refreshments prepared by Every Little Breeze Catering and a cash bar. This event is free and open to the public.
At
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Mary Klug has spent her life traveling the world — as a flight attendant, tourist, American living in China and environmentalist. She shares her adventures and hopes in a new memoir, “Butterfly Dreams.”
After working many years as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines, Klug decided to travel to China in 1983.
“It was like going to Mars,” she recalled. “It was something very, very, very different than we were used to seeing — and it was about to change.”
Klug said her first China visit was right before the country opened to international influences.
“Unknown to me, China was going to become the passion of my life,” she told the Current.
Klug especially embraced Chinese philosophies of Buddhism and Daoism.
“They changed how I look at life, how I look at spirituality,” she said.
In 1986, Klug joined the New England chapter of the U.S.China People’s Friendship
Cookbook Club at the Abbot Public Library
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 12 p.m.
The Abbot Public Library Cookbook Club aims to be a starting point for a conversation about food, recipes and an exploration of the evolving American kitchen. At each meeting, a book or theme will be explored in discussions of recipe, construction, background, cooking, display and tasting. This week, Ina Garten’s “Barefoot in Paris: Easy French Food You Can Try at Home,” will be featured, followed by additional meetings Dec. 10, March 11, April 8 and May 13.
Marblehead Arts Association Winter Member Show
Saturday, Nov. 9, 2p.m.-4p.m.
The Marblehead Arts Association opens its annual Winter Member Show at the historic Hooper Mansion. This exhibit will run from Saturday, Nov. 8, to Sunday Dec. 21, with an opening reception Sunday, Nov. 9, 2-4 p.m.
Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of artistic styles and mediums, including paintings, 3D, photography and more. The MAA galleries are open Wednesday to Sunday, 12p.m.-5p.m. Entrance to the exhibits and reception is free of charge. More information at marbleheadarts.org.
Antje Duvekot & Seth Glier
Friday, Nov. 7, 8 p.m.
Head over to Me&Thee 28 Mugford St., to listen to performers Antje Duvekot & Seth Glier.
Duvekot has extensive touring experience, criss-crossing the U.S. and Europe many times. She also headlined the The Celtic Connections Festival in Scotland and the Tonder Festival in Denmark. Glier has worked as a cultural diplomat for the U.S. State Department and collaborated with musicians in Ukraine, Mongolia, China and Mexico.
Association and began taking Delta employees and their families on tours to China.
Despite the heated rhetoric between the two countries, she believes “our world will be safer” if people in both countries get to know each other.
“The people are not the
Marblehead Museum hosts talk on new Revolution book
Thursday, Nov. 6, 7pm
The Marblehead Museum will host a book talk with Nicholas Gentile, author of “Enemies to their Country:
The Marblehead Addressers and Consensus in the American Revolution.” Gentile’s book profiles Marblehead in the pivotal year of 1774, when a group of town leaders known as the Marblehead Addressers sent out a proclamation supporting the royal governor, while their fellow Headers were calling for independence. Gentile will share compelling stories, many previously untold, showcasing how Marblehead dealt with political dissent and evolving loyalties. 170 Washington Street. It will also be available via Zoom. Tickets are $10 for museum members and $15 for the general public. Tickets on the museum’s website, marbleheadmuseum.org, or by calling 781-631-1768.
government,” she said. “I love the people.”
Back in Marblehead in 2011, Klug happened to attend a symposium by the Pachamama Alliance called, “Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream” about the environment and social justice issues.
environment
According to its website, the Pachamama Alliance equips “people around the world with inspiration and training to regenerate the planet’s ecosystems, bring justice to their communities, and restore our relationships with the Earth, each other, and ourselves.”
Klug said, “Once again, my life shifted, and I decided I wanted to become more involved in the environment and social justice, so I became a facilitator.” Klug combined her two passions and decided to lead similar symposia in China.
“I want people to be inspired
and be aware that the earth needs to be treated better,” she said.
Klug has several hopes for her book: “That people read it and maybe make some kind of shift in their lives, environmentally.”
She added, “Also, when people hear negative things about China, remember: These are just regular, normal people like us. Treat everybody well, including yourself.”
To learn more about Klug’s journeys and her book, visit ecojourneyinchina.blog.
Mary Klug, of Marblehead, spent years working as a flight attendant for Delta. She later fell in love with China and has visited multiple times.
“Butterfly Dreams” chronicles Mary Klug’s passions for China and the environment.
COURTESY PHOTOS
Mary Klug, 80, has written her first book, a memoir called “Butterfly Dreams.”
$195K coming to Marblehead, Swampscott for ‘projects, priorities’
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Marblehead and Swampscott will receive a total of $195,000 for “special projects and priorities,” according to a press release from Sen. Brendan Crighton’s office Thursday morning.
Gov. Maura Healey has announced the release of all local funding allocated in the state’s FY 26 $16.01 billion dollar budget.
These legislative earmarks are not subject to 3A compliance.
$50,000 for improvements to the infrastructure at Marblehead cemeteries $35,000
for equipment upgrades for the Marblehead Police Department
$35,000 for track and field repair work at Swampscott High School $25,000 for facilities upgrades at the Swampscott Council on Aging $50,000 to support physical activity programming for elementary and middle school aged girls with Girls on the Run of Greater Boston “Delivering a balanced and robust budget in spite of federal turmoil highlights our commitment to protecting the core values of our Commonwealth,” said Crighton, Democrat of Lynn.
“We are proud of this final budget that provides critical funding for transportation, housing, education and many other services that impact our constituents’ daily lives.”
Armini, a Marblehead Democrat, added, “At a time of uncertainty on the federal level, Massachusetts continues to lead with stability, compassion and a commitment to our communities. These local investments reflect our shared belief that government should be a force for good, meeting people where they are and helping our towns thrive.”
Proposed charter will not be on Town Meeting agenda this spring
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Town Meeting members
will not debate a new town charter this spring after all.
On Oct. 29, the Town Charter Committee announced a revised deadline that will put off a discussion of the document until Town Meeting 2027.
The proposed charter would be Marblehead’s first formal document defining how the town works.
The TCC started work in 2024 and has spent hundreds of hours meeting with elected and appointed officials, as well as town boards, committees and commissions to understand current practices. It has also studied the town’s bylaws, as well as state laws.
TCC Chair Amy Drinker has repeatedly emphasized the proposed charter does not make any major changes but simply reflects and documents the town’s rules and processes.
What’s next?
Committee member Sean Casey is taking a temporary leave from the TCC for the month of
November. Drinker said Casey has been integral in developing charter language, and the work should be paused until his return.
“Given the components of work left to complete, it is no longer feasible to meet the January 2026 deadline for submission of the final charter to the Select Board,” TCC Chair Amy Drinker wrote in an email. “The TCC’s goal remains the same: to deliver a final draft of the charter document to the Select Board in a timely fashion (most likely March 2026) while maintaining the quality of the established process and framework. The charter will be ready for inclusion on the warrant for May
2027 Town Meeting.”
Once it meets again in December, the TCC plans to address the following:
» Review feedback from town boards, commissions, etc.
Request clarification from town counsel on specific questions
» Review Draft B feedback from the Collins Center. The Collins Center at UMass is assisting the TCC with its work.
» Create Draft C of charter language for town counsel review and address any issues.
Create a final draft for submission to the select board (spring 2026)
Drinker points
out that the revised schedule will not impact the ultimate passage of a new charter, which needs to be approved by the state Legislature followed by a townwide vote.
“Whether the charter is submitted to the Commonwealth in June 2026 or June 2027, it is likely that the Legislature would not begin its Marblehead charter review until February 2027 (the beginning of the new legislative session),” she explained.
“It is reasonable to expect that the Legislature will complete its review in time for Marblehead to conduct its townwide vote to approve the charter in June of 2028.”
Breed: Domestic shorthair
Size: Medium
Age: Young
Sex: Male
Carmello is a sweet guy just around a year old, according to volunteers at the Marblehead Animal Shelter. His owner moved away and left him behind. Thankfully, a relative went and got him and brought him to the shelter.
“He is a gentle guy and would make a wonderful addition to a home,” volunteers said.
Carnello is protective in his “suite” at the shelter, so he sometimes does not show very well, according to volunteers. They are confident that once he is in a home with space and stability, he will be his “affectionate self.”
Volunteers believe Carmello would probably
do best in a home without young children, as he has never been around them. He seems to be good with the other cats at the shelter but would be fine as a single guy, they said. Carmello is up to date with routine shots, house trained and neutered. If you are interested in meeting Carmello or any of the animals at the shelter, you must fill out an adoption application online at marbleheadanimal-shelter.org.
COURTESY PHOTO
State Rep. Jenny Armini and Sen. Brendan Crighton have secured $195,000 for Marblehead and Swampscott for special projects.
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Members of the Town Charter Committee won’t meet again until December.
COURTESY PHOTO Carmello was rescued and brought to the Marblehead Animal Shelter.
Joseph Lerner, 80
Joseph Lerner, of Marblehead, entered into rest on Sunday, Oct. 26, at the age of 80. Beloved husband of Lois (Gordon) Lerner. Devoted father of David Lerner of CA and Jeffrey Lerner of Marblehead. Loving brother of Bonnie Lerner and Susan Lerner both of Swampscott. Dear son of Max and
Bertha (Ziff) Lerner. Services will be held privately. Arrangements by Stanetsky-Hymanson Memorial Chapel, 10 Vinnin Street, Salem. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Olympics,
Attn: Web Gifts, 2600 Virginia Ave NW, 11th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20037. For more information or to register in the online guestbook, please visit stanetskyhymansonsalem. com.
Resident finds mushroom picker not a fun guy
Saturday, Oct. 25
» Vehicle stops, citations: 1 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0
8:21 p.m.: Officers were called to Crowninshield Road to investigate a report of an unidentified vehicle in a resident’s driveway. One of the officers spoke to the person with the vehicle, who identified himself as a friend of the person who had called police. At that point, the resident came out of his house and verified that he did, in fact, know the man but had just been unable to identify his vehicle in the dark, and he also appeared to be irritated that the man had come there unannounced, according to the officer’s report. The resident acknowledged that the man, who was from Swampscott, had been there before and was familiar with the neighborhood. The officer asked the Swampscott man what he had been doing, and the man showed the officer that he had just picked some wild mushrooms for cooking, which he had picked from the outer edge of a property on Davis Road near the entrance to the driveway. The officer believed the mushrooms were, in fact, growing wild and not in a vegetable garden. The officer told the man to return to
NEWS IN BRIEF
The Current welcomes submissions (150–200 words) to the news in brief. Send yours to info@marbleheadnews.org.
Veterans Day activities
Congressman Seth Moulton will host his 11th annual Veterans Town Hall Monday, Nov. 10, at 6:30 p.m. at Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St. This will be an opportunity for veterans to share personal stories of service. It is open to the public.
On Nov. 11, 10 a.m., the town will lead a Veterans Day program, also at Abbot Hall. It will be led by Veterans Services Officer Roseann TrionfiMazzuchelli. The Marblehead High School chorus will perform and Army veteran Tom Mathers will be a featured speaker.
On-Street Charging Study
The town of Marblehead
ON THE AGENDA
On the Agenda provides a brief overview of upcoming meetings of Marblehead municipal boards and commissions, Meeting schedules and agendas are subject to change. For the most current list and for Zoom links
his vehicle with the other officer while he spoke with the Davis Road homeowner, who found the man’s behavior “bizarre,” according to the officer’s report. The homeowner did not want anything done about the mushrooms but asked that the man be advised not to return to the property, which the officer did.
Sunday, Oct. 26
» Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0
2:53 p.m. Officers, firefighters and an ambulance crew responded to the scene of a vehicle crash on Pleasant and Smith streets.
Monday, Oct. 27
» Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 1
1:24 a.m. An officer investigated a report that an Airbnb guest was throwing a party on Washington Street.
6:11 a.m. Officers investigated suspicious activity reported on Flint Street.
10:34 a.m. Officers investigated a disturbance on Nicholson Street and filed a report.
11:04 a.m. Officers responded to the scene of a vehicle crash on
is partnering with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to explore on-street electric vehicle charging solutions for residents without access to off-street parking. The survey is available on the Marblehead town Instagram @townofmhd. Its intention is to help make electric vehicle charging easy and accessible for town residents, and to support Marblehead’s commitment to clean solutions,
Help the Marblehead Food Pantry this Thanksgiving
Marblehead Food Pantry is seeking sponsors for Thanksgiving meals. Sponsor a turkey for $30, a provision bag for $40, pie for $10 or a full meal for $80. Donations can be mailed to: 80 Atlantic Ave, Marblehead MA 01945. All donations are tax deductible.
MPD accreditation
Marblehead Police Department has received re-accrediation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission.
to online or hybrid meetings, see marbleheadma.gov/events.
Wednesday, Nov. 5 ` 9 a.m.: School Committee Policy Subcommittee, school administration building, 9 Widger Road,
Village Street and Heritage Way and filed a report.
1:24 p.m. An officer spoke in the police station with a real estate broker who had been clearing out a property on Lee Street and had placed items on the sidewalk to load up into his truck. After going back inside, he came out to find that three decorative wooden candleholders, which are designed to be placed in a nonfunctioning fireplace, were missing. The broker believed that someone might have taken them by mistake, believing they were free. He just asked that the incident be documented.
2:39 p.m. An officer responded to Mechanic Square to try to mediate a dispute between neighbors over the use of a leafblower. The complainant reported that her neighbor had been consistently using his leaf blower for long periods of time
daily. When she had confronted him about blowing leaves onto her property, he responded by calling her a “b—-.” The woman did not care about being called a “b—-” and just wanted him to be more mindful of the noise her neighbor was creating with the leafblower. The officer then spoke with the man, who confirmed that he had called the woman a “b—-.” The officer advised him to avoid using offensive language in dealing with his neighbor in the future. The officer also suggested that, while the man had a right to clean his yard, he might want to be more mindful of how long he is running the leafblower, given how close together the homes in the neighborhood are.
Tuesday, Oct. 28
» Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0 6:43 p.m. An officer took a report over the phone from the owner of a cleaning and landscaping service who reported that, the day before, one of her employees had taken some “luxury” blue towels and two sets of bed sheets to a local laundry center. When she went back later in the night to pick them up, the sheets and towels were missing.
From the MPAC site, “Accreditation is a self-initiated process by which police agencies
and on Zoom
` Agenda: The agenda includes discussion of Policy IKFE, “Competency Determination,” and Policy IK, “Academic Achievement.” ` 4 p.m.: Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, Zoom
voluntarily strive to meet and maintain standards that have been established for the law
` Agenda: The board will get a report from the team from Winn Development about the Broughton Road redevelopment project, including a summary of feedback it has received in meetings with Housing Authority residents and other stakeholders in
The caller had already contacted the owner of the laundry center, who planned to look for the items, and just wanted the incident documented.
7:16 p.m. A 49-year-old Marblehead man was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, negligent driving and having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle after a crash on Lafayette Street.
Wednesday, Oct. 29
» Vehicle stops, citations: 0 » Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0
11:53 a.m. Officers investigated a report of larceny, forgery or fraud on Kenneth `Road.
1:25 p.m. An officer spoke by phone with a woman who had grown uncomfortable with a person who expressed interest in buying a kitchen table she was selling on Facebook Marketplace. After settling on a price over text, the man said he would be sending her payment through Venmo in excess of the agreedupon price and instructed her to send back the overage. At that point, the woman abandoned the transaction. The officer advised her to have no further contact with the man and to insist on cash for purchases through Facebook Marketplace.
enforcement profession by the profession. The agency is committed to meeting professional standards. The agency is willing to be assessed on a regularly scheduled basis by Commission-appointed assessors to confirm compliance with professional standards; The agency agrees to correct any deficiencies discovered during the assessment process to establish or re-establish compliance with program standards.”
Of the 258 police agencies in the Commonwealth, only 122 are accredited.
“MPD is proud to be one of them! It is an entire agency effort, led by our accreditation manager Lt. Dave Ostrovitz and assistant accreditation manager Officer Dan Gagnon. MPD has been able to maintain this standard since 2019 through commitment and hard work by all our staff to provide exceptional, caring and professional service to the community, residents and visitors alike,” according to an MPD statement.
the town about the conceptual design ideas for the project. The commissioners then plan to offer their own perspectives on the design concepts and priorities.
Marblehead Food Pantry seeks donations for Thanksgiving meals.
Congressman Seth Moulton
Shining
Written by the students of Marblehead High School for our school and community
New friendships
Ellie Payson, Special to the Headlight
Entering a new school all over again can be very difficult, especially when it is high school, with three grades of scary upperclassmen, new teachers, and a whole new area where you will be spending your day. Navigating the hallways and finding your classes can also be extremely hard. In my freshman year, I stopped someone I did not know in the hallway to ask where my class was! One of the hardest parts of high school is making friends and trying to find your people in an even bigger group. As a senior at Marblehead High School, I can confidently say I have come up with some tips and tricks on how to make new friends for incoming freshmen. The first one is to be open and approachable. My freshman year was probably the scariest year of school. A friendly smile can go a long way in making others feel comfortable around you. Engaging in conversations with classmates, whether it's about schoolwork, sports, or common interests can also help you bond with someone who shares the same interest as you! Even asking an icebreaker question like how their day is going or what their favorite class is can spark a new conversation. It may seem silly, and it may seem frightening, but just saying hello or smiling can help you meet someone new that
you could know for the rest of your high school years.
Participating in extracurricular activities can also help. I joined field hockey in my freshman year and met some of my best friends! Some people have been doing sports since they were little and joined the high school team with lots of experience. Even with no experience in a sport, you can still put yourself out there and join! You will learn how to play it, and chances are there is someone else in your exact same boat. Aside from sports, there are also tons of clubs that can help you meet people that share your same interests, like Spanish Honor Society, Robotics, and Best Buddies. If you join a club you like, you're with people who want to be there just like you!
Lastly, be yourself. Everybody is different and unique in their own way! Being your most authentic self attracts genuine friendships with people. Do not be afraid to share your hobbies, interests, and passions. It is okay to be vulnerable and share your experiences, for being open can encourage others to reciprocate. It is okay to be nervous! Marblehead High School is a very welcoming place!
Important Dates in November
November 6 - End of Quarter 1
November 7 - Beginning of Quarter 2
November 10 - No School - Professional Development Day
November 11 - No School - Veterans Day
November 26 - Early Release Day
November 27 & 28 - No School - Thanksgiving Break
MHS Winter Athletics Registration
MHS registration for Winter Athletics is open. The Winter season starts on December 1st. Please have your registration completed by Friday November 21st. All physicals must be dated on or after 11/1/24.
The Marblehead Food Pantry is seeking donations and sponsors for Thanksgiving.
Sponsor a Turkey for $30
Sponsor a Provision Bag for $40
Sponsor a Pie for $10
Sponsor the whole dinner for $80
For more information: https://marbleheadfoodpantry.org/#donations
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Grey Collins
MAGIC Initiative: MHS students take charge after graffiti incident
Georgia Marshall, Assistant Editor, Junior
Earlier in October, graffiti depicting hateful and profane symbols, including a swastika, was found in a boys’ bathroom at MHS. Since then, students and faculty have been working to confront the incident and heal the hurt it has caused. During Magic Block on Monday, October 20th, leaders of student clubs, including Team Harmony, Student Council, the Gender and Sexual Alliance, the Jewish Student Union, and Best Buddies met to discuss and rectify the incident. This campaign was led by junior class president Max Kane, junior class secretary Michael Labossiere, JSU leader Max Karlyn, sophomore class president Laurel Kearney, and sophomore class vice president Lucy Molinari. The five students came together to form the Marblehead Alliance for Growth, Inclusion, and Connection (MAGIC). Built on the foundations of empathy and compassion, the alliance is missioned to educate others about the impact of their words and to foster community in the face of oppression.
MAGIC is set to meet once a month, with the hope of building a lasting legacy
at MHS. Student leaders are committed to responding to their peers’ concerns and discomforts, which will be posted anonymously in boxes around the school building. Brainstorming at the meeting yielded ideas like working with the Art Club to build a logo, creating pins, stickers, and banners, holding a school wide assembly led by the students, visiting classrooms to raise awareness, and using social media as a tool to spread the word. “After the terrible events that took place, we decided that something has to be done,” says Max Kane. “We need to find a way to not only enact change in our community, but to also personally connect with any and all individuals who feel attacked.”
While the issue is far from being resolved, the commitment shown by students involved in the initiative, and by various members of the school community, is enough to guarantee that real change can and will happen. In the wake of a devastating event, the power lies in the hands of student leaders and staff members to traverse these difficult waters and heal. As Dr. Carlson said in her email addressing the issue, “By working together, we can help maintain a safe and respectful environment for all.”
Keep your eyes sharp for MAGIC, as it is sure to foster change in MHS and throughout Marblehead.
ASSISTANT EDITORS: Evan Eisen, Anna Cruikshank, Georgia Marshall
REPORTERS: Anna Baughman, Maya Berman, Teagan Freedman, Sophie Li, Eve Magen, Will Pelliciotti, Mary Prindiville, Daphne Seliger
FACULTY ADVISOR: Mr. Higgins
If yo u’re struggli ng to pay your bills or are experiencing asudden and unexpected financial hards hi p, we’ re he re t o he lp.
Individual requests forfinancialassistance must be referred through athirdparty for consideration
We urge you to contact our partners listedbelow, or speak to your localclergy to request assistance from Ma rbleh ead Female Huma ne Soc iety:
Marblehead Counseling Center 781-631-8273
Marblehead Housing Authority 781-631-2580
Marblehead Council on Aging 781-631-6225
Marblehead Food Pantry 781-631-8340
For over200 years, MarbleheadFemale Humane Society has remained faithful to its original mission of quietly and re spec tfu lly helpi ng Ma rble head re sid ents in ne ed. NOVEMBER 4 - 16
www.marbleheadfemalehumanesociety.com
MARBLEHEAD FOOD PA NTR Y
