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IN THIS ISSUE
EDITORIAL
BIG WIN
Stirring the cauldron
MHS football gets on track against Masco
Page 6
OVERSEAS ADVENTURE
NONPROFIT ORG PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
Marblehead Pulitzer-winner reflects on Latvia trip
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PAID
MARBLEHEAD, MA PERMIT NO. 25
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NEWS FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT.
TM
October 11, 2023
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VOLUME 1, ISSUE NO. 44
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MARBLEHEADCURRENT.ORG
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ON SOCIAL @MHDCURRENT
SCHOOL NEWS
Committee votes to hold onto Coffin property Interim super vote delayed BY LEIGH BLANDER At its Oct. 5 meeting, the School Committee voted 3-2 to keep the old Coffin School property rather than return it to the town for possible use as housing. The committee also delayed a decision on a new
interim superintendent. Chair Sarah Fox said it would be “grossly irresponsible” for the district to give up the three-acre Coffin School property, especially given a recent state mandate that Marblehead create zoning rules that would allow nearly 900 new housing units in town.
“If we’re changing our bylaws at the town level to allow up to 870 new units, how in that same breath are we looking to diminish our infrastructure to a point where we will not be able to educate those people?” she asked. The law states that MBTA communities like Marblehead need to zone for denser housing but does not mandate that
»Select board chair responds, Page 7 that housing actually be built. The new zoning needs to be approved at Town Meeting in May, or the town could face financial penalties from the state. Committee member Jenn Schaeffner, who also sits on the
TREASURE HUNT
Affordable Housing Committee, said the town has already given up several school properties. “We’ve given up Roads and Story and other properties over time, and we’re a small town,” she said. “You don’t get that back. We don’t know what the future needs of our district are.” She continued, “We’ve seen SCHOOLS, P. A5
BEYOND THE WITCH CITY
‘Dive guy’ brings cell phone Could town transform back from the depths Salem gridlock into gold? BY WILLIAM J. DOWD
guy is Chris Ruhnke, who moved to Marblehead in February and took over ABC Diving. “When people drop their phones, I get a call,” Ruhnke said. “I like to come out. It’s a fun treasure hunt.” His greatest prize so far? A $3,000 tuna fishing rod that someone had dropped overboard, which he recovered. Ruhnke also does
With a projected record 1 million visitors flocking to Salem this October, the Witch City continues to grow as a Halloween hotspot. But its smaller neighbor, Marblehead, may see opportunities amid the revelry. As parking woes and massive crowds overwhelm Salem each October, are Marblehead businesses and officials missing out on ways to capitalize on the Halloween pilgrimages? Could Marblehead attract visitors seeking historical charm and a family-friendly experiences — without the headaches of overcrowding? “Marblehead is in a unique position to welcome people without it being as overwhelming as Salem,” said Xhazzie Kindle, Marblehead Arts Association director of operations. Kindle suggested improved transportation options like a trolley circuit between the towns. Combined exhibits and performances with arts associations in Salem, Swampscott and Marblehead could also entice visitors, she said. Screening the Halloween classic “Hocus Pocus” on an outdoor screen was another idea, playing off Marblehead’s connection as a filming location for the 1993 movie. For Siobhan Phelan, who owns the boutique All Chic at 152, October brings an influx of shoppers from Salem.
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HALLOWEEN, P. A5
COURTESY PHOTO / TEDDY AND SOPHIE SCHLUETER
‘For the rest of my life, I’m in your debt.’ Ted Schlueter holds up his rescued cell phone next to diver Chris Ruhnke, who found it.
Rescue of device just another day at office for Ruhnke BY LEIGH BLANDER Ted Schlueter thought he was about to have a very bad day when he felt his cell phone slip out of his pocket, fall overboard from his boat and sink to the ocean floor in Salem Harbor over Labor Day weekend. “My heart was crushed,” said the Marblehead marketing executive. “I knew, ‘That thing’s gone.’ I said ‘crap’ — or worse words that I can’t
repeat.” Schlueter asked friends on a nearby boat if he could borrow a mask and then jumped in the water, hoping against hope to find the phone, which also held his license and credit cards. “I got 10 feet down and knew there was no chance,” he said. “The water was frigid, and I couldn’t see anything.” When he got back to his boat, his friends offered to call “a guy.” That
TEMPEST TALES
Marblehead has new ‘true native’ In heart of storm, first heartbeats resound
BY WILLIAM J. DOWD
COURTESY PHOTOS
Emily Sottile and Alex Barker stand outside their Front Street home, the historic Three Cod Tavern, where their new son, August, made his grand entrance.
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August Valentine Barker entered the world on a stormy night at home in historic Marblehead, cementing his status as a true native Marbleheader. The 7-pound, 19.5-inch baby boy was born at 9:36 a.m. on Aug. 18 to Emily Valentine Sottile and Alexander James Barker at the 300-year-old site that once housed the town’s original Three Cod Tavern. Due to the closure of Mary Alley
Hospital in the 1960s, most babies born to Marblehead families do not meet the strictest definition of being a town native. “He gets a special status by being born here,” said father Alex Barker. “He’s going to be one of the few kids in his firstgrade classroom, high school class, that can claim (to be) true ’Headers.” Barker and Sottile said they chose a home birth for their first child after watching the 2008 documentary “The Business of
August Valentine Barker, a “True ’Header” born amidst a violent storm in August.
Being Born,” which examines the medicalization of childbirth in America. “It just seemed like the gentlest way for the baby to BABY, P. A14
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A2 Wednesday, October 11, 2023 Marblehead Current
Scare up some fun; enter Marblehead’s Scarecrow Stroll
NeWS FOr PeOPLe, NOt FOr PrOFIt. CO-CHAIRPERSONS
The Marblehead Recreation and Parks Department is seeking scarecrow contest entries for its fourth annual Scarecrow Stroll on Oct. 14. Last year’s event drew more than 1,000 children and families who trick-or-treated along a path of more than 60 scarecrows. Prizes were awarded for the best scarecrows in categories including best business, best organization and best family/individual display. Businesses, organizations and families can enter the contest through Oct. 12. Scarecrow frames can be purchased for $12 at the Marblehead Community Center. Scarecrows will be set up the morning of Oct. 14 before trick-or-treating begins that afternoon. Entry information is available at marbleheadrec.com/ scarecrowstroll.
Jessica Barnett Ed Bell NEWSROOM Community Editor - Will Dowd wdowd@marbleheadnews.org
Consulting Editor - Kris Olson kolson@marbleheadnews.org
Associate Editor/Senior Reporter - Leigh Blander lblander@marbleheadnews.org
Sports Reporter Joe McConnell
jmcconnell@marbleheadnews.org
Intern - Benji Boyd CONTRIBUTORS Stephen Bach Bob Baker Linda Bassett Nicole Goodhue-Boyd Laurie Fullerton Mark Hurwitz John Lamontagne Christine McCarriston Eyal Oren Pam Peterson Chris Stevens Linda Werbner
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS Buyer(s)
Seller(s)
Address
Date
Price
Marblehead Andrew and Dana Bull
Mary Dobbins 2023 FT and Matthew Erpelding
1 Goodwins Court
Sept. 18
$750,000
Soo-Hyun Kim and Norton Q. Sloan III
Campbell FT and N.S. Campbell
21 Mechanic St.
Sept. 20
$1,235,000
Kevin A. O’Malley
Jef & Laf T and John T. Frost
23 Chestnut St.
Sept. 21
$750,000
Nicola Pullen
Elizabeth and Lawrence Sorgi
64 Front St.
Sept. 22
$1,100,000
Elaine M. Moschella and Lauren D. Pagliaro
16 Cliff Road
Sept. 21
$1,995,000
Swampscott Michael & M. Jesberger FT and Michael Jesberger
EDITORIAL BOARD Ed Bell Virginia Buckingham Kris Olson Will Dowd Robert Peck Joseph P. Kahn DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Kathryn Whorf
NEWS IN BRIEF The Current welcomes submissions (150-200 words) to News in Brief. Send yours to wdowd@ marbleheadnews.org.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Virginia Buckingham - President Gene Arnould Jessica Barnett Ed Bell Francie King Robert Peck Donna Rice Kate Haesche Thomson - Secretary Richard Weed - Treasurer
INTERVIEWING 101
Thatcher Kezer.
Road race series resumes in October
The town’s Road Race Series continues Oct. 14 ‘Where the Bodies with the Miles for Mary Are Buried’ 5K Walk/Run. This event On Thursday, Oct. 19 supports brain cancer at 7 p.m., Pam Peterson research at Mass General will discuss the rich Cancer Center in honor history of Marblehead’s of Mary Park. More local cemeteries, from information can be found the colonial gravestones at milesformary.com. at Old Burial Hill to Other upcoming races: the Victorian vaults at » Oct. 15: Fund the Field #TeamCurrent had a great time at Marblehead Community Charter Public School last week Waterside Cemetery, 5K — Sponsored by talking with sixth graders about interviewing skills and journalism. The students asked in a presentation at the Marblehead All-Sports great questions and were so enthusiastic — we’re sure there are a few up-and-coming Marblehead Museum. Boosters, this race reporters in the bunch! Attendees will learn focuses on the upkeep about the vibrant tales of For more information The event features carved athletes graduating in and upgrades of Piper Marblehead fishermen, and ticketing, visit and decorated pumpkins, 2024. Student athletes will Field. To register, visit: merchants and heroes marbleheadmuseum.org. music and prizes. canvass neighborhoods https://bit.ly/3resMnq. interred within, along with Pumpkins will be judged asking for donations. If » Nov. 5: Rotary Club a ghost story or two. 15th Annual Pumpkin in categories like most not contacted and wishing 5K — Organized by Illumination Pam Peterson serves as creative, spookiest and to contribute, send a check the Rotary Club of a Marblehead Cemetery The Marblehead Family best school group. Entry to Marblehead Boosters, Marblehead, the event Commissioner and Fund and Marblehead is $5 per person, $20 per P.O. Box 244, Marblehead, promotes mental health is the director of the Museum will host the family. Proceeds benefit 01945. programs for local youth, Marblehead Historical 15th annual Pumpkin local playgrounds and the The scholarship drive along with scholarships Commission. The lecture Illumination on Thursday, museum. Pumpkins can is co-chaired by Kate and other youth-centric can be attended in person Oct. 26 from 4-7 p.m. at be submitted online or Dulac and Rebecca initiatives. Registration or viewed via Zoom. the Jeremiah Lee Mansion. dropped off Oct. 26 from Sahagian, members of link: http://bit.ly/3NjgeDP 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the the Marblehead High For more information, TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD mansion. School All-Sports Boosters contact Nate Walton at BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday October Committee. nywalton@gmail.com. 24, 2023 at 7:30 PM on the request of Tyler Gill to vary the application of the present Zoning By-law by allowing a Special Permit to construct an addition to an existing single-family dwelling on a preexisting non-conforming property with less than the required lot area, lot width, frontage and side yard setback, located at 38 Orchard Street in the Single Residence District. The new construction will exceed the 10% expansion limits for nonconforming buildings. This hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning Bylaw, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, this public hearing of the Board is being conducted via remote participation. The public can attend this meeting via the remote participation platform through the following ways: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web. zoom.us/j/87878347282?pwd=enlwRXd3V2xmdHE3cy92SklTU1BTUT09 Dial in+ 1 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 878 7834 7282 Passcode: 404568 Those only dialing in will not have access to the visual presentation at the meeting, but can follow along with the project materials available for download at https://www.marblehead.org under the zoning board of appeals page and the date of meeting. Members of the public attending this meeting virtually will be allowed to make comments if they wish to do so, during the portion of the hearing designated for public comment. Interested persons may also submit comment in writing electronically and send to lyonsl@marblehead.org and the comments, will be included in the record. Alan Lipkind Secretary
HELP WANTED!
Marblehead Children’s Center is looking to hire Infant/ Toddler and Preschool teachers for part and full time positions. MCC’s philosophy is that children learn best through play. We are seeking enthusiastic, dedicated professionals who will engage in and uphold our mission. We provide a collaborative and supportive environment where teachers have opportunities to develop their skills through education and training. We’re proud of the positive impact MCC continues to have on children, families and our community. Please contact us at 781-631-1954 for more info about salary + benefits (including free childcare).
Annual MHS scholarship drive
The Marblehead High School All-Sports Boosters will conduct its annual scholarship drive, a doorto-door campaign to raise funds for athletic scholarships, from noon to 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 15. All proceeds will go toward $1,000 scholarships for deserving MHS student
Town employment opportunities
Volunteer opportunities
The town is currently accepting applications for several employment opportunities, including building commissioner, Transfer Station operator in the Health Department, mechanic pipefitter II in the Sewer Department and human resources director under Town Administrator
The following boards, commissions and committees have openings for appointed positions. Interested parties should send a letter of interest and resume to the Select Board at Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., or email wileyk@marblehead.org. For more information, call the Select Board’s office at 781-631-0000. » Affordable Housing Trust Fund — one-year term » Finance Committee — three-year term » Marblehead Disabilities Commission — threeyear term » Task Force Against Discrimination — oneyear term » Marblehead Cultural Council — three-year term, four vacancies
LEGAL NOTICE MARBLEHEAD MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPT. NEW OPT-IN RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC UTILITY RATE GO GREEN NOW! 100% CARBON FREE RATE (Rate CF101) The Marblehead Municipal Light Department (MMLD), in accordance with M.G.L. c. 164, § 58, is publicly posting an updated optional electricity utility rate for residential customers who want 100% of their electric consumption to be clearly traced to Carbon-Free electric power sources. The term “Carbon-free” electricity in this rate has the same meaning as the term “non-carbon emitting” energy defined in the “Act for Creating a Next Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy,” Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 25A, Section 11F3/4. The updated Go Green Now! 100% Carbon Free rate, Rate CF101, is $0.02 per kilowatt-hour (2 cents/kwh). The rate will replace Rate CF100. This rate does not replace the current Rate A residential rate--- the Rate CF101 is applied in addition to the current Rate A residential rate. In 2022, the MMLD power supply portfolio was 44% carbon-free. A residential customer enrolling in the CF101 rate will increase their household percentage of carbon-free energy from 44% to 100%. Given the average MMLD residential customer uses 662 kwh per month, the average increase to a monthly electric bill will be $13.24, and the total due on an average residential bill will increase 8.5% to $155.90, based on the rates in effect June 2023. Revenue generated by this rate will be used by MMLD to retire (hold) Berkshire Wind Mass Class 1 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) that would otherwise be sold by MMLD. Other terms apply. Complete terms are found on the CF101 Enrollment Form, the MMLD website, or by calling the MMLD office at 781-631-5600. To activate the rate, customers must complete and sign a Go Green Now! enrollment form and return it to the MMLD office. This updated rate will go into effect on bills issued on October 1, 2023 and later, and upon the publication of this legal notice and the filing of the rate with the Mass Dept. of Public Utilities (DPU). Marblehead Municipal Light Department 80 Commercial Street Marblehead, Massachusetts 01945
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS Marion Warner Greely FOUNDERS Jessica Barnett Ed Bell Leigh Blander Will Dowd David Moran Kris Olson DESIGN AND PRODUCTION North of Boston Media Group Marblehead News 217 Humphrey St. Marblehead, Massachusetts 01945 781.910.8658 info@marbleheadnews.org www.marbleheadCurrent.org Marblehead Current is published every Wednesday by Marblehead News Group, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It is mailed to all homes and businesses in Marblehead, MA 01945.
DONATE
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VOLUNTEER
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REACT
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INDEX
Arts..........................................12, 14 Business.........................1, 5, 11, 13 Community............................. 2, 4 Culture............... 3, 7-8, 11, 14, 16 Education........................... 1, 5, 15 Environment............................. 12 Government.................................1 Health..................................... 1, 4-5 History ......................................4-5 News............................................1-2 Obituary...................................... 14 Opinion ....................................6-7 Public safety................................4 Real estate.................................... 2 Sports .................................... 9-10
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, October 11, 2023 A3
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES CELEBRATION
Wampanoag Tribe members share their culture with preschoolers BY WILLIAM J. DOWD Drumming and chanting rang through Temple Sinai’s vegetable garden Friday morning as children joined hands with members of the Wampanoag Tribe for a celebratory harvest dance. It was just one scene from the cultural event led by Cheenulka Pocknett, “Big Bear;” his brother, David Pocknett, “Little Bear;” Cheenulka’s son, Napowse Pocknett, “Bear That Walks At Night;” and friend Miles Bernadett Peters, “Lightning Wind,” which shared Wampanoag music, dance and storytelling to teach children about Indigenous traditions and honor, in part, the fall harvest. The dance workshop was part of the synagogue’s celebration of the fall harvest season, which culminated with two special events Friday, three days before Marblehead celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day. Pocknett used storytelling, dance and discussion to share Wampanoag culture with the preschool children, teaching them about Native Americans’ matriarchal societies and respect for elders. Pocknett also recounted the legend of Turtle Island, a creation story for many northeastern Native American tribes, including the Wampanoag. According to the tale, when Earth was only water, a woman fell through a hole in the sky. Various aquatic animals from an otter and muskrat to a turtle and a beaver helped by diving deep to find land, only to surface with mud that quickly washed away. Eventually the animals succeeded by placing the mud on the back of a giant turtle, which is why North America is known as Turtle Island in many Indigenous cultures. The Turtle Island story emphasizes cooperation, sacrifice and an unbreakable bond between all living beings, Pocknett explained. While containing mythic elements, the tale is deeply rooted in real relationships between humans, animals and the natural environment. The Community Roots Vegetable Garden where the dancing played out is a partnership between Temple Sinai, local nonprofit SPUR and the JCC preschool. Earlier this year, children from the preschool helped plant, weed and harvest vegetables, including carrots, zucchini and eggplant that were donated to the Marblehead Food Pantry. Moreover, Temple Sinai has developed a close connection with the Wampanoag Tribe through recent cultural exchange trips and events. Temple members view this partnership as an opportunity to learn from Indigenous traditions and build community across cultures. In addition to the
BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW
ABOVE: JCC preschoolers join hands with Wampanoag Tribe members during a celebratory harvest dance at Temple Sinai’s vegetable garden on Friday. The Community Roots Vegetable Garden where the dancing played out is a partnership between Temple Sinai, local nonprofit SPUR and the JCC preschool.
A Mobile Footcare Practice Bringing Comfort to Your Doorstep
David Pocknett Jr. ‘Little Dear’ shows off the fur of an otter to preschoolers during Sukkot and Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at Temple Sinai on Friday.
508-492-5880
harvest dancing, Temple Sinai hosted a rain dance workshop led by choreographer Morgan Cohen that connected to Jewish prayers for rainfall during the fall holiday Sukkot.
Cheryl@seniorfootwise.com www.seniorfootwise.com
CHERYL WALL
FOUNDER & PRIMARY NURSE RN BSN DNS CFCN CWOCN
Discover the Future of Cycling!
ELECTRIC BICYCLES — In memory of —
MARY PARK
at Marblehead Cycle Effortless Commutes • Eco-Friendly Travel • Unleash the Power! Experience the thrill of electric biking. Say goodbye to hills and headwinds. Cruise in style, save on fuel, and reduce your carbon footprint. J in the e-bike revolution today! Joi
Visit Marblehead Cycle or call (781)631-1570 now for electrifying deals!
This is the 11th year that MILES FOR MARY will bring together family, friends, & neighbors to honor the memory of Mary Park & increase brain cancer awareness. We will greatly appreciate your participation and involvement again this year. Thank you for your friendship and commitment to this cause. Thank you, The Park Families
Ventura and Sons 857-207-9368 This fall is a great time to refresh your home for the upcoming holiday season.
5K RUN + WALK
Call or email us today for a free estimate.
14 SATURDAY - 10:00 AM OCT
venturasons@gmail.com https://venturasons.com
DEVEREUX BEACH, MARBLEHEAD Register at www.milesformary.com Every child 8 and under is free and will receive a ribbon for their participation. USATF Certified Course
RESEARCH SEMINAR NOV
6
MONDAY - 5:15 PM
Eastern Yacht Club 47 Foster Street, Marblehead Register at www.milesformary.com Dr. Elizabeth Gerstner will provide an update on “Innovations in Brain Cancer Research and Treatment”
Register Here
218 Beacon Street Marblehead, MA 01945 781-886-7075 Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
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A4 Wednesday, October 11, 2023 Marblehead Current
ENDING THE STIGMA
Teaching your kids how to manage stress, anxiety BY WENDY TAMIS ROBBINS
that can reduce the pressure to outperform their peers at every turn and all costs.
Stress seems to be as omnipresent for our students as it is for their parents. The pressure to perform, compete and outpace their peers can feel overwhelming at times. This pressure presents itself most when exams arise or students are called on in class. Stress hormones flood their body as the pressure mounts, making it difficult to think clearly and recall information. We’ve all heard “I studied and knew the material, so I don’t know what happened. I just blanked. I got too nervous.” While learning the material is important, at least for the next exam (even if it may not ever be applicable in real life), learning how to control and refocus the stress and anxiety precipitated by those exams is one of the greatest skills they can learn. This is a skill set that will grow with and serve them throughout life. Without getting into neuro diversities that may be at play here, there are ways we can support our students with mindsets and strategies that will help them not only digest the material but also bring awareness to critical thoughts and limiting beliefs, and control their stress level enough to metabolize, comprehend and recall information in those
Exercises
Wendy Tamis Robbins
critical moments.
Mindset shifts
Fear mindset to growth mindset: Grades, mistakes and even failures are information. They are experiences you can learn from. A grade is telling you something. How well the studying you did translated into your performance. How much your fear of failing (getting a “B” even) took over and affected your performance. This information allows students to change their behavior if needed and grow into their next best version. It’s all about how to reframe, learn from and grow from “failures” — not avoid them. Vertical to horizontal trajectory: Most of us think of life like the old board game Chutes + Ladders. It’s a competition; progress is
made climbing ladders and backsliding is done on the chutes. What if we taught our students to think of life horizontally. We are on a track for a period of time until we reach a train station. The station presents itself when we’ve gone as far as we can on our current track. Just because grade numbers increase doesn’t mean we are getting higher up the ladder. It can mean we’re getting farther away from where we were when we started. This is where rejection becomes redirection. You found your way to a station and onto a new track versus sliding down a chute and erasing all the progress you’ve made. Life is no longer a competition and race. Staying on your track, finding a sustainable pace and being open to the opportunities at each new station presents a new mindset
SAFETY
Phone
Bicycle accident with car sends juvenile to hospital
From P. A1
underwater boat cleaning and repair work. He works out of a 22-foot Eastern with the word “DIVE” in red duct tape on one side. In the case of Schlueter’s phone, he arrived within 45 minutes and put on his scuba gear but no wetsuit. “I typically dive down, put an anchor in the bottom with a spool of string and search in circle patterns,” Ruhnke explained. “This phone was about 25 feet down in the mud.” Schlueter remembers the moment Ruhnke surfaced. “He came back up in about 20 minutes and hands me my phone,” he said. “It illuminates and shows me my favorite picture of my two children. I told him, ‘For the rest of my life, I’m in
Expect and accept visualization: Have your student visualize themselves taking the exam, recalling the information and feeling very nervous. Trying to remove the nervousness in the visualization adds more pressure when it’s test time. Assume the nerves will come and get them used to the feeling. They are safe, it’s normal and they can calm themselves and refocus. Saying to themselves, “Of course I’m nervous. It’s an exam. And it’s important to me. This is totally normal. AND I’m safe. I’m prepared. I know this. I GOT THIS.” Express your fear: Taking just five minutes to give their fear a voice can be powerful. When they let it go unprocessed, it can progress from a tropical storm into a hurricane. Emotions are energy and need to be released. Talking and writing about them are great options. Ask your student, “What are you afraid of?” Then tell your student to ask their fear — like it’s a separate part of them — “What are you afraid of?” They can write it and then read it back. Maybe the answer is the same, but typically there is more under the surface that this exercise can expose. Once it comes to light, have your
student surround that part of themselves with love and thank it for trying to protect them from failure, disappointment and rejection. This fear is not a weak part, but a protective part. Tell it, “I’ve got this. I’m prepared. You don’t have to be afraid. And even if this one doesn’t go well, it’s just going to make us stronger for the next one.” When we allow our underlying fears to control us, they create our reality. When we acknowledge and care for our fearful parts, we take back control and become the creator. Teaching our students how to manage their thoughts and emotions can always ride shotgun to their primary education and help them travel even farther — horizontally, of course. Resources: Marblehead Counseling Center at MarbleheadCounseling.org and for stressed parents who are attorneys, don’t forget Lawyer Assistance Resources | Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers MA (lclma.org) for free, confidential counseling services. Wendy Tamis Robbins is an anxiety expert, bestselling author of “The Box: An Invitation to Freedom From Anxiety” and founder of CAVE Club, a wellness community exclusively for professional women. She works globally as a mental health and wellness coach, speaker and advocate.
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Chris Ruhnke has been diving professionally for six years and recently bought ABC Diving.
your debt.’” Schlueter swiped to his Venmo app, which worked perfectly, and paid Ruhnke his $150 fee. “He was shivering like a leaf, like he had hypothermia, so I gave him a towel and we started talking,” Schlueter said. He offered to help
TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday October 24, 2023 at 7:45 PM on the request of Faina Saitkovsky to vary the application of the present Zoning By-law by allowing a Special Permit to construct an addition to an existing single-family dwelling on a preexisting non-conforming property with less than the required lot area, lot width, frontage and front and side yard setbacks, located at 160 Green Street in the Single Residence District. The new construction will be within the front & side yard setback and exceed the 10% expansion limits for nonconforming buildings. This hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning Bylaw, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, § 18, this public hearing of the Board is being conducted via remote participation. The public can attend this meeting via the remote participation platform through the following ways: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87878347282?pwd=enlwRXd3V2xmdHE3cy92SklTU1BTUT09 Dial in+ 1 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 878 7834 7282 Passcode: 404568 Those only dialing in will not have access to the visual presentation at the meeting, but can follow along with the project materials available for download at https://www.marblehead.org under the zoning board of appeals page and the date of meeting. Members of the public attending this meeting virtually will be allowed to make comments if they wish to do so, during the portion of the hearing designated for public comment. Interested persons may also submit comment in writing electronically and send to lyonsl@marblehead.org and the comments, will be included in the record. Alan Lipkind Secretary TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday October 24, 2023 at 8:00 PM on the request of M/R Rockett Management Co Inc. to vary the application of the present Zoning By-law by allowing a Special Permit to construct an addition to an existing commercial building on a preexisting non-conforming property with less than the required lot width, rear yard setback, open area and parking located at 1 Stacey Street in the Unrestricted District. The new construction further reduces the required parking and exceeds the 10% expansion limits for nonconforming buildings. This hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning Bylaw, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, § 18, this public hearing of the Board is being conducted via remote participation. The public can attend this meeting via the remote participation platform through the following ways: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom. us/j/8787834 7282?pwd=enlwRXd3V2xmd. HE3cy92SklTUlBTUT09 Dial in+ 1 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 878 7834 7282 Passcode: 404568 Those only dialing in will not have access to the visual presentation at the meeting, but can follow along with the project materials available for download at https://www.marblehead.org under the zoning board of appeals page and the date of meeting. Members of the public attending this meeting virtually will be allowed to make comments if they wish to do so, during the portion of the hearing designated for public comment. Interested persons may also submit comment in writing electronically and send to lyonsl@marblehead.org and the comments, will be included in the record. Alan Lipkind Secretary
Ruhnke with marketing advice to promote his business. Ruhnke, who has a computer science degree, has been diving professionally since 2008 and has always loved the water. “The water has been my oasis my whole life,” he said. “It’s definitely my happy place.” Ruhnke is about to wrap up for the season, and his plans are a bit up in the air. He might do some work for the Coast Guard, go diving in Florida or “ski bum it” for the winter, he said. But he’ll be back in Marblehead next spring. You can learn more about Ruhnke’s business at ABCDiveBoston. com or call him at 978-473-7969.
A juvenile riding a bicycle was rushed to the hospital the morning of Oct. 2 after an accident involving a car at the corner of West Shore Drive and Shorewood Road. The juvenile was not wearing a helmet. The car was turning from West Shore onto Shorewood at 7:45 a.m. when it collided with the cyclist. Police Chief Dennis King tells the Current that the juvenile’s injuries were minor. The driver is not being cited. King recalled another accident involving a car and bicycle on West Shore within the last
year. It is a very busy area during school drop-off hours. “Since I’ve been here, we’ve done a lot of selective enforcement for speeding,” King said. “There is a speed feedback sign by the Tower School and by the cemetery [on West Shore Drive].” King pointed out speeding was not a factor in the Oct. 2 accident. King is advocating for
additional rapid flashing beacons to be placed around town. There’s one now at the corner of Atlantic and Seaview avenues. “It gets drivers’ attention,” he said. “They’re a good way to warn drivers, to have people stop and recognize that they’re crossing in a crosswalk. We’ll be asking for some of those in the next budget.” King added, “It would also be nice if kids were wearing helmets and adhering to traffic rules.” A bike safety rodeo is being planned by the Marblehead Police and Health Department later this fall.
FARMERS’ MARKET
Ukrainian food, crepes offered Oct. 14 Shoppers at the Marblehead Farmers’ Market Saturday, Oct. 14 can expect to find apples, peppers, potatoes, onions, winter squash, radishes, beets, carrots, fresh ginger, cabbage, leeks, cranberries, corn and tomatoes. Farms will also have mushrooms, eggs, herbs, pork, cut flowers and a selection of salad and cooking greens.
TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday October 24, 2023 at 7:45 PM on the request of Dan & Caren McEachern to vary the application of the present Zoning By-law by allowing a Special Permit to construct an addition to an existing single-family dwelling on a preexisting non-conforming property with less than the required lot area, lot width, frontage and side yard setback, located at 15 Hereford Road in the Single Residence District. The new construction will be within the front yard setback and further reduce the required open area. This hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning Bylaw, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, this public hearing of the Board is being conducted via remote participation. The public can attend this meeting via the remote participation platform through the following ways: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87878347282?pwd=enlwRXd3V2xmdHE3cy92SklTU1BTUT09 Dial in+ 1 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 878 7834 7282 Passcode: 404568 Those only dialing in will not have access to the visual presentation at the meeting, but can follow along with the project materials available for download at https://www.marblehead.org under the zoning board of appeals page and the date of meeting. Members of the public attending this meeting virtually will be allowed to make comments if they wish to do so, during the portion of the hearing designated for public comment. Interested persons may also submit comment in writing electronically and send to lyonsl@marblehead.org and the comments, will be included in the record. Alan Lipkind Secretary
Farms this week are: » Old Stone Farm. » Clark Farm. » Bear Hill Farm. » Middle Earth Farm. » Grant Family Farm. Grant Family Farm accepts SNAP and HIP payments. Nick Cloutman will have mushrooms. Valicenti Pasta Farm will be offering their farm-made pasta and red gravy. Seafood Express will have fresh seafood and other items. Copper Dog Books will be at the market with a selection of books and will be taking special orders. Scouts BSA Troop 79 will be brewing coffee, tea, and will also have lemonade, water and hot chocolate for cooler weeks. Weekly food vendors are A&J King Artisan Bakers
and Bucovina Cuisines with Ukrainian food. Crepe du Jour will be making crepes to order. Shira Moss will be the performer, and the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce will be in the community booth. Craft vendors will be the North Shore Glass School, Shayna Loeffler, Beadorable and Seaweed Studio. The Marblehead Farmers’ Market takes place, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through Nov. 18 behind the Marblehead Veterans Middle School (accessed via Vine Street). Snap benefits can be used to purchase eligible food items. For more information, see marbleheadfm.com or email Steve Fowler at stevefowlermfm@gmail.com.
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, October 11, 2023 A5
MARBLEHEAD CHRONICLES
The HMS Lively and Marblehead’s ‘affair of the candles’ BY PAM PETERSON
The Miles for Mary 5K run/walk will be Oct. 14.
Miles for Mary to raise awareness, support for brain cancer treatments The nonprofit Miles for Mary will host two fall events in Marblehead to raise awareness and support research into new treatments for brain cancer. A 5K run/walk on Oct. 14 and a research seminar on Nov. 6 will honor Mary Park, who died from glioblastoma in 2012 just weeks after her diagnosis. Funds raised will support research led by Dr. Elizabeth Gerstner at Mass General Cancer Center into innovative therapies for glioblastoma, an aggressive type of brain tumor. Miles for Mary has raised over $600,000 for Mass General since 2013. Participants can register for the 5K and seminar online at milesformary.com. The 5K costs $25 for preregistration and $30 on race day. Miles for Mary is dedicated to increasing awareness around brain cancer and providing hope for patients and families facing devastating diagnoses.
In 1774, HMS Lively, a port ship of the British Navy, arrived in Boston. She carried Gen. Thomas Gage to the American colonies, where he assumed governorship of Massachusetts. Had Gage known what was coming he probably wouldn’t have gotten off the ship, as his governorship was a large headache from start to finish. Popular at first, animosity toward Gage began to grow. He was completely committed to British rule of the American colonies. He saw the development of Town Meeting as a major threat and wrote that “democracy is too prevalent in America.” After the Boston Tea Party, Gage was entrusted with the task of carrying out the controversial Boston port tax. The Lively was part of the British fleet that blockaded the port of Boston to enforce the port tax, after the Boston Tea Party. Then in 1775, the Lively was sent to patrol the waters off Marblehead. The so-called “affair of the candles” took place in Marblehead and caused many problems for Elbridge Gerry, Gage and the Lively. Gerry was a member of the Committee of Inspection for the port of Marblehead, which attempted to collect the necessary tax, imposed for the relief of Boston’s unemployed. British Adm. Graves was the highest-ranking Naval officer in the American colonies. Graves had ordered two boxes of candles imported from England, but he failed to pay the tax. He was refused the candles by the Marblehead committee. Graves was enraged, regarded the committee’s action as an insult and sought revenge. Graves ordered the Lively, which was near Marblehead at the time, to search all incoming colonial
Halloween
Salem,” Schalck said, “so we came here where it’s more quiet.”
“When they’re finished doing all their sightseeing there, they come over here and shop,” Phelan said. “And if it gets busy at Salem restaurants, they’ll come here.” Phelan advocated for an Oktoberfest in Marblehead to complement Salem’s monthlong Haunted Happenings festival. She said it could feature extended shopping hours, restaurant crawls, live music and other events. Given Marblehead’s walkable size, Abby Schalck said tourists often stop by after finding Salem too crowded. As an employee at Marblehead Mercantile, she hears it firsthand. “A lot of people come in and they say it was too busy in
Bewitching history
From P. A1
Marblehead has its own bewitching history that could complement Salem’s crowded scene. Wilmot “Mammy” Redd, the only Marbleheader executed during the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, is memorialized at Old Burial Hill cemetery. Her story offers an off-the-beaten-path option for history buffs and witch trial enthusiasts. For more Halloween flair, architect Tom Saltsman’s elaborate, spooky displays on Pleasant Street possess Hollywood-quality sets. Katherine Koch, executive director of the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce, said
vessels, and to seize and impress any sailors on board colonial ships. They would be held until the committee apologized and gave him his candles. As a result, a number of Marblehead men were pressed into the British Navy. Angry townspeople of Marblehead rowed out to the Lively and stormed the ship. They managed to rescue one of the sailors, but the other hostages remained. Gerry was worried that Marblehead would be the site of the first battle of the American Revolution. Gage was very displeased, and Graves was still insulted. “The affair of the candles” finally came to a peaceful conclusion, after much negotiation. The hostages were released, and the impressments of sailors in Marblehead waters was condemned and forbidden. Graves gave up on his candles and got them from a different port. Gage’s problems with the colonists continued until Bunker Hill, when his governorship came to an end. Pam Peterson is chair of the Marblehead Historical Commission.
COURTESY PHOTOS / MARBLEHEAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Families and visitors crowd the streets during Marblehead Chamber of Commerce’s trick-or-treat event, a testament to the town’s burgeoning October festivities.
Salem’s Halloween season already benefits local lodging, restaurants and retail. But
more could be done to promote Marblehead and ease transportation between the two
maintain the building] and the liability with zero plan for any use for it,” Taylor said. She asked that the School Committee’s facilities subgroup be charged with evaluating how to deal with the property.
Schools From P. A1
declining enrollment, but that doesn’t mean we won’t have increasing enrollment. It would seem to me that it would be irresponsible for the committee to give up our last set of property.” Select Board Chair Erin Noonan, who also leads the Housing Production Plan Implementation Committee, has been advocating for the Coffin School to be used as mixed housing, which would include market-rate and affordable units. In recent weeks she has encouraged the School Committee to turn over the Coffin. At a recent meeting Noonan said Marblehead “doesn’t need three elementary schools” but does need more housing, especially for seniors and young families. She pointed out that the median home value in town
COURTESY IMAGE
The HMS Lively taking part in the Battle of Bunker Hill
Interim interrupted
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
The School Committee voted 3-2 not to turn over the Coffin School property to be used for housing.
is now $1.1 million, making it difficult for seniors and young families to afford to live in town. The school district has discussed demolishing the Coffin School building and has looked into the cost and how to fund it. The demolition would likely cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Acting Superintendent Michelle Cresta said the only way to fund that is to repurpose remaining funds from the Brown School project. That money,
TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD BOARD OF APPEALS
The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 8:00 P.M., on the request of Daryl R. Smith to vary the application of the present Zoning Bylaw by allowing a Special Permit to construct an addition to an existing single-family dwelling on a preexisting nonconforming property with less than the required front and rear yard setbacks, located at 9 Stramski Way in the Single Residence District. The new construction will exceed the 10% expansion limits for nonconforming buildings. This hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning Bylaw, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended, and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18. This public hearing of the Board is being conducted via remote participation. The public can attend this meeting via the remote participation platform through the following ways: Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/ j/87878347282?pwd=enlwRXd3V2xmdHE3cy92SklTU1BTUT09; Dial in: +1 646 558 8656; Meeting ID: 878 7834 7282; Passcode: 404568. Those only dialing in will not have access to the visual presentation at the meeting but can follow along with the project materials available for download at https://www.marblehead.org under the zoning board of appeals page and the date of meeting. Members of the public attending this meeting virtually will be allowed to make comments if they wish to do so during the portion of the hearing designated for public comment. Interested persons may also submit comment in writing electronically and send to lyonsl@marblehead. org and the comments will be included in the record. Alan Lipkind, Secretary
while already approved, was never borrowed and would need a new Town Meeting vote this May to be used for a demolition. Noonan told the Current that she doesn’t believe taxpayers should have to foot the bill for the demolition. Committee members Meagan Taylor and Brian Ota voted against holding on to the Coffin property. “I find it also irresponsible for us to maintain the cost [to
The School Committee delayed a vote on a new interim superintendent until Oct. 11, after members said they had difficulty reaching references for the candidates. Former Village School Principal Theresa McGuinness and Jannell Pearson-Campbell are vying for the position. They both sat for interviews with the School Committee Oct. 2, answering questions about strategies to improve MCAS scores, inclusion, budgeting and more.
$20,000 payment
Also at the meeting, the School Committee approved adding $20,000 to Cresta’s salary of $157,000 and an extra five
TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday October 24, 2023 at 8:15 PM on the request of Properties LLC to vary the application of the present Zoning By-law by allowing a Special Permit to construct a single-family dwelling to replace an existing single family dwelling on a preexisting non-conforming property with less than the required lot area located at 70 Nanepashemet Street in the Expanded Single Residence District. This hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning Bylaw, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, this public hearing of the Board is being conducted via remote participation. The public can attend this meeting via the remote participation platform through the following ways: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom. us/j/8787834 7282?pwd=enlwRXd3V2xmdHE3cy92SklTUlBTUT09 Dial in+ 1 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 878 7834 7282 Passcode: 404568 Those only dialing in will not have access to the visual presentation at the meeting, but can follow along with the project materials available for download at https://www.marblehead. org under the zoning board of appeals page and the date of meeting. Members of the public attending this meeting virtually will be allowed to make comments if they wish to do so, during the portion of the hearing designated for public comment. Interested persons may also submit comment in writing electronically and send to lyonsl@marblehead.org and the comments, will be included in the record. Alan Lipkind Secretary
towns, she said. “People should know that we’re here and [we should] give them a way to get here and get back,” Koch said. Chamber events like the trickor-treating night on Oct. 26 help raise Marblehead’s holiday profile. Past Chamber collaborations with Salem centered more on year-round initiatives, Koch said. But special events or promotional deals could certainly drum up business during October. As visitors flock to the North Shore to soak in the Halloween spirit, Marblehead doesn’t want to remain a hidden gem. With some planning and vision, some businesses here see room to carve out their own niche. “Marblehead has a lot to offer,” Schalck said. “It could be a great opportunity.”
vacation days for taking on the role of acting superintendent from July 1 through December. If an interim superintendent is hired before the end of the year, Cresta will assist with the transition. That brings the known total of the cost to remove the former superintendent to above $200,000 (including Buckey’s separation agreement and lawyers’ fees). That does not include costs to hire a new superintendent. Cresta also received a raise to $170,583 for the period of July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
METCO outreach
Meagan Taylor recommended that the School Committee engage more with METCO, the program that brings students from Boston to Marblehead schools. The committee discussed several opportunities, including holding a listening session with METCO parents in the city.
TOWN OF MARBLEHEAD BOARD OF APPEALS The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday October 24, 2023 at 8:30 PM on the request of Kevin and Caroline Wojtas to vary the application of the present Zoning By-law by allowing Special Permit to construct an addition to an existing single-family dwelling on a preexisting non-conforming property with less than the required lot area and rear yard setbacks, located at 20 Euclid Road in the Single Residence District. The new construction will be within the rear yard setback and exceed the 10% expansion limits for nonconforming buildings. This hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of the Marblehead Zoning Bylaw, and Chapter 40A of the General Laws as amended and Pursuant to Governor Baker’s Order allowing suspension of Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, this public hearing of the Board is being conducted via remote participation. The public can attend this meeting via the remote participation platform through the following ways: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web. zoom.us/j/87878347282?pwd=enlwRXd3V2xmdHE3cy92Sk1TU1BTUT09 Dial in +1 646 558 8656 Meeting ID: 878 7834 7282 Passcode: 404568 Those only dialing in will not have access to the visual presentation at the meeting, but can follow along with the project materials available for download at https://www.marblehead.org under the zoning board of appeals page and the date of meeting. Members of the public attending this meeting virtually will be allowed to make comments if they wish to do so, during the portion of the hearing designated for public comment. Interested persons may also submit comment in writing electronically and send to lyonsl@marblehead.org and the comments, will be included in the record. Alan Lipkind Secretary
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A6 Wednesday, October 11, 2023 Marblehead Current
Opinion EDITORIAL
Stirring the cauldron
Adam Sandler’s movie “Hubie Halloween’’ made only a modest splash when it debuted in 2020. Critics generally found it fangless if goofy fun, with the website Rotten Tomatoes giving it a “meh” 51% rating. On the plus side, its wardrobe, make-up and set-design elements killed. Why bring up a movie even Sandler fans soon forgot? Because “Hubie Halloween” managed to do something altogether astonishing. It turned Marblehead into Salem. On Halloween, no less. Strange but true. Thanks to creative set construction and many dollars spent locally, Marblehead’s streets and neighborhoods credibly subbed for Salem on screen. Which city was Witch City? Few could tell for sure. Oh, the horror. Look, we get it. To live in Marblehead from Labor Day through October and approach Salem from any direction can be a nightmare. The crowded sidewalks. The traffic. The tour buses. The lack of parking. The pumpkin-spiced kitsch. Frightening. Need to travel from Salem State University to the Beverly-Salem Bridge on a mid-October weekend? Keep a flying broomstick handy. Meanwhile, all those out-of-town visitors getting their freak on pump millions into the local economy. Just not into ours. Okay, but could that script be flipped? Might we ever give our 01970 neighbors even a small run for their money? And would we ever want to? At first glance, the idea of Marblehead embracing its Inner Salem doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance. But maybe, just to stir the cauldron here, it’s worth another look. In some ways, our town is already competitive, historically speaking. Those notorious 17th-century Witch Trials that put Salem on the tourist map? We also own a piece of that, in the legacy of Wilmot Redd, for whom Redd’s Pond is named. “Mammy Redd,” as she was known, was a “cranky old lady who didn’t want to be bothered,” as town historian emeritus Bette Hunt once put it. Clearly, though, Redd bothered the wrong people, who accused her of witchcraft. Tried and executed in Salem Village in 1692, she became the only Marbleheader to meet that grim fate. Redd’s memorial, located on Old Burial Hill, could be a worthy side trip for any dedicated witchwatcher worth his or her salt. Just saying. And what about all that witchy kitsch for which Salem is famous? The Haunted Happenings attractions that bring in big bucks every fall? Well, we have something to offer there, too. In fact, we dare anyone to find a more imaginatively spooky Halloween-themed display than what architect Tom Saltsman and crew construct every year on his Pleasant Street property. Recent multi-media installations have included a 20-foot tall, cobra-headed Egyptian goddess; a “Game of Thrones”-scale dragon; a King-Kongsized gorilla; a marooned ghost ship; and a massive alien spaceship, all worthy of a top-notch Marvel movie set designer. What will their team unveil later this month? Stay tuned. But it should be awesome. Fans of another popular Halloween-themed movie, “Hocus Pocus,” will be rewarded, too. Nominally set in Salem, several iconic Marblehead landmarks pop up throughout the film, including Abbot Hall, Old Burial Hill cemetery, Crocker Park, Old Town House and State Street. Our town’s autumnal beauty provides the perfectly haunting backdrop for the Sanderson sisters’ antics. A heads-up, then. With three more weeks to go this October, there’s plenty of time for Salem visitors to branch out a little — no flying broomsticks necessary — and creep on over our way to sample Marblehead’s seasonal attractions. We’ll scare you up a parking space, treat you to some history you might have skipped, and maybe, should you time your visit right, throw in a Hollywood ending.
CORRECTION
An editorial in our Sept. 27 issue (“A zoning balancing act”) contained outdated information about how close to bus stops multi-family housing must be located under the new state law. Final guidelines released by the Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development on Aug. 10, 2022, allow communities like Marblehead with fewer than 100 developable acres within a half-mile of a bus station to choose any appropriate location for the revised zoning.
EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY
What’s in your ‘go-bag’? BY VIRGINIA BUCKINGHAM Last week, we all received what I thought would be an unnerving alert on our cell phones from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. As much as possible, the agency forewarned that the alert was a test only. It seems they did a good job. There were no widespread reports of alarmed callers checking with local police and fire and plenty of funny notes about being in a conference room when hundreds of phones went off at once. The alert still jolted me but, then again, I don’t think I’ve once been near a cannon going off at sunset that I didn’t jump a million miles in the air right after I told myself — don’t jump, the cannon is about to go off. The alert and the very real natural disasters people have had to contend with around the country got me thinking — if there were a real emergency, and we were urged to leave our homes, what would we take with us? For purposes of this exercise, let’s assume loved ones and pets are safely leaving with us, and focus on material goods only, basically the opposite of what we are taught is the meaning and purpose of life (relationships versus things.) Oh, and why not pretend all our medicines and valuable documents, marriage certificates, passports and the like are safely secured somewhere in a bank vault. So, no need to grab documents or meds, either. Finally, let’s say the authorities are limiting us to one farmers’ market size canvas bag, we’ll call it our “go-bag,” a term of art for things you need when evacuating. The bag limitation will have the added advantage of focusing us on portable items as opposed to Aunt Louise’s china cabinet. I don’t consider myself materialistic but there are things I consider valuable even if, outside their value to me, they are worthless. Let’s start with what’s on my desk. I have a handful of symbolic items I cherish. There’s a statue of the Hindu god Ganesh gifted to me by a member of a 9/11 family. One of those keys to push buttons that came into fashion during COVID that was sent to me anonymously — I like to think by someone who was thinking about keeping me and my family safe. A heart rock found on one of our beach excursions, one of a handful I’ve collected, but one that stands out because of its color. A glass hummingbird purchased on a trip to Mexico. Of these things, only Ganesh is truly irreplaceable, so I’ll place him in my bag. Jewelry? I’d remind David to grab his father’s
wedding ring we have stored. I have a few small pieces including my original engagement stone. Into the bag they go. Favorite books. A friend on Facebook posted recently about some he had that were first editions, or signed. I don’t have any like that. I’ve written before about my TBR pile and favorite books I keep nearby. But all could be replaced. So, no books are going into my bag. Pictures? For the most part family pictures are on my phone so I can reprint them if needed. The phone, of course, is definitely coming with me. But my motherin-law did put together two books with pictures of my children as babies and toddlers along with quotes of theirs from that time she faithfully took notes on over the years. (Lucky me, who does that?!!) They’re not replaceable, and going into the bag. Here’s a weird one. My landline phone. I don’t ever use it. Only CVS calls it these days. But on the answering machine are a few messages from my mom, the only recordings I have of her voice, so it goes into the bag. Laptop? Yup. Can’t function without it. Though I know everything is stored in a Cloud somewhere, I don’t know where the Cloud itself is stored so into the bag with you, Mac Pro 15. Oh, and all the requisite plugs and chargers. While I can’t take the china closet, there are a few pieces in there I’d grab — the crystal bowls for cranberry sauce, olives and cream cheese-filled celery sticks, childhood Thanksgiving traditions all. The seder plate we use on Passover, and the shabbat candlesticks and challah plate along with the kiddush cup David used at his bar mitzvah. The glasses we toasted with on our wedding day, along with the cake cutter, too. Anything in the basement? The glittery snowflake we use as a Christmas tree topper. It’s coming. What about the Thomas the Tank Engine set, box full of Barbies and American Girl dolls I set aside for future grandchildren? Sigh, they don’t fit in the bag. In fact, for having chosen so few items, my bag is full. Is there a theme to what I’ve chosen? There’s not a lot that’s truly valuable, beyond the sentiment. And maybe that’s the point. If your loved ones are already safe and secure, what else matters but bringing along items evoking the memories you’ve made together or want to pass on? What’s in your go-bag? Drop us a note at info@ marbleheadcurrent.org. Virginia Buckingham is the president of the Marblehead Current’s board of directors. Her column appears weekly.
ASK LIZZIE
How to avoid those morning meltdowns BY LIZZIE ASSA
The Current is proud to welcome columnist Lizzie Assa, founder of The Workspace for Children, a parenting strategist, play expert and mother of three who lives in Marblehead. Send your questions to Lizzie at AskLizzie@ marbleheadnews.org. Dear Lizzie, I’m having a hard time getting my elementary schooler out the door in the morning. She’s always saying that she doesn’t want to go to school. How do I make this less painful for everyone? Dear reader, I write this to you after a morning that left me feeling like I’d lived a thousand hours… My kids have a hard time going to school sometimes, too. You are not alone in the struggle. Each morning, there are kids across Marblehead refusing to get out of bed, not wanting to get dressed, crying, begging and negotiating to just let them stay home. It’s frustrating, and stressful and can make you feel like a failure. But having a child who struggles in the morning usually does not mean something is wrong at school or in your parenting. When children struggle with daily routines, I tap into my parenting strategist mindset. Let’s analyze what’s really going on for our kids and explore strategies to
guide them through these challenges. Think about it from your child’s perspective. Home is comfortable, safe and filled with your loving attention. School requires navigating complex social dynamics, noise, schedules and demands from teachers. Of course kids will crave staying in their cozy cocoon! The goal here is to support them in getting to school. Validate their feelings and set the limit that they are going to school. Trying saying things like: “You wish you could stay home today and instead, you have to go to school. I hear you. I wish I could stay home all day and cuddle with you too!” “Today is a school day. It is okay to cry while you get ready. Sometimes I feel like whining and crying in the morning too.” (Something magical happens when you stop resisting their urge to cry. Welcome it, allow space for it. They’ll move through it much faster.) LIZZIE, P. A7
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COFFIN CONTROVERSY
Select Board chair to School Committee: Honor your commitments ERIN NOONAN, SELECT BOARD CHAIR
Dear members of the School Committee, I am writing to address a few concerning statements made during your last meeting and in conversation with Chair Sarah Fox regarding the former Coffin School. I would like to share information about the town’s potential uses for the property, correct misinformation that has been shared and remind you of the commitment and representations made by school officials and volunteers on behalf of the School Department in securing the funding for the construction of the Brown elementary school.
Town needs and potential future use As you may be aware, the town has developed a strategic Housing Production Plan to address the lack of diverse housing options in town as well as to increase our affordable housing units. The Select Board created the Housing Production Plan Implementation Committee to undertake the work of implementing the strategies and action items laid out in the HPP. Former superintendent John Buckey was a member of the HPPIC up until his departure. Since the schools have been decommissioned, the Coffin and Eveleth properties are two locations identified by the HPP as possible sites for development of diverse housing options to meet the needs of Marblehead’s rapidly aging population. Once the Brown School opened, town government, including former School Committee members, and residents expected that the School Department would shortly thereafter follow the required process for transfer of the Coffin property by returning it to the town as it no longer serves any educational purpose. This is the same process that was undertaken in a timely fashion after the closure of the Gerry School. The transfer of Coffin was
put on hold after the Abbot Library trustees expressed interest in using the building for transitional space during the library renovations; however, the Coffin property was unable to be used as a transitional space, and the building is currently unused by the School Department. As we know, the building on the Coffin site has only deteriorated and is depreciating in value the longer it remains unaddressed. Buckey, in his role as a member of the HPPIC, was aware that the most efficient process would be for the School Committee to formally vote on the matter early this fall so that the town planner could put out requests for proposals from developers for potential future use of the site. He reported to the HPPIC that the School Committee would take the matter up either at its summer retreat or shortly thereafter. The timeframe was deliberate so that proposals for future use could be received, go through a public review/engagement process and ultimately be considered by voters for their determination of the best town use of the property at the 2024 Town Meeting. In response to a recent email request for an update on the plans, Chair Sarah Fox responded that it would “be an agenda item on the facilities subcommittee and School Committee this year.” Just days later, the idea of the School Committee itself taking on the demolition of the building was discussed at your Sept. 21 meeting. Use of taxpayer money to demolish the building is financially irresponsible Along with many others, I was surprised to learn that the School Committee had obtained an appraisal for demolition costs without any conversation with other town officials. Demolition cost is expected by town officials to be at least $750,000 and likely as much as $1 million based on informal estimates by industry
experts. Hopefully, this appraisal does not come at much cost from the School Department budget. I want to correct a false assumption that was stated at your Sept. 21 meeting: that the property is more valuable with the building demolished. This is categorically untrue for a number of reasons. First, substantial value to a developer lies in the pre-existing status of the structure of the main building. Once the building is demolished, it is exceedingly unlikely that a new construction would be permitted of the same scale — size and height — as it currently exists. Second, it is less expensive for a developer to renovate an existing building than it is to construct a new building. Third, renovating the existing school building would entitle the developer to significant state and federal historic tax credits. Finally, the feedback from an early visioning session conducted by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council revealed that the neighbors and other participants “have a strong desire to see the existing structure preserved and no new buildings on the site.” The building sits on three acres, and resident feedback included a strong desire to see the proposals incorporate a small park, community gardens or other type of open space for the use of town residents. It would be financially irresponsible to expend taxpayer resources to demolish the building because it would actually depreciate the value to potential developers. Developers regularly absorb the cost of remediation/reconstruction into projects, just as was done with the Gerry School. As in the redevelopment of the Gerry School building, the town is able to preserve the historical aspect of the building and its relationship to the neighborhood. The town would not spend any taxpayer money
but rather receive dividends on the project in the form of purchase price and increased property tax revenues every year — which benefit our school system.
School Committee representations to the town As you know, the Bell-CoffinGerry Building Committee/ Massachusetts School Building Authority process culminated in the $42 million debt exclusion override proposal to voters in 2019. School Committee and Building Committee members communicated across town that the new school would complete the 20-year master plan for school buildings needs and that the Brown School would be the last major school construction project in Marblehead for the next 50 years. Three of the current members of your committee were a part of the multi-year planning process and town-wide campaign that centered around the Brown School completing the school building needs of our district. Last week during a budget planning meeting at Abbot Hall, Sarah Fox stated that she did not believe this School Committee would agree to transfer the property back to the town and remarked that the Brown School is “at capacity” already. This was quite shocking to hear on many levels. The immediate solution to any spacing issues at the Brown School is a simple redistricting next year to balance out with the under-enrolled classrooms at the Glover School. This was always anticipated as necessary upon the opening of Brown, but not immediately palatable to families that experienced the transition from Bell/Coffin/Gerry to Brown. Moreover, the Brown building was designed for expansion of up to eight classrooms that would support an additional 180 students. In addition, the Village School easily absorbed an entire
combined third grade during the transition period, and it is well known that the Village School has expansion potential should it be needed.We all know it is a significant challenge to fund maintenance on our existing school buildings. Given those ongoing expenses, it is unimaginable that the town would support the construction of an unnecessary new building for school purposes at the Coffin site. As I’m sure you are aware, the cost of construction for the new elementary school building in Swampscott is $98 million. To the extent the School Department ever makes a future determination that additional capacity is needed, the most fiscally responsible and educationally sound solution will most certainly be expansion of classroom capacity in our existing school buildings. If this School Committee is to renege on the promise to voters about our school building needs, it will imperil the goodwill and trust of taxpayers and the credibility of town government. It will come at the expense of not only any capital project from future school committees, but also those of other town departments. It is time for the School Committee to honor its commitments to the town that voted overwhelmingly in support of the construction of the $54 million Brown School, the doors of which just opened two years ago. Should you wish to discuss the matter further with the Select Board or learn more about the anticipated process to transfer the land, we could hold a joint meeting. Alternatively, the Select Board or the HPPIC could invite members of your committee and administrative staff to appear at a meeting. The town planner, town administrator and myself would also be happy to attend a meeting of your committee to further discuss. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
FOOD 101
Easier than apple pie BY LINDA BASSETT
Some things in life are as easy as apple pie. Not always. My crusts crumble; my apples dissolve into mush under them. When pie is called for, I substitute a crumble or crisp. Pie-baking belongs to cooks talented in that area. Marblehead’s Jimmy Rigo is known to nourish a neighborhood with his homemade pies. He will bake the occasional blueberry pie in
deep summer, but apple is his specialty. When Jim takes a pie out of the oven, his wife Anna alerts the neighbors, setting a table with newly acquired porcelain dessert plates and coffee cups. The party is on! Recently, Jim walked me through his secret recipe for perfect filling. » For a single pie his formula is 10 apples to a pie: 8 fuji apples and 2 Granny Smith. After much experimentation, he’s landed on this combination. Each cut into ½-inch cubes and tossed with 1-3/4 cups sugar. » He sifts 2 tablespoons each of flour and cornstarch over the
apples (use a small fine mesh colander) and “a teaspoon, or maybe a little more, cinnamon to flavor it.” Roll out and line the bottom of a pie plate with crust and pour this in. » Jim says, “I throw small cubes of butter over the apples then cover them with the top `crust. I brush some light cream onto the crust and sprinkle it with granulated sugar.” » The pie goes into a preheated 425 F oven. “After 20 minutes, I cover the pie with aluminum foil, so the crust doesn’t burn. Then bake it about 40 minutes longer. Make sure to check it a little before finish time so it doesn’t
But not all apples are meant for pie. Some exist to be crunched out of hand. Others tossed in a salad or melded with vegetables. One of the nicest things about autumn cooking is putting something in the oven, setting the timer and walking away to do something else. Maybe reading a book or going for a brisk walk. Or raking leaves? Don’t waste this “stolen” time! Most root vegetables lend themselves to slow oven cooking — potatoes, carrots, turnips, etc. Butternut
Lizzie
transition: Send an email to the teacher. Let her know that your child had a hard morning. Talk to your child the night before school and make a plan. “This morning it was so hard to go to school. You cried and you didn’t want to get dressed.
How did you start to feel better? Let’s make a plan for tomorrow morning.” Do everything you can do the night before. This will reduce decision fatigue in the morning for both you and your child. You will feel more patient and able to ride the wave of your
child’s emotions when you aren’t running around looking for shoes and keys! Keep your eye on the goal of getting to school. Make getting ready easy on the hard days. A little goes a long way. As parents, it’s our job to empathize with their wishes while also holding
From P. A6 “You know how to get dressed all by yourself, but today feels hard, so I’ll help you! What goes first, shorts or your sweatshirt?” Other ways to support your child with the home-to-school
burn. When it looks good and golden brown, it’s ready!”
squash, once daunting because it involved heavy-duty sawing through a dense shell, is now available already peeled and cut at the supermarket. Not just a once-a-year holiday thing anymore. If you still want the real deal — a whole squash — head to the farmers’ market and choose one with a touch of earth still clinging to its skin. Now partner that gourd with newly picked apples. Baked together, butternut and apples are the perfect blend of autumn flavors. Try a “deconstructed” version of the pairing by cutting FOOD 101, P. A8
the boundary. Be gentle with yourself. Acknowledge your own feelings of guilt or anxiety when your child doesn’t want to go to school. All parents deal with this at times. Don’t let it shake your confidence. You got this! Lizzie
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Food 101 From P. A7
up the ingredients, spreading on a sheet pan, tossing with butter and oil, and roasting. But I find it’s easier to get kids to eat squash when it melds with apples in the cooking. I’ve culled a few easy hints that work for cooking with apples not headed for pie. First, always toss with fresh lemon juice to keep them from discoloring. Ideally, fresh juice is best, but a good bottled brand is available (as well as lime juice) on grocery shelves. Read labels for pure juice, and stay away from green plastic bottles. Ground pepper from a shaker has all the appeal
of pencil shavings. Whole peppercorns, ground on the spot add a warm aroma and flavor. (The difference is surprising.) And there are so many great-looking peppermills! Whole nutmegs were another surprise when I first tried them. A few scrapes on a handgrater makes an extreme difference. When I see raisins in a recipe, I upgrade to “golden raisins.” Green grapes seem to plump up more sweetly than red ones. Save the dark raisins for the kids to add to celery spread with cream cheese for “ants on a log.” Bottled dressing tastes of chemicals and wastes money. Some years ago, at a kitchen demo, Julia Child elevated a
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Jim Rigo’s famous apple pie
2024 Marblehead Calendar A great gi for a Current or former ‘Header
simple vinaigrette with hints of Dijon mustard and maple syrup (use the real thing). Note: I’m not dissing specialty salads like the Caesar or the blue cheese wedge. I love both. APPLE SALAD WITH JULIA’S MAPLEMUSTAR D DRESSING Makes about 8 servings. For Julia’s dressing, whisk together these ingredients: ` ½ cup 100% olive oil ` 1 tablespoon real maple syrup ` 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard ` 1 tablespoon lemon juice ` ½ teaspoon salt ` ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the salad: ` 3 red skinned apples, e.g. Cortland, McIntosh ` 1 tablespoon lemon juice ` 4 cups mixed baby lettuces ` 1 very small red onion,
halved, and thinly sliced ` ½ cup chopped walnuts
Core apples; do not peel. Cut into ¼-inch thick slices. Toss in a medium bowl with lemon juice. Add lettuce and onion. Whisk dressing once more and pour over the mixture. Toss everything gently to combine. Sprinkle with walnuts over the top BAKED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND APPLES Makes about 8 servings. Tart green apples are key here. The mealier sweet ones will just melt away. ` ½ a medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into ¼-inch slices ` 1-1/2 pounds tart green apples (e.g. Granny Smith) ` ½ cup golden raisins ` Grated nutmeg, to taste ` Salt, freshly ground black pepper, to taste ` ½ cup real maple syrup ` 3 tablespoons unsalted
butter, cut-up ` 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Place a rack at the center of the oven; preheat to 350 F degrees. Parboil squash in a large pot of water, about 3 minutes. Drain. Combine squash, apples and raisins in a 13x9-inch glass baking dish. Season with nutmeg, salt, pepper. Stir together maple syrup, butter and lemon juice in saucepan over low heat, whisking until butter melts. Pour this syrup over the squash mixture to coat. Bake, uncovered, until squash and apples are very tender, about 1 hour. Cool for 5 minutes, before serving. Linda Bassett, a Marblehead resident, has worked as a cook, trained upcoming chefs, studied food history and led food tours. Her book,“From Apple Pie to Pad Thai,” is about local cooks and cooking.
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Sports
ALSO IN THIS SECTION AROUND THE COMMUNITY Government | Education | Police Library | Obituaries | Religion Senior News | Business
MARBLEHEAD SOFTBALL LEAGUE
Maddie’s Sail Loft hoists historic trophy BY MICHAEL MCCARTHY In 1939, Percy L. Martin, supervisor of the local Works Progress Administration for recreational projects, scheduled an exhibition softball game in Marblehead between General Electric and a high-grade team. The exhibition was scheduled to gauge interest by residents while the WPA considered investing in the creation of a softball league.Interest in the exhibition was high, and as a result additional games were played throughout that summer of 1939 , marking the inception of the Marblehead Softball League. In the years that followed, the YMCA would take on the responsibility of organizing the league, inviting local fraternal and social organizations to participate. Marblehead’s police, fire and highway departments, town officials, the post office, Osbourne’s, Clippers, General Grants and Market Square all fielded teams. Lists of the Marblehead Softball League’s teams read like a chain of local businesses and establishments of today and yesteryear. Fast forward 85 years, and the Marblehead Softball League has about 120 men playing each summer on eight teams and claims to be the “longest standing adult softball league in the world.” The league’s long history also boasts the involvement of a single team playing for 50 seasons, spinoff Sunday leagues, softball weekends, charity tournaments, dynasties (and perennial losers), fierce rivalries, travel all-star teams, fast-pitch and metal-bat eras, countless legacy players and many on-field parent-child combinations.
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Members of the Maddie’s team celebrate the two-game sweep of top-seeded Breaking Balls in the finals, which allowed them to claim the 2023 Marblehead Softball League championship. The same squad won seven consecutive championships from 2012 to 2018 while sponsored by the Gerry 5.
The regular season starts in May and ends in August with all of the 2023 participating teams seeded for the playoffs. This year’s playoff seeds were as follows: » Breaking Balls » Maddie’s » SWI Sox » Epstein Masonry’s Rockheads » Kappy’s Liquors » Casale Law Office’s Esquires » Sidelines » Cannabis Kove Dispensary Round 1 play-in games » Kappy’s Liquors defeated Cove in a mercy fashion. » Down by two runs entering the bottom of the seventh, Sidelines put runners on first
and third with no outs but only scored once, so the Esquires squeezed out a 18-17 win to advance. » In Round 2, the Esquires narrowly escaped slaughter but couldn’t get the bats going and lost to the SWI Sox, 14-3. Round 2 play-in games » The SWI Sox rolled through the Esquires, and the Rockheads ran around Kappy’s to move to the semifinals. » Best-of-three semifinals » Riddled with injury, the SWI Sox and were put away by Maddie’s in two games. » The Rockheads never got the bats going and were quickly ousted by Breaking
Balls in 2 games. Best-of-three finals Chad Osbourne of Maddie’s utilized all of the tips he learned about pitching from the late Reggie Hartley to shut down Breaking Balls, 10-7 in Game 1 and 10-1 in Game 2. Prior to gaining sponsorship from Maddie’s Sail Loft the team won seven consecutive seasons — 2012 through 2018 — while sponsored by the Gerry 5. And yes, Chad is of direct lineage to the Osbourne’s team from the 1940s and Osbourne’s Petunias from the 1970s. Numbers retired In June, the League gathered to retire the numbers of
league-mates Reggie Hartley (12) and Jeff Scogland (44) who each passed away in the summer of 2022. The numbers were permanently installed on the shed at Green Street. Hartley was 80 years old when he retired from playing in 2021 and had played in the league for 65 years. He was recently the pitcher for the Gerry 5 teams that had won seven straight championships. Scogland played on the SWI Sox for 20 years, and his great play was only overshadowed by being the nicest guy in the league and everyone’s favorite opponent. There wasn’t a dry eye in attendance that evening. Annual awards banquet The Marblehead Softball League will host its annual awards banquet at the Gerry 5 on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. The banquet is open to all current and past players, and we would love to have you come down and share some stories from your days playing at Green Street. If you want to keep up with the Marblehead Softball League, you can join our Facebook group by searching “Green Street Softball.” If you would like to attend the banquet, please RSVP to Greenstreetsoftball@gmail. com. Michael McCarthy has played in the Marblehead Softball League for 20 years and currently manages and serves as a utility player for Epstein Masonry’s Rockheads, which was formerly sponsored by Three Cod Tavern and Edward Jones. In response to the Current’s inquiry, he states that Peter Jaffe is the league commissioner and jokes that he serves the league as its “historian, unofficial general manager and head of the players’ association.”
MHS BOYS SOCCER
Magicians snap three-game losing streak BY JOE MCCONNELL The Marblehead High boys soccer team (3-5-3) began a new month against the resilient, disciplined Waltham Hawks (1-81) on Oct. 2 at Piper Field. But they were able to hang on to beat the visitors, 2-0, to snap their three-game losing streak. The record might not show it, but Waltham, a Division 1 team, has had to deal with a formidable slate of scheduled opponents, including top seed ConcordCarlisle, Lowell and Boston Latin. Early on against the Magicians, it was clear that Waltham was not going to go away easily. The Hawks were keeping the ball on the ground through midfield frequently changing the point of attack. They were also spacing well, and shifting the pressure laterally from line to line. On the other side of the pitch, the Magicians largely kept them outside the 18, while conjuring up some offense throughout the first half, but several offside calls prevented them from getting any close-in opportunities. But in the second half, Marblehead capitalized on a memorable play by Bubacar Jallow, who, while surrounded by a sea of Waltham jerseys, managed to force the ball left to
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Marblehead High boys soccer midfielder Luke Miller battles a Waltham defender before firing a shot on net during the Oct. 2 game.
midfielder Luke Miller, who took a shot that was blocked by the Waltham keeper. However, the ball ricocheted to the outside, and Stefan Shepherd retrieved it, but his shot was also blocked. The ball eventually found the back of the net off the foot of forward James Achterhof that gave his teammates a 1-0 lead. Later in the second half, with the outcome still in question,
fullback Colin White capitalized on a deflected ball high in the box. He struck it with his opposite foot, putting it nicely past the diving Waltham goalie’s outstretched hands to account for the allimportant insurance marker. Two days later, Marblehead took on the Salem Witches at Bertram Field. The visitors operated with precision
from the start, and within minutes penetrated the Salem defensive front. Less than three minutes into the game, Ilan Druker hit a volley near the left post that went just slightly wide after taking a beautiful cross from Jack Burke, who has excelled in setting up scoring opportunities all season long. He has also been a scoring
threat from anywhere in the opponent’s defensive third of the pitch. Unfortunately, the early surge represented much of Marblehead’s attack against Salem. As the game progressed, the Marblehead boys were unable to sustain possession for long periods, and runs were quickly neutralized once the red and black crossed into the goalie box. To its credit, Salem knew that one mistake by the Magicians could turn the game around, and as a result they did not let up. However, neither defense broke. The game was largely played between the 18s, and with few exceptions neither goalie was significantly tested. The game ended in a scoreless tie, leaving the Magicians questioning how to better execute their offensive game plan as the stakes increase during the stretch run of the regular season. Moving into the final four weeks of the regular season, they will need to throttle up the attack, with rematches coming up against Beverly, Masco, Danvers and Peabody. The Panthers were first up on Oct. 9 after press deadline. The Falcons come to Piper Oct. 11 for a 4 p.m. game.
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MHS SPORTS ROUNDUP
Girls soccer evens record with win BY JOE MCCONNELL The Marblehead High girls soccer team (4-4-1) played non-league Weston to a scoreless tie on Oct. 2. “Although we outshot them, 14-6, goalie Kate Burns still came up with three big saves for us to keep (Weston) off the scoreboard,” said first-year coach Lisa Wales. “It was a very competitive match. “I’m happy with the way we moved the ball that created more scoring opportunities,” added Wales. First-year varsity player Ainsley McDonald did a terrific job on defense, according to the coach, while Talia Selby, Sydney Ball, Sadie Halpern and Grace and Ashley Mortensen also played well. The Magicians then took on Salem two days later, and were able to shut down their Northeastern Conference (NEC) rivals, 3-0. The victory evened Marblehead’s record at 4-4-1. Ashley Mortensen, Ava Machado and Halpern were credited with the goals, while goalie Rachael Alpert only had to come up with one save to help secure the shutout. The Marblehead girls have since gone up against Beverly on Tuesday, Oct. 10 after press deadline. Following that game, they will travel to Danvers on Oct. 11 to face the host Falcons, starting at 5:30 p.m. They will then return home to go up against non-league Manchester Essex on Friday, Oct. 13, beginning at 4:30 p.m. to close out the week.
Volleyball team takes two
The Marblehead High volleyball team (6-5) defeated Beverly in three games, 25-11, 25-16, 25-9 on Oct 2. Lila Moniz collected seven kills, while Maddie Cole tacked on three more to help lead the attack against the Panthers. Remington Tilkens was credited with six aces. Eva Burke and Reese Friedman combined for 12 assists. The Magicians then experienced similar results two days later against Salem, beating the Witches in three games, 25-23, 25-17, 25-13. Megan Parkman collected many aces and 11 digs to spark her teammates. Alyssa Gentile chipped in with six more digs.
against Masconomet and Danvers in a NEC tri-meet.
O’Connell remains undefeated in dual meets
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Marblehead High girls cross-country runners Jesslyn Roemer (left) and Marri O’Connell are shown together after finishing one, two against Winthrop last week. O’Connell remained undefeated in dual meets with a first-place finish, while Roemer ended up second.
Offensively, Moniz and Cole were credited with eight kills apiece. The locals then dropped a match to a solid Haverhill team in three games, 25-15, 25-18, 25-6 to close out last week on Oct. 5. Moniz came up with six kills against the Hillies. Cole was close behind with five. Burke and Friedman combined for 12 assists. Alyssa Gentile and Sydney Faris led the team in receiving serves. Coach Killeen Miller’s squad has since taken on Peabody on Oct. 10 after press deadline. They will then be at Ipswich to face the non-league Tigers on Thursday, Oct. 12, starting at 5:30 p.m., before coming home to host Danvers the next day at the same time.
Harrier boys remain undefeated after four meets The Marblehead High boys cross-country team (4-0) technically shut out Winthrop, 15-50, but the Vikings only had four runners competing, thus not enough to factor into the final score. The Magicians were led by senior captain Will Cronin, who came out on top. He was followed across the finish line by Isaac Gross, Will Cerrutti, Nate Assa and Xavier Grazado. The Marblehead boys will now travel to Bradley Palmer State Park Oct. 11 to go up
The Marblehead High girls cross-country team (4-0) took down Winthrop by default on Oct. 3, because the Vikings did not have the requisite five runners. They just fielded a team of four runners. Sophomore Marri O’Connell continued her dual meet unbeaten streak with a winning time of 18:42 on the 2.6-mile Winthrop course. Impressive freshman Jesslyn Roemer (18:44) came in second. Winthrop then took the next three spots, but Marblehead’s depth was back on display after picking up places sixth through nine. They were led by Willow Waddington (21:50), another impressive freshman, who finished sixth overall. The Marblehead girls will participate in an all-important NEC tri-meet against Masconomet and Danvers Oct. 11 at Bradley Palmer State Park, starting at 4 p.m. Golfers win two more matches The Marblehead High golfers (10-1) defeated rival Swampscott going away, 47-25 to win the annual Tedesco Cup on Oct. 3. A total of seven Magicians won their own individual matches. Charlie Grenier (5-4, shooting 38), Simon Quicken (7.5-1.5, 33), Marty Ryan (5.53.5, 37), Jacob Hershfield (6-3, 37), James Bickell (5.5-3.5, 38), Matt Mahan (7.5-1.5, 37) and Toby Grenier (6-3, 43). Quicken (1 under par 33) had the lowest score to earn the medalist of the day. Six of his teammates shot 38 or better. The Magicians then defeated Saugus, 66-6 at King Rail in Lynnfield the very next day. Charlie Grenier (8.5-.5, 34), Simon Quicken (8-1, 38), Marty Ryan (7.5-1.5, 35), Jacob Hershfield (9-0, 37), James Bickell (8-1, 36), Adrian Baron (7-2, 39), Matt Mahan (9-0, 42) and Toby Grenier (9-0, 41) won their matches against the Sachems. Charlie Grenier, shooting an even par 34, was the medalist of the day. The Magicians will go up against host Salem Oct. 11. They will then head back home to Tedesco to host Masco the next day. Both matches will begin at 4 p.m.
MHS VARSITY SPORTS SCHEDULE Wednesday, Oct. 11 4 p.m., girls and boys cross country, vs. multiple schools, at Bradley Palmer State Park 4 p.m., golf, vs. Salem, at Olde Salem Greens 4 p.m., boys soccer, vs. Danvers, at Piper Field 5:30 p.m., girls soccer, vs. Danvers, at Danvers High 6:30 p.m., field hockey, vs. Gloucester, at Piper Field Thursday, Oct. 12 4 p.m., golf, vs. Masconomet, at Tedesco Country Club 5:30 p.m., volleyball, vs. Ipswich, at Ipswich High Friday, Oct. 13 TBD, boys and girls cross country, Twilight Meet-Cape Cod, at Cape Cod Fairgrounds 4 p.m., unified basketball, vs. Swampscott, at Swampscott High 4:30 p.m., girls soccer, vs. Manchester-Essex, at Piper Field 5:30 p.m., volleyball, vs. Danvers, at Marblehead High gym Saturday, Oct. 14 1 p.m., football, vs. Beverly, at Hurd Stadium, Beverly Monday, Oct. 16 7 p.m., field hockey, vs. Masconomet, at Piper Field Tuesday, Oct. 17 3:30 p.m., golf, vs. St. Mary’s, Lynn, at Tedesco Country Club 4:30 p.m., girls soccer, vs. Gloucester, at Gloucester High 4:30 p.m., boys soccer, vs. Gloucester, at Piper Field 4:30 p.m., unified basketball, vs. Saugus, at Saugus High Wednesday, Oct. 18 3:30 p.m., golf, vs. Winthrop, at Tedesco Country Club 4 p.m., boys and girls cross country, vs. Peabody, at Peabody Veterans Memorial High 4:30 p.m., field hockey, vs. Swampscott, at Piper Field 5:30 p.m., volleyball, vs. Masconomet, at Marblehead High gym
BIG WIN
MHS football gets on track against Masco BY JOE MCCONNELL Marblehead High football coach Jim Rudloff remained optimistic throughout the fourgame losing streak to start the season by looking ahead to his team’s divisional slate of games in the Dunn Division of the Northeastern Conference beginning in October. He knew they still had time to correct their mistakes, while getting healthy at the same time to keep all of their preseason goals intact. Last Friday night, those words came into fruition after his Magicians (1-4) literally shutdown the Chieftains (1-3) in Boxford, 20-0. Masco’s offense was practically stymied by the visitors, as it managed only four first downs in the game. Masco got its only win the previous week against the Panthers, which is Marblehead’s next opponent coming up on Saturday, Oct. 14, in Beverly at 1 p.m. “We are as healthy as we have been since before week 1,” said Rudloff. “We’ve dealt with sickness and injury, but that happens to every team, and you play with what you have. “Injury-wise, we’re still not 100%. We don’t know who we have until we start practicing again [this] week,” added Rudloff. Sophomore Finn Gallup and junior Colt Wales once again split the job at quarterback, and Gallup got his teammates on the board first with a four-yard run to the endzone in the second quarter. Gallup then showed off his arm on the team’s next offensive
COURTESY PHOTO / EYAL OREN
Marblehead senior captain Andy Palmer is shown reaching over the goal line to account for one of his two touchdowns during last Friday night’s Masco game. The Magicians went on to secure their first win of the season, 20-0.
Marblehead senior running back Cam Waldman is shown splitting the Masco defense to gain additional yards during last Friday night’s game.
drive, when he hooked up with captain Andy Palmer for a 32-yard scoring strike, his first of two touchdown receptions in the game. Sure-footed Greg Motorny booted the extra point
through the uprights to give his teammates a 13-0 lead at halftime. “Our two quarterbacks [Gallup and Wales] continue to improve their command of the offense,”
said the veteran Marblehead coach. “Everyday they’re a little bit better, and that’s all we can ask.” Palmer was on the receiving end of a Wales touchdown pass in the third quarter from 22 yards out, followed by Motorny’s extra point to account for the eventual final score. It was Palmer’s first game back since the opener against Bishop Fenwick. “Having a player like Andy back gave us a spark,” said Rudloff. “The kids played hard against Masco, and it was nice to come out on top.” Wales carried the ball eight times for 42 yards. Brooks Keefe had seven carries for 39 yards. Brady Selvais picked up 17 yards on seven carries. Gallup was credited with 10 yards on four carries. From the air, Wales completed six passes for 66 yards and one touchdown. Gallup made eight completions for 92 yards and
one touchdown. Palmer caught six passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Commoss also had six receptions for 45 yards. Keefe caught one for 12 yards. Crew Monaco also had one for eight yards. “Ryan Commoss, Brooks Keefe, Chris DeWitt and Palmer played well against Masco,” said Rudloff. “Our entire defense really played their butts off, and my hats off to the offensive line, who have played well, despite being a different group each day for the last few weeks.” After facing host Beverly this Saturday, the Magicians will have two weeks off to prep for visiting Danvers. The game against the Falcons is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 27 at Piper, beginning at 6:30p.m. The Division 4 playoffs will then begin the following week. Before the Masco game, the Magicians were ranked 21 st in the 39-team division. They will surely move up when the updated rankings come out again this week. The top 16 teams from each division make the playoffs, with each winning a minimum of three games. The Magicians must beat Beverly and Danvers to remain in contention for one of those spots. “Moving forward, we’d like to start practicing with a complete team in order to build up some chemistry among the skill position players and also on the line,” said Rudloff. “Beverly has been struggling this year as we have been, as well. They’re a well-coached team, and they play hard. We just have to focus on fixing things up that we’re doing wrong, while also building on the things we’re doing right.”
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OVERSEAS ADVENTURE
Marblehead photographer visits Latvian Song and Dance Festival BY ULRIKE WELSCH
Ulrike Welsch snaps a selfie at Mezaparks in Riga, Latvia.
Dancers form a human chain at a performance at Daugava Stadium in Riga, Latvia.
PHOTO / ULRIKE WELSCH ©
PHOTO / ULRIKE WELSCH ©
While I write this I can still hear the beautiful songs that completely enraptured me during the magical journey that I recently experienced. It all began this spring when deciding where I would go next. Already an avid and experienced world traveler, I like to go to places where I can discover new traditions, art and, of course, music. I had never been to the Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. After I had seen a piece on YouTube and learned that a significant Song and Dance Festival would be held this year in Riga, the capital of Latvia, I knew that I had found my destination! Riga has the status of a UNESCO World Heritage site. In addition, the Latvian Song and Dance Festival has also been on UNESCO’s Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity list since 2008. At first, I had booked only an introductory, three-country tour to get a better feel for this part of Northern Europe. For 10 days I could fast-track important sites between Tallinn, capital of Estonia, and Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, with Riga in Latvia in-between. I also reserved an apartment in Riga for eight nights so that I could attend the Song and Dance Festival there on my own. Purchasing tickets for the concerts was a bit of a challenge, due to the enormous interest, the size of the concerts and, of course, the seven-hour time difference. But I did manage to obtain tickets for
PHOTO / ULRIKE WELSCH ©
Latvia’s Song and Dance Festival started with a flag procession.
six different events which would still give me time to see more of the city, including its art. This year was the 150th anniversary of Latvia’s Song Festival that started in 1873 and is held every five years. The Dance Festival was added in 1948. Even during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1991 the festivals were held, but they were heavily influenced by Soviet ideology. Latvia has a very turbulent history. The song and dance events were performed in varied venues according to the size needed. At the modernized Mezaparks, which is in the midst of a forest, 17,296 singers sang with up to 50,000 concert-goers in the audience at the “finale.” (I only could capture a ticket for the rehearsal with 35,000 audience members). It was a four-hour outdoor concert. What a great feeling it was in-midst of so many people and hearing a choir so powerful and large. It did WELSCH, P. A16
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INNER EXPLORER
‘Calming and refreshing’ New mindfulness program is helping students BY LEIGH BLANDER With childhood anxiety levels at record highs, Marblehead students are experiencing more zen in their school days thanks to Inner Explorer, a mindfulness program funded by the Rotary Club of Marblehead. “I really like it because it is calming and refreshing,” said Penny, a first-grader at the Brown School. One of her favorite Inner Explorer practices is the Shark Fin, a breathing exercise. So far this school year, students in kindergarten through high school have participated in about 500 “mindful minutes,” according to Assistant Superintendent for Learning Julia Ferreira. “We use Inner Explorer daily in our classroom right after lunch as a way to calm down and refocus before starting our academics again,” said Rachel Leavitt, a Brown School teacher. “They have learned the routine well and go to their seats right away when they see the lesson open. They enjoy singing the song at the end. The students are happy after using the app.” A teacher at Veterans Middle School reported using Inner Explorer after lunch to assist students in “resetting” and also doing some guided breathing with student athletes. Inner Explorer launched in 2011 and is now in 3,500 schools around the country. Co-founder
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Assistant Superintendent of Learning Julia Ferreira talks about the benefits of Inner Explorer at the Rotary Club of Marblehead
Laura Bakosh came to speak to the Rotary last month. The program is geared exclusively to schools, with mindfulness practices customized to specific ages. The video and audio exercises are played on classroom smart boards and run five to 10 minutes. “With 10 minutes a day, we can change the trajectory of the lives of children,” Bakosh said. Schools that use Inner Explorer report better attendance and fewer suspensions, according to Bakosh. She shared statistics suggesting a significant,
measurable reduction in stress and anxiety and improvements in behavior and academic achievement among students and schools who use the program. “Kids are more compassionate, kinder and connected to one another,” Bakosh added. Town Moderator Jack Attridge, who was at the Rotary meeting, said he has been using Inner Explorer and seen the results. “I started practicing and it’s amazing. You miss it when you don’t do it,” he said. “It’s a foundational tool we all need in our lives.” The Rotary’s Nancy Archer
Gwin brought Inner Explorer to Marblehead. “We wanted to find a way to
reach as many and help as many children develop a skill set to deal with stress and anxiety,” she said. “As a club of like-minded people, we felt we all share in the responsibility to our kids, to help take care of young people’s mental health and well-being.” Rotary Club of Marblehead is funding the Inner Explorer program for Marblehead schools at the cost of about $18,000 a year. It is holding a 5K for Mental Health on Sunday, Nov. 5, at 11 a.m., to help raise money to keep the program going. Learn more at marbleheadrotary.com.
CURRENT EVENTS
Marblehead’s best bets Oct. 11-18 Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current associate editor/senior reporter Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. —Leigh Blander
Scarecrow Stroll Saturday, Oct. 14, 1-4 p.m.
The annual Scarecrow Stroll will happen at the Gerry Playground on Stramski Way with costumes, trick-ortreating and more. $5 for adults and chidlren.
Organ concert series
Sunday, Oct. 15, 5 p.m.
The first performance in the St. Michael’s Episcopal Church organ concert series features Rosalind Mohnsen, director of music and organist at Immaculate Conception Church of Malden and Medford. There is a suggested donation of $10.
Fall Fair
Saturday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Join Discover Marblehead and Marblehead Museum for the Fourth annual Fall Fair at the Jeremiah Lee Mansion gardens, 161 Washington St. The event will feature local artists, live music by Paul Simonelli, free portraits by Acorn Gallery students, beverages by Bubble Bar and hot dogs by Mad-Dogz. Admission is free.
Poetry salon Thursday, Oct. 19, 2-4 p.m.
The Abbot Public Library Poetry Salon will focus on Malcolm Miller, a poet who lived most of his life in Salem. Rod Kessler, professor emeritus at Salem State University and an expert on Miller, will speak at the program. Miller published 60 books of poetry during his lifetime. The event is at Abbot Public Library, 3 Brook Rd., and is also available on Zoom. Learn more and register at abbotlibrary.org.
Fresh
Now through Nov. 5
Curated by the Marblehead Arts Association’s Youth Art Council, Fresh is an exhibit showcasing the artwork of young, emerging artists. The theme offers a blank canvas, allowing these artists to explore, interpret and reimagine pieces in unique and unexpected ways. The Marblehead Arts Association is located at 8 Hooper St.
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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Marblehead Candle Company:
‘We decided on the spot we were going to go for it’ BY MELISSA STACEY The following is an interview with Amanda McRae, co-owner of Marblehead Candle Company, conducted by Discover Marblehead. In 2020, Amanda and her partner, David Adkins, were inspired by their love of candles and their love of Marblehead to create Marblehead Candle Company. Learn more at marbleheadcandlecompany.com. Tell us about Marblehead Candle Company. Marblehead Candle Company was a pandemic- born business. David and I both came from the restaurant industry, and like so many other people were out of work for quite a while. For many years we had thrown around several business ideas of things we “should do,” all of which never came to fruition. Then one day the idea of Marblehead Candle Company came up in conversation and we both loved the idea so much that we decided on the spot we were going to go for it and see what happened. David and I really love this town and we may have a slight addiction to candles so it felt right to create something that would embrace both. All our candles are hand-poured in small batches at our studio at
128 Washington St. using 100% soy wax and clean fragrance oils, so when you burn one of our candles it’s free of things like carcinogens, mutagens and other toxins. Each scent in our collection was carefully crafted to recreate your favorite memories of life here on the coast. Our vision for Marblehead Candle Company was to create a long lasting, high quality, great smelling candle that people would love but that they could also feel good about burning. What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? Truthfully, I don’t think anyone has ever really given us any business advice. To be fair, we didn’t leave a lot of opportunity for advice to be given when we were in the beginning phases of building the business. Prior to the Marblehead Candle Company
Amanda McRae and David Atkins of Marblehead Candle Company
launch we kept the entire business a secret from everyone, not even our family knew! It wasn’t an easy secret to keep because we were excited about what we were building but we knew if we were to share what we were doing that inevitably we would get a lot of input or advice from people. We already had a clear vision on what we wanted the business to be, that as firsttime business owners we didn’t want to end up confused or overwhelmed or even influenced into changing. So, we did everything behind closed doors until we launched. What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why?
Chandler Hovey Park, aka Marblehead Light, is definitely our favorite spot to spend time in Marblehead. It’s just so peaceful and beautiful there, especially in the summertime. One of our favorite things to do in the summer is get Marblehead House of Pizza and eat picnic dinners there. What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you? Hmmm … something that would surprise people about us...good question. Well, David was a professional surfer in his younger years and as far as I go, that’s a tough one. I’m not sure there’s a lot that would surprise people
about me! If I had to pick one thing, I would say that I’m quite the introvert. I feel like as a business owner when most people interact with me, I am circumstantially extroverted so it would be hard to know otherwise, but at my core I am a total introvert. I guess you could call me an outgoing introvert! The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. Discover Marblehead is dedicated to the promotion of Marblehead. Our mission is to highlight local businesses, tourism, community events and attractions through social media, email marketing and community outreach. To learn more, visitdiscovermhd.com.
Do you visit Dr. Google? What you should know BY STEPHEN BACH While there are reliable sources of medical information online, it should never be a substitute for in-person medical advice and care. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently saw a reduction in funding for addressing online medical misinformation and disinformation. This makes it even more crucial to use caution
when looking up things on “Dr. Google.” Here are some tips on how to get safe (and reliable) medical info online: Look for websites run by reputable organizations. This includes government agencies, medical schools, and large professional or nonprofit organizations. Check the website’s “About Us” page. It should tell you who runs it and what their qualifications are. If you can’t find those details, the website may not be trustworthy. Make sure the websites you visit are up-to-date as medical
info changes rapidly. Check the website’s copyright date or “last updated” date to see how current it is. Be VERY wary of websites that sell products or services. They may be biased and not completely objective in how they
present information. Be VERY skeptical of websites that make miracle claims. If they’ve got a cure for all diseases or a way to lose weight overnight, it’s probably a scam. Finally, if you have any questions or concerns about the information you’re finding online, be sure to talk to your doctor. Here are some examples of reliable websites for finding medical information: » MedlinePlus.gov » National Institutes of Health (NIH) » Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
» Mayo Clinic » Cleveland Clinic » American Medical Association
(AMA) However, no website can provide a personalized diagnosis or treatment plan. If you have any health concerns, a trip to the doctor is still your best bet. And, if you have any computer health concerns, be sure to contact your computer professional! Neighbors/ friends/spouses are great, don’t get me wrong, but computer professionals often repair what they “fixed.” Stephen Bach is the owner of The Digital Docs in Marblehead.
HOOKED NUTRITION
New drink shop to offer student happy hours, Teacher Tuesdays, First Responder Fridays BY BENJI BOYD
CURRENT PHOTO / BENJI BOYD
Hooked Nutrition owner Marinda Robtoy sits outside her new shop on Pleasant Street with her son.
One of Marblehead’s newest businesses, Hooked Nutrition opened its doors just about three weeks ago, serving heathy smoothies, teas and coffees. “I’ve always looked at Marblehead as a healthy, active community,” said owner Marinda Robtoy. “I just really felt like Hooked would be a great addition to the town.” Robtoy lives in Marblehead and in addition to Hooked at 126 Pleasant St., she owns Nautical Nutrition in Salem. The pandemic spurred Robtoy to find a purpose that could fit both her passion for nutrition and her role as a new mother. “I really wanted to create something where I could be a mom, help support my family and provide the community with something great,” she told the Current. Since then, Robtoy has
collaborated with other nutrition-minded business owners and developed her business into something more than a drink shop. Having been in the health and wellness industry for over a decade, Robtoy’s goal is to provide “fun, positive education on what should be going into your body.” She is always looking for people interested in the health field, and walk-ins are more than welcome in Hooked Nutrition to receive personal wellness advice and coaching. To appeal to the community at large, Robtoy is very active on Instagram with the handle hooked.nutrition. To attract younger crowds, she plans to offer a student happy hour from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. every weekday when students can buy drinks at reduced prices. Hooked Nutrition’s calendar also includes Teacher
Tuesdays, offering discounts to anyone employed by the school system, and First Responder Friday. As for the menu, the extensive flavors on offer are customizable, and new combinations are always being made. Robtoy has built up her inventory of flavors over the years by simple mixing and matching, as well as collaborating with other business owners. “We just have fun with it,” she said. Special offers may be put on the menu for new seasons or upcoming holidays, such as the Magician’s Tea in honor of the Marblehead High sports season. Robtoy also offers allergy accommodations and vegan options. So far, Robtoy sees Marblehead as a great place to grow her business and settle her family. “We’re just really looking to be a part of the community.”
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OBITUARIES
Nancy Q. Collins, 96 Nancy Q. Collins, age 96, of Marblehead died peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 3, surrounded by family members. Nancy was born in Joliet, Illinois, May 25, 1927, to Helen (Schaller) and Mark Quinn and was the second of four children. From a young age, Nancy lived by William Shakespeare’s adage “all the world’s a stage” and carried it forward her entire life with her vivacious personality, individual style and acting skills. She attended Catholic elementary and high schools and was a proud graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University, another Catholic institution, where she appeared in a variety of stage productions.
Youth Theater, a renowned professional children’s theater still in existence today. Nancy and the rest of the Collins family moved to Marblehead in the 1970s when Dick joined The Boston Globe promotion department and knew they had arrived in their forever home. Nancy embraced the town, and it embraced her back. She never missed an opportunity to take visitors on a tour of Marblehead –– in her later years in her Buick Sebring convertible –– pointing out its specialness. She was a member of the Marblehead Historical Commission, headed at the time by Dick, and a member of the Council on Aging’s board of directors, another role she relished. Nancy and Dick reinvigorated the Marblehead Society of St. Vincent de Paul at Our Lady Star of the Sea.
Her outgoing personality made it easy to make friends, some lifelong, wherever she went. She was welcomed into the Friday Lunch Bunch at The Three Cod and regularly had tea after daily Mass with another set of friends. More than anything, she loved performing and was a proud actor with the Marblehead Little Theatre company and other theater companies on the North Shore. Her prized role was playing the queen in “My Fair Lady,” her favorite musical. She is survived by three of her children, Nanette (Anthony Jachyra), Marietta (Roger Cowles) and Mark Collins and her daughter Adrienne’s widower, Peter Nieman; her grandchildren, Andrew (Katie) and Heather Nieman, Evan and Bella Cowles, Joey Roy and Peyton Collins; and greatgrandchild, Axel Nieman. Her
brother, Mark Quinn, and several nieces and nephews also survive her. Visiting hours were held for Nancy on Sunday, Oct. 8 at Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead, 142 Elm St. A lifelong and devoted Catholic, Nancy’s life was celebrated at her funeral Mass on Monday, Oct. 9 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead. Burial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the St. Vincent De Paul Society for those in Marblehead who need assistance or, during the Breast Cancer Awareness Month of October, to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fund. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Collins family may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com.
Jean Marie Hagberg, 78, formerly of Marblehead and Nahant, passed away peacefully on Oct. 2. She was born on January 27, 1945. Jean was a beloved mother and grandmother, and a friend to many. Jean dedicated her life to helping others as a nurse at
Shriners Children’s Burn Center and Boston Children’s Hospital. Her compassionate and caring nature touched the lives of countless patients and their families. Outside of her career, Jean had a zest for life. She was known for her fun-loving and energetic personality. Jean had a passion for photography, capturing beautiful moments in time. She also had a deep love for animals and spent time volunteering at local shelters. Gardening was
another one of her hobbies, nurturing vibrant flowers and creating a serene oasis in her backyard. Above all else, Jean loved spending time with her friends. Jean is survived by her son, Jason (Shenyce) Hagberg; and her cherished grandchildren, Wes, Noah, Jameson and Eloise. She was preceded in death by her five brothers and sisters. Jean’s light will continue to shine through the memories and lives she touched. She will be
deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. May she rest in eternal peace. Services for Jean will be held privately, honoring her life and legacy. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jean’s memory may be made to Marblehead Animal Shelter via marblehead-animalshelter.org. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Hagberg family may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com.
a successful woman and seeing her beloved grandchildren start their lives. Janice was born and raised on Long Island, New York, the youngest daughter of the late
George and Madeline (née McCarthy) Perney. She is survived by her sister Suzanne Perney Niemeyer of Marblehead and predeceased by her sister Linda Perney and brother-in-law Edwin Brooks Niemeyer. She will be missed by her family and her lifelong friends, Jannah Stanley and Mary Alice Dwyer Hughes, among others. Janice will be remembered for her compassion, generosity, sense of humor, and persistence in adversity. Janice graduated from W. Tresper Clarke High School on Long Island. She obtained her bachelor of arts in psychology
with a concentration in play therapy from the New School for Social Research in New York City. She received her master of education in counseling from Salem State University in Massachusetts. Janice’s career focused on helping children and their families. She worked for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health at the J.T. Berry State School and was employed for over 10 years as an elementary school guidance counselor in the Marblehead school system. In her post-retirement years, Janice dedicated herself to
honing her artistic abilities, drawing inspiration from her passion and expertise in art therapy. Her work had been exhibited in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead and was accepted by the juried and prestigious Marblehead Arts Association. A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. at The Landing Restaurant in Marblehead (81 Front St.). Friends are invited to contribute fond memories, expressions of sympathy or floral condolences for the family at eustisandcornellfuneralhome. com.
While at DePaul, she met fellow student Richard (Dick) A. Collins Jr. and married him Oct. 6, 1951. They were together for 50 years until his death Oct. 3, 2001, and had four children, all born in Chicago. Nancy and Dick and their children lived in Cleveland for a time. While Dick worked in the newspaper business, Nancy was a drama teacher at Heights
Jean M. Hagberg, 78
Janice Stanley, 70 Janice Anne (née Perney) Stanley passed away on Sept. 25 at the age of 70. Following years of battling chronic illnesses, Janice died at home in Marblehead, where she lived for almost 40 years. She was the beloved mother of Jessica Stanley Asher (married to Tyler Perry Asher) and grandmother to Kyle (3) and Madeline Asher (1), of Carnelian Bay, California, near Lake Tahoe. Janice’s greatest joy in life was watching her daughter grow into
NOT LOST IN TRANSLATION
Marblehead translator builds cultural bridges BY WILLIAM J. DOWD For Marblehead resident Peter Bottéas, translation is more than just converting words; it’s about building cultural bridges and transporting readers into new worlds. A native of Toronto with decades of experience as a French, Greek and English translator in Canada, Bottéas has always aimed to make literary works accessible across languages. After years as a trauma psychotherapist, the semiretired Bottéas returned to the art of literary translation, driven by his passion. “I want the translation to read like an original,” he shared over coffee in his Marblehead home. “The original language shouldn’t bleed through in an evident way.” Bottéas’ most recent work of translation is “Bathed in Moonlight,” a collection by
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be born,” Sottile said. “I loved the idea of bringing him into the world in the comfort of his home.” She was in labor through the night of Aug. 17 and into the morning, when a strong storm rolled in off Massachusetts Bay. Contractions intensified as lightning flashed outside.
Greek poet Vassiliki Rapti and published earlier this year. Rapti’s prose delves into surrealism, artistic whimsy and everyday wonder. Collaborating closely with Rapti, Bottéas aims for the translations to resonate not only in meaning but also in poetic style.
“Translating poetry takes a particular level of linguistic skill,” he said. “You have to understand the rhythm and cadence of poetry in order to translate poetry.” Highlighting the depth of translation, he cites the Greek term “epitaphios,” which in
English denotes words on a tombstone. But in Greek, it can reference the Easter procession. “It’s not just about translating the word,” Bottéas said. “It’s about translating the cultural context.” Since moving to Marblehead in 2018, after decades living in large cities like Montreal, Bottéas has embraced the town’s creative community. He has given public readings of his translations at local venues and participated in local artist Peyton Pugmire’s staged readings at the historic Hooper Mansion. In addition to “Bathed in Moonlight,” Bottéas has translated several other literary works over the years. He also collaborated with Rapti on “Borderlines,” a collection of Greek diaspora poetry published in 2020. Bottéas translated essays, magazine articles, song lyrics and other texts from French into English over his decades-long
“It was like an updraft thunderstorm — a real tempest,” Barker recalled. “We thought about naming (him) Tempest.” They decided on August, meaning “magnificent,” with a middle name of Valentine, a family moniker on the baby’s maternal side. Midwife Ann Whitman of Gloucester and assistant midwife Naomi Daborn Lanson calmly guided the couple through the birth. Alexander’s
brother and Sottile’s cousin were the first to meet baby August after his arrival. “It was really a special thing for us,” said Sottile. Sottile took daily walks along the harbor and felt embraced by the small seaside community. “The whole neighborhood has been... saying congratulations,” she said. “It makes you feel kind of connected.” The home birth allows August to share a special bond with his
mother and father. His mother was born at home, while his father was born at now-closed Lynn Hospital to Marblehead parents. “I don’t consider myself a ‘true Marbleheader,’ although some say I am,” Barker said with a chuckle. “It’s kind of funny but true.” When August is old enough, his parents look forward to telling him that he was born in a Front Street house that “has
COURTESY PHOTOS
Peter Bottéas is a Marblehead resident who specializes in translating modern Greek poetry into English. His recent translation ‘Bathed in Moonlight’ aims to build cross-cultural bridges and make Greek literary works more accessible.
‘Bathed in Moonlight’ is a collection of modern Greek poems translated into English by Peter Bottéas.
translation career. He has done commercial translation work for major companies and publications in Canada. Bottéas is collaborating with Rapti on an audiobook of her recent short stories and narrated a fundraiser video for Marblehead calligrapher Marian Gripenstraw’s edition of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Bottéas’ mission remains steadfast: bridging languages and cultures, aiming to introduce more world literature to English audiences. “So many books remain unread because of the language barrier,” he lamented. “Some things feel lost in translation.” Bottéas has helped organize literary events, translation workshops and public readings in Boston, New York and other cities. He co-hosts a podcast called “Borders Unbound” with Rapti, featuring conversations about Greek diaspora poetry and literary translation. some history” as the former Three Cod Tavern. Barker said the experience has instilled in them a deeper connection to the coastal town they now call home. So far, the happy baby with fuzzy brown hair and slate blue eyes has drawn smiles from strangers as his parents push him around Marblehead in a stroller. “Everybody seems to kind of be drawn to us right now,” Sottile said.
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Headlight
Shining a light on the news you care about!
Written by the students of Marblehead High School for our school and community 2023 - 2024 Issue
www.mhsheadlight.com
It's Homecoming Season! Mona Gelfgatt, Senior, Co-Editor-in-Chief Get ready to see a field house full of sparkling dresses, singing teens, and breathtaking dancers, as Marblehead High School’s Homecoming Dance is right around the corner! Saturday, October 14th, expect your Instagram feeds to be full of joyous pictures of smiling kids dancing to the greatest remixes of "Party In The U.S.A." The Senior Class of 2024 officers, Clara Donovan, Avery O’Neil, Emily Tauro, and Gwyneth Anderson, are working their hardest to make this event a memorable stamp in their senior
year. They’re bringing in food, music, photo booths, all to make this event incredible. Additionally, each ticket sold is going towards our well-known, recordsetting, wondrous Piper Field. Those Friday Night Lights need to shine on something! This awaited homecoming tradition has been wished upon by every student for years, and now Marblehead High School is finally bringing it back. Hopefully the field house will be packed next weekend with singing, dancing, and wonderful memories!
October 12, 2023
stage the show in the MHS auditorium, but the directors are open to moving the production to the MVMS PAC should the need for more space arise. Until then, the Drama Club looks forward to putting on its staged reading of It’s About Pirates and Nothing Else, currently scheduled for October 26.
Afterwards, auditions and rehearsals will begin for the real production, which will be brought to the 2024 Dramafest season. In the meantime, Dramafest is always looking for new cast and crew members, and the club hopes that the community is as excited as they are for this spring’s 'Prom' season!
Director Ashley Skeffington holds a 'Prom-posal' poster, announcing the decision of the 2024 Spring Musical to the MHS Drama Club.
Halloween Candy Recipes, Part 2 Rachael Albert, Senior, Assistant Editor
2024 Spring Musical Announced! Benji Boyd, Junior, Assistant Editor On Wednesday, October 4th, the Marblehead High Drama Club gathered in the choir room for an announcement they’d all been waiting for. Directors Ashley Skeffington and Andrew Scoglio were waiting for them as they filed in and set up their chairs. In a dramatic unveiling, they revealed a whiteboard decorated with more than a dozen playbills, and they encouraged students to guess what they would be performing in the spring. After ruling out the obvious duds, students were left stumped by the unlikely array of choices before them. Skeffington checked the time and quickly excused herself, leaving Scoglio alone and seemingly just as confused as the club. However, moments later, a knock on the door revealed the true musical. Skeffington, returning with a 'Love, Actually-style' stack of posters, page-by-page led students on with false alarms such as, “This year’s musical is going to be Wicked . . .” (page turn)
with the poster falling to the floor; the true musical was still a mystery. Then, Skeffington produced one last poster: one that would look very similar to many juniors and seniors looking forward to their spring dances. Holding the words, “Will you direct Prom with me?” Skeffington managed to pull off a ‘TikTok-worthy’ musical reveal and an Instagram-worthy promposal at the same time. Prom premiered on Broadway in 2016, and it tells the story of a girl from Indiana who wants to take her girlfriend to prom but faces opposition from groups within her community. “I think it’s fun even though it deals with an important topic,” said Skeffington of the play. “It’s a story that needs to be told.” Auditions will begin for Prom around late December or early January and are not limited to members of the Drama Club. The hope is to open the show two weeks before the MHS Junior Prom, which could be a fun venue for prom-posals. For the time being, the plan is to
Part Two: I'm back with more easy Halloween candy recipes! In my last article, I gave you the recipes for Candy Dots and Crunch Bars. I also explained how to melt chocolate safely in the microwave, so if you missed that, here is a brief explanation: Melt your chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second intervals, stirring after each one. Do this until the chocolate is fully melted, and be careful not to burn it. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups! Makes: 12. Ingredients: 4 tbsp butter, 1c peanut butter, 3/4c powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 3/4c chocolate chips. Directions: 1) Place cupcake liners in a cupcake pan. 2) Melt half the chocolate. Scoop about 1-2 tsp of the chocolate into the bottom of the cupcake liners. Smooth it out on the bottom and spread some up the sides. Leave in the freezer while you make the filling. 3) Microwave peanut butter and butter together in 30-second intervals until the butter is soft or melted (mine took 1 minute). Stir together until smooth. 4) Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and stir until smooth. 5) Take your chocolate out of the
freezer. Pipe or scoop a rounded tablespoon of the peanut butter filling into each muffin liner and smooth with the back of a spoon. 6) Melt the rest of your chocolate and scoop 1-2 tsp on top of the filling; smooth it out so the filling is fully covered. Refrigerate or freeze to set the chocolate. 7) When the chocolate is set, trim the excess cupcake liner off each cup (optional). 8) Store in the fridge or freezer. Charleston Chews! Makes: 4 bars. Ingredients: 2c marshmallows, ½ c chocolate chips, cooking spray. Directions: 1) Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. 2) Melt chocolate. Set aside. 3) Microwave marshmallows for 30 seconds, but keep an eye on them. They will puff up in the bowl but should not overflow. Let them cool slightly. 4) Spray your hands with cooking spray to avoid sticking, and shape the melted marshmallows into 4 bars about 6x1 in. Leave in the freezer for a few minutes to cool. 5) Take the marshmallows out of the freezer and spread chocolate on the marshmallows, evenly covering the top and sides. 6) Freeze for 20 minutes or more, and store in the freezer for best results.
Homemade Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
Headlight Staff: 2023-2024 EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Ila Bumagin and Mona Gelfgatt
ASSISTANT EDITORS: Benji Boyd and Rachael Albert
TECHNOLOGY EDITOR: Kate Twomey
REPORTERS: John Bender, Grey Collins, Tucker Crane, Aislin Freedman, Samuel Jendrysik, Anya Kane, Nina Lees, Luke Menslage, Peter Sullivan, Livia Weiss, Benjamin Zaltsman FACULTY ADVISOR: Thomas Higgins
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not matter to me that I could not understand a word they were singing, I absorbed the feeling. It is the music, the power of the voices and melodies which touched my soul. I found translations afterwards. The words spoke of Latvian history, Legends,Courland, Daugava, the River of Fate, the Land of Amber, the Castle of Light, to my Homeland and Blow Ye Wind. The instrumental part and soloists contributed to the beauty of this well directed event. At the Daugava Stadium I saw 17,543 dancers with 10,000 attendees. To see this multitude of dancers all together waltzing, spinning, jumping and dancing in formation was truly astounding. Some dances reminded me of German dances, some required excellent agility and coordination. The dances looked easy and fun, but the participants had to be in full control of their body. Choreography at its best. These big events started with a ceremonial procession with a historic festival flag followed by conductors and/or choreographers, who later, while following the program, were specifically introduced and, in the end, presented with flowers and kisses. At the biggest final concert the newly elected President of Latvia, President Edgars Rinkevics gave a short speech. Participants wore traditional costumes according to their ethnic origin or group. Most women wore a natural wreath, some intricate
BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW
PHOTO/ ULRIKE WELSCH ©
Singers enter the Mezaparks for the Latvian Song and Dance Festival in Riga.
PHOTO / ULRIKE WELSCH ©
Soloists perform at Latvia’s Song and Dance Festival at Mezaparks in Riga.
PHOTO / ULRIKE WELSCH ©
A Latvian minority group dances at The Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre.
crowns or shawls and caps, as well as some fascinating vintage jewelry. Latvia, by the way, is a country of many ethnic minorities: the largest being Russian at 25.6%, Belarusians, 3.4%, Ukrainians, 2.3%; Poles, Roma, Germans, Estonians, Lithuanians, Jew and Livonians. I also saw and heard the very traditional Latvian Kokle instruments in the Cathedral of Riga. This church is known for its pipe organ as well as its acoustics. The last piece on the program was the Chorus accompanied by both this illustrious pipe organ and the zither-like Kokle together. The sound was just beautiful!
Ethnic minorities, some of which I mentioned, sang and danced at the Russian Theatre. What colorful clothing they wore! My seat was in the second row, and, as a surprise to me, next to the huge Latvian TV camera! Without realizing this, I had purchased a ticket for a spectacular seat way back at home in Marblehead in May at 3 AM in the morning! No-body sat in front of me. My photographer’s eyes were smiling, indeed. The furthest participating groups traveled from Australia. Boston was represented as well as New York and Michigan; the oldest were 96 , (2), the youngest one
year (5). During free days I wandered through the cobblestone streets of the Old Town as well as to the Esplanade and Vērmanes Parks that reminded me of Boston’s Emerald Necklace. Small stages were set up with free dance and musical performances. Local food was grilled along with blood sausage, potatoes, pork-snouts and cabbage. In between, were craft tents with abundant amber and woolens for sale. In the streets small groups taught visitors traditional folk-dancing, or they sang. The parks are huge and beautifully landscaped, considering that the outdoor season
is short. Latvians take pride in their city. I was amazed at the cleanliness of it all! Actually all three Baltic States amazed me. I always felt safe, even in a sardine-can-like, packed tram after the big concert at Mezaparks. In truth, it was a ‘singing tram’! I walked a lot, and took the tram only when going to big events further out. Street blocks are short. In town I also explored the Art Nouveau district near the Radisson Blu Hotel. Latvia’s capital has the highest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture in the world, with fascinating facades with sculptured organic shapes and sensual ornamentation. I visited several museums: The Latvian National Museum of Art, Riga’s Art Nouveau Centre and the, so called, “Black Head” House and also the nave of the Romanesque Riga Cathedral, and took the elevator up the 405 foot tower of St Peter’s Church from which I could view the whole city. All these places had very affordable entrance fees. I also traveled to a near-by resort, Jurmala, at the Gulf of Riga by commuter train, just short of thirty minutes for under $ 4.00. There I
enjoyed shallow waves and endless white beaches. In conclusion, it was a magnificent experience that I would love to repeat. My ears still ring with the memories. Summer is the ideal time to travel to those northern countries. Away from the big cities much history can be learned in smaller charming towns, where nature lurks with endless white beaches, ancient forests, grainfields, lakes and marshes in between. Estonia and Lithuania will have their song festivals in 2024. Perhaps next year! It was a wonderful experience to meet and see a proud and sensible people, who love to sing and dance; who follow their generational traditions; who are very much united in their progressive countries. It is only thirty three years since they have been freed from the Soviet choke. Songs gave them strength. They were all part of the “Baltic Way”; that human chain that has become a “Singing Revolution”. Ulrike Welsch is a Pulitzerwinning photographer who lives in Marblehead. She plans to present her photos from the Baltics soon in town. Learn more about her at ulrikewelschphotos.com.