FINAL-20 CP_MBHC_20231018_1_A01 Mon, Oct 16, 2023 3:39:41 PM
IN THIS ISSUE
SPORTS
BEST BETS
FOOD 101
Magicians dominate Beverly for 2nd win
Famous bluesman returns to Me&Thee
’Tis the season for pumpkin lovers
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NEWS FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT.
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October 18, 2023
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VOLUME 1, ISSUE NO. 45
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TRASH TALK
Transfer Station override to be sought Call made for Narcan in schools; resident says infighting is ‘not a good look’ BY LEIGH BLANDER The Board of Health voted unanimously Oct. 10 to ask Town Meeting this May to fund a feasibility study on building a construction and demolition drop-off area at the Transfer Station. Public Health Director
Andrew Petty estimates the cost at about $50,000. The project would require a debt exclusion override. Meanwhile, the town is still waiting for final approval from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection of its $1.6 million update to the
OFFICER SUSPENSION
Transfer Station, which has delayed plans to start the project this fall. “We would like to complete this project this winter,” Petty said at the meeting. Winter is the Transfer Station’s least busy time of year. BOH member Tom McMahon
said he would still like to pursue a stickerless system at the Transfer Station with a licenseplate reader. Anyone caught using the dump without paying would not be able to renew their driver’s license. McMahon said he had spoken to an “ex-police chief in town”
who can help with the system but declined to identify him. McMahon refused to sign off on the routine payments to vendors, saying he wants the names and amounts read aloud at Board of Health meetings to BOH, P. A4
HOME SAFE
Marblehead man escapes Israel Gallo resolution delayed again Kezer grants himself extension to Dec. 1 BY KRIS OLSON Citing the “level of effort” required to ensure everything was done properly, Marblehead Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer granted himself an extension to Dec. 1 to complete his report in which he will make his recommendation about possible further disciplinary action against Police Officer Christopher Gallo, Kezer told the Select Board at his Oct. 11 meeting. The extension means that Gallo’s paid administrative leave, which began on June 16, 2021, will extend into its 31st month. Gallo is accused of spending more than 100 hours at home while on duty over a four-month period and of violating police policies involving a domestic disturbance at his home. A public hearing concluded in May with Police Chief Dennis King recommending Gallo be fired. Attorneys for Gallo and the town then requested and were granted a couple of extensions to file their final briefs with Kezer, the request for the second extension attributed to the need for more time to “transcribe all of the audio recordings.” Kezer initially had said that once he had the briefs in hand, he would need 30 days to prepare his recommendation. But at the Oct. 11 Select Board meeting, Kezer acknowledged that that 30-day period had expired the previous Friday. “What’s important in this process is that the process is done correctly,” Kezer said. That, he suggested, was more important than how long the process takes. The determination that he makes — and that the Select Board will ultimately make after receiving his recommendation — must
COURTESY PHOTO
Jacob Abbisso of Marblehead is shown with his parents, James Abbisso and Melinda Grosser, in Jerusalem just days before the bloody Hamas attacks.
BY LEIGH BLANDER Jacob Abbisso, 23, is relieved to be back home in Marblehead after escaping the Hamas attacks in Israel last week. He was in Jerusalem studying to be a rabbi at Hebrew Union College. “Saturday morning [Oct. 7] I woke up to my program director calling and asking me if I’m safe,” he said.
“I asked him, ‘What do you mean?’ and then I heard the sirens outside. I grabbed my parents who were visiting, and we ran to the stairwell. That’s the safest place in my apartment building to shelter in case of missile attacks.” Abbisso said it takes missiles about 90 seconds to get from Gaza to Jerusalem, so that’s how long he and his parents had to get to shelter. For the next few days, he watched
the news and his phone apps, which alerted him about incoming missiles and attacks across Israel. He and his parents finally got a flight to Boston Wednesday night, Oct. 11. “We left for the airport and in the back of my mind, there’s always the chance,” Abbisso said. “What if there’s ABBISSO, P. A13
PRAYERS FOR PEACE
Community comes together amid unrest BY LEIGH BLANDER A world away from Israel and the Gaza Strip, hundreds of people gathered in Marblehead and Swampscott recently to sing, pray and hope for peace amid bloody terror attacks and a war. On Sunday, Oct. 15, people filled Star of the Sea Church for an interfaith vigil conducted by the Marblehead Ministerial Association, VIGILS, P. A11
GALLO, P. A14
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Rev. Jim Bixby walks down the aisle at Sunday’s interfaith peace vigil at Star of the Sea Church.
BIG REVEAL
Haunting hobby Architect hard at work on new Halloween installation BY LEIGH BLANDER
COURTESY PHOTO / BROOKE TRIVAS
Marblehead architect Tom Saltsman works on a model for his latest Halloween installation.
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With Halloween still more than a week away, people are already slowing their cars and peering into Tom Saltsman’s Pleasant Street driveway, hoping to catch a sneak peek of his
latest Halloween installation. “He started working on it in early September, planning and making models and sculptures,” Saltsman’s wife Brooke Trivas told the Current. “There’s a lot of prep work.” The owner of a design and
construction firm, Saltsman has been creating awe-inspiring Halloween installations in his driveway and garage for nearly 20 years, attracting people from around Massachusetts and HALLOWEEN, P. A12
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A2 Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Marblehead Current
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Meet Robert Simonelli: From stuntman to restauranteur
NEWS FOR PEOPLE, NOt FOR PROFIt. CO-CHAIRPERSONS
Jessica Barnett Ed Bell
BY MELISSA STACEY
NEWSROOM
The following is an interview with Robert Simonelli, partner and general manager at The Landing Restaurant, conducted by Discover Marblehead. Learn more at TheLandingRestaurant.com or stop by at 81 Front St. Tell us about The Landing Restaurant. The Landing is a landmark restaurant that was first established in 1972. I was fortunate to join the partners back in 2002. Over the last few years, we’ve gone through a few menu changes and several renovations. Once known solely for the great view of the harbor, the new fresh look and current culinary team have made us one of the premiere restaurants on the North Shore. I’ve always loved hospitality and we pride ourselves on the way we make our guests (locals and tourists) feel when they enter our house. The addition of the function room has given patrons a beautiful option in town to celebrate those family moments or business affairs. What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? A great piece of restaurant business advice I received was “MBWA” — Manage by Walking Around. You must have the ability to manage the numbers upstairs in the office, but you get more out of your people and understand more of your business by being on the floor and talking to people. Keeping your eye on the moving parts helps you identify problems and find solutions quickly.
Editor - Leigh Blander
lblander@marbleheadnews.org
Community Editor - Will Dowd wdowd@marbleheadnews.org
Consulting Editor - Kris Olson kolson@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 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert Simonelli of The Landing Restaurant gave up stunt work in California for the restaurant world.
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? My favorite spot in Marblehead would have to be The Landing. I spend a lot of time there. Looking out at the harbor and talking to the fishermen on the dock is one of the most unique experiences that I get to enjoy on a daily basis. I am very fortunate indeed! What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you? It might surprise people to know that I spent over 14 years in southern California. I first went out there in 1979 to pursue a dream of becoming
a stuntman — tough job to break into … literally. After crashing my motorcycle three times I felt the safer bet would be to continue school and make the restaurant business my career. 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, visit discovermhd.com.
Virginia Buckingham - President Kate Haesche Thomson - Vice President of Operations Gene Arnould Jessica Barnett Ed Bell Francie King Robert Peck Donna Rice Richard Weed - Treasurer EDITORIAL BOARD
Ed Bell Virginia Buckingham Kris Olson Will Dowd Robert Peck Joseph P. Kahn DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Kathryn Whorf DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Marion Warner Greely FOUNDERS
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS Buyer(s)
Seller(s)
Address
Date
Price
Crocker Park NT and Christina L. Rubino
1 Abbot St.
Sept. 29
$980,500
Marblehead ERMJ T of 2023 and Erin McMahon Susan K. Jansen
Leblanc RT and William R. Leblanc
7 Mariners Lane
Sept. 28
$1,711,000
Deborah J. Grant and Thomas P. Carney
71 Elm St.
Sept. 28
$555,000
L.R. Hanapole and M.A. Hayes and Larry R. Hanapole
214 Green St.
Sept. 29
$720,000
Campbell FT and N.S. Campbell William J. Betters Swampscott Nancy Hawthorne 2006 RET and Nancy Hawthorne
Alan C. and Phyllis L. Bolotin
22 One Salem St.
Sept. 29
$1,575,000
Peter W. Cowden and Diana Wells
Rory and Melanie Flannery
93 Stanley Road
Sept. 28
$955,000
NEWS IN BRIEF The Current welcomes submissions (150-200 words) to News in Brief. Send yours to wdowd@ marbleheadnews.org.
Council on Aging Speaker Series The Marblehead Council on Aging Speakers Series has announced its next event, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Campaign Trail,” featuring speaker Rich Rubino, author and political analyst. The event will take place Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. at the Marblehead Council on Aging. Rubino will recount humorous stories from past presidential campaigns. Rubino is the author of five political books, including his most recent, “The Great American Political Trivia Challenge: Political Trivia on Steroids.” He frequently
appears on national television analyzing U.S. politics and has contributed over 100 political analysis pieces to The Huffington Post. The Marblehead Speakers Series produces free educational events quarterly at the Council on Aging. Recent programs have covered topics like wildlife, sailing and English gardens. The Nov. 15 event is free and open to the public. Attendees are asked to sign up at the Council on Aging desk in the Jacobi Community Center at 10 Humphrey St., Marblehead. For more information, contact Michael Thompson at 781-367-4952.
Town employment opportunities The town of Marblehead has several open positions it is looking to fill,
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).
including director of human resources, building commissioner and an ARPA coordinator. The human resources director position pays between $86,654 and $112,651 annually. The job entails assisting the town administrator with labor relations, contract administration and personnel management. A bachelor’s degree in human resources or public administration is required, with five to seven years of municipal human resources experience preferred. The building commissioner position also pays $86,654 to $112,651 annually. Duties include examining building plans for compliance with state building codes, zoning laws and related regulations. Candidates must have five years of experience and Massachusetts certification as a building commissioner/inspector of buildings. Finally, the ARPA coordinator is a temporary contract role paying up to $75,000 annually and lasting through December 2026. The job involves overseeing the town’s ARPA-funded economic development projects, grant writing and ensuring compliance with
federal regulations. Three years of program/project management experience is required, along with a bachelor’s degree in a related field like economic development or urban planning.
Volunteer opportunities 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.
Reading and writing workshop for kids Author Kevin Carey will hold a reading and writing workshop for kids grades 4 and up at the Abbot Public Library on Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 2:45-3:45 p.m.
Carey will read from his new novel “Junior Miles and the Junkman” and discuss the writing process. He will also lead a workshop focused on finding inspiration for stories. Carey coordinates the creative writing program at Salem State University. He has published poetry, fiction and nonfiction books. The free event is hosted in the program room at Abbot Library’s Eveleth School branch. For more details, visit abbotlibrary. org.
Poetry Salon slated for Oct. 19 The Abbot Public Library in Marblehead will host a Poetry Salon on Thursday, Oct. 19 from 2-4 p.m. to discuss the poetry of Malcolm Miller. Led by Professor Emerita Claire Keyes, the event will feature Professor Emeritus Rod Kessler, an advocate of Miller’s work. The discussion will center around Miller’s selfpublished works and 2011 collection “What I Am Always Waiting For.” Interested attendees can register for in-person or Zoom attendance on the library’s website at abbotlibrary.org or by emailing mar@noblenet. org.
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.
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INDEX
Arts.......................................1, 12-13 Business........................................ 2 Culture........................... 1, 3, 12-13 Education........................12-13, 15 Environment...................... 13- 14 Government........................ 1, 4-5 Health.................................. 1, 4, 14 History .........................................13 News................................... 1-2, 4-5 Opinion ....................................6-7 Public safety......................1, 5, 14 Real estate.................................... 2 Religion..................................... 1, 11 Sports .................................... 9-10
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NEW SCHOOL LEADER
Former Village School principal voted interim super BY LEIGH BLANDER In a 4-1 vote, the School Committee chose former Village School principal and Swampscott resident Theresa McGuinness to be Marblehead’s new interim superintendent. Member Meagan Taylor was the dissenting vote. “She’s really smart,” said School Committee member Brian Ota, who worked as vice principal under McGuinness at the Village School. “She developed really strong teams. Her communication skills were excellent. I spoke to one parent who called her one of the most dynamic leaders they’ve ever had. Her teachers adored her.” McGuinness is the current assistant superintendent in Watertown and said in her interview that, if hired in Marblehead, she would like to become the permanent superintendent. School Committee member Jenn Schaeffner, who visited Watertown schools to learn more about the candidate, said McGuinness’ colleagues called her “totally datafocused, working towards collecting data and applying information to improve student achievement… She does not micromanage, but is what they called a ‘warm demander.’ She pulls the best out of her people, but in a kind way.” The School Committee had kind things to say
about the other candidate, Jannell Pearson-Campbell, but felt McGuinness was the better choice. Meagan Taylor made a motion to keep acting Superintendent Michelle Cresta in place until the committee hires a permanent super later this year. “Michelle has been doing a really great job,” Taylor said. “She brings a breadth of experience, just as much experience as the other candidates. She has built trust.” While the other School Committee members praised Cresta, they said the right step was to hire McGuinness. Cresta said she appreciated the
support and would serve if asked, but that her preference was to go back to her job as assistant superintendent of finance and operations. McGuinness led the Village School from 20122016. In 2020, she was a finalist for the Marblehead superintendent’s job that eventually went to John Buckey. Last August, the School Committee ousted Buckey without saying why and paid him $175,000 in a controversial separation agreement, angering many residents. Cresta, Schaeffner, School Committee Chair Sarah Fox and member Alison Taylor were ordered by the Secretary of the
Commonwealth’s Office to retrieve deleted texts related to Buckey, but they said they could not. “My concern, to be perfectly honest, is the vitriol in our community right now,” Fox said. “Whoever comes in, if our community does not give them a chance to do their jobs and prove themselves… that’s not setting them up for success.” It is not clear when McGuinness will start in Marblehead. The committee said Fox will be COURTESY PHOTO hammering out the details The School Committee voted to hire Theresa McGuinness of her contract. as interim superintendent in Marblehead.
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A4 Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Marblehead Current
WATERSIDE CEMETERY
Neglected gazebo sparks call for action BY WILLIAM J. DOWD A gazebo honoring veterans’ at Waterside Cemetery has fallen into disrepair after years of neglect, prompting calls for its restoration from community members who consider it a treasured spot. The worn, once-white wooden structure sits on a hilltop surrounded by headstones in the veterans’ section of the cemetery, overlooking the harbor. For decades, it has provided a peaceful place to reflect and remember fallen heroes who served this country. But weathering over time has taken a toll. The gazebo’s wood is now warped and gray, with peeling paint and areas of rot. The metal support beams are corroded with rust. The roof was replaced in the mid-2000s. “It is a place of peace and solace. It is where veterans come to sit with their comrades, often the only people they feel will listen. It is the place where families come to sit with loved ones, to feel close, to laugh, to cry,” said Marblehead resident Joan Cutler, whose husband, Hooper Cutler, is buried in the veteran lot. “It is the place where children and grandchildren can sit and hear stories about who they came from while learning history as it was lived.” It deserves our respect and attention, not neglect, Cutler said. She and her late husband used to regularly enjoy afternoon coffee together in the gazebo,
The worn, once-white wooden gazebo sits atop a hill in the veterans’ section of the cemetery, overlooking Salem Harbor. For decades, it has provided a peaceful place to reflect and remember fallen heroes.
admiring the view. But she first noticed deterioration at least 10 years ago. “It became alarmingly so as I increased my time there following Hooper’s death in June 2020,” said Cutler. “I had shared my concerns often with various people searching for solutions.” Cutler pointed out the gazebo’s current state of disrepair heading into Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 16, when volunteers place holiday wreaths on veterans’ graves nationwide. She had hoped repairs could be done in time for the meaningful event honoring fallen service members.
Now Cutler and other concerned citizens are renewing their call for urgent action. They have brainstormed potential solutions like an Eagle Scout service project, donated lumber or labor from local construction companies, or a volunteer restoration initiative by veterans’ groups. “The sad fact is that with proper funding and preventative maintenance, it would not be as it is,” said Cutler. “Let’s change that. It will require active engagement and commitment. Oh, just a second — aren’t they exactly what those now at rest gave for us?”
Rusting metal support beams of the gazebo in the veterans’ section of Waterside Cemetery
COURTESY PHOTOS / WILLIAM J. DOWD
A rotted-out wood post of the gazebo in the veterans’ section in Waterside Cemetery
The Coffin School property sits on three acres of land.
SCHOOL CHOICE
Select Board member on Coffin: I hope we won’t need lawyers BY LEIGH BLANDER COURTESY IMAGE
The town is still waiting for the state’s final approval for the Transfer Station renovation.
BOH
From P. A1 increase transparency. “I can’t take Andrew’s word exactly,” he said, referring to Petty. “I would wager that I’m the only one who doesn’t rubber stamp these.” Petty replied, “When we build the budget, we discuss all of these items.” Chair Helaine Hazlett added, “We voted the budget. I have a certain amount of trust in my director.” “I am 100% committed to transparency,” replied member Joanne Miller, looking at McMahon. At public comment, resident Lanie Goodman praised the town’s decision to make fentanyl strips and Narcan available for free.
“Personally, I’d like to see it more available,” she said. “I think Narcan should be in the schools. And the fentanyl strips.” Petty pointed out that Narcan is available for staff to administer at schools but is not available to students. Goodman also spoke about the tension between McMahon and his colleagues. “What I’ve seen tonight… I can see two against one, or one against two,” she said. “As a longtime citizen of Marblehead, this does not look good. It is not a good look.” The Board of Health meets next in November, when Marblehead High School counselor Gina Hart has been invited to come and speak about results of a recent student survey about depression and drug and nicotine use.
Select Board member Moses Grader hopes the town won’t need to hire lawyers in the disagreement over the Coffin School property, after the School Committee voted 3-2 to keep the empty building and land on Turner Road. “I am hoping that we do not need to spend more money on town and school counsel to resolve the issue of the disposition of the Coffin site,” he told the Current. He continued, “In the past, it’s been an accepted process that when there’s a new school built, if you don’t need the property for school use, you give it up to the senior board that determines the future use of the property for the town. We’re equipped to do it, we have the professional staff. That just makes common sense.” Messages to School Committee Chair Sarah Fox and member Alison Taylor (who both sit on the schools’
facilities subcommittee) were not returned. Fox has said in recent meetings that the district should keep Coffin property as a potential school site and that current schools are “bursting at the seams.” Grader challenged that. “I don’t think anyone seriously believes that we need the space. We voted a very large override to build a wonderful” Brown school, he said. “I am applauding what the [Select Board] chair is doing, pushing for a resolution on this. It’s time. It’s been a couple of years.” At an Oct. 5 meeting, Fox said it would be “grossly irresponsible” for the committee to hand the Coffin property over to the town, especially since a state law mandates that Marblehead change zoning rules to allow for areas of denser housing. In a recent letter to the School Committee, Select Board Chair Erin Noonan
wrote, “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.” The Select Board and Housing Production Plan Implementation Committee have discussed possibly selling the Coffin property to a developer to build mixed-use housing to address the lack of affordable housing in town. Built in 1948, the Coffin contains asbestos and is in disrepair. “It’s falling apart,” Fire Chief Jason Gilliland told the Current on Oct. 13. “We’re not going to risk a life [responding to incidents in the building] unless we have to save a life.” The School Committee has looked into paying to demolish the building. That money — an estimated $750,000 according to Noonan — would need to be approved at Town Meeting.
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, October 18, 2023 A5
‘REAL MONEY’
Local benefits tucked into $1B tax package Relief coming for seniors and renters struggling with housing costs BY WILLIAM J. DOWD Massachusetts lawmakers recently enacted a $1 billion tax relief package that includes benefits for Marblehead residents, earning praise from state Rep. Jenny Armini and Sen. Brendan Crighton. The relief targets families, renters, seniors and businesses with changes to credits, deductions and tax rates. “Through changes to programs like the Child and Family Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit, we have created real savings for Massachusetts’ residents, which will benefit not just eligible families but our small businesses and local communities as well,” said Crighton, a Democrat from Lynn who represents Marblehead. Armini, who lives in Marblehead, said the tax relief will help a lot of people in town. “Marblehead has a reputation for being a wealthy community, but the reality is that a full third of Marblehead households are low-income, and two-thirds of those people are spending more than 30% on housing alone,” Armini explained. More than 6,000 Marblehead residents are over the age of 60. The number of households led by someone 55 or older increased 21% from 2010 to 2017. Meanwhile, residents aged 25 to 44 decreased 63%. The tax package doubles the
COURTESY PHOTO / STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll snaps a selfie Wednesday, Oct. 4, with Gov. Maura Healey, after Healey signed a $1 billion tax relief law in the frame. Healey signed the bill into law at a packed ceremony at the State House.
so-called Senior Circuit Breaker tax credit from $1,200 to $2,400, indexed for inflation, helping 100,000 seniors statewide cover housing costs. Armini said many Marbleheaders want to age at home so the expanded credit will help make that possible. “The Senior Circuit Breaker tax credit is an important tool for making that happen, especially with rising home values. I am proud that we doubled it from $1200 to $2400. If a senior’s property tax and
water and sewer bills equal 10% of their income, they will get the Senior Circuit Breaker tax credit. That is real money,” Armini stated. The new law also increases the property tax reduction limit from $1,500 to $2,000 for eligible senior volunteers, which could benefit Marblehead’s senior work-off program. The program allows senior taxpayers to volunteer their services to the town in exchange for a reduction in property taxes.
With high demand pricing many out of the housing market, renting is the only option for now, Armini said. The tax relief package increases the rental deduction cap from $3,000 to $4,000, providing 800,000 renters relief across the Commonwealth. Armini noted the child tax credit increasing from $180 to $310 this year, and $440 in 2024, will benefit families, although she was hoping for more. “The House originally
proposed increasing the credit to $600 per child and dependent, but it was reduced during negotiations. I was disappointed because families could really use the additional $160 for food, clothes and school expenses. It’s important to remember that this money would go right back into the economy. These families don’t have the luxury of saving it. And that would be a win for our businesses and communities,” she elaborated. For working poor with incomes below $57,000, the tax relief increases the state match on the federal Earned Income tax credit from 30% to 40%. The goal is to keep people working and gaining skills for better wages. For a commuting town like Marblehead, Armini said allowing deductions for transit passes and bikes makes alternatives more affordable while reducing greenhouse gasses. Overall, the localized mix of tax changes offers relief addressing the realities facing Marblehead — an aging population, inflationary pressures, housing costs and traffic, according to Armini. “This tax bill is powerfully responsive to those dynamics — dynamics we see playing out in Marblehead,” she reiterated. Material from the State House News Service was used in this article.
TOUGH DECISION
Three named to new traffic safety committee Board struggles with depth of candidate pool BY KRIS OLSON In what they agreed was an agonizingly difficult choice given the quality of the candidate pool, Select Board members chose David Kucharsky, Gary Hebert and Rick Smyers to fill the three public seats on the town’s new Traffic Safety Advisory Committee at their Oct. 11 meeting. Town Meeting created the committee by approving Article 49 on the warrant this past May. The article was sponsored by resident Dan Albert, who did doctoral work in transportation at the University of Michigan and has spent decades researching, studying and writing about transportation safety issues. Albert was among the 11 candidates for the committee interviewed by the Select Board, and he was not the only candidate with deep experience and a demonstrated passion for helping drivers, cyclists and pedestrians share the road safely left without a seat. Kucharsky has 25 years of transportation planning experience and currently serves as Salem’s traffic and parking director. In that role, he oversees the city’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program and was also involved with the implementation of Salem’s Complete Streets Prioritization Plan and Bike Master Plan. “I live and breathe this stuff,” Kucharsky told the Select Board. Asked for an example of his effective service as part of a team, Kucharsky pointed to his time as planning director in Lexington, where he chaired the town’s Transportation Safety Working Group, which evaluated traffic safety requests. He stressed the importance of using hard data and established criteria to guide decision making. “Maintaining objectivity in all projects is something that I
aspire to do,” he said. In the first round of voting, Kucharsky was the only candidate to get the support of all five members of the Select Board and on that basis received the longest initial term on the committee, expiring in 2026. As noted on his resume, Hebert has extensive experience in project management, traffic and transportation engineering and transit planning. Among the myriad parking and safety studies he has worked on, Hebert served as the lead analyst for the Phase II Complete Streets study in Marblehead. Hebert first expressed interest in serving on the new committee back in June, having had the opportunity flagged by Fire Chief Jason Gilliland, he explained in his initial email to Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer. Hebert told the Select Board that he had been semi-retired since 2014 and officially retired last year. Even during his semi-retirement, Hebert had conducted a “multi-scenario traffic engineering study” for the Groton Hill Music Center, which opened last year, a facility that “rivals Tanglewood,” Hebert told the Select Board. Through his long work in the field, Hebert said that he has come to understand that public safety and political officials all bring different perspectives and incentives to projects in which traffic safety may be only one consideration. How those conflicts are resolved “may not be your personal best solution,” he said. But that mattered less than having “things that work.” In the first round of voting, Hebert received a vote from four members of the Select Board — all but Jim Nye — and was appointed to a term expiring in 2025. The last seat came down to either Smyers, who works at Fidelity and helped spearhead
the creation of the bike park at Green Street Woods, and Byron Rizos, a recently retired 42-year veteran of the Massachusetts State Police who had worked closely with the state Highway Department and North Shore police departments to manage traffic and mitigate accidents. Of the effort to get the trails and bike park established, Smyers told the Select Board that at the outset he somewhat naively thought it would be a relatively simple matter. The project wound up requiring the involvement of several different town boards, including the School Committee, Recreation and Parks Commission and Conservation Commission. The Finance Committee was also consulted to ensure that there would be no budgetary implications to the project. Even the town’s tree warden had to be consulted to ensure that a couple of trees were removed properly, Smyers explained. But in the end, the effort was worth it, Smyers said. “The trails are in use all the time, and the kids love it,” he said. “It is an asset for the town.” Smyers confessed that he would bring a “little bias” in favor of pedestrian and bicycle safety to the committee but added that the roads affect everyone in town — even those just looking out the windows of their homes at passing traffic. In his cover letter, he said his corporate experience made him deeply appreciative of “the need for cost-benefit analysis, logical, common- sense decision making, and open collaboration.” After both Smyers and Rizos received two votes in the first round of voting, the tie was broken in Smyers’ favor. Chair Erin Noonan, Alexa Singer and Bret Murray supported Smyers, while Nye and Moses Grader supported Rizos. Smyers will have to seek reappointment next
year. At the end of her public interview, the only woman to apply for a seat on the committee, professional storyteller and leader of Sustainable Marblehead’s transportation working group Judith Black, turned the tables on the board. “What kind of teeth would this committee have?” she asked. After Noonan explained that it would be advisory to the Select Board, Black replied, “So, no teeth.” Around the midway point of the candidate interviews, board members began to realize what a difficult choice they had before them. The board had just finished interviewing Russell King — an avid cyclist who had worked as a systems engineer for the Mitre corporation, as an educator at the Museum of Science, as a journalist and public relations specialist with a focus on technology and finally as a public high school math teacher — when Murray asked semiseriously, “Can we expand the committee?” In the hallway outside the Select Board meeting room, candidates reportedly bonded over their mutual interest in traffic safety while waiting for their turn to be interviewed. Before casting his first set of three votes, Grader remarked that the board was “spoiled for choice,” which was a “wonderful situation.” “But it’s brutal to make these kinds of decisions,” he said. Nye would later add that he hoped many of those not appointed would “still stay involved.” After the resident members were appointed, the board also took a vote to round out the committee by appointing four town department heads or their designees: the police chief, the fire chief, the public works director and the town engineer.
Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer will serve as an ex officio (non-voting) member of the committee. As described in last May’s Town Meeting article, the committee was established to implement the Marblehead Complete Streets Policy and evaluate public safety issues involving traffic, roads and other transportation infrastructure in town. The committee is to meet monthly and then make quarterly reports to the Select Board. In the leadup to Town Meeting, Albert explained that one of his goals with the article was to resuscitate and consolidate the functions of at least two committees that had seemingly gone defunct: a Traffic Advisory Committee that reports to the Select Board and a Complete Streets Committee that was constituted as a means to access state funding but that “doesn’t meet and hasn’t kept minutes,” he said at a League of Women Voters forum in April. Albert told the Current that he did not consider it a “snub” not to be appointed to a committee he worked to create. More important, he said, was the overwhelming amount of interest residents showed in serving on the committee. “For what other committee in the history of Marblead did that many people apply?” he said. Now, it is a matter of the committee living up to its promise, he added. “The TSAC should give everyone in Marblehead hope that we will actually fulfill the mandates of the Complete Streets Policy to provide safe, healthful and sustainable mobility for all,” he said. If in the coming months the committee seems to be falling short of his initial vision, Albert suggested he would not be shy about going back to Town Meeting to request the bylaw be amended.
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A6 Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Marblehead Current
Opinion EDITORIAL
Don’t curb this enthusiasm
What do the following people have in common: a filmmaker who has won awards for his works about cycling, a 42-year veteran of the State Police force, a decades-long owner of local bike shops, a Ph.D. recipient who wrote a thesis and multiple book chapters on automobile safety, and an engineer turned science journalist turned high school math teacher? The answer: There was no room for any of them on the new Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, on which the Select Board filled the three available public seats Oct. 11. It is not uncommon when there are more candidates than seats for an appointment for Select Board members to wring their hands about their difficult choice. Maybe in some cases, that’s performative, but in this case, the board members’ angst was hard earned. Without fail, each candidate had made a compelling case that they were both qualified and eager to contribute to making Marblehead’s streets safer for all. Perhaps Select Board member Bret Murray was joking when asked rhetorically, “Can we expand the committee?” But it’s not the worst idea and perhaps could be explored with town counsel. We know the language of Town Meeting articles — in this case this past spring’s Article 49 — is nothing to be trifled with. But perhaps additional nonvoting seats could be created without running afoul of the new bylaw. If that is not possible, the TSAC should go the extra mile to ensure that the enthusiasm on display at the Select Board’s Oct. 11 meeting does not escape like so much air out of a punctured tire. To be part of the conversations to come, the unsuccessful candidates should not have to rely on monitoring the town’s website to know when the committee’s monthly meetings are happening. Perhaps an email list could be created to keep interested people in the loop or a digital collaboration tool like Slack could be deployed. (While a town committee’s Slack messages would likely be subject to the state’s public records law, in Article 49 sponsor Dan Albert’s vision, transparency was already expected to be a hallmark of this committee.) Given the importance of the new committee’s work, we hope that it can live up to its promise. As Marblehead unfortunately knows all too well, when a life ends too soon on our roads, the wound is deep and enduring. Sparing another local family such pain should be a goal everyone can unite over, even as reasonable minds may differ about how to achieve this end. Beyond that, the committee is designed to ensure the town is not missing out on opportunities to bring in outside money to help improve our infrastructure. Meanwhile, a helpful use of the TSAC’s first quarterly report to the Select Board might be to review where we have been since a prioritization plan was rolled out in 2019 to implement the town’s Complete Streets policy and where the committee hopes to go from here, now that the policy is under its purview. We do have a slight concern that the town employee appointees on the committees outnumber the members of the public on the committee, four to three. We acknowledge that with any such body, it can be tricky to strike the proper balance between institutional expertise and activist energy. We just hope that the town officials’ effective veto power does not become a mechanism to stifle innovation in favor of the status quo, if evidence suggests a new approach might produce meaningful progress. As Albert wrote in a letter to the editor to the Current before Town Meeting: “Let me be clear: This isn’t about surrendering our streets to bicycles. It isn’t about usurping the role of the [Police Department], the [Department of Public Works] or the executive branch. It is about making life less stressful and more pleasant for all road users, no matter how they choose to move.” That should be a goal all can rally around and welcome contributions toward, no matter from whence they come.
OUR OPEN SPACES
Looking back at Ware Pond BY JOAN MCDUFF Ware Pond has been a town-owned conservation area for almost 60 years, but appreciation of its natural beauty extends much further back in history. The earliest records of the Ware Pond area indicate that on May 2, 1636, the neighboring town of Salem granted 500 acres known as the Plains Farm to John Humphrey of Marblehead. As one historian put it, Humphrey “was given this land to improve and to sell to approved inhabitants of Marblehead.” The land, adjacent to Salem and in the southeastern part of Marblehead, was described as having spring-fed ponds, rich meadows and thick woods. Much of this area was very desirable property as for many years before it had been the summer camp site of Scan this QR code for a trail map of the Ware Pond area. the Naumkeag tribe. In 1645, the Humphrey land was divided and purchased by residents of Marblehead as intended in the earlier grant. Records at the Historical Collection of the Essex Institute reveal that Captain James Smith purchased 100 acres of the Plains/Humphrey farm and his land was primarily used to graze cattle and raise crops. In 1831, Erastus Ware purchased the land around what is today called Ware Pond. “Erastus saw the possibilities of good husbandmanship upon the worn-out land and ably seconded by his son, Benjamin, Ware commenced work in good earnest to repair the waste places and bring back this neglected soil to a much better than its primitive condition,” according to the book “The Spirit of ‘76 Lives Here.” Benjamin Ware was one of the staunchest advocates of development in the area around Ware’s pond and was a man who wanted to see extension of the railroad in Marblehead. The purchased farmland remained in the Ware family through 1872, the year that saw a branch of the Eastern Railroad opened from Marblehead through Swampscott. Marblehead assessor records indicate that the Ware Pond area had been passed down to Horace Ware, son of Benjamin, with the entire Horace Ware estate eventually divided and sold by the family later in the 1870s. Clifton Village, formerly known as “The Farms,” developed in the territory south of the railroad and west of Rockaway between 1879 and 1880. The Ware Pond of today is located in the Clifton area. Clifton Heights was settled several years before 1870 by summer residents of Peabody who established a colony of tents. Houses displaced the tents within a few years and the area grew as a summer resort for the railroad, bringing travelers from Boston in just 40 minutes. In the early 1900s, the open farms surrounding Ware Pond were bought by developers and formally sectioned off with streets. Marblehead assessor records
FOOD 101
Ware Pond from the viewing platform and boardwalk built by the Marblehead Conservancy in 2005.
COURTESY PHOTOS
Ware Pond as it appeared in the “1884 Walker Road Map of Essex County.” Clifton Station on the Swampscott rail line was just steps away from the pond, as was Clifton House, a well-known hotel at the time.
indicate that Ralph Sevinor of Chelsea purchased a considerable amount of land in the Clifton area in the 1920s, land that was under foreclosure at the time. It was during this period that most of the open space vanished with house lots created and filled with private, single-family residences. “With the density of population and home construction, the ecology of Clifton has been altered with the loss of marshy wetlands and by (the addition of) underground drains,” according to “The Spirit of ‘76 Lives Here.” In 1965, the Sevinor family donated land including and surrounding Ware Pond to the Marblehead Conservation Commission. The town purchased an additional three acres in 1969 from other owners, and another adjacent 10,000 square-foot lot on Wilson Road was donated in 2021, creating the Ware Pond conservation area enjoyed by many today. Joan McDuff is a member of the Conservation Commission
’Tis the season for pumpkin lovers BY LINDA BASSETT
Everywhere you look, it’s pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin! Marching across the front porch or spicing up coffee. (Actually, coffee shops have been “pumpkin spicing” since mid-August. Too soon?) Of course, there’s no actual pumpkin in pumpkin spice. It is just an amalgam of fall flavors that could just as accurately be labeled apple pie spice. Anyway, we don’t need a trip to the coffee shop to enjoy this aromatic seasoning. We can make it ourselves and add it, as needed, to our morning mug. Make four tablespoons of pumpkin spice, putting two teaspoons ground cinnamon in a small jar. Then measure in a teaspoon of ground ginger, a teaspoon of ground allspice and half a teaspoon of ground nutmeg. (It makes more than you think.) Cover the jar tightly and shake well. Raise or lower the amount of each spice to alter the flavor to your own taste. Fond of cinnamon? Up the amount in the mix, starting slowly with about ¼ teaspoon. For a spicier mixture, add more ginger. And so on with the FOOD 101, P. A7
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, October 18, 2023 A7
MARBLEHEAD CARES
The Science of the Positive BY J OANNE MILLER, co-chair Marblehead Mental Health Task Force; WENDY KENT, member Marblehead Mental Health Task Force and prevention and treatment professional; AND MICHELLE ABRAMS, editor and writer focusing on health and wellness The realities of addiction, overdose and the prevalence of fentanyl in America demand urgency around building successful prevention strategies. The Marblehead Mental Health Task Force sat down with our own Wendy Kent, a prevention and treatment professional, who recently attended a conference at the Montana Institute on the evidence-based Science of the Positive, where she had her first exposure to the framework surrounding the prevention process and sought to incorporate it into prevention work. Positivity isn’t a word you often hear in discussions about current events, especially in the realm of health and safety. What is the Science of the Positive? Before we talk about SOP we need to talk about how prevention works and the framework in which we operate. Prevention is a multi-step process. We can’t just limit it to an issue that we want resolved and automatically come up with a solution. Some of the factors that need to be considered include needs, resources, capacity and readiness, data and what’s been done in the past and how it’s worked. We currently operate under the Strategic Prevention Framework which focuses on needs and resources assessment, capacity building,
planning, implementation, evaluation, sustainability and health equity. Prevention can be frustrating for people who are action-oriented rather than process-oriented. The Science of the Positive is a framework that mirrors many of the steps in the SPF, but shifts the focus. For example, in public health, you seek to decrease risks and increase protections, whereas in the Science of the Positive, you also reduce concerns, and increase hope. You also consider what might work best for individuals or communities given their own resources or resilience. Let’s clarify: the Science of the Positive is not simply positive thinking, or a mind-over-matter approach, correct? Science of the Positive is NOT about looking at the world with rose colored glasses and assuming that everything will ultimately be okay. It’s about understanding that focusing on needs and concerns alone is not conducive to engaging people. We have to be able to demonstrate that we do hear and understand concerns and we do hear and understand what is already being done to help address them. Science of the Positive is about encouraging us to be very aware of peoples’ concerns and challenges while simultaneously
considering how we can capitalize on and promote what is already in place to address those needs and concerns. It means taking a much deeper dive to discover what does exist within individuals, families, and communities and figure out how to frame those positives into addressing concerns. I’ll share one very simple and concrete example. In a small community in Montana that has high rates of youth substance misuse, the perception was that youth were bored, they had little to do, and felt that the community had nothing to offer, and there was a lack of hope about the future due to a perceived lack of community resources. A prevention
coalition worked with multiple local providers and resources to identify what community resources were already in place to support youth, and then created an online calendar of events with links to the available resources. People discovered that the community did have much more to offer than people realized and now there has been a great response to these youth and family-focused events. So what they did was shine a light on what the community had to offer, the already existing positives, and people began to make better use of what had actually been available all along. Why is reversing the typical problem-centered framing crucial to improving the health
helmets. This factor may be relevant when describing the extent of a cyclist’s injuries, but it is certainly not relevant when determining a cause of a crash. An article describing a shooting does not mention whether the victim was wearing a bulletproof vest. What was the driver of the car wearing? Did they have sunglasses to deal with the morning sun? Was their phone on or in use? These factors might be more relevant. » The driver and cyclist were not cited. The driver either made a left turn into oncoming traffic, failing to yield the right of way, or a right turn after passing the cyclist. There is a new law protecting vulnerable road users requiring drivers to give them four feet of space. Massachusetts law requires any person 16 years old or
younger riding a bicycle to wear a helmet. Either the “juvenile” (defined under 18) was 17 years old, or was breaking the law. Why were there no citations if there were infractions? » The focus of the police in the article is about enforcement for speeding and flashing beacons. However, the incident did not happen on a crosswalk, where flashing beacons could be relevant, and Chief King stated that speed was not a factor. I applaud Chief King for advocating for more flashing beacons in Marblehead and the Police Department and the Board of Health for hosting a bike safety rodeo. Massachusetts State law requires municipal police departments to develop programs for the training of law enforcement offices in
bicycle safety enforcement and develop guidelines for traffic enforcement for bicyclist safety. Beyond investment in safety training for local cyclists, how does our police department plan to train local drivers and enforce traffic laws that protect cyclists? What will be done to prevent this near-tragedy (or worse) from happening again? Sincerely, Pat Milner, on behalf of Friends of Green Street Woods Cloutmans Lane
For the rest of us, canned pumpkin puree (or cooked down pulp), saves peeling, cutting and cooking time. The word “pure” (meaning only, or not seasoned) should appear somewhere on the can. This is not a complete guarantee that a little butternut or blue Hubbard hasn’t sneaked into the can. It’s allowed — by whoever makes the rules. Not every recipe will use up a whole can of puree. The rest, no matter how small, freezes well to use in another recipe. I know cooks who fill ice cube trays with the leftovers from a whole can. It’s easy to pop out the individual cubes and store them in a freezer bag until another recipe that uses a small amount. The new jumbo-size ice cube makers are ideal for this. Don’t want the bother of freezing? Then treat the kids to pumpkin shakes.
Put these all in a blender and puree as you would a smoothie. Pour into glasses and dollop some whipped cream on top. If whipping your own cream, flavor it with ground ginger, or, if you spritz your whipped cream from a can, top with a nugget of candied ginger as a garnish. Or use an entire can for two pumpkin breads — one for right now, the other for the freezer.
In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Alternately add this mixture and the water to the sugar mixture. Beat until combined. Add pumpkin. Pour batter into loaf pans. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes (at 350 degrees) until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pans on racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours overnight.
Marblehead Counseling Center
COURTESY PHOTO
and safety of communities? People need to understand that they have a say in the process and that the strengths they bring to the table are valued. People want their beliefs, which have roots in their culture and experience, to be respected and supported. There’s not one single approach to raising a child correctly or managing a mental health issue. For example, people need to feel respected for what works with them and discussions with a physician need to involve a mutual understanding and appreciation of what drives the decision and the choices people make. This means learning more about the positives in people’s lives that they draw from. The Science of the Positive focuses on growing the healthy, positive, protective factors that already exist in our communities. And while the Science of the Positive is based on the core assumption that the positive exists in every community and culture, it recognizes that suffering, pain and harm are very real. This has been a cursory overview of the framework while it is important to understand that there are many layers to this framework. One of its principal outcomes is to reduce suffering in our families, our communities and ourselves.
LETTERS
Accident vs. crash To the editor: I am writing in reference to the article titled “Bicycle accident with car sends juvenile to hospital” in last week’s paper. While I am sure the article was well-intentioned, and without knowing what “really happened,” I would like to offer some constructive feedback for future articles. » The word “accident.” There have been increasing calls for journalists to stop using the word accident when describing car crashes, as it implies that it was just bad luck. You don’t hear plane crashes called accidents. Instead there is a search for root causes and a focus on prevention. » The emphasis on wearing
Food 101 From P. A6
others. These heady spices go a long way, so start small. Store this mixture with the other spices on the shelf. Use this flavoring in hot chocolate as well as in coffee drinks. Then try it in baked goods like quick breads, muffins, scones, pumpkin or apple pies. Crisps, cobblers and slumps, made with fall fruits, take to this mixture, too. Sprinkle it over French toast, oatmeal (with a tiny spritz of maple syrup) or on cold cereal in place of sugar. Dust this mixture over unadorned supermarket donuts. Heat them on a sheet pan in a 250 degree oven for about seven minutes to elevate them to heavenly. As for the pumpkins themselves, be on the lookout for sugar pumpkins for cooking, which are different from the big jack-o-lantern kind. The best places to find them are at the grocery store where they are usually labeled. At the outdoor market, ask the farmer to point out the best ones for cooking.
PUMPKIN PIE MILKSHAKE Makes 2 (8-ounce) glasses. ` 1 cup vanilla ice cream ` 2 heaping tablespoons pumpkin puree ` ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice ` ¼ cup milk
PUMPKIN BREAD Makes 2 loaves. Use good, large bowls for mixing ingredients. This spillovers especially with dry ingredients. Less mess is easier on the cook. ` 3 cups sugar ` 1 cup vegetable oil ` 4 eggs ` 3-1/3 cups all-purpose flour ` 2 teaspoons baking soda ` 1-1/2 teaspoons salt ` 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ` 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg ` 2/3 cup water ` A 15-ounce can pumpkin
Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Grease two 9x5-inch loaf pans. Whisk together sugar and oil, beat in eggs until combined.
‘Spectacular’ tour by Marblehead Museum To the editor: My husband and I took part in the Marblehead Museum’s “Slavery to Freedom” walking tour on Sunday, Oct. 1, and it was spectacular.
h h h
All autumnal flavors need not be relegated to sweets. Savory flavors like dancing with pumpkin. Remind the taste buds that the recipe is not desert by including a measure of salt and/ or ground black pepper. Pasta is a surprising combination with pumpkin. PUMPKIN PASTA Makes 6 servings. Sage adds a depth of flavor to this dish. Mascarpone is Italian cream cheese found in small plastic tubs in the deli section of the grocery store. It is sweeter
Jarrett Zeman, the assistant museum director, was a dynamic and interesting speaker, and the sites he took us to are places I have walked and driven by over my many years in Marblehead, and never know the backstory to those locations. Many longtime Marblehead residents on the tour expressed the same sentiment, that this was all new information to us. I highly recommend this tour! It is being offered again this coming weekend on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. I also commend the Marblehead Museum for its fresh and thorough approach to these complex and sometimes uncomfortable topics. Eileen Mathieu Longview Drive LETTERS, P. A13
than ricotta. A mixture of both ricotta and mascarpone works well in this, too. ` 1 pound pappardelle noodles ` 2 tablespoons butter ` ½ to a whole red onion, chopped ` 4 fresh sage leaves, minced ` ½ cup white wine (optional) ` 1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree ` ½ cup whole milk ricotta or mascarpone ` Salt, pepper to taste
Boil the pasta in a large pot of salted water. Drain and save ½ cup of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot to keep warm In a skillet, melt the butter. Sauté the onion and sage, cooking until the onions are lightly golden. (Do not brown the onions.) Add the wine, if using. Pour in the pumpkin puree. Then add this to the pot with the pasta. Add the ricotta or mascarpone. Toss together gently so the noodles do not break. Add some of the saved cooking water, two tablespoons at a time, if the mixture is too tight. Toss again over very low heat. The pumpkin-cheese mixture should coat the noodles.
FINAL-20 CP_MBHC_20231018_1_A08 Mon, Oct 16, 2023 3:39:51 PM
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A8 Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Marblehead Current
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, October 18, 2023 A9
Sports
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MHS GRIDIRON
Magicians dominate Beverly for second win BY JOE MCCONNELL After his team beat Masco two weeks ago to snap its four-game losing streak, Marblehead High football coach Jim Rudloff was looking ahead to Beverly (0-6), his team’s next opponent on the Northeastern Conference Dunn Divisional schedule. He said they would be focusing on the things they had been doing wrong while continuing to build upon the things they were doing right. Last Saturday afternoon at Beverly’s Hurd Stadium, it appeared that the Magicians (2-4) had corrected many of those wrongs while adding to the list of the things they’re doing right as they totally dominated the host Panthers, 40-6. Rudloff continued to employ both of his young quarterbacks — junior Colt Wales and sophomore Finn Gallup — to confuse defenses, and the strategy once again worked perfectly. Each QB accounted for two touchdowns to pace the offensive attack. Wales was the team’s leading rusher with 99 yards, which included touchdown runs of 31 and 5 yards. Gallup was credited with 73 rushing yards, completing two drives with short jaunts of 3 and 5 yards that accounted for 12 of his team’s points. Both signal callers were also proficient with their aerial games. Gallup completed four passes out of just five attempts for 125 yards. He completed a scoring strike to senior Chris DeWitt on a slant over the middle, and the captain did the rest to take it to the house for a 94-yard touchdown completion
COURTESY PHOTOS/EYAL OREN/WEDNESDAYSINMHD.COM
Marblehead sophomore quarterback Finn Gallup (12) waits for a block from senior captain Chris DeWitt (17) to get some running room against Beverly last Saturday.
Marblehead senior running back Brooks Keefe takes the handoff from junior quarterback Colt Wales during last Saturday’s game at Beverly.
in the second quarter. Wales had two completions in only four attempts. The visitors had a commanding lead at halftime, 27-6. During the game, the Marblehead boys amassed 427 yards in total offense, with 300 of those yards coming on the ground. It was the
team’s 11th straight win against the Panthers. Senior captain Andy Palmer and junior Crew Monaco came up with one interception apiece to thwart a couple of Beverly drives. Senior captain Jake Scogland recovered a fumble on the Beverly 20 that led to the
team’s first touchdown of the game, a 14-yard run to paydirt by Brady Selvais. Junior defensive lineman Justin Gonzalez was a constant force in the middle of the line throughout the entire game. Gallup was also credited with a first quarter touchdown after
dashing the final 3 yards to the endzone. Sure-footed Greg Motorny then made his first of four successful extra point tries. Wales began the second quarter with his aforementioned 31-yard TD run. That was followed by DeWitt’s electrifying 94-yard gallop to the end zone after hauling in Gallup’s screen pass. Each quarterback had a rushing touchdown from five yards out in the second half to complete Marblehead’s offensive assault on the Panthers. Wales (99 yards) and Gallup (73 yards) were two of the leading Marblehead rushers against Beverly. But Brady Selvais was right with them, carrying the ball 12 times for 74 yards. DeWitt (2-112), Crew Monaco (2-13) and Palmer (1-6) were the team’s leading receivers. The Magicians have a bye this week, but they will be working hard to prepare for visiting Danvers on Friday, Oct. 27, starting at 6:30 p.m. As of Oct. 10, before the Beverly game, Rudloff ’s squad had cracked the Top 16 in the Division 4 power rankings. They were ranked 16th and are sure to move up a couple of spots after Saturday’s win over Beverly. The top 16 clubs in each division with at least three wins make the playoffs, which makes the game against the Falcons critical in Marblehead’s postseason pursuit. Danvers (4-2) defeated Swampscott (3-2-1) last Friday night, 27-14. Danvers will face Masco Friday, Oct. 20 at home before the Marblehead clash.
BOYS SOCCER
Magicians pick up the pace with the playoffs right around the corner The Marblehead High boys soccer team (4-6-3) fell to longtime rival Beverly (5-3-2), 2-0 on Oct. 9 after battling to a draw earlier in the season. The Panthers scored both goals early on. The Marblehead boys, however, were able to regain their composure to even the playing field. The defense, led by senior captain Riley Schmitt, clamped down on Beverly’s attacking front, played a compact formation that offered little room for the Panthers to maneuver freely. Late in the first half, the Magicians were able to muster a legitimate threat after goalkeeper Rory Zampese reacted quickly to a failed Beverly corner kick. He trapped the ball, before rolling it to Jared Halpern, who drove it downfield to forward Stefan Shepard. Shepard then won the footrace along the right touchline, only to see the Beverly defender knock the ball out of bounds. In the second half, Shepard threatened again on a brilliant attack after a failed direct kick by Beverly. He and left midfielder Ilan Druker created several scoring combinations that kept Beverly’s defense
BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW
COURTESY PHOTO / TROY MILLER
COURTESY PHOTO / RICH BIBBINS
Marblehead High boys soccer coach Elmer Magana praises his team after a solid 4-0 win over Danvers on Oct. 11.
Marblehead High boys soccer player Stefan Shepard (3) fired a shot on net in a game against visiting Danvers on Oct 11. Shepard scored twice in the game to help lead his teammates to a 4-0 triumph.
honest, and at times off balance. In one sequence, Druker came up with a sweet backcheck, before firing a clean shot that went just over the crossbar. Overall, the intensity and discipline were in full display for the Magicians, even though they were held scoreless. The offense was effective in getting the ball into Beverly’s defensive third, but to no avail after that. The Danvers Falcons came to town two days later, and the home team was eager to hand the Falcons a loss after an earlier game, played in the rain, resulted in a draw. The tie did not sit well with the Marblehead boys, who knew they had squandered chances to put that game away early.
temporarily. In the second half, the Marblehead offense came alive, starting with captain Jack Burke. Bringing the ball down the right side, Burke sent a nifty cross to Kyle Hart near the six. He then placed the ball expertly in the left corner of the net to give his teammates a 2-0 lead. Marblehead nearly put up another score on a direct kick by Luke Miller, who sent a long ball near the goal line that was for the taking. Two teammates leaped for the header, but the Danvers goalie fought through the pressure to grab the ball in midair. Shepard struck gold twice in the waning minutes. His first goal followed an excellent
From the opening kickoff in the rematch, the Magicians played with focus, moving the ball well through midfield with patience, while maintaining proper spacing. They were also looking for weaknesses to exploit. Though the game was close early on, Marblehead broke it open on a score by Yuri Volkov. Just before halftime, Miles Fontela-Tuttle fired a missile from the left side that had no business doing anything other than hitting the back of the net, but yet somehow the Danvers goalie pulled out an acrobatic Spiderman vault to come down with the ball in his grasp. Danger averted for Danvers, albeit only
sequence with Burke, and the second tally came on a breakaway through the middle. Marblehead had gained a head of steam, using outstanding ball control and tenacious defense to build up momentum as the game progressed. The team’s depth has been a newfound strength this season after sustaining several injuries to starting players. It has helped them maintain stability, and not falter. After shutting down Danvers, 4-0, the Magicians went back to work to get ready for host Gloucester on Oct. 17, followed by a game at Peabody two days later, starting at 6:30 p.m. Troy Miller, father of player Luke, submitted this report.
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A10 Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Marblehead Current
MHS SPORTS ROUNDUP
Undefeated boys cross-country sweeps tri-meet BY JOE McCONNELL The Marblehead High boys cross-country team (6-0) traveled to Bradley Palmer State Park to take on Masconomet and Danvers in a Northeastern Conference (NEC) tri-meet on Oct. 11. “It was a great race, with the boys coming away with wins against both teams,” said coach Brian Heenan. The Marblehead boys defeated Masconomet, 19-37, and Danvers, 25-30. They were led by Isaac Gross (15:47), who ended up coming out on top. “It was an impressive performance by Isaac, as he has been recovering from an illness,” said Heenan. Nate Assa (15:58) came in second, as he continues to impress the coaches this fall. Junior Will Cerrutti (16:08) keeps on improving after last year’s injury-plagued campaign. He was fourth overall in this tri-meet. Sophomore Will Cruikshank (17:16) had the race of the day after overtaking the fifth Danvers runner in the final halfmile. He was ninth overall. These Magicians will now travel to Peabody to take on the Tanners on Oct. 18 to close out the regular season, starting at 4 p.m.
Girls split tri-meet
On Wednesday, Oct. 11, the Marblehead High girls crosscountry team (5-1) competed in a tri-meet against Northeastern Conference rivals Masconomet and Danvers at Bradley Palmer State Park. Marblehead lost to Masconomet, 25-36, but defeated Danvers, 23-36. Marri O’Connell and senior captain Cat Piper took home the top two spots, respectively. “[O’Connell] continues her unbeaten streak in NEC dual/trimeets, with [Piper] close behind her,” said coach Will Herlihy. “Maren Potter was our third runner in this tri-meet after running one of her best races this fall, but overall, the team succumbed to Masco’s depth upfront,” Herlihy added. “The Chieftains already had seven runners cross the finish line between our second and third runners.” The Marblehead girls travel to Peabody to take on the Tanners Oct. 18 to close out the regular season, starting at 4 p.m.
Girls soccer tame the Panthers The Marblehead High girls soccer team (5-5-1) shutout Beverly, 2-0 on Oct. 10. Sadie Halpern scored both Marblehead goals in the first
half. Grace Mortensen assisted on the first tally. Sydney Ball set up the second marker. Goalie Kate Burns made nine saves to help preserve the shutout. “It was a team effort against Beverly, and everyone played well,” said first-year head coach Lisa Wales. “This was one of our best games this season, because it was the closest that we came to playing a complete game as a team. Credit to the Beverly keeper, who made some fantastic saves to keep it close on the scoreboard.” But the very next day, the Magicians were edged by Danvers, 3-2. Ava Machado and Ashley Mortensen netted the Marblehead goals, with Ball setting up both of them. “We were leading 2-0, but in the second half we were not able to fend off the persistent Danvers attack,” said Wales. “It was a great, fast-paced, competitive game right to the end. We had a lot of positives to take away from this game, and I was also very proud of the effort that the girls brought to it, especially after playing Beverly the day before. [Burns] made some fantastic saves in net. She finished up with 16 saves overall.” After taking on non-league Manchester Essex Oct. 13
and Gloucester Oct. 17, the Marblehead girls return to the Piper pitch to host Peabody Thursday on Oct. 19, starting at 4 p.m.
Volleyball teams falls to Peabody, Ipswich The Marblehead High volleyball team (6-7) lost to Peabody in four sets on Oct. 10. Eva Burke and Lila Moniz led the way in kills with 20 and 14 apiece to keep the match close, while Maddie Cole and Mari Modryznska each ended up with eight. Alyssa Gentile and Megan Parkman tied in digs with 14. The Magicians then dropped a match to Ipswich in three sets two days later. Gentile was credited with 12 digs. Sydney Faris was excellent at receiving serves against the Tigers, according to coach Killeen Miller. After facing Danvers on Oct. 13, the Magicians play host to Masco Oct. 18 starting at 5:30 p.m. Non-league Notre Dame Academy of Hingham follows the Chieftains to town to go up against the Magicians on Friday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m. They will be at Danvers on Oct. 24, 5:30 p.m., and Swampscott on Oct. 26, 6 p.m.
Golfers keep on winning The Marblehead High golfers (12-1) defeated Salem at Old
Salem Greens, 55-17, on Oct. 11. All eight Magicians won their matches, with five of them shooting a 38 or less. Charlie Grenier was the medalist of the day with a 36. Marty Ryan and Toby Grenier each shot a 37. Jacob Hershfield and Matt Mahan finished up with identical 38 scores. The Magicians maintained their winning ways the very next day against Masco at Tedesco, 43-29. A total of seven Marblehead golfers won their matches, with the eighth match ending up in a tie. Charlie Grenier (5.5-4.5, shooting a 38), Ryan (5.5-3.5, 34, the medalist of the day), Hershfield (6.5-2.5, 36), James Bickell (5-4, 42), Mahan (6-3, 39), Adrian Baron (5.5-3.5, 39) and Toby Grenier (5-4, 39) were the individual winners. Simon Quicken shot a 37 to tie his match, 4.5-4.5. After hosting non-league St. Mary’s of Lynn on Oct. 17, these Magicians will host Winthrop on Oct. 18 at 4 p.m. The MIAA (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) state tournament then begins Oct. 24 at Stow Acres Country Club at 10 a.m. The NEC Open is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 26, at Tedesco, beginning at 12:30 p.m.
CUZNER IN NATURE
Eastern screech owl finds refuge in tree nook BY RICK CUZNER I found this eastern screech owl snoozing in the fracture of a tree late one afternoon. Usually after finding a screech owl, I can return from time to time and find it again in the same location. The unfortunate thing is they seem to pick old rotted trees for their homes. Over the years I have gone back to half a dozen screech owl locations (or more) to find the tree had fallen over in a storm or was taken down due to being a hazard. “If a mysterious trill catches your attention in the night, bear in mind the spooky sound may come from an owl no bigger than a pint glass,” writes the Cornell Lab. “Common east of the Rockies in woods, suburbs and parks, the eastern screech owl is found wherever trees are, and they’re even willing to nest in backyard nest boxes.” The Cornell Lab continues, “These supremely camouflaged birds hide out in nooks and tree crannies through the day, so train your ears and listen for them at night.” The Marblehead Current is proud to partner with photographer Rick Cuzner. For the past 15 years, he has taken thousands of nature photographs that capture the wild animals who call Marblehead home.
A small eastern screech owl nestles into a fracture in a tree.
COURTESY PHOTO / RICK CUZNER
Shasha Holiday Pops art to be unveiled Nov. 8 Local painter Mark Shasha will unveil his original painting to benefit the Rotary Club of Marblehead Harbor’s Holiday Pops concert at a reception in his honor on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Masons Philanthropic Lodge at 62 Pleasant St. in Marblehead. The reception is free and open to the public. Guests are invited to gather for a celebration of Shasha’s artwork. Shasha is an award-winning artist, author, educator and a leading plein air painter in America today. His work has appeared in museums, galleries and publications for almost 40 years and can be found in public and private collections around the world. Shasha is a practitioner of
contemporary realism and is best known for his coastal paintings of New England. His paintings usually begin with something personal that captures his eye. He then applies traditional picturemaking techniques to achieve his vision. He uses classical methods of careful drawing, strong composition and atmospheric perspective. “I brake for beauty” is his bumper sticker. The Holiday Pops painting by Shasha will be raffled at the Holiday Pops Concert on Dec. 9. Notecards of the painting and raffle tickets to win the painting will be available at the artist’s reception and at the Arnould Gallery as well as from Rotary Club of Marblehead Harbor members.
Mark Shasha is the Rotary Club of Marblehead Harbor’s Holiday Pops Concert artist this year.
Organizers said Shasha’s work is highly sought after, and a raffle ticket is a great investment in a
chance to win a beautiful work of art and to support a great cause. All proceeds from the
COURTESY PHOTO
concert will go to Rotary Club of Marblehead Harbor’s support of local charities.
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Marblehead Current Wednesday, October 18, 2023 A11
CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER Children sing Israel’s national anthem while facing the flag at a vigil for Israel on Oct. 11.
Faith and town leaders lead a peace vigil at Star of the Sea Church on Sunday, Oct. 15.
Vigils From P. A1
including rabbis, priests, reverends and other faith leaders. Rabbi Michael Schwartz of Temple Sinai shared stories of close friends in Israel impacted by Hamas’ surprise attack on Oct. 7, including two women who had led organizations to build bridges with Palestians. One woman was kidnapped, the other was killed. Schwartz said Israel must root out Hamas. He acknowledged that innocent Gazans may die in the process. “All of us will have to wrestle with our own souls, how are our own souls are going to cope with that,” he said. “We do what we have to while still seeking peace.” Marblehead’s Melissa Kaplowitch, co-chair of the ADL North Shore Advisory Committee, spoke about the pain and fear her family has experienced since Oct. 7. Her daughter was walking by an antiIsrael protest in New York City where she heard people chanting, “Gas the Jews.” “My son, who is at Marblehead High School, asked if it was okay to wear his Star of David to school,” she said. Her ADL co-chair, Lesley Dever, pointed out that some Jewish children in Marblehead are now afraid to go to school or to go to the JCC. Kaplowitch, whose grandparents were Holocaust survivors, added, “‘Never again’ is now. Your Jewish friends are sad. The more you ask, ‘Are you okay?’ the safer we will feel.” Earlier in the week, more
than 1,000 people gathered at Congregation Shirat Hayam in Swampscott. “Hopefully, tonight we will find strength in each other’s company,” said Marty Schneer, executive director of the JCC in Marblehead, who led the program. That’s exactly what happened, said state Rep. Jennifer Armini of Marblehead. “The evening gave the community an opportunity to experience a range of emotions together — anger, grief, defiance, and hope,” Armini told the Current. “However you walked in, you left feeling resolute and resilient.” Sixteen-year-old Yuri Volkov, a junior at Marblehead High School, visited Tel Aviv and Israel last summer with the Y2I program and came to Shirat Hayam with his parents and 11-year-old brother. “We have family and friends in Israel,” he said.
“What happened is very upsetting and scary.” Jack and Rita Matlis, also of Marblehead, said the stories out of Israel are too familiar. “Such brutality, I know from Ukraine,” Jack said. “The Nazis murdered my family in Ukraine [during the Holocaust]. It’s not any different.” Rita added, “It’s important to come and feel supported, to see town and state officials coming here. It means a lot.”
Congressman Seth Moulton, who represents several communities on the North Shore, could not attend because of votes on the House floor, but his veterans’ liaison read a statement. “I grieve with the Jewish community here at home,” Steve Bohn read. “The world must figure out how to empower the peacemakers.” Both vigils ended with children being called forward to sing — a
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Hebrew prayer for peace in Marblehead and the
Israeli national anthem in Swampscott.
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FINAL-18 CP_MBHC_20231018_1_A12 Mon, Oct 16, 2023 3:39:56 PM
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A12 Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Marblehead Current
CURRENT EVENTS
Best bets for Oct. 18-26 Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. —Leigh Blander
Hear Ken Burns’ pianist
Thursday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m.
Jacqueline Schwab has performed at the White House and with The American Pops Orchestra, as well as played the piano for Ken Burns’ documentaries. Now she’s coming to Marblehead! She’ll perform in the Jazz at the Arts series at the Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper St. More info at MarbleheadArts.org.
Where the bodies are buried Thursday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m.
This Halloween season, Pam Peterson will reveal the history of local cemeteries, from the colonial gravestones of Old Burial Hill to the Victorian vaults of Waterside Cemetery. She’ll share the stories of the Marblehead fishermen, merchants, church leaders and heroes who lie six feet under. Peterson is a Marblehead cemetery commissioner and leads the Historical Commission. The program will be in person at the Marblehead Museum, 170 Washington St., and on Zoom. More info at MarbleheadMuseum.org.
Gallery opening Friday, Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m.
Bluesman Pumpkin Chris Smither Illumination back at Me&Thee Have your very own pumpkin
Artist Ian Sherwin is opening his new gallery at 1 State St. Sherwin grew up in Marblehead and returned home this summer to open his new gallery to display and sell art, as well as teach classes and support artists with special needs. “I’m here to inspire, teach and lead,” he said. The grand opening will feature six artists, including Sherwin. IanSherwingallery.com
Thursday, Oct. 26, 4-7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m.
Fresh from the Kennedy Center, singer, bluesman and poet Chris Smither comes back to Me&Thee Music, 28 Mugford St. Smither has performed for 50 years and stars like Bonnie Raitt and Emmylou Harris have recorded his songs. Learn more and get tickets at meandthee.org.
creation displayed at the 15th Annual Pumpkin Illumination at the Jeremiah Lee Mansion garden, 161 Washington St. Pumpkin Entry is free and all are welcome to participate. Info at https://loom.ly/2L4E3dw.
Town-wide trick or treat Thursday, Oct. 26, 4-6 p.m.
Join the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce and local businesses for the town-wide trick or treat at businesses throughout town.
Creepy craft fair Saturday, Oct. 21, 11 a.m.-3p.m.
Come shop from local artists, crafters and vendors at the Marblehead VFW, 321 West Shore Dr. Wear your favorite Halloween costume and get a free stripe of raffle tickets.
Halloween From P. A1
beyond. He’s even been on national TV. Last year, he designed and built a 20-foot Egyptian goddess with the head of a cobra and body of a woman. Other highlights from over the years include a red-eyed dragon that blew smoke, a spaceship, a 22-foot hulking gorilla that turned his head and made noises, a ghost ship and an 18-foot skeletal man that seemed to walk when the wind blew. Trivas was tight-lipped about the subject of this year’s design, except to say it will feature outdoor and indoor components. Asked when they decided on this year’s theme, she answered, “We had a conversation right after last Halloween about the inside. Then we didn’t talk about it again until August. In August, we looked at each other and said, ‘Well, it’s time.’ Then he started doing sketches.” Saltsman works full time and spends dozens of hours in the evenings and on weekends working on his Halloween projects. This year is no different. “He’s spent a lot of time working on really beautiful models of ideas,” Trivas said. “He’s really interested in the process and in exploring the materiality of things. Inside there’s a lot of play on different effects and how that might create a sense of space and light and depth.” She continued, “He does find a lot of joy in exploring those things and trying to get it right. If it wasn’t fun and it wasn’t exploratory, joyful and creative… it wouldn’t look the way it does.” Saltsman and Trvias typically announce a schedule of days and times when people can come and tour the installations, right before, on and after Halloween. Stay with the Current for updates.
The dragon blew smoke and had red eyes that lit up.
COURTESY PHOTO / BROOKE TRIVAS
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
Tom Saltsman and wife Brooke Trivas stand in front of the 2022 Halloween installation, a 20-foot Egyptian goddess.
Saltsman’s gorilla turned its head and grunted.
COURTESY PHOTO / BROOKE TRIVAS
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Letters From P. A7
A ‘love letter’ from Marblehead clergy To the editor: Oct. 11 is one of the national LGBTQ+ Days of Observance; particularly, Oct. 11 is National Coming Out Day. In the spirit of National Coming Out Day, made unfortunately all the more relevant given the anti-LGTBQ+ legislation passed this year all across the country, a few of us clergy in town wanted to come together to write a “love letter” of sorts to our LGTBQ+ beloveds. The only appropriate place to start is by acknowledging that our faith traditions, each in their own ways, have wrestled with legacies of perpetuating homophobia, transphobia and anti-LGTBQ+ prejudice — legacies which will only be healed and transformed if we remain accountable to them. We believe the divine to be present in all things and in all places, and as religious leaders in Marblehead, we celebrate the presence of the divine in our LGTBQ+ siblings, including those among our ranks as clergy. We validate the hurt that has been felt by our queer and trans siblings, pain that has been sometimes directly inflicted by our own congregations. We are committed to reconciling these harms with our own understanding of a faith that is much greater than ourselves, rooted in the idea of being present with those on the margins of society who are kept out of full participation in society due to race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic situation, age, ability and any other kind of systemic barrier that has been put in place. To our beloved, queer selves and siblings: We side with you in solidarity. We are ready to turn tables with you. We are ready to offer pastoral care for you. We are ready to make mistakes and grow alongside you. We are ready to risk parts of ourselves to ensure that you survive and thrive. As clergy leaders, we commit ourselves to the work of educating ourselves and growing alongside our faith communities so that we can minimize harm and move closer to collective liberation for all. Happy National Coming Out Day, beloveds. Know that no matter what any person or
Marblehead Current Wednesday, October 18, 2023 A13
institution says, you are a whole and beautiful person, created in the image of the divine. » The Rev. Isaac GarriguesCortelyou (they/he), St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church » The Rev. Susan Morrison (she/hers), retired United Methodist clergy » Rev. Jenna Crawford (she/ hers), Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead » The Rev. James Bixby (he/ his), Clifton Lutheran Church » Rabbi Darryl Crystal, Temple Emanu-El » Rabbi Allison Peiser (she/ her), Temple educator at Temple Emanu-El » Rabbi David J. Meyer, Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Emanu-El » The Rev. Don Remick (he/his), Old North Church » The Rev. Lindsay Popperson (she/hers), Old North Church *While we were not able to get signatures from every leader of an openly LGTBQ+ affirming faith community in Marblehead due to vacation and transition schedules, we certainly do not intend to exclude their names and community ministries from this sentiment, and we celebrate their ministries of inclusion and justice.
Liberty and justice for all To the editor: I received an email from Marblehead acting Superintendent Michelle Cresta. The subject line: “Stand with Israel.” The Marblehead school curriculum focuses heavily on diversity, equity and inclusion through assigned readings, guest speakers and special events. Recent guest Tara Silberg of ShadowLight, an organization that urges us to learn from past atrocities and to be aware of current ones, asked students if they saw any signs of hate or prejudice in their own community. As a full-time student of life, I raise my hand. There is a form of intolerance in “Stand with Israel” because what is lost in sensationalized headlines about “beheaded babies” and Hamas being responsible for the deaths of innocent people, both Palestinian and Israeli, is the narrative. In fact, these sensationalized headlines spread hate with the intent to divide and confuse. It appears the only crime of a Palestinian is being born on land coveted by another group of people. With no say in 1948, their land was simply ripped away
from them. It led to the largest refugee population. 750,000 Palestinians fled. Thousands were massacred. It’s called the Nakba, or “Palestinian catastrophe.” Yet, I often hear that Palestine was “a land without a people.” Another group of people, living comfortably or not comfortably from other places around the globe, decided that they would be the people to occupy this “place without a people.” If my neighbor decides they also want to occupy this place, they can “return” to the place in which they were not born? The root of this problem is not Jews vs Muslims. It is oldfashioned colonialism. What happened to “never again”? Is that reserved for only one group of people? We bring cattle cars to the school to remind us of what happens when hate goes unchecked. Why not bring a Palestinian to the school to talk about life in Gaza where they are surrounded by concrete walls topped with barbed wire and watchtowers and armed men? In this Israeli-made ghetto, Palestinians crush by the thousands through checkpoints attempting to go about their daily lives. They cannot go to school without being harassed. Pregnant women are left to give birth at checkpoints or cannot travel to a hospital because of an Israeli tank or dug up road. They are allowed water and electricity for only limited times during the day, while Israelis enjoy backyard swimming pools. I would like to see an email from the school that stands with the right of every race and group of people and their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — not just one group of people. Kristi Warab Evans Road
Mangling a beautiful message To the editor: This letter is in reply to Kristi Warab’s letter to the editor where she decries the well-written email by acting Superintendent Michelle Cresta and proceeds to blame “sensationalized headlines” on spreading hate while trying to twist the lessons of the Holocaust. As an Israeli-American who was born just north of Tel Aviv and with family living throughout Israel, I
have felt utterly helpless as events unfolded over the past week. With images of Hamas’ premeditated and deliberate attacks on women and children followed by news of kidnappings, there appeared very little that any of us fortunate to live in the safety of the United States could do. I attended the rally at Shirat Hayam on Wednesday night and held on to one theme from that event. A speaker cautioned that, as events continued to unfold, we all had a responsibility to make our voices heard whenever we saw attempts to change the narrative and blame the victims of this horrific act. With Ms. Warab’s letter, I realized someone had to raise their voice and counter the many inaccuracies and selective history-telling found in her note. To address Ms. Warab’s concern of “the narrative,” I’ll say that it is exceptionally simple to understand and follow. Beginning as long as one year ago, Hamas (the elected representative of the Palestinian people residing in Gaza) began to carefully plan an assault on Israelis with targets including elementary schools and a youth center. The attack plan, according to now published documents, was to “kill as many as possible” and “capture hostages.” That’s it. That’s the narrative. An armed group of terrorists attacked defenseless women and children. They gunned down young people at a music festival. As for the “why” and Ms. Warab’s attempts to use words and imagery from the Holocaust while also blaming the actions on an “Israeli-made ghetto,” Hamas’ charter includes the stated goal of destroying the State of Israel through jihad (Islamic holy war). There is your “why.” The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is too complicated and nuanced to define, let alone solve in the span of a letter to the editor. There are gross mistakes that have been made in this decadesold fight. However, none of that would ever serve to justify the slaughter of civilians. I am proud to live in a community where more than 1,000 people could be found gathered on a Wednesday night to support one another through this awful time. I just wish Kristi had been in attendance to listen to the words spoken that night. Eyal Oren Shetland Road
‘What is this SC up to?’ To the editor: Good people of Marblehead, Here is something to think about in the next few years. Why did this School Committee let a superintendent go for no reason and a resume like this? They say they wanted someone with leadership skills. Wanted someone to be visual. Wanted someone to get us out of the financial crisis of the last superintendent. We got all that plus someone who moved us through a pandemic. When was there any event in Marblehead that you didn’t see Dr. John Buckey’s face?? Introduced new curriculums. Supported ALL our children. MCAS scores are turning in the right direction. The question is what is this SC up to?? According to Buckey’s resume, he has a doctorate in educational administration and organizational leadership from Northeastern University, as well as a master’s of education in administration, planning and social policy from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. He did post-baccalaureate work at the University of Kentucky in the late 1990s, and in 1996, graduated from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, with a degree in Spanish and secondary education. Buckey started his career as a Spanish teacher and coordinator of the Department of Foreign Languages at The Lexington School in Kentucky from 1996 to 1999. As part of his Harvard graduate program, he worked as an administrative intern at the Noble and Greenough School in Dedham and at Watertown High from 1999 to 2000. He then worked as the dean of students at The Andrews School in Willoughby, Ohio, from 2000 to 2001, then became the assistant principal at Littleton High from 2001 to 2005 and principal from 2005 to 2008. In 2008, he became the principal at Nantucket High, and in 2012 he was named the Bertrand H. Holland Massachusetts High School Principal of the Year. He has been active with the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators’ Association. Mary McCarriston Pinecliff Drive
Abbisso From P. A1
an ambush? What if a rocket hits the road right in front of us? There is fighting going on. So, it’s scary.” Once at the airport, they had to wait in line for four hours. Then sirens went off, and a security recording instructed the hundreds of people to go to the airport’s bomb shelters or at least crouch down. “We all just had to get down on the floor and hope for the best,” Abbisso said. “We heard big blasts going off. People were screaming and yelling. It was like a surreal scene in a movie.” The Abbissos landed back in Boston safely Thursday morning. Since then, Jacob has been staying in touch with his friends who stayed in Israel. “Some people are saying, ‘Wow, I wish I was back in the U.S.,’” he said. “There are a number of students who think it’s noble to stay in Israel. Kudos to them for having the fortitude to be able to withstand all of this… to continue to study as normal and volunteer with organizations that are supplying soldiers and families.” While speaking with the Current on Friday afternoon,
A sign directs airport passengers to a bomb shelter.
Abbisso said his phone had buzzed with several alerts in the last hour alone. “There were a number of rockets that were fired, landing in the Tel Aviv area,” he explained. Abbisso won’t be heading back to Israel for the rest of this semester or maybe even the rest
COURTESY PHOTOS / JACOB ABBISSO
of the year. “I have a little PTSD,” he said. The cannons firing from Marblehead’s yacht clubs Thursday evening made him jump, for example. “Then I remembered, ‘I’m back in Marblehead. I’m safe,’” he said. Abbisso has a message for
A screenshot of the Home Front Command app in Israel, announcing missile fire.
people watching the war in Israel and Gaza. “First and foremost, I want people to know that these are individual people with lives and stories who are the direct targets of the attacks on Israel,” he said. “This is different from two countries going to war. The attacks are happening
on civilians. Civilians are the target.” Before heading to Israel, Abbisso was a fisherman in town and owned Big Fish Mojo Sports Fishing. He made headlines last spring when he rescued two little girls and their babysitter from their kayak in rough seas.
FINAL-18 CP_MBHC_20231018_1_A14 Mon, Oct 16, 2023 3:40:00 PM
marbleheadcurrent.org
A14 Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Marblehead Current
SUSTAINABLE MARBLEHEAD
Town offers free composting starter kits to promote sustainability SUBMITTED BY SUSTAINABLE MARBLEHEAD Sustainable Marblehead and the Marblehead Health Department and Board of Health are partnering to promote ving as a vital step toward reducing waste, conserving resources and mitigating climate change. The Health Department is providing free bins to the first 50 new households that sign up for curbside collection with Black Earth Compost. Sustainable Marblehead will contribute a compostable bin liner and tip sheet. Sign up at BlackEarthCompost.com. Composting is a simple yet impactful way for individuals, communities and businesses to contribute to a healthier planet. By converting organic waste into nutrient-rich compost, we can reap numerous environmental, economic and societal benefits, including: » Waste reduction: Composting diverts organic materials from landfills, which reduces the production of harmful greenhouse gasses like methane. In turn, this lessens the burden on overcrowded waste management systems and
Composting is sometimes thought of as messy or smelly, but the reality is your kitchen trash will smell better than ever because you are removing the food scraps from festering all week in your kitchen garbage and placing them in a separate, out-of-the-way bin. » Water conservation:
landfills. » Soil enrichment: Compost is a natural, organic soil conditioner that enriches soil with essential nutrients and promotes healthy plant growth. By using compost in gardens, agriculture and landscaping, we improve soil structure, moisture retention
and fertility. » Conservation of resources: Composting helps close the nutrient loop by returning valuable organic matter to the soil. This reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and encourages a more sustainable, circular approach to agriculture.
Compost improves soil’s water retention capacity, reducing the need for irrigation in gardens and farms. This not only saves water but also minimizes the energy required for pumping and distribution. » Carbon sequestration: Healthy soil enriched with compost stores carbon, acting as a natural carbon sink. This process helps mitigate climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. » Sustainable Marblehead Executive Director Elaine Leahy said, “We encourage individuals, businesses and schools to embrace composting as a practical, eco-friendly solution to address waste management challenges. By incorporating composting into daily practices, we can collectively reduce our carbon footprint, promote soil health and work
toward a more sustainable future.” Health Department Director Andrew Petty said, “Food composting is just another way to reduce your footprint.” Composting is sometimes thought of as messy or smelly, but the reality is your kitchen trash will smell better than ever because you are removing the food scraps from festering all week in your kitchen garbage and placing them in a separate, out-of-the-way bin. An easy method to keep your kitchen fresh is to obtain a small countertop bin to scrape your food and other organics into (food-soiled napkins and paper towels, compostable plates, wooden toothpicks, etc.), and at the end of the day or every other day, empty it into your larger, 13-gallon bin kept outside or in your garage. For more information on the benefits of composting and how to get started, visit sustainablemarblehead.org.
POLICE LOG
Smashing pumpkins season Excerpts from the Marblehead police log Sept. 27-Oct. 11. Consistent with state law, Marblehead Police have adopted a policy of not providing media outlets reports related to incidents involving domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation.
Sept. 27
10:44 p.m. — Officer Andrew Clark responded to take a report of a past larceny on Cedar Street. The reporting party stated that two cell phones, delivered to their front doorstep last Friday, had allegedly been stolen sometime between the delivery time and mid-afternoon. The total value of the stolen phones was approximately $2,000. The officer documented the incident and advised the reporting party on next steps. 8:55 p.m. — Officer Michael Farewell conducted a traffic stop on Washington Street near Atlantic Avenue. The officer stopped a vehicle for running a stop sign. The female driver was unable to provide a license or registration and the officer determined through dispatch that the vehicle’s registration was revoked. The officer called for a tow truck per department protocol. The driver became upset and eventually exited her vehicle, tossing the keys, and left the scene on foot before the vehicle could be towed. The officer took inventory of the vehicle’s contents before it was towed away. 6:33 a.m. — Sgt. Eric Osattin responded to a report of a residential burglary in progress on Lindsey Street. The initial caller reported seeing a suspect attempting to enter through a window. Upon arrival and speaking with the caller, officers determined there had been a
Gallo From P. A1
be “proper and defendable against any future challenge,”
misunderstanding. The caller had checked into the wrong rental unit and the suspected burglar was actually the property manager trying to access the correct unit. All units cleared after the confusion was resolved.
Sept. 29
7:54 a.m. — Officer Adam Mastrangelo spoke with a reporting party regarding a noise complaint. The reporting party was concerned about excavation work being done by a neighbor, questioning permitting and the noise disturbing his peace. The officer explained the neighbor had a right to do construction on their own property during reasonable hours. The officer advised the reporting party to follow up with the building department regarding permitting concerns. 1:56 p.m. — Officer Adam Mastrangelo responded to a daycare facility on Cornell Road for a report of past damage to a vehicle. The reporting party stated that within the last two hours, the rear windshield of their vehicle had been damaged by an unknown object. The officer examined the vehicle and surrounding area but could not determine what caused the damage. 4:37 p.m. — Officer Dennis DeFelice responded to a residence on Village Street for a reported disturbance. The reporting party, a landscaper, stated that while his crew was working on a neighboring property, a resident came out and began yelling threats and insults towards them. The crew became fearful and left the area. The officer advised the landscaper to call police immediately if there are any future interactions. The
Kezer said. According to payroll records provided in response to a public records request from the Marblehead Current a little over a year ago, Gallo has been
incident was documented.
Oct. 1
10:03 a.m. — Officer Luke Peters responded to Washington Street for a report of a past hitand-run motor vehicle crash. The reporting party stated their parked car had allegedly been struck sometime between 9 p.m. last night and 10 a.m. this morning, damaging the side mirror. There are surveillance cameras on the building near where the car was parked but they did not capture the crash. The officer took photos of the damage and forwarded the report to detectives for follow-up investigation. 3:30 p.m. — Officer Douglas Mills met with two reporting parties at the police station lobby regarding an ongoing neighbor dispute and harassment complaint. The reporting parties explained that a neighbor had allegedly stared at their home from his deck for a half hour last Thursday evening, which they felt was done to intentionally harass them. The officer advised the reporting parties on the process for obtaining a harassment prevention order and documented their statements about the incident.
Oct. 2
7:45 a.m. — Officer Nicholas Michaud responded to a private school on West Shore Drive for a report of a motor vehicle crash. A vehicle exiting the school driveway allegedly collided with a second vehicle traveling on West Shore Drive. There were no injuries reported. The officer took statements from both drivers along with a witness, documented vehicle damage, took photos and cleared the scene.
earning approximately $5,400 per month while out on leave. Select Board Chair Erin Noonan acknowledged that there is a “lot of interest and concern” in the community
Oct. 3
4:08 p.m. — Officer Robert Picariello was dispatched to Barnard Street for a report of alleged vandalism to a vehicle. Upon arrival, he spoke with homeowners who stated that a group of young girls had been seen and heard outside hanging around their vehicle and a neighbor’s vehicle earlier in the evening. The ownowner had turned on his car alarm to scare them off. Later in the evening, the girls allegedly returned and smashed a pumpkin taken from the porch at Barnard Street onto both vehicles. No damage was seen to the cars, but pumpkin debris was nearby. Picariello went to Barnard Hawkes Court in an attempt to speak to the girls, but a parent allegedly refused to have the girls come downstairs, stating it was a school night.
Oct. 4
4:10 p.m. — Officer Andrew DiMare responded to a motor vehicle accident on West Shore Drive near Marblehead Garden Center involving a Mercedes l and a Jeep. The Jeep sustained damage and one person was transported to the hospital.
Oct. 8
9:36 a.m. — Officer Nicholas Michaud responded to the Three Cod Tavern at Pleasant Street for a report of overnight vandalism. He observed the words “FU” spray painted in large block letters on the side of the building. The owner stated the graffiti was not present when the business closed at 1:30 a.m. The placement of the graffiti was outside the view of the building’s security cameras.
about the length of the process. But she also noted that, as an attorney, she is familiar with the concept that “the wheels of the legal system do grind slowly.” Kezer said that once his
Oct. 9
3:56 p.m. — Officer Tyler Bates met with a resident at the police station. The resident of Village Street reported allegedly being a victim of identity theft after receiving an email about a fraudulent credit card application opened in her name. The resident had already contacted the credit card company to cancel the application. She also notified credit bureaus and the Federal Trade Commission about the identity theft and had taken steps to change passwords and monitor her accounts.
Oct. 11
2:12 p.m. — Officer Andrew Clark responded to Weston Road to speak with a resident regarding alleged continued harassment from a neighbor on Devereux Street. The Weston Road resident said that despite a previous apology, her neighbor continues to have numerous surveillance cameras watching her property and she feels threatened. Clark again advised the resident to avoid contact with her neighbor and consider obtaining a harassment prevention order if the behavior persists. 4:48 p.m. — Officer Robert Picariello spoke with a resident who came to the police station to report identity fraud. The resident of Brackett Place had recently been laid off from her job and went to apply for unemployment benefits. She learned that someone had allegedly filed a claim using her Social Security number and personal information to open a fraudulent account. She wanted the incident documented so she could provide a copy of the report as she works to resolve the issue.
recommendation is ready, the next step would be for the Select Board to schedule a special meeting to discuss and vote on whether to adopt that recommendation.
FINAL-18 CP_MBHC_20231018_1_A15 Mon, Oct 16, 2023 3:40:01 PM
marbleheadcurrent.org
Marblehead Current Wednesday, October 18, 2023 A15
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
New Latin Teacher Q&A: Ms. Nguyen Sam Jendrysik, Junior, and Charlie Seliger, Sophomore
As of this year, Marblehead High School has a new Latin teacher: Ms. Dalena Nguyen. We conducted a brief interview to get to know her and her thoughts on teaching Latin. Q: Is there anything in particular that inspired you to begin teaching? A: I would say it was when I was in 8th grade and I had my Latin teacher, Ms. Luong. You know, when you think about Latin and who teaches it, you don’t have many teachers with my own type of background who would be teaching Latin, so in a way that encouraged my studies in the classics. She has been such an amazing mentor; I still keep in touch with her, and I really want to have the same type of space where people of a different background are learning the classics. Q: What sparked your interest in Latin? A: In terms of what sparked my interest in Latin… unfortunately I’ll say that for my school, students were required to take Latin from seventh grade up to tenth grade. But I think what sparked my interest was when we were doing grammar because when we were learning that, you were doing a little language puzzle with all the bits and pieces. You’re making those connections, right there. Q: What aspect of the language do you find the most interesting or weird? A: I would say that the aspect that’s probably the weirdest is the English derivatives. There are some weird words you wouldn't think derive from certain Latin words. For example, the word porpoise is a combination of the word porcus, pig, and the word pisces, for fish… but you often blame the French words for the weird derivatives. Q: Do you have any hobbies you particularly enjoy?
A: One of my hobbies is origami, which if you stay with me for Magic Block, there’s always origami and some arts. My main hobby is probably 3D origami, where it’s sort of like Legos, but with paper. It’s these little triangles, and you put them together. I’ve made a narwhal, and I fold paper cranes on the side because there’s a legend that if you make 1,000 paper cranes, you can make a wish. I think I’m at 300-something. My goal is to get to 1,000 by the end of the year, but I have been slacking. I’ll get there, though! Q: Which mythological figure do you like the most? Are there any you feel you relate to? A: This is a tough one; let’s see. I think Perseus is the one that I like the most, since he’s the least... wrong among the heroes. (Yeah, they’re all kind of problematic.) A: Especially when it came to war and how they treated others. It’s hard to find people you like though, on the hero side of things. Q: Do you have any books or shows you really like and would recommend? A: Right now I am watching My Happy Marriage, which is a really sweet anime show about love: it’s two people finding love even though it’s an arranged marriage. One of them has low self esteem, so it’s really beautiful to see them bond and that person gain confidence and realize they’re not worthless, as they had thought. They are loved, they are valued. And it has this message for people who feel that way: out there, there is someone that will cherish you, even if you don’t feel like that at the moment. Q: How often do you think about the Roman Empire? A: If I don’t think about the Roman Empire, am I really doing my job correctly?
Some of Ms.Nguyen's incredible origami creations!
October 19, 2023
Straight to Voicemail - Students React to the New Cell Phone Policy at MHS Grey Collins, Sophomore At the start of the new school year, the administration unveiled a new cell phone policy that required students to place their phones into a designated space before every class. The space is typically a plastic or cardboard box that is set up in a corner of the classroom. I created a poll to see how students at MHS reacted to these new changes. In the poll, I asked if they liked or disliked the changes, if they thought that they were necessary, and if they had impacted their education. 177 MHS students ended up taking the poll. According to the poll, almost One of the cubbies where 70% of students dislike the new students place their phones. cell phone policy at MHS, and 73% of students felt that it is the teachers at MHS approve of the not necessary for learning. Ad- rule change. ditionally, about 59% said that “I am definitely in favor of the it had impacted their education. rule changes, and I have only seen While the new rule is supposed positive results,” said Mr. Christo create a better environment tensen, the Studio Production for students, some feel like they teacher at MHS. are missing out on a valuable He believes that the phone pollearning opportunity. icy is having positive effects in his “By taking our phones you're classroom, but it has also changed not teaching personal responsi- the way that he teaches. “Students bility,” one student said. “When can no longer use their phones to we get jobs or go on to higher play music for our productions, " he education many kids won’t be said. able to decide when they should Other students have brought up use their phones.” the issue of potentially losing their MHS is just one of thousands property. “Sometimes I forget to of schools that have taken a collect my phone after class,” said stance against phone use. In Zach Pike, a student at MHS. “I 2020, the National Center for have to go back during my next Education Statistics reported class to go get it, and I miss class that 77% of U.S. schools had time.” This is an issue that many moved to prohibit cell phone students have encountered when use. A 2023 UN report recom- navigating the new phone rules at mended that smartphones should MHS. be banned in order to stop class“Sometimes I worry that someroom disruptions and improve one will take my phone from the learning. But some experts be- bin by accident, and it will be hard lieve that we should learn to for me to find it,” said EJ Wyman, a teach with tech and not against student at MHS. He is not the only it. one who feels this way. Many stuEven though most students dents at MHS have echoed his conare not in favor, others think that cerns about potentially losing their these changes could be helpful cell phones. in the long term. As the school year continues, we “I would say that these chang- will start to find out if these cones might help my academic per- cerns have any merit and if any formance,” said Breydan Cal- changes will be made to the policy lahan, a sophomore at MHS. to address them. MHS students will Most people would agree that either get used to and accept the new removing distractions from phone policy, or they will continue the classroom could potential- to begrudgingly hand in their cell ly boost student performance. phones at the start of every class. It also appears that most of
Student responses to a poll about the new cell phone policy.
Headlight Staff 2023-2024 EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: Ila Bumagin and Mona Gelfgatt
ASSISTANT EDITORS: Benji Boyd, Rachael Albert
TECHNOLOGY EDITOR: Kate Twomey
REPORTERS: John Bender, Grey Collins, Tucker Crane, Aislin Freedman, Samuel Jendrysik, Anya Kane, Nina Lees, Luke Menslage, Charlie Seliger, Peter Sullivan, Livia Weiss, Benjamin Zaltsman FACULTY ADVISOR: Thomas Higgins
FINAL-20 CP_MBHC_20231018_1_A16 Mon, Oct 16, 2023 3:40:01 PM
marbleheadcurrent.org
A16 Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Marblehead Current
THE DIXEY COLLECTION
Sightseeing trips BY DAN DIXEY The Marblehead Current is proud to partner with photographer and historian Dan Dixey, who regularly shares photos of Marblehead from his extensive collection, along with information about each shot. Dixey was recently named the Person of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. The India Star from Salem and the Marblehead ferry Delta are seen running sightseeing trips on a foggy day from the State Street landing in 1979. This slide was taken by the late Dave Moynihan, whose family donated 1,500 slides to Dixey recently.
ANDREW ORENBERG, MD
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