10 to vie for open position
Date of joint meeting to fill school board vacancy in flux
BY WILLIAM J. DOWDUp to 10 residents may be interviewed as candidates to fill a vacancy on the Marblehead School Committee at an upcoming joint meeting of the School Committee and Select Board. Just when that meeting will take place remained up in the air as of the Current’s press deadline.
Eleven candidates had submitted applications by the Nov. 30 deadline to seek the opening created when Emily Barron resigned a month ago. However, one of those candidates, Ariana Contreras, was found not to be a registered Marblehead voter and ruled ineligible to fill the seat, leaving 10 viable candidates.
Quick change of plans
Parade was missed, but weekend hardly a washout
BY KRIS OLSONNo one was more disappointed that weather forced the cancellation of one beloved Christmas Walk tradition and an on-the-fly revamping of another than the person who made the call.
But Marblehead Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Katherine Koch explained that safety had to be the top priority.
So, instead of arriving by lobster boat, Santa and Mrs. Claus tooled around town in a firetruck with
the family that had won the right to be part of their entourage in an auction at this past spring’s Taste of the Town event before arriving at Marblehead High School for photo opportunities with other children.
And while the 25 or so groups that had been signed up for the Christmas Walk parade may not have gotten to march, members of the Old Car Club rallied to take a few slow spins around town on a
m A rbLeHe AD HISTOrIc AL cOmmISSIONOfficials praise Johnston for commission leadership
Former Marblehead Museum executive director to succeed him
BY WILLIAM J. DOWD
The Marblehead Historical Commission has appointed Pam Peterson, the former Marblehead Museum executive director, as its new chairperson.
Her installment marks a significant change for the commission, which is appointed by the Select Board. She succeeds Christopher Johnston, who provided “transformative” leadership to the commission for the past dozen years, according to officials.
“Chris has been devoted to the important work of preserving the history of Marblehead for over a decade, to make it more accessible and durable, more entertaining, and richer in its detail, complexity, and scope,” Marblehead Select Board Chair Moses Grader told the Marblehead Current. “The town owes him a debt of gratitude for his tireless volunteer leadership.”
A notable bookend
For most of his time on the Historical Commission, one could find Johnston tucked away three to
four days per week in an ancillary room of the commission’s home, a second-floor Abbot Hall office.
Recently, he and his wife have been spending time in Arizona, where one of the couple’s daughters resides. He said he plans to serve out his term, but his chairmanship comes with a notable bookend: The final of three “Mapping Marblehead” exhibitions in the Old Town House, which looked at the town’s history, one century at a time, shuttered in
JOHNSTON, P. A10Those 10 candidates applied expecting to be interviewed at a joint public meeting on Dec. 7. However, as was discussed at the Dec. 1 meeting of the School Committee, an unspecified conflict with the date had arisen within the Select Board.
Members of the School Committee expressed varying levels of frustration with the late change of plans and struggled even among themselves to come up with an alternative date that worked with all of their schedules.
Chair Sarah Fox explained that the Select Board agreed
After several setbacks, bike park deal signed
Opening set for spring
BY LEIGH BLANDERAfter two years of heated public meetings and setbacks, it appears a bike park will finally open this spring in the Green Street woods across from the transfer station.
The New England Mountain Bike Association has signed a five-year agreement with the Marblehead Recreation and Parks Department to build and maintain bike trails on the site.
“We are incredibly grateful to our friends at NEMBA for their support in getting the Marblehead off-road bike park officially underway,” said Pat Milner with Bike MOR (Marblehead Off-Road). Milner has been leading the campaign to build the park.
Hopes for a bike park began during COVID when a group of teenagers started searching for places to ride their mountain bikes. In January 2021, they built small bike jumps at Lead Mills, which is conservation land.
The Conservation Commission destroyed the bike
CURRENT PHOTO/NICOLE GOODHUEConsalvo has been teaching exercise for 63 years
BY LEIGH BLANDER
Name: Vivien Consalvo Age: 85
Place of birth: Claremont, New Hampshire
How long have you lived in Marblehead?
I’ve lived here since 1960. I was living in Allston with my first husband, and one day he wanted to go for a drive. We got to Marblehead, and I told him, ‘I want to live here.’”
What is your fondest childhood memory?
Definitely our family gatherings with relatives and friends. My mother and father were wonderful cooks. My dad every Sunday would cook a big steak, homemade French fries and vegetables from our garden. My mother would make pastries and bring them to the neighbors. Life was more family-oriented then. I think we’ve lost that.
What jobs have you had and what was your favorite?
I went to college at Mt. Ida College in Newton to become a medical technologist. I worked at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in hematology. I used to draw blood on the wards and go back and do all the testing by hand. There were no computers back then.
After the Brigham, I worked at the Marine Hospital in Brighton doing research on prenatal care for diabetic mothers.
In the early ‘80s, I taught physical education at Nazareth Academy in Wakefield. I had 300 girls. I coached and also did choreography for the spring
plays. We did the “Wizard of Oz,” “Sound of Music” and “Fiddler on the Roof.” That was my favorite job, I think.
I’ve also been teaching exercise for 63 years, starting at the Marblehead Y when I was 22 years old. I still teach today, at the Senior Center. I do weights, balls, stretch bands.
I also work in the dining room at the Lafayette (Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility) three days a
week. I guess I’m a workaholic.
What is the biggest change you’ve seen in the world?
How people act. I don’t think they’re as caring as they used to be. When I moved into my neighborhood, all the neighbors came over with gifts to show appreciation and to welcome me.
When someone got sick, we’d go over and take care of their children for the week. It was caring, caring
for other people. That’s what I miss.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
That I did it on my own. I worked my way through college, I worked my way through my first marriage and I’m still working.
(Consalvo also lists her three children and three grandchildren as accomplishments.)
Who’s the most important person you’ve met?
My second husband, Jim. He was a jewel. He was the most generous, wonderful man. We went out for 17 years and then got married. He was just so kind and so nice and so funny. He was the epitome of the perfect man.
(Bill Consalvo passed away 26 years ago.)
What moment in history is most vivid in your memory?
When World War II ended. I was 8 years old. I think I was the happiest little girl on earth because I didn’t have to stand in line with my mother for a 5-pound bag of sugar or her nylons.
You were rationed in those days. You got one pound of butter and no meat. We ate rabbits… you did what you had to do.
What piece of advice do you have for young people today?
Love your mother and father and your friends, and be good to people. Don’t be afraid to be good to people.
“Been There, Done That” is a recurring feature in the Marblehead Current spotlighting Marblehead seniors.
Treasurer, tax collector post filled
Next up? Finance director
BY WILLIAM J. DOWDMarblehead has hired its next treasurer and tax collector, as the Select Board appointed Rachel Blaisdell to the vacant position on Nov. 30 on Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer’s recommendation.
The vote alleviates some pressure as the Select Board and Kezer build out the leadership team in the Marblehead Finance Department.
Blaisdell grew up in town, graduating from Marblehead High School in 2016. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from Salem State University.
Blaisdell will oversee the Marblehead Treasurer and Collector’s Office and its staff.
The post to which she was appointed has been vacant since Michael Carriette left the town’s employ in early September.
Chief responsibilities of the treasurer and tax collector include:
* authorizing the issuance of checks, wire transfers, direct deposits and other forms of payment for the town’s payroll, accounts payable, and retirement payments;
* dealing with officers of financial institutions in matters such as long-term bonding, cash management and investment of town funds; and
* overseeing the issuance and collection of property and excise tax bills.
Blaisdell was one of five applicants who were interviewed
by the town accountant, school finance director, the retired treasurer of the town of Wenham, the town planner and Kezer, the town administrator told the Select Board.
“Out of the five applicants, Rachel was the most highly rated by the interview team, given her current experience,” he explained.
Blaisdell has served as the assistant treasurer of the city of Salem since April 2021.
Kezer said the interviewing team recommended hiring Blaisdell in part due to her “eagerness to continue in her professional education for this position.”
Before the city of Salem, Blaisdell worked as the business office manager at the Lafayette Rehabilitation and Skilled
Nursing Facility.
“In my current role, I play a key role in making sure the bank accounts are reconciled monthly, daily receipts are posted and employees and vendors are paid,” Blaisdell wrote in her cover letter. “Over the past year and half, I have completed two years toward becoming a certified Massachusetts certified treasurer.”
She projects to receive that certification by August 2023.
Meanwhile, the town is still looking for its next finance director after a search that has dragged on for several weeks.
“We’re continuing on, looking for a finance director,” Kezer said. “We are optimistic that we’re going to secure someone soon.” The town lost a couple of
qualified candidates for various reasons, including “a tough marketplace for municipalities,” Kezer told the Select Board.
All of this comes as Marblehead enters budget season, as signaled by the Select Board recently opening the 2023 Town Meeting warrant.
John McGinn, the former finance director and town administrator, has come out of retirement during the transition period.
Blaisdell’s appointment was approved in the Select Board Room as her parents, John and Laurie Blaisdell, proudly looked on. Laurie Blaisdell is the administrative assistant to Marblehead Fire Chief Jason Gilliland. She also chairs the Marblehead Disabilities Commission.
NEWSROOM
Managing Editor - Will Dowd wdowd@marbleheadnews.org
Consulting Editor - Kris Olson kolson@marbleheadnews.org
Staff Reporter - Leigh Blander lblander@marbleheadnews.org
Sports ReporterJoe McConnell jmcconnell@marbleheadnews.org
CONTRIBUTORS
Tristan Ashlock Linda Bassett Scot Cooper Laurie Fullerton Mark Hurwitz Brenda Kelley Kim John Lamontagne Pam Peterson Chris Stevens Linda Werbner
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gene Arnould Jessica Barnett Ed Bell James Bryant - President Virginia Buckingham - Secretary Kate Haesche Thomson
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Kathryn Whorf
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Marion Warner Greely FOUNDERS Jessica Barnett Ed Bell Leigh Blander Will Dowd David Moran Kris Olson ADVISORS
Francie King Donna Rice
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Get to know town’s sole ‘net-negative’ home
‘The planet is on fire,’ says owner Lisa Wolf
BY LEIGH BLANDERWalk past Lisa and Steve Wolf’s home on Pitman Road and you might notice a peace sign, 4 feet in diameter and outlined in lights, on the front slope of their roof.
What’s harder to notice, surprisingly, are the 44 solar panels lining the roof’s southeast side. The panels deliver enough power to make the home the only net-negative residence in town, according to the Wolfs.
“Net negative” means the Wolfs produce more electricity than they use.
In fact, the couple sells extra energy back to the Marblehead Municipal Light Department.
“We have a $600 credit with MMLD right now,” Lisa Wolf said.
Lisa grew up in Marblehead and earned a master’s degree in environmental engineering. She and Steve, who works for the federal Environmental Protection Agency in Boston, moved back to town in 2016 and built their 2,500-square-house with energy efficiency in mind.
In addition to the 44 solar panels, they have:
two electric heat pumps;
» an electric induction stove;
» high-efficiency insulation;
» Energy Star appliances;
» an electric vehicle and a charger
Lisa says the extra focus on energy efficiency did not slow down the construction process at all. And the solar panels, which cost $31,000 after tax incentives, have paid for themselves.
“We save about $2,500 a year on electricity and earn about $2,500 a year selling SRECs,” which are traded renewable energy certificates.
The solar panels will generate a 14-16 percent return on investment over 30 years, Lisa said.
‘The
planet is on fire’
The Wolfs have always been interested in sustainability. Lisa worked at an environmental consulting firm before teaching physics and engineering at Beverly High for many years. She is now the sustainability coordinator for the Wellesley Municipal Light Department.
She also volunteers with Sustainable Marblehead and the Marblehead Light Commission.
Why is this issue so important to her?
“The planet is on fire,” she told Marblehead Current. “When I started in environmental engineering 30 years ago, the tipping point was just a concept. Now, glaciers are disappearing, tundra is thawing, the world is either on fire or in drought.”
More solar power?
The federal government recently increased tax credits for solar panels to 30 percent, which Wolf hopes will encourage more people to look into solar power.
Right now, about 63 homes in Marblehead have solar panels, an increase of about 10 in the last year.
For anyone interested, Lisa says a good place to start is EnergySage.com, where people can type in their address and estimate the cost and savings of installing solar panels.
If solar panels are too big a commitment right now, Lisa recommends smaller steps like getting a free energy audit to identify ways to use less energy.
She also encourages people to shift their energy use to off-peak as much as possible. Off-peak hours are Monday through Friday, 9 p.m. to 8 a.m., and all day Saturday and Sunday.
Lisa also strongly suggests people look at updating their home heating systems from gas or oil to air source heat pumps.
She hopes Marblehead will hire a sustainability coordinator soon to develop and lead new green initiatives.
“We all need to eliminate fossil fuels from our lives,” she said. “Eventually everyone has to get on board.”
Lisa Wolf strongly suggests people consider updating their home heating systems from gas or oil to air source heat pumps like these. CURRENT PHOTO BY LEIGH BLANDER Lisa Wolf stands outside Marblehead’s only ‘net negative’ home, meaning it produces more electricity than it uses. This view shows the Wolfs’ 44 solar panels on their roof, which Lisa Wolf says have already paid for themselves. Marblehead resident Lisa Wolf shows off her induction stove, just one of the features that has made her home ‘net negative.’Brown School PTO program aims to cultivate healthy eaters
BY WILLIAM J. DOWD
Kids learn a lot of important life skills in elementary schools, like how to brush their teeth correctly or how to wait patiently for their turn to speak.
Studies also show early exposure to eating and growing vegetables and fruits can create lifelong healthy eaters.
In Marblehead, a so-called “delicious education program” aims to do just this.
Every month during the academic year, Brown Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization members prepare the Harvest of the Month food and deliver it to the school’s classrooms. In October, kids tried pear chips and, the month prior, tomato and cucumber salad. November’s harvest was kale.
“It tastes like spinach,” proclaimed a first grader in Judy O’Flynn’s class as she sipped a kale smoothie from a tiny plastic cup.
John Constantino, the new Marblehead Public Schools food service director, made the kale smoothies as part of the Harvest of the Month program.
“He mixed the kale with other things like fresh pineapple juice, which is so yummy, yogurt, milk and some butter,” Cara Whelan told third-graders in Meghann Bruett’s class. “So, we’re getting many healthy ingredients in one little cup.”
She and Abby Lewis left behind stickers and cards with facts about kale, both rewards for tasting the kale smoothie.
Lewis and Whelan were two of a handful of PTO moms who poured out the liquefied kale from a large pitcher into tiny plastic cups resting on a cafeteria table.
The Brown School PTO sponsors the Harvest of the Month.
“The vegetables and fruits are somewhat seasonable and are dictated by Massachusetts Farm to School,” said Lewis, the PTO’s president. “They release a calendar with ideas, recipes and materials that we can distribute.”
Harvest of the Month is a statewide program under Massachusetts Farm to School, a Bay State nonprofit that “strengthens local farms and fisheries
and promotes healthy communities by increasing local food purchasing and education at schools.”
The nonprofit connects the PTO and Constantino with area farmers. Whelan said Constantino designed “all the recipes that we’re using. John is
really experienced in incorporating local ingredients into cafeterias.”
“This is about healthy eating habits and the enrichment for kids, but we’re also supporting local farmers, which is really important,” Whelan said. “So, instead of sourcing our bulk foods from somewhere
far away or some bulk retailer, we’re actually financially supporting local farmers.”
And it’s not just crop farmers.
“[Massachusetts Farm to School] does things with dairy farmers and fishermen,” said Whelan. “Seafood was difficult for us to translate into the cafeteria, so we had a lobsterman come in and speak to the children and bring in a lobster trap.”
Marblehead Public Schools
Superintendent John Buckey praised the PTOs for their support. That Harvest of the Month, which costs the Brown PTO about $1,000 annually, is a priority says a lot, he noted.
“It says they take nutrition seriously and want to make sure students have access to nutritious foods,” Buckey said. “And this gives students an opportunity to explore foods they might otherwise not have access to.”
Brown School Principal Mary Maxfield agreed.
“Our parents and our community care about educating the whole child, including their health,” she said.
With the help of its PTO, the Glover School is also participating in the Harvest of the Month program for the first time.
Epstein Hillel holds day of service
With generous support from the Ellen Brown Ragland Social Action Fund, Epstein Hillel School held its annual Day of Service on Wednesday, Nov. 23.
All EHS students and staff participated in service projects that supported the work of nonprofit community partners around the North Shore and Boston.
Each grade was visited by a representative from a partner organization who shared that organization’s mission and the challenges facing the people they serve.
According to a school official, students asked incredibly insightful and thoughtful questions and showed a true understanding of how their efforts that day made a direct impact on others.
On the EHS Day of Service, students accomplished the following: » prepared five lasagnas and 50 cookies for youth in a group home (Plummer Youth Promise) assembled nine welcome-home baskets for formerly homeless individuals (Lifebridge North Shore)
» collected 13 blankets for children in the hospital (MGH Child Life Services) provided 24 LEGO kits and 24 art kits for children who are new immigrants (New American Association of MA)
» raked 31 bags of leaves for an elderly community member (SPUR) prepared 54 Hanukkah/winter bundles for Holocaust survivors (JF&CS)
» amassed 99 succulent plants for delivery to elderly residents (Chelsea Jewish Lifecare).
Riley Weinand poses with some of the succulent plants students at Epstein Hillel School prepared for delivery to elderly residents at Chelsea Jewish Lifecare. Courtesy photos Giving a ‘thumbs up’ to the Day of Service at Epstein Hillel School are, from left, Ariel Winer, Lila Bacon, Dylan Sobelman, Savannah Schultz, Rosie Smith, Hannah Hockert, and Clara Alderman. Andrew Clements, Lila Bacon and Jackson MacDerment display lasagnas prepared for youth in the Plummer Youth Promise group home as part of the annual Day of Service at Epstein Hillel School. CURRENT PHOTOs / WILLIAM J. DOWD Brown Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization members Cara Whelan, far left, Abby Brack Lewis, Meaghan DeSoto, Kristen Pratt and Nora Connerty volunteer during the November Harvest of the Month program. Brown Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization members Meaghan DeSoto, far left, Cara Whelan and Abby Brack Lewis drop off kale smoothies during the Harvest of the Month program in November. ANNUAL e V eNTMarblehead Select Board sets
BY WILLIAM J. DOWD
Marblehead property owners will pay more in taxes in the fiscal year 2023, if the Massachusetts Department of Revenue approves tax rates that the Select Board adopted on Nov. 30.
The Select Board approved a single tax rate of $10 per $1,000 valuation for commercial and residential
property owners. That’s down 52 cents over the fiscal year 2022, but owners would pay more in taxes due to rising property valuations.
The tax bill for the average single-family home tax bill would go up by 3.7 percent, roughly $370 to $10,305.
The assessed valuation of the average family home surpassed $1 million, rising by $86,050, a 9.1 percent increase over FY2022’s figure $944,416.
Meanwhile, the assessed value of Marblehead’s total taxable real and personal property rose $657.3 million, which represents an increase of about 9.1 percent from $7.2 billion in Fiscal Year 2022 to $7.9 billion in Fiscal Year 2023.
By setting a single tax rate, the Select Board elected not to shift a disproportionate share of the tax burden on either commercial or residential property owners.
The board also rejected the adoption of an openspace discount, a residential exemption or a smallcommercial exemption.
YELLOW MAGENTA CYAN BLACK CURRENT FILE PHOTO The Select Board met at Abbot Hall Nov. 30 to set the town’s tax rate at $10 per $1,000 valuation for FY23.Find your spot
BY BRENDA KELLEY KIMI’m a fan of finding a favorite spot, hunkering down with a comfy blanket, and diving into a good book.
I got the beating of my life when I was at the beach with my mother and decided to go back home to get my book without letting her know I was leaving. She was both grateful I was alive and hadn’t wandered off and drowned in a rip current and madder than a bag of bees that I had left without a word to anyone.
Reading a book on a beach is still one of my favorite spaces to spend time in; a beach day isn’t the same without a good book.
Finding a comfortable place seems like it would be easy enough, right? Cushy chairs, a lumpy but familiar couch and, of course, the gift of a warm bed and soft blankets are all spaces that offer us a place to rest, but it’s good to find other spots since we can’t always stay home in a blanket fort.
I have a good friend who likes to stake out her favorite seat in the coffee shops and restaurants she likes. It’s part of the reason her friends call her “Sheldon” because her spots are sacred. She even has backup spots in case her favorite one is taken.
It might sound odd, but think about it. Everyone has their place: a coffee shop, a local pub, or a cozy corner of their home.
Thanksgiving is over, and the rest of the holidays are looming large. There will be cookies to bake, meals to share, and family to visit, not to mention shopping for gifts.
This year, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, there are 38 days to get through. Thirty-eight days trying to cross off the dozens of tasks on the annual to-do list, get the decorations down from the attic, haul home a tree, light the lights, clean the house, and so much else.
Everything about this time of year involves crowds, noise and, at least for me, way too many moving parts. Some day on my tombstone, it’s going to say, “Loved a party, wouldn’t mind a drink,” but there are too many events happening.
While they are fun, I’m trying to navigate friends coming to visit, a house with too much clutter and not enough holiday cheer, and keeping enough food in the cabinets without having to hit the Basket every other day.
As an aside, how did this time of year become the season of snacking? At our house, we don’t make many complete meals around the holidays, except for Thanksgiving dinner and the annual roast beast prime rib on Christmas Day.
Most meals are bits of cheese, crackers, some Chinese takeout, and soup. There’s only so much room in my head, and at this time of year, thinking up what to have for dinner every damn day is just a bridge too far. No other time of year calls for a comfortable space like the holiday season. When the chaos of yet another batch of cookies, yet another shopping trip, and yet another task that didn’t get checked off reaches critical mass, it’s essential to bug out to a hideaway spot.
For me, it’s a favorite vintage chair that looks like it came out of George Jetson’s sky condo. It’s tucked into a corner of my living room and comes with a throw made of something so soft I can’t imagine a sheep willingly giving it up. It’s next to a window that gets sunlight for most of the day, and there’s a pillow that’s perfect for my aching back.
We have an open floor plan in our house, and now that my children are grown and not racing around in Little Tykes cars, the living room holds what makes me happy. Framed artwork from local legend Susan J. Schrader and the paintings I made at Shipyard Art with my friend Michele Jones Brown sit alongside family photos. A hand-painted chest, a shelf made from a barrel that held Irish Whiskey, and a bunch of other bits that spark joy are all around me.
My wee pug Penny sits on the new couch, which I swore up and down she would never be allowed near, on a pillow I tried in vain to keep away from her, but maybe that is her happy spot.
So on these busy days, find a place to curl up, where you can see what makes you happy. Find just a few minutes during the day to put your feet up and take a break. Take a lesson from the sailing world around us. Drop anchor in a quiet spot, and let the world wait. I promise it will be the best gift you can give yourself. Brenda Kelley Kim is a regular Marblehead Current columnist.
e V erYTHING WILL be OKAY
Welcome dark and cold
BY VIRGINIA BUCKINGHAMIf I controlled the universe there’d be no such thing as turning the clocks back, and we’d wing through January and February as if through the portal of a tesseract, wrinkling time. Alas, I do not. What I can control is my attitude in these dark, cold months. Curse or embrace? This year I choose the latter.
In the past couple of years, the darkness descending ever earlier made the late afternoon and early evening feel suffocating, impenetrable, imprisoning. I don’t remember being as affected in past years as in the last couple and, no doubt, the darkness had a pile-on effect with COVID isolation and anxiety.
This year, though, I am determined to think differently. My husband likes to say, “Thoughts are things.”
I always want to soothingly reply, with a meditator’s mien, “Thoughts are just thoughts; they flit in and out like clouds.”
However, when it comes to the dark of winter, he is on to something. Think that the early darkness offers respite and retreat, and it might become so.
I was telling a friend about my “embracing” plan, and she immediately recommended the book, “Wintering, the Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times” by Katherine May. I have just started it and while, for May, “wintering” is also metaphor for healing darkness within, her thoughts, when applied to the season, resonate deeply.
“We must learn to invite the winter in,” she writes. “We may never choose to winter, but we can choose how.”
And this, “Once we stop wishing it were summer, winter can be a glorious season in which the world takes on a sparse beauty and even the pavements sparkle. It’s a time for reflection and recuperation, for slow replenishment, for putting your house in order.”
If you Google “winter wellness,” you will come across dozens of articles and tips on how to winter well. I won’t repeat them here–nor, honestly, will I do most of them myself. The vitamins, the artificial light, the skiing. (I started skiing at age 40 and quit at 43, the subject perhaps of a future column, if not recurring stress dream.)
I do light candles, start a fire, put soup on the stove, read. Mostly, though, I am trying, this season, this year, to just be. To be inside literally. To be inside figuratively. To welcome the respite. The quiet. The dark.
Ah, but the cold. A different matter entirely. As a woman of a certain age, I am rarely cold. Fights with the aforementioned husband revolve around the setting of the thermostat here, a sly attempt to hope an open window isn’t noticed there.
That’s inside the house. Outside, where the pup must be walked, and the ocean’s gray surface is simultaneously forbidding and spectacular, I feel cold to my core.
Curiously, the winter cold didn’t prevent me from completing an annual dunk at Devereux Beach each New Year’s Day for a decade. I dreaded then embraced (often in the same hour) the annual feat, a ritual borne of my own desire to heal unseen wounds of the heart.
Once a year is a different feat to accomplish than to do the same frigid dip twice a week. Yet, that’s what I recently learned goes on two-tenths of a mile down the street from me.
A dip, a swim, 30 people, sometimes more. Women. Men. Ages separated by decades. Each with their own reasons for the unreasonable decision to GO WILLINGLY INTO THE ATLANTIC OCEAN IN WINTER. Twice a week.
The group, dubbed the Wolfpack, was borne partly of the pandemic’s isolation as well as a commitment to
Reminds me of dad
To the editor:
My compliments to Brenda Kelley Kim for her article entitled “Words matter” in the Marblehead Current of Nov. 30.
Her story about her father reminds me of my father; he once advised me, “Say what you mean, and mean what you say.”
He gave me that advice only once, long ago, but I still remember it.
He was well respected in
I do light candles, start a fire, put soup on the stove, read. Mostly, though, I am trying, this season, this year, to just be. To be inside literally. To be inside figuratively. To welcome the respite. The quiet. The dark.
healthy living.
KyAnn Anderson-McKernan, a cancer survivor, her husband Brendan McKernan and their personal trainer Nathan Irizarry started the dipping practice after Brendan learned of the health benefits of cold exposure from reading the book, “What Doesn’t Kill Us” by Scott Carney. It’s about what we can learn from the evolutionary adaptations of the body to environmental conditions.
One dipping day, they bumped into two women emerging from their own swim, and a ritual began. Organically, word spread, and today the group has a text thread of 85 people, an Instagram page and a regular showing on Wednesday and Friday mornings of 30 to 40 people.
I watched the spectacle last week when the water was 47 degrees, the wind was whipping, and the gray sky mirrored the water. Cars streamed into the Devereux Beach parking lot like it was the middle of July rather than almost the start of December.
As the Wolfpack gathered to slip on cold water shoes and shed parkas, I was struck by this–the evident joy, the mutual support, the sense of community.
I also learned that there is something called a “Beanie Season,” in which you can earn a Wolfpack-branded blue beanie for dipping three times for two minutes on a Wednesday or Friday at 8 a.m. sharp between the day after Thanksgiving and the first week of March.
To a person, those who answered my “why do you do it?” question cited the health benefits of the dip–reduced inflammation, energy lift. Still others cited a feeling of accountability, a centering, a pause during life’s passages.
Two final offerings from May’s “Wintering” seem fitting in answer to why: “Every one of us is a lit candle,” she writes, quoting from a Scandinavian ritual of light she attended leading up to Christmas.
And this, conscious of the fleeting nature of time, “No doubt the winter will still have plenty of remaining bite; the coldest days are yet to come. Still, there will be snowdrops peeking up within weeks, and then the first crocuses. It won’t be long. The year begins again.”
In other words, “Beanie Season,” like every season, turns to another. The dark and cold lift. It’s worth exploring whether, by embracing them now, we can, before spring, lift ourselves.
Virginia Buckingham is a regular columnist for the Marblehead Current and a member of its board of directors.
(reportorial) porridge is just right; she said happily and she ate it all up.” So did I.
‘Goldilocks’ test passed
To the editor: As a one-time journalist, broadcaster, avid consumer of news and 50-year resident of this “blessed” community, let me paraphrase Goldilocks, “Ahhh, this
News you can really use. Local to a fault. Professional, pertinent writing with a clean look and appealing photography. A subtle, double-entendred name.
Oh, all that on real paper delivered to the door and somehow non-profit.
Democracy and the town can’t work without it.
Jerry Wishnow Bubier Road“Since I was little, this is my favorite place to come.” ——Peter PanThe prize for dipping three times in the ocean between the day after Thanksgiving and the first week of March? A Wolfpack-branded blue beanie. Sherborn, where we lived, and he served as town moderator there for many years. Tim Parker Arthur Avenue
Early fishing and early settlement
BY PAM PETERSONReligious freedom and self-government were admirable reasons to come to the New World, but it was commerce that really fueled the early settlement of Marblehead.
Fishing was the first and most enduring of the trades that provided income for the colonies. Many early settlers were sponsored and funded by investors who made money on the sale of dried fish. To encourage immigration, advertising claims told of such abundance that men could walk across Marblehead Harbor on the backs of fish without ever getting their feet wet.
Marblehead was first a fishing station, serving as an outpost for fishermen who came and went. Gradually, men with families began to arrive and Marblehead was established as a village in 1629. All activities related to the fishing trade. The lives of fishermen and their families were uncertain. Fishing vessels were small, seas were rough, weather was unpredictable, and the coastline was
LeTTerS POLIc Yrocky. But they knew how to fish and understood that dried and salted cod gave them an opportunity to make their way in the new world.
Matthew Craddock was the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Though he never came to the American colonies himself, Craddock’s ships transported goods to the early settlers and returned to England loaded with barrels of dried fish for sale.
It’s not a coincidence that a golden “sacred cod” hangs in the House of Representatives chamber in Boston’s State House. Before refrigeration, salted fish and meat were essential sources of protein. There was great demand in England, and salt cod was also sold to Roman Catholic countries for meatless Fridays.
Salt cod was also part of the triangle trade, being shipped to the West Indies to feed slaves on the sugar plantations. Codfish were the mainstay of the New England economy for several centuries.
We want to hear from you
The Marblehead Current loves to get letters to the editor. There are just a few rules you need to know.
Generally, letters should not exceed 500 words. The Marblehead Current reserves the right not to publish submissions over the word limit and may instead return the letter to the writer for editing.
Letters must include:
1. The author’s name. Unsigned letters and form letters will not be published.
2. The name of the street the author lives on in Marblehead. Only the street name will be published next to the author’s name — not their full address.
3. For every letter, we will need an author’s daytime/cell phone number (not
for publication) for verification purposes.
4. If letters seek to introduce into a discussion purported facts that are not commonly known, writers may be asked to provide the source for those purported facts.
5. Letters must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday to be published in the following Wednesday’s print edition of the Marblehead Current. Letters will be published to our website at the earliest opportunity, after verification. Email submissions to info@marbleheadnews.org.
While the Marblehead Current will make every effort to let writers have their say, it reserves the right not to publish letters.
TecH TIPS BY STEPHEN BACHComputer acting a little strange lately?
You may have been hacked. Here are a few warning signs to be on the lookout for:
1. Your antivirus is misbehaving Are you getting virus warnings, yet you know your antivirus is turned off? Do any of your warnings look a bit odd… even fake? Antivirus wonkiness is a telltale sign of a compromised computer.
2. Passwords have stopped working
If you’re getting error messages and can’t access certain sites but know you typed the password in correctly (and you haven’t changed it), odds are you’ve been hacked.
3. Data leaks
If your data, such as personal info, pictures, financial details, or any of your creative property gets posted online, but you didn’t put it there, hackers could be the culprits.
4. Computer seems possessed
If, like a scene out of a scary movie, your cursor starts moving on its own, or you discover files moved (but you didn’t move them), or out of the blue new icons show up on
your dashboard when you launch your browser, this is NOT normal and highly suspect.
5. Redirected to different websites Have you ever typed a web URL into your browser and landed on an entirely different website? There could be hacking involved. Another dead giveaway is the sudden appearance of ads or pop-ups.
6. Computer is slowwwww
Does it take forever to perform even a simple function with your computer? If the slow down seems especially sudden, this could indicate foul play.
Bottom line:
If you notice any of the above, or you have any other reason to think your computer’s been hacked, get help! Quirks and slowdowns are annoying, but above all you don’t want your personal info falling into the wrong hands!
Until next time, The Digital Docs Stephen Bach is the owner and chief of surgery at The Digital Docs in Marblehead. He will be periodically offering tech tips in the Marblehead Current.
King James I of England. English investors were anxious to attract new settlers to Marblehead. Capt. John Smith wrote of the advantages of fishing as a trade, and King James piously added, ‘In truth, ‘tis an honest trade, t’was the apostles own calling.’
On Thursday, Dec.15, the Poetry Salon at the Abbot Public Library in Marblehead will focus on Polish poet Wislawa Szymborska, the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1996.
Born and educated in Poland, Szymborska authored more than 15 books of poetry. While Polish history from World War II through Stalinism clearly informs her poetry, Szymborska was also a deeply personal poet who explored the large truths that exist in ordinary, everyday things.
“Of course, life crosses politics,” Szymborska once said. “But my poems are strictly not political. They are more about people and life.”
Writing in the New York Review of Books, Stanislaw Barańczak said, “Wit, wisdom and warmth are equally
important ingredients in the mixture of qualities that makes her so unusual and every poem of hers so unforgettable.”
Szymborska’s poems have been translated (and published in book form) in English, German, Swedish, Italian, Danish, Hebrew, Hungarian,
Czech, Slovakian, SerboCroatian, Romanian, Bulgarian and other languages.
Readers of Szymborska’s poetry have often noted its wit, irony, and deceptive simplicity. Her poetry examines domestic details and occasions, playing these against the backdrop of
history.
Join Claire Keyes, professor emerita at Salem State University, for a discussion of Szymborska’s poetry on Thursday, Dec. 15, from 2 to 4 p.m.
The salon meets at the library’s temporary location, the Eveleth School, 3 Brook Road, Marblehead, and on Zoom.
To attend via Zoom, please register in advance at tinyurl. com/Dec-2022-Poetry-Salon.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. All are welcome.
Poetry packets are available near the library’s main desk or online at tinyurl.com/ Dec-2022-Poems.
For additional information, visit abbotlibrary.org, email mar@noblenet.org, or call 781-631-1481.
Learn about volunteering at the Abbot Library Dec. 13
Stop by the Program Room at Abbot Public Library at Eveleth School, 3 Brook Road, Marblehead at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13 to learn about new volunteering opportunities for adults at the library.
Attendees will get an overview of potential positions, expectations, and how to begin the application process. No registration is required.
For additional information, visit abbotlibrary.org, email mar@noblenet.org, or call 781-631-1481.
Visions of sugar plums
BY KRIS OLSONThe nonprofit Greater Salem Ballet Company has your answer.
On Saturday, Dec. 10, at noon and then again at 4 p.m., the company of more than 110 young dancers–including dozens from Marblehead–will take the stage at the Lynn Memorial Auditorium for their ninth annual performances of the holiday classic.
The company is also led by three Marblehead women: Katie Machado, Seanna Chmura and Susan Nee.
The three had danced for Chmura’s grandmother, Helen Deane, a local legend and longtime owner-operator of the Deane School of Dance in Salem.
Before she settled on the North Shore, Deane and her two sisters had been Vaudeville dancers.
“She lived a life,” Machado said. “She was awesome.”
Chmura eventually took over her grandmother’s dance school and about 15 years ago merged it with the studio Nee had established in Swampscott to form A Performing Arts Academy on Swampscott Road in Salem.
Over the years, the instructors had a hand in any number of local productions of “The Nutcracker” but about a decade ago decided to start their own version, one that would be “accessible to anybody,” Machado explained.
The next challenge was to find a place to perform it, and in the Lynn Auditorium, they found a great partner, Machado said.
There is no bad seat in the house, and balcony seats are available for as little as $20, Machado noted. In addition, the company donates a number of tickets to local nursing homes and other nonprofit organizations, like Girls Inc.
The goal is to reward the young dancers for their months of hard work by allowing them to look out from the stage and see a sea of people enjoying themselves as much as they are, Machado said.
That was not the case the first year, Machado said, as auditorium staff draped a curtain around the back rows to make the crowd look less sparse.
But as the years have gone by, the Greater Salem Ballet Company’s ability to put people in the seats has grown.
The young dancers in the company began rehearsing in September and have been at it every weekend since, according to Machado.
The Greater Salem Ballet
Company’s production of “The Nutcracker” has the trappings audience members will expect, like a growing Christmas tree and couches that move.
“We try to give the illusion of magic,” Machado said.
The company is also fronted by two talented professional dancers from Festival Ballet Providence, Eugenia Zinovieva and Mamuka Kikalishvili, who perform in the lead roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier, respectively.
“They are truly exceptional,” Machado said.
More or less, the choreography is faithful to George Balanchine’s reworked staging of “The Nutcracker,” which the New York City Ballet first performed in 1954, “with a little bit of a twist,” Machado said.
Attendees will see some backflips and back handsprings, and also some tumbling by some of the company’s youngest performers, the Peppermints,
which is always a crowd pleaser, according to Machado.
“But we’re still keeping it very classic,” she said.
There are always tickets available at the door, Machado said, but those who would like to reserve their seats ahead of time can purchase them through
the Lynn Auditorium’s website, lynnauditorium.com.
Attendees who are of age will not even have to miss out on their holiday cheer, as a cash bar will offer beer, wine and a festive specialty cocktail, along with snacks and other concessions.
There are many, like Machado,
who do not need to be convinced that “The Nutcracker” is a great way to kick off the holiday season.
“You don’t have to be a lover of ballet,” Machado said. “It’s like going to the Boston Pops. You don’t have to be a classical music fan.”
Machado is particularly grateful that the COVID-19 pandemic has loosened its grip, allowing audiences to just sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
“It’s nice to get together and celebrate the kids,” she said.
Need your “Nutcracker” fix but don’t want to trek into Boston?Lexi Lappin will perform as Spanish Coffee in ‘The Nutcracker’ at Lynn Auditorium Dec. 10. Mouse King Grace Turner and Baby Mouse Adeline Desgrosseilliers are two of the Marblehead dancers who will be performing in the Greater Salem Ballet Company’s ‘The Nutcracker’ Saturday, Dec. 10 at Lynn Auditorium. Marblehead’s Lucy McDonald is the ‘Russian Lead’ in the Greater Salem Ballet Company’s ‘The Nutcracker.’ June Crawford and MaryKate McDonald will be Jesters in the Greater Salem Ballet Company’s ‘The Nutcracker.’ COURTESY PHOTOs Elle J. Foley will be one of the tumbling Peppermints in the Greater Salem Ballet Company’s ‘The Nutcracker.’
with the sentiment that a candidate would need to be accommodated, if whatever new date is chosen did not work for him or her, given the late switch.
Once the meeting does happen, however, each member of the Select Board and the four other School Committee members are expected to ask each candidate one question apiece. The individual members of the two boards will then be polled to see if any of the candidates earns a majority of the nine votes.
As Fox explained at the Dec. 1 meeting, if no one receives five votes, there will be a second round of voting, perhaps with some of the lowest vote getters eliminated from contention to encourage a consolidation of votes.
Whoever is ultimately appointed will fill the open seat until next spring’s municipal election.
A short synopsis of each candidate’s biography and qualifications appears below. To read the candidates’ full application materials, visit marbleheadcurrent.org, where updates about the meeting date will also be posted.
The candidates are: Peter Baker: Baker, the head of Devereux School, sits on the Marblehead Community Charter Public Schools Board of Trustees, which he pledged to abdicate should he be appointed to the School Committee vacancy.
Baker has served on hiring committees, has spoken at school building committees and chaired the MCCPS’ development and communication and governance
Bike park
From P. A1
jumps and banned the kids from biking there. Angry parents pushed back in public meetings, arguing that the town had plenty of conservation land, and the kids needed a safe place to ride, especially during lockdown.
Next, the teens started biking in the woods at the corner of Green and Beacon streets and were again kicked off–this time for riding too close to wetlands, which are protected. The kids’ parents were cited but not fined.
Organizers, including Milner, began working with town leaders to find a path forward.
In May 2022, Town Meeting overwhelmingly approved a plan to allow the Green Street site (which is owned by the School Department but has been vacant for many years) to be used for a bike park.
Parents then partnered with NEMBA to work out details with the town.
“With their help, we now have an agreement that enables
committees.
Jennifer Brennan: Brennan, an attorney with experience in insurance, construction disputes, environmental and class-action lawsuits, has volunteered or led several parent-teacher organizations.
“As my time as a parent in the Marblehead school system draws to a close, I believe I am well positioned to represent community concerns to school administrators, to community the needs of the school system to Marblehead residents and to partake in committee discussion about the goals and objectives for the district,” she wrote.
Kim Day: Day, a senior marketing program manager, has held leadership positions in more than one parent teacher organization through the years.
“I have volunteered in the schools over the past 9 years, have been actively involved in both the Coffin Gerry feasibility study as well as the Bell Coffin Gerry budget override ballot initiatives, and I regularly attend School Committee meetings as well as other town committee meetings,” Day wrote. “I believe my background, experience and proven track record of collaborating with diverse teams would be of value to our school committee and the MHD community.”
Don DeWitt: DeWitt, the owner of Stowaway Sweets, characterized himself as “a community-minded professional with an extensive background in managing both the financial and the people side of the business.”
He has volunteered and supported several public school programs and youth sports, and he describes himself as having “a good sense for the Marblehead community and comes with an open mind regarding difficult issues facing the
Marblehead school system.”
Raymond A. Hansen: Hansen, an associate dean at Wentworth Institute of Technology, has experience as an educator and an administrator in higher education.
“Having served as a faculty member, I understand the challenges of designing and delivering engaging curriculum, assessing student achievements and providing support for student learning,” he wrote. “As an administrator, I have experience driving an appropriate professional culture of engagement and inclusiveness for students, faculty and staff, supporting facilities for ongoing learning activities.”
Liam McGeown: McGeown, the founder and chief executive officer of Marblehead Movers, notes that he has built two thriving businesses.
“I believe I would be a strong asset to the Marblehead School Committee,” McGeown wrote. “I strongly believe that education is the cornerstone of success and responsibility of becoming a productive member of society.”
Thomas Paul Mathers: Mathers’ resume notes he is the founder, president and chief executive officer of Allievex Corporation. He has experience in the biotechnology, biopharmaceutical and healthcare industries and holds three patents.
A graduate of West Point and former captain in the U.S. Army, Mathers flew Apache attack helicopters in the 1991 Gulf War, earning an Air Medal.
Joe Patuleia: Joe Patuleia, who once served as the acting superintendent of Peabody Public Schools, described himself as “an accomplished educator and non-profit executive with more
than four decades of success leading and transforming organizations focused on young people, especially in low-income communities.”
“I have often thought of running for a position on the School Committee,” he wrote. “This vacancy seems like a good opportunity to take my years of experience and put it to good use at a different level. School curriculum, cultures and operations are my strengths, and especially managing multi-milliondollar budgets.”
Scott Stunkel: Stunkel, an associate vice president for engineering at the Boston-based Dotmatics, is a software engineering leader who manages a team of 25 engineers and four managers.
He spent four years in Chicago teaching technology before he got a Connecticut company to fund his idea for a technology platform. That platform, he noted, allows educators to share teaching materials.
Laurence H. Winer: Winer, a law professor emeritus at Arizona State University, has taught law for over three decades at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
“While I believe parents are entitled to choose options they believe are best suited to their children, I am committed to the idea of providing excellent education through public schools for children across a broad spectrum of talent, ability and interest,” he wrote.
“Quality public education is the lifeblood of democracy and our civil society, and public schools, although facing many challenges, have a quite vital role to play in our country.”
Winer noted that, while he is interested in filling the vacancy, he is unsure about running in the 2023 municipal election.
and then something that’s a little larger so people can learn on the small one and move along to the larger one,” he said. “We’ll have signage directing the people as they go down the trail, similar to ski trail colors–green would be the easy direction, and black would be more challenging.”
Next steps
This week, Milner outlined next steps in an email to supporters.
us to move forward with next steps and hopefully have a space ready for bikers of all ages to enjoy the space this spring,” Milner said.
Geoff Duckworth’s two boys, ages 8 and 10, both love to mountain bike, and he is excited about the new park.
“Marblehead is such a sportsoriented town, but mostly for traditional sports like football
and baseball, and there’s a ton of space allocated to those kinds of sports,” he said. “I think the town is recognizing the value of nontraditional sports.”
Planning and design
Planning and design for the park is just beginning, according to Frank Lane, the president of NEMBA’s North Shore chapter.
“The park will be about eight
or 10 acres,” Lane said. “It will be kind of a looped trail with some dirt and natural features.
You can contour the dirt into what’s called a berm turn. We’re not looking for huge wooden jumps. We’re going to make it somewhat natural.”
Lane said the park will be for beginner and more advanced riders.
“We’ll have a small dirt jump,
“We need to sort out a few things, including removing dead trees, figuring out fundraising and waivers for volunteers, organizing ourselves into committees, connecting with Rec and Park and other town stakeholders, designing and building signs, planning and building the trails, etc.”
Duckworth said he and his sons will help.
“We will be there to put shovels to work,” he said.
Anyone interested in volunteering or donating to the project can reach out at BikeMORProject@gmail.com.
October, bringing to a close a herculean effort years in the making.
“Those exhibits that the commission did were great, and boy were they fun,” Johnston said.
Select Board member Jackie Belf-Becker said Johnston has been “spot on with new ideas” and “captured the essence of Marblehead when making decisions,” which included developing a Historical Commission website and helping rearrange the Select Board Room in Abbot Hall.
“Nothing was too insignificant, from deciding where to hang a picture in the Select Board Room to monumental mapping projects, which were a labor of love,” Belf-Becker said. “The whole scope of Marblehead’s history was within his purview, and it was always a pleasure to work with him.”
Peterson said the Historical Commission exhibitions, in many ways, exemplified Johnston’s ability to unify volunteers around a common cause. The commission’s projects are supported with
private donations and grants.
“We do not have a line item in the town budget,” Johnston said. “We are very fortunate that we are the beneficiaries of [the Harold B. and Elizabeth L. Shattuck Memorial Trust], from which we can typically get $30,000 to $55,000 per year for projects.”
The Old Town House exhibitions also represent how Johnston expanded the Historical Commission’s purview beyond the preservation and protection of Marblehead’s history.
“He has seen that that essential work is done, but he’s also built a really, really strong team of people,” Peterson said. “He has this farsighted vision of what could be done and what
should be done.”
She characterized his leadership style as thoughtful, diplomatic and inclusive.
“He’s a very gentlemanly person in the best sense of the way,” Peterson said. “Whenever we’ve talked about doing things, he thinks, ‘How would this affect others?’”
Several projects are ongoing, including the early stages of building an archive center. Associate Historical Commission member Pat Franklin is making serious progress on historic preservation surveys, writing grant applications every year for Massachusetts Historical Commission matching grants as well as supervising the work.
“We created a professionally
done master plan to survey the entire town’s properties. Up until then, only the Historic District had been surveyed,” Johnston said. “The master plan (available at marbleheadhistory. org) has a 10-plus-year plan to survey the entire town, one neighborhood at a time.”
He added, “Pat’s work has Marblehead well ahead of most towns in the commonwealth.”
‘Story after story’
In collaboration with former town administrator John McGinn, Johnston also helped hang high-resolution copies of historic letters from President George Washington, Vice President Elbridge Gerry, Paul Revere and John Hancock to the people of Marblehead in the Select Board Room.
“One of the recent things he did was bring credit-card payments to the Abbot Hall gift shop,” said Historical Commission member David Krathwohl. “For a long, long time, it was a cash kind of thing.”
Krathwohl, who worked on Mapping Marblehead, said one of Johnston’s strengths is in articulating visions behind projects.
“It’s been a real pleasure
working with him,” said Krathwohl. “He is an outstanding manager of both people and projects.”
As much praise as he got for thinking ahead, Johnston chuckled as he explained how he came to serve on the Historical Commission.
“If I could give one piece of advice: Don’t retire without a plan in place,” he said. “It’s a bad idea to retire without a plan.”
Johnston joined the Historical Commission after retiring from General Electric in the early 2000s.
“My background was not as a historian,” Johnston said. “I was an engineer and systems manager.”
But his engineering background has proven useful and helpful. He also showered praise on the late Wayne Butler, who died at 91 on Oct. 23. He became enamored by Marblehead history by listening and watching Butler.
“He just took me under his wing and taught me a lot about the mechanics of historical organization and the mechanics of cataloging when you have a collection as we do,” said Johnston. “He just gave me story after story.”
(Ginger)bread winners
Family Fund’s annual festival sees spirited competition
BY KRIS OLSONOnce again this year, the Marblehead Family Fund, in partnership with the Marblehead Museum, organized a Gingerbread Festival, with entries on display throughout Christmas Walk weekend at the Jeremiah Lee Mansion.
An esteemed panel of judges had the daunting task of bestowing just
one blue ribbon in each of seven categories. They ultimately settled on the following roster of winners:
» Best Ages 5 and Under - Winnie and Norah’s House (Creators: Winnie and Norah)
» Best Ages 6 to 10 - Gnome Sweet Home (Creator: Daniel Koch)
» Best Classic - New England Church (Creators: Paul and Mimi)
» Most Creative - A Mischief in
the Library (Creators: The Dissette Family, Mary, Mike and Lilly)
» Best Business - Even Keel (Creators: Even Keel)
» Best School - Future Village in 100 Years (Creators: Village School Grade 6, Team BFC)
» Most Marblehead - Boosters All Sports (Creators: Marblehead Boosters)
Making those difficult calls were
the following volunteer judges: Town Moderator Jack Attridge, Heather Dalton, owner of Seaside Allure; Sara Timm-Bane, co-owner and captain of programming at Marblehead Parenting & Tot Club; Emily Farnsworth-Brankman, owner of Sea Salt; Colleen Inglis, owner of West Shore Baking; and Lauren Skelton-Leard from the Marblehead Public Schools.
Even Keel was the winner of the ‘Best Business’ award. ‘Gnome Sweet Gnome’ by Daniel Koch, age 9, was the winner of the best display in the ages 6-10 category. ‘Mischief in the Library,’ created by the Diskette family (Mary, Mike and Lily) is the winner in the Most Creative category. ‘Future Village in 100 Years,’ created by the sixth-graders of Team BFC at the Village School, was the winner of the best school display. ‘Winnie and Nora’s House’ was declared the winner in the Age 5 and Under category. Evan Goldstein and mom Liza Goldstein look at displays. ‘Traditional Church’ by Mimi Bourne received the ‘Classic’ award. CURRENT PHOTOs/TANYA BRAGANTI Santa’s Lighthouse by Ava DiGiovanni was the winner in the ‘Most Creative’ category in the Marblehead Family Fund’s annual Gingerbread Festival at the Jeremiah Lee Mansion.WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7
8 a.m., Democracy Now!
9 a.m., ‘Headliner – News of Marblehead 9:30 a.m., You Gotta Love Marblehead!
10 a.m., Yoga For Health & Joy 10:30 a.m., Valda’s Seeds of Life
11 a.m., MHTV Community Partners
Noon, ‘Headliner – News of Marblehead 12:30 p.m., You Gotta Love
Marblehead!
1 p.m., Groovy Glass 1:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
3 p.m., 2022 Marblehead Chamber of Commerce Holiday Shopping Guide 4:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
5 p.m., What’s Cookin’
5:30 p.m., Eat Well Be Happy 6 p.m., Battleship Cove, Inside the History 6:30 p.m., ‘Headliner – News of Marblehead 7 p.m., IMAGINATION Artist Profile
7:30 p.m., 2022 Marblehead Veterans Day Ceremony 9 p.m., ‘Headliner – News of Marblehead
9:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
THURSDAY, DEC. 8
8 a.m., Democracy Now! 9 a.m., ‘Headliner – News of Marblehead 9:30 a.m., Mass COA Connect 10 a.m., Let’s Visit 10:30 a.m., Eat Well Be Happy 11 a.m., MHTV Community Partners
Noon, ‘Headliner – News of Marblehead 12:30 p.m., 2022 Marblehead Chamber of Commerce Holiday Shopping Guide
1 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
1:30 p.m., Community Bulletin Board
3 p.m., 2022 Marblehead Veterans Day Ceremony
4 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
4:30 p.m., Community Bulletin Board
5 p.m., Knowledgeable Aging 5:30 p.m., Mass COA Connect 6 p.m., Up For Discussion
6:30 p.m., ‘Headliner – News of Marblehead 7 p.m., You Gotta Love Marblehead!
7:30 p.m., Marblehead Select
Board and School Committee
Joint Meeting, Recorded Dec. 7, 2022 9 p.m., ‘Headliner – News of Marblehead 9:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
FRIDAY, DEC. 9
8 a.m., Democracy Now! 9 a.m., ‘Headliner – News of Marblehead 9:30 a.m., Tai Chi Through the Seasons 10 a.m., Marblehead COA Bulletin Board
10:30 a.m., Delicious & Nutritious
11 a.m., MHTV Community Partners Noon, ‘Headliner – News of Marblehead 12:30 p.m., What’s Cookin’
1 p.m., SKYDIVE
1:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
3 p.m., Marblehead Select Board and School Committee
Joint Meeting Recorded 12/7/22
4:30 p.m., Community Bulletin Board
5 p.m., Off the Shelf 5:30 p.m., New England Authors
6 p.m., The Garage with Steve
Butler 6:30 p.m., ‘Headliner –News of Marblehead **NEW EDITION**
7 p.m., Public Safety Round Table
7:30 p.m., 2022 Marblehead Christmas Walk
9 p.m., ‘Headliner – News of Marblehead 9:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
SATURDAY, DEC. 10
8 a.m., Community Bulletin Board
8:30 a.m., Saturday Morning Cartooning 9 a.m., Mike Paige Doodle Club
9:30 a.m., What’s Cookin’ 10 a.m., Vlada’s Seeds of Life 10:30 a.m., Battleship Cove, Inside the History
11 a.m., The Garage with Steve Butler
11:30 a.m., Smart Boating Noon, ‘Headliner – News of Marblehead 12:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
1 p.m., 2022 Marblehead Chamber of Commerce Holiday Shopping Guide
5 p.m., In the Toybox
5:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
6 p.m., You Gotta Love Marblehead!
6:30 p.m., ‘Headliner – News of Marblehead
7 p.m., Congressman Seth Moulton’s Veterans Day Town Meeting
8 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
9 p.m., ‘Headliner – News of Marblehead
9:30 p.m., 502 Sessions 10:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
11 p.m., Paltrocast with Darren Paltrowitz
11:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
SUNDAY, DEC. 11
8 a.m., Groovy Glass 8:30 a.m., Mass COA Connect 9 a.m., Off the Shelf 9:30 a.m., New England Authors
10 a.m., Up For Discussion 10:30 a.m., In the Toybox
11 a.m., Saturday Morning Cartooning
11:30 a.m., Smart Boating Noon, ‘Headliner – News of Marblehead
12:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
1 p.m., IMAGINATION Artist Profile
1:30 p.m., Public Safety
Roundtable
2 p.m., Two Grannies on the Road
2:30 p.m., Let’s Visit 3 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
6:30 p.m., ‘Headliner – News of Marblehead 7 p.m., 2022 Marblehead Christmas Walk 8 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
9 p.m., ‘Headliner – News of Marblehead 9:30 p.m., 502 Sessions 10:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
11 p.m., Paltrocast with Darren Paltrowitz 11:30 p.m., MHTV Community Partners
MHTV program schedule subject to change without notice
MHTV can be seen on Comcast Channel 8 and Verizon Channel 28 (2128 in HD).
For more
Girls basketball gets back to work
Magicians prepare for home opener vs. Beverly Dec. 13
BY JOE MCCONNELLAs Marblehead High School athletes joined their peers last week to transition from the fall season to winter sports with the start of practice, girls basketball coach Paul Moran appears to be ready for another winning campaign.
The Magicians finished 12-8 last year after dropping a Division 2 preliminary round game to Masco, the 25th seed, 50-29.
Stella Monaco, Isabell Ferrante, and Carlin McGowan are this year’s captains, and Moran has plenty to go around to fill out the rosters, with 30-plus prospective players coming out for tryouts.
They are evenly divided among the four grades, setting up for a solid season in the present tense, not to mention a bright foreseeable future.
“There is a great group of older kids and younger kids in this year’s program,” Moran said.
Besides the three captains, Moran is enthusiastic over the returning group of varsity players, who now have added experience to make even more noise in the Northeastern Conference, which should lead to more success in the state playoffs.
“This is a good group of returning athletes starting with our three captains, along with Kate Burns, Katie Pyne, Clara Donovan, Samantha Dormer, Olivia Goldwater, Ramona Gillette and Madison Forbes,” Moran said.
There’s plenty of time to figure out starting lineups and who makes each squad because the Magicians do not begin the season until Dec. 13 against Beverly at home. Moran has also scheduled two scrimmages that should help them get in competitive shape for the real games on the schedule.
Marblehead Youth Hockey prevails in friendly rivalry
St. Lambert exchange returns after two-year COVID hiatus
BY JOE MCCONNELLFor the first time since before COVID hit the world hard in March 2020, the Marblehead Youth Hockey Association hosted the annual Friendship Exchange Tournament with its counterparts from St. Lambert, Quebec the weekend before Thanksgiving at Lynn’s Connery Rink. The long-running event got its start in the 1960s as the brainchild of MYHA coach Bill Haskell. Originally, it was Marblehead going north of the border, but through the efforts of Bud Orne and Haskell, they brought their St. Lambert neighbors to Marblehead several years later, and thus the
much-anticipated exchange program was born.
Much more important than the competition over the years on the ice have been the everlasting relationships that have been forged. When it’s all said and done, the two programs end up knowing each other quite well, once they play a series of games in November in Marblehead and then
LATeST INNOVATION
A look under the ‘Hood’
Designer discusses first all-electric boat
BY LAURIE FULLERTONChris Hood’s reputation for innovation and success in boat building and design is widely recognized in the marine industry. The company’s CW Hood 32 daysailer has been sold all over the world, while its power boats include the recently launched and widely admired Hood 35 LM and Hood 57 LM, along with the beautiful Wasque and Katama designs, many of which we enjoy seeing right here in Marblehead harbor.
As a lifelong resident of Marblehead, Chris Hood possesses a native talent and skill for innovation that runs in the family. It brought great success to his father Bruce Hood, uncle Ted Hood, grandfather Stedman Hood and great-grandfather Ralph Otho Hood, which continues to this day.
The legacy for innovation makes it even more exciting that Hood and his team have created the first boat of its kind—the Hood 26E—an allelectric, high-speed, classic New England center console.
Launched in November,
Courtesy photos / Marblehead Youth Hockey Facebook page
A Marblehead Youth Hockey coach talks to his players prior to the skills competition that wrapped up the successful pre-Thanksgiving weekend tournament at Lynn’s Connery Rink against their longtime friendly rivals from St. Lambert, Quebec.
Root for the home team
Wednesday, Dec. 7
4 p.m. Girls’ basketball (scrimmage)
vs. Malden Catholic At Malden Catholic Thursday, Dec. 8
2:30 p.m. Boys’ ice hockey (scrimmage)
vs. Woburn At O’Brien Ice Rink, Woburn 4 p.m. Girls’ ice hockey vs. Medford At LaConte Rink, Medford 6:30 p.m. Girls’ and boys’ swimming/diving vs. Peabody At Lynch-van Otterloo YMCA Saturday, Dec. 10
Boys basketball begins season at Beverly
BY JOE MCCONNELLvs. multiple schools At Wayland High 3:20 p.m. Girls’ basketball (jamboree) vs. Melrose At Lynn Classical 3:30 p.m. Girls’ ice hockey vs. Masconomet At O’Keefe Center, Salem State 4 p.m. Boys’ ice hockey (scrimmage) vs. Bedford At St. Anselm College Sunday, Dec. 11
8 a.m. Wrestling (quad)
2:30 p.m. Girls’ and boys’ indoor track
vs. Swampscott At New Balance Track, Boston Tuesday, Dec. 13
6:30 p.m. Girls’ basketball vs. Beverly At Marblehead High 7 p.m. Boys’ basketball vs. Beverly At Beverly High Wednesday, Dec. 14
4 p.m. Girls’ ice hockey vs. Gloucester At Talbot Rink, Gloucester 5:30 p.m. Wrestling vs. Danvers At Marblehead High 6 p.m. Boys’ ice hockey vs. Gloucester At Talbot Rink, Gloucester Thursday, Dec. 15
6 p.m. Girls’ basketball vs. Ipswich At Ipswich High
Hood
From P. A13
it is a perfect fit for a large portion of recreational boating needs, and boaters can also enjoy a nearly silent day on the water with no pollution of the air or water.
What follows is an edited version of a conversation between Chris Hood and Laurie Fullerton of the Marblehead Current.
MC: How did you decide it was time to build an electric boat?
CH: It has been a theme of the Hood family in the marine industry to take technology and make it better, make it more user friendly. We set out not to transform all boats from gas to electric, but simply show it can be done in a logical fashion. To take “range anxiety” associated with all electric vehicles and put it in context of how most small boats are used nowadays. When our designer, Dave Robison, and I set out four years ago to create this boat, we were aware that the electric technology was not quite ready for the boating market. Since then, battery technology has greatly improved and will continue to evolve.
The biggest hurdle remains accessibility to charging, but as it did for land-based vehicles, the infrastructure will be provided once municipalities see there is a need and a benefit. Not too far down the road, we envision floating charging stations, a dock situated on a mooring that can charge three or four boats at a time by a single underwater cable providing power from shore, and because of the dock’s size, a solar canopy can provide additional power.
MC: Can you describe why you expect increasing demand for electric boats in the marine industry today?
CH: In just looking at Marblehead Harbor alone, approximately 60 percent of boats in the harbor are power boats, with about 10 percent being semi-long-distance cruisers designed for trips up to Maine or down to the Cape and Islands. This means the remaining 50 percent are of the “day boat” variety: small outboards, center consoles, small picnic-style boats, all using gasoline or diesel for propulsion.
The big question is: How are these boats used during the boating season? And can an all-electric boat check their boating boxes?
If you are fortunate enough to have a dock or a spot at a marina, it’s a no-brainer. But what about boats that live on a mooring? Will solar work? No, there is not enough area for panels that would produce any meaningful charge. But adding a charging station to one of our public docks would be a very good option, just like what we see for electric cars in town. If you don’t have a mooring and you are a trailer boater, then just plug it in at home.
It is also my opinion that the design has to look like a boat, not a
spaceship. A good example is Tesla’s first cars looked like experimental future concepts. It was not until the vehicle looked more mainstream did it really catch on.
MV: Can you tell us if you think it’s possible to achieve that goal of full-on summer and recreational fun with an electric boat?
CH: Here are a few perfect examples right around our area.
A lot of boat owners with smaller boats like to fish. Can you run out to Stellwagen Bank in the Hood 26E?
No! But it is perfect for a weekend of fishing around Salem Sound, out to Halfway Rock, around Tinkers, etc.
Further, the boat is ideal for a ride over to Brown’s Island. Load up the kids, paddleboards, and coolers, nosing up to the beach. If it gets too crowded, you can leave and head up to Sand Dollar Cove in Manchester at 22 knots.
The round trip will use less than 50 percent of available battery charge.
Or you can run over to Salem and tie up at Pickering Wharf and visit the sights. Get back aboard and head out to see the sailboats racing off Marblehead and return to the harbor with plenty of battery to go fishing the next day.
Or a perennial favorite, you can take the Hood 26E to Gloucester and tie up at the Studio for lunch.
At 22 knots, you will have used 50 percent of your battery. So, you have two choices: head home at a slightly lower speed or plug in your fast charger, top off your batteries as you enjoy lunch while monitoring the charging status on your phone.
After lunch, you will be back up to 85 percent, and after another hour, you will be close to 100 percent.
MV: Can you give us a little background on where this tradition of innovation and experimentation began in the Hood family?
CW: Interestingly enough, this is not the first time the Hood family has looked towards electricity for the mainstream market. My great grandfather, Ralph Otho Hood, of Danvers was an electrical engineer from Tufts University (he studied under Thomas Edison) and was a top inventor of his time.
Ralph O. Hood built the first steam carriage in 1899, with electrically operated valves that simplified cumbersome controls, making the steam carriage simple to operate.
It was dubbed the “Simplex.” For the next eight years, he created an impressive list of vehicles, culminating in the Gas-Au-Lec touring car in 1905.
The “Gas-Au-Lec” was the world’s first gas-and-electric car. The first hybrid! Back in the early 1900s, motor vehicles were scoffed at by many, especially in the cities where noxious fumes and noise made the vehicles a nuisance. Ralph O. Hood reasoned that if he could build a clean vehicle for the cities, sales would flourish.
The Gas-Au-Lec ran on batteries at city speeds of about 8 miles an hour. After 8 MPH, a self-starter would turn over the gas engine, and the car would continue along up to 40 MPH. The car won prestigious awards at the New York and Chicago auto shows.
Unfortunately, a better inventor than businessman, only eight cars were built, forcing Ralph to cannibalize the last car to pay some of his debts.
In a “Eureka” moment, he packed his self-starter in a suitcase and traveled by train to Ford Motor Company. Henry Ford paid Hood for his idea but not his patent on the design, and the rest is automobile history!
MV: What does the future hold for the Hood 26E now that you have launched the first one?
First, I have to thank the team, including designer David Robison, Chris Stirling and Will Parker for their electrical skills, Desmond Binger, Rick Baker and Nick Nowak for composite engineering, Quin Vaillancourt, Jack McGrath, and Logan Hood for construction.
We all truly believe in this project, and although an electric boat may not be for everyone, this boat will work in the real world. “Range anxiety” can be easily managed and will become less and less of a factor as the industry continues to grow and improve.
Further, this just makes sense for our planet. A study by the EPA takes a modern 4-stroke outboard motor and compares it to a modern, efficient mid-size car. The one modern outboard motor running for one hour produces as much CO2 as 50 modern mid-size cars based on both vehicles running at 30 mph.
After some more testing, we will be starting production, offering the boat in either center console or sport boat configuration.
Coach Mike Giardi’s boys basketball team is working hard to get ready for another season, which will open up against host Beverly, on Tuesday, Dec. 13, starting at 7 p.m.
The Magicians will then take on visiting Salem to begin the home season three nights later, before going on a twoweek holiday break. They will resume the season at Saugus on Jan. 3. One week later, they will be at Peabody to face the Tanners.
The first of two always anticipated games against rival Swampscott is next up on schedule, a Friday night, Jan. 13, home tilt.
Masco comes to town on Jan. 17, followed by Beverly on Jan. 19. They will be at Winthrop to take on the Vikings on Jan. 24.
On Jan. 27, the Magicians return home to go up against Salem. They will then host Danvers on Feb. 3, before Peabody invades Marblehead for a rematch on Feb. 7. The Marblehead boys then hit the road for Masco on Feb. 10.
On Valentine’s Night, they will be in Gloucester to take on the Fishermen, and then they are off to Swampscott to complete the season series with the Big Blue two nights later. They will complete the regular season versus nonleague host Bedford on Feb. 19, starting at 6 p.m.
Inaugural winner
St. Lambert
From P. A13
meet up again a few months later in Quebec in February, while staying with the host team’s families.
The Marblehead Bantams and Squirts from 8-14 participate in the exchange program. They play onehour games against each other throughout the three-day extravaganza, which also included NHLstyle skills competitions
from a relay race to a shooting drill.
At the end of the weekend, the Casper Cup is awarded to the winning program. Host Marblehead took it home this year, but the St. Lambert players have a chance to secure the trophy come February.
By the time these players are Bantams, they will have played several years against each other, and their friendships are sure to be are stronger than ever.
Shout out to After School
Program, plus upcoming events
SUBMITTED BY THE LYNCH/VAN OTTERLOO YMCAThis time of year often reminds us to look around and recognize those that make a positive impact in our community.
As we enter the final month of 2022, the Lynch/van Otterloo Y is especially proud of our afterschool programs at the Brown, Glover and Village schools. We also support the Swampscott School District by providing direct care after school. We appreciate the amazing work our teachers do each day and all year round to help kids learn, grow and achieve.
With daily planned STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) curriculum and enrichment programs like yoga, Zumba, arts and sports, as well as daily homework support, children can discover new activities while staying active, engaged and connected. A focus on social-emotional support led by a team of inclusion specialists provides children with tools and
A bbOT LIbr A rYstrategies to navigate learning, interacting with others and reaching their full potential.
The Y remains committed to supporting families who need a place for their children to go after the school day ends. We are proud to provide $50,000 in financial assistance to local families. We also work closely with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families to offer assistance to families supported by this government program so we can ensure that every child has access to high-quality childcare.
Here’s some feedback from one after school program family: “The program director Gregory Wigfall is phenomenal at the Glover after-school program. The activities are great, and our son absolutely loves his first year at the Y after-school program!”
The Y’s after school programs are fun, educational experiences that help children develop self-confidence, interpersonal relationships, positive values and academic achievement while building a sense of community. All programs are licensed by
the Massachusetts Department of Early Education & Care.
To learn more about the Y’s after school programs, please contact Sandi Novello, childcare administration, novellos@ northshoreymca.org.
Don’t miss these upcoming events and activities at the Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA, 40 Leggs Hill Road:
Job Fair
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 8-10 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.
Join the Y’s team! At this in-person hiring event, the Y will have program directors available to interview on the spot and hire. The Y is looking for people who want to expand their horizons and join its team supporting membership, childcare and fitness.
Holiday Sale Event
Wednesday, Dec. 14, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. - Calling all local businesses, artists and crafty folks! Join the Y’s annual holiday event showcasing local artists and businesses. Interested in being a vendor? Email Membership Director Jane Rizza at rizzaj@northshoreymca.org.
Join the Y, Join the Pickleball Craze
The Y has expanded its pickleball program. If you’ve never picked up a pickleball paddle, you don’t know what you’re missing. This cross between tennis, ping-pong and badminton is fun, easy to learn, and quickly brings out the competitor in everyone.
YMCA of the North Shore members have unlimited access to playtimes while community
members are able to purchase a monthly Pickleball Punch Pass. There are beginner to advanced options each week. Grab a paddle and join in the fun today!
The Y offers meaningful membership where you can share in a mission to strengthen the community, every single day. The Y provides life-saving swim lessons to approximately 2,000 children per year, affordable housing for more than 500 people across the North Shore, childcare and camp for more than 6,000 children, and a reduced senior membership for more than 4,000 active older adults.
Not a member? Come in for a tour and see all the wonderful things available at your local Y or reach out to Jane Rizza rizzaj@northshoreymca.org.
The year’s most checked-out movies
BY AMBER SANTMANAmber Santman, adult media specialist at Abbot Public Library recommends this list of movies. A lifelong resident of Marblehead, she has worked at the library for the past eight years and is always happy to chat with patrons about all things movies and media.
“Belfast”
Follows the story of a boy growing up in the late 1960s in Belfast whose family must decide whether to stay or leave amid the social tumult.
“Dune”
Paul Atreides, son of Duke Leto, along with the native inhabitants of the planet Arrakis, struggle to overthrow the terrible Baron Harkonnen and his family to control the mindaltering spice produced by giant sandworms of Arrakis.
“Ghostbusters: Afterlife”
When a single mother and her two kids move to a small town, they discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters.
“Hello Bookstore”
Tells the story of a beloved local bookstore in Lenox, Massachusetts, and the efforts of the townspeople to save it
during the COVID pandemic.
“House of Gucci”
When Patrizia Reggiani, an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel the family legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately, murder. Inspired by
the shocking true story of the family behind the Italian fashion empire. Based on the book “The House of Gucci” by Sara Gay Forden.
“King Richard”
Based on the true story that will inspire the world, follow the journey of Richard Williams, an undeterred father instrumental in raising two of the most extraordinarily gifted athletes of all time, who will end up changing the sport of tennis forever.
“Nightmare Alley”
From visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro comes a suspenseful psychological thriller about a manipulative carnival man who teams with an equally deceptive psychiatrist to grift the wealthy in 1940s New York society. Del Toro co-wrote the enthralling film with Kim Morgan, based on William Lindsay Gresham’s novel.
“Parallel Mothers”
For the first time, Me&Thee Music brings the local retro band The Mugfords to its stage for a Saturday Holiday Concert & Dance Party at 8 p.m. Dec. 10.
The Mugfords will present a night of pop and rock holiday hits and standards of the ’60s, ’70s and beyond. The adjoining Stetson Hall will be cleared for a roomy, party-lit dance floor.
The band has collected a drum kit full of holiday favorites and some surprises.
The Mugfords launched three decades ago on Mugford Street, and they’ve performed throughout New England, including performances on HGTV and at The Hard Rock Cafe in Boston.
They’re known for their vocal harmonies and faithful replication of the music of the Beatles, Kinks, Byrds, Rolling Stones, The Who, Talking Heads, Cars, and many others.
Members include Paul Todisco, Chad Rosen, Debra Basile and Steve Pierce. Rosen was a former member and the manager of the Boston-New York based
He
“The
Matrix: Resurrections”
From visionary filmmaker Lana Wachowski comes the long-awaited fourth film in the groundbreaking franchise that redefined a genre. The new film reunites original stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss in the iconic roles they made famous, Neo and Trinity.
The lives of two single women become intertwined when they share a hospital room, giving birth to their daughters on the same day.
“Spencer”
A fictionalized account of Princess Diana’s decision to end her marriage to Prince Charles and separate from the royal family.
Basile is a conservatory trained, multiinstrumentalist, teacher, singer, and choral conductor. She performed with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Symphony Hall and at Tanglewood.
Basile currently sings with the Cantemus Chamber Chorus, teaches music privately and directs a choir in Lexington.
Todisco has been dubbed “the human jukebox” with his vast knowledge of rock music. He played lead guitar for the Ace of Clubs, as well as a country rock band, The Boosey Hawkes, and an original rock band, The Poor Boys, which morphed into Safety in Numbers, which won a band contest on the former WCOZ-FM.
He has played at the legendary Rathskeller in Kenmore Square, Jack’s in Cambridge, the Inn Square Men’s Bar and The Channel in South Boston as well at The Paradise.
Pierce is a percussionist/
multi-instrumentalist whose nickname is “Tubs” due to his innate ability to make a Home Depot bucket sound like a full drum set.
Pierce is widely known and admired for his 30-year career as an art teacher at Marblehead Middle School. His crowning art creation is the 30-foot bronze sculpture “The Discovery of Purpose,” which is permanently displayed outside Marblehead High School.
Pierce is a classically trained trombonist who began playing drums in his early teens but also plays guitar, bass, hammered dulcimer and keyboards.
Tickets are $25, students $10. Locally, tickets are available at Arnould’s Gallery, Washington Street, Marblehead.
For online info and no-fee tickets, see meandthee.org.
Doors open at 7:15 p.m., and the kitchen opens at 7:30 p.m.
Me&Thee Music is a non-profit, allvolunteer organization now in its 53rd season at 28 Mugford St. in Marblehead.
swing band Tappin’ at the Met, which performed all over the East Coast, including the Paradise, Jack’s, Ryle’s, Jonathan Swifts, and the Westside Theater in NYC. has opened shows for Tom Paxton, David Bromberg, The Persuasions, Lenny Clarke, and Jay Leno.Mail-in, early voting options made permanent
THE HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.
This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call presents Part 2 of a post-election look at action from 2022 that changed the state’s election laws. Here are the five key 2022 Senate votes on election laws.
ELECTION LAW CHANGES (S 2924)
Senate 37-3, approved and Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law a conference committee version of a bill making permanent the mail-in and early voting options used in Massachusetts in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The House and Senate had approved different versions of the bill and a conference committee hammered out this compromise version, which did not include the section allowing same-day voter registration that was in the Senate version but not in the House one.
The measure requires the secretary of state to send out mail-in ballot applications, with return postage guaranteed, to registered voters before each presidential primary, state primary and biennial state election. It also allows registered voters to request a mail-in ballot for all elections in a single calendar year. Other provisions include reducing the registration blackout period from 20 days prior to an election to 10 days; electronic voting options for voters with disabilities and military service members; allowing a voter with disabilities to request accommodations including an accessible electronic ballot application, ballot and voter affidavit that can be submitted electronically; ensuring that non-felons who are incarcerated who are currently eligible to vote are provided with voting information and materials to exercise their right to vote; mandating that felons who are incarcerated but prohibited from voting are notified of their right to vote upon release and given the opportunity to fill out a voter registration form; and requiring the secretary of state to conduct a comprehensive public awareness campaign to publicize the new
re AL eSTATe Tr ANSFerS
Rebecca Bennett
voting and registration options.
“This landmark election reform bill will empower voters and strengthen our democracy,” said Sen. Barry Finegold (D-Andover), Senate Chair of the Committee on Election Laws and the co-sponsor of the bill. “In 2020, mail-in and early voting options helped generate record-breaking turnout. It is now time to build on this progress and enact long-lasting voting reforms. The [bill] is a big step in the right direction and will help ensure that every voter can exercise their fundamental right to vote.”
Opponents say the bill goes too far and does not provide sufficient safeguards to protect the integrity of the voting process. They argued that universal mail-in voting was designed solely to protect voters during the pandemic and that continuing this forever would cost far too much for smaller towns
(A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.)
Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes
DROP BOXES FOR VOTERS (S 2545)
The Senate, 13-25, rejected an amendment that would require each city and town to have at least one ballot drop box for voters to deposit their ballots from the day the ballots are printed and available to voters until the polls close on Election Day. The amendment requires municipalities with more than 25,000 voters to provide one drop box per 25,000 voters and requires the boxes to be in a public location that is accessible to voters for at least 12 hours per day.
(A “Yes” vote is for the ballot drop box requirements. A “No” vote is against them.)
Sen. Brendan Crighton No
PERMANENT VOTING BY MAIL OPTION (S 2545)
The Senate, 7-31, rejected an amendment that would allow voters to choose to become a permanent voter by mail for all future elections, a
temporary voter by mail for all elections in a calendar year or a temporary voter by mail for one specific election. The measure automatically enrolls voters who voted by mail in the 2020 state primary and general election as permanent mail voters. Voters would also have the option to change their status at any time.
Sponsor Sen. Becca Rausch said that the state does not require voters to reregister every year and should not require voters to sign up for various voting methods each year.
(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.)
Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes
GIVE WORKERS PAID TIME OFF TO
VOTE (S 2545)
The Senate, 12-26, rejected an amendment that would require all employers to give each worker two hours of paid time off per election to vote. The employee could use that two hours to vote early in-person, vote by mail or vote on Election Day. The amendment would replace a current law that is narrower and requires the worker to apply for a leave of absence in order to vote and only allows the worker to vote during the two hours after the polls open on Election Day.Sen. Brendan Crighton No
VOTING (S 2545)
OVERSEAS
Amendment supporters said that the current process for voting from overseas is complex and burdensome. The voter is required to communicate with their local clerk, receive their ballot, print it out and fax, scan or mail it back. They noted that military members often do not have functioning printers, scanners or fax machines available to them on military installations or are out on missions that take them away from their installations.
Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes
ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL
SCHOOL CUSTODIAN DAY (S 2126)
– The House gave initial approval to a
Senate-approved bill declaring every October 2nd as School Custodian Day, in recognition of “the dedicated contributions provided by school custodians to ensure children of the commonwealth have clean, healthy and safe learning environments.” The measure has already been approved by the Senate but still needs further approval in both chambers prior to it being sent to the governor for his signature.
LOWER VOTING AGE TO 16 – A bill lowering the voting age from 18 to 16 in the city of Boston for local municipal elections will soon be on its way to the Legislature after being approved 9-4 by the Boston City Council. This “home rule petition” needs the signature of Mayor Michelle Wu, approval by the House and Senate and finally the signature of Gov. Baker before it becomes law.
STATE AWARDS $2.5 MILLION TO 32 BAY STATE POLICE DEPARTMENTS FOR BODY-WORN CAMERAS
The Baker administration announced the state has awarded $2.5 million to 32 cities and towns to increase the number of police who wear body cameras.
“Strong relationships between police and the communities they protect are vital to ensuring public safety,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. “Body-worn cameras help improve trust in these relationships and help make everyone safer. These grants are an important investment in our communities.”
“Body-worn cameras are a transformative tool for law enforcement,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “This technology strengthens transparency and accountability while promoting best practices and improving policecommunity relations.”
COMMISSION ON CLEAN HEATING ISSUES REPORT – The state’s Commission on Clean Heat, established by Gov. Baker, issued its final recommendations and report.
Mary E. Farrell 11 Cottage St., Marblehead Nov. 16 $705,000 Amy and John Doherty
Marshall E. Harmon Trust and Marshall E. Harmon 15 Leo Road, Marblehead Nov. 15 $1,150,000 Sierra M. Kroencke and Brendan Murphy Suzanne Crouch 36 Ruby Ave., Marblehead Nov. 17 $705,000 Amelia B. and Jason V. Hagan
Charles and Michele Floeckher 103 Burrill St., Swampscott Nov. 16 $732,000 Alicia and Michael Reddin Amy E. Gagne 153 Essex St., Swampscott Nov. 17 $699,000 Angie X. Buitrago
Claribell F. and Francisco Diaz 163 Burrill St., Swampscott Nov. 14 $500,000
Why mortgage rates will fall
BY ANDREW OLIVERI have read and heard several comments suggesting that the increase in the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) this year has been a direct result of the increase in the Federal Reserve’s Fed Funds rate (FF). This is not correct.
As I will demonstrate, the FRM is determined by market forces, and in particular by the extra yield—the “spread”— which investors require when buying pools of mortgages (mortgagebacked securities, or MBS), as compared with the risk-free yield available with the 10-year Treasury note (10T), which has the nearest duration to the expected life of a pool of mortgages.
In contrast, the FF is the rate that banks use when setting their prime rates. When the FF increases, banks increase their prime Rates and therefore the interest rate on those loans whose rates are based upon Prime Rates - e.g. credit cards and auto loans.
And we will see that the FRM increased this year long before the Fed started to increase the FF rate.
Mortgage-backed securities (MBS)
A conventional mortgage or conventional loan is any type of home buyer’s loan that is not offered or secured by a government entity. Instead, conventional mortgages are available through private lenders, such as banks, credit unions, and mortgage companies.
Most conventional mortgages are packaged into mortgage-backed securities and sold to investors. This allows the bank or originator to use its capital to finance more mortgages.
has fluctuated, especially during times of financial stress or uncertainty:
2008-2009
During the great recession at the end of the sub-prime mortgage boom, home prices dropped sharply. Fearing that some mortgages would not be repaid in full, MBS investors demanded a higher yield to compensate—they hoped—for the extra risk, and the spread increased to 3 percent.
2020
program for both Treasury securities and MBS.
The yield on Treasuries was driven down more than on MBS, leading to an increase in the spread to 2 3/4 percent.
2022
At the beginning of 2022, the spread was 1.6 percent, well within its historic range.
on home prices;
» the unpredictable volatility in interest rates (as an example, until very recently some financial analysts were predicting that the yield on 10T would reach 5 percent— and then two reports hinted at an easing of inflation and the yield dropped back under 4 percent);
made its first increase of just 1/4 percent. And the rate reached 5 percent before the Fed increased the FF again.
On the downside, the FRM dropped 3/4 percent in July at a time when the FF increased by 3/4 percent.
And finally, in the last two weeks, the FRM has dropped by 1/2 percent with no change in the FF rate and with expectation of a further increase in the FF rate in December.
When will mortgage rates drop?
the Fed’s plans to reduce its holdings of MBS (it owned 30 percent of outstanding MBS at the peak);
relationship between 10T and FRM
The
This first chart above shows how the two have moved in lockstep over the last 30-plus years.
While the “spread” has mostly been in the 1.5 to 2 percent range, it
The increase in the spread in the early months of the COVID-19 outbreak was caused by a different dynamic. In order to ensure the continued functioning of financial markets, the Federal Reserve slashed interest rates close to zero and at the same time embarked upon a massive buying
The spread then increased to 2 percent in March, to 2.6 percent in June and by October it had reached 3 percent, which means that the FRM was 1.4 percent higher than it would have been had the spread been the same as it was at the beginning of the year.
There is, unfortunately, no simple answer as to why the spread has increased so dramatically in 2022, but some of the factors include: » fears of a recession and the impact that may have
» the substantial drop in refinancing activity; and the increased cost of funds for lenders as they have to compete for deposits with the higheryields available on CDs and Tresuries.
No correlation between FRM and FF
As the second chart shows, the FRM increased from 3 percent to 4 percent before the Fed
We have already seen a drop of 1/2 percent in the FRM, but the spread remains elevated at around 2.8 percent.
History gives us every reason to believe that the spread will eventually drop, and the FRM with it, even if in this unpredictable year timing is more guesswork than analysis.
For the past 10 years, Andrew Oliver, a market analyst with Team Harborside, has been the author and curator of OliverReportsMA.com, a real estate blog focused on Marblehead and the North Shore.
Wednesday, Nov. 23
9:36 a.m. Officers assisted with stuck tractor-trailer on Washington and Franklin streets.
10:11 a.m. Pitman Road resident reported receiving grandparent scam phone call.
10:53 p.m. Officers could not locate disturbance reported on Pleasant Street.
11:11 p.m. Officers were dispatched to the area of the Riptide Lounge for a report of some sort of disturbance, possibly a fight. Officer arrived to find man lying in the road with a group of people in front of him. The man stood up as the officer exited his patrol car, and the officer instructed him to lean against the hood of his cruiser. A group of kids began yelling that man had not done anything wrong, while another person yelled that the man had snatched a chain off another person’s neck. Other officers spoke with the group of kids, while the first officer to arrive detained the man and placed him into the back seat of his patrol car until officers could get a better sense of what had happened. Another officer found the missing necklace on the ground in front of the Riptide and returned it to its owner. The man had a moderate-sized bump on the left side of his face, and he could not recall how it had gotten there or what had happened, nor could anybody else. The man twice declined any medical attention
and was released from detention as his friends called for a ride home.
Friday, Nov. 25
1:37 p.m. Person was transported to the hospital after vehicle accident on Atlantic Avenue and Adams Road.
6:57 p.m. Helped firefighters investigate report of smoke in kitchen on Stonybrook Road.
Saturday, Nov. 26
1:53 a.m. Officers went to the area of Ocean Avenue and Wallace Road to investigate a report of a fire, which turned out to be on the outdoor patio behind a home on Ocean Avenue. The fire appeared to have engulfed some patio chairs but had not reached the home. Officers went into the home to alert the occupants and evacuate them, including the homeowners, their son and some friends who had slept over.
Everyone was brought outside and then allowed to return to the home after the Fire Department had extinguished the fire. The damage was limited to a small amount of burn damage to the exterior wall of a garage and the patio chairs, which had been melted and destroyed.
Sunday, Nov. 27
10:39 a.m. Road hazard reported on Tedesco Street.
10:47 a.m. Caller on Riverside Drive reported that Christmas lights had been cut.
2:16 p.m. Caller complained about construction work being done on Sewall Street.
4:41 p.m. Intrepid Circle resident reported that her diamond stud earrings valued at about $6,500 were missing and presumed stolen. Asked about people who might have entered the home, resident said she trusted the woman who cleans the home but was less sure about the different people she sometimes had helping her. She was reporting the theft on the advice of her insurance company.
10:01 p.m. Officers responded to Abbot View to investigate a report that the caller’s daughter had left house. Report filed.
Monday, Nov. 28
8:32 a.m. Larceny, forgery or fraud reported on Washington Street.
12:03 p.m. Caller on Brook Road reported having lost a navy diaper bag.
9:36 p.m. Peace restored after disturbance on Turner Road.
Tuesday, Nov. 29 3:39 p.m. Investigated report of larceny, forgery, or fraud on Seaview Avenue.
5:02 p.m. Officers were dispatched to Pleasant Street at Bessom Street to investigate report of a pedestrian hit by a vehicle. While on route to the scene, dispatcher informed officers that the person who had been struck by the vehicle
was conscious and walking around and that the driver was standing by on scene. Upon their arrival, the pedestrian who had been struck was standing on the sidewalk on Pleasant Street talking on her phone. Officer noted that the pedestrian was wearing all dark clothing, and although the roadway was lit by a streetlight, it was still very dark outside at the intersection. The driver told officer that she had been stopped at the stop sign on Bessom Street when she took a left turn onto Pleasant Street and was driving approximately 3-5 miles per hour when she struck the pedestrian with the front of her vehicle. The driver stated that she did not see the pedestrian crossing Pleasant Street, as it was dark outside, and the pedestrian was wearing all dark clothing. The driver also explained that pedestrian was not using a crosswalk to cross Pleasant Street. According to the officer’s report, the driver was extremely shaken up and visibly upset and concerned for the pedestrian. Her vehicle did not have any visible damage to it. Another officer took a statement from a witness. The pedestrian was transported to the hospital by ambulance to receive further medical care for her injuries.
6:06 p.m. Officer went to the JCC and spoke with the front desk clerk, who had received a “weird” phone call from a
woman who was later identified. Clerk said the caller asked questions about the facility but spoke very fast and did not seem to make much sense. The caller had not made any threatening remarks but did mention the state of Texas a couple times. Officer determined that caller seemed to live and be calling from Texas. Clerk directed the fast-talking woman from Texas to call back during normal business hours to speak to the JCC’s director, which seemed to satisfy her.
Wednesday, Nov. 30
9:10 a.m. Officer investigated a report regarding a bicycle chained up on Maverick Street.
11:29 a.m. A backpack of unknown origin or ownership was reported on Lime Street.
2:21 p.m. Officer took report after vehicle crash on Village Street.
3:03 p.m. Officers assisted at the scene of a stove fire reported on Barnard Hawkes Court.
5:25 p.m. Electrical outage reported on Clifton Heights Lane.
5:26 p.m. A tree that had fallen on a car was reported on Smith Street.
8:57 p.m. Tree branch reported down on Preston Beach Road.
9 p.m. Investigated report that tires had been damaged on roadway on Tedesco and Maple streets.
10:37 p.m. Tree on wires reported on Smith Street.
Walkgorgeous Sunday afternoon, to the delight of onlookers.
All in all, it was a highly successful weekend, thanks to the efforts of many, starting with the town’s retail community but also many who went above and beyond to minimize the impact of the weather disruption, including the police, fire and school departments, according to Koch.
Koch said it was gut-wrenching to have to make the call to scrap the parade and reroute Santa and Mrs. Claus. She said she solicited many people’s opinions and consulted the most sophisticated weather forecasts she could find.
The prevailing wisdom seemed to be that, between the rain and especially the wind, the ride across the harbor to “Santa’s Landing” would be treacherous and the marching conditions utterly miserable.
As it turned out, the storm arrived a little bit behind schedule, and it may have been possible to squeeze both events in just under the wire. But that could only be known in hindsight, Koch noted. At the time the call had to be made to pull the plug, the harbormaster, lobster boat captain Jay Sahagian and Veterans Agent David Rodgers, the parade organizer, agreed it was the right move, Koch said.
As for whether the parade might have been able to be rescheduled for Sunday, Koch explained that what few realize is how many moving parts there are to the event. Department of Public Works and police details have to be put in place, and MBTA buses have to be rerouted.
There was just no time to put all the pieces in place, she said.
Moving forward, however, the Chamber will have a more wellconceived contingency plan, should the weather once again not cooperate fully.
That said, for much of the event, starting on Thursday’s Preview Night, residents enjoyed prime Christmas Walk and Holiday Stroll conditions.
Thursday night has quickly taken its place among people’s favorite aspects of Christmas Walk, Koch said.
On Friday night, Matt Martin of National Grand Bank again did a masterful job of emceeing the tree lighting in the bank’s auxiliary parking lot across the street.
The Bell and Village school choir and singers from Marblehead High School again provided entertainment.
“We love showcasing the local youth talent in our Marblehead Public Schools,” Koch said.
The Chamber’s Rey Moulton Person of the Year, Brian Wheeler, then had the assistance of some helpers to light the town tree, after which the assembled crowd strolled down to Mud Puddle Toys for the night’s second tree lighting, this time of tree constructed of lobster
traps, with members of Glover’s Marblehead Regiment providing rousing musical accompaniment with their “boisterous” sea chanteys, Koch said.
Thankfully, word spread quickly about where Santa and
Mrs. Claus could be found on
And
may
said that she believes more than a few people upheld the tradition of not only doing some post-parade shopping but also heading to The Landing Restaurant for a lobster lunch and Bloody Mary or Dark ‘n Stormy or two.
Koch said she has also heard from at least a few retailers that shoppers seemed to be making up for lost time on Sunday, as it may have been one of the busier closing Christmas Walk days in recent memory.
It was just one more example of Marblehead being a “resilient” town, where public employees and the business community always pull together to make things happen, Koch said.
But with Christmas Walk, it all starts with the retailers.
“Their passion, especially this time of year, is contagious,” Koch said.
“It’s so nice to have all the stores lit up and open later this particular evening,” Koch said. “It’s good for the retailers and also the community.”Saturday, and they had plenty of visitors, according to Koch. while the relocation of Santa and Mrs. Claus have changed the center of activity on Saturday, Koch From P. A1 CURRENT PHOTO/TANYA BRAGANTI With the help of Matt Martin, Henry Delisle, 6, begins the countdown for the annual Marblehead Christmas Walk tree lighting in the parking lot of the National Grand Bank Dec. 2. CURRENT PHOTO/NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD The Steadman and Li families pose with Santa and the Mrs. Saturday Dec. 3, at Marblehead High School. From left are Logan Li, 5, Gabby Steadman, 8, Colette Steadman, 3, Judah Steadman, 6, and Andrea Steadman, 10. CURRENT PHOTO/TANYA BRAGANTI Oran Gaunt, 9, looks at the lit lobster trap tree in front of Mud Puddle Toys during the Marblehead Christmas Walk on Friday, Dec. 2. CURRENT PHOTO/NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD Acadia Sirois, 9, adjusts her hat of her elf costume as she waits in line to see Santa and Mrs. Claus Saturday, Dec. 3, at Marblehead High School. CURRENT PHOTO/TANYA BRAGANTI Members of the Glover’s Marblehead Regiment sing sea chanteys in front of Mud Puddle Toys during the Marblehead Christmas Walk on Friday, Dec. 2.
Houses of worship service schedule
CATHOLIC
OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA
» 85 Atlantic Ave. 781-631-0086 sosmarblehead.org
Regular Mass Schedule
» Saturday Vigil: 4 p.m.
» Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
» Every weekday (MondaySaturday): 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m.:
Christmas-themed performance by 30-piece New England Brass Band, $15. Tickets available at the rectory, Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-noon; or by calling 781-631-0086.
Monday, Dec. 12, 3:15 p.m.-4 p.m.:
Monthly “Faith and Play” group for parents with children ages 0-5. For questions and to RSVP, email Jaclyne Ainlay at jaclyne.ainlay@ gmail.com or sosreligioused@ staroftheseamarblehead.org.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST
» 134 Elm St.
» 781-631-3868
» fccsmarbleheadma.wordpress. com
Sunday Church Service: 10-11 a.m.
Sunday School (open to children and young people under the age of 20): 10-11 a.m.
» Wednesday Testimony Meeting: 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Reading Room (in church building): Open just after Sunday service and before Wednesday testimony meetings
COMMUNITY CHURCH GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH
» 17 Pleasant St. 781-631-9343 gracemarblehead.org
Discipleship Class: 9:15 a.m. Sunday
» Worship Gatherings: 10 a.m. Sunday
» Grace Kids (Grades K-5): 4:30 p.m. Wednesday
Prayer Gatherings: 1 p.m. Thursday
» Men’s Bible Study: 6 a.m. Friday
» Friday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m.: Maeve Christmas Concert, $10 at the door
CONGREGATIONAL OLD NORTH CHURCH, THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN MARBLEHEAD
» 35 Washington St.
» 781-631-1244
» onchurch.org Sunday, Dec. 11, 4:30 p.m., Advent Candle Lighting in the Sanctuary
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST. ANDREW, EPISCOPAL 135 Lafayette St. 781-631-4951 standrewsmhd.org
» Regular Sunday services (Rite II of the Episcopal liturgy): 8 a.m., spoken service; 10 a.m., musical service Sunday, Dec. 11: Sunday service to feature Rollyn Bornhorst and her band, Maeve » Sunday, Dec. 11, 9 a.m.: Century
Events Planning Meeting
» Monday, Dec. 12: Deadline to have a loved one remembered through flowers adorning the sanctuary during Christmas service. Email Kathy Loveland, ploveland@comcast.net ST. MICHAEL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 26 Pleasant St. 781-631-0657
» stmichaels1714.org
» Sundays: Holy Eucharist, Rite II, 10 a.m.; in-person and online on church’s YouTube Channel
Wednesdays: Morning Prayer, 9:30 a.m. on Facebook Live
First Sundays: Choral Evensong (September through May), 5 p.m.; in-person and online on church’s YouTube Channel
JEWISH TEMPLE EMANU-EL, REFORM CONGREGATION 393 Atlantic Ave. 781-631-9300 emanu-el.org
» Shabbat: Friday, 6 p.m., in person and on Facebook Live
» Torah Study: First and second Saturdays of month, 10 a.m. on Zoom
Religious School: 9 a.m. Sundays Senior Connection: 11 a.m. Tuesdays
» Mah Jongg: 7 p.m. Tuesdays
» Wednesday, Dec. 7: 7 p.m., Monthly movie night Thursday, Dec. 8: 7:30 p.m., Board of trustees meeting Sunday, Dec. 11: 10 a.m., Bagels & Conversation; 11:30 a.m., Babies ‘n
Bagels
» Wednesday, Dec. 14: 4:30 p.m., Brighter United Hanukkah Art Installation; 7 p.m., Jewish Music Neighborhood Thursday, Dec. 15: 7 p.m., Brotherhood/Sisterhood Monthly Cooking
TEMPLE SINAI, CONTEMPORARY CONSERVATIVE SYNAGOGUE
1 Community Road 781-631-2762
» templesinaiweb.org
» Kabbalat Shabbat: Fridays, 6 p.m.
» Shabbat Service: Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.
Minyans: Saturday, 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Monday, 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. (at Congregation Shirat Hayam, Swampscott) Tuesday, Dec. 13: 6:30 p.m., Sisterhood Book Club
LUTHERAN CLIFTON LUTHERAN CHURCH
» 150 Humphrey St. » 781-631-4379
» cliftonlutheran.org
» Weekly worship service: Sunday, 10 a.m., live stream on Zoom Sunday School: Sundays, 9 a.m. Coffee Hour: Sunday, 11 a.m.
» Midweek Fellowship: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
» Bible Study: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15: 5 p.m., Serve at Lifebridge; 7:30 p.m., Council Meeting
METHODIST ST. STEPHEN’S UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
67 Cornell Road 781-631-2756
» St. Stephen’s is open for Sunday morning worship. Every Sunday, they have traditional worship at 10:30 a.m. with Sunday School for all ages at 9:15 a.m. On first Sundays, the congregation has a community breakfast at 8:30 a.m., a family worship service at 9:15 a.m. and traditional worship at 10:30 a.m.
UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF MARBLEHEAD 28 Mugford St. 781-631-1215
uumarblehead.org
» Sunday service is at 10:30 a.m. and on Zoom: bit.ly/3EIRKiF All persons attending a regular Sunday Service in person are asked to wear masks in the sanctuary.
» Wednesday, Dec. 7: 9 a.m., Small Group Ministry; 7 p.m., Committee on Ministry
» Thursday, Dec. 8: 4 p.m., Serve at Lifebridge, Salem Friday, Dec. 9: 4:30 p.m. UUCM Youth at Lifebridge, Salem
» Saturday, Dec. 10: 9:30 a.m., Over-60 Gang
» Sunday, Dec. 11: 9 a.m., Sunday Seminar; 10:30 a.m., Sunday Service; 11 a.m., Bell Ringing, 11th Hour of the Climate Crisis; 11:30 a.m., After Service Social Hour
» Tuesday, Dec. 13: 7 p.m., Pastoral Care Associates (off site)
» Thursday, Dec. 15: 7:30 p.m., Board of Trustees meeting
Holiday spirit comes to the Jacobi Community Center
All programs and events are held in the Judy and Gene Jacobi Community Center unless otherwise stated in the individual briefs below. Questions should be directed to 781- 631-6225 or email: councilonaging@marblehead.org
‘Enjoy coffee with a cop’
Enjoy coffee with a cop Tuesday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
“While it is Chief Dennis King’s priority to join, be assured someone from the Marblehead Police Department,” writes COA staff, “there will be a cop here to discuss community concerns or just life in Marblehead.”
Blood pressure clinic Drop-in blood pressure clinic on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon.
Muscle conditioning
Senior muscle conditioning with Kim on Mondays and Fridays. Cost: $3
Zumba classes
Zumba gold classes are held on Wednesdays at noon. “A lower intensity, Latin and world-music inspired dance fitness class for all abilities.”
Parkinson’s fitness
Parkinson’s fitness class is free on Wednesdays at 11 a.m.
“Specifically developed for folks with Parkinson’s Disease, but appropriate and beneficial for all. Class combines focus on strength, mobility and balance. This program is paid for by the generosity of the Friends of the Council on Aging.”
Indoor curling
Indoor curling began Monday, Nov. 14. The activity takes place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 2:45 p.m.
“Come and enjoy an indoor sport with a mixed group of fun, friendly men and women. Experience is not necessary. Instructions on how to play the game and learn the rules will be available at every session.” Yearly fee: $15. Contact pbibbo@ aol.com with questions.
Line dancing
Kate Hoffman teaches line dancing on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first hour is focused on beginners; however, all are welcome and encouraged to participate. Cost: $5
Chair yoga
Gail Perry Borden teaches chair yoga on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. Cost: $3.
Strength and stretch session
The Council on Aging offers a strength and stretch session on Mondays at 11:3o a.m. and Thursdays at 11 a.m. Cost: $3.
Weight training class
A weight training class is held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8:45 a.m. Cost: $3
Yoga class
A yoga class is held on Mondays at 9 a.m., Wednesdays at 8:3o a.m. and Thursdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m.
Quilting class
Learn how to quilt class on Thursdays at 10 a.m. Cost: $5 per class.
Cribbage
Cribbage is held on Tuesdays. Doors close at 9: 30 a.m.
Get a senior Charlie Card
People who are 65 years or older are eligible for reduced MBTA fares with a senior Charlie Card.
These cards are valid for 8 years. Call Nadine Lepick, 781.631-6225, Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to ask questions or make an appointment to process an application. Cards can also be reloaded with cash on any bus.
The COA book club
The COA book club convenes on Friday, Dec. 9 and Wednesday, Dec. 28 from 2 - 3 p.m. Meredith Reardon is the book club’s volunteer coordinator and will be keeping everyone updated with schedule changes. The club is currently reading “The Personal Librarian,” written by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.
Lunching at the COA
Lunch is offered on Tuesdays at noon for $3. This program is prepared at the Council on Aging in the Judy and Gene Jacobi Community Center’s commercial kitchen. The generosity of the Friends of the Council on Aging offsets the cost of lunch.
Grab-n-Go lunches
Grab-n-Go lunches are offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the Council on Aging. This program is offered through “AgeSpan,” formerly known as Elder Services of Merrimack Valley & North Shore. Pick up time is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Reservations for both programs must be made the Thursday before by calling 781-631-6225.
Upcoming day trips
The following upcoming day trips are planned as follows: Dec 16-19 Country Christmas in Nashville, Tenn.
All day trips must be paid for in full at time of registration. Deposits are required on all overnight trips at the time of registration. Checks payable to Best of Times. Because most of the COA’s trips require a great deal of walking and staffing is limited, all travelers must be able to attend to their own needs independently or bring their own escort for assistance. Call Janice, 781-631-6225, for more details.
Need help with heating costs?
The Home Energy Assistance Program at North Shore Community Action Programs, Inc. helps income-eligible households pay their winter heating bills even if the cost of heat is included in their rent. If their gross household income falls within certain limits, they may qualify for payment towards their winter heating bills. In addition, eligible National Grid customers may qualify for a discount of up to 32 percent off their electric and gas bills, too.
For more information about Home Energy Assistance, call 978-531-8810 or email fuelassistance@nscap.org.
Need a lift?
The COA offers transportation services to both in-town and outof-town medical appointments and in-town errands such as the hairdresser, bank, to vote or to the COA for programs and/or lunch. Weekly grocery shopping trips to Crosby’s & Market Basket and bimonthly trips to the North Shore Mall are also available. Transportation runs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. To schedule a ride, call us at 781-631-6225
Movie days
The Council on Aging will screen “White Christmas,” a 1954 classic starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Allen, on Friday, Dec. 16. Movie starts at 10 a.m. Hot chocolate and pastries to be served.
At 1 p.m., the COA will screen the 2022 version of “A Christmas Story,” in which Ralphie returns as a grown-up. Movie gets underway at 1 p.m. Cookies and eggnog to be served. RSVP by Dec. 13 by calling 781-631-6225.
On Friday, Dec. 30, the COA will screen “When Harry Met Sally,” a romantic comedy starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. Movie starts at 10 a.m., with coffee and donuts served.
At 1 p.m., the COA will screen “See How They Run,” a mystery-crime movie starring Sam Rockwell and Adrien Brody. Popcorn and drinks will be served. RSVP by Tuesday, Dec. 27 by calling 781-631-6225.
Flying Solo
The COA’s social worker, Sharon Doliber, has formed “Flying Solo,” a group designed specifically for people who live alone. The next group meetup is Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 1:30 p.m. The event will include a scrambled chef’s appetizer/recipe swap. Can be an appetizer, dessert, side dish, or something from your holiday memories. Doliber
will supply drinks, paper goods and doggie bags. Participants are encouraged to bring a memory from the holidays. To RSVP, call 781-631-6225.
Senior work-off program
The town of Marblehead is accepting applications for the senior work-off program from Jan. 6-31, 2023. The purpose of this program is to allow participating senior taxpayers to volunteer their services to the town in exchange for a reduction of up to $750 on their fiscal year 2024 property tax bills. Marblehead services will be enhanced by utilizing the skills of the town senior citizens.
ELIGIBILITY:
Must be 60 years or older Must be owner (or spouse of owner) and occupy the Marblehead residence for which the abatement will apply Income must not exceed $51,528 for a senior household of one person or $69,824 for a senior household of two; only one volunteer abatement per household per year
There will be 30 openings for 2023. Applicants must complete conflict-of-interest training and pass a CORI check. The town department head, the Council on Aging director and the applicant must agree on placement.
Placement is also based on qualification, availability, location and physical limitation. If there are more applicants than openings, acceptance will be based on both financial need and the suitability of an available placement. 2023 volunteer hours must be completed by Oct. 13, 2023.
The rate will be credited at the $15 per hour state minimum wage. The town will issue a W2 form for federal income tax purposes. Applications will be available starting in December on the Council on Aging website at marblehead.org and at the Council on Aging. Please address questions to Lisa Hooper, the executive director of the Council on Aging, at 781-631-6225.
Kathleen ‘Kay’ Perry, 75
On Wednesday Nov. 30, 2022, Kathleen (“Kay”) Chauncey Perry, beloved mother, sister and grandmother, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born to Fred and Emma Chauncey in Washington, North Carolina, Kay was a youthful 75 years old at the time of her passing.
Kay grew up in Washington and was known to be an overachiever, heavily involved in high school academics and activities.
She attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro before getting married and having her three exceptional daughters.
After her divorce, Kay made a wonderful home in North Carolina for her children with the help of extended family—especially her sister, Sue.
In Kay’s younger days, she was one busy woman, balancing her jobs and raising her girls, with all of the joys (and difficulties) that came with it.
As many may know, she was not one to shy away from a challenge, and her daughters were so proud of their mother’s strength and character demonstrated
throughout her very full life. Kay raised her family with such devotion and love.
Kay started her career at Atwood & Morrill in Washington, North Carolina.
Through various promotions, Kay made the difficult decision to relocate her family to Marblehead in 1982 to further her career at A&M, which later became Weir Valves & Controls.
During her 36-year tenure at Weir, Kay earned an MBA degree at Simmons University in Boston and the title of vice president of commercial sales and contracts.
Kay was a strong leader and became
Gary A. Spiess, 82 Town moderator, attorney
Gary A. Spiess, a longtime resident of Marblehead, died peacefully Nov. 25, 2022, with his family. He was 82 years old. Known for his humor, quick wit and wise spirit, Spiess was the Marblehead town moderator for 16 years and assistant town moderator for more than 30 years.
In an interview with the Marblehead Current in June, he called the Town Meeting form of government “the purest form of democracy.” He was known for citizen advocacy in the town meeting process, ensuring proposals passed legal muster and all residents had the right to be heard.
“He kind of was that classic Marbleheader in the sense that he didn’t beat around the bush. He told you what he thought, but he was also very generous and caring,” Marblehead Select Board Chair Moses Grader said to the Marblehead Current. He understood the “courage that it takes for people to stand up and speak.”
The key ingredients to a successful Town Meeting, he told the Marblehead Current, were “respect for our fellow citizens, sticking to the topic under
discussion, no personal attacks, and knowing when you’ve said enough.”
Spiess was married to Elizabeth (“Betsy”) for 58 years. He is survived by four sons, Howard Willis (Allie), James P.F. (Rebecca), Benjamin W., and John C.J. (Erin); and seven grandchildren Miles, Lucy, Orrin, Keira, Henry, Alexander and Robert. He is also survived by his brother Paul Spiess, sister Mary Benda, and sister Barbara Miller, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Gary Spiess was born in Wauseon, Ohio, the son of Howard Spiess and Louise Spiess. He graduated from Ladue High School in St. Louis in 1958. He was the first member of the Spiess family to pursue higher education, attending Dartmouth College on a football scholarship.
Katherine ‘Jean’ Jeanette Fisher
Jean Fisher, 93, of Marblehead and Richmond, Virginia, passed away at home on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022.
Jean was born in Newport News, Virginia, and although she only lived there until age 7, her maternal family had strong roots there, and she was proud of her Southern heritage.
Her high school sweetheart became her husband in Audubon, New Jersey. Jean and Don were married 58 adventurous years until his passing in 2007. Their time together was a true partnership of equals. Always saddened that she could not afford to finish college, the two of them found a way for her to attend nine years of evening classes
Once
How to
a highly respected member of the Weir team. She formed strong friendships and supportive connections with members of the A&M/Weir companies.
While working in the power industry, Kay was able to travel the world, including such places as France, Italy, England, Scotland, Brazil, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Mexico, China, and South Africa.
Since Kay’s retirement in 2015, she has been able to pursue happiness through her interests: spending time with her family, caring for her garden, reading for fun, and collecting quite a library of Liberty wooden puzzles.
But most of all, Kay became a familiar face and local celebrity on her daily walks, sharing a good word and a smile all around the oceanside streets of Marblehead.
She truly enjoyed her retirement, “getting in her steps,” taking care of her health, helping others whenever she could, and kicking everyone’s butts in weekly FitBit challenges.
She was a huge sports enthusiast— always happy to cheer on the New England sports teams and her fantasy football teams. And “Grammie Kay” was the number one fan of ANY of her grandchildren’s activities. She would light up when her grandchildren entered a room, excited for their accomplishments
and happy to be an active part of their daily lives.
Kay is survived by her sister, Sue (L.J.) Chauncey Phillips of Washington, North Carolina and her sister, Sallie Keel; her daughters, Beth (Norm) Perry Fuller of Savage, Minnesota, Amy (Dan) Perry Plakans of Beverly, Massachusetts, and Libby (Steve) Perry Gransbury of Marblehead.
Grammie Kay had seven amazing grandchildren in her life: Zach and Ryan Fuller, Jake and Eliza Plakans, and Tyler, Ellie and Casey Gransbury. While she will miss the next milestones and adventures of these “kiddos,” she will surely look down from above with pride, and be remembered by them always.
In lieu of flowers, please consider treating others with kindness and compassion. Great thanks to the ICU nurses and staff at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston and gratitude to the volunteers and staff at Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. Her family greatly appreciates the personal care and comfort provided to their mom in her final days.
The family plans to host a celebration of life ceremony during the summer of 2023 for this amazing lady who touched so many lives and always put her family first.
Spiess played cornerback and halfback on the Dartmouth varsity football team for three years, from 1959 to 1961. In 1961, he won the Blackman Trophy as the player who contributed most to the Dartmouth team. A star high school halfmiler in Missouri, he dropped track in college to play rugby. Known on the rugby field for quickness and hard hits, his teammates nicknamed him “Spider.”
Spiess went to Harvard Law School, graduating in 1966. He began his long legal career in downtown Boston at the Bingham, Dana & Gould law firm. He left the firm in 1976 to join First National Bank of Boston (later BankBoston and FleetBoston), where he served for almost 15 years as general counsel. Spiess was a leader in diversity efforts, requiring all outside counsel to adhere to the bank’s diversity plan. Spiess retired from Fleet Financial Group in 2004 after the bank was acquired by Bank of America.
Spiess was immersed in the New England legal and non-profit communities. Among other positions, he served on the boards of Partners HealthCare, the North Shore Medical Center in Salem, Holderness School in Plymouth, New Hampshire, and the Chewonki Foundation in Wiscasset, Maine. He served as president the Boston chapter of the Council on Foreign Relations, board chair of the Boston Bar Foundation and New England Law Foundation, and chair of the board
found a career as a successful corporate librarian in downtown Boston.
Always on the go, any given weekend could find Jean and Don hopping in the car to find a cozy inn off the beaten path. Just as often, she would tell you of their upcoming trip to Greece, Africa, or Scotland–not to mention the six-month sojourn to Australia via cargo ship and back again.
Coming from a lengthy line of talented artists, Jean was an accomplished artist herself. Mostly self-taught in the mediums of acrylics and watercolors, she won several local awards and was a member, as well as served on the board of the Marblehead Arts Association and Swampscott Art Association. She also volunteered for many years for the Marblehead Festival of Arts.
Living on Lee Street in Marblehead for
of Discovering Justice, a non-profit dedicated to legal education in the Boston Public Schools.
He remained active in numerous Dartmouth College committees and alumni efforts.
Spiess, along with his sons and spouse, was a skier, hiker, and pond hockey player. He and Betsy owned a small farmhouse in Piermont, New Hampshire. Over the past 49 years, they improved the house and surrounding farmland. He developed an interest in conservation and protection of rural New England. Gary was continuously curious and engaged in the world around him from topics ranging from history to astronomy to music.
Above all, his passion was people.
He was a gifted bridge-builder and peacemaker in his home, in law, and in Marblehead politics. He was quick to remind that every person’s opinion mattered. Asked one time how to manage the town of Marblehead as moderator, he responded: “Listen more than you speak.”
Please visit eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for information about Gary’s memorial service, to be held, Friday, Dec. 9 at 11 a.m., at St. Michael’s Church in Marblehead followed by a reception at the Eastern Yacht Club. Donations are welcome at the organizations to which Gary gave so much time, including the Chewonki Foundation and Discovering Justice.
over 40 years was one of her greatest joys due to the love and fun they shared with their neighbors, several of whom remain to this day. She and Don also thoroughly enjoyed their many years of membership at the Boston Yacht Club.
Jean leaves behind her two daughters, Donna Fisher Long of Glen Allen, Virginia, and Melissa (Missy) Fisher, and son-in-law Harry Foster of Marblehead. She also leaves Kathleen Burke of Marblehead, with whom she had a daughter-like relationship. There are step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and their offspring in New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania that she also held dear.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider a donation in her name to the Marblehead Arts Association (marbleheadarts.org) or an arts organization of your choice.
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at Rutgers University for a bachelor’s degree while they both raised two young daughters. they became empty nesters, Jean
