April 26, 2023 - Marblehead Current

26 Apr

OBITUARY: Edward Rosenthal, 89

Will Dowd0 CommentsObituaries, Uncategorized

Edward Rosenthal,Beloved husband of Helen B. Rosenthal (nee Missel) for over 66 years, passed away on April 7. Loving father of Steven (Joan) Rosenthal, Joel (Patricia) Rosenthal and Mara (Gary) Friedman. “Papa” was the intensely proud grandfather of 8 grandchildren: Lee (Kathryn), Jon (Kayla Zerfoss), Alex Rosenthal; Sarah (Benjamin Bronstein) and David (Eleanor) Rosenthal; Max (Sonja Eliason), Michael, and Ariella Friedman. Great grandfather to Hazel, Warren, and Ellis Rosenthal. Preceded in death by his dear sister Rosalyn (Kit) Lovin. Ed was born on May 10,…

26 Apr

FROM THE VAULT: Marblehead’s most famous ‘peanos’ seller

Will Dowd0 CommentsUncategorized

The late 19th-century black-painted tin peanut roaster in the Marblehead Museum's collection is not much to look at. And yet, the human story behind its history brings it to life. In 1871, 28-year-old Giovanni Batista Bacigalupo and his wife, Maria Chiesa, left Italy in search of their own American dream. A late 19th-century photographs of Giovanni Batista Bacigalupo and of his cart at the Old Town House. COURTESY PHOTO / MARBLEHEAD MUSEUM COLLECTION They first settled in Boston, where the family welcomed three daughters. By…

26 Apr

‘Marblehead Cares,’ an overview

Will Dowd0 CommentsOpinion, Uncategorized

Marblehead is a wonderful place to call home. There is a strong sense of community where people look out for one another. One strength of the town is the sense that the Golden Rule is lived here. Signs that residents seek to treat one another as they’d like to be treated abound. Organizations like SPUR, Marblehead Female Humane Society, Making Ends Meet and Seaglass Village provides opportunities for town folks to make personal connections and offer support to each other. In this spirit of community,…

26 Apr

Marblehead mom, Celtics VP loses battle with brain cancer

Leigh Blander0 CommentsLocal News, Top Stories

Heather Walker with her Celtics "Heroes Among Us" award last year. COURTESY PHOTO Marblehead mom and Celtics vice president Heather Walker, 52, has died after a nearly two-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. After her diagnosis, Walker and her family launched #Move4Heather, a campaign to raise awareness and funds for glioblastoma research at Dana Farber. They raised more than $640,000. “Heather has let go and passed this morning at 5:43 a.m. She isn't fighting anymore and can finally rest,” wrote Walker’s…

26 Apr

EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY: A more nuanced ‘Boston Strong’

Will Dowd0 CommentsOpinion, Virginia Buckingham

I‘ve devoted a lot of my life to finding the right words — to explain, to explore, to sometimes inspire. The phrase “Boston Strong” didn’t sit right with me 10 years ago after the Marathon bombings. No, that’s an understatement. It made me ache and seethe. I’ll explain why in a minute. But I’ve come to understand the solace those words provided and still do. For a lot of people, the call to be “Boston Strong” was necessary to get through those terrifying days and…

26 Apr

Magicians laxmen dominate conference foes Peabody, Danvers

Will Dowd0 CommentsSports, Uncategorized

The Marblehead High boys lacrosse team (6-0) is racking up wins while scoring goals at a proficient rate, showing signs of a club on a mission to not just repeat as Northeastern Conference champions but to be among the top squads when the Division 2 state tournament rolls around late next month. The Magicians dominated visiting Peabody on April 17, 17-7, and then rival Danvers came to town two days later with pretty much the same results. The home team was in control of the…

26 Apr

Retired Marblehead dentist a surprise pickleball champion

Kris Olson0 CommentsLocal News, Sports, Top Stories

The night before play began in the Minto U.S. Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, Florida earlier this month, Ron Plotka dreamt that he had won the gold medal in his age group. When he woke up, he chuckled to himself how ridiculous the dream had been. After all, this would not only be his first time competing in the singles competition at the international event. It would be the first singles tournament, period, for Plotka, who had previously played doubles exclusively, albeit at a high…

26 Apr

3 contests emerge in Marblehead’s 2023 election

Will Dowd0 CommentsLocal News, Municipal Matters, Politics, Top Stories

All five incumbent Select Board members have pulled nomination papers to seek reelection, setting the stage for a third contested race in the municipal election on Tuesday, June 20. Jim Nye pulled papers on Wednesday afternoon, becoming the sixth potential Select Board candidate in a race that would include Moses Grader, Alexa Singer, Jackie Belf-Becker and Erin Noonan. Former Select Board member Bret Murray of Abbot Street has also pulled papers. The contest would not be official until Town Clerk Robin Michaud certifies nomination papers,…

26 Apr

SUSTAINABLE MARBLEHEAD: Moving to pesticide-free gardening

Will Dowd0 CommentsEnvironment, Opinion, Uncategorized

Marblehead is a leader in organic lawn care for public spaces. As early as 2001, the town mandated that its public spaces be treated organically and managed without the use of toxic chemicals. Marblehead is often cited nationally as being one of the first towns to advocate for the elimination of pesticides by teaching organic lawn-care classes to hundreds of Marblehead residents. Among the team bringing this innovation to our community was Chip Osborne, former chairman of the Marblehead Recreation & Parks Commission and owner…

26 Apr

STAYING SAFE: Learn about identity theft and fraud prevention

Will Dowd0 CommentsLocal News, Public safety

Abbot Public Library will host Robin Putnam from the Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation in Boston, who will present a monthly series of online and in-person programs on safe practices for consumers. On Thursday, April 27, at 3 p.m., Putnam will discuss the topic of identity theft and fraud prevention, and how to protect yourself against these crimes. Registration is required to attend in-person or online via Zoom. Please register at tinyurl.com/Apr-Consumer-2023. For additional information, please visit abbotlibrary.org, email mar@noblenet.org or call 781-631-1481.