Will Dowd - Marblehead Current

13 Aug

Dentist finds meaning in daily deep dives

Will DowdEnvironment, Top Stories

Ryan Park slips beneath the surface of Fort Sewall’s waters at dawn, holding his breath for up to four minutes as he descends 30 feet into an underwater world most people never see. Armed with a 6-foot Hawaiian sling spear, the 32-year-old dentist has made these cold New England waters his second home. “Every time I’m in the water, it’s like, it’s extreme, it’s so divine, it’s so pure,” said Park sitting outside Mookie’s, struggling to find words adequate to his experience. “It’s almost like…

10 Aug

Neck homeowner blocks access to popular beach path

Will DowdTop Stories

A longstanding footpath to the ocean on Marblehead Neck is now the subject of a legal review after a neighboring homeowner moved to restrict public access, raising broader questions about the status of so-called “paper streets” across town. The path, known as Cove Lane, runs between private homes off Kimball Street and leads to a small beach overlooking Chandler Hovey Park. Though narrow and grassy, Cove Lane has been used informally for decades by residents walking to the shore — and it appears on town…

06 Aug

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Marblehead Sculptures creates healing art in outdoor gallery

Will DowdLocal News

Marblehead Sculptures & Gift Shop is a place where art, light and healing come together. Founded from a deep passion for stained glass, color and the healing arts, this outdoor gallery and garden offers a peaceful, inspiring space for all who visit. Each handcrafted piece — from meditation pyramids to stained glass and sculptures — is made with the intention to uplift, ground and spark joy. To learn more, go to marbleheadsculptures.com. Ellen Epstein owns Marblehead Sculptures & Gift Shop. COURTESY PHOTO Tell us about…

06 Aug

Traffic committee grapples with e-bike safety as teen ridership surges

Will DowdLocal News

As electric bicycles surge in popularity among Marblehead teens, town officials are wrestling with how to balance the technology’s benefits against mounting safety concerns, particularly for young riders navigating powerful adult-sized models on local streets. The Traffic Safety Advisory Committee devoted significant time during its recent meeting to discussing e-bike regulation, with members expressing concern about enforcement challenges and the possible need for clearer municipal guidelines as state law struggles to keep pace to regulate them. Dan Shuman, owner of Marblehead Cycle, shows an electric…

06 Aug

MARBLEHEAD STORIES: Antique shop owner preserves local history one artifact at a time

Will DowdLocal History, Opinion, Top Stories

EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this story misidentified the late president mentioned in the 1881 Marblehead Messenger. He was President James A. Garfield, not Andrew Garfield. The article has been updated to reflect the correct name. Standing at the counter of his antique shop on Washington Street, Tim Swigor admires his extensive collection of Marblehead historical artifacts. Every wall, shelf and table is covered with reminders of Marblehead’s long and storied past. From a copy of the Marblehead Messenger, announcing the death of President…

06 Aug

19th-century wall gives way at Salem-Marblehead line

Will DowdTop Stories

A 150-year-old granite retaining wall at the historic Lead Mills Conservation Area partially collapsed into the Forest River, prompting Salem officials to hire an engineering firm to assess the damage and develop repair plans. Granite blocks lie at the base of a partially collapsed 19th-century retaining wall at the Lead Mills Conservation Area, where Salem meets Marblehead. The failure, visible at low tide, has prompted the city of Salem to hire an engineering firm to assess the damage and recommend repairs. The structure, originally built…

06 Aug

OBITUARY: Jeannine Marie Camarda, 72

Will DowdObituaries

Jeannine Marie Camarda, 72, of Marblehead, passed away on July 27 surrounded by her loving family. She was a staple in the Marblehead community and will be greatly missed. Visitation hours for Jeannine will be held at the Murphy Funeral Home on Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 4-8 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Research. For more information, please call 978-744-0497. To read the full obituary, visit murphyfuneralhome.com

06 Aug

FOOD 101: How to make summer no-cook plates

Will DowdColumns, Opinion

When we’re hit with a line of heat waves, many of us turn to takeout. But some of these heat waves are too hot for a pizza. I still crave pizza, but lately I’ve leaned into an alternative. Is it pizza or just a cool vegetable plate? Linda Bassett, the Current’s food columnist, writes about creating no-cook summer plates. CURRENT PHOTO / LINDA BASSETT I skip the dough. I start with a base of ricotta cheese slathered onto a plate as thick or thin as…

06 Aug

EDITORIAL: Dropped signal

Will DowdCurrent Editorials, Opinion

Last week, the Senate voted 38-2 to approve a bill that would require public school districts to adopt policies that would prohibit students from possessing and using “personal electronic devices” — cellphones — during the school day. The bill also reportedly has the support of Gov. Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Senate President Karen Spilka and the state’s two largest teachers unions. However, according to the Boston Globe, the House has no plans to advance the legislation. Given the mounting evidence that any good…

04 Aug

LETTER: Music takes author back to simpler times

Will DowdLETTERS, Opinion

To the editor: The right music can take the weight from this world off of my shoulders. One of my most favorite musicians is Van Morrison. His music makes time feel like it is standing still, just waiting for me to savor every moment. I ventured to San Francisco with my 15-year-old daughter to be with a friend of mine from third grade in celebration for her wedding. I had not seen some of my friends in 30 years. I thought I would be taken…