Submitted Content - Marblehead Current

04 Jul

OBITUARY: Michael E. Waldman, 84

Submitted ContentObituaries

Michael E. Waldman, of Marblehead, entered into rest on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the age of 84. Son of the late Philip and Sophie (Aronow) Waldman. Mike earned his master plumbing license in 1965 and at the time was the youngest master plumber in the state. He soon took over the family plumbing and heating business in the 1960s as a third-generation owner, and the business continues today as a fifth generation-owned family business. He was widely admired and respected by his customers and…

02 Jul

OBITUARY: Stephen and Karen Arnold

Submitted ContentObituaries

The family of Stephen Gardner Arnold and Karen Frances Arnold announces with deep sadness that they passed away within days of one another: Stephen on June 9, 2026, and Karen on June 22, 2026. Karen and Steve — or "The Girlfriend" and "The Boyfriend," as they called one another — shared everything in life: love, marriage and family. In that way, there is comfort in believing they were called home together to continue their love story. It all began on St. Patrick's Day in 1983,…

01 Jul

LETTER: Aye! The Tartan Army was here

Submitted ContentLETTERS, Opinion

To the editor: Recently, I had been watching the World Cup soccer games with great interest, and like others, enjoyed the music, singing and sheer delight of the Tartan Army in Boston — kilts and all. A week or so ago, while doing my laundry at Village Plaza, a couple seemed to be having some difficulty with the washing machine. So I approached them and asked if I could help. When they turned around, I was thrilled to see from their shirts that Scotland and…

29 Jun

LETTER: ‘Proud Header’ responds to call for new lyrics

Submitted ContentLETTERS, Opinion

To the editor: I take pen in hand today to give response to a letter to the editor from Gregory Bates of Cherry Street who in the June 15 edition proposed a change in the wording to the Marblehead anthem known as “Marblehead Forever.” He writes that the song should read “First in revolution, first in 61 and 3A pricks we are known to be” instead of the original which states “First in revolution, first in 61 and from all dishonor we shall keep her…

29 Jun

LETTER: Patriotism is our common bond

Submitted ContentLETTERS, Opinion

July Fourth is not just the date of our country’s founding, it is also the annual opportunity for the nation’s take slingers to Say Something Important About America. Especially with this year being the 250th anniversary of the republic’s birth. The narratives they will ask us to reflect on, to contemplate, to consider, are all familiar. Some are about America’s descent into autocracy or, perhaps, kakistocracy. Others are about making our country great again (it was already great). July Fourth is not about any of…

29 Jun

OBITUARY: Glover Fulford Broughton, 97

Submitted ContentObituaries

Glover F. Broughton, a lifelong Marblehead resident, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Marine, Mason, Shriner, sailor, golfer and friend, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2026, just weeks before his 98th birthday. Born in Tampa, Florida, on July 12, 1928, he was the son of Glover H. “Dill” Broughton and Victoria Mezquita Broughton. At the age of 4, his family returned to Marblehead, where he would spend the rest of his life. He attended Marblehead public schools, graduating from Marblehead High School in 1946, where…

29 Jun

OBITUARY: Jeffrey S. Best, 84

Submitted ContentObituaries

Jeffrey Steven Best, 84, of Marblehead, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. Born in Lynn, Jeff was the beloved son of the late Leonard and Lillian Best. One of four brothers, Jeff grew up with a strong sense of family, hard work and loyalty — qualities that remained with him throughout his life. Jeffrey’s life was rooted in the community that shaped him. He graduated from Marblehead High School in 1960, and Jeff proudly served his country…

26 Jun

OBITUARY: Barbara Enid (Cohen) Blander, 87

Submitted ContentObituaries

Barbara Enid (Cohen) Blander, 87, died on June 20, 2026. Born in New York, New York, she moved to the North Shore in 1966 (Marblehead, then Swampscott in 1967) with her late husband Charles, to set up his OB/GYN practice here. After decades in their Blodgett Avenue home, she moved to Brooksby Village in 2023. Proud graduate of the Mount Sinai School of Nursing in 1960, she worked as a surgical scrub nurse, then transitioned to running Charles’ Lynn practice. She subsequently worked in home…

25 Jun

SUSTAINABLE MARBLEHEAD: How to stay hydrated this July 4

Submitted ContentColumns, Environment, Health, Opinion

By Jessica Valatka If you have visited the Marblehead Festival of Arts the past several years, you may have stopped by one of two stations perfect for filling reusable water bottles or compostable cups provided by Sustainable Marblehead. One is the 300-gallon “Quench Buggy” from the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority with power donated by the Arnould Gallery and Framery, and the other is the 125-gallon “Water Monster” with water donated by Whitmore Brothers Construction. Complete with compostable cups and Black Earth Compost bins, these stations…

24 Jun

THE VAULT: Are you ready to hit the beach?

Submitted ContentColumns, Culture, From the Vault, Opinion

By Jarrett Zeman, Marblehead Museum If a Marblehead woman visited a beach in the 1890s, her bathing suit would have looked very different than swimwear today. The Marblehead Museum’s collection includes this cotton bathing suit, featuring a knee-length tunic with puffed sleeves and a sailor collar. The woman’s swimsuit was designed for “sea bathing,” which consisted of wading and socializing rather than swimming, as the suit could weigh 25 pounds when wet. Like most Victorian fashions, the primary goal was to maintain modesty, aided by…