Uncategorized - Marblehead Current

23 Jul

OBITUARY: Virginia Jean Fitzpatrick, 92

Will DowdObituaries, Uncategorized

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Virginia Jean (Conover) Fitzpatrick of Marblehead, formerly of Suffern, New York. Virginia passed away on July 18. She was 92 years old. Virginia was born on June 28, 1932 in Brooklyn, New York. After graduating from Suffern High School, she completed her college degree at SUNY Cortland. She was a physical education teacher until she chose to stay home and raise her sons. She loved going to all of their sporting events and always…

23 Jul

LETTER: A response to the guest column ‘Why I’m being falsely accused of antisemitism’

Will DowdLETTERS, Opinion, Uncategorized

To the editor: I am not a teacher, but my children attend schools in Marblehead. I, too, have "committed my life towards fighting for justice and equality for all and analyzing global challenges." I too teach my children about silent Holocausts like the one in Sudan or in Syria and the gender apartheid in the Middle East. That's my record. What you did to the Israeli flag or said to your coworkers is up to the investigative firm to decide. What I do care about…

10 Jul

WAY OF THE FUTURE: Residents embrace battery storage systems

Will DowdTop Stories, Uncategorized

The Marblehead Municipal Light Department has recently streamlined its application process for residential battery storage systems, making it easier for homeowners to integrate these energy solutions while ensuring compliance with safety standards. A Tesla Powerwall battery is mounted on the exterior of a home. COURTESY PHOTO / TESLA Some residential battery systems have been installed in Marblehead, according to officials, with some being put in place without a formal permitting process. These systems store excess energy generated by solar panels or other renewable sources during…

10 Jul

CUZNER IN NATURE: An osprey family portrait

Will DowdEnvironment, Opinion, Uncategorized

With the warmer weather of summer comes the birth of lots of new wildlife. I recently captured this adult osprey keeping watch over her two youngsters. Ospreys, also known as fish hawks, are large raptors found in Massachusetts during the spring and summer. These birds primarily feed on fish, making them common near water, especially along the coast. Ospreys begin building their nests, or eyries, in Massachusetts around April, often returning to the same site each year. These nests, made from branches and twigs, can…

10 Jul

FROM THE VAULT: A spoonful of opium helps the medicine go down

Will DowdLocal History, Local News, Uncategorized

The 19th-century ship was a home, a workplace and a deathtrap. With dozens of men living in close quarters and filthy conditions, a sailing vessel became an incubator for disease. Contents of a ship's medicine chest, including Stoughton's Elixir, White Vitriol, and Sugar of Lead, can be found in the Marblehead Museum's archives. COURTESY PHOTO / MARBLEHEAD MUSEUM The Seaman Act of 1790 required each merchant ship to carry a medicine chest like the one seen here. The law also demanded that an "apothecary of…

10 Jul

ASK LIZZIE: Teaching your kids independent play

Will DowdUncategorized

Dear Lizzie, My 2- and 4-year-olds constantly interrupt their play to check in with me. While I love their enthusiasm, it's exhausting and prevents me from getting anything done. How can I encourage independent play without making them feel neglected? Dear reader, If you have a child who constantly seeks attention and feedback, you might think they’ll never play independently. But rest assured, all children can learn to play independently. It may just take a little extra effort and patience on your part. If you…

09 Jul

Seasiders begin the post Fourth run to the playoffs with winnable upcoming games on tap

Will DowdUncategorized

The Fourth of July weekend is traditionally the halfway point of the season in the North Shore Baseball League. It also provides a well-needed break in the regular season schedule for players and coaches alike. The Marblehead Seasiders had been off since June 30, before resuming the schedule on July 6 against the Rowley Nor’easters (6-6, as of July 2) after press deadline. They then took on the Beverly Recs (2-9) the next day. They were then off again until Saturday, July 13, when the…

04 Jul

Festival award winners announced

Will DowdTop Stories, Uncategorized

A rows-deep crowd gathered Wednesday evening outside Abbot Hall as Arts Festival volunteers read the names of this year’s award winners. The Festival features hundreds of artworks at six venues across town. Read more about the Festival HERE. A collage of literary and art winners during the Marblehead Festival of Arts award ceremony at Abbot Hall on Wednesday evening. Concerts @ Crocker are underway, and the Literary Festival begins July 4 at 1 p.m. with a special celebration honoring the winners of the Literary Contest…

03 Jul

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT: Ready for a heavenly Lobster Lunch?

Will DowdUncategorized

The following is an interview with Barbara Spiess Miller, longtime Lobster Lunch coordinator and volunteer at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, conducted by Discover Marblehead. The Lobster Lunch was first started in 1972 and has raised $435,591 for charity and mission work. To learn more about St. Michael's Episcopal Church, go to stmichaels1714.org Barbara Spiess Miller is a longtime Lobster Lunch coordinator and volunteer at St. Michael's Episcopal Church. COURTESY PHOTO / DISCOVER MARBLEHEAD Tell us about the Lobster Lunch at St. Michael's Episcopal Church. The first…

26 Jun

Two massive transformers successfully delivered

Will DowdTop Stories, Uncategorized

Two massive transformers, each weighing more than 100,000 pounds, have successfully arrived at their new home — known as the Village 13 substation — along the Rail Trail behind the Marblehead Animal Shelter. The transformers were delivered and unloaded without incident, marking a significant milestone in the $9 million upgrade to Marblehead's electrical infrastructure. A 450-ton crane carefully hoists one of the two massive transformers on June 27. Each transformer weighs 100,000 pounds. CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER “The two transformers were successfully delivered and…