Viewpoints - Marblehead Current

05 Dec

LETTER: Reminds me of dad

Kris Olson0 CommentsLETTERS, Opinion, Viewpoints

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 Sherborn, where we lived, and he served as town moderator there for many years. Tim Parker Arthur Avenue

29 Nov

ANCHORS AND SAILS: Words matter

Will Dowd0 CommentsOpinion, Viewpoints

“Words matter, and the right words matter most of all. In the end they’re all that remain of us.” ---John Birmingham This quote is what I would call "preaching to the choir" because who could possibly disagree that words matter? Perhaps they aren't all that will be left of us after we're gone, but what we say in this life will be a huge part of our legacy. Do writers have a monopoly on knowing what to say and how to say it? Trust me;…

29 Nov

EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY: The power of ‘And’

Will Dowd0 CommentsLocal News, Opinion, Viewpoints

In these divisive times, I find myself searching for that place on the human Venn diagram where we can connect, find common ground, calm anger down. I try to visualize what else besides the Venn circles overlapping would be a good symbol for mutual respect, which is essential to compromise, such as bridges or handshakes, when I see it literally right in front of me. The ampersand, symbol of that simple grammar bridge, “and.” Like much of my most loved home decor, the wooden ampersand…

29 Nov

LETTER: ‘This (reportorial) porridge is just right’

Will Dowd0 CommentsLETTERS, Local News, Opinion, Viewpoints

As a one time journalist, broadcaster, avid consumer of news and fifty year resident of this "blessed" community let me paraphrase Goldilocks, "Ahhh, this (reportorial) porridge is just right, she said happily and she ate it all up." So did I. 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.…

28 Nov

COLUMN: Local actions have global consequences

Kris Olson0 CommentsOpinion, Viewpoints

Over the past several weeks, the United Nations Climate Conference COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, has highlighted how our actions here at home affect global climate, impacting countries rich and poor throughout the world. At this contentious summit, developing countries — where the biggest climate damages are — criticized wealthy nations — which caused the problem by burning coal, oil and gas — for not helping to rescue them from the worst impacts of a warming planet. And, although compensation to developing nations is important,…

25 Nov

ANCHORS AND SAILS: Haul out the holly

Will Dowd0 CommentsOpinion, Viewpoints

“It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.”---Agnes M. Pharo This quote was written to reference Christmas; I looked it up. However, it could apply to almost any holiday. Easter? Absolutely. Memorial Day? No question. Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah? Completely. What holiday isn't about tenderness, courage, and hope for the past, present, and future? OK,…

24 Nov

EDITORIAL: You have questions. We have answers.

Will Dowd0 CommentsOpinion, Top Stories, Viewpoints

A few weeks ago, Marblehead’s only non-profit newspaper rebranded as the Marblehead Current, rolling out a fresh, distinctive look across our website, social media presence and every other point at which we reach Marbleheaders. Today, we add to the family our first weekly print edition. In so doing, we join the ranks of only a handful of papers that have served this town throughout our history. Welcome to a proud Marblehead journalistic tradition, Marblehead Current! We’re thrilled with the reception and enthusiasm we’ve gotten from the community,…

24 Nov

EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY: Thanksgiving at home

Will Dowd0 CommentsCulture, Opinion, Top Stories, Viewpoints

Virginia Buckingham serves on the Marblehead Current’s Board of Director. Buckingham is formerly the chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Port Authority, chief of staff to two Massachusetts governors, deputy editorial page editor for the Boston Herald and author of 'On My Watch A Memoir.' 'Everything Will Be Okay' will be a weekly column. “Think about whence you came, where you are going and to whom you must account.” – Benjamin Franklin I’m thinking about the meaning of “home” this Thanksgiving season. I’ve lived in…

14 Nov

Marblehead Garden Club update, wreath sale kicks off Dec. 3

Will Dowd0 CommentsCommunity Resources, Environment, Press releases, Viewpoints

The Marblehead Garden Club is putting the garden at the Lee Mansion to bed, just in time to start prepping for a green and festive holiday season. This year’s Christmas Walk activities for the MGC include the popular wreath sale and a Christmas tree in a special (and surprising!) location. The weather made the summer challenging, and it was a busy season for the MGC. In addition to protecting plants from drought conditions and ravenous rabbits, there were many new additions to the Garden. In…

13 Nov

ANCHORS AND SAILS: Saying ‘no’

Will Dowd0 CommentsOpinion, Viewpoints

'Don't say maybe if you want to say no' - Ryan Holiday No. See how that works? It's one word, but I checked Grammarly and everything; it's a complete sentence. Lately, though, it's been a challenge for me to say no to certain requests, and it's hard to figure out why. First, my family and friends know that if they need something, come get me. Saying no when someone is in a bind, whether it's a ride, a quick meal, a chat, or an errand,…