MARBLEHEAD — Seagoing environmentalist Christopher Swain took all sorts of precautions before he dived off the Landing dock and began his long swim to Washington, D.C., last week.
(He's doing it in small stages, leaving the water for days at a time to visit schools all over New England and beyond. He expects it will take a year and a half to get to the capitol.)
But all the gear, the shark-deterring antenna and the boat shadowing his every stroke wasn't enough for daughter Celilo. She did not want him to go and clung to him on the dock.
"She was worried that I was going to get lost unless she was on the boat," explains Christopher, who so far has gone as far as Swampscott. She's been full of questions since. "Did I see sharks? Did I get a ride on a dolphin? That's what a 5-year-old thinks, that the ocean is full of whales and mermaids. And why wasn't I seeing them?"
It isn't as far-fetched as it might sound. Dad has his moments in frigid waters. "It's cold — 42 degrees. ... And I still get freaked out when I see shadows below and I don't know what they are."
The sea is a place of unknowns, but Swain's effort is designed to alert people to the need to keep it clean for future generations — including Celilo and her sister, Rowan, 8.
Keeping on de Grasse
A delegation to the selectmen urging that the town renew its sister city relationship with Grasse, France, included former board member Joe Whipple, who recalled when the link between the two communities was established in 1986.
Someone suggested that current board member Jim Nye was in high school when all that happened.
"In '86?" mused Nye. "No."
"Kindergarten?" asked colleague Judy Jacobi.
Whipple drew blank looks when he proudly pointed to the bust in the corner of the room. "Of course you all know who that is," he said.
If they did, no one would admit to it. In fact, the bronze version of Admiral de Grasse himself, native of Grasse and French hero of the Battle of Yorktown, has been watching over the board for many years.
Home is the sailor
Marblehead mariner Rich Wilson apparently won't be getting his first accolades here. He'll be honored instead in — stop reading if you've got a weak constitution — Swampscott.
Wilson won the respect of the entire sailing world as he circumnavigated the globe solo as part of the Vendée Globe race. He's the oldest man, 58, and the only American to ever complete this race, which is based in France. He will be honored as the keynote speaker at Marian Court College's commencement, Wednesday, May 20, at 6 p.m.
"We noticed he is a Marblehead resident and active in education issues," said school spokeswoman Nicole Goguen. "We think he'll have a lot to say to our students."
Is there any ceremony scheduled in Marblehead? "I haven't heard of anything," Harbormaster Charlie Dalferro said. "Something should be done. I definitely agree he should be recognized for his achievement."
The selectmen agree, as well, but they've made it clear the town cannot promote such an event. If others come forward, however, they will give what support they can.
On your toes
The Boston Ballet will honor Marbleheaders Henri and Belinda Termeer on May 7 at the Lynch/Van Otterloo YMCA on Leggs Hill Road. Henri Termeer is president and CEO of Genzyme and a big backer of the Y. Belinda Termeer is on the ballet's board of trustees. They helped make the Boston Ballet satellite dance studio possible.
So many movers and shakers are scheduled to attend that they've been told to park at the Tedesco Country Club and Salem State College. From there they'll be bused in. Which is why traffic-conscious neighbors had better be on their toes.
In memory
The library trustees will plant a tree May 23 at 10 a.m. in honor of longtime librarian Bonnie Strong, who died recently. "She wasn't even out a year," lamented trustee Phil Sweeney over the loss. "It's most unfortunate she didn't get a chance to enjoy her retirement."
The planting, voted by the board, will be a rose tree.
"A tree is a life-giving symbol," said Sweeney, who noted that in her 13 years of service, Strong brought the library into the age of the Internet and library exchanges.
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