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Brief ‘shelter in place’ at Village School
A “shelter in place” order was briefly enacted at Village School on March 19, after a student made threats via walkie-talkie around 11:30 a.m.
Principal Mandy Murphy confirmed that the situation was quickly contained, emphasizing that it was an isolated incident and no one was in danger. The student involved was supervised, and the school reassured that student and staff safety is a priority.
Further details on the incident were withheld due to student confidentiality.
Marblehead Museum awarded NPS grant
Marblehead Museum has been awarded a Save America’s Treasures grant by the National Park Service, part of the Department of the Interior’s Historic Preservation Fund, for the restoration of the Brick Kitchen & Slave Quarters at the 1768 Jeremiah Lee Estate.
This matching grant will support the museum in reinforcing the building’s structure, roof replacement, window preservation and updating electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems.
Once restoration is complete, the building will serve as an exhibit and program space adjacent to the Jeremiah Lee Mansion.
Grad to offer library-renovation update
The Marblehead Council on Aging will host Kimberly Grad, director of the Abbot Public Library, on April 17 at 1 p.m. to discuss the library’s 2024 renovation project.
The update includes improvements to HVAC and electrical systems, new layouts, a maker space, podcasting studio and furnishings.
This free event is open to the public. Attendees are asked to sign up at marblehead.org/council-aging-department. For more details, contact Michael Thompson at 781-367-4952.
Conservancy annual meeting
The Marblehead Conservancy’s annual meeting on Wednesday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m. will feature Barbara Warren discussing Salem Sound’s land-based work. The event will take place in the program room at Abbot Public Library at Eveleth School, 3 Brook Road, and will also be available online via Zoom.
Registration is required for both in-person and Zoom attendance at tinyurl.com/2024-Conservancy.
Warren, from Salem Sound Coastwatch, will address “What Happens on the Land Affects Salem Sound,” highlighting initiatives impacting Salem Sound’s water quality. For more information, contact Marblehead Conservancy at marbleheadconservancy@gmail.com.
Cecropia Strong to host second annual benefit
Cecropia Strong, a Marblehead-based charity, will host its second annual benefit on Thursday, April 18, at The Landing Restaurant to raise money for therapeutic riding grants at Windrush Farm in North Andover.
The event, scheduled from 5:30-9 p.m., will feature a silent auction and Pony Up! donations. For more information, visit cecropiastrong.org or contact Cecropia Strong at info@cecropiastrong.org.
Friends of COA to host annual auction
The Friends of the Marblehead Council on Aging will host their annual auction, a flagship event to raise funds for COA services, programs and activities on Thursday, April 25, at The Landing Restaurant, 81 Front St., starting at 5:30 p.m.
The auction, featuring a wide variety of items, services, and events, including a handmade quilt, will be led by auctioneer Gene Arnould of Arnould’s Gallery.
Reservations are strongly urged and can be made by calling 781-639-1266. Meal choices will be offered at the time of reservation to enable prompt food service.
For more information, contact Laurie Fullerton at 781-502-8321 or Fullerton.laurie557@gmail.com.
Scholarship honors youth sports coach
The Charles J. Garrett Jr. Memorial Scholarship for 2024 will award $2,000 to a deserving senior who either resides in Marblehead or attends Marblehead High School (if their home address is outside Marblehead) and has participated in the Marblehead Youth Soccer Association.
This inclusive scholarship is open to students from Marblehead High School, other public schools, private day and boarding schools, and those who are homeschooled, as long as they maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and plan to pursue post-secondary education in a STEM or STEM-skilled field.
The scholarship commemorates the life and legacy of Chuck Garrett, a Marblehead resident and dedicated youth sports coach who passed away in 2021.
Applications are due by April 21. For more details, contact cjgmemorialscholarship@gmail.com.
Mother’s co-op Pop-Up Shop to feature Emmy winner
The Marblehead Mother’s Co-Op announces the return of its Pop-Up Shops at the Boston Yacht Club on April 5 and 6, featuring Emmy award-winning TV broadcaster Maria Sansone and RN Esthetics.
The event will showcase over 20 local artists and vendors, with proceeds benefiting Friends of the Marblehead Public Schools.
Aimed at promoting women-owned businesses, it offers apparel, jewelry, and home decor.
Highlights include Sansone signing her cookbook, “Oh $#!% What’s For Dinner?”
The event opens with a champagne reception on April 5 from 6-10 p.m. and continues on April 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tickets are available for $20 via Venmo (@MHDPopUpShops). For more details, visit mhdpopupshops.com.
DNA genealogy presentation at Seaglass Village
Seaglass Village will host a DNA genealogy presentation by Pamela Guye Holland on April 11 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the First Church Congregational library, 40 Monument Ave., Swampscott.
The event focuses on using DNA to find relatives with tools from AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, MyHeritage and 23andMe.
Open to members for free and guests for $5. Reservations required. For more information, visit SeaglassVillage.org or call 781-718-0401.
Marblehead Museum’s April lectures
— On Thursday, April 4, at 7 p.m., G. Patrick O’Brien, an assistant professor of history at the University of Tampa, will deliver a Zoom lecture on slave resistance in colonial Marblehead, focusing on the life of Flora Lee, an enslaved woman. Lee’s efforts to reunite with her daughter in Nova Scotia and protect other Black children showcase the resistance of enslaved women during the Revolutionary Era.
— On Thursday, April 18, at 7 p.m. Dina Vargo, a noted local historian, will present a lecture at the Marblehead Museum. Vargo will explore topics from her book “Hidden History of Boston,” including colonial mobs, Chinatown turf wars and the contributions of African-American writers. This follows her successful lecture on lesser-known Boston women in 2023.
Tickets for this lecture can be purchased at the Marblehead Museum, 170 Washington St., by calling 781-631-1768 or visiting marbleheadmuseum.org.
Support Old Burial Hill restoration efforts
The Old Burial Hill Oversight Committee will host a Charity Night at The Landing Restaurant on Tuesday, April 2, at 6 p.m. Attendees can enjoy food and drinks while learning about the preservation efforts for Old Burial Hill’s gravestones and landscape. The restaurant will donate 10% of the evening’s proceeds to the Old Burial Hill Preservation Fund. While no tickets are required, reservations are recommended.
Alex Finigan, the committee chair, will discuss recent and ongoing restoration projects. Old Burial Hill, established in 1638, is among New England’s oldest cemeteries and a significant historical site in Marblehead.
Community invited to kindergarten readiness panel
The Epstein Hillel School is hosting an informative session on kindergarten readiness for local families on April 3, 7:30.-8:30 p.m. at the JCC, 4 Community Road.
Aimed at preparing both children and parents for the significant milestone of starting kindergarten, the event will feature a panel of seasoned educators and specialists.
EHS Head of School Amy Gold will lead the discussion, offering insights and practical tips for a successful transition. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with the panel.
Those interested in attending should RSVP to Rebecca Karen at rkaren@epsteinhillel.org.
Rotary scholarships
Rotary Club of Marblehead is offering five scholarships for graduating high school seniors and college undergraduates. The scholarships include the Randolph E. and Barbara K. Goodwin Memorial Scholarship ($7,000), the Donald Humphreys Veterans Memorial Scholarship ($6,000), two Rotary Club of Marblehead Scholarships ($5,000 each), and a new scholarship for college undergrads ($5,000). The deadline to apply is April 7 at 11:59 p.m. For more information and to apply, visit tinyurl.com/34whfpy5 or email Nancy Gwin at gwinnancy@gmail.com.
The Rotary Club of Marblehead Harbor is accepting scholarship applications from graduating seniors of Marblehead High School or Marblehead residents attending out-of-town high schools. The club offers several one-year and enhanced scholarships, including the new Lee and Barry Weed Scholarship, a four-year scholarship totaling $20,000 for a student demonstrating exemplary service to the community, school or family.
The deadline to apply is April 7 at 11:59 p.m. To apply, visit marbleheadscholarship.org/enhanced-scholarships.
Volunteer opportunities
The town has openings on several municipal boards and commissions:
— Marblehead Cultural Council (three vacancies, three-year terms)
— Marblehead Disabilities Commission (one vacancy, three-year term)
Interested residents should submit letters of interest and resumes to the Select Board at Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., or email wileyk@marblehead.org. Details on each group are at marblehead.org.
Abbot Library offers tax counseling service
Registration is open for the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program offered by AARP at the Abbot Library. The free tax preparation service will be held on Mondays through April 8.
Appointments are required. Call the library at 781-631-1481 during open hours to sign up. Tax forms are now available in the Reference Room.
The TCE program provides basic tax return preparation for low- to moderate-income taxpayers, with a focus on seniors. Participants do not need to be AARP members or meet an age requirement.
For more information, visit abbotlibrary.org/tax-prep-program or email the library at mar@noblenet.org.
Contamination in bottled water
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health warns against using Simpson Spring bottled water due to PFAS contamination that exceeds safe levels. Consumers are advised to avoid purchasing or consuming water from the Easton-based company. Those with Simpson Spring water at home should dispose of it and not consume any more of the company’s products until further notice. This warning follows the discovery of elevated PFAS levels in the water, a group of chemicals linked to potential health risks. Simpson Spring has temporarily ceased bottling operations in response.
ClearGov is live
Residents now have online access to more of the town’s financial information via the ClearGov Transparency Center at bit.ly/3Oi07pF. It’s part of the town’s new cloud-based financial software system.
