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Museum presents ‘Marblehead’s Liquor War’
On Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m., the Marblehead Museum will host a lecture featuring new research on the history of drinking in Marblehead. Jarrett Zeman, the museum’s associate director, will present “Marblehead’s Liquor War: The Temperance Movement, 1840-1930.”
Zeman will showcase how Marbleheaders fought each other for the right to buy alcohol. Fed up with their unruly men, the local temperance movement made Marblehead a dry town for 50 years. Barmen kept liquor in secret hiding places, and shoemakers sold moonshine out of their kitchens. This led to an all-out war complete with police raids, street violence, attempted murder and courtroom drama.
The lecture will be held at the JOJ Frost Gallery at 170 Washington St. Tickets are $10 for museum members and $15 for the public. Tickets are available on the museum’s website at marbleheadmuseum.org or by calling the museum at 781-631-1768.
Abbot Library summer food drive
Throughout August, Abbot Public Library will be hosting a community food drive to help restock the shelves of the Marblehead Food Pantry. Drop off your donations right inside the library’s main entrance during the library’s regular weekly service hours.
The pantry is currently experiencing high demand for specific pantry staples, baking basics and essential toiletries. Community members are encouraged to focus their donations on the following high-priority items:
● 1 lb. carton of sugar
● 2 lb. bag of flour
● 2 lb. bag of white rice
● 24 oz. bottle of cooking oil
● bar soap
● canned chicken
● canned sardines
● canned tuna
● coffee
● condiments (mayo, ketchup, mustard, salad dressing)
● dry beans
● jelly
● oatmeal
● pasta sauce
● shelf-stable milk
● toothpaste
● unsweetened cereal
To ensure the safety of our neighbors and remain in compliance with the Marblehead Food Pantry operating guidelines, please note that the drive happily accepts any non-perishable food items, shelf-stable goods, paper products, and unopened toiletries. However, expiration dates matter, and all donated items must have a current expiration date; expired or near-expired goods cannot be accepted.
Additionally, all food and personal care items must be factory-sealed and entirely unopened. Please do not donate items in damaged containers, including significantly dented cans, rusted tins or bloated packaging.
Every donation makes a tangible difference to a family right here in town.
To learn more about the pantry’s mission, go to marbleheadfoodpantry.org.
Drop-in life, portrait drawing sessions
Hone your drawing skills and meet new friends at the Marblehead Arts Association’s Sunday morning Drop-In Life & Portrait Drawing Sessions. The MAA’s talented models will be posing for you to capture their essence on paper. Models alternate between men and women weekly. There will be a male model on Aug. 2 and a female model Aug. 9.
“Whether you’re an experienced artist or just starting out, everyone is welcome to drop in and get creative!” the MAA said.
The MAA said it offers a lively and welcoming atmosphere, so you can chat with other artists, share tips and techniques, and have a great time.
“It’s the perfect way to spend a Sunday morning!” the MAA said.
If you are working in any medium other than pencil, you must bring and use a drop cloth. A limited number of easels are available.
The sessions run from 9 a.m. to noon. The MAA is located at 8 Hooper St. Cost is $15 for MAA members, $20 for non-members.
For more information, call 781-631-2608 or email info@marbleheadarts.org.
Three weeks left in reading challenge
All summer, Abbot Library has been encouraging students up to age 12 to keep their literacy skills strong while discovering the joy of independent reading. The library’s incentive program is designed for all levels, and pre-readers are encouraged to join with the help of a caregiver. For every 10 titles read, participants can choose a free book to take home.
Participants are invited to celebrate the close of the program with a free ice cream cup and a book giveaway on Friday, Aug. 21.
The library also makes it easy to find everything on the Marblehead Schools’ summer reading lists for both children and teens. Physical books are available for checkout or via reservation through NOBLE, and students can also access titles as e-books or e-audiobooks through the Libby app.
Students are invited to visit the library all summer long for fun programs, expert book recommendations and more.
‘Medea’ auditions this weekend
Marblehead Little Theatre, 12 School St., will hold non-equity auditions for “Medea,” the Greek tragedy.
Betrayed by her husband, the Greek hero Jason, the sorceress Medea is humiliated and driven to violence in Euripides’ classic tale of a woman scorned. Far from home and thrown into exile, she must plot not only her escape but also her revenge on those who have wronged her. Auditions are on Sunday, Aug. 2, 3-6 p.m., and Monday, Aug. 3, 6-9 p.m. with callbacks on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m. Video submissions will be accepted no later than Aug. 3.
Those auditioning should prepare two short monologues, one classical and one contemporary. Actors may perform them in either order, and they do not need to contrast in tone. There will be 12 performances from Oct. 2-18.
Survey says…
The town of Marblehead is partnering with FlashVote, a public survey platform that helps local governments gather timely resident feedback. The goal is to help inform municipal decision-making. Registration takes less than one minute at flashvote.com/marbleheadma. Each survey takes about a minute to complete and remains open for 48 hours. After a survey closes, participants automatically receive a summary of the overall results and can compare their responses with those of other Marblehead residents.
All responses are anonymous. Personal and demographic information provided during registration is never shared with the town or any third party.
Property inspections underway
The Marblehead Board of Assessors is conducting site inspections of properties that have recently been offered for sale or are part of the town’s ongoing property valuation review process.
According to the town, the inspections are intended to verify and update property information used to determine fair and equitable assessed values. Accurate property data is essential to maintaining a consistent assessment system for all taxpayers, officials said.
A complete inspection may include both an exterior and interior review. Interior inspections are generally brief and involve viewing areas such as the basement and living spaces to confirm property characteristics and features.
The Board of Assessors has contracted with Catalis to assist with the inspection process. Representatives from the company will conduct inspections on behalf of the Assessors Office.
If no one is home or if a homeowner declines an interior inspection, the representative will complete an exterior inspection, including measuring buildings on the property.
Residents with questions may contact the Assessors Office at 781-631-0236.
Jimmy Fund Walk registration open
Registration is open for the 2026 Jimmy Fund Walk for Dana-Farber. Scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 4, the walk raises funds to support all forms of adult and pediatric care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
This year’s event aims to raise $10 million in support of Dana-Farber’s mission to defy cancer by leading the way in groundbreaking research and lifesaving patient care.
More info at danafarber.jimmyfund.org. Look for the link “Jimmy Fund Walk for Dana-Farber.”
