Kris Olson - Marblehead Current

Marblehead police log, Nov. 23-30: Fire engulfs patio chairs, diamond earrings go missing

2Dec

By Kris OlsonNo Comments

Local News

Marblehead police log, Nov. 23-30: Fire engulfs patio chairs, diamond earrings go missing

Excerpts from the Marblehead police log of Wednesday, Nov. 23 through Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. Consistent with state law, Marblehead Police have adopted a policy of not providing to media outlets reports related to incidents related to domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation. Wednesday, Nov. 23 9:36 a.m. Officers assisted with stuck tractor-trailer on Washington and Franklin streets. 10:11 a.m. Pitman Road resident reported receiving grandparent scam phone call. 10:53 p.m. Officers could not locate disturbance reported on Pleasant Street. 11:11 p.m. Officers were dispatched to the area of the Riptide Lounge for a report of some sort of disturbance, possibly a fight. Officer arrived to find man laying in the road with a group of people in fr...

Authors hope you can help crack case of murdered Marblehead teacher

2Dec

By Kris OlsonNo Comments

Entertainment, Local News, Top Stories

Authors hope you can help crack case of murdered Marblehead teacher

The exchange between former Marblehead Select Board member Harry Christensen and the lawyer-turned-author began cordially enough. The author had already written one book about a Massachusetts murder and told Christensen that he was toying with the idea with making the killing of Marblehead elementary school teacher Beryl Atherton his next subject. “Don’t bother,” Christensen told him. “My book is already well underway.” Christensen Technically, that was not untrue. After giving countless lectures on the topic over years, Christensen had essentially written the book about the still-unsolved crime that shook the serenity of his hometown in 1950. The only problem was that it lived mainly in Christensen’s brain. Enter Richard Santeusanio. The former Danvers school superinten...

Polish poet’s ‘wit, wisdom and warmth’ to be explored at Abbot Library

1Dec

By Kris OlsonNo Comments

Press releases

Polish poet’s ‘wit, wisdom and warmth’ to be explored at Abbot Library

On Thursday, Dec.15, the Poetry Salon at the Abbot Public Library in Marblehead will focus on Polish poet Wislawa Szymborska, the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1996. Born and educated in Poland, Szymborska authored more than 15 books of poetry. While Polish history from World War II through Stalinism clearly informs her poetry, Szymborska was also a deeply personal poet who explored the large truths that exist in ordinary, everyday things. "Of course, life crosses politics," Szymborska once said. "But my poems are strictly not political. They are more about people and life.” 'Life While You Wait' and other works of the Polish poet Wislawa Szymborska, the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1996, will be the focus of the Dec. 15 Poetry Salon at Abbot Library. C...

Santa’s helper: For Whear, Marblehead Christmas Walk a gig like no other

29Nov

By Kris OlsonNo Comments

Culture, Entertainment, Local News, Top Stories

Santa’s helper: For Whear, Marblehead Christmas Walk a gig like no other

***Editor's note: This story was written before weather forced the cancellation of the Christmas Walk Parade and the relocation of Santa's landing to Marblehead High School on Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. For the updated schedule, click HERE. His counterpart—retired National Grand Bank employee Laura Best—knew what to expect. But she kept quiet, not wanting to spoil the surprise for Bruce Whear. “When we came around the corner and could hear the roar of the crowd, it was like a kid coming up the tunnel at Fenway Park and seeing the Green Monster for the first time,” Whear says of his maiden voyage across Marblehead Harbor aboard the Sea Hooker, captained by Barnacle Restaurant owner Jay Sahagian, as “Santa’s special assistant.” “It was that big of a deal.” After their tr...

A comprehensive Christmas Walk schedule: Dec. 1 – 4, 2022

29Nov

By Kris OlsonNo Comments

Business, Culture, Entertainment, Local News, Top Stories

A comprehensive Christmas Walk schedule: Dec. 1 – 4, 2022

The following is a comprehensive list of things to do over the Christmas Walk weekend from Dec. 1 - 4, 2022. Thursday, Dec. 1 4:45 p.m. Marblehead High School a cappella group at TQM Wealth Partners (122 Washington St., Suite R)5 p.m.-8 p.m. Annual Wish List Party at Jambu Jewelry (38 Atlantic Ave.)5 p.m.-8 p.m. Holiday Mini Market & Refreshments at MacRae's (108 Washington St.)5 p.m.-8 p.m. Holiday Sip & Shop at Scribe Paper & Gift (84 Washington St.)5 p.m.-8 p.m. Holiday Sips, Snacks & Shopping at Tory's Jewelry (106 Washington St.)5 p.m.-8 p.m. Sip & Shop at All Chic at 152 (152 Washington St.)5 p.m.-8 p.m. Sip & Shop at Blue Lobster Company (67A Front St.)6 p.m.-8 p.m. Holiday Preview Shopping & Refreshments at Abbey Studio Calligraphers (84 Washi...

A primer on Marblehead’s 2022 Christmas Walk

29Nov

By Kris OlsonNo Comments

Entertainment, Local News, Top Stories

A primer on Marblehead’s 2022 Christmas Walk

***Editor’s note: This story was written before weather forced the cancellation of the Christmas Walk Parade and the relocation of Santa’s landing to Marblehead High School on Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. For the updated schedule, click HERE. All your favorites will be back, plus there will be a few new twists when the Marblehead Christmas Walk returns this weekend.The “marquee” events will again include a pair of Friday night tree lightings, first in the National Grand Bank parking lot on Pleasant Street and then a tree constructed out of lobster traps outside of Mud Puddle Toys on Washington Street, with sea chanteys led by Glover’s Regiment providing musical accompaniment. New Mud Puddle Toys owner Cassie Watt has upheld the tradition of erecting a lobster trap tree outside ...

Marblehead police log, Nov. 9-22, 2022: Local man victim of six-figure scam; ‘sucker punch’ at Riptide

28Nov

By Kris OlsonNo Comments

Local News

Marblehead police log, Nov. 9-22, 2022: Local man victim of six-figure scam; ‘sucker punch’ at Riptide

Excerpts from the Marblehead police log of Wednesday, Nov. 9 through Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. Consistent with state law, Marblehead Police have adopted a policy of not providing to media outlets reports related to incidents related to domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation. Wednesday, Nov. 9 7:51 a.m. Solicitors reported on Tucker Street. 7:57 a.m. Caller lodged complaint related to traffic on Maple Street. 10:50 a.m. A stuck truck was reported on Heritage Way. 11:02 a.m. Worker reported having gotten threats on Tedesco Street and Leggs Hill Road. 2:07 p.m. Caller reported that there was a scooter parked on Woodfin Terrace. 2:08 p.m. Caller on Spring Street reported having received annoying phone calls. 3:13 p.m. Two vehicles were t...

Lucky the Leprechaun to perform at basketball ‘Friends’ Tip-Off Night Dec. 9

26Nov

By Kris OlsonNo Comments

Sports

Lucky the Leprechaun to perform at basketball ‘Friends’ Tip-Off Night Dec. 9

The Friends of Marblehead Basketball will host a Tip-Off Night in the gym at Marblehead High School from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Girls and boys in grades four and up are invited to register. The $20 admission includes an event T-shirt. The event will feature a high-flying dunking performance from Boston Celtics mascot Lucky the Leprechaun, who will also bring with him the team’s 2008 NBA Championship trophy, with which photos may be taken. Attendees can also meet and play with the boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams, challenge their teachers to a shooting contest or win the coveted title of “Best Foul-Shooter of Marblehead.” Dr. Timothy DiFrancesco, owner and operator of TD Athletes Edge, former trainer of the Los Angeles Lakers, will ...

‘Current’ trend: As chain retreats, nonprofits rise

25Nov

By Kris OlsonNo Comments

Business, Local News, Top Stories

‘Current’ trend: As chain retreats, nonprofits rise

For many people across eastern Massachusetts over the past couple of years, the question has become less “if” you were profoundly disenchanted with what your local community newspaper under chain ownership but rather when you might get motivated to do something about it. With today’s publication of its inaugural print edition, the Marblehead Current joins the ranks of news nonprofits that have sprung up increasingly within the footprint of Gannett, formerly known as Gatehouse Media, the parent company of the Marblehead Reporter, as Gannett increasingly abandoned local reporting. One of the earliest such ventures, the online-only Bedford Citizen, was founded in June 2012 by three volunteers who had been active in their local chapter of the League of Women Voters, Meredith McCulloch, ...

At Marblehead houses of worship, all’s ‘fair’ during Christmas Walk

25Nov

By Kris OlsonNo Comments

Local News

At Marblehead houses of worship, all’s ‘fair’ during Christmas Walk

In addition to local businesses, a number of Marblehead houses of worship will welcome visitors for fairs and other special events during Christmas Walk weekend. Here is an overview: The annual Christmas Fair at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 in the church’s Parish Center, 80 Atlantic Ave. Enjoy tasty food and unique, artisanal Christmas gifts created by local artisans and crafters, and enter raffles for hotel gift cards and a “giant” lottery tree, among other prizes. Beginning at 11 a.m., ‘Mrs. Santa’ invites children to share their holiday wish lists with her at the Unitarian Universalist Red Bow Fair, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 at 28 Mugford St. During the fair, the church will als...