Leigh Blander

Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.
2669 Posts
Marblehead voters overwhelmingly back Koh for Congress; reject housing ballot question
03 Nov

Marblehead voters overwhelmingly back Koh for Congress; reject housing ballot question

Leigh BlanderPolitics, Top Stories
***Updated with final numbers. The totals are still not certified by the Clerk's Office. Marblehead voters gave strong support to Democrat Dan Koh of Andover on Tuesday, backing his bid to succeed Seth Moulton, who chose not to seek a seventh term representing the 6th Congressional District. More than 10,500 Marblehead voters cast ballots in the midterm election, a whopping 61%. Marblehead has historically posted strong turnout in midterm elections, with 11,621 residents voting in 2018 and 10,636 in 2022. Koh beat Micah Jones in…
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CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up
03 Nov

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up

Leigh BlanderAbbot Public Library, Art, Community Resources, Entertainment, Marblehead Public Schools, Recreation
Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email the Current at info@marbleheadnews.org. Live music at Me&TheeFriday, Nov. 6, 8 p.m. Join Me&Thee for live music with singer-songwriters Rebecca Loebe and Sarah Blacker. Loebe wowed audiences on NBC’s “The Voice,” while Blacker is known for her “soaring folk gospel.” 28 Mugford St. Tickets and more information at meandthee.org. FallFest at the librarySaturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Abbot Public Library is hosting its annual FallFest with…
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After 50+ years, beloved business owner retiring
02 Nov

After 50+ years, beloved business owner retiring

Leigh BlanderBusiness, Top Stories
Victoria Kelley, owner of Tory's Jewelry on Washington Street is retiring. Tory's Jewelry is one of Marblehead's longest-running businesses. Victoria Kelley is closing her jewelry store on Washington Street after more than 50 years. "I’ve made the decision to retire!" Kelley announced on Instagram Nov. 2. "Owning Tory’s Jewelry and being part of the Marblehead community has been a special piece of my life. Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of helping so many of you find the perfect piece of jewelry to celebrate…
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NEWS IN BRIEF: Walk the ways, new police officer, Lynnway meeting
01 Nov

NEWS IN BRIEF: Walk the ways, new police officer, Lynnway meeting

Leigh BlanderArt, Local History, Local News, Public safety, Theater
The Current accepts News in Brief submissions of 150-200 words at info@marbleheadnews.org. Perambulation set for Nov. 7 The town perambulation of public ways has been scheduled for Nov. 7, beginning at 10 a.m. at Abbot Hall. Town Historian Don Doliber will begin the walk with remarks. People join last year's annual perambulation of public ways in town. CURRENT PHOTO / GREY COLLINS The colonial-era tradition of walking and documenting public ways dates back to 1641 in town. Town Engineer Maggie Wheeler outlined a route beginning…
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Rotary 5K goes the distance for students’ mental health
01 Nov

Rotary 5K goes the distance for students’ mental health

Leigh BlanderMarblehead Public Schools, Sports, Top Stories
About 200 runners and walkers, ages 6 to 85, laced up their sneakers for the sixth annual Marblehead Rotary 5K, raising money for mental health programs in local public schools. Participants gathered at Crocker Park on a bright Sunday morning before setting off through the Old and Historic District. The race finished back at Crocker Park. Participants gathered at Boston Yacht Club after for chowder, hot dogs and cookies. https://videopress.com/v/5WnR9Tdr?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Runners take off in the Rotary's 5K on Sunday. The event raised $50,000 for mindfulness…
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Three finalists for Marblehead town administrator to face public interviews Nov. 4
30 Oct

Three finalists for Marblehead town administrator to face public interviews Nov. 4

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Top Stories
Three candidates with extensive backgrounds in Massachusetts municipal government will interview publicly Wednesday, Nov. 4, for Marblehead's town administrator position, as the Select Board moves closer to choosing a successor to Thatcher Kezer. The finalists are Kevin Harutunian, town administrator of Topsfield; Jennifer Callahan, former town manager of Oxford; and Clancy David Main, former Billerica town manager who now works in school finance in Haverhill. The interviews are scheduled for 5 p.m. at Abbot Hall and will be open to the public. They will also…
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From smarty pants to spilled beans, Village students put vocabulary on parade
30 Oct

From smarty pants to spilled beans, Village students put vocabulary on parade

Leigh BlanderEducation, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories
Who knew vocabulary could be so much fun? At the Village School on Thursday, sixth-graders transformed themselves into walking, talking words and expressions, lining the school track in costumes that brought everything from “Smarty pants” and “spill the beans” to “time is a thief” and “down in the dumps” to life. There were students breaking the ice, holding their horses, stirring up hornets' nests and getting caught red-handed. One student was thrown under the bus. Another was cool as a cucumber. And everyone had a…
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Marblehead seniors learn how to apply for new property tax break
30 Oct

Marblehead seniors learn how to apply for new property tax break

Leigh BlanderLocal News, Municipal Matters
More than 60 seniors attended a workshop at the Council on Aging Oct. 29 to learn how to apply for Marblehead’s new means-tested property tax exemption. Volunteer Jeanne Lambkin speaks to seniors about the new means-tested tax break on Oct. 29. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER Applications are now open for the program, which is designed to help eligible seniors whose property taxes consume a disproportionate share of their income. The Select Board approved the eligibility requirements July 22, setting the maximum individual exemption at…
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Halloween magic fills Marblehead’s streets as little trick-or-treaters take over
29 Oct

Halloween magic fills Marblehead’s streets as little trick-or-treaters take over

Leigh BlanderParenting, Top Stories
Marblehead’s business districts came alive with Halloween magic Thursday evening as hundreds of families flooded the sidewalks for the Chamber of Commerce’s annual trick-or-treat celebration. Little Winnie-the-Poohs, fairies, aliens and other costumed characters made their way from shop to shop, collecting candy and showing off their Halloween finery. At the Lee Mansion Gardens, glowing jack-o’-lanterns lit up the annual Pumpkin Illumination, as children dug into their candy hauls and sang along to Halloween tunes. The event is co-sponsored by the Marblehead Family Fund and Marblehead…
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Select Board to interview town administrator finalists Nov. 4
29 Oct

Select Board to interview town administrator finalists Nov. 4

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Top Stories
The Marblehead Select Board will interview finalists for town administrator Wednesday, Nov. 4, 5 p.m., as the town prepares for the departure of Thatcher Kezer at the end of December. The interviews will be open to the public at Abbot Hall. They will also be available virtually. The town hired a consultant to assist with the searches for a new town administrator and finance director. The latter position has been vacant since Aleesha Benjamin left this summer. The screening committee, which includes Select Board member…
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