Leigh Blander

Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.
1403 Posts
Who’s up for haggis? Burns Night returns
04 Jan

Who’s up for haggis? Burns Night returns

Leigh BlanderArt, Culture, Food, Local News
A Marblehead tradition for the last 18 years and a Scottish one since 1801, Burns Night will be celebrated again at The Landing Restaurant on Thursday, Jan. 15. Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, songwriter and music collector, lived in the second half of the 18th century and wrote more than 700 poems and songs in his short life. The first Burns Supper, an informal affair, was held in 1801 by nine of the poet’s closest friends in the same cottage in Alloway, Ayrshire, where he…
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Marblehead family with ties to Venezuela reacts to U.S. attack
03 Jan

Marblehead family with ties to Venezuela reacts to U.S. attack

Leigh BlanderTop Stories
Saturday morning, Congressman Seth Moulton, who represents the 6th District including Marblehead, responded to the Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela capturing that country’s president Nicolas Maduro and his wife. “Congress did not authorize this war,” Moulton wrote on X. “Venezuela posed no imminent threat to the United States. This is reckless, elective regime change risking American lives (Iraq 2.0) with no plan for the day after. Wars cost more than trophies.” Moulton served in Iraq as a Marine. Paul Hare, who lives in Marblehead, served…
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Turning the page to 2026: Resolutions from across Marblehead
01 Jan

Turning the page to 2026: Resolutions from across Marblehead

Leigh BlanderAbbot Public Library, Art, Culture, Education, Entertainment, Environment, Food, Linda Bassett, Marblehead Public Schools, Public safety, Top Stories
The holiday celebrations may be over, but the spirit of renewal is just beginning in Marblehead. As 2026 unfolds, the Current spoke with town leaders, educators, artists and community members about the resolutions guiding their work, families and passions in the year ahead. Here’s a sampling of responses we received. Cynda Rohmer, Marblehead Arts Festival presidentDo you have any resolutions related to the Arts Festival? Stay organized! Advertise and talk up the new events in 2026.  How about for yourself? Get back to the gym…
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FROM THE VAULT: Party like it’s 1773
31 Dec

FROM THE VAULT: Party like it’s 1773

Leigh BlanderColumns, Local History, Opinion
On Dec. 16, 1773, Dr. Elisha Story snuck through the back door of Chase and Speakman’s Distillery in Boston, after its proprietors had closed for the night. He found dozens of men assembled there, including carpenters, shoemakers, blacksmiths and coopers. They organized into gangs to carry out a clandestine mission: proceed to Griffin’s Wharf and dump the East India Company’s tea into the sea. The men put on disguises inside the distillery. Story rubbed burnt cork on his face and placed a hump in his…
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Some of Marblehead’s notable deaths in 2025
30 Dec

Some of Marblehead’s notable deaths in 2025

Leigh BlanderObituaries, Top Stories
From dedicated town volunteers and community leaders to a highly decorated veteran, renowned journalist, artist and social worker, Marblehead lost many notable residents in 2025. This list is not comprehensive. Readers who wish to suggest an addition may email info@marbleheadnews.org. Ed Bell, 84 Ed Bell was an award-winning journalist and community volunteer whose career in news spanned five decades. A co-founder and president of the Marblehead Current, Bell worked in newspapers, broadcasting and wire services, leading coverage of some of the most consequential stories of…
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Trash & recycling schedule for New Year’s holiday
30 Dec

Trash & recycling schedule for New Year’s holiday

Leigh BlanderLocal News
In observance of the New Years holiday on Thursday, Jan. 1, trash and recycling will be picked up one day late on the following days: — Monday trash & recycling will be collected on Monday, Dec. 29.— Tuesday trash & recycling will be collected on Tuesday, Dec. 30.— Wednesday trash & recycling will be collected on Wednesday, Dec. 31.— Thursday trash & recycling will be collected on Friday, Jan. 2.— Friday trash & recycling will be collected on Saturday, Jan. 3 The Transfer Station will…
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Collector Dixey shares his newest old photos
30 Dec

Collector Dixey shares his newest old photos

Leigh BlanderTop Stories
Dan Dixey was eating breakfast at the Driftwood with his grandson a few weeks ago when Thomas Underwood spotted him and approached. Underwood had discovered a new trove of old Marblehead photos, and he knew Dixey was the right person to preserve them. Dixey has become the unofficial keeper of old Marblehead photos. He’s collected thousands of photographs, negatives, slides and even stereocards of Marblehead, dating back to the 1860s.  Dan Dixey has collected thousands of old Marblehead photos, slides, negatives and even stereocards dating…
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News in brief: Week of Dec. 29
28 Dec

News in brief: Week of Dec. 29

Leigh BlanderArt, Local News, News in brief
Glover Farmhouse attracts $50K donation, letter from Ken BurnsAn anonymous Swampscott resident has donated $50,000 (and is promising another $50,000 next year) to preserve the Glover Farmhouse, which sits on land in Marblehead, Swampscott and Salem in Vinnin Square. The Swampscott Historical Commission has created a nonprofit and is working to raise $1.5 to $2 million in the next nine months to preserve the farmhouse.  Efforts to preserve the Glover Farmhouse received a boost in the arm. COURTESY PHOTO The nonprofit also received a letter…
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Marblehead rallies to support family of 55-year-old who died suddenly before Christmas
27 Dec

Marblehead rallies to support family of 55-year-old who died suddenly before Christmas

Leigh BlanderTop Stories
The community has raised nearly $60,000 for the family of a 55-year-old Marblehead man who died suddenly on Monday, Dec. 22. Joe Carpineto leaves behind his wife, Sherri, and his two teen sons, Harrison and Will. Joe Carpineto with his sons. COURTESY PHOTOS Friends launched a GoFundMe to support the family. You can reach it HERE. “Being a dad was Joe’s greatest joy,” the GoFundMe reads. “Whether he was cheering from the sidelines at a sports game, hosting unforgettable birthday parties or turning Halloween into…
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Reveal party set for Arts Festival 2026 logo
26 Dec

Reveal party set for Arts Festival 2026 logo

Leigh BlanderArt, Nonprofit corner, Top Stories
You still have a couple days left to vote on the Marblehead Festival of Arts 2026 logo. Voting closes this Sunday at 5 p.m. Ballot boxes can be found at these locations: Abbot Public Library, Ace Hardware, Arnould Gallery & Framery, Blue Canoe, F L Woods Nautical Merchants, Java Sun Coffee, JCC, Marblehead Arts Association, Marblehead Bank, Marblehead Jacobi Community Center, Marblehead Mercantile, Marblehead Pediatrics, Marblehead/Swampscott YMCA, National Grand Bank, Plus Cafe, Shubie's Marketplace and The Landing Restaurant. Every year, judges whittle down all the…
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