Community Resources - Marblehead Current

11 Mar

LIGHTS, CAMERA, AI?

Leigh BlanderArt, Community Resources, Top Stories

MHS junior wins New York Times contest with short film on AI, creativity For Max Kane, a junior at Marblehead High School, a weekend spent hanging out with friends around Boston turned into something much bigger: a prize-winning short film for The New York Times. Kane recently won the Times’ student contest “Growing Up With AI,” a national challenge that invited teenagers to reflect on what it means to come of age in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. His entry — a roughly…

10 Mar

Local athletes find friendship, confidence through Special Olympics skiing

Leigh BlanderCommunity Resources, Sports, Top Stories

For Ryan Horrigan and Grace Rigby, the thrill of racing down a mountain is only part of what makes the Special Olympics meaningful. The two North Shore athletes — both with roots in Marblehead — competed in a Special Olympics alpine ski competition Feb. 27 at Berkshire East Mountain. They skied in downhill and slalom races and both won medals. But when asked what stands out most about competing, both athletes quickly pointed to something beyond the podium. Friends Ryan Horrigan and Grace Rigby meeting…

07 Mar

Budget crisis could force Abbot Library to close on eve of 150th anniversary

Leigh BlanderCommunity Resources, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

The Abbot Public Library — newly renovated and seeing a surge in use — could close its doors in December if deep budget cuts tied to the town’s projected $7.7 million fiscal 2027 deficit move forward. On March 4, Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer laid out two scenarios to address the budget gap. One would close the library all together. The second scenario would cut the library’s salary budget by about 50% and eliminate its materials budget. Gary Amberik is chair of Abbot Library's board of…

04 Mar

Marblehead Current, The Mariner partner to offer graduation scholarship

Leigh BlanderAbout Us, Community Resources, Education, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools

The Marblehead Current and The Mariner are partnering to offer a prestigious $2,000 scholarship created in memory of Frances "Fraffie" Welch and Ed Bell, both of whom had significant careers in journalism and contributed greatly to the Marblehead community. Applications are being accepted now through April 9 HERE. Welch, a graduate of Marblehead High School, spent over 30 years serving as a journalist and committed herself to her community. Bell had a distinguished 50-year career, excelling in newspapers, broadcasting and wire service. He co-founded…

02 Mar

Awesome Bowl brings teens, seniors together for friendly competition

Leigh BlanderCommunity Resources, Nonprofit corner, Top Stories

You may have tuned in to the Olympics or the Super Bowl last month, but for a display of pure sportsmanship, you didn’t have to look any farther than the Marblehead Council on Aging. On Friday, teenagers and senior citizens faced off in the Awesome Bowl, a lighthearted competition that paired Marblehead High School students with local seniors for a morning of games and camaraderie. Pat Bibbo organizes the Awesome Bowl at the COA. CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER English teacher Jenn Billings shows Dick…

16 Feb

MHA reviews new plans for Broughton Road senior housing, townhouse upgrades

Leigh BlanderCommunity Resources, Top Stories

Housing Authority reviews updated plans for Broughton Road redevelopment The Marblehead Housing Authority reviewed updated plans for a major redevelopment project at Broughton Road, featuring a new senior housing building, upgraded townhouses and expanded community amenities. A representative from WinnDevelopment, Sam Randel, told MHA members that the design has made “significant progress” since the last public update, though it remains in the schematic phase. The proposal includes construction of a four-story, 60-unit, age-restricted senior building near Humphrey Street, along with rehabilitation and replacement of existing…

21 Jan

Fifty years, thousands of players: Marblehead Youth Soccer celebrates milestone

Julie FlynnCommunity Resources, Local History, Sports, Top Stories

Marblehead Youth Soccer Association will celebrate its 50th anniversary in February. In the five decades since its founding, thousands of kids have played soccer thanks to Dr. Maximilliaan Kaulbach (who passed away last year at age 94) and his wife, DL who founded MYSA in 1976. Grab your shorts, socks, shin guards and cleats! Headlining local newspapers in February 1976 was the announcement that sign-ups to play soccer had begun for Marblehead boys and girls ages 11 to 18. According to MYSA historical records, by…

19 Jan

Crowd fills Old North Church with singing, calls to action at MLK Breakfast

Leigh BlanderCommunity Resources, Community Service, Top Stories

More than 150 people braved snowy roads Monday morning to attend the Marblehead Racial Justice Team's second annual MLK Community Breakfast at Old North Church. Families, faith leaders and community members gathered for live music, a dramatic reading and reflection in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Members of a St. Mary’s School chorus, led by music director Brandon Mayes, sang at the Marblehead Racial Justice Team's MLK Community Breakfast on Monday, Jan. 19. CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER A chorus from St.…

17 Jan

Monday’s MLK community breakfast to serve up live music, readings and a justice award

Leigh BlanderCommunity Resources, Top Stories

The Marblehead Racial Justice Team will host its second annual MLK Community Breakfast on Monday, Jan. 19, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Old North Church, 35 Washington St. The event is free and open to the public. The program will include a musical performance by the St. Mary’s School choir, a reading from “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., presentation of the Drum Major for Justice Award and a volunteer opportunity to follow at SPUR on Anderson Street. MRJT member…

08 Jan

Marblehead Cultural Council announces winners of 2026 grants

Leigh BlanderArt, Community Resources, Culture, Education, Entertainment, Environment, Local History, Local News

The Marblehead Cultural Council has awarded grants for 2026, including funding for live music, historical performances and programming, art installations, and workshops. “Our council enjoyed reviewing 20 broad and varied applications from members of our local arts and culture community,” said MCC Chair Jeanie Stahl. “We are pleased to announce that we have awarded nine inspirational grants to enliven, enrich and deepen Marblehead’s creative arts scene throughout 2026.” The MCC places an emphasis on new, emerging and established artists and programs in local venues, as…