Culture - Marblehead Current

Marblehead faith community unites for youth program

18Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Culture, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Religion

Marblehead faith community unites for youth program

Four local churches have collaborated to launch the Marblehead Youth Cooperative Ministry (MYCM) to create an active Christian youth program for middle and high school students. The leadership board is made up of lay leaders from Clifton Lutheran Church, Old North Church (United Church of Christ), St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. They are currently seeking a full-time youth minister. The initiative kicks off with a Hope for Haiti event on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 1-2:30 p.m. at Clifton Lutheran Church, 150 Humphrey St. Attendees will learn about Haiti's history, engage in a video conference with a resident of Haiti and cook Haitian food. Future events include a Halloween/All Saints party, Christmas tree lighting and gift-giving outreach opportunit...

Seven Minutes of World Peace set for Sept. 21

18Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Community resources, Culture, Local News, Religion, Uncategorized

Seven Minutes of World Peace set for Sept. 21

The Marblehead Ministerial Association invites you to participate in Seven Minutes of World Peace on the International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, from 9 to 9:07 a.m. EST. This local interfaith event will be held virtually. A Peace Bell will ring at the United Nations during these seven minutes as a call for unity. Sri Chinmoy, an Indian spiritual leader, founded Seven Minutes of World Peace in 1984. He envisioned people around the world invoking peace through silent prayer and meditation each year during these seven minutes on the International Day of Peace. A member of the Marblehead Ministerial Association will lead the seven-minute period of meditation and prayer. Please join the event at 8:45 a.m. EST; time for conversation will follow the Seven Minutes. Zoom Meeting Info...

Old North Festival Chorus rehearsals kick off Sept. 27

18Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Culture, Life Style, Local News, Nonprofit corner

Old North Festival Chorus rehearsals kick off Sept. 27

Maria van Kalken, director of the Old North Festival Chorus and Orchestra and minister of music at Old North Church, has announced registration and rehearsal details for the 43rd Annual Festival Chorus Holiday Concerts. All are welcome to join. Rehearsals will begin Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Old North Church. Registration starts at 7 p.m., followed by rehearsal at 7:30 p.m. Subsequent rehearsals will be from 7:30-9 p.m. on Wednesdays, extending to 9:30 p.m. as the concert dates near. Two performances are scheduled: Saturday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. In her 35th season as director, van Kalken has planned a program featuring works including "Magnificat in D" and "Christus, Part 1" by Felix Mendelssohn, "Fantasia on Christmas Carols" by Ralph Vaughan Wil...

Clifton Lutheran pumpkin patch returns Sept. 23

18Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Culture, Local News, Religion, Top Stories, Uncategorized

Clifton Lutheran pumpkin patch returns Sept. 23

Clifton Lutheran Church will host its much-anticipated annual pumpkin patch event on Saturday, Sept. 23, beginning at noon at their location at 150 Humphrey St. The church has a long-standing partnership with New Mexican pumpkin farmers, providing employment for over 700 Native Americans each harvest season. A wide variety of pumpkin sizes will be available, catering to all preferences. Families are invited to bring their children and cameras to capture the essence of fall. For those interested in making bulk purchases, private showings can be scheduled through the church office, which can be reached at 781-631-3749 or via their website at www.cliftonlutheran.org.

MARBLEHEAD CHRONICLES: The early signs of Revolution

14Sep

By Pam PetersonNo Comments

Columns, Culture, Local History

MARBLEHEAD CHRONICLES: The early signs of Revolution

The causes of the American Revolution are complex, and events leading to the war were as involved as those leading to any war. The extremely unpopular Stamp Act of 1765 imposed a tax on all paper items, from legal documents to playing cards. There is no doubt that the increasing wealth and success of the colonies was a factor, creating a sense of self-reliance. It's no wonder that several successful businessmen prominent in the Revolutionary cause were from Marblehead. In the 1750s and '60s, Marblehead was one of the wealthiest towns in all of the English colonies. There had been many years of relative freedom from governmental constraints while England was occupied in wars with France. This caused colonists to feel independent and to rebel against forms of taxation and restrict...

13Sep

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Art, Community resources, Culture, Entertainment, Local History, Local News, Nonprofit corner

Great Gatsby comes to Marblehead

More than 175 people came out for the End-of-Summer Speakeasy at the Lee Mansion Saturday night to raise money for the Marblehead Museum. The event was sponsored by the museum and Discover Marblehead and raised $10,000. Marblehead Old Car Club vintage cars parked in front of the Jeremiah Lee Mansion COURTESY PHOTO / RICK DODGE The Johnny Ray Band COURTESY PHOTO / RICK DODGE Marblehead Museum Executive Director Lauren McCormack with The Rubin Brothers Jazz Duo COURTESY PHOTO / MELISSA STACEY Peyton Pugmire, Bonnie Buckley and Melissa Stacey COURTESY PHOTO / RICK DODGE Left to right: William Dean, Jeanne Smith, Karl Smith and Pam Ferris COURTESY PHOTO / MELISSA STACEY

Meet the Current’s arts and culture intern

13Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Art, Culture, Entertainment, Life Style, Local News, Top Stories, Uncategorized

Meet the Current’s arts and culture intern

The Marblehead Current welcomes a fresh face in arts and culture coverage: Benji Boyd, a junior at Marblehead High School, who will be helping the newsroom chronicle the town’s diverse artistic and cultural events for the upcoming year. Meet Benji Boyd, the Marblehead Current's arts and culture intern, who's as versed in martial arts as he is in the arts of the written word. From the dojo to the newsroom, this multi-talented junior at Marblehead High School is set to make a mark. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER Boyd’s affinity for writing traces back to his childhood. “I’ve had a love for writing since a young age. I even attempted to write a novel in third grade, which wasn’t exactly a masterpiece,” he said with a chuckle. Despite early setbacks, Boyd has continued to hone his ...

Life through a lens: Pultizer-winning photographer shares stories from latest adventure

13Sep

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Art, Culture, Local News, Top Stories, Travel

Life through a lens: Pultizer-winning photographer shares stories from latest adventure

Pulitzer-prize-winning photographer Ulrike Welsch’s ears are “still ringing with the music” after her latest photography trip — this one to the Baltic states Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, where she attended the famous Song and Dance Festival in Riga. “It was just so powerful,” Welsch told the Current during a recent interview in her Marblehead kitchen. “The music goes down to your soul.” Welsch, who turns 83 next month, has traveled the world capturing experiences few seldom get to see first hand. She has visited more than 47 countries, snapping photos everywhere she goes. Marblehead photographer Ulrike Welsch captured this image on her trip to Latvia’s famous Song and Dance Festival this summer. Ulrike Welsch © 2023 all rights reserved “I like to capture a moment, a decisive...

‘FolkZinger’ Christine Lavin returned to Me&Thee

12Sep

By Benji BoydNo Comments

Art, Community resources, Culture, Entertainment, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Views & Reviews

‘FolkZinger’ Christine Lavin returned to Me&Thee

Me&Thee Music kicked off its 54th season with a one-night-only performance from folk singer Christine Lavin on Sept. 8. Known for her catchy ballads based on personal experiences and for her comedic commentary, the so-called “folkZinger” performed songs from her 25th solo album “On My Way to Hooterville,” as well as classic older tracks such as “If You’re Drunk You Cannot Buy a Puppy,” for an enthusiastic audience of fans new and old. Lavin has played at Me&Thee multiple times in her long career, though as she put it, “Who’s counting?” Since releasing her first album in 1981, Lavin has toured all over the world and collaborated with many other folk artists. Despite hailing from New York, Lavin turned to the Boston area to get started as a musician, thanks to the app...

St. Andrew’s Church to hold rummage sale on Sept. 30

12Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Religion

St. Andrew’s Church to hold rummage sale on Sept. 30

St. Andrew's Church will hold its traditional rummage sale Saturday, Sept. 30, from 8-11:45 a.m with a stuff-a-bag option 12-1 p.m. One of the largest such events on the North Shore, the sale offers gently used, quality items, including adults’ and children’s clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories. Also on sale will be electronics, small appliances and tools; linens, lamps and kitchen things; toys, games and puzzles; holiday items; gardening and sports items; artwork and vintage items; some small furniture. Special items are for sale in the boutique. The sale does not include books or large furniture. The community is invited to attend. Proceeds benefit St. Andrew's and its missions and ministries. The Church of St. Andrew is at 135 Lafayette St.