Life Style – Marblehead Current

Update: Christmas Walk Parade canceled, Santa moving to MHS

2Dec

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Culture, Entertainment, Life Style, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories

Update: Christmas Walk Parade canceled, Santa moving to MHS

The 51st Marblehead Christmas Walk Parade has been canceled for Saturday, Dec. 3, due to a stormy forecast and will not be rescheduled. Santa and Mrs. Claus will move to Marblehead High School from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., instead of arriving by lobster boat at The Landing. Children will be able to take photos with Santa at the high school. "Unfortunately, we have made the decision to cancel the parade this year due to severe weather conditions forecast for Satrday afternoon," Marblehead Chamber of Commerce Exec. Dir. Katherine Koch told the Marblehead Current. For the Marblehead Current's updated Christmas Walk weekend schedule, click HERE. Stay with the Marblehead Current for Christmas Walk updates. You can also check the Marblehead Chamber Facebook page and website.

The art of the loom: Local artist keeps ancient craft alive one thread at a time

25Nov

By Chris StevensNo Comments

Life Style, Local News, Top Stories

The art of the loom: Local artist keeps ancient craft alive one thread at a time

Weaving has been called one of the oldest surviving crafts in the world, tracing back to Neolithic times, and one Marblehead artist is working hard to keep that thread of history alive. When she began working at craft fairs, Kari Breed discovered not a lot of people realized weaving is a craft that is still very much in vogue. So, she developed a slide show that she runs during shows to give people a feel for what has been her passion for decades. Breed deftly moves a shuttle through the tunnel of yarn as her feet work the pedals of the 24-inch Schacht Baby Wolf loom that takes center stage in her home studio. Weaver Kari Breed makes the ancient art look effortless on her loom in her home studio in Marblehead. The studio is filled with light and scarves in bl...

Cottage Gardeners to screen ‘The Gardner’ on Dec. 13

22Nov

By Submitted ContentNo Comments

Environment, Life Style

Cottage Gardeners to screen ‘The Gardner’ on Dec. 13

The Cottage Gardeners of Marblehead and Swampscott will be showing the movie, "The Gardener" on Dec. 13. The public is invited to attend free. Please come at 12:30 p.m. to the Jewish Community Center (4 Community Road, Marblehead, Massachusetts 01945) for light refreshments in the Weiss-Kirstein Right Room.The movie will start at approximately 12:45 p.m. According to organizers, Frank Cabot was a major force behind establishing the Garden Conservancy. He was an award-winning horticulturist, garden designer and philanthropist, who in 2009 at the age of eight-four opened his world-renowned twenty-acre garden "Les Quatre Vents," located in La Mainale, Quebec. Please RSVP to Sara Ewing: sewingjccns.com

A stitch in time: Longtime Marblehead tailor retires at 96

16Nov

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Fashion, Life Style, Local History, Local News, Top Stories

A stitch in time: Longtime Marblehead tailor retires at 96

Tailor Charles Katsoulakos is closing up shop after more than 55 years. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER One of Marblehead’s longest-running businesses is closing next month, and its 96-year-old owner is retiring - reluctantly. “What am I going to do now?” asked Charles Katsoulakos, who opened his tailor shop more than 55 years ago. “Maybe I’ll sleep a little later.” Katsoulakos said he has served "hundreds and hundreds" of customers over the decades. He's seen dramatic swings in fashion, but doesn’t have a favorite style. “For me, it doesn’t make a difference. I’ll narrow the legs or shorten the hemline, to modernize." He enjoys working on prom and wedding dresses the most. “Those beautiful dresses, I love seeing them,” he said. Many of his customers send him photos of th...

WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT: Ben and Eileen Bryant

16Nov

By Submitted ContentNo Comments

Life Style, Local News

WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT: Ben and Eileen Bryant

When Ben Bryant and Eileen Plaehn met on September 14, 2018, at a bar in Boston, neither of them knew or expected it would lead to a lifetime of friendship and commitment to each other. After exchanging phone numbers that night, a week later they had their first date at Franklin Cafe in Boston’s South End. In the years since, they have become best friends and life partners, and times have been filled with memorable experiences, including summers in Marblehead, Swampscott, and travels across the country. Ben is a native of Marblehead, and Eileen a native of Wrentham. Ben’s family continues to live in Marblehead, while Eileen’s parents coincidently moved to Swampscott in 2017, just down the road from the Bryant home. In December of 2021, after three years of dating, Ben p...

‘The planet is on fire.’ Learn about Marblehead’s sole net-negative home

20Oct

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Community resources, Environment, Life Style, Local News, Municipal Matters, Science, Top Stories

‘The planet is on fire.’ Learn about Marblehead’s sole net-negative home

Lisa Wolf outside her net negative home PHOTO: Leigh Blander Walk past Lisa and Steve Wolf’s home on Pitman Road and you might notice a peace sign, four feet in diameter and outlined in lights, on the front slope of their roof. What’s harder to notice, surprisingly, are the 44 solar panels lining the roof’s southeast side. The panels deliver enough power to make the home the only net-negative residence in town, according to the Wolfs. Net negative means the Wolfs produce more electricity than they use. An aerial view of the Wolfs' roof with 44 solar panels In fact, the couple sells extra energy back to the Marblehead Municipal Light Department (MMLD). “We have a $600 credit with MMLD right now,” Lisa Wolf said. Lisa grew up in Marblehead and earned a mast...

‘He was the one who lit that flame.’ Marblehead pays tribute to Henry Dembowski, beloved educator, director

3Oct

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Culture, Entertainment, Life Style, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Obituaries, Top Stories

‘He was the one who lit that flame.’ Marblehead pays tribute to Henry Dembowski, beloved educator, director

Henry Dembowski going through newspaper clippings and posters for his past productions PHOTO: Leigh Blander Henry Dembowski, the educator and theater director who changed lives and launched careers, passed away Sept. 25. He was 83. “Henry was such an enormous presence in my personal and professional life,” said Charlie Semine, who starred in two theater productions at Marblehead High School directed by Dembowksi in 1999. Semine is now a professional actor living in New York City, appearing in several TV series. “Henry fostered an environment of generosity and curiosity that I try to bring with me anytime I’m on stage or in rehearsal,” he added. Dembowski started his teaching career in his hometown, Lynn, in 1960, ultimately working as a principal in several Marblehead school...

18Sep

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Life Style, Local News, Top Stories

Pooches in the pool

Dozens of dogs enjoyed an end-of-season swim at the Lynch/Van Otterloo YMCA's annual Doggy Dip on Sunday. The Y invites pups for the swim after closing the outdoor pool for the year.

On Sept. 9, Me&Thee Music launches 53rd season with local favorites

24Aug

By Submitted ContentNo Comments

Community resources, Culture, Entertainment, Life Style, Local News, Press releases

On Sept. 9, Me&Thee Music launches 53rd season with local favorites

Me&Thee Music announces plans to kick off its 53rd season with Marblehead’s best known musical duo, Mason Daring and Jeanie Stahl, on Friday, Sept. 9. Former Marblehead resident Ina May Wool of NewYork will open the evening, which begins at 8 p.m. Mason and Jeanie have been performing together since the 1970s with a collaboration that spans a broad range of styles, from classic 1930s jazz to contemporary folk to originals. Mason’s “Marblehead Morning,” which was a regional hit, has become a trademark anthem for many. Me&Thee Music kicks off its 53rd season with Marblehead musical duo, Mason Daring and Jeanie Stahl, on Friday, Sept. 9. Mason is a critically acclaimed film and TV composer whose work is heard in more than 75 motion pictures and mini-series. Jeanie, who ...

Marblehead Little Theatre gathers to remember Ginny Morton

24Aug

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Culture, Entertainment, Life Style, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Top Stories

Marblehead Little Theatre gathers to remember Ginny Morton

In her life, Marblehead resident Ginny Morton excelled at recruiting people and delegating tasks for the various Marblehead Little Theatre productions and projects that she led or got herself involved in over the years. Her passion and dedication behind each was contagious, giving others the feeling that their contributions were valued and meaningful to the larger mission. Such were the revisited attributes and traits that surfaced when friends and family members offered remarks during Mortion's celebration of life in MLT on Saturday afternoon. Laughs and friendly banter filled the School Street theatre house for about two hours as folks dropped in, enjoyed heavy hors d'oeuvres, swapped "Ginny stories" and looked over a slide show looping pictures of Morton throughout her life. 'D...