Local News - Marblehead Current

30Nov

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Art, Community resources, Culture, Entertainment, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Recreation, Top Stories

CURRENT EVENT: Marblehead’s best bets

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming days. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current Editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. 'A Christmas Carol'Friday, Dec. 8, and Saturday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. Enjoy the fourth annual theatrical reading of Charles Dickens’ classic story about the power of love and generosity, “A Christmas Carol.” Performed by a small ensemble of actors, “A Christmas Carol” will come to life throughout the stately Jeremiah Lee Mansion, 161 Washington St., with the use of period costumes, props, caroling and more. Guests will be treated to complimentary treats and beverages, and one lucky audience member will be chosen to perform the beloved role of Tiny Tim. Info and tickets...

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Tracy Finn: Staying true to her artistic vision

29Nov

By Melissa StaceyNo Comments

Art, Business, Columns, Local News, Uncategorized

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Tracy Finn: Staying true to her artistic vision

The following is an interview with Tracy Finn, local artist and owner of Tracy Finn Fine Art & Stationery, conducted by Discover Marblehead. To see Finn’s original artwork, as well her greeting cards, invitations, prints and desktop calendars, visit her studio at 51 Atlantic Ave. (by appointment only) or go to TracyFinn.com. Tracy Finn has worked from Idaho to Manhattan to Atlantic Avenue. Tell us about Tracy Finn Fine Art & Stationery. My art practice is more than a business for me, it’s an integral part of who I am. I started taking art lessons at the King Hooper Mansion in the second grade and have been creating ever since. I enjoyed many years as an art teacher before shifting my primary focus to my own work. I strive to make my work accessible to a broad audie...

Gen. John Glover Farmhouse gets another reprieve

29Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local History, Local News, Municipal Matters, Politics, Top Stories

Gen. John Glover Farmhouse gets another reprieve

The fate of an 18th-century home tied to a Revolutionary War hero in Marblehead and the site of the former Glover Restaurant has taken another turn, as developers agreed to extend a demolition delay by five months to allow time to possibly relocate the historic structure. The Glover Farmhouse, built in 1732, was once home to Revolutionary War Gen. John Glover. Advocates are working to move the long-vacant house to a new location to preserve its history. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD Developer Leggat McCall Properties, planning to build a 140-unit condominium complex on the site spanning Marblehead, Swampscott and Salem, will pause their plans until June. The additional five months come after an initial nine-month demolition delay ends in January. That gives preservation...

For trailer replacement work, Marblehead Board of Health closes Transfer Station

29Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Health, Local News

For trailer replacement work, Marblehead Board of Health closes Transfer Station

Marblehead Board of Health announced Wednesday that the Transfer Station's commercial trash, paid disposals and paid recycling services will be unavailable through at least Thursday as the town replaces a trailer. Residential trash and recycling services are still available as normal. Residential drop-off areas for leaves, grass and recycling also remain open and operational, according to a press release. The Board of Health asked for patience from residents during the transition and said it aims to restore full commercial operations at the transfer station as quickly and smoothly as possible.

29Nov

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Local News, Top Stories

Residential electric bills going down

The Marblehead Municipal Light Department has some good news for its residential customers: Most monthly bills will be going down in January. While MMLD is raising the fixed monthly charge from $11.25 to $18.25 each month, the energy charge — or the amount per kilowatt-hour — will drop. : Residential electric bills are heading down. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER The average residential customer uses 662 kilowatt-hours a month and will now be paying $141.90, down from $155.90. “That’s 9.1% less than a year ago,” said MMLD General Manager Joe Kowalik. “Our cost of energy has gone down because the situation in Europe has kind of stabilized, so the natural gas market has stabilized. Most electricity is generated by natural gas in New England.” Of the energy MMLD brought into M...

Mrs. Claus reflects on decades in Marblehead

29Nov

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Local History, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Recreation, Top Stories

Mrs. Claus reflects on decades in Marblehead

Mrs. Claus’ “helper,” Marblehead’s Laura Best, is getting ready for her 39th trip on board the lobster boat with Santa at the Christmas Walk. Beginning in 1984, she has been there to greet hundreds of kids at State Street Landing and listen to their wish lists. “The kids are absolutely amazing,” Best told the Current. “They line up for hours to see Santa and then sometimes they don’t have the courage to talk to him. That’s where I come in. I’m the grandma. I say, ‘Come see me,’ and before you know it, they’re in his face talking to him. I’m like the ice breaker for kids.” Mrs. Claus' ‘helper’ Laura Best looks forward to the Christmas Walk every year. COURTESY PHOTO Best says the children arrive with all kinds of gift requests. “Some kids have a list that’s long as your arm, an...

Easel does it: Marblehead Arts Association’s winter show lights up King Hooper Mansion

29Nov

By Benji BoydNo Comments

Art, Culture, Life Style, Local News, Nonprofit corner

Easel does it: Marblehead Arts Association’s winter show lights up King Hooper Mansion

The Marblehead Arts Association hosted a reception for the opening of its Winter Member Show on Nov. 10. The King Hooper Mansion was packed with artists, MAA members and others exploring more than 175 artworks spread over three floors. The show ends Dec. 24. Alicia Cohen’s ‘After a While’ hangs above the mantle in the MAA’s King Hooper Mansion. This is the second of the MAA's two annual showcases open exclusively to member artists, following the 2023 Summer Member Show in July and August. Although the member shows typically don't have a required theme, many of the submitted artworks include fall and winter motifs, such as snowy landscapes or warm autumn tones. The pieces were judged by two MAA members representing photography and the fine arts and winners and honorable mentions are ...

MY MARBLEHEAD FIRST TIME: ‘Private’ street guide leaves unanswered questions

29Nov

By Court MerriganNo Comments

Columns, Court Merrigan, Local News, Opinion

MY MARBLEHEAD FIRST TIME: ‘Private’ street guide leaves unanswered questions

I have in my possession papers titled “Private Edition of the Ancient Streets and Ways in Marblehead,” dating from 1937, expanded in 1971. A kind and anonymous soul gave them to me. In keeping with the aforementioned injunction to privacy, I will not quote from the document directly, even though a number of the author’s scurrilous observations are highly amusing. And I will not reveal the author’s identity. As it turns out, Google Maps knows about Prospect Alley, but why it was once also known as ‘Liz Tibbet’s Gut’ is more of a mystery. COURTESY PHOTO/COURT MERRIGAN Now, these papers call themselves fossilized fiction and explicitly promise no accuracy. Therefore, I read them with an eye toward amusement, not fact. That said, if they are even vaguely correct, then the streets of ...

State Rep. Jenny Armini pushes for faster rail electrification

29Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Environment, Local News, Politics, Top Stories

State Rep. Jenny Armini pushes for faster rail electrification

State Rep. Jenny Armini, D-Marblehead, urged lawmakers last week to set aggressive deadlines for electrifying Massachusetts’ commuter rail system, arguing it would combat climate change, deliver environmental justice and remove a major pollution source burdening schoolchildren and residents near tracks. State Rep. Jenny Armini testifies before lawmakers, urging aggressive deadlines to electrify commuter rails serving environmental justice communities. COURTESY PHOTO / STATE REP. JENNY ARMINI’S OFFICE Testifying before the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation on Nov. 20, Armini spoke in support of legislation she filed requiring the MBTA and its commuter rail contractor to fully electrify the system by Dec. 31, 2035. The bill lays out a phased timeline starting with lin...

Marblehead faith leaders probe morality of war

29Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Culture, Local News, Religion, Top Stories

Marblehead faith leaders probe morality of war

As global conflicts escalate, two Marblehead faith leaders sat down together on Nov. 19 before a packed audience at the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore to explore the challenging ethics of modern warfare. JCCNS Executive Director Marty Schneer introduces Rabbi Michael Schwartz, left, of Temple Sinai and the Rev. James Bixby of Clifton Lutheran Church, before they begin their discussion, "The Ethics of War," on Nov. 19 at the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore. Titled "The Ethics of War," the discussion was held between Rabbi Michael Schwartz of Temple Sinai and the Rev. James Bixby of Clifton Lutheran Church, focusing on principles of just war theory as they apply to modern warfare. Schwartz has studied under ethicists in Israel, and Bixby wrote his thesis on mode...