Nonprofit corner - Marblehead Current

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets Sept. 27-Oct. 4

27Sep

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

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

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets Sept. 27-Oct. 4

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current associate editor/senior reporter Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. Slavery to freedom walking tourSaturday, Sept 30, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 7 1p.m. Join Jarrett Zeman, assistant director at the Marblehead Museum, for his new walking tour on the history of slavery and abolitionism in Marblehead. Ever since Marbleheaders built the Desire, the first ship to transport enslaved people to Massachusetts Bay Colony, Marblehead has experienced close links to slavery. You'll see sites of local slavery from the 1700s and sites from the 1800s where black and white abolitionists fought for freedom from the pulpit, the ballot box, and the ...

Wreaths Across America fundraiser at Marblehead VFW on Oct. 7

25Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Culture, Local News, Nonprofit corner

Wreaths Across America fundraiser at Marblehead VFW on Oct. 7

The Marblehead chapter of Wreaths Across America will hold a fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 7, at the VFW at 321 West Shore Dr. from 6-11 p.m. Tickets, available only at the door, are $20 and include sponsorship of a wreath, 10 raffle tickets and a wristband. The Melody Makers will perform and food has been donated from Mino’s, Gerry 5, Whole Foods and Tony’s. Raffle prizes were donated by local businesses, including Patriot Seafoods, Davio’s, Carmen’s Jewelry, Shubies, Gilbert and Cole and Beacon Hill Imports. Additional tickets can also be purchased at the event. Wreaths Across America aims to place wreaths on veterans’ graves during the holidays. Last year, Teresa Collins began mapping veterans’ graves in Waterside, Star of the Sea and other Marblehead cemeteries. Air Force ...

25Sep

By Brian Flynn, LVO YMCA Exec. Dir.No Comments

Community resources, Nonprofit corner, Sports

New faces, programs at the Y

The Y is pleased to announce two new program directors: Kathleen Alexandrou and Stephany Cheng. Kathleen is the new school-age child care director and Stephany has accepted the role as the new gymnastics director. A Marblehead native, Kathleen has been part of Children’s Island Summer Camp as well as the Y after-school program as a camper, participant and leader. She led one of the Y’s largest after-school program locations last year. Kathleen Alexandrou Stephany Cheng Stephany recently completed her MBA from the University of New Hampshire. She also has undergraduate degrees in recreational management and business. Originally from Minnesota, Stephany was an NCAA track and field athlete as well as a competitive diver. Over the past decade, Stephany has been actively invo...

Pumpkins for a purpose: Pumpkin ‘patch’ sales benefit Navajo community

23Sep

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Community resources, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Religion

Pumpkins for a purpose: Pumpkin ‘patch’ sales benefit Navajo community

Clifton Lutheran Church has launched its annual pumpkin sale today with 1,400 pumpkins displayed on its front lawn at 150 Humphrey St. Another 600 pumpkins will be delivered and sold later in October. Volunteers unloaded 1400 pumpkins at Clifton Lutheran Church on Saturday. COUTESY PHOTO "A big shout-out to the Marblehead High School Interact Club, Scout Troup 79, parishioners and neighbors who helped us unload all the pumpkins," Rev. Jim Bixby told the Current. This is the seventh year that Clifton Lutheran has hosted its pumpkin sale with proceeds going to a Navajo reserevation in New Mexico. By the end of this year's sale, the church will have sent more than $100,000 to the community. "We've been seeng a lot more people interested in Indigenous People's Day (Oct. 9), espec...

23Sep

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Community resources, Education, Health, Local News, Nonprofit corner

Body & Soul Health Fair at COA

The Council on Aging is hosting a Body & Soul Health Fair on Thursday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at 10 Humphrey St. The event is an "introduction to integrative, complementary and alternative health," according to the COA. "One topic of discussion is to explain the difference between a DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine), ND (naturopathic doctor) and MD," said the COA's outreach coordinator Sharon Doliber. "Other practitioners will talk about their treatment modalities, what illnesses or conditions might be revalent in their day-to-day practice that cause them concern. "[State Rep.] Jenny Armini has her name on a few bills that were created to get help to caregivers and their loved ones. She will talk about those and some others on which legislators are working," Doliber ...

20Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

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

Bringing people together through bocce

Behind the Judy and Gene Jacobi Community Center on Tuesday afternoon, the air was filled with laughter, cheers and encouragement. Members of the Anchor to Windward (ATW) group and local seniors were engrossed in their third annual bocce ball tournament, organized by the Marblehead Council on Aging (COA). A bocce player lines up the perfect shot. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD ATW is a nonprofit organization that has served adults with developmental disabilities in Marblehead for over 20 years. Its mission is to empower its diverse members — ranging from their 20s to 70s — to reach their full potential through skill-building programs for independent living. What began three years ago as a new activity for ATW members has blossomed into a beloved annual tradition that unites peop...

Family of Heather Walker, other ’Headers to lace up for Jimmy Fund

20Sep

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Local News, Nonprofit corner, Top Stories

Family of Heather Walker, other ’Headers to lace up for Jimmy Fund

Family and friends of Heather Walker, the former Celtics VP of marketing who passed away last spring of glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, will join other Marbleheaders at the Jimmy Fund Walk Oct. 1. The family of Heather Walker will join the Jimmy Fund Walk Oct. 1. COURTESY PHOTO “I’m walking in honor of my wife, Heather Walker, and everyone who has been hit with a cancer diagnosis,” Stephen Walker told the Current. “The funds we raise will allow for more treatments and hopefully a cure. The days of losing loved ones to cancer must stop.” Rachel Marco of Marblehead is also joining the Jimmy Fund Walk with her family. They are raising money in memory of Marco’s mother, Lorraine Harrington, who died of ovarian cancer in 2007 at age 59. Harrington had already survived a battle w...

18Sep

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Community resources, Education, Entertainment, Local News, Nonprofit corner

What’s new at the Council on Aging

All programs are held at the Judy and Gene Jacobi Community Center, 10 Humphrey St., unless otherwise stated. For more information or to RSVP for programs, call 781-631-6225 or email councilonaging@marblehead.org. Increased feesThe Council on Aging Board voted August 31 to increase many fees, including most fitness programs by $1, Lunch by Doug by $2 and Instructional Bridge by $5. These increases will offset instructors fees, fuel and food supply costs. All participants, including online participants, are required to pay for classes. New Fitness/Recreation pricesBalance & Mobility $4Instructional Bridge $10Bocce/Curling $15 per seasonChair yoga $4Fitness Center $3 visit Fitness $15 for 5 visitsMonthly Fitness Center $35 Line Dancing $6 classMuscle Conditioning $4 classOsteo ...

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...

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...