Recreation - Marblehead Current

SECRET SPEAKEASY: Hidden Door a portal to new Marblehead experience

6Dec

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Business, Life Style, Local News, Recreation

SECRET SPEAKEASY: Hidden Door a portal to new Marblehead experience

Have you heard? Marblehead has a new secret. Todd and Victoria Horvath inside their new speakeasy, The Hidden Door. COURTESY PHOTO “We’re hoping to keep it shrouded in mystery for a little while longer,” said Victoria Horvath, who is co-owner of a new speakeasy in town called The Hidden Door. Exactly where the door is and what’s behind it has much of Marblehead talking. Horvath and her husband, Todd, have managed several restaurants on the North Shore, but this is their first together. When they received a liquor license in 2019, they knew they wanted to capitalize on a ’20s theme once they bought a place and opened. “We’re drawing some inspiration from that era,” Todd said. To reach The Hidden Door, one might look for a fence near The Barrelman, which Todd Horvath us...

2Dec

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Business, Community resources, Culture, Entertainment, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Nonprofit corner, Recreation, Top Stories

Christmas Walk to step off with old favorites and new events

Marblehead’s 52nd annual Christmas Walk & Holiday Stroll starts Thursday, Nov. 30, and runs through the weekend with all the traditional highlights along with some new additions. Santa and Mrs. Claus meet with families at State Street Landing last year. COURTESY PHOTOS “We’re really happy to keep this awesome event going,” said Chamber of Commerce Director Katherine Koch. “The energy is definitely there.” Favorites from the weekend include the Christmas tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by lobster boat, parade, Gingerbread Festival, shopping and more. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by lobster boat. The Christmas Walk parade steps off on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 11:45 a.m. Glover's Regiment participates in the Christmas Walk last year. New events to look for...

30Nov

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

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

CURRENT EVENTS: 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...

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...

22Nov

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Art, Community resources, Culture, Entertainment, Life Style, Local News, Recreation, Top Stories

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets Nov. 22-29

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current Editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. Legendary journalist comes to Current eventWednesday, Nov. 29, 6 p.m. Michael Keaton played him in the Academy Award-winning movie “Spotlight.” Boston Globe editor-at-large Walter Robinson is coming to a special event and movie night with the Marblehead Current at the Warwick Theater. Meet Robinson and hear him speak about the power and importance of local, nonprofit news. Save your seat at marbleheadcurrent.org/spotlight. This event is sponsored by Marblehead Collision. A Night at the Gerry 5 VFASaturday, Nov. 25, 7 p.m. The Gerry 5 VFA, 210 Beacon St., invites the community to a specia...

16Nov

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Abbot Public Library, Community resources, Culture, Entertainment, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Recreation, Top Stories

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets Nov. 15-22

Sing Free A Cappella ConcertTuesday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m. Sing Free is MHS’ first a cappella concert of the season, featuring The Jewel Tones, Luminescence and The Grizzlies. The concert has been a tradition for several years, with many MHS alums home on Thanksgiving break coming to sing along. The concert is $10 for adults, free for students and children. Holiday FairSaturday, Nov. 18, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The Old North Church, 35 Washington St., is hosting its Holiday Fair with wreaths, crafts and holiday decorations for sale. Live and silent auctions will feature items like an airplane ride over the North Shore, a family photo shoot, a sailing trip to Manchester, handyman services and more. Lobster rolls and vegetarian rolls will be sold for lunch. Kids can create Thanksgiving ...

2Nov

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

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

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets Nov. 1-8

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current Editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. Rock the ArtsThursday, Nov. 2, 7-10 p.m. Support performing arts programs at Marblehead High School at the Rock the Arts gala at the KingHooper mansion. The evening will feature live music, raffles, appetizers and desserts. Wangari Fahari Trio at Me&TheeFriday, Nov. 3, 8 p.m. The contemporary African music of the Wangari Fahari Trio comes to the Me&Thee, 28 Mugford St. Wangari is a Kenyan singer, writer and activist who was mentored by Grammy award-winning South African singer Miriam Makeba and civil rights activist Joan Baez. Details and tickets at Meandthee.org. Taste of...

26Oct

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

Culture, Life Style, Local News, Recreation

What’s happening this fall at your Y

Raise a Racquet Raises Funds for the Y The Y’s annual Raise a Racquet Squash Tournament was held this month and this fun, friendly round robin team format raised more than $12,500 for the Y’s annual campaign which allows the Y to provide financial assistance to ensure that every family, regardless of their ability to pay, has access to all Y programs and services. This annual event is supported by many squash fans, including board member Pat Milner who was instrumental in making this event a success. A huge thank you to our court sponsors Crawford Fund Management and Stroud International for their generous support. Y members recently played in Raise a Racquet Squash tournament to support the Y. COURTESY PHOTO Trunk or Treat is Back Friday, Oct. 27 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Don’t ...

25Oct

By LvO Board member Phil GloudemansNo Comments

Community resources, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Recreation, Sports

Children’s Island revitalization begins

The first phase of a two-part, $1.3 million initial revitalization plan for Children’s Island, the Lynch/van Otterloo Y-owned day camp, has begun this fall with the site work and foundations for three new buildings scheduled for completion by next summer, announced Brian Flynn, Lynch/van Otterloo Y executive director. The new facilities include two multi-stall restrooms located at either end of the island and a cabin designated specifically for the 5/6-year-old “seal pups,” the youngest campers on the 25-acre island located in Salem Sound. According to Scott Faulkner of Groom Construction, the project’s general contractor, the crew will return to the island in the spring to frame and finish three new buildings before the start of the 2024 camp season. Jeff Tucker of Tucker A...

25Oct

By MHS Headlight reporter Aislin FreedmanNo Comments

Headlight, Recreation

MHS HEADLIGHT: Screemfest

Walking through the gates from the parking lot into the festivities, the smell of popcorn, cottoncandy, and fried dough greets my nose as the sounds of excited screams and joyous laughter fillsmy ears. It’s dark out, and there are skeletons and zombies on display around every corner. If you’ve ever gone to Canobie Lake Park, you know how lively and exciting it is. There aremore rides around every corner, people filling the walkways, eating chicken and popcorn. DuringScreeemfest, the park transforms. On top of all the classic roller coasters and fair rides, there arefive haunted houses to wander through. The haunted houses are wonderfully done, with tight hallways and lighting that changes withevery doorway you go through. Some hallways are trippy, like the hallway of mirrors, where ...