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Three finalists for Marblehead town administrator to face public interviews Nov. 4
30 Oct

Three finalists for Marblehead town administrator to face public interviews Nov. 4

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Top Stories
Three candidates with extensive backgrounds in Massachusetts municipal government will interview publicly Wednesday, Nov. 4, for Marblehead's town administrator position, as the Select Board moves closer to choosing a successor to Thatcher Kezer. The finalists are Kevin Harutunian, town administrator of Topsfield; Jennifer Callahan, former town manager of Oxford; and Clancy David Main, former Billerica town manager who now works in school finance in Haverhill. The interviews are scheduled for 5 p.m. at Abbot Hall and will be open to the public. They will also…
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From smarty pants to spilled beans, Village students put vocabulary on parade
30 Oct

From smarty pants to spilled beans, Village students put vocabulary on parade

Leigh BlanderEducation, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories
Who knew vocabulary could be so much fun? At the Village School on Thursday, sixth-graders transformed themselves into walking, talking words and expressions, lining the school track in costumes that brought everything from “Smarty pants” and “spill the beans” to “time is a thief” and “down in the dumps” to life. There were students breaking the ice, holding their horses, stirring up hornets' nests and getting caught red-handed. One student was thrown under the bus. Another was cool as a cucumber. And everyone had a…
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Halloween magic fills Marblehead’s streets as little trick-or-treaters take over
29 Oct

Halloween magic fills Marblehead’s streets as little trick-or-treaters take over

Leigh BlanderParenting, Top Stories
Marblehead’s business districts came alive with Halloween magic Thursday evening as hundreds of families flooded the sidewalks for the Chamber of Commerce’s annual trick-or-treat celebration. Little Winnie-the-Poohs, fairies, aliens and other costumed characters made their way from shop to shop, collecting candy and showing off their Halloween finery. At the Lee Mansion Gardens, glowing jack-o’-lanterns lit up the annual Pumpkin Illumination, as children dug into their candy hauls and sang along to Halloween tunes. The event is co-sponsored by the Marblehead Family Fund and Marblehead…
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Marblehead musicians help Symphony by the Sea celebrate 45 years
29 Oct

Marblehead musicians help Symphony by the Sea celebrate 45 years

Marielle SabbagArt, Culture, Entertainment, Top Stories
Symphony by the Sea may have moved its performances from Marblehead to Beverly, but the orchestra's hometown ties remain strong. As it celebrates its 45th anniversary season, three Marblehead musicians are helping bring its music to life. Flutist Carolyn Colby, violinist Sheila Vitale and singer and conductor Matthew Arnold are among the local talents contributing to the orchestra's 2026-27 season, which opens Nov. 8 at The Cabot in Beverly. Founded in 1981 by a small group of musicians, Symphony by the Sea has grown into…
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Select Board to interview town administrator finalists Nov. 4
29 Oct

Select Board to interview town administrator finalists Nov. 4

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Top Stories
The Marblehead Select Board will interview finalists for town administrator Wednesday, Nov. 4, 5 p.m., as the town prepares for the departure of Thatcher Kezer at the end of December. The interviews will be open to the public at Abbot Hall. They will also be available virtually. The town hired a consultant to assist with the searches for a new town administrator and finance director. The latter position has been vacant since Aleesha Benjamin left this summer. The screening committee, which includes Select Board member…
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Select Board seeks legal advice on closed-door override meeting
28 Oct

Select Board seeks legal advice on closed-door override meeting

Leigh BlanderTop Stories
The Marblehead Select Board voted unanimously Wednesday night to authorize town counsel to respond to an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by resident John DiPiano over a private gathering of town and school officials to review financial information related to the town's $15 million override. The complaint, filed Oct. 26, concerns an Oct. 19 meeting attended by Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer, Select Board Chair Dan Fox, School Committee Chair Kate Schmeckpeper, Assistant Superintendent Mike Pfifferling and Finance Committee Chair Molly Teets. During that meeting, Kezer presented…
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Fox: Marblehead spending on track, but most override-funded positions remain unfilled
28 Oct

Fox: Marblehead spending on track, but most override-funded positions remain unfilled

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Top Stories
Marblehead's finances are on track three months into the new fiscal year, according to a report released Wednesday, although most positions funded by the town's $15 million override remain unfilled and health insurance costs have risen 11% over last year. Select Board Chair Dan Fox said he is encouraged by the first financial review since voters approved the three-year override in May and remains confident the town can meet its commitment not to seek another general operating override before fiscal 2030. "I feel very confident…
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From Marblehead’s shores to Nordstrom: Local mom turns beach treasures into jewelry
28 Oct

From Marblehead’s shores to Nordstrom: Local mom turns beach treasures into jewelry

Marielle SabbagArt, Top Stories
What began as family outings collecting seashells along the shore has blossomed into a jewelry business for Marblehead resident Mikaila Howie, whose handcrafted creations are now sold on Nordstrom's website. Mikaila Howie creates handcrafted jewelry inspired by treasures collected along the shores of Marblehead and South Florida. COURTESY PHOTOS Howie, 37, has combined her background in fashion with her love of the ocean to launch The Lobster’s Daughter, a jewelry brand inspired by the colors, shapes and treasures of the sea. “I believe art is…
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Two Marblehead High juniors launch school’s first team to compete on GBH Quiz Show
28 Oct

Two Marblehead High juniors launch school’s first team to compete on GBH Quiz Show

Leigh BlanderEducation, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories
What country won the 2022 FIFA World Cup? Ancient Nubia was located in which present day country? And how many diagonals does a triangle have? If you answered Argentina, Sudan and zero, you might have what it takes to join Marblehead High School's newest team. Juniors Philip Gaber and Owen Fine, both 16, are bringing a little brainpower — and some friendly competition — to MHS as they prepare to take on high schools from across Massachusetts on GBH's "High School Quiz Show." The two…
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CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up
27 Oct

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up

Leigh BlanderAbbot Public Library, Art, Entertainment, Top Stories
Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email the Current at info@marbleheadnews.org. Trick-or-treat in the business districtsThursday, Oct. 29, 4-6 p.m. Grab your costumes and treat bags — the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses invite families to trick-or-treat through Marblehead’s business districts. Stop by participating shops for Halloween treats and festive fun. Pumpkin IlluminationThursday, Oct. 29, 4-6:30 p.m. The Marblehead Family Fund presents its 18th annual Pumpkin Illumination at the Jeremiah Lee Mansion garden.…
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