Marblehead Hits the Mark in Education

Not that this information would come as a surprise to those of us in Marblehead, but Marblehead is one of the state’s most educated communities according to data that comes from the American Community Survey compiled by WCVB-TV.

The survey looked at the percentage of residents in each of the communities in Massachusetts with graduate degrees or higher. Marblehead came out number 31 in the state. 30.7% of the residents who are 25 or older have a graduate degree – which is the highest percentage of any of the communities on the North Shore.

Seconsett Island has the most educated of all of the populations in the state. It has 63.6% of the adult residents with a graduate degree or higher.

Jungleplex for Fun this Summer

jungleplexIf you’re looking for activities for your kids this summer, Jungleplex might be just the right place. This is a 60,000 square foot playing space for activities. They offer soccer, martial arts, field hockey and baseball, among others. There is an arcade and a cafe as well.

They offer birthday parties, summer camp programs and more. It’s certainly worth checking out the opportunities and enjoying your time there.

Atlantic Ambulance Service Renews Contract

ambulancesSince December of 2008, Atlantic Ambulance Service, a division of Cataldo Ambulance Service, has been providing ambulance services in Marblehead. They just renewed their exclusive contract as of July 1 for another two years.

Cataldo Ambulance explains that it has a proven track record of working with community partners to ensure the health and wellness of the community members.

Wormtown Brewery Wins Awards

beersIf you’re a beer lover, you just might want to look at the Wormtown Brewery in Worcester. They were just named the Grand National Champion of the US Beer Open that took place in Atlanta on July 4.

Wormtown won gold medals for its Hopulence (Imperial IPA), Be Happy (American IPA) and Biere De Miele (Belgian/French Ale). It also won a silver medal for its ALS Farmhouse (Belgian/French Saison).

As brewer Ben Roesch said, “It wouldn’t be a stretch to say everyone at Wormtown Brewery was surprised. It’s only our second time entering. We’re certainly not known for Belgian beers – we really haven’t done too many of them – and to have push us over the top to win the competition was kind of cool.”

Marlbehead Run ShoeString Shoes Announced United Shoes of America

shoesOur very own Danvers-based ShoeString Shoes has just announced the launch of United Shoes of America. This is a children’s sneaker brand that is made 100% in the US with US materials and components. They have styles with red, white and blue colors and the collection debuted on July 4th.

As Marblehead resident Art Rogers, the general manager of ShoeString Shoes said,

“To celebrate the launch of our one-of-a-kind American-made brand, we are introducing this distinct line on the Fourth of July. Our shoes are entirely made in the U.S., drawing on expertise from component factories across many states.”

He continued, “The idea for United Shoes of America was born almost two years ago and has taken months of planning to bring these classic, American-styled shoes to market. We know that American consumers feel strongly about buying products made here at home and know this point of differentiation will resonate.”

Marblehead Rotary Club Awards Scholarships

The Marblehead Rotary Club has six scholarship recipients that have just been announced. The Marblehead Rotary Club gives out four to five one-year $1400 scholarships and one $1000 four-year Barbara and Randy Goodwin Memorial Scholarship each spring. The recipients are as follows:

Eli Neuman-Hammond will be going to Brown University. He is graduating from the John Dewey Academy with a 3.98 GPA.

Liam Gillis will be going to St. Anselm College. During her time at Marblehead High School, she was the captain of the varsity football, hockey and lacrosse teams. She also volunteered at summer sports camps and at Special Olympics programs.

Jennifer Nyemba Mulombe will be going to UMass Amherst and hopes to become a pediatric surgeon. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mulombe moved to the United States in 2005 and she graduated from Marblehead High School with a 3.7 GPA.

Grace Virginia Perry was the editor in chief of the Headlight, the Marblehead High School newspaper. She graduated with a 3.79 GPA and she is heading to UMass Amherst.

Nicholas George Carr will be going to Boston College. He graduated with a 4.4 GPA and was involved in many community service projects as an Eagle Scout.

Finally, this year’s Barbara and Randy Goodwin Scholarship went to Kirstin Rohde. She will be going to the University of Arizona to pursue a degree in criminal justice.

Success with the Marblehead Dollars for Scholars Annual Run

The Marblehead Dollars for Scholars recently had their third annual 5K Run and Family Walk. There were approximately 500 registered participants and they raised more than $12,000 for the Marblehead Dollars for Scholars, which is a charitable organization that provides financial need-based scholarships to students in Marblehead.

The overall winner was Brian Heenan and the first place female runner was Carrie Page.
The winners in each of the categories were:

Under 19: Oliver Jacob and Madeline Piela

Age 20-29: Jesse Scarborough and Caroline Caliri

Age 30-39: Tim McCormick and Courtney O’Connor

Age 40-49: Mike Lavender and Tammy Cook

Age 50-59: Dan Forster and Sally Reiley

Age 60 and Over: Jeff Averick and Ruth Ann Weidner

In a class by himself: Jim Greene

See the full story.

Activities for July in Marblehead

There is always something new and exciting happening at the Marblehead Museum and this summer is no exception. Here are some of the new ideas:

  • The Marblehead Museum, The Lee Mansion, the Museum Galleries, the J.O.J. Frost exhibit, and the Civil War & G.A.R. Museum will all have an open house July 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This will all be free of charge.
  • On July 4 at 11, the Marblehead Museum, with the Marblehead Festival of Arts, will have the Model Boat Building.
  • On Sunday, July 6, the Children’s Festival will take place at the Lee Mansion gardens from 10-1.
  • On July 5 in the Lee Mansion garden, local author Nila Webster will read from her books.
  • July 10, 17 and 24th from 6-8pm is a great time for Bette Hunt’s Walking Tours. They will leave from the Lee Mansion.

These are just a few of the many activities happening in the area in July. Get involved and enjoy!

Marblehead Rallies Around Girl with Cancer

WICKED LOCAL PHOTO / KRIS OLSON
WICKED LOCAL PHOTO / KRIS OLSON

Marblehead is rallying around a 13 year old girl in the area battling an aggressive form of bone cancer. The blue ribbons are adorning cars, flower pots, trees, fence posts, poles, churches and more. Megan is a Marblehead Community Charter Public School seventh-grader diagnosed with osteosarcoma.

In a statement, Megan’s family wrote, “She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma back in August last year and has been battling it ever since. Across the board, her nurses, doctors, friends and neighbors have been amazed at her indomitable spirit and grace through all that cancer has dealt her.”

Four women in the area called the “Ribbon Ladies” started the campaign. As one of the women, Louisa Greene, said, “We all are just blown away. We started this with a few friends and family, and everyone in town has been fabulous. It speaks to how close knit the town is, coming together for a child in their community.”

Megan is actually doing her own charity work while the community rallies around her. Her school recently hosted an event, “Rock for Meg” that raised thousands of dollars for a charity that helps kids who stay at Massachusetts General Hospital’s pediatric floor more fun.

Read the full article and see more pictures.

 

Chick-Fil-A Coming Our Way…Maybe

chick fil aIf you love Chick-Fil-A, you may be in luck soon in Marblehead. Representatives from Chick-Fil-A told the City Council recently that they plan to put the restaurant on Rte. 20 on the west side of the city. They plan to build the restaurant at 230 Boston Post Road West. This would be the third stand-alone in the state.

Other fast food restaurants, however, have tried to take claim to the space. The city approved the plans in 2010 for a Sonic restaurant. The company backed out, however, and the plot has been empty since then.

Chick-Fil-A is hoping to create a 4,876 square foot building with a drive through near the Wendy’s and Bank of America. The site is currently owned by the Gutierrez Company.

At the moment, the City Council has voted to send the proposal to the Urban Affairs Committee.  Time will tell what happens next and if the Chick-Fil-A will be coming soon.