Sep 24, 2025 | Community
Photo (right to left): Kristal Ham and Melissa Stacey
Dear Discover Marblehead Readers,
As many of you know, three years ago my Discover Marblehead business partner, Amy Bucher Harrah moved to Italy to embark on a new adventure with her family. While she was living oversees, she was helping with social media and a few other things from afar, with the hope that after three years she would return to Marblehead. But life, as it always does, had other plans. Three years have come and gone, but Amy and her family decided to return to their home of Kansas City, MO to be closer to their families. Something I completely understand. So at the end of April, Amy officially resigned from our Discover Marblehead partnership.
While I’m very sad not to have my good friend, Amy, and her family back in Marblehead, and I am missing my shenanigans coordinator, I know that distance means nothing when it comes to our friendship. I’m so incredibly grateful for Amy’s partnership, her friendship, and her support all these years. You’ll be missed Amy! Looks like a trip to Kansas City is in my near future.
With regards to Discover Marblehead, I’m very happy to share that I’ve brought on a new business partner. It’s my pleasure to introduce to you, my friend and new Discover Marblehead business partner, Kristal Ham. Kristal and her husband, Tom, moved to Marblehead a couple of years ago and she loves this town as much as I do (ok almost as much as I do). Some of you may know and follow her @forever.a.nomad account on social media.
I’m very excited about this next adventure with Kristal and I know she is going to be a wonderful addition to Discover Marblehead. We have lots of fun ideas and plans…and we can’t wait to share them with you in the upcoming months!
Welcome to Discover Marblehead Kristal!
Be Well,
Melissa
Sep 16, 2025 | Businesses, Community, Gardening, House/Home Related
Tell us about Two Green Thumbs and why you started it. I’m a marketer by trade, but my love of plants started much earlier — learning from my grandmother how to nurture and care for all kinds of gardens. Over the years I’ve also worked with local florists, and the work that always lit me up most was creating and tending to seasonal flower boxes and containers. They have the power to completely transform even the smallest, most overlooked space — bringing color, life, and joy for months at a time. That inspiration is what grew into Two Green Thumbs.
What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? Know your customer. In Marblehead, that means creating plantings that fit our coastal light, seasons, and the way neighbors truly live.
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? There are so many beautiful spots here, but Fort Sewall wins every time for me. Dexter, my three-legged dog, and I walk there often. The harbor view, the changing light, and the friendly “hello’s” from neighbors make it a great place to sit and think, be inspired, meet neighbors, or just reset my brain.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? As a kid, I wanted to be a television chef, like my idol, Julia Child. I still love to cook and make fun seasonal cocktails for family and friends, but often, my meals for myself are something fast with minimal prep–fresh tomato on toast with some basil from my garden, or scrambled eggs, or a wacky combo of things in my fridge. I’m not above having cereal for dinner.
For More Information:
Two Green Thumbs
Founder/Gardener: Jennifer Jones
[email protected]
2GreenThumbsContainerGardens.com
Sep 10, 2025 | Businesses, Health & Wellness
Tell us about Lighthouse Fitness Studio and why you started your business. Exercise has always been a part of my life. As an adult, I discovered group fitness classes after we lost my Mom to breast cancer. It was a release for me, and it became the place where I found happiness again. I knew I wanted to find a way to bring that joy to others and help them feel well. That’s when I began a 16-year journey in educating myself to be the best instructor and champion for others that I could. I wound up becoming a director at Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA, and, 6 years later I set off to open my own group fitness and personal training studio, Lighthouse Fitness. My path has led me to some rewarding work. Working with folks with Parkinson’s, young adults with severe autism, and cancer survivors are proud parts of my career. Watching the people I work with achieve new goals is incredibly satisfying.
What’s the best piece of business advice you ever received? One of the best tokens of wisdom that has helped make my business successful is a quote from Olympic gold medalist runner Gail Devers, “Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” I’ve often found that the risk is worth it and you’ve just got to give it a shot. I’ve definitely had a few stumbles, but I’ve been really pleased with where the risks have led me.
What’s your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? I will always have great memories collecting sea glass with my children at Fort Beach, walking among the rocks and looking off at the Lighthouse across the Harbor. How lucky are we to be able to enjoy this beautiful place?
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Some might be surprised to know that I studied art in college. After several years in marketing, design and publishing, I happily changed paths into the fitness world. I love what I do, the people I connect with, and the role I play in making people feel good.
For More Information:
Lighthouse Fitness Studio
Owner: Kim Crowley
89 Front Street, Suite 211, Marblehead
LighthouseFitness.net
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