Sep 1, 2026 | Arts
Jennifer, tell us about your new book, Uprising. Set during the Peasant’s Revolt of 1381, Uprising, Book One of the Fitzjohn Duology, follows Blanche, a healer with second sight whose intelligence, resilience, and quiet determination place her at the center of one of England’s greatest historical mysteries. Publishing on September 1, 2026, this historical fiction story is akin to Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet or Philippa Gregory’s The Lady of the Rivers, but features a neurodivergent protagonist and steamy romance.
As the mom of two neurodivergent kids and a medieval enthusiast with articles in Vanity Fair, The Tudor Times, History Hit, and others, I’ve always wondered what life might have been like for neurodivergent people in the past. Contrary to the common assumption that those who were “different” in past centuries had only negative experiences, I wondered: what if an individual’s exceptional gifts helped them survive, changing their life positively and even altering history itself? The Fitzjohn duology explores the idea that neurodivergent people have always been part of society and have contributed in important ways, challenging the argument that autism is a new phenomenon. I focused my research on neurodivergent adult females, and during the process, I began to realize how my own neurodivergence has shaped my life. I’ve spent decades thinking my sensory sensitivities and other differences were failings. But writing Fitzjohn helped me realize I just feel the world differently than some others.
What are you most excited about with the launch of Uprising? There is a lot to be excited (and overwhelmed) about, but the thing that brings me the most joy is introducing Blanche Fitzjohn to the world. Blanche was a real person: the eldest, illegitimate daughter of the infamous John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster. History buffs will know that Lancaster’s children, including his illegitimate ones, were famous for overthrowing and killing their cousin Richard II, eventually bringing about the Wars of the Roses—the bloody civil war upon which Game of Thrones is based. But even though her half-siblings are major historical figures, history knows nothing about Blanche. Toward the end of Uprising‘s long publication journey, I started to wonder if Blanche’s story would ever be published. But what made me do one last rewrite, what induced me to send yet another batch of queries, was the memory of the real Blanche Fitzjohn. Her name has been virtually unspoken for over six hundred years, and it’s time for that to change.
We don’t know what Blanche was really like, and never will. In the fourteenth century, Blanche’s parents didn’t even record her birth date—no one did for girls—much less did historians record women’s activities. But, through my book, readers will know Blanche existed. Because of this gender-based gap in historical records, the goal of my writing is always to shed light on the experiences of women, particularly those who were different. As I said when I thanked Blanche in the book’s acknowledgements: “Imagining what might have transpired in your life has changed my own forever. You’ve existed in my brain for years now, and I have a feeling you’re not going away any time soon.” If even one person knows more about a forgotten female historical figure because of my books, I’m a happy writer.
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? As an avid runner, I’m a big fan of the Marblehead Rail Trail. I run it at least five times a week, year round. My longest run on this particular trail was 50 miles (Yes, I ran the Marblehead length 20 times in one day). We’re so fortunate to have a safe and beautiful foot and bike path right in our backyards, and I’m grateful to the town and its citizens for maintaining it.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? As mentioned above, I’m an ultramarathon runner. Although I’m not particularly fast, something about running soothes me, and I do a lot of my story planning and conceptualization on the trails. The longest race I’ve finished was 100 miles, which I’ve done twice. To answer people’s most common questions right off the bat: no, I don’t stop to sleep or rest while racing (100-mile races typically take me 28 to 30 hours), yes, I do eat while running (I take in 250 calories an hour), and yes, I use the bathroom in the woods.
Also, my first career was as an opera singer. Singing is actually what brought my husband and me to Marblehead, as he started working as the tenor section leader at Old North Church over 20 years ago while we were in Boston completing our master’s degrees—mine at New England Conservatory. We loved the town so much that we ended up buying a home here 14 years ago.
More Information
J.E. Rizzo, Historical Fiction Author
Book: Uprising
[email protected]
JenniferRizzo.com
Aug 17, 2026 | Arts, Kid Related
Stacey, tell us about your business and how you help/serve your clients. Slime Time Studios Marblehead is a boutique creative studio that offers a welcoming, stylish space where children, teens, and adults can unplug, get creative, and make lasting memories. We offer slime-making experiences, hands-on crafts, STEM activities, birthday parties, adult craft nights, and private events. More than just a slime and craft studio, our goal is to bring people together through creativity, conversation, and shared experiences. Every guest leaves with a handmade project—and hopefully a few wonderful memories, too.
On Friday, August 21st from 7pm – 9pm, we have our first Adult Craft Night. Come with friends, make new friends and go home with a beautiful pressed flower frame! Sign up at slimetimestudiosmhd.com/event-details/adult-craft-night
What inspired you to start your business? My daughter, Samantha, and I saw a need for more meaningful activities in our community. There weren’t many places where kids and teens could gather and be creative, and adults often had limited options for socializing outside of bars or restaurants. At the same time, we’ve noticed how much technology has replaced face-to-face interaction. We wanted to create a space where people of all ages could put their phones away, connect with one another, create something with their hands, and make memories they’ll treasure long after they leave.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in running a business? Since we’re still in our first year, we’re learning something new every day. If there’s one lesson we’ve learned already, it’s that building a business takes flexibility, persistence, and a willingness to adapt. We’re excited to see what the next five years have in store and know there will be plenty more lessons along the way.
What do you love most about Marblehead? Marblehead is a truly special community. People here have a deep appreciation for the town’s beauty, history, and small-town charm. There’s a strong sense of pride and connection that makes it a wonderful place to live, raise a family, and build a business. We’re grateful to be part of a community that values supporting local businesses and bringing neighbors together.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Although we’re excited to be opening Slime Time Studios in Marblehead, we’re actually just settling back into town after spending the past ten years traveling and living on the road. Coming home and opening a business that brings our community together feels like the perfect next chapter.
For More Information:
Slime Time Studios Marblehead
Owners: Stacey Barnes & Samantha Lendall
SlimeTimeStudiosMHD.com
May 20, 2026 | Arts, Marketing, Shopping
Patti, tell us about O’Hare Williams. For many years, I’ve enjoyed working with businesses and organizations. As a graphic designer, I work to create attention to the client’s messaging and their product with design, photography and illustration along with their social media posts and content. My focus is sharing my artwork with Discover Marblehead members, area residents and Marblehead visitors. I’m a fine artist who has spent most of my life in Marblehead. I find inspiration in the natural beauty and endless changes of the ocean that surrounds us here. I work to capture those nostalgic moments and places that hold a meaning for people. I paint landscapes, pet portraits and commission work in watercolors and acrylics. There is a selection of my work displayed at my studio here in Marblehead and at the North Shore Art Association in Gloucester. A commissioned mural is also at Caffe Italia on Bessom Street.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in running a business? The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to listen and focus on what a person is looking for. The artistic nature has a tendency to take things further than the intent and the client is then disappointed. I’ve learned to hone in to create art that fits the desire of the client and is satisfying to produce.
What do you love most about Marblehead? Marblehead has a way of being very charming. The working waterfront, the ever-changing tides, the quiet inlets along the water and the colonial homes all beckon to a story we can conjure to another time. This is what I love about living here in Marblehead.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Most surprising to people is that I was a courtroom artist for a murder trial held in the Middlesex County Courthouse in Cambridge. Three convicted men from Keene, NH committed a brutal murder in Tewksbury. This assignment included the probable cause hearing to sentencing for the Keene Sentinel and transmitted thru UPI wire service. The three men each received life sentences.
More Information:
O’Hare Williams
Patti O’Hare Williams
47 Ocean Ave, Marblehead
781-631-5960
OHareWilliams.com
Jan 19, 2026 | Arts
Tell us about your book Slim and the Notorious Mrs. Churchill. I wrote Slim and the Notorious Mrs. Churchill because I’ve always been fascinated by the quieter ways women have shaped history. Not the loud, official power with titles attached to it, but the kind that works through relationships, good instincts, taste, and timing. Long before we had words like “soft power,” women were already using it—and using it well.
The socialites of the 1950s were, in many ways, the original influencers. They understood that a dinner party could matter just as much as a boardroom, and that who you invited, who you didn’t, and who you sat next to each other could quietly change outcomes. Women like Slim Keith and Pamela Churchill Harriman moved through worlds where politics, money, and culture all overlapped, and they learned how to navigate those spaces with incredible skill—often without ever seeming to be in charge.
I really wanted to move these women beyond gossip and myth and show them as they actually were: smart, observant, strategic, and deeply aware of how influence works. Their stories are a reminder that soft power isn’t weak—it’s just subtle.
The book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and locally at Saltwater Books, which means a great deal to me.
What are you most excited about with the launch of the book? Honestly, I’m more nervous than excited. I’ve been working on this book for such a long time that it feels strange to let it go and see it out in the world. But I think the moment that will really hit me is walking into Saltwater Books and seeing it on the shelf. I spend so much time in bookstores and libraries that seeing my own book there will feel surreal—in the very best way.
What types of events and speaking engagements will you be doing with the launch of your book? I’m starting close to home with an author reading at Abbot Public Library on January 28 at 6:30 p.m., in the newly renovated space near the gallery. Saltwater Books will be there selling copies of the book. I’m really looking forward to sharing the book in such a familiar, welcoming place. I hope people will come—and maybe bring a friend. Also, two kind friends are holding book parties for me. One is a cosy potluck, and the other is a Dress-up as your favorite Swan from the book. I am really looking forward to both and am beyond grateful to have such kind people in my life.
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? This is such a hard question, because there are so many. Saltwater Books is an obvious favorite—it’s a tiny jewel box of a bookstore that never fails to lift my mood. I also love The Spotted Hound, where I can wander around forever and lose track of time. And I have to include The Yoga Loft, which feels like such a gift of a space to slow down and breathe. Truly, there are too many delightful places to name. I feel lucky every day to live here.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Probably that I’m an introvert. I’ve spent years in very social, outward-facing work, so people often assume I’m an extrovert—but really, I’m more quiet than people expect.
For More Information:
Tonya Walker, Author Spaker
Slim and the Notorious Mrs. Churchill
https://substack.com/@tonyaewalker
Dec 8, 2025 | Arts, Businesses, Community
Arnould Gallery is celebrating its 47th year in Marblehead! Gene Arnould, the owner, has been a defining presence in New England’s art community and a devoted champion of Marblehead’s cultural life. In his gallery, he’s created far more than a space to showcase art—he has built a welcoming hub that brings people together and enriches the town’s creative spirit. His commitment to the community extends well beyond the gallery walls, reflected in his active involvement in a number of Marblehead organizations and his ongoing support of local events, artists, and businesses.
Gene’s two businesses – Arnould Gallery and Brimblecomb Hill Bed & Breakfast – have been Discover Marblehead members since we first started back in 2018. He is a big supporter of all things Marblehead and local businesses, and a wonderful supporter of our community.
For Gene’s business spotlight with us, we wanted to share an incredible article by another Discover Marblehead member, NorthEast Experience. In this NorthEast Experience feature, they explore Gene’s enduring impact, his vision for the arts, and the role he continues to play in shaping the character and vibrancy of Marblehead – https://neexperience.com/framing-marblehead/
For More Information:
Arnould Gallery
Gene Arnould, Owner
111 Washington St, Marblehead
(781) 631-6366 or @arnouldgallery
Jul 28, 2025 | Arts, Gardening, Health & Wellness, Shopping
Tell us about your business and why you started it. Marblehead Sculptures & Gift Shop is a space where artistry and intention come together. Founded from a deep passion for stained glass, the transformative power of color, and the healing arts, the outdoor garden and gallery is designed to be a place of beauty, healing, and inspiration. Each meditation pyramid, sculpture, and stained glass piece is thoughtfully handcrafted to channel light and energy – carrying with it a purpose of positivity and upliftment.
What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? “Honor the energy of your creations, and the right people will find you.” That advice reminded me that success isn’t just about numbers – it’s about resonance. Staying authentic to my artistic vision, rather than diluting it to please everyone, has attracted the clientele that truly connects with what I offer.
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? My favorite spot is the garden at Marblehead Sculptures. Whether I’m sitting inside a meditation pyramid, listening to the soft trickle of the water garden, or watching sunlight dance through stained glass, there’s a deep sense of peace that settles within. It’s grounding and uplifting all at once – a space where art, nature, and spirit meet.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Most people are surprised to learn that I competed in – and finished – the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon World Championships. It taught me the power of endurance, commitment, and devotion to a bigger purpose, which now flows into everything I create. What many don’t realize is how much time goes into the framework, and creating each sculpture. These pieces aren’t just beautiful – they’re built to withstand wind, weather, and time. Both the Ironman and the sculptures require quiet focus, commitment, and devotion beyond the visible surface.
For More Information:
Marblehead Sculptures & Gift Ship
Ellen Epstein
[email protected]
MarbleheadSculptures.com
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