Jul 13, 2026 | Community, Food
Tell us about the Marblehead Food Pantry and how you help/serve Marblehead. The Pantry is a non-profit 501 3C that is 100% volunteer. We rely on the Marblehead community for donations, both monetary and in nonperishable food. We service Marblehead residents that are in need of supplemental grocery items. Our distribution days are Tuesdays 9am – 11am and Thursdays 5pm – 7pm. We service approximately 70 households weekly at the Star of the Sea Parish Center.
What are some of the changes that have been made in the last year? There have been some wonderful enhancements to our service and program over the past year. The biggest is a newly renovated pantry – we had our location cleaned and painted with all newly built shelving and a new floor installed. There is now more room on the shelves as well as a bright fresh atmosphere. We also have a wonderful group of new volunteers that are active and available to assist with a number of tasks. The pantry has become much more integrated with the community as we’ve met with many organizations such as Discover Marblehead. Another real plus for the Pantry is the organization of an elected Board of Directors. The pantry is now operating as a full organization and holds regular meetings to address needs and issues. We’re very fortunate to have partnered up with the Salem Pantry, and the Salem Mobile Pantry visits our location once a month offering fresh produce and a protein.
How did you get involved as the President of the Food Pantry? I started to volunteer at the pantry when I retired from corporate life. When our former Director had to step away, a meeting was assembled for those who could attend to discuss what to do – there was no plan in place. I had thoughts of how it should be run, but in no way wanted to undertake the task. I kept thinking of my father’s moral compass and what he would have told me. Long story short, I took the plunge and haven’t looked back.
Marcy, what is the biggest lesson you’ve learned since stepping into the President role? Have trust in your volunteers and ask for help. It’s absolutely not a one person job. Also, have faith in your community, that they will rally and get your organization over the hump – for example the SNAP debacle this past fall. .
What do you love most about Marblehead? It’s a close community that shares both joy and sorrow. There are resources here for everyone from the 65+ community to mental health services to things like the pantry.
More Information:
Marblehead Food Pantry
Marcy Schwam, Board President
80 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead
Mailing Address: PO Box 233, Marblehead
MarbleheadFoodPantry.org
May 29, 2026 | Community
Tell us about The MOVIEMENT and what inspired you to create the film. The MOVIEMENT is a climate action engine – a narrative feature film and empowerment platform to bring people-powered climate action to the big screen. It began with a simple realization: people care deeply about our climate crisis, but many feel overwhelmed or unsure what to do about it. So we’re creating a vehicle to reach people through the emotional power of storytelling, which can move people in ways facts and headlines don’t. The MOVIEMENT is designed to inspire audiences and, as the end credits roll, give them a smooth path to simple, high-impact actions on climate and democracy. It’s not just a movie – it’s a movement.
How do you hope The MOVIEMENT will impact the community? We’re planning to film the movie in Marblehead which will bring economic benefits and some excitement to our community. After co-founding Sustainable Marblehead to preserve our past by protecting our future, my hope is that The MOVIEMENT will help put Marblehead on the national map as an exemplary sustainable community. And more broadly, I hope The MOVIEMENT will help people feel empowered that their actions to drive systemic change matter – that they can make a positive difference.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned while creating this film? The biggest lesson I’ve learned in creating The MOVIEMENT is that building a powerful action engine takes persistence, resilience, and faith in your vision. My wife, Kelley and I wrote the screenplay for the movie, and we’ve had many learning moments along the way. I’ve also learned that people genuinely want to help when they’re invited into something hopeful and empowering. When you combine purpose with collaboration, doors open, partners emerge, and momentum builds in ways you didn’t predict at the start.
What do you love most about Marblehead? What I love most about Marblehead is it’s truly unlike anywhere else in the world – a town of extraordinary beauty, revolutionary history, and vibrant community spirit. There’s something profoundly grounding about living next to the ocean in a place where people know how lucky they are to be here. A favorite Marblehead summer outing for Kelley and me is taking our tandem kayak out for an adventure.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Most people don’t know that I built and ran a 16-track recording studio during my twenties. In addition to writing and recording my own music, I produced numerous bands and artists, and co-produced a compilation album of Massachusetts bands, Big Fish in a Little Sea, with artwork by Mirage Studios – creators of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Still a producer, I wrote the theme song for The MOVIEMENT, which we’ll record later this year.
More Information:
Healthy Home Healthy Planet / The MOVIEMENT
John Livermore, President & Founder
[email protected]
(617) 575-9536,
TheMOVIEMENT.org
Jan 12, 2026 | Activities, Businesses, Community, Events, House/Home Related
Tell us about Mabel of Marblehead. Mabel of Marblehead is a concierge, community, and collaboration company that curates experiences and connections for women. We host events and workshops, design special moments, and share local recommendations that help women learn, grow, and connect — all while highlighting the businesses and people who make Marblehead shine. I started Mabel to answer the question: “what should we do?!” – oftentimes we want to get together with friends and don’t want to go out to eat or sit at a bar. If there was an option in town to do something fun (or even different) that’s beautifully created and well executed, I knew people would come. Similarly, if you’re new to town or in a new stage of life, finding a group of women who are eager to learn and grow and connect with each other can be difficult. I created Mabel to empower women in the North Shore to build a community that really fit them – through beautiful events that inspire them to create beauty in their world as well.
What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? If you have an idea, don’t wait, you need to put it out there and get started. Focus on effort over perfection and you’ll attract people and opportunities based on the vibe you, plus your business are putting into the world.
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? Sentimentally speaking, it would be Tony’s Pizza because my family has been eating there for as long as I can remember. But today I have a few frequented hot spots: coffee + breakfast: Mookies, shopping: Local Noon + Hunt+Gather, pampering: Organic Nails, exploring: the Rail Trail, dinner: 5 Corners, after dinner drinks: The Hidden Door
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? I spent 20 years living in San Diego. The soul of a North Shore girl with the heart of a California girl.
For More Information:
Mabel of Marblehead
Erin Spinucci, Owner
[email protected]
MabelofMarblehead.com
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
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
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