Partnering with Council on Aging and Meals on Wheels
The Marblehead Rotary Club recently had a wonderful opportunity to partner with the Marblehead Council on Aging and Meals on Wheels to deliver a special treat to local Meals on Wheels recipients.
Partnering with Council on Aging and Meals on Wheels The Marblehead Rotary Club recently had a wonderful opportunity to partner with the Marblehead Council on Aging and Meals on Wheels to deliver a special treat to local Meals on Wheels recipients.Every Little Breeze Catering prepared more than 80 delicious lunches, and volunteers from both the Marblehead Rotary Club and the Council on Aging fanned out across town to make the deliveries. The best part, of course, was visiting the lovely and appreciative recipients who greeted us along the way. It was a simple afternoon of good food, teamwork, and community connection—and a wonderful reminder that sometimes a lobster roll delivered with a smile can make someone’s day! |
Happy 30th Anniversary to the Marblehead Harbor Rotary Club
Tricia Sullivan spoke to us about the Harbor Club’s relationship with the Rotary Club of Dhulikhel in Nepal and their joint plans to help with the Nepal Flood relief efforts. Donations can be made to the Nepal Relief Fund via the Harbor Club website. |
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Why We Run & Walk Who will you bring to the starting line? - Families & Neighborhoods: Bring all generations—from strollers to grandparents! Rally your street for a healthy autumn morning out together. Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026 |
A necessary foundation for resilience We were pleased to welcome a wonderful group of educational leaders and advocates to our recent luncheon: Superintendent John Robidoux, Assistant Superintendent Julia Ferreira, School Committee Chair Kate Schmeckpeper, and mindfulness practitioner Jean Skaane. They shared an inspiring look at an elementary school program helping our youngest students build foundational skills in attention, emotional awareness, and self-regulation—a necessary foundation for the resilience we hope every student can develop.Hearing directly from school leadership helps us figure out where our club’s support can do the most good. We love rolling up our sleeves to help out in the classrooms ourselves, and the funds we’re raising through our upcoming 5K run are meant to help scale this program so it can reach even more kids who could use it. Pictured from left to right: Rotarian Jack Attridge, President Aviv Hod, Jean Skaane, Kate Schmeckpeper, John Robidoux, Rotarian Nancy Gwin, and Julia Ferreira. |
It's a family affair Behind every Rotarian is a whole team of cheerleaders at home—buying tickets, volunteering, spreading the word, and showing up for community projects. It’s a family affair! Our recent luncheon was a wonderful reminder of this dynamic:- Jeannette A. welcomed her granddaughter Lilia, visiting all the way from Atlanta for her third Rotary lunch! - Emily S. brought her son August. Emily, who is planning to join our club, credits her earlier Rotary Fellowship in Brussels with opening up her world—and now she’s sharing that spirit with the next generation. - And, of course, the effervescent Millie, granddaughter of Nancy Gwin! Millie doesn’t just attend—she rolls up her sleeves and works hard as a true volunteer at our events, earning her the honorary title of Junior Rotarian. When we bring our loved ones along, community service becomes second nature! |
Obituary Curt Havens III We honor the life and service of Marblehead Rotarian Curt Havens III: entrepreneur, author, and co-owner of The Beacon. Curt’s fellowship, spirit, and contributions left a lasting impact on our club and town. With deepest sympathies to his family and friends.Read the full Obituary on the Marblehead Current… |
Save the Date for the 5K! Save the Date: Sunday, November 1st!The Marblehead Rotary 5K is back for its 4th year! Every autumn, our community comes together—bringing local schools, businesses, civic groups, and neighbors side by side for a common goal. This year, we are once again running to support the emotional and mental well-being of our youth, a mission that touches every corner of Marblehead. Pictured here are our 5K chairs, Nancy Gwin and Peter Speziale, kicking off the season of community togetherness! Mark your calendars for November 1st, tag your running buddies below, and stay tuned for registration details coming soon!
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Rotary Flag Exchange with a Twist of History A Rotary Flag Exchange with a Twist of HistoryA fun tradition gaining momentum with our newer members is collecting and exchanging Rotary club flags during their travels. More than just a souvenir, exchanging banner flags is a tangible reminder of Rotary’s global network—a shared commitment to service across more than 45,000 clubs worldwide. No matter where you travel, you’re never more than a degree or two away from a friend. Case in point: our new member Anne Stevenson recently visited the Rotary Club of Boston St. Botolph in Lincolnshire, England! Pictured here is the club President Kathleen Bryant (left) exchanging flags with Anne. The connection runs deep: most of the Puritans who founded Boston, Massachusetts, hailed from Boston, Lincolnshire, and attended St. Botolph’s Church. Among them was Anne’s 10th great-grandfather, Rev. John Cotton, who served as Vicar there before emigrating to New England. Of course, exchanging flags across the Atlantic came with a little historical irony—handing over our local club flag depicting American revolutionaries to our British counterparts was quite the moment! |
Helping With Food Insecurity Every August, Marblehead Rotary mobilizes for a great cause—and we’re getting to work!Food insecurity is a hidden crisis even in our own backyard. Between high living costs and the summer pause on school meal programs, local families are struggling—and our Food Pantry is feeling the strain. Hunger knows no zip code, and it never takes a vacation. That’s why Marblehead Rotarians are leading the charge with our August Food Pantry Drive, raising funds, shopping, and stocking shelves with the essential food and household supplies our neighbors need most. How You Can Help Make a Monetary Donation—the easiest way to support! The Food Pantry’s list of high-need items is long and very specific. If you’re short on time, please consider making a monetary donation instead. Your contribution allows our volunteers to purchase exactly what the Pantry needs most—and every dollar makes a difference. Together, we can make sure no family in our community goes without. Thank you for standing with our neighbors! |
Major August Heat? Major August heat? We’re keeping cool with a great Rotary lunch!We had a fantastic turnout last week, where we: Pictured (L to R): President Aviv, Marguerite Frank-Peper, John Godfrey, and Robert Zazzara. |
Lobster Raffle Wrap And that’s a wrap on another incredible summer fundraiser!Drawing the winners of our Annual Lobster Raffle—where four lucky winners each take home a 20-lb share of fresh local lobsters—is always a highlight of the season for our club. It’s the ultimate victory lap celebrating weeks of hard work, community support, and local spirit. We were thrilled to celebrate with our lucky winners, including Mike V. and Cameron B. (pictured here with his wife!), along with our crew over a luncheon at our club. An event like this doesn’t happen without a powerhouse behind the scenes. Swipe through to see our amazing Lobster Raffle Chair, Iana Plum, receiving her well-deserved “Rotary Oscar” for leading this year’s effort to victory. Every ticket purchased goes directly back into funding our local community initiatives, scholarships, and camperships. Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket, spread the word, and supported our mission this summer! |
Join us for our weekly lunches This picture captures exactly what makes our weekly lunches so special. Between the picturesque harbor view at the Boston Yacht Club and the great local speakers who teach us something new every week, it’s just a wonderful place to connect. We love seeing new faces join us—from the next generation starting out to long-time local business folks who care about what’s happening right here in town.From right to left, we have: - Andrea Lacroix (our District Environmental and RLI Chair), who gave us a fantastic, eye-opening talk on how we can all start “living beyond plastics.” - Aviv, our Rotary Club President. - Ava Pessadente, a recent engineering grad who is jumping right in to make a difference early in her career. - Alfred Wilson, the familiar face behind our favorite morning spot, The Muffin Shop! The Marblehead Rotary meets every Thursday at noon at the BYC. If you’re curious about what we do or just want to connect with some great neighbors, we’d love to have you drop by! |
Lobster Raffle 2026 Recap What a week! Here’s a quick look back at one of the most rewarding—and outright memorable—fundraisers our club has ever pulled off!It wasn’t just about the incredible ticket sales; it was about the community connection, the shared laughs, and the unexpected way a few lobster accessories can bring a whole town together. Beyond the camaraderie, it’s a brilliant reminder of how service inspires and unites us all for good. A massive shout-out to our fearless Chair, Iana Plum, and Co-Chair, Peter Speziale, for steering the ship. And our many sponsors! Of course, to the many hardworking Rotarians who proudly donned the weekend’s signature red, blue, and lobster fashion! For more photos, check out our Facebook post by clicking here. |
New Officers and Board Members Installed At last Thursday’s luncheon, the Rotary Club of Marblehead officially installed its officers and board members.This year’s leadership focuses on continuity, ensuring a consistent direction to seamlessly move our ongoing community work forward. Aviv Hod (far right) returns for a second consecutive term as President, providing a stable foundation while guiding the path for Vice President Peter Speziale (fourth from left). Pictured from left to right are: Secretary Brian Snell (first), Laney Dowling (second), Christiana Plum (third), Vice President Peter Speziale (fourth), Treasurer Nancy Gwin (fifth), Jack Attridge (sixth), and President Aviv Hod (far right). Not pictured but completing the team are Marsha Christensen and Andrew Gillis. With this steady transition and a shared vision, the board is ready to sustain our momentum in the year ahead. |
Our Famous Lobstah Raffle is Back! Taste of Summer: Our Famous Lobstah 🦞 Raffle is Back!That’s right, Marblehead—the Rotary Lobstah Raffle is officially back! If the gorgeous plate of cooked lobster in our photo hasn’t already convinced you, let us give you the best reason to get excited: it’s all for our local kids. Every dollar raised from this raffle goes directly toward funding camperships and scholarships right here in our community. To make this feast happen, we are teaming up once again with the incredible folks at Little Harbor Lobster Company. They’ve generously donated the ultimate prize: a 20-pound lobster 🦞 fiesta for FOUR lucky winners! We will be out in full force over the Fourth of July weekend with our kiosks set up downtown. Come track down our fabulous Rotarian crew, buy a few tickets for a great cause, and let’s kick off the holiday weekend together. |
Rotary Partners with the Marblehead Food Pantry Rotarians are dedicated to meeting the real, everyday needs of our community. While scholarships are vital, current economic realities mean basic needs like food security require urgent, hands-on support. Food insecurity is a quiet challenge that affects every community—big or small—and we are committed to making a direct impact where it matters most.Rotary Club President Aviv Hod (L) and Rotarian Linda Sullivan (R), a longtime champion for local elder care and food security, recently met with Marcy Schwam (C), the new leader of the Marblehead Food Pantry. Marcy has stepped in following the retirement of founder Janet Parker, who gave decades of extraordinary service to our town since 1991. To support their daily operations, the Rotary Club was delighted to check off two practical items on the pantry’s wish list: a refrigerator to safely store fresh produce and eggs, and a large wagon to transport supplies at Masonic Hall. We are incredibly grateful for the vital work Marcy and her volunteers do every day, and proud to partner with the Marblehead Food Pantry to ensure no neighbor goes unsupported! |
Local action and regional fellowship Our weekly luncheons are always a lively mix of local action and regional fellowship. You never quite know who you’ll meet at the table, but you can always count on a great conversation about making a difference.At one table, the focus was right in our own backyard with Tracy Darrin from the Friends of Marblehead Public Schools. Tracy shared the vital grassroots work they do to bring enrichment programs to our students and provide the crucial educational support that is so often lacking in the school system today. Because our club deeply believes in its mission to lift up local students, we are proud to share that we officially pledged our financial support to the Friends of the Marblehead Public Schools. At another table, we leaned into regional fellowship by welcoming Seán C. Kennedy, the current President of the Rotary Club of Framingham. His visit was a great reminder of a major perk of being a Rotarian: you are part of a massive global network of over 45,000 clubs worldwide. In that same spirit of swapping inspiration, our own Alison Richards has been on a mission to visit other Rotary clubs, picking up new ideas to bring back home to Marblehead, just as Sean did by visiting. |
From Doctors Without Borders to Our Local Bakery From Doctors Without Borders to Our Local Bakery!At Rotary, disease prevention isn’t just a talking point—it’s one of our core areas of focus. We’ve been in the trenches fighting to end polio for decades, so when the recent news of Ebola came to light, we were all ears to learn more about how these kinds of global health challenges are managed. As it turns out, we didn’t have to look very far to find someone who has actually been on the front lines. We had the pleasure of hearing from our fellow Marblehead resident, Katherine Dedieu. Today, you might know her and her husband as the talented folks behind Farine, baking incredible treats for our town. But Katherine has a remarkable history in global health logistics. Her journey started way back in 2003, when she worked on the front lines during the SARS outbreak. Years later, when the Ebola crisis hit Africa, she was right back out there with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). She was tasked with the incredibly intense, vital job of setting up protocols for the safe handling of the disease to keep both patients and medical workers safe. Hearing Katherine speak was a powerful reminder that while we enjoy the quiet comfort of our community, organizations like Médecins Sans Frontières are out there every day safeguarding the world’s most vulnerable. For us, her story hits home. Whether it’s Rotary working to end polio or Doctors Without Borders fighting Ebola, it’s all about people helping people, no matter how far away they are. We are so grateful to Katherine for sharing her journey with us—and for keeping our community both inspired and well fed! |
2026 Scholarship Recipients The liveliest luncheon of our year took place at the BYC this week, where we had the privilege of hosting our 2026 scholarship recipients and their families. This annual event represents the culmination of our work at Rotary: providing driven young minds with the financial foundation to pursue higher education. When we invest in our youth and keep them engaged, we take a tangible step toward a better, more resilient future.Congratulations to Marblehead Rotary's five outstanding scholarship awardees: Will Cruikshank, Chloe Rowland, Eldar Yakharou, Greyson Collins, and Eliza Kay. These recipients truly embody the values this scholarship celebrates: dedication, community spirit, and a passion for learning. |
The Mystery in the Room We had an incredible time two weeks ago welcoming Dr. Chuck Radis back to the Rotary! As a physician, humanitarian, and author of the new book The Mystery in the Room, Dr. Radis once again transfixed the room with his stories.His journey is a remarkable one, ranging from his life as a roving physician on the islands of Casco Bay to his deep humanitarian roots in Africa. Through the Maine-African Partnership for Social Justice (MAPSJ), he continues to bridge the gap between Maine and Africa, providing vital scholarships for immigrants in Portland and supporting public health programs for South Sudanese refugees in Uganda. The "Bates Crew" Reunion. The event was made even more special by the presence of his "band of brothers" from Bates College. This loyal group traveled in to support Dr. Radis during his presentation, hosted by their fellow classmate—our very own Marblehead Rotarian, Keith Taylor. Watching this group support one another was a testament to enduring friendship. Whether they are discussing empathy in medicine or hanging out like a tight-knit "Grateful Dead" style crew, their bond is as inspiring as the work they do for the community. It was a pleasure to host this group and hear such a powerful message of kindness and global service. |
Healing Abuse Working for Change We recently welcomed Julie Gerraughty, Director of Development at @HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change), who shared the profound impact this organization has had over the last three decades. For those seeking safety from domestic violence, HAWC has been a steadfast sanctuary—offering not just shelter and legal advocacy, but the education and support necessary to break the cycle of abuse for people of all genders.To support this enduring legacy, we are lacing up our sneakers for a morning of community action. * What: 34th Annual HAWC Walk & 5K Run * Where: Salem Common * When: Sunday, June 7, 2026 * Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Marblehead Rotary is proud to field a team led by Rotarian and long-time HAWC volunteer Heather Gold. While we love the spirit of the finish line, our true goal is to amplify HAWC’s mission and ensure their life-saving services remain available to every neighbor in need. Let’s move for a mission that matters. Whether you run, walk, or donate, your participation helps turn the tide against domestic violence. |
Welcoming 2 Sides Project At Marblehead Rotary, we believe that while the shadows of conflict last for generations, the cycle of enmity is not inevitable. We recently hosted the women of the 2 Sides Project, an incredible group connecting American and Vietnamese “Gold Star” children who lost their fathers on opposite sides of the Vietnam War. The nonprofit works with the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) to organize meetings in Vietnam between the two groups and builds Peace Homes for needy families in the places where their fathers died. Their story is a powerful reminder that we can choose connection over grievance, even decades after a conflict ends.To support this mission of reconciliation and, as part of our commitment to Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, our club, with a generous matching gift from Rotarian Linda Sullivan, is sponsoring a Peace Home in Chu Lai, Vietnam. That’s where the father of Marblehead resident Lynn McNally Dynice, USMC Captain Paul McNally, was killed on June 6, 1965. We’re proud to fund this peacebuilding work in Vietnam and look forward to sharing with you the home’s progress. Learn more: https://www.2sidesproject.com/ Photo credit: Michael Dynice. (Left to Right): Margot Carlson Delogne, Founder of 2 Sides Project; Lynn McNally Dynice, 2025 Trip Participant; Linda Sullivan, Marblehead Rotarian; and Kim Carlson Benner, Board Member. |
Rotary Easter Egg Hunt 2026 You’ve got to hand it to the Marblehead Rotary—we certainly like to stay involved. Looking back at our recent calendar, two events in particular offer a glimpse into the heart of what we do. First, there’s the stuff of local legend: Our Easter Egg Hunt—10,000 chocolate eggs, gone in five minutes! This morning at Seaside, the grounds were a sea of excited children and—true to our tradition—500 toothbrushes, thanks to Rotarian Corine Barone. With our mascots, Dolly the Chick, Cory the Bunny, and Donny the Duck, presiding over the chaos, we celebrated a decades-long legacy of simple fun. And just like that, the fields were left exactly as we found them: green and clean.But our work often extends to those moments the whole town feels called to support. On March 29, Marblehead Rotarians and the Interact Club were proud to cheer for Superhero JJ. Watching him in his roaring red sports car, surrounded by dozens of caped heroes, was a poignant milestone for everyone involved. To JJ Weiss and the Make-A-Wish Foundation: Marblehead was honored to celebrate you. Whether we are upholding a town tradition for the kids or showing up for a neighbor when it matters most, we are just grateful to be part of our community’s most important stories. For more photos, please see our post on Facebook… |
Easter Egg Hunt Postponed Due to forecast rainy weather, our annual Easter egg hunt is postponed to April 12th at Seaside Park at 1:30pm sharp. |
Submit Your Scholarship Application NOW The Marblehead High School Scholarship website as well as the Rotary Club Scholarship page are now active. Here are the links to both locations:Please follow the instructions on either page. The Marblehead High School Scholarship site has information on other non-Rotary scholarships as well. The deadline for students to apply is April 9, 2026.
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Red Cross Blood Drive The Marblehead Rotary Club is proud to sponsor our next Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Boston Yacht Club. For years, we’ve hosted this drive each Spring and Fall—transforming our luncheon space into a comfortable, private place for you to give blood. It’s simple, meaningful, and life-saving.Just one donation can help save lives. Can you help? See poster for full details. Please set an appointment, it’s quick and easy Give blood. Make a difference. |
Pink Balloons & Cupcakes You don’t usually see pink balloons and cupcakes at a business meeting, but that’s exactly what defines our club. While we are built on professional networking and community service, the real magic is treating each other like family. Last Thursday, we celebrated a baby shower for Pretty Meier, who also gave a fascinating talk on her work in drug development and clinical trials. It was a perfect reminder that we aren’t just names on a roster! We are a community of experts with evolving lives.Special thanks to the team who made it personal: Laney D. for the early morning decorating. Nancy G, for the beautiful cupcakes. Millie for the overall coordination. We also enjoyed having President-elect David Legere (Swampscott Rotary) join us to see how we balance “Service Above Self” with a “Family First” spirit. Any excuse to celebrate a member’s milestone enriches our gathering and strengthens our connection beyond the agenda. For more photos please see this post on Facebook… |
Is it fun? Who says the 4-Way Test can’t have a 5th?
We had a fantastic “exchange” at our last meeting! We were joined by (pictured, left) Paul Gardner and Rebecca Wiese, all the way from Decorah, Iowa! who shared their global service stories from Malta and Romania. Their club adds a vital 5th line to the 4-Way Test: “Is it fun?” (Spoiler: With Marblehead Rotary, it usually is.) Meanwhile, our own Alison Richards (third from left), presenting flags to our president, Aviv Hod (right) proving that “Visit Other Clubs” is the best way to learn, as she shares her Rotary club trek from Bal Harbour to Miami. It just goes to show: whether you’re from Iowa or Miami, the “wide web” of Rotary gets smaller every time we connect. |
RIP Helen MacLaughlin We mourn the loss of our fellow Rotarian, Helen MacLaughlin. Helen’s quiet kindness and lovely spirit brought smiles to many in our club. She will be remembered with gratitude and affection. Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this difficult time. |
Who's afraid of cold and ice? Oh my goodness — it’s still January! On January 15, Marblehead Rotary proudly recognized Alison Richards as a Paul Harris Fellow for her outstanding service. Since joining the club, Alison has brought new life to projects, from organizing the biannual Red Cross Blood Drive to championing major initiatives such as the 5K Run, Polio Eradication, and the Lobstah Raffle. She also serves as an ambassador for our club wherever she travels, always bringing fresh ideas and connections back home. Her energy and dedication help turn good intentions into real impact. We also welcomed our District Governor, Pooja Singla, whose visit gave us a chance to connect around Rotary’s shared mission. Rotary International's theme for the year, “Unite for Good,” perfectly reflects the spirit of our club — showing up for one another and for our community, no matter the season. For more photos please see this post on Facebook…
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B-I-N-G-O When the first snowflakes started to fall last Sunday, Marblehead Rotarians didn’t cancel plans. We doubled down. And our mission spelled one thing: B-I-N-G-O.B – Bring a big dose of good cheer I – Inspire with laughter, and presence N – Nail those numbers (winning matters) G – Go with the flow O – Oh my… are we having fun yet? For two hours, Rotarians gathered with the residents of Northeast Arc, playing bingo, cheering every win, and celebrating every small moment that makes the community feel real. Remember when winning a game as a kid felt like everything? That spark was alive in the room. And by the end of the afternoon, we weren’t quite sure who was happier—the players proudly holding their prizes or the volunteers who came to share the joy. Our deepest thanks to https://ne-arc.org/ and to Heather Gold and Suzanne Ryan, who have made this gathering possible year after year. They remind us that gratitude grows when it’s shared—and that goodwill, once given, always returns threefold. Not just fundraising, but showing up. Not just service, but presence. Snow outside. Warmth inside. Bingo, beautifully done. For more photos from the event, please see our post of Facebook… |
January may be gray January may be gray, but our first meeting of the year wasn’t. We kicked things off with guest speaker Lynn Krasker Schultz (C), shown with Rotarians, Charles Milner (L) and 2025-2026 President, Avi Hod(R) who introduced us to SPUR, a Marblehead-based nonprofit that makes volunteering refreshingly doable. Think: when you can, where you can, for as long (or short) as you’re able. Big heart, small time commitment — there really is something for everyone. |
Looking Back at the Past Few Weeks Looking Back at the Past Few Weeks | 2025Happy New Year! Over the past few weeks, Marblehead Rotarians have continued our Service Above Self tradition—supporting not only Rotary-led initiatives, but also community projects that bring people together for the common good. Isn’t that what the holiday spirit is all about? The photos say it best. We volunteered to deliver holiday greetings in person through the Edith Dodge Foundation; shared laughter, movement, and joy with Northeast Arc residents during a lively Zumba class; continued our long-standing partnership with the Red Cross by hosting our twice-yearly blood drive at the BYC; and supported our Fire Department’s annual Toys for Tots drive to help bring joy to local families. These end-of-year activities reflect our belief that service is strongest when it is shared. By showing up, working together, and supporting one another, we help strengthen and amplify the spirit of giving throughout Marblehead. For more photos please see our post on Facebook… |
Peace & Joy Whatever you celebrate, wherever you are, may we all take this moment to nurture peace and joy in our families, our community, and beyond.With warm wishes of the holiday season from the Marblehead Rotary family! |
Zumba Recently, Marblehead Rotarians joined residents of Northeast Arc for a joyful Zumba session led by @James D’Ambrosio of the Merman of Boston. There was no shortage of slides, shimmies, twists, jumps, and 100% energy and fun. It was an unforgettable experience filled with movement, laughter, and connection.@Northeast Arc is dedicated to supporting people with disabilities in living full, meaningful lives, and this event was a powerful reminder of what happens when our community comes together with openness and joy. A heartfelt thank you to the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore for generously providing their beautiful, sea-view dance hall. The space and the spirit, made the event truly special. This is the kind of inspiration that fuels Marblehead Rotary. Expect more collaborations as we continue to bring together organizations across our local towns to do good, strengthen community connections, and create moments that matter. For more photos please see our post on Facebook… |
Philip Wilson Polio Survivor Philip Wilson (right), a Rotarian and polio survivor, visited our club for the second time to continue advancing Rotary’s longstanding effort to eradicate polio. Speaking from lived experience, he offered a compelling reminder of the devastating impact of the disease and the critical interventions and support that enabled him to rebuild his life. His message reinforced the importance of sustaining our commitment to this global initiative. As Rotarians, his story calls us to remain informed, engaged, and steadfast in carrying forward the mission that has defined Rotary’s work for decades—until the job is truly finished. With him from left, Aviv Hod, Rotary president; Linda Sullivan, Marblehead Rotarian and the Polio Plus coordinator for the district; and seated is Carlos Robledo, Beverly Rotary Club, who is part of the team working alongside Philip to continue educating our members about polio and Rotary’s eradication efforts. |
5K for Mental Health In a powerful show of community solidarity, our club, Marblehead Rotary’s 5K for Mental Health, saw a record-breaking turnout on November 2, with 200 runners lacing up to raise $50,000. Now in its fourth year, the event is the linchpin for funding the "Inner Explorer" mindfulness program, providing critical mental health tools for every student in Marblehead Public Schools, including Cohen Hillel and Tower Schools.The true heartbeat of the race was our community itself. The event was powered by the "all-hands-on-deck" effort of the Marblehead Rotarians and assisted by local students from organizations like Interact, who managed logistics with smiles and efficiency. From the starting line at Crocker Park to the finish at the Boston Yacht Club, where participants enjoyed hot dogs and clam chowder, the atmosphere was one of collective purpose, fueled by the sponsors, donors, and hundreds who signed up to run or walk. “This was absolutely our best event ever,” said Rotary organizer Nancy Gwin. “We even ran out of t-shirts, which is a first.” A touching highlight was the story of one family that saw three generations medal in the event—a powerful testament to how the race resonates across ages. This spirit was echoed in the broad participation, which attracted everyone from infants in strollers to longtime community contributors. The communal effort was further amplified by supportive gestures from local officials. Board of Health member Tom McMahon, for instance, helped drive participation by pledging to donate $25 for every runner who beat him, ultimately contributing $350 to the cause. The top finishers and their achievements, alongside every participant's effort, contributed to the event's success. 2025 Race Winners: Top Female: Kristen Genbron, 2nd Overall Female: Eleanor Morgan, 3rd Overall Female: Megan Eaton Top Male: Will Herlihy, 2nd Overall Male: Isaac Durand, 3rd Overall Male: TJ Waters Beyond the times and trophies, the day was about a shared mission: to destigmatize mental health and equip Marblehead’s youth with the tools they need. For more photos please see our post on Facebook… |
Marblehead's Got Talent 2024 |
In the Event you Have too Much BloodJoin us on Monday, November 13, 2023 between 10AM and 3PM at the Boston Yacht Club (1 Front Street, Marblehead, MA) to give a little something something (that would be blood). Give blood because you're awesome and get a free pair of Elf/Red Cross Socks because your feet are awesome. Call 800-RED CROSS, go to RedCrossBlood.org or download the Donate App to make an appointment. If you can't figure out any of those, send me an email and I'll walk you through the process. We need your blood. There will be a lot of helpful Rotarians as well as some most awesome Red Cross personnel there to help. We will have treats like cookies, gummies, crackers, pretzels and drinks for you to relax with while you're waiting or after you're done scoring a pair of Elf/Red Cross socks or if they're out of those, maybe a tshirt. Worse case you get get some Oreos and a water or juice. Please make an appointment. You must be at least 17 years old to donate to the general blood supply, or 16 years old with parental/guardian consent, if allowed by state law. There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities.
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Marblehead 5K for Mental Health
Last year Congressman, Seth Moulton gave a meaningful talk on the importance of taking care of our mental health right before the race, he said “We want to help equip kids with a set of life skills to deal with anxiety, stress and depression.” This year with nine Marblehead schools supported, we're continuing to do what we can to maintain this support. Please join us on November 5th. Marblehead Collision, Bluestone Capital and Marblehead Bank are our sponsors this year's event. The race will start and finish at the Boston Yacht Club on Sunday, November 5, 2023. The race begins at 11 AM. Please remember that on Sunday, daylight savings time ends, and our clock falls back, so please be mindful of the time! If you have any questions, please email Nancy Archer Gwin at gwinnancy@gmail.com https://www.racemenu.com/events/223110-The-Rotary-Club-of-Marblehead-5K |
Don Dowling's First Day on the Job When the world is on fire, we need some touch of lightness. Don Dowling's first day on the job was giddlingly fun! As president, he promises not only to double his effort toward worthwhile causes we champion but to revitalize the "fun" department of the club. The day's first order was a compelling presentation by Bobby Dowling on fun facts about Lego. Bobby probably was the youngest Rotary speaker in our district! Did you know that there are around 400 billion LEGO bricks on Earth? How many pieces make a Millimuim Falcon? Answer: 7,541 pieces. How much does it retail for? Answer: $849.95. Go, Don! Photo: Elle (left), Don (middle), and Bobby (right) #allmarblehead #marbleheadrotary #district7930 #legoforlife #marbleheadyouth #rotaryfun #rotaryfamily |
Marblehead Rotary Clock Thursday, May 11, at 11 AM, we will officially cut the ribbon and present a gift to our beloved town of Marblehead, a Town Clock, to commemorate our 100th Anniversary. It was installed two days ago in front of the National Grand Bank on Pleasant Street. It will be hard to miss it. We hope to see you there. More news and details of the story of the town clock installation and our long history of philanthropic engagement in the community after tomorrow are forthcoming. Watch out for it. |
ClubRunner Website Editing TrainingTestWe talked about how to edit websites in ClubRunner... We also talked about Supporting the Environment. It was a pretty cool meeting.
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Club recognized for contributions to The Rotary Foundation Holiday cheers came early at Marblehead Rotary, as our District Governor, Terry Curran (second from left), showered our club with recognition in many areas of contributions to Rotary Foundation 2020-2021. Among them: Marblehead Rotary is one of the handfuls of clubs to achieve the district's top three highest per capita on annual giving and for individual member participation. In addition, the Marblehead Rotary was recognized as one of the top contributors to the district’s campaign for the Rotary Foundation’s “End Polio Now” fund-raising campaign. Accepting these citations is the past 2020-2021 president, Arthur Schwartz (right), whose leadership steered the club in staying the course during the challenging year of the pandemic, and Blair Lord (left) the 2021-2022 club president. |
District Polio Committee Get-Together The Polio sub-committee met recently at the Marblehead Club’s luncheon meeting. The working group is chaired by Ingrid Brown (second from left), Past District Governor of District 7930 (2009-2010), and the District 7930 Rotary Foundation Chair (2013-2016). With her are Marblehead Rotarians (left): Rosie Segil, Marsha Christensen, and Jeannette Andrews. In the wake of the COVID-19, a program plan is essential to reinvigorate support to the Rotary Foundation’s mission in continuing the 30-year-old promise to a Polio-free world. |
Special Webinar: Q&A with Phil RuckerOn August 11th, the Marblehead Rotary Club hosted a special webinar for it's weekly meeting via Zoom. Our guest was Pulitzer-Prize winner & White House Bureau Chief for The Washington Post, Mr. Phil Rucker. Mr. Rucker previously has covered Congress, the Obama White House, and the 2012 and 2016 presidential campaigns. Rucker also is co-author of "A Very Stable Genius". He joined The Post in 2005 as a local news reporter. Mr. Rucker was being interviewed by two local journalists, Christine Stevens of the Marblehead Reporter and William Dowd of the Salem Gazette and Swampscott Reporter. Webinar attendees had the opportunity to submit questions in advance upon registration, and also to submit questions via chat during the webinar. Host for the evening was Arthur Schwartz, the President of the Marblehead Rotary Club. |
Rotary Youth Exchange Presentation by MurielOn July 21st, 2020, Muriel, our Rotary Youth Exchange outbound student for the 2019-20 high school year, delivered an amazing report about her experience attending a high school year abroad in Switzerland: If you are a Marblehead High School student and are interested in spending the 2021-20 high school year abroad, please check out the following website for information on how to apply: https://rye7930.org/long-term-application And, yes, we know that it may be daunting to think about going abroad a year from now. However, we promise that we will be 100% focused on your health, safety, and well-being. Please see our FAQ about COVID-19: https://rye7930.org/long-term-faq
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Arthur & D.W.Being creative is a serious business at Marblehead Rotary! This week, to welcome Arthur Schwartz to his new role as president, Rotarians Linda Sullivan and David Deutsch presented a surprise parody of Marc Brown’s iconic public TV cartoon series, Arthur! Both donning life size head masks of D. W. (Dora Winifred) and Arthur respectively, they enthroned Arthur Schwartz “live” in front of our Rotary Zoomies! Fun breeds creativity; creativity drives members’ engagement - critical as we further navigate the current state of new normal.#rotaryfun #arthurfanclub #marbleheadrotary #district7930 #arthurforpresident ![]() |
Anthony SilvaNow retired and former award-winning long time WBZ News Radio 1030 anchor and business editor, Anthony Silva, visited our weekly meeting through Zoom and delighted us with his storytelling. Our club president, Arthur Schwartz, has planned to enlist inspirational speakers as guests to our weekly meeting on a regular basis. #marbleheadrotary #rotary #rotaryzoommeetings #peopleofaction ![]() |
Breakout meeting on district/global grantsFirst session of our breakout meeting. In-person brainstorming and basking in the warmth of camaraderie and sunshine.#rotaryworks #marbleheadrotary #rotarygrants #stopthespread #wearamask #maskisamust ![]() |
Meet Arthur SchwartzOur club installed a new President, Arthur B. Schwartz, last week! Even before he was officially named, Arthur was already acting President since March, a week before the lockdown was imposed. He took on a critical role during the difficult time of isolation to make sure that Rotary would continue doing what it does best, connect with community members to offer support where it’s needed. In the past three months, Rotary worked successfully with Council on Aging to secure food provisions for our town’s elderly; co-sponsored a Red Cross blood drive with our local YMCA this upcoming July. His interaction isn’t limited to the time and effort he puts into Rotary as a volunteer, but he also invests in it. A Paul Harris Fellow (PHF+8) and Major Donor, Arthur (shown with his pup Cooper) will be an invaluable asset to our club and to our community of Marblehead! ![]() |
Supporting The EnvironmentWe are proud to announce a new area of focus: supporting the environment. Providing our members more ways to bring about positive change in the world. Learn more: https://on.rotary.org/3i4zNxl
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Red Cross Blood Drive July 19 10AM-3PMSave a life by giving blood. Help our country reopen. The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations. Marblehead Rotary and Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA are sponsoring a blood drive on Sunday, July 19, from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. ADVANCED APPOINTMENTS REQUIRED. NO WALK-INS. Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter "schedule an appointment": https://www.redcrossblood.org/ Call 1-800-Red-Cross (1-800-733-2767). ![]() |
We Are Selling Lobstah Raffle Tickets!![]() Come and buy your Lobster Raffle Tickets to help us raise funds for scholarships and camperships at these three locations in downtown Marblehead in front of:
In addition, tickets are also available at Arnould's Gallery, Marblehead Bank, Worldly Pets, and the Chamber of Commerce information booth. |
The Annual Lobstah Raffle is Back! |