Life coach helps kids build confidence through singing

BY CHRIS STEVENS

Molly Williams never thought she could be a musician. The gremlins in her head kept her doubting herself but when the life coach managed to conquer those gremlins and beat back her anxiety, she knew she had a bigger mission than just music.

Miss Molly’s Music Magic is a program aimed at helping young girls, ages 9 and up, find their voice, literally, and their confidence through music and live performances. It’s also about learning how to deal with anxiety, facing your gremlins head on and learning to listen to your wise old owl.

“This program might be one of the greatest things I’ve done,” said Williams, who is a professional life coach with an adult version of her tween program but prefers to think of herself as a Stress-Reduction Crusader and Ambassador of Joy.

On a recent Monday, a handful of Shooting Stars, what Williams calls her gang of girl singers, let themselves into her apartment where mic stands were at the ready and the magic carpet was waiting. The girls were eager to sing but for Williams, the music is really just a tool.

“I’m very clear with my parents, I’m not a music teacher, I’m not a theater director, I’m a life coach,” she said. “I’m going to help your girls build selfconfidence, I’m going to help them address their anxiety and their stresses. I’m going to help them see themselves for who they are.”

The music, the singing, is merely the backdoor to the coaching, she said.

But for the girls, it’s everything.

The magic

Before the girls get to work on their signature song, the song they pick that represents them, that they will perform one day in public, “they have to do the process,” Williams said.

Her most important tools, she said, are two stuffed creatures, a “wise-old owl” and a green gremlin, which represents grief, guilt, rotten, sticky thoughts and feelings of isolation.

She calls the girls to stand on the magic carpet, a heart shaped pink shag rug in the middle

The Current welcomes submissions (150-200 words) to News in Brief. Send yours to info@ marbleheadnews.org.

St. Andrew’s rummage sale

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church invites the community to its rummage sale on Saturday, May 13 from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., followed by a Stuff-a-Bag event from noon to 1 p.m. The sale will take place at St. Andrew’s Church, 135 Lafayette St. The venue is accessible to people with physical disabilities.

Available items include adults’ and children’s clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, electronics, small appliances, tools, linens, lamps, kitchen items, toys, games, puzzles, holiday items, gardening and sports items, artwork, vintage items and small furniture. A boutique will offer special items for sale. The event will not feature books or large furniture. Proceeds from the sale will support the missions and ministries of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

Jazz at the Marblehead Arts Association

The Marblehead Arts Association and Gene Arnould are presenting a performance for their Jazz Concert Series.

On Thursday, May 18, the Laszlo Gardony Trio will perform at the MAA, 8 Hooper St. Laszlo Gardony, a jazz pianist and composer from Boston, will be joined by Yoron Israel on drums and John Lockwood on bass. Tickets can be purchased online or in advance at the MAA or Arnould Gallery, 111 Washington St., for $35 per adult, which includes access to a cash bar and light refreshments.

Real estate taxes

Residents of Marblehead are reminded that real estate taxes for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023 were due on Monday, May 1.

Checks should be made payable to the “Town of Marblehead” and mailed to:

Tax Collector Town of Marblehead P.O. Box 806

Reading, MA 01867-0406

Alternatively, tax payments (checks only) can be dropped off at the revenue window or placed in the red mailbox at the Mary Alley Municipal Building, 7 Widger Road.

Online payments can be made through City Hall Systems at bit.ly/3VdzmVt or via the town’s website at marblehead.org by selecting “Pay Bills” and following the instructions for “Property & Excise Tax Payments.”

For any questions regarding tax payments, contact the Tax Collector’s Office at 781-631-0587 or email revenue@ marblehead.org.

‘MarbleShred’ open on May 13

On Saturday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to noon, Marblehead Bank will hold its annual “MarbleShred” event, a free community shredding day for the public at its 21 Atlantic Ave. office.

According to the bank, attendees can bring a maximum of two standard or bankers-size boxes of documents. Please refrain from bringing cardboard, food waste, paper plates or paper towels.

In conjunction with the shredding event, the bank will host a food drive to benefit the Marblehead Food Pantry, accepting cash donations and essential items such as peanut butter, boxed pasta, mac and cheese, canned vegetables, rice, cereal, tuna fish, spaghetti sauce, canned chicken and soup. The event will take place rain or shine.

Celebrating spring

A new exhibit entitled “Anticipating Spring” is on display at the Marblehead Natural Healing Center. The exhibit showcases the floral paintings of local artist Linda Lea Bertrand, a plein air painter who finds inspiration in the gardens, wildflowers and cherry trees around town.

Bertrand’s paintings will be on display at the center for three months, from April 14 to July 15.

The exhibit also includes seascapes and portraits, which can be viewed on Bertrand’s website at lindaleapainting.com. A reception with the artist will take place on Sunday, May 7, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Road Race Series returns

The Marblehead Road Race Series is set to restart in 2023, featuring four 5K road races between May 21 and Nov. 5, offering participants the opportunity to compete, win prizes and support charitable causes.

The series, launched by Marblehead resident Bill Park and active from 2013 to 2019, was paused during the pandemic.

With road races resuming in 2022, Park and three other race organizers are relaunching the series to foster collaboration, exchange ideas, and build a community among running and walking enthusiasts.

Participation in the Road Race Series is free, aside from individual race fees. Participants who register for and complete all four events will be eligible for a hooded sweatshirt, with potential prizes for overall winners.

The four 5Ks include:

May 21, Head to the Hill 5K: Sponsored by Lynch/Van Otterloo YMCA, supporting YMCA Corner Stone, a program providing support to cancer patients, survivors, and families. Register at bit.ly/3oNdxA1

» Oct. 1, Run for the Fund 5K: Sponsored by Marblehead Dollars for Scholars, supporting need-based college scholarships for local students. Register at bit.ly/3n8XmNc

Oct. 14, Miles for Mary 5K Walk/Run: Sponsored by Miles for Mary, supporting brain cancer research at Mass General Cancer Center in memory of Mary Park. Register at milesformary.com

» Nov. 5, Marblehead Rotary Club: Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Marblehead, supporting a mindfulness program for the mental health and well-being of Marblehead youth. Register at bit. ly/3NjgeDP

Community Golf Day rescheduled

The Marblehead Select Board invites you to participate in the Community Golf Day, which has been rescheduled to Monday, Oct. 23, at Tedesco Country Club, 154 Tedesco St. Registration begins at 10 a.m., with an 11 a.m. tee-off, rain or shine.

The $175 player fee includes a round of golf with a cart, a box lunch, a post-play celebration with awards, hors d’oeuvres and beer or wine. To learn more, visit bit. ly/3ZWr8Sm.

The event supports the Marblehead Counseling Center, which has served Marblehead, Swampscott and surrounding communities since 1969. MCC provides mental health counseling, family support services, community education and charitable assistance.

Driftwood Garden Club

On Saturday, May 13, the Driftwood Garden Club will host its annual plant sale at the Masonic Hall, located at 62 Pleasant St. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. and offers a variety of perennials, annuals, ground covers and herbs, many sourced from local gardens.

Members of the Driftwood Garden Club, an all-volunteer organization, will be available to answer questions and provide assistance in selecting plants. Proceeds from the sale will be used to maintain and improve several gardens and support civic projects in town.

Cottage Gardeners’ plant sale

The annual plant sale hosted by The Cottage Gardeners of Marblehead and Swampscott is set to take place on Saturday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Church parking lot located at 67 Cornell Road, Marblehead.

The sale will feature a variety of plants, including perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetable plants, container gardens, garden supplies/décor, and gardening books.

Knowledgeable members will be available to answer any questions you have. Proceeds from the sale will support various projects such as the maintenance of the King Hooper Gardens, Devereux Beach gardens, a scholarship to a deserving high school graduate and proposed cleanup of the Okos’ VFA property on Washington Street.

The Cottage Gardeners of Marblehead and Swampscott are proud members of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts and the National Council of State Garden Clubs (Northeastern District).

Inferno: The Great Boston Fire of 1872

Anthony Sammarco will tell the dramatic story of the Great Boston Fire of 1872 on May 11 at 7 p.m. at the J.O.J. Frost Gallery & Carolyn Lynch Education Center. This lecture is based on Anthony’s new book, “Inferno,” and will cover the biggest fire in New England history, which destroyed 776 buildings in just 15 hours. To learn more, visit bit. ly/3lRxrJj

Lee Mansion Ghost Investigation

Boston Paranormal Investigations will lead an authentic ghost hunt through the Jeremiah Lee Mansion on May 19 and May 20 at 8 p.m. Many believe this historic structure to be haunted, and the team will show you the tools they use to investigate and communicate with spirits. To learn more, visit bit. ly/3lRxrJj

Birdwatching program

Mass Audubon is hosting a free birdwatching walk at Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary on Friday, May 26, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Participants will learn about bird migration, breeding behavior and basic identification skills. Although the event is free, registration is required at bit. ly/3Mnmtpy.

The event is made possible by the Marblehead Cultural Council.

Appointed vacancies

The town is currently seeking volunteers to fill several vacancies on appointed boards, commissions and committees. Potential candidates should submit a letter of interest and a resume to the Select Board, Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., or via email at wileyk@ marblehead.org.

For more information, contact the Select Board’s Office at 781-631-0000.

Below is a list of open positions:

Task Force Against Discrimination, oneyear term.

» Affordable Housing Trust Fund, one-year term.

Commjnity Editor - Will Dowd wdowd@marbleheadnews.org

Consulting Editor - Kris Olson kolson@marbleheadnews.org

Associate Editor/Senior Reporter - Leigh Blander lblander@marbleheadnews.org

Sports ReporterJoe McConnell jmcconnell@marbleheadnews.org

CONTRIBUTORS

Tristan Ashlock

Stephen Bach

Bob Baker

Linda Bassett

Nicole Goodhue-Boyd

Scot Cooper

Laurie Fullerton

Mark Hurwitz

John Lamontagne

Christine McCarriston

Eyal Oren

Frances Roberts Hill

Pam Peterson

Chris Stevens

Linda Werbner

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Virginia Buckingham - President

Gene Arnould

Jessica Barnett

Ed Bell

Francie King

Donna Rice

Kate Haesche

Thomson - Secretary

Richard Weed - Treasurer

EDITORIAL BOARD

Ed Bell

Virginia Buckingham

Kris Olson

Will Dowd

Robert Peck

Joseph P. Kahn

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Kathryn Whorf

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Marion Warner Greely

FOUNDERS

Jessica Barnett

Ed Bell

Leigh Blander

Will Dowd

David Moran

Kris Olson

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

North of Boston Media Group

Marblehead News 217 Humphrey St. Marblehead, Massachusetts 01945 781.910.8658 info@marbleheadnews.org www.marbleheadCurrent.org

Marblehead Current is published every Wednesday by Marblehead News Group, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It is mailed to all homes and businesses in Marblehead, MA 01945.

DONATE

Help us deliver sustainable local journalism. Please consider supporting the Marblehead Current by making a tax-deductible donation at marbleheadcurrent.org/donate. For stock transfer donations, please contact: Kathryn Whorf at kwhorf@marbleheadnews.org.

ADVERTISE

Advertising is available on our website and in our weekly printed newspaper. To learn more, contact our Director of Community Relations, Marion Warner Greely, at mgreely@ marbleheadnews.org, or visit www. marbleheadCurrent.org/ads.

VOLUNTEER

Join us. We invite you to help support our effort to establish and maintain a free press for a strong community. To get involved, visit www. marbleheadCurrent.org/volunteer.

REACT

We’re standing by to listen to your ideas. Please drop us a line and let us know what you would like to see in your community newspaper. Send your thoughts to info@marbleheadnews.org.