COVID 19: A year of challenges and community
Marblehead business owners reflect on the year that was a pandemic
Leigh Blander Wicked Local
This is Part 1 of a two-part series looking back at the year that was, as everyone likes to say, unprecedented
One year after the COVID-19 pandemic changed life around the world and here in Marblehead, George Shube reflected about the challenges and silver linings over the last 12 months.
And, he’s looking forward to the future.
“I look forward to the buzz in the store, when we can have people elbow to elbow again,” said Shube, who owns Shubie’s Marketplace.
Three Marblehead women launch & lead businesses during COVID
Cookies, candles and organizing prove resilient to the pandemic
Leigh Blander Wicked Local
When COVID-19 temporarily shut down her event planning business, Marblehead mom Claudia Tauro decided to launch a new venture - baking and selling alfajores, traditional cookies from her home country of Argentina.
“Last year was terrible,” Taura said. “Around Christmas, I started making cookies and gave them to my friends and everybody loved the cookies. All my friends pushed me to do this.”
Tauro is one of several women in town who are launching and leading new businesses, despite the pandemic and economic downturn.
Salem schools have used COVID pool testing for months
While other communities have yet to jump on board, Salem is ahead of the game
Leigh Blander Wicked Local
Salem schools have been using COVID-19 pool testing since Thanksgiving and are now taking advantage of the free state program.
“It’s another layer of protection,” said Chelsea Banks, the Salem schools’ chief of opportunity and response who is overseeing COVID testing for the district. “Our feeling is that anything we can do, we are trying to do.”
In January, Salem tested 1,850 staff, students, and families. The results broke down like this:
Bike Marblehead moving on from Lead Mills
Supporters hope to have a new bike site by spring
Leigh Blander Wicked Local
Supporters of a bicycle pump track at Lead Mills are moving on after members of the Conservation Commission said approval was highly unlikely.
“My own personal view is that it would not legally be permissible to do this,” said Conservation Commission Chairman Brian LeClair at a meeting last week. “I don’t think the deed restrictions and town bylaws permit it. I really don’t.”
Dozens of teens and their families have been lobbying for months for a pump track, which is an oval dirt track with built-up bumps and turns.