On October 1, Marblehead Rotary members Aviv Hod, Peter Speziale and Heather Gold attended HAWC’s annual “Working To Heal” breakfast meeting. Founded almost 40 years ago, HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change) provides critical advocacy, guidance and assistance to survivors of domestic abuse in 23 cities and towns on Massachusetts’ North Shore. See www.HAWCdv.org to learn more.
Welcome to Marblehead Rotary
Left: President 2026-27 Aviv Hod
Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
What we do
Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our 35,000+ clubs work together to:
Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our 35,000+ clubs work together to:
On October 1, Marblehead Rotary members Aviv Hod, Peter Speziale and Heather Gold attended HAWC’s annual “Working To Heal” breakfast meeting. Founded almost 40 years ago, HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change) provides critical advocacy, guidance and assistance to survivors of domestic abuse in 23 cities and towns on Massachusetts’ North Shore. See www.HAWCdv.org to learn more.
Calling All Clubs! Who Has the Best Squad in Town?
The Rotary 5K on November 1st is fast approaching, and we're issuing a friendly challenge to all our local clubs, interest groups, and social circles: Form a team and see who turns out the biggest crew on race day!
Supporting Student Health & Mental Wellness
Every registration directly funds social and mental wellness programs in our local public schools; when you participate, you’re investing in the well-being and resilience of our youth!
Are you part of a local:
- Craft & Hobby Circle? (Knitting, quilting, art, or garden clubs)
- Book & Game Group? (Book clubs, mahjong, bridge, chess, or poker groups)
- Fitness & Recreation Crew? (Pickleball partners, tennis groups, or walking buddies)
- Civic & Service Organization? (Local volunteers and community boards)
Whether your team walks, jogs, or sprints, every participant helps support youth mental wellness!
Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
How to Join: Scan to Register! Click here to learn more about the run: https://runsignup.com/
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!
We welcomed friends from the Marblehead Harbor Rotary Club and celebrated their 30 year Club Anniversary! Tim Haven (brother of our late member Curt Haven) was a Charter member of the Marblehead Harbor Rotary Club and is the last charter member still in the 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.
Gather Your Crew! Registration is Officially Open for the Rotary 5K!
Whether you plan to run, jog, or enjoy a brisk fall walk, November 1st is all about coming together for our community, and it’s always more fun with a squad!
Why We Run & Walk
Every step you take and every registration directly supports local youth education programs. When you run, our whole community moves forward!
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.
- Students & Interact Clubs: Round up your classmates, high school friends, and youth groups. Show your school spirit and walk or run together!
- Friends & Coworkers: Step away from the daily routine, catch up in the crisp fall air, and share a fun morning outdoors.
Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
How to Join: Scan to Register! Click here to learn more about the run: https://runsignup.com/
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.
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!
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: 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!
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!
Marblehead, MA 01945
United States of America