Saturday, May 21, 2016

It Is What It Is Column: An Homage to Single Parents Everywhere

By Lisa Sugarman Posted on May 19, 2016
So Mother’s Day has come and gone and, as usual, I did an awful lot of reflecting about my mom. (No big surprise there.) Of course I spent a little time thinking about how much I love being a mom, but this year, most of my thoughts centered around her and her general all-around awesomeness.
But there was one thought that I couldn’t help circling back to. It wasn’t that she made the absolute best grilled cheese sandwiches, cut into quarters, with the cheese oozing out from every side with a big mound of Fritos in the middle. Or that every single solitary time I was ever sick—rain or shine—she humped it over to my favorite pizza place and got me a piping hot cheese pizza (somehow never letting it get cold on the drive home). Or that she tirelessly Con-Tact papered and carpeted all the rooms of my dollhouse every time I changed my mind and wanted a different color scheme. (Too often). Or that, even though she might have been exhausted or frustrated or overextended, she always slapped a smile on her face and got down on her hands and knees to play Barbie with me on my bedroom floor.
The thought I kept fixating on this year was that she did everything she did as a single parent. And let me tell you, as the mom of two girls with a rock-solid guy as my wingman, I just can’t fathom what it must’ve been like to be that single parent who carried the whole load. Every minute of every day. Year after year.rsz_shutterstock_370521506-566x401.jpg
Cause we’re talking like ev-er-y-thing. And that’s because the single parent owns all the carpooling and shopping and cooking and housework and nurturing and all the stuff in between. The single parent is like the Sherpa who carries the hiker’s gear all the way up K2 while the hiker gets to check out the view and meander her way up the South East Ridge, unencumbered by all the extra crap.
Look, those of us with kids know that, even on a good day, parenting can be a thankless job, especially when our kids are young. But single parenting, well that’s a category unto itself. Single parents are on call for the long haul. No time off, no pinch-hitters, no understudies. In fact, it almost seems impossible that one single mom or dad could juggle it all successfully. Yet so many do. And they do it in such exceptional ways that defy explanation.
I mean, looking back now, through the eyes of a parent, I have no idea how my mother kept all those balls in the air without ever letting a single one hit the pavement. Now granted, she had only one kid, but that didn’t matter because my elderly grandmother moved in when I was twelve and mom took care of her too. So I feel like we can almost count grandma as another kid. Oh yeah, and she was also working during the day and going to college at night to get her degree. (She actually did all of her homework at four o’clock in the morning to fit it all in.) singlemoms_thumb.jpg
And there are so many stories like that out there.
Now in my mom’s case, she didn’t exactly sign on to be a single mom raising a child alone. Just like so many other single parents who were married or in a relationship with someone one day and then single the next, she was happily married to my dad for almost twenty years. But the universe had other plans and he died right before his forty-sixth birthday.
That was the day when my mom inherited every decision, every stress, and every responsibility associated with keeping our little family together. Like so many other single parents out there who’ve lost a spouse or gotten divorced or chosen to go it alone.
And that’s the part that blows my mind. That whether you’re the single dad or the widow or the divorcee, it’s all you all the time. Whether your head is in the game or not. Whether you’re craving alone time or not. Whether you’ve got a hundred and two fever and you’re hugging the toilet bowl, or not. Raising a family as a single parent means you put yourself last on most days.
That’s why I think you all deserve some major props for being everything to your kids, day in and day out. And even though your kids may not be aware of how heavy your load is right now, they will be. One day, when they’re grownups themselves, they’ll get it and it’s going to cause a shift in the way they think about you. It’s going to grow the respect they have for you exponentially. single-page
So as a kid who was raised by a single mom, I just want the single parents out there to know (including and especially my own) that we know what you do and we love you for it. (Or at least we will once we mature a little.)

About the Author
Lisa Sugarman lives just north of Boston, Massachusetts. She is also the author of LIFE: It Is What It Is available online at Marblehead.Works.

The Crazy Candy Lady Celebrates the 75th Birthday of M&M's

Ah, good old M&Ms, who doesn’t love these? If you haven’t heard already, 2016 is a crazy big year for this candy brand as the chocolate candies turn 75! The Crazy Candy Lady, the flagship candy store in Marblehead, takes a look at the evolution of the M&M brand and why we can’t get enough of them.

Beginning in 1941, as a way to create chocolate that wouldn’t melt in your fingers, M&M’s are now beloved in 100 countries. The original flavor has also been joined by Peanut Butter, Almond, Pretzel, Crispy, Dark Chocolate, and the new Honey Nut, Chili Nut, and Coffee Nut. These nut flavors are currently being voted on by customers around the world and the winner will remain in the M&M flavor offerings as a special 75th Anniversary present to all. 

Along with the evolving flavors, there have also been some other changes to one of the most dominant candies in our society. That’s right, I’m talking about the colors. And for some widely peculiar reason (to me, at least), the colors of M&M’s are very controversial. For starters, some customers just aren’t a fan of artificial coloring, which is reasonable, but Mars reassures buyers, “we have absolute confidence in the safety of all the ingredients that we use, no matter where our products are sold around the world.” Mars recently announced a slow transition towards natural coloring, but reminds fans the change is complex and won’t happen over night. This change comes with some concern for M&M lovers because there is no saying how the lack of artificial coloring will affect the new colors. And, honestly, eating M&M’s just wouldn’t be as fun without the bright colors. Also, in 1941 when M&M’s were first released, the original colors were Red, Yellow, Brown, Green, and Violet, a color no longer in existence (at least in traditional packaged bags). Now included in every M&M bag is  Orange and Blue.


Even with a rainbow of colors, M&M’s are still considered plain and boring. Why? What makes these candies boring? One of the world’s other most popular candies is a Hershey’s Bars, which is nothing but a brick of chocolate. That to me is boring — delicious and popular, but boring. Also, M&M’s have done something with their brand like no other company to date. They’ve created a uniquely lovable cartoon character for every main color. There’s the original leader Red, the scaredy cat Orange, a powerful woman Brown, the sassy and flirty Green, and of course the “inner child” Yellow. 

The distinct personalities of the M&M colors make even non-fast
forward-able commercials enjoyable. Now, it wouldn’t be a 75th Anniversary celebration if you didn’t get to eat M&M’s, would it? Head to the Crazy Candy Lady today and let your imagination shine as you create your own M&M bag including your choice of over 21 colors. The M&M wall is the perfect place to create custom colored goodie bags for any occasion and something you won’t find anywhere else in town! Or, if you’re craving a little crunch, grab an already packaged bag of Peanut M&M’s. 

Catching a movie at the Warwick Cinema? Pick your favorite M&M colors and scatter them in your popcorn bag. Every few bites you’ll get a fun chocolatey surprise! Celebrating a birthday or special occasion this week? Bake a cake with chopped up M&M bits in it. It’ll look like Funfetti, but taste even better!


Competitive? Some fans like to make a game out of eating their candy treats. One candy lover squeezes two together and eats the cracked one, the lasting M&M becomes the champion. Do this until you have the Ultimate M&M Champion! Also try using the candy in games like Bingo or Checkers rather than playing with traditional plastic pieces.

Summer Fun Seashore Sweets

Do you have a favorite way to eat M&M’s? Let us know how you indulge in the comments. Here’s to hoping M&M’s help you have a crazy fun week!

Not able to visit The Crazy Candy Lady in person?  Shop them online at Marblehead.Works and see their wonderful sweets treats gift baskets!





Written by Linda Fitzpatrick,  The Crazy Candy Lady's MHS intern for her Senior Projects 

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

We Welcome Aboard Local Artist Stephanie Krauss Verdun!


We are thrilled to welcome aboard artist Stephanie Krauss Verdun to Marblehead.Works!
She is an active artist and educator working in a variety of mediums, specializing in watercolor and ink, oil, acrylic painting.  




Her whimsical style varies between contemporary and traditional, often incorporating sentimental themes and objects. As the root of her being is her maiden name, Krauss, she hides the letter K in all her paintings and drawings.



About the Artist

Stephanie is often found at her local studio (Out of the Box Studio) in Marblehead, Massachusetts where she provides an opportunity to freely explore mediums
and create artwork with children and adults. She is often inspired by the masters, children's books, dreams, nature, her love of color and life's simple pleasures. Stephanie has a self published collection of stationery and has designed logos for various companies and local businesses. She has been commissioned to create numerous custom works for clients and will gladly create something wonderful for you!

About Marblehead.Works

Marblehead.Works is an online boutique showcasing the talent of local artisans, and businesses in our coastal New England town. Our site is launching May 19, 2016.  Want a sneak peek?  Visit Marblehead.Works and enter your email and we will send you the password to enter and see how are bringing the best of Marblehead to you. 

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

We Welcome Aboard The Preppy Stitch!

Crab Embroidered Cosmetic Bag

We are excited to announce Marblehead.Works will be working with The Preppy Stitch to offer clothing, accessories and home decor with customized monogramming and embroidered designs!  

The Preppy Stitch was born out of owner and founder, Gabi Rogers' life long love of all things monogrammed.


Hemstitched Coral Napkin
This passion, along with her degree in interior design, allows her to create unique monogram and embroidery designs for all of your needs.  

Whether needing an extra Pop for home accessories, a special gift or finding something just for yourself, The Preppy Stitch is excited to work with you!

About Marblehead.Works


Mint Ikat Tunic
Marblehead.Works is an online boutique showcasing the talent of local artisans, and businesses in our coastal New England town. Our site will be launching May 19, 2016. Want a sneak peek?  Visit Marblehead.Works and enter your email and we will send you the password to enter and see how are bringing the best of Marblehead to you. 

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Marblehead Resident to be Inducted to Tennis Hall of fame

From: Marblehead Reporter 

Posted May. 14, 2016

MARBLEHEAD   The United States Tennis Association of New England has announced that top-ranked tournament player, Wade Frame, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2016.

The ceremony will take place on June 11 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.
Frame, of Marblehead, has been involved in tennis for 43 years and has played in New England tournaments since moving to Massachusetts in 1990. He has held a ranking in each of his 26 years and reached No. 1 in singles nine times and No. 1 in doubles 10 times. 
In 2014, he achieved his highest national ranking in both singles and doubles in the 55s division, finishing No. 19 in singles and No. 5 in doubles with partner Chris Holmes. 
In addition, Frame has been greatly involved in one of his favorite pastimes, father/son and father/daughter tournaments, playing competitively with his son Warren and his daughter Alissa. 


For the rest of the story, visit Marblehead Reporter:



Marblehead resident to be inducted to tennis hall of fame