The Old Marblehead Improvement Association (OMIA) presented multiple awards on Sunday to deserving Marblehead citizens, companies, and organizations. The association also donated grants to local non-profits.
The OMIA meets once a year with a mission of enhancing and supporting the quality of life in the Old Town Marblehead Historic District while working to preserve the historic heritage of the town.
To kick off the award presentations, OMIA President Larry Sands presented Maryann Criswell with a special award. Criswell is the secretary of the OMIA and received the award for her outstanding efforts for the organization over the past year.
The annual Recognition Award was given to Titus Masonry in recognition of their generous donation of time to reset the brick sidewalk next to the entrance of the Old Town House.
The Business Anniversary Award was presented to St. Andrews Episcopal Church in honor of its centennial. The church’s construction was completed in 1924, and members soon began gathering there. Even after 100 years as an operating church, membership has continued to grow.
The House Preservation Award is given to a homeowner within the historic district to commend the restoration and preservation of their homes. This year’s recipient was Ann Stanley, who owns one of the oldest homes in Marblehead. Stanley’s home was built in 1663, and she has been restoring it for many years.
The Judy Jacobi Service Award was given to Karyn Lang, an outgoing OMIA board member who has spent years serving the town.
The Virginia Gamage Historic Heritage Award was presented to Glover’s Regiment in recognition of its 50th anniversary. Glover’s Regiment is a group of dedicated historical re-enactors who represent the 14th Continental Regiment. The organization is quite popular in Marblehead as it attends major public events and performs an encampment at Fort Sewall each summer.
Through annual membership dues and additional contributions, the OMIA is able to support different organizations. This past year they supported Glover’s Regiment, Marblehead Council on Aging, Anchor to Windward, and the Marblehead Food Pantry.
Additional donations were given to the Old Burial Hill Committee, the Marblehead Arts Association, and the Marblehead Museum.
In addition to the awards and the donations, Sands invited Maeve Maguire and Will Gardner from The Park on Elm to speak on the project and present the site plan for its restoration. Marblehead has already allocated $184,000 in funding for the project and significant funds have been raised through sponsors and the community’s help. According to Maguire and Gardner, the construction fencing has been set up and the project is ready to begin.