Marsha Penhaker New business owner Marsha Penhaker will open "At First Blush'' Sept. 14 at her home in Westport Island. The new business will offer skin care treatments and makeup. (Photo Charlotte Boynton)

Marsha, a licensed esthetician, will operate the business.

An esthetician is a licensed professional who provides nonmedical care of the skin. It is a growing part of the health and beauty industry.

She also has a Barbary and Cosmetology license. She attended schools in New York, Florida, Maryland and Virginia. Marsha also taught esthetics in Virginia.

She is a nationally published makeup artist; some of the models she has made up have appeared in Hairstyle Magazines. In her new business she will provide skin care treatments, hair removal, and makeup services.

A new treatment room is equipped with a steamer to soften the skin and a high frequency machine for extracting and cleaning the pores on the face. She uses the skin care treatment line, Dr. Irena Eris, to help people with broken capillaries in the face.

The skin care mineral makeup line will be Jane Iredale, which is designed to provide optimum health while enhancing a person's natural beauty, according to Marsha.

The new service will open September 14. The hours will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Call 882-5559 or 1-866-38BLUSH for appointments.

The Penhakers moved to Westport Island in February from Virginia, and have built a new home over- looking the water on 232 North End Road.

The U.S. Government formerly employed them both. Marsha was deputy program manager for the U.S. Department of Energy, and John was a senior consultant for the Federal Aviation Agency.

After retiring they decided to move to Maine, and bought land on Westport Island. John said he was very nervous about building another home, because he had not had good luck in building two previous houses.

The couple decided to make a trip here and interview some contractors to build their new home. The contractor they selected was Chuck Frohmiller, of Frohmiller Construction in Bath.

"I have had six houses built, and none compare to the quality of work he has done," John said.

"He is a king among men," Marsha said, "He is such a humble man."

When the house was started they were still living in Virginia and Frohmiller would send them pictures of the home frequently to keep them updated on the progress.

"We couldn't be happier with his work," John said. "We love the guy, and he is our friend."

The Penhakers are looking forward to many more friends on the island, and perhaps even getting involved in the town's activities.

Marsha's business goal is to provide customer service that will help people feel better about themselves through improved skin care and healthy makeup.