Dedham Rocks

Hitting the Slope

2012-01-20T16:24:00.000-08:00

(The sunset while sledding at Endicott Estate this afternoon.)

I was starting to think that afternoons at the Endicott Estate sledding weren't going to happen this winter. When Mother Nature finally decided to give us a dusting, the snow boots went on, the new sleds from Auntie Bridget came out of the garage and we hit the hills. It was the perfect afternoon with an incredible sunset. About 20 minutes into our sledding, a man and his little dog came over to greet us. A Dedham native who raised four boys here, immediately endeared himself to the kids. He started to push them down the hill and it didn't take long for them to be yelling his name and asking for their turn at a "fast push." There I stood with a perfect stranger enjoying one of the true treasures of this town: Endicott Estate.

To learn about other places to enjoy the snow in and around Dedham, check out a previous link called, "Sledding 101."

East Dedham is rockin'!

2012-01-18T14:42:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

It might be a bit of an overstatement to say that as East Dedham goes, so goes Dedham ... but not by much. The mills along Mother Brook were the engine that powered Dedham's economy during the colonial era, and indeed many of the town's leaders, even today, had roots in East Dedham, or Mill Village as it was originally called. Our neighborhood continues to play a major role in the life of the town. And so, whether you live or work in East Dedham as I do, or in another part of town, you won't want to miss the Mother Brook Community Group (MBCG) annual meeting this coming Tuesday, 1/24 at 7 p.m. at the American Legion. Four years ago, my friend Charlie Krueger and I and a handful of other neighbors formed the Mother Brook Community Group to advocate for the interests of East Dedham and the adjoining neighborhoods along Mother Brook. We have made great progress since then in cleaning up the brook, sponsoring neighborhood events, collaborating with the town on a new Avery school, new Condon playground and passive recreation areas. We have several other improvements planned as well ... but none of it happens in a vacuum. We need your help, especially if you live in East Dedham or one of the Mother Brook neighborhoods. Our new motto at MBCG is 'Get Involved,' so make plans to join us at the MBCG annual meeting and see how YOU can get involved!

Please feel free to pass this message and the attached flier on to your friends and neighbors in Dedham; we need their help too. MBCG is on Facebook and on the web at: www.motherbrookcommunitygroup.org.

Best regards,
Joe Heisler
Mother Brook Community Group

Bunny Project - Kerry's View

2012-01-13T09:52:00.000-08:00

Have you seen this bunny sitting in Front of The Dedham Community Theatre? This is the first Bunny to be delivered for the Dedham Public Art Project. I have to admit it is super cute. I am very excited about this project and will be documenting the project with my camera. These are my very first shots of the Bunny and the very beginnings of the project.

Dedham Square Artist Guild Co-founder, Marietta Apollonio was appointed by the Dedham Public Art Project committee to be the first to paint one of these bunnies. I will be photographing her process and progress. I can't wait to see the design she comes up with. She has a very colorful and whimsical style. There is hope that there will be between 15 and 20 bunnies painted and places around Dedham.

Everyone lifting the Bunny and placing it the movie theatre. A fun group effort. Stay tuned for more photos in the coming months.

Public Art!

2012-01-10T10:15:00.000-08:00

(A sneak peak at the bunny being made...shhhh!)

I'm going to kick off my blogging of 2012 with what I'm most excited about: The Dedham Public Art Project. What is it you ask? Remember the cows of Chicago? I'm sure there were others before it, but for some reason I feel like everyone knows and remembers the cows. Dedham is going to have its own version of this kind of public art with large uniquely painted bunnies. Why bunnies? Dedham Pottery of course!

(One of the many cows in Chicago..)

This project will not only continue to rally and cultivate our growing artist scene, but will thousands of visitors to our town to see them! Thanks to the work of Board of Selectmen, Paul Reynolds, founder of this project, we will see the bunnies start hopping out this spring! There will be 15 scattered around town. With Dedham Open Studios on the horizon in May and the fabulous artists the Dedham Artist Guild has uncovered there is no shortage of talented people in this town.

If you, your group or business is interested in sponsoring a bunny email: dedhamshines@gmail.com.

Showtimes at the Dedham Community Theatre

2011-12-27T17:08:00.001-08:00

Two GREAT films! Both have Oscar buzz!

SHOW TIMES: Friday, December 30 - Thursday, January 5, 2012

FRIDAY 12/30
THE ARTIST (PG-13, 1h 40m) (12:15, 2:30) 4:45, 7:00, 9:15
DESCENDANTS (R, 1h 55m) (12:00, 2:15) 4:30, 6:50, 9:10

SATURDAY 12/31
THE ARTIST (PG-13, 1h 40m) (12:15, 2:30) 4:45, 7:00
DESCENDANTS (R, 1h 55m) (12:00, 2:15)

SUNDAY 1/1 thru THURSDAY 1/5
THE ARTIST (PG-13, 1h 40m) (12:15, 2:30) 4:45, 7:00
DESCENDANTS (R, 1h 55m) (12:00, 2:15) 4:30, 6:50

THE ARTIST: Michel Hazanavicius' stylistically daring, dialogue-free comedy-drama THE ARTIST stars Jean Dujardin as George Valentin, a matinee idol in Hollywood before the dawn of talkies. His marriage is far from perfect, and one day he meets ambitious chorus girl Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo) and is smitten.
Very quickly thereafter, sound comes to movies, and George sinks all his money into one last epic silent film, while Peppy becomes a star in the new era. John Goodman co-stars as the head of the film studio working with Valentin.
THE ARTIST played at both the 2011 Cannes Film Festival and the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. See why all the critics are talking about THE ARTIST, which received 6 Golden Globe nominations for Best Picture, for a Comedy/Musical, Best Director, Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical, Best Supporting Actress, Best Musical Score, and Best Screenplay.

Showing Daily at: (12:15, 2:30) 4:45, 7:00,*9:15
[*Late Show Friday Only]

THE DESCENDANTS: Alexander Payne's (Sideways) seriocomic THE DESCENDANTS, an adaptation of the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings, stars George Clooney as Matt King, a middle-age Hawaiian who runs a trust responsible for millions of dollars worth of untouched real estate that has been passed down to him and various cousins.
He is preparing to sell the area, and make millions for everyone in the trust, when his wife suffers severe head trauma during a boat race.
As he attempts to get her affairs in order, he learns that she had been having an affair. With his two daughters in tow, along with his oldest daughter's quirky boyfriend, Matt sets off to confront the man who made him a cuckold. Beau Bridges, Judy Greer, and Robert Forster co-star.
THE DESCENDANTS screened at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.

Showing Daily at: (12:00, 2:15) 4:30, 6:50, *9:10
[*Late Show Friday Only]

Dog Park!

2011-12-27T05:50:00.000-08:00

It was long overdue, but Dedham finally has it's own dog park. Yesterday was my first time driving by it and it was filled with dogs and their owners. It was great to see a space where not only dogs could come together, but so could people. I'm sure some new friendships will emerge from the dog park! We haven't had a dog in years, but when we did, we met so many people through our walks and visits to dog parks. If you haven't checked it out yet, make sure you do. It's located right on the property of our Parks and Recreation facility on Common St. (conveniently located near another favorite canine retreat: Wilson Mt.). Thanks to the Parks and Rec department for making this happen!

Barney Saltzberg to ECEC

2011-12-19T12:10:00.000-08:00

Dr. Jessica Hammond, principal, Barney Saltzberg, author, Bridge Castonguay, art teacher, Janet Reynolds of the Blue Bunny

The ECEC or Curran Center have such an amazing staff and recently had a fun and interesting assembly. If you have talked to me this year, you know I've been raving about Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Shruan and the art teacher Ms. Castonguay. These 3 go above and beyond the call of duty to give kids an unbelievable kindergarten experience. Recently the school hosted Barney Saltzberg author of many books including, "Beautiful Oops" a story about how mistakes are beautiful too. The kids had a great time and my daughter is still humming the song Barney taught them. Ms. Castonguay was meeting one of her heros as she uses his book in her lessons. After each lesson, Ms. C. always posts on the back of each child's project and explanation of what the children did in art that day. It's so nice to get home, what sometimes is hard to decipher, a piece of artwork and reading on the back what they learned. It makes talking to the kids about the piece much easier. Thanks to Blue Bunny, Ms. C and Dr. Hammond for putting together such a wonderful assembly for the kids!

A bright future for the old Avery

2011-12-10T19:38:00.000-08:00

This week was full and there were many meetings to attend (for those of us who have a hard time saying no). The highlight, for me, was the Avery Re-Use Committee finally wrapping up. I served on this committee for 11 months and admit I didn't always look forward to the meetings. Democracy is messy at times and there are moments you feel like, "isn't there an easier way?" How do you get people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to agree on something? Well, give something time and they do. We started out on a journey to find the perfect fit for a massive, old school building that had been deemed unfit for a school and I think we completed our journey in tact and with a recommendation to send to the Board of Selectmen.

The first step was to make sure that none of the obvious choices wanted the building. By obvious I mean the groups that have been asking for a space or new space for a long time, like the seniors in search of a senior center and the police and fire departments who desperately need new facilities. Turns out that the 22,000 square foot building that sits atop a hill on High St. in East Dedham wasn't appealing to any of those groups. So after many meetings of listening to various department heads, civic groups, non-profits, neighbors, students and engaged residents, we were left to putting together a place that incorporated all the feedback we heard over the months: a place for the youth, the seniors and everyone in between and offer programing that would keep the groups together and learning and a place that would celebrate the rich arts history of East Dedham, where the Dedham Pottery factory once called home. Selectman Paul Reynolds started to call it "The Motherbrook Arts and Community Center."

A similar concept and building layout was found in Concord, MA and their mission was interesting. The Emerson Umbrella is sustainable through rent from artists for studio space, donations, grants and a variety of arts programs offered to the community. It is also used by a many different groups, non-profits and schools when they are in need of space. Seeing something like the Emerson gave us hope that our idea could actually work. It helped us better define this space and give us a guide.

I'm nothing but hopeful about East Dedham. Say and think what you will, but I'm investing in the area. As someone who lives in a section of Dedham without an official neighborhood, but live in the Avery School district, I'm proud to call myself an East Dedhamite (even though I probably wouldn't be considered one!).

Find your Art in Dedham Square

2011-11-28T07:04:00.000-08:00

Dedham's John Dorsey and one of his stunning "harlequin vases."

Dedham's Gints Grinsberg's beautiful, metal ornaments.

Walpole's Lisa Walker's wonderfully sweet hand thrown bowls and ornaments.

The 2012 Dedham Square Artist Guild calendar.

I spend a lot of my time these days working at the Dedham Square Artist Guild. A little shop founded by myself, Kerry Hawkins and Marietta Apollonio. We send each other about 50 emails a day and are working 24/7 to make sure that the shop can sustain itself and stay open past the one-year-lease we have signed. We had a great show of support this weekend on Small Business Saturday. Starting on December 1, we will open 7 days per week thanks to our 30 or so members that will work extra shifts to help with this goal. Not being an artist myself, I have come to learn and appreciate the time and energy these artists put into their craft on top of their full-time jobs that most of them also have. Please stop in and say hello this holiday season. If you want to show your support for us, please pick up a Dedham Square Artist Guild calendar at $15. A calendar will ensure our doors are open throughout the long winter season.

We are proud to be in the Square with so many other shops that also have wonderful, unique, hand-made, local gifts for everyone on your list. Be sure to check out Sheepskate, Nest, Dedham Women's Exchange, and Heart of the Square. You really can find your art in the Dedham Square!

Think Big, Shop Small

2011-11-25T18:02:00.000-08:00

Okay, so you've heard enough about shopping local and why it's important, but please indulge me and read on just in case you hadn't thought of it this way:

It's really quite simple. There are two scenarios. You buy something in a chain store made in another country that benefits some nameless person somewhere in a corner office happily counting your dollars. Those dollars then go into a large corporate bank who line their marketing budgets from the interest and make lots of pretty ads for TV. Sure, shopping big helps to provide jobs, and that's important too, but at the end of the day, the ones that benefit the most are the few(is it the "2%") at the top.

The second scenario shows a shopper buying at a local shop that was started up by someone in your community or near by. They own a home, their tax dollars contribute to the local economy helping to run our government and supporting our schools. They don't have a corner office, marketing department, human resources, fancy webpage or accountant. They are just everyday folks doing what they love and trying to make their living from it. They create jobs too, usually use a local bank, buy from other local businesses which makes their footprint on the environment a whole lot smaller. Your shopping dollars circle right back into the community which in turn makes your community stronger. Strong communities=strong schools, strong infrastructures, strong Main Streets, and strong housing prices. Who benefits the most here? Dedham.

This holiday season, please carve out some of your holiday dollars to go to a local business in Dedham. They depend on it. It's shopping that not only helps you give an original and meaningful gift, but it makes buying feel good (it can also count towards your civic duties).

Thankful for....

2011-11-24T05:50:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving, there is so much to be thankful for in Dedham. The Dedham Food Pantry and Dedham Youth Commission are out there working hard to make sure Dedham families in need are having a wonderful meal today and that Dedham children will receive wishes on their Christmas lists. We have an amazing group of churches and involved priests, pastors and reverends who are involved in the community and inspiring their congregations to give back and be good citizens. We have groups like Dedham Parent Time and Dedham Junior Women's Club who get mother's and women connected and creating amazing events and opportunities for families in Dedham. There is Dedham Rotary who's motto, "service before self," makes sure they live up to that standard and do so much for this community and abroad. The Dedham Education Foundation and Dedham Education Partnership for all they do for our schools. (I could go on and on....)

There are some smaller things I'm thankful for too. I'm thankful for Eileen at Sheepskate who helps me raise my girls and teaches them how to knit. Linton at Mocha Java who has my drink ready to go and always makes my children smile. The staff at Blue Bunny for working so hard to make us all love to read. Marianne at Discover Music and Art who have instilled a love of theater in my oldest daughter and has taught her to be brave. Nancy at Yoga Now for teaching people to pay attention to their breath. The teachers at the ECEC and Avery School for making sure that my kids love school (and they do!). My neighbors for being there at the drop of a dime. All my fellow civic minded residents who consider community right up there with family. And of course, all our public servants who work to keep this town running and are working hard to make sure Dedham remains a wonderful place to live.

I'm sure I have forgotten some things, in fact, this post could be pages long. I feel thankful on a daily basis to live where I live and have the community around me to learn from, laugh with, cry with (and I do cry...) and with whom to raise my children.

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Historical Trolley Tour

2011-11-22T10:42:00.001-08:00

I don't know how many of you got a chance to ride the historical trolley tour of Dedham at the 375 BBQ bash back in September. I was supposed to narrate a tour that day and had to pass it off to good friend Monika Wilkinson as I wasn't feeling well that day. I was sad to have missed an opportunity to learn more about Dedham and share my love of the town with a group of visitors and fellow residents.

This past Friday, I finally got my chance at narrating with a group of residents from Hebrew Senior Life. It was part of a "Day in Dedham" activity they were doing which was followed by shopping at local shops and a "Taste of Dedham Square" lunch at the artist guild.

Unfortunately, we didn't have time to do the entire tour, but the part I did I loved. There were so many interesting tidbits of history and fun facts, but my favorite two stories were both about trees. The story of the Avery Oak on East St. and the Beech tree that stood in front of the Dedham Historical Society. Both were taken down by Mother Nature and both had fascinating stories and roles in our history. What were they? Well, you'll have to take the tour to find out!

I'm considering turning my Dodge Durango into a trolley and taking interested people on the tour myself! Anyone want to join me?

DCT Showtimes 11/25-12/1

2011-11-22T10:30:00.001-08:00

George Clooney stars in the latest film at the Dedham Community Theatre!

Show Times for November 25 through December 1, 2011:

THE DESCENDANTS: Alexander Payne's (Sideways) seriocomic The Descendants, an adaptation of the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings, stars George Clooney as Matt King, a middle-age Hawaiian who runs a trust responsible for millions of dollars worth of untouched real estate that has been passed down to him and various cousins.
He is preparing to sell the area, and make millions for everyone in the trust, when his wife suffers severe head trauma during a boat race.
As he attempts to get her affairs in order, he learns that she had been having an affair. With his two daughters in tow, along with his oldest daughter's doofus boyfriend, Matt sets off to confront the man who made him a cuckold. Beau Bridges, Judy Greer, and Robert Forster co-star.
The Descendants screened at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.

Showing Daily at: (12:15, 2:30) 4:45, 7:00, *9:15
[*Late Show Friday & Saturday Only]

LIKE CRAZY: A love story is both a physical and emotional tale, one that can be deeply personal and heartbreaking for an audience to experience. Director Drake Doremus' film Like Crazy beautifully illustrates how your first real love is as thrilling and blissful as it is devastating.
When a British college student (Felicity Jones) falls for her American classmate (Anton Yelchin) they embark on a passionate and life-changing journey only to be separated when she violates the terms of her visa. Like Crazy explores how a couple faces the real challenges of being together and of being apart.
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Best Picture at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and of the Special Jury Prize for Best Actress for Felicity Jones, Like Crazy depicts both the hopefulness and the heartbreak of love.

Showing Daily at: (12:30, 2:15) 4:30, 6:50, *9:00
[*Late Show Friday & Saturday Only]

Coming Soon: The Artist

More Recognition for DHS

2011-11-16T17:22:00.000-08:00

I have written several posts about the great improvements Dedham High school has made in the area of increasing our selection of AP classes and the great strides our students are making in those classes. I'm continually impressed by the work Dedham High is doing to raise the bar and improve programming. Today, this press release was issued with the news that Dedham is placed on a list of an select group of districts in the nation who have not only added more AP classes but have kids that are scoring 3 or greater on the AP test(the maximum score is a 5). As a former teacher, these tests are not easy and getting a 3 or higher is quite an achievement. Congratulations DHS!

Dedham, MA - Dedham School District is one of fewer than 400 public school districts in the nation being honored by the College Board with a place on the 2nd Annual AP® Honor Roll, for simultaneously increasing access to Advanced Placement coursework while maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP exams. Achieving both of these goals is the ideal scenario for a district’s Advanced Placement program, because it indicates that the district is successfully identifying motivated, academically-prepared students who are likely to benefit most from AP coursework. Since 2009, Dedham School District increased the number of students participating in AP from 85 to 137, while maintaining the percentage of students earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher from 78% in 2009 to 72% in 2011. The majority of U.S. colleges and universities grant college credit or advanced placement for a score of 3 or above on AP exams.

“It is an unprecedented honor for Dedham High School to be recognized by the College Board. The combination of the dedication of outstanding teachers, the achievement of our AP students, and the District’s commitment to academic excellence for all students is the foundation for accomplishing advanced placement access and student performance,” said Dedham Superintendent June M. Doe.

Guest Blogger: Visit to Dedham Historical Society

2011-11-12T19:23:00.000-08:00

I've been a history buff for as long as I can remember so it was no surprise when my husband and I bought out first house here in (East) Dedham, Mass. The 1865 Victorian is topped with a mansard roof and filled with 146 years of stories. I just had to find out what these stories were so I checked in at the Dedham Historical Society this afternoon. After pursuing the current exhibit 'Celebrations in the Town of Dedham' and the breathtaking collection of Dedham Pottery, I settled into the basement library with the archivist. After some initial exploration into my High Street home, we were able to sift through 19th century maps and records to find the original owner and builder. Our journey took us back to a day of cobblestone streets, Boyden Square (now East Dedham Plaza), woolen mills, post Civil War revitalization, Memorial Hall, and liveries, like the one run on High St and Hill Ave by the second owner of our house, Artemas Raymond. Although this afternoon of research did not uncover photos of the house from 1865, we found a great photo of the house from a 'Facebook' of residents in 1935 that was created for the tricentennial and full of memories and photos from Dedham's past.

I strongly recommend taking the time to visit the Dedham Historical Society whether it's for your own research or to take a brief journey to the past of a town with a remarkable history that has been pristinely chronicled.

--Pamela Bates

Dedham Education Foundation Grants-2011

2011-11-10T05:20:00.000-08:00

Last night the DEF voted in their 20th group of grants from Dedham Public Schools teachers. The grants committee poured over 54 applications in just under four hours last week. We accepted 32 and gave out $20,195. It's one of my favorite nights of the year to read and award grants to our teachers and this year didn't disappoint. Stay tuned for an upcoming celebration of DEF's work of the last 20 years, the Spelling Bee and those lovely pink birds are coming back this May....yes Flamingo Flocking!!

The Dedham Education Foundation is a 501c3 dedicated to helping enrich the classrooms of the Dedham Public Schools. For more information: www.dedhameducationfoundation.org and please "like" the Facebook page!

Thank You, Dedham

2011-11-09T06:14:00.000-08:00

A few months ago I did a feature article for my "Dedham High Alumni Corner" on Emily Jones. Emily is one of the many outstanding Dedham High grads I've featured over the last year and one of my personal favorites. As a former Peace Corps volunteer myself, I was especially proud of Emily for serving in the Peace Corps in Togo. She was looking to raise money for a library in her village. This is no easy task and raising the money is one of the more difficult steps. I just received this letter from the Peace Corps office in Boston updating me on Emily's progress. I was so thrilled and proud to read this:

Dear Jennifer,

I am delighted to inform you that Peace Corps volunteer Emily Jones of Dedham, whom you featured in the September 27 “Dedham High Alumni Corner,” has raised all the money she needs to begin building a library in her village in Togo. Emily tell me she expects to begin construction in the next few weeks.

Emily was able to fully fund the library project through the Peace Corps Partnership Program because of the generous donations made, in large part, by her friends and neighbors in Dedham. I know your coverage of her effort helped her to meet her goal. She sent me the following message this morning:

“I would love to thank everyone for their invaluable support, and let people know that my community is excited to start construction! Though we haven't received the PCPP funds yet, we have started buying construction supplies with a community donation and plan to start construction by end of November. If all goes according to plan, we hope to build in December and January and have building construction completed by February. Our ultimate goal is to have the library itself up and running by the end of the school year.” Emily Jones

Thanks again,
Elizabeth Chamberlain

Finding My Strength

2011-11-08T12:38:00.000-08:00

I've spent the last several years trying to find my voice. These days it's something else. When I was 19, I had the Chinese symbol for it tattooed on my body: strength.

It's been an incredibly busy fall. On October 1st, myself and two fabulous local artists opened an art gallery in Dedham Square called the Dedham Square Artist Guild. Taking a 500 square foot space and putting some art on the walls sounds like an easy endeavor, but anyone who owns a small business knows, there is nothing easy about it. Nonetheless, it has been extremely rewarding and well, we made it through our first month of business.

Six days after we opened our doors, on October 6th, I took another leap and decided to get myself in shape. Through a mutual friend, I was connected to a wonderful and inspiring mother of two, Danielle Vlahos. She is a Dedham resident and trainer at a gym in Readville, Solid Body Fitness. Both her and I share a similar tale of dealing with babies born with vascular birthmarks. If anyone has been through this, you know, this too is not easy. Luckily for both of we were resourceful and lucky enough to live in the right place where top notch health care is all around us. Strength, for sure, was needed to get through this and both our children are now fine.

Danielle went on to become a board member of the Vascular Birthmark Foundation and is active in fundraising for the organization. It was an upcoming fundraiser at Solid Body that got us training together: the SkiErg World Sprints. On October 6th, I met the SkiErg machine for the first time. Think an updated version of the Nordic Track; it replicates the motion of cross-country skiing. It's well known that cross-country skiing is great workout and in one month I can't believe the change to my body. I've stopped thinking about losing weight and now I focus on losing inches.

What started out as three times per week at 6:00am to train on the SkiErg turned into five days per week training to be strong. I never did this kind of strength training(nor I have ever been able to get up that early!). At my last gym, you could find me running or walking on the tread mill. The weights always intimidated me.

With Danielle's guidance, not only do I feel good, but I feel strong. Challenging myself in the morning has literally translated into making the challenges of the day more bearable. The soreness I feel reminds me of what I accomplished and that I have to do more to improve. I'm working out my anxiety, my fears, my hopes and my dreams with each heavy lift(in a variety of fun and interesting ways).

This Saturday, November 12th, I'll compete in the SkiErg World Sprints for a timed 1000m sprint. The first time I ever did 1000m I timed 6:24. Last week, I got it down to 5:25. Not bad for 4 weeks. My goal will be to break 5 minutes.

This event is open to anyone. It costs $20 and 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit VBF. If you would like to sponsor me, let me know. If you would like to join me, come to Solid Body Fitness anytime between 11-1 on Saturday. And next time you're in Dedham Square, stop by the gallery and say hi.

DCT Showtimes 11/4-11/10

2011-11-02T18:17:00.000-07:00

TAKE SHELTER: Plagued by a series of apocalyptic visions, a young husband and father questions whether to shelter his family from a coming storm, or from himself.
Curtis LaForche lives in a small Ohio town with his wife Samantha and six-year-old daughter Hannah, who is deaf. Curtis makes a modest living as a crew chief for a sand-mining company. Samantha is a stay-at-home mother and part-time seamstress who supplements their income by selling handmade wares at the flea market each weekend.
Money is tight, and navigating Hannah's healthcare and special needs education is a constant struggle. Despite that, Curtis and Samantha are very much in love and their family is a happy one. Then Curtis begins having terrifying dreams about an encroaching, apocalyptic storm. He chooses to keep the disturbance to himself, channeling his anxiety into the obsessive building of a storm shelter in their backyard. His seemingly inexplicable behavior concerns and confounds Samantha, and provokes intolerance among co-workers, friends and neighbors. But the resulting strain on his marriage and tension within the community doesn't compare to Curtis' private fear of what his dreams may truly signify.
Faced with the proposition that his disturbing visions signal disaster of one kind or another, Curtis confides in Samantha, testing the power of their bond against the highest possible stakes.

Showing Daily at: (12:00, 2:15) 4:30, 6:50, *9:10
[*Late Show Friday & Saturday Only]

THE MILL & THE CROSS: What would it be like to step inside a great work of art, have it come alive around you, and even observe the artist as he sketches the very reality you are experiencing?
From Lech Majewski, one of Poland's most acclaimed filmmakers, THE MILL & THE CROSS is a cinematic re-staging of Pieter Bruegel's masterpiece 'Way to Calvary,' presented alongside the story of its creation with Rutger Hauer as Bruegel, Michael York as his patron, and Charlotte Rampling as the inspiration for his Virgin Mary.

Showing Daily at: (1:00, 3:00) 5:00, 7:00, *9:00
[*Late Show Friday & Saturday Only]

Coming Soon: Martha Marcy May Marlene, The Descendants, The Artist

Registration for Pre-School and Kindergarten

2011-11-02T18:01:00.001-07:00

Dedham Public Schools will hold Preschool registration for the 2012-2013 school year by mail. To be eligible, children must be 4 years old by September 1, 2012 and residents of Dedham. We also offer several three year-old classes. To be eligible, children must be 3 years old by September 1, 2012 and toilet trained. Starting November 1, 2011, registration forms can be picked up at the following locations: the Town Clerk’s Office, Town Hall; Dedham Public Libraries; and the office at the Curran Early Childhood Education Center, 322 Sprague Street. All registrations must be postmarked by November 14, 2011 to be in the preschool lottery. All preschool registrations must be mailed. Any registrations postmarked after that date will be put on a waiting list. The preschool lottery is public and will be held at the Curran Center on Tuesday, November 22, at 9:30 AM.

Preschool Orientation Night will be held on Tuesday, November 1 at 7:00 at the Early Childhood Education Center. This is an opportunity for parents to learn about the preschool program and to pick up a preschool application.

Kindergarten registration for 2012-2013 will be held the week of November 14-18 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Curran Early Childhood Education Center. To be eligible, children must be 5 years old by September 1, 2012 and residents of Dedham. Please register in person with your child's birth certificate and proof of Dedham residency (a current utility bill with your name and address on it).

If you are interested in childcare, please contact school secretary, Jeanne Kozak, at the Early Childhood Education Center office for information and an application ~ 781-461-5978.

School Field Trips

2011-10-29T14:15:00.000-07:00

The last couple of weeks my kids have been getting out of their classrooms and into other learning environments. Running field trips, especially these days with the costs of transportation, is no easy feat. My daughter, a 3rd grader at the Avery School, headed to Plymouth Plantation last week. I was super impressed with the preparation the teacher put into this trip where students went to well versed and prepared on what the lives of the Wamponoags and Pilgrims alike. Karen Maregni, her teacher, did many interactive lessons bringing Social Studies to life. One night we all played a Wampanoag game that she learned.

Paul Sullivan, kindergarden teacher at the Curren Center(ECEC or the Capen) brought the half day kids out to Ward Berry Farm on a cool, rainy day last week with smiles on their faces. They picked pumpkins, visited with different animals and I'm sure counted and sang all throughout the day.

There have also been some wonderful assemblies and enrichment programs too happening during the school day. It's been a great start to the year in the Dedham Public Schools!

Taste of Dedham!

2011-10-28T19:09:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend this event and I was bummed to miss it. Where else can you pay $25 and have tastes of the best restaurants around?! It also supported the great work of the Dedham Rotary Club. This years "Taste of Dedham" was bigger and better than ever with 25 area restaurants setting up in the Mosley's ballroom of to sample their best and most popular dishes. People that went said it was an amazing time and the food was delicious. I would have especially liked to sample something from Chiara's in Westwood and anything that Tina from Santoro's in Dedham was serving. We certainly don't need to go far to find great food and to have it all under one roof, is a brilliant way to spend an evening.

I'm saving my appetite for next year's event.

Dedham TV

2011-10-21T06:56:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'll admit that the few times a week I actually get to turn on my tv to watch something I want to watch, flipping to Dedham TV isn't the first place I go. I should, though. In the last couple of busy fall months, I've turned to DTV several times to watch the School Committee meetings. Last night I flipped it on and got sucked into a Board of Selectmen meeting. I found it to be very informative, especially as a Town Meeting member. There was a great presentation by Carmen DelloIacono on creating a public safety and municipal campus that made so much sense, I wish we could get the ball rolling on it. I heard some updates from the building inspector that were interesting and an update from the Economic Development office which was hopeful. My husband who had put the kids to bed and came down to a BOS meeting on the TV wasn't ready to make popcorn and curl up on the couch. He sighed and groaned, but decided to watch along with me. Midway through I said, "Come on, isn't this interesting?" He said, "Sort of." A small victory in my book. Watching the civic process isn't always the most interesting, but if you want to know what's happening around you and make change, it's the best tv to watch.

Local listings:

Comcast Customers
Channel 8 - Public
Channel 98 - Municipal
Channel 10 - Education

RCN Customers
Channel 13 - Public
Channel 3 - Municipal
Channel 15 - Educational

Verizon FiOS Customers
Channel 40 - Public
Channel 39 - Municipal
Channel 38 - Education

Look for a new program next week called TALKING POINTS. They will pick an issue, get people on the street opinions and then examine pros, cons, effects. The host is Ben Bush. The first guest is David Shagoury on casino gambling.

They are always looking to train volunteers too!

The Dedham Square Artist Guild - Kerry's View

2011-10-13T06:02:00.000-07:00

Art at the the Dedham Square Artist Guild. We have been open for two weeks now. The space is a artist gallery/coop in Dedham Square. I wanted to feature some of our items here. I am so excited about the artist's work. Many are from Dedham but, also the surrounding towns. The art featured in these photos are fabric, photography, jewelry, and sculpture. We have much more art featured in the Gallery such as pottery, watercolors, oils, etc.

Jewelry by Cristina Hurley
Photography by Gillian Jackson
Fabric Art by Iris Sonnenscheinand
Sculpture by Gints Grinbergs

Iris and Jillian will be working on Friday.
Come by, check out thier fabric and photographic art and meet the artists behind the work

The Guild is open 12-8pm on Friday
553 High Street, Dedham Square

Dedham High's AP Program Soars

2011-10-11T17:29:00.000-07:00

I love what's happening at Dedham High School these days. New principal, new courses, new field, revised MCAS scores(due to an error) and a new perception emerging in the community. At a recent School Committee meeting, we were treated to a special presentation on our AP progress under the umbrella of a wonderful grant called "MMSI" or Mass Math and Science Initiative. Under this 5 year grant we have been able to more than double our enrollment of students taking AP level courses and significantly increase the number of courses offered. Dedham students have been a stand out under this grant with accolades coming from the the top as there was a guest speaker from Washington DC at the meeting last week to praise Dedham on all their great work.

The MMSI grant not only gives schools the funding they need to offer more courses, but also rewards the teachers and students for success. Students earn $100 for every 3 or higher they earn on a test. We have students taking 4 AP tests and scoring 3 or higher. Under the MMSI grant that earns them a nice $400. Not a bad chunk of change to add to the college savings.

In 2009, Dedham High only offered 10 AP courses. Today we offer 16 courses with 316 students enrolled!

Current AP Course Offerings at Dedham High School:

English 3 Language Comp World Literature
English 3 Language Comp. American Literature
English 4
Calculus
Statistics
Computer Science
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Environmental Science
Us History 1
US History 2
Psychology
European History
Studio Art Drawing
Studio Art 2D

Authentic Italian in Dedham Square

2011-10-07T10:17:00.000-07:00

Dedham's Italian roots are strong. Walk around Dedham Square on a Friday night and you'll hear as many conversations in Italian as you do in English. There are a variety of options for good Italian food in Dedham Square, but yesterday I decided to head over to the newer establishment, Vincenzo's, for one of their veal parmesan sandwiches I saw featured on their Facebook page. Approaching their shop on a gorgeous fall day the outdoor seating was tempting. The sights and smells of Italy hit me as I walked into their clean and beautifully decorated cafe. I approached the counter and was greeted by a friendly, warm face, Marcella and was then introduced to her husband and the owner, Giuseppe. In his thick Italian accent and a smile he welcomes me to Vincenzo's. While waiting for my sub, I checked out their array of Italian cookies, coffees and specialty items. A box of Bonomelli Chamomile tea caught my eye and I was flooded with memories of sipping it during late nights as a college student living in Arezzo, Italy. With the sounds of Italian radio from above, I sipped my San Benedetto ice tea and had myself a delicious lunch by a mural of an Italian seaside and thought about simpler times.

Let's Decorate!

2011-10-04T18:44:00.000-07:00

Did you know that tucked in a corner of Dedham lives a woman who takes furniture on its way to a yard sale and transforms them into hip, cool, vintage pieces ready to be the most talked about item in your house? Sheila Shaw of Let's Decorate has nothing more than a Facebook page and devoted followers who are anxious to see what she's created next. Her furniture has recently spruced up the front window of the Dedham Country Store on High St. and also can be found in the newest shop in Dedham Square, the Dedham Square Artist Guild.

I love how she gives names to all her pieces. Meet "Pippa".....

If you want to see Pippa and all her furniture friends go to the Let's Decorate Facebook page and go to the photos.

Dedham Community Theater Showtimes

2011-09-29T20:04:00.001-07:00

THREE new films start Friday!
Show Times for Friday, September 30 through Thursday, October 6, 2011

MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITTE: The story of life's random encounters. In a small French town, Germain, a nearly illiterate man in his 50's and considered to be the village idiot by his friends at the local bistro, takes a walk to the park one day and happens to sit beside Margueritte, a little old lady who is reading excerpts from her novel aloud. She's articulate, highly intelligent and frail.
Between Germain and Margueritte, there are 40 years and 200 pounds difference. Germain is lured by Margueritte's passion for life and the magic of literature from which he has always felt excluded. As Margueritte broadens his mind via reading excerpts from her novel, Germain realizes that he is more of an intellectual than he has ever allowed himself to be.
Afternoons spent reading aloud on their favorite bench transform their lives and start them both on a new journey -- to literacy and respect for Germain, and to the deepest friendship for Margueritte. The Boston Globe gives this film 3 STARS!
Showing Daily at: (1:00, 3:00) 5:00, 7:00, *9:00
[*Late show Friday & Saturday only]

HAPPY, HAPPY: Family is the most important thing in the world to Kaja. She is an eternal optimist in spite of living with a man who would rather go hunting with the boys, and who refuses to have sex with her because she "isn't particularly attractive" anymore. Whatever. That's life. But when "the perfect couple" moves in next door, Kaja struggles to keep her emotions in check. Not only do these successful, beautiful, exciting people sing in a choir; they have also adopted a child – from Ethiopia!
These new neighbors open a new world to Kaja, with consequences for everyone involved. And when Christmas comes around, it becomes evident that nothing will ever be like before – even if Kaja tries her very best.
Winner of the World Cinema Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, and an official selection at the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s New Directors / New Films Festival, HAPPY, HAPPY is a warm comedy from award-winning Norwegian filmmaker Anne Sewitsky. HAPPY, HAPPY is Norway’s official entry for Best Foreign Language Film for the 2011 Academy Awards. – Amanda Mae Meyncke of Film.com said “Hilarious and incisive. A film that abounds with joy and sadness.”
Showing Daily at: (1:00) 5:00

POINT BLANK: Produced by Cyril Colbeau-Justin and Jean-Baptiste Dupont, POINT BLANK also stars Roschdy Zem, Gerard Lanvin and Elena Anaya.
Gilles Lellouche plays Samuel, a nurse working at a hospital when his pregnant wife (Anaya) is kidnapped before his very eyes. Knocked unconscious, he comes to and discovers that a dangerous criminal named Sartet (Zem) is responsible, and if he's ever to see his wife again, he must do Sartet’s bidding. Samuel quickly finds himself pitted against rival gangsters and trigger-happy police in a deadly race to save the lives of his wife and unborn child. See why Steven Schaefer of the Boston Herald said “Make a note to see it. You won’t be disappointed. Propulsively entertaining.”
Showing Daily at: (3:00) 7:00, *9:00

Dedham Day - Kerry's View

2011-09-26T05:19:00.000-07:00

The Friends of Dedham Recreation and the Friends of the Dedham Pool put on this celebration every year. I love to attend Dedham Day. I have fun photographing the rides, the food, and the fun. It was very hot and sticky this year but, still crowded with familes. There are games, bbq, rides, music and of course, the annual mega cow flop. At 1pm or so, “Juliette the cow” is lead onto a deeded field. Crowds waits to see where she fertilizes and hope to win some money. Sadly, I missed this year. There is always next year. For more photos please go to my Blog.

Run for the Vascular Birthmark Foundation-Tomorrow!

2011-09-24T20:01:00.000-07:00

As a mother of a child who was born with a port wine stain, I know what dealing with a vascular birthmark is like. My daughter's birthmark was mild compared to some of the other children we would see in the waiting room at Children's Hospital, and we always counted our blessings. You don't realize it until you're in a room full of families coming from several hours away who staying in hotels how lucky we are to live minutes from top hospitals. As early as three months we were taking advantage of the incredible lasar technology available to us and her today you can barely see her birthmark and her risk for glaucoma later in life has been drastically reduced.

Thank you to fellow Dedham mother, Danielle Vlahos, for all her hard work to raise awareness around vascular birthmarks. Danielle's story about her son Cole and his hemangioma is an inspiration and why organizations like VBF help families and save lives.

Join friends and families of the VBF this fall for the inaugural running of the Legacy 5K Road Race in support of the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation.

This is a fun 5K for the whole family and is presented by Subaru of New England with additional sponsorship by Solid Body Fitness, Whole Foods of Dedham and Legacy Place. Run just to have a good time and raise awareness or run to set a personal-best time as this is a Certified USA Track & Field 5K. Everyone is welcome in what is sure to become the race of the fall season!

All proceeds will go to the Vascular Birthmark Foundation, please join in and make this first ever run/walk a memorial time that will benefit many, while raising awareness.

Mix 104.1 will be on scene to provide the music and entertainment and you will want to stick around for the post-race festival.

To register go to www.legacy5k.com

50/50 on Construction Times

2011-09-24T18:54:00.000-07:00

I wasn't able to attend the recent Board of Selectman meeting which addressed the construction issue for the Dedham Square Improvement Project looking to break ground in March of 2012. After much debate on doing construction during the day and disrupting businesses versus doing construction at night and disrupting residents, it seems that both groups are going to have to deal with a little bit of disruption, which seems fair. It's clear that this project is not going to turn out like some of these no-end-in-sight bridge projects that have taken place over the last few years and continue today. If you want to watch this presentation that the Engineering Department presented to last week, you'll see why. I found it to be very well done and informative.

Dedham Square Artist Guild

2011-09-23T12:45:00.000-07:00

A New Art Adventure! Kerry Hawkins, Jen Barsamian and Marietta Appollonia are opening a gallery/co-op in Dedham Square on October 1st. It is called Dedham Square Artist Guild. The window art is by Paula Lazar. It is beautiful and really brightens the window.

We are so excited to be opening in Dedham. I love that we are bringing art to the square in the form of this gallery/co-op. There are over 20 artists from Dedham and the local area showing thier work in the gallery.

If you are in the Dedham Area stop by our gallery. It will be open Thursdays - Sundays. Our Grand Opening will be Saturday, October 1st. 12-8pm. We will have a raffle and refreshments.

We will have a preview night September 30th during the Dedham Square Circle's Fall Stroll 5pm-8pm

Best Street in Dedham-Winner!

2011-09-21T07:07:00.000-07:00

Best Street in Dedham was such successful contest, it was so hard to pick a winner! After much deliberation, the application for the Ledgewood/Intervale Rd. neighborhood in Greenlodge took the crown. The description of not only kids playing together, but adults too set it apart from the others. The neighborhood was so proud of their title they had t-shirts made(literally over night!) and proudly wore them at the 375 Bash last week. They won $250 towards a block party and bragging rights until next years winner is announced! Thanks to Donahue Real Estate for sponsoring such a wonderful community building event.

MCAS Scores-The Good News

2011-09-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

It seems as though this type of MCAS news doesn't make the headlines. When we fail, it's front page news and when we do well, it's buried in the back, if at all.

As MCAS scores are used to gage whether or not a school system is "good", I think this data shows that we both have room to improve and so much to be proud of. If you want to see these results for yourself, they are easily found on the Department of Education website. (Click on "public schools." After you select the school you are interested in learning more about, click on "assessment.")

Thanks to one of the great science teachers at DHS, here are the science highlights:

On the high school science MCAS exam, DHS ranked 69 of 346, which was higher than Weston (86), Wellesley (126), Brookline (107), and Norwood (214). Our high school math also did very well: we ranked 74 of 358.

Oakdale 5th graders ranked 2nd in the state for science!!!!!!

Although in high school science, we did not rank higher than Walpole or Needham, we had a greater percentage of students who scored advanced than those schools. In fact, we had a greater percentage of students who scored advanced than the following high schools: Weston, Needham, Wellesley, Walpole, Canton, Franklin, and Foxborough. (Tying Westwood is not too bad.) This is especially noteworthy since DHS is 29% low income.

I'm not a fan of high stakes testing, but we do need something to measure our students. Considering our demographics and diversity, I feel we are on the right track. If parents continue to demand the best, we will have students that are prepared for a college education and beyond. These tests are only one measure. Make sure to look at all aspects of your child's education to determine if they are getting "the best."

Dedham Eats: Fell Into Fall

2011-09-16T11:56:00.001-07:00

Something curious seems to be happening all of a sudden. It is consistently under 70 degrees. Rush-hour traffic has gotten worse. My to-do list gets longer by the minute. Conversations have gone from “what are you in the mood to eat for dinner?” to “what do we have that we can make in thirty minutes and will taste at least passable?”

Yep, it must be September.

And while September might mean a more hectic daily schedule, I’d add one more thing to the list:

Apples!

I like to celebrate apple season in combination with the beginning of baking season, which is truly my favorite time of the year.

I whipped up this recipe for my brother, who is wasting away (HA! *snort*) in his freshman year of college. My parents packed up the car to head off to Parents’ Weekend, and I snuck these in the backseat just as they were taking off. Some say I’m a very nice sister…but really, it’s just another excuse for me to fuel my baking addiction.

These muffins are easy and fun to make with the kids over the weekend

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

(adapted from this recipe)

Serves 12 (recipe is pretty easily halved, if you only want to make 6)

You will need:

3/4 c. milk*
1/4 c. canola oil
1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs
1.5 cups finely chopped apple (about 2 or 3 apples)
2 c. whole wheat pastry or all-purpose flour, or 1 c. of each
2/3 c. sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
3 T sugar + 1/2-1 tsp cinnamon, for topping

*I used almond milk, but I would imagine any milk would do.

Preheat your oven to 375. Line with muffin liners or spray nonstick cooking spray over 12-muffin baking tin.

In a medium bowl, beat milk, oil, applesauce and eggs. Stir in the chopped apples.

In a larger bowl, sift flour, baking powder & soda, spices and salt. Add the sugar. Mix well. (If you don’t have a sifter that’s okay, just whisk all the dry ingredients together and be sure to get it mixed as well as you can!)

Make a little well/hole in the center of your dry ingredients. Add the apple mixture and stir until juuuuust barely mixed; it’s okay if it’s a little lumpy.

Divide batter evenly into muffin tin and top with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. I used brown sugar instead of regular, but it ended up very heavy on the molasses flavor – you might try half and half.

Bake for 20-25 minutes; check them after 20 by sticking a toothpick in the center of one. If it comes out clean and the muffins don’t feel too gooey, let them sit for about 5 minutes. I found mine needed a little extra time to get a little more solid, even after the toothpick test.

Have a lovely early-fall weekend!

For more recipes & food chat, stop over at my blog When Bread Is Broken and say hello!

International Dot Day

2011-09-16T10:44:00.000-07:00

(Celebrating at "Dot Day" at the Blue Bunny yesterday making dots with Peter Reynolds himself!)

Yesterday I joined thousands around the globe to celebrate International Dot Day. A day dedicated to creativity and "making your mark," thanks to the wonderful children's tale written by Dedham's own Peter Reynolds. The story of Vashti and her dot is a family favorite. We have had birthday party themes around this book and my two year old knows the story by heart and enjoys putting on small performances as it's read aloud to him. It was a no-brainer for us to join in the celebration of Dot Day which we started out at the Blue Bunny and then later in the day with my daughter's 3rd grade class at the Avery School. After the students finished making their own dots, they each received a certificate created by Peter's company, Fablevision. We certainly made our mark, now we'll see where it takes us!

(Avery 3rd grader, Isabella Zaferacopoulos with her "Dot Day" certificate)

For more on yesterday's events, click here.

Stephanie Says: A 02026 Vacation

2011-09-13T07:16:00.000-07:00

Stephanie Says: An 02026 Vacation

I'm a freelance writer, so when an editor from Northwestern Mutual's Creative Living magazine asked for a short article on vacationing close to home, I naturally thought of Dedham. Here's the text that ran in their summer 2011 issue:

How to Vacation Close to Home

The next time you have a weekend free but don’t want to spend your gas money on out-of-town travel, take a look around your hometown. With a little research, you’ll likely uncover inexpensive, crowd-free gems you can explore without leaving your ZIP code. Search online for “things to do” and your town name and click through to learn about local treasures. I tried this myself. I live in Dedham, Massachusetts, a suburban town of about 23,000 people. Nearby Boston is, of course, filled with museums, tours, and famous sites, but what is there to do right here in town? I discovered my family and I could spend a weekend:

• Touring the Fairbanks House, believed to be the oldest wooden-frame home in the United States

• Visiting the Museum of Bad Art, housed in the basement of a downtown theater

• Hiking Wilson Mountain, a 285-foot peak with views of the Boston skyline

• Checking out the pottery and other artifacts on exhibit at the Dedham Historical Society’s museum

• Paying our respects to Igloo, the dog who accompanied Admiral Richard Byrd on his polar expeditions, at the Pine Ridge pet cemetery

• Watching the water flow through Mother Brook, the oldest canal in the United States

I bet your hometown has its own interesting site— search and see for yourself.

--Stephanie Thurrott

Dedham 375 Bash in Photos

2011-09-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

You could not have asked for a better weather day for the Dedham 375th Birthday Bash on Saturday. Sunny and dry! It seemed like the whole town was out and celebrating. There were speeches, music, food, old fashioned games, and rides for the kids. It was a fun event, especially for families. There was huge tent set-up with a dance floor and tables to visit and relax with neighbors. The overall day had a fun, festive feeling. We should be proud of Dedham. Cheers to the next 375 years!

Dedham Eats: This Recipe Might Change Your Life

2011-09-08T08:25:00.001-07:00

Last week, my mother and I went to the Farmers Market, as usual. And we spent a little extra time ogling the heirloom tomato and garlic varieties at The Neighborhood Farm’s stand, as usual. And we picked up a recipe from them, as usual.

But as not-so-usual, we actually made the recipe. It looked so simple, and came so highly recommended, it seemed downright blasphemous to send summer packing without first making this.

Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Food bloggers tend to be dramatic. We use the words “that was the best ____ I’ve ever had” at least once a week. But I’m not playing around with this recipe. It’s better than any kind of tomato concoction a restaurant has served me – and this is coming from someone who lived in Italy, where the tomatoes taste like nothing else on this earth. These tomatoes, with their perfect flavor balance of sweet, tart and garlicky, kick those Italian tomatoes’ ~~butts~~ stems. You need them. They are perfect for impressing guests, a comforting dinner, an added punch to salad. We served them atop steamed spaghetti squash, and then as a bruschetta topping. With something this good, the possibilities are endless.

If you don’t like tomatoes (I was one such person once), then don’t think of these as tomatoes – imagine, if you will, juicy, tart red-orange jewels that taste like the sun personally dripped rich olive oil and pungent garlic like honey on every bite. That should help.

We were assured that this recipe freezes very well. Honestly, they will probably never be around long enough for anyone to really confirm that.

Recipe courtesy of The Neighborhood Farm

You will need…

at least 2 baking pans (not sheets)
4-5 cloves fresh garlic (I used a whole small bulb, 5 cloves)
cherry tomatoes – buy however many you think you’ll eat…and double it.
olive oil
sea salt + pepper (for what it’s worth, I do think freshly ground pepper makes a big difference)

Preheat oven to 200 F.

Chop your tomatoes in half lengthwise and place in a single layer on the pan. Crowd them together – they will shrink considerably. (For my special trick for chopping tomatoes, head to my blog – it will save you tons of time.)

Chop the garlic fine and sprinkle evenly over the tomatoes.

Sprinkle sea salt and pepper. Drizzle plenty of olive oil on top. You want each one to be glistening a bit – they should be sitting in oil, but not swimming in it. [This is not an exact science – I would err on the more liberal drizzling side.]

Roast for 6 – 8 hours (we do 7). They will look slightly shriveled.

Invite lots of people over – your house will smell amazing within minutes and they will either turn green with jealousy or pale with sudden hunger.

To serve, toss into pasta, or top bruschetta or roasted spaghetti squash.

To freeze, pack into a freezable container and pour the oil from the pan over them. Cover with more oil as needed. They will keep up to 6 months.

To refrigerate, put the tomatoes in a jar or tupperware and cover with the olive oil/garlic from the pan. They will technically keep up to 2 weeks…I dare you to make them last that long.

And be sure to keep any left over oil when they’re all gone – it makes for a killer salad dressing!

For a step-by-step tutorial for this recipe or a crazy-awesome trick for chopping tomatoes, stop over at When Bread Is Broken and say hello!

Free Pet Adoption Day-Thursday!

2011-09-05T19:21:00.000-07:00

From the Dedham ARL:

Free adoptions Thursday, Sept. 8!

Looking for a pet? With the seasons changing and summer vacations winding down, it’s a great time to adopt a cat or dog into your home. Consider taking advantage of our upcoming free adoption day at our Boston and Dedham locations on Thursday, September 8.
We have a variety of animals waiting for their forever homes, including friendly dogs and playful kittens. While kitten season typically peaks each summer, our kitten population often remains steady into the fall. We also have an array of dogs of many sizes, breeds and personalities waiting for you.

Even if you can’t take advantage of the September 8 fee waiver, our Boston, Dedham and Brewster shelters have “Free Cat Friday” when the adoption fee for certain cats is waived.
Adopting from a shelter not only helps a homeless animals, it is also a cost savings.

Each cat in our shelter receives the following important services:
Spay/neuter surgery
Feline Leukemia testing
Veterinary and behavioral exam
De-worming and flea treatment
Microchip (in case they get lost)
Vaccinations
Tag, collar and carrier

These services would costs approximately $439 per cat.

Back to School Giveaway-$50 to Whole Foods!

2011-09-04T17:36:00.000-07:00

As much as I don't want to admit it, it's here. The calendar reads August 24, with 7 days left until September. Sigh.. it has to happen and thus another 365 days begin. This is my new year, not that holiday in January. As a former school teacher and being married to one, our year is the academic one.

Whole Foods is helping us kick it off the new year with some help on that back to school shopping trip. In order to win the $50, leave a comment about your favorite 365 product from Whole Foods. Mine is easy: 365 Herbs de Provence. I put it on everything. Just last week used it on chicken, fish and vegetables. It's so good and the kids love it too. There is also something psychological about eating lavender flowers. I can't bath in lavender or smell it all day long for relaxation, but maybe if I eat it, the power will permeate my insides. One can hope?

Contest will end 7pm on September 5th, Labor Day. Good Luck!

Contest rules:
1.The comment can not be left by an anonymous user.
2. The comment must include a 365 product.
3. Winner will be chosen randomly at the end of the day on September 5th.

Better than the rankings

2011-09-02T18:04:00.000-07:00

I just got an from a beautiful evening walk around the Endicott section of Dedham. It's one of my favorite neighborhoods and walking around the streets elevates the feeling. I love looking at each house and the story they tell. There are no two alike and each one with its own personality. You can tell something about the homeowner just by looking at the house(ours is that we aren't landscapers!). We may not have one acre lots and space in between us, but the coziness of the neighborhoods are what make Dedham such a special place to live. I don't think anyone would buy a home in close proximity to others if they were a hermit. Most Dedhamites enjoy being part of a community. I saw proof with the number of kids out and playing in the streets tonight.

We're really not 100% of any kind of town: working class, affluent or middle-class. We truly have every kind of dwelling and every walk of life. It's what makes Dedham so unique and far to cool for any "best of ...." rankings. Let everyone flock to the towns featured on those lists. I want to live in a place that has a pulse, a life, and a strong sense of community with amazing people. I want to send my children to schools that are authentic, diverse and allow children to grow to be their own person. I want to live in a place that isn't deemed the "best" because of statistics, but the "best" because of the people.

Showtimes at the Dedham Community Theatre

2011-09-02T17:11:00.000-07:00

Show Times Now through Thursday, September 8, 2011

SARAH’S KEY: Ten-year-old Sarah is taken with her parents by the French police as they go door-to-door arresting Jewish families in the middle of the night.
Desperate to protect her younger brother, Sarah locks him in a bedroom cupboard their secret hiding place and promises to come back for him as soon as they are released.
Sixty seven years later: Sarah's story intertwines with that of Julia Jarmond, an American journalist investigating the roundup. In her research, Julia stumbles onto a trail of secrets that link her to Sarah, and to questions about her own romantic future. [French with English Sub-Titles]

Showing Daily at: (12:30, 2:40) 4:50, 7:10, *9:15
[*Late show Friday, Saturday & Sunday only]

THE GUARD: A comedic fish-out-of-water tale of murder, blackmail, drug trafficking and rural police corruption. Two policemen must join forces to take on an international drug-smuggling gang - one, an unorthodox Irish policeman and the other, a straitlaced FBI agent.
Sergeant Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleason) is an eccentric small-town cop with a confrontational and crass personality and a subversive sense of humor. A longtime policeman in County Galway, Boyle is a maverick with his own moral code. He has seen enough of the world to know there isn't much to it and has had plenty of time to think about it.
When a fellow police officer disappears and Boyle's small town becomes key to a large drug trafficking investigation, he is forced to at least feign interest when dealing with the humorless FBI agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle) assigned to the case. Left to run his territory to his liking for many years, he is not at all impressed when the FBI comes to town.
Agent Everett has led an American life of privilege, complete with the highest levels of formal education. Consumed with his pursuit of justice, Everett has no interest in the district of Connemara other than as a backdrop to solve the case. He underestimates the townspeople, especially Sergeant Boyle. Everett looks down on Boyle as a low-level provincial policeman with a limited and flippant view of the world. Boyle sees Everett as a by-the-book policeman with a chip on his shoulder and no understanding of how the real world runs.
Despite the fact that Boyle seems more interested in mocking and undermining Everett than in actively working to solve the case, Boyle finds that circumstances keep pulling him back into the thick of it. First, his tiresomely enthusiastic new partner disappears. Then his favorite hooker attempts to blackmail him into turning a blind eye to the case. Finally the drug-traffickers he's trying to find try to buy him off - as they have every other member of the local police force.
As unconventional as Boyle is, these events unwittingly offend his murky moral code. He realizes that he needs to take matters into his own hands, and that Everett is the only person he can trust. And so the scene is set for an unlikely friendship and explosive finale.

Showing Daily at: (12:15, 2:30) 4:45, 7:00, *9:15
[*Late show Friday, Saturday & Sunday only]

Dedham Eats: Dear Irene

2011-08-31T19:02:00.001-07:00

Dear Irene,

Perhaps you remember us here in Dedham – you blew through town on Sunday? I hear you didn’t really go into the Square. That’s a shame, it’s one of the nicest places in town. Although seeing as you’re not particularly friendly, maybe you wouldn’t like it so much.

I’m writing you today because I am concerned about your health. You seem to have a lot of anger, and I don’t think you are expressing it in a positive or efficient manner. Sure, crashing trees into fences and ripping down power lines feels good in the moment, but what does it really get you in the long run? Shame and guilt, and that is no way to live. Have you considered a vacation? I hear Antarctica is nice this time of year.

On the other hand, I know you’re quite the traveler, so perhaps another kind of therapy is in order. How do you feel about cooking? I quite like it – there’s nothing like hacking at some celery or peppers to get out that aggression. Try it the next time you feel like throwing down a telephone pole.

Of course, there are some days where nothing but taking down the power of an entire coast will do. And on those days when you’re afraid to open the refrigerator for fear of losing any cold air, you might find yourself with nothing but a match and some cans in the pantry to make dinner with. I can relate – I was recently in that very position, as you well know.

Below you will find two recipes – one for when you feel the need to use an entire state as your personal punching bag, and another for when you are feeling a bit more low-energy. Please enjoy them and, please, know that we are all concerned for you and your emotional well-being. I understand you are angry but really, dear, is flooding Vermont really the answer?

Hurricane Crabcakes

With a touch of heat, to match your mood!

Makes about 6 palm-sized patties

1 lb crab meat (we found ours at Costco)
2 T butter
2 celery stalks
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2 large white onion
1 egg + 1 egg white
2/3 c panko bread crumbs
scant 1/4 c. fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/4 tsp. each: sage, paprika, thyme
pinch cayenne
salt + pepper
1 1/2 – 2 T canola oil (enough to cover a large pan)

Dice the celery, pepper and onion very small and as uniform as you can. Heat the butter in the pan and saute the veggies in it until soft, about 5 minutes.

Combine the sauteed veggies in a large bowl with the crab meat, the egg and egg white (or a couple Ts of egg whites in a carton if you have it on hand), breadcrumbs, spices and parsley.

Heat the canola oil in an iron skillet (just enough to cover the bottom). Form about the patties and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes on each side, until browned and crisp.

If you’d like, you can throw together a remoulade sauce by mixing 1/2 c. low fat mayo, the juice of 1/2 a lemon, 2 tsp. mustard, a dash of tabasco sauce and 1/2 tsp paprika – but I know how time-consuming it can be to ruin entire communities in mere hours, so you can just squeeze a little lemon juice over the cakes in a pinch.

One-Pot Chickpea Stew

For those grey, lethargic days…or when you can’t use the dishwasher.

2 cans chickpeas
2 cans diced tomatoes (I like the ones with garlic)
1/2 large onion, diced
3-5 huge handfuls spinach, kale, or other leafy greens (you can use canned veggies, too, if you’d like)
2 tsp garam masala (Indian spice mix, found with all the other spices)
2 tsp curry powder
salt + pepper

Dump it all in a large pot on medium-high heat. Cook until hot/greens have cooked down. Serves as many as you’d like.

Life is simply not worth spending angry, Irene!

Sincerely,

Gillian G.

P.S. If those recipes helped, feel free to visit my blog, When Bread Is Broken, should you need further help managing your anger via food!

New Bike Racks

2011-08-26T17:16:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed new bike racks throughout town? I had noticed the ones pictured above in Dedham Square, and wasn't sure when they had appeared and if I had been blind to them all along. Hanging out in Mocha Java this morning I ran into Karen O'Connell from the town's economic development office, and she told me they had just been recently installed. There are 10 of these "circle and post" bike racks that will hold two bikes. Then there are seven larger ones throughout town at fields, parks, etc. The economic development office applied for funding through the Regional Bike Parking Program, by the MAPC that was a 100% reimbursable grant. "It was a great way to add in bike racks to the Dedham Square improvements, without adding to the budget," said O'Connell(they can be easily removed and added back in when renovations begin in the Spring). With Dedham Square Circle and Dedham Civic Pride splitting the cost for shipping and Dedham Public Works installing the racks, they are beautiful examples of what happens when everyone works together! They also make Dedham more bike friendly, which for health and environmental reasons, is a great thing for us all.

DCT Showtimes 8/26-9/1

2011-08-25T18:56:00.000-07:00

Show Times for Friday 8/26/11 thru Thursday, 9/1/11:

SARAH’S KEY: Ten-year-old Sarah is taken with her parents by the French police as they go door-to-door arresting Jewish families in the middle of the night.
Desperate to protect her younger brother, Sarah locks him in a bedroom cupboard their secret hiding place and promises to come back for him as soon as they are released.
Sixty seven years later: Sarah's story intertwines with that of Julia Jarmond, an American journalist investigating the roundup. In her research, Julia stumbles onto a trail of secrets that link her to Sarah, and to questions about her own romantic future.

Showing Daily at: (12:30, 2:40) 4:50, 7:10, *9:15
[*Late show Friday & Saturday only]

THE GUARD: A comedic fish-out-of-water tale of murder, blackmail, drug trafficking and rural police corruption. Two policemen must join forces to take on an international drug-smuggling gang - one, an unorthodox Irish policeman and the other, a straitlaced FBI agent.
Sergeant Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleason) is an eccentric small-town cop with a confrontational and crass personality and a subversive sense of humor. A longtime policeman in County Galway, Boyle is a maverick with his own moral code. He has seen enough of the world to know there isn't much to it and has had plenty of time to think about it.
When a fellow police officer disappears and Boyle's small town becomes key to a large drug trafficking investigation, he is forced to at least feign interest when dealing with the humorless FBI agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle) assigned to the case. Left to run his territory to his liking for many years, he is not at all impressed when the FBI comes to town.
Agent Everett has led an American life of privilege, complete with the highest levels of formal education. Consumed with his pursuit of justice, Everett has no interest in the district of Connemara other than as a backdrop to solve the case. He underestimates the townspeople, especially Sergeant Boyle. Everett looks down on Boyle as a low-level provincial policeman with a limited and flippant view of the world. Boyle sees Everett as a by-the-book policeman with a chip on his shoulder and no understanding of how the real world runs.
Despite the fact that Boyle seems more interested in mocking and undermining Everett than in actively working to solve the case, Boyle finds that circumstances keep pulling him back into the thick of it. First, his tiresomely enthusiastic new partner disappears. Then his favorite hooker attempts to blackmail him into turning a blind eye to the case. Finally the drug-traffickers he's trying to find try to buy him off - as they have every other member of the local police force.
As unconventional as Boyle is, these events unwittingly offend his murky moral code. He realizes that he needs to take matters into his own hands, and that Everett is the only person he can trust. And so the scene is set for an unlikely friendship and explosive finale.

Showing Daily at: (12:15, 2:30) 4:45, 7:00, *9:15
[*Late show Friday & Saturday only]

Dedham Eats: The Season is the Reason

2011-08-24T20:41:00.001-07:00

The locavore movement is a curious one. I don’t know about you, but from where I was standing it felt a bit like I blinked and all of a sudden farmers markets were the hip hop happenin’ places to be and heirloom tomatoes were better than gold (and just as expensive). Is it just another food fad, like WWII’s Victory gardens and cake pops? Or is it here to stay?

Well, I’m not sure yet, but I’m hoping it’s got some longevity. Now before any eye-rolling and “oh, she’s just another young college hippie who thinks she can save the world with five dollar tomatoes” assumptions abound, hear me out.

When I lived in Italy, the market was a near-daily item on my agenda. Mercato Centrale, the huge historic open-air produce market in the middle of Florence, was one of my favorite places in the whole city to wander. Though nowadays it is frequently crowded with more camera-groping tourists than hungry locals, it is still a microcosm of the Tuscan culture I fell in love with. All the produce there tasted better than any I’d had before, was cheaper than any grocery store, and allowed me to participate in the very old market tradition. I had never known the person who sold me my food before, and it was a fascinating experience. I knew exactly where my food was from, and it tasted amazing because it was simply what was in season. It was supposed to be eaten at that time, and I finally understood that.

And it was the market that showed me what it was to truly be a “local.” I went to the same vendor each week for my spinach, tomatoes and yellow apples. She was a short woman, in both stature and patience, with stick-straight hair and a big black jacket. For the first few weeks, she treated me with a polite dismissiveness deserving of just another American tourist. But after showing up week after week for months, she began to take more time in selecting my produce, and smirked knowingly when I rounded the corner. When the first melons arrived, she sliced one open just to give me a taste of the perfectly sweet orange flesh. It was then that I knew what it was to be a local. For that moment, I belonged right there, painstakingly counting out my euros while balancing bags of apples and basil in my hands.

I don’t like to preach, because at the end of the day, food is a deeply personal choice and always will be. My point is simply that markets are so much more than a passing fad; they are a unique experience, a fresher way to eat, and for so many farmers, a way of life. They represent your culture, and that, I believe, is something to take pride in and more importantly, to enjoy. Throw the fad thoughts away and just have fun at the market – be local!

Catch more of my food musings at my blog, When Bread Is Broken!

ARL has moved!

2011-08-23T17:45:00.000-07:00

(Exterior of ARL's temporary location.)

This just in from one of my favorite places in Dedham......the Animal Rescue League!

While patiently awaiting the renovations of the new adoption center, the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Dedham location is now operating out of a spacious temporary shelter located at the front of their property. They have many animals available for adoption including cats, dogs, small animals, and horses. The League is also able to take in animals in need of new homes. Other services offered include nail trimming for cats and small animals on the last weekend of every month and educational programs for children. The staff at the Dedham Branch of the ARL of Boston encourages the community to visit and learn more about their exciting plans for the renovation! The League welcomes visitors to walk their own dogs in the Pine Ridge Pet Cemetery daily from dawn to dusk as long as dogs are leashed at all times to avoid contact with shelter dogs who are often nervous when they arrive. You can contact the League’s Dedham branch at Dedham@arlboston.org or call the shelter at 781-326-0729. To support the Dedham shelter renovation project, please contact Melanie Sheffield at msheffield@arlboston.org.

(Interior of ARL's temporary location.)

While you were away....

2011-08-21T12:15:00.001-07:00

There are so many things big and small going on in Dedham and it all goes under the radar as it's easy to see that not a lot of people are around. Parking at Legacy has been easy and the only large gatherings of people I see in Dedham Square are at Ron's and the Dedham Community Theatre.

Here are a few things you may have missed while you were away:

1. Borders Books is going out of business.
2. Mocha Java now has a refrigerated case with all kinds of delicious, healthy options.
3. Sheepskate will soon be moving to the former Trendz space.
4. Isabella's has a fabulous new bar area.
5. Dedham House of Pizza got their beer and wine license.
6. Summer Shack opened on Rt. 1.
7. The Wellness Club opened at Whole Foods.
8. Planning for the big 375 birthday bash on September 10th is in full swing.
9. Dedham Women's Exchange got a new parking lot.
10. ??? (Leave a comment for #10, what am I missing?)

The Best Street in Dedham Contest!

2011-08-18T07:08:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about this contest that can win your fabulous street a $250 block party this fall?! All you have to do is submit a one paragraph essay nominating your street. What makes it so great? Application must be signed by at least 3 neighbors. Nominations are due by September 1. Ages 8 and up can apply.

Sponsored by Donahue Real Estate. Email your submissions to info@donahueRE.com or by mail to Donahue Real Estate, 15 Bryant St. Dedham, MA 02026 c/o “Best Street in Dedham.”

Come on people! Who wants the crown of "Best Street in Dedham!"

Wellness Club vs. Weight Watchers

2011-08-18T07:03:00.000-07:00

Last night I got a sneak peak into the new, first ever, Wellness Club at Whole Foods. Dedham is the first location of one of these clubs, and I have to say, it's impressive. In full disclosure, I was skeptical and in a bit of sticker shock over the price, but the level of education and classes being offered are so top notch and practical, I believe it would be worth every penny. There was a fantastic lecture on health and nutrition by two MD's from California, then a cooking demo by their very charismatic chef, Ryan. After my experience I felt empowered by my knowledge to walk out into the store ready and excited to make healthy choices. It makes a lot of sense.

Having done Weight Watchers after baby #2 and and #3, I've been part of these "trying to live healthy" communities before. I like Weight Watchers, and when I follow their program, I always lose weight. The WW community is great and their leaders are very motivational and knowledgable. The difference is, I don't leave WW with a lot of information on how to eat, what the nutrition all means, and how to cook. I start looking at foods as points and not as food. I also, usually, put some weight back on. It's a great short term plan. The Wellness Club seems like a good long term plan.

As I'm a visual learner and seeing Chef Ryan put together a very healthy dip last night, made it look easy and doable for me too. Also seeing how their state of the art kitchen was laid out was helpful. Having all the legumes and whole wheat pastas out and displayed on your counter will be a subtle reminder on the foods you should be putting into your body. Also, good food just looks beautiful.

There are some free lectures going on in the Wellness Club, part of their grand opening. I would certainly check it out and see if it's right for you.

Grease comes to the Dedham Community Theatre!

2011-08-16T12:46:00.000-07:00

Show Times for Friday, August 19 thru Thursday, August 25, 2011:

SARAH’S KEY: Ten-year-old Sarah is taken with her parents by the French police as they go door-to-door arresting Jewish families in the middle of the night.
Desperate to protect her younger brother, Sarah locks him in a bedroom cupboard their secret hiding place and promises to come back for him as soon as they are released.
Sixty seven years later: Sarah's story intertwines with that of Julia Jarmond, an American journalist investigating the roundup. In her research, Julia stumbles onto a trail of secrets that link her to Sarah, and to questions about her own romantic future.
Showing Daily at: (12:30, 2:40) 4:50, 7:10, *9:15
[*Late show Friday & Saturday only]

GREASE Sing-Along – Grease is the word! This hip-swiveling 1978 musical comedy about the trials and tribulations of a group of high school students growing up in the '50s has FINALLY been released in a sing-along version.
Each of the songs in the film has been subtitled with lyrics so that everyone in the audience can sing along with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Sing your heart out as you relive your past!
Showing Daily at: (12:00, 2:15) 4:30, 7:00, *9:20
[*Late show Friday & Saturday only]

Dedham Eats: Comfort Made Healthy

2011-08-16T12:29:00.000-07:00

Ah, New England. If you don't like the weather, wait a minute, no?

And when our predictably unpredictable weather rears its cloudy head, there's not much I like more than to curl up with a big plate of comfort food.

We all know that part of the "comfort" in comfort food often means one thing: fat, and lots of it. Allow me to prove to you that this does not always have to be the case.

Right now at the Farmers Market, eggplant, zucchini, peppers and onions are the new black[berry?], and it's pretty hard to not walk away without grabbing a few for yourself.

While throwing a few on the grill is always a delicious idea, when that nasty rain is coming down, the last thing you're thinking about is the grill. Enter: lasagna. It's hearty, tasty, and all-around fool-proof. And with this recipe, it's pretty healthy to boot!

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

What you'll need:

1 each of eggplant, zucchini or squash, pepper
2 fresh tomatoes
1/2-1 whole onion, sliced
1 pint ricotta cheese (may I recommend Narrangansett Creamery's ricotta - award-winning for a reason & easy find @ Whole Foods!)
fresh parsley, basil, and/or thyme as desired
garlic salt
1 ovolino-sized ball fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced (you could use the pre-shredded kind, but you and I both know that fresh is where it's at ;)
about 1 9 oz pack of whole wheat lasagna noodles*
1 cup or so of your favorite pasta sauce

*I used the pre-baked kind like this one because it's just easier! Also, the amount of pasta sheets you'll need will depend on the type of pan you're using, so just use what you think makes sense :)

Preheat your oven to 375 F.
Slice your eggplant, zucchini, peppers, onion and tomatoes. The shape can be up to you, just try to get them as uniform as you can so that they will cook evenly.
Roast the eggplant, zucchini and peppers on a cookie sheet with some cooking spray for 5-10 minutes to allow them to soften. (Raw eggplant can have a very unpleasant back-of-throat feel, and raw veggies in general contain a lot of water that you don't want in your lasagna - plus, pre-roasting will save on the cooking time of the whole dish!)
While those are roasting away, put your ricotta into a mixing bowl and add a touch of garlic salt and the chopped fresh herbs. Dried would work as well in a pinch, but opt for fresh when you can - it makes a BIG difference in flavor.
Turn your oven back to 350 for the lasagna (alternatively, you can just roast your veggies at 350 for a little longer, closer to 10 min.).
Grab your pan and start layering a thin smear of sauce, then a layer of pasta sheet, then the ricotta mix, then the roasted veggies, fresh tomato slices, & onions, and the mozzarella - then repeat until you hit the top! The last layer should be the rest of the pasta, then top it with a little more sauce and a sprinkling of parmeggiano cheese.
Bake for about 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted on top and the veggies are tender.
Dive in!

This recipe is fantastic because you can change up the veggies as your tastes & the season dictates, and you could even make it without any pasta at all! It's a little messy, but a lot yummy, and sure to please pretty much every hungry person you know.

Until next time...

Buon appetito!

For more recipes and food chat, feel free to stop over at my blog, When Bread Is Broken and say hi!

Fairbanks Celebration of the 375th

2011-08-15T12:26:00.000-07:00

(Gina Gerhard, flax preparation and spinner from Hill, NH)

If you haven't heard yet, this is Dedham's 375th anniversary with many events happening through out the year with the big celebration happening on September 10th at Endicott Estate. As a fan of history and places like Plymouth Plantation yesterday's event at the Fairbanks House called, "Contentment Plantation Period Crafts and Demontrations," was truly an outstanding gathering of extremely talented people. Traveling to Dedham from all over New England, these artists certainly knew their crafts. I was calling it the 18th century version of an open studios. Instead of abstract painters and photographers, there were tombstone carvers and basket makers. I enjoyed talking with all the crafters and learning about what they do and how they got started. I can only hope that this becomes an annual event. It was such a special day. I spent over four hours there yesterday with my family. I'm have a whole new appreciation and understanding of the Fairbanks House. It is a true gem and how lucky are we to have such a historical place at our finger tips.

(Jonathan Fairbanks and Chris Messier, Assistant to Gov. Plimoth Plantation)

For more pictures by Kerry Hawkins, visit her blog at: http://khawkinsphotoanddesign.blogspot.com/

Dedham Community Theatre Showtimes

2011-08-11T11:46:00.001-07:00

New movie opens on Friday!

SARAH’S KEY: Ten-year-old Sarah is taken with her parents by the French police as they go door-to-door arresting Jewish families in the middle of the night.
Desperate to protect her younger brother, Sarah locks him in a bedroom cupboard their secret hiding place and promises to come back for him as soon as they are released.
Sixty seven years later: Sarah's story intertwines with that of Julia Jarmond, an American journalist investigating the roundup. In her research, Julia stumbles onto a trail of secrets that link her to Sarah, and to questions about her own romantic future.
Showing Daily at: (12:30, 2:40) 4:50, 7:10, *9:15 [*Late show Friday, Saturday& Sunday only]

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS – Audiences are raving about Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, and Carla Bruni as they star in Woody Allen's romantic comedy about a family on a business trip in the City of Light.
As a young couple engaged to be married experiences a profound transformation during their visit to Paris, an idealistic man with a romanticized view of the city finds that there's plenty of truth to that old adage about the grass being greener on the other side.
Michael Sheen, Mimi Kennedy, and Kurt Fuller co-star.
Showing Daily at: (3:00) 5:00, 7:00, *9:00 [*Late show Friday, Saturday& Sunday only]

KUNG FU PANDA 2: The saga of Po continues in this sequel that finds the newly anointed Dragon Warrior (voice of Jack Black) teaming with The Furious Five to safeguard the Valley of Peace.
But when a new adversary launches a treacherous bid to seize control of China and obliterate the martial arts, Po must look back to his enigmatic origins in order to unleash his true potential, and defeat his most powerful opponent to date.
Showing Daily at: (12:45)

Dedham Eats: A New Foodie in Town

2011-08-09T20:46:00.000-07:00

Greetings fellow Dedhamites!

My name is Gillian Gurish and I am a 21-yr.-old recent college grad, born and raised in our fair town. In fact, if I look a little familiar, I might have made you a delicious caffeinated beverage during one of the three summers when I worked as a barista at Mocha Java in the Square. After graduating from Dedham High in 2007, I went to Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. I graduated this May at the top of my class with a B.A. in English, a minor in Music, and four fantastic years behind me.

I discovered a passion for the world of food during my semester spent studying abroad in Florence, Italy as a junior, and even started to write my own food blog, When Bread Is Broken, that I have now been writing for 1.5 years and only loving it more and more! Head on over there to learn more about me and, of course, food!

But enough about me - let's talk about the good stuff.

I was beyond thrilled when I was invited to do a few posts on the Dedham Rocks blog about the culinary possibilities our little town has to offer. With it being summer and all, there is no better place to begin than with the Dedham Farmers Market!

Now if you're anything like me, you probably look forward to the Farmers Market every week - something about the brightly colored nectarines, the beautifully plump Maine blueberries in their cardboard containers and the gorgeous purple eggplants tumbling out of baskets just makes me smile. Plus, it's such an awesome opportunity to meet the people who work so hard to produce amazing, fresh food, support local businesses, and eat some of the tastiest stuff the earth has to offer all at one place.

Farmers Market groupie? Who, me?...Well, maybe.

What I hope to do with my time on this lovely corner of the blogosphere is provide you with some delicious recipes featuring fresh produce and products from your friendly neighborhood farmers market and get you excited about the food you eat! So without further ado, I proudly bring you this week's recipe - print it, make it, use it as a springboard for other recipe brainstorms - I'm a firm believer that with tasty fresh ingredients, it's pretty hard to go wrong. Let me know if I'm wrong.

Simple Summer Salad

Serves: 6 side servings or 3 deliciously leafy bowls

Assemble the following in as big a bowl as needed:

1 bag The Neighborhood Farm's spicy greens or arugula mix
2-3 heirloom tomatoes, diced
1 c. sliced bell peppers, squash, or any vegetable of your choice!
Handful or two of diced fresh mozzarella cheese (the fresh cheese totally makes the salad!)
Sprinkling of walnuts

For the dressing, whisk together in a small glass or mustard jar (the jars make for very convenient transport!):

3 T extra virgin olive oil
2 T white wine vinegar
1-2 T Greek yogurt (I used non-fat)
juice of half a lemon
1 medium clove garlic, smashed with a knife between wax paper
1 tsp dijon mustard

Toss it all together just before serving and enjoy!

And how about blueberries for dessert?

Empty Storefronts with Art

2011-08-09T18:29:00.000-07:00

(The former Trendz space, now filled with local art)

If you're walking around Dedham Square and noticing art in the windows, don't think art gallery (although, you never know), but rather an effort of trying to take vacant spaces and livening them with local artists work. It's something happening across the country and it's landed here in Dedham. Thanks to the coming together of artists for Dedham Open Studios, finding artists and art is now easy to do. Installations will rotate for as long as the spaces are vacant thanks to the work of Kerry Hawkins. Kerry worked on a similar project when she lived in Tucson, Arizona. Each window will have information on the artists for anyone interested in contacting them. Take a leisurely stroll through the Square and enjoy the creativity around you.

Cupcake Wars in Dedham!

2011-08-07T12:36:00.000-07:00

(The winning "vegan" cupcakes)

It's really the simple ideas that work the best. Have people make cupcakes and judge who made the best ones. Eileen Kelly of Sheepskate in Dedham Square was the mastermind of this great event and plans on doing it again next year. With six incredible entries and five lucky judges, it was a successful start. In full disclosure, the winner was actually the cupcake I thought I was going to like the least (I was a judge). When I heard "vegan," I was sure there was going to be a vegetable after taste left on my palate. How wrong I was and I'm considering veganism is a viable option! It was the most delicious chocolate cupcake I'd ever had. Beatrice Ferrara, an '09 grad of Dedham High, is now at working on her nursing degree at Salem State. She bakes as a hobby and passion. "I dream of owning a bakery one day," she said after she was crowned with the cupcake shaped knit hat. Let's all hope she lands herself in Dedham Square, bringing a much needed bakery back to our historic downtown!

(Winner of Dedham Cupcake Wars 2011, Beatrice Ferrara)

Dedham Community Theatre Showtimes

2011-08-06T04:23:00.000-07:00

Judy Moody Returns!

SATURDAY 8/6
SNOW FLOWER & THE SECRET FAN (PG, 1h 44m) (2:30) 4:50, 7:15, 9:20
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (PG13, 1h 34m) (3:00) 5:00, 7:00, 9:00
KUNG FU PANDA 2 (PG, 1h 30m) (12:45)
JUDY MOODY (PG, 1h 31m) (12:30)

SUNDAY 8/7
SNOW FLOWER & THE SECRET FAN (PG, 1h 44m) (2:30) 4:50, 7:15
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (PG13, 1h 34m) (3:00) 5:00, 7:00
KUNG FU PANDA 2 (PG, 1h 30m) (12:45)
JUDY MOODY (PG, 1h 31m) (12:30)

MONDAY 8/8-Thursday 8/11
SNOW FLOWER & THE SECRET FAN (PG, 1h 44m) (2:30) 4:50, 7:15
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (PG13, 1h 34m) (3:00) 5:00, 7:00
KUNG FU PANDA 2 (PG, 1h 30m) (12:45)
JUDY MOODY (PG, 1h 31m) (12:30)

COMING SOON: Sarah’s Key (Opens 8/12), Another Earth

Foam Day 2011!

2011-08-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

Great shot of the Coyle girls(Abby, Caroline and Katie)and their friend Clare Rooney

It's a testament to how much is going on in Dedham, as I completely forgot about Foam Day! Despite it being on my calendar, I can easily forget what day it is. This is such a fun event thrown by Dedham Recreation Department with the Dedham Fire Department on the field by the pool. The kids of Dedham will have happy memories of this event. My kids will have to wait until next year!

Calling for a new Police Station

2011-08-02T13:39:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of talk about a new police station/public safety campus for Dedham, but it's abundantly clear to me that this needs to happen sooner than later.

I have walked through the station before, and other than noticing it's dingy and cramped, I wasn't aware of the specific problems. The timing for "National Night Out" couldn't have been better for the DPD and their effort to get a new station. This nation wide program's purpose is to bring the community and the police together. It kicked off Sunday morning with a softball game and will end this evening with a free family movie at Condon Park.

Yesterday, the station opened up for tours and allowed kids to sit in the vehicles and get locked in a cell and walk through the building. My kids ate up every minute. It was a wonderful family event on its own, but as I walked through the halls and listened to the lieutenant tell us about the different rooms, I was not only embarrassed but appalled at the condition. It was quotes like, "..this used to be a kitchen, but we had to turn it into more locker space/office," or "..we used to be able to take showers after our shift, but since the ceiling collapsed, we can't anymore." No place to make a cup of coffee? No place to shower? Is this how we want to see the people that are keeping us safe treated?

Will a new police station keep us safer? I'm not sure, but I do know that the one that exists isn't safe for the men and women that work there (yes, there is a woman officer, who doesn't have her own place to change). While they are doing all they can to keep us safe, we should advocate for them to make sure their place of work has what they need to keep themselves safe and feel valued and respected in our community.

Great event, great people who do extraordinary things. Now they need a great building.

The Dedham Summer

2011-07-29T17:50:00.000-07:00

There have been so many moving pieces over the last month my head is spinning. Two years ago when we spent our first full summer in Dedham and I was exhausted by all the activities, events, programs, camps, etc., one night I couldn't sleep and I thought, "I need to write a blog about how great this town is," and voila, Dedham Rocks was born.

This summer is no different. Between the DJWC Endicott concerts, DSC Farmer's Market, the Bioblitz, library activities and Dedham Parent Time meet ups, there is so much going on and so many moments when I feel so lucky to live here.

The Bike Rodeo last week looked great, I unfortunately missed it. I'm looking forward to bringing my rambunctious 2-year-old to his first Foam Day coming up on Wednesday, August 3rd.

If you look at all the camps we have between Dedham Community House, Nobles and Dedham Country Day, parents have so many incredible options. Then there are other programs like the ECEC Camp, Avery Institute or workshops at the Blue Bunny and Sheepskate. My daughter is doing a writing workshop at Blue Bunny next week and some arts and crafts classes at Sheepskate.

Boredom just doesn't exist here.

Dedham Community Theater Showings this week

2011-07-25T11:45:00.000-07:00

FRIDAY 7/29 thru THURSDAY 8/4
SNOW FLOWER & THE SECRET FAN (PG, 1h 44m) (12:30, 2:40) 4:50, 7:15, *9:20
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (PG13, 1h 34m) (3:00) 5:00, 7:00, *9:00
KUNG FU PANDA 2 (1h 30m) (12:45)
[Late show Friday & Saturday only]

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS – Audiences are raving about Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, and Carla Bruni as they star in Woody Allen's romantic comedy about a family on a business trip in the City of Light. As a young couple engaged to be married experiences a profound transformation during their visit to Paris, an idealistic man with a romanticized view of the city finds that there's plenty of truth to that old adage about the grass being greener on the other side. Michael Sheen, Mimi Kennedy, and Kurt Fuller co-star. Showing Daily at: (3:00) 5:00, 7:00, *9:00 [*Late show Friday & Saturday only]

SNOW FLOWER & THE SECRET FAN - Inspired by the bestselling novel 'Snow Flower and the Secret Fan' by Lisa See, the film is a timeless portrait of female friendship. In 19th-century China, seven year old girls Snow Flower and Lily are matched as laotong or 'old sames' bound together for eternity. Isolated by their families, they furtively communicate by taking turns writing in a secret language, nu shu, between the folds of a white silk fan. In a parallel story in present day Shanghai, the laotong's descendants, Nina and Sophia, struggle to maintain the intimacy of their own childhood friendship in the face of demanding careers, complicated love lives, and a relentlessly evolving Shanghai. Drawing on the lessons of the past, the two modern women must understand the story of their ancestral connection, hidden from them in the folds of the antique white silk fan, or risk losing one another forever. What unfolds are two stories, generations apart, but everlasting in their universal notion of love, hope and friendship.
Showing Daily at: (12:30, 2:40) 4:50, 7:15, *9:20 [*Late show Friday & Saturday only]

KUNG FU PANDA 2: The saga of Po continues in this sequel that finds the newly anointed Dragon Warrior (voice of Jack Black) teaming with The Furious Five to safeguard the Valley of Peace. But when a new adversary launches a treacherous bid to seize control of China and obliterate the martial arts, Po must look back to his enigmatic origins in order to unleash his true potential, and defeat his most powerful opponent to date. Showing Daily at: (12:45)

COMING SOON: Sarah’s Key, Another Earth

Midsummer Night's Dream in Dedham

2011-07-21T07:06:00.000-07:00

I blogged last summer about the wonderful productions put on by Dragonfly Theater, a local non-profit theater company based here in Dedham. They do FREE productions on the Fairbanks House lawn and this year will feature Shakespeare's, "Midsummer Night's Dream." It's a great family event and my kids loved it last year. The performances start this weekend!

Here's the info:

Midsummer Night’s Dream will run for four performances July 23, 24, 30, &31. All performances will be at 2 O’clock in the afternoon. We invite you to bring a picnic blanket, snacks (No alcohol please), family and friends. As all of Dragonfly performances, admission is free and donations are graciously accepted.

Children's Matinees at DCT

2011-07-18T17:55:00.000-07:00

Just in time for the heat wave, there is an escape! These two children's films will run this Friday, July 22 through Thursday, July 28th at the Dedham Community Theatre. Enjoy a film, good popcorn and maybe an ice cream at Ron's after. A perfect way to beat the heat!

JUDY MOODY AND THE NOT BUMMER SUMMER: Megan McDonald's popular series of children's books, illustrated by Dedham’s own Peter H. Reynolds, comes to life on the big screen in this family-friendly adventure that finds mischievous third grader Judy Moody experiencing a summer she'll never forget. School is out, and with the endless possibilities that summer has to offer, Judy (Jordana Beatty) plans to have fun in the sun with her best pals Rocky and Amy. Showing Daily at 12:30

KUNG FU PANDA 2: The saga of Po continues in this sequel that finds the newly anointed Dragon Warrior (voice of Jack Black) teaming with The Furious Five to safeguard the Valley of Peace. But when a new adversary launches a treacherous bid to seize control of China and obliterate the martial arts, Po must look back to his enigmatic origins in order to unleash his true potential, and defeat his most powerful opponent to date. Showing Daily at 12:45

A Page from the Dedham Transcript: Teens on the RISE

2011-07-15T14:03:00.001-07:00

From the editor’s desk, Andrea Salisbury

When Rob Blaney first explained the Youth Commission’s new Rise program, I immediately wanted to be a teenager again. Now, for those folks that haven’t met Blaney here’s one thing you need to know: He is all energy. His passion for Dedham youth is contagious. He wants to see them succeed and it seems like he will walk with them every step to ensure that happens. This brings us to the Rise program. This four-week program is designed to help incoming high school students adapt both socially and academically.

On a recent Tuesday the teenagers participated in mock college admission interviews.

Each group was given the name of a university they would represent as admissions officers and a packet of five students they would have to evaluate based on grades, SAT scores and a portion of an essay.

This provided a behind the scenes look at the college process. Something most freshmen don’t even think about until junior year. I will admit, I was one of these high school students. College wasn’t the first thing on my mind until I had to take my PSATs. A program like Rise gets teens to start thinking early about the future in creative way.

Unwinding in Ded-Om Square -- Michelle's Musings

2011-07-13T17:59:00.000-07:00

I once bought a book of yoga poses convinced that I would do yoga on my own at home. (I’ll pause while you laugh out loud.) My son recently discovered it, and as his limber body stretched easily from one pose to the next, it was evident that tapering off on yoga classes and ramping up on running had not done me any favors in the flexibility department. When a friend who’s a physical therapist suggested that my long-running (pun intended) shin splints might be caused by hip tightness, I vowed to get back to yoga. Voila, two days later a Groupon for a ten-class pass to Yoga Now, in the back of the Paradise Café, appeared in my inbox. Cue beam of sunlight cutting through the clouds to shine only on me. (And the other 464 Yoga Now Groupons that were sold that day. Apparently others who are smarter than I stocked up.)

It had been a few years since I rolled out my latex yoga mat on a wooden floor. And it showed. Let’s just say my tree pose looked like tree in a hurricane. And I could have been easily intimidated, but the instructor, Krissy, was so accepting of the fact that I was wound tighter than a pretzel with the balance of an infant who had just learned to pull to stand. In every class, she offers variations on a pose. There’s no judgment, no pressure. I’ve taken classes with four different teachers at Yoga Now, and every one of them has had the same attitude and openness.

Today I just bought my second ten-class pass, having used up the Groupon. Even at full price, it’s well worth the money. I’m more aware of how I’m breathing, how I’m feeling, and hey, my tree pose doesn’t look like it’s about to be blown over anymore.

Kitty Adoption, Animal Rescue League of Boston - Kerry's View

2011-07-13T06:48:00.000-07:00

Rocky- a very playful, cute, kitty

Last week, my nephew, his girlfriend and I went to the Animal Rescue League of Boston, Dedham Branch. They had been wanting to adopt a companion for their Yorkshire Terrier, Bella. She loves other animals and has been a bit lonely since moving in upstairs from us.

It is hard to go in to the adoption center and not fall in love with every cat. Well, at least for me it is. Shane and Melissa picked out this cute kitten and named him Rocky. He is a bit of a boxer and loves to play. Rocky came home on Friday. A wonderful thing is he is up to date on his shots, neutered and microchipped.

At first, there was a bit of awkwardness between cat and dog. After a few days, I am happy to report that both and cat and dog are playing together.
I love the grounds of the shelter. They have room for horses, a beautiful barn and garden. The pet cemetery is the oldest in the country and so peaceful and is on a pretty piece of land. It is nice that this is in our town.

More photos on my blog

Guest Blogger: Car Show at Endicott!

2011-07-11T06:08:00.000-07:00

My three boys and I never miss the Dedham Car Show. They are 4, 6, and 8 this year and we had as good a time as always. I'm not a "car guy" at all, but it is a treat to see the incredible variety of cars at this show. If nothing else, the colors are astounding - every color you can imagine. My favorites are the bright oranges and purples. And the "flame" patterns are amazing. We saw our first peach-colored convertible today. While the normal mode is "no touching", a kind owner let each of the 3 boys sit in his green-with-black-stripes car. I have a picture of each one sitting in the driver's seat with a big smile. There are "typical" old cars, as well as cool looking dune-buggy like "kit" cars and race cars. I have a friend in California that knows antiques well and he knows all about the Dedham Car Show and is jealous knowing I get to go every year. The convenience and price are hard to beat: we usually drive as close as we can get, park on a side street, and walk less than a quarter mile to the Endicott Estate. Kids are free and adults pay $5.

Dave Wilkinson of Oakdale

Dedham Rocks ... and Trees, Bugs, Salamanders, Caterpillars, Star Nosed Moles and more

2011-07-10T20:13:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know who I am. If you don't know me, allow me to introduce myself. I'm that person you've seen wearing rain boots and a sun hat walking behind the fence at BJs with my camera. I'm the one who posts photos of dead animals on facebook. Here is one of my favorites. It's a star nosed mole that I found, coincidentally, behind the BJs fence.

I have spent the past few years getting to know the open and not-so-open spaces of Dedham and about a month ago, I got the crazy idea to share my love for nature with everyone in town. I asked a few friends if they were interested in helping with a small-scale BioBlitz in Dedham and they called my bluff and agreed to participate.

What is a BioBlitz, you might ask? The most common definition is a 24 hour long challenge to find and identify as many species as possible in a particular area. Experts in many fields go out into the woods, meadows, swamps and rivers, with field guides, cameras, binoculars, waders and bug spray, saying things like "whoa, that's a new species for me" and "that's a cool looking sedge" of maybe "Oh &#$^&, my memory card is full!" These people are the real deal; they love what they do and they are REALLY good at it. If they weren't doing it in Dedham on July 23, they'd be doing it somewhere else - looking for bugs, butterflies, caterpillars, flowers, birds, reptiles, amphibians, lichens, fungi and anything else you can imagine. And maybe some you can't imagine, like this dragonfly larval case that I found behind the Boch Ice Rink on the edge of Little Wigwam Pond:

Back to those few friends who called my bluff. In the classic Dedham style, they helped me connect the dots. I got lists of people and I sent a bunch of emails. I talked to Karen Pierce from the New England Wild Flower Society at the Dedham Farmer's Market, whose in-laws happen to be from Dedham, and she connected me with the Dedham Land Trust. They wanted to meet me and after I told them my ideas, they decided to sponsor the event. Next, I got Peter Alden's phone number and the courage to call him. Guess what? He said yes. Peter Alden is co-author of the National Audubon Society Field Guide to New England and the organizer of two Walden Woods Biodiversity events. I sent a facebook message to an old college friend; he forwarded it to a botanist at the Smithsonian (!!!) who forwarded it to another botanist at Harvard. I wrote to one guy who writes a nature blog and then to another guy who writes another nature blog. Now it looks like Harvard guy and both blog guys will be there on July 23. Oh, did I mention Kerry Hawkins is working on a logo for Dedham Natural Wonders, Steve MacAusland is planning to make a video production of the event, and Chris Ryan wrote a press release for me?

I am overwhelmed by the way this event has grown so quickly. Sometimes the snowball effect is a very, very good thing. Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." I believe this to be true, as long as those people have passion and a sense of humor. On July 23, I will be at the Dolan Center with a small group of people, most of whom I will be meeting for the first time. Although we may not change the whole world, we will definitely make a difference in Dedham.

Check out the Dedham Natural Wonders page on facebook for more info and the BioBlitz event page, too. I hope you will come out on July 23 and experience some of Dedham's Natural Wonders in person!

Concerts at Endicott

2011-07-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

Every Wednesday this summer the Dedham Junior Woman's Club put on a concert at the Endicott Estate. Last Wednesday was the The band the Corvairs. They played classic hits. They were a hit with the crowd. They played hits from the sixties and seventies.

We had beautiful weather for the concert. Families and couples came to hear the music and relax on the lawn of the Estate. The kids love to dance and play. This is a wonderful free community event. The concert series celebrates it's 25th year this year.

For a full schedule please look at this link

Local Artist, Gint Grinbergs

2011-07-01T09:36:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder who does all those sculptures at the house on the way to Needham on 135? I always did.

Last week to be able to visit the artist Gints Grinbergs at his home in Dedham. I met Gint a few years ago at the Dedham Music and Art Fest. He had smaller pieces at the show but, what he had on display, I really liked. It was great to see the sculptures around his yard and on a large scale. It reminds me of the deCordova museum in Lincoln, MA. One of my favorite places.

The sculptures looked so wonderful in a natural environment. Gints often uses materials he finds and up cycles the materials into these wonderful sculptures.

Mr. Grinberg's recently opened his home for Dedham Open Studios. He was among the many open studios that day. I couldn't see his art because I was showing my photography at the Dedham Community House. I didn't get to see that much art that day so this was a treat to visit Gint's home.

I think it is wonderful that there are so many local artists in Dedham and the surrounding communities. It makes it a very rich and vibrant place.

Condon Park

2011-07-01T07:05:00.000-07:00

(A picture taken by Kerry Hawkins at Condon Park in the fall.)

A 7am bike ride has ensued since the end of school. It's one of those things where you do it once and they have so much fun, they want to do it again. Traffic wise, 7am, isn't a bad time to ride around town. Our destinations are different parks in town. This morning we headed to Condon Park. I'm totally embarrassed to say that it was my first time to Condon Park. Not sure how that's possible, but my excuse is that I live across the street from Memorial Park, so we usually don't travel. Our route to get to Condon was beautiful. We took High to Maverick to Colburn and rode along the Motherbrook. We had to cross a portion of Bussey and there we were. Parks and Rec had just been by to take the trash and pick up a bit, so the park was spotless. The views on both sides were incredible with nature all around us. The kids had a blast on (an original)see-saw. My oldest said, "Mom, I've only seen these on TV!" We walked a long the fence to the waterfall where we discovered a beautiful feather. From there we chatted with a nice old man who was hitting golf balls in the park. The air was crisp, the kids were happy and it was a lovely way to start the day.

Looking forward to the NEW Condon Park coming soon. It's by far the prettiest real estate for a park in Dedham!

A Dedham Plaza memory

2011-06-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

I was brought back in time this morning when I went over to the Hallmark Shop in Dedham Plaza to have a watch battery changed. It's not often I have to get a battery changed, but when I do I always think to go to Hallmark and visit this little old man who used to be in the back of the store and now has his station in the front of the store with Vera Bradley bags around him. I don't normally write about something as mundane as getting a battery fixed, but experience today made me so nostalgic, I had to share. How many places or people like that are left? Someone who has been fixing watches and clocks for as long as I can remember (at least 25 years) still there, doing the same job. I used to go with my parents there to get their watches fixed and then when I got my first "real" watch, it's where I went too. When I paid my $14 and walked away, I hoped that the next time I go to have my battery changed he'll be there exactly as I found him this morning; hunched over his table, with a magnifying glass in his right eye, changing a battery.

Summer Reading!

2011-06-28T07:17:00.000-07:00

I went to the library yesterday and felt like summer had officially began. It's not until I pick up that summer reading calendar, my kids make their name tags and we load up on books that I feel like summer has began. The Dedham Public Library has a great program this summer and I love this summer's theme, "One World, Many Stories." The kick off event at the Endicott Estate is Wednesday at 2:30. It's for ages 4 and up and will feature a magician. From there July and August are filled with great events like "Christmas in July" and "Sing Your Books." For a complete calendar of events, stop by either branch or click here.

Last Day of School

2011-06-24T18:38:00.000-07:00

The last day of school is always bitter sweet. On the one hand we are all tired and ready for a break, but on the other, the friends, teachers and routine of the day is gone in the blink of an eye. For a child who was waiting for the last day of school, this afternoon couldn't have been harder for my soon to be 3rd grader. She realized that is was over. The group hug that her class had as the bell rang was the final time they would be together as a group, as second graders. They sang, laughed and learned together all year and now it was over, never to be the same again. I had no idea there would be so much emotion today. I was expecting only jubilation. There were moments of joy, but mostly a lot of tears for the days of the unknown that lie ahead and the happy memories of the days past as a 2nd grader at the Avery School. There is so much love in that building and it became more apparent to me today. When everyone from the nurse to the aides and teacher had to receive a hand written note of thanks not only the help, but the love they provided. In one of these notes it read, "Thank you for making me feel at home." It doesn't get better than that.

Would love to hear other last day stories. Please share....

Kids Cooking and Healthy Eating

2011-06-23T10:21:00.000-07:00

You have the libraries to get your kids excited about reading and Whole Foods to get them excited about good food. I feel really lucky to live in a community with a Whole Foods and exposes my kids to "golden raspberries" that we had to get and try the other day(consensus was they tasted like red raspberries!). Yesterday evening the girls took one of their kids cooking classes to make animal crackers and while the crackers were baking they whipped up some trail mix. The instructor, food blogger, Karen Covey was great with the kids and was light on the honey trying to keep the crackers as close to sugar free as possible. The girls and I agreed that we would be adding a tinge more honey when we made this again at home. Very fun to make and the kids had fun with the shapes. The next class will be a picnic theme in late July.

The Farmers Market in the rain

2011-06-23T06:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was not as ideal as the opening day of the Dedham Farmers Market, but it didn't keep us from going down and exploring. With five kids in tow, we grabbed our umbrella, put on waterproof shoes and headed down to discover what was happening at today's market. The gaggle of girls I had all had their dollars and were ready to spend. It was a great lesson in money and each vendor was happy to help and show them how they determine the price of the vegetables by weight. My son had a blast running through the puddles. Rain or shine Wednesdays at the market are always fun.

Arts at Endicott Concert Series

2011-06-20T09:23:00.000-07:00

What is summer in Dedham without the Arts at Endicott Summer Concert Series. The concerts are 7pm, Wednesday nights this summer at the Endicott Estate. The concert series is celebrating it's 25th year this season.

All concerts are FREE. Bring the whole family, sit, relax, picnic, and enjoy the music. The Endicott Estate is a perfect place to hang out with family and friends and listen to music.

The first concert of the season will be this week, Wednesday, June 22. TOE JAM PUPPET BAND, Children’s Concert

Great Job Team Dedham!

2011-06-18T15:08:00.000-07:00

A delegation of 40 residents compiling of youth, school officials and town officials just returned from competing for the All America City Award in Kansas City, MO. I watched the live stream last night with a group of friends with anticipation and excitement. While we weren't one of the top 10 finalists, the nomination and experience this gave our town was a HUGE win for Dedham. Between the unbelievable community service road trip by the Youth Commission to the promotion of all Dedham's green initiatives, we got to tell our story on a public stage to fellow civically engaged citizens and share in a moment of unity.

I'm very proud of the delegation and all of their hard work to prepare for this trip. We know that we don't need an award to tell us how great we are. It's evident in the dedicated citizens, myriad of events, local non-profits and collaborative government all working together to make their town the best place to live.

Dedham Farmer's Market - Kerry's View

2011-06-16T06:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was so excited for the opening of the Dedham Square Farmer's Market! I had a small list but, of course, I went off the list. I bought some plants, fresh strawberries, lettuce, tomatoes, peas, and some tasty, ice wine. There are many new vendors this year and returning vendors. It was great to see familiar and new faces.

This is the fourth year of the farmer's market. It seems to get better every year. There are some new vendors such as Swiss Baker's, Burning Love Sauces, John Crow Farm, and much more... I am excited to try all these new vendors.

I think it is important to support local businesses especially, local farms. For a full list of vendors please check out the Dedham Square Circle's Website.

I have more photos on my blog

The Royal Treatment at MIT Endicott House

2011-06-14T19:07:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago the top 30 students at Dedham High School were treated to a five star dinner at the MIT Endicott House. Each year Chef Cerrato prepares a three course meal for 100 people to celebrate the accomplishments of the high school's top achievers and their families. This is all done free of charge for the students and their families, demonstrating the strong commitment by the Endicott House to support the community. The incredible setting of the Endicott House makes these students feel special and that all their hard work is being recognized by the school. I think it's a wonderful event.

These top 30 are all off to four year colleges, many of them with scholarships and honors programs acceptances in hand. I'm sure they will represent Dedham well and make us proud. Congratulations to these graduates and all of the 2011 DHS grads!

The top 30 will be attending the following colleges: Bates College, Bowdoin College, Brandeis College, Boston College, Macalester College, Hofstra College, McGill University, Ursinus College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, UMASS-Amherst(Commonwealth College), Colorado State University, College of Holy Cross, University of New Hampshire, Northeastern University, Stonehill College, Bridgewater State University and Salem State University.

Whole Foods-Wellness Club

2011-06-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

Hello Dedham Rocks! My name is Heather Hardy, I work for Whole Foods Market where I am the Wellness Club Team Leader. The Wellness Club is a pilot program by Whole Foods Market opening in Dedham on August 15! Our goal in the wellness club is to educate, inspire and empower members to transition to a healthier lifestyle and achieve their optimum health! Our course curriculum was developed by the Global Wellness Team comprised of Physicians, dieticians and holistic health experts.

The lifestyle membership includes:
* Unlimited classes in nutrition, cooking and healthier lifestyle choices
* 10% discount on healthy eating items at Whole Foods Market Dedham
* Supper Club discounts for dine in or take out
* Local network affiliate discounts on yoga, fitness and other products and services
* Cooking demonstrations and community events
* And much much more......

Are you ready for some honest to goodness wellness... stop by the Dedham Whole Foods Market or contact Heather at Heather.Hardy@wholefoods.com to learn more!!

-Heather

For Those About to Rock, Some Tips -- Michelle's Musings

2011-06-10T09:15:00.000-07:00

The Dedham Square Music and Art Festival kicks off in less than 24 hours.

Let's sum it up -- There will be music (the biggest line up ever!), art, an instrument petting zoo, a green fair, community tables, good food and drinks (Mocha Java!!!), WBOS Radio 92.9, and sponsors with fun give-aways.

The event is rain or shine. Bring a blanket and chairs and maybe an umbrella if you're worried. Beach umbrellas and canopies are good if you think you'll need shade. We will have some shade available under the food tent. (A HUGE thanks to Atent for Rent for setting us up with staging and tents. They come through for us every year.)

There will be food -- b.good, ice cream, Mocha Java beverages, and pizza/snacks/drinks sold by DCH. Feel free to pack a cooler with your own beverages and snacks. (We all know how kids ask for food every 20 minutes -- this is meant to be a low to no cost outing!)

Free parking, free event... hope to see you there!

Nosy Neighbor-53 Richards St.

2011-06-05T18:26:00.000-07:00

When I saw a listing had come up on Richards St., I had to go see it. As part of the Dedham Welcome Wagon, we have welcomed several neighbors of the last year on Richards St. and it's one of our favorite streets. The residents on Richards are a special breed and it's a tight knit community. They are known for their block parties and a busy night of trick or treating at Halloween. The homes are all different and each have their own charm. It feels like a great street to raise kids or a young couple or anyone in between!

Don't let the carpeting scare you. There is hardwood floors through out the home. And if you like carpeting, it's in great shape.

This will go fast, so be sure to check it out!

Michelle's Musings: Music, Art, and Green!

2011-06-03T07:58:00.000-07:00

It won’t cost you any green to attend the Dedham Square Music and Art Festival on June 11, but you can go green when you get there!

Dedham’s Environmental Department, along with the Conservation Commission and Sustainability Advisory Committee, will host a solid lineup of its own during the Dedham Square Music and Art Festival.

The Green Fair will include:

Dedham Environmental Department: Visit the Environmental Department’s table for free giveaways, information on the Town’s sustainability initiatives, and tips on how to green your lifestyle.

Dedham Conservation Commission: Learn about protecting the wetlands and our valuable water resources.

Newbridge on the Charles: Set on 162 acres of environmentally protected woods and open spaces, Newbridge on the Charles has expansive green spaces, on-campus walking trails, and two vernal pools. Pick up their Nature of Newbridge brochure, trail maps, 50 Tips for Healthy Aging booklets and a set of nature greeting cards.

Dedham Sustainability Advisory Committee: Learn about what the town is doing to make smart energy choices and what you can do too.

Go Green Web Directory: Ever wish you could hire a green business, find out about green events, and link into green info in one convenient place? GoGreen has hundreds of green business listings and a new website to help you do just that.

Sun Bug Solar: Wondering how a solar panel would look atop your Colonial? A solar energy consulting and installation company, Sun Bug will offer tips on solar electric and hot water solutions for homeowners and businesses.

Next Step Living: Tired of that escalating electric bill? Visit Next Step Living to learn how to save money and the planet.

Dedham Civic Pride: Stop by and thank them for beautifying the town with lovely plantings!

I'll see you on the field behind the Dedham Community House on June 11!

Animal Rescue League of Dedham

2011-05-29T13:04:00.000-07:00

(This cute little female bunny is at the shelter now. We already have two bunnies and I have to admit, this one did tempt me!)

We have been making regular visits to ARL of Dedham. It's a great place to go to visit horses, Rosie the pig, sheep and give treats to the dogs. The kids also love visiting with the cats and bunnies too. You never know what you'll see and the volunteers are friendly and willing to answer questions. I always try to leave a donation and feel that this place is an important part of our community and should be supported.

National Trails Day June 4th!

2011-05-26T13:02:00.001-07:00

Saturday June 4th is National Trails Day!

Hiking outside is a great way to get outside, enjoy some exercise and have fun with your family! Take a hike up Wilson Mountain or the trails behind NewBridge on the Charles. Want to be a "trail steward" for a day? Help the Friends of the Blue Hills on June 4th by taking a hike and then helping to clear the trails for folks to enjoy in the coming months. For other opportunities, check out www.AmericanHiking.org or the Trustees of Reservations.

Kids can participate in a "National Trails Day" coloring contest by going to http://www.americanhiking.org/uploadedFiles/NTD%202011%20Coloring%20contest.pdf

Entries need to be submitted by August 10th, 2011. Winners will receive prizes from REI and NorthFace.

Ice Cream Social - Kerry's View

2011-05-20T06:48:00.000-07:00

I am a member of The Dedham Junior Woman's Club. It is a great group of women giving back to the community. The club is having a Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, May 24th at 7pm. If you are interested in learning about our organization, please join us at the Endicott Estate on Tuesday.

A Proud (new) Town Meeting Member

2011-05-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

On Monday evening I walked into the high school to the sounds of the Dedham High Jazz Band and Jazz Chorus filling the hall. People were smiling and clutching their green books full of the evening’s business. It was the 2011 Town Meeting and my first time as a Town Meeting Member.

My father has been a Town Meeting member in my hometown since I was a little girl. He feels strongly that he gives back to the town by being engaged in the town business. I ran for Town Meeting this year to be engaged and this Monday’s meeting forced us to be engaged. There was no hiding your vote. Everyone either heard you yell “yeah” or “no” or saw you rise to be counted.

The meeting went on for hours. People rose to talk about curb safety, differences in funding certain items and the town’s hiring practices for construction jobs. Sometimes my friends and neighbors voted differently from me. We would joke as one of us stood while the other sat. It was democracy in action and a continuation of representative government that Dedham has practiced for centuries.

It made me very proud of my chosen town.

Allison Staton (aka Soccer Mom in Denial) is the mom of twin 10-year-old boys and a 7-year-old girl who all attend Oakdale. She has been blogging off and on (lately more off) since 2006 at Soccer Mom in Denial.

Dedham Rocks, Literally -- Michelle's Musings

2011-05-18T08:08:00.000-07:00

Just three and a half weeks away... The countdown is on for the annual Dedham Square Music and Art Festival. This year's event -- which is the 4th annual -- promises to be the biggest one yet. With a grant from Music Drives Us, the planning committee was able to snag a few headlining bands, including Entrain, Will Dailey & the Rivals, and the Adam Ezra Group. Dedham band Dirty Strange joins the lineup, along with funk rock band Love in Stockholm and returning festival favorite, Sarah Blacker. You can find out more about the bands at the festival's website, www.dedhamfestival.org. Or if you're a social media addict like this blogger, follow it on Twitter or like it on Facebook.

And while it might be tempting to stay glued to your blankets and chairs, there'll be good reason to stretch your legs. If you missed the impressive lineup of artists at last weekend's Open Studios, you'll have the chance to catch 20+ artisans under the art tents. Rumble in the tummy? Grab some food from Legacy Place's b.good. Wondering what it feels like to hold a trumpet? Head over to the instrument petting zoo (yeah, grown-ups allowed too). And as always, all of this is FREE.

Dedham Square Music & Art Festival

Saturday, June 11

11;30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

On the field behind the Dedham Community House (671 High St)

www.dedhamfestival.org

Be sure to check back for more festival updates! Rock on, Dedham...

Santoro's Sicilian Trattoria

2011-05-17T18:39:00.000-07:00

I finally made it today. It's funny how I used to live on Bridge St. and since moving to East St. hardly ever make it to that side of town unless it's to attend a night event at Mosley's. Santoro's was recently featured on Chronicle and I've heard for years from Riverdale friends how good the food was. Today was my day. With my three kids, we entered owner Tina Santoro's kitchen. Literally. It was like walking into someones home. I loved the feel. Tina was there and ready to greet us. We chatted about her piece on Chronicle and I stocked up on just about everything. I picked up lasagna for dinner, a fresh loaf of Scali bread, some of her famous lemon cookies, a few almond biscotti and then a slice of the potato pizza that was calling my name. Writing about food is really not my favorite thing to do. There is an art to it and vocabulary I'm not familiar with. There is certainly a set of vocabulary to describe Tina's food and it's all under the category of delicious. In Italian there is a kissing of your fingers before saying, "Buonissimo!" The word "sublime" was used by a friend who came to share in the bounty while eating a piece of the potato pizza. The lemon cookie was a meal onto itself and was so lemony good and I'm having a hard time not eating the last one right now. It's worth the trip to Riverdale. Plenty of parking in the back and it's that type of Italian shopping experience where you might find yourself hanging out for a while.

A Page from the Dedham Transcript: Dedham Square Improvement Project

2011-05-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

From the editor’s desk: Andrea Salisbury

On Monday, May 16, Town Meeting members will decide on funding the Dedham Square Improvement Project. This week the Dedham Transcript was flooded with letters in support of the project that will cost an estimated $6.1 million. The town was awarded a state grant of $1.7 million to cover a portion of the project and the remainder will be covered through bonds which the town will pay back thorough its capital budget.

This project aims to improve the safety and aesthetics of Dedham Square. The Transcript backs this project.

Here are a few voices we’ve heard from in support of the project:

“I think that with the help of all the people in Dedham we can make Dedham Square a better, safer place for all to have fun. I encourage the Town Meeting members to vote “YES” for the idea for the Dedham Square Improvement Project.” - Sam McGregor, 10

“Also, when cars pull out of the parking lot using the current exit they almost hit us because the exit is so close to the corner. I think if there were a light at that intersection it would really help things.” - Emma Porter, sixth-grade

“The key features of the improvement project (in my mind) include enhanced and shorter crosswalks, installation of new signals, and the designation of a new traffic pattern to improve flow - all necessary changes required to enhance and improve pedestrian safety and traffic circulation. While secondary to the safety and traffic improvements, the installation of lighting and other aesthetic details will create a comfortable retail/business district, attractive to existing and potential businesses and to all of the various users of the Square.” - J.H. Rumpp, District 6 Town Meeting Member

“How can we expect our customers to continue to choose to do business in Dedham Square, when just crossing the streets puts their very lives at risk. I myself cross the street numerous times in a day and am horrified by how many motorists simply ignore the “No Turn on Red” at Washington and High Streets AND drive through the very antiquated pedestrian light (Red/Yellow). The intersection at Eastern Avenue and High Street is just as dangerous. I have seen so many people almost get hit including myself.”

- Marianne Ryan

"Safety improvements in the Square are long overdue. It would be horrible if it took a tragedy for our town to come together to respond. I strongly believe in the improvements to the Square. I personally contributed to the initial funding for the engineering study needed for the Town to apply for the $1.3 million state grant. Dedham was chosen over dozens of other communities for this grant and we should capitalize on this opportunity. Construction costs continue to increase. By turning down the $1.3 million state grant we could risk chances to secure future funding.” - Peter Levangie, Wardle Pharmacy

Celebrating Local Authors

2011-05-11T06:43:00.000-07:00

As part of the Dedham Open Studios, Gretje Ferguson has embarked on a project to photograph Boston-area authors. Many of her subjects are from Dedham. I have had a sneak peek of her project. Her photographs are wonderful and really capture the spirit of these authors. We are so lucky to have so much local talent around us.

She will be showcasing these photos during Dedham Open Studios. She will be opening her home studio for the day. Gretje is among the many artists that are showing their work in their home studios during Dedham Open Studios.

See Gretje and the other artists participating in Dedham Open Studios in this video.

Rally for Dedham Square

2011-05-10T04:04:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love a rally? Complete with signs and lots of cheering the rally to support the Dedham Square Improvement Project was a huge success! There was even a big, surprise announcement from Paul McMurtry with the news of an additional $400,000 to go towards the project.

There is huge support around this project and I'm confident of its passing at Town Meeting on May 16th. In 2013 Dedham residents will be walking in a newer, safer downtown we can all feel proud of.

Dedham Country Day Fair/Birthday Party!

2011-05-09T19:47:00.000-07:00

I heard the Dedham Country Day Fair was a blast, but I had somehow never been. It always fell on the same weekend as my daughter's birthday. With a lack of ideas for this year's party, we decided to make the fair her party. It was a scary thought to bring more than our 3 to a fair, so we invited only a couple of kids. This kept the party small, which I prefer anyway.

For less than $100 we totally entertained 7 children and 3 adults and fed them too! How many birthday parties can you do for less than $100? It was a great morning and the school really goes above and beyond for this event. It was really fun and had activities for all ages. Of course the Barn Babies were there (I just spent a fortune to have them come to my 8 year olds birthday party), bouncy houses, games and all kinds of rooms and activities we didn't even get to.

Dedham Open Studios Preview Part 2

2011-05-09T17:46:00.000-07:00

Painting by Carolyn Cappucino at 19 Court Street

Sculpture by Gints Ginsbergs at his home studio, 425 Common Street.

Painting by Gary Koeppel at 19 Court Street

Drawing by Brendan Joyce at Mocha Java, 3 Eastern Avenue

Jewelry by Christin Marie Kehoe at the Dedham Women's Exchange, 445 Washington Street.

Visit all these artists and much more at Dedham Open Studios on May 15th 11-4pm. Artists will be in Oops at Legacy Place, The Endicott Estate, home studios and all around Dedham Square. Mark your calendars.

Dedham Goes Pink - Kerry's View

2011-05-07T12:44:00.000-07:00

Dusty Showers helps out with fund raising. Dusty is an advocate for breast cancer research and awareness. He wears a fun bra to call attention to the cause.

You may remember an earlier post about this family friendly weekend series of events in Dedham Square. Today, I stopped by the kids concert performed by Music Together. The kids were having a great time listening to music and climbing out the old fashioned, wonderfully decorated fire truck. I love to see these events happen in Dedham.

All proceeds from last night's, today's and tomorrows event will go towards Team Mind of Matter walking in this summer's Susan G. Komen 3 day for the cure in Boston. Dusty Showers will be walking with the team.

Check out tomorrow's event
JamBaby Children's Concert, 10am
$10 ticket or $25 per family
Dedham Temple- 410 Washington Street

Enjoy "To Kill A Mockingbird" on the big screen!

2011-05-05T09:28:00.000-07:00

Please join the Dedham Library Innovation Team (DLIT) as we view the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird, starring Gregory Peck, at the Dedham Community Theater Saturday morning, May 7, at 9:15 AM. We're turning back the movie prices to the 1960's and will charge $2.00 admission. Half of all the admission proceeds will go to a tornado relief fund for the people of Alabama, where To Kill a Mockingbird takes place. Doors will open at 9:00, and concessions will be available.

"I love black and white movies on the big screen," said Sunshine Millea, member of the Dedham Junior Women's Club, a major sponsor of One Book, One Dedham. "I'm really looking forward to watching this classic in Dedham Square."

DLIT member Dianne Bauer added, "It's so rare we get to view classic movies in today's movie theaters. I hope many people from our community are able to join us Saturday morning."

This was meant to be the final One Book, One Dedham event for 2011, but due to unfortunate circumstances the Court House Reenactment originally scheduled for May 2 had to be cancelled at the last minute. DLIT hopes to reschedule this for some time in June.

Afternoon Tea, Dedham Junior Woman's Club - Kerry's View

2011-05-05T06:30:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, The DJWC held their annual Tea for Mother's, Daughters, Aunts, Friends...This tea is held right around Mother's Day and it is to celebrate the woman in our lives. The tea took place at the Allin Congregational Church in Dedham Square. The club sets up tables with tea service, matching plates and tea cups, table cloths and a flower centerpiece. It really transforms the room to an elegant setting for an afternoon tea.

We set up a large food table with yummy treats like cookies, cupcakes, tea sandwiches and more for our guests. Many of the food items are homemade by talented club members. They were very popular and I tried some of the treats myself. Delicious!

After everyone is settled in, there is a raffle for the gift bags and baskets. The club members all contribute an item like plants or full baskets filled with beauty products, gourmet foods, gardening supplies, and more. A few club members brought there daughters, who were a big help with set-up and choosing raffle winners.

This is a charitable event and this year donations will be made to Team Mind Out over Matter (a team in the Boston Komen three day walk for the cure) and the Woman's Lunch Place in Boston. Two very worthy causes.