The Square Scoop

We suspected that there actually is such a thing as "Spring Fever" and Wikipedia confirmed it! It seems rather contagious as scores of people have been spotted throughout the Square this week entering Ron's Gourmet Ice Cream, sitting on benches and at the cafe tables outside of Mocha Java and Paradise Cafe, and popping into the shops and eateries. An increased presence of canines on leashes, babies in strollers, skipping toddlers, smiling pedestrians, and a whistling mail carrier have all been observed. The calendar may still say winter, but spring has arrived in Dedham Square!

 

Get the Scoop on the Square Project – On Monday, March 19^th, the Town will hold Partnering Sessions for Square merchants, commercial property owners, and residents, with FedCorp, the contractor for the Dedham Square Improvement Project. The meeting will be held at both 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. to accommodate varying schedules and will be held in the lower conference room at town hall. This will be a great opportunity to meet representatives from FedCorp to learn more about their phasing and construction schedule. On hand will also be Peter Pardee of Beta, Inc. who will serve as the resident engineer for the project and will be working on behalf of the town to ensure the project goes as smoothly as possible.

Stay in the Loop - To keep updated on the Dedham Square Improvement Project’s news and announcements, sign up for the Town's email list at www.dedhamsquareproject.com. You can also find info. on the project's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DedhamSqProject and follow it on Twitter:  @DedhamSqProject  

 

Open for Business – The Dedham Square Circle team recently kicked off the “Dedham Square Open for Business” campaign, a massive PR & Marketing campaign to promote the Square throughout the Square Project. Our first official event was our inaugural 1^st Thursdays on March 1^st when merchants stayed open late, many of which hosted special events. Despite the snow and chilly temps, there was lots of foot traffic throughout the Square all evening. Stay tuned for more details next issue on our next 1^st Thursdays event April 5^th, as well as the 411 on other fun stuff we’re working on behind-the-scenes.

 

Warm Welcome – We’re happy to report that three new businesses have been recently added to the Square! The Center - Pilates and More just recently relocated from Milton to 601 High Street in a beautiful new studio on the third floor. Nancy Keating, owner & director, offers classical Pilates instruction for every level. The Center is also the New England Regional Training Center for Power Pilates education.   In addition, Betsy Cohen, founder of Whole Health for Men & Women, works in partnership with Nancy and offers counseling on balancing nutrition and lifestyle.  A new shutterbug has also landed in the Square! Photographer Melissa Robotti has leased the storefront next to Centre Deli/Deli After Dark where she’ll house her new studio. Please join us in welcoming Nancy, Betsy and Melissa to the Square!

 

New Hours – In response to customer requests, Vincenzo's has extended its hours. On Thursday and Fridays they’ll stay open until 6 p.m. and on Saturdays they’ll be open from 9-4. Just in for Easter – their famous Italian chocolate eggs and Italian cakes.  Hey chocoholics - enter their free raffle to win a 5 lb chocolate egg! 

 

Major Milestone – As we shared in last week’s “Faces in the Square” feature in The Dedham Transcript, the Francis M. Walley Insurance Agency is celebrating its 90th anniversary! Many thanks to Frank Walley, Jr. and Frank Walley III for sharing stories of the company’s history when we recently visited their High Street office. Congratulations to the Walley Family on this momentous occasion!

 

Music Notes   - Discover Music & Art will soon be offering ukulele and banjo lessons for children and adults. Call 781-619-6527 or email together4music@yahoo.com for more details.

 

Dedham Squared - The Dedham Square Artist Guild will host the All American Quilt from March 12-16.  Each year, dozens of finalists in the All-America City Award (including Dedham, which was a finalist in 2011) submit quilt squares representing something special about their communities. The squares are stitched together into a quilt, which tours the country visiting each finalist town or city. 

 

Magic Meals – Salem Food Market owner Freddie Zagami tells us that the inaugural “Kids Night” at SFM last week had an awesome turnout.   Grab the kids and check it out – every Wednesday night from 5-8. Featuring $3.99 kids’ meals and free entertainment from magician John Henry who’s well known in these parts!

 

Tasty Tuesdays  - Speaking of good eats, every Tuesday night from 5:30-10, Deli After Dark is hosting "Tastings on Tuesdays". A great chance to sample some of their most popular menu items for only $8!

 

Ready, Set, Draw!   Drop-in art studio from 10-12 with Peter Reynolds to celebrate National Draw-On Day this Saturday at The Blue Bunny. Free!

 

A Cup for a Buck!  Paradise Cafe is celebrating its 4th anniversary this month. In honor of this occasion, they are offering any size coffee for only $1 for the entire month of March.

 

Sign Me Up! Woodworking for Kids, Cartooning, Pilates, ZUMBA Toning for Adults, and Preschool sports, just some of the many offerings this spring at the Dedham Community House. Registration is underway. Visit www.dedhamcommunityhouse.org  for more info. 

 

Live Tunes - Deli After Dark welcomes back, "Acoustically Perfect" on Sat. 3/24 at 8:30 pm. As always, no cover charge.

 

Going, Going, Gone!   Grogan & Co. will be auctioning fine art, antique furniture, books, silver, and rugs from the estate of the late Rev. Peter J. Gomes, a Baptist minister at Harvard University's Memorial Church for more than 30 years,  who participated in the inauguration of Presidents  Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.   March 24 & 25 at noon. Preview exhibition is open to the public and opens Wed. March 21. For more info. and an online catalogue visit  www.groganco.com .

 

Grinch in the Square! The Parish Players of First Church will present Seussical the Musical, a fun-filled, show based on the works of popular children’s author Dr. Seuss,  featuring  a variety of zany characters from his books.  Four performances over the weekend of March 30^th. For ticket info. and show times visit www.dedhamuu.org.

 

Encore! The critically acclaimed production of “The Fantastiks” will be at Fiddlehead Theatre from April 13-29.  Get your tickets soon – they’re going fast! Visit www.fiddleheadtheatre.com more info.

 

Dedham Square Trivia –Answer a fun trivia question or solve a riddle about our historic downtown, get it right and you’ll be entered into our quarterly drawing to win a gift certificate to a Square merchant! 

Last week’s question:   It was 1999 when Ron’s Ice Cream opened its doors in Dedham Square. Although there were lots of guesses, only three people got it right: Marcia Cardinale, Lisa Ingemi, and Jeannie McLeish.  

 

This week’s Question:    If you wanted to order the “Westfield Special” in the Square, where would you go?   Submit your answers by Fri. March 9th to dedhamsquarecircle@gmail.com or mail to DSC, P.O. Box 593, Dedham, MA 02027.