Hello, Dedham.

You’ve almost made it to vacation week (for all those who celebrate.) If you’re sticking around town, there’s plenty to do. These warm days have been nice, but this is New England. Check the forecast before you head out the next few days.

In this week's Drop:

There’s a new moon 4/17, followed by no moon in the sky for a few days, keep reading for more reasons to look up this month.

As always, happy you’re here.

— KB

🦊 There are fox kits in someone's Dedham backyard. Could be yours next. Here's what Animal Control says to do.

📺 Boston 25 just donated something big to DHS. The student news program is about to get a serious upgrade.

🗳️ The votes are in. Dedham's Annual Town Election wrapped up Saturday, April 11. Here's a quick rundown of the major offices:

🏈 DHS Football update. After months of conversations with students and families, DHS Principal Jim Forrest and Athletic Director Steve Traister announced that DHS will enter a two-year co-op program with Sharon High School for the 2026 and 2027 fall football seasons. The roster wasn't large enough to safely field a varsity team on its own — a trend affecting communities across the state (33 MIAA-approved co-ops statewide this year). In Fall 2026, the team plays under Sharon's banner; in Fall 2027, they return under Dedham's. A junior varsity co-op is also being explored. A head coach search is underway.

🌠 Look up this week. April's sky is putting on a show during vacation week:

✳️ Have a local announcement or news item? Hit reply & let me know.

First up… 🏃Patriots' Day Weekend (April 18–20):

📕At the Dedham Public Library (free):

Note: The library is closed Monday 4/20 for Patriots' Day.

👨‍🍳 Little Chefs Storytime — Tue 4/21, 10:30AM. Stories, songs, and food fun. Ages preschool–8.

🍿 Pajama Movie Night — Tue 4/21, 5PM. Main Library Children's Room.

✍️ Graffiti Lettering for Teens — Wed 4/22, 3:30PM. Learn tags, throws, and pieces. Main Library.

🎹 Music with Michael — Wed 4/22, 4:30PM. Musical adventure with pianist Michael Lustig. All ages.

🎨 Paint Party! — Thu 4/23, 3PM. Main Library Children's Room.

PLUS, you can check out the passes to local museums & more.

Beyond Dedham:

🌿 DCR State Parks — Free family-friendly programs all week across MA state parks. Birding walks, Earth Day murals, nature scavenger hunts, wildlife tracking, and more.

🏛️ Durant-Kenrick House (Newton) — Colonial hands-on activities all week: corn husk dolls, tricorn hats, scavenger hunts. Free with museum admission.

👀 Looking for a last-minute camp? Check out last week’s Drop for some possibilities. Space is surely limited, but it never hurts to check!

TODAY! Thursday, 4/16

🎶 Tot Time Sing 'n Learn with Ms. Marsha — Ages 0–3 and caregivers. Main Library Children's Room. 10:30–11:30AM.

🎨 Watercolor Class — Finally…Spring! — Ages 18+. Main Library Media Tables. 10:30AM.

🎲 Game Night at Roundhead — Local brews, board games, arcade games. 21+. 5–9PM.

Friday 4/17:

🍔 Teacher Appreciation Fridays at Roundhead — Teachers get 20% off food every Friday this month.

📖 LGBTQ+ Book Group — Main Library Rotunda. New members welcome. 6–7:45PM.

Saturday 4/18:

🥬 Dedham Square Spring Farmers Market — Indoor spring market at 670 High St, Dedham Square. Free parking. SNAP accepted. 10AM–1PM.

💍 Sterling Silver Band Ring Workshop — Ore Metals Studio, 123 High St. Texture, file, form, solder, and polish your own ring. All materials provided. $150 + $50 materials. 12–4PM.

🧘 Go with the Flow Saturdays — at Roundhead.

🌎 Keep It Local: Earth Day Event — Castle Island Norwood Taproom, Norwood. 2–6PM.

Monday 4/20 — Patriots' Day (No School, Library Closed):

🏃 Boston Marathon — Go cheer on your neighbors.

🌎 Wednesday 4/22 - Earth Day!

⛳ TopGolf — Middle School — Dedham Parks & Rec and SROs Jenkins & Connolly invite all middle schoolers for 2 hours of TopGolf, food, and drinks. Grades 6–8. $20. Registration required. 11AM–1PM.

🪄 Mr. Magic Show — Interactive, high-energy show. Tickets required. Trillium Canton. 12–1PM.

🎤 Virtual Author Talk: Miranda Cowley Heller — Virtual. Adults. 2PM.

🎹 Music with Michael — Main Library Piano Space. All ages. 4:30PM.

🎮 Wednesday Trivia: Geeks Who Drink — Trillium Canton. 7–9PM.

Thursday 4/23:

⛳ TopGolf — High School — Same deal, high school edition. Grades 9–12. $20. Registration required at dedham.activityreg.com. 11AM–1PM.

🍺 Trivia with Tim — Castle Island Norwood Taproom. 7–10PM.

🎲 Game Night at Roundhead — 21+. 5–9PM.

🌿 Dedham Greenspace Story Slam. Share your green story for cash prizes; proceeds benefit the Dedham Greenspace Coalition. 390 Washington St. Get tickets.

👀 LOOKING AHEAD

🌊 Neponset River Cleanup — Saturday, April 25. Join the Neponset River Watershed Association, the Dedham Conservation Commission, & volunteers to clean up waterfronts and parklands — including Condon Park right here in Dedham. 9AM–Noon.

🤠 Line Dancing at Good Shepherd Church — 4/25. Country Line Dance Night hosted by L and S Dance. $10 admission. 7–10PM.

⚽ Watch Party: Dedham Legacy FC vs. Chicago Stars FC – 4/25. at Roundhead.

🏃 James Joyce Ramble 10k — 41st Edition — 4/26. Starts at Endicott Estate, 656 East St. Actors read Joyce along the course. Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish perform on the lawn after. Volunteers needed. 11AM.

🎷 International Jazz Day on the Town Green — April 30. Free outdoor concert on the Town Green. 6PM. dedham-ma.gov

👟 Greenlodge 5K — Sunday, May 3. The first-ever Greenlodge 5K Run/Walk honors beloved teacher Mark Carney, who taught at both Greenlodge and DHS. All paces welcome! Register at runsignup.com.

4/17 🎷 The Smack Dabs — 1930s Swing Blues at First Church of Dedham. Tickets at dedhamuu.org. 7:30PM.

4/19 🎶 Tunes on Tap — Roundhead, featuring Todd Consentino & Lara Williams.

4/24 🎵 Live Music: Simple Twist of Fate — Trillium Canton. 6–9PM.

4/24 🎶 Tunes on Tap — Roundhead, featuring Mary Potts-Madigan & Johnny Silvone.

🏃 Trillium Run Club. Every Monday at Trillium Canton. 6:30–8PM.

⛳ TopGolf with Parks & Rec & School Resource Officers — SROs Jenkins and Connolly are hosting middle and high schoolers for 2 hours of TopGolf, food, and drinks. $20/person. Registration required at dedham.activityreg.com.

🏐 DHS Youth Volleyball Clinic — 6/19. Grades 4–8, no experience needed. DHS Gym. $40 pre-register / $45 walk-in. Contact [email protected]. 9AM–1PM.

⚾️ DHS Varsity Boys Baseball vs. Cohasset — Home game. Wed 4/23, 12–2PM.

📆 For full schedules: DHS Athletics | Nobles & Greenough | Ursuline Academy

🏫 DPS Education Model Redevelopment — Community Listening Session. The Rennie Center is gathering input on the future of teaching and learning in Dedham schools. Next session: Mon 4/27, 5:30PM at Dedham Middle School. On-site childcare provided. Zoom option available.

🗳️ Town Meeting is May 18. Your new Moderator, Elizabeth O'Donnell, presiding. The warrant is posted on the town website.

📺 Missed a meeting? Catch replays at DedhamTV.com.

I've talked about my love of Feast & Fettle* before. And now, to celebrate their 10th anniversary, they've given me 10 credits worth $100 each to share with Dedham Drop readers — no strings attached, just a little something to make your week easier.

To claim one, reply to this email with "I'm in!" and I'll send the credit your way. First 10 replies get it, so don't wait too long!

New Feast & Fettle members only. Not valid for existing accounts. Good toward first order.

Big week — vacation, Patriots' Day weekend, a historic race, and some fresh faces headed to Town Meeting. Check links before you head out; times and availability are always subject to change.

The Dedham Drop is a local effort to curate all things Dedham, your kind and constructive input is welcome.

Have an event or announcement? Hit reply. If you see an error (mistakes happen!)—let us know.

And if you got this from a friend, you can sign up here. Thanks for reading!

— KB

*I’ll always call out when a brand has sponsored the Dedham Drop. Occasionally, I’ll include affiliate links. If you click, I may receive a tiny commission. Most of the time, you’ll receive an offer. Win/Win! These products/services mentioned are ones I believe in.