Hello, Dedham.

Big week ahead, Dedham. Spring Town Meeting is Monday, a new Fire Chief takes the helm, and Mother Brook Arts throws open its doors for one of the year’s best free events. Also… high temps in next week’s forecast, don’t forget your sunscren.

In this week’s drop:

It’s almost Friday! Let’s do this.

— KB

💦 Mandatory water restrictions start May 18. The Dedham-Westwood Water District has upgraded its drought declaration to Level 1 — Mild Drought. Mandatory restrictions take effect Monday.

⚽ Two DHS students sign with the New England Revolution Unified Soccer Team. DHS’s own Amanda Ferhani and Allison Finkel are among 18 athletes who signed contracts at Gillette Stadium to join the Revolution's 2026 Special Olympics Unified Soccer Team. Full story here.

🧑‍🚒 A new chief in town. Effective this month, Bob DeVincent steps in as Dedham's new Fire Chief, following departmental promotions that also elevated a new Deputy Chief. Congratulations to the whole department.

📋 Spring Town Meeting is Monday, May 18. The warrant is set and the articles are posted. This is our town's annual budget and policy session. Full warrant here. Dedham High School | 7PM

🌱 Also happening: 1 - Town Green pavilion is almost ready. Roof installed, minor electrical work wrapping up. A community ribbon-cutting is coming soon. 2 - The splash pad at Condon Park is nearly open. Built with ARPA funds at no local tax cost. Ribbon-cutting details coming.

🎺 3rd & 4th grade families: take the Elementary Band Survey. Dedham Public Schools is asking families to help shape the after-school instrumental program. Survey closes May 15. Complete it here.

✳️ Have a local announcement or news item? Hit reply & let me know. Want a guaranteed way to reach our Dedham neighbors? Learn about sponsoring the Drop.

📚 Memory Cafe — A welcoming space for individuals and families living with memory changes. Registration required. Dedham Public Library (Main Branch) | 1PM

🎮 Game Night at Roundhead Brewing — Board games, cold beer, good people. Roundhead Brewing, Hyde Park | 5PM (21+)

🎨 Open Studios Preview Party — First look at the Art in Bloom exhibition before it opens to the public. Live music by Steve Fell, complimentary bites, cash bar with a signature floral cocktail, and a wine pull fundraiser. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Mother Brook Arts & Community Center | 7PM

📚 Groovin' and Movin' — Stories, music, and movement for preschoolers. Dedham Public Library (Main Branch) | 11AM

🍎 Teacher Appreciation Fridays at Roundhead Brewing — Educators get some well-earned love all month. Roundhead Brewing, Hyde Park | 3PM (21+)

🏃 8th Annual Trillium Spring 5K — Benefiting Girls on the Run Greater Boston. Kids Fun Run at 9:15AM, 5K at 9:45AM, post-race party with food, live DJ, and a beer 10AM–12PM. $40 includes a Trillium running belt. Trillium Canton | Check-in 8:45AM

🎨 Spring Open Studios — FREE — Over 75 artists, 20+ vendor booths, and the Art in Bloom exhibition. MELT food truck, DIY floral bar by Moon Gate Garden, free all-ages floral decoupage workshop, and more. Rain or shine. Mother Brook Arts & Community Center | 11AM–5PM

💎 solidcore Dedham 1st Anniversary — Permanent jewelry pop-up by Auburn Jewelry (10AM–2PM), swag giveaway class at 2PM, and surprises all day. New to solidcore? Intro offers available. Legacy Place | 10AM

💉 Piercing Day at Rowan — National Piercing Day is May 16. Celebrate a milestone — Mother's Day, graduation, just because — with a piercing that outlasts the flowers. | All Day

🧘 Yoga with Blissful Monkey at Roundhead — Roundhead Brewing, Hyde Park | 11AM (21+)

🍎 Farmer’s market is back 670 High St, Dedham Square. Local vendors and more to explore. Free parking. SNAP accepted. 10AM–1PM.

💪 Women's Health Event at Restore Hyper Wellness — Breathwork session, express IV therapy, hormone & energy coaching, women-owned vendors including a bloom bar, and exclusive discounts on wellness services. Reserve your spot at the link. Restore Hyper Wellness, Legacy Place | 10AM–12PM

🎨 Spring Open Studios — Day 2 — Mother Brook Arts & Community Center | 11AM–5PM

🛍️ ALX Mercado at Roundhead Brewing — A Latin marketplace with local vendors. Roundhead Brewing, Hyde Park | 12PM (21+)

🏛️ Spring Annual Town Meeting — Dedham High School | 7PM

📚 Monday Morning Music — Live music and singing with Jonah. Two sessions. Endicott Branch | 9:30AM and 10:30AM (register for one)

📚 Baby & Toddler Time — Dedham Public Library (Main Branch) | 9:30AM

📚 Preschool Storytime — Stories, songs, and crafts for ages 3+. Dedham Public Library (Main Branch) | 10:30AM

📖 Virtual Author Talk: Nir Eyal, Beyond Belief — What if the only thing between you and the seemingly impossible was belief? Virtual | 2PM

📖 Local Author Talk: Emily Franklin, Love & Other Monsters — Dedham Public Library (Main Branch) | 6:30PM

📚 Baby & Me Storytime — Endicott Branch | 9:30AM or 10:30AM

📚 Read to a Therapy Dog — Four 15-minute slots. Endicott Branch | 3:30PM–4:30PM

📚 DIY Clog Charms for Teens — Polymer clay charm-making for middle and high schoolers. Dedham Public Library (Main Branch) | 5:30PM

📚 Main Library Book Group — Fiction and nonfiction, titles chosen by members. Dedham Public Library (Main Branch) | 6:30PM

🎲 Wednesday Trivia: Geeks Who Drink — Trillium Canton | 6:30PM

🏛️ May Lecture at Dedham Museum — "The History of Taxation" with Dr. Richard Scott — colonial taxes, the Revolution, and what it all means. Free for members, $10 at the door. Dedham Museum & Archive | 7PM

🎨 DPS District Art Show — Artwork from students across all Dedham Public Schools, PK–12. Open to all families and community members. Dedham Middle School | 5–7PM

📚 Tot Time Sing 'n Learn — Monthly playgroup for ages 9 months–3 years. Dedham Public Library (Main Branch) | 10:30AM

📚 LGBTQ+ Book Group — Dedham Public Library (Main Branch) | 7PM

🎮 Game Night at Roundhead Brewing — Roundhead Brewing, Hyde Park | 5PM (21+)

Thursday, May 14

🎶 Steve Rondo at Trillium Canton — An intimate acoustic session. Tickets. 6:30–9PM

FRIDAY, MAY 15

🎵 Live Music at Trillium Canton: Jared Moore | 6PM

🎸 Otis Grove at The Fallout Shelter — The electrifying power funk organ trio, live album sessions. The Fallout Shelter | 7PM

🎼 Cooke Family Singers at First Church & Parish. Refreshments for purchase. Doors at 7. | 7:30PM

Thursday, May 14

🥎 Varsity Girls Softball vs. Hopkinton | 4:30PM

🥍 Varsity Boys Lacrosse vs. Holliston | 6PM

Friday, May 15

🥎 Varsity Girls Softball vs. Milton | 4PM

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

🏀 Coming Up: Free Basketball Clinic — 5/29 Dedham Basketball and Behn Camp are hosting a free clinic at Dedham Middle School. 5–6:30PM. Open to all 3rd–9th grade boys and girls. Register!

🏐 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.

😎 Summer sports? Got info on summer sports leagues? Hit reply and let me know!

🐾 Dedham Rabies & Microchip Clinic (May 16) From the Animal Rescue League of Boston: rabies vaccines ($5 for residents, $15 for non-residents), $10 microchips for all, and 2026 Dog Licensing on site (rabies certificate required). Walk-ins welcome, first come first served. Leash your dogs; cats in carriers. 10AM–2PM | Dedham Administration Building

➡ Spring Town Meeting — Monday, May 18, 7PM at Dedham High School. Warrant articles posted at dedham-ma.gov.

📝 Two Surveys Open Now — Dedham Wants to Hear From You — The Town is developing a Town-wide Facilities Master Plan to guide long-term investments in schools, public safety buildings, libraries, recreation facilities, and more. The survey takes 5–10 minutes and everyone who responds is entered into a gift card raffle. Available in English and Spanish. Deadline: May 24. → English survey | Encuesta en español

Also open: Dedham Public Schools is partnering with the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy to gather community input on what DPS should prioritize going forward. Available in English, Spanish, and Chinese. → Take the DPS survey

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

🌸 In Full Bloom — Norwood, Thu. May 14. Build your own flower bouquet, paint a glass vase, write a letter to your future self, and more. $40/ticket. Washington No. 7, 175–179 Railroad Ave | 6:30PM

🎉 Canton Heritage Festival — Canton, Sat. May 16. Free community celebration with live music, food vendors, artisan crafts, historical exhibits, and the new Paul Revere Museum of Discovery & Innovation open for the day. Free parking with shuttle. Paul Revere Heritage Site, 4 Rolling Mill Way | 10AM–3PM

☀️ Hello Sunshine Market — Walpole, Sat. May 16. 30 local vendors, live DJ, free Topo Chico, free kids activities. Free admission. Outside the Walpole Mall | 11AM–4PM

🎻 Allison Eldredge & Pei-Shan Lee — Newton, Sun. May 17. Cellist and pianist explore Beethoven's humanity through his cello sonatas. The Allen Center, 35 Webster St | 3PM

🏥 Westwood Community Health Fair — Westwood, Wed. May 20. Free community health resources and screenings. | 1PM

As always, double-check links before heading out — times and details can change. If you see an error or have something to add, hit reply.

That's the Drop for May 14–21. Love where you live.

— 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.