Hello, Dedham.

I saw an Instagram post that announced Dedham Public Schools class assignments and schedules will be available by the end of next week. That means, it’s time to really soak up these final weeks of summer.

In this week's Drop:

Plus, Pizza Poll results are in! So happy you’re here.

— KB

If you have’t yet… we’re still looking to learn more about who's reading and what you care about. Let us know right here. Please & thanks!

🍽️ Dine Out Boston's last weekend. Boston's Restaurant Week wraps up Saturday, August 15 — three Legacy Place spots are still serving the deal: Il Massimo (three-course Italian prix fixe), The Capital Grille ($55 for three steakhouse courses), and Legal Sea Foods. Get that reservation in before it's gone.

🐦 Dedham's 3rd Annual Biodiversity Day takes over the Dolan Center Saturday, August 15, 9AM–3PM. A full day of bioblitzing, nature-inspired art, a scavenger hunt, and face painting — bring a picnic, there are no food vendors on-site. Rain date is Sunday, August 16.

🌿 A new pocket park gets its ribbon. The Town celebrates the opening of the Sawmill Park Pollinator Pathway — a new stone-dust path, rain garden, native plantings, and neighborhood art walk along Mother Brook — with a ribbon-cutting Wednesday, August 19 at 5PM, 21 Sawmill Lane.

👖 Madewell Legacy Place: Denim Trade-Up. Trade in old jeans (any brand) year-round for $20–25 off a new pair — good for the planet and the wallet. (Ongoing in August.)

👀 Legacy Place just landed another big name. A buzzy, LA-born activewear-meets-wellness brand with a serious cult following is setting up shop there in late 2026 — think studio-to-street style, plus the kind of retail experience that draws a crowd well beyond the mat. Details here.

💦 DWWD has announced that the drought declaration has been downgraded from Level 2 to Level 1. Read more about water restrictions here.

📚 Free summer meals for kids continue through August 21 at Avery, Dedham Middle, Dedham High, and Paul Park — no registration required.

🎨 Dedham Food Pantry Logo Contest closes Friday, August 14. Full contest rules here.

🔖 Design Legacy Place's next bookmark — still open through August 31. Pick up a blank bookmark at the Little Free Library at Legacy Place, design it however you'd like, and drop it at Barnes & Noble. More info here.

📚 Free summer meals for kids continue through August 21 at Avery, Dedham Middle, Dedham High, and Paul Park — no registration required.

🥩 Where’s the beef? (and chicken & chops & eggs + more?) It’s at Walden Farms and it’s delivered straight to your door in Dedham. Drop readers can get $25 off their first order.*

➡️ TODAY! Thursday, 8/13

☕ Memory Cafe. A welcoming, interactive space for individuals and families living with memory changes. Main Library, Piano Space. 1–3PM.

🎧 Ritmo y Cerveza | Rhythm and Brews: Roundhead Vinyl Night. Roundhead Brewing. 6–9PM.

🏃 Community Run with Live Fit Army. Roundhead Brewing. 6:30–7:45PM.

Friday, 8/14

🦕 Dino Club. Water play for kids. Main Library, Main Lawn. 10:45–11:30AM.

🍻 Teacher Appreciation Fridays. 20% off food for teachers & school staff. Roundhead Brewing. 3–6PM.

🎶 Tunes on Tap: Evan Murphy Trio. Roundhead Brewing. 7–9PM.

Saturday, 8/15

♟️ Chess for Kids. No Stress Chess — a chess teacher unlike any other. Main Library, Media Tables. 10:30–11:30AM.

🐦 Dedham Biodiversity Day. Bioblitz, nature-inspired art, scavenger hunt, face painting. Dolan Center, 269 Common Street. 9AM–3PM. (Rain date Sun. 8/16)

🛍️ Family Shopping at the Dedham Food Pantry. 8AM.

📦 Not Your Average Cardboard Recycling Day! 9AM.

🧹 Community Clean-Up Events. See locations to sign up to volunteer. 9AM.

👟 Rothy's Charm Bar Event. The Ivy Sneaker is here — personalize your Ivy Sneaker laces with custom charms, free with any Ivy purchase. Legacy Place, Rothy's. 12–4PM.

🎨 Drippy Sky Painting — with Pop Up Art School. Paint a pastel sunset. Main Library, Media Tables. 3–4:30PM.

⚽ Roundhead Watch Party: Boston Legacy FC vs Racing Louisville FC. Roundhead Brewing. 6–8:30PM.

Monday, 8/17

🎶 Monday Morning Music with Jonah. Endicott Branch, Back Lawn. 9:30 or 10:30AM.

Tuesday, 8/18

📖 Preschool Storytime. Stories, songs, and crafts for ages 3+. Main Library, Children's Room. 10:30–11AM.

🦖 Dinosaurs and Desserts. Read-aloud program for grades 1–3. Main Library, Children's Room. 5–6PM.

🎶 Dedham Square Circle presents FREE Concerts on the Green. 6PM.

Wednesday, 8/19

👶 Baby & Me Storytime. Stories, songs, and fingerplays for our youngest friends. Endicott Branch, Children's Area. 9:30–10AM.

🩰 Legacy Littles: Tiny Toes Ballet Storytime. A magical intro to ballet for ages 3–6 with storytime, princess dancing, and photos. Legacy Place. 10:30–11:30AM.

🌈 Tie-Dye Fun — in the Sun! Bring your own white cotton pillowcase, t-shirt, or socks. Endicott Branch, Back Lawn. 3–4PM.

🌽 Dedham Summer Farmers Market. Local produce, makers, live music. First Church lawn, 670 High St. 2–6PM.

🌿 Sawmill Park Pollinator Pathway Ribbon-Cutting. Celebrating the new native-plant path, rain garden, and art walk along Mother Brook. 21 Sawmill Lane. 5PM.

Thursday, 8/20

🎨 Watercolor Class — Summer Scenes. Renew and refresh your skills painting vibrant summer scenes. Main Library, Media Tables. 10:30AM–12PM.

🎵 The Juke | where we meet. NEW. A monthly gathering lands in Hyde Park. THE JUKE draws on the legacy of historic juke joints — spaces built by community, for community — to spotlight local artists and live performance. Roundhead Brewing. FREE, RSVP here. 7:30–9:30PM.

💃 Salsa in the Suburbs (DPAC). Come dance on the Town Green! 7PM.

+More at the libraries all week — check the full calendar here

🍕 Order up! And the winner is…. Bellagio pizza with 38% of the votes! A triple way tie between Pizzadoro, DHOP & Zocca round out the top 4. Thanks for voting. Stay tuned for the next Drop Poll.

📖 Summer Reading Program — Dedham Public Library. "Unearth a Story" runs through August 22. Register here.

🥎 Dedham Girls Softball — Fall Registration is open! DGSL will field a 10U and 12U team in the Charles River Softball League this fall. Season runs September–October, games are Sunday doubleheaders. Questions? Email [email protected] with subject line "Fall Ball 2026."

🌱 Endicott Community Greenhouse — Volunteers Welcome. Stop by anytime or call 781-329-9356.

Choose a backpack that's made to last and designed to be remembered. Shop new arrivals before their favorite styles are gone.

Shop The Collection

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

🙋 The Town wants you! Two boards still have openings: Commission on Disability and Planning Board. Interested residents should complete the online Volunteer Application — a resume or statement of interest can also go to the Select Board.

ELECTION INFO — HEADS UP FOR SEPTEMBER:

🗳️ State Primary is September 1. Key dates coming up fast: voter registration closes August 22, in-person early voting runs August 22–28 at Town Hall, and absentee ballots by mail are due August 31 at noon. Ballots have new colors this year (Democratic: blue, Republican: pink) so voters can tell them apart more easily. Full details at the Town Clerk's elections page or by calling 781-751-9200.

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

TONIGHT! Thursday, 8/13

📚 School Committee. Part One of the Educational Model Report (grade configuration & school facilities) and a discussion of the Community Outreach Plan. Zoom. 6PM.

⚖️ Human Rights Commission. 7PM.

Friday, 8/14

🗳️ Board of Registrars. 12PM.

Wednesday, 8/19

⚖️ Zoning Board of Appeals. 7PM.

Thursday, 8/20

🏛️ Select Board. 6:30PM.

🌿 Conservation Commission. 7PM.

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

🥧 Walpole Farmers Market. Sat, Aug 15, 9AM–1PM. Spring Brook Park, Downtown Walpole.

🍅 Canton Farmers' Market. Sun, Aug 16, 10AM–2PM. Rodman Center/Canton High School lawn.

🍅 Norwood Farmers Market. Tue, Aug 18, 2–6PM. Norwood Town Common.

🌽 Newton Farmers Market. Tue, Aug 18, 1:30–6PM. Cold Spring Park.

🌽 Westwood Farmers Market. Wed, Aug 19, 2–6PM. St. Margaret Mary Church parking lot, 845 High St.

🥕 Milton Farmers Market. Thu, Aug 20, 1–6PM. Wharf Park, Milton Village.

🎶 Legacy Littles: Music & Movement. August 26, 10:30–11:30AM, Legacy Place.

👋 Popsicles with the Principal. Oakdale Elementary's PTO meet-and-greet with new principal Michael Maresca. August 25, 4PM.

🗳️ Early voting begins. August 22–28 at Town Hall.

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.

Got this from a friend? Sign up here.

*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.