Hello, Dedham!

Brace yourself. Fall is (officially, astronomically) about to arrive. In this issue:

As always, I’m so glad you’re here. Let's get into it. 💜

— KB

Last call! I’m still looking to learn more about who's reading and what you care about. Let me know right here. Please & thanks!

🎧 Motherbrook Disco Dance Party — Fri, Sept 18, 7–10PM. DJ Dayglow, immersive digital art, cash bar, benefits Event Space improvements. $25 advance/$30 door, 21+, doors at 6:30PM.

💰 State grant lands for East Street corridor. The Town was awarded $50,000 for a community visioning and zoning recommendations study along the East Street corridor.

🗳️ Fall Town Meeting warrant is out. All 14 articles for the 2026 Fall Annual Town Meeting are now available to review — Town Meeting itself is set for Monday, November 16 at 7PM at Dedham High School. (More on the Planning Board's public hearing on Article 8 below, under Civics Class.)

🎨 Dedham Cultural Council is accepting funding proposals — applications are due October 15.

💜 September is Recovery Month — the Board of Health's September newsletter has info on upcoming DOSA events and how to connect with local recovery resources.

🍂 First day of fall is this week! The autumnal equinox hits Tuesday, September 22 at 8:05PM — officially the start of astronomical fall. (Bonus: the Harvest Moon follows close behind on 9/26 — more in Looking Ahead.)

📘 Cozy fall reads? Get 20% off with our Bookshop.org link* and select Blue Bunny at your bookshop to support Dedham’s favorite indie book store!

✳️ Got a local announcement? Hit reply and let me know.

Library programs below are all from the Dedham Public Library calendar — registration required for most, so click through before you head over.

TONIGHT! Thursday, 9/17

🏐 Sets for STEC — Dedham vs. Fontbonne volleyball, remembering Christine Stec, former Oakdale teacher and Dedham volleyball player. Dedham High School Gym, 5:30PM. $10 entry, 50/50 raffle.

🎨 Watercolor Class, Main Library, 10:30AM–12:00PM (55+)

🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ Book Group, Main Library, 7–7:45PM (adult)

Friday, 9/18

🏈 Dedham Dynamos youth football — 6th grade 6PM, 8th grade 7:30PM @ DHS

🎶 Groovin' and Movin', Main Library Children's Room, 11–11:30AM (preschool)

📖 Senior Center Book Group, Ames Senior Center, 11:30AM–12:30PM (55+)

Saturday, 9/19

🥕 Dedham Summer Farmers Market, 2–6PM.

🎶 Live music on the Town Green — see below!

♟️ Chess for Kids, Main Library, 10:30–11:30AM (elementary school)

Monday, 9/21

🎵 Monday Morning Music, Endicott Branch, 9:30–10AM and 10:30–11AM (preschool/toddler — one session per family, please)

☕ Fall into Cold Brew, Main Library, 4–7PM (adult)

🏛️ Civics Class night — see below.

Tuesday, 9/22

🍂 First day of fall — the equinox arrives at 8:05PM.

🍼 Baby & Toddler Time, Main Library, 9:30–10AM

📚 Preschool Storytime, Main Library, 10:30–11AM

📗 Elementary Book Group, Main Library, 3:30–4PM (grades 2–3, graphic novel every other meeting)

🏺 History Lovers' Book Group, Main Library, 6:30–8PM (adult)

Wednesday, 9/23

🥕 Dedham Summer Farmers Market, 2–6PM.

🍼 Baby & Me Storytime, Endicott Branch, 9:30–10AM

🎶 Sing-Along Storytime, Endicott Branch, 10:15–11AM (preschool)

⚡ Pokémon Club, Main Library, 3–4PM (elementary school)

🪐 Spray Paint a Planet, Main Library Teen Space, 6:30–7:30PM (teens)

✍️ Local Author Book Talk — Jenn Bouchard, Palms on the Cape, Main Library, 7–8PM (adult)

🏛️ Planning Board tonight — see Civics Class.

Thursday, 9/24

🏛️ Select Board tonight — see Civics Class.

🚌 Elementary school open houses tonight!

🏐 Sets for STEC, Thursday 5:30PM at the DHS gym — see What's Happening above for the full scoop.

⚾ For everything else on the fall sports calendar, check each program's own site: Baseball | Soccer | Youth Hockey | Lacrosse | Field Hockey | Youth Football | Basketball | Girls Softball

🏆 Fall sports to watch this week. (double check full schedule for updates before heading out!)

Thursday, 9/17

⚽ DHS Freshman Boys Soccer vs. Westwood High School 4:15–5:45PM

🏐 DHS Freshman Girls Volleyball vs. Fontbonne–Early College of Boston 4:15–5:15PM

🏐 DHS Varsity Girls Volleyball vs. Fontbonne–Early College of Boston 5:30–6:30PM

⚽ UA Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Notre Dame Academy–Hingham 3:45–5:15PM

⚽ UA Junior Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Notre Dame Academy–Hingham 4:00–5:30PM

Friday, 9/18

⚽ DHS Freshman Boys Soccer vs. Holliston High School 4:15–5:45PM

🏐 UA Freshman Girls Volleyball vs. Cardinal Spellman High School 3:30–4:30PM

🏐 UA Junior Varsity Girls Volleyball vs. Cardinal Spellman High School 5:00–6:00PM

🏐 UA Varsity Girls Volleyball vs. Cardinal Spellman High School 6:00–7:30PM

Tuesday, 9/22

🏑 DHS Junior Varsity Girls Field Hockey vs. Ursuline Academy 3:45–5:15PM

🏑 DHS Varsity Girls Field Hockey vs. Ursuline Academy, 3:45–5:30PM

⚽ UA Junior Varsity Girls Soccer vs. O'Bryant High School 4:00–5:30PM

⚽ UA Varsity Girls Soccer vs. O'Bryant High School 4:00–5:30PM

Wednesday, 9/23

🏃‍♀️ DHS Varsity Girls Cross Country vs. Millis High School 4:15–6:15PM

🏃 DHS Varsity Boys Cross Country vs. Millis High School 4:15–6:15PM

⚽ DHS Junior Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Medway High School 4:30–6:15PM

⚽ DHS Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Medway High School 4:30–6:30PM

⚽ NG Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Loomis Chaffee School 12:00–1:00PM

🏐 NG Varsity Girls Volleyball vs. Groton School 3:45–6:15PM

🏃‍♀️ UA Varsity Girls Cross Country vs. Notre Dame Academy–Hingham 3:45–5:45PM

Thursday, 9/24

⚽ DHS Freshman Boys Soccer vs. Medfield Senior High School 4:15–5:45PM

Full schedules: Dedham | Nobles | Ursuline — streaming on NFHS Network for Dedham High home games.

Thursday, 9/17

🏫 School Committee – Budget Subcommittee, 4PM

☕ Council on Aging Board, 5:15PM

🌳 Conservation Commission, 7PM

🤝 Human Rights Commission, 7PM

Monday, 9/21

🌲 Open Space and Recreation Subcommittee, 6–8PM

Wednesday, 9/23

🗺️ Planning Board, 6PM

Thursday, 9/24

🏛️ Select Board, 6:30PM

📌 Heads up: the Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed Zoning Bylaw amendment (Article 8 of the Fall Town Meeting Warrant) on Wednesday, October 14 at 6PM at Town Hall.

📆 Full agendas and the complete town calendar are here.

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

🎸 The Nick Haddad Trio hits the Town Green Saturday, 4–6PM. Bring the kiddos — there will be tambourines and shakers so they can play along with the band. Shoutout to Dedham Square Circle, Dedham Savings, Norfolk & Dedham Insurance, and the Dedham Arts Boosters for sponsoring.

🚴 Ride & Stride for Food — Sun, Sept 27, Nobles & Greenough. Bike ride or 5K walk benefiting Dedham Food Pantry. When registering, join Team DFP, (search for Dedham) and use code Dedham2026 for $50 off. Questions: [email protected].

🐮 Dedham Day 2026. Save the date — Sunday, September 27!

🎒 Dedham Public Schools — Save the Dates. Elementary Open Houses Sept 24 (6PM); ECEC Kindergarten Open House Oct 1 (5PM); DMS Open House Oct 8 (6PM); ECEC Preschool Open House Oct 15 (5PM); DHS Open House Oct 22 (6PM).

🏃 DEF Dash 5K — Sun, Oct 4. Dedham Education Foundation's annual fun run/walk, all levels welcome. Register.

🏚️ Fairbanks House Museum Free Open House, part of the Dedham Day festivities — Sunday, September 27, Noon–5PM, 515 East Street. Guided mini tours, kids' crafts, Hoodsie cups, hot cider & cocoa, gift shop open. Registration requested.

🌕 Harvest Moon — Saturday, September 26, peak illumination just after noon, best viewing that evening.

🏛️ Facilities Master Plan Community Forum & Listening Session — Wednesday, October 7 at 7PM, Parks & Recreation Building, 310 Sprague Street. Covers municipal and community facilities only (school buildings are a separate track).

💉 Public Flu Clinic (ages 5+) — Monday, October 5, 5–7PM.

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.

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