Hello, Dedham. It’s cold. The days don’t feel longer. And I’m already re-thinking those 2026 goals I set. But we made it to the second weekend in January. If you’re needing a little extra encouragement to head out, keep reading!

In this week’s Drop:

I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s go!

KB

🚧 The Bridge is open. Upon completion of some grading work (which, to our knowledge, was supposed to wrap up this week,) the East St Bridge work is shutting down for winter. The bridge should remain open until the project resumes in March.

🤿 The Pool is closed. Until further notice, but a Facebook post says within 2 weeks. Memberships & activities will be extended accordingly.

🚰 H2O Rate Increase. Dedham-Westwood Water District to Host Discussion About This Year’s Water Rate Increase on Thursday, January 15 - A 5.5% rate increase is proposed. Residential customers who use an average of 6.5 CCF (1 CCF = One Hundred Cubic Feet = 748 gallons) per month should expect to see an approximate $2.58 monthly bill increase.

🍎 Resolve to Give Back: The Dedham Food Pantry is looking for volunteers of all ages. From stocking shelves, to food pick-up, to shopping assistants, you can sign up here.

🧃NUE Juice Bar is coming to Dedham Square (555 High St). Fresh juices, smoothies, more. Stay tuned for details.

🫒MEZO Authentic Mediterranean Kitchen coming to the Square (551 High St) with a focus on Greek cuisine. More upscale than fast-casual, but not a formal sit-down restaurant.

🥙 AND, ICYMI Pressed Cafe & Just Salad are set to open in Dedham this year as well. Stay hungry, neighbors.

📗Got some reading resolutions?

This weekend, the main library is hosting a book swap. Today (1/8) and tomorrow (1/9), you’re welcome to drop off your in-good-condition books for all ages that you no longer need. No textbooks or reference books! (Swap is Jan 10, see the calendar below for more details.)

Coming up this week:

Thursday 1/8

💰 Budget Forum (1 of 2 meetings) 9:30AM. Main Library. Children’s activities avail.

🎶 Music with friends at the Main Library. Baby/toddler/pre-school. Come sing family-friendly animal songs. 10:30 - 11AM. Free.

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Memory Cafe at the Main Library. For individuals and families living with memory changes. 18+. Free, in the Piano Space. 1-3PM

📕Book Talk (not BookTok) with local author Paul Stewart as he discusses his memoir, Ya Wanna Go? Main library. Free. 6:30-7:30PM

🔭Stargazing at Endicott library. Peek through our telescope to spot distant stars. All ages. Free. 7:15-7:45PM.

♻️ Go green and check out the Conservation Commission meeting via Zoom. 7PM.

Friday 1/9

🏀 DHS Boys Basketball vs Norwood. JV @ 5PM, varsity @ 6:30PM. Dedham High.

🏺 Motherbrook Ceramics Class: Try the Potter’s Wheel for just one night. Whether you’re trying the wheel for the first time or dusting off your skills, this is for you. 21+. Motherbrook Arts Center. 7-9PM. $80 + $15 materials.

🍻 NEW Tunes on Tap at Roundhead kicks off with original music featuring Damian Shiner & Nick McGowan. Tickets: $10.25 includes 1 local brew. 7-9PM.

Saturday 1/10

🛒 Family food shopping at Dedham Food Pantry. 8AM

🥫 Cans for Care Fundraiser, hosted by the Friends of the Dedham Council on Aging supporting Dedham COA & the Senior Center. VFW Parking Lot. 9AM - NOON

📚New Year Book Swap at the main library. No registration required. All ages. Free. 10AM-NOON.

❄️ Winter Family Fun Day at Hale Reservation. Explore the wintry side of Hale with a family hike, arts & crafts, treats by the fire and more. Two times available. Reservation required. Check website for FREE tickets and waitlist.

🏒DHS Varsity Boys Hockey vs Holliston High. Nobles & Greenough School Flood Rink. 6:45PM.

Sunday 1/11

💪 Mat Pilates Class to support a Boston Marathon-er. A special 45-minute class led by Jes Brown at DHAC with door prizes, raffles, and mindful movement, of course. All are welcome. $28.52. 9-9:45AM.

🏺Motherbrook Parent/Guardian + Child Wheel-throwing Workshop. Beginner-friendly workshop for ages 8-12, with guardian only. No experience necessary. Motherbrook Arts Center. 11AM-1PM. $125/pair

📖 New England Poetry Club at the Westwood Library (660 High Street). Three poet readings and community open mic (sign up at the door). Free. 2:30PM

🍪 It’s Cookie Time. Find your favorite Girl Scout or support a local troop at University Station. They’ll be set up between Target & Nordstrom Rack. 10AM-4PM

Monday 1/12

🎶 Monday Morning Music: Live music with librarian, Jonah, at the Endicott Branch. Ages: Baby/Toddler/Pre-school. FREE. 9:30 or 10:30AM.

🏒 DHS Girls Hockey vs Medfield. Bajko Rink (Hyde Park). 3PM

📕 Millennial Book Group at the main library. 18+. FREE. 7-8PM.

Tuesday 1/13

🎸 Ukulele 101: Learn the instrument, practice chords & strumming. Ages: Elementary/Middle. FREE. 5-5:45PM.

🏀 DHS Boys Basketball vs Westwood. DHS. 6:30PM

📕Virtual Author Talk. Featuring David Brooks and The Creative and Compassionate Art of Seeing Others Deeply. ONLINE. 2PM.

Wednesday 1/14

📕 Barnes & Noble Virtual Event. Featuring Jennie Godfrey and The List of Suspicious Things. ONLINE. 3PM.

🎨 Acrylic Paint Pouring for Tweens. Create abstract art by (carefully!) spilling paint. This might get messy. Main library. Elem & Middle School. 5:30-6:30PM.

🏒 DHS Girls Hockey vs Leominster. Noble & Greenough. 7:15PM

Thursday 1/15

📸 Lemme take a selfie. At the Sr Center. Learn to take photos on your phone. Led by Kevin Figueroa. How to adjust settings, organize into albums and favorites, and more. Space limited. RSVP  781-751-9495  11AM

📕 Barnes & Noble Virtual Event. Featuring Ross Montgomery and The Murder at World’s End. ONLINE. 3PM.

For kids, and some adult activities too. Cardio tennis, anyone?

🥎 Dedham Girls Spring Softball registration is live. More info on evaluations and season schedule to come.

⚽️ Dedham Youth Soccer Spring Town & Travel Registration Now Open: New & returning players grades K-8 sign up now

⚽️ Dedham Youth Soccer Winter clinic registration open: Sundays 2/15 - 3/22, Dedham Country Day: 4th–6th Grade Training: Girls: 3-4 PM / Boys: 4-5 PM High School Boys Training: 6-9 PM. Learn more & register

🏑 Dedham Youth Field Hockey Registration Deadline 1/5: Grade 1-8. Register from 1/6-15, for $50 late fee per child. No registrations accepted after 1/15. Learn more & register

⚾️ Dedham Youth Baseball Winter Clinics 2026: Sundays, 2/22- 4/5 @ Five Tool Performance, Westwood, MA. Group A: Ages 6-8, 2-3:30pm. Group B: Ages 9-11, 3:30-5pm. Registration open

🏒 Dedham Youth Hockey learn to skate, Session 2: Saturdays 9-10am & Sundays 12:15-1:15pm; 1/17-3/8 @ Nobles Greenough School "Bliss Flood Omni Rink". Registration open

🛝 Parks & Rec Winter Activities registration continues: Sign up for karate, gymnastics, dance, indoor cardio tennis, or the Pathfinders indoor track program. Space limited: Learn more & register

🏇 Giddy up! The Friends of Dedham Athletics are hosting a Derby night fundraiser at the legion on 1/30. All proceeds support DHS athletes. $25/$30/$250 tickets available. 7PM.

🏛️ Civics class

🗑️ Is it trash day? A printed trash/recycling calendar for 2026 should hit your mailbox soon. For now, follow along with the digital version at the link.

📆 Upcoming town meetings:

🎤 It’s winter concert season! Avery, Riverdale & Greenlodge all host their winter concerts next week. Check DPS calendars for times. And, check DedhamTV to view replays of the Oakdale concert as well as DMS Band & Choral concerts.

✏️ 2026 District Calendar Update. Word on the facebooks is the School Committee reached an agreement on the 26-27 calendar, with the first day of school falling before Labor Day. No PDF yet, but you can jump to August on the DPS calendar to see more details.

🗣️ Community input needed: The town is hosting 2 Community Budget Forums as part of the Deficit Reduction Plan. Option 1: 9:30am, 1/8, Main Library. Option 2: 6pm, 1/28, Endicott Estate. Children’s activities avail during both options. Learn more.

🦞Calling all lobster lovers! Cousins Maine Lobster is rolling into Dedham. (Dedham Mall, 300 Providence Hwy) Sat. 1/10 11:30AM-6PM. You have 2 ways to order: onsite at the truck OR via Cousins Maine Lobster mobile app (set Boston, MA as location).

✉️ New England Stamp Expo is in Natick this weekend. The Verve Hotel, by Hilton (1360 Worcester St., Natick). 1/9-10. Fri, 10AM-6 PM; Sat 9AM-4PM. Major dealers from the national show circuit with fresh new stocks of stamps and covers to enhance your collection. FREE admission & appraisals.

As always, check the links before you head out as events, 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.