Congrats Melanie

Dedham Square Scoop: Dec. 15, 2011

Welcome back, Scoop Fans!

Can you believe it? only 10 more shopping days until Christmas! Still have people on your gift list and not a lot of time? Don’t fret – just drive, bike, walk or hop on down to the Square to find plenty of great gift options for even those hard-to-buy-for people.  We’ve even done the work for you – just visit dedhamsquarecircle.org and find a link on our home page to our “Close to Home” holiday gift giving guide – featuring items which items which you’ll conveniently find in Dedham Square. and the best part? you don’t have to sit in traffic and you’re supporting the small businesses in the Square. It’s a win-win!

Keep it Local – Making a decision to make purchases and dine at the independently owned shops and restaurants in the Square – and throughout Dedham – makes a BIG difference in the long run. of every dollar spent at an independently owned business, 60 cents is retained or recirculated in the same community. just one-third of that, only 20 cents of every dollar, remains in a community when it is spent at a chain store. By purchasing holiday gifts at Square businesses you are not only supporting the hard-working merchants who support our local schools and community organizations, but you're also supporting our own local economy. put simply, shopping and dining in the Square is actually investing in your own community.

Strollin’ in the Square – over 1,000 people flocked to Dedham Square for the Dedham Square Holiday Stroll to celebrate the holidays on Dec. 2. With a few ho, ho, ho’s, Santa led the countdown of the ceremonial lighting of the Town’s Christmas Tree and sang a couple of holiday carols with the First Church choir before leading dozens of families over to The Dedham Temple for a sing-along. Visits from the WODS 103.3 FM Street Team and the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s mobile pet adoption vehicle were hugely popular as were the colorful street performers – a mime, a larger-than-life nutcracker and African drummers. Stores and restaurants were packed as merchants stayed open late to offer special discounts, free raffles and holiday treats while Victorian carolers and costumed characters greeted Strollers. Local author William Martin attracted a big turnout to his book signing at nest and local artists from the Dedham Square Artist Guild were on hand in the new gallery to greet visitors.  A lucky raffle winner even took home the beautiful hand crafted canoe made by the Allin Church Youth Group, which was on display that night. From start to finish, the seventh Annual Holiday Stroll was a night to remember!

Special thanks – we are grateful for the generous support from our event sponsors Needham Bank, Dedham Savings, Dedham 375 Committee, the Dedham Cultural Council and WODS 103.3 FM. we offer a great big thanks to Carol and Arthur Capone for donating the Town’s Christmas tree, Royer Tree Service, Joe Flanagan and the DPW, Dedham Rotary Club, Bob Stanley and the Parks & Rec. Dept. many thanks to Chief Michael d’Entremont and the Dedham Police Department, the First Church of Dedham choir, the dancers from the Dance Center at Tanya’s, Donna Greer and Dedham Public TV, and Marie-Louise Kehoe. A very special thanks to Father Joseph Emmanuel, may Abraham and the members of the Dedham Temple, to volunteers Melanie King, Anne Maida, Dan and Nicole Maher, bill Norris and Anita Rioux and, of course, Santa Claus. many thanks also to the Animal Rescue League of Boston, the Allin Church Youth Group, Dedham Community House and Dedham Food Pantry. we also want to thank the Dedham Square merchants who contributed gift certificates and items for our free raffle and last, but certainly not least, thanks to everyone who came down to the Square for the Stroll to celebrate the holidays and support our small businesses!

Got Company? – Don’t spend the holidays in the kitchen! Check out the catering menus at Centre Deli, Salem Food Market and Vincenzo’s.

Happy Anniversary – It’s been six years since Deli After Dark opened its doors. Congratulations to manager Matt Cawley and his team. DAD continues to be a popular destination offering casual cuisine, a wide selection of beer and wine, a full bar, live music and good company.

Another milestone – Happy anniversary wishes also go out to the Sountoulidis Family on the fourth anniversary of Kouzina Estiatorio! People continue to come from far and wide to enjoy their homemade Greek specialties.

Oscar Contender  - “The Descendents,” the critically acclaimed film starring George Clooney, is creating a lot of Oscar buzz and continues to attract large crowds to the Dedham Community Theatre. It has brought a welcome boost to the small businesses in the Square. the film is now playing on two screens. Catch it before it leaves town!

Facebook Fan? - Visit Dedham Square Circle’s fan page on Facebook and  “like” us so you can get the skinny on all things Square-related and the heads up on specials, activities and events throughout the Square. ask your friends to be fans, too – help us spread the word about all the Square has to offer!

Dedham Square Trivia – Answer a fun trivia question or solve a riddle about our historic downtown, get it right and you’ll be entered into our quarterly drawing to win a gift certificate to a Square merchant! The answer to the last Trivia Question: It was 1936 when the Dedham Square post office opened. we stumped you – no one got this one right!

We have a winner! - Congratulations to Matt Stack of Dedham who is the winner of our Dedham Square Trivia fall drawing. Matt has won a pair of tickets to the Dedham Community Theatre. enjoy the show!

This week’s Trivia Question: If you stand in front of the entrance to the Schortmann Insurance Building facing west, and walked straight 100 feet, what would be directly across the street from you? Submit your answers by Friday, Dec. 23, to or to our P.O. Box listed below.

The Future of Dedham Square Depends on YOU! As Dedham Square Circle is 100 percent privately funded, our revitalization efforts in Dedham Square are made possible only through the support of people like you who care about the Square. Please join or renew your annual membership to the Dedham Square Circle today or consider making a gift membership for someone for the holidays! Membership benefits include special offers at participating merchants throughout the Square. Donate online at dedhamsquarecircle.org/donate or send a check ($35 individual, $50 family) to: Dedham Square Circle, Box 593, Dedham, MA 02027. Donations are tax deductible.

Thanks for showing you care about Dedham Square!