dotmass

Tilly's Nest: Snowflakes and Hope

2012-01-22T18:43:00.000-05:00

Tilly's Nest: Snowflakes and Hope: Hope is the thing with feathers...Emily Dickinson. It seems that mid-Winter is upon us. We are finally experiencing our first snowstorm...

Dorchester Winter Farmers' Market: 1st day a great success!

2012-01-08T20:39:00.000-05:00

Today's market crowd was happy and bought the place out - a great beginning! with lots of enthusiasm for forming a Dorchester Community Food Co-op the folks who are sponsoring this market every Sunday 12-3 pm, in January, February and March.

winter farmers' market in Dot!

2011-12-20T10:01:00.000-05:00

We are so happy that the Dorchester Winter Farmers' Market is almost here - kickoff planned in the Great Hall Jan 8! The market is brought to us by the Dorchester Community Food Co-op - they are raising funding support for the January thru March market through Kickstarter and are very close to reaching their goal, so please click on their website to find out more, give your support and follow their progress on Facebook and twitter!

Shop small Dorchester

2011-11-16T18:59:00.000-05:00

Support neighborhood businesses -a couple of excellent events.
Shop Small Dorchester

nice coverage on Dorchester by Chronicle!

2011-10-13T14:32:00.001-04:00

Dorchester-bred 'Clap's Favorite' pear

Residents know how great it is to live here, but it is really nice to have the positive elements of our community shared with the outside world! Dorchestrians take note: check out these four segments!

Dorchester: Segment One - Video - WCVB Boston

Dorchester: Segment Two - Video - WCVB Boston

Dorchester: Segment Three - Video - WCVB Boston

Dorchester: Segment Four - Video - WCVB Boston

idea of local food is percolating in Dorchester!

2011-07-15T13:06:00.000-04:00

Whether growing it ourselves in a local community garden (see photo right of new gardeners in a workshop at the newly refurbished Nightingale Garden on Park Street!) or supporting local farmers at the Dorchester and Mattapan farmers' markets, or figuring out a way to host for-profit farming on the community's vacant lots, or supporting a new community-owned food co-op, we are truly excited about having all these options on the table!

The Blake House - 350 years!

2011-06-24T14:33:00.000-04:00

Boston's oldest house, The Blake House (1661), is owned and operated by the Dorchester Historical Society, and they are having a big party! Join in the festivities tomorrow! Follow this link for details!

MyDorchester Night! June 10, 6 PM

2011-06-10T09:12:00.000-04:00

Food, music, art, awards, performances - fun community event tonight in Dorchester!

Walk/Ride with DotBike/DEHC, show support for a Community Food Coop

2011-06-05T07:06:00.001-04:00

The Dorchester Day Parade is Today June 5th -
March with the Dorchester Community Food Coop Contingent!

Help get the word out - Dorchester wants a Community Owned Healthy Food Store!!
We are marching with DotBike and the Dorchester Environmental Health Coalition, accompanied by a Marching Brass Band!
Child Friendly Event—Bring kids who can walk and strollers! Ride your bike!
We will be gathering at noon on Richmond Street in Lower Mills, will have signs and vegetable costumes (for those who like to be silly!)
Show up for part or all of the parade route.
Hope to see you at noon!

its that time of year again! Ashmont Hill Yard Sale, May 21

2011-05-17T12:24:00.001-04:00

There will be sun! And browsing for that special bargain is always fun. So, head on over and enjoy one of Dorchester's hidden gems - Ashmont Hill and its annual yard sale. You never know what you may find...

historic beauty in unexpected places

2011-05-03T11:19:00.001-04:00

A.C.H. Smith House: Before

I take delight in sharing unexpected local treats - such as the Anna Clapp Harris Smith House undergoing restoration on Pleasant Street near Uphams Corner in Dorchester. Historic Boston Inc and North Bennet Street School are doing an amazing job, take a look at HBI's blog about the project here.

My Dot Tour event Saturday in Fields Corner (after Boston Shines)

2011-04-29T11:22:00.000-04:00

The first My Dot Tour event of the summer is happening on Saturday April 30th! At 11 AM, celebrate a newly cleaned Fields Corner following the Boston Shines Cleanup event with a kite flight at Town Field. Come fly a kite with a collection of your Fields Corner stories on its tail! and a video story booth, snacks, read more here...

Dorchester gardeners can sign up for a new community garden plot

2011-04-21T15:15:00.000-04:00

Work is happening now on expanding an existing community garden on Park Street, sounds like it is going to be beautiful!

successful facelift for fields corner building

2011-04-04T15:39:00.002-04:00

1510 Dorchester Ave, Dec. 2010

What do folks think about the work that's being done on the Golden Building this winter by Historic Boston Inc. and Fields Corner Main Street? When you click on the link above you can see how work progressed even through all the horrible weather this winter. We've been watching the wonderful transformation with excitement!

walking tour retraces historic route to Dorchester Heights

2011-03-17T11:46:00.002-04:00

The Dorchester Historical Society is having a free walking tour to re-trace the steps of the patriotic troops who fortified Dorchester Heights in March of 1776. Start at Edward Everett Square at 2 p.m. and walk to the Dorchester Heights monument in Thomas Park in South Boston, following the trail of the troops and the Knox cannons sent to defend the Heights. Brigadier General Thomas’ orders were to prepare for the “defence [sic] of the ground & annoyance of the enemy.” The erection of defense works on the night of March 4, 1776, led to the evacuation of Boston by the British on the 17th and the end of the Siege of Boston.

At the Dorchester Heights monument, Bob Allison, Chair of the History Department at Suffolk University, will speak about the significance of the event at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Dress warmly, and be aware that the South Boston parade will occur the same day, so you will not be able to drive the same route. It is a 1.2 mile walk, with a steep climb up stairs to the Heights.

On Sunday, March 20, 2011 at 2 p.m. sharp. Meet at the Clap’s Favorite Pear sculpture in Edward Everett Square, at the intersection of Columbia Road, Massachusetts Avenue and Boston Street.

Unless it is pouring cats & dogs, this walk will take place.

learn how to prune fruit trees, free!

2011-03-04T13:27:00.001-05:00

This Saturday March 5, 2011 at the historic Shirley-Eustis House, and next Saturday March 12, 2011 at the historic Blake House, you can learn how to prune fruit trees for better production and easy harvesting. See this link for details on the fruit tree pruning workshops.

Annual Great Chocolate Cook-off Extravaganza at DHS Feb 20

2011-02-09T12:07:00.000-05:00

Great Chocolate Cook-Off 2011 & Chocolate Program by Phillips Candy House ~ February 20, 2011 at 2 p.m.
Amateur bakers and professional pastry chefs alike are invited to enter their best delicious chocolate creations to the Great Chocolate Cook-Off 2011. You may be declared a winner! To participate, call Earl Taylor 617 293-3052, or click here for more information. Non-bakers can enjoy for a suggested $5 donation - at the Dorchester Historical Society, 195 Boston Street, 02125

Jan. 26, snow emergency 7 PM

2011-01-26T17:31:00.001-05:00

See snow emergency details here (including a list of streets not to park on or you'll be tagged/towed!) for Dorchester's District C-11. Be forewarned!

Reminder - Great Blizzards talk this Sunday!

2011-01-14T12:13:00.000-05:00

A really "cool" event (sorry!) at the Dorchester Historical Society, 2 PM.

City plows snow onto our front walk - why?

2011-01-12T18:34:00.003-05:00

Ok. I get that we as Boston citizens are required to help clear out snowy public sidewalks, teamwork and all that. We were out for hours today keeping ahead of it before it freezes into iron tonight. Our zeal deflated quickly however when a city plow pushed a whole giant mess of salty street snow on our neatly cleared sidewalk and then further all the way into our neatly cleared front walk. Drat. Our corner and front walkway is completely blocked. Why? This is not a narrow intersection at all. Took hours to clear it, 5 seconds for city's plow to undo. Apologies to our neighbors because it'll stay that way until spring.

Great New England Blizzards: DHS talk on Jan.16

2011-01-07T13:42:00.001-05:00

On Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011, at 2 p.m. New England weather historian John Horrigan presents a chronology of the great snow storms that have socked our region over the last 400 years. A free event, with refreshment, open to the public, at Dorchester Historical Society headquarters, William Clapp house, 195 Boston Street, Dorchester MA. Donations are always cheerfully accepted!

A salute to Dorchester, Massachusetts! from our man in the field

2010-12-01T09:07:00.002-05:00

A salute to Dorchester, Massachusetts!: "You may think you've never heard of Dorchester, but you have. It's Boston. To those who live there, it's called Dot for short. It is Boston through and through, more Bostonian in many ways than downtown.

It's not the North End where Wednesday is Prince spaghetti day. It's not the part where Mystic River was filmed (though much of it looks like that). It's not where Bunker Hill is or where Paul Revere set off on his midnight ride. The Boston Pops don't play in Dot. It's not where a lot of tourists go unless they are visiting the JFK Presidential Library. Some tourists visit. They are either the smart ones or the ones who leave from the wrong side of the JFK/UMASS T station. Either way, they enter the best part of Boston and when they get back on the Red Line they don't see Boston the same way again. They have seen its true, better nature. ..."
Whalehead King, we miss you.

Saturday Nov. 20, Nightingale Garden meeting at 10AM

2010-11-19T18:45:00.001-05:00

Greening in Dorchester: on Sat. 11/20, 10-11:30 AM please attend a community meeting at the Codman Sq. Library to hear about how Dorchester's largest community garden is growing even larger! See this link for more. Then head over to the Green Perspectives II event at the Holland School, until 3 PM.

Dorchester history preserved in the new Museum of Fine Arts wing

2010-11-13T20:51:00.000-05:00

Roswell Gleason's (1799-1879) House: click on this link to see two lovely rooms originally from Dorchester that the Museum of Fine Arts has preserved and installed as part of its new wing. Roswell Gleason was a successful silversmith in the 19th century and his 1837 house, called "Lilacs", and adjacent factory complex were originally situated on Washington Street near Park Street. In the 1890s the 25-acre Gleason estate was subdivided for development and the house moved to face east on Claybourne Street. Preserved by the MFA in the 1970s at the request of a descendant of Gleason, the dining room and parlor have been reconstructed to give a sense of living in an architectural showplace. The image above is a painting on brick of "Lilacs" in the Edward A. Huebener Brick Collection at the Dorchester Historical Society. The house was destroyed in 1982. For more information on Roswell Gleason, photographs of the house and his work, please see the Dorchester Atheneum website, and definitely visit the MFA to see this new exhibit!

DotPark4 fundraiser Weds. Nov. 10

2010-11-09T13:03:00.000-05:00

RE: Dorchester Park benefit event on Nov. 10 - they always throw a great party! Hope to see you at the Ledge in Lower Mills.

Dorchester Descendants project

2010-10-28T14:33:00.001-04:00

from the Dorchester Descendants website

Read this interesting Dorchester Reporter article about a fascinating project by the Dorchester Historical Society to find and connect anyone with ties to Dorchester, whether their family heritage goes back to the original settlers around 1630, or 1890, or 1970. Plus there is a big 350th birthday celebration planned for the Blake House in June 2011. Sounds like fun!

Anna Clapp Harris Smith's house saved

2010-10-22T09:16:00.000-04:00

New Life for Old House in Dorchester from Chris Lovett on Vimeo.

Boston Archaeology Lab Open House Oct. 1

2010-09-28T10:50:00.000-04:00

Come on Friday between 3 and 6 PM to thank Ellen Berkland - the Dorchester Historical Society's long-time resident caretaker at the Blake House - for her fifteen years as Boston's City Archaeologist.

Dorchester's social calendar: really busy this week!

2010-09-22T13:41:00.000-04:00

Thursday night 9/23 I am going to the always fun Men of Boston food&celeb-ganza, Friday night 9/24 the DHS Save Our Barn Gala with the ever fabulous Ryan Landry as MC, and on Saturday 9/25 there is much to learn at the Codman Square Energy Fair.

Dorchester's pear wine

2010-08-22T08:40:00.000-04:00

Wonder no more about our giant pear - Globe article on Dorchester's farming history. (See you at the Save Our Barn event September 24, where you can buy and drink the historical society's pear wine!)

nice dashboard tour of Dorchester

2010-07-29T17:40:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Earl Taylor here's a quick look at Dorchester history as observed in a drive down the expressway.

Historic house preserved: behind the scenes peek

2010-06-22T22:22:00.002-04:00

Jones Hill in Dorchester is just one of Dorchester's wonderful historic neighborhoods and this house is an example of one of our until-now over-looked gems. At 6:30 PM on June 23d Historic Boston Inc. and the North Bennet Street School will host an open house at the Anna Clapp Harris Smith home at 65 Pleasant Street "to present the history of the site, preservation plans underway, and a sneak peek inside the house to see building elements that mark the earliest period of house (1804)."

Annual Ashmont Hill Yard Sale - this Sat. May 22

2010-05-19T18:22:00.002-04:00

This is your chance to check out the famed Ashmont Hill Yard Sale - park, stroll, and shop in one of Dorchester's charming Victorian neighborhoods. 40-plus locations throughout our easily walkable neighborhood. Find everything from antiques and collectibles to tools to computers to sewing supplies to housewares to books to children's items....you name it, you'll probably find it here! Click here to see the flyer!

Saturday, May 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine. Info: call 617-288-6626 or visit www.ashmonthill.org

May 16 - visit the historical society!

2010-05-13T13:04:00.000-04:00

Visit the Dorchester Historical Society on May 16th between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to tour their newly-installed exhibits on: the famous Baker Chocolate Factory > where, in 1780, James Baker took over chocolate manufacturing at the Neponset River mills. Over the next 150 years the company grew to Dorchester’s most famous company. Today the well-constructed mill buildings house Lower Mills residents.

< the Huebener Bricks, collected by the eccentric Edward Huebener (1851-1936) who immortalized the fine, early Dorchester houses being torn down during his lifetime by gathering a brick from each demolished house. Huebner had local artists paint a picture of the house onto its remaining brick - a folk art record of architectural history of Dorchester. Some of Dorchester’s early homes are known only from the brick paintings in the 100+ collection.

Dorchester Pottery > founded in 1895 by George Henderon, successfully produced commercial and industrial stoneware until the 1970s. Dorchester Pottery's wares evolved over the years from primarily agricultural products, like chicken fountains, to decorated tablewares. Acid pots and dipping baskets were in demand by manufacturers, and Henderson's popular foot warmer was known as a "porcelain pig." In 1914, Mr. Henderson built an enormous beehive kiln 28-feet in diameter of his own design made of unmortared bricks, still standing inside the historic building at 101 Victory Road. The Dorchester Pottery Works operated as a family-run business on this site until its closing in 1979.

and a < Roswell Gleason Pewter exhibit. Gleason began as a tinsmith in the 1820s, and, with the encouragement of Daniel Webster, opened the first silver-plating establishment in America. At one time he employed 125 men at his factory on Washington Street. By 1851 Gleason was wealthy and his home on Washington Street, Lilacs, built in 1837, had become one of the show places in the neighborhood. Gleason's property of 25 acres with 1,000 foot frontage on Washington Street between what is now Park Street and Dakota Streets, encompassed his house and 15 other structures including stables, outbuildings and factory buildings. During demolition in the 1970s, portions of the Lilacs house were taken for safekeeping by the Museum of Fine Arts.

The Society’s Annual Meeting will begin at 2 PM and will include a slide lecture by Robert Severy on the subject of Diverse Dorchester. 195 Boston Street.

MyDorchester Night - May 10, 2010

2010-05-10T12:37:00.002-04:00

SCI Dorchester's free event starts at 3:30 p.m.
Showcasing DotWell's holistic anti-bullying measures - positive activities for youth and their families and linking community members to resources via the Mydorchester.org website. Also check out anti-bullying public service announcements created by youth. MyDorchester Night 2010 is free and open to the public -free raffle for gift certificates to Dorchester businesses!

See what your treasures are worth... Antique Appraisal Day, 4/18

2010-04-15T23:32:00.000-04:00

Antiques Appraisal Day is happening again this Sunday - at the Dorchester Historical Society, see this link for details.

Save the Lower Mills Library

2010-04-10T23:21:00.000-04:00

One of Dorchester's excellent library branches is threatened - please help - attend a benefit Weds April 14th, 6 pm at the Ledge.

Dorchester Heights and Evacuation of Boston: Sunday March 21

2010-03-17T00:16:00.000-04:00

Earl Taylor, President of the Dorchester Historical Society, will present an illustrated lecture about the fortification of Dorchester Heights and the Evacuation of Boston in 1776.

Sunday, March 21st
2-4 pm
William Clapp House, 195 Boston Street, 02125

even plants get recycled

2010-03-13T08:16:00.002-05:00

If you see folks digging up some trees or plants in Peabody Square, they are saving them in advance of a major overhaul. We hear gardeners in the neighborhoods around the Square are pitching in to recycle worthy perennials and shrubs.

Vincent Crotty: Dorchester Winter Sunshine - opening reception Feb 25

2010-02-25T09:59:00.003-05:00

"Dorchester Winter Sunshine"
paintings of Dorchester and beyond by
Vincent Crotty
Another great local artist showcased in the revolving art shows at
Dot2Dot Cafe.
Opening Reception, Thursday Feb. 25, 7 PM
1739 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester MA 02124
Phone: 617-436-2368
dot2dotcafe.com
See Vincent's work at vincentcrotty.com

Chocolate! Sunday Feb. 21 at the Dorchester Historical Society

2010-02-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

Help DHS make Sweet History: Baker Chocolate Talk & Great Chocolate Cook-off Extravaganza 2010!

Chocolate! That creamy, rich, delicious confection we adore is something that few can resist, refuse, or deny themselves. Yet this sweet and decadent delicacy is far different than what was enjoyed just a few centuries ago when it was a delicious and flavorful drink referred to as the "Food of the Gods." Anthony M. Sammarco's new bestselling book The Baker Chocolate Company: A Sweet History chronicles the history and development of this venerable and delicious industry. In his illustrated lecture Sammarco outlines chocolate from its evolution from chocolatle to cocoa. Mr. Sammarco is a past president of the Dorchester Historical Society, and this is his fifty-seventh book.

After Mr. Sammarco's talk, sample chocolate creations by amateur cooks and professionals alike, who are invited to submit their best creations to the Great Chocolate Cook-Off 2010. To participate, fill out this form and send in to the DHS, 195 Boston St., Dorchester MA 02125 or contact Earl Taylor via email. Then deliver your creation by 11 AM on Feb. 21 to the Dorchester Historical Society. A panel of judges will perform a blind tasting to determine the top three winners, whose names will be announced during the program. Then after the talk everyone gets to enjoy the goodies as long as they last. For non-cooks who would prefer to just taste (yum!) at the event, there will be a $5 admission fee. Copies of Mr. Sammarco's book will be available at $21.99.

Dorchester Historical Society
Sun., Feb. 21, 2 pm
Visit the DHS website for more details.

Ashmont Hill Chamber Music concert at All Saints Church

2010-02-20T18:49:00.000-05:00

CONCERT! Sunday Feb. 21 at 3 p.m.
Ashmont Hill Chamber Music presents
D’Anna Fortunato, mezzo-soprano; Kathleen Flynn, soprano
with
ASHMONT HILL CHAMBER PLAYERS
Michelle LaCourse, viola; Brian Snow, cello; Rachel Goodwin, piano;
in a program of
Brahms: Two Songs for Alto, Viola & Piano, Op. 91
Bridge: Three Songs for Voice, Viola & Piano
Sydeman: Three Songs after Emily Dickinson for Voice & Cello
Bernstein: Dream With Me for Voice, Cello & Piano
Beethoven: “Eyeglasses” Duo for Viola & Cello
Sweet Power of Song for the full ensemble
Vocal Duets by: Mendelssohn, Dvorák, and Early English Composers
Sunday, February 21, 2010 — 3:00 p.m.
All Saints Church, 209 Ashmont Street, Dorchester
Purchase tickets at the door - General Admission: $15.00, Students, Seniors: $12.00, Family: $35
Just a 4 minute walk from Ashmont Red Line T station, driving directions here.

history of Field's Corner talk Sunday Jan. 17

2010-01-16T19:34:00.002-05:00

On Sunday January 17, you are invited to a talk on the history of Field’s Corner at the Dorchester Historical Society (DHS). Jeffrey Gonyeau of Historic Boston, Inc. has historic images newly discovered read more...

already sick of the snow & cold? think green!

2010-01-10T22:53:00.003-05:00

A meeting is happening this week, Thursday Jan. 14th, to open up public discussion about planned renovations at the Nightingale Community Gardens.

here comes a shiny brand-new year!

2009-12-22T13:54:00.003-05:00

let's celebrate all the good things in our neighborhood - a new Ashmont T station! lots more bike racks! more new restaurants! a new farmers' market in Peabody Square! lots of new community-built green spaces! let me know the things you celebrate in Dorchester.

and let's ponder some cool ideas to "borrow" in the new year -
ferinstance carving parks from pavement - we have lots of over-paved places that could benefit from this treatment!

Annual Tide Mill Conference next Saturday November 7

2009-11-01T16:15:00.006-05:00

Anyone interested in industrial history and what it can teach us about renewal energy sources should take note - on Saturday November 7, head to the 5th Annual Tide Mill Conference at the Dorchester Historical Society's headquarters, the William Clapp House (1806) at 195 Boston Street. There will be a full day of presentations on the history of tide mills, where they were located, how they operated, and updates on preserving remaining historic sites. Also, plan to attend the always-fun Friday evening "schmoozing" on November 6. To see an excellent article click here.

eating pancakes in Dorchester, yum!

2009-10-28T19:03:00.005-04:00

On Tuesday we were pleased to be invited to visit the Marshall Elementary School and see a happy throng of young students enjoying a nice breakfast of pancakes and fruit while decorating a Pumpkin Pancake treat. The school also received financial support for nutrition education. The Aunt Jemima Breakfast Education Tour is going around the country to deliver the message about how important breakfast is - they also have a photo contest to enter for a chance to win a family vacation!

uphams corner walk tour article

2009-10-22T10:06:00.002-04:00

Dorchester's history can be easier to uncover at a walking pace: see this link to recent Globe article

ADORE-chester! 5

2009-10-04T00:16:00.006-04:00

Lastly,
E is for the Eats - I like the Ashmont Grill Wine Club on Mondays, guess that should have been the 'A', Greenhills' scones, the bar at Tavolo, Blarney Stone al fresco, Lorenz Island Cuisine curry, Flat Black coffee, etc., etc.

And see, all these folks also ADORE-chester too!

ADORE-chester! my 4th

2009-10-04T00:12:00.005-04:00

Why I Adore this place:
R is for the Real nice folks I greet on my walks - it is a genuine gesture not commonly found in other neighborhoods - I know, I've tried.

Some other people who ADORE-chester:

ADORE-chester! my 3d

2009-10-04T00:06:00.005-04:00

[with apologies to Madeline Kahn...]

O is for the Olive in my martini at the annual Main Street fundraiser at the Blarney...

these folks also ADORE-chester, and probably better than I!

ADORE-chester! my 2d

2009-10-04T00:01:00.005-04:00

[with apologies to Madeline Kahn...]
D is for the Dirt that grows my garden and my huge copper beech.

these folks also ADORE-chester!

ADORE-chester! my 1st

2009-10-03T23:51:00.004-04:00

[with apologies to Madeline Kahn...]

A is for the Avenue - Dot Ave. of course, four miles of historic toll road from the historic Lower Mills (America's first chocolate mill!) to the Polish Triangle and Southie's border. Biking it is a challenge but once you're used to it, any other Boston roadway seems a bit tame.

These people also ADORE-chester:

The Dottie Hottie
The Dot Matrix
Dot Boston
The Dorchester Think Tank
Lower Dot
Local Spice
Candelaria Silva
Social Butterfly Experiment

tweed ride!

2009-09-30T20:57:00.002-04:00

...probably everyone already knows about this but me - I want to try this - happening in Cambridge this Sunday, maybe we can start one here!

wearing vintage is eco-friendly

2009-09-22T22:18:00.002-04:00

hadn't thought of it this way, but it makes sense and I am happy to have more reasons to shop at Streamline Antiques in Lower Mills...

new Dorchester calendar of events

2009-09-16T20:07:00.003-04:00

Locals know that there are so many great things happening in Dorchester, it is a challenge to keep up! Here is a new online calendar being tested - and comments are welcome!

Senator Edward Moore Kennedy, 1932-2009

2009-08-30T20:28:00.003-04:00

Born at St. Margaret's Hospital on Jones Hill in Upham's Corner, Senator Edward Moore Kennedy was a most accomplished scion of Dorchester. Grandson of Boston Mayor John F. "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald and son of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy of Welles Avenue outside Codman Square, Senator Kennedy's extraordinary legislative career produced more than 2,500 bills advocating for issues such as health care reform, HIV/AIDS treatment, and family, worker and civil rights.
Dorchester hosted a public opportunity to pay tribute to the Senator on August 27 and 28 at the John F. Kennedy Library at Columbia Point, Dorchester. Thousands waited patiently in long lines - the Kennedy family thanked every person there. The funeral in Mission Hill was splendid, emotional. The crowds lining the procession route, amazing.
Quite a tribute to the man.
Rest in peace, Ted.

ashmont grill wine club, excellent yet again

2009-08-24T21:42:00.001-04:00

Just had another great time at the Ashmont Grill's Wine Club - we met Lindsay Cox, a sassy blonde wine rep, very knowledgeable about the Yalumba Viognier wines we sampled. and best of all, she's local.

volunteer at the Dorchester Beach Festival!

2009-07-31T11:54:00.004-04:00

We are looking forward to going to the 2d Annual Dorchester Beach Festival next week, on Saturday August 8. The organizers are seeking volunteers to help out. If you are planning on attending the festival, please consider offering an hour or two of your time so that the all-day volunteers can get a much needed break.

Strong-back individuals with access to a truck or van to help with post event break down at 4pm are especially needed. Even if you can offer as little as two hours on Saturday August 8th between 7am and 6pm, please contact the volunteer coordinator Deirdre Habershaw, by email at volunteer@dorchesterbeachfestival.com, or call 617-872-5572. For more information on the event, please visit the website.

Ashmont/Peabody Square Farmers' Market

2009-07-07T12:52:00.002-04:00

Dorchester's newest - see www.smams.org for more details.

local green spots - more

2009-06-25T10:17:00.005-04:00

Previous posts mentioned Ronan Park, city-owned green acreage looking out over Dorchester Bay, and the state-owned Neponset green spaces. Dorchester also has lots of hidden small garden spots created, maintained and enjoyed by neighbors, like the garden behind the Codman Square branch library. Ashmont Hill residents helped to create this lovely space from a vacant lot a few years ago with the expertise of neighbor Maryellen Sullivan and a Small Changes grant from the city. A group will be there weeding this Saturday, June 27 at 1 p.m.

local green spots in dot [2]

2009-06-24T21:46:00.005-04:00

On Dorchester's shoreline, the Pope John Paul Park is another favorite, and running through it the Neponset Greenway is an added bonus to bike or walk the river. More and more folks are discovering this park. Fun free stuff happens here all summer, posted on the Dorchester Enviro Events online calendar.

local green spots in dot

2009-06-22T17:46:00.004-04:00

We have great parks in Dorchester: Ronan Park near Fields Corner has a dog walk group and a superb view of Dorchester Bay.

Dorchester Historical Society planting follow-up

2009-06-04T21:26:00.004-04:00

Check out photos of the Earthworks planting at Dorchester Historical Society's Boston Street headquarters - looks wonderful!

aplantin' and aridin'

2009-05-27T22:56:00.002-04:00

I'll be riding in the 7 a.m. bike we-got-ourselves-a convoy Friday at Peabody Square. Bike Fridays are for commuting downtown, I usually ride to Fields Corner but what the heck. Saturday morning will see me planting on Boston Street, right near the pear.

Lower Mills history stroll May 19

2009-05-19T13:19:00.003-04:00

Today's Lower Mills History Stroll starts at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Gregory's gymnasium, 2220 Dorchester Avenue. Led by the Dorchester Historical Society, organized by the Lower Mills Civic Association

Postcard caption: Pierce Square looking South, Dorchester Lower Mills, Mass. Dated Sep 5, 1912. The viewer would be standing in the middle of Dorchester Avenue where Adams Street connects from the left and Washington Street connects from the right, between Dunkin Donuts and the Dark Horse Antiques store.

solar panel facility on Dorchester's Commercial Point

2009-05-18T23:16:00.007-04:00

National Grid is getting permits from the Conservation Commission to build a 1.3 megawatt solar panel installation on its gas tank property here in Dorchester. Residents may want to attend the ConComm hearing at City Hall May 27 to hear more about it.
A Dorchester solar array opposite our wind turbine - are we going green or what!

Dorchester's history is the focus this weekend, May 2 & 3

2009-04-29T12:30:00.008-04:00

It's going to be Preservation Weekend in Dorchester!
~~~~~
St. Peter's Church, 309 Bowdoin St. Dorchester MA, 02122
PARTNERS IN PRESERVATION Open House, Free Admission
Saturday, May 2, 9-5 and Sunday, May 3, 9:30-5
Special guided tours, concerts and activities to raise awareness and votes for preserving this beautiful 1872 puddingstone church on Dorchester's historic Meetinghouse Hill. The church sits on the corner of Percival Street, next door to (little-known fact alert!) the Lydia Clapp house, the first property rehabbed on the TV program This Old House in 1979.
~~~~~
First Parish Church, 10 Parish St., Dorchester MA 02122
Annual Gala
May 2, 6:30 PM, call 617-436-0527
This event is dedicated to matching a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to hire a preservation architect. The architect will do a comprehensive building condition assessment in preparation for extensive restoration project. Tickets $50.
~~~~~
The Dorchester Historical Society's Wine-Tasting @ the Boston Winery, 26 Ericsson Street, Port Norfolk, Dorchester MA 02122
Sunday, May 3, 2-5 pm. $50 per ticket.
Appetizers, tasting of 3 wines created by The Boston Winery, tour of the facility and description of the wine-making process, display of historic memorabilia of Port Norfolk. Make it a party -- get your friends & neighbors to come along.
Every $2 raised at this event will be matched by $1.
To reserve a spot, contact Earl Taylor 781 272-6700 or by e-mail ERMMWWT@aol.com
~~~~~
Mather School Fundraiser @ dbar, 1236 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125
May 3, 2:30-4 pm. Suggested donation $20 at the door.
The first public elementary school in America needs your help. Join them at the dbar for an afternoon of friends, food, live music and a silent auction...all while supporting the students at the Mather. The recent budget cuts have been devastating for them. More info: 617-635-8757
~~~~~

urban orchard in Dorchester

2009-04-21T16:04:00.004-04:00

This landscaping project is a really cool partnership between Earthworks and the Dorchester Historical Society, and they are looking for folks to get involved. Sign me up!

Roger Clap's Legacy

2009-04-18T11:26:00.005-04:00

On Sunday, April 19th at 2 p.m.
the Dorchester Historical Society presents a lecture by John Goff, preservation architect, on Roger Clap's legacy.
Roger Clap was one of the first settlers in Dorchester, arriving on the Mary & John in May 1630.
Roger is important to historians because he is one of very few early settlers to leave written memories of the period, and April marks the 400th anniversary of his birth. The talk will be held at the William Clapp House, 195 Boston Street, Dorchester MA 02125. www.dorchesterhistoricalsociety.org

Why preserve old buildings?

2009-04-15T10:57:00.005-04:00

You may sense a history/preservation theme going on here, that's because Preservation Month is coming up, in May. There are those of us who feel that old buildings ought to be saved and recycled, not torn down and replaced by cheap unattractive structures that maximize profit. Lo and behold, it is actually more sustainable to work with what you got, because of the embodied energy or, the energy it took to build in the first place. So new is not always better, as far as energy saving goes. Retrofit and weatherization can be less expensive in the long run, and help retain the old buildings that provide neighborhood flavor. The photos above show the ca. 1800 Foster House that once stood at 1615 Dorchester Avenue and the multi-unit housing that replaced it.

Vote to Preserve St. Peter's

2009-04-14T19:53:00.008-04:00

Vote to Help St. Peter's Church!
American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation have selected 25 sites of historical, cultural and aesthetic significance in Greater Boston as candidates for the Partners in Preservation program.

From April 14 - May 17, 2009, you have the opportunity to cast one vote each day online for the historic place that you care about most. At the end of the voting period, the site with the most votes is guaranteed funding from a total of $1 million that American Express will give away to support the preservation of historic places in Greater Boston. See this Dorchester Reporter article.

The Dorchester Historical Society's Architectural Preservation Committee encourages you to visit the link here and to vote daily from April 14 - May 17, 2009 for St. Peter’s Church.
It is an architectural and cultural cornerstone that has been at the heart of its community for over a century. While it remains rooted in serving its community, the structure is showing the wear of a public building. A grant would allow St. Peter's to clean and restore the nine stained glass windows and wood trim on the sanctuary’s eastern side.

If the link above does not work, cut and paste this url into your browser - http://www.partnersinpreservation.org/boston/index.php?sec=vot
Please send this message along to interested folks, and vote daily!

feel-good local happenings

2009-04-06T12:40:00.006-04:00

Friday night was the Local Bites event at the D:2:E expo, where [Dot's own] Tavolo's bites were green & delicious! Then on Sunday, it was an Ashmont Hill Chamber Music spring concert, with more delicious food! Tonight is Wine Club at Ashmont Grill in Peabody Square. And on Thursday, DotBike celebrates its 1st birthday at Dot2Dot Cafe. And pretty soon my yard will be blooming again. Man, I love my neighborhood!

how to preserve a sense of place?

2009-04-02T21:43:00.002-04:00

This article was published in the last City Weekly section: Pieces of history, chopped to bits - The Boston Globe

Posted using ShareThis

Biking's Getting Better in Dorchester

2009-03-23T13:35:00.004-04:00

Bicycling in Dorchester: A bike commuting workshop in March was very well attended, word is Dorchester House will be recognized as one of Boston's Bike Friendly Businesses in April, and DotBike has just recently turned one year old, so they are going to have a DotBike 2009 kickoff to launch this year's biking season with an informal get together at the Dot2Dot Cafe on Thursday April 9th from 6:30 - 8 p.m. All invited!

Antiques Appraisal at Historical Society, Sunday March 22

2009-03-17T11:20:00.009-04:00

Antique Appraisal Day
Sunday, March 22, 2 – 4 p.m.
A great opportunity to see what your treasures are worth!
At the Dorchester Historical Society, 195 Boston Street, Dorchester, MA 02125
Kaminski Auctions is providing the appraisals. Bring up to 3 items per person. The fee for each item is $5. Part of the program will be lecture style to tell the whole audience about some of the pieces so please plan to come at 2 and stay for a while.

Note: For large items, such as rugs and furniture, please bring as many pictures as possible instead of the actual item.
The appraisers cannot appraise stamps, coins or musical instruments.

Evacuation Day? or St. Patrick's Day?

2009-03-16T21:29:00.003-04:00

A great story embraces a brace of holidays treated as one in Greater Boston (officially, only in Suffolk County, Somerville, and Cambridge). It’s about melding Evacuation Day and St. Patrick’s Day.
...
Boston’s port was one of the most significant in the colonies in 1776, and very defensible, too. The British had remained there, licking wounds after winning the Battle of Bunker Hill against militia soldiers on June 17, 1775. It was a costly, Pyrrhic victory at best, in which more than 1,500 men died or were wounded, two thirds of them British. Another victory like that, and we’ll be finished, growled Redcoat commander General William Howe.
Howe’s troops were quartered in Boston, then a gated city. Militia survivors of that fight joined George Washington’s Continental Army, formed only three days before, in Cambridge, and subsequently participated in his Siege of Boston. It was a standoff.
A 25-year-old bookseller named Henry Knox proposed, then executed, a tough and daring plan to haul cannon from Fort Ticonderoga in New York. The fort fell in the Spring of ‘75 when Ethan Allan and his Green Mountain Boys joined Benedict Arnold to surprise the garrison. So taken unaware were the British that the fort’s commander surrendered with one hand while the other held up his pants.
Knox and his men, suffering the cruelties of a bitterly cold winter, used oxen and sledges to cart 60 tons of artillery over 300 miles of rugged country in less than two months. On March 7, 1776, 59 cannons were dug in on Dorchester Heights, along with logs to give the look of even more guns looming over the British fleet.
...rest of the story
John Carlson [who wrote the above for Wicked Local] is a retired general and a Braintree resident.
Historical notes: The cannon that chased the British out of Boston were dragged overland from New York, finally through Roxbury and down Boston Street in Dorchester, to the heights overlooking Boston and the pasturelands of the Great Neck, now South Boston. Henry Knox, the first U.S. Secretary of War under President Washington, summered in Dorchester in 1784, in a mansion house that is now the site of the Codman Square branch of the Boston Public Library.

Bike Commuting Workshop March 12

2009-03-03T14:43:00.002-05:00

Anyone Can Be A Bike Commuter (Really!)

A lunchtime bike commuting workshop is being offered free on Thurs March 12 at 12:30 in the Dorchester House Multi-Purpose Room. Light Lunch Provided.

The Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MassBike), Massachusetts' statewide bicycling education and advocacy group, is offering a one-hour workshop on the basics of commuting by bike and bike safety. This workshop is intended for people who are not currently bike commuters and are interesting in learning more. MassBike also offers more extensive training, both on- and off-bike, for people who want to take the next step.
The workshop covers:
Why commute by bicycle
Equipment - how to choose the right bike and gear
Choosing the best route
Getting started
Riding safely in traffic: the law is on your side!
Preventing theft of equipment
Cycling at night
Cycling in bad weather
Winter cycling

If you are interested in scheduling a training at your workplace, contact Shane Jordan, Director of Education and Outreach, at (617) 542-2453 or by e-mail. Scheduling is flexible and can be tailored to your organization’s specific needs.

The March 12 Bike Commuting Workshop is from 12:30pm – 1:30pm,
at Dorchester House, 1353 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester MA 02122
and is sponsored by Dorchester House's Sustainability Team, DotWell, and the Dorchester Environmental Health Coalition.
Please visit www.dehc.org to learn more.

Gleason Pewter Exhibit at UMass Boston

2009-02-25T10:09:00.004-05:00

Made in Dorchester: Roswell Gleason, Pewter Manufacturer

Roswell Gleason (1799-1887) master metalsmith, manufactured pewter and silverplate in Dorchester from the 1830s to the 1870s, a period of time when tastes were changing from the traditional to the more elaborate.
Examples of Gleason’s work are included in an exhibit at the Healey Library, UMass Boston, both in the cases inside the Special Collections Department and outside the Department in the main gallery.

Originally through the month of February, 2009, the exhibit is now extended through April.

Exhibit mounted by the Dorchester Historical Society.

beetle ranchers wanted

2009-02-02T21:27:00.003-05:00

Want to help control purple loosestrife? Volunteer to raise Galerucella beetles in controlled conditions in a kiddie pool in your yard. When released in July the bugs love to eat purple loosestrife, a lovely but rampantly invasive plant taking over local wetlands, causing major problems for native species. Get in touch with the Neponset River Watershed Association to volunteer.

happy new year! Chúc mừng năm mới

2009-01-29T23:09:00.004-05:00

year of the ox

dapper Dorchester

2009-01-22T12:05:00.003-05:00

it was good to see lovely and talented guys like Mark Haley, owner of Above and Beyond, and Solmon Chowdhury, owner of Shanti, in the Globe recently.

sled dogs on the Neponset Greenway Feb 1st

2009-01-15T14:57:00.004-05:00

If you haven't been to this fun event, Mush the Greenway, here is another chance, on Sunday, February 1st, 2-4 p.m. Snow or no snow. Reservations needed for rides.

please may we have some more bike racks

2008-12-02T12:55:00.002-05:00

A heart-warming, community-celebrating event at Ashmont's Carruth would have been even better with some bike parking.

Whalehead King hit the nail on the head with The Dot Matrix: What makes Dorchester so good?

2008-10-23T14:22:00.001-04:00

The Dot Matrix: What makes Dorchester so good?

Tide Mill Institute - 2008 Conference

2008-10-09T10:47:00.006-04:00

Those interested in history and alternative energy sources may want to attend an unusual event coming up on Nov 7 & 8, 2008. Every November, the Dorchester Historical Society hosts this international conference for tide mill enthusiasts. A tide mill harnesses the power of rising sea water, both incoming and outgoing, to run machinery. The Clapp family, early settlers of Dorchester who once owned the property now housing the historical society, ran a South Bay tide mill close by their Boston Street home. [see page 7 of The Clap Memorial in my library]

Dorchester heirloom pears

2008-08-24T21:05:00.005-04:00

This is the time of year for eating delicious 'Clapp's Favorite' pears. Here is a link to a slow food website that describes them.

We were able to harvest [with permission] a load of them from a single tree that is growing in Dorchester.
They are delicious! They are picked before ripe, then ripen off the tree. When the area around the stem is slightly soft they are perfectly ripe. If they are allowed to become soft all over, they will have 'gone by' as my grandmother used to say.

If you enjoy old-fashioned fruit, you'll like these. If you can't find them in local farmer's markets, email the historical society - dorhist[at]aol[dot]com - to see if there are any left and to arrange to get some.

speaking of ice cream...

2008-08-02T22:41:00.003-04:00

we like The Icecreamsmith: home-made, with good selection of mix-ins. just a mile down Dot Avenue from Peabody Square, in Lower Mills.

beach fun

2008-07-30T15:31:00.002-04:00

has it been a whole month?! time flies when you are on vacation!
everyone in Dorchester and points beyond should come on over to the Dorchester Beach Festival at Malibu Beach on Saturday August 16. [and not just because I am helping to organize the thing.] you can ride your bike to the beach, take the T [Savin Hill stop] to the beach, and all the activities are free. like sailing. and swimming. and canoing. and biking. and eating ice cream.

new park happening

2008-06-27T22:28:00.003-04:00

Have been working with a group to build a new playground and park on vacant land near Codman Square. Looks like construction will start this year!

neponset ride

2008-06-23T15:26:00.001-04:00

I happened across this nice description of a Dorchester bike ride.

chocolate - one of many Dorchester firsts

2008-06-19T22:22:00.003-04:00

I am craving chocolate, maybe because I live within a mile of Lower Mills, the location of the country's first chocolate factory.

photos of lost Dorchester - Fields Corner building

2008-06-15T21:26:00.005-04:00

Here is another gasp-worthy photo. This is from the famous Earl Taylor's images of the day. He sent this one out to tweak interest in Field's Corner Main Street's gathering on Weds. The guest speaker is Alex Krieger who wrote Mapping Boston and is originally from Dorchester apparently. Historic Boston has been doing some research on similar hidden historical gems in Fields Corner. They are looking for people to bring in old photos. I definitely plan to go - June 18, Dorchester House, 1353 Dorchester Avenue, 6 p.m.

Oh, and this is an early photo of the Robinson Building at the northern side of Fields Corner intersection with a later photo showing how the building was expanded. Today the building exists, but without its third floor. amazing.
I added a link to my online calendars, just to see if it works...

restoring old windows

2008-06-10T12:14:00.003-04:00

during this exhausting hot weather, I thnk about windows alot - because my 1890 house has 39, and I have to open them all during the cooler evening hours then close them and pull the shades when it starts to heat up early in the morning. this is our lo-tech way to stay reasonably comfortable, 10-15 degrees cooler inside.
this would have been impossible when we moved in here about 15 years ago, because all the windows had no sash cords and/or were painted shut. so I became a self-taught window restorer. it is not that hard. a friend just sent me a website that expresses better than I good reasons for saving versus replacing your windows.

dessert night at Dot2Dot Cafe!

2008-06-04T22:42:00.003-04:00

we are invited! yummy treats at our new local cafe for a good price on Thurs. June 5th.
hope this becomes a regular event!

surprising facts about Dorchester

2008-06-04T21:20:00.005-04:00

Inspired by the more constructive tone of my fellow Dorchesterites on lowerdot, I am breathing deeply and concentrating on figuring out new ways to respond to infuriating and/or inaccurate comments about my adopted community. rather than attempts to be scathing. which often doesn't come across well.
now, I just read [on about.com] that the North End is Boston's oldest neighborhood.
but - Boston has grown over the years, through cutting down hills to fill in wetlands and through annexation of several separate towns. One of these towns was Dorchester, a large town founded several months prior to Boston in 1630, prospering for 240 years, then annexed to Boston in 1870.
So the North End may be said to be the oldest part of the original Boston peninsula, the boundaries of which also contain Chinatown, part of Beacon Hill and Washington Street.
but Dorchester is Boston's oldest neighborhood.

oh, and by the way, the James Blake House (built 1661) at the intersection of Columbia Road and Pond Street in Dorchester is the oldest in the city of Boston.

Happy Dorchester Day everyone...

2008-06-02T17:45:00.003-04:00

It was a splendid day, sunny, and lots of spectators lining the route. when I read not-so-positive comments online I wish I could somehow share the extraordinary feeling of community one feels at this event. I sure wouldn't trade the 'gritty' edge of my neighborhood for the boring & bland Boston suburbs.
People who really want to learn more about Dorchester, please ignore the snide comments from folks who have never lived here, and come visit. And check out our good local paper The Dorchester Reporter to find out about events and activities you are welcome to come and sample.

whew, made it...

2008-05-27T21:11:00.003-04:00

yikes, the yard sale was a success, rain stopped on time, sold lots of stuff.
and we are about to enter The Best Month of the Year: June
the month's kickoff is Sunday June 1st, with DotBike's foray as a "float" in the Dorchester Day parade, starting in Lower Mills at 1 pm sharp.
man, do we hope it does not rain...
when sunny & nice, this is a fun event 'for all ages' and shows the best face of Dorchester.
plus we party.

ashmont hill yard sale!

2008-05-13T23:08:00.007-04:00

This Saturday May 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., start at Welles Ave & Ocean St. Pick up a map here or at other locations throughout and enjoy this neighborhood adjacent to Peabody Square.
This well-known annual Dorchester event is massive.
You will find almost anything you can think of sale: original art, plants, window weights, furniture, antiques, vintage clothing, bird cages, pot & pans, there was even a chariot last year. Even if you don't buy anything it's fun to walk around with the crowd.
Be forewarned: I heard the Red Line will be running shuttle bus service down Dorchester Ave.
later note added - I will try and find out more Dorchester yard sales and publicize, it strikes me they are a good way to keep serviceable items out of the trash heap.

bike rack blunder

2008-05-11T11:14:00.004-04:00

the T did good by placing a bike rack near the Charles Street entrance to the Fields Corner station.
but how to encourage it's use? hmmm... let's block it with a sand storage box. [when I complained a few months ago about the unsightly box filled with trash blocking the bike rack, they did what any self-respecting quasi-public agency would do - they painted it.]