Help renovate the Squantum Playground!

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Monica

Attend a meeting to learn more
The Squantum Playground Renovation Committee is meeting Thursday night and invites you to share your ideas to help shape the renewal plans for the playground.

When:  Thursday, March 21, 6:45pm
Where: 110 Huckins Avenue, Squantum, MA

Contact Dave Blaton by email, or call 617-828-1894 with any questions. All are welcome!

A playground in need of loving care
The children’s playground located on Standish Road behind the Squantum School is in desperate need of critical renovations to insure the safety of the children running and playing in the park. The playground has provided a place for children and families of Squantum to play, gather, relax, and enjoy the wonderful fresh air for many decades. With decades of use, it is in need of some loving care.

A group of concerned Squantum neighbors are volunteering their time to explore options for the renovation of the park. With the support of the Squantum community and the City of Quincy, the group hopes to create a space that will once again invite families to visit on a sunny afternoon or a brisk fall day to create joyful memories of precious time spent together.

The project team, led by David Blaton, is proposing renovations that focus on playground safety, as well as on preserving and enhancing the aesthetic appeal and comfort of the playground. Read about the proposed renovations on the Playground Project page. We will provide updates to this information as the project progresses.

We need your support!
There are several ways that you can help the team create this important space for the  Squantum community. Visit the project page to learn more. And mark your calendars to join us:

Thursday, March 21 @ 6:45pm, 110 Huckins Avenue
Attend the April 11, 7pm meeting of the Quincy Preservation Committee and voice your support for this project. Meetings are open to the public.  Location:
City Hall, new City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, 1305 Hancock St, Quincy
Learn about donation opportunities on the project page

With your critical support we can revitalize this neighborhood treasure.  With your help we can provide a place where children and neighbors can enjoy a beautiful playground that is safe, clean, and family friendly, and where neighbors can create wonderful memories.

Learn more about the Squantum Playground Renovation Project.

See you at A Squantumite Story Hour!

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Monica

Wednesday, March 13, 7pm
First Church of Squantum, 164 Bellevue Street, Squantum
Free event. Bring a friend!

Please join us to hear stories of humor, peril, tremendous joy, ardent belief, longtime friendships, and simple pleasures in the seaside community of Squantum, a neighborhood of Quincy, Massachusetts.

Together we will remember a time when Huckins Avenue was a tree-lined road nestled between open fields, when neighbors caught up at the beloved corner store, or waited together in war time ration lines, spent lazy summer days on the beach, or raced boats across Quincy Bay. And who doesn’t have a great story about that cherished Squantum tradition, the Fourth of July parade?

Come hear a few great stories, and share a few of your own over refreshments.

Storytellers will include Ralph Ames, Sr., Marie Clark, Pat Duggan, Mary LaFlamme, Maureen Mazrimus, Jim and Sandi Sumner, Bob Sealund, Jack Westerbeke, and Ruth Ann Wetherby. The evening will be moderated by Bill Geary, Squantum resident and chairman of the City of Quincy Planning Board.

About Squantum Community Association
The Squantum Community Association provides programming that fosters conversation and community with a focus on topics of interest to the Squantum and Quincy communities, highlighting local talent and history.

Subscribe to event notifications or share ideas for future events at SCASquantumEvents@gmail.com.

I heart Squantum!

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Monica

It’s Valentine’s day, and love is in that salty Squantum air!

Perhaps you’ve enjoyed a romantic stroll on the beach, or shared a moment on the seawall with a special someone watching the sunset or fireworks over Boston.

Or maybe you just love Squantum.

Share the love!
Give us the scoop…What do you love about Squantum?
What is your favorite Squantum spot or moment?
Who do you love in Squantum?

Post in our comment box below.

Shy? Send us a message and we’ll post your note for you.

Thanks to our Facebook friends for playing along. A few comments shared…

Erin N: Being the 3rd generation in Squantum there isn’t a thing I dislike!! I also love all Squantum-mites!! Many many memories!!

Julia CS: My family has lived in Squantum for 34 years, so glad our Dad moved us here from South Boston, we would never live any other place! Love all the friends I have made through the years on paradise penninsula

Julie WB: My parents moved to Squantum from Ireland via Dorchester 45 years ago. Their 5 children are now all living in Squantum raising 19 first cousins under one amazing community! There is no place like Squantum!!!!

Mike M: Squantum should have its own flag I think. That’s how great that place is. I miss it sooo much. I take my boy to The Rock, Park, and Orchard beach at least twice a month, and I haven’t lived there in 8 1/2 years. Most of the time we go to the Rock to clean it. We have spears and trash bags. We also collect seashells and paint em when we get home. Dylan loves that penninsula just as much as I do.

Stacey OL: We moved to Squantum only 5 months ago. We love it so far and plan on making many lasting memories with our daughter, friends and family.

Monica L: From the very first day I drove down the causeway to look at a home in Squantum, I was in love! I wake up many a morning to a gorgeous sunrise over Quincy Bay, and relax most evenings watching the moon rise over the water, and can’t believe I am so blessed. Squantumites share a sense of humor, closeness and passion for the peninsula that warms my heart.

Quincy spotlighted on Chronicle – watch videos

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Monica

The WCVB show Chronicle focused on our own town of Quincy on January 31. Take a tour of Quincy and get a peek of Squantum by tagging along with Chronicle reporter Ted Reinstein as he delights in a visit to the first Dunkin’ Donuts, marvels at authentically made Italian pasta, tours historical treasures including The “Old House” at “Peace field”, samples Quincy dining treats, tours a few neighborhoods including Squantum, and hears the mayor’s thoughts on the makeover of Quincy Center.

View the Chronicle segments:

The Adams family, Quincy Center makeover, Real Estate
A tour of John Quincy Adam’s summer White House; Mayor Tom Koch discusses a billion dollar makeover for Quincy Center; views of Quincy neighborhoods and real estate, including Squantum.

Quincy’s firsts: Presidents and fast food
Chronicle’s Ted Reinstein visits the City of Presidents, and finds his own historic shrine: the first Dunkin’ Donuts.

Quincy’s ethnic accent
Alfredo Aiello pasta company; Fuji 1546 restaurant and bar; growing Asian population

Links to websites for the businesses and historical societies featured in the show are listed on this page.

Help clean up Squantum Point Park during Feb vaca

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Monica

Show your love of Squantum on February vacation…help clean up Squantum Point Park!

Join neighbors to help prune trails and clean up trash and debris littering beautiful walking paths along the marshlands in and around Squantum Point Park.

When: Thursday, February 21, 2013, 1-3 pm

Where: Squantum Point Park, Quincy, DCR parking lot. Meet at the pavilion / commuter shelter in the area of the parking lot facing Boston. (The park is at the end of Victory Road in Marina Bay, to the left of the Ocean Club.)

What to bring/wear:

Dress for the weather
Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes
Bring work gloves if you have them
We’ll provide tools and safety equipment

Grab your friends and join this cleanup to keep Squantum beautiful!

More information:
For more information and to RSVP, please contact SCA Massachusetts at 413-339-6631 or email Jessica at jharwood@thesca.org

Sponsors
SCA Massachusetts AmeriCorps. The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is a conservation corps. SCA members protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and community green spaces in America.

The Massachusetts Service Alliance AmeriCorps: strives to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is committed to protecting, promoting and enhancing our common wealth of natural, cultural and recreational resources.

Lt. Dan Minton shares tips at crime prevention meeting

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Monica

A standing room only crowd gathered Thursday evening, January 24, in the Squantum Elementary School Library for an informative briefing by Lt. Dan Minton of the Quincy Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit. In the meeting, organized by Ward 6 City Councilor Brian McNamee, Lt. Dan addressed reports of recent attempted break-in activity in Squantum and encouraged neighbors to call 911 when seeing any suspicious activity.

Lt. Dan encouraged neighbors to:

Watch Lt. Dan’s program tonight on QATV-11 to learn tips for securing your home
“Crime Watch with Lt. Dan Minton: Home Security” airs tonight on QATV-11.
This program airs Monday, Jan 28 at 6pm; and on Tuesday, Jan 29 at 10am.
Check QATV program schedules for additional air times for this and a related program,
“Crime Watch with Lt. Dan Minton: Auto Security & Door-to-Door Solicitations”.

Call 911. Don’t be shy!
Report any unusual or suspicious activity to the Quincy Police as soon as possible. With increased patrols assigned to Squantum, they can quickly send an officer (often in plain clothes) to investigate. The observations of neighbors prove to be a highly valuable tool for police in solving and preventing these crimes. You are not a nuisance, you are a partner helping the police keep our neighborhood safe.

Visit Quincy Police website and follow QPD on twitter
Get up to the minute reliable information on the QPD website or follow their twitter feeds to learn about hot activity in the area. The Quincy Sun also shares local activity.

Call the Quincy Police to request information
Call 617-479-1212 with any questions. In partnering with the community to resolve issues, they are more than happy to share information. Avoid getting misinformation by going straight to a reliable source.

Crime Watch Meeting Jan 24 7pm

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Monica

House break-ins reported in Squantum

Over the past two weeks there has been a number of attempted house break-ins reported in Squantum. In December there were some homes broken into. Brian McNamee, Ward 6 City Councillor, is hosting a meeting to discuss recent activities and crime prevention strategies for your home:

When: Thursday, January 24, 7:00 pm
Where: Squantum Elementary School, Library, 50 Huckins Ave, Squantum, MA

Lt. Dan Minton from the Crime Prevention Unit will review recent statistics for criminal activity in Squantum and will share ways to prepare your home to deter crime.

Meanwhile, the number of patrols in marked and unmarked vehicles has been increased for Squantum. Residents are encouraged to call the police at 617-479-1212 if you see anything unusual or anyone who looks suspicious.

Read Brian McNamee’s complete letter regarding this meeting online.

Happy New Year!

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Monica

As the calendar turns another page, we wish you and yours, our Squantum friends, a fabulous new year ahead. Thank you for joining us to celebrate the talents of our Squantum neighbors and to delve into the history of our treasured peninsula community in this first year of the Squantum Events and Lectures series, and the first year of the Scoop site.

We look forward to the year ahead and are excited as we plan our next event coming up on March 13 where several of our Squantum neighbors will share stories of humor, peril, tremendous joy, ardent belief, longtime friendships, and simple pleasures that make up life in our seaside neighborhood.

In the meantime, we wish you Squantum Scoopfuls of good wishes in the New Year!

Karen, Joe, Monica, Louise, Glen and Erin.

To read about past events or to subscribe to future event notifications, visit the SCA page.

Join us to hear stories of the Native American heritage of Squantum

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Monica

Wednesday, November 14, 7pm
First Church of Squantum, 164 Bellevue Street, Squantum, MA.
Free event. Bring a friend!

Squanto. Squaw Rock. Moswetuset Hummock.
Every day we are reminded of the rich Native American heritage of Squantum and the surrounding harbor islands. Please join us to learn about the people who first walked our shores as we explore through story, study and song.

Study
Archaeologist Ellen Berkland, of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, will shed light on the Native American history of our area discovered through explorations of the Boston Harbor Islands.

Story
Hear stories of the people who first fished these waters, walked these shores, and lived on the land of Squantum and the harbor islands.

Song
Harry Young, “Gray Owl”, Hawk Clan Chief of Algonquin Seneca Me’tis heritage, Canada, will share drumming and songs of the northern woodland native heritage. Harry will explain the history and significance of these songs, and will appear in traditional regalia along with his wife and native shawl dancer, Deborah, “Gentle Doe Eyes”, of Azorian Pokanoket Me’tis heritage.

Moswetuset Hummock and Squantum

Visit The Faire For All Seasons – craft fair & lunch today!

Posted on October 27, 2012 by Monica

Join The Seaside Gardeners of Squantum for their annual “Faire For All Seasons”

When: Saturday, October 27, 2012, 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
Where: Kennedy Center, 440 East Squantum St., Quincy, MA

Find a great selection of gifts and items for the upcoming holiday season, including homemade baked goods, jewelry, handmade crafts, holiday decorations, stocking stuffers and everything in between. Try your luck at winning one of the wonderful raffles!

The lunch has always been the talk of the town; come and taste home brewed chowders, and steamed hot dogs.

There is a little something for everyone and plenty of free parking.