Category Archives: News

Meet the candidates October 23

Posted on by
Reply

Join the Squantum Community Association on October 23 to meet the candidates running for mayor and the Ward 6 seat on the Quincy City Council. Come meet our neighbors interested in serving our community. At this informal gathering (not a debate) each candidate will share their thoughts in an opening statement and residents will be invited to pose questions. Please also consider sending your questions for the candidates to the SCA in advance and we will pose them to the candidates on your behalf.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 7 pm
First Church of Squantum (lower level)
164 Bellevue Rd, Squantum, MA (map)
Refreshments will be served.

November 5 election
The council seat in Ward 6 covers Squantum, Marina Bay, and parts of North Quincy.

The candidates running for mayor

  • Thomas P. Koch – Newbury Ave., Quincy, MA (Koch on Facebook and website)
  • Brenda A. Ryan – Cranch St., Quincy, MA

The candidates running for Ward 6 City Councilor

News coverage

About the 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.

To subscribe to event notifications send us a note.

Get ready to vote Nov 5 – round up of voter information

Posted on by
Reply

Time to exercise one of our most precious rights as citizens. Here’s a round up of voter information for the November 5 elections.

In the election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, Quincy voters will select the mayor, three at-large council seats, four ward seats, and school committee. Longtime Mayor Thomas Koch will face challenger Brenda Ryan. Incumbent at-large city councilors Anne Mahoney, Nina Liang and Noel T. DiBona are seeking reelection against newcomers Frank N. Rubino and Joann Sullivan Cantor. In Ward 6, City Councilor William P. Harris will face challenger William Isenberg.

Where to vote on November 5
Vote in person Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Polls open: 7 AM – 8 PM
Voting location for Squantum Ward 6 residents:
Squantum Elementary School, 50 Huckins Ave [map]
Not from Squantum? Find your voting location here.

Voter information: who is on the Nov 5 ballot
The state Elections Division website provides everything you need to know about voting—including how and where to vote, how to vote via absentee ballot, and a list of candidates. A few highlights from the site:

The candidates running for mayor

  • Thomas P. Koch – Newbury Ave., Quincy, MA (Koch on Facebook and website)
  • Brenda A. Ryan – Cranch St., Quincy, MA

The candidates running for Ward 6 City Councilor

News coverage

Deadline to register to vote: October 16 at 8pm
The last day to register to vote in the November 5 elections is Wednesday, October 16. Not sure if you are registered? Check your status here.

  • Register to vote online by 11:59 pm on October 16
  • In person: by 8 pm, Quincy City Clerk’s Office, 1305 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02169, 617-376-1131 (call to check hours)
  • By mail: registration form must be postmarked by October 16 and mailed to City Hall

Get your float on…sign up today for July Fourth parade!

Posted on by
Reply

Squantum Fourth picnic (photo by M Lee)The kiddies are squealing at Orchard Beach and the birds are chirping…It’s another glorious start to summer in Squantum and the pinnacle of our year is just around the corner. Start planning your red, white, and blue, and gathering the neighbors to come up with your award-winning float ideas! Give Paula and the July Fourth Parade Committee a call today and sign up your floats and marchers and send in your Grand Marshall nominations for the big day!

Mark your calendars…the marching of the parade is 
Thursday, July 4, 2019 at 10 a.m. 

Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m.: Squantum Road Race

  • 9:30 a.m.: Registration
  • 10 a.m.: Road Race

Meet at the Squantum Community Center, 50 Huckins Ave, Squantum
Registration: $20/adult, Kids under 10 free
Trophies and t-shirts provided.
All proceeds benefit the parade. Sponsored by State Rep. Bruce Ayers

Thursday, July Fourth:

  • 9 a.m.: Flag raising at the cannon by members of the Robert I. Nickerson Post
  • 10 a.m.: the Parade steps off
  • Awards and fun behind the Squantum School following the parade

Floats: register by June 22
Get the neighbors and kids together and start dreaming up your float ideas for a chance to win a cash prize! Kids and adult floats are welcome. The winning float will have a sign posted on their street for a week announcing the coveted victory. Good luck!

Register your float by June 22 by emailing Squantumparade@yahoo.com or
call Doreen Douglas at 617-360-1975. Provide a Squantum address with your registration.

Marchers: register by June 26
Marchers of all kinds are welcome to join the parade! Little groups, big groups, individuals, marchers in costumes, as well as Local Youth Sports are welcome to march. Decorate your baby carriages and wagons and join the festivities!
Register marchers by June 26 by emailing Squantumparade@yahoo.com.

Grand Marshall
The committee is accepting nominations for the Parade Grand Marshall.
Please nominate a Squantum resident who has shown great involvement with the community over the years.
Email nominations to Squantumparade@yahoo.com or call Paula Glynn 617-834-9996.

Support the parade…give a donation
Your donations are welcome by the July 4th Committee. Marchers and float registrations are free, so donations keep this fabulous tradition going. Suggested donation per family is $20, but any donation is very much appreciated.
Checks can be made payable to: Squantum July 4th Committee
Mail or drop off to:  Judi Smith, 289 Bellevue Road, Squantum, MA 02171

Join the Parade! Sign up…
Simply email SquantumParade@yahoo.com to sign up your float, group, band, and marchers, and to nominate the Grand Marshall.

Visit the July 4th Parade page to keep up to date.

Feeling nostalgic? Check out photos in the Scoop photo gallery.

  

We’re cooking up some fun with Squantum artists and chefs on Sat. 3/23

Posted on by
Reply

The Squantum Community Association and First Church of Squantum host an Art Exhibit and Crock-Pot Cook-Off

The ocean is sporting a beautiful clear green in Squantum for St. Paddy’s and the flower stalks are bursting through the ground…spring is indeed around the corner! To celebrate the coming of spring this week, we have a treat for you. Join us on Saturday, March 23 from 4-6 pm for an afternoon of art and conversation, with a bit of Crock-Pot cookery thrown in!

Saturday, March 23, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
First Church of Squantum, Fellowship Hall (lower level)
164 Bellevue Rd, Squantum, MA (map)
This is a free event.

Exhibit of Squantum Artists
Ruth Ann Wetherby paintingThe Squantum Community Association is hosting an exhibit of works by our creative Squantum neighbors that will include photography, painting, drawing, and fabric arts. Enjoy the creative vision of photographers Abby Rose Plourde and Deb Squires, botanical watercolorist Ruth Ann Wetherby, along with painter Jean Mayer Green, and mixed-media artist David Rivard, as well as drawings by artist Glen Buscher. Come meet these inspired artists. We’ll also have on display a few hooked rug pieces by fiber artist Emily Robertson, and paintings and drawings by artist Alberta Hodgen Howe.

Crock-Pot Cook-Off!
Crock-Pot Cook-OffIn between perusing the wonderful art and mingling with your neighbors, put your taste buds to the test at First Church of Squantum’s Crock-Pot Cook-Off! Sample these tasty creations and vote for your favorite. Like what you taste? Pick up the recipe book, available for purchase at the event.

About the 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.

To subscribe to event notifications send us a note.

Head to the Quincy Lunar New Year Festival Feb 10

Posted on by
Reply

Head over to North Quincy High School to usher in the Year of the Pig! Quincy Asian Resources hosts the 31st annual festival to celebrate the lunar new year with a day full of contests, culture, games, food, and music.

Sunday, February 10, 2019
Noon to 5 pm
North Quincy High School
316 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA [map]

Sample  delicious food from some of Quincy’s finest dining spots, including bubble tea, sushi and spring rolls from Fuji at WoC, Shabu Lee, Pho Linh, B Cafe Quincy, Yocha At Quincy and The Chicken & Rice Guys!

There will be plenty of dance performances, including the amazing Dragon Dance by Wah Lum Kung Fu & Tai Chi Academy at noon, and a K-Pop demo By MIT’s Asian Dance Team.

Get your competition on…join the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament from 12-4:00 pm. Every half hour winners play for a shot at $100 cash prize. Or, if singing is your thing…head over to the Karaoke Contest for a chance to win $150!

Lots of crafts and fun for the kids who can make a firefly mask with Mass Audubon, or enjoy New Year arts and crafts with South Shore YMCA Quincy; or enjoy a magic show with Felice Ling.

Learn more on the Quincy Asian Resources site, or Facebook page.

Also a great overview in the Patriot Ledger article: Quincy Lunar New Year Festival returns Sunday; The annual cultural festival, now in its 31st year, will mark the start of the Year of the Pig in Quincy.

Quincy Lunar New year 2019 poster

Kickin’ off the season, Quincy style

Posted on by
Reply

Santa Squantum Tree Lighting 2016Those chilly temps are bringing on the season! Get ready to kick it off Quincy style with parachuting elves, sing alongs, and two tree lightings! Here’s a roundup of Quincy and Squantum holiday festivities over Thanksgiving weekend. After you recover from the Turkey Trot and the feast…head out with your friends and family to celebrate the warmth of the season.

Squantum Tree Lighting
Sunday, November 25, 2018 at 4:30 pm
Gilbert Memorial Park, at the intersection of Huckins Avenue and East Squantum Street [map]
Join the festivities as we kick off the holiday season with the annual Tree Lighting following the Quincy Christmas Parade. Head over to the triangle at Gilbert Memorial Park and join your neighbors for hot cocoa and delicious cookies provided by the Seaside Gardeners of Squantum. Join in on the carol singing as we welcome Santa Claus who will do the honors of lighting up the tree! Hope to see you and the whole family there!

Quincy holiday festivities 

View the flyer for the weekend festivities.

Quincy tree lighting celebration
Friday, November 23, 5 pm-7 pm
Hancock Adams Common
, 1305 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA [map]
Enjoy the newly opened Hancock-Adams Common, decked with twinkling lights and holiday displays. Mayor Koch and special guests – maybe one from the North Pole – will flip the switch to bring the holiday spirit to the Common. Heated tents will be set up for this event. Enjoy strolling Victorian carolers, ice sculptures, street performers, and costumed characters, as well as activities including letter writing to Santa. Enjoy free popcorn and hot chocolate, and check out holiday treats from local vendors.

Scheduled activities

  • 5:00 pm: Donna Marie Children’s Puppet Show
  • 5:45 pm: Children’s Christmas Chorus
  • 6:15 pm: Tree Lighting Ceremony hosted by Mayor Thomas P. Koch and a special guest

Santa and Elves arrival by parachute
Saturday, November 24 ~ 12:00 pm noon
Pageant Field,One Merrymount Parkway (up the road from Adams Field), Quincy, MA [map]
Santa and his elves arrive in Quincy by parachute, landing at Pageant Field, at this fun family event. While waiting for the touchdown of the Jolly Old Elf and friends, take a hayride around the field or “high-five” one of the visiting costumed characters!

Festive Fun on the Common
Saturday, November 24, 2:00 – 7:00 pm
Hancock Adams Common
, 1305 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA [map]
Jingle Bell rock your way around the bedecked Common and enjoy live music from local bands. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Heated tents will be set up for this event.

  • 2 – 4:00 PM: Munk Duane & Soul Jacker
  • 4 – 5:00 PM: DJ /House music Paul Duffley
  • 5 – 7:00 PM: Soul City Band

City of Quincy Christmas Parade
Sunday, November 25, 12:30 pm-3:30 pm
Hancock Street
Enjoy an old fashioned Christmas parade featuring high school and adult marching bands from around the state, Christmas themed floats, costumed characters, antique vehicles, and Santa in his traditional fire truck ride. The parade route begins at the intersection of Hancock Street and the Walter J. Hannon Parkway, continuing up Hancock Street to North Quincy High School. This is one of the largest parades in the Commonwealth.
The Ross Lot and Presidents’ Place Garage will be open. Ross Lot has a walkway from the lot to the parade route on Hancock Street.

Please note: In the interest of public safety, all bags and backpacks are subject to public search.

 

Run out and support the parade at the Turkey Trot!

Posted on by
Reply

Turkey TrotGrab your family and friends and get ready for the big feast with a fun run to support the Squantum July Fourth Parade!

Annual Turkey Trot 3 mile Fun Run/Walk
Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 22, 2018, 9:00 am
(Register in advance or day of starting at 8:00 am)
Nickerson Post, 20 Moon Island Road, Squantum MA

Entrance fee:
$20 fee includes long sleeved T-shirt (while supplies last) and refreshments.
$10 fee for ages 15 and under
Make checks payable to: Squantum 4th of July
All proceeds benefit the Squantum Fourth of July Parade.
(Note: chip timing not provided at this fun run. Just a fun run with friends and family.)

How to enter:
Mail a filled out entry form and check to:
Judi Smith, 289 Bellevue Road, Squantum, MA 02171
or
Sign up Thanksgiving morning at the Post starting at 8 am.

Questions? Email Judi

A Great Place to Start on Nov 7…hear stories and history of the Squantum School

Posted on by
Reply

The Squantum Community Association hosts
An evening with author Rachel Bloom

Wednesday, November 7, 7:00 PM
First Church of Squantum, Fellowship Hall (lower level)
164 Bellevue Rd, Squantum, MA (map)
This is a free event.

Author Rachel Squires Bloom will join us to share stories and history of our own Squantum School, where she is not only a teacher, she is also assistant principal, and an alum! With firsthand knowledge of the school, Rachel set out to find and share the fascinating history of our elementary school, from the first principal, who rowed a boat to and from Squantum, to its most recent, who opened the school’s first full computer lab. We’ll hear some of the history, as well as experiences Rachel gathered from those who learned and worked at the school.

Share your own memories and stories over refreshments following the talk.

Rachel is currently researching and writing a book on the history of Squantum and invites you to connect with her to share your own stories and leads of the people, places, and stories of our seaside peninsula.

About the speaker
Rachel Squires Bloom is a teacher at and alumna of the Squantum School, where she also serves as assistant principal. She has published numerous poems and articles and is the author of A Great Place to Start: History of the Squantum School. She is currently researching and writing a book on the history of Squantum.

About the 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.

To subscribe to event notifications send us a note.

Faire For All Seasons, Nov 3 craft fair & lunch

Posted on by
Reply

Join The Seaside Gardeners of Squantum for
A Faire For All Seasons
and pick up some fabulous treats!

Saturday, November 3,  10 am – 2 pm
Kennedy Center, 440 East Squantum St., Quincy [map]

Find a great selection of gifts and items for the upcoming holiday season, including crafts, handmade goods, homemade baked goods, and books, as well as items at the Second Hand Rose table.

Enjoy lunch at Pat’s Cafe.

Shop early for the best selection! There is a little something for everyone and plenty of free parking.

Questions?
For more information contact Faire chairperson Peggy Kelly at 617-471-3903.

A beautiful cause
All proceeds benefit garden club community activities such as Squantum School Junior Gardeners, Causeway Beautification Program, Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, Annual Scholarship Fund, Marsh Restoration, and the Blue Star Memorial Program, which honors all men and women (past, present, and future) of the Armed Forces of America.

Learn more about the Seaside Gardeners.

Get ready to vote by Nov 6 – round up of voter information

Posted on by
Reply

Time to exercise one of our most precious rights as citizens. Here’s a round up of voter information for the November 6 elections. This year early voting is available between October 22 — November 2. Unlike absentee voting, you don’t need a reason to vote early other than it is more convenient for you. So don’t worry about your work schedule or your childcare schedule…mark your calendars for the date you want to vote. Time to get out and vote, Squantumites!

Where to vote on November 6
Vote in person Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Polls open: 7 AM – 8 PM
Voting location for Squantum Ward 6 residents:
Squantum Elementary School, 50 Huckins Ave [map]
Not from Squantum? Find your voting location here.

You can also vote in advance at early voting locations, by mail, or via an absentee ballot. View early voting options below.

Voter information: who and what are on the Nov 6 ballot
The state Elections Division website provides everything you need to know about voting—including how and where to vote, how to vote early or via absentee ballot, a list of candidates, and a review of the ballot questions. A few highlights from the site:

Your voting options
Vote when and how it is convenient for you—you have the option to cast your ballot at any early voting location in our community October 22 – Nov 2, to vote by mail, or to vote at your designated polling place on Election Day, November 6.

View information on how to vote early on the state elections site.

  • Early voting is available October 22 – November 2: Unlike absentee voting, no reason is required to vote early. So beat the crowds on election day, and put your worries about your work or childcare schedule conflicts aside. The early voting period will begin on October 22 and end on November 2 with extended hours available on Saturday, October 27.
  • Quincy early voting hours and locations (on the City of Quincy site)
    • October 22 to November 2, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
      at Park and Recreation Department, Richard J. Koch Complex,
      1 Merrymount Parkway, Quincy, MA [map]
    • Extended hours: Saturday, October 27, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
      at North Quincy High School, 316 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA [map]
      (use Hunt Street Entrance)
  • If you choose to vote early by mail, send in your application to receive the ballot by mail.
  • Absentee voting: learn how to apply for absentee voting.

Deadline to register to vote: October 17
The last day to register to vote in the November 6 elections is Wednesday, October 17. Not sure if you are registered? Check your status here.

  • Register to vote online by 11:59 pm on October 17
  • In person: by 8 pm, Quincy City Clerk’s Office, 1305 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02169, 617-376-1131 (call to check hours)
  • By mail: registration form must be postmarked by October 17 and mailed to City Hall