Category Archives: Things to do

Holiday toy drive…contact Bruce Ayers

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Santa with toysShare the joy of the season with tots and families in need of a helping hand. Donate a toy to the annual Holiday Toy Drive sponsored by Representative Bruce Ayers who works with groups across the community. As you are out and about making your holiday purchases consider picking up a toy for a child in need right in our own community.

Contact Bruce

Do you know of a Squantum or Quincy family who could benefit from the program this holiday? To donate a toy or to provide the address and phone number of a family who could benefit from the program contact Bruce by email or
call him at (617) 328-0102.

Thanks for your help in making the holidays bright for every child!

 

Merry and bright…Tree lighting kicks off the season!

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Santa at Squantum Tree LightingDo all things twinkly and bright warm your heart? Getting in the mood to bake cookies and finding yourself tuning the radio to those all-Christmas tune stations? Yes, Squantumites…it’s time to kick off the season! Check out this roundup of Quincy and Squantum holiday festivities over Thanksgiving weekend.

Squantum Tree Lighting
Sunday, November 27, 2016,
4:30 pm
Gilbert Memorial Park, at the intersection of Huckins Avenue and East Squantum Street

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 

Quincy tree lighting celebration
Friday, November 25, 5 pm-7 pm
Hancock-Adams Green, 1305 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA (new location!)
Drop off your letters to Santa and enjoy free popcorn, hot chocolate, and candy canes. Enjoy Donna Marie Children’s Puppet Show, strolling Victorian Christmas Carolers, street performers, and the youthful voices of the Quincy/North Quincy Choir. Performances will be held inside of a heated tents next to City Hall. At approximately at 6pm, Mayor Thomas P. Koch will turn on the Christmas lights at the library and throughout Quincy Center to mark the beginning of our holiday season.

Santa and his Elves arrival by parachute
Saturday, December 3 ~ 12:30 pm [note new date due to weather]
Pageant Field,One Merrymount Parkway (up the road from Adams Field), Quincy, MA
Meet Santa and his elves along with costumed characters at Quincy’s unique Christmas tradition.

Holiday Festival
Saturday, November 26, 5 pm-10 pm
Hancock-Adams Green, 1305 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA (new location!)
Enjoy live entertainment and family friendly festivities with your neighbors. Event will feature food from some of Quincy Center’s newest  restaurants and seasonal beer and cider from local breweries.

City of Quincy Christmas Parade
Sunday, November 27, 12:30 pm-3 pm
The Annual City of Quincy Christmas Parade route begins at the intersection of Hancock Street and Walter J. Hannon Parkway, continuing up Hancock Street to North Quincy High School.  Enjoy an old fashioned Christmas parade featuring high school and adult marching bands from around the state, and Christmas themed floats.

 

 

Will you Turkey Trot before the feast?

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

15th Annual Turkey Trot 3 mile Fun Run/Walk
Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 24, 2016, 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 (first 100 entrants) and refreshments.
$10 fee for ages 15 and under
Please 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

Talking Safety with Lieutenant Dan

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Quincy Police badgePerhaps you’ve read his “Job Well Done” column, maybe you’ve seen him sharing safety tips on QATV…now Lt. Dan wants to hear from you!
Come meet Lieutenant Dan Minton of the Quincy Police Department for a conversation about matters of safety in our community.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 7 pm
First Church of Squantum (lower level)
164 Bellevue Rd, Squantum, MA (map)
Refreshments will be served.

The Quincy Police Crime Prevention Unit would like to hear about any concerns or comments you have about local crime or police matters. Their goal is to enhance the quality of life in our community by working together to address and resolve issues.

For more information
Call Lieutenant Dan Minton 617-745-5719
Or email SCA

Hosted by 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.

Let’s vote, Squantum! Round up of voter information

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Time to exercise one of our most precious rights as citizens. Here’s a round up of voter information for the November 8 state elections. This year voters can choose to vote in advance of November 8 at early voting locations in Quincy between October 24 — November 4. 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!

State and Presidential elections
Tuesday, November 8, 2016 (early voting information below)
Polls open: 7 AM – 8 PM
Voting location for Squantum Ward 6 residents:
Squantum Elementary School, 50 Huckins Ave [map] (check your voting location here)

Be prepared: view the ballot and four ballot questions

News coverage on election day

Voter information
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:

  • View the list of 2016 state election candidates
  • View your customized voter information, including a list of your local officials and a sample of your ballot
  • The Information for Voters package explains the four ballot questions with pro and con arguments included and provides information on how to vote. The booklet is available to download in regular and large print, as well as in multiple languages. Look for the printed red booklet that was recently mailed to all households.

Deadline to register to vote: October 19
The last day to register to vote in the November 8 elections is Wednesday, October 19. Not sure if you are registered? Check your status here.

  • Register to vote online by 11:59 pm on October 19
  • 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 19 and mailed to City Hall

Early voting available Oct 24-Nov 4
For the first time, Massachusetts voters will be able to cast their ballots before Election Day. Vote when it is convenient for you—you now have the option to cast your State Election ballot at any early voting location in our community, by mail, or at your designated polling place on Election Day. 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 24th and end on November 4th with extended hours available on Saturday, October 29.

Quincy early voting hours and locations, for two weeks: Oct 24-Nov 4

  • Location: Quincy City Hall, 1305 Hancock St, Quincy [map]
    • Monday, Wednesday: 8:30 am- 7 pm
    • Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 am -5 pm
  • Extended hours: North Quincy High School, 316 Hancock St, Quincy [map]
    • Saturday, October 29, from 8:30 am to 5 pm

 

 

Faire For All Seasons, 10/29 craft fair & lunch

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Craft table at FaireJoin The Seaside Gardeners of Squantum for
A Faire For All Seasons
and pick up some fabulous treats!

When:  Saturday, October 29, 2016,  10 am – 2 pm
Where: Kennedy Center, 440 East Squantum St., Quincy

Find a great selection of gifts and items for the upcoming holiday season, including handmade crafts, seaside treasures, books, and baked goods, and take a chance on some fabulous drawings.

Pat’s Cafe
Enjoy lunch at Pat’s Cafe, served from 11:00 am – 1:30 pm. Warm up with a bowl of Pat’s award-winning clam chowder, corn chowder, a variety of soups, or hot dogs. Top it off with a cup of coffee or tea and a yummy baked dessert.

Shop early for the best selection! Purchases can be made with cash, checks, or credit card. 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.

A little aht in the pahk, and some nosh, too!

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Break out your comfy shoes and your loose fitting pants, Squantumites! Beautiful weekend to head over to Merrymount Park for some food, music, and art!

Quincy ArtsFest and Concert
Saturday, September 17, 10a.m. – 5p.m.
Sunday, September 18, 10a.m. – 4p.m.
Adams Field, One Merrymount Park, Quincy, MA

Beautiful day to head over to Merrymount Park and enjoy artwork, live entertainment, crafts, and children’s activities. Pick up a new piece of artwork by local artists, or purchase crafts and jewelry. ArtsFest features a juried art and photography show featuring Quincy Art Association members and young artists.

Sponsored by the Quincy Art Association and the Quincy Park & Recreation Departments.

Saturday, September 17 entertainment line up:

  • 11am – 1pm: Silly Sally and her puppets
  • 1pm – 1:45pm: Young Artist Awards, Yael Kolbech
  • 2pm – 3pm: Ollie the Clown Magician
  • 3pm – 4pm: Lindsay and her giant puppet pals
  • 4pm – 5 pm: Visiting farm animals
  • 5pm – 7:30pm: Quincy Symphony Orchestra

Sunday, September 18:

  • 10am – noon: Silly Sally and her puppets
  • noon – 1pm: Wah Lum Kung Fu & Tai Chi Academy
  • 1pm – 2pm: Rain Forest reptiles show
  • 2pm – 4pm: Divas with a twist

Quincy Symphony Orchestra Concert
Saturday, September 17, 5pm – 7:30pm
Adams Field, One Merrymount Park, Quincy, MA

The Quincy Symphony Orchestra will perform a free concert under the lights at Adams Field. Bring lawn chairs and blankets or sit at the bleachers. Listen to some tunes and peruse the art during or after the concert.

Learn more about the QSO.

Quincy Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival
Saturday, September 17, 12pm-5pm
Pageant Field, Merrymount Park, Quincy MA

Bring your appetite to this festival that will feature over 20 local trucks paired with over 50 local craft beers. Hankering for a gooey grilled cheese or some sweet cupcakes? This is your game! Enjoy an Open Air Market.

Tickets $10, Beer sampling tickets $35

Visit the event site to view a list of participating trucks.

 

Bands hit Squantum for PorchFest–Sat, June 18

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On Saturday, June 18, Quincy will host the first PorchFest music festival on front porches and driveways across the city. The Squantum hood will host bands from 3-7PM. PorchFests are free, live music events held on front porches across a city. Started in Ithaca, New York in 2007, PorchFest music festivals bring local bands, singers, and instrumentalists together with neighbors to enjoy music of any genre. Music can range from country to pop, classical to reggae, and everything in between—blues, rock, jazz, Latino, R&B—anything goes! Performances are staggered throughout the afternoon so neighbors can walk from yard to yard enjoying each other and the great music. Sounds perfect for Squantum!

Schedule of activities
Saturday, June 18, 2016

  • 1 – 5 PM Wollaston neighborhoods
  • 3 – 7 PM Squantum neighborhoods

View the full schedule of bands and locations on the PorchFest website. The site includes an interactive map showing band locations, and band profiles.Or view a list of the latest Squantum schedule (as of 6/12/16).

Inaugural year for PorchFest Quincy

Planning for PorchFest Quincy started in the Wollaston neighborhoods, and additional neighborhoods joined in, including Squantum. To allow folks to enjoy the most out of the festival, organizers are staggering performances, with the Wollaston performances scheduled from 1-5 PM, and the Squantum performances scheduled for 3-7PM.

Squantum joined in, thanks to the efforts of neighbors Matt Odette and Stacey LeMay. Matt shares, “We’ve staggered the times in the different neighborhoods so everyone has a chance to check out all of the festivities. This is an event that will start out small and we hope will organically grow every year and extend to other neighborhoods in Quincy.”

Questions?

Contact PorchFest organizers.

In the news

Quincy to hold its first-ever PorchFest music event on June 18; the original lead singer of the Dropkick Murphys is one of the musicians who could perform at Quincy’s first-ever PorchFest event this June. Patriot Ledger, April 12, 2016

See what a PorchFest is like

Check out this video from a PorchFest in Binghamton NY from 2015.

 

Take a trip down memory lane on the Squantum History Tour, June 11

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SCA History Tour 2016

Are you ready for summer, Squantumites? Seems like our weather may be a little unsure! As we embrace these warmer days, the Squantum Community Association invites you to join us for a guided tour of historic spots around our peninsula. We had a great turnout last year and had to turn folks away, so we’re repeating the tour this year with a bit more capacity. Please note that the tour will depart from The Kennedy Center this year.

Saturday, June 11, 2016
Meet at 11:00 AM
Departs at 11:30 AM from the Kennedy Center, 440 E Squantum St, Quincy, MA
Rain or shine.

A rich history
Our seaside community is chock full of wonderful historic sites that hearken back to some fascinating characters and lively times. Squantumite Glen Buscher has assembled a guided tour of spots highlighting the inns and homes that once provided a summer escape for day-trippers and Boston families who arrived by steamboat and traveled by trolley to our beautiful seaside peninsula in the 1700-1900s. As we take this trip down memory lane, Squantum’s street names will come to life as we revisit the spots where one-time Squantumites took respite, including entertainer Lotta Crabtree and Captain James Huckins.

Transportation
We’ll provide bus transportation for the tour. The tour will depart from and return to The Kennedy Center following our touring around Squantum.

Reserve tickets in advance
Visit our EventBrite page to register for the event in advance.
Suggested donation of $10 will be collected at the door. Consideration will be given for families and groups. A limited number of tickets will be available the day of the event.

Reserve your tickets for the tour.

Information
Email us, or text or call Louise at 617-851-1673 with any questions.

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. To subscribe to event notifications send us a note.

Lotta Crabtree

Lotta Crabtree

Allen's Store at Nickerson Beach

Allen’s Store at Nickerson Beach

 

Shop the Plant Sale May 7

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Saturday, May 7
9 a.m. to noon
The Kennedy Center
440 E. Squantum Street, N. Quincy, MA [map]

Just in time for Mother’s Day… time to celebrate Mother Earth and things green and growing! The Seaside Gardeners Club of Squantum invite you to the Annual Plant Sale celebrating Mother’s Day.

Come shop a fabulous selection of flowering plants, herbs and greens to inspire your garden this season. Select from lush hanging baskets, pretty annuals in an assortment of colors to match your garden color scheme, and beautiful perennials nurtured by garden club members and featured garden centers. You will also find healthy vegetable plants to enjoy all season, including a fabulous assortment of tomatoes in a variety of colors in patio and container pots, including hybrids and heirlooms.

Garden Club members are on hand to provide tips and advice.

Yummy treats and prizes
Don’t miss the delicious selection of home baked goods, including breads, cookies, and pies! And be sure to enter the annual drawing for a chance to win some fabulous items, such as a floral arrangement from Cedar Grove Gardens.

A beautiful cause
All proceeds benefit garden club community activities, including the Annual Scholarship Fund (the winner is featured in the Fourth of July Parade), Annual Christmas Tree Lighting (with carolers and cocoa), the Causeway Beautification Program (flower beds along the causeway are kept up by the Seaside Gardeners), Kids Gardening Program, Marsh Restoration (a program restoring the marsh for future generations), and the Blue Star Memorial Program, which honors all men and women (past, present, and future) of the Armed Forces of America.

Shop early for the best selection! Credit cards, cash, and checks accepted.

Learn more about the Seaside Gardeners.