A Night for Mike April 13

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Monica

When: Saturday April 13, 7:00 pm – 12:00
Where: Nickerson Post, 20 Moon Island Road, Squantum, Massachusetts

The Struzik family of Squantum invites you to
A Night for Mike

Squantum native Mike Struzik was recently diagnosed with Stage IV Adenocarcinoma, an aggressive form of lung cancer. Before Mike’s illness he worked as an electrician for a company that claimed bankruptcy. As a result, he not only lost his job, but his health benefits as well.

Please help Mike by attending this benefit while he kicks this cancer to the curb!

This event will include a silent auction, door prizes, raffle prizes, a DJ, and a live band. To ensure everyone can attend, a shuttle service courtesy of Norfolk County Sheriff Michael Bellotti will be available to drive guests from an alternate parking lot at the Kennedy Center at 440 East Squantum Street to the Nickerson Post.

Tickets
$15 in advance, $20 at the door
A PayPal account has been set up. If you wish to contribute by credit card,
email anightformike@aol.com for details.

Donations
are also being accepted. Checks can be mailed to:
Lauren Struzik
c/o A Night for Mike
181 Essex Street
North Quincy, MA 02171

For more information
Visit the event Facebook page, or contact
Sue Struzik (Mike’s mom) suestru2@aol.com, or
Lauren Struzik (Mike’s #1 sister) lauzie17@aol.com

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.

Create a Vision for Your Life

Posted on February 23, 2013 by squantumCA2012

Please note: This workshop was postponed. Stay tuned for the new date!

[Sunday, February 24 ,2013, 11:30am - cancelled]

In this class, you will each create your own vision board.

The cost of this class is $15.00 most materials included. Materials included are poster board, glue sticks, magazines, etc. Please feel free to bring scissors, magazines and any photos that you already might have for your vision. For those who attended last year please feel free to bring your vision board and share what it has already brought into your life at this time. Light refreshments will be served.

Donna Chaput

617-875-7379

http://awakeningspirityoga.com

What we think, we become.

All that we are arises with our thoughts.

With our thoughts, we make the world.

”Buddha”

College scholarship opportunities, deadline March 1

Posted on February 21, 2013 by squantumCA2012

Looking for some green for your college tuition? Let the Seaside Gardeners of Squantum hook you up! Apply for two scholarship programs available from the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. Act quickly!
Deadline for applications is March 1, 2013.

1. Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts Scholarships

Students from Quincy and other Massachusetts communities can look to GCFM for a helping hand with tuition. In 2012, GCFM awarded eleven $1,000 scholarships, and two Massachusetts students sponsored by the GCFM also received NGC scholarships.

The GCFM is currently accepting scholarship applications for 11 different scholarships.

The deadline for submitting applications is March 1, 2013.
Applications, financial aid forms and scholarship descriptions can be downloaded from the GCFM website.

To be eligible, applicants must:

be high school seniors, college students, or graduate students,
be majoring in agronomy, biology, botany, city planning, conservation, environmental studies, floriculture, forestry, horticulture, land management, landscape design, and allied subjects,
be residents of Massachusetts,
have a minimum grade average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale),
exhibit good character, and
demonstrate financial need.
Three of the scholarships require that the student attend the University of Massachusetts, while the rest are unrestricted.

2. National Garden Club Scholarships
Every year National Garden Clubs awards additional scholarships of $3,500 each.
Students wishing to apply for NGC scholarships should also apply for the GCFM scholarships.

The deadline for submitting NGC applications is also March 1, 2013.
For scholarship details, eligibility requirements, and links to applications,
visit the NGC website.

To be eligible, applicants must:

be Massachusetts college juniors, seniors, and masters graduate students who are sponsored by GCFM,
have at least a 3.25 GPA (on a 4.0-point scale),
and be majoring in agriculture education, agronomy, botany, biology, city (rural and urban) planning, economics, environmental conservation, floriculture, forestry, horticulture, land management, landscape design, plant pathology/science, wildlife science, and/or other related or allied subjects.

For further inquiries, please contact the GCFM Scholarship Secretary Kathie Jones by email at gcfmscholarship@aol.com or call 413-458-2886.

About the GCFM
The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, which operates under the auspices of National Garden Clubs, Inc., is a service organization made up of 190 clubs throughout the Commonwealth, with a membership of 12,000 dedicated to education in, and appreciation of, horticulture, landscape and floral design, gardening, and environmental concerns. In many, if not most, communities, garden clubs are the principal force behind beautifying and improving public spaces and decorating public buildings for the holidays and summertime.

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.

February Happenings at Awakening Spirit Yoga

Posted on January 30, 2013 by squantumCA2012

Namaste’ to all.

With the holidays now behind us, and as we move into the heart of winter, what a wonderful time to join a yoga class or begin to create a vision for your life. Unwind and restore from your work week in a Yoga Nidra class with an hour of peace, or create a vision for your life through pictures and words in the Vision Board Workshop.

Yoga Nidra (yoga sleep)
A wonderful way to end the work week and begin your weekend by allowing your body to totally restore, revitalize, and relax.
Friday evenings
February 8 – March 1
6:30 – 7:45pm
4 Weeks Special $60.00

Create a Vision for Your Life
Create a vision board to help you manifest direction and purpose in your life.
Sunday, February 24, 2013, 11:30am
$15.00 (includes materials needed to create your dreams)

Visit Awakening Spirit Yoga’s website for more information on these upcoming classes and workshop. Visit the What’s New page and the Vision Board Workshop page.

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.