No, you're not losing it! Patch looks different today. We did a quick visual nip-and-tuck to the homepage to make it even more user-friendly. And we've moved a couple pieces of furniture. For those keeping score:  We tweaked some words in our navigation bar to save space (e.g., "Traffic & Gas" is now "Commute")  We moved the weather icon next to the Patch branding so you can find it more quickly!  We moved, well, YOU closer to the top! (Our "shout stream" is now front and center to show all your comments off.)  And of course we prettified a few things.  While the site might look a little …

  The Boston Marathon is coming up on Monday, April 16, and Dedham Patch wants to know who in town will be running. According to the Boston Athletics Association's website, to qualify to run the Boston Marathon, entrants must run a qualifying time at a certified marathon. Qualifying times are determined by your age on the date of the Boston Marathon in which you will be participating. The race is 26 miles, 385 yards or 42.195 kilometers, and starts in Hopkinton and finishes at Copley Square in Boston. Last year, several Dedhamites raced including Anne Francis.  If you're undertaking this epic…

  The social media giant Faceboook says it is time to embrace change - again. At the end of the month, the once-optional timeline look for user profiles and pages will be the default for all - including Dedham Patch's page. This is where we are looking to you.  Do you have a great picture that represents Dedham? Maybe it's a fantastic shot on Dedham Square or a Civic Pride "Welcome to Dedham" sign. No matter what it is, if it's in Dedham, we want your submission Just upload it to the Neighborhood Gallery and before March 30, we'll select the top photo that represents Dedham the best.

  If it's been four years since you've blown out the candles, we want to help you celebrate. Finally, all those folks celebrating Leap Year birthdays can enjoy their special day this year. If you are a Dedham resident born on February 29, Dedham Patch wants to interview you! Contact Local Editor Timothy Robertson, and share your plans for celebrating on the big day this year. Patch wants to share how you celebrate and the unique ways all you Leap Day babies enjoy your birthdays. Feel free to add a comment in the comments section below, or upload a birthday photo. Happy (early) Birthday, folks!

  Patch is unveiling Best of Patch next week, which will allow readers to vote for their favorite businesses and places in Dedham. Each Monday morning, we will post an article with a poll and ask readers to take part by voting in the poll and/or posting reviews on those businesses’ directory listings on Patch. On Friday morning, we will announce the winner of the Best of contest for that week. For our first Best of Patch next week, we will ask you: Where is the best sandwich in Dedham? Check back next week and vote for your favorite sandwich place!

We're Patch, and we just want to say, "good morning!" That's what the daily Patch email newsletter is all about. Every morning, as you're rising to start your day, we send you the latest local headlines, events, blogs, photos and community tidbits — right to your inbox, free of charge. All you have to do is sign up. You won't believe how easy it is. Here's why we think you'll like it.  It's quick. Hey, we know you get a lot of email. That's why we made it easy to read. We're all about your community. With a quick scan, you'll find stories about your schools, the local police, new businesses …

Let's see how much Dedham loves the New England Patriots! We want you to upload your favorite fan photos. Whether it's in the office, your Patriots pets or your decked out car, show us how you're celebrating. Come Super Bowl Sunday, we want this page to be decked out in Dedham's Patriots pride. Upload your photo, or if you're having trouble, email dedham@patch.com and we'll get it up. And, if you are heading to the game, let us know! GO PATS!

Dedham Patch readers do a great job letting the community know about upcoming events by posting Announcements and adding Events to our calendar. However, we're lacking in one area. How did the event turn out? Did your business seminar turn heads? Was last night's charity fundraiser a smash? How much did the fundraiser bring in for the food pantry? Dedham Patch wants to empower event organizers to take pictures and write a brief recap so those who couldn't attend can get a feel for what happened in their community and entice them to stop by next time. It's easy. Simply snap a few photos from …

It's a big year, this 2012.  No, not because there is a movie spelling the world's doom, or even what's sure to be a high-intensity presidential election. It's a gigantic year because you can get involved and share all things Dedham like never before. We have certainly grown and changed since we started back in August 2010. So even if you think you know how to use Patch like a pro, here are some more tips. Here are 10 ways you can use Dedham Patch to stay informed - and more importantly, inform others. Add photos to our brand new Neighborhood Gallery. Have a great picture from a night at …

This time of year the Town of Dedham, personified, has plenty of reasons to want some presents. The eight days of Hanukkah, Christmas - and least we forget its monumental 375th birthday. We put together a few things that the town as a whole should get for presents - but have some fun and add your own. A successful new Avery Elementary School opening. Students are slated to run through the doors after April vacation for the final two months of the school year, so here's to a continued on-target opening. A $100 million gift certificate. The town's budget - when all said and done - for fiscal …

Dedham Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more in our feature called Patch Picks. With the holidays right around the corner, now's the perfect time to get started thinking about seasonal recipes - particularly those sweet treats that many enjoy around the holiday season, from pies to cakes to cookies and drinks. Whether it's a special Christmas pie or a unique Chanukah dish, we're wondering what it is you like to make the most around this time of year.  Let your fellow Dedham Patch readers know…

Each week, Dedham Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more in our feature called Patch Picks. Thanksgiving might be over, but the holidays are right around the corner. And one great way to celebrate the holidays is through a decorative floral arrangement for your home or as a gift to someone you love.  So, for this week's Patch Picks, we're wondering where you go for flowers in the Dedham area. Whether it's for that annual poinsettia display or you've got something more elaborate in mind for the…

Each week, Dedham Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more in our feature called Patch Picks. Thanksgiving is coming on Thursday, and many use the holiday to get thinking about the next round of holidays in December.  While some start thinking about their Black Friday plans, others may start looking at different spots to shop for the annual Christmas Tree.  Whether it's a small Christmas Tree farm, or a simple stand that aims to raise money for local causes, we're wondering where you like to go …

Each week, Dedham Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more in our feature called Patch Picks. Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and now's the time to start getting your meal plans in order.  But coming up with the right recipe for Thanksgiving dinner might be a challenge, and as such, we're wondering what residents and chefs in Dedham suggest for meal options. Have a special recipe for a glazed turkey? Know of a great side dish you'd like to share? Let your fellow Dedham Patch readers …

Each week, Dedham Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more in our feature called Patch Picks. It's not clear if last week's early winter snowstorm was a sign of things to come this winter in Dedham, but one thing's for sure - regardless of the impending winter climate, there are still families in need in and around Dedham.  To help, a number of local non profit groups do all they can to help those in need all year round. The winter, though, can be increasingly difficult as temperatures decrease…

Residents "sprung ahead" in March when Daylight Saving began for 2011, but now it's time to "fall back." Dedham residents should note that Daylight Saving will end as of 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6.  All clocks should be turned back an hour.  Fire officials also recommend that residents remember to change the batteries in their smoke detectors and CO2 detectors. 

Each week, Dedham Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more in our feature called Patch Picks. While it may be Halloween in Dedham, it's also the end of October. That alone means that one of the great holidays of fall is right around the corner - Thanksgiving.  The holiday falls on Nov. 24 this year, and will offer another chance for families to gather, sit down for a wide array of food and give thanks and say blessings.  But that doesn't mean everyone enjoys celebrating the holiday at home. Many…

With Halloween right around the corner, this is the time of year when everything becomes a little spookier. The early sunsets cast eerie shades and shadows on the thinning trees. The cold air begins to chill your bones at night. And all the grandiose homes of generations past seem more intimidating in the late night hours.Have you ever had a creepy experience you just couldn't explain, or hear the story of someone else who has? Do you have any haunting stories about the town of Dedham, or some of the historic landmarks therein? Here at Patch, we want to help you get into the Halloween spirit …

Fall is here and pumpkins abound! Whether you’re in the mood to decorate for the harvest or you want to carve one into a jack-o'-lantern, there are plenty of places in the area that are offering the autumn squash.  But where is the best place to go in the Dedham area? We want to hear where you go to get your pumpkins. Let us know by email or by commenting in the section below. We’ll feature the best choices in this week’s Patch Picks.

Have you ever sent a press release to the editor of Dedham Patch and wondered when it was going to post? How about sent him or her a birth announcement or perhaps an obit (which are published free on Patch sites) or school award only to wonder if it was ever going to be published? Well, Dedham Patch and all Patch sites are designed in a way that is easy for users to post their own announcement without having to wait for the editor to post it for you. It really is the best way to post your announcement or press release if you are a nonprofit agency, for profit agency, government body or other …