UPDATED: Teens' Favorite Summer Hangouts Turn Quiet As School Starts

West Roxbury Resident Chooses Dedham to Reveal Her Artwork

Angie Heiser, of West Roxbury, chose Mocha Java in Dedham Square to reveal her artwork. She has been taking pictures for many years, since high school to be exact, approximately 30 yrs ago, but decided to finally get serious within the last year. She says she's inspired by animals, and the art involved in composing pictures she says. Heiser says she's looking for them to be different and pleasing to the eye. What got her going though was the support from everyone. She started off just taking pictures of her children, at different activities, and caught the attention of many people, who then asked if she would photograph their children. Heiser then gave it a go for a couple of people, who loved her work, and decided to take her passion to all new heights. She was asked why she chose Dedham to display her artwork and she replied, "I like the people and the atmosphere of the cute town set up." She felt it just fit well there.

Work to Improve Pedestrian Safety in Dedham Square Continues

The DPW hasn't wasted anytime when it comes to the island construction and in Dedham square. They started early this morning digging up the road, cutting away pavement, setting planks of granite, which caused a bit of a traffic jam in the squared and around Dedham, but it is all for the greater good. Just think how much safer it will be to cross the street in Dedham Square when the island is in place. It will cause drivers to slow down and pay more attention to who is in the crosswalk; hopefully reducing the number of accidents and making residents feel safer when crossing the street.

New Look for Dedham Store

After months of waiting and curiosity, it seems as if there has been some work going on in the spot of the former District Convenience. With wet paint signs hanging in the business, people are eager to see the renovations, while others are talking about how they'll miss the former store. Heather Castle of Dedham said, "I missed how late they were open, so that I could get late night snacks." There were also a couple of lottery ticket buyers who missed the location as a different place to go and possible have some luck. All in all it is good to see they are staying in Dedham and making changes for the better.

A Sign Summer's Over: Nighttime Silence

All is quiet around Dedham, so quiet in fact that if you listen closely you would hear a pin drop. cars are being replaced with school buses and fresh smiling faces of children eager to return to class and share stories about their summer time adventures.

New freshman ready to venture into a world filled with more freedom as well as more responsibilities, and middle school students ready for their chance to break in the relatively new Dedham Middle School. 

The only thing making those children cringe is the life-altering thought of beating the sun to rise every morning and stumble around in the dark trying to get last minutebits of homework done before class. Seeing all the streets filled with children's screams and laughter will be missed, but now it is time to buckle down and get those brains stimulated - at least until 3 o'clock each day.

Monday Morning Story Time

The Blue Bunny Books and Toys Store, run by Dedham's own Reynolds family, will hold a story time today at 10:30 a.m. For all those parents looking for a way to entertain the eager minds of your preschoolers, feel free to stop in and enjoy a story, courtesy of The Blue Bunny.

This can be enjoyed every Monday, so come on out and have a great time hearing an interesting story being read. If story time is not your cup of tea, just stop in to have a look at the Peter H. Reynolds collection, with titles that include "Dot," "Judy Moody," and "Green Monster," or  just stop in for something interesting to read or play with, you're guaranteed to find something there you'll enjoy.

Late-Night Sweet Tooth

Looking for a place to get some sweets late evening? Head on over to Sugar Heaven in Dedham's Legacy Place, and sink in to a heaven on earth laced from ceiling to floor with candies as Razzles, licorice, and Mary Janes. Stop by and say hello to assitant manger Sarah Morrissey, who highly recommends her favorite candy, watermelon gummy bears; Jay Hatchett, who enjoys all candys of any shape, size or type, or Stephanie Caseus, who also just loves candy, period.

They are open Monday through Thurday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sugar Heaven has large selction of candy to choose from so chances are you will find something there to take care of that craving we all have sometime - but beware of the sugar comas. Enjoy!

If you hear or see anything you think should be in our About Town column, send Linton an e-mail by clicking "e-mail author" at the top of the page.