Payson Park Music Festival Celebrates Quarter Century with Battling Bands

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Photo: 2014 Battle of the Bands (Belmont Media Center screenshot)

(This article was sent as a Letter to the Editor from Tommasina Olson, the festival’s founder)

Dear editor:

This year Payson Park Music Festival celebrates 25 years of summer concert music. When we first began we were one of 2 Summer Concerts Series in all the Commonwealth, the only other in the Berkshires.

Our first concert this year is Wednesday, June 17, starting at 6:45 p.m., and is compliments of Belmont Savings Bank. Belmont Savings has assembled some great talent for this year’s “Battle of the Bands.”

The Series runs every Wednesday evening beginning approximately 6:45 p.m. although start time in August is a bit earlier in due to failing sunlight. We offer the opportunity to those Belmont children who wish to have their own lemonade to manage our Popsicle stand. And yes, there are presently 11 openings for Popsicle vendors  (See the website for information)

 We also produce four children’s concerts on Fridays at 1030 a.m. In case of rain, the Kiddie Concerts will move inside to the Library. The Kiddie Concerts are the generous gift of former Selectman Ralph Jones and his wife Sherry.

In total, the Series produces between 15 and 16 concerts each Summer.  All of this is done, without any financial burden to the town, through the kindness of Belmont neighbors and friends, local businesses, members of several Town departments.

There are several notable people who I would like to mention for their inspiration and commitment to the Payson Park Music Festival:

  • Linda Oates for beautifying the Park before we knew what we would use it for
  • Selectman Mark Paolillo for being a Board Member.
  • Dr. David Alper one of the original Supporters, an annual Sponsor,  and a committed Cheerleaded
  • Illustrator Alan Witchonke the designer of our fabulous and timeless logo
  • Attorney Stephen Rosales who put together our 501c3 application many years ago
  • Brian Saper who donated the concrete for our stage and the Highway Department for pouring the concrete.
  • Sharon Rich and Nancy Reed who served several years as volunteer fundraisers.
  • Town employees who I knew as Butler PTA parents who have given willingly of their time.
  • June Howell of the Recreation Department
  • Joe Urciolo of the Department of Public Works
  • Jimmy Salmon, recently retired from the Light Department
  • And finally, Emily and Hank Thideman who oversaw the Kiddie Popsicle Stand for many season.

A quarter century is a proud milestone for Payson Park Music Festival. We hope to see you at the Park!

Peeking Behind the Hedges: Private Gardens Opened on Club’s Tour [Video]

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Photo: A stop on the Belmont Garden Tour. 

Six private homes and a familiar location adjacent to the Belmont Public Library were highlighted on the 85th Anniversary Garden Tour hosted by the Belmont Garden Club on Saturday, June 13. 

Vehicles attempted to find parking along narrow streets on Belmont Hill as residents and garden enthusiasts descended to see what are private refuges.

Dedicated to the late Anne Allen, the club focused on homeowners “who have created beautiful garden spaces for themselves and their families to enjoy and who have generously opened these spaces for our edification and enjoyment.

Money raised by the tour will be used for community plantings, maintenance of the Woodland Garden which is located on the library’s grounds, garden therapy at Belmont Manor, college scholarships and educational offerings to the public on horticulture and floral design. 

14th Brendan’s Home Run Set to Burn Up Streets on Father’s Day

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Photo: Dads and kids at Brendan’s Home Run.

Oh, sure. You can celebrate Father’s Day the old way by having an overpriced brunch in a crowded eatery. Or you could running a quick five kilometers with the kids and help Belmont’s own Brendan Grant Foundation. 

Belmont Savings Bank, Fitness Together Belmont and the Belmont Dental Group proudly present the 14th annual running of “Brendan’s Home RunTM” 5K Race & Walk will take place on Sunday, June 21, at 10 a.m. at the Belmont High School’s Harris Field.

The walk begins at 9:30 a.m., the race at 10 a.m. with youth races for kids a few minutes after the runners leave the field. 

With its collection of really fast runners at the head of the race and a flat, easy course for the less than fast folks, the race has become a must-do event in Belmont.

Register early as the road race will be capped at 500 entrants. Entry fee for the walk or run is $22 until June 18. On-site entry Father’s Day morning is $25. There is no charge for the 400 meter youth races.

This Week: Instrument Petting Zoo Monday, Summer Reading Party Thursday

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Photo: A new sort of petting zoo.

The government side of “This Week”:

  • The Belmont Conservation Commission will introduce the final plan for intergenerational path around Clay Pit Pond on Monday, June 15, at 7 p.m. at Belmont Town Hall.
  • There will be a public meeting the Beech Street Center as a continuation of the ongoing project for the Grove Street Park Master Plan on Monday, June 15, at 7 p.m. Interested residents are invited to attend and provide feedback.
  • The Planning Board will meet on Tuesday, June 16, at 7 p.m. to discuss the next step for the Citizens Petition Zoning Amendment. 
  • The Municipal Light Board (which is the Belmont Board of Selectmen) will appoint the members of the Temporary Net Metering Working Group at the Chenery Middle School on Tuesday, June 16, at 7 p.m.

• Music & Movement with Rubi is a movement and music program for kids three to five year olds but two year olds are welcome. There will be two sessions on Monday, June 15, at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at the Belmont Public Library.

• The Elementary Schools Instrument Petting Zoo is an opportunity for elementary students to do some “hands-on” experimentation with instruments before choosing one to study in the fall. Come by on Monday, June 15, at 5 p.m. in the Chenery Middle School auditorium for a look see.

• Learn to build a robot with the Lexington High School Robotics Team as it presents “Lexrobotics” on Monday, June 15, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room. Discover the steps of how to make the next R2-D2, Wall-E, or Optimus Prime! For Grades 4 and up. No registration required.

• US Rep Katherine Clark will have office hours on Tuesday, June 16, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St.

• The Belmont Public Library’s eCamp takes place on Tuesday, June 16, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Young Adult Room. Reference Librarian Joanna Breen and Technology Librarian Ellen Girouard will teach how to access the library from wherever you find yourself this summer, talk about Zinio and hoopla, and demonstrate other ways the library connects patrons to online media, in this free-flowing demonstration plus Q&A session. Enjoy snacks, practice with your device or a library laptop, and get connected to magazines, movies, music, and more.

• The Belmont Art Association meets on Tuesday, June 16, at 7 p.m. in the Flett Room of the Belmont Public Library.

• The International Fiction Book Club will be reading “This is How You Lose Her,” by Junot Diaz Wednesday, on Wednesday, June 17, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Flett Room. Explore different cultures and read great books in our international fiction book club. Join the club on the third Wednesday of the month for fun conversation, tea and snacks. Everybody is welcome. If you have questions, or need help finding a copy of the book, contact Kylie at ksparks@minlib.net.

• The Summer Reading Open House Party happens on Thursday, June 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Young Adult Room of the Belmont Public Library. Eat snacks, check out our new books, help write and decorate shelf-talkers for your favorite books, and learn about the summer reading program. We’ll also have a raffle to win free books. Drop by anytime over the two hours. 

• A free informational talk on the new SAT will take place on Thursday, June 18, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room. This is for parents of high school students on the new SAT and how it differs from the old one.

• State Sen. Will Brownsberger is holding office hours on Friday, June 19, at 10 a.m. in the Beech Street Center. 

Belmont Yard Sales: June 13-14

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Photo: Yard sales in Belmont.

Yard sales in the “Town of Homes.” 

  • 14 Branchaud Rd., Sunday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • 236 Brighton St., Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • 60-62 Channing Rd., Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • 85 Cross St., Sunday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • 124 Dalton Rd., Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • 125 Lewis Rd., Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • 225 Orchard St., Saturday, June 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • 54 Pine St., Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • 11 Prince St., Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • 18 Skahan Rd., Sunday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • 174 Slade St., Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A Decade of Fresh Food, Belmont Farmers Market Opens Season

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Photo: Sophia Ries, 5, rings the Market Bell as the Belmont Farmers Market starts its 10th season on Thursday, June 11, 2015.

The weather in Belmont Center on Thursday, June 11 – hot, hazy sun with temperatures nearing the 90s – was more suitable for a midsummer afternoon in the tropics than your typical late spring day in New England.

But it wasn’t just mad dogs and Englishmen willing to go out in yesterday’s midday sun. Dozens of Belmont residents flocked to the Claflin Street municipal parking lot where a small encampment of vendors welcomed the opening day of the 2015 Belmont Farmers Market.

To officially mark the market’s 10th year, Heli Tomford, founding president of the Belmont Farmers Market, joined the market’s Tomato mascot – this year, it was Sophia Ries, granddaughter of one of the market manager, who showed four fingers and a thumb when asked how old she was – for the ribbon cutting and the ringing of the Market bell. 

With a “snip” of the big scissors and a wonderful fanfare by trumpeter Ned Searls, Belmont’s weekly market opened for the season that runs until the last week of October. The market is open Thursdays, rain or shine, from 2 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.

This year’s collection of vendors is a mix of the reliable favorites – such as Kimbell Fruit Farm,  Fior D’Italia and Mamadou’s Artisan Bakery – and new businesses including Fille de Ferme and Carr’s Ciderhouse, as well as Belmont-based providers such as Goodies Homemade, Leslie Wolf Baking, Seta’s Cafe, Sfolia Baking Company, Toltec Coffee and the Underwood Greenhouses. 

Each week brings a slew of new entertainment, from musicians, artists, story tellers, as well as one of the market’s favorites, the talented young magician, Ryan Landry. 

Speaking of the market’s success – with an ever growing number of vendors and customers – Tomford said a great deal has to do with “the change in our public mindset on what we eat.”

With young people and families more conscious of what they feed themselves, there is now a preference for locally grown or made produce and staples, she said. 

Tomford – who recently returned from teaching English at a Buddhist monastery in Myanmar (formerly Burma) – compares eating well to owning a high-performance vehicle. “We have this wonderful machine, your body, but you will not get the best performance if you fill the tank up with regular gas. You need to use the [premium] kind.”

Tomford noted that the market is run through the Belmont Food Collaborative, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization created to promote good health through access to fresh and local food. 

“The market is not just for the benefit of our vendors and ourselves, but to benefit the greater community,” she said, pointing to the market’s acceptance of SNAP benefits up to an extra $25 per Market day.

“Everyone should have access to good food,” said Tomford.

Belmont Farmers Market Opens for Season Thursday, June 11

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Photo: Belmont Farmers Market 

The Belmont Farmers Market celebrates the opening day of a decade in operation 

Market Day is every Thursday, from 2 p.m. to 6:30 pm, from early June to late October, rain or shine! Located in the rear parking lot behind Belmont Center on Claflin Street, the market offers a variety of organic and conventionally produced food in a range of prices. Shoppers can buy ingredients for an entire dinner at the market, from produce to meat and fish, from wine to dessert and coffee.

Opening Day Schedule and Vendor

2 p.m.: Official Ribbon Cutting and Fanfare: Heli Tomford, founder of the Belmont Farmers’ market, will cut the ribbon. The market’s Tomato Mascot will be accompanying her, along with Ned Searls and Jasper Wolf, who will play the traditional trumpet fanfare.
2:10 p.m.: Performance: Ryan Lally Magic; a perennial market favorite!
4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Storytime for preschoolers
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Art’s Specialties

This year’s regular and occasional vendors are:

  • Belmont Light Department,
  • Boston Smoked Fish Co.,
  • C & C Lobster & Fish,
  • Carlisle Honey,
  • Carr’s Ciderhouse,
  • Coastal Vineyards,
  • DC Farms Maple Syrup,
  • Dick’s Market Garden,
  • Fille de Ferme Jams,
  • Fior d’Italia Pasta,
  • Flats Mentor Farm,
  • Foxboro Cheese Co.,
  • Gaouette Farm,
  • Goodies Homemade, 
  • Hutchins Farm,
  • Kimball Fruit Farm,
  • Leslie Wolf Baking,
  • Mamadou’s Artisan Bakery,
  • Nicewicz Family Farm,
  • Seta’s Mediterranean Food,
  • Sfolia Baking Company,
  • Spindler Confections,
  • Soluna Garden Farm,
  • Stillman Quality Meats,
  • Toltec Coffee,
  • Turtle Creek Winery,
  • Underwood Greenhouses, and
  • Westport Rivers Winery.

Check the market’s website for any changes in vendors, guest vendors, and performances. All   vendors are listed along with their web sites, to find out more about them.

To sign up for the weekly e-newsletter and to stay up to date on what’s happening each week.

For more specific questions, contact: belmontfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

Food Truck and Storytime

Jamaica Mi Hungry food truck, a Market favorite, will be back for opening day. The Market will feature Storytime for preschoolers again this year, from 4:00–4:30 pm, partnering with the Belmont Public Library. Market Music will be back along with chefs’ tastings, art, and more. 

SNAP Benefits Accepted

The Market accepts SNAP benefits (food stamps) and matches up to $25 for each SNAP shopper each week, thanks to generous donations to the Market. Benefits are processed quickly and easily at the blue Market tent. You can donate to this much needed community effort at www.belmontfarmersmarket.org.

The Market also works with Food for Free, which collects unsold produce and bread from vendors that would otherwise be wasted and donates it to food pantries and shelters in the greater Boston area. In addition, the Market tent is a weekly collection point for non-perishable food for the Belmont Food Pantry; check the web site.

Belmont Garden Club Tour Set for Saturday, June 13

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Photo: On tour in Belmont.

Six residential gardens and the Woodland Public Garden will be featured in the 2015 edition of the Belmont Garden Club’s Garden Tour taking place on Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The fundraiser will showcase a few large gardens and also some small gardens, to show the creativity that can occur in less spacious areas. 

One garden will have a display of shrub covers for winter plant protection as well as information on deer-deterrent products. The Woodland garden will have a demonstration and information on composting. Another garden will host refreshments for tour attendees.

The gardens belong to club members and also Belmont residents. 

This fundraiser, held rain or shine, furthers the Club’s  scholarship and community beautification efforts.  The Club’s Community Planting committee works together with the Belmont’s Department of Public Works to maintain various sites throughout town including many traffic islands and deltas, the Town Hall, the Veteran’s War Memorial and the September  11th Memorial Garden located at the Wellington Station across from the stone railroad bridge on Concord Avenue.

Tickets are $25 in advance and may be purchased by calling Loretta at 617-484-4889. On the day of the tour, maps and tickets (at $30) will be available at the Flett Room in the Belmont Public Library, 336 Concord Ave, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Fore! PGA Tour Brings Street Closure, Parking Restrictions Beginning Tuesday

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Photo:

The Belmont Country Club is hosting the PGA TOUR Constellation Senior Players Championship beginning Tuesday, June 9.

Working with state and other municipalities, the Belmont Police Department has developed a traffic plan that will help keep traffic delays and parking issues to a minimum during the 

Road and exit closures:

The most prominent feature of the plan is that Winter Street in Belmont will be CLOSED to traffic on the following dates and times. These times are subject to change. 

  • Tuesday, June 9: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 10: 5:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, June 11: 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, June 12: 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 13: 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 14: 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

In addition, the state will close the Exit 56 ramp from Route 2 East (onto Winter Street) during the event hours.

The detour for motorists who use Exit 56 will direct them to use Exit 55 onto Pleasant Street in Lexington, so residents may anticipate that much of the traffic that usually would be on Winter Street will shift to Concord Avenue between Pleasant Street in Lexington and the intersection with Winter Street in Belmont. The reverse detour will bring motorists on Concord Avenue west to Pleasant Street in Lexington, where a right turn will bring vehicles to an entrance to Route 2 West.

Marsh Street will be closed for motorists intent on getting to Winter Street, Route 2, Lexington, or Waltham. Motorists headed for Belmont Center, Concord Avenue, or Mill Street may find it quicker to gain access via Route 60/Pleasant Street. Residents will be able to enter Marsh Street from Concord Avenue and proceed north on Marsh Street.

Robinwood Road will be posted as “do not enter” at Concord Avenue, since Robinwood Road will be used to send some event traffic away from the country club.

Residents of Hough Road and Robinwood Road will be asked to come on to Marsh Street from Concord Avenue. Hough Road residents may turn left onto Hough Road. Robinwood Road residents will turn left onto Winter Street and then turn left onto Robinwood Road.

To improve traffic flow with all of the detours, Mill Street will be diverted into a T style intersection at Concord Avenue. Motorists westbound on Concord Avenue will not be permitted to turn left onto Mill Street. Motorists driving east on Concord Avenue will be permitted to turn right onto Mill Street or continue on Concord Avenue in the normal manner.

Residents of the area:

All residents near the Winter Street Road closure will be able to get to and from their homes by motor vehicle at all times during the event. Some brief delays in doing so and parking restrictions on their streets should be anticipated.

For residents on the streets listed on the reverse, your driver’s license with the street address will be sufficient to allow you through any road closure to get to your home. In addition, for visitors you authorize, the Police Department will have a printed pass system available. To prevent improper use, there will be a limit to the number of passes each address will be permitted. This pass will not authorize on street parking. Passes for resident visitors will be available starting June 1 by visiting the police station.

Parking:

There will be temporary “no parking” restrictions on the streets listed below. Some of these parking restrictions are needed because of the detoured traffic flow. Other restrictions are intended to discourage event parking that might cause problems for emergency vehicles, add unsafe pedestrian trips to the event, and be inconvenient for residents:                                               

  • Rayburn Road                                
  • Country Club Lane
  • Dundonald Road                               
  • Grey Birch Park
  • Partridge Lane                                  
  • Greybirch Circle
  • Winter Street                                    
  • Greensbrook Way                              
  • Robinwood Road                                
  • Concord Avenue        
  • Hough Road                                      
  • Marsh Street (between Concord Avenue and Country Club Lane)

In addition, there will be no private parking available for purchase at or near the event at Belmont Country Club and no public or on street parking at or near the location. 

For more information about the event from the PGA TOUR:

http://www.pgatour.com/champions/tournaments/constellation-senior-players-championship.html 

or  cspgolf.com  or  781-205-2040

This Week: Farmers Market Reopens, Chenery Concerts, Retiring Teachers

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Photo: Belmont Farmers Market.

On the government side of “This Week”:

  • The Board of Zoning Appeals will meet on Tuesday, June 9, at 7 p.m. on the third floor of the Homer Building (in the Town Hall Complex) to take up a special permit request from Rebecca Pizzi to allow a child care business to be run out of 92 Payson Road. 
  • The School Committee will be holding a reception and ceremony for retiring staff and teacher beginning at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, June 9, at the Chenery Middle School. At the regular meeting, the committee will vote on school fees for next fiscal year and will get an update on the space situation at the six district schools. 
  • The Community Path Implementation Advisory Committee will get together on Wednesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall to discuss a future walking tour of potential pathways.

• The Benton Library, Belmont’s independent and volunteer run library at the corner of Old Middlesex and Oakley, will be holding Summer Pre-School Story Time at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9, with stories and crafts for children 3 to 5. Younger siblings may attend with adults. Parents or caregivers must be present. Registration is not required. Pre-School Story Time meets at 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Friday throughout the summer.

• Yoga for Everyone at the Beech Street Center from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., on Tuesday, June 9. Join Susan Harris, a registered yoga teacher and associate professor of Nutrition at Tufts University, for this Iyengar-inspired class which practices yoga postures slowly and with attention to alignment and safety, adapted to the abilities and needs of individual students. Practice is done with bare feet; mats and props are provided. Cost: $15/class. Non-seniors, beginners and experienced are welcome. This is a non-Council on Aging class held at the Beech Street Center. For more information, call Susan at 617-407-0816.

• The town’s new Veterans Officer, Robert Upton, will be at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St., on Thursday, June 10 from noon to 2 p.m.. Please register at the front desk.

• The Belmont Country Club hosts the PGA 2015 Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship beginning on Thursday, June 11, to Sunday, June 14. 

• Come to opening of the Belmont Farmers Market, now in its 10th season, at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 11. 

• The 7th and 8th Grade Band Concert will take place on Thursday, June 11, at 7 p.m. at the Chenery Middle School. 

• Well-loved local musician Liz Buchanan will be performs original songs and traditional favorites for kids and their parents in the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room, Friday, June 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

• The Chenery Middle School 5th Grade Band, Chorus and Orchestra will perform in concert on Friday, June 12, at 9 a.m. in the auditorium at the school. 

• The Senior Book Discussion Group will will discuss Summer by Edith Wharton on Friday, June 12, at 11 a.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St.

• The Belmont Public Library’s OTAKUrabu program offers students (7th to 12th grades) the chance to watch anime, do a craft/activity, plan for future events and nibble on some Japanese snacks (while they last – they’ll go fast) on Friday, June 12, from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Assembly Room. Provided to you for free, thanks to the Friends of the Belmont Public Library. Just drop in, no registration required.