Dot Day season kicks off: With chili cook-off, and meatloaf dinner

The Ashmont Grill booth at Sunday’s Dot Day Chili Cook-off was built and painted in cooperation with DotArt. Pictured from left: Millie Rooney, Chris Douglass and Nuno Alves.	Photo by Ed GearyThe Ashmont Grill booth at Sunday’s Dot Day Chili Cook-off was built and painted in cooperation with DotArt. Pictured from left: Millie Rooney, Chris Douglass and Nuno Alves. Photo by Ed Geary

The year’s celebration of Dorchester Days got underway in the past week, with two festive events to mark the occasion.

Last Thursday night, March 21 organizers gathered at First Parish Church on Meetinghouse Hill for a traditional meatloaf dinner, prepared by the chefs at Gerard’s Adams Corner restaurant. The catered “Kick-Off’ meal has been served by Gerard Adomunes and his staff in the early spring every year for more than two decades.

The event finds roots in the gastronomical choice of the late John Harold, who helped found the modern era of the Dorchester Day celebrations, and served as parade chief marshal a half century ago. The evening was hosted by Dot Day parade president Marty Hogan, vice president Joe Zinck and parade adjutant Ed Geary, Jr.

On Sunday afternoon, March 24 several hundred came together at IBEW Hall in Clam Point for the seventh annual Dorchester Chili Cook-off, an event organized by members of the Ashmont Adams civic association and its president, Pat O’Neill. Featured were a variety of chili, deserts and other treats prepared by local restaurants and sponsored by a variety of local groups and politicians. All proceeds from both the events benefit the 2013 Dorchester Day parade.

The day’s top award— the People’s Choice Award— went to the chili entry from the McCormack Civic Association and the Eastman-Elder Civic Association.

The calendar for the Dorchester Day events includes:
• April 19- $10,000 drawing Cocktails and Cash Golden Gala, Florian Hall, 55 Hallet St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.,

drawing begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $100 each and includes admission for two, and one entry in the drawing ; $25 (each) for general admission without entry into the drawing.  For additional information or to purchase tickets, contact the parade committee at 857-756-3675 or Jill Baker at 617-905-1102.

• May 11- Little Miss & Young Miss Dorchester Contests, First Parish Church, 10 Parish Street, Meetinghouse Hill
2 p.m. Little Miss Contestants must be 7-8-9 years old on the day of the contest and Young Miss Contestants must be 10-11-12 years old on the day of the contest. Appliatiion forms at the website, For additional information on either contest, please contact Annissa George at (617) 474-0797 or email littlemiss@dotdayparade.com.

• May 31- Chief Marshal’s Dinner, Florian Hall, Cocktails at 6:00 p.m., Dinner served at 7:00 p.m.

An evening to celebrate the 2013 Chief Marshal of the Dorchester Armory and honoring 2013 Mayor of Dorchester. To purchase tickets please call the Parade Committee at (857) 756-3675. Tickets not available at the door.

• May 31- The winners of the annual Dorchester Day Essay competition will be introduced at the Chief Marshal’s banquet. The contest is open to Dorchester students in grades 6 through 8; completed entrees must be postmarked by May 20, Applications are available now at the parade website. Also, winners of the Dorchester Day art competition will be introduced at the banquet. More details on the art contest to be announced online.

June 2- Pre-Parade Mass, St. Gregory’s Church, Lower Mills, 9 a.m. June 2- Project D.E.E.P. & Blarney Stone 5K Road Race- Starts at the Blarney Stone Restaurant, Fields Corner
Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. with a race start-time at 12:15 p.m. The 5K road race from Fields Corner to Lower Mills and back. It is sponsored by the Blarney Stone and proceeds to benefit Project DEEP and other organizations. For race info contact Project D.E.E.P. at 617-635-5027 or visit projectdeep.org. Entry fees are $20 for registering before the race and $25 day of race.

June 2- Dorchester Day Parade, 1 p.m. The annual parade travels along Dorchester Avenue beginning at Lower Mills and ends at Columbia Road in Savin Hill.

Members of the 2013 Parade Board include President Marty Hogan, Vice President Joe Zinck, Parade Adjutant: Ed Geary, Jr., Secretary Mary DeMarino, Treasurer Chris Isabelle-Hogan, Webmaster Ed Geary, Jr., Historians: George Hacunda & Dick Bennett, Judge Advocate: Karen MacNutt. At-Large Member: Joe Chaisson

Parade Committee members include: Jill Cahill Baker, Christine Hogan, Ruth Brown, Kelly Butts, Caroline Cahill Delano, Kim Kostka Delano, Jean Cahill Donovan, Sally Cahill, Annissa George, Marie Marshall, Binh Nguyen, Pat O’ Brien, Ed Pimental, Allyson Quinn,Peter Sasso, Pam Smith, Barbra Trybe and Lisa Zinck.

For up to date information, visit dotdayparade.com, or facebook.com/dotdayparade.


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