James Joyce Ramble

This morning my son Peter & I went to watch the James Joyce Ramble 10 K road race in Dedham, MA.  I’m not much for spectating road races in general but this perked my interest because:

1. I’ve been meaning to visit the town of Dedham for some time.
2. The website for the James Joyce Ramble said there would be performers reading from Joyce’s works along the route.
3. I just finished reading Ulysses.
4. And, most importantly, we really needed to get out of the house.

We took the bus from Forest Hills right into Dedham Square.  Soon after our arrival a parade of antique cars passed by on Washington Street, destination unknown because I never saw them again.  We had a good breakfast at the bagel shop on the corner of Washington & High.  Then the runners started coming down the street.  We followed for a bit and saw the landmarks of Dedham.  It’s really a charming town, at least the area around Dedham Square.  Down by Dedham Mall its more suburban dystopia, but I liked the old New England village feel of the town proper.

All in all it was a good event.  Peter enjoyed running around.  The performers reading Joyce in early 20th-century costumes is a nice touch, albeit they’re hard to hear.  And those bagels are really tasty, I need to go back to that shop

I don’t think the artist Joyce was much of an athlete, but it makes a good banner

A classic car passes a classic gas station-come-bike shop

Under an overpass a man reads “Finnegan’s Wake” to passing readers, a suitably surreal scene

Runners pass the Dedham Community Theatre

James Joyce was something of an odd fellow.

The golden dome of the Norfolk County Courthouse could fit in with the buildings on the Liffey

The First Church of Dedham

On a hot day runners get a free hosing from friendly Dedhamites

Dedham Public Library is an example of Romanesque architecture

Peter decides to join in the race

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Walk for Hunger 2009

It’s time again for one of my favorite events of the year, Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger. I’ll be walking with my wife Susan and son Peter.  At least one of us has participated every year since 2004.  This year will be the first time all three of us will walk together as family.  It is important to us to remember the many people who are suffering from the lack of food including families like our own with young children.

Having a child makes us realize how important good nutrition is for the development of children like Peter. With the cost of food rising, it is getting harder and harder for low-income parents to buy good food for the kids.  Hunger affects children’s physical and mental development and perpetuates the cycle of poverty.  We believe that no child or adult deserves to go hungry.

As a result of the global economic crisis more and more people are unable to make ends meet. They are forced to go without food in order to pay their rent, utility, and medical bills. The demand for emergency food has never been greater with pantries and meal programs supported by Project Bread serving 43.4 million meals last year alone.

Here are the ways you can help:

• Go to the Project Bread Walk for Hunger website and sponsor us for the Walk.  Donations in any amount small or large are welcome.  Together we can make a difference.
• If you live in the Boston area, register to walk or volunteer.  If you’re already signed up, let us know as we’d love to see you on May 3rd.
• We always welcome good thoughts, prayers, and moral support in addition to or in lieu of donations.

Project Bread helps by using the funds raised in the Walk for Hunger to support 400 emergency food programs across the state.  These include some of favorite places to volunteer like:

• Haley House which provides meals daily to homeless men and the elderly as well as a bakery training program to promote self-sufficiency for underemployed people with barriers to employment.
• Wednesday Night Supper Club where a hot and nutritious meal is served once a week to guests with respect anddignity.
• Greater Boston Food Bank where food discarded by supermarkets is salvaged for stocking food pantries.

We hope you can support our fund raising and walking efforts in any way you can.
Previously:

• Notes from the Walk for Hunger (2007)