Things to Do in Dedham

Since its inception as a nonprofit organization in 1985, Community Rowing Inc. has guided more than 15,000 students in invigorating rowing sessions held on the Charles River. Their experienced staff of Olympians and coaches helps students to become familiar with industry-standard boats and rowing machines through comprehensive introductory lessons and extended handshakes with the rowing arms. After gleaning the skills necessary to properly use equipment, students gain access to locker rooms, training areas, and any additional courses on the Charles River. The full-body, calorie-burning workouts are available throughout the week, allowing students to learn essential techniques such as sweeping, sculling, and dealing peacefully with the water road rage of aggressive gondoliers.

Head instructor Francois Asselin has guided Boston Sailing Center's neophytes to seaworthiness for more than 15 years, with his programs reaching more than 400 students annually. Mr. Asselin and his cadre of nine other sailing instructors take small groups onto the water to provide hands-on experience with the ropes, sails, steering, and maintenance of sailboats. Together, they introduce the science of seamanship or sharpen the skills of experienced sailors so they can eventually set sail on their own with a complete mastery over wind, water, and doing jumping jacks with a peg leg.

Boston Sailing Center owns an armada of vessels, which, in addition to lessons, may be rented for on-the-water events or lent out to members for regular sailing. Skippers conduct tours of Boston Harbor's skyline, stopping at scenic islands for impromptu picnics or to let parents maroon angst-ridden teenagers.

Boston Duck Tours’ conductors helm a fleet of restored World War II–era DUKWs. Originally used to usher soldiers and supplies from sea to land, the vehicles now enjoy a cheerier, award-winning career rumbling down the streets of Boston and slapping speeding tickets on mallard ducks in the Charles River. The amphibious vehicles hold up to 36 guests in their open-air back decks for 360-degree views of the cityscape.

Boston's historical skyline sets the backdrop for aquatic adventures aboard Boston Harbor Mini Speed Boats' fleet of F-13 speedboats. The two-person vessels require no boating license, letting customers steer their own way across Boston Harbor and the Charles River. Kept on-course by a team of guides piloting the lead boat, excursions speed past well-known sights such as the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Fort Independence, and the USS Constitution, whose wooden masts stretch towards the sky like a ballerina who let go of her birthday balloon.

Home of the Babson College Beavers, and thus naturally formed by a dam made from half-chewed hockey sticks, the frozen expanse of Babson Skating Center provides plenty of space for skaters to etch figure eights in its smooth, glistening surface. Professional instructors impart skills in hockey and figure-skating lessons for all experience levels and ages, and public skating or pickup hockey matches allow students to test their newfound skills. Off the ice, the onsite skate shop's staff sharpens skates and keeps mouth guards, laces, and tape on hand in case hockey coaches need to fix up their injured starting mannequin.

Local artists and spouses Denise Girardin and Steve Levinsky are the brains behind Palettes, a studio that aims to awaken the creative side of the community with painting's jubilant anthem. The couple's artistic endeavors stretch far beyond Palettes, though—Steve plumbs the depths of fire to find glass art, and Denise designs unique pottery inspired by the ocean and the seahorses that ride off into the sunset every evening. In addition, they are so involved in local affairs that Natick Center Associates selected them as the recipients of the 2012 Heart of the Community Award.

A row of easels dominates Palettes' roomy space during classes and open sessions, in which students re-create works of art while snacking on menu items such as asian-noodle salad and sweet-potato chips. Herb-, spice-, and fruit-infused potions flood the Water Bar, whose imported and house-made waters are perfect for making toasts to the art instructors for offering such helpfully Latin-free guidance. Palettes' people also teach students how to develop their taste buds during Waters of the World Club educational lectures, which lead to the studio's signature H2Ommelier certification.