Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/page/2/)
Watertown Recreation Department’s Winter 2026 Programs are here! See details from the Recreation Department, below. Join us for the start of the new year with a full slate of youth and adult programming! Please see below: a snapshot of programs that are happening this winter. Here are some programs you might be interested in this winter!
Dave MartinA view down the Charles River from the Bridge on North Beacon Street. The City Council sent a letter to the MWRA opposing allowing sewage overflow from being released into the Charles River and returning to the days when the river was a “dumping ground for sewage.” The Council voted unanimously to support the letter at the Dec. 9 meeting. City Council President Mark Sideris said Watertown has invested in cleaning up the river.
The American Red Cross and the Watertown Ancient Order of Hibernians will hold the final blood drive of the year at Hibernian Hall on Dec. 27. The event is also a food drive for the Watertown Catholic Collaborative Food Pantry. So far in 2025, the Hibernians have collected 86 pints, helping patients in our community and beyond. The final blood drive of the year on Friday, Dec.
Rabbi Dovid Zaltzman lights a candle on the ice menorah during the fourth annual Chanukah Celebration at Arsenal Yards. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
The flames of the candles on the big outdoor menorah shone through the dark and frigid night during Monday’s Chabad Watertown’s fourth annual Chanukah Celebration at Arsenal Yards. Dozens braved the 20 degree weather to enjoy some hot chocolate and doughnuts, catch gelt dropped from a Watertown Fire truck’s ladder, and watch a man twirl flaming sticks, eat fire, and blow fireballs. The fire dancer shoots a fireball during the Chanukah Celebration at Arsenal Yards. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Held on the second night of Chanukah, Chabad Watertown invited City Manager George Proakis, along with Watertown Police Chief Justin Hanrahan and Captain Dan Unsworth to light the service candle, in the middle of the ice menorah.
The following announcement was provided by Housing for All Watertown:
Housing for All Watertown will host its third annual Happy HAW-lidays Cookie Exchange on Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 5-7 p.m. in the Social Hall of First Parish of Watertown, located at 35 Church Street. The event is open to the public and welcomes community members of all ages! The cookie exchange offers a relaxed, festive opportunity for Watertown residents to connect with one another, enjoy the holiday season, and share homemade treats. Attendees are invited to bring cookies to exchange, though participation is welcome whether or not guests bring baked goods.
Nikola Atanasov
Nikola Atanasov, age 77, passed away at Massachusetts General Hospital on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. He was the beloved husband of Dragica “Carol” (Lesar) Atanasov, with whom he had shared over 52 wonderful years of marriage. Born in Nov Dojran, Macedonia on February 24, 1948, he was one of eight children to the late George and Magda (Deleva) Atanasov. Nick spent his younger years growing up in Macedonia, and in 1973 he moved to America, but not before he met the love of his life, Carol. The two met when they were both working in Germany, and it didn’t take much time at all for them to fall in love and decide to start building a life together. The first of their two children was born abroad, and when they had everything ready in the states the whole family settled down in Boston. Nick worked at a breakfast and lunch spot in Boston for many years while at the same time working alongside a master plumber in the area. He learned the tricks of the trade and harnessed his skills, and after several years of training branched off and started his own plumbing business. He owned his business, Nick and Sons Plumbing and Heating for over 40 years, and ran it with a tremendous amount of heart. Nick was deeply compassionate and humble, and always felt for his clients who needed his services during difficult times. He was the type of person who would do some work without pay, strictly in the hopes of being able to help someone who might need it.
Nick’s dedication to his business and work life paled in comparison to his dedication to his family. As a husband, father, and later grandfather, he was truly one of the best. Raising his sons alongside his loving wife was the greatest time of his life, until his grandchildren came along. From the moment they were born, Nick’s entire world changed, and there was no length he wouldn’t go for them.
Expect lane shifts and parking restrictions along the stretches of Mt. Auburn Street this week as construction crews work on drainage installation dig test pits. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Drainage Installation
Crews will perform drainage installation on Mount Auburn Street between Langdon Avenue and Winthrop Street. Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts
During this work, you can expect temporary lane shifts and possibly lane closures, but one travel lane in each direction will be maintained on Mount Auburn Street.
Arsenal Yards is partnering with Chabad Watertown to put on the fourth annual Chanukah Celebration on Monday, Dec. 15. See details in the announcement from Arsenal Yards. In partnership with Chabad Watertown, please join us for our fourth annual public menorah lighting ceremony and celebration! Featuring a live fire dance performance, crafts, a menorah lighting ceremony, live music, complimentary treats, an interactive light display from Brighter Ignited and more!