Senior Center Teams with New Veterans Services Officer to Honor Watertown Veterans

Watertown Veterans Services Officer Jay Terminiello introduced veteran and Council on Aging member Russ Arico, the featured speaker at the Senior Center’s Veterans Luncheon. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The Senior Center hosted dozens of veterans and other guests on Monday to pay tribute to Watertown’s current and former military servicemen and women the day before Veterans Day. The featured speaker at the event was a member of the Army Corps of Engineers in the Vietnam War, Russ Arico, who is currently serves on the Watertown Council on Aging. “Watertown residents have served this country from its inception, creating this country and right up until today,” said Arico. He highlighted one Watertown family, the Ovoians, who had members who landed at Normandy in World War II, two brothers who served in Vietnam, and a member of the next generation who took part in the first Gulf War.

Watertown Community Foundation Distributes $7,000 in Donations to Food Pantries

Tia Tilson, Executive Director, Watertown Community Foundation, delivers a donation check for the Watertown Food Pantry to Jenna Bancroft, Director of Human Services, City of Watertown. The Watertown Community Foundation announced the donations received in the first days of the drive to support local food pantries. The drive runs through December. See details in the announcement from the Watertown Community Foundation, below. The Watertown Community Foundation received $7,000 in donations to support both of Watertown’s food pantries to date.

LETTER: The Infractions …The Election … The Aftermath

By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

First, I’d like to thank all of the candidates for office for putting themselves out there. It’s a grueling process, and I appreciate your efforts. And congratulations to those who were elected. Let’s wish them all great success in these challenging times. Their success is our success.

Businesses Air Concerns with Mt. Auburn Street Construction; City Pledges Improved Communication

Mt. Auburn Street has been under construction this year, and it will continue for a few more. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The past several months have been tough for businesses in Coolidge Square with the road construction and utility work on Mt. Auburn Street. While the project is expected to last another three years, heavy construction is largely done until spring and City and construction officials have committed to improving communication with business owners.

SOLSTICE Returns to Mount Auburn Cemetery with New Light and Sound Installations for 2025

The chapel at Mount Auburn Cemetery was lit up for Solstice 2024. Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 edition. (Photo by Aram Boghosian)

The following announcement was provided by Mount Auburn Cemetery:

Mount Auburn Cemetery will host the fifth annual Solstice: Reflections on Winter Light from December 5–21, 2025, presented by the Friends of Mount Auburn Cemetery and created by Boston-based artist collective MASARY Studios. The outdoor evening event has become one of Greater Boston’s most distinctive seasonal experiences, featuring immersive, large-scale light and sound artworks that transform Mount Auburn’s historic landscape into a living canvas of reflection and renewal. Now in its fifth year, Solstice continues to evolve as a world-class gathering for meaning—distinct from traditional holiday events—where large-scale contemporary artworks, including four new installations for 2025, invite reflection, connection, and renewal within one of Boston’s most historic landscapes.

Detours This Week for Mt. Auburn Street Construction

During the week of Nov. 10 some areas of Mt. Auburn Street will be closed and traffic will be detoured as road reconstruction continues in East Watertown. See details provided by the City of Watertown, below. Milling

Milling (removal of the top layer of pavement) on Mount Auburn Street between Lloyd Road and Boylston Street is scheduled to continue Monday, November 10, 2025.

City’s Human Services Director Joins Marshall Home Fund Board

Jenna Bancroft

The Marshall Home Fund announced the newest addition to the Board of Directors. See more information provided by the organization, below. Please help us welcome Jenna Bancroft to our board. She is Marshall Home Fund’s new “Community Representative.” Jenna Bancroft is the City of Watertown’s first Human Services Director.