Around Town

Watertown Church to Hold Service for Those Feeling Blue During the Holidays

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Watertown’s Church of the Good Shepherd will hold its annual Blue Christmas service for people who feel blue during the holidays. The Blue Christmas Service is one of hope and healing. This interfaith gathering is particularly for those who are lonely, down, or feel the weight of loss during the holiday season, according to the announcement from the church. “We welcome all people who want to stand together in honesty at a time when the culture presses us to be ‘jolly,'” the announcement said. The service is by candlelight and includes song, reflection and silence. A light reception follows.

Around Town

Watertown Resident & Cartoonist Committed to Water Safety Awareness

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When Fred Grandinetti was a young boy he was playing in his Aunt’s outdoor pool. At the bottom of the pool was a dividing line which indicated the feet of the water. Grandinetti was not paying attention and found himself going under! A neighbor saw his trouble and dived into the pool pulling him to safety. Afterward Grandinetti always wore a life jacket whether in a pool or at the beach.

Development

Controlling Residential Development Weighed Against Property Rights

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A group of residents have joined with the town to try to come up with a way to prevent Watertown’s neighborhoods from being changed drastically and overbuilt, while at the same time not creating “design police.” During last week’s “Preserving Our Neighborhoods” forum at Watertown Middle School, some in attendance wanted to look for ways to control the teardown of smaller homes and replaced with larger ones. Others did not want any new rules that limit what they can do on their property. David Gamble, a consultant hired by the town to come up with the Residential Design Guidelines – ways to control the development in residential neighborhoods. He said there must be a balance.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Interns Gain Valuable Experience

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How do high schoolers get that critical first work experience? Last summer, the Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) and the Watertown High School Guidance Department piloted an internship program for local teens. For meaningful summer work experience at a business or organization of their choice, students earned a modest stipend. The pilot was intended to cover four students, but the number of outstanding applications led WCF to increase funding and five were selected. “I learned so much from participating….

Business

Watertown Insurance Agency Hopes for Record Toys for Tots Haul

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During this holiday season, the joy of giving and receiving gifts is what drives the cheer and community of Watertown, but not everyone is so fortunate. That is why Toys for Tots was created, which has been able to distribute over 469 million toys to children thanks to the help of kindhearted people all over the country. Every year, H & K Insurance Agency, Inc., in Watertown, has participated in a local Toys for Tots drive. Last year was its best toy-raising year to date, almost doubling the previous year’s donation, and with help from the community H & K hopes to increase it yet again, H & K announced. That is where the local community comes in.

Sports

Watertown Field Hockey Blows Past Hanover to Reach State Final

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Led by two goals from senior co-captain Ally McCall, the Watertown field hockey team is headed back to Worcester for an eighth straight state final after beating Hanover Tuesday night. The Raiders (21-0) struggled to find the back of the net in the first half of the state semifinal played on a frigid night at Canton High School. Hanover came in undefeated at 19-0-3 and posed a tough opponent, said Watertown Head Coach Eileen Donahue. “This was a tough game. it was a very physical type of game,” Donahue said.

Around Town

See How to Enter Watertown’s Best Holiday Decorations Contest

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The holidays are right around the corner and lights, decorations and more have started to appear at homes around Watertown. Watertown Realtor Bob Airasian seeks the best Holiday Light and Decorations, and the winner will get a prize, and a donation to their favorite local charity. Decorate the exterior of your home in your best Holiday Cheer for the chance to win a $250 American Express Gift Card and a $250 Donation to your local charity of choice. The deadline for entry is Dec. 4, 2015. To enter: email your name, address and phone number to bob@bobairasian.com.

Around Town

UPDATED: Celebration Planned for Debut of New Multi-Fitness Trainer at Moxley Field

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Watertown will soon have a modern multi-fitness trainer at Moxley Field, and a celebration is planned for the debut, featuring area college athletes. When the new equipment is delivered, a ribbon cutting and demonstration of the new Multi Fitness Stair Trainer will be held. The equipment was purchased with funds from a federal grant the Watertown Public Schools received called the Carol White Physical Education Program Grant, or PEP Grant. The program created by the Watertown Public School using the grant is called “Wellness the Watertown Way.” Director of Wellness & Extended Services Donna Ruseckas said the equipment has a stair climbing element, so instead of having to go back down on the stairs, which reduces strain on knees and other joints, they can use a slide.