Skate with Watertown’s New Semi-Pro Hockey Team

Watertown will be home to one of the franchises in the new Union Hockey League (UHL), and the Boston Gold Kings invite the public to join them on the ice for a special event on Dec. 27 at 7:10 p.m.

The Gold Kings are one of 16 teams in the Union Hockey League a senior “A” semi-pro hockey league with squads in the Northeast and Midwest. They will play home games at John A. Ryan Arena in Watertown, with the first game on Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. vs. the Holyoke Papermen.

Small Saves Gets Ready for a Christmas Hockey Game

James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Freddy Farkel’s Fabric Showcase Closing After 92 Years, Holding Closeout Sale

Freddy Farkel’s Fabrics Showcase on Walnut Street will be closing. The business started in Brighton in 1927. (Photo from Fabricshowplace.net)

A Boston-area fabric institution is holding a closeout sale after losing its lease on its space on Walnut Street. Freddy Farkel’s Fabric Showcase started in Brighton, and now has its showroom in Watertown. The store opened in 1927, and has been run by four generations.

Watertown Man Pleads Guilty to African Sports Ponzi Scheme

The following information was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts:

A Watertown man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to defrauding investors who believed they were financing lucrative short-term sports ventures in Africa. Adrian Kawuba, 33, pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud. United States District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for March 14, 2024. Kawuba was arrested and charged in November 2022. Kawuba told his victims that he would invest their money in short-term financing of sports ventures in Africa and elsewhere overseas and that he would personally guarantee their investments.

See the Holiday Hours for City Hall, Senior Center, Library and DPW

Photo by Charlie BreitroseA decorated Christmas tree at the Commander’s Mansion Holiday Open House. Watertown’s City Hall and other facilities will be closing for Christmas, and hours on other days will be impacted. The City of Watertown sent out the following information:

Watertown City Hall, Senior Center, and Department of Public Works office are closing at noon on Friday, December 22 and will be closed on Christmas Day, Monday, December 25, 2023. The Library is closed on Sunday, December 24 and Monday, December 25, 2023, and open limited hours on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 from 1 to 7 PM. Please be aware that there is a one delay for trash and recycling pickup for the week due to the holiday.

Long Lost Book Returned to Watertown Library After Nearly 90 Years

This book was retuned to the to the Watertown Library after being checked out for the better part of a century. (Courtesy of the WFPL)

If you’ve been waiting for that travel guide to Italy, it’s back at the Watertown Free Public Library … after nearly 90 years! “Hill Towns of Italy,” a book by Egerton R. Williams Jr. that was first published in 1903 recently came back to the Library. It was checked out on Jan.

Holiday Road, Transit & Logan Travel Tips from MassDOT

The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is encouraging members of the public to plan for upcoming holiday travel by recognizing that traffic volumes and the number of travelers on public transportation are anticipated to be higher than normal. Motorists and public transportation customers should check websites for real-time travel information on major statewide roads, MBTA schedule information and the weather forecast before leaving home.   

The MassDOT Highway Division is taking several steps to ensure safe and efficient travel on roadways and will be shutting down scheduled construction activities from 5:00 a.m. on Friday, December 22, until 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 26, and from 5:00 a.m. on Friday, December 29, until 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2.    

In addition, the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will extend its afternoon hours by opening at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 21, and at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 22, as well as at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 28, and at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 29. The HOV lane will be closed on Monday, December 25, with deployment resuming on Tuesday, December 26, and on Monday, January 1, with deployment resuming on Tuesday, January 2.   

MassDOT will not be closing the Sumner Tunnel the weekend of December 22 or the weekend of December 29 due to anticipated high traffic volume on roadways nearby.