Around Town

Piece of Watertown History Highlighted in New York Times

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The head of Watertown’s Boston Post cane which says, “Presented by The Boston Post to the OLDEST CITIZEN of Watertown” (Photo courtesy of Joyce Kelly)

Beginning in the first decade of the 20th century, hundreds of communities around New England handed out canes to the oldest resident, including Watertown. For many year Watertown’s cane was missing, but it was recovered in 2009. So who has the cane now — no body. A story about the canes, first handed out in 1909 by the Boston Post newspaper, recently appeared in the New York Times. The authors interviewed Charles Morash, who helped recover Watertown’s cane in 2009.

Business

Charles River Chamber Hosting Winter Celebration at New Biotech Building

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Elkus Manfredi ArchitectsA view of the proposed life science building at 66 Galen Street viewed from Galen Street. The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Regional Chamber:

Our annual Winter Celebration is a can’t-miss opportunity to connect with business, nonprofit and civic leaders, celebrate our community and support the work of the chamber in a festive atmosphere and fantastic venue. This year, we’ll enjoy a sneak-peak at the just-completed 66 Galen Street, the stunning new Elkus Manfredi Architects-designed life science campus in the heart of Watertown Square. Mingle with old friends, make lots of new connections, nosh on food and drink from Baker’s Best Catering, enjoy live piano music from Perkins’ grad Matteo Fasso and explore the state-of-the art new life sciences hub, led by our hosts Boston Development Group and The Davis Companies. Free, covered parking in garage.

Entertainment

Dozens of Cultural Programs Get Grants from Watertown Cultural Council

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The Massachusetts Cultural Council and Lois Pond, chair of the Watertown Cultural Council, have announced the award of 35 grants totaling $16,430, for cultural programs in Watertown. Grant recipients include Edible Watertown, Watertown Arts Market, Watertown Indigenous History Tour, and Live Music at the Watertown Farmers Market. A complete list of recipients can be seen below. The Watertown Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils (LCCs) serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences, and humanities every year.

Around Town

LETTER: Walker Pond is an Opportunity to Embrace Nature

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Photo by Leo MartinWalker’s Pond, on the Westside of Watertown. By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Thoughts on Walker Pond

“So ring the bells that still can ringForget your perfect offeringThere is a crack in everythingThat’s how the light gets in.”

— Leonard Cohen

I was reminded of this Leonard Cohen song while watching the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) meeting on January 18th. One of the projects being discussed was Walker Pond, a property that Watertown purchased for over $11 million as a sort of “Jewel in the Crown” for Watertown, a rare place where families could sit, experience nature, picnic, fly kites, play informal soccer games, and get to know more about each other and the nature that surrounds them. Lots of my life experiences came to mind…

“Look, Linda, a rabbit. It must have escaped from the Nature Lodge,” said a little girl while we, me a camp counselor and she a child from a very rich NYC family, stood on the porch of our cottage on a dewey early morning at a camp in Connecticut.

Schools

Rockland Trust Offering Renewable Scholarships

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The following announcement was provided by Rockland Trust:

Rockland Trust is pleased to announce the launch of its 20th Annual Scholarship Program, which is open to students who are enrolling in a part-time or full-time post-secondary studies for the first time at an accredited two or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year (2024-2025). Rockland Trust will award up to 16 $3,000 renewable scholarships this year. Applications are available online at RocklandTrust.com/Scholarship. “For two decades, our scholarship program has enabled hundreds of local students to advance their journey through post-secondary education,” said Andrea Borowiecki, Vice President of Charitable Giving & Community Engagement. “Each year, we’re inspired by the ambition and talent of the students as they work toward their goals, ultimately bettering our communities.”

Applications will be considered based on financial need, academic performance, and unusual personal or family circumstances. Applicants must reside in a county Rockland Trust serves. To learn more about guidelines, eligibility criteria, and access the application, please visit RocklandTrust.com/Scholarship.

Around Town

Small Saves Meets the New Goalie in Town in This Week’s Comic

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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.”

Around Town

Library Chooses Best Selling Author’s Title for One Book, One Watertown

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

This year, the Watertown Free Public Library’s One Book, One Watertown selection invites us to consider what happens when we reject hostility and dread to embrace compassion and curiosity. Our Missing Hearts by bestselling author Celeste Ng is a poignant tale of family survival, and a powerful refusal to abandon hope. All community members are invited to check out the book from the Library, and join in themed programs during the month of March. This year’s community read will culminate in “An Evening with Celeste Ng” on Thursday, March 21 at the Watertown Free Public Library, free to all. Registration begins on March 1st. Our Missing Hearts can be reserved in the Library catalog at watertownlib.org.