Around Town

Colorful New Benches Popping Up Around Watertown are Made from Recycled Bottle Caps

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One of the benches around Watertown made from recycled plastic bottle caps. (Courtesy of City of Watertown)

Scattered across different parts of Watertown are colorful benches with a surprising element to them, they are made out of recycled plastic bottle caps. The Watertown Department of Public Works (DPW) has been working with Plastic Recycled for over a year when they started making eco bricks. “They were making eco bricks which are the things where you stuff lots of non-recyclable single use plastic into a bottle and they use it for construction,” said Recycling Coordinator, Anya Pforzheimer. The company had asked the DPW if it could be a drop off center for the plastic.

Around Town

Watertown Resident Hopes to Get A Second Wish to Visit Disney

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Watertown’s Brian Manning hopes to get A Second Wish. When Watertown resident Brian Manning first went to Disney World he faced a seizure that left him hospitalized. Years later he is hoping to make his return with help from the organization A Second Wish By Demetrius. A Second Wish By Demetrius is dedicated to impacting the lives of children ages 6 to 18 with life threatening illnesses by helping them grant a wish of their choices. Previous wishes granted have ranged from traveling to Disney World to meeting various professional athletes and celebrities.

Around Town

Watertown’s First Multicultural Fest Celebrates Arts, Games & More

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Photo by Brianna WilliamsSaltonstall Park filled with activity during Watertown’s first Multicultural Fest. Live dancing, soccer, artwork and more filled Saltonstall Park with activity on Aug. 3 for the first annual Multicultural Fest held by the New Repertory Theatre and Watertown Public Library. The idea to hold the festival came from Noche De Dominó which is a monthly game of dominoes held in the library. During that night many people from all different cultures get to interact and learn about each other’s backgrounds.

Around Town

Watertown Rotary Club’s Traffic Circle Cleanup One of Many Events This Year

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Members of the Rotary Club of Watertown weeded and cleaned up the island in the rotary at Orchard and Common streets. (Photo by Brianna Williams)

The island in the middle of the rotary connecting Common and Orchard street is filled with all kinds of greenery for the public to admire. On July 20, the Rotary Club of Watertown spent their day gardening the rotary so the city can add some colorful plants to it in the near future. The weeding and cleaning of the island through the City of Watertown’s Adopt-an-Island program is one the many events Watertown’s Rotary Club holds each year. The Rotary Club adopted the island to help keep up with the appearance and cleanliness of the area that hundreds of motorists pass by each day.

Around Town

Watertown Resident Who Beat Cancer Taking on Pan Mass Challenge

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Cancer survivor Julie Santaniello will ride the Pan Mass Challenge for the first time this year. She joined other PMC riders at Fenway Park recently. (Courtesy of Julie Santaniello). When Julie Santaniello was officially diagnosed with a desmoid tumor in 2017 the Pan Mass Challenge seemed like something far away. Now, years after her last active treatment Santaniello knew it was the right time to conquer the ride.

Around Town

Trustees Narrowing List of Candidates for Next Library Director, Planning Interviews

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Watertown LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. When thinking about what would make a great library director for Watertown, being involved in the community is one of the most valuable aspects, says Chair of the Board of Library Trustees, Leanne Hammonds. “We’re looking for someone that is comfortable being sort of the face of the Library in the community trying to get out to different community members that maybe don’t use the library as much … we’d like the library director to be known in the community,” said Hammonds. The Board of Trustees has been working to find a new library director since the spring when they found out their current director, Caitlin Browne, was resigning. The process to hire a new director consists of two members of the Board of Trustees to review resumes, cover letters and interview the candidates.

Sports

Young Softball Players Worked to Put Together Undefeated Regular Season

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The Watertown Youth Softball Under 12 team made a leap ahead this season, finishing the regular season undefeated. (Photo courtesy of Watertown Youth Softball)

When the Watertown Youth Girls Softball Under 12 team entered their new division last spring the season was all about learning the game and trying out positions. For this past season, the girls had come into their own and really took on a different kind of mentality, said coach Nicole Keuchkarian. “I saw the girls before my eyes unite as a team. And everyone sacrificed their own wants for what was best for the team.

Around Town

Farmers Market Season Officially Opened for the 10th Year This Week

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseCustomers browse vendor’s stands on the first day of the Watertown Farmers Market. From fish products to fresh strawberries to homemade honey, various vendors scattered across Saltonstall Park for Watertown’s 10th annual Farmers’ Market. The Watertown Farmers’ Market had its opening day on June 14. The market opened with a bell ringing performed by City Manager George Proakis, someone who looks forward to having the market every year. “It’s just become a real important part of our community and we love running it and it’s good to have it back.