Around Town

Wayside Distributed Gifts to More than 50 Families in Watertown

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Some of the many gifts donated for families and children to Wayside in Watertown. The holiday season at Wayside Youth & Family Support Network was filled with generosity, community spirit, and joyful celebrations as programs across Wayside locations came together to bring warmth and support to local families and youth. As we reflect on these moments, we are reminded of the power of community to bring hope, joy, and comfort to those in need. Thank you to everyone who made this holiday season so special for the Wayside community! These efforts were made possible by the dedication of Wayside’s staff, volunteers, local businesses, faith groups, and community members.

Around Town

Mount Auburn Cemetery Seeks Applications for 2025 Artist in Residence

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The Mount Auburn Cemetery’s Artist in Residence Program is turning 10 years old, and applications are being sought for the 2025 residency. The Cemetery provided the following information:

Since 2021, we have awarded smaller one-year residencies to a cohort of local artists to work on projects at Mount Auburn. Each artist is creating works or programs unique to and inspired by Mount Auburn. Artists also have the option to use their residency as a planning grant for a larger project to be completed the following year. Learn more about our Artists-in-Residence in this recent feature from Watertown Cable Access News

Artist-in-Residence Application

Award amount: $500 – $4,000

Application due date: February 1, 2025

Notification date: March 1, 2025

Project start date: April 1, 2025

End date: March 31, 2026

Read the application for more details:

2025 Mount Auburn Cemetery Artist-in-Residence Application

Around Town

Artemis Yoga Offering Free Yoga at Upcoming Open House

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See the following announcement from Artemis Yoga:

Artemis Yoga is inviting the local community to an Open House on Saturday afternoon, January 25th from 1 to 3:15 p.m. at their east end location in Watertown. With an afternoon of FREE classes, this is a wonderful opportunity to discover Artemis Yoga, a local independent yoga center that just celebrated its 9-year anniversary, having opened its doors at 639 Mt. Auburn St. in 2015. 

Liz Padula, founder and owner, shares, “The staff and I are excited to welcome the Watertown, Belmont, Cambridge and surrounding communities to experience an afternoon of free classes. Small businesses such as ours are vital to keeping connections with the local community and the new year is a great time for local residents to check us out for the first time or to return after a hiatus.  We welcome all students – anyone can be a yogi at any age!

Schools

Watertown Students Earn College Honors at Bates, Lasell, Wisconsin, Miami U., and MassBay; One Graduate

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Dozens of Watertown students made the dean’s list and president’s list at Bates College, Lasell University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Miami University, and MassBay Community College. And a student graduated from Fort Hays State. Bates College

Lily Lambo of Watertown, Mass., was named to the dean’s list at Bates College for the fall semester ending in December 2024. This is a distinction earned by students whose grade point average is 3.92 or higher. Lambo is still considering a major at Bates.

Around Town

Get Your Questions Ready for the First Watertown Chats of the Year at the Library

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Meet Watertown’s Community Engagement Specialist to ask any questions, or raise concerns or anything else about Watertown during the first Watertown Chats of the year. See more info in the City announcement below. The first Watertown Chats of 2025 will be hosted at the Watertown Free Public Library at 123 Main Street on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m. This Watertown Chats will be held in the Lucia Mastrangelo Room on the 2nd Floor, where you will find Watertown’s Community Engagement Specialist, Tyler Cote, to ask questions, raise concerns, or chat about anything Watertown. This is also a great opportunity to visit Tyler and share any thoughts or feelings you might have about the Library’s strategic plan! No appointments are needed, and all are encouraged to stop by and chat with Tyler later this month.

Around Town

Restaurants & Businesses Invited to Join Watertown Porchfest After-Hours

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Cultural District:

Watertown Porchfest will return to porches, lawns, and driveways on Saturday, May 17, 2025, with extended hours from 12-6 p.m.! The Porchfest team invites Watertown businesses to join the fun by expanding the celebration even further for “Porchfest After-Hours” from 6-9 p.m. by hosting live music, promoting the event at their location, or supporting Porchfest in their own way. In its inaugural year, Watertown residents or organizations had over 70 locations and hosted nearly 150 performance groups, bringing in an estimated audience of 1,500 people. Registration for venues (“porches”) and performers will open in February but interested restaurants and other businesses are encouraged to start reaching out about Porchfest After-Hours.” The Porchfest team is available to assist with After-Hours program development can promote your After-Hours program. Contact Watertown Porchfest:wscd@watertown-ma.govwww.watertownporchfest.org

Business

New Chair Elected to Lead Charles River Chamber Board

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Angela Pitter

The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Regional Chamber:

The Charles River Regional Chamber’s Board of Directors has elected Angela Pitter to serve as its new board chair. Pitter is the founder and CEO of LiveWire Collaborative, a Newton-based digital marketing consultancy that has been harnessing innovative digital marketing strategies and AI to connect businesses with customers since 2012. Pitter is also no stranger to public service and community activism. For six years she was an elected member of the Newton School Committee. She is currently a council member of the Black Alumni Leadership Council at Boston University and founding member of Newton Coalition for Black Residents.

Around Town

First Creative Chats Will Feature Sculptor & Watertown’s Public Arts & Culture Planner

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Watertown resident Matt Hanna will debut a new series of in-person events called “Creative Chats” on Friday, Jan. 17 at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. His first guest will be Liz Helfer, a professional sculptor and the City’s Public Arts and Culture Planner. The event is free and refreshments will be available. See more information in the announcement below:

You’re invited to the first ever Creative Chats!