Around Town

Presentation About Jordan Marsh Hosted by Historical Society of Watertown

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The following announcement was provided by the Historical Society of Watertown:

The Historical Society of Watertown & The Watertown Free Public Library Present: “Jordan Marsh: New England’s Largest Store,” a slide show and talk by Anthony Sammarco on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 2 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library – Watertown Savings Bank Room, 123 Main St., Watertown, MA 02472. Come join us as Anthony Sammarco reveals the fascinating history of Boston’s beloved Jordan Marsh. Jordan Marsh opened its first store in 1851 on Milk Street in Boston selling assorted dry goods. Do you remember the blueberry muffins and the Enchanted Village? Referred to as the “Balzac of Boston History” by the Boston Globe, Anthony Mitchell Sammarco is a noted historian and author of over seventy books on the history and development of Boston, and he lectures widely on the history and development of his native city.

Around Town

Families Invited to Easter Egg Hunt at Watertown Church

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Watertown’s Grace Chapel, 525 Main St., announced it will host an Easter Egg Hunt for kids of all ages on Saturday, March 23 at 2 p.m.

Grace Chapel sent out the following information:

Hop on over to Grace Chapel Watertown’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt! Kids of all ages are invited to hunt for eggs, jump in a bounce house, get their faces painted, and make spring crafts. Capture some cute photos at our photo booth area, and meet and mingle with other families in the community while your kids are entertained. This fun family event is free and open to the public, but don’t forget to register! 

See you and your egg-cited little ones on March 23! Click here to register

Rain date is Saturday, March 30.

Around Town

Series on Food Insecurity in Watertown Debuts on WCA-TV

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Jan Singer, left, the former Executive Director of the Watertown Community Foundation, discussed how the Foundation responded to food insecurity during the Pandemic with journalists Maya Shwayder and Charlie Breitrose. (Photo by Dan Hogan / WCA-TV)

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Cable Access Television:

In cooperation with the Watertown News and thanks to a generous grant from the Watertown Community Foundation, Watertown Cable News is producing a series of videos chronicling issues of hunger and food insecurity in the community. In part 1 of the series, we talk to a number of different stakeholders in the community from the Food Pantry, Famers’ Market, Wayside, and Community Foundation to find out how many people are struggling and where the gaps in service lie. Accompanying this series are articles written by WCN news anchor and local journalist Maya Shwayder as well as Watertown News Editor Charlie Breitrose. Read the Articles

Part 1: Watertown’s Hidden Problem: Food Insecurity Among Us

Part 2: Hunger Hits Home: A Watertown Teenager’s Struggle to Feed Herself

Part 3: Hunger in Watertown: Task Force Tackles Social Needs, Tries to Fills Gaps Left by State, Local Programs

Part 4: Through Pandemics & Collapsed Ceilings, the Watertown Food Pantry Stays Open

Part 5: Filling the Watertown’s Free Fridge is a Community Effort

Part 6: Food Insecurity in Watertown: Hunger is a Multi-Faceted Problem — It Won’t Magically Go Away

Roundtable Discussion

On February 12th, WCN and the Watertown News produced a live roundtable discussion at the Mosesian Center for the Arts to hear from representatives from the city, Food Pantry, Watertown Housing Authority, and Wayside to dive further into these issues.

Government

OP-ED: Council Public Forum — 60 Seconds or Not?

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By Clyde YoungerFormer Watertown Council President

On Tuesday, March 5, 2024 I attended the meeting of the Sub-Committee on Rules and Ordinances in support of a petition signed by over 200 residents. Those signing the petition were requesting consideration of adding One (1) additional minute on the two (2) Public Forums in order to allow a resident additional time, if required, to complete their plea. As an alumnus of the Watertown Council, I was dumbfounded to hear some of the discussion with one of the Councilors saying we give them four minutes when other communities give none. We do not give the people time; they give us the opportunity to represent them. Every Councilor I served with understood this.

Entertainment

Singers from American Idol & Britain’s Got Talent Performing in Watertown

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The following announcement was provided by ON3 Events:

Prepare for an unforgettable musical experience as Jack and Tim, the dynamic duo from Britain’s Got Talent, are set to grace the stage alongside the sensational Casey Bishop from Season 19 of American Idol. The Boston area is in for a treat as these extraordinary artists come together for two exclusive performances. Watertown Show Details:

Date: April 25, 2025Venue: The Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the ArtsAddress: 321 Arsenal St, WatertownTime: 8 PMSpecial Guest: Casey BishopSpecial Local Guest: TBA

Ashland Show Details:

Date: April 26, 2025Venue: Marconi’s Co Event Center / Ashland VFWAddress: 311 Pleasant Street, AshlandTime: 8 PM Special Guest: Casey BishopSpecial Local Guest: Steve & Mike Spector

Both shows promise an evening filled with outstanding performances and surprises that will leave the audience in awe. In addition to the incredible talent of Jack, Tim, Casey Bishop, and local guests, the shows will contribute to the support of performing arts programs at the respective venues. Ticket Information:

Tickets can be purchased at www.jackandtimmusic.com or www.on3events.com

Benefiting the Arts:

Proceeds from these shows will directly benefit the performing arts programs at The Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown and the Ashland Community Theatre Program.

Schools

Watertown Rotary Club Offering Scholarships, See How to Apply

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The following information was provided by the Rotary Club of Watertown:

All residents of Watertown who are high school seniors and applying to college are eligible for Watertown Rotary Scholarships. The amount of each award and the number of scholarships granted are determined on a yearly basis. 

All eligible residents must submit completed applications, postmarked no later than April 12, 2024 to:

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEEROTARY CLUB OF WATERTOWNc/o Anthony Donato42 Arden RoadWATERTOWN, MA 02472

The form must be completed in full and accompanied by a transcript and letter of recommendation to be considered a valid application. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. All information supplied on this form will be kept strictly confidential. Only one application need be submitted to be eligible for consideration for all scholarships available through the Rotary Club of Watertown.

Around Town

Documentary Film on Plastics to be Screened at Watertown Church

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The following announcement was provided by Beyond Plastics Greater Boston:

First Parish Watertown in collaboration with Beyond Plastics Greater Boston and Oceana will host a free film screening of Rory Fielding’s documentary “We’re All Plastic People Now” on Tuesday, March 19th at 7:00 PM at First Parish Watertown, 35 Church St., Watertown. 

The film addresses the global plastic pollution crisis and features Oceana’s Plastics Campaign Director Christy Leavitt and Oceana board member Ted Danson. It also shows the chilling reality of how pervasive plastic pollution is in our lives. Plastic is everywhere from the air we breathe to the water we drink. 

Solving the plastic pollution crisis requires that we curb single-use plastic production and cut off the problem at the source. Reuse and refill systems can move us away from throwaway plastics. The future can include less plastic if we turn off the tap and invest in non-toxic reuse together.

Around Town

Summer Garden Internships Available for Middle & High School Students

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The Public Arts & Culture Committee is pleased to announce the launch the second year of the Summer Garden Internship in partnership with Watertown School Gardens and the Watertown Community Gardens, part of the Edible Watertown project. 

This opportunity is for students entering grades 6-12, enrolled in middle or high school. Required 50 hours between July 8 – August 16, 2024. Summer Garden Interns will take care of the Watertown school gardens. Practical hours in the garden will be supplemented with educational outings to other garden sites as well as sessions with local experts on garden ecology. This is a great opportunity for anyone with a love of the outdoors and a passion for nature.