Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/author/guest-writer/page/174/)
Watertown’s St. James Armenian Church’s Armenian Festival will take place on Sunday, June 9 from noon to 5 p.m.
The St. James festival page included the following information:
Join Us on the St. James Grounds! Rain or shine!
Watertown School Committee member Rachel Kay announced she will be available to meet with the public during office hours on Friday, June 7 from 4-5 p.m. She also moved the location of the office hours, see info below. A quick update on Friday’s office hour. I discovered that Filippello Park’s Splash Pad is re-opening at the same time! Thus I’m moving my office hour this week to the picnic tables near the spray park. Look for me sitting with a clipboard (and hopefully enjoying some Ben and Jerry’s!).
Valyn Lyric Turner gives her acceptance speech after winning the Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Small Theater for her role in “A Raisin in the Sun.” (Photo by Nile Scott Studios)
Watertown-based New Repertory Theatre closed its doors in 2023, but the company’s final season earned accolades at the recent Elliot Norton Awards in Boston. The following announcement was provided by Maria Hendricks, one of the former Resident Artists/Co-Artistic Directors at New Rep.
New Repertory Theatre’s final season went out with a bang as its productions were celebrated at the esteemed 41st Annual Elliot Norton Awards, held at The Huntington Theater on May 20. As one of the Greater Boston area’s premiere mid-sized regional theater companies for 40 years, it was especially gratifying for the company to receive such meaningful recognition as it ended its run. New Rep received 7 Nominations:
• Outstanding Production, Small Theater – A Raisin in the Sun
• Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play, Small Theater – Damon Singletary – A Raisin in the Sun
• Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play, Small Theater – Valyn Lyric Turner – A Raisin in the Sun
• Outstanding Director, Small Theater – Lois Roach – A Raisin in the Sun
• Outstanding Director, Small Theater – Pascale Florestal – Diaspora!
Author Jamal Saeed shared his story in an event hosted by the Watertown Refugee Support Group (Contributed Photo)
The following piece was provided by the Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group:
On Tuesday, May 28 at the Watertown Free Public Library, audiences were treated to an inspiring evening with Syrian writer, editor, artist, activist and humanitarian, Jamal Saeed. Saeed spoke about his published memoir, “My Road From Damascus,” which describes fond memories of growing up in Syria, alternating with descriptions of the unimaginable pain he suffered during 12 years of torture in Syrian prisons under the Assad regime. In 2013 he fled with his wife and two sons first to Dubai, and then emigrated to Canada in 2016, where they were embraced and supported by a Canadian writers organization. They are now permanent residents of Kingston, Ontario. Rufaida al Khabbaz reads excerpts from her husband’s memoir.
The City of Watertown announced the start of the 311 Service Center, see the announcement below. We are happy to announce that today, Monday June 3, 2024, the City of Watertown’s 311 Service Center is officially open. By dialing 311, you’ll be able to reach a live representative who can answer informational questions, process non-emergency requests, or direct you to the appropriate department. The service center aims to enhance the quality of customer service provided by the City and will adhere to the highest standards. We are excited about the launch and the benefits it will bring to our community.
The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Watershed Association:
Join Charles River Watershed Association for the 2024 Watertown Dam Herring Festival! Come and celebrate the annual migration of Alewife, Blueback Herring, and American Shad from the ocean into the Charles River. This exciting event will feature live music, community art activities, an Indigenous performance, and engaging activities suitable for all ages. We hope to see you there! RSVP HERE
Join guided walks around the Watertown Dam and explore several booths, including a fishing demonstration by Trout Unlimited, a River of Dreams fish trivia booth, and an art build led by local artist Kari Percival.
The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
Join the City of Watertown for the Grand Opening of the Filippello Park Spray Pad on Friday, June 7, 2024 from 3:30 p.m. at Filippello Park on Grove Street! After the ribbon cutting, we encourage families and caregivers to join the festivities and kick-off the warm weather by enjoying the new spray pad and an afternoon in the park! FREE Ice Cream donated by Ben & Jerry’s in Arsenal Yards!
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.”