Around Town

Learn New Skills at Workshops at Watertown’s Hatch Makerspace

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Watertown’s Makerspace has plenty going on in July, including sewing and bookbinding classes, along with drawing and collaging. The following information was provided by Hatch:

Introduction to the Sewing MachineMonday 7/10,  5-7pm

Learn how to use a sewing machine. We will cover the basics of threading a machine, changing stitches, tension, and several tips to get started.All sewing machines and materials will be provided by Hatch. This workshop is designed for sewing novices or beginners who need a refresher. Participants must be age 10 or older. Anyone under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Registration is required.

Around Town

RMV Accepting Applications for Low Number Plate Lottery

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The following announcement was provided by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles:

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is announcing applications for the 2023 Low Number Plate Lottery will be available online at myRMV Online Service Center beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 30, 2023. To be eligible, applicants must apply for this year’s lottery by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Winners will be notified by mail if selected for a low number plate. 

This year, there are 191 plates available through the low plate lottery. Some of the available low plates include 13F, 17V, 28E, Z64, 301, 1999, 4004, 4400, and 8511. Applicants should note that there is no fee to apply for the lottery.

Around Town

Our History: Historic Orchard House Preserved

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The Orchard House. Decorative quoining and fluted Doric columns add to the significance of the architecture of the farmhouse (Photo courtesy of Joyce Kelly)

The following story is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Historical Society President Marilynne Roach for the April 2013 Historical Society newsletter, “The Town Crier.” Marilynne is also on the board of the Watertown Historical Commission. The Historical Society of Watertown is pleased to report that the principal structure of the circa 1832 Greek Revival farmhouse at 917 Belmont Street will not be demolished 917 Belmont Street, also known as “Orchard House” is currently owned by the Walker Home and School and houses the Beacon High School, a co-educational, therapeutic high school. In July 2012, Beacon High School submitted an application for demolition of the historic house at 917 Belmont Street to make room for, sometime in the future, green space or trailers to house classrooms or some other unspecified structure.

Entertainment

Small Saves Celebrates the Fourth of July

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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.”

Schools

14 Students from Watertown Make MassBay Dean’s List

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The following announcement was provided by MassBay Community College:

The following local students have been named to the MassBay Community College Dean’s List. They achieved this outstanding academic honor for the spring 2023 semester. * Alan Siedman of Watertown, who studies Engineering Design

* Evan Raftes of Watertown, who studies Liberal Arts – Psychology /Sociology

* Naomi Zoberg of Watertown, who studies Liberal Arts – Communication

* Jacob Belouin of Watertown, who studies Mechanical Engineering

* Cathy Logakis of Watertown, who studies General Studies

* Astrik Kostanian of Watertown, who studies Liberal Arts

* Kristen Hantout of Watertown, who studies General Studies

* Viviane Soares Da Silva of Watertown, who studies Computer Science

* Benjamin Fandetti of Watertown, who studies General Business – Hospitality Management

* Davit Arzumanyan of Watertown, who studies Computer Science

* Thiago Da Silva of Watertown, who studies Cyber Security

* Catalina Gomez Castellanos of Watertown, who studies General Studies

* Melissa Aguilar of Watertown, who studies Computer Science

* Mason Harris of Watertown, who studies Cyber Security

To be eligible for the MassBay Dean’s List, students must complete at least six credits of college-level courses, be in good standing with the College, and earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. To learn more about MassBay, visit massbay.edu. About MassBay Community College

MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston, offering a robust portfolio of courses and more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Ashland, Framingham, Wellesley Hills, and online.

Around Town

LETTER: Petitioner to Change Watertown Zoning Urges People to Speak Up

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Hi Guys,

We’ve got to stop meeting like this! With every Watertown development meeting, every Affordable Housing Trust meeting, and on and on, there we sit. We’re quite a bit smaller in number at actual meetings, but we’ve proven that we have at least 600 Watertown residents that share our point of view. I know for a fact, from conversations with residents who didn’t get a chance to sign the petitions, that there are many more of us! As Watertown residents band together to say, “Save Our Community!” we’ve seen comments that imply that we’re old fashioned, elitist, anti-change or all of the above, trying to portray our concerns as insignificant.

Around Town

State Rep. Owens Nominates Former Community Foundation Director as a Commonwealth Heroine

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Former Watertown Community Foundation Executive Director Jan Singer was nominated to be a Commonwealth Heroine by State Rep. Steve Owens. (Photo courtesy of State Rep. Owens’ Office)

The following information was provided by State Rep. Steve Owens’ Office:

In collaboration with the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW), State Representative Steve Owens honored Jan Singer as his nominee for the 2023 Class of Commonwealth Heroines. Singer joins hundreds of women across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who are recognized each year for their hard work and dedication to their community. Last Friday, Representative Owens and the MCSW celebrate women like Singer, who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, at the Massachusetts State House. “Jan has worked tirelessly to support the Watertown community,” said Rep. Owens.

Schools

7 Students Awarded Scholarship at 55th Event in Honor of Lt. Paul Sullivan

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The scholarship winners at the 2023 Lt. Paul Sullivan Scholarship Ceremony, from left: Eliabeth McGrath, William, Curley, Alessia Visocchi, James O’Connor lll, Maggie Driscoll, (not pictured Maeve Lawn) and Ciaran Flanagan. The following information was provided by the Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship Committee:

Congratulations to the 55th Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship recipients. A total of 7 awards were presented on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at the Sons of Italy Hall. Paul was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Watertown and a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Waltham in 1961 and a 1965 graduate of Boston College. During those years he participated on many area athletic teams, most notably in the areas of basketball and baseball. He worked for the Watertown Recreation Department as a park instructor. After his college graduation, Paul taught at the West Jr. High School in Watertown and coached at Sacred Heart High School in Newton and St.