Around Town

LETTER: The Watertown Community Fridge Needs Your Help

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The Watertown Community Fridge is an outdoor refrigerator and small food pantry located at the Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church, 80 Mt. Auburn St., near Watertown Square. It is maintained solely by volunteers. Operating on the principle: Take what you need, give what you can, the Fridge provides free food to anyone in need, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no questions asked. In this time of high inflation, many people in our community are experiencing food insecurity, and are not able to afford basic necessities, like food and personal hygiene products.

Around Town

Learn About the History of American Lighthouses at Historical Society Event

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

In a work rich in maritime lore and brimming with original historical detail, Eric Jay Dolin, presents the most comprehensive history of American lighthouses ever written, telling the story of America through the prism of its beloved coastal sentinels. Set against the backdrop of an expanding nation, Brilliant Beacons traces the evolution of America’s lighthouse system, highlighting the political, military, and technological battles fought to illuminate the nation’s hardscrabble coastlines. Eric Jay Dolin grew up near the coasts of New York and Connecticut, and since an early age was fascinated by the natural world, especially the ocean. He earned a double-major in biology and environmental studies, a master’s degree in environmental management from Yale, and a Ph.D. in environmental policy and planning from MIT, where his dissertation focused on the role of the courts in the cleanup of Boston Harbor. He enjoys writing and telling stories and has written 15 books.

Around Town

Watertown Declares Snow Emergency, See the Impacts

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The City of Watertown announced a snow emergency on March 14 for the storm expected to turn to snow Tuesday afternoon. Overnight parking and after school activities will be impacted. Schools

Watertown Public Schools will have no after school activities, late buses, extended day program, or athletics tomorrow, School officials announced Monday night. Parking

The Superintendent of Public Works is declaring a Snow Emergency effective 12 p.m., Tuesday, March 14, 2023. On street parking will be banned and any motor vehicle left on the street will be subject to towing.

Around Town

Watertown Cable Board Names New Executive Director

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WCA-TVAndrea Santopietro has been named Watertown Cable Access Television’s Executive Director. The following information was provided by Watertown Cable Access:

Watertown Cable Access Corp. (WCA-TV) is thrilled to announce that its Board of Directors has named Andrea Santopietro as the new Executive Director of the station. Andrea has worked at WCA-TV for almost nine years and has served as Interim Executive Director for the past six months. 

A native of Warwick, Rhode Island, Andrea graduated from the New England Institute of Art with a Bachelors of Science in Digital Filmmaking and Video Production in 2014. She was hired as a videographer at WCA-TV shortly after graduating and was quickly promoted to Media Outreach Coordinator.

Around Town

Boys & Girls Club Celebrates Rising Stars, 2023 Youth of the Year

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Ashley Leal is presented the 2023 Watertown Boys and Girls Club’s Youth of the Year award by Doug Orifice of the Watertown Business Coalition. The Watertown Boys & Girls Club celebrated the Rising Stars and presented the Youth of the Year Award during the third annual event on March 8. The Youth of Year Competition embodies Boys & Girls Clubs of American’s three priority outcome areas of academic success, good character, and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle. Being recognized YOY is the highest honor bestowed upon Club members. The Club sent out the following statement:

The nominees and judges of the 3rd Annual Watertown Boys & Girls Club Rising Stars Celebration and Youth of the Year Competition.

Around Town

Our History: G. Fred Robinson — Beautified Charles River Bank, Erected Monuments

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George Fred Robinson – President of the Historical Society of Watertown from 1930 – 1949
(Photo courtesy of the Watertown Free Public Library)

The following story is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. was written by former Historical Society President Karl Neugebauer for the January 2006 Historical Society newsletter, “The Town Crier.”

MOUNT AUBURN NOTABLES

In celebration of the 375th anniversary of the founding of Watertown, the Friends of Mount Auburn Cemetery and the Historical Society of Watertown joined together on Oct. 9 to give a guided tour of the gravesites of several notable people who once resided in Watertown. The lives of our Watertown notables were recalled by members of the Historical Society Council and Historical Society volunteers. The following information was presented by Historical Society President Karl Neugebauer.

Entertainment

Small Saves Plays in Front of Full Stands at His Hockey Game

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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.”

Around Town

Watertown’s Winter Parking Ban Will End Early

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The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

Winter Parking Ban ends effective Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 12:00 pm. The City of Watertown will lift enforcement of the all night parking ban effective Wednesday March 15, 2023 at 12:00 pm subject to weather and future emergency conditions. The Department of Public Works, Police Department and Fire Department would like to remind motorists that keeping the streets clear allows for road repairs, street cleaning and easy access for public safety vehicles. To that end, all Departments encourage residents to make full use of off-street parking when it is available.