Watertown Community Foundation Introduces New Board Members

The following information was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) announces the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors. Joining the board are Watertown residents Eileen Hsu-Balzer, Felicia Sullivan, and Donna Tuccinardi. “We are delighted to welcome our newest board members and partners as we broaden our reach into the community. Each brings experience, energy, and dedication to our mission of building and sustaining a vibrant, close-knit community,” said David Siegel, WCF co-president. Eileen Hsu-Balzer is a long time Watertown resident with deep ties and commitment to the community, including as a current board member of the Watertown Boys and Girls Club and Springwell, a 24 year tenure as a Watertown School Committee member, Co-founder and past-Producer of the Summer Concert Series and more.

YardArt 2022 is Here, Join a Walking Tour of the Exhibits

The Deluxe Town Diner is taking part in YardArt 2022. The following information was provided by YardArt:

The YardArt 2022 exhibition is now open for viewing! Beginning March 4, neighbors throughout Watertown are displaying a variety of artful projects on their front yards and porches. Take a walk, ride a bike with friends, or stroll with family to see some of the ‘homegrown creativity’ in Watertown. The citywide exhibit runs through April 3rd.

Armenian Women’s Welfare Association Expands Senior Leadership

The following announcement was provided by the AWWA:

The Armenian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA), a nonprofit health care organization dedicated to serving elders locally and internationally, and the sponsor organization of the Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, today announced an expanded senior leadership team at the top-rated skilled nursing center with the appointment of two experienced administrators: Greg Messina, Chief Operating Officer, and Jessica Brigham, Executive Director. Messina and Brigham each bring more than a decade of health care experience to the 83-bed, nonprofit provider of high-quality long-term care and short-term rehabilitation. Messina will guide the Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center’s strategic and planning initiatives, including the development of new services and programs, oversight of finances and collaboration with key health care partners. Brigham will lead the day-to-day operations, including the clinical care of patients and residents, management of staff, and communication with families. “With these important leadership appointments and our continued commitment to strengthen our programs, we are well positioned to grow our mission of providing high-quality, person-centered care to the communities we serve,” said Martha Mensoian, President of the AWWA Board of Directors. “Greg and Jessica bring new ideas and a record of success in running a long-term care center, which will serve us well in these quickly evolving times.”

Messina previously served as a regional administrator for Whittier Health Network, a group of acute rehabilitation hospitals and subacute rehabilitation and nursing homes in Massachusetts.  Prior to becoming a licensed nursing home administrator, he had a career in business and marketing. Messina earned a bachelor’s degree in history and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Boston. “I am thrilled to join a nonprofit organization with such a rich history in serving its beneficiaries both locally and internationally, and a strong tradition of collaboration in health care with Boston’s world-renowned medical centers,” Messina said. “I look forward to bringing my experience in managing multiple skilled nursing facilities and helping our team build toward the future.”

Brigham has served as the licensed nursing home administrator for several nursing homes in Greater Boston, most recently as executive director of Brighton House Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. Prior to these leadership roles, she worked for many years as a nurse and nursing director in health care and in long-term care centers. Brigham earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Simmons University in Boston and is a registered nurse. “I am excited to return to a nonprofit health care setting and to guide the high quality care and services that the Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is well known for providing,” said Brigham.

Filmmaker Appearing at Watertown Group’s Meeting to Speak About Climate Feedback Loops

The following information was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment:

Climate Feedback Loops — What they are and what we can do about them

In the award winning film Climate Emergency: Feedback Loops, climate scientists explain how warming caused by human activity is setting in motion Earth’s own natural warming mechanisms, releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and further warming the planet in dangerous, amplifying cycles. These feedback loops are not generally understood by the public – or many policymakers. After watching a short film section on melting permafrost, we’ll speak with the film’s creator, Bonnie Waltch, Brian Hebeisan (a WE3C member) and Representative Steve Owens, focusing on the urgent question: what can we do at the local, state, and national level to ensure we stop these cycles and let natural systems do their job of removing carbon, preserving the delicate balance necessary to maintain Earth’s temperature. WCPJE Meeting, Wednesday, March 16th at 7 pm. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89579464101?pwd=NXB3S2d6bldidVVjVFlYVmpwallBZz09#success

Watertown Library Now Offering Pickup from Lockers 24/7

Watertown LibraryWatertown Library staff show off the new lockers available to patrons. They can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Watertown Library provided the following announcement:

Lockers at the Library? That’s right. The Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) is launching a new outdoor pickup option which will make it easier for anyone to pick up materials twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Small Saves Gets Some Media Attention in This Week’s Comic

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.”

Watertown Gallery Participating in YardArt 2022, Donating Part of Sales to Ukraine

The following information was provided by Storefront ArtProjects:

Celebrate Spring, Celebrate Community! Yardart is an annual Watertown event sponsored by the Mosesian Arts Center with town-wide home, porch and gallery participation. 

Storefront ArtProjects is showcasing its own ebullient and joyful mix of homegrown and visiting talent in fiber, collage, sculpture, printmaking and painting by 9 adults and 9 children. And 25% of all sales will be donated to help Ukraine. People cross the street to peer in the storefront windows! 

Yardart 2022 at Storefront Art Projects

March 4 -26

83 Spring St., Watertown

Find out more about YardArt, and see the map of participating homes by clicking here.

OBIT: Marie Brueggeman, 71, Animal Lover, Cherished Time With Grandsons

Marie Janet Brueggeman

A Funeral Service for Marie Janet Brueggeman will be celebrated on Saturday March 12, 2022, at 12 Noon, in the MacDonald Rockwell & MacDonald Funeral Home. A daughter of the late Edward & Barbara (Walton) Beaunoyer, Marie passed away Friday afternoon. She was 71. She was the loving mother of James J. “JJ” Brueggeman & his wife Susanne of Watertown. Beloved grandmother of William & Timothy Brueggeman.