Letters

LETTER: Resident Thankful for Sharing Meal With Immigrants and New Citizens

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There’s nothing like the thrill of sharing a meal with 100’s of determined, brave immigrants, refugees and newly sworn-in U.S. citizens who make Massachusetts such a great place to live. Members of Watertown Citizens’ Refugee Support Group had the honor of again attending the annual Thanksgiving luncheon organized by the Mass. Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) at the State House. 

Senator Linda Dorcena Forry, who moderated the event and is herself the child of Haitian immigrants, was joined by the passionate voices of many other advocates and public officials, including Representative Jeffrey Sanchez, Attorney General Maura Healey, State Health & Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, Sister Marie-Judith Dupuy, Emerson College President M. Lee Pelton, and former U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez. No doubt the most moving moment of the afternoon was hearing from DACA dreamer Paola Sanchez, who has worked in the US since the age of 14, both to support herself and to send money home to support her mom and sisters. She is now a full-time student at MassBay Community College.

Entertainment

Watertown Resident Singing in Handel’s Messiah at Symphony Hall

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A Watertown singer will be performing with the Handel and Haydn Society in its annual production of Handle’s Messiah. Watertown Resident Miranda Loud will sing mezzo in one of Boston’s musical event of the holiday season, the H + H Society announced. The Handel and Haydn Society proudly announces its 164th consecutive production of the beloved Handel Messiah. Conducted by H+H artistic director Harry Christophers, this year’s Messiah features soloists Katherine Watson (soprano), Christine Rice (mezzo- soprano), Allan Clayton (tenor), and Sumner Thompson (baritone), as well as the H+H Orchestra and Chorus, Young Women’s Chamber Choir, and Young Men’s Chorus. Performances take place December 1 (7:30 p.m.), December 2 (3 p.m.), and December 3 (3 p.m.) at Symphony Hall located at 301 Massachusetts Avenue in Boston.

Around Town

Watertown Church Hosting Holiday Art Show & Sale With Activities and Demos

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Looking for unique, one-of- a-kind gift items this holiday season? Saturday,
December 2, 2017, members and friends of the First Parish of Watertown will host their annual Holiday Art Show & Sale, organizers announced. The hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the First Parish church, 35 Church Street in Watertown Square. More than 20 artists and crafters, along with the church’s youth group, will showcase a wide array of fine arts and crafts. Included will be paintings, photography, pottery, candles, jewelry, woven items and more.

Around Town

Community Foundation Awards Healthy Watertown Grants to 5 Local Groups

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The Watertown Community Foundation announced it has awarded $8,600 to five community organizations in December 2017 through its Healthy Watertown grant program. These funded everything from a new freezer and display tables for the food pantry to taxi rides for participants in the Senior Center’s events and Narcan for the Watertown Police Department to distribute. “Health concerns virtually every aspect of our lives, from nutrition and positive eating choices, to substance use and abuse, to social engagement as we age. These grants reflect that breadth of issues, and we’re thrilled to be able to make them for the fifth year,” said co-Vice President Emily Barclay. In addition to the Watertown Food Pantry, the Watertown Senior Center and the Watertown Police Department, recipients also included the W.A.T.E.R.Town Task Force for Substance Abuse Disorder and Live Well Watertown.

Around Town

Tour Moxley Field to See Current Layout, Hear About Potential Renovations

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The Watertown Recreation Department will be hosting an onsite community meeting to view current conditions at Moxley Park, which is adjacent to the Watertown Middle School. The Recreation Department is planning for renovations to Moxley Park. To allow residents go get a view of the park, officials will hold a tour of the facility. If interested, please feel free to attend the event. Moxley Park Renovation Site Visit
Saturday, December 2, at 10 a.m. Moxley Park.

Around Town

Rotary Club Joins Middle School Tradition of Packing Thanksgiving Baskets

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The Rotary Club of Watertown, led by honorary member Eleanor Donato, worked with Watertown Middle School kids and their teachers to put together over 40 Thanksgiving Baskets for Watertown families in need, according to a Rotary Club annoucement. Funds for the basket contents were provided by Watertown Middle School families and staff and the Rotary Club. On Monday Nov. 27 kids and adults came together to sort the supplies and pack the baskets. The baskets contained everything a family would need to have a wonderful Thanksgiving meal – from a turkey to ingredients for all of the fixings to instructions on how to make it all come together!

Around Town

Alzheimer’s Association Receives Donation from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation

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Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation announced that the Alzheimer Association in Watertown was awarded $500 from the Foundation’s Community Spirit 9/11 Mini-Grant program. Tonia Gill, an employee of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, nominated the organization for the award. The funds will be used to support the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. To commemorate those Harvard Pilgrim members who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, Harvard Pilgrim and the Foundation created the Community Spirit 9/11 Mini-Grant program. This program allows each Harvard Pilgrim employee to award a $500 grant, completely funded by the Foundation, to the local charity of his or her choice each calendar year.

Around Town

Watertown Library Celebrating 36 Years of Service by Retiring Trustee

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Watertown Library Trustee Raya Stern will retire from the board at the end of the year, after 36 years, and the library will give her a farewell celebration. The library sent out the following invitation:
Please join the Trustees and Staff of the Watertown Free Public Library on December 5, as we celebrate Raya Stern’s retirement from the Board of Trustees. Ms. Stern has served as a Trustee for 36 years. The celebration begins at 7 p.m. in the Watertown Savings Bank Room at the library, 123 Main St Watertown. Light refreshments will be served.