Charity

Watertown Woman to Swim in Boston Harbor to Raise Money for Children’s Cancer Programs

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Wendy Gulley of Watertown will swim in the Boston Harbor alongside Olympic swimmers Heather Petri, Kristy Kowal, Carlton Bruner, Janel Jorgensen McArdle, Alex Meyer and Eric Wunderlich for the 21st annual Swim Across America Boston Harbor Swim on July 7, 2017 to support pediatric cancer programs at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at MassGeneral Hospital for Children, the hospital announced. “Every year, swimmers of all ages come together for the Swim Across America Boston Harbor Swim to make a splash in the fight against cancer,” said Kitty Tetreault, event director, Swim Across America Boston. “Participants get to spend the day doing something they love while raising critical funds for pediatric programs at Dana-Farber and MassGeneral Hospital for Children. The SAA Boston Harbor swim is a 22-mile relay style open-water swim beginning at 7 a.m. on July 7 from Rowes Wharf behind the Boston Harbor Hotel. A minimum fundraising pledge of $2,000 is required for individuals to participate.

Obituaries

OBIT: Clementine McDermott, 91, Owned Clemy’s Knit & Yarn Shop

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A Funeral Mass for Clementine M. “Clemy” (Van Huychem) McDermott, will be celebrated on Friday June 23, 2017 at 9 a.m., in the Church of Saint Patrick, Watertown. A daughter of the late Joseph and Leonie (Van Dist) Van Huychem. Passed away in her home on Monday evening after a period of declining health. She was 91. Clemy was born and schooled in Belgium.

Transportation

Seniors Invited to Apply for MBTA CharlieCards at Local Event

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger announced he will sponsor a Senior CharlieCard Day on Monday, June 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Beech Street Center, located at 266 Beech Street in Belmont. Seniors age 65 or older can save a trip to the MBTA offices in Downtown Boston and apply for a Senior CharlieCard at this event. Staff from the Office of Senator Brownsberger will be on hand to take photos and process applications, which will be provided. Seniors will just need to bring a valid, state-issued photo ID that includes date of birth. No advance sign-up required.

Around Town

Mental Illness Support Family Group Meeting This Week in Wellesley

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Mental Illness support group: NAMI Family Support Group is a free, structured, confidential peer-led support group for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness. A support group will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 7:30 – 9 p.m. in the Board Room of the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church at 207 Washington Street in Wellesley. This is organized by the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI).

Entertainment

Watertown Greek Church Hosting Festival with Food, Music, Dancing and More

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The Taxiarchae-Archangels Greek Orthodox Church in Watertown will host the annual Greek Festival, June 23-35, featuring Greek cuisine, music, dancing and more. The Greek Church is located at 25 Bigelow Ave., Watertown. The lineup includes:

Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. – Greek Music All Day, featuring Orfas Band from 7-11 p.m.

Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. – Greek Music All Day, Featuring Orfas Band 7-11 p.m., Dance performance featuring Sons and Daughters of Alexander the Great 8 p.m. Bar noon-11 p.m.

Sunday 12 p.m.-9 p.m. – Greek Music All Day. Bar noon-9 p.m.

Greek Cuisine: Gyro, Greek Pastries, Loukoumades, Kafenio,

Events: Raffle, Church Tour

Shopping: Book Store, Souvenirs, Candy Store

For more information call 617-924-8182, or go to Facebook.com/watertowngrecianfestival

Around Town

Spots Still Available for Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Academy

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Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian announced applications remain available for Watertown youth wishing to participate in the 2017 Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA). Entering its 18th year, YPSA provides a safe, educational, low-cost summer camp option for Middlesex County youth. The camp, which is comprised of six, one-week sessions, is open to children ages 8-12 residing in communities across Middlesex County. Transportation and lunch are provided and a graduation ceremony is held each Friday in Chelmsford. “Each year, YPSA is one of the best community programs we offer,” said Sheriff Koutoujian.

Around Town

Watertown Groups Hope Ramadan Celebration Becomes a Tradition

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Last week, a number of Watertown community groups joined organized a dinner to break the fast during one evening of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan which drew a big crowd in Watertown. 

Organizers sent out the following statement:
It looks like a new Watertown tradition has been born. On June 8 over 250 Muslims and non-Muslims streamed into St. James’ Mosesian Cultural Center to share Iftar, the evening fast-breaking meal that occurs each evening during the month-long Muslim holiday of Ramadan. Initiated by the Refugee Support Group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment, this first-time community-wide event produced an outpouring of support from individuals, churches and businesses. Molana Restaurant, Keffi’s Café, Arax Market, Ali Baba Restaurant, Falafel King, Rodey Pizzeria and Brookline Family Restaurant provided generous culinary delights and drinks, while Watertown Community Foundation and Adam Travel provided much needed financial support.

Around Town

Mount Auburn Hospital Receives Award for Stroke Guidelines

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Mount Auburn Hospital announced it has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Award with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to providing the most appropriate stroke treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. Hospitals must achieve 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines-Stroke achievement indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month periods and achieve 75 percent or higher compliance with five of eight Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality measures to receive the Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. To qualify for the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke. If given intravenously in the first three hours after the start of stroke symptoms, tPA has been shown to significantly reduce the effects of stroke and lessen the chance of permanent disability.