Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/)
Watertown students have been learning high-tech farming in the freight farm that sits in the parking lot behind the Watertown Public School’s Phillips Building. On Thursday, the public can purchase some of the crop raised in the farm at a pop-up farm stand. See more info in the announcement from the schools, below. Join us for a pop-up sale of Watertown Public Schools fresh hydroponic lettuce and herbed sea salt! The event will be held Thursday, April 16 from 4-6 p.m. at 31 Marshall Street.
A mini-golf fundraiser will be held April 18 in memory of Thomas Tsekrekas and the proceeds will benefit brain cancer research. The second annual Indoor Miniature Golf Fundraiser is being organized by Thomas’ son Jimmy, and the Watertown AHEPA Chapter 406. It will take place on Saturday, April 18, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Watertown Greek Church, 25 Bigelow Ave. “We gather to honor the legacy of our past President Thomas Tsekrekas, who was a pillar of strength, a friend to all, and a man whose kindness left a lasting mark on every life he touched. May his Memory be Eternal.
Live Well Watertown will host a series of bike events, beginning in April with an event focused on getting back on your bike, or getting started biking. See more information provided by the City of Watertown, below. Get Ready to start biking at an event co-presented by Live Well Watertown, Watertown Transportation Management Association, and Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee
Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 6-7:30 p.m., 123 Main Street – Watertown Savings Bank Room (first floor), Watertown Library
MassBike will lead an informative and beginner-friendly presentation covering:
• The ABCs of biking
• How to choose the best bike for new or returning riders (including rental options)
• The importance of wearing helmets
• And other essential tips to help you ride safely and confidently
We look forward to having you join us! Register Here
About the Community Bike Series:
This program series is free and open to cyclists of all experience levels, including beginners. The series offers safety-focused and practical information for everyday biking, including bike commuting tips, guidance on choosing the right bike, and ways to get started riding for recreation and health.
National Grid will host an informational meeting about how customers can get help managing their energy bills on April 14 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at McDevitt Middle School, 75 Church St. in Waltham. The meeting is one of dozens around Greater Boston. See details in the announcement from National Grid, below. National Grid will host a series of statewide Customer Assistance events during April 2026, with advocates visiting every region within the utility’s Massachusetts footprint.
The Watertown Business Coalition and the City of Watertown’s Events Team will co-host a Quarterly Coffee Connect at the Commander’s Mansion on April 15. See details in the announcement from the WBC, below. Join the Watertown Business Coalition and the City Events Team on Wednesday, April 15th from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. at the Commander’s Mansion for a morning of networking, coffee, a light breakfast generously provided by Panera Bread Catering, and samples from BesTEA. Hear from the City Events Team as they provide a sneak peek at the City’s Events for 2026 including EcoFest, Octoberfest at The Faire and more! We also look forward to hearing from Tia Tilson, Executive Director of the Watertown Community Foundation, who is our non-profit partner for this event.
We can’t wait to see you there!
April 9 is the inaugural Local Media Day, and the Charles River Regional Chamber reminded members of the role that news sites covering community news provide. Charles River Chamber President and CEO summed it up well in his message in the Chamber’s newsletter on Thursday morning. Watertown has not only the online news source, Watertown News, but also local cable news produced by Watertown Cable Access Television Corp., with newscasts Thursday evenings, along with coverage of City meetings, sports, and other events around town. If you don’t have cable, you can still watch live and on-demand online at wcatv.org. Watertown News depends on the support from advertisers, as well as donations from readers (including Patreon members).
FC Academy will run filmmaking classes for kids in Watertown during April Vacation. The Filmmakers Collaborative is offering FC Academy, filmmaking classes for children ages 10-14 in Watertown over April vacation. See more details in the announcement from the Filmmakers Collaborative. Presented by the creators of the Boston International Kids Film Festival, classes run from Tuesday-Friday, April 21-April 24, 9 a.m. to noon at Cunniff Elementary School, 246 Warren St., Watertown. The course costs $240.
An MBTA Commuter Rail train. (Source: MBTA)
The following announcement was provided by the MBTA:
The MBTA announced service information during this summer’s seven World Cup matches in June and July, including expanded Commuter Rail service and special Boston Stadium Train tickets to help fans travel across the region.
Roundtrip Boston Stadium Train tickets between South Station and Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) will be $80, sold exclusively on mTicket, and are good for travel on the entire Commuter Rail network on match days, allowing visitors more flexibility and options in choosing where to stay to attend World Cup matches. Tickets for the first five matches will go on sale beginning at 11 AM on Wednesday, April 8, with tickets for the Round 32 and Quarter-Final matches on sale closer to the match dates. Full information can be found at MBTA.com/WorldCup.
Compared to driving, parking, and event-day traffic delays, Commuter Rail provides a predictable and more affordable way to travel to and from matches. The MBTA has been planning for over a year to support the 2026 World Cup matches held at Boston Stadium and to welcome soccer fans from around the globe to Massachusetts this summer. The agency has coordinated closely with Boston26, the Healey-Driscoll Administration, local municipalities, and Gillette Stadium/The Kraft Group to prepare for increased ridership and ensure a safe, reliable travel experience. “The MBTA is proud to have the opportunity to enable football fans from near and far to travel the Commonwealth, and we are ready to deliver unprecedented transit services to the seven World Cup matches held at Boston Stadium.
Jenna Bancroft
Watertown’s first Human Services Director came to town after working for more than four years in Newton, but it was a homecoming of sorts. In her first several months on the job she has been in charge of not only establishing a brand new City department, but also creating a new home for the Watertown Food Pantry. In Newton, Bancroft served as the assistant director of Social Services, and became the director of that program. Those were her first jobs on the municipal side. Immediately prior to that she worked at the Wayside Multi-Services Center in Watertown, where she worked as a Social Services Resource Specialist (SSRS) for four years.