Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/aroundtown/)
UPDATE (Jan. 18, 1:30 p.m.): The start of Monday’s Unity Breakfast will be pushed back an hour and will now begin at 9:30 a.m., organizers announced Sunday. Spots are still available for the annual event at the Hellenic Cultural Center. See more info below. World in Watertown is thrilled to invite you to the 26th annual Watertown Unity Breakfast on Jan.
Food collected from multiple locations across the City during the Community Food Drive in November and December. The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:
The City of Watertown would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the entire Watertown community – residents, businesses, volunteers, and more – for supporting the community food drive hosted through November and December 2025. Thanks to everyone’s efforts together, thousands of food items were collected to support our pantries, community fridge, and directly to families in need. This community food drive was organized by the City of Watertown, with support from the Watertown Community Foundation, in early November when federal SNAP benefits were delayed and over 1,600 Watertown households were unsure if the assistance they rely on each month would come through. Jenna Bancroft, Watertown’s Director of Human Services, was amazed by the way the community stepped up and supported their neighbors.
People came out for a vigil for Renee Good, the woman killed in Minneapolis by an ICE agent. (Photo, copyright by Joshua Touster)
The following information was provided by Indivisible Progressive Watertown:
On Saturday morning, Jan. 10th, Indivisible Progressive Watertown hosted an emergency vigil in memory of Renee Nicole Good who was murdered by ICE agents in Minneapolis on Jan. 7th.
Indivisible Progressive Watertown’s vigil on Watertown Square on Jan. 10.
Most of the roadwork on Mt. Auburn Street has stopped for the winter, but there will be some smaller projects during the off-season. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown. As the construction season has come to a close, off-season work will primarily focus on drainage improvements. This work will continue along Mount Auburn Street toward Watertown Square.
The Community Read: Works by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will take place on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 at the Watertown Free Public Library. See the announcement provided by the Unity Breakfast organizers. Please join us for a Community Read on Sunday, January 11 from 2:00-3:30 in the MasterangeloRoom of Watertown Public Library. Together we will be reading aloud a work by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and discussing its message and relevance for today.
The Watertown Free Public Library. (Courtesy of WFPL)
Cooking enthusiasts are wanted to join the Watertown Free Public Library’s cooking group. See details in the announcement from the Library, below. The 2025 Cook the Books group celebrated a delicious year of recipe swapping with a cookie exchange at the Watertown Free Public Library!
Once a month, the Cook the Books Group meets in the Library café to share favorite cookbooks, recipes, and food. Members share cooking tips and tricks while bonding over great food and great company.
The results of the latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey will be discussed at a community forum hosted by the Watertown Youth Coalition and the Watertown Public Schools. The Watertown Youth Wellness Community Forum will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Learning Commons at Lowell Elementary School, 123 Lowell Ave. The announcement from the Watertown Youth Coalition said:
“We will present and discuss the findings from the 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and work together to explore how data relates to: Youth Belonging, Youth Connections with Trusted Adults, Youth Perception of Substance Use Prevelance.” Light refreshments will be served.
Watertown residents can put their Christmas trees out for pickup through Jan. 19. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. The Department of Public Works (DPW) will be picking up Christmas trees through the week of Monday, January 19, 2026. To ensure your tree is collected, remove all ornaments, lights, and decorations and place it on the curb on your designated trash and recycling day.
Details of the trash, recycling, and yard waste collection for 2026 are available in the Department of Public Works’ calendar. The calendars were mailed to homes and are available online. See details in the announcement sent out by the City of Watertown, below. 2026 Trash and Recycling Calendars
Please be aware that the 2026 Trash and Recycling Calendar will be arriving in your mailbox soon. In addition to the calendar showing which days your trash, recycling and yard waste will be picked up, there is also useful information about composting, how to dispose of mattresses, furniture, clothing and TVs, the hours and location of the Recycle Center and what you can bring there, and a guide to what materials are and are not recyclable.