Around Town

Bagel Shop & Deli Expected to Open in Former Porcini’s Location

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The former Porcini’s spot could be occupied by a new restaurant run by the owners of Wicked Bagel. The owners of bagel store with locations in Lexington and Woburn have been linked to the former Porcini’s restaurant location on School Street. A post on Boston Restaurant Talk reports that the owners of Wicked Bagel will be opening a restaurant in Watertown, and it is said to be in the space that had been the Italian restaurant for more than two decades. Wicked Bagel has a variety of bagel sandwiches, coffee and other drinks on the menu on its website. According to Boston Restaurant Talk, the Watertown location would serve brunch, would have a liquor license, and would use the back patio.

Around Town

What Do You Remember About Watertown’s Most Historic Event of Recent Times

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An evidence photo of Dave Henneberry’s boat parked on Franklin Street, where Marathon Bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was found. The Boston Marathon bombings rocked the region 10 years ago this month, and a few days later the situation really got personal for Watertown residents when police tracked down the bombers, battled in the streets of the East End, and then spent the next day searching for the suspect who fled the scene. Watertown News is collecting people’s memories, photos and videos from that time from people who lived here at the time, people who now live here and remember watching the coverage, and other related memories. Some have already written in, recalled getting in touch with her mother, who was awakened by gunshots and explosions. A Westside resident remembers how quiet the day of the search was, as she sat on her porch, while her friend in East Watertown had her home searched by police.

Around Town

Help Pick the Design of the Structure Going into Saltonstall Park

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The City of Watertown will be installing a structure in Saltonstall Park which will become a hub of activity in the area next to City Hall. Various designs have been discussed, and people can take a look and cast their vote by stopping by the Watertown Library, 123 Main St. The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

Help Watertown pick a structure to be installed at Saltonstall Park to not only be a focal point for the redesigned park, but to also serve as a hub for community & cultural events & performances in the City! Visit the Watertown Library’s first-floor lobby by the end of the week of April 3, 2023 to cast your vote for your favorite structure! Please visit the Saltonstall Park Project webpage to learn more about the project!

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation to Award $130,000 for 2023 Spring Grant Cycle

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) will open the 2023 application process for Institutional and Program grants starting April 3. These grants support local non-profits, community-based organizations, programs, and projects that serve Watertown. Approximately $130,000 in grants will be awarded. WCF’s Program Grants will support new or existing programs with an educational focus (broadly defined) that are run by local organizations that serve Watertown and are not offered through Watertown’s public or private schools. Eligible organizations may apply for grants of $500 up to $5,000. WCF’s Institutional Support Grants will support non-profit institutions central to the Watertown community by providing funds to support the organizational mission, staffing and operating costs.

Around Town

Watertown Rec’s Pequosette Summer Registration Opening Soon

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Courtesy of Watertown Recreaion

The following information was provided by the Watertown Recreation Department:

The Watertown Recreation Department is pleased to announce that registration for our 54th year of our Pequossette Summer Program will begin on Wednesday, April 5th at 6 p.m.

PEQUOSSETTE SUMMER PROGRAM

The Pequossette Summer Program to children who are entering grades 1-8 in September 2023. The program consists of eight individual weeks from June 26 through August 18, 2023, at the Cunniff School, 246 Warren Street in Watertown. The program will operate Monday through Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., except for Week 2 which will run Wednesday, July 5th through Friday, July 7th. We offer an early drop off from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and an extended day program from 2:30 pm to 5:30 p.m.

The Cunniff School, with two playground areas and an indoor gym, has allowed the Recreation Department the opportunity to offer a wide range of activities to entertain the children. Basketball, hockey, wiffleball, four square, and street hockey are just some of the sport activities offered for the children.

Around Town

City Manager Discusses Comprehensive Plan, Resident Participation & the High School Project on Watertown Cable Show

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Inside Watertown hosts Bob Airasian, far left, and Charlie Breitrose were joined by City Manager George Proakis and Director of Community Development and Planning Steve Magoon. (Screenshot from Watertown Cable). Watertown City Manager George Proakis talked about the ongoing Comprehensive Plan update, how residents can get involved when projects go before the City, and what’s going on with the Watertown High School project in the latest episode of Watertown Cable’s Inside Watertown. Along with Proakis, co-hosts Charlie Breitrose and Bob Airasian were joined by Steve Magoon, Watertown’s Assistant City Manager and the Director of Community Development and Planning. The City recently held a public forum on the Comprehensive Plan, which is being updated for the first time since it was adopted in 2015.

Around Town

Our History: Watertown Artist Ellen Robbins, Famous for Paintings of Flowers

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Ellen Robbins painting in her studio (from a photograph by J. Appleton Brown)

This article is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Joyce Kelly, Board member of the Historical Society of Watertown. Joyce writes articles for the newsletter and is the newsletter editor. This was published in our January 2009 newsletter, “The Town Crier.” ELLEN ROBBINS (1828 – 1905) – A WATERTOWN ARTIST

Watertown residents may be surprised to discover the many prominent people who called Watertown their home.