Around Town

Watertown Group Visited Boston’s Newest Civil Rights Monument

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The new “EMBRACE” civil rights monument at the 1965 Freedom Plaza in Boston honors honors the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr and Coretta Scott King. The following announcement was provided by Sue-Ellen Hershman-Tcherepnin:

On Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, a small Watertown contingent ventured to Boston Common in humid, drizzly weather to view the unveiling of Boston’s newest monument: Artist Hank Willis Thomas’ bronze sculpture, THE EMBRACE, which honors the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr and Coretta Scott King. Besides celebrating the Kings’ early connections to Boston, the monument also memorializes 65 Boston civil rights heroes and heroines. Unfortunately the event was never publicly announced as being privately ticketed, so the hundreds of enthusiastic attendees who gathered outside were surprised to discover that the sculpture remained invisible, hidden behind fencing and tents.

Around Town

Watertown Yoga Studio Offering Free Classes in Celebration of 7th Anniversary

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The following announcement was provided by Artemis Yoga:

Artemis Yoga is inviting the local community to an Open House on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 21, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at their east end location in Watertown. With an afternoon of FREE classes, this is a wonderful opportunity to discover Artemis Yoga, a local independent yoga center that just celebrated its seventh anniversary, having opened its doors at 639 Mt. Auburn St. in 2015. 

Liz Padula, founder and owner, shares, “The staff and I are grateful to the Watertown, Belmont, Cambridge and surrounding communities that have supported Artemis Yoga, especially during the pandemic, and we are excited to give back with an afternoon of free classes.

Around Town

Our History: Charles Brigham Left an Indelible Impression on Watertown

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Photo courtesy of the Watertown Free Public LibraryTom Gavin and Charles Brigham in front of Mr. Brigham’s house on Garfield Street

The following article is from the Historical Society of Watertown’s April 2000 newsletter, TheTown Crier. The piece is being republished as part of the series on local history appearing each Saturday on Watertown News. I’m sure many of you Watertown history fans remember the “Echoes” column that Sigrid Reddy Watson wrote for several years for the Watertown TAB/Press beginning in 1997. Her well-written columns have helped to educate the community on several historic aspects of Watertown and is sorely missed by history-buffs and newly interested Watertown history-aficionados alike. The author, Sigrid Reddy Watson.

Around Town

Watertown Facilities Closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

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Charlie BreitroseA closeup of the section of the Kingian Nonviolence Mural featuring Martin Luther King. In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day Watertown municipal facilities will be closed, and trash and recycling will be impacted. The City of Watertown announced that City Hall and the Senior Center are closed on Monday, January 16, 2023 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday. Also, the Watertown Free Public Library’s list of holiday closures includes Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Trash and recycling collection will be delayed by a day the week of Jan.

Around Town

Watertown Business Coalition Hosting Coffee Connect at Local Business Fixture

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The Watertown Business Coalition will be hosting a coffee connect on the morning of Jan. 18. The group sent out the following information:

Come out and network with members of the Watertown business community, local non-profits and others on Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

This month’s Coffee Connect will be hosted by a business that has been a fixture in Watertown for decades — Eastern Clothing. Hear from owner John Airasian, who is also a Watertown City Councilor.

Around Town

See How to Tune Into Watertown’s Annual MLK Day Unity Breakfast

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Clementina Chery will be the keynote speaker at the 2023 Watertown Unity Breakfast. The following information was provided by the Unity Breakfast Committee:

The Watertown Annual MLK Day Unity Breakfast will be held virtually on Monday, January 16, 2023 at 10 a.m. You are invited to join together to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders and to celebrate our commitment to an inclusive and diverse community. Our Keynote Speaker this year is Chaplain Clementina Chery, the founder, President and CEO of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute (LDBPI), a center of Healing, Teaching, and Learning for families and communities impacted by trauma, grief and loss. She is an inspiring speaker whose vision is to create and sustain an environment where all families can live in peace and to transform how we respond to violence. In addition to the Unity Breakfast’s traditional essay contest, which recognizes outstanding essays by high school and middle school students, in 2023, two Visionary Awards will be given to high school or middle school students who present their compelling vision for a more just and equal future in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr and other civil rights leaders.