Wayside Youth & Support Network Thanks Those Who Contributed During the Holidays

The staff of Wayside Youth & Family Support Network thanked those who helped this year. The Wayside Youth & Family Support Network sent out the following letter about the support they received over the holidays. The holiday season is upon us and it’s the most wonderful time of year for many. Yet for some, it can be challenging to afford gifts for their loved ones. Each year, Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s Multi-Service Center works with local churches and businesses, to provide holiday gifts for families.

Watertown Doctor & Singers Carol for Patients at Local Hospital on Christmas

The Cardiotonics performed for patients at Brigham & Women’s Hospital on Christmas. Among those sharing the cheer was Watertown’s Dr. Thomas Michel, who played his accordion. Patients at Brigham and Women’s Hospital received some Christmas cheer this year when a group of carolers paid them a visit, including a doctor from Watertown. Thomas Michel is a familiar face, and voice, to visitors of the Watertown Free Public Library in warmer months. He often gathers fellow musicians on his porch (which overlooks the parking lot) on weekends for a good song.

Dog & Watertown Woman Being Reunited on Christmas

Kobe HenroKoke will be delivered from Israel to a Watertown woman by a Sudbury non-profit on Christmas morning. A Watertown woman will get a special delivery from the Holy Land on Christmas, not from Santa but from a Massachusetts-based charity. A dog named Koke was discovered by a Watertown woman on a recent trip to Israel, according to a report by WBZ Radio. The pooch was found with a litter of newborns on the side of the road. The woman, not named by WBZ, wanted to bring Koke home, but ran into issues.

Watertown Unity Breakfast Date Announced, Unity Award Nominees Wanted

Charlie BreitroseA mural created by Watertown High School students for the 20th annual Unity Breakfast. The Unity Breakfast Leadership Team is pleased to announce that the Watertown Unity Breakfast will be broadcast virtually on Monday, January 16, 2023 at 10 a.m. on its website. The theme for 2023 is the Kingian Nonviolence Pledge: Listen, Learn, Grow and Act. 

The Unity Award celebrates a member of the Watertown Community who has demonstrated excellence in supporting Watertown residents. Once again, we are seeking nominations of individuals and organizations for this year’s award. For the first time ever, the Unity Breakfast will offer a $500 honorarium to the winner of the Unity Award.

Watertown’s Parking Ban Suspended Over Holidays

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Police Department:

Effective December 23, 2022 enforcement of the All Night Parking Ban will be temporarily suspended – barring any snowfall that would require plowing or sanding. Should there be a snow event please refer to the City website for available off-street parking locations. The City of Watertown is monitoring weather forecasts that include a potential for winter precipitation and/or icing on Saturday morning December 24, 2022, and therefore a parking ban may be implemented for a period of time if it becomes necessary for snow/ice removal operations. Please monitor the City’s website, social media, WCA-TV and other sources for any potential announcements that would temporarily put a parking ban back in place. Police Chief Thomas Rocca encourages all homeowners to continue using available off-street parking during the overnight hours.

Watertown Celebrates Festival of Lights with First Hanukkah Menorah Lighting

Charlie BreitroseRabby Dovid Zaltzman of Chabad Watertown lights the menorah at Arsenal Yards during the Hanukkah celebration. The Festival of Lights was on full display in Watertown Monday night, with a Hanukkah Menorah lighting, a gelt drop, and even a fire dancer. The first annual Watertown Menorah Lighting took place in a courtyard at Arsenal Yards, and the event was organized and presented by Chabad Watertown, a recent addition to town. Rabbi Dovid Zaltzman, from Chabad Watertown, said Hanukkah celebrates a miracle that occurred back in Biblical times. The Jewish people had just defeated the Greeks in a war, but during the war the Jewish Temple was damaged.