Around Town

Group Ends 3 Decades of Helping Watertown Families of Children with Special Needs

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Donald MacDonaldMembers of the Friends of Matt Galligan Board gathered to mark the end of the Watertown-based non-profit. Pictured, Front L-R: Raymond Forte, Kelley MacDonald, Gussie Forte, Susan Calden, Cindi Galligan, Lynda Messina. Back L-R:
Edmund Griffin, Allen Gallagher, Frank Galligan, Stephen Messina, Kevin Calden. Missing Board Members: John Madden, John Bartley, Deborah Kelley. A local non-profit called The Friends of Matt Galligan recently disbanded, but not until providing financial assistance to Watertown families that have children with disabilities for more than three decades.

Around Town

Watertown Boys & Girls Club Recognizes Its Founders in Celebration of 50 Years

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The following piece was provided by the Watertown Boys & Girls Club:

As the Watertown Boys & Girls Club (WBGC) approaches its 50th anniversary Gala celebration on Oct. 28, 2022, the list of those who have contributed to its success is long. As part of the celebration, the last two executive directors Renee Gaudette and Allen Gallagher, who shepherded the Club for more than 30 years consecutively, recollected some of those who helped make the Club such a welcome resource for the children and teens of Watertown. The list includes folks who guided the kids every day, who have donated their time, talent, and treasure, and even some of the notable Club kids. The list of contributors extends far beyond those on this list, but in the spirit of this golden milestone, here’s 50 for 50, a by-no-means comprehensive and in-no-particular-order list of those who come to mind for Gaudette and Gallagher.

Around Town

Watertown Teen Raising Money to Provide Service Dog for Middle School Aide

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Watertown’s Cameron Burke will be raising money for NEADS World Class Service Dogs. For the third year running Watertown teen Cameron Burke will be running the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism 5K to raise money for NEADS World Class Service Dogs, an organization that breeds, raises, and trains service dogs for children with autism, adults and children with physical disabilities, adults with hearing loss, and for veterans. Cameron first ran the race in 2020 as a way to get out during the pandemic lockdowns and to do something good. He chose NEADS as his mom, Naomi Ridge, uses a wheelchair and has a service dog from NEADS called Charlie. Charlie helps Naomi by e.g. opening and closing doors, pushing elevator buttons, retrieving items she has dropped, and can summon help by barking if she falls.

Around Town

Watertown Church Hosting Justice & Faith Film Series

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Clipartpanda.com

The following announcement was provided by the series organizers:

A free, public film series on “Justice & Faith” will be offered this fall at the Watertown Free Public Library. The series is sponsored by the Church of the Good Shepherd, Watertown’s Episcopal parish. The three films will focus on Dorothy Day, the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, and the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Each film will be followed by an interactive discussion on justice and faith in the lives of the subjects, facilitated by the Rev. Andrew Goldhor. The following films will be shown on Sundays at 2 p.m.: 

October 2: “Revolution of the Heart: The Dorothy Day Story” traces Day’s journey from a young journalist, to a Catholic convert, to the co-founder of The Catholic Worker newspaper and the first “houses of hospitality,” which sheltered New York City’s homeless during the Great Depression.

Around Town

New Mattress Recycling Option Available for Watertown Residents

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HandUpHandUp collects mattresses and recycles them in their facility in New Bedford. Watertown residents have a new option for recycling mattresses and box springs. The City is collaborating with a company that will, for a fee, pick up these items from the curbside once a month and recycle them. The next collection date is Oct. 11.

Around Town

People Enjoy a Fine Fall Day at the 2022 Faire on the Square

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Charlie BreitroseHundreds came out on a nice fall day to check out the 2022 Faire on the Square. The 2022 Faire on the Square delighted the hundreds of visitors on Saturday on a sunny fall day. Charlie BreitroseJuggler and acrobat Cate Great entertained at the Faire on the Square. Watertown’s annual celebration at Saltonstall Park featured music, dancing, and other performers on two stages. Charlie BreitroseYoungsters enjoyed a bounce in a variety of inflatables at the 2022 Faire on the Square.

Around Town

LETTER: Cable Access Executive Director Bids Watertown Farewell

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WCA-TVHelen Chatel leaves Watertown Cable Access Television after 9.5 years as executive director. Good day Watertown,

Today is my last day in the office at WCA-TV. As I reflect back on the 9.5 years here, I remember how much my life has changed and with it WCA-TV and Watertown. When I arrived we only went live with Town Council, Planning and Zoning and School Committee. We rarely covered subcommittee hearings.