Boys & Girls Club’s Renee Gaudette Stepping Down, Club Searching for New Director

Watertown Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Renee Gaudette will be leaving her position. Here, she received the Executive of the Year Award in 2015. She was nominated by Chris Chrombie, right, the club’s Project Director. The Watertown Boys & Boys Club announced Executive Director Renee Gaudette will be leaving the club leadership position after nine years. Gaudette led the Club through an unprecedented period of growth in membership, programming and funding.

Four Youth Sports Organizations Receive Grants from Watertown Community Foundation

The Watertown Community Foundation provided the following announcement:

Watertown Community Foundation is pleased to announce the grantees of this year’s Youth Sports Program League Grants. The WCF Youth Sports League Grant Program provides financial support to youth sports leagues to reduce costs as barriers to participation. With support from The Bilezikian Family Foundation and NESN, this year’s grantees include Watertown/Belmont Football and Cheerleading League, Watertown Youth Hockey, Watertown Youth Baseball, and a special grant to The Challenger Division of Little League, a program for developmentally and physically challenged youth (age 8-21), that helps them enjoy the full benefits of baseball in an athletic environment structured to their abilities. WCF aims to serve Watertown youth from kindergarten through high school, their families, and the volunteer coaches who run the leagues. Many children cannot participate in organized sports due to the cost and many coaches assume the added burden of paying players’ fees themselves.

Sullivan Tire Seeks to Collect 300K Pairs of Socks for Homeless Shelters

Laurie Fadden from their Human Resources Department and Sullivan Tire Vice President of Marketing, Paul Sullivan with some of the socks collected at Sullivan Tire locations. The following information was provided by Sullivan Tire:

Sullivan Tire values making a difference in the communities that they serve. From now until May 1st, they are holding a Sock Drive to help those experiencing homelessness remain warm and healthy. Socks are one of the most requested items from individuals and families experiencing homelessness, yet they are the least donated for those in need. 

Sock Boxes are located at over 100 Sullivan Tire auto service, commercial truck centers, and wholesale locations throughout the New England region to gather donations from anyone who is looking to participate. They ask that donated socks be new, but can be any color, style or size from infants to adults. 

“Since our founding in 1955, Sullivan Tire has made a commitment to giving back to the less fortunate in the communities we serve and beyond.

Watertown Grad Breaks High Jump Record at Bridgewater State

Abbi Peterson. Watertown’s Abbi Peterson set the school record at Bridgwater State in the high jump in a recent track meet. The graduate of Watertown High School set the new mark by clearing the height of 5 feet, 7.25 inches (1.71 meters). She placed first at the BSU women’s outdoor track & field team’s season-opening BSU Bears Invitational on March 26. The previous record of 5 feet, 6.5 inches was set by Samantha Richner in 2016.

Hatch Maker Space: YardArt Extended, April Workshops

The following information was provided by Hatch Makerspace:

Hatch Makerspace is located at 20 Summer Street in Watertown, MA. An extension of the Watertown Free Public Library, we are a free public workshop with space, equipment, and materials available for your use. YardArt

YardArt is a citywide exhibit of whimsy and ingenuity on our front yards, open to anyone living or working in Watertown. Follow the map on foot, bike or car to view the installations: https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1aAqn1TWJgVQqFAGvRdv4jx0aZwyoBUWS&ehbc=2E312F

Latecomer? No problem! There is still time to register to get a yard sign and appear on the YardArt 2022 map.

Take a Bike Tour of Watertown’s YardArt This Weekend

Get ready for the YardArt Watertown Bike Tour on Sunday, March 27! Organizers sent out the following details:

The ride leaves at 1 p.m. from the Wells Avenue municipal parking lot (behind the CVS in Coolidge Square). View a Google map of the tour: https://bit.ly/3N2ojKe. Printable street-by-street directions: https://bit.ly/3CU9CVi. Rain date is April 3.

Watertown Cable Offering Range of Workshops This Spring

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Cable:

Watertown residents of all ages are invited to sign up for WCA-TV’s free in-person workshops, which will take place this Spring from the end of April through mid June. A few select remote workshops will also be available. These hands-on workshops range from learning how to produce your own tv show from start to finish, to creating and developing your own podcast. All in-person workshops will take place at our studio located at 50 Columbia Street in Watertown. Masks will be required indoors regardless of vaccination status.

Watertown’s Winter Parking Ban Lifted Early

The Watertown Police Department announced the end of the winter parking ban. The WPD sent out the following announcement:

Police Chief Michael Lawn would like to inform you that Watertown will lift enforcement of the all night parking ban effective Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at 12:00 pm. The Department of Public Works, Police Department and Fire Department would like to remind motorists that keeping the streets clear allows for road repairs, street cleaning and easy access for public safety vehicles. To that end, all Departments encourage residents to make full use of off-street parking when it is available.