Watertown Recognizes National Vietnam War Veterans Day

Charlie BreitroseA giant American Flag flies over the moving Vietnam Ware Memorial at Gore Place in 2016. Watertown held the first annual National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29. The City Council declared the day by passing a proclamation during the March 22 Council Meeting. At the meeting, Watertown Veterans Services Officer Patrick George said the day was about 50 years in the making. Servicemen and women who served in Vietnam did not get the parades or other thanks when they came home, George said.

Watertown Community Fridge Looking for New Home

Watertown Community FridgeThe Watertown Community Fridge, located outside Francis Market. The following announcement was provided by Watertown Community Fridge:

The Watertown Community Fridge is looking for a new home! Do you know a local business that is interested in hosting the Fridge and supporting food security in Watertown? The Watertown Community Fridge team is grateful to our hosts at Francis Market, but we need a new space so we can keep serving our community. We need to leave our current space by April 20th, so we’re hoping to find a new host ASAP and we want to make sure it’s the perfect partnership for everyone!

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.