Around Town

Mount Auburn Cemetery Names 14th President and CEO

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Matthew Stephens, Mount Auburn’s 14th President & CEO. (Photo by Richard Morgenstein)

Mount Auburn Cemetery sent out the following announcement:

The Mount Auburn Cemetery Board of Trustees has unanimously selected Matthew Stephens to be its 14th President and CEO. A vocal advocate for the power of green spaces in urban environments and an outstanding business leader with strong experience in strategic planning, Stephens will begin in his new role in September. “Mount Auburn Cemetery plays a unique, multi-faceted role as a historic site, an active cemetery and a vibrant green space. Matthew Stephens’ has the energy, vision, and expertise to successfully lead Mount Auburn Cemetery,” said Patricia Jacoby, Chair of Mount Auburn’s Board of Trustees. “As we approach our two-hundredth anniversary in 2031, we have many opportunities to consider how to continue our long history of effectively connecting this special place with nearby residents and visitors alike.”

With more than 15 years of leadership experience, Stephens has managed historic, public-facing organizations with complex missions.

Around Town

Watertown Food Pantry Coordinator Named a Commonwealth Heroine

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Kathleen Cunningham, coordinator of the Watertown Food Pantry, received the Commonwealth Heroine award recently. She was recommended for the honor by State Rep. Steve Owens, shown right. State Rep. Steve Owens provided the following announcement:

Kathleen Cunningham, of Watertown, was honored as a member of the 2021 class of Commonwealth Heroines. Recommended by State Rep. Steve Owens and selected by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW), Cunningham joins over one hundred other women who were recognized for their “unheralded acts on a daily basis that make our homes, neighborhoods, cities, and towns better places to live” according to a statement released by the MCSW. Cunningham serves as the Coordinator of the Watertown Food Pantry, which continues to be a vital resource for community members in the area.

Around Town

Watertown Library’s Hatch Makerspace Reopening Soon, Classes in July

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Hatch Makerspace sent out the following information:

We’re reopening! Hatch staff and volunteers are ready to welcome you back starting Wednesday, July 7th. Hatch will be open Tuesday – Saturday from 1-9 PMHatch will continue to follow all library closures. Masks are required for unvaccinated individuals and strongly recommended for everyone. Hatch Makerspace is located at 20 Summer Street in Watertown, MA.

Around Town

Watertown’s Newest Eagle Scout Celebrated at Ceremony at Lowell School

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Troop 30Eagles with Watertown connections: State Rep. Steve Owens, USMC Private First Class Michael McNamara, Patricio Pino (Watertown’s newest Eagle), Troop 30 Scoutmaster Doug Syer, and Sons of Liberty District Chairman Steve Sookikian, whose childhood scouting experience was Troop 222 at St. Stephen’s Armenian Church. Watertown Troop 30 provided the following announcement:

In a ceremony highlighting the Eagle Scouts with Watertown connections, Troop 30 celebratedcelebrating Patricio Pino, Watertown’s newest Eagle. The event was held at the Lowell School, where Patricio attended grade school. On his way to the rank of Eagle, Patricio chose a service project where he worked with Troop 30and Pack 30 to collect coats for homeless veterans.

Around Town

See What’s Going on This Week at the Watertown Senior Center

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Town of WatertownWatertown Senior Center

The following information was provided by the Watertown Senior Center:

Greetings! Many Watertown Senior Center Programs via Zoom. Call (617) 972-6490 for details. Programs for Week of June 28, 2021

June programs are offered on Zoom. Call for access info: (617) 972-6490. New participants always welcome in every program!

Around Town

Volunteers Urging Watertown Residents to Change to 100% Green Electricity

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Volunteers Nicole Gardner, Deborah Peterson and Sunrise members Alex, Lana, Leyla talk about the effort to urge residents to opt for 100 percent renewable electricity. (Photo by Griegg Abadon)

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee:

Volunteers are hitting the streets of Watertown to urge residents and small businesses to opt up to 100 percent renewable electricity through the Town’s official Watertown Electricity Choice Program. On Sunday, June 20, 16 organizers and other volunteer distributors met at noon to enjoy frozen treats, share their experiences, take photos to share with the press, and choose a turf to cover if they had not already or were ready to do another, leaving just six turfs left for signup. The Town of Watertown and several local endorsing groups are taking advantage of the nice weather while promoting the most affordable way to reduce one’s carbon footprint: Opting Up to 100 percent Green in Watertown’s electricity program. The campaign seeks to reach all of Watertown’s 12,000 households and small businesses by signing up volunteers to hand deliver an info-filled door hanger to a Watertown neighborhood.

Around Town

Shoppers, Vendors Happy to Be Back at Opening Day of Watertown Farmers Market

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Anaïs MarkwoodShoppers returned to the Watertown Farmers Market at Saltonstall Park on June 16. The Watertown Farmers Market opened on Wednesday, June 16, with the white peaks of vendors’ tents once again lining Saltonstall Park. After having restrictions last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the market is now fully open once again, and has introduced a handful of new vendors for the 2021 season. 

Shoppers streamed back and forth around the outdoor market and queues even formed in front of some of the more popular vendors, including the stalls for Clear Flour Bread and Boston Smoked Fish Co. Everyone seemed excited to have the market fully open again, whether they be vendors, shoppers, volunteers, or the market manager, Stephanie Venizelos. 

While Venizelos described the 2020 season as “an exceptional year,” saying that the market actually saw an uptick in business as shoppers worked from home and tried to avoid supermarkets, she is hopeful for another successful year. “We love the park, we love the vendors, so we’re confident that the market will do well again this year,” Venizelos said.