Around Town

New Vendors Joining Watertown Farmers Market — Opening Day June 17

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The start of the Watertown Farmers Market is around the corner and shoppers have some new options to choose from this year, which will be offering baked goods, bagels, produce, tahini and more. The first farmers market will take place on Wednesday, June 17, from 2:30-6:30 p.m. in Saltonstall Park, at the corner of Main Street and Whites Avenue, next to Town Hall (149 Main St.). The Market will run rough Oct. 14, and — to begin with, at least — will operate with social distancing measures (see farther below). The managers of the Farmers Market sent out the following statement”

The start of the season has been challenging for many small farms and businesses from loss of staff and the need to make changes to business operations with new safety precautions in place.

Around Town

Watertown Library Kicking Off Summer Reading Drive-Thru on June 16

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The Watertown Library sent out the following announcement:

How do you throw a summer reading kick-off party in the age of social distancing? The Watertown Free Public Library has hit on a fun solution: it’s the first-ever Summer Reading Drive-Thru! On Tuesday, June 16, you’re invited drive (or walk) to the Library and pick up summer reading booklists, bingo boards, and more for children and teens. WFPL librarians will be stationed in the parking lot handing out grab bags to take home. There will be music, there will be balloons … so bring the kids along for the ride.

Around Town

Second Vigil for Black Lives Draws Crowd, Some Controversy; Council Pres. Makes Statement on Issue

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Protesters at the Vigil for Black Lives in Watertown Square on Tuesday hold signs and wave at passing cars. A few hundred people came out. For the second week in a row, hundreds showed up in Watertown Square to remember George Floyd and protest against racial inequity. Tuesday’s event included a march to the Square, and also chalk drawings which became the focus of some disagreements. Also Tuesday, Town Council President Mark Sideris read a statement during the Town Council meeting supporting the protest, but adding that he did not support efforts to defund or cut funding to the Watertown Police Department.

Around Town

Watertown Library Extends Hours for Curbside Pickups

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Watertown Free Public Library

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:

Beginning Monday, June 15 the library will offer additional evening curbside pickup hours. The new pickup schedule is: Monday 1 pm – 4 pm, Tuesday 4 pm – 7 pm *New Hours*, Wednesday 11 am – 2pm, Thursday 4 pm – 7 pm *New Hours*, Friday 9 am – 12 pm 

Placing Orders: Call 857-203-8009 to place orders. Calls can be made Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. A library employee will take orders for up to 5 items that are currently available in the library catalog. Anyone that does not have internet access may call for personal assistance with choosing materials.

Around Town

Watertown’s Camp Pequossette Cancelled Due to COVID-19

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Watertown’s summer camp, that has run for more than half a century, will not be taking place during the summer of 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, announced Recreation Director Peter Centola. Centola sent out the following letter:

The Pequossette Summer Program has served our Watertown residents for the past 52 years and made a life changing positive impact on our children in terms of physical, emotional and social learning and development. The Pequossette Program has also fostered a nurturing and mentoring environment for our adolescent and young adult staff to assist them in theirdevelopment. Over the past several years, under the direction of Director Brian Donato, the Pequossette Summer Program has served approximately 237 children per week and employed over 70 dedicated and talented staff. As you are well aware, the COVID19 pandemic has negatively impacted life as we know it and dramatically limited our ability to offer opportunities as we once did in a safe and practical atmosphere.

Around Town

Library Hosting Virtual Talk on Urban Wildlife, Teen Book Groups & Creative Writing for Kids

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The historic facade of the Watertown Free Public Library. The following information was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:

This week, the Watertown Free Public Library is excited to welcome Peter del Tredici of the Arnold Arboretum for a Zoom talk about urban wildlife. The library is also hosting book groups for Teens, a creative writing program for Children and so much more, all online and accessible from home. 

A full list of virtual programs is included below. Want to stay up-to-date with everything that the Library has to offer during the COVID-19 pandemic? Sign up for our eNewsletter here: watertownlib.org/eNews

FOR CHILDREN

Creative Writing with The Mysteries of Harris BurdickJun 1 – 30 | The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg is a fascinating book containing fourteen mysterious images. Can you imagine a story surrounding the pictures?

Around Town

Support Group for Family of Those with Mental Illness Meeting Online

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The following information was provided by NAMI:

The virtual NAMI Family Support Group will be held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm using zoom.us so the next one will be on Tuesday, June 9.  We will offer this until we are able to meet in person again. This group is for caregivers of persons with mental illness. See namimass.org for information regarding peer groups for people themselves experiencing a mental illness.    

To get the information to enter this group, we need your email address.

Around Town

Watertown Holding Flag Day Ceremony at Ridgelawn Cemetery

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Members of Watertown’s veterans groups salute at the Flag Retirement Ceremony on Friday. The following information was provided by the Watertown Veterans Services Office:

Watertown will hold a Flag Retirement Service and Ceremony at Ridgelawn Cemetery on Sunday, June 14th, 2020 beginning at 10:00 AM. We will also rededicate the flagpole. This event is open to the Public; however, in accordance with health & safety guidelines, attendees must wear a face covering and practice appropriate social distancing. Please reach out to the Veterans’ Services office if you have a flag you’d like to properly retire.