Around Town

Watertown Marine Killed in Vietnam 52 Years Ago Today

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Paul Gorman, a Watertown Marine killed in Vietnam, had a memorial dedicated in his name on Main Street at Emerson Road. The following piece was provided by Jim Prendergast, a friend of Paul Gorman:

Today, July 30th, we remember Marine PFC Paul Gorman, who gave his life for his Country fifty-two years ago. Paul grew up on Emerson Road, attended St. Patrick’s grammar school and graduated from Watertown High in the Class of 1966. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in September 1967 along with 10 other Watertown young men.

Around Town

Watertown Library Reopens, Virtual Programing Still Available

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The Watertown Free Public Library partially reopened on July 27. The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

The Watertown Free Public Library reopens this week for browsing only. This means you will be able to check out materials and purchase used books in the café. Our librarians will be able to direct you to what you’re looking for. Curbside pickup service will continue.

Around Town

Watertown Scouts Hold Crossing Over Ceremony

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Daniel Duarte crosses the bridge from Cub Scouts, leading his mother Evelyn Pedroza and
brother Jeremiah Rios over to the Cub Scouts. The following piece was submitted by Watertown Troop 30:

Watertown’s Troop 30 held a socially-distant crossing over ceremony last week as two new Boy Scouts were promoted into its ranks. Daniel Duarte and Lucas Pelegrin are now officially Boy Scouts. 

Normally held at a campsite and with hot chocolate and cookies, the current Coronavirus crisis prompted some changes this year. Duarte, Pelegrin and Cub Scout Pack 30 met up along the Charles River and met up with Troop 30 in an open field — everyone masked for safety. There,Troop 30 built a bridge for Webelos Scouts to cross over, with each plank of the bridge spelling out the words of the Scout Law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Around Town

Portion of Filippello Park Closing for Construction

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Filippello Park. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Recreation Department:

The Filippello (Arlington) section of Filippello Park will be closed to the public and all users beginning Monday, July 27 at 6:00am and ending Friday, July 31 at 6:00pm due to the installation of pole foundations for the new lighting system. This includes the field, walking track, tot lot / playground and table and grill areas within the Filippello (Arlington) section of the park. This does not include the Filippello (Grove) entryway, dog park, courts, parking lot, Filippello (Grove) field, tot lot, table and grill area, bathroom and spray park. The Park Adventure Program offered by the Recreation Department will be moved to Arsenal Park and the Raiders FC clinic will move to the Victory (Oval) for the week.

Around Town

Demolition of Hosmer School Will Begin Soon

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A map of the area around Hosmer Elementary School, including the traffic plan for the fall. The section of the school in the dark green area will remain after the rest of the school, to the left, is demolished this summer. The demolition of a portion of Hosmer Elementary School will begin on Monday, July 27. Project Manager Thomas Finnegan, from Hill International, sent a letter to school and town officials, and others, updating them about the reconstruction project. The auditorium and cafeteria will be torn down as part of the demolition work, which will take about four weeks.

Around Town

Learn How to Save Someone from an Overdose at Free Naloxone Training

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Wayside Youth & Family Network shared the announcement that free training on how to use the anti-overdose medication Nalaxone will be offered in August. The training on how to use the Nalaxone (also known by the commercial name Narcan) nasal spray will be offered online, an is being run by the Cambridge Public Health Department. Read the event announcement below:

Are you worried about overdoses happening where you work or live? Wondering how you can help prevent an overdose?  Come and learn skills that could save lives. The Cambridge Public Health Department offers free overdose prevention and response trainings on a monthly basis to the community and free on-site trainings for groups by appointment.    This comprehensive 1.5-hour training includes:

Up-to-date information about the opioid crisis in Cambridge.How to distinguish between overdose and non-emergency situations, such as drunkenness.   What to do if you see someone in trouble.How to access naloxone (Narcan™), the overdose reversal medication.  

To learn more, please contact Tali Schiller at the Cambridge Public Health Department at naschiller@challiance.org.

Around Town

Sheriff’s Office Offering Virtual Youth Public Safety Academy

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The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian is inviting Middlesex County families to participate in a series of live, virtual Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) events beginning July 29 at 10 a.m.

The virtual series will replace the annual in-person camp designed for youngsters ages 8-12 that was cancelled this year due to COVID-19. “YPSA is one of our most successful community programs,” said Sheriff Koutoujian.  “Each year, more than 1,000 youngsters participate alongside our staff and other public safety professionals from across Middlesex County.  Not only do participants learn value safety lessons, but they build relationships with the public safety professionals who work hard to keep them safe.  This virtual series will allow us to maintain and strengthen the important connections we strive to make with our county’s youngest residents.”

The live session will include videos and presentations on important public safety topics. Families wishing to register for the series can email YPSA@sdm.state.ma.us to learn more.

Around Town

Watertown Library Partially Reopening Next Week, Will Have Hours for At-Risk Patrons

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Watertown Free Public Library

The Watertown Library sent out the following announcement:

The Watertown Free Public Library will reopen to the public on Monday, July 27. Using the Library will be a very different experience until coronavirus is no longer a major health concern. We are very excited to invite our patrons back. Unfortunately, we cannot offer all of the services that so many have been able to depend on, but it won’t be forever. This is what we can do for you now until the time comes that is safe to resume our regular services.