Around Town

Former Recreation Director’s Family Funds Scholarship for Watertown Summer Camp

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The family of former Watertown Recreation Director Philip Costello donated money to the Town to allow residents to enjoy one of Mr. C’s greatest legacies — Camp Pequossette. The Costello family presented the scholarship money to the Town at a recent Town Council meeting. Instead of giving gifts to each other this Christmas, the Costellos donate money to put toward the scholarships, said Sean Costello, Philip’s grandson. “It is our request that you use this $1,630 to help bring the joy of Camp Pequossette — one of Mr. C’s greatest legacies — to children in need,” Sean said. Costello graduated from Watertown High School in 1945, where he was a star athlete.

Around Town

Council Votes to Close Gate Between East End Park & Parking Area

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The Town Council voted to close this gate to Filippello Park near the parking area at the end of Berkeley Street. A gate next to a parking area on the East End of Watertown will be closed after the Council approved a request made by nearby residents. The entrance to Filippello Park sits next to an area known as Glen Circle, which is at the end of Berkeley and Clarnedon streets. Residents of those streets have appealed multiple times to the Town to make changes in the area because they cannot find parking in the lot until the late hours of the evening and they said some park users speed down their street to get to the park, and others linger afterward drinking, smoking and making noise. Neighbors spoke about their situation in a meeting in March of the the Public Works and Human Services subcommittees.

Around Town

Watertown Firefighters Attend Graduations of Children of Lost Comrades

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Jocelyn Orangio, daughter of late-Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio, was joined by members of the Watertown Fire Department at her graduation from Clark University. Firefighter pictured, L-R: Captain J. Russo, Deputy Chief R. Nicholson, Firefighter T. Donovan, Deputy Chief T. McManus, Lieutenant R. Mannix, Lieutenant E. Allen, Firefighter T. Davis, Firefighter G. McManus. Members of the Watertown Fire Department showed they do not forget their fallen colleagues by attending their children’s college graduations this week. On Thursday, several members of the Watertown Fire Department headed to Bridgewater State for the graduation of Alyssa Toscano. She is the daughter of Joe Toscano, who died while fighting a fire in East Watertown two years ago.

Around Town

Watertown Will Mark Memorial Day With Parade, Placing Flags and Wreaths

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Memorial Day ceremonies and the parade will be held in Watertown on Monday, May 27. Watertown will honor its veterans with several events during Memorial Day week. Veterans Services Officer Patrick George announced following schedule. WEDNESDAY 22 May 2019 at 5:00 pm:

Meet at Ridgelawn Cemetery

Flags will be placed at Veterans’ graves at all Watertown cemeteries by Veteran organizations and Volunteers. Interested volunteers should contact the VSO at pgeorge@watertown-ma.gov or 617-972-6416

FRIDAY 24 MAY 2019: Veterans School Visitation:

9:00 a.m. – Watertown High School9:45 a.m. – Cunniff Elementary School10:00 a.m. – Lowell Elementary School10:00 a.m. – Watertown Middle School11:00 a.m. – Hosmer Elementary School

SUNDAY 26 MAY 2019: Morning Services and Dedications:

7:30 a.m. – WWI Memorial Stone – (front of Shutt Detachment)7:40 a.m. – Cottage Street Cemetery7:50 a.m. – Coolidge Square POW/MIA Monument8:00 a.m. – Arlington Street Cemetery8:10 a.m. – Common Street Cemetery8:20 a.m. – Charles River Float8:30 a.m. – World War II Memorial Stone (front of Town Hall)8:35 a.m. – Saltonstall Park8:45 a.m. – Moxley Field (AMVETS Post 14)8:55 a.m. – St.

Around Town

Panel on Mental Health, Jail Diversion Coming to Watertown

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The following information was provided by Wayside Youth & Family Network:

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network will hold a mental health & jail diversion expert panel in Watertown this week. This will be a free community conversation. Learn more about how the police, clinicians, and courts join together in an effort to help rehabilitate people who live with mental health challenges by helping to divert them toward the treatment and assistance that they need and keep them out of the criminal justice system. Join us at the Watertown Public Library at 123 Main St. in Watertown.

Around Town

Watertown Marine Killed in Vietnam Will be Honored with Memorial

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Paul Gorman, a Watertown Marine killed in Vietnam, will have a memorial in his name on Main Street at Emerson Road. Paul Gorman was one of the nine Watertown residents killed while serving in Vietnam, but he was the only one who does not have a memorial in his honor. That will soon change, after the Town Council approved creating a memorial square in his name. His sister Bonnie attended Tuesday’s Council meeting where the memorial on the corner of Main Street and Emerson Road was approved. “This is a wonderful opportunity to honor Paul,” Bonnie said.

Around Town

Watertown Groups Walk to Spread Peace, Healing & Against Gun Violence

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Dozens of Watertown residents took part in the 2019 Mother’s Day Walk for Peace in Dorchester. Watertown Walks for Peace provided the following piece:

Despite the rainy and cold weather on Mother’s Day, over 75 Watertown youth, their parents, and other residents joined others from Boston and surrounding communities in the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace from Fields Corner in Dorchester to Government Center. The seven-mile walk raises funds and awareness for the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, a center of healing, teaching, and learning for families and communities impacted by murder, grief, trauma, and loss. Two Watertown Groups walking together. The Watertown group, Watertown Walks for Peace, actually included two groups who joined together – Watertown Youth Walks for Peace, with 17 students from the Middle and High School and 12 of their parents; and 45 other individuals and families from Watertown community groups and churches, including First Parish Watertown and Church of the Good Shepherd.

Around Town

Nominations Sought for Watertown Youth Coalition’s Community Spirit Awards

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Youth Coalition:

Watertown Youth Coalition and Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s Multi-Service Center invite nominations for our 2019 Community Spirit Awards and welcome the community to our annual awards event to appreciate and honor the individuals in the community committed to the health and well-being of Watertown’s youth and families. This event is free and open to the public. Light dinner will be provided. To nominate someone, please fill out this form by June 1: http://bit.ly/2019communityspiritawards

*Individuals eligible for nomination are those who have:

● Served as a positive influence or mentor to a Watertown Youth Coalition member or to others in the community

● Had the courage to address challenging issues that affect youth and the community

● Actively taken steps to improve the Watertown community for youth and families (in big and small ways)

● Not received an award in the past 5 years

When: Wednesday, June 12, 2019 from 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Where: Arsenal Community Park, 458 Arsenal St., Watertown

Register here to confirm your attendance: http://bit.ly/2019communityspritawards

Funding is provided by the Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services and the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. About Watertown Youth Coalition:

Watertown Youth Coalition’s mission is to support the wellness and empowerment of Watertown youth by engaging young people, families, and the community.