Around Town

Assistant Recreation Director Looks Back on 30 Years Working with Watertown’s Youth

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Assistant Recreation Director Ernie Thebado has worked with the children of Watertown for three decades. Photo provided by the Watertown Recreation Department. Ernie Thebado, the assistant director of the Watertown Department of Recreation, recently reached the 10 year mark working for the Town, and prior to that he had another 20 years working at the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. During his three decades in Town he made some strong and lasting connections. His career, however, did not begin in Watertown. 

“It all started with the Marlborough Boys and Girls Club,” Thebado said. “It was a stone’s thrown from my home.”

Around Town

Watertown for All Ages Starting Program to Help Seniors Who Can’t Drive

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The following information was provided by Watertown for All Ages:

A local non-profit organization, Watertown for All Ages (WAA), is spearheading an initiative that will help older residents stay independent, active and engaged in the community even when they no longer drive. “Older people who stop driving are at risk of isolation and depression, a problem that our initiative will seek to prevent,” said Chris Miara, coordinator of the new project. WAA recently received two grants to start a town-wide effort to ensure older people have information about, and access to, safe and appropriate transportation. The grants from Tufts Health Plan Foundation and the Watertown Community Foundation will be used over the next year to study the obstacles older residents face in getting around town without a car and develop a set of recommendations to address these obstacles. WAA is in the process of forming an advisory committee of town officials and residents to guide the work of the transportation project, and is seeking volunteers to participate in this and its other activities dedicated to making Watertown a more ”age-friendly” community.

Around Town

Santa Claus Greeted by Hundreds at Watertown Square Tree Lighting

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Hundreds turned out on a cold Friday evening for the annual Watertown Square Tree Lighting Ceremony. Photo by Charlie Breitrose

Delivered on a big red fire truck, the guest of honor at Friday night’s Watertown Square Tree Lighting Ceremony was swarmed by his many fans. The annual event on the Delta in Watertown Square drew a big crowd once again. Before Santa Claus arrived, children got a chance to say hi to Frosty the Snowman, and enjoy some cookies, hot cocoa and cider. 

Town Councilor Anthony Donato, who is also a Rotary Club member, greeted everyone, and remembered longtime community leader and supporter of the event, Paul Airasian, who passed away in September. He also thanked the veterans on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day.

Around Town

Commander’s Mansion Adds Some Holiday Cheer to Watertown

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Commander’s Mansion Facilities Manager Tammy McKenna takes a photo of a family visiting Santa Claus during the Holiday Open House. Photo by Charlie Breitrose

The Commander’s Mansion was decked out for the season Thursday evening as the historic home in Watertown hosted the annual Holiday Open House. Dozens of families visited the home to view the Christmas trees, enjoy some cookies and hot cocoa, and listen to some carols. Rooms in the historic Commander’s Mansion were decorated for the holidays, including this Christmas tree. Photo by Charlie Breitrose

Santa Claus arrived at the Mansion with a special escort from the Watertown Police Department.

Around Town

See When the Free Gift Wrapping Station Setting Up at Watertown Mall

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The Watertown Mall provided the following information:

Free Gift Wrapping! Join us for a day of complementary gift wrapping at the Watertown Mall courtesy of Antioch Community Church! We will have Antioch Community Church here on Saturday, December 15 from
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Complete all of your holidays needs in one stop! Our wrapping station will be located outside of Carter’s. Let us lend you a helping hand during this busy holiday season!

Around Town

Watertown Cable’s ‘Inside Watertown’ Receives Award from Alliance for Community Media

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A local talkshow produced by Watertown Cable Access won an award at the recent Alliance for Community Media Northeast Region Conference. The producers of “Inside Watertown,” Samantha Dudley and Ashley Hardy received the second place award in the Budget II General Talkshow category at the in ACM Northeast Region Conference in Schenectady, New York, in October. Watertown Cable announced the award on Wednesday. The show highlights groups and people who make a difference in Watertown. The show is co-hosted by Charlie Breitrose, editor of Watertown News, and Paul Airasian, a local business and community leader.

Around Town

See Who Got Health Watertown Grants from the Community Foundation

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The Watertown Community Foundation sent the following announcement:

From indoor gym equipment for Watertown Head Start Program to keep pre-schoolers moving all year long to healthy lunches for vacation camps at the Boys and Girls Club leveling the field for all, The Watertown Community Foundation has announced the recipients of this year’s Healthy Watertown grants.  

“We are THRILLED to have received the Healthy Watertown Grant for the Watertown Boys and Girls Club. We have been hoping to do this initiative for years, and finally we will be able to offer healthy lunches during our vacation camps.” — Mary Kern WBGC

Seniors will have a chance to take Zen Art classes plus attend a summer supper club.  Firefighters will get Mental Health First Aid training through Wayside Youth & Multi Service Center. “Thanks so much for this award. We are very excited to be able to offer MHFA to the firefighters!” — Laura Kurman

Lt. Dan Unsworth will continue to help community members and their families cope with opioid addiction and challenges facing their families with the Free Community Narcan Program. Watertown For All Ages will begin their study on transportation needs for seniors and every senior in town will get a chance to find out how to cook and eat healthy with Seasoned, a new magazine from CHOP CHOP Magazine.

Around Town

Filippello Park’s Grove Street Project Adding Green Area, Dog Park & Hard Courts

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Planning for the renovation of the Grove Street entrance to Filippello Park began six years ago, and discussions for what to do with the section of the former Watertown Landfill date back to 1984, so Recreation Department officials are excited to that construction is nearly complete. The area used to be the location of the incinerator at the landfill. While the rest of the land was turned into Filipello Park, the property near Grove Street had largely been paved over and used for parking, basketball courts and, in the winter, the Town’s snow dump. Recently, Recreation Director Peter Centola met with Glenn Howard, project designer from CDM Smith to go over some of the last details in the project. Discussions about how to reinvigorate the area began in 2012, Centola said, and morphed over the years. The Grove Street entrance will have a large dog park, two gazebos, a hard court playing area, and additional parking.