Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/aroundtown/page/493/)
Happy Independence Day! While government offices are closed on the Fourth, most stores and places to eat are open. Retail stores: Owner’s discretion. Liquor stores: Open. Supermarkets: Open.
The Watertown Youth Coalition (WYC) celebrated their 9th Annual Community Spirit Awards event held on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, the group announced. Community members gathered at Arsenal Park to recognize and honor people for going above and beyond to support Watertown youth and families. Each year, the WYC asks the community to nominate people who:
Serve as a positive influence or mentor to a Coalition member or to others in the community
Have the courage to address challenging issues that affect youth and the community
Actively take steps to improve the Watertown community (in big and small ways)
The WYC was pleased to present awards to:
Rev. Mike Clark, Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church, for his work supporting people in the addiction recovery community. Eileen Donahue, Physical Education Teacher, Lowell School, for her outstanding Leadership qualities working with youth of all ages and building collaborations between athletes and students. Kerry Evans, Boys and Girls club staff, for spearheading a successful teen night at the club.
The Watertown Free Public Library will be closed on July 4, but there are plenty of activities the rest of the month. The Library sent out the following information:
SUMMER READING
Summer Reading is for all ages! This week, the Children’s Room kicked off our Summer Reading program with a fun and interactive performance by the Yo-Yo People! We have a ton of fantastic programs and performances for children this summer. Teens can challenge themselves this summer by tracking their reading, leveling up to win prizes along the way.
On Saturday, July 1, 2017, Watertown’s Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance will take effect, meaning that single-use plastic bags will no longer be given out by stores. The group that originally proposed the new rules will provide free bags to residents and has spread the word about the new ordinance. The ordinance first came to the Town Council from the ReThink Plastic citizen’s group more than four years ago. The Council’s Rules & Ordinances subcommittee worked with members of ReThink Plastic to draft the ordinance that was ultimately approved by the Town Council in June 2016. “The Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance will help make Watertown a healthier place to live and will help reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the Charles River and in our trees and parks,” said ReThink Plastic member Eileen Ryan.
The Watertown Boys & Girls Club will host their annual golf tournament on Monday, August 14, 2017 at the Oakley Country Club. The tournament honors one of the Club’s original founding members, Stephen Mugar. His children and grandchildren generously perpetuate his legacy by sponsoring this annual event. The Mugar Family will match the tournament’s net profits up to $80,000, thus making this the largest annual fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club, accounting for nearly 30% of the Club’s yearly revenue. Foursomes and single golfer tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/WBGCGolf2017, along with sponsorships of varying levels.
Tufts Health Plan Foundation announced new community investments of more than $1.7 million to build healthier communities by promoting collaboration and improving systems and best practices. These grants reflect the Foundation’s commitment to advancing age-friendly policies and practices that are relevant, focus on older adults, and include them in community solutions. To date this year, the Foundation’s active community investments, including ongoing commitments to previously announced grants, total more than $2.6 million. “Momentum is building around the age-friendly movement,” said Nora Moreno Cargie, president of the Tufts Health Plan Foundation and vice president, corporate citizenship for Tufts Health Plan. “These grants emphasize collaboration and system change.
The Historical Society of Watertown will celebrate two significant historical events for the town, the state and the nation during the Treaty Day celebration. The Historical Society announced that everyone is welcome at the free event on Saturday July 15, 2017, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Edmund Fowle House, 28 Marshall St., Watertown. The Treaty Day 2017 event marks two important occasions in history that occurred at the Edmund Fowle House in Watertown: the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence to the citizens of Watertown on July 18, 1776; the signing of the first treaty negotiated by the new nation with a foreign power, namely the St. John’s (a.k.a. Maliseet) and Mi’kmaq Tribes of Nova Scotia on July 19, 1776. Guest speakers will share information related to the importance of the Treaty.
Starting Monday, June 26, Watertown News will have new guidelines for commenting on stories on the site, with preference given to people signing their names to comments. Due to numerous complaints I have received from people in the community about people commenting anonymously or using a screen name, the rules for those who do not use their name will be different. I read comments before approving them to go on the site, but over the past year or so I feel some debates have gotten out of control. While I understand people may not want to use their own name, I also think it is not fair to allow people to make statements – especially directed at other commenters or people in the story – under the anonymity of a screen name. People will still be able to comment without their name, BUT, a person can only make one comment per story anonymously.