Around Town

Recreation Department Announces Opening of Parks, Outdoor Facilities

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Recreation Director Peter Centola announced that Watertown’s outdoor recreation areas are open for use, but he warned they will not be in tip top shape yet.Centola sent out the following announcement:

The Parks Department of the Department of Public Works have approved the opening of the outdoor recreational faculties in the Town of Watertown effective today March 23, 2016. That being said, each facility is in need of sprucing up and this will take time to complete. Please be patient! In the meantime, please use the email parksrec@watertown-ma.gov if there is an item of concern at any facility. Feel free to take a picture if you wish, and clearly identify the facility and specific location.

Around Town

See the New Programs Offered by the Watertown Boys & Girls Club

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Watertown Boys & Girls Club will be offering some new and exciting programs this spring! Join the “Intro to Theater” program for just $20. This 6-week program is a collaboration with the Arsenal Center for the Arts and Watertown Children’s Theatre and will be offered on Fridays from 4-5 p.m. starting on April 8. Must be a Club Member, ages 7-13, to join. To register, contact Chris Crombie at 617-926-0968.

Around Town

Belmont Savings Hosting Fun Run With World Marathon Challenge Runner Becca Pizzi

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Belmont Savings Bank announced its sponsorship of the first-ever Becca Pizzi Family Fun Run on Sunday, April 10. The 5K race is in recognition of Belmont native Becca Pizzi’s accomplishment as the first U.S. woman to complete the World Marathon Challenge, in addition to serving as a special sendoff celebration for Pizzi and other runners competing at this year’s Boston Marathon. The race will begin and end at Belmont High School track. Registration and bib pick-up begins at 7:30 a.m., with the 5K beginning at 9 a.m., with the 1-mile kid’s race starting at 9:05 a.m. T-shirts will be given to the first 200 runners participating in the 5K with all proceeds from the event going to the Becca Pizzi Scholarship Fund, via the Belmont Boosters. “Becca is a remarkable role model to young Belmont residents through her tireless drive and emphasis on hard work and healthy exercise,” said Bob Mahoney, president and chief executive officer, Belmont Savings Bank.

Around Town

Join Discussion of the Future of the Senior Center, Services for Older Adults

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The Town Council’s Human Services Committee will hold a hearing to discuss the town’s next director of the Watertown Senior Center and the Council on Aging at a public meeting on Monday, March 28 at 7 p.m.

The meeting will be held at the Auditorium at the Coolidge School Apartments, 319 Arlington St. The following announcement was sent out about the meeting:

Watertown’s search for a new Director of Senior Services is underway, and the Town Council’s Committee on Human Services looks forward to hearing residents’ vision for the Senior Center, including their thoughts on programs for older adults and the qualifications they desire in a new Director. The Council on Aging & Watertown for All Ages are pleased to be collaborating with the Human Services Committee to provide the community a public forum to share their ideas and priorities with the Town Manager and other town officials. Participants will learn about the services that are currently provided to those 60 and over in Watertown and examples of offerings available in surrounding communities. During small group discussions, we will envision the future of the Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center.

Around Town

OBIT: Anthony Frank Messina, 81, Coached Football, Served in the Coast Guard

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Anthony Frank Messina “Coach”, 81, of Tallahassee, peacefully passed away March 17, 2016. A son of the late Frank and Maria Covino Messina, he was born September 28, 1934, in Watertown, Massachusetts. After a distinguished 22 year career with the United States Coast Guard, retiring as Petty Officer First Class, he joined the FSU Seminoles Football team, as a walk-on player. He went on to play football and graduate from FAMU. After graduating, he began a career in teaching and coaching at Apalachee Elementary School, Rickards High School and FAMU.

Around Town

Area Church to Hold Services for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday & Easter

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The First Baptist Church of Belmont announced its schedule of services for the week leading up to and including Easter. The church is located at 129 Lexington St. in Belmont includes many Watertown residents, and all are welcome to attend the services. Palm Sunday services will be held on March 20 from 10-11 a.m., followed by coffee/refreshments at 11:15 a.m. and Adult Sunday School from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.

Maundy Thursday Service with communion will be at 6 p.m. on March 24. Easter Sunday is March 27, and the church will hold a service from 10-11 a.m.

Around Town

Arsenal Project Hosts the 11th Annual Boys Scouts’ Pinewood Derby

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They may only be five ounces in weight and seven inches long, but there will be a lot of beautifully carved and decorated wood race cars zooming down a 30 foot, 3-lane track in close to 3 seconds as the annual Sons of Liberty District (S.O.L.D.) Pinewood Derby will be run on Saturday, April 2 at the Arsenal Mall in Watertown. The Spirit of Adventure Council of the Boy Scouts of America has chartered various organizations within the fourteen communities of Waltham, Watertown, Belmont, Arlington, Medford, Malden, Melrose, Revere, Chelsea, Everett, East Boston, Charlestown, Somerville and Cambridge to deliver the Scouting Program to boys in the first- thru fifth-grades through 27 different Cub Scout Packs operating within the 14 communities. First-grade boys (called “Tigers”), second-grade boys (called “ Wolves”), third-grade boys (called “Bears”), fourth-grade boys (known as “first-year Webelos”) and fifth-grade boys (known as “second-year Webelos”) have already won at their local competition level; now they will be representing their Packs, their chartered organizations, and their communities as they Do Their Best to show how much fun Scouting can be. The top three placers at each level will be awarded trophies to take back to their Packs. Every Cub Scout who represents his Pack at the District Pinewood Derby receives a distinctive “2016 Spirit of Adventure Council Pinewood Derby Participant” patch to wear proudly on his uniform as a temporary activity patch.

Around Town

Researcher to Discuss His Study of the Catholic Cemetery at Mt. Auburn

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The Historical Society of Watertown Presents Documenting Sand Banks Cemetery in Watertown’s East End by Bill McEvoy on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at 7 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room

The Historical Society sent out the following information:

After four years of research, Bill McEvoy’s research of the Catholic Mount Auburn Cemetery (also called Sand Banks Cemetery and Cottage Street Cemetery) is complete. Sand Banks Cemetery, a less than 7-acre parcel, is owned by and receives minimal care from the Archdiocese of Boston. The cemetery has many exquisite and finely carved monuments erected to residents from all walks of life. Not all of the graves are marked and many of the monuments are weathered and in need of repair. Many have fallen face up/down and others are in danger of falling.