Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Hands out $12K in Health Grants

By |

More than $12,000 in grants went to organizations working to make Watertown a healthier place, and will fund efforts to stop substance abuse, a school gardening program and more

The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) Board of Directors has awarded $12,550 in “Healthy Watertown” grants funded by Tufts Health Plan Foundation to the following organizations serving Watertown. Improbable Players: A grant to continue alcohol and drug abuse prevention education for the 6th grade students at Watertown Middle School. Watertown Health Department and Live Well Watertown: A grant to help implement an after school wellness program that prepares high school students to educate and empower middle school students to make healthy lifestyle choices when enter high school. Watertown Health Department and Watertown Police Department: A grant to help fund a substance abuse task force coordinator to raise awareness of substance use disorder in the community and further goals of prevention and education, and support, intervention, treatment and recovery. Watertown High School Counseling and Academic Program: A grant for transportation so WHS students with emotional and behavioral disabilities can attend tours at two nearby colleges.

Around Town

Hundreds Welcome Santa Claus at Tree Lighting on Watertown Square

By |

Hundreds of children and their parents waited eagerly for the fire truck that would deliver the man in red Friday night, and when he arrived fashionably late Santa Claus was mobbed. 

St. Nick came to Watertown Square for the Watertown Tree Lighting Ceremony, hosted by the Watertown-Belmont Chamber of Commerce. One side of the Watertown Delta was packed with people getting into the holiday spirit. Kids got on parents’ shoulders just to get a glimpse of Santa. A group of kids made use of the stump left after a 90+ year-old tree was removed this week, by turning into a stage for an impromtu caroling session.

Around Town

Watertown Provincial Guard Being Inducted into Historical Military Commands

By |

The Watertown Provincial Guard will be inducted into the Centennial Legion of Historic Military Commands during a ceremony hosted by the Historic Society of Watertown. 

On Saturday, Dec. 12 at 3 p.m., the Centennial Legion of Historical Military Commands (CLHMC) accept the Watertown Provincial Guard 1st Middlesex Regiment “1775” in to the Centennial Legion of Historic Military Commands. The Watertown Provincial Guard participates in events around town, such as the Memorial Day Parade and the Treaty Day Celebration in July. This CLHMC is comprised of close to 100 member units, all derived from the 13 original colonies from the years 1776-1876. The Legion was originally formed on July 4, 1876 at the Centennial in Philadelphia to “perpetuate the military organizations who served and protected our country in the in the early days of its history prior to , during and subsequent to the Revolutionary War, and to unite together such military commands as shall exist, or their successors, in one body, pledged to keep alive their ancient traditions,” according to the CLHMC.

Around Town

Come Try Out the New Fun Fitness Equipment at Moxley Field

By |

The new Multi Fitness Stair Trainer will be unveiled at Moxley Field on Monday, Dec. 7 at 2:30 p.m.

As part of the Wellness the Watertown Way campaign, the schools purchased the equipment using money from the federal Carol White Physical Education Program Grant, or PEP Grant. Director of Wellness & Extended Services Donna Ruseckas said the equipment has a stair climbing element along with a slide. This was put in by the designers at Colliseum so instead of having to go back down on the stairs, which puts strain on knees and other joints, they slide and have some fun too! The equipment also includes other work out stations where students can do pull ups, dips and bounce a medicine ball off a wall off.

Around Town

See When Santa Arrives at the Commander’s Mansion Holiday Open House

By |

The Watertown Commander’s Mansion will deck the halls for the annual Holiday Open House on Thursday, Dec. 3. The event free and open to the community and runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the Watertown Fire Department will deliver Santa at 6 p.m.

Take a self-guided tour of the decorated rooms on both floors of the mansion. The decorations come courtesy of Watertown Home Depot. Watertown Savings Bank will bring Santa, and you can visit him from from 6-8 p.m. Make sure you bring your camera!

Around Town

Visit Santa and Get a Photo With Him at the Watertown Mall

By |

Santa Claus has arrived at the Watertown Mall, and you are invited to come get a photo with him. Santa’s Village is located near Carter’s and will open on the following dates:

December 4-6
December 9-24

Santa’s Village Hours:

Monday – Friday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Christmas Eve: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Please Note: Santa’s Village is closed from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. daily.

Around Town

Watertown Group Urges ‘Compassion, Not Fear’ About Refugees

By |

A Watertown group will be holding an event to support welcoming refugees from Syria coming to the United States. 

Watertown Citizens sent out the following information:

Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment invites you to a vigil welcoming all refugees to Massachusetts on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to noon in Watertown Square. We will gather to affirm our support for U.S. policy that welcomes Syrian refugees and to stand in opposition to those who would have us turn our backs on the men, woman, and children who are fleeing the Syrian civil war. Our banners will read, “Compassion Not Fear,” “Mass. Welcomes All Refugees,” and “Refugees are Not Terrorists.”

Around Town

Still Time to Enter Watertown’s Best Holiday Decorations Contest

By |

Do you do up your home for the holidays? You can see how it stacks up in the Watertown’s Holiday Lighting and Decorations Contest. Decorate the exterior of your home in your best Holiday Cheer for the chance to win a $250 American Express Gift Card and a $250 Donation to your local charity of choice. The deadline for entry is Dec. 4, 2015. To enter: email your name, address and phone number to bob@bobairasian.com.