Around Town

Watertown Girl Scouts Spend the Night in the Woods

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Girl Scouts from around Watertown spent last Saturday night in the woods. The scouts headed to Camp Cedar Hill in Waltham where they spent the day doing crafts, hiking and playing field games. “Each girl was encouraged to be independent and self sufficient” said Encampment Director, Emma Galloway, “That’s what Girl Scouts is all about; Building courage, confidence, and character!” Some of the activities included practicing to build a fire, archery, stargazing and cooking their dinner over a campfire. They also played field games such as empty pizza-box relay (with boxes donated by BHOP), beach volleyball and pool-noodle caber toss.

Around Town

Mount Auburn Hospital Creates Lyme Disease Education Program

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The number of tick-borne diseases is rising in the area, and the Mount Auburn Hospital has started a new program to educate residents about ticks and diseases they carry. The goal of the campaign is preventing Lyme disease with early detection, and it offers a number of tips. “We have created a multi-pronged education program. We’re targeting schools, camps, golf courses – really anyone who lives in Middlesex County is our audience.  Ticks are everywhere,” said Mary Johnson, Director of Community Health at Mount Auburn Hospital. The best way to prevent tick bites is awareness and early detection, said  Trish Lemon, Infectious Disease RN and educator at Mount Auburn Hospital.

Around Town

Man Busted on OUI When Making Late Night Drink Run

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A Mattapan man faces drunken driving charges after police spotted him speeding and trying to go to a liquor store after 2 a.m.

At 2:41 a.m. on June 7, an officer was helping another officer on a traffic stop when he spotted a car speeding on Arsenal Street, said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. The driver also did not show any attempts at being cautious when going past the police cruisers. The vehicle then made a sharp turn into the parking lot of Arsenal Wine & Spirits. which was closed at the time. “The officer observed the individual banging on the door of the liquor store,” Lawn said.

Around Town

Rain Does Not Dampen Opening of Watertown Farmers Market

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Despite the a rainy day, many eager shoppers hit the opening day of the Watertown Farmers Market at the Arsenal on the Charles on Thursday. Fresh vegetables, nuts, preserves, ice cream and Tex Mex food were among the offerings at the Farmers Market. Market Manager Kate Weinstein said she got brisk business. “We’ve got a really good turn out for the first day, even with the rain,” Weinstein said. A recent Community Health study found that many residents wanted a farmers market in town, said Steve Magoon Watertown Director of Community Development and Planning.

Around Town

Artist Group Seeking New Home, Might Leave Town

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The Turtle Studios has been in town since the Clinton Administration, but it may have to leave Watertown unless it can find an affordable spot. The group of 28 artists calls the second floor of the Watertown Elks Lodge home, but in December they were told that the building was being sold, said Jen Dunning, an artist who has been part of the group for the past 8 years. “We have until Sept. 30 to find new space,” Dunning said. The group has been looking at spaces around Watertown, but have yet to find a space big enough in their price range.

Around Town

See the Watertown Peer Leaders “I Am” Video

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The Watertown Peer Leaders group at Watertown High School recently wrapped up an anti-drinking and drug campaign with the release of a video. 

The video premiered at an event at the Watertown Police Station on May 19. Sara Berkowitz, Peer Leadership Advisor for the Watertown Youth Coalition wrote the following announcement about the “I Am” video:
The Watertown Youth Coalition, a program of Wayside Youth & Family Support Network would like to recognize the hard work of their Peer Leaders, a group of informed, dependable, open-minded and dedicated Watertown High students who recognize and accept people for who they are. They are committed to making healthy choices and representing those decisions at school and in the community. Peer leaders take on many roles, working with teachers, students, parents and community members to run activities, promote diversity and acceptance and role model positive behavior. They develop surveys, lead presentations and help prevent substance abuse among youth in Watertown.

Around Town

Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshall Served His Country and Community

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The grand marshall of this year’s Watertown Memorial Day Parade served in the Marine Corps in World War II and served his town and state in his civilian life. Paul C. Menton joined the Marines and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. When he returned home, spent his life serving his community. Menton was elected to be Watertown’s State Representative in the Legislature and then served as legal council to the State Legislature. He also served as a judge in the Massachusetts Courts.

Around Town

ACLU Speaker to Talk About Technology, Surveillance at Watertown Citizens Meeting

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The Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment will welcome the ACLU’s director of Technology for Liberty Program at the group’s Annual Meeting. Kade Crockford’s keynote address, titled “It’s Not Just the NSA: The Surveillance State Trickle-Down in Massachusetts,” will talk about the using technology in the service of core personal and social freedoms.

Crockford is currently working on a long-term project to document and challenge the militarization and federalization of state and local law enforcement. She built and maintains the dedicated privacy website www.PrivacySOS.org which hosts the Privacy Matters blog, available at www.PrivacySOS.org/blog. The annual meeting and potluck dinner will be held at the Auditorium at The Apartments at Coolidge School, 39 Arlington St. in Watertown on June 1 at 5:30 p.m. Crockford will speak at 6:45 p.m.