Around Town

Bluebikes Offering Free Passes Every Monday in August

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Town of WatertownThe Bluebikes station in Coolidge Square in East Watertown. The following announcement was provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mass.:

In recognition of National Wellness Month, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (“Blue Cross”) is launching its fourth annual “Mindful Mondays” initiative by offering free Bluebikes Day Passes every Monday in August, starting August 5. This initiative aims to highlight the positive impact mindfulness activities like biking can have on one’s overall health and wellbeing. The free Day Passes are accessible across Bluebikes’ 13 municipalities including Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Newton, Revere, Salem, Somerville, and Watertown. As the title sponsor of Bluebikes, Blue Cross is dedicated to fostering community well-being and mental health.

Around Town

LETTER: First Path Day Care Center’s response to Boys & Girls Club Chairman Medville

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“WBGC has a choice to either work with First Path in a friendly manner to help it and its families through a difficult time or to continue to wave the stick of eviction over the heads of First Path’s families and staff that include infants, children with special needs, refugees from war in Ukraine and long-term day care teachers. We would like WBGC to remember the Golden Rule that we teach our children, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.”

As a local business, providing daycare services to the community of Watertown for more than 26 years, we were disappointed to read the recent Letter to the Editor from the Chair of the Watertown Boys and Girls Club (WBGC) {Boys & Girls Club Planning to Expand, Obstacle Hindering Its Efforts; July 26}. Our disappointment arises from Mr. Medville’s incorrect assertion that “now the only barrier to moving forward is First Path Daycare’s consistent failure to live up to their agreements.” In 2020, 3 years prior to its lease expiration First Path wrote to the Club in an e-mail “Our lease is expiring in 3 years. We need to plan ahead and would like to start discussing lease extension… 3 years might sound as a long time, but in reality it is short period relative to long term plans. ” Club’s reply; “Board President … will work … on developing a plan for lease negotiations.

Around Town

Longtime Employee Named Watertown’s New Recreation Director

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Ernie Thebado was named Watertown’s new Director of Recreation. (Photo by Peter Centola)

The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

Congratulations to Ernie Thebado, the City of Watertown’s new permanent Recreation Director effective Monday, July 29, 2024. Ernie has been a pillar of the Watertown Recreation Department since he was hired as the Assistant Director in 2008. In this role Ernie oversaw the Department’s programs, services, and events; expanded programming; cultivated strong partnerships between the City and community groups like Wayside and the Boys and Girls Club; and served as a trusted point of contact for the community and City staff. Prior to joining the City, Ernie worked for the Watertown Boys and Girls Club for 20 years, most recently as the Assistant Executive Director, where he oversaw all programming as well as the day-to-day operations of the organization and the facility.

Around Town

Sample Ben & Jerry’s New Non-Dairy Treats in Watertown

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The following announcement was provided by Ben & Jerry’s:

Calling all Ben & Jerry’s fans! Ben & Jerry’s is hitting the road this summer for an immersive dessert experience to celebrate its new creamier-than-ever oat milk Non-Dairy recipe. The Creamy, Dreamy Non-Dairy Summer Tour is making its way across seven select cities from June to August, including New York City, Tampa, FL, Atlanta, GA, Raleigh, NC, Washington, DC, Boston, MA and Burlington, VT.  The location at Watertown’s Arsenal Yards will be participating. From August 6-7, Boston area fans are encouraged to bring their families, friends, and co-workers to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experiential event and taste the new oat-based recipe for themselves. This creamy base is replacing all existing sunflower and almond variations and will be the base for all of the existing 19 Non-Dairy flavors today and moooving forward.

Around Town

$1 Million Winning Lottery Ticket Sold in Watertown Claimed Three Weeks Before it Expired

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A $1 million winning lottery ticket sold in Watertown was claimed just three weeks before it expired. Massachusetts State Lottery announced that the $1 million Powerball ticket sold at Metro Mini Mart in Watertown Powerball won the Aug. 21, 2023 drawing. On Wednesday, a trust claimed the prize on behalf of the winner at the Massachusetts State Lottery headquarters in Dorchester. The trust was represented by trustee Elizabeth Caruso.

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Find Out About Watertown’s Miyawaki Forest Saturday

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Lowell Microforest YardArt made by students and adults in April. The following announcement was provided by Trees for Watertown:

It’s Your Forest – A Drop-By at the Library

Drop by to learn more about Watertown’s first Miyawaki Microforest, to be planted in the J.R. Lowell schoolyard on October 26th, 2024. Everyone is invited! Art + science activities for kids. Saturday, August 3rd, Noon–4 p.m.

Watertown Savings Bank Room (1st floor) Watertown Free Public Library

Explore, enjoy refreshments, and help shape this important project by sharing your ideas and hopes for the Microforest.

Around Town

Retired Recreation Director Thanks Mentors, Reflects on Nearly 50 Years Working for City

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Recreation Director Peter Centola celebrates his retirement with his family. Pictured from left, daughter Leanne, mother-in-law Irene Samourian, Peter, wife Karen, daugther Tory, and son Philip. (Contributed Photo)

Recently-retired Recreation Director Peter Centola likes to tell people worked in Watertown for 48 years. He got his start in the mid-1970s but had a break in the middle, and at one point didn’t expect to return. Following his retirement at the end of June after 15 years as Recreation Director, Centola spoke recently with Watertown News about his time as Recreation Director, his mentors, the programs and facilities he helped build, and things left unfinished.