Around Town

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.

Around Town

2 Chances to Chat with Watertown’s Community Engagement Specialist in August

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

August’s schedule for Watertown Chats includes stopping by the Watertown Housing Authority, and a lunch outing in Arsenal Yards! Come sit-down and chat with Tyler Cote, Watertown’s Community Engagement Specialist, on August 8, 2024 at 55 Waverley Ave. from 12-1:30 p.m.! You’re welcome to stop by any time, no appointment required. You can find Tyler in the Community Room through the Summer Street entrance.

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Watertown Group Holding Vigil Remembering Those who Died in Hiroshima, Nagasaki

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Candleboats float on the Charles River in Watertown in memory of those who died in the nuclear bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice & the Environment:

On Sunday, August 4 in Watertown Square the community will remember the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (flyer attached). The 7 p.m. event will begin with a silent vigil, followed by speaker Kevin Maher of the Soka Gakkai Buddhist Community, music by Sue-Ellen Hershman-Tcherepnin and Suzy Giroux, and a launching of candle boats at the MDCR dock. Subtitled, “Never Again — No More Hiroshima and Nagasaki! No more victims — abolish nuclear weapons,” the stated purpose of the event is to honor the victims, decry that the original five nuclear states have not taken serious steps to abolish nuclear weapons, urge the United States to sign the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and strengthen the global grassroots movement to eliminate such weapons.

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Conversation About Social Media & Youth Mental Health in Watertown Tonight

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Watertown’s Teo Evans will be hosting an discussion at the Watertown Library on Tuesday for parents and others working with youth focused on social media and mental health. Evans provided the following information:

I’ll be hosting an event titled Disconnect to Connect on Tuesday, July 30 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the WFPL. If you’re a parent, work with youth ages 10-18, or know some one who could benefit from the conversation about social media and youth mental health, please join us and share the information. We’ll have a panel/audience of parents and youth, dinner, prizes, and engaging open discussions. 

If you or someone you know would like to be on the panel please have them reach out to me at my business email or phone # ephiteo@emergedwellness.com | 617-764-9592. 

Around Town

Podcast Focuses on People, Places & Stories of Watertown

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Matt Hanna has spent the last several months getting to know people living and working in Watertown, and has produced more than 20 episodes of Little Local Conversations. He provided the following information about his ongoing project:

Hi there! I’m Matt Hanna, a Watertown resident of 14 years now, and I want to share with you a little project I’ve been working on to dig a little deeper into the people, places, stories, and ideas of Watertown. Matt Hanna

I’ve always enjoyed living here and over the years in the city I’ve gotten married, had a kid, been a stay-at-home parent, sheltered in place, worked, and volunteered and I’ve experienced the city in all the ways those different life stages and points of view have brought me. But it wasn’t until quite recently that I started to truly appreciate how wonderfully unique Watertown is and especially how many amazing people have shaped and are shaping the city, in big ways for everyone to see, and in smaller, but no less important ways within smaller communities.

Around Town

Tour the Historic Commander’s Mansion in August

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Charlie BreitroseThe Commander’s Mansion in Watertown. The following information was provided by the Commander’s Mansion:

Watertown’s Commander’s Mansion will be holding free public guided tours in August. Receive a complete tour of the property that was part of the U.S. Army Arsenal, led by the Mansion’s summer intern. The tour includes all all rooms on the first and second floors, plus the grounds, including the lawns, grape arbor, and veranda. Friday, Aug.

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Local Man Hopes to Find a Kidney Donor for Himself or Another Person in Need

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James Pagounes, second from right, seeks an organ donor before his kidneys fail. He is shown here with his family: wife, Joanne, and sons Othon, Kimon, and Iraklis. (Contributed Photo)

James Pagounes first learned he had something wrong with his kidneys when he got an abdominal ultrasound 15 years ago. “The doctor said, your stomach looks fine, but the guy looks and finds that my kidney has a problem,” he recalled. “It’s been declining ever since then.