Around Town

Watertown’s Renee Gaudette Named Executive Director of Playworks New England

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Renee Gaudette has been named Executive Director of Playworks New England. (Courtesy Photo)

The following announcement was provided by Playworks New England:

Growing up a latchkey kid, Renee Gaudette spent her afternoons on the basketball court, playing four-square and tag. Now, she is back on the playground as the new Executive Director for Playworks New England. The Watertown native brings more than 20 years of youth development and leadership experience. Part of a national organization, Playworks New England partners with schools, school districts and community organizations across all six New England states to ensure more than 68,000 youth experience safe and healthy play during and beyond the school day.

Around Town

Our History: Restoration of the Civil War Soldiers’ Monument

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The newly restored Civil War Soldiers’ Monument (Photo courtesy of Joyce Kelly)

The following story is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Jon Spector, a former Board member of the Historical Society of Watertown for the January 2014 Historical Society newsletter, “The Town Crier.”

We are pleased to report that the historic Civil War Soldiers’ Monument in Saltonstall Park has at last been restored.  Historical Society of Watertown Council Member Jon Spector was the Chair of this project. 

This statue stood in disrepair for decades and would have remained so if Jon had not taken the initiative to get it restored. His diligence in getting the word out, raising the funds, writing the newsletter to keep people updated on the progress and pursuing the grant in conjunction with the town was a lot of work. His dedication to the restoration of this monument is evident. What a transformation!

Around Town

LETTER: What the Delta Saw: A (slightly) Irreverent and Rambling History of Watertown Square (Part 10)

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Watertown Square

Part 10: Change is Inevitable. Growth is Optional. (John Maxwell)

By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Soapbox Alert:

There are different definitions for the word “Growth.” In its simplest terms, it means getting bigger. But there are other, less quantitive and more qualitative definitions, more subtle meanings to the word. For instance, if you’re talking about growth in a human being, it’s more than the measure of their height or weight.

Around Town

LETTER: State Statute Causing Confusion About Voting Status

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Last year there was a lot of confusion on Election Day at the polls because of a Massachusetts Statute. In Watertown, many enrolled voters were marked “INACTIVE” including State Rep. Lawn. In Massachusetts, when you do not send back the city/town census, you are marked “INACTIVE” on the election roll.  However, many Watertown voters did send back the city census, but the business vendor sent them to the wrong place. City Hall did not receive them. What does it mean if you are marked “INACTIVE”? It means you are an enrolled voter! It means you can vote!

Around Town

Watertown Group Hosting Meeting on the Climate Crisis and Militarism Project

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment:

The Vets for Peace describe the Climate Crisis and Militarism Project as part of the world-wide movement to end the climate crisis and promote climate, environmental, racial, and economic justice. Our emphasis focuses on how the U.S. military, the single largest institutional source of greenhouse gases on the planet, fuels the climate crisis. A Special Presentation by Veterans for Peace will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 20 from 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

This will be an online presentation. The presentation will take place as part of the Monthly Membership meeting of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment.