Around Town

Lt. Gov. Hears from Local Businesses at Chamber Event, Pushes for Housing, Job Training & Free PreK

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Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, right, spoke at the Charles River Regional Chamber’s Spring Business Breakfast where Joe Prestejohn (left), owner of Cabot’s Ice Cream, was honored. (Photo courtesy of Charles River Chamber

NEEDHAM — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll stressed the importance of small businesses to make communities places where people want to live when she spoke at the Charles River Regional Chamber, but she added that Massachusetts faces challenges that could hurt business big and small such as the cost of housing, lack of qualified and even the cost of childcare. Driscoll also heard directly from business owners about some of the things that make it more difficult for them to thrive. She gave the keynote address at the Chamber’s Spring Business Breakfast on June 2. During the event, held at the Sheraton Boston Needham Hotel, the Chamber also honored Joe Prestejohn, the retiring owner of a Newton institution — Cabot’s Ice Cream & Restaurant.

Around Town

Raiders Baseball Team Looks Back on Successful Season After Exiting Tournament

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Photo by Brianna WilliamsThe Raiders season ended in the MIAA Div. 3 Round of 32, but the Raiders had one of their best seasons in years. FOXBOROUGH — Watertown senior captain Casey Williams pitched a complete game with five strikeouts, but the Raiders fell by a run to Foxborough in the MIAA Div. 3 Tournament on Tuesday. For the Round of 32, 38th seed Watertown High School traveled to face the sixth seeded Warriors. Along with strong pitching, Watertown had strong field work from senior captains Johnny Cacace, Robbie Iannetta and Daniel Tattrie. 

However, Foxborough took the lead early in the first inning by scoring a run.

Around Town

See the Award 2023 Watertown Historic Preservation Award Winners

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Members of the Historical Society of Watertown and Boston Tea Party pose with their 2023 Historic Preservation Awards. (Photo courtesy of the City of Watertown)

The Watertown Historical Commission awarded the 2023 Historical Preservation Awards at a ceremony held at Gore Place’s Carriage House on May 18. Awards honor individuals, organizations and projects that have shown leadership in historic preservation in Watertown. 2023 Watertown Preservation Awards

Watertown Free Public Library Reference Staff

The Richard E. Mastrangelo Memorial Award

Awarded to the Watertown Free Library and its reference staff for serving as a great historic research resource

Sheppard Ferguson

Citizenship Award

Awarded to Sheppard Ferguson for photographing and indexing the City’s historic markers

Boston Tea Party Ship

Community Spirit Award

Awarded to the Boston Tea Party Ship for installing a final resting place marker commemorating Samuel Barnard, a Watertown participant in the 1773 Tea Party

Students from the Jewish Community Day School accepted the Historic Preservation Award. (Photo courtesy of the City of Watertown)

Jewish Community Day School

Service to Youth Award

Awarded to the Jewish Community Day School for its Watertown Museum Pop-Up project on Watertown history

Marshall Place–CASCAP

Architectural Preservation Award

Awarded for the Marshall Place restoration project, led by CASCAP, preserving this 1874

Second Empire building

Mt.

Around Town

2 Watertown Business Coalition Events in June: After Hours Mixer & First Walk ‘N’ Talk

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The Watertown Business Coalition will be hosting an after hours networking event at Donohue’s Bar & Grill, and will kick off the new Walk ‘N’ Talk series with a walk beginning at Arsenal Yards. The WBC Summer Kickoff After Hours will be held on the Donohue’s patio! 

“What a great excuse to invite friends, neighbors and co-workers to visit the East End’s favorite patio! We welcome WBC Members, Non-Members and those who live and/or work in Watertown!” the WBC announcement said. The event will be on Wednesday, June 14, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided, and there will be a cash bar.

Around Town

Watertown Teaming with Belmont for 2 Day Juneteenth Celebration

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This year’s Juneteenth Celebration will expand to include not just two communities but will be held over two days. The annual celebration hosted by the Watertown Citizens for Black Lives. For the third year in a row, Watertown’s Juneteenth Celebration will be held in the Watertown Free Public Library. That will take place on Saturday, June 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Sunday, June 18, the celebration moves to Belmont’s Beech Street Center and Town Field from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Juneteenth began as a celebration of the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed. It has grown into a broader celebration.

Around Town

Learn About How to Apply for Community Preservation Act Funds & Approved Projects

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The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

The CPA Annual Public Hearing will be held in the Council Chamber in City Hall on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 7 p.m.

Don’t miss the CPA Annual Public Hearing hosted by the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) in the City Hall, City Council Chamber.  You may also join remotely via Zoom: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/91525442843. This event is a great opportunity to: 

Hear more about the recently funded CPA Projects;

Tell us your open space, outdoor recreation, community housing, and historic preservation priorities;

Learn how to apply for CPA funding; and

Get answers to your questions about CPA in Watertown. Take our one question survey, What is one thing you would like to know about the Watertown CPA? 

You may send questions or comments in advance to Lanae Handy, Community Preservation Coordinator, at lhandy@watertown-ma.gov. Visit watertown-ma.gov/cpc for more information.

Around Town

Rain Can’t Dampen Watertown Pride Extravaganza Festivities

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(Photo by Maya Shwayder)The JP Honk band performs during the second Watertown Pride Extravaganza at Saltonstall Park. Set against a gray, rainy sky, the rainbows of Watertown’s 2023 Pride festivities looked especially bright on Saturday. Families, folks, and four-legged friends of all shapes, sizes, and identities gathered on Saltonstall Park to mark the second year in a row that that space had hosted the celebration. “It’s perfect,” said Carey Conkey-Finn, Teen Services Supervisor at Watertown Free Public Library and Pride team co-leader. “We got some extra tents in a pinch.

Around Town

Rabies Clinic at City Hall Offered by Watertown Animal Control

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The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

Watertown Animal Control will be hosting its annual Rabies Clinic on Saturday, June 24, 2023 in City Hall at 149 Main Street from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Cats will be from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Dogs will be 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This clinic is open to Watertown and Belmont residents. *Enter City Hall through the side door on the park side. Go straight through the hallway where the line will be formed. Exit will be out the side door on the Library side.*

Cost: $15 per pet

Requirements:

Proof of Residency

Proof of previous vaccination (if you want a 3 year)

All dogs must be leashed, cats must be in a carrier. Payment in the form of cash or check.