Around Town

Children Put on a Show and Honored a Man Who Dedicated His Life to Youth

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More than 50 children from Watertown put on quite a performance during “The Show Must Go On,” a program run by the Watertown Recreation Department, and they remembered longtime Recreation and Lowell School employee Bob Galante. 

Saturday’s show featured songs from the 90s, said Stacy Vachon, the director, who has been putting on similar shows with the children of Watertown since she was a teenager. “We sampled techno, grunge, popular and alternative music,” Vachon said. “The kids were either backed by the teacher band or sang along with karaoke tracks.” The first two songs were dedicated to Bob Galante, who died recently. He ran the Pequossette Summer Program, and ran the Lowell School after school program.

Arsenal Project

LETTER: Where Will Families, Seniors Go to Eat and Play in New Mall?

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Dear Editor:

One of the hallmarks of Watertown was that it was a sleepy, safe, family friendly place. I know that The Old Country Buffet went out of business due to bankruptcy and it looks like Friendly’s lease is about to expire soon but The Old Country Buffet was a place that working families could  take their kids out to dinner because it was affordable. There were plenty of choices and let’s just say it was far from swanky so working families could go in their sweats and their kids could be a bit noisy without too many people being offended. Senior Citizens on a fixed income used to take advantage of their all you could eat buffet and eat enough for lunch and dinner. I know The Old Country Buffet isn’t coming back and I’m not saying we should have something exactly like it but it would be nice if we did reserve some space for restaurants that don’t charge approximately $35 for a roasted chicken. While a nightclub like bowling alley may bring in more profit and tax revenue than a traditional bowling alley, its not family friendly nor is it family affordable.

Around Town

Recreation Department Announces Opening of Parks, Outdoor Facilities

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Recreation Director Peter Centola announced that Watertown’s outdoor recreation areas are open for use, but he warned they will not be in tip top shape yet.Centola sent out the following announcement:

The Parks Department of the Department of Public Works have approved the opening of the outdoor recreational faculties in the Town of Watertown effective today March 23, 2016. That being said, each facility is in need of sprucing up and this will take time to complete. Please be patient! In the meantime, please use the email parksrec@watertown-ma.gov if there is an item of concern at any facility. Feel free to take a picture if you wish, and clearly identify the facility and specific location.

Government

Residents Invited to Give Opinion on Latest Plans for Renovation of Filippello Park

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The Recreation Department will host a meeting to discuss the renovation of Filippello Park this week. Recreation officials sent out the following information:

The Filippello Renovation Community Meeting Date will be held Wednesday, March 16, 2016 in the Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber (in Town Hall) at 7 p.m.

This will be the second Community Meeting to discuss ideas relative to the renovation of the Grove Street entrance at Filippello Park. In addition to reviewing and discussing both tentative draft renderings, other ideas are welcome. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Contact the Recreation Office at 617-972-6494 or recreation@watertown-ma.gov for any additional
Victory Field
The Recreation Department also announced that the Victory Turf Complex will be open this week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. this week, weather permitting.

Around Town

Yoga Studio Teams Up with Recreation Dept. to Offer Youth, Senior Classes

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Artemis Yoga is very pleased be a part of the Watertown Recreation Department’s initiative to offer a variety of wellness programs across age groups. We are offering two new yoga classes for youth on Mondays and a Tuesday morning gentle yoga class for adults over 55. Register at Watertown Recreation Online Payments for both classes

Yoga for Youth – Monday Evenings – March 7 to April 11. Only $40 for the six week series! Time: Grades 3-5, 6–7 p.m.

Time: Grades 6-8, 7–8 p.m.

Gentle Yoga – Over 55 – Tuesday Mornings – March 8 to April 12. Only $50 for the six week series!

Government

Recreation Dept. Seeks Summer Jobs Applicants ; Apply to Use Fields, Have a Picnic

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The Watertown Recreation Department is now accepting applications for the following positions for the 2016 calendar year. This includes, but is not limited to: Program Directors, Program Supervisors, Program Staff, Program Counselors, Counselor in Training, Specialists, Pequossette Staff, Park Instructors, and Park Rangers. For all new applicants, the following documentation must be completed and returned to the Watertown Recreation Department on or before Friday, March 11, 2016

Cover Letter (Word Document)
Current Resume (Word Document)
Letter of Reference
Application for Employment – Recreation Section Included
All new candidates will be interviewed by the Director of Recreation
All returning seasonal employees must provide documentation for First Aid, AED and CPR
New hires will have 6 months from their date of employment to complete First Aid, AED and CPR Certification
All applicants will also complete CORI and SORI forms, and other documents as part of the application process. Applications will not be considered until all documents are completely filled out. All new applicants will be interviewed by the Director of Recreation, Peter Centola once your application packet is complete.

Around Town

Rec Dept. Hosts Community Sports and Games Sunday, Youth Ski Trip

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Finish out the winter vacation with the Recreation Department’s Community Sports and Games Program, plus get ready for the ski trip to Mount Wachusett. 

The Community Sports and Games Program begins Sunday, Jan. 3 at Watertown High School between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

There are times for different age groups:

Elementary Families, Pre-K to 5th grade: 2 to 3:15 p.m.
Middle School: 3:15 to 4:30 p.m.
High School: 4:30 to 5:45 p.m.
Adults: 5:45 to 7 p.m.

 

 

You may register in person at the sight for this program
Wachusett Ski Trip
Snow is finally here, and the Wachusett Mountain Ski/Board Program is just around the corner. The trip is for grades 6-12, and will be held Jan. 9 from 4-11 p.m.

“If your child is interested and you have not signed up, please do so this week so we can plan accordingly,” the Recreation Department announcement said. Please remember to register for the bus with the recreation department and Wachusett for the skiing.

Moxley Field

New Fitness Equipment at Moxley Field Has Kids Sliding to Fitness

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A new set of stairs now stands on Moxley Field that appear to go no where, but Watertown School and Recreation officials hope they will lead to fun and fitness for the town’s children and adults, alike. The multi-fitness apparatus made by Colliseum is much more than a set of stairs. It also has a slide to shoot down after running a set of steps, and on other sides users can do pull ups, dips and push ups. The stairs appeared the week of Thanksgiving, and on Monday, creator Collis Brown came out for a grand opening celebration with some students from Watertown Middle School and the Watertown Boys and Girls Club. The equipment was purchased by the town with funds from the Carol White Physical Education Program Grant, or PEP Grant. Brown taught physical education teacher at Norwell High School, and coached high school football teams there and at Brookline High School first created the stairs with a slide when he was looking for a way to improve his players’ speed.