Nine Watertown Organizations Named Winners in WSB Annual Customer Choice Awards

All the 2026 winners of Watertown Savings Bank’s Customer Choice Awards. (Photo from Watertown Savings Bank)

Watertown Savings Bank hosted the winners of the 2026 Customer Choice Awards, and handed out $100,000 to non-profits from Watertown, Belmont, Waltham, Newton, Arlington, and beyond. See details in the announcement from WSB, below. On Tuesday, May 5, Watertown Savings Bank distributed $100,000 amongst 34 local non-profit organizations chosen by its banking customers and local residents, at their 27th Annual Customer Choice Awards Night held at the Sons of Italy Hall in Watertown. St.

OP-ED: Tech is Not Always the Answer

Something remarkable happened in 2025: about 18 states banned students’ access to smartphones and other personal electronic devices from the first to the last bell of the school day (bell-to-bell). More states followed in 2026. This shift reflects growing awareness that these devices are intentionally designed to steal our children’s attention – negatively affecting school environments and obstructing effective learning. Rave reviews are pouring in from bell-to-bell schools across the country. Disciplinary incidents are down, attendance is up, grades are improving, and students report feeling more connected to one another and to their school.

Town Wide Yard Sale Coming in June, See How to Participate

The 2026 Town Wide Yard Sale is Saturday, June 13 and Sunday June 14, 2026! See details in the announcement provided by the City of Watertown, below. For one fee of $10, you can schedule your yard sale on Saturday, June 13, Sunday, June 14, or both days! We’ll do the advertising, provide a list of addresses to buyers and make it a community event for all to enjoy!!! 

See the 2026 Town Wide Yard Sale Flyer. and the 2026 Town Wide Yard Sale Registration Form.

OBIT: Henrietta Parrott Light, Cared for Greenhouses at Lyman Estate, Helped Start Chemical-Free Garden Tours

Henrietta Parrott Light

Henrietta Parrott Light of Watertown, MA, died peacefully at her home on May 2, 2026. Henrietta (Penny) was born in Dayton, Ohio on Oct. 8, 1930, to Robert Ferguson Light and Henrietta Clunet Light, who raised her with a lifelong love of gardening and the natural world, literature, music, and friendship. She graduated from Smith College with a degree in early childhood education, which she applied to a year of teaching at Ruggles Street Nursery School in Roxbury before dedicating her energies to raising her four children and cultivating her interests in music and horticulture. Later, she attended the Horticulture Program at Mass.

JIM’S VIEW: Watertown Baseball Faced Stoneham, Winchester at Victory Field

Watertown Baseball moved to 1-5 in league play with an 8-2 loss to Stoneham at Victory Field on the afternoon of May 1. In six league games to date, Watertown has scored 0, 1, 1, 4, 1 and 2 runs. It’s not a recipe for winning baseball, whether you are the run-prevention Red Sox or the Watertown Raiders Varsity Baseball. The Raiders have some good, young talent and they are only going to get better, but putting together hits and scoring runs continues to be a challenge in a very stingy Middlesex League. The Raiders sent Julian Boas, their sophomore right hander, to the mound, and early on he was in command. So was Stoneham’s tall right hander, along with his decent fastball and curve. After two innings on a beautiful Spring day, and at the end of a cool and rainy week, the game was scoreless and visions of a pitcher’s duel seemed real. But the Raiders came unglued in the third, letting their starter down with poor defense and flat play. Boas started the third with a ground out to first. It looked like he had the second out when a wicked breaking ball got Stoneham’s leadoff hitter to chase for strike three — but, the ball bounced in front of Raiders catcher Andrew Reilly and by the time Reilly retrieved the ball in fair play, the Stoneham runner was three-quarters of the way down the first base line. Reilly didn’t have a chance to throw him out by this point, but he tried and best intentions went awry, as the ball went to the right of first baseman Peter Pavlidis and towards the chain-link fence behind first base. The runner had struck out, but got the bag at first and took second on the throwing error. Instead of two outs and no one on, it was runner on second with one out. Demoralizing if you are a pitcher!

Patrick’s PALS to Host 30th Annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament May 30

Patrick’s PALS will host the 30th annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament fundraiser on May 30. Watertown-based Patrick’s PALS is in its 30th year, raising money for research into Fragile X Syndrome, the most common inherited cause of autism and intellectual disabilities. A 3-on-3 basketball fundraiser will be held at the TRACK at New Balance. See more details provided by Patrick’s PALS, below. For 30 years, Patrick’s PALS has brought together athletes, families, and the Greater Boston sports community to raise awareness and critical funding for Fragile X Syndrome – the most common inherited cause of autism and intellectual disabilities worldwide – with 100 percent of proceeds supporting FRAXA Research Foundation and its mission to develop effective treatments and ultimately a cure.

Watertown Walks in May Include Strolls Focused on Art, the River & the Library’s Project Literacy

The City’s Watertown Walks series continues in May with a variety of themes from fitness, to the Library’s Project Literacy program, the Community Sculpture Walk, and a stroll along the Charles River. See details provided by Live Well Watertown, below. Moving more is an easy way to improve health and walking with a group builds community. Watertown Walks

NOTE NEW TIME

Thursdays, May 7, 14, 21, 281:00 pm – 2:00 pmMeetup at lower Saltonstall Park, next to Watertown City Hall

May 7th – City Happenings / Project LiteracyTake a Walk with Janet Saied, Watertown’s Project Literacy Director and learn more about Watertown’s diverse population and how you can get involved. The walk will provide a deeper appreciation for the people and programs that make Watertown vibrant and learn about the history of Project Literacy and the variety of volunteer opportunities, from tutoring and classroom support to helping facilitate conversation groups.