Around Town

LETTER: First Path Day Care Center’s response to Boys & Girls Club Chairman Medville

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“WBGC has a choice to either work with First Path in a friendly manner to help it and its families through a difficult time or to continue to wave the stick of eviction over the heads of First Path’s families and staff that include infants, children with special needs, refugees from war in Ukraine and long-term day care teachers. We would like WBGC to remember the Golden Rule that we teach our children, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.”

As a local business, providing daycare services to the community of Watertown for more than 26 years, we were disappointed to read the recent Letter to the Editor from the Chair of the Watertown Boys and Girls Club (WBGC) {Boys & Girls Club Planning to Expand, Obstacle Hindering Its Efforts; July 26}. Our disappointment arises from Mr. Medville’s incorrect assertion that “now the only barrier to moving forward is First Path Daycare’s consistent failure to live up to their agreements.” In 2020, 3 years prior to its lease expiration First Path wrote to the Club in an e-mail “Our lease is expiring in 3 years. We need to plan ahead and would like to start discussing lease extension… 3 years might sound as a long time, but in reality it is short period relative to long term plans. ” Club’s reply; “Board President … will work … on developing a plan for lease negotiations.

Around Town

Longtime Employee Named Watertown’s New Recreation Director

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Ernie Thebado was named Watertown’s new Director of Recreation. (Photo by Peter Centola)

The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

Congratulations to Ernie Thebado, the City of Watertown’s new permanent Recreation Director effective Monday, July 29, 2024. Ernie has been a pillar of the Watertown Recreation Department since he was hired as the Assistant Director in 2008. In this role Ernie oversaw the Department’s programs, services, and events; expanded programming; cultivated strong partnerships between the City and community groups like Wayside and the Boys and Girls Club; and served as a trusted point of contact for the community and City staff. Prior to joining the City, Ernie worked for the Watertown Boys and Girls Club for 20 years, most recently as the Assistant Executive Director, where he oversaw all programming as well as the day-to-day operations of the organization and the facility.

Around Town

Sample Ben & Jerry’s New Non-Dairy Treats in Watertown

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The following announcement was provided by Ben & Jerry’s:

Calling all Ben & Jerry’s fans! Ben & Jerry’s is hitting the road this summer for an immersive dessert experience to celebrate its new creamier-than-ever oat milk Non-Dairy recipe. The Creamy, Dreamy Non-Dairy Summer Tour is making its way across seven select cities from June to August, including New York City, Tampa, FL, Atlanta, GA, Raleigh, NC, Washington, DC, Boston, MA and Burlington, VT.  The location at Watertown’s Arsenal Yards will be participating. From August 6-7, Boston area fans are encouraged to bring their families, friends, and co-workers to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experiential event and taste the new oat-based recipe for themselves. This creamy base is replacing all existing sunflower and almond variations and will be the base for all of the existing 19 Non-Dairy flavors today and moooving forward.

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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

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.

Around Town

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

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.