Letters

LETTER: Thanks to Supporters at Operation American Soldier Golf Tournament

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What an incredible day! Thanks to all of you who joined us for our Annual Golf Tournament on Sept. 22 at Windham Country Club — whether you played, sponsored, volunteered, or just came out to cheer us on — we raised over $20,000 for Operation American Soldier! 

Your support keeps us going and helps us continue our mission to serve those who serve us. We truly couldn’t do it without you. A huge shout-out to our Platinum Sponsors for their amazing generosity:

The DeWitt Charitable Fund, Cornerstone Mitsubishi, The Pvt Shutt Detachment, VFW Post 1105, Point32 Health, 356Z Foundation, TJX, BAE Systems, Teddie Peanut Butter, John & Wendy Rocca, Danny Mazzola, Sky Meadow Country Club, and Watertown Savings.

Around Town

Watertown Boys & Girls Club Running December Vacation Program

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December vacation 2025 is longer that most years, and the Watertown Boys & Girls Club will be offering limited daily programs during the school break. See more information provided by the WBGC, below. WBGC is offering a December vacation program that will run across four days on December 22/23/29/30 for kids ages 7-12 during the break to help families keep their kids busy and active during the break. Registration for our program is now open and we’re offering a $10/day discount on the daily fee for all registrations by Nov. 1, 2025.

Around Town

Watertown Church Hosting Series of Parenting Workshops

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Grace Chapel Watertown

Grace Chapel will hold a series of parenting workshops at the church in Watertown. See details provided by Grace Chapel, below. Ever feel lost about what to do when your kids pull you in different directions, and wonder if you’re getting this parenting thing right? Parenting is demanding, sometimes exciting, and always a huge responsibility. Before we launch our kids into adulthood, we need a clear North Star, a guiding vision that keeps us steady and focused on what’s most important in your life.

Around Town

Wayside Staff Spotlight: Program Director Sophia Suarez-Friedman

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Sophia Suarez-Friedman. Sophia Suarez-Friedman, Wayside Multi Program Director, shared her favorite local spot in Watertown, career advice, and what keeps her rooted to Wayside Multi in the latest Wayside Staff Spotlight. See what she said in the Q&A provided by Wayside. Suarez-Friedman oversees community-based prevention, outreach, resource navigation, and counseling services for Watertown, Waltham, and surrounding communities. In this role, she leads program development, supervises staff, manages grant funding and reporting, and collaborates with city agencies, schools, and community partners to strengthen access to vital resources.

Government

State Rep. Owens Hosting Office Hours in October

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State Rep. Steve Owens

Residents can meet with State Rep. Steve Owens during three office hours in the month of October, including two in Watertown. See details in the information provided by Rep. Owens’ Office, below. Please come visit me at my next office hours:

Thursday, October 9 from 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. at Kendall Kitchen at the Quad (10 Wilson Road, Cambridge, MA 02138)

Monday, October 20 from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Watertown Senior Center (31 Marshall St., Watertown, MA 02472)

Friday, October 31 from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at Triangle Coffee Bar (66 Galen St., Watertown, MA 02472)

The Statehouse is open to the public and my legislative office is in suite 167. The office phone number is (617) 722-2230. Please give us a call or drop us a note if you plan to stop by!

Entertainment

Watertown Artists Will Take Part in Semi-Annual Turtle Studios Open Studios

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The following announcement was provided by Turtle Studios:

On the weekend of October 25 and 26, Turtle Studios will swing open its doors to the public for its semiannual Open Studios art exhibition and sale at 213 California Street, Newton, from 12-5 p.m. Several Watertown artists have studios. Turtle Studios has an exciting and eclectic mix of members who keep art in their lives and bring their lives to their art in a supportive community that values the creative process, experimentation and self-expression. They are joined by a handful of guest artists who will also display and sell. Watertown artists include: Susan Jones, Sheri Kennedy, Helen Denham, Liz DeLemos, Laura Frader, Sarkis Gavlakian, Daniel Jacobs, and Dominic Killiany. This is also a rare opportunity to see this sunlit, shared space and learn about upcoming workshops and membership opportunities.

Elections

LETTER: Resident Endorses Candidate for Library Trustee

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I attended last week’s WCA-TV Library Trustee Candidate Forum, and I continue to be impressed with Mr. Xin Peng. In his few years here, I have never seen someone connect so many people so rapidly. He has been instrumental in Pride month, leads World in Watertown and serves on the Human Rights Commission. And now he is running for Library Trustee in the upcoming election. He is passionate about much, but community empowerment ranks at the top. As an immigrant who became a U.S. citizen last year, Xin brings a deeply personal understanding of how public libraries can transform lives.

Police/Fire

Former St. Stephen’s School Teacher Faces Charges of Possession & Distribution of Child Pornography

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The following report was provided by The Waltham Times:

By Isabella LaprioreThe Waltham Times

Stephen McDonough, 60, of 251 Ridge Lane, Waltham, pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of child pornography and distributing material of a child in a sexual act at a Sept. 26 arraignment at Waltham District Court. McDonough was arrested by Massachusetts State Police following the execution of a residential search warrant by the State Police Crime Unit, State Police Crime Scene Service, Middlesex State Police Detective Unit, Waltham Police Department and Watertown Police Department at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 25. According to the police report, McDonough, a former physical education teacher at St.