Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/author/guest-writer/page/3/)
Greetings:
Sometimes; residents express their thoughts and concerns on social media; inclusive of our much appreciated and respected, Watertown News. Through the years, I have learned that the public process only works when the powers that be hear directly from constituents; in documented communications. Nothing else counts! Take the initiative to make a difference. Participate in the open, public process.
Artwork created by Watertown students will be on display through the month of April. See details in the announcement from the Watertown Schools. Watertown Public Schools Art Show
Location: Watertown Mall
When: April 8 – May 1, 2025
Art Show Reception:
Tuesday, April 8, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Watertown-based Actors’ Shakespeare Project received 12 nominations for the 2025 Boston Theater Critics Association Awards. See the announcement from ASP below. As we reach the tail end of our 2024-25 Season, it’s validating to feel the love from critics. While we don’t create theatre for the awards, we have to admit … they sure don’t hurt.That’s why we’re so grateful to the Boston Theatre Critics’ Association and the Elliot Norton Award Committee for all our accolades for our recent productions!Here are all twelve nominations that ASP productions garnered this cycle:
Romeo and JulietOutstanding PlayOutstanding Lighting Design – Deb SullivanOutstanding Sound Design – Jesse Hinson
August Wilson’s The Piano LessonOutstanding PlayOutstanding Director – Christopher V. EdwardsOutstanding Lead Performance – Omar RobinsonOutstanding Featured Performance – Anthony T. GossOutstanding Featured Performance – Jade GuerraOutstanding Featured Performance – “ranney”Outstanding Scenic Design – Jon SavageOutstanding Lighting Design – Isaak OlsonOutstanding Ensemble
And thank you to everyone who made these amazing productions possible — from the actors, to the designers, to the technicians, to the box office team, to the audience members who have been with us for over twenty years — we mean it when we say: we could not do it without you.Congratulations to all our fellow nominees — click the link below to see a full list of nominees. be sure to join us on June 2 at Huntington Theatre for the Elliot Norton Awards!
The following announcement was provided by MORE:
MORE, an integrated marketing communications agency recognized for its behavior change and cause-driven campaigns, announced promotions and leadership appointments under new CEO Megan Palamé and new COO Beth LePage. The moves reflect the agency’s continued investment in talent and strategy as it embarks on its next chapter after the sale to Palamé and LePage by the company’s founders. “The sale of MORE marked an exciting milestone for the agency and a continuation of its legacy of being women-owned,” said Palamé. “These promotions are a natural next step in our evolution. We are continuing to grow by welcoming new team members and lifting the people who have helped shape MORE into what it is today.”
Four senior team members were named. Julia Gould, Vice President, Account Services & Operations – A key member of the MORE team for over 13 years, Gould helps MORE deliver and launch comprehensive multi-touch campaigns with impactful results for the agency’s clients. A trusted partner to clients, she excels in relationship-building, fostering collaboration and trust to ensure long-term success. She has worked closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking, Massachusetts Executive Office of Aging & Independence, and Massachusetts General Brigham and the Red Sox Foundation’s Home Base Program. She has led the state’s most recent COVID and flu vaccine campaigns. Gould holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing communications from Emerson College.
James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”
On April 8, 2025, City Council heard the City Manager’s FY26 budget presentation, recognized a hometown hero, heard updates on BERDO, the referral of the Demolition Delay Ordinance for review, and met the new Watertown Police dog. See the highlights of the meeting provided by Municipal Policy Analyst Doug Newton
City Council Newsletter
Please see below for the city council’s newsletter for its meeting on April 8, 2025. You can view the video recording of the meeting here.
Mary Barry Honored as a Hometown Hero
Mary Barry, a lifelong resident of Watertown who served as a volunteer in the food pantry for over thirty years, a Parent Teacher Association member for twenty years, among many other roles such as Town Meeting Member, Brownie Girl Scout Leader, and Election Worker in Precinct Three, was honored with a proclamation at Tuesday’s council meeting as a Hometown Hero.
Mary spoke after receiving the proclamation and expressed that she wishes the rest of the world could be more like Watertown. The full proclamation can be read here.
Manager Presentation of FY26 Budget
The significant majority of Tuesday’s meeting consisted of City Manager George Proakis presenting his FY26 budget to the council. The presentation given by the manager can be viewed here, and his full FY26 budget can be accessed here.
The submitted budget contains expenditures totaling $223,660,433.
The following announcement was provided by Watertown Porchfest:
Watertown Porchfest will return to porches, lawns, and driveways on Saturday, May 17th, 2025, with extended hours from 12-6 p.m.! Last year, Watertown residents and organizations had over 70 locations and hosted over 150 performance groups, bringing music to an estimated audience of 1500 people. Registration for venues (“porches”) and performers will close on April 25th. If you are undecided or for more information, check out the details online at www.watertownporchfest.org. It is free to register and free to attend the event. Porchfest is an afternoon of free music (and other performances) performed outside of people’s homes – on porches, patios, driveways, and lawns. Businesses and organizations are welcome to host too.
Watertown-based CatholicTV Network will be broadcasting services on Palm Sunday and during Holy Week. See information from the network, below. Celebrate Palm Sunday — and Holy Week — with us!
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, and there is much more to this solemnity than waving palm branches at church or making crosses out of them! This day marks the beginning of the most important week of the Church calendar: Holy Week.On Palm Sunday, we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem—a joyful moment laced with the sorrow of his looming Passion. But we also remember how the story ends: with Christ’s ultimate triumph over sin and death through His Crucifixion and Resurrection. Join us for Mass on Palm Sunday and pray with us throughout Holy Week as we look forward to Easter!