Around Town

Wayside Multi’s Staff Member Helps Empower Youth, Works on Substance Use Prevention

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The following information was provided by the Wayside Multi-Service Center:

Staff Spotlight: Youth Engagement Specialist Christina Lupica. Since first joining the Wayside Multi, Christina has been a vital part of the Watertown community. She is dedicated to empowering youth through peer leadership, wellness groups, and programs focused on positive coping strategies as an alternative to substance use. Christina oversees the WYC and Peer Leadership Program, and she is also a member of W2B2 Youth Wellness Coalition and Watertown Anti-Bias Coalition. Additionally, she runs life-skills groups for 12-22 year olds in Watertown and Waltham through Community Innovations program.

Obituaries

OBIT: Sebastian ‘Busty’ Santoro, 87, Founder of Santoro’s Service Center

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Sebastian “Busty” Santoro

Sebastian ‘Busty’ Santoro age 87 of Belmont, Sept 7, 2025. Beloved husband to Elizabeth ‘Betty” (Rosati) Santoro. Loving father of Tina Conlon & her husband Daniel, Lisa Santoro & Walter Santoro & his wife Franca. Cherished “Papa” to David Conlon and “Grandpa” to Adam & Giancarlo Spofford. He is the dear brother to Virginia Mancuso and the late Marie Lojko, Grace Whitezell, Pasquale Santoro, John Santoro, Domenic Santoro, Peter Santoro & Anthony Santoro. 

Busty was best known in the community as the proud founder of Santoro’s Service Center, which he opened in 1967.

Around Town

Young Entrepreneur Starts Business Selling Freeze-Dried Candy

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Kai Pope, middle, sold freeze-dried candy at a pop-up at 1st Yard Market, which is owned by Omar Omolade, left. Also pictured is Kai’s mother, Lizz. An 11-year-old Watertown boy puts a spin on candy favorites and has started selling them at pop-ups and will be at the Faire on the Square. Kai Pope started Kandy by Kai, and sells freeze-dried candy, said his mother, Lizz. The freeze drying process puffs up the candy.

Around Town

Gore Place Hosting Farm to Table Dinner

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The following announcement was provided by Gore Place:

Sunday, September 21, at 4:00 p.m. Come celebrate the Farm at Gore Place and the end of summer! Gather with guests from across Greater Boston for a seasonal, chef-curated meal celebrating local agriculture, sustainability, and community. In case of rain, dinner will take place in our spacious and modern Event Tent. Tickets are now available at goreplace.org. Dinner will be supervised by Chef Ian Davey.

Around Town

Entrants Wanted for Chili Cook-Off at Faire on the Square

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This year’s Chili Cook-Off at the Faire on the Square will be for restaurants and professional cooks from Watertown. There is still time to enter the contest, which will be judged at the Faire on Sept. 13, 2025. See the information provided by the City Events Team, below. The “Battle of the Bowls” contest is being organized by the City of Watertown’s Events Team.

Obituaries

OBIT: Patricia Blair Ryan, 92, Psychotherapist & Artist Who Grew Up in Watertown

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Patricia Blair Ryan

Psychotherapist and artist Patricia Ann Blair Ryan, a 42-year resident of Great Barrington, MA, died peacefully at her home on Sept. 5th of complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. She was 92 years old. Patricia was born on February 27th, 1933, at Newton Wellesley Hospital at the height of the 1930s depression. Pat grew up in Watertown, MA, where she was the elder of two sisters.  She attended the Hosmer School, the East Junior High and graduated from Watertown High School in 1950.

Around Town

Watertown Group Hosting Discussion “Voices from Palestine & the Region”

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment:

Join Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment for an evening discussion led by three foremost experts from Eastern Massachusetts on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025 from 5-7 p.m. at the First Parish of Watertown, 35 Church St., Watertown, MA. Amal Bishara — A Palestinian American & Professor of Anthropology at Tufts University & author of Crossing a Line: Laws, Violence, & Roadblocks to Palestinian Expression. Valentine M. Maghadam — A Professor of Sociology and former Director of International Affairs  Program at Northeastern University and a former Section Chief at UNESCO. Katherine Hanna — A Palestinian American who is currently working to support educational projects in Occupied Palestine.

Around Town

Watertown Walks Schedule for the Month of September

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The following information was provided by Live Well Watertown:

Each month will feature city happenings, health and wellness, arts & culture, and community/business assets (some walks are in collaboration with the Watertown Public Arts & Culture Committee and Watertown Business Coalition). SCHEDULE RETURNS TO 1:00PM – 2:00PM

Thursdays 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.Please note the meetup location in each description below

September Walk Schedule

September 4 – No WalkSeptember 11 ~ Wellness Walk Meetup:  Saltonstall Park’s red brick plaza, next to City Hall, 149 Main StreetJoin Stephanie Venizelos, Community Wellness Manager and Kristina Courage, Certified Fitness Trainer for movement and conversation about health enhancing lifestyle practices. September 18 ~ Public Arts & Culture Walk / WCA-TVMeetup:  Victory Field, 40 Orchard Street, side as well as on-street parkingWalk with a member of the Public Arts & Culture Committee member and visit WCATV’s new studio space to learn about the public access media center that is dedicated to empowering the residents of Watertown to tell their own stories. FRIDAY/SEPTEMBER 26 ~ Walk N Talk / in collaboration with Watertown Business CoalitionMeetup: TBATour the ALEXANDRIA / Arsenal on the Charles Campus 

Weekly programs will take place every Thursday, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) and include movement, conversation, and opportunities to connect, interact, and explore the greater community. The walking portion of these programs will be approximately 30 – 40 minutes, and we encourage attendees to walk at a comfortable pace.