Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Awards Inaugural Community Engagement Grants

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The recently unveiled Arshile Gorky mural received two years of funding from the Watertown Community Foundation. (Photo by WCF)

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation awarded $53,185 to support 21 programs in the inaugural cycle of the Community Engagement Grant Program. Funded programs will strengthen community connections, increase access to programs and services, and foster intercultural communication and understanding in Watertown. An additional $15,000 was awarded to MetroWest Collaborative Development and Watertown Cable Access TV for operational support in the final grant cycle of the Institutional Grant Program. “This first call for Community Engagement grants was extremely competitive, and the program ideas were top-notch,” said Mary Ann Mulligan, Board Co-President and Grants Committee Chair.

Weather

Weather Forecast: Another Rainy Weekend, Warmer Temps During the Week

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Who’s ready for another rainy weekend? Eastern Massachusetts heads into mid-June with a few ups and downs still in store. Friday brings pleasant weather, but the weekend trend turns wet yet again with clouds, cool air, and the return of scattered rain. Saturday looks particularly unsettled and unseasonably chilly. Sunday offers a small improvement, but remains damp and gray.

Around Town

Watertown Business Coalition Hosting Summer Kickoff at Donohue’s

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Donohue’sDonohue’s Bar & Grill opened 20 years ago, and has grown and changed over that time. The Watertown Business Coalition will host an after hours networking event at the patio at Donohue’s on Wednesday, June 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The WBC sent out the following information:

The Watertown Business Coalition invites you to the annual Summer Kick Off on the patio at Donohue’s Bar & Grill. 

Attendance is FREE and is open to Watertown Residents, local businesses & employers as well as those who come to work in Watertown for the day.  We’d love to see you! RSVP here

Business

MBTA General Manager Speaking at Charles River Chamber Event

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Charlie BreitroseAn MBTA 71 bus. The Charles River Chamber’s Annual Transportation Forum will feature MBTA General Manager Phil Eng. See details provided by the Chamber. Tbe event will be on Tuesday, June 17, 12:30 p.m., program begins at 1 p.m. at Tripadvisor HQ, 400 1st Ave, Needham. Coffee and snacks will be provided.

Around Town

Watertown Housing Authority Hosts Successful Community Day

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The Watertown Fire and Police departments came out to the Community Day at WHA. (Contributed Photo)

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Housing Authority:

The Watertown Housing Authority (WHA) Resident Services Department proudly hosted its annual resource fair, now renamed as “Community Day at WHA.” This much-anticipated event brings together WHA residents and the broader community by connecting families to important local, regional, and state resources — right in their own neighborhood. Over 150 residents and neighbors joined in the celebration, which featured a wide range of community partners, including MassHire, LiveWell & Farmers Market, the City’s 311 and Recreation Departments, Watertown Boys & Girls Club, Wayside Multi-Service Center, and the Watertown Family Network. These organizations provided information, tools, and opportunities to support resident well-being and strengthen community ties. 

The Watertown Housing Authority hosted Community Day at WHA on June 9.

Around Town

Watertown Group Completes 5K as Part of Girls on the Run Program

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The group of Watertown runners who took part in the Girls on the Run 5K. (Contributed Photo)

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Girls on the Run:

After a few-year hiatus, Girls on the Run made a triumphant return to Watertown this spring, thanks to the partnership between Watertown Recreation and the Hosmer School. The eight-week program, which began on April 2, at the Hosmer School, culminated in a celebratory 5K on the Boston Common on May 31. 

Twenty-six girls in grades 3 through 5 participated in the program on Wednesdays and Fridays after school to run, learn, and grow. Over the span of the 8 weeks, they not only built stamina and running technique but also learned valuable life skills like goal-setting, positive self-talk, and teamwork; all parts of the Girls on the Run curriculum. Seven dedicated coaches comprised of community volunteers, a Hosmer School teacher, and a Hosmer parent led the girls through the program. Their commitment to both physical training and personal encouragement helped participants develop confidence and form strong bonds not only with each other, but with the coaches as well.

Obituaries

OBIT: Emma (D’Amico) Gaeta, 95, Former Head of Watertown High School Cafeteria

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Emma Gaeta

A Mass of Christian Burial for Emma Florence (D’Amico) Gaeta will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM in St. Patrick Church, Watertown. Emma was born and raised in Watertown, Massachusetts, to the late Francesco and Teresa (Zaccagnini) D’Amico. A proud lifelong resident of Watertown, she passed away peacefully,surrounded by her loving family, on June 8, 2025, at the age of 95. She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph Anthony Gaeta, with whom she shared 51 wonderful years of marriage.

Obituaries

OBIT: Paul Connolly, 77, Longtime Hibernian, Musician, Worked at Shipley Co.

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Paul Connolly

Paul G. Connolly, age 77, of Watertown, died on June 4, 2025 at New Horizons in Marlborough after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. 

Born in Polrevagh, County Galway, Ireland in 1947, he immigrated to the United States in the 1960’s, where he worked at The Shipley Company for several decades, initially in Newton Lower Falls and later in Marlborough. Paul recorded two albums with his brother’s band (“Mike Connolly’s Celticaires”) in the 1980’s and later went on to become a DJ for many years. He spent the majority of his free time with his friends at The Hibernians, where he also worked as a bartender and rental hall agent. An accomplished accordion player, Paul was a fan of Boston’s professional sports teams and listening to Irish music. He was the beloved husband of Rosemary (Murphy) Connolly. Loving father of Tom Connolly and his wife Laura & Paul Connolly. Dear brother of Julie Higgins and the late Mary, Ann, Peter, Mike, and John.