Around Town

2024 Watertown Memorial Day Parade Registration Now Open

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A girl waves the Stars & Stripes as Watertown Fire Department’s mascot rolls by. (Photo Courtesy of Natalie Nigito Photography)

Watertown’s Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 27, 2024, and organizations can now register to take part in the annual procession. The Watertown Veterans Services Office wrote: “Join with members of your company, organization, neighborhood, friends, and family to participate in the parade!” Those interested in participating must fill out the registration (see below), which must be submitted no later than April 29, 2024. Fill out the registration form and return it marked ‘Memorial Day Parade Registration’ to: The City of Watertown, Veteran’s Services, 149 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or email it to: Pgeorge@watertown-ma.gov

Around Town

Registration for Watertown Rec’s Pequossette Summer & Kindergarten Programs Open

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Courtesy of Watertown Recreaion

The following information was provided by the Watertown Recreation Department:

The Pequossette Summer Recreation Program will begin registration for our 55th season on Tuesday, February 13. PEQUOSSETTE SUMMER PROGRAM

The Watertown Recreation Department is offering the Pequossette Summer Program to children who are entering grades one through eight in September 2024. The program consists of eight individual weeks from June 24 through August 16, 2024, at the Cunniff School, 246 Warren Street in Watertown. The program will operate Monday through Friday from 8:45 am to 2:30 pm, except for Week 2 which will run Monday, July 1st through Wednesday, July 3rd. We offer an early drop off from 7:30 am to 8:45 am and an extended day program from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

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Watertown Group Hosting Discussion of Passing a “Back from the Brink” Resolution in Town

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

Join us at Watertown Citizens’ Monthly Membership Meeting for “Let’s Pass a Back from the Brink Resolution in Watertown.” This will be an opportunity to hear from peace activists who have successfully passed nuclear abolition resolutions in Marshfield, Cambridge, Needham, and Newton as we embark on a similar effort in Watertown. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 21, from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PMvia ZOOM. All are welcome. Zoom link – tinyurl.com/feb21watertown

Around Town

February Vacation Activities Available at DCR Properties

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The following information was provided by the Department of Conservation and Conservation:

The Department of Recreation and Conservation (DCR) announced its plans today to help make February school vacation week a walk in the park for parents. From guided hikes to animal tracking, craft making, and maple sugaring, the agency is offering 81 free or low-cost engaging and educational activities for kids and families across the state from Saturday, February 17, through Sunday, February 25. The programming is part of DCR’s commitment to expanding access to Massachusetts’ State Park system, while also inspiring kids to get outdoors and fostering a connection with the environment.  

“School may be out, but the learning doesn’t have to stop. Our February break programming is a tremendous way to connect kids and nature and help us grow the next generation of environmental stewards,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo.

Around Town

Arsenal Park Improvements Approved, Project Cost Significantly Higher Than Expected

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseArsenal Park will be getting a major overhaul. Here it is set up for the Watertown Arts Market. The second phase of renovations at Arsenal Park was approved by the City Council, which will include improvements to the recreation areas, but came in more than $4 million higher than originally budgeted. On Tuesday night, the City Council unanimously approved borrowing $10.35 million to cover the cost of the project. The project will make significant improvements to the park in the East End, said City Manager George Proakis.

Around Town

Concert Featuring Pianist Guy Urban Will Benefit Helen Robinson Wright Fund

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The following announcement was provided by the Helen Robinson Wright Fund:

A concert featuring Guy Urban will benefit the The Helen Robinson Wright Fund at First Parish of Watertown. The concert will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. at First Parish of Watertown, 35 Church St., Watertown. Urban will perform some of his favorite piano pieces and share with the audience why these are favorites of his. The Helen Robinson Wright Fund, named for a Watertown native, assists Watertown neighbors with short-term financial help for housing, food, and utility bills.  

Around Town

Poppy Social Returns to Commander’s Mansion, Bricks in Freedom Garden Available

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The following announcement is provided by the Watertown Veterans’ Services Department and the Commander’s Mansion:

Watertown Veterans’ Services and the Commander’s Mansion are excited to announce the details for this year’s Poppy Social! This event is open to the public and features an Open House at the Commander’s Mansion on Friday, May 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served and a guided tour of the mansion will take place at 11:00 a.m.   

Engraved bricks to honor your military loved ones are available for purchase prior to the event.  The memorialized bricks will be showcased in the Freedom Garden located on the Commander’s Mansion grounds. 

The botanical garden, where flowers and plants consistently bloom throughout the seasons and serves as a habitat for butterflies and bees, features an honorarium wall of bricks to pay tribute to the stories of our Veterans, many with ties to the Watertown community. Please visit www.commandersmansion.com/bricks for the order form and more information. All brick orders are due by March 1st. 

We look forward to seeing you on Friday, May 24th for the Poppy Social! 

Around Town

Snow Emergency in Watertown for Tuesday’s Snow Storm

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The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

The City of Watertown has declared a snow emergency that will take effect starting at 1:00 AM on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Up to 12 inches of snow is currently forecast to fall throughout the day Tuesday. 

Once the snow emergency goes into effect, on-street parking will be prohibited, and any vehicle left on the street will be towed. The snow emergency and on-street parking ban will be in effect until further notice. 

There will be no trash, recycling, or compost collection on Tuesday, and all pickups will be delayed by one day. Collections will occur from Wednesday, February 14 through Saturday, February 17, 2024. The Recycle Center will also be closed on Tuesday. 

Further updates will be posted on the City of Watertown’s website: www.watertown-ma.gov and on the City’s Facebook and Instagram.