Around Town

Hunger in Watertown: Task Force Tackles Social Needs, Tries to Fills Gaps Left by State, Local Programs

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Jan Singer, left, the former Executive Director of the Watertown Community Foundation, discussed how the Foundation responded to food insecurity during the Pandemic with journalists Maya Shwayder and Charlie Breitrose. (Photo by Dan Hogan / WCA-TV)

As the numbers of people facing a scarcity of food, worried about losing their home, or paying for utilities rose at the start of the Pandemic, a group of people in Watertown was gathered to bring together their knowledge of how to serve those in need. The task force continues to meet regularly, and tries to figure out ways to fill the gaps and patch the cracks in the local, state, and federal social services programs.

This story is the third in a series by Watertown News, in conjunction with Watertown Cable Access Television, called “Watertown’s Hidden Problem: Food Insecurity Among Us.” (See part one here). The Task Force

Jan Singer, who was executive director of the Watertown Community Foundation when COVID-19 hit, said the Community Resilience Task Force came about when the Foundation got a grant from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund aimed at providing assistance in key areas such as housing, childcare, and food security. Singer and members of the Foundation board quickly realized that they needed to gather the experts to help them direct the funds where they were needed most.

Sports

Watertown’s Semi-Pro Hockey Team Features Former Pros, College Players and Even Rec League Skaters

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Members of the Boston Gold Kings hit the ice at their home rink, John A. Ryan Arena in Watertown. The semi-pro team starts its first season on Jan. 6. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

For some, playing for the Boston Gold Kings is a second chance to keep their hockey career going, for others being on the semi-pro team based out of Watertown is the first time playing with an organized adult team, and it’s fun for all. The first game for the Boston Gold Kings will be at Ryan Arena on Saturday, Jan.

Around Town

Watertown’s Main Street Post Office Closing for at Least 2 Years

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The Post Office located on Main Street in Watertown will be closing for an extended period starting in January 2024. The Post Office, located across from the Library at 126 Main St., Watertown, will close while the building where it is located is torn down and replaced with a five-story mixed use building with retail on the ground floor and four stories of residential above. The project was approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals in October. During the hearing for the project, the developers said they had contacted the U.S. Postal Service about designing a new space in the development, and also said there may be a temporary location. Under current plans, there will be no temporary spot in Watertown Square.

Sports

19 Watertown Athletes from 8 Sports Named Middlesex All-Stars

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Watertown senior Molly Driscoll Molly was named the Middlesex League Field Hockey MVP, along with being an All-Star in 2023. Here she celebrates scoring against St. Mary’s State Tournament. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown High School had 19 athletes from eight sports named Middlesex League All-Stars during the Fall 2023 sports season. The Watertown field hockey team, which won its third straight state championship, led the way for the Raiders with seven All-Stars.

Around Town

Watertown Man Pilots Special Flight to “North Pole” to Bring Joy to Some Special Children

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Delta Capt. Steve Teager and the Delta North Pole Staff. (Courtesy Photo)

Watertown resident and Delta Airlines Pilot Steve Teager made a special flight recently to spread some holiday joy. Teager, who is a longtime volunteer at the Watertown Food Pantry, flew to the “North Pole” in Detroit to “bring joy to some very special kids and let them ‘just be kids’ for an afternoon!” shared Watertown Food Pantry Coordinator Kathy Cunningham. He was selected to be the Captain by Silverliners International, a charitable organization founded by retired Eastern Airlines flight attendants.

Sports

Skate with Watertown’s New Semi-Pro Hockey Team

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Watertown will be home to one of the franchises in the new Union Hockey League (UHL), and the Boston Gold Kings invite the public to join them on the ice for a special event on Dec. 27 at 7:10 p.m.

The Gold Kings are one of 16 teams in the Union Hockey League a senior “A” semi-pro hockey league with squads in the Northeast and Midwest. They will play home games at John A. Ryan Arena in Watertown, with the first game on Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. vs. the Holyoke Papermen.

Business

Freddy Farkel’s Fabric Showcase Closing After 92 Years, Holding Closeout Sale

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Freddy Farkel’s Fabrics Showcase on Walnut Street will be closing. The business started in Brighton in 1927. (Photo from Fabricshowplace.net)

A Boston-area fabric institution is holding a closeout sale after losing its lease on its space on Walnut Street. Freddy Farkel’s Fabric Showcase started in Brighton, and now has its showroom in Watertown. The store opened in 1927, and has been run by four generations.

Around Town

Long Lost Book Returned to Watertown Library After Nearly 90 Years

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This book was retuned to the to the Watertown Library after being checked out for the better part of a century. (Courtesy of the WFPL)

If you’ve been waiting for that travel guide to Italy, it’s back at the Watertown Free Public Library … after nearly 90 years! “Hill Towns of Italy,” a book by Egerton R. Williams Jr. that was first published in 1903 recently came back to the Library. It was checked out on Jan.