Charity

Watertown Police, Firefighters Come Together to Distribute Toys to Families in Need

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A table full of toys at the Watertown Police Station, just a fraction of the gifts that were distributed by Watertown Police officers and Firefighters to families in need in town on Thursday. The toy drive was organized by the Sonny Whooley Foundation. Thursday morning, the Community Room at the Watertown Police Station turned into Santa’s Workshop, with toys for children of all ages piled up around the room. These gifts were delivered to families around Watertown, and beyond, who otherwise may not have a very Merry Christmas. All morning, Watertown Police officers, Watertown Firefighters, and others filled large plastic bags with gifts, and delivered them to more than 90 families around town.

Around Town

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services In and Around Watertown

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Churches in Watertown and beyond will hold services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Christ. See the times below. Armenian Memorial Church, 32 Bigelow Ave., Watertown: 4th Advent and Christmas Service, Dec. 23, 10:30 a.m., Christmas Eve Service, Dec. 24, 7:30 p.m.

Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church, 421 Common St., Belmont: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Dec.

Transportation

MassDOT’s Holiday Travel Tips, MBTA Schedules & More

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The following piece was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is advising the public to plan ahead for travel during the upcoming holiday season from Dec. 20, 2018 through Jan. 2, 2019, to drive sober and to take note of holiday schedules for the MBTA, use of the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy, and for visiting Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) customer service center locations. AAA is forecasting a record-breaking holiday travel season this year, with 2.45 million Massachusetts residents expected to be on the move. In a public statement, AAA said 2.1 million of these travelers are expected to travel by motor vehicle. The highest volume of traffic in the Boston area, according to AAA, is expected to be Wednesday, Dec.

Around Town

CatholicTV to Show Christmas Masses from Around the U.S.

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Watertown-based CatholicTV Network provided the following information:

On Monday, Dec. 24 and Tuesday, Dec. 25, the CatholicTV Network will broadcast Christmas Masses from around the United States and the Vatican. Christmas Masses will air beginning on Monday, Dec. 24 with Mass from the Vatican presided over by Pope Francis at 8 p.m. The Mass with Pope Francis will rebroadcast on Christmas Day at 7 a.m. Pope Francis’ annual Christmas message, “Urbi et Orbi,” will air on Christmas Day at 6 a.m., 3:30 p.m., and 9 p.m.

Christmas Mass coverage continues at 11:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve with Mass from the Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Md.

Christmas

Watertown Mall Hosting Winter Wonderland Event

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:

The Watertown Mall, located at 550 Arsenal Street, Watertown, with Watertown Families Together will be hosting a “Winter Wonderland” event on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.

Usher in the new season with the Watertown Mall! Children and their parents/caregivers are invited to join us for a fun wintery morning by attending our “Winter Wonderland” event on Dec. 20. Sponsored by Watertown Families Together and led by Arlene Smith, this event consists of crafting projects, singing songs, reading and listing to stories, and will be featuring an appearance by Santa himself.

Christmas

Wartertown Mall Hosting a Variety of Holiday Entertainment This Month

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The Watertown Mall provided the following announcement:

The Watertown Mall is proud to present holiday performances by local elementary and high school bands, choral and string groups as well as professional music groups from the Greater Boston area throughout the month of December! The following is an entertainment list for December. Please visit our website at
www.watertown-mall.com for updates on December events and entertainment. Holiday Entertainment Calendar:
December 2 @ 2:00 pm: Neighborhood Children’s Theatre. December 5 @ 4:30: Boston University Academy Swamp Cats Jazz Band.

Entertainment

A Holiday Themed Puppet Show is Coming to the Watertown Mall

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:

The Watertown Mall, located at 550 Arsenal Street, Watertown, will be hosting Wayne Martin Puppets on Saturday, December 1, 2018. Wayne will be putting on three shows at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.

Visit the Watertown Mall to see Wayne Martin perform with his posse of hand puppets and marionettes. Board the North Pole Express and meet a variety of arctic characters including Frosty, Rudolph, Elmer Elf, Peter and Penelope Penguin, and Martin’s trademark juggling Christmas tree who breathlessly lights up and illuminates the way for the holly old elf himself. This is truly a magical holiday
experience for the entire family! This event is FREE to the general public; it will take place in the back hallway, near Carter’s.

Around Town

Tree Lighting Ceremony Coming to Watertown Square Soon!

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The Town of Watertown, Watertown Savings Bank, and the Rotary Club of Watertown are pleased to announce that the eighth annual Tree Lighting event will be held on Friday, December 7 in Watertown Square, according to an announcement from the organizers 

A reception will follow at the Watertown Savings Bank (WSB) main office in Watertown Square. Santa Claus will arrive to the Square by fire truck at 5:15 p.m.; the tree lights come on at 5:30 p.m.; and the reception to follow immediately after at WSB, where attendees will enjoy refreshments, holiday music, and visit with Santa Claus.  Parking will be available at WSB after 5 p.m.

“We’re really excited for this year’s tree lighting, and to continue with this wonderful holiday tradition,” said Kelly Cronin, WSB’s Community Relations Manager. This year, Dan McCarthy/DM Productions will be outside in the Square with holiday music and a special guest of their own beginning at 4:30 p.m. Watertown Rotary will also have refreshments out on the Square. Thank you to all who make this event possible: Russo’s for donating the tree; Watertown Police for providing a police detail; Watertown Fire for transporting Santa Claus; the Pleasant Street Watertown Stop & Shop and Watertown Dunkin’ Donuts for refreshments. For more information, please contact WSB’s Community Relations Office at 617-928-2336.