Around Town

See Photos from the 2024 Dancing With the Watertown Stars

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseJen Nichoslon, who works at the Commander’s Mansion, and Kemar Bennett perform during the 2024 Dancing with the Watertown Stars. People packed the Friday night to see 10 Watertown stars kick up their heels on the Hellenic Cultural Center dance floor during the 2024 Dancing With the Watertown Stars. More than 400 people cheered on teachers, a police officer, an insurance salesman, a photographer, a cable news director, a principal and more during the event hosted by the Rotary Club of Watertown. Photo by Charlie BreitrosePhotographer Vail Fucci and Cameron Gabehart partnered up for Dancing With the Watertown Stars. The Stars for 2024 were: Stephanie Barker, a special educator at Watertown High School; Joel Giacobozzi, WHS Principal; Amy Kirsch, a special educator at Lowell School; Dan Hogan, Watertown Cable Access news director; Jen Nicholson, events coordinator at the Commander’s Mansion; Vail Fucci, photographer; Raul Mendez, Watertown Police Officer; Amy Donohue, School Committee member; Christian Dallas, agent at Dallas Insurance Agency; and Maryann Swift, benefits and payroll at Watertown Savings Bank.

Schools

Watertown Rotary Club Offering Scholarships, See How to Apply

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The following information was provided by the Rotary Club of Watertown:

All residents of Watertown who are high school seniors and applying to college are eligible for Watertown Rotary Scholarships. The amount of each award and the number of scholarships granted are determined on a yearly basis. 

All eligible residents must submit completed applications, postmarked no later than April 12, 2024 to:

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEEROTARY CLUB OF WATERTOWNc/o Anthony Donato42 Arden RoadWATERTOWN, MA 02472

The form must be completed in full and accompanied by a transcript and letter of recommendation to be considered a valid application. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. All information supplied on this form will be kept strictly confidential. Only one application need be submitted to be eligible for consideration for all scholarships available through the Rotary Club of Watertown.

Around Town

Watertown Rotary Dancing With the Stars is Back — See Ticket & Sponsorship Options

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The following announcement was provided by the Rotary Club of Watertown:

The Rotary Club of Watertown is delighted to announce the return of our most highly anticipated annual event! We humbly ask that your business or organization consider offering your support as we raise funds to support our keystone programs such as our High School Senior Scholarship program, Senior Cookout, support of local food pantries etc. Event Presenter & Exclusive Named Sponsor: VIP tickets for 10. All event advertising will have your name along with the Rotary Club . $5,000.00 (limit one at this level)

★ Table Centerpiece Sponsor★ Step & Repeat listing (top)★ Business name on 100 yard signs★ Receive at least 10 sponsor mentions on social media and Watertown Rotary website (2 uniquementions)★ Full-page Advertisement (color) in print and digital Program book★ Sponsor mention in print & digital Program Book★ 5-minute speech/spotlight during the event

Gold: VIP tickets for 5.

Around Town

Tradition of Giving Gifts to Kids in Need That was Started by Former Watertown Police Officer, Continues Today

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Toys collected for the Whooley Foundation during a recent drive. Pictured, from left, Rotary Club President Kim Severino, Watertown Business Coalition Co-President Doug Orifice, Whooley Foundation President David Collins, Watertown Business Coalition Co-President Bob Airasian, and Mosesian Center for the Arts Executive Director Darren Farrington. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Every year, days before Christmas, toys donated from around the community fill the Community Room at the Watertown Police Station in preparation to be distributed to families in need around the community. The drive is organized by the Sonny Whooley Foundation, named for a former Watertown Police officer known for his generosity, said David Collins, president of the Whooley Foundation. Over the years, the Whooley Foundation has helped thousands of families, Collins said.

Around Town

Holiday Mixer & Toy Drive to be Hosted by Rotary & Watertown Business Coalition

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The following information was provided by the Rotary Club of Watertown and the WBC:

The 2nd Annual Holiday Mixer and Toy Drive, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Watertown and the Watertown Business Coalition will take place at the Mosesian Center for the Arts! 

Light Bites will be served

Cash bar

Admission is free to anyone bringing a toy to donate

Those coming without a toy are encouraged to bring a $20 (or more) donation to the Whooley Foundation

The event will be held on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the lobby of the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown. Anyone interested in becoming a food or entertainment sponsor for this event should email Kim Severino at: Hello@elationmeetingsandevents.com

RSVP Here!

Around Town

Watertown Rotary Club’s Traffic Circle Cleanup One of Many Events This Year

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Members of the Rotary Club of Watertown weeded and cleaned up the island in the rotary at Orchard and Common streets. (Photo by Brianna Williams)

The island in the middle of the rotary connecting Common and Orchard street is filled with all kinds of greenery for the public to admire. On July 20, the Rotary Club of Watertown spent their day gardening the rotary so the city can add some colorful plants to it in the near future. The weeding and cleaning of the island through the City of Watertown’s Adopt-an-Island program is one the many events Watertown’s Rotary Club holds each year. The Rotary Club adopted the island to help keep up with the appearance and cleanliness of the area that hundreds of motorists pass by each day.

Around Town

Watertown Rotary Club Growing, Adding New Initiatives

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown Rotary President Kim Severino pins new member Christian Dallas at a ceremony on March 28. Coming out of the pandemic, the Rotary Club of Watertown struggled with attendance at its weekly lunch meetings and events, but recently, the club’s membership has started growing. On March 28, three new members were inducted as Rotary Club members in a ceremony held at Demos Watertown: Diane DiMascio Cinar of CK Realty Group, Christian Dallas of Dallas Insurance, and Massimo Zeppa of Keller Williams Realty. All three of the new members said that Rotary’s service mission attracted them. “I am so happy to be a Rotary member,” said DiMascio Cinar.

Adopt an Island

Watertown Rotary Beautifying Area as Part of Adopt an Island Area

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Rotary Club of WatertownRotary Club of Watertown members John Nealon, Maria Papadopoulos, Kitty Mennilli, and Ruth Rudnick cleaned the island in the middle of the Rotary at Common and Church streets. Rotary maintains the area as part of the Adopt an Island program. Recently, members of the Rotary Club of Watertown grabbed some gardening tools to help spruce up a traffic island in Watertown. Watertown Rotary has taken responsibility for weeding the rotary on Common Street as part of the Department of Public Works’ Adopt an Island Program, said Maria Papadopoulos of the Rotary Club. “Passers by were thanking us which was heartwarming!”