It was a great send off last Friday night at Davio’s in Lynnfield, as Cambridge District Court personnel and friends of Probation Officer Robert McWatters gathered to say “Happy retirement.” After 34 years serving the courts, Bob was presented several gifts of appreciation for a job well done. A small crowd of about 80 to 100 of his co-workers, family and friends gathered to give Bob a proper sendoff. His many friends locally will also be giving him a sendoff this coming Friday night, 6 p.m. at Sally O’Brien’s. So if you missed last week, show up then to wish him the best and thank him for a job well done.

By Jack Connolly

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

It’s been a little over six months since I’ve stepped down from over three decades of public service as the Ward Six Alderman and an Alderman at Large, having fallen victim to the “Our Revolution” ouster effort that knocked out to longtime native Somervilians, Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston, Ward 3 Alderman Rob McWatters, as well as myself and East Somerville native-born Alderman At-Large Dennis Sullivan, off of the BOA.

Eagle Feathers #158– The Highway

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Since 1922, Route 28 has been the longest state numbered highway in Massachusetts. Beginning at the Orleans rotary on outer Cape Cod, it pushes its patchwork way north for 152 miles to the New Hampshire border at Salem. Route 28 meanders through six counties and, coincidently, 28 different towns. Today, as it traces its way over a half dozen former Colonial Turnpikes, it is called by many local names. In Somerville, it has been referred to as the Middlesex Fells Parkway, Route 28, the Northern Artery, and sometimes more affectionately as Monsignor McGrath Highway.

On Tuesday, July 24, Chef/Owner Andy Husbands of The Smoke Shop was joined by Mayor Joe Curtatone for the official Cutting of Brisket (in lieu of a traditional ribbon cutting) to celebrate the opening of the restaurant’s newest location at 325 Assembly Row.

Arrests:
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Peter McIlroy, of 15 Martin St., Medford, July 16, 12:04 a.m., arrested at Willow Ave. on charges of failure to stop or yield, improper operation of a motor vehicle, operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor, and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

For as long as I can remember there has always been the romantic notion of the “mad” poet or “divinely inspired” poet floating around in the ether.