December 1, 2024



~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time.

Bridgewater Badgers Football Supports Our Seniors this Thanksgiving

In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, the Bridgewater Badgers Middle School Football Team has given back to the seniors in our community to make their holiday extra special. Together, the boys sorted, re-boxed, and organized Turkey box donations that will help support and brighten the holiday for so many seniors.

The Bridgewater Senior Center has issued a thank you to the Badgers for their generous service and to the families who made the project possible. In packaging the boxes, 53 players participated, 19 signed on to drop the packages off, and 20 families in total contributed to the collaboration. Thank you to the boys and families who worked hard to make this Thanksgiving special for everyone, and let's all follow their example of being grateful and giving back this holiday season.

Source & Photo Credit: BW Senior Center FB

Story written by Sara MacKinnon, BuzzAround Intern, Providence College

Ousamequin Club Historic Holiday Production

Mon, Dec 2

1:30p

Cole-Yeaton Senior Center

Join the Ousamequin Club for their production of Dolley Madison in the City A History At Play. this is a free program where the club will be hosting collections for the following: 

• Bridgewater Fire Department’s Operation Santa 
• Project PAK (toiletries)
• Bridgewater Food Pantry 
• More than Words (used books) 
• Christmas in July Project

Source: Jean Roberts Guarino FB

Barrett's Fundraiser for Winter Wonderful

Tue, Dec 3

Barrett's Alehouse

425 Bedford St

In contribution to Bridgewater Improvement Association's (BIA) Winter Wonderful display, funded entirely by the public, Barrett's Alehouse is hosting a fundraiser! Print one of their tickets and bring it to the restaurant for lunch. With it, 20% of your meal purchase will support BIA and the Winter Wonderful. We hope to see you there!

For more information, contact BIA President Marilee Kenney Hunt at Marilee@thehunts.org or 508-562-2896.

Bridgewater State University Hosts Student Film Festival

Bridgewater State University is hosting its second annual student film festival, The Bridge, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Moakley Auditorium. The free event will include a range of activities such as student film screenings, a Q&A session with filmmakers, and a networking session featuring complimentary hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and beverages. Attendees can also look forward to an industry panel discussion titled The Art of the Pitch and an awards event where the 2nd Annual Bear Award will be presented.

Organized by students and Professor Michelle Meek, the festival celebrates short films from public high school and college students across New England. Categories include narrative live-action, animated, and documentary shorts, each under 10 minutes. The festival's mission is to “spotlight diverse films by student filmmakers in New England and foster connections among film students from public institutions across the region.”

The festival team, made up of students handling promotions, public relations, and event logistics, aims to create an engaging experience that highlights student talent and builds a supportive arts community. Submissions and attendance are both free, making the event accessible to a broad audience.

In addition to the in-person event, free online screenings will be available from December 4-10. 

For more information, visit, The Bridge Student Film Festival

To submit, visit  FilmFreeway 

Story written by Paris Hugley, BuzzAround Intern, Boston University

Congratulations!

The Bridgewater-Raynham varsity high school game day competition cheer team won first place at the state championships. At the Massachusetts School Administrators Association (MSAA) Fall Championship held at Marlborough High School on November 17, B-R's Game Day Squad competed against 20 other schools, including Bristol-Plymouth VoTec, Leominster High School, and Arlington Catholic High School. It was a challenging team of competitors.

Competitive cheerleading requires much acrobatic dance practice and training. The team's hard work and dedication paid off as they emerged victoriously, coming home with a first-place win. This is the 1st state title for our Varsity BR Game Day Team and the 5th state title for our B-R Varsity Cheerleading Program. Showcasing stellar athletic ability!

Congratulations team! Way to make B-R proud!

Source & Photo credit: Meredith Sclafani Lacerda via messenger, MSAA Fall Game Day Results 2024

Written by Bethani Jerke, Buzz Around Intern, Southern New Hamshire University

Sweat Kneads Bake Truck at 60 Hale St Bridgewater is collecting Toys for Tots and canned goods for veterans!

NEW TOYS ONLY please! 

They will be giving away raffle tickets for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the truck, 5 winners will be selected! You will receive a raffle ticket for each new toy you donate (limit 5 tickets per visit)

You will also receive a raffle ticket for every 2 canned goods you donate (limit 5 tickets per visit)

Drawing will be on December 20, 2024.

Sweet Kneads Bake Truck FB

Bridgewater Council of Churches Thanksgiving Service

Video courtesy of BTV, EBCAM

Bridgewater Fire Department Spreads Holiday Cheer

Operation Santa in Bridgewater, organized by the local fire department and supported by schools, businesses, and civic groups, provides holiday gifts to families in need. The initiative collects, sorts, and prepares donations, including toys, clothing, and essential items, at the fire station. It runs annually during the holiday season, with the goal of easing the financial burden on parents and bringing the community together. The program relies on volunteers and donations to ensure children experience the joy of the holiday season while strengthening local connections.

Community members can drop off toys or gift cards at the fire station located at 22 School Street. Additionally, monetary donations are welcome and can be made via checks payable to "Operation Santa," mailed to the same address. Together, we can bring holiday cheer to local families in need. The department appreciates the community's generous support.  

For more information, call 508-697-0900

Holly

Day

Fair

Sat, Dec 7

9a-2p

First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church

50 School St



Join us for cookies, soup, and holiday magic! The First Parish Holly Fair will feature an array of local vendors and crafters, the Cookie Walk with single cookies for $0.75, a baker's dozen (13 cookies) for just $9, and homemade soup for sale.

Support small businesses and start your holiday season with some community Christmas cheer!

Source: FPUU

Bridgewater Garden Club

Get into the festivity of the season and shop our annual greens sale. We have just what you need to decorate your home for the upcoming holidays: wreaths, arrangements, and more!

Save the date:

Saturday, December 7th at 9am

BTV, 80 Spring St, Bridgewater

December Exhibition Reception: Arty by Julie

Works by Julie Thorniley

Sat, Dec 7

1-2:30p

Bridgwater Public Library

The Arty by Julie exhibition by Julie Thorniley will be on display in the Flora T. Little Gallery throughout December. Julie began painting 20 years ago and found her passion for art after attending classes in Boston. Her work is inspired by the beauty of nature.

An artist reception will be held on December 7th from 1:00 to 2:30 PM in the gallery. No registration is required.

For more information, visit Bridgewater Public Library

Climate Can Do:

Shop Local

$68

REMAINS HERE

For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $68 recirculates and remains in our local economy.

Only $43 remains in our community when it’s spent at a national chain.



Local businesses are owned by your friends and neighbors who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in our community’s future — just like you.

Repost courtesy of sustainableconnections.org

Disability Commission Meeting 11/26/24

Video courtesy of Town of Bridgewater

Budget & Finance Meeting 11/26/2024 Video courtesy of Town of Bridgewater

April Town Election Poll Survey

The Town Clerk’s office is asking for your opinion about polling hours for local town elections.

Please take this 2-question survey:

Current Bridgewater Administrative Code

Chapter 60. Elections

Article I. Hours

Section 1. Annual Town Elections 

"At Annual Town Elections polls shall be open at seven o'clock in the morning and shall remain open until eight o'clock in the evening. At Special Town Elections the polls may be open no earlier than seven o’clock a.m., no later than 12 o'clock noon and may remain open no later than 8 o'clock in the evening." 

As voters become accustomed to early mail-in and voting in person, the number of voters on the day of the election will be smaller. The annual town election usually occurs on the last Saturday of April school break, so many families will need to vote absentee.

The Town Clerk would like to see if there is town support (we would save $2300 by shortening to 10-8).

Old State Farm Trail Project Advances with New Accessibility Features and Community Initiatives

The Old State Farm Trail (OSFT) project team will meet next week with Bridgewater State University (BSU) interns to finalize kiosk materials for the North and South Parking Areas. The South lot will include a trail section designed for the sight impaired along the Taunton River. The interns are also creating a StoryMap application with a QR code library for key trail locations, which could be linked to the town’s website to enhance Bridgewater’s park and trail information.

Construction of the parking areas is planned for this fall, supported by two grants. This project is part of the larger Bridging the Bridgewaters initiative, which aims to connect trails in the three Bridgewater towns into the Nunckatessett & Satucket Greenway. 

For volunteer opportunities, contact Kitty Doherty at riverland927@gmail.com

Source: Taunton River Stewardship Council

WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME

Have fun with us and bee entered to win:

a free 1.5 hour class at

Bliss Through Yoga!

Historical Tidbit Question:

Who made James Edgar's Santa Suit?



Email us your answer at:

 Prizes@buzzaround.info

Please include your name and phone number.

Prize Box Rules

By entering, you give us permission to print your name in next week's Buzz Around.

On December 4, 2024, before 2p, we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.

The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Paris Hugley, Alexa Pennington, Jamie Puhi, Jacquelyn Rose & Greg Venezia

Positive Change

“There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind” ~ CS Lewis

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” 

~ Harriet Tubman

“The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude” ~ Oprah Winfrey

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change” ~ Albert Einstein

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” 

~ Maya Angelou

There's only one constant, that's change. We can choose to fight it or we can choose to shape it, either way it happens. 

So let's keep our eye on the positive ways we can build our future, together.

Bee Well, 

~ Jacquie

Your BuzzAround supports the dignity of all human beings, is actively anti-racist, and supportive of good law enforcement policies. 

Copyright 2024 Buzz Around Bridgewater. You have our permission to share and copy this issue in its entirety as much as you like. If you take it in part, please give credit. ("Buzz Around Bridgewater 12/1/24")

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