BuzzAround Bridgewater

August 3, 2025



~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time

Natural Science Illustrators Conference


On July 27, 2025, the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (GNSI) held its first in-person conference since the COVID-19 pandemic, gathering at Bridgewater State University for a day of inspiration, education, and community. The event welcomed artists, scientists, students, and educators passionate about the art of communicating science through illustration.


Known for its mission to educate both professionals and the public about the vital role of scientific illustration, the GNSI brought together voices from across disciplines to highlight how art enhances understanding in biology, ecology, anatomy, and beyond.


Attendees explored cutting-edge techniques, shared portfolios, and participated in workshops that blended scientific accuracy with creative expression. The return to in-person programming marked a meaningful moment of reconnection for members and a reaffirmation of the Guild’s commitment to blending art and science for public good. Bridgewater State University served as a fitting host, continuing its strong tradition of supporting the arts and sciences throughout the region.


Source and Photo credit: Guild of Natural Science Illustrators FB

Story written by Marie Gupton, BuzzAround Intern, Bridgewater State University

Historical Tidbit:

Neighborhood Businesses 

1930's Ice Box


As towns grew it became profitable to open shops in neighborhoods to fill local needs. People were spreading out from the center of town before the time when every household had a car. These shops had ethnic flavor depending on what immigrants settled locally. The shop would have foods culturally common to those who lived near it. Many of these shops had refrigerated coolers and offered butcher shops and specialty cuts of meats. This is where a person would find linguiça from Portugal, potatiskorv from Sweden, and bratwurst from Germany.

Before World War II, not every home had a refrigerator. Frozen foods were not as common as today and purchasing a supply of fresh meat for a week did not keep well in an "ice box". Some folks still had ice boxes up until the 1950s. I can remember the ice man delivering to the house across the street from my home on Main Street.

Respectfully Submitted,

 David Moore

BuzzAround promotes non-profits and civic organizations for free.

Watch this short video and click this page to find out more information:

Charities-civic-organizations-post-for-free

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Academy Building Municipal Offices

 66 Central Square 

508-697-0921

BridgewaterMa.org

 

Bridgewater Public Library

15 South Street

508-697-3331

BridgewaterPublicLibrary.org

 

Cole-Yeaton Senior Center

10 Wally Krueger Way

508-697-0929

Council On Aging

 

Food Pantry

Central Square Congregational Church

71 Central Square 508-697-6016

Thursdays - 10a - 1p

1st Monday of each month from 6 - 7:30p Food-Pantry


St Vincent dePaul Food Pantry

St Thomas Aquinas Church 103 Center St

2 x month 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m

Check for Dates

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Congratulations

John White

you won

a flowering hanging plant (value $29)

Nessralla Farm

416 Plymouth St (Rt106)

Halifax MA

nessrallafarm.com


Bee sure to play our Historical Tidbit Trivia Game at the bottom of this newsletter.


Enter for this week's prize of

$15 gift certificate to Cabo Vegan Restaurant & Market

20 Main St, Brockton


Author Talk

Wed, Aug 6

6-7p

Bridgewater Public Library

15 South St.


Join author Bill Carter for an engaging discussion of his novel Fire & Wrath, a suspenseful story set in Plymouth County. The book follows Jack Coyle, a talented arsonist turned reluctant investigator, as he teams up with his childhood friend, Sheriff Vance Miller, to solve a string of deadly fires. Their search leads to a shocking revelation that turns their world upside down.


Registration is required and currently open. Don’t miss this gripping literary event!


Register on Bridgewater Public Library Event Page

Make Sure You See Your Whole BuzzAround: View as Webpage

Karen Peabody owner of Forgewell Solutions

Are you a mental health professional ready for private practice?


Karen Peabody, owner of Forgewell Solutions is your partner! Check out her latest blog about the key to maintaining clients during this next step. 


If you are interested in opening up your own private practice at Forgewell Solutions, contact Karen to get started

STREAM with Easton's Children Museum

Thu, Aug 7 & 14

10-11a

Bridgewater Public Library

15 South St.


Join the Easton Children’s Museum for their exciting STREAM program—now with an added “R” for Reading! On Thursday morning this summer, kids will enjoy a story time followed by hands-on activities that promote critical thinking and creativity through Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Math. This week’s book: Walter the Baker. Two fun projects inspired by the story! For preschool–Grade 2.


Registration required—don’t miss out!


Source: Bridgewater Public Library Event Page

LEGO Free Build

Fri, Aug 8

1-3p

Bridgewater Public Library

15 South St.



Join us for some creative fun at our LEGO Free Build. Kids are invited to come in and build anything they can imagine with our LEGO collection. This is a drop-in program—no registration required. Parents must stay and supervise their children during the event.


Source: Bridgewater Public Library Event Page

 BCCR Stand out in Support of Immigrants’ Rights.  

Sat. Aug 9 9 -10a

Town Common, Northern Sidewalk

 

Bridgewater Communies for Civil Rights stands out with this message: “Our immigrant neighbors deserve dignity, safety, and opportunity — We are coming together to speak out against the inhumane and unjust immigration policies being enforced under the current administration.

Bring your signs, your voices, and your commitment to human rights. Together, we will stand up, speak out, and demand a country that welcomes — not vilifies — immigrants."

www.bccrcivilrights.org

Brockton Area Prevention Collaborative

Looking Back, Lighting the Path Forward

In the lead-up to the 2025 Annual Overdose Vigil by Candlelight, the Brockton Area Prevention Collaborative encourages you to revisit one of the most powerful moments from last year's vigil. Alba’s story is a reminder of why awareness matters and the power that love and remembrance can have during our hardest moments, grappling with grief.


If you would like to submit a photograph of your loved one to be

included in this year's memorial slideshow, please send it to photo.vigil@gmail.com. All photos submitted from previous years will continue to be included. brbridginglives.org

BSU President visits New Housing Center


"Earlier this week, we had the pleasure of welcoming Bridgewater State University (BSU) President Fred Clark for a tour of our new Smith Family Housing Resource Center & Yawkey Hall in Brockton. FBMS President & CEO John Yazwinski and Senior Director of Programs Megan Tate led the tour and were joined by Dr. Michael Kryzanek, an FBMS Board Member and Professor Emeritus of Political Science at BSU. We are proud to say that many of the talented and compassionate staff at FBMS, including Megan, are BSU alumni! Thank you to President Clark for supporting our mission and for leading an institution that contributes so greatly to our region’s caring force!"


Repost: Father Bill's & MainSpring FB

Veteran Support: Helping Veterans Thrive Post-Service

Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be a challenging journey for many veterans. The shift involves adapting to new routines, finding employment, and reconnecting with communities. Communities play a crucial role in helping veterans thrive after service by providing resources, emotional support, and opportunities for growth. Blog from our friends at Fire for Effect

Borrow a Train Set!

All aboard for fun! You can now borrow a cool train set from the Bridgewater Public Library for one full week with your library card! Just remember: there’s a $5 per day late fee, so be sure to return it on time. Stop by the library to check it out and bring the fun home!


Source: Bridgewater Public Library FB

Solid Surface Repair

Stuart Parzyck

Picture of white marble shower with built in shelves and seat
  • Father-Daughter team
  • Custom corian countertops
  • Tub and shower surround
  • Repairs done on site
  • 104 different colors available,
  • Certified, license and insured, EST. 1997


715 Pleasant St, Bridgewater * Email Us 888-349-8677 * solidsurfacerepair.net

Dance Theater of New England

A picture of a ballet dancer doing a leg hold next to the words in pink text over a black background Registration is open Fall Open House August 18 to September 6th Mondays and Wednesdays 4pm to seven thirty Saturdays 10am to 2pm Closed on Labor Day

Calling all dancers! Registration is open for the 2025-2026 season. Whether you're taking your first steps into the studio or continuing your training, all are welcome! Classes begin September 8th

770 Broadway, Raynham Depot, Raynham

(508) 697-5255 * Like us on Facebook

Tuesday Open Mic Nights

Now-Tue, Aug 26

6-8p

Music Alley, 50 Central Square

Cedar Street Community Center, 15 Cedar St.


Tuesday Open-Mic Nights will continue to take place every first and third week of the month in Music Alley and the alternating Tuesdays inside the Cedar Street Community Center until August 26. Music begins at 6p, and sign-ups for performers start at 5:30p. We hope to see everyone there. Bring your own food, drinks, and there will be coffee and cookies as well. We pass the hat for the Special Feature. Lots of good fun! 🎶 🎸🎤


Sources: Bridgewater Music Alley FB & Kimberly Hill

Rules & Procedures Meeting - July 24th, 2025

Rules & Procedures Meeting

July 24th, 2025

Video Courtesy of Town of Bridgewater

Climate Can-Do:

Farm Fresh Eggs


The eggs that you buy may have an impact on your overall health. Knowing where your eggs come from is important to understanding the nutritional values that you are getting from your eggs and the quality of the eggs you buy. Overall, eggs that come from free-range chickens are preferable. 


Free-range: chickens have access to the outdoors and can participate in natural behaviors such as nesting and laying eggs. This is the style most commonly used by smaller local farms. 

Cage-free: chickens are not kept in cages, but have little to no access to the outdoors.


Studies have shown the following benefits of free-range eggs over cage-free eggs:

⅓ less cholesterol

¼ less saturated fat

⅔ more Vitamin A

3X more Vitamin E

7X more beta-carotene

2X Omega-3 fatty acids


In addition, free-range eggs are 6X higher in Vitamin D, have significantly more B Vitamins, and contain more antioxidants.


Make sure to shop locally for high-quality, nutritional eggs!


Written by: Bella Fazio, Wellesley College, Buzz Around Intern

Source: rucore.libraries.rutgers.edu

Nessralla Farm

Picture of fresh corn and strawberries

Shop our selection of produce! We have corn, strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, on-the-vine tomatoes, asparagus, and evercrisp apples that will freshen up your Summer dishes or make a delicious snack.


Open 8am-6pm 7 days a week

416 Plymouth St, Halifax * Follow us on Facebook * nessrallafarm.com

Rockland Pool

Picture of an above ground pool with a small fountain

We're here for all your pool supply needs: New pools, liners, free water testing, chemicals, pumps, filters, heaters, robots, stairs, ladders, gazebos, griddles, and more!


Call Today! 781-563-4555


155 Market St, Rockland * Like Us on Facebook * rocklandpoolstore.com

Bridgewater Community Dance


On Saturday, July 26, 2025, the Bridgewater Community Dance offered a vibrant and heartwarming event that brought neighbors, families, and friends together for an unforgettable evening. Held in the Cedar Street Community Center, the event featured dancers of all ages and backgrounds learning together and dancing contra, squares and folk dances.  Dancers enjoyed the gifts of Rich Sbardella, who sang as he called and live music performed by John Kalinowski and Mickey Koth.


Written by Marie Gupton and J. Rose

Photo Source: Bridgewater Community Dance FB

Community Preservation Committee - July 23, 2025

Community Preservation Committee

July 23rd, 2025

Video Courtesy of Town of Bridgewater

Operations Training


"This past weekend, Group 4 did some engine/pump/ladder operations training with Firefighter Caswell. He is the newest member on the group and it’s important that he has training on every vehicle. Strong work Group 4!"


Repost: Bridgewater Fire Department FB

Supporting Bridgewater Baseball


The Bridgewater Baseball community extends a heartfelt thank you to two of its generous sponsors, Southeastern Fire & Safety and Graziano Redi-Mix, for their recent donations of batting helmets to the 7-year-old Barnstormers Team and the 12-year-old American Team.


Thanks to their support, both teams are looking sharp and well-equipped as they proudly represent Bridgewater this summer. These contributions not only help keep players safe but also demonstrate the power of local businesses stepping up to support youth sports and community pride.


Thank you again to Southeastern Fire & Safety and Graziano Redi-Mix for your generosity and commitment to our young athletes!


Source: Bridgewater Little League FB

Written by Marie Gupton, BuzzAround Intern, Bridgewater State University

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WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME



Have fun with us and bee entered to win:

$15 gift certificate to

Cabo Vegan Restaurant & Market

20 Main St, Brockton


Historical Tidbit Question:

Where did the ice come from for the icebox?



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 August 6, 2025, before 2p, we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.

The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Serena Croteau, Marie Gupton, Jamie Puhi, Jacquelyn Rose & Greg Venezia

Growth


"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." ~ Viktor E. Frankl


"The biggest lie about getting older is that excitement and growth end with youth. " ~ MO


"In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction."

~ Audre Lorde


"Growth is an erratic forward movement: two steps forward, one step back. Remember that and be very gentle with yourself." ~ Julia Cameron

Very gentile, indeed. 

Days go by and I wonder: "What did I learn?" "What did I get right?" 

Sometimes I never know, life seems like mashed potatoes. 


But sometimes I have fun, feel appreciated & loved and things look ok. Those days, I reflect, I think I figured it out. 

How did I do that? I wonder... maybe I can replicate it? Then again, I think, mashed potatoes are yummy!


Enjoy your growth : ) ~ Jacquie

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Copyright 2025 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 8/3/25")

 

Disclaimer: At the Buzz Around, we promote community and family. There are links to town committees and other non-profit groups in the newsletters. Individual groups are responsible for how they represent themselves on their websites and in their promotional materials. BuzzAround is not responsible for the media content of other organizations.