BuzzAround Bridgewater

August 31, 2025



~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time

The Edward J. O'Donoghue Middle School Naming Ceremony

"On August 22nd, the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District held a naming ceremony for the Edward J. O’Donoghue Middle School.

Mr. O’Donoghue was the driving force in regionalizing the district and was the first superintendent once combined. We celebrated his efforts today by dedicating our Bridgewater Middle School building to him and the legacy he left behind. 

Thank you to the O’Donoghue family members who attended and his daughter, Diana, for speaking. Thank you to the community members, colleagues, and friends who spoke and attended to honor Edward J. O’Donoghue with us today."

Repost: Bridgewater-RaynhamRegional School District FB

Edward O'Donoghue Middle School Naming Ceremony

Video Courtesy of BTV

Grace Morrison & Matt Borello

at Bridgewater Music Alley

As the summer comes to an end, Bridgewater Music Alley is finishing up their free live music Thursdays. But, this doesn't mean they aren't bringing in the best! On Thursday, August 21st Grace Morrison and Matt Borello put on quite a show!

The weather was perfect paired with a beautiful sunset, as Morrison and Borello played original music creating a "dream-like atmosphere" according to Bridgewater Music Alley.

Written by Serena Croteau, Southern New Hampshire University, Buzz Around Intern

Image and Info credits: BW Music Alley FB

Shannon Crowley Memorial Blood Drive

Sat Sep 6

9a-3p

Bridgewater Raynham Middle School

166 Mt. Prospect St

In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and in memory of Shannon Crowley, the Boston Children’s Hospital Blood Drive at Bridgewater-Raynham Middle School.

Hosted by BRRSD Health Services, this event is a meaningful way to support children and families in need. Your donation can help save lives and honor Shannon’s legacy. The sponsor code for this drive is: BRRHS

To make a appointment, please log on to Boston Children's Hospital Donor Center or call 617-355-6677

Source:Julie Mcsolla Crowley FB 

Toad’s Epic Adventure! 

The Bridgewater Public Library now has Toad’s exciting adventure game available to borrow! With your library card, you can check it out for free and dive into the fun. Please note, there is a 2-game borrowing limit, and games carry a $5 per day late fee. Don’t miss your chance to start the adventure; stop by the library and borrow today!

Source: Bridgewater Public Library FB

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Brockton Area Prevention Collaborative

Overdose Prevention Training Now Available in Spanish!

High Point Prevention Services is proud to announce that our Overdose Prevention Training is available in Spanish, so everyone in our communities has the tools to respond in an emergency.

This training is also available in English, Brazilian Portuguese, and Haitian Creole on YouTube.

brbridginglives.org

The Bay Circuit Trail Goes through Bridgewater

The trail and greenway is located close to 4 million people in Eastern Massachusetts, starting at the mouth of the Merrimack River and ending in Kingston Bay. The BCT, a close-to-home trail, offers a variety of recreation options including: walking, biking, snowshoeing, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. Many sections of the trail are accessible by the MBTA commuter rail and other public transit systems.

The idea for the Bay Circuit Trail & Greenway arose in 1929. Thereafter, the vision was proposed as an “outer Emerald Necklace,”— in other words, a greenbelt that would mirror the famous string of Frederick Law Olmsted-designed parks throughout Boston. Above all, the corridor would provide open space for the city’s fast-growing population.

Eventually, over the next several decades, various public and private open spaces were established in the area between what is now Route 128 and Interstate 495. Interest in the project was renewed in the 1980s, and in 1990 the Bay Circuit Alliance (BCA) formed to make the trail and greenway a reality. The Alliance focused on linking segments of the trail to provide a place for recreation by adding more “pearls” to the “emerald necklace”.

Since 2012, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has led Bay Circuit Trail partners in the completion, enhancement of the trail, and also the long-term protection of this greenway. At present, more than 230 miles of multi-use, passive recreational trail have been dedicated, thanks to the contributions of hundreds of volunteers in 37 cooperating towns

To fulfill the vision of the Bay Circuit, AMC has been working to close the final gaps of the trail. They are working to document varied uses on the trail, improve the recreational experience, secure permanent protection for the trail corridor, and encourage the public to explore the trail’s 230+ miles.

To be involved in BCT or any of Bridgewater's Trail work, contact Kitty at riverland927@gmail.com

www.baycircuit.org

Bridgewater-Raynham Marching Band Competition

Sat. Sept. 13th

12p-2:30p

415 Center St

Come see marching bands from MA and NH at Bridgewater-Raynham High to see their musical skills! Food trucks, raffles, and more!

Tickets prices are; General for $15, Seniors for $10, Students for $5, and Children under 5 are free

Respectfully submitted by the Bridgewater-Raynham Music Boosters

Fall Paint Party at the Library

Sat. Sept 13th

11a

15 South St

Join for a no pressure, fun and relaxing paint party. Learn the joys of painting with step by step instructions with Sylvia. Supplies included and beginner pre-drawn guide lines on the canvas are available.

Registration required and opened Sat. August 30th. To register: : bridgewater-ma.whofi.com

Community and Economic Development Joint Meeting with Planning Board

August 20th, 2025

Video courtesy of the Town of Bridgewater

Strategic Planning Committee Meeting

August 21st, 2025

Video Courtesy of the Town of Bridgewater

Climate Can-Do:

Rainwater Harvesting

Looking for more ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle? Introducing rainwater harvesting; a new kind of recycling!

Harvesting rainwater is exactly what it sounds like; rain is collected from buckets, barrels, rooftops, or any other sealed surface for a multitude of purposes. These applications include watering gardens, flushing toilets, washing clothes and cars!

Basic systems for rainwater collection use barrels or buckets to collect rain from either the sky or a downspout from a rain gutter. Rainwater harvesting is rather easy to start doing! Set out a few buckets or barrels the day before a big storm.

Do not drink from a rainbarrel! The water can be boiled to kill any harmful bacteria, but rainwater can hold chemicals, pollutants, and heavy metals that it has collected from its time in our atmosphere. Unless you first boil the water and then use a filtration system that can remove chemical debris/metal sediment, it is not recommended to drink rainwater.

However, it is good for watering gardens, flushing toilets, and washing clothes and cars!

This simple activity helps our planet by both conserving clean faucet water as well as reducing runoff pollution created when rainwater runs down our streets.

Added bonus: it just might save you a few bucks on your water bill! Enjoy your week, and remember, when it starts raining, you can start saving!

By Evan Hilliard, Fairfield University, BuzzAround Intern

Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency

Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting

August 11th, 2025 

Video Courtesy of the Town of Bridgewater

Old Fashioned Cookout

Fri Sep 5

5-7p

Central Square Church

71 Central Square

The Bridgewater community is invited to enjoy an old-fashioned cookout on the front lawn of Central Square Church. Guests can look forward to hot dogs, baked beans, and watermelon, along with cornhole and other fun games. The event is open to the public, with a cost of $5 per person or $15 for a family of four. No advance tickets are needed; just come ready for good food and great company!

Source: CSCC Events

BW Fire Stations' Primary Aparatus Assignments

Our fire department creates and shared some diagrams, using Lego people, to represent the assignments at each location. It is a great way to share how the vehicles and department overall assigns their personnel.

Written by Serena Croteau, Southern New Hampshire University, Buzz Around Intern

Images: Bridgewater Fire Department FB Station 1 & Bridgewater Fire Department FB Station 2

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Essay Competitions

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States has announced the details of its 2025-2026 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen audio essay competitions!

This year’s shared theme is “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”

Entries are due to VFW Posts no later than October 31, 2025. The VFW Voice of Democracy National first-place winner will receive a $35,000 scholarship; this contest is for students in grades 9-12. The VFW Patriot’s Pen National first-place winner will receive $5,000; this contest is for students in grades 6-8. 

Learn more at www.vfw.org/youth-scholarships and share with the tweens and teens in your life today. 

If you have general questions please reach out to us here or by emailing post2125@vfwma.org 

Repost: VFW Post 2125 FB

Cowtown Clash 2025

During the weekend during August 15–17, the Bridgewater Girls Softball Complex came alive with cheers, teamwork, and community spirit as town-based teams gathered for the annual Cowtown Clash 2025. This much-anticipated girls’ softball tournament featured exciting competition in the 8U and 10U divisions, bringing together young athletes for three days of action-packed games. Each team was guaranteed at least four opportunities to play, and the event blended fun with fairness, with junior umpires officiating the 8U contests and USA Softball–certified umpires calling the 10U games.

The Cowtown Clash players enjoyed thrilling plays on the field and camaraderie in the dugouts and stands. Players left with not only medals and memories, but also the experience of being part of a spirited, USA Softball–sanctioned event that continues to grow as a tradition in Bridgewater.

Source and Photo credit: Bridgewater Girls Softball.com and Bridgewater-Girls Softball League FB



Written by Marie Gupton, BuzzAround Intern, Bridgewater State University

WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME



Have fun with us and bee entered to win:

$25 gift certificate to Johnny Macaroni's Restaurant, East Bridgewater & Halifax

johnnymacaronis.com 

Historical Tidbit Question:

What state was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day?

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 September 3, 2025, before 2p, we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.

The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Jennifer Bellody, Serena Croteau, Alexa Pennington, Jacquelyn Rose & Greg Venezia

Enjoy the End of Summer!

Here's hoping you make good use of the long weekend. My goal: least one day that's full of drowsy warmth and a book on the hammock. A day where you imagine all that is possible while birds chirp overhead. 

And then... we will be rested, ready to begin our next great adventure with open eyes and a rejuvenated soul.

"To say it was a beautiful day would not begin to explain it. It was that day when the end of summer intersects perfectly with the start of fall." ~ Ann Patchett

“When summer gathers up her robes of glory, And, like a dream, glides away.”

~ Sarah Helen Whitman



“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” ~ Sam Keen

Enjoy the warm days & cool nights. ~ Jacquie

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

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 8/31/25")

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.