March 30, 2025



~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time.

Select Board's Carole Julius Promotes a United East Bridgewater Community



Carole Julius originally decided to run for the East Bridgewater Select Board to be a positive voice in local politics and advocate for a united community. She was first elected in 2018 and is currently serving the second year of her third term.  

“I thought we could all benefit from focusing on the things that bring us together rather than the issues that might drive us apart,” said Julius. “I have always been proud to call East Bridgewater my home, and I firmly believe that while we are a group of residents with different backgrounds and distinct ideas, we share a common connection through our common community.”

BuzzAround recently spoke with Julius to learn more about the meaningful interactions she has had with the East Bridgewater community and the issues she has had the opportunity to work on.

“The best interactions I have with the public are often spontaneous ones at a local business," shared Julius. "I truly enjoy having breakfast or a cup of coffee and having someone approach me to ask me about an issue we are dealing with or offer their idea on how we can improve an aspect of town government."

She explained that her active involvement in the Kiwanis Club of East Bridgewater has led to many great opportunities to interact with the East Bridgewater community, "whether it's at the Pancake Breakfast or the lighting of the town Christmas Tree." 

Julius is most passionate about developing “productive working relationships between the Select Board, School Committee, Finance Committee and other boards in town as well as with the residents.” More information about these boards can be found on the Town of East Bridgewater website. 

“It is up to the Select Board to set a positive tone for all discourse and to be respectful of the different ideas and backgrounds our employees, elected officials and residents bring to the table," said Julius. "I think transparency matters and firmly believe in keeping the town residents informed about meetings and issues." 

Julius recently worked with the Town Administrator to update the town website so that "documents pertaining to town finances, budgets, audits and more are readily available to anyone seeking information." She encourages East Bridgewater residents to become more involved in local politics by visiting the Town website to select which boards they would like to receive email updates from. 

She added, "I also think it’s a great idea to read through the Town Meeting warrant when it’s posted and ask questions if you don’t understand a particular issue."

She also encourages residents to run for office. “I have worked in the public sector for over 40 years but being involved as an elected official is very different," said Julius. "I’ve learned a lot about how local government works over the past seven years.”  

Photo courtesy of Carole Julius.

Written by Crista Fiala, Dartmouth College BuzzAround Intern

Rock n' Roll Dance Party

Sat, Apr 5

7p

East Bridgewater Commercial Club Function Hall

East Bridgewater Commercial Club is hosting a Rock n' Roll Dance. Everyone is welcome. DJ raffles, bring your own snacks. $10 per person. Pay at the door.

See more info about the event of the East Bridgewater Commercial Club - EBCC FB

Soccer Fields Are Back Open!

"Yep, you read that right -- Belmont Street fields are open! It's time to dust off your cleats (if you didn't play this winter) and get out on the pitch. Coaches, you may start scheduling practices for your travel teams starting this week. Get excited!!!" Reposted from East Bridgewater Youth Soccer Association FB page.

Brockton Area Prevention Collaborative

Learn more about the Impacts of Marijuana!

Based on Chapter 4 of High Point Prevention Services' 2023 Drug Guidebook, this chapter focuses on understanding the impact of marijuana on the brain, and recognizing and comparing safe behaviors to risky ones. This presentation includes a bell work activity, and exit tickets to serve as a knowledge check for students. 

In collaboration with Anawan Studios, Prevention Services created 15 ten-minute long train-the-trainer videos to support educators with curriculum implementation. All lessons align with the 2024 Society of Health and Physical Educators National Physical Health Education Standards. www.ebhopes.net

The Soul Project Reflects on March Soulful Girls Club Meeting

"✨ Soulful Girls Club Recap! ✨

Our Friday night meetup was filled with connection, creativity, and community 💖 From meaningful conversations to fun activities, these girls continue to inspire us with their kindness, courage, and support for one another!

Swipe through to see some of the beautiful moments from the night. 📸💫

💬 Drop a comment if you were there! What was your favorite part? 💕

🌟 Join us for the next Soulful Girls Club on Friday, April 11! You won’t want to miss it! " Reposted from The Soul Project FB Page.

To learn more about the next Soul Girls Club meeting, visit the Soul Project website.

East Bridgewater YMCA Celebrates Success at Their Spin-a-Thon and Zumbathon Event

Over the last fifteen years, the EB YMCA Spin-a-Thon has raised over $2.7 million dollars to support programs and services at the Y. This year, the event raised over thirty-thousand dollars!

One of the primary sponsors was Globe Composite Solutions.

"Photo dump # 1. What a night it was. Special thank you to Globe Composite Solutions for their sponsorship and participation." Reposted from Old Colony YMCA - East Bridgewater FB page.

Check out the post to see more photos!

Grants Rental

Spring is here! Grants Rental has just what you need for your upcoming projects:

Dehumidifiers, Turbo Dryers, Air Scrubbers, Dewalt Pro Press



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EB Lions Club is looking for Sponsors for 47th Annual Golf Tournament

Mon, May 12

Registration @ 6:30a

Tee off @ 8:30a

Ridder Farm Golf Course

The EB Lions Club will soon be holding its 47th Annual Golf Tournament, an 18-hole best ball scramble. The early bird discount is $125 a player. This includes tee time, golf cart, and luncheon. Visit this Google Form to register your golfing party for the early bird discount. All checks are payable to "East Bridgewater Lions Club." Mail to EB Lion Howard Larsen, PO Box 270, East Bridgewater, MA 02333.

For more info, contact eblionsclub68@gmail.com or call 781-959-6116.

The EB Lions Club is also looking for sponsors for the event. Please download and fill out this form to pick a level of sponsorship. Golfers and non-golfers can also use this form to register for the event.

2015 Graduating Class of EBJSHS

10th Reunion Year

Is there a reunion in the works? Let us know eb@buzzaround.info.

Video Courtesy of EBCAM

Teen

Advisory Board Volunteering

Mon, Apr 7

6-7p

East Bridgewater Public Library

Does your teen need community service hours? Joining the Teen Advisory Board is a great way to earn those credits while also making a difference at the Library. Join us for our next meeting. Register on the East Bridgewater Public Library website. 

East Bridgewater Select Board Meeting

3-24-25

Video courtesy of EBCAM

March Madness 2025

Video Courtesy of EBCAM

Climate Can-Do: Keep the Environment Clean with How You Clean!

We want to keep our homes clean, but we want to keep the environment – home to all living creatures – clean as well. We can do both by using cleaners with less toxic chemicals. These tips can help make your cleaning routines environmentally safer:

Avoid chemicals known to be harmful to skin or respiratory systems, such as ammonia in all-purpose cleaners, non-biodegradable chemicals in dish cleaners, and bleach in laundry cleaners. These chemicals are not only harmful to you but can spread and have harmful effects on the larger environment.

Look for safer alternatives you already have at home. Here are some examples:

• For all purpose cleaner, try vinegar or hot, soapy water on surfaces like counters and floors.
• For dish cleaner, try making “washing soda” by mixing baking soda and water together and baking the mixture in the oven.
• For laundry cleaner, use “washing soda” or borax instead of bleach.

Visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website to find “Safer Choice-Certified” alternatives and keep an eye out for EPA’s “Safer Choice Label” when shopping for cleaning products.

Together, we can help make the environment cleaner by changing how we clean!

Written by Crista Fiala, Dartmouth College BuzzAround Intern

Sources: Environmental Protection Agency & Clean Water Action

East Bridgewater Fire Chief Retires

After 33 Years of Service

"The East Bridgewater Fire Department is celebrating the retirement of Fire Chief Timothy Harhen after an incredible 33 years of dedicated service.

Chief Harhen’s career with the department began in 1991 as a call firefighter. He officially joined the East Bridgewater Fire Department on March 11, 1996, and steadily rose through the ranks. He became a Lieutenant on December 25, 2001, was promoted to Deputy Chief on January 1, 2010, and took on the role of Acting Fire Chief in April 2012. A year later, on July 1, 2013, he was officially appointed Fire Chief.

A graduate of Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School, Chief Harhen has built a career marked by dedication, leadership, and countless contributions to the community.

To honor his decades of service, the East Bridgewater Fire Department recently held a celebration attended by Chief Harhen’s wife of 16 years, Karen, and their son, Alex, members of the Fire Department, state legislators, Town employees, and Fire Chiefs from across the region.

Throughout his tenure, Chief Harhen achieved many milestones. He was one of the department’s first paramedics and even delivered two babies while on duty. His commitment to securing resources led to $2 million in grant funding, allowing the department to hire additional staff, acquire new apparatus, and implement digital radio systems.

He also played a significant role in transitioning the department to regional dispatch at the Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center, a complex process that took strategic coordination and patience.

'To put it mildly, this was a major undertaking by the Chief requiring persistence and perseverance,' said East Bridgewater Town Administrator Charles Seelig.

Following Chief Harhen’s retirement on March 14, retired Duxbury Fire Chief Kevin Nord has stepped in as interim chief while the search for a permanent replacement is underway.

'On behalf of the Town of East Bridgewater, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Chief Timothy Harhen for his 33 years of dedicated service to our fire department and community,' said Town Administrator Seelig. 'Chief Harhen’s leadership and commitment have left a lasting impact, and we wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.'"

Images and story reposted from East Bridgewater Fire Department website.

WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME



Have fun with us and bee entered to win:

a $15 e-gift card to K9 Creations Dog Grooming, East Bridgewater

Historical Tidbit Question:

Which war did Corporal Gordon Maynard Craig serve in?

Email us your answer at: Prizes@buzzaround.info Please include your name and phone number with your answer.

Prize Box Rules

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



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

The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Crista Fiala, Jamie Puhi, Jacquelyn Rose, & Greg Venezia.

Echoes of love.

“Do we settle for the world as it is, or do we work for the world as it should be?”

~ Michelle Obama

“The world is a hospital: people are patients, truth is the doctor, and love is the remedy.”

~ Matshona Dhliwayo

“Bloom where you are planted.”

~ Mary Engelbert

"What do we live for, if not to make the world less difficult for each other?" 

~ George Eliot

“It always seems impossible until it's done.”

~ Nelson Mandela

The way I see it, each day we have a choice, we can work toward a better world or we can live in fear, holding on tightly to what we know.

I attempt to choose love, and I tell you, it's not easy. Fear is powerful. It can be debilitating; stop me in my tracks.

But then the love I have shared echos back and lifts me. 

Loving each other and caring for our planet boundlessly is not selfless, it is selfish. Do this and then we are surrounded by love & an abundance of food, clean water and a gorgeous place to live. 

So I encourage you, be selfish today, give all the love you can to everyone around you & take steps to care for our earth, the result is amazing. ~ 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 East 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 East Bridgewater 3/30/25")

At the Buzz Around, we promote healthy community. We support the dignity of all human beings, are actively anti-racist, and supportive of good law enforcement policies. 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.