June 14, 2020 ~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time
West Bridgewater Class of 2020
Car Parade
Seniors from West Bridgewater Middle/Senior High School celebrated the end of the school year with the traditional drive through town. Many of the students came with decorated cars to show their support and congratulations to the class of 2020. The parade was joined by State Senator Walter Timilty, and the West Bridgewater Fire Department.
Congrats to the class of 2020, and best of luck to all of your future endeavors!
Story and video credit: West Bridgewater TV
West Bridgewater Police Department Awarded Accreditation
West Bridgewater Police Department has been awarded Accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission!
The Massachusetts Police Accreditation Program is an extensive process for police agencies across the Commonwealth. The process consists of the department establishing an extensive body of specific professional standards and passing an assessment of these standards by the Commission.
We are proud to accept this award and proud to be recognized for this accomplishment!
Historical Tidbit: 

The Trolley Connecting Our Towns

The first electric trolley line in Brockton was the East Side Street Railway, which opened in November 1888, with great success. 
  
In 1896, a line ran from Brockton to West Bridgewater, Bridgewater and Taunton. The following year, the line ran to East Bridgewater. On July 4, 1897, amid a blaring band, cheering crowds and speeches from the company and town officials, the first electric trolley rumbled down Pleasant St, East Bridgewater. 
  
The route began in the Montello section in Brockton and followed Montello St. to Plain St. into West Bridgewater, down Belmont St. into East Bridgewater center. Passengers who were continuing on would then have to disembark and wait for a trolley to Bridgewater center. 
 
For a time, one could travel almost anywhere in the area, even to Nantasket Beach! Many families journeyed to Island Grove in Abington or Mayflower Grove in Pembroke. In summer, the open sided cars were used for the comfort of the passengers. 
  
In 1923, the William H. Luddy bus company began to run buses from Bridgewater, East Bridgewater & Whitman, thus signalling the end for an already troubled trolley line, which ceased to operate altogether by September 25, 1929.
  
Town Hall
  508-894-1200

Check town website for needed updates.

WB Public Library
508-894-1255
 
Council on Aging
508-894-1262
COA

1st & 3rd Wednesday each month
2:30 - 3:30p
Spring Street School
2 Spring St, WB
Congratulations to 
Diane Pierce
who won a
$10 gift certificate to Mama Deb's Food Truck!

You should play our
Historical Tidbit Trivia Game
at the bottom of this newsletter.

You could win a
$50 gift certificate to Beauty Counter products through Independent Consultant Christine Harkins. The clean revolution www.facebook.com/cleanbeautycorner .
West Bridgewater Resident Kayden Celebrates 4th Birthday With Firefighters
Kayden, who recently turned 4, stopped by the Fire Department on June 6th to share his 4th birthday with them. One of the fellow Firefighters, with the help of Kayden, demonstrated how to handle a hose line.
He’s a future firefighter for sure. He handled the hose line like a pro. Happy Birthday pal.

Food 4 Vets
Wed, June 17th
10a – 12p
COA / The Center at Sachem Rock
355 Plymouth St., EB
The Massachusetts Military Support Foundation is proud to partner with the Cape Cod Military Support Foundation, Big Nick’s Ride for the Fallen, and local Veteran and Military Family supporters as we provide 14 Day Meal Kits for East Bridgewater area Veterans and Military Families in need. Each Meal Kit contains non-perishable food items that will provide two weeks worth of healthy meals.
For additional information please visit www.massmilitarysupportfoundation.org .

1. Pre-Registration is required and can be done easily by clicking Food4Vets form
2. Arrive in Parking Lot at 355 Plymouth St EB
3. Stay INSIDE vehicle
4. Open Trunk
5. 14 Day Meal Kit will be placed inside trunk by a Volunteer with PPE
6. Drive away

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE!

To find out about the event go here: Facebook event page .
West Bridgewater Public Schools Re-Opening Track at MSHS
In accordance with the Governor's 4 phase re-opening plan, the Town Emergency Management Committee re-opened the track at MSHS to runners and walkers, on Monday May 25th. Please note, that the turf field will remain closed to all activities.
It is mandatory that all residents comply with the following social distancing restrictions that will be in full effect: Face masks and face coverings are mandatory when in public when social distancing may not be possible. All residents must remain a social distance of 6 feet apart. Gatherings of more than 10 people remain prohibited. Let's all do our part to comply with the regulations set forth in the Governor's plan so that the State can move forward with a smooth reopening and avoid another spike in COVID cases.

Photo and story credits: West Bridgewater Public Schools
We have mulch, stone, loam, feed & grain and we're open for many other essential items for your home and garden!
Please call with your order and drive up.

 1000 Plymouth St (Rt 104) Bridgewater 
(508) 697-0357

Since its inception, your BuzzAround has built bridges across divides: our focus on the goodness of all humanity. We bridge generational, religious and social divides. Diversity and inclusion within each community are the building blocks of our message as we share stories and events that show, time and again, that empathy and compassion are core to the human experience. In sharing these stories, we can truly see our neighbors, appreciate our similarities and understand where and why we differ.  

Thankfully, our U.S. Constitution allows for freedoms so that we can express ourselves and make the changes necessary to build a fair and just society. We believe our way of life is dependent on all people being served equal justice. It has been proven clear that our criminal justice system is not color blind. There is systemic racism built into the fabric of our institutions at every level, disadvantaging and discriminating against people of color in ways that go beyond individual intent to discriminate, and so we need to educate ourselves and change our systems.

What we are seeing is the public expression of pain and outrage. It is good that Black people know that they are worthy. It is good that we live in a society that allows for freedom of speech and assembly. It is good that people of all colors educate themselves, stand together and have empathy. 
The majority desire to protest peacefully to draw attention, educate, motivate change, stand together and act from a place of power and love. Also, saying Black lives matter is not in opposition to the importance of lives of our law enforcement personnel. BuzzAround promotes & supports goodness in all humanity. While the narrative of violence and destruction is dominating media coverage, in your BuzzAround, you will continue to see good news, including the efforts communities are making toward positive change and the stories of people of all colors, ages, interests and religions doing good. 

If you would like to provide access to education and basic needs to those hardest effected: please contribute to Brockton Library Foundation & United Way Brockton Together Fund. If you would like to support legal reforms NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
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~Womens Owned Business~ 
52 Weeks Logo & Link Ad in 1 Hive

For $99 / each month, your Logo & Link ad is in 1 Buzz Around town e-newsletter each week. Ad rotates monthly between Bridgewater, Brockton, EB, Halifax, Raynham, WB & Whitman. 1 year contract commitment

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buzzaround.info
Food Pantry Announcement
Wednesday, June 17th
2:30 - 3:30p
Spring Street School
Until further notice, our food distribution time has changed.
Pull into Spring Street parking lot and check in. Pop trunk and proceed along sidewalk near overhangs.Helpers will put groceries into your car.
Curbside pick-up on the first and third Wednesday each month. Proof of residency is the only requirement.
Any questions email Cal: calvin6743a@gmail.com or send message through Facebook.
TOWN ELECTION
Saturday, June 27th
9a - 7p
You can get an application to vote by mail by clicking on this link or contact the Town Clerk’s office at (508) 894-1167 or townclerk@wbridgewater.com.
To see a sample ballot click here.
Below is a video of WB Town Clerk, Anne Iannitelli, providing the information voters need to know if they choose to vote by mail.
GRANTS RENTAL
Grants Rental
Grant's sends out support & care to all of our communities.
We're all in this together.

10 Bedford Park, Bridgewater
 (508) 279-0950

Dance Theater of New England
West Bridgewater Public Library Curbside Holds Pick Up
STEP 1:
Place your holds by phone at
508-894-1255, between 10a -2p, Mon - Sat.
-or Place your holds online through our online catalog here:  West Bridgewater Catalog Items Available for Holds.

STEP 2:
We will call you to tell you when your holds are available to pickup.
When we call you, let us know the approximate time you plan to pick up your holds curbside.

STEP 3:
Call us from your car when you arrive at the library and we will bring your items out to you!

STEP 4:
Take your items home and enjoy!
 This contactless method is for the safety and well-being of visitors.
Photo and story credit: West Bridgewater Public Library
Memorial Run for Retired Officer John Pettingill
Christine Furtado's father was a thirty-two year old veteran of the West Bridgewater Police Department. Sadly, this past January he lost his battle with diabetes. She's now putting together a memorial run to raise money for the American Diabetes Association.
The memorial run for John will be on July 19th at 10:30 am at the Raynham Dog Track. The ride starts at 11 and will conclude at 3199 Cranberry Highway, Wareham. Mama Deb's food truck will be there along with other refreshments.
All proceeds will be donated to the American Diabetes Association.

Everyone is welcome to come.

You can let Christine know you're interested on its event page on Facebook.


Story and photo credit: Christine Furtado
WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME

Have fun with us and bee entered to win a
$50 gift certificate to Beauty Counter products through Independent Consultant Christine Harkins. The clean revolution www.facebook.com/cleanbeautycorner .


Historical Tidbit Question:
In 1897, what town did the trolley line run to?

Email us your answer at: 

Please include your name, phone number with your answer.

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

On June 17, 2020 we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Jen Bellody, Janice O'Brien, Sasha Rockwell, Jacquelyn Rose, Kayla Rose
This year has been very challenging for all of us humans. We like familiarity & comfort. We have had to learn so many new ways of relating to our world: get educated,grow, change... get educated, grow, change, to live together in community.
Here it is time to educate and change again: With that in mind, I watched this video (which really breaks down the white experience in an easily understandable way), reflected, and put together my personal statement.

"I am white. It took me a long time to understand that this is more than ' bad people' doing 'bad things' because I was raised with white privilege. Now I see race. I try not to be color blind because that diminishes the experiences of others. Everyone has different experiences walking through this world. 

That’s my beginning, as I dive deeper into my own background I embrace my Portuguese heritage and how immigrants continue to be labeled as trouble and stupid. I embrace my Catholic heritage and know from the first colonies through 1940’s and beyond anti-Catholicism is deeply rooted in American culture. Because of this it's easier for me to empathize, and know we, as a country, have a lot to fix.

Since the beginning of our country we have created a justice (and housing and educational) system which harasses and intimidates and creates barriers to success for people of color. 
My first step was to educate myself, and so I share this 20 min video. It was super helpful & understandable.
~ Jacquie 
Copyright 2020 Buzz Around West Bridgewater.  You have our permission to share and copy this issue in its entirety or as much as you like. If you take it in part, please give credit: ("Buzz Around West Bridgewater 6/14/20")  

Disclaimer: At the Buzz Around, we promote community and family. Occasionally, there will be links to town committees and other non-profit groups, as a way of sharing local information. Individual groups are responsible for how they represent themselves on their websites and in their promotional materials.
The Buzz Around does not claim to support any particular view.