November 1, 2020 ~ Building Community One Positive Story
at a Time.
|
|
Your BuzzAround supports the dignity of all human beings, is actively anti-racist, and supportive of good law enforcement policies. |
|
|
|
Beautiful Fall View
Ahhhh, we prefer to think of what the park looked like BEFORE the snowstorm... just NOT ready for winter scenes yet!
After all ~ we are going to be back in the 60's this week. Maybe we'll get to enjoy those tree colors for a little while longer ; )
Photo credit: J. Rose
|
|
The Halloween tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.
All Souls Day and Soul Cakes
The American Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating probably dates back to the early All Souls’ Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called “soul cakes” in return for their promise to pray for the family’s dead relatives.
The distribution of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits. The practice, which was referred to as “going a-souling,” was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food and money.
The tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. Hundreds of years ago, winter was an uncertain and frightening time. Food supplies often ran low and, for the many people afraid of the dark, the short days of winter were full of constant worry.
On Halloween, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, people thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits.
On Halloween, to keep ghosts away from their houses, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter.
|
|
Town Hall
781-618-9700
Public Library
781-447-7613
Council on Aging
781-447-7619
St. Vincent de Paul/Whitman Food Pantry
By appointment only: 781-447-8560
|
Congratulations!
Laurie Turner-Curran
won a 2 month free membership
(*prize only available to non-current members)
Play our
Historical Tidbit Trivia Game
at the bottom of this newsletter.
|
You could win an
8 oz soy candle (value $12)
pick up at
|
|
DUVAL’S PHARMACY SUPPORTING DFS WITH FLU SHOT PROMOTION
Duval’s Pharmacy is collaborating with Whitman & Hanson Dollars for Scholars to raise scholarship funds by offering a $5 donation to DFS for every flu shot given. With most insurance coverage there is no fee for the shot. Flu shots are available every day with no prescription needed. Walk-ins are welcome. They also offer a number of other vaccines as well including Pneumonia and Shingles.
Duval’s Pharmacy is located at 571 Washington Street in Whitman. They have been sponsoring scholarships through Dollars for Scholars since 1963. Dollars for Scholars is an all-volunteer nonprofit which raises and awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors from Whitman and Hanson or who attend Whitman-Hanson Regional High School. facebook.com/duvalspharmacy
|
|
State Election - Tuesday, November 3rd
2020 Presidential Election
•Polling Hours: 7:00a - 8:00p
•Location: Town Hall
|
Thrift Shop at All Saints Church
44 Park Ave, Whitman is reopening, by appointment only.
Please call Leslie 978-701-3228 to
make your appintment today!
|
|
Coming Up....
Help us Appreciate Essential Workers!
Tell us about an Essential Worker near and dear to your heart.
We will publish their story & send them a gift!*
From November 5 - November 19, 2020: Fill out the simple form on our website & submit a photograph. *Every verified submission will be published in the BuzzAround e-newsletters throughout November as we give thanks for their hard work & they will be offered a choice of a local business gift valuing $50-$175. Stay tuned to your BuzzAround for more details!
|
|
New WHCA-TV Show Alert
Geekology
Everybody has a geeky side to them.
Whether you’re able to geek-out over technology, music, skin care, nature, or anything at all, Geekology is for you! We are looking for locals to produce shows about any topic they can geek-out to. Producing an episode is incredibly simple. All you have to do is:
• Email info@whca.tv stating that you want to produce an episode • We set you up with a camera, and any other tools you may need
• You shoot an amazing show
• We figure out the post production details
• And just like that, you've produced an episode!
|
|
Strong children in a toxic world
As a pediatrician, I have more than a decade of experience caring for children and adolescents with mental health disorders, and the combined onslaught of COVID-19 and the wildfires and hurricanes that have battered communities across the country ...
Read more
coverage.bluecrossma.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 20th was Community Media Day!
Although 2020 has been filled with unexpected events, we are trying to make the best of things, and still work with the community in a safe manner. Happy Community Media Day everybody! 🎥🎬📺🖥📸 #WHCA
|
|
|
|
The 2020 Book for Business & COVID-19 Recovery Resource Guide
Easy & Accessible with great resources!
- Area Dining
- COVID-19 Recovery Resources
- Business Development Resources
Metro South Chamber of Commerce Works For YOU!
|
|
Composting Bins
Are you looking to recycle your lawn and garden waste and turn it into compost for your plants ? The Town has composting bins available free of charge, just give the DPW a call at 781-447-7630 to arrange for a pickup.
|
Stop The Spread
Get tested at Brockton High School, they will be taking drive-thru appointments
Mondays, 12:00p - 7:00p
Wednesdays, 9:00a - 4:00p
Thursdays, 12:00p - 7:00p
Call 1-844-4TEST19 to schedule appointment or text 508-726-7654 your name and number and we'll call you back. Everyone tested will also receive 10 free KN95 masks!
|
|
Veterans Toiletry Drive @ American Legion Post 22, Whitman
Wednesday, November 11th at 9a – 1p
The Whitman-Hanson Girl Scouts Toiletry Drive. Accepting unused toiletry items as well as monetary donations. Click for full list of acceptable donations
Thank you for your support!
Read more
www.facebook.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Basement Mold or Attic Mold Removal
Thinking of selling your home? Check your attic for mold!
(781) 910-5029
|
|
|
|
PINCHES AND POUNDS
An old-fashioned candy store
with a TWIST
|
Large selection of nostalgia candy!
All those goodies from your childhood!
Mon - Sat:
Open til 8pm • Sunday 'til 6pm
Come check us out!
Online orders!
(781) 447-2639
785 Bedford St, Rt 18, Whitman
|
|
|
|
Whitman Fire Department Purchases New Ambulance Through Federal CARES Act Funding
Chief Timothy Grenno is pleased to announce that the Whitman Fire Department has purchased a new ambulance through federal CARES Act funding.
The Whitman Fire Department purchased the new ambulance with the CARES Act funding program to primarily respond to calls where COVID-19 is suspected. The new unit will provide better protection for both firefighters and residents while also being better suited to handle the virus as opposed to the other units....
The Whitman Fire Department averages 2,800 calls per year and the number of calls continued to grow this year. Prior to the third ambulance the department had two ambulances, from 2012 and 2016, as well as one spare from 2010 that is not in condition to run as a primary unit. At the start of the pandemic one of the primary ambulances was taken out of service to become a primarily COVID-19 ambulance, placing a burden on the department.
“From the beginning of the COVID-19 emergency Whitman Fire Department has been challenged to meet the demands of the 911 call volume given the necessity to decontaminate personnel, vehicles and equipment after all potential COVID responses,” Chief Grenno said. “This third ambulance will be extremely beneficial in improving our response time while also keeping our community safe from COVID-19, especially as we move into the winter flu season where cases are expected to spike again.”
|
|
Whitman-Hanson Boys Varsity Soccer vs Duxbury. October 19, 2020
Video Courtesy of WHCA-TV
|
|
Whitman Board of Selectmen Meeting.
October 28, 2020
Video Courtesy of WHCA-TV
|
|
WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME
Have fun with us and bee
entered to win an
8 oz soy candle (value $12)
pick up at
Historical Tidbit Question:
Why would people wear masks when they left their homes after dark?
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 November 4, 2020 we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
|
|
Mystery
I am a great admirer of mystery:
"Look at this life - all mystery and magic."
~ Harry Houdini
"A day spent without the sight or sound of beauty, the contemplation of mystery, or the search of truth or perfection is a poverty-stricken day; and a succession of such days is fatal to human life."
~ Lewis Mumford
"The human race is a very, very magical race. We have a magic power of witches and wizards. We're here on this earth to unravel the mystery of this planet. The planet is asking for it." ~ Yoko Ono
"I don't think that faith, whatever you're being faithful about, really can be scientifically explained. And I don't want to explain this whole life business through truth, science. There's so much mystery. There's so much awe."
~ Jane Goodall
|
As the daylight grows shorter, we spend more time in the mystery of the darkness, the sparks of light glimmering from the campfire...
the blankets and mittens, hats and scarves covering us.
And I think... this is the perfect ending. All pandemics end, and this one will with us covered with thick layers. These shields from the cold and this un-seeable germ.
Though we have been taught about germs, we do not see, and therefore must trust. Trust Science, oh that great mystery. This to, shall pass... through mysterious trust. ~ Jacquie
|
The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Jen Bellody, Sebastian Ladoulis, Janice O'Brien, & Jacquelyn Rose
|
|
Copyright 2020 Buzz Around Whitman. 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 Whitman 11/1/20").
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
