West Bridgewater BuzzAround

June 15, 2025



~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time.

WB Senior Awards & Scholarship Night

Sincere thanks to Mrs Dorenzo, Mrs McMillan, Mrs

Meyers and Mrs Waller for their dedication and hard work in organizing WB Senior Awards & Scholarship Night.

WB Senior Awards & Scholarship Night recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of our students.

Video Courtesy of Wb Community Access

Each year, WB High School Seniors make a Lip-Dub. Here are the Class of 2025, doin' their thing.

Courtesy of WBTV Pro

Historical Tidbit:

Washing Machine

Recently, I was reading a journal that my great grandfather had written in 1905. Among the pages I came across a short note titled Washing Machines:



"A home without a washing machine today is as rare as one without a telephone or radio, but then it was a great exception.  I bought a 1900 washer in 1904 and it was my job to get up early and operate it. The motive, (its) power, was a couple of strong springs that had to be kept in motion." 

The earliest manual washing machines imitated the motion of the human hand on the washboard, by using a lever to move one curved surface over another and rubbing clothes between two ribbed surfaces. This type of washer was first patented in the United States in 1846 and survived as late as 1927 in the Montgomery Ward catalog. The first electric clothes washers, in which a motor rotated the tub, were introduced into America about 1900. The motor was not protected beneath the machine and water often dripped into it causing short-circuits and jolting shocks. By 1911, it was possible to buy oscillating, cylinder, domestic washing machines with sheet metal tubs mounted on angle-iron frames with perforated metal or wooden slat cylinders inside.

Respectfully submitted, Sue Basile  

Image Credit: Wikicommons

Town Hall

  508-894-1200

WestBridgewaterMa.org

WB Public Library

508-894-1255

westbpl.org

Council on Aging

508-894-1262

COA

Food Pantry

Proof of residency is the only requirement.

1st & 3rd Wednesday each month

1:45 - 3p & 5:30 - 6p

457 rear, South Main St., Suite #1

508-510-5274  westbridgewaterfoodpantry@gmail.com

Congratulations!

Jennifer Luongo

you won a

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

johnnymacaronis.com 

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

Enter for this week's prize of

a $20 gift card from Salon Esprit to be used for any service

Juneteenth Federal Holiday

June 19

Celebrating June 19th, 1865, when slavery was effectively ended in the United States and all slaves were freed.

bmchealthsystem.org/bmc-south

Strawberry Shortcake Festival

Sat, Jun 21

1p-3p

West Bridgewater Council on Aging

The West Bridgewater Council on Aging will be hosting their annual strawberry shortcake fundraiser on Jun 21! Stop by and enjoy some delicious dessert or take some home with you! Tickets are $10. You can get yours by calling the Council on Aging at 508-894-1262.

Source: West Bridgewater Council on Aging

WB Board of School Committee Meeting

June 2nd, 2025



Video Courtesy of West Bridgewater Community Access Media

Bridgewater's Juneteenth 2025

As I prepare to celebrate Juneteenth, I cannot help but reflect on the evolution of this country and where we are today. As a member of Bridgewater Communities for Civil Rights (BCCR), I join others in drawing attention to the importance of individual civil rights and the ongoing efforts to ensure them. Juneteenth marks

the date: June 19, 1865, when all enslaved people were emancipated across the nation. Certainly, there is still much to be corrected in a country that embraced the institution of slavery for more than two centuries. The large gap in wealth between white and Black American households reflects a history of discrimination and repression.

I like to think, however, that enough Americans care to correct the wrongs of this history. This can begin small, as when a handful of individuals work together to make a Juneteenth event take place in a relatively small community like Bridgewater. As a West Bridgewater resident who attended a previous Juneteenth event and began to reflect on what Juneteenth means to the African American community, I was drawn to helping out in 2024 and again this year. Those who attend this event are helping to right wrongs also, by participating in Juneteenth activities, absorbing the cultural traditions, and recognizing that Juneteenth is part of American history. Speaking of festivities, there will be speakers, entertainment, vendors, and arts and crafts for children.

I hope you will join me: Sat, Jun 21, 1-5p

University Park at Bridgewater State University

Free parking 351 Great Hill Drive

Check for ongoing updates: BCCR/Juneteenth. We are hoping that the celebration of Juneteenth in Bridgewater will be shared by many.

Submitted by Eileen Musto

Weekly Wednesday Walks

Every Wed

8:30a

West Bridgewater Middle/High School Track

Start your Wednesdays with a energizing walk with the West Bridgewater Council on Aging! This free weekly event is a great way to get out, socialize, and exercise. No sign up needed just show up and get walking!

Source: Town of West Bridgewater

Climate Can-Do: Thrifting a Healthier Planet

Fast fashion may be easy and cheap, but did you know that in the United States, nearly 13 million tons of clothing end up in the landfill each year? Understanding the environmental impact of purchasing choices has us looking for solutions.

Benefits of Thrifting

1. By donating and purchasing second-hand clothes, you are helping reduce the amount of textiles that end up in landfills. With more and more clothes being made out of synthetic materials, textiles are taking hundreds of years to decompose. Buying second-hand doesn’t just extend the life cycle of clothes, but also prevents toxic materials from entering our ecosystems.
2. Thrifting helps reduce wasted resources. Clothing production requires thousands of gallons of water. For example, a single pair of jeans uses about 1,800 gallons of water in its production process.
3. If the sustainable benefits weren’t enough, thrifting also saves money. Second-hand stores sell their donations at a discounted price. You can find vintage, good-quality clothes for less. There’s also a large variety to choose from, and maybe you’ll find your new signature piece!

Alternatives to Thrifting

If buying second-hand isn’t for you, please do your part in keeping clothes out of landfills.

1. Donate your used clothes: homeless shelters and youth homes, as well as thrift stores, get your clothes to individuals who need them most.
2. Repurposing your clothes is a good way of being a conscious consumer, but it can also be a fun craft and a money saver. For example, cut up old shirts and use them as cleaning rags, or consider embroidering an old tank top and giving it a new life.
3. Learning how to repair clothes also extends their life cycle. Darning socks, sewing a rip, or mending holes helps your favorite pieces stay in your closet instead of the dump.

Leading a thrifty lifestyle helps reduce waste, but it can also be a fun way of rediscovering new styles or old clothes you forgot about.

Written by Meghan Boucher, Emerson College BuzzAround Intern

Source: University of Colorado Boulder & Earth.org

West Bridgewater Farmers Market

Tues, Jun 24

4p-7p

29 Howard Street

Come check out the first West Bridgewater Farmers Market of the season! Support local farmers and get some great produce! The market will be opening for the season on Tue, Jun 24. After that, it will be held every other Tuesday until Sept 9. Be sure to stop by! For more information, email wbfarmermarket@gmail.com!

Source: West Bridgewater Farmers Market FB

West Bridgewater Lions Club Summer Events

Tue, Jun 24

6-8p

Friendship Park

The West Bridgewater Lions Club will be hosting a summer's worth of events and concerts. On Tue, Jun 24, a Children's Fun Night will be held at Friendship Park! Bring your kids and enjoy a night of food and fun!

Source: West Bridgewater Cultural Council FB

Massachusetts Farmer's Markets!

'Tis the season for fresh produce, outdoor shopping, and supporting local businesses. Check out massfarmersmarkets.org to find markets near you!

Source: massfarmersmarkets.org

WB School Committee Meeting

June 2, 2025

Video Courtesy of WB Community Access TV

A Beautiful Day for Riverwalk 2025!

Celebrate the West Bridgewater River Walk 2025, a vibrant community event celebrating nature, local businesses, and neighborhood spirit along the scenic River Street!

In Metacomet Studio's video, meet the dedicated organizers, Ashley and Nick Anderson of the West Bridgewater Open Space Committee, explore local highlights, and discover why River Walk has become a cherished annual tradition.

Featured Local Businesses & Groups:

Have a Bite: Courtney Coleman shares the story behind her popular mobile café serving custom cookies, coffee, lemonade, and popcorn. (Easton, MA)

Mulberry Farm: Corinne introduces her enchanting flower stand and unique permaculture food forest, highlighting community spirit and sustainable living.

Massachusetts South Shore Wood Turners: Tim Ricks reveals the ancient art of woodturning and the passion that brings this craft community together.

Thank you Metacomet Studio, for this great video about RiverWalk.

From WB Open Space: "A huge THANK YOU to our amazing sponsors, dedicated vendors, and the wonderful community that showed up to make this event such a success. Your support, energy, and enthusiasm brought River Walk to life in the best way possible! "

For more: West Bridgewater Open Space Committee and Conservation Commision FB

Photos and vid credit: J. Rose

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

Copyright 2025 Buzz Around West 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 West Bridgewater 6/15/25")

Your BuzzAround supports the dignity of all human beings, is actively anti-racist, and supportive of good law enforcement policies.  At the Buzz Around, we promote community. The links provided are for informational purposes. BuzzAround is not responsible for the media content of other organizations.