October 6, 2024



~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time.

West Bridgewater Public Library: A Cornerstone for Learning and Community Engagement

The West Bridgewater Public Library is a vital resource for the local community by offering much more than just books. It serves as a hub for education, culture, and events, providing residents access to a wide range of services. These include educational programs, digital resources, and recreational activities. The library welcomes everyone, offering spaces for children’s story hours, adult learning workshops, and more to promote lifelong learning and engagement.

Located at 80 Howard Street, the library is open to all residents throughout the week. The dedicated staff assists patrons in finding information, whether for research, entertainment, or personal enrichment. Special events like book clubs, craft sessions, and tech workshops bring the community together for shared experiences.

The library also supports students and educators with research databases, study spaces, and educational tools. Younger children can enjoy storytime sessions and other fun activities that inspire a love of reading. For adults, workshops on technology, wellness, and local history make the library a valuable resource for people of all ages.

To get involved, residents can participate in the library's programs, volunteer, or join the Friends of the West Bridgewater Public Library, a group dedicated to supporting the library's mission and services. For more information on the library’s services, events, and ways to get involved, visit the official West Bridgewater Public Library website.

Written by Megan Martin, BuzzAround Intern, SNHU

Historical Tidbit: A Typical Day in a One-Room Schoolhouse

A regular school day might have been from 9a to 4p with a morning and afternoon recess of 15 minutes each and an hour for lunch. The children that lived close enough to the schoolhouse could walk home to eat.

When the girls and boys were out at recess, the teacher would ring the school bell to let them know it was time to come back in. The girls would line up at one door and the boys another. 

This was a time in history when there was no hot or cold running water, electricity or indoor plumbing. The older students were given the responsibility of bringing in water from the well and carrying in wood for the stove. The younger students would be given responsibilities according to their size, such as cleaning the black board or taking erasers outside for dusting. (This would have taken place later on when the schools had black boards.)

As there were children from the ages of five to fifteen or sixteen attending at the same time, the teacher would gladly ask an older student to help out by reading to or assisting the younger ones while she worked with the older group.

Image and story credit: Sue Basile

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!

Kelly Ferreira

won

$15 gift certificate to Pinches & Pounds

Candy Store Rt 18, Whitman

www.pinchesandpounds.com

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



Enter for this week's prize of:

a #progressoverperfection tote bag from Unique Strides

WB School Building Committee Mtg

September 24, 2024

Video Courtesy of WB Community Access TV

WB Board of Selectmen Mtg:

September 25, 2024

Video Courtesy of WB Community Access TV

Paranormal Hot Spots with Ronny LeBlanc

Tue, Oct 15

6p

WB Public Library

80 Howard St

Join Ronny LeBlanc for a thrilling tour of local paranormal hotspots this spooky season. He'll take you on a journey to explore sites across the country known for strange activity like UFO sightings, Bigfoot encounters, mysterious balls of light, and other cryptids. What makes these places such magnets for the unexplained? Ronny will also spotlight three eerie locations right here in New England that are within driving distance—perfect for your own investigation...if you dare!

Cultural Council Grant Applications

This year (fy25), the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, has allotted $6,700 to the West Bridgewater Cultural Council (BCC) for project grants benefiting the citizens of West Bridgewater. Grants can fund projects in the arts, humanities/culture, and science.

FY25 Local Priorities

Each year the West Bridgewater Cultural Council (WBCC) gathers input from the community on the types of projects that are most important to the residents of West Bridgewater. This year the West Bridgewater Cultural Council will give priority to:

– Applicants who maintain a residential, commercial or studio address in West Bridgewater may receive preference.

– Applicants applying for a project that takes place in and shows a public benefit to the residents of West Bridgewater from youth to seniors.

Applications for FY25 grants are now available online at www.massculturalcouncil.org. Here, prospective applicants may find more information and start an application. Eligible projects must take place between September 2024 and December 2025, applications are online only. The deadline to submit is Oct 16, 2024 at 11:59p.

One Book, One Community for the Bridgewater's

Come join for a series of engaging discussions and lectures focused on local history, abolitionism, and community learning.

Book Discussions:

West Bridgewater Library:

Book: The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

When: Tuesday, October 22 at 5:00 p.m.

East Bridgewater Library:

Book: The Great Abolitionist: Charles Sumner by Stephen Puleo

When: Tuesday, October 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Underground Railroad Quilt Display

The recently constructed Underground Railroad Quilt will be re-hung in the gallery of the West Bridgewater Library. An informal explanation of the history and symbols featured in the quilt will be provided.

For information about the One Book One community project, contact Ellen:

esnoeyen8@gmail.com.

One Book One Community

Big 3 in WB for September

Video Courtesy of WB Community Access TV

How To Make Spice Cookies

Produced by Riley, a Video Production I student at West Bridgewater Middle Senior High School.

Exploring Massachusetts' Contribution

to World War II

Thu, Oct 24

7p

OBHS Memorial Building

162 Howard St

Join the Old Bridgewater Historical Society for an insightful lecture on World War II in Massachusetts. This event will explore the unique contributions and experiences of Massachusetts residents during the war, both on the battlefield and at home.

Presented by James L. Parr, a local historian and author, the talk will highlight local efforts that supported the war, including how children and even pets played a part.

The lecture will be held at the OBHS Memorial Building and offers a fascinating perspective on Massachusetts' pivotal role during this critical time in history. Admission is $5 for the general public and free for OBHS members.

For more information, please visit the Old Bridgewater Historical Society website.

Climate Can Do:

3 Tips for a Sustainable Halloween 

With spooky season underway, it is important to remember how our choices impact the environment around us. According to Duke University, a 2019 study found that discarded Halloween costumes alone generated 2,000 tons of plastic waste each year. Luckily there are many quick and easy tricks to help you cut down your eco-footprint.

Recycle Costumes and Decor

When it comes to Halloween, some things never go out of style. From spiders to skeletons to witch cauldrons -- keep your "old" decor to use again next year and save time, money, and the planet!

You might consider shopping at thrift and consignment shops or try something new and DIY your own costume! The cape from one year's vampire costume might be the finishing touch for next year's superhero. A pillow case can be easily decorated at home and makes a great trick-or-treat bag. Old stockings with runs and pulls can be transformed into spider-webbing. And cardboard boxes can be cut and painted to look like tombstones in your front yard display!

Maximize Pumpkin Usage

When pumpkins are tossed in the trash and begin to breakdown, they create methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. To help prevent this, try to use every part of your pumpkin this Halloween!

Pumpkin seeds, flesh, and rind can be used in a ton of delicious recipes such as pumpkin bread, pudding, pie, and more. For inspiration, you can look online or visit Delish.

Once the season's over, compost your pumpkin, mixing it oxygen while it breaks down decreases methane emissions and improves your garden's nutrient-rich soil.

Shop Sustainably

Shopping locally is also an easy way to limit waste. Support local farmers this season and buy locally-grown pumpkins; and shop local or fair trade chocolatiers.

Source: Western Placer Waste Management Authority, Duke University

This Climate Can Do article was written by Sara MacKinnon, BuzzAround Intern, Providence College.

West Bridgewater Voting Intel

To Register to vote, you must be 18 years old and a U. S. Citizen. Massachusetts citizens can apply online by visiting Secretary Galvin’s website at www.sec.state.ma.us and clicking the “Massachusetts Register to Vote Online” button to access the online application system. You can also register in person, by mail or at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Attached is a mail-in voter registration form if you prefer to register by mail. Just fill it out and address it to the Town Clerk's Office, 65 N. Main St., West Bridgewater, MA 02379. You will receive verification by mail after registering. All voting is conducted at the Spring Street School, 2 Spring Street.

There are two (2) precincts in the Town of West Bridgewater. Precinct One (1) and Two (2) vote in the cafeteria of the school. For more information, please visit www.westbridgewaterma.org/town_clerk.

Copyright 2024 Buzz Around Brockton. 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 10/6/24")

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