Mayor Robert F. Sullivan gave his "State of the City" address March 16, 2023 to a live audience at
Brockton High School

The address began with video greetings from the Governor, and other dignitaries, as well as an in person visit from Congressman Stephen Lynch, a tribute to Mayor Sullivan's relationships with the decision makers at the state and federal level.

"My friends and fellow Brocktonians, the state of our city is strong and vibrant — and that vibrancy is due to our collective work," Sullivan said "We are better together."
New public safety building along with Brockton Police Chief Brenda I. Perez, appointed in 2022 shows Brockton's commitment to changing the way policing is done in the city. The $98 million project will move four city departments — police, fire, emergency management and information technology — into one facility taking up an entire city block along Warren Avenue. Demolition of the old high school is scheduled to start this summer.
Sullivan praised the extraordinary achievement of Fire Chief Brian Nardelli in getting Brockton Hospital evacuated without injuries in last month's fire. This past year the fire department had 33,347 total runs and responded to 14,860 fires. Sullivan said the city has gone three years without a fire death, saying it was the longest such stretch in many years.

The full presentation can be seen here.
Story credit: J. Rose

Historical Tidbit: Brockton City Theater
The history books may focus on Brockton as an industrial powerhouse of the 19th century. Things such as the nationally renowned shoe-making industry, or the founding of WB Mason in 1898, a nationally leading office supply company, are what usually come to mind. However, the American Industrial revolution at the tail end of the 19th century also ushered in a global golden age of theater to entertain the modernizing world. Brockton's City Theater ensured the city was culturally in tune with this new phenomenon. 

Brockton enjoyed an active and rich theater life during the late nineteenth century into the early years of the twentieth century. The "crowning glory" of Main Street during this golden age was City Theatre. Boasting a house orchestra, the first theater electrically lit by an outside station whose theater lights were first pulled by Thomas Edison. This Moorish-styled theater with rococo carvings opened on October 17, 1884 with a seating capacity of 1,400.

With the rise of Vaudeville shows in the late 1800s, theaters nationwide began to showcase the French form of theater. Including the Brockton City Theater, which began showing Vaudeville shows, and eventually movies, in the 1900’s.

Historical Tidbit By Hassan Sharif, Writing Intern, New York University

Image:1891 City Theater Program
City Hall
45 School St 508-580-7123
Check the city website for important updates

Brockton Public Library
Main Library - 304 Main St. 508-580-7890
East Branch - 54 Kingman St. 508-580-7892
West Branch - 540 Forest Ave. 508-580-7894

Council on Aging 
 10 Father Kenney Way 508-580-7811
Email coa@cobma.us & phone contact only
Congratulations!
Cristina Chaves
You won a $25 gift certificate to Johnny Macaroni's Restaurant, East Bridgewater & Halifax

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

Enter for this week's prize of 2 tickets to Friday night's performance of
Halley's Comet
Presented by the Massasoit Theatre Company
Friday, April 7, 7p
Massasoit Community College
Drama Masks
Brockton High School Drama Team is competing in the State Finals of the Massachusetts High School Drama Festival (MHSDF) with Gossip.
April 1, 4p
Back Bay Events Center
180 Berkeley Street, Boston

The MHSDF is a competitive program that typically includes 112 one-act plays produced by member high schools. The competition is organized across three levels – preliminary, semi-final and State Finals. Student excellence in acting and technical design is recognized at each level. Of the 112 one-act plays that enter the festival, fourteen will be selected as State Finalists, of which three will be named winners. Two schools chosen from the State Finalists will go on to represent Massachusetts in the New England Drama Festival, the regional showcase of secondary school theatre.
Lenten Luncheon Broadway Music Performance
Friday, March 31,
11:30a
First Evangelical Lutheran Church
900 Main Street

The Lenten Luncheon guest for week six (last one for 2023) of this series will be Pastor Jeffrey Johnson of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, a talented musician and singer with a previous career on Broadway he will play some of your favorites so get ready to have fun. Join us for a home cooked meal and lovely dessert served while you are entertained. A donation is suggested but not required. For more information on this program contact Anne at 774-297-4939 or ambeauregard@outlook.com.

Submitted by: Anne Beauregard
Climate Can-Do:
South Shore Recycling Cooperative

To address the climate, Massachusetts recently elected Melissa Hoffer as its first Climate Chief in the Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience. The office in charge of resources and authority available to the Governor and executive department to advance climate change innovation, and resilience policies.

At the local level, South Shore Recycling Cooperative (SSRC) is a resource. The SSRC is a voluntary association of South Shore municipalities established in 1998. It helps its member municipalities improve their recycling programs, and reduce the quantity, toxicity and cost of disposal in a number of ways. Some include maintenance of solid waste programs, educating residents about waste management, and advocating for funding and regulations that minimize waste while maximizing recovery of useful materials. Their bimonthly newsletter highlights local opportunities to make a difference. Subscribe on ssrcoop.com. Find out more about the Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience

This Climate Can-Do Article was written by Hassan Sharif, Writing Intern, New York University. We focus on actions which individuals can do in the face of our climate emergency. We can do!
Halley's Comet Presented by the Massasoit Theatre Company
April 7 & 8, 7p
Massasoit Community College
Brockton Campus
Buckley Performing Arts Center
1 Massasoit Boulevard

The Massasoit Theatre Company presents the staged reading of the brand new musical Halley’s Comet. Written by Cameron Torres, Mikey O’Malley and Eli Bigelow. The year is 1986, and Halley’s Comet is about to pass over the town of Huntersville. The town has pulled out all the stops for this spectacular wonder. As the town prepares, a young girl spends her night reuniting her parents, a teen scrambles to keep friendships intact, and an elderly couple gets lost in the past. Through the mysticism of the comet, the park, and the night itself, moments from the past meet the present and guide the town towards the future, as they embark on a night that is truly once in a lifetime. Directed by Gary Bigelow this new work’s staged reading will run for two shows, April 7 & 8th at the Buckley Performing Arts Center on the Brockton campus of Massasoit Community College. Both performances will include a talkback to obtain audience opinions and suggestions on the new work.

Tickets are available online at massasoit.edu/boxoffice.
Brockton Youth Poet Laureate Submissions

March 1st–31st

If you love your community and have a way with words, this is the opportunity for you! Submit your work for a chance to become the Brockton Youth Poet Laureate. Candidates must be between the ages of 15 and 20, write an original poem about Brockton, two original poems on any subject, a brief statement about community involvement, and a list of poetry awards and publications. 

For more detailed information, click here.

Send your submissions to the Brockton Public Library, or email them as an attached .docx file to jstroud@cobma.us.
Find YOUR Bliss with
BLISS THROUGH YOGA!
New!! Monday Evening Class!

Svaroopa yoga excels at releasing the deep tension in your body. While the benefits of this style of yoga are profound, it is very easy to do. We use the alignment of the body, rather than a lot of effort, along with blankets for propping to make the poses accessible, supportive and effective.

516 N. Bedford St, East Bridgewater
(508) 331-3564

Fuller Craft Museum
Join us at Fuller Craft Museum for an array of spring classes and workshops!
Find the Maker in You!!
Mini Maker: Food Justice
April 18, 2–4p
Fuller Craft Museum Lounge

Join the Fuller Craft Museum for another Mini Maker! This one is for the kids who love math and numbers. Bring the whole family to make data sculptures from utensils, food charms, and more! Numbers aren’t your thing? Decorate a placemat instead! This is your last chance to be inspired by Food Justice: Growing a Healthier Community through Art, on view through April 23rd. This event is supported by grants from our local cultural councils, which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

For more information, visit: fullercraft.org/programs
Fusion Dolls
Doll & Toy Store in WestGate Mall 
Looking for that Special Gift?
Stop by Fusion Dolls in Westgate Mall.
Locally owned & created!


Inside WestGate Mall
across from Kay jewelers
Lady CJ Soulfood Cafe
& Catering
Our Customers Say: "Smokiest BBQ Ribs I've ever had... Can't wait to go back again!!! ~ Geoff Diehl


Cafe: BAT Terminal 
10 Commercial Street 
& delivery through door dash



(508) 423-9273
Brockton School Committee Finance Subcommittee Meeting 3-21-23 
Video courtesy of BTV
Strand Theatre Fire Memorial Service
3-10-23
Video Courtesy of BTV
Massasoit Community College Hosts
TV Studio Grand Reopening in Style

The Digital Media Arts Center TV studio at Massasoit Community College is now fully open after a multi-year renovation. The high-tech studio is a critical resource that faculty and staff utilize to help students earn an Associate in Arts in Media Arts degree or Media Arts Certificate and to provide hands-on training for tomorrow’s broadcasting professionals – all at a fraction of the cost compared to other colleges and universities.
Earlier this month, media and industry professionals were treated to a gourmet reception to launch the high - end studio with the delectables it deserved. Deserts created by Massasoit students topped off the event.
Renovations of the studio, made possible by funding awarded from the City of Brockton and Comcast, include new technology, equipment, and sets that replicate a professional production value found at news stations and production companies across the region and country. The reopening event will include studio tours, discussions with faculty and students, and a brief ceremony with speakers from Boston TV stations alongside former students sharing their Massasoit success stories.


Story credit: Sam Isom
Image credits: J. Rose
WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME
Have fun with us and bee entered to win:

2 tickets to Friday night's performance of
Halley's Comet
Presented by the Massasoit Theatre Company
Friday April 7, 7p
Massasoit Community College


Historical Tidbit Question:
What date did the Brockton City Theater Open?

Email us your answer at: 
Please include your name and phone number with your answer.
By entering, you give us permission to print your name in next week's Buzz Around.

 On March 29, 2023, before 2p, we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Jen Bellody, Tess Fiumefreddo, Mohamed (Moe) Ibrahim, Janice O'Brien, Hassan Sharif, Jacquelyn Rose, & Greg Venezia.
Skipping Freely.
"It's only a matter of inches, but skipping gets us just that much closer to heaven." ~Terri Guillemets

"Imagination is the highest kite one can fly."
~ Lauren Bacall

"Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it."
~ Winston Churchill

"When you're a kid, you lay in the grass and watch the clouds going over, and you literally don't have a thought in your mind. It's purely meditation, and we lose that." ~ Dick Van Dyke

Writing this, I found the iSkip movement, and I just HAD to share, enjoy!
iSkip.com

iSkip.com is the home of the worldwide skipping movement. We believe the world will be a much happier place when skipping becomes a more acceptable thing for adults to do.

Read more
iskip.com
Let your imagination soar like a kite, let your dreams flow with the clouds. Let your feet skip, moving your body and lifting your soul.
~ Jacquie
Your BuzzAround supports the dignity of all human beings, is actively anti-racist, and supportive of good law enforcement policies. 
Copyright 2023 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 Brockton 3/26/23")
 
Disclaimer: At the Buzz Around, we promote community and family. There are links to town committees and other non-profit groups, in the newsletters. 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.