East Bridgewater Awarded $200,000 Grant!

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources announced that East Bridgewater has been awarded a $200,000 grant as part of the Commonwealth's Green Communities program. Projects to be funded by this generous grant include work on the transformer and installing LED lighting at Mitchell Middle School and the East Bridgewater JR/SR High School, work on motors and variable frequency drives at Town Hall, and weatherization measures for the Public Library. Incentives form the National Grid will provide additional funding for these projects in the future. All projects are estimated to be completed by the summer of 2024, and allow the town to apply for additional funding for future grants. Special thanks to the Old Colony Planning Council, who provided assistance in completing the grant application and will be administering the grant on behalf of the town.
Historical Tidbit:
Dairy Farms in the 1940's
Memories from Margaret Alexander
Milk delivery truck
There were at least seven dairy farms in East Bridgewater in the 1940's that delivered milk daily. One in particular was horse drawn and doubled as Margaret's school bus. She would hop on, and he would make some delivery stops on the way to school. In the winter the roads weren't plowed, so it was a horse drawn school/milk delivery sleigh.
 
Photo courtesy of the historical photo collection on the EB Public Library

As told to Jacquie Rose by Margaret Alexander
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You choose the hives: Bridgewater, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Raynham, West Bridgewater & Whitman !

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Town Hall
175 Central St
508-378-1601

E. Bridgewater Public Library
32 Union St 508-378-1616

Council on Aging 
355 Plymouth St 508-378-1610
Email & phone contact only

Food Pantries
Union Congregational Church
105 Pleasant St
2nd Wednesday from 12:30 - 2p
& last Saturday from 9:30 - 11a
Pre-Packed bags for pick up only.

St Vincent dePaul Food Pantry
St. John's Catholic Church
210 Center St, EB
(508) 378-3760
Pantry days will be the first Monday of the month, except for holidays, 3 - 5:30p, and the third Monday, 3p - 4:30p, except for holidays. 

Free Community Meal
EBUMC 54 N. Central St.
Every Wednesday 5:30 - 6:30.
Donations welcome.
Congratulations!
Kadison Ciffolillo
won a free 1.5 hour class at

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

Enter for this week's prize of
$15 gift certificate to Pinches & Pounds
Candy Store Rt 18, Whitman
East Bridgewater HUGS Sends Thanks!

HUGS is wrapping up our shopping clearance sales and getting ready to pack up after another great season.
 There are so many people who helped make this an amazing year, and we were able to help 119 families!

Thank you to all the individuals and families took a tag, dropped off a gift, made a donation or assisted in any way, we appreciate you.

Please remember we collect and accept donations all year round. 

Please consider supporting these amazing businesses and organizations that support HUGS. We are very grateful for their support of our program. Listed alphabetically below:

Bridgewater Vineyard Church, BuzzAround
Chapman Funerals and Cremations
Dewhurst Lumber, East Bridgewater Youth Baseball , East Bridgewater Youth Basketball 
East Bridgewater Garden Club, East Bridgewater Lacrosse , East Bridgewater Lions Club
East Bridgewater Congregational Church Mission
East Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital , Edson Insurance, EJM Auto, Forni Oil, Happy Frog Copy Center, Jessica Thurston Memorial Fund, Little Dryden, Mistletoe Acres, Mobile Animal Care
Mueller Corp, Pat Snow Dance, Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters, Salon Esprit, Secret Garden 
Skinners, Stephen Andrew, Superior Pool
Tori Snelgrove Memorial Fund, Eric Watson Excavating, Whitmore Yard Care 

Huge thanks to all of our drop off and Giving Tree locations:

East Bridgewater Public Library, Center at Sachem Rock , Dewhurst Lumber , Happy Frog Copy Center, Johnnie Macaroni's, Whitman Fire Department , Paula Coffey Dance , EBCTV Studio
East Bridgewater Town Hall & Town Clerk's office
Busy Bee Preschool, Viking Sports Parents Vendor Fair, Paul Wolfe Motors, Bridgewater Vineyard Church , St. John's Parish 
Union Congregational Church 

Huge shout out to all of the amazing volunteers who pitched in and helped out this holiday season. This program could not exist without your help. 

We live in an amazing community and HUGS is extremely grateful to everyone for making this another successful season.

~ Theresa McNulty www.ebhugs.org
The Town is Seeking Community Input on Land Purchases!

Two properties have gone up for sale, one at 12.35 acres, and the other at 40. The total proposed purchase price for the two parcels is $510,000. These parcels are located near the corner of Washington Street and Crescent Street. It has been proposed to have a solar field in one, but the East Bridgewater Selectboard is interested in receiving comments from any interested party about whether the Town should purchase these parcels. Interested parties can contact the Selectboard by email at rjohnson@eastbridgewaterma.gov, calling the Selectboard office at 508-378-1601, or by dropping off or mailing comments to the East Bridgewater Selectboard at the East Bridgewater Town Hall no later than Thursday, February 8th.

Select Board Meeting - 1-22-24



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Movie at the COA
Wed, Jan 31st
1p
East Bridgewater COA
355 Plymouth St

Come and enjoy the film Jackie (2016) at the COA this Wednesday. This award winning film follows Jackie Kennedy in the days after her husband's assassination, and the choices she makes to determine how history will see her husband and herself. To sign up, please contact the COA at 508-378-1610.

Be; Social
Karaoke Night
Sat, Feb 3, 5p
Elmwood New Church
24 West St, EB

Be; invites adults with differing abilities to join for an event filled with fun and friends! The main event promises to be a great experience, featuring a karaoke session where you get to choose your favorite songs and sing your heart out. With a DJ on hand, the atmosphere will be perfect for dancing too! Tasty refreshments will also be served. To be sure you don't miss out, grab your tickets in advance for just $5. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $10. Tickets can be bought through Venmo from Lisa (@lisasflo). Don't forget to specify the total number of tickets you'd like or to mention "be; social."
For additional information or any question, please feel free to reach out to Nicole at 508-274-3625.
Source: Be;Social FB

Ousamequin Club Scholarships

The Ousamequin Club is pleased to offer three $1,000.00 scholarships to graduating seniors who reside in any of the three Bridgewaters, regardless of the school they attend. Our criteria is volunteerism, community involvement and academic achievement. Future education can be at a two or four year college or a training/technical school. Applications are due by March 31st. For an application please seek one out at your high school guidance office or call Sharon Graves at 508-378-4261.
GleeWorks
Holistic Coaching
Better Decisions Get Results 

Take our Goal Setting Workshop 
Mon. January 29, 6-8pm
and Fri. February 2, 10-12pm 

Virtual & In Person 
BuzzAround readers: only $25

SMART goals is the smart way to go!
 


Union Congregational Church
Weekly Services - 10AM Sunday
including uplifting music: choir, bells, and instrumentals and a meaningful message.

Rev. Gordon Crouch, Pastor

...and you're welcome to stay for coffee hour and say "hello"

An Open & Affirming Congregation

Union Congregational Church
105 Pleasant St East Bridgewater, MA
Public Input Survey on Accessibility

The Town of East Bridgewater is in the process of developing a Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan to ensure residents and visitors have access to all Town buildings, programs, and services. An important part of this process is providing opportunities for the public to offer input and voice concerns regarding accessibility of facilities, programs, and services.

This survey will assist the planning team in identifying any barriers to access for individuals with disabilities at Town facilities or within the programs and services it currently offers.
The survey is available at umassboston.co
EBPL Needs Rubber Ducks!

The East Bridgewater Public Library is reaching out to the community and seeking donations of rubber ducks! If your in the midst of de-cluttering and find some, consider contributing to this special program the library is gearing up for, designed exclusively for kids. Your donation will play a huge role in bringing joy and excitement to this upcoming initiative.

For those with any questions or who want more details, feel free to reach out via email at ebplkids@sailsinc.org. Additionally, Anne and Rebecca in the children's room are available to provide information and assist with any questions.
Chocolate
Tasting & Talk 101
Tues, Feb 6
6:30p
EBPL
32 Union St

During this one of a kind event, you'll learn about the ingredients, processing, and where cocoa pods are grown. Also, is chocolate actually good for you? Then, try samples of craft, small batch chocolate! This program is for adults (18+). For more information and to register, visit the East Bridgewater Library Event FB
Climate Can Do: Updating Massachusetts' Bottle Bill for a Greener Future

In 1983, Massachusetts launched the Bottle Bill, encouraging recycling with a $0.05 deposit on soda and beer containers. It worked well, cutting litter and boosting aluminum, plastic, and glass recycling. But times have changed, and this old bottle bill needs a modern makeover.

Two new bills are now before the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy and aim to refresh the Massachusetts Bottle Bill, addressing the challenges posed by today's beverage consumption habits and recycling issues.

The Proposed Expansion
Bill H.3676: An Act to Update the Bottle Bill. This bill seeks to modernize the Bottle Bill to meet current needs. 

Bill H.3690/SB2104: An Act to Expand the Bottle Bill. This bill aims to broaden the Bottle Bill's coverage to include any drinkable liquid intended for human consumption. 

Expanding the Bottle Bill aligns with today's beverage choices. The original law covered soft drinks, mineral water, beer, and malt beverages—products of a bygone era. Today, our options include bottled water, flavored waters, coffee-based drinks, juices, and sports drinks, which the outdated bill doesn't include. This gap has led to more litter and waste.

Updating the definition of "beverages" in the Bottle Bill removes this confusion. It's simple: water, flavored waters, iced teas, coffee-based drinks, and sports drinks should now have a $0.05 deposit. This expansion is expected to generate about $20 million in new revenue, with $5 million going to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). EEA will use these funds for various initiatives, such as municipal recycling incentives, recycling transfer stations, source reduction, and public education.

How To Support The Bottle Bill Expansion
To bring about this change, contact your elected officials and let them know you want to see Massachusetts' Bottle Bill improved by House Bill 3676 and House Bill 3690/SB2104. The Conservative Law Foundation has made it even easier to reach out with a prewritten letter available for the public’s use here.

Your actions can help Massachusetts move towards a cleaner, more sustainable future. Join the movement and be part of positive change!

This Climate Can-Do Article was written by Jamie Puhi, and focuses on actions we can do to live more sustainably. We can do it!
Salon Esprit
Salon Esprit is now on TikTok, and we're bringing all the fun, creativity, and excitement of our salon to this amazing platform!

225 Bedford St/Route 18 -
Carriage Crossing
East Bridgewater, MA



508.378.1530
Country Dance Tickets on Sale
Folk * Circles * Contra * Squares

March 9, 2024

Social & Nibbles 5:30-6:30pm  
Dancing 6:30 – 9 pm. $17 in advance

Cedar St Community Center
15 Cedar St , Bridgewater, MA

Featuring live Music By Eloise & Company

No partners or experience necessary, come ready to dance!
Instructed & called by Sam Baumgarten


EBPL Teen Advisory Board
1st Monday of Each Month, October-June
6-7p
East Bridgewater Public Library
Community Room
32 Union St

Join the Teen Advisory Board for a fun opportunity to earn community service hours. Help EBPL choose new books for the library selection and plan programs for you and your friends, with food provided. The next teen advisory board meeting is scheduled for February 5th. To join, please register on event keeper here! You can also contact Angie Howes (508) 378-1616 ext.1307 or ahowes@sailsinc.org to register or for more information. www.eastbridgewaterlibrary.org
Pinches & Pounds
Old Fashioned Candy Store with a Twist
Stop in or order through our easy website.

Hard to find delectables & seasonal yummies. We make every occasion SWEEEEET!!!!


Nessralla Farm

Now Sourcing Fresh Veggies For the Winter!
Trucking in yummy kitchen staples to add to our local farm goodies~ stop by!

Keeping warm with firewood?
Delivery is FREE within Halifax!


Nessralla Farm
416 Plymouth St. , Halifax, MA
(781) 293-6792

EBHS Boys Varsity Basketball Vs Cohasset 1-23-24



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Anne Kenneally Hynes Memorial Scholarship Cash Calendar Contest

Anne Kenneally Hynes Memorial Scholarship's February Cash Calendar is now available for purchase! Enter for 29 chances to win -- you'll be supporting a great cause! Cost is $10 per calendar.

For more information on the contest directions, visit the Anne Kenneally Hynes Memorial Scholarship FB page. You can also message them to inquire about purchasing a calendar: info@annehynesscholarship.org.
Photo & Source Credit:
East Bridgewater Distribution Center Recognized for Accomplishments

Earlier this month, the Barrett Distribution Center in East Bridgewater was recognized for their hard work. This recognition included an employee appreciation breakfast, followed by discussions led by Edward Jones, and acknowledgment of accomplishments. There were mini games, EEOQ winners, talks of robotics and automation, and 45 new hires!

Barrett Distribution Centers would like to thank the East Bridgewater team and their partner, the '47 Team for their continued partnership and hard work.

Written by Erin Payne, BuzzAround intern, SNHU
WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME

Have fun with us and bee entered to win:
$15 gift certificate to Pinches & Pounds
Candy Store Rt 18, Whitman

Historical Tidbit Question:
How many dairy farms were there in EB in the 1940's ?

Email us your answer at: Prizes@buzzaround.info
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 January 31, 2023, before 2p, we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Erin Payne, Jamie Puhi, Jacquelyn Rose & Greg Venezia.
An Unfinished Democracy.

Here, from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in Cambridge is Amanda Gorman.

Poet, Visionary.

I am as mesmerized by her words as by her hand motions. Her delivery is so beautiful, it's captivating. Amanda brings us a clear hopeful message as she binds us all together to finish the work our founders started.

Even though the below poem was written for the Boston Pops, fireworks and Independence Day, it rings true for today and everyday. "Not to look at American Democracy as something that is broken, but as something that is unfinished."
We all have work to do. And that starts in our communities, home towns and neighborhoods and our vote. Everyday.
Thank you for all you do, dear reader, it's a choice we make, our democracy. We move forward, together.~ Jacquie
Your BuzzAround supports the dignity of all human beings, is actively anti-racist, and supportive of good law enforcement policies. 
Copyright 2024 Buzz Around East 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 East Bridgewater 1/28/24")
 
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.