Rotary Club's West Bridgewater Citizen of the Year:
Paula Bunker

For West Bridgewater, the 2023 Citizen of the Year recipient is Paula Bunker! Paula currently serves on the West Bridgewater Housing Authority and Board of Assessors. She is the epitome of a concerned and active citizen. Besides her work in town government, Paula has always been an active member of the West Bridgewater community as she helped provide Back to School Supplies for local schools. She also was instrumental in toy drives for the town during the holiday season. Paula is perhaps best known for her true passion for animals, as she is always on the go, helping countless animals shelters on the South Shore, and advocating for the protection and health of dogs and cats. Paula is certainly a community hero in West Bridgewater.
Also being awarded are Dr. Gloria Moran for Bridgewater and Heather Craven has East Bridgewater. The Rotary of the Bridgewaters will celebrate neighbors in our communities who have contributed as volunteers to help others in the towns of Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, and West Bridgewater! The 2023 Citizen of the Year celebration will be held on Tuesday, April 11th at 7p at the Sachem Rock Community Center in East Bridgewater. Congratulations to all the recipients!

Information on tickets ($20/person) for the event and ad sponsorships can be found by contacting Mike Kryzanek at (617) 922-0453 or mkryzanek@gmail.com.
Historical Tidbit:
Christopher Read
 
"Born in Leiscester, England. Came to the USA and to Brockton in the year 1885 at the age of sixteen years. Worked in the shoe industry in various capacities for a number of years. Moved to West Bridgewater in 1899. Became active in town affairs and served on many important committees. In 1921, was appointed Moth Superintendent, later elected Tree Warden, and held those positions until the time of his death June 7, 1945.
 
He was a member of St. George Lodge of Masons in Brockton and Knights of Pythias Howard Lodge in West Bridgewater.

Christopher Read, of quiet disposition, needs no eulogy of pen from the people of West Bridgewater. All knew him: amiable, sincere, honest and an efficient official for twenty four years. We are grateful for the privilege of having known him."
 
Information from: West Bridgewater Annual Report, Year Ending December 31, 1945.
Town Hall
  508-894-1200

WB Public Library
508-894-1255
 
Council on Aging
508-894-1262

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
Congratulations!
Renee MacDonald
You won 2 tickets to Friday night's performance of
Halley's Comet
Friday April 7, 7p

Bee sure to play our Historical Tidbit Trivia Game at the bottom of this newsletter.
Enter for this week's prize of:
45 minute Reiki Treatment with
Jacquelyn Rose
New Moms Playgroup
02:00 PM – 03:00 PM
Wed April 5, 2023
with Deb Gelman

389 West Center St WB

Congratulations and welcome to Motherhood! Finding your Motherhood Tribe can be difficult. We want to help you find your people! Keeping Pace is offering a weekly "playgroup" for our brand new Moms! Get out once a week and join us for support and encouragement as we cheer one another on in Motherhood! We will discuss feeding, sleeping, relationship changes, and adjusting to your "new normal". This group is designed for brand new moms of singletons, twins and triplets in mind and their babies (0-5months) *no siblings please. We will meet for 1 hour once a week. Limited to class size 10

Deb Gelman
Deb has been a part of Keeping Pace with Multiple Miracles since she was 10 weeks pregnant with her triplets in 2001. Her many roles include volunteer, mentor to new moms and dads, home visits, Boot Camp classes, Just Mom and Me classes, and she works in the Keeping Pace boutique. .
In 2019 she trained to become postpartum Doula and specialize in working with families with multiples. She is also CPR certified.
Dress a Girl Around the World Meeting

Friday, April 7th
10a – 12p
West Bridgewater Senior Center
The mission of Dress a Girl is to elevate the esteem of girls around the world by making sure every little girl has the dignity of owning at least one dress. The West Bridgewater chapter of Dress a Girl Around the World (DAG) will be meeting this Friday. If you like to sew, want to donate fabric, or just want to help a wonderful organization, then stop by the Senior Center!
Visit the WB DAG FB group here for more information.
Spreading the J.O.Y. Easter Basket

Drawing will be held Thursday, April 13th
Just Older Youth, Inc. (JOY, Inc.) will be holding an Easter Basket raffle! A ticket is $1 and will give you a chance to win the basket. Included in the basket is a $25 gift certificate to Trucchis, and the drawing will be held Thursday, April 13th! J.O.Y. is also accepting any non-perishable food contributions you can give, so please bring them to the COA, any time Monday–Friday from 9a–3:30p.
For more information or to ask any questions, call (508) 894-1262.
Seeds, Seeds and More Seeds! 
Ready to start your garden indoors? We have your seeds, pots and all the supplies you'll need to have your best harvest yet!

1000 Plymouth St (Rt 104) • Bridgewater • (508) 697-0357
INFANT CPR WITH ARIELLE STAAL
Tue Apr 11 2023 From: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Just one hour to learn lifesaving skills! Cpr and choking class taught by a local American Heart Association nurse educator:
Perfect for babysitters and parents or anyone wanting to learn, no experience necessary! Learn CPR and choking maneuvers for infants. Practice on AHA mannequins- all equipment provided for just the one fee! (No official certification provided, if you are interested in becoming certified through AHA please contact our instructor prior to class at AMS.Lamaze@gmail.com) Class size is limited to 9 participants. Cost is $25/participant. 
 
Note: The AHA (American Heart Association) charges an additional $25 for an E-card for any student that is interested. If you are interested, please bring cash, check or you can venmo. The instructor will complete the appropriate paperwork.
Brunch with Eleanor Roosevelt

On March 21st, the West Bridgewater Council on Aging held a brunch with an Eleanor Roosevelt impersonator! She came and talked about her very important role at the United Nations in passing the Declaration of Human Rights, and everyone had a lovely afternoon.

Story and photo from WB COA FB post.
Halley's Comet Presented by the Massasoit Theatre Company
April 7 & 8, 7p
Brockton Campus
Buckley Performing Arts Center
1 Massasoit Boulevard
Wildcat News Episode 2207
Video Courtesy of WBTVPro
Persons who are United States Citizens, residents of Massachusetts, and who are at least 18 years old can VOTE in the local elections!! Those meeting these qualifications who have a Massachusetts Driver’s License can submit their registration online at www.RegisterToVoteMA.com.
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!
Make your Easter Reservations Early!! 
Author Talk with Kerrin Willis

Wednesday, April 19th
5:30 – 7p
West Bridgewater Public Library

Come to the library for an Author Talk with Kerrin Willis, author of Iron & Fire and her newest novel, Strange Arithmetic! Her book, Strange Arithmetic, is a fast-paced, gripping historical fiction novel, filled with love, loss, and learning hard lessons. 

Kerrin Willis is a high school English teacher who prides herself on being a feminist and strong protagonist in her own story, and she claims that she would have probably been burned as a witch in colonial New England. This discussion will be one you won’t want to miss!
Tim Talk: 2023
Meet the Candidates Board of Selectmen
Video courtesy of: WBCAM
West Bridgewater Board of Selectmen
March 15, 2023 Meeting
Video courtesy of: WBCAM
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

Fusion Dolls
Doll & Toy Store in WestGate Mall 
Looking for that Special Gift?
Stop by Fusion Dolls in Westgate Mall.
Locally owned & created!



Located inside WestGate Mall
across from Kay jewelers
A Long Way from Home: The Bridgewaters in the Civil War

Now through Saturday, April 29th
Bridgewater Public Library

The Old Bridgewater Historical Society invites you to the premiere exhibit of the Special Collections Gallery at the Bridgewater Public Library – A Long Way from Home: The Bridgewaters in the Civil War. Several items from the OBHS are part of the exhibit. Come on down and learn about some local history!
West Bridgewater Annual Town Cleanup

Saturday, April 22nd
11a – 1p
St. Ann’s

Come help keep West Bridgewater clean! On Earth Day, WIN Waste Innovations, St. Ann’s, and West Bridgewater Open Space and Recreation Committee are sponsoring this event.

You can find the FB event by clicking here.
Henry Bishop Day Declaration

On February 23, 2023, State Senator Walter F. Timilty visited the West Bridgewater Council on Aging to declare February 26 as “Henry Bishop Day.” This was to honor the late, great-grandfather of Jason Ross, West Bridgewater Moderator, for his lifetime of service to the nation and community. Henry also dedicated decades to educating students on his firsthand experiences in World War II and the horrors of the Holocaust.
Senator Timilty will also be filing legislation to make this an annual holiday. This is to honor Moderator Ross’s great-grandfather, as well as all World War II veterans, especially those that have dedicated their time to share their experiences and stories with future generations.

Story and bottom photo from Jason Ross’s FB Post.

Top photo by Marc Vasconcellos.
WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME

Have fun with us and bee entered to win:
45 minute Reiki Treatment with
Jacquelyn Rose

Historical Tidbit Question:
In what year did Christopher Read come to the United States?
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 April 5, 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, Sean Fitzgerald, Tess Fiumefreddo, Mohamed (Moe) Ibrahim, Janice O'Brien, Jacquelyn Rose, & Greg Venezia.
You are the center of the universe AND you are a speck of dust.
This old Hebrew teaching about our ego speaks to me today. Rabbi Simcha Bunim, a great Polish Hasidic master at the turn of the 19th century, taught: “Everyone must have two pockets, with a note in each pocket, so that he or she can reach into one or the other, depending on the need.”

Every single day, we should feel worthy, loved, appreciated. If we don’t, we “should reach into one pocket, and, there, find the words: ‘Bishvili nivra ha-olam’ The world was created for me." (BT Sanhedrin 37B). I will say it now to you, dear reader; you are worthy, loved, appreciated. Take care of yourself, eat right, exercise. Today, your smiling face is more important than ever.

And also, when we feel full of ourselves, unjustly put out: “one should reach into the other pocket, and find the words: ‘V’anochi afar v’efer’ I am but dust and ashes." (Gen. 18:27). 
That way we carry both at once: As tiny as an ant and at the same time knowing how important we are. Today and always, each of us has an important role to play in keeping our community strong. Making eye contact and sharing joy are important. Call each other, write notes, create public art. The need continues.
Our impact is huge. Ants can carry up to 40 x their weight, we are a speck, but we are mighty.
~ 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 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 4/2/23")
 
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.