Tiny Ice Explorers Brave the Freeze!

Brrr! It was a chilly day at the West Bridgewater Preschool; inside the preschoolers bundled up for an icy adventure this past January, exploring the wonders of winter weather and the amazing animals that call cold climates home.

Their journey began with penguins and polar bears, learning about their blubbery coats that shield them from the bite of the arctic air. Through books, discussions, and even a frigid experiment (testing how salt speeds up melting ice!), they discovered the secrets of staying warm in the polar regions.

But the fun didn't stop there! When Problem Panda lost his precious ring in a frozen puddle, the preschoolers sprung into action. Armed with tools, salt, and warm water, they became intrepid icebreakers, rescuing the ring with teamwork and ingenuity.
Beyond winter wonder, the kids learned about the post office, transforming part of the classroom into a post office themed dramatic play area.

They also built sleds capable of carrying ten cuddly "counting bears," demonstrating their budding engineering skills and understanding of balance, after reading the book "Ten on a Sled".

Story by Kendall Fletcher BuzzAround Intern, Southern New Hampshire University
Historical Tidbit:
A Look at Life in the 1890's
 
Every family would have a garden for fresh produce and possibly a few chickens, a cow and pigs. Any other items a family needed would be ordered from the general store.  At the top of the list would have been barrels of flour and sugar; each would weigh about 200 pounds and come in a barrel that was roughly 3½ feet tall.

In the fall the pigs that were slaughtered would be packed in barrels as well. Others would be taken to a smokehouse (there was one in every neighborhood) and cured by smoke. The hams, forward shoulders and hindquarters would be brought home and hung up down cellar where it would last all winter.  All smoked meat would hang by those cellar beams. Herring from the local rivers either smoked or salted to preserve; deer, beef all kept very well down there.

As a treat, in the attic one would hang dried slices of apples that had been pared and sliced and put on string. Hanging from the rafters was a way to keep them from creatures that might get in, including the cat.

Prices in  1898
3 ½ pounds of sugar     $0.18
1 ½ pounds of oatmeal    0.05
13    pounds of bread      0.78
1      pound of butter       0.26
7      quarts of milk         0.56
9      eggs               0.15
½     pound coffee           0.09
2      pounds potatoes    0.06

Quite a different trip to the grocery store!

(Antique cash register photo courtesy of Wikipedia)
~ Respectfully submitted, Sue Basile
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!
Sandy White
won a 1 hour Living in the Gift coaching from GleeWorks
Learn mind-body spirit practices with Marcy Venezia building a foundation for healing.
($80 value.) GleeWorks.net

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

Enter for this week's prize of:
a 45-minute Reiki Treatment with
Jacquelyn Rose
School Resource Officer Appreciation

A standing ovation to School Resource Officer Tim Pope! West Bridgewater recognized his outstanding dedication and hard work on Thursday, February 15th, which was School Resource Officer Appreciation Day,

SRO Pope goes above and beyond, building positive relationships with students and staff alike. His commitment to safety and well-being makes him an invaluable asset to the community.

At War in North Taunton: Camp Myles Standish Lecture
Thu, Feb 29
7p
OBHS Memorial Building
162 Howard St

The Old Bridgewater Historical Society invites you to a lecture by Dr. William F. Hanna. Dr. Hanna, author of A History of Taunton, will speak about the history of Camp Myles Standish, a massive military site in North Taunton during WW2. Dr. Hanna is a lifelong resident of Taunton who taught for 37 years in the city's public school system.

Source: OBHS Website
Taunton Civic Chorus Offers Its Annual Scholarship
Applications due Friday, March 1st 
The Taunton Civic Chorus is accepting applications for its annual Bob Keith Memorial
Scholarship.The $1,000 scholarship is open to graduating seniors from greater Taunton area high schools, including West Bridgewater High
School.
The student must have been an active participant in an organized musical activity during high school (chorus, band, orchestra, private voice or instrumental lessons, drama club, dance lessons).
Applications are available in high school guidance departments, and on the TCC website tauntoncivicchorus.com. The winner of the scholarship will participate in the Taunton Civic Chorus spring concert on May 5, 2024. For more info: taunton.ma.civic.chorus@gmail.com
Chair Yoga
Tue, Mar 5
9a
WB COA
97 W Center St

Feeling stiff and sore? Seeking a gentle way to improve your flexibility, strength, and balance? Look no further than the West Bridgewater Council on Aging's Chair Yoga program!

Boost your flexibility, alleviate aches and pains, and improve your strength and balance. Chair yoga is perfect for those looking to enhance their well-being without the strain of traditional yoga poses. You'll also experience reduced stress and better sleep, leaving you feeling revitalized and ready to take on the day.


Johnny Macaronis Restaurant


Relax and let Johnny Mac's do the cooking!

Catering platters and family meals that can't be beat!

Enjoy !
WB Conservation Commission Meeting

Feb 20th, 2024

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WB Girls Varsity Basketball: SENIOR GAME -



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Pokémon Club
Tue, Mar 12
WB Public Library

Join the Pokémon Club, a place where your love for Pokémon knows no bounds! Learn about the latest games, trade cards, discuss the shows, and dive into the world of Pokémon books. Every other Tuesday at 3:00 PM, there'll be exciting activities, epic card battles (with some cards to share if you don't have your own), and friendly trainers ready to welcome you. Don't know how to play? No worries, they'll teach you! Bring your cards, games, or any Pokémon gear you have, and get ready for fun! Ages 7-13, see you there!

Source: westbpl.org
GleeWorks
Holistic Coaching
Better Decisions Get Results 

A practical strategic plan gets you out of the weeds, meeting your goals and improving your wellbeing.

Guidance, tools, and expertise to get you on track. Our coaching helps you create a working plan that guides you through out the year. 

SMART goals are the smart way to go!
 
Advertise sales, holiday specials and events.

Ad Blitz is Your Solution. Ad Blitz: quick & powerful ad runs Purchase ads in blocks for your desired distribution. Pick an ad size & duration

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Board Game Night
Tue, Mar 5
5:30p-7p
WB Public Library
80 Howard St

Calling all board game enthusiasts! Join us the first Tuesday of each month to play your favorite games, learn new games, and meet new board game buddies in the community. We will provide different featured games each month and welcome gamers of all levels. Feel free to bring in your favorite game to teach as well!

Build a Forest through Reading

Through the West Bridgewater Public Library and neighborhoodforest.org, you can reserve a tree for your child for only $5, and even cover the cost for another child. A book, The Story of the Neighborhood Forest is available, a 40 page color illustrated narrative about the foundation, and is printed on Eco-friendly material.
History Show & Tell
Sun, Mar 10
1p
OBHS Memorial Building
162 Howard St

Dust off your family heirlooms! Share stories at the Old Bridgewater Historical Society's Show & Tell.

Join the Old Bridgewater Historical Society on for a unique "Show & Tell" experience! Bring a treasured item or collection and share its captivating story. From old family photos to flea market finds, unlock the history and memories held within

Admission is $5 at the door, and free for OBHS members.

Climate Can Do: Addressing Climate Resilience through Fairtrade Chocolate

Do you love chocolate? If so, you're not alone. Americans eat 58 million pounds of chocolate during Valentine's week, lets look at some eco-friendly ways to enjoy it.

The supply of chocolate struggles with the increasing demand due to the impact of climate change on the cocoa industry.

Cocoa trees grow in humid climates and take up to a year to produce enough cocoa for half a pound of chocolate. Climate Change is a significant threat to countries around the equator, like Indonesia, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast, where cocoa grows.
 
Sustainable cocoa farming promotes fair trade and climate-smart practices, helping farmers earn fair prices, prevent deforestation, and mitigate climate change. However, producing chocolate has a high carbon footprint due to transportation and requires over 1,180 gallons of water per pound.

You can reduce your chocolate's carbon footprint by taking simple steps:

  • Choose simple, recyclable packaging over fancy ones.
  • Choose dark chocolate over milk chocolate for lower sugar content and a smaller carbon footprint.
  • Buy fair trade chocolate that guarantees sustainable cocoa farming and fair payment to farmers.
  • Choose local "bean-to-bar" chocolate for quality and eco-friendliness.

Look for products with third-party certifications, like Fair Trade USA, or brands like Choceur Superberries, Chuao Chocolatier, and Bake Believe, to name a few. 


Jennifer Hernández, BuzzAround Intern and Southern New Hampshire University graduate student wrote this Climate Can-Do Article. 

Together, we can make a difference by taking action to live sustainably. Let's empower ourselves to create a better future for our planet, one step at a time.
You're Invited to a Country Dance
Folk * Circles * Contra * Squares

March 9, 2024

6:30 – 9 pm. $17 - only 27 tickets left!

Cedar St Community Center
15 Cedar St , Bridgewater, MA
Live Music By Eloise & Company

Sponsors: Bluestone Bank, Bridgewater Cultural Council, Bridgewater Trophy
Video Courtesy of BTV
Want to get your word out?

Send a Buzz-a- Gram for a large impact on a budget! Buzz-a- Grams are $10 listings in our Weekender email released every Thursday.

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Elementary School
Building Project Update
Tue, Mar 12

The West Bridgewater School District is progressing steadily with the elementary school building project. The district has issued a Request for Services for an Owner Project Manager and received strong interest from 27 companies. Interviews are scheduled for March 6th, and the finalist will be presented to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in April.

The district is also committed to incorporating feedback from teachers and the community. Similar to the successful MSHS project, staff input will be crucial in shaping the design of the new elementary school. Community nights will be held to gather feedback and ensure the project aligns with the community's vision. The School Building Committee's next meeting on March 12th.
Bidding Farewell to Sgt. Chris Werner

After 25 years of dedicated service, Sergeant Christopher Werner hung up his badge today.

Starting his career as a full-time officer in 1999, Christopher rose through the ranks, earning his Sergeant stripes in 2005. He wore many hats during his tenure, from patrolling the streets to training new recruits, managing firearms licensing, and even delving into the department's rich history, culminating in a book about its past.

As Chris embarks on his next adventure, the West Bridgewater community sends him off with heartfelt thanks and the hope that retirement brings him good health, happiness, and many exciting chapters ahead.

COA Celebrates Mardi Gras Monday


The West Bridgewater Council on Aging hosted a Mardi Gras themed luncheon February 12th, and by the looks of it, it was a great time! Food and drinks -big thank you to Chef Al and his team!-, included jambalaya, muffuletta sandwiches, red beans and rice, cupcakes, and hurricane mocktails.
The COA sends their thanks to not only the chef for the delicious food, but to the attendees, as well! Reposted from the COA FB: "A BIG shout out to Bev for coming and sharing her talent of hula hooping with us and attempting to show us how to do it. And a great big thank you to Francine for all the pics of the event for us."

If you haven't visited the senior center yet, what are you waiting for?

Written by: Erin Payne Buzz Around Intern, SNHU
Story & Photo Credits: COA FB
WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME
Have fun with us and bee entered to win:
a 45-minute Reiki Treatment with
Jacquelyn Rose

Historical Tidbit Question:
Where did people hang apple slices?
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 February 28, 2024, before 2p, we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Jen Bellody, Kendall Fletcher, Erin Payne, Alexa Pennington, Jamie Puhi, Jacquelyn Rose & Greg Venezia.
As a social entrepreneurship
your Buzz Around is all about the “Why.” 

Why create a news source focused on each community’s good news? 

When a community feels good about itself, it has pride, and when a human feels good about their existence, they feel empowered.

In a world where we are constantly barraged with negativity, violence and seemingly insurmountable problems, the BuzzAround provides a positive vision. 

We have the power to overcome through action. Humans can be just, thoughtful AND deliberate. We can learn to respect each other and teach our children to do the same. We live in a democracy, where each person has power. 

How to we engage with our community in a way that will improve our own quality of life and the life of those around us? In the Buzz Around, our reader finds stories about their friends and neighbors and action that we can take to be part of the solution. 
Thank you for reading and for the time you take to make our world a better place, one good story at a time. ~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 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 2/25/24")
 
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.