West Bridgewater BuzzAround

December 15, 2024



~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time.

Providing Level 5 Service to Veterans

Old Colony Hospice and Palliative Care has been recertified as a Level 5 We Honor Veterans (WHV) partner. This distinction highlights their commitment to providing specialized care for Veterans facing life-threatening illnesses. Among the 8,000 hospice providers in the United States, only 251 have achieved this Level 5 status.

These partners are recognized for delivering exceptional, Veteran-focused care and for building partnerships with community-based organizations to offer comprehensive support. Additionally, Level 5 partners serve as regional mentors, helping other WHV partners enhance their programs.

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's Senior Director Katherine Kemp stated, "Level 5 partners help shape the WHV program for providers across the country, serving as an example of what all hospice partners should strive to be." NHPCO, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs, launched We Honor Veterans in 2010 to meet the growing need for Veteran-centered care, particularly as aging Veterans require greater access to high-quality hospice and palliative services.

Congratulations to Old Colony Hospice and Palliative Care, and thank you for your hard work and dedication.

Learn more about the We Honor Veterans program at www.WeHonorVeterans.org and about Old

Colony Hospice and Palliative Care at www.oldcolonyhospice.org.

Written by Bethani Jerke, BuzzAround Intern, SNHU.

Historical Tidbit:

The invention of the Frisbee

In 1938, Walter Frederick Morrison and his future wife Lucile discovered a market for a light-duty flying disc when they were offered 25 cents for a cake pan that they were tossing back and forth on a beach near Los Angeles, California. "That got the wheels turning, because you could buy a cake pan for five cents, and if people on the beach were willing to pay a quarter for it, well—there was a business," Morrison told The Virginian-Pilot newspaper in 2007.

The Morrisons sold cake pans until Walter served in the Air Force. After World War II, Morrison sketched a design for an aerodynamically improved flying disc. He and business partner Warren Franscioni began producing the first plastic discs in 1948 and named it the Flying-Saucer in the wake of reported unidentified flying objects. (Roswell was 1947).

Morrison formed his own company in 1954 called American Trends to sell his Flyin-Saucers, which were being manufactured in flexible polypropylene plastic by Southern California Plastics. He discovered it was more cost-effective to manufacture his own disc and designed the Pluto Platter in 1955. He sold the rights to Wham-O on January 23, 1957, of this archetype of all modern flying discs. 

In June 1957, Wham-O co-founders Richard Knerr and Arthur "Spud" Melin named the disc "Frisbee" after learning about the New England college craze of tossing Frisbie Pie tins. Frisbie Pie Company (1871-1958) of Bridgeport, CT, made pies that were sold to many New England colleges. Students all over NE who had tossed and caught empty pie tins were now using the Pluto Platter and calling it a "Frisbie."

Ed Headrick, Wham-O inventor, patented designs for the modern frisbee (U.S. patent 3,359,678), developing the band of raised ridges called the Rings of Headrick to stabilize the frisbee's flight. The patent was issued on December 26, 1967. Today, the Frisbee is owned by Mattel Toy Manufacturers.

Written by: J. Rose

Sources: www.thoughtco.com

wikipedia.org/Frisbee

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!

Mary Witkowsky

won

a $25 gift certificate to Johnny Macaroni's Restaurant, East Bridgewater & Halifax

johnnymacaronis.com 

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

Enter for this week's prize of

a 45 page FarmYard Christmas

Coloring Book

with Daily Affirmations and Family Traditions

by Nwanneka Udeka

of Unique Strides Therapy

Conservation Committee Meeting

12/03/2024

Video Courtesy of WBTV

WB Board of Selectmen Meeting

12/04/2024

Video Courtesy of WBTV

Santa Claus

Is Coming to Town

Now - Fri, Dec 20

6-8p

Our officers will be escorting Ol’ Saint Nick to residences in West Bridgewater starting Monday, 12/9, through Friday, 12/20 (weeknights only), from 6 PM to 8 PM each evening, with 15-minute visits per stop.

To help Santa see as many children as possible, we encourage you to coordinate visits with neighbors, friends, and family.

For larger groups (6 or more children), time slots will need to be scheduled toward the end of the night to help Santa stay on schedule.

We also appreciate your patience and understanding if visits run slightly behind schedule. These nights are VERY busy, and our officers are generously volunteering their time to make these visits possible.

For more information on the event, visit WB Police FB, or if you want to set up your time with Santa, call 508-586-2525 ext.0 with information such as name, address, phone number, and total number of children.

Million Dollar

Christmas Tree Raffle

The West Bridgewater Lions Club is hosting an exciting Scratch-Off Lottery Raffle! One lucky winner could take home over 125 winning holiday scratch-off tickets, with prizes ranging in amounts from $1, $2, $5, $10 & $20.

Raffle Tickets $10 each

Drawing: December 23

Winners will be contacted directly.

This event is sponsored by the West Bridgewater Lions Club. To find out more, call/text 617-970-6731 or email WBLionsClub@aol.com

Climate Can Do:

Eco-Friendly Gifting

This holiday season, let’s give our communities the gift of zero waste! Here are a few things to look out for and a few tips for giving (and wrapping) earth-conscious presents:

Shop recyclable: most shiny wrapping paper and glittery cards are not recyclable. Try brown or recycled paper or reusable fabric totes or sacks.

Save energy: holiday lights make wonderful decor, but we should be mindful of their impact on the environment. Keeping your lights on a timer or setting aside time to turn them off can save you money on your electric bill and energy. Also, consider what types of lights you’re using. LED lights consume up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent lights and last 10 times longer. Switching to LEDs will reduce your carbon footprint and present a lesser risk of fire.

Eliminate excess: a family game of Secret Santa is not only fun and personal but can save you from buying a gift or two for everyone at the party. Additionally, if you are careful with your decor and the wrappings you receive with presents, they can save you time, money, and waste for next Christmas! Reuse and upcycle decor, wrapping, ribbons, string, and even Christmas cards, which can be cut up to make tags.

Buy Local: save time, get personalized attention, and make someone's dreams come true, spend your holiday dollars at a small, local business.

Source: www.thecommons.earth, www.wildlifetrusts.org

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

Thank You, Kappa Delta Phi



A special thank you to Kappa Delta Phi, Alpha Chapter, at Bridgewater State University. For 32 years, active and Alumni brothers of Kappa Delta Phi, Alpha Chapter have been collecting nonperishable and toiletry items for local food pantries. For the past several years, West Bridgewater is a community that has benefited greatly from this food drive.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated, and thank you to everyone who donated.

Reposted from WB Food Pantry FB

Bridging the Bridgewaters

NRT is searching for volunteers to work with "Bridging the Bridgewaters," a group of residents in East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, and Bridgewater working to lengthen and maintain the land and water trails in all three communities, connect them to each other and to the AMC / Bay Circuit Trail, and publicize their existence.

Please contact the Natural Resources Trust of Bridgewater at: Kitty Doherty at riverland927@gmail.com for more information and how you can participate.

New Grant Opportunity



The Taunton River Stewardship Council is proud to offer the River Stewardship Grant Program the grant supports towns who are looking to improve river access by addressing woody obstructions in the rivers.

Large fallen trees and branches hinder the passage of fish and lead to flooding. East Bridgewater is the first recipient and was awarded $4,500 to address obstructions on the Satucket River.

To discuss a project idea, email Coordinator Gloria Bancroft at director@savethetaunton.org

Festive Holiday Soups with Therapy Gardens

Wed, Dec 18

6-7p

West Bridgewater Public Library

Join Therapy Gardens for a cozy and festive cooking session where you’ll discover how to make delicious holiday soups. Enjoy sampling the soups and take home the recipes to recreate these warm, seasonal favorites. Perfect for adding a flavorful touch to your holiday celebrations.

For more information on the event and to register, visit the WB Public Library Calendar

WB Board of Water Commissioners Mtg

11/18/2024

Video Courtesy of WB Community Access TV

Wildcat Toy Drive

Ends 12/20

To help West Bridgewater families and children of school aged from 5 to 17 in need this holiday season, please bring a new unwrapped toy or gift card donations to the following locations before 12/20.

The West Bridgewater Police Department, West Bridgewater Fire Department, or the West Bridgewater Public Schools

If you have any questions, contact Sgt. Pope at tpope@wbpd.com or 508-586-2525 ext 5119.

Reposted from: WB Police FB

Welcoming Winter Light with a Lantern Walk

Sat, Dec 21

Rain Date Sun, Dec 22

3p

West Bridgewater Town Hall

Join the West Bridgewater Open Space & Recreation Committee for a Winter Solstice Lantern Walk and celebrate the dark sky with the warmth of our light!

Lantern Walks have become a magical tradition across the country, helping kids and adults alike welcome the winter darkness and embrace this natural change with joy.

Activities Include Lantern Crafting and Lantern Walk: Take a stroll along the Rail Trail, singing and enjoying the glow of the Winter Solstice.

This is a free event, but registration is required. Please email openspace@wbridgewater.com to sign up!

Source: West Bridgewater Open Space and Recreation Committee FB

The Season of Giving

The Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels program provides homebound senior citizens with meals delivered straight to their doors.

And this Thanksgiving, they delivered something extra special. Thanks to financial support from West Bridgewater's Town Moderator Jason Ross and additional contributions from Good Days Restaurant, the dinner preparers, Meals on Wheels provided 29 freshly cooked Thanksgiving meals to WB's homebound residents. Ross expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to contribute: "I hate the idea of seniors, especially ones with mobility issues, not being able to enjoy Thanksgiving."

If you'd like to get involved or know someone who could benefit from meal deliveries, contact the WB Council on Aging at 508-894-1262 or visit their website here: West Bridgewater Council on Aging.

Written by Bethani Jerke, BuzzAround Intern, SNHU

Sources: WB COA & Jason Ross

Your BuzzAround supports the dignity of all human beings, is actively anti-racist, and supportive of good law enforcement policies. 

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