BuzzAround Bridgewater

August 17, 2025



~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time

Escorted in Style, Playing with Pride

This past week, the Bridgewater-Raynham Special Olympics Unified Flag Football Team received a VIP send-off, escorted proudly by the Bridgewater and Raynham Police Departments. They were headed to a joint practice session with the New England Patriots. After that, they travelled to Minneapolis with the team for a chance at playing in the Nationals. Special Olympics brings together athletes across states in the true spirit of sportsmanship and inclusion.

The team is part of Special Olympics Massachusetts, a statewide organization dedicated to providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities. By fostering acceptance, building confidence, and promoting health, Special Olympics Massachusetts changes lives; not only for the athletes but for their families, teammates, and communities. Through programs like Unified Sports®, which partner athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team, they create an environment where everyone has the chance to compete, grow, and shine.

For the Bridgewater-Raynham athletes, this week was about more than just football; it was about celebrating ability, building friendships, and experiencing the joy of being part of something bigger than themselves.

Source and Photo Credits: Bridgewater Police Dept. FB and Special Olympics Special Olympics Massachusetts FB FB

Raynham PD

Written by Marie Gupton, BuzzAround Intern, Bridgewater State University

Minecraft Movie Night

Mon Aug 18

5:50-7:30p

Bridgewater Public Library 

15 South St

The community is invited to a special family movie night featuring "The Minecraft Movie". In this thrilling adventure, four misfits are unexpectedly pulled through a mysterious portal into a strange, cubic world powered by imagination. To return home, they must learn to navigate this unique landscape and join forces with an unlikely expert crafter on an epic quest. The film is rated PG and runs 101 minutes. All ages are welcome, and no registration is required. Parents must remain with their children during the event. It promises to be an evening filled with creativity, excitement, and family fun.

Source: Bridgewater Public Library Event Page

Meet & Greet Ice Cream Social

Tue Aug 19

6p

Prisco’s County Creamery 

8 Romney Rd

Join the Bridgewater Academy Lions for a sweet summer gathering! Come enjoy a refreshing ice cream treat while connecting with members of the Academy to learn more about their activities, events, and community service projects. Before or after grabbing your ice cream, stop by to chat, ask questions, and discover ways to get involved. The Lions will also be collecting unwanted eyeglasses, hearing aids, and clean pill bottles (labels removed) for recycling; so bring any items you’d like to donate and help make a difference.

Source: Bridgewater Academy Lions Calendar

One Book, One Community

Get ready to turn the page into something exciting for the Fall 2025 season. The adult reading list welcomes two engaging titles: Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray and Who Is Government? by Michael Lewis. These captivating books offer rich storytelling, fresh perspectives, and thought-provoking ideas that will spark lively discussions. If you’re interested in reading one or both of these book selections, check if they’re available in your library! 

Source:Snoeytools Fall 2025 Books

Read & Draw Art Class

Fri Aug 22

10-11a

Bridgewater Public Library

15 South St

Join Triumph, INC for Read & Draw with Me! A fun-filled program for children ages 3–6, featuring story time and art exploration to help build social skills. Funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, this engaging activity is perfect for families looking to spark creativity and connection.

Registration is required and space is limited. Please register for each class separately during the summer months.

To sign up, call Nancy at 508-822-5388 ext. 208 or email ntilbe@triumphinc.org

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Brockton Area Prevention Collaborative

Overdose Prevention Training Now Available in Spanish!

High Point Prevention Services is proud to announce that our Overdose Prevention Training is available in Spanish, so everyone in our communities has the tools to respond in an emergency.

This training is also available in English, Brazilian Portuguese, and Haitian Creole on YouTube.

brbridginglives.org

Observance of International

Overdose Awareness Day 



Wed. Aug 27, 2025

6:30 to 8:15p

Trinity Episcopal Church

91 Main St., Bridgewater, MA

Mercy Street and Trinity Episcopal Church will host a moving community gathering in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day — a global campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those we’ve lost, and honor the grief of those left behind.

In 2024, Plymouth County lost 264 people to Substance Related Deaths (source: Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services). That’s a staggering toll.

As dusk falls, 264 luminaries will line the church walkways — each one representing a name, a face, and a story. Inside, the Tree of Life memorial will invite attendees to add the names of loved ones and light a candle in their honor. The evening will include live music by Claire O’Brien, poetry, candlelight, and a solemn reading of names closest to attendees — each followed by the tolling of a bell. Trinity IOAD

Visit & Win!

Bridgewater Public Library

15 South St.

"Enter to win every time you visit the library for the chance to win Starland passes. Prizes are 4 passes for 1 hour unlimited game play OR 2 passes for toddler time. Winners are drawn Monday nights and contacted via email on Tuesdays."

Repost: Bridgwater Public Library FB

Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting

August 11th, 2025 

Video Courtesy of the Town of Bridgewater

Town Council Meeting

August 12th, 2025

Video courtesy of the Town of Bridgewater

Strategic Planning Committee -

August 7th, 2025

Video Courtesy of the Town of Bridgewater

Climate Can-Do:

Pollinator Gardens

We can help bees, butterflies, and birds keep our world in balence with an easy- to maintain Pollinator Garden.

Pollinators play a vital role in food production, helping to pollinate a significant portion of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts we consume. By creating pollinator gardens, we can help reverse the decline in pollinator populations, contributing to both ecological health and food security.

It is important to plant native species, so New England flora should be your focus. To attract bees, it is suggested to plant white snakeroot, bluebells, or American trout-liilies. To attract butterflies, plant New York ironweed, white wood astor, or purplestem angelica. Hummingbirds, as well as the other pollinators, are attracted to spotted crane's bill, butterfly milkweed, bee-balm, and white turtlehead.

Economically speaking, seeds are the better way to go. Plant them a season ahead (Fall or WInter). Already grown plants, though pricey, are easier and faster. Not only are these gardens pretty to look at, it will save you some time with yard work since you don't have to mow!

It does not matter how much land you have available, whether it is a four feet by four feet or a whole field, pollinator gardens bring life and beauty into our world. You can be a part of this journey to better our planet, one plant at a time.

Written by Serena Croteau, Southern New Hampshire University, Buzz Around Intern

Source: New England Wildflower Society & U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Operations Training

"This past weekend, Group 4 did some engine/pump/ladder operations training with Firefighter Caswell. He is the newest member on the group and it’s important that he has training on every vehicle. Strong work Group 4!"

Repost: Bridgewater Fire Department FB

Old Fashioned Cookout

Fri Sep 5

5-7p

Central Square Church

71 Central Square

The Bridgewater community is invited to enjoy an old-fashioned cookout on the front lawn of Central Square Church. Guests can look forward to hot dogs, baked beans, and watermelon, along with cornhole and other fun games. The event is open to the public, with a cost of $5 per person or $15 for a family of four. No advance tickets are needed; just come ready for good food and great company!

Source: CSCC Calendar Page

Community Dance!

On June 20, 2025, the Bridgewater Senior Center came alive with music, movement, and multicultural connection as Bridgewater Community Dance hosted an evening of international folk dance and traditional New England square and contra dance. The event welcomed Bridgewater State University's Madala Fellows cohort; a spirited group of Mandela Washington Fellows, young leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa who are in the U.S. for academic and leadership training through the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).

Established in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship has brought nearly 7,200 emerging changemakers to the United States, fostering cross-cultural exchange and leadership development. Their presence at the dance added a vibrant global rhythm to the evening, as participants shared steps, stories, and smiles across continents.

The dance floor became a space of unity and celebration, where residents and Fellows alike joined hands literally and figuratively in a joyful expression of community and connection. With each twirl and step, participants were able to mingle and meet new people within both groups while dancing. This event proves that music is a powerful tool that can bring communites together and bring warm smiles to its listeners. 

A recap of the dance from Bridgewater Community Dance Instructor Sam Baumgarten:

“At our last dance of the 2025 winter/spring series, we were thrilled to host and dance with the newest group of Washington Mandela Fellows, who will be spending several weeks at Bridgewater State University. We opened the dance with “Shalom U Boker Tov,” a dance of greeting from Israel. Other dances in the first half included: “Fraley’s Frolic,” an easy, upbeat circle dance to get comfortable with 4 and 8 beat phrases; a large group mixer called “Kaboom,” which I re-named to “Woosh!”; the famous partner mixer, “Heel Toe Polka,” and the double circle, couple mixer, “Balance the Butterfly,” In the second half, we began with French-Canadian circle dance, “Les Saluts,” then did a grand march into longways sets. We danced “Galopede,” in a large set, then the old traditional “Virginia Reel” in shorter sets. We closed the evening with a calm, meditative circle dance to the song “As One,” by Denean."

Bridgewater Community Dance meets the third Friday of each month at the Cole - Yeaton Senior Center: Sept, Nov and December, with a Saturday Night Special Dance with live music at the Cedar Street Community Center on October 11, 2025.

Source and photo credit: BridgewaterBridgewater Community Dance FBCommunity Dance FB and

Written by Marie Gupton, BuzzAround Intern, Bridgewater State University

WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME



Have fun with us and bee entered to win:



a $15 gift certificate to

 Sarcastic Swine BBQ in Abington

Historical Tidbit Question:



What river doesThe Nip empty into?

Email us your answer at:

 Prizes@buzzaround.info

Please include your name and phone number.

Prize Box Rules



By entering, you give us permission to print your name in next week's Buzz Around.

On August 20, 2025, before 2p, we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.

The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Serena Croteau, Marie Gupton, Jamie Puhi, Jacquelyn Rose & Greg Venezia

Serendipity

It goes by many names: some aligned with a faith, some with Universal Wonder. Serendipity is that thing that happens; unexpectedly showing

up and bringing goodness to your life.

"Sometimes serendipity is just intention unmasked." ~ Elizabeth Berg

"Serendipity always rewards the prepared."

~ Katori Hall

"I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along." ~ David Levithan 

"Plan to the extent that feels right to you at a particular time in your life, but always be open to serendipity." ~ Steve Leveen 

"Risk-taking, trust, and serendipity are key ingredients of joy. Without risk, nothing new ever happens. Without trust, fear creeps in.

Without serendipity, there are no surprises."

~ Rita Golden Gelman

Serendipity is absolutely scrumptious when it appears.

Bee ready and prepare for what you want most!

~ Jacquie

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

Copyright 2025 Buzz Around 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 Bridgewater 8/17/25")

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.