Town Manager Michael Dutton would like to
inform Bridgewater residents of a way they
can help their town while winning some
great prizes at the same time.
Are you a Bridgewater resident and want to help your local firefighters, police officers, Senior Center staff and DPW, Water and Sewer and Roadways staff respond to the needs of the community? Are you sitting at home with nothing to do?
Did you know that $1.5 trillion was distributed to state and local governments in 2018 based on census data? Bridgewater’s share depends on you filling out the form. So fill out your census questionnaire today!
Wednesday, April 1, was National Census day. By now, all households in Bridgewater should have already received a census form in the mail inviting residents to participate in the 2020 Census. To participate, either follow the instructions on the form to complete the census
online
, or mail the completed form back in the envelope provided.
We want to hear from you! Let us know that you have completed the 2020 Census by liking our
Facebook page
and sending us a short message. If you tell us you have completed the census, we will put your name in a drawing to win a $100 gift card and gift certificates to several Bridgewater restaurants, which Town staff have purchased to help our local businesses stay afloat during the stay-at-home order.
Fill out the form today, and let’s all look forward to greater days ahead!
Here is some additional information about the 2020 Census:
- The Census counts every living person in the United States once.
- Every ten years, the results are used to reapportion the seats in the House of Representatives.
- The data provided by the census determines the allocation of about $675 billion in federal funds, grants and support for schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other vital programs.
- It’s against the law for the Census Bureau to publicly release your responses; your responses will only be used to create statistics.
- After each decade’s census, state officials redraw congressional and state legislative district boundaries.
- Completing the census exercises your right to participate in our democracy and make your voice count!
For further information regarding the 2020 Census and how to get involved visit
2020census.gov
.
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Historical Tidbit:
Carver's Pond
Carver's Pond like all ponds and lakes in town are man made mill ponds or portions of left over mining operations of bog ore or clay.
Carver's was created by damming up South Brook, which originates on the new high school property, in the early 1700's by the Edson family for a mill pond. The Edson's, and later the Washburn's, used the water power to run a small iron mill, manufacturing iron implements from the abundant bog ore in the area.
It wasn't until almost 100 years later that Eleazer Carver took it over for his cotton gin business, giving the pond its current name. As time went on Carver's business grew and with the advent of steam power the use of the mill pond as a power source faded. Carver moved his manufacturing to Plymouth Street and then to East Bridgewater.
The last commercial use of the pond was for ice, up until the 1920's, and today it sits on top of 50% of the town drinking water supply. Our water is deep under the pond and not in it.
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Respectfully submitted, David Moore
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Send us pix, video & stories - What are you doing with your free time?
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Academy Building Municipal Offices
66 Central Square
508-697-0921
Mon - Thurs 8a - 4p, Fri 8a - 1p Services available through phone, email & website only
Check Town website for needed updates
Public Library
15 South Street
508-697-3331
Mon - Wed 9a - 8p
Thurs 10a - 5p, Fri & Sat 10a - 2p
Cole-Yeaton Senior Center
10 Wally Krueger Way
508-697-0929
The Bridgewater Senior Center is closed to the public. However, the following services will continue: Meals on Wheels and medical appointment/grocery store transportation services.
Food Pantry
Central Square Congregational Church
71 Central Square
508-697-6016
Thursdays - 10a - 1p
1st Monday of each month from 6 - 8 p
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Congratulations!
Richard A Duffus
won a
$20 gift certificate to Johnny Macaroni
Take Out at any of their 3 locations.
You should play our
Historical Tidbit Trivia Game
at the bottom of this newsletter.
You could win a
$15 gift certificate to Pinches & Pounds Candy Store Rt 18, Whitman, MA!
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Help for Businesses
Dear Metro South Business -
I’m writing to encourage you and every impacted business to complete this simple application to receive up to $10,000 toward strengthening your business and helping our regional economy recover from COVID-19.
To receive a $10,000 forgivable SBA loan advance to help your business and our regional economy recover from COVID-19, follow this link...
covid19relief.sba.gov.
After completing, also check out how the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loan can assist your business in recovery longer term with up to eight weeks of business and payroll expense forgiven.
Thank you for applying and spreading the word.
Chris Cooney,
President and CEO
Metro South Chamber of Commerce
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Facebook Live update from Town Manager Michael Dutton April 3, 2020
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Free Breakfast & Lunch available to all children in the school district.
Thanks to the collective efforts of the BRRSD and Chartwells Food Services, we are happy to inform you that beginning on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, both breakfast and lunch grab & go bags will be made available to all BRRSD students and children under the age of 18 within our communities of Bridgewater & Raynham. Upon its commencement on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, this meal service program will continue
Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the front entrance way of the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School located at 415 Center St. in Bridgewater. There is no registration, ID, address, or name required. All meals are free and you may stop by anytime during the service hours.
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Bridgewater-Raynham High School is now selling lawn signs to fund there 2020 Senior Lock In.
Fill out
this form to get your sign.
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First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church Bridgewater will be broadcasting their Sunday 10:30a services in 2 different platforms:
*Via Zoom! The link for the service is on our homepage, upper right hand corner of the screen:
fpuubridgewater.org
*This Sunday's service by the Reverend Paul Sprecher is entitled "The Wisdom of Generosity". Take care and be well!
~First Parish UU Church Bridgewater
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Bridgewater State University
offers twenty-five $1,000
Scholarships!
It's that time of year again when University and Community Partnerships offers twenty-five $1,000 scholarships. They are offered to students who are seniors, will be graduating this year and who are accepted to BSU. The students must live in Bridgewater or are attending Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School.
For more information, email the University and Community Partnership Director, Susan McCombe
smccombe@bridgew.edu
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Central Square Congregational Church, UCC
Bridgewater Schedule
April 5
Palm Sunday Worship (online only), 10am
April 9
Maundy Thursday Worship, 7pm, on your own
A home liturgy to follow with your family will be available on our website. We also suggest you videochat (Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, FaceTime, for example) with one or more other people or families, especially anyone you know who might live alone, for this self-led worship.
April 10
Good Friday
Music and Meditation
with Julia Scott Carey (online only), 3pm
April 12
Easter Sunday Worship (online only), 10am
The link to online worship service is available a day or two prior to broadcasting, on our website at
csccucc.org.
For updates and information, visit
csccucc.org
or our Facebook page at
facebook.com/csccuccbridgewaterma
, or call 508-697-6016. Please note the church building is closed until at least May 4, except for use by the Bridgewater Food Pantry.
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See our amazing disappearing chicks.
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We have wood pellets, feed & grain and
we're open for essential items!
Please call with your order and drive up.
1000 Plymouth St (Rt 104) Bridgewater
(508) 697-0357
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School Committee March252020.mp4
The B-R School Committee hosted a Zoom meeting on March 26th (prior to the Governor announcing new restrictions on the school calendar).
Read more
btvaccess.viebit.com
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No Utility Shutoffs
The
Dept. of Public Utilities has prohibited utility companies from shutting off gas, electric, or water utility services for any customer while the State of Emergency Exists. That includes both residents and businesses.
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NEED LEGAL ASSISTANCE?
For folks who have legal questions during this time. The state funds the Mass Legal Assistance Corporation which offers a range of legal aid programs.
sccls.org
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OLD COLONY YMCA
East Bridgewater
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Virtual fitness workouts from Les Mills, MOSSA, and Y360 for the whole family!
Download our app – Search for
Old Colony YMCA
to get started!
Kids - do the online sport challenges found on our
Facebook Page
!
Join the weekly challenges and earn rewards for staying active!
#stayhomestayhealthy
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BLISS
THROUGH
YOGA
is NOW open
in
Your OWN Home!
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Now Live Streaming ALL Classes!
Tuesdays @ 5:30p; Wednesdays @ 10a; Thursdays @ 7p; Fridays @ 6:30p;
Saturdays @ 9a
Contact Janice to register
Find YOUR bliss at Bliss Through Yoga!
Yoga for the Rest of Us!
(508) 331-3564
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Does your small business need help adapting to taking on-line orders?
BuzzAround can help!
Want to let our community know how you can service them?
BuzzAround publishes to 10,000 subscribers, it's a great time to
advertise, our readership is UP!
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Top 10 Tips and Resources from a Reluctant
(at first) Homeschool Mom
“I’m not a teacher.” “I don’t have the educational background, the subject knowledge, nor the patience to homeschool my kids…”
Don’t worry! You’ve can do this. Let’s face it, your children will never forget this time spent in quarantine together. Learning will not only add normalcy and purpose to their lives, it can lead to a wonderful appreciation for each other. Experiential learning as a family has the power to inspire new interests and to create lifelong bonds among siblings.
Along with my tips and resources, I will share insights that will hopefully save you time and dispel any uncertainties you may have about your new job. You can do this! You have everything you need. At your fingertips. Literally. The internet offers a vast network of support for every academic subject imaginable.
• Be a student. When I first started homeschooling my kids, I spent many sleepless nights preparing lessons for the next day. You don’t need to plan extensively, and you don’t need to be an expert in any subject! You are a student right along side your children. We read the classics, learned (or relearned) Algebra 2, performed many chemistry experiments, and competed in an aerodynamic paper airplane contest together. (The teacher lost.) It’s ok to not know the answers. Your kids don’t need you to be perfect, just to be there for them. YouTube.com has thousands of videos to explain just about anything.
• Experiment! There are so many wonderful science experiments that you can perform with household items and minimal supplies. Our favorite science website is
sciencebob.com. His experiments on the Jimmy Fallon show are amazing and hysterical! There are wonderful chemistry and physics experiments available at:
stevespanglerscience.com;
interestingengineering.com. Nothing beats experiential learning.
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Wood Palace Kitchen Designs
Check out Tim's Fireside Chat
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7 Mill St, Middleboro
(508) 947-1975
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D'Agostino Insurance
111 Torrey St Suite #1
Brockton, MA 02301
Call (508) 586-0414
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Let us know your good news! You Could Win $75
Write an original short story related to one of the BuzzAround Hives: Bridgewater, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Raynham, West Bridgewater or Whitman.
Entries must be 1000 words or less.
We are accepting one story per person until April 14th, 2020.
4 prizes of $75/ each will be given out on May 1, 2020 to the best short stories in the following categories:
Popular vote:
Vote on stories from April 17th till April 24th. The popular vote will include all short stories submitted that meet the above criteria.
Brockton
: 3 librarians from Brockton Public Libraries will serve as judges. The Brockton judges will only vote on stories submitted related to Brockton.
East Bridgewater, Halifax & Whitman:
There will be one judge from each of these towns. The 3 judges award a winner from stories submitted for Whitman, East Bridgewater and Halifax.
Bridgewater, Raynham, and West Bridgewater:
There will be one judge from each of these towns. The 3 judges will award a winner from stories submitted for Bridgewater, Raynham and West Bridgewater
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Massachusetts Residents:
Check your symptoms for COVID-19 securely, online, for free
Massachusetts residents can visit
Buoy.com/mass to get advice from an online health assistant safely at home, for free.
Buoy will connect you with the appropriate health care resource based on your symptoms and risk factors for COVID-19.
Here’s how it works:
- Tell Buoy about your symptoms and risk factors.
- Figure out if you should be tested for COVID-19.
- Get directed to the most appropriate health care resource.
- Learn about the virus, access prevention tips, and more.
Buoy's online tool is not to be used in place of emergency medical care. If this is an emergency, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.
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Sales People Needed
Compassionate and organized people are needed to connect with small businesses, explain Buzz Around products, and create marketing partnerships. *Work 25 - 40 hours per week *Make your own hours & create your own schedule ...
Read more
buzzaround.info
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Grant's sends out support & care to all of our communities.
We're all in this together.
10 Bedford Park, Bridgewater
(508) 279-0950
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Post & Image Shared From
Jessica Parzyck
How is everyone’s quarantine going?
Went for a walk today and when I came home our neighbors where outside and he was playing music on pleasant street. 
Another neighbor came over who is a musician too and joined, of course keeping distance. 3/26/20
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Message from Bridgewater Police Chief, Chris Delmonte regarding Covid-19 and staying safe in your community.
Video courtesy of BTV
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Letter From Superintendent of Schools Derek Swenson:
In response to Governor Baker mandating school buildings stay closed until May 4, 2020.
Dear BRRSD Families,
We hope that the information below provides some guidance on how to keep students active with academics during this time. This district-wide guidance was shared with BRRSD educators on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 as means of ensuring consistency in academic expectations.
Communication:
Teachers, service providers, principals, and district administrators will be checking their emails every weekday and will respond to emails within 24 hours. Teachers and service providers will reach out to their classes or caseloads at least once weekly with the purpose of maintaining connections. We have asked them to establish a predictable, routine check-in process in order to continue the important relationships they have with your children. This communication may take the form of whole-class or individual emails, phone calls, or Google hangouts/virtual meetings.
Academic Resources:
Teachers will provide resources and/or activities to families to help students maintain skills already taught and/or to offer options for enrichment. We encourage BRRSD families/students to continue checking their teachers’ Unified Classroom, Google Classroom, Class Dojo pages, as well as other designated educational sites for these learning opportunities. For the time being, there will be no new instruction for students or expectation of work completion, however again we are anticipating new/additional educational guidance from the DESE Commissioner and this is subject to change.
Technology:
While schools remain closed, we all need to rely heavily on technology to communicate and provide opportunities for academic activities. We understand that this poses a hardship for many families with limited access to devices and/or internet services. If your child needs a device, please contact me at (508) 558-5491 and we will arrange a pick up for a district Chromebook. Please know that Comcast is also offering free hotspots and internet access to families. Go to
internetessentials.com for more information.
We realize that this unprecedented time has place strains on families and educators alike however, we must continue to work together as a team and community in order to do right by our children. I thank you for your time and please stay well.
Respectfully,
Derek J. Swenson, Superintendent of Schools
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WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME
Have fun with us and bee entered to win a
$15 gift certificate to Pinches & Pounds Candy Store Rt 18, Whitman, MA!
Historical Tidbit Question
:
What two families used Carver Pond’s water power to run an iron mill?
We are looking forward to giving you more opportunities to win!
By entering, you give us permission to announce your name in next week's
Buzz Around Bridgewater.
On April 8, 2020 we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
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The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by
Deena Anzum,
Jen Bellody, Janice O'Brien, Megan Piche, Jacquelyn Rose, Gregory Venezia
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Parents...
"They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel." ~ Carl W. Buehner
"Kids don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.”
~ Jim Henson
“Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.” ~ Lady Bird Johnson, Former First Lady of the United States
"There is no need to be perfect to inspire others… Let people get inspired by how you deal with your imperfections.”
~Robert Tew
"It’s not our job to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world. It’s our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless.”
~ L.R. Knost
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You are your child's first and most important teacher. Take care of yourself so that you can show up as your most compassionate self for your child. We are rooting for you!
~ Jacquie
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Playing For Change's
Teach Your Children Well
This powerful live performance from Adelaide, Australia, features Tula, Roberto Luti and the PFC Band. This performance embodies all that they believe in: "soulful music with an inspiring message helping us to move forward as a human race, one heart and one song at a time."
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Copyright 2019 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 4/5/20")
Disclaimer: At the Buzz Around, we promote community and family. Occasionally, there will be links to town committees and other non-profit groups, as a way of sharing local information. Individual groups are responsible for how they represent themselves on their websites and in their promotional materials. The Buzz Around does not claim to support any particular view.
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