December 25, 2022 ~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time
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Rotary Club & Pilgrim Foundation of Brockton Make Contributions to United Way of Greater Plymouth County’s Annual Coat Initiative “Warmer Winters."
Spreading Warmth During Challenging Times
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United Way of Greater Plymouth County recently generated funds for its 8th Annual "United Way Warmer Winters” initiative to purchase warm jackets for local children in need in Greater Plymouth County. Since 2015, this initiative has helped over 2,530 children to keep warm.
Generous donations were received this year from Alissa Alley, Bluestone Bank, Colene Byrne, Karen Chapin, and Carole Martyn in honor of their parents Richard and Claire Farley, Rosemary Healey, Jackson & Irene Golden Charitable Trust, Joe Kameese, Marie Kelly, Linda Kenney-Logan, Lynch & Lynch, Macy’s, Michael McCarthy, Tracy Rosebrock, Ellen Rosenbaum, Rotary Club of Brockton, Shapiro Scott Foundation, Cheryl Showstack, The Pilgrim Foundation, and Whitman Homes. With funds from the Hurley Trust and with these compassionate donations, United Way was able to allocate $26,979 to help low-income children in Greater Plymouth County.
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The funds to purchase coats were donated to BAMSI’s Helpline, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro South, Brockton Day Nursery, Family & Community Resources, Father Bill’s & MainSpring, Health Imperatives, Plymouth County Family Support, Quincy College Plymouth Campus, The Arc of Plymouth & Upper Cape Cod, and United Way’s Family Center.
To see more photos that will continue to be shared in United Way’s Warmer Winters series, please visit the United Way of Plymouth County Facebook page
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Photo Credit: United Way of Greater Plymouth County
Story Credit: Primrose Morrison
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Wreaths and Kissing Boughs
Hanging a circular wreath of evergreens goes back a long way. In Roman times, wreaths were hung on doors as a sign of victory and status. Rich women wore them as headdresses to show they were posh, and laurel wreaths were worn by Roman Emperors. "They were also given to the winners of events in the original Olympic Games in Greece."
"The word 'wreath' comes from the Old English word 'writhen' which means to writhe or twist." Modern holiday wreaths might have come from the German or Eastern European custom of Advent Wreaths or they could have started as Kissing Boughs.
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The Kissing Bough (or Kissing Bunch) was a popular form of mid-winter decoration in the middle ages. They "were made of five wooden hoops that made the shape of a ball (four hoops vertical to form the ball and the fifth horizontal to go around the middle). The hoops were covered with holly, ivy, rosemary, bay, fir or other evergreen plants." Inside the hoops, red apples hung from red ribbons and a candle was put inside the ball or round the horizontal hoop. "The bough was finished by hanging a large bunch of mistletoe from the bottom of the ball." A simple bough would just have a horizontal hoop decorated and hung with apples and mistletoe.
By the late eighteenth century, the English
had already adopted the custom of stealing
kisses beneath a bough of mistletoe. In the
nineteenth century, the English began to decorate their homes with Christmas trees. As the tree
became the focal point of Christmas decorations,
the kissing bough declined in popularity.
Kissing Balls are not just for the holidays anymore. They are used as garden accents, home décor and during wedding ceremonies. What plans do you have for your Kissing Ball?
Respectfully submitted, Jill A. Silvia
Pictured: Advent Wreath & Holiday Kissing Ball
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Submit to the City's Events Calendar:
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City Hall
45 School St 508-580-7123
Check the city website for important updates
Brockton Public Library
Main Library - 304 Main St. 508-580-7890
East Branch - 54 Kingman St. 508-580-7892
West Branch - 540 Forest Ave. 508-580-7894
Council on Aging
10 Father Kenney Way 508-580-7811
There are 14 food pantries in Brockton.
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Congratulations!
Wanjiku DePina
You won a One hour of coaching (value $80)
with Glee Works Holistic Personal Coaching
Learn mindful techniques to reduce stress
and anxiety.
Bee sure to play our Historical Tidbit Trivia Game at the bottom of this newsletter.
Enter for this week's prize of
$25 gift certificate to Johnny Macaroni's Restaurant, East Bridgewater & Halifax
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Family Fun Learning Program
Parents and children in our Family Learning Program discover the joy of reading together using the Scholastic website.
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Holiday Handmade
Quality Craftsmanship Close by!
One of A Kind Crafts @ Fuller Holiday Shop
Thru January 8th
Tuesday-Sunday, 10a - 5p
Find something special for everyone on your shopping list this holiday season! Visit the Holiday Shop for one-of-a-kind and handmade items such as jewelry, prints, glassware, clothing, home decor, and much more that you can only find at Fuller Craft Museum! Museum members receive a 10% discount on all items from the shop! Admission to the museum is free. For more information, visit FullerCraft.org.
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The Jubilate Chorale held their annual winter concert at Christ Congregational Church. This year's concert was called Vivaldi's Gloria
Video courtesy of BTV
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Wreaths for Veterans
Active & Retired members of Local 144 joined the community today for the annual Wreaths For Veterans at Melrose Cemetery. The event is sponsored by #JustCheckingIn Great work by Mary Waldron, Casey Perez, Daveson Perez and all the volunteers of Just Checking In.
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37th Annual MLK Breakfast
Don’t miss the Brockton NAACP’s 37th Annual MLK Breakfast. Keynote Speaker Rahsaan Hall. Saturday, January 21, 2023, 9a - Noon at Lombardo’s in Randolph.
You can also call 508-944-8212.
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Winter Clothes Drive
Monday - Friday
9a - 4p
Now until January 31st
Mayor’s Office
Town Hall
45 School Street
Mayor Sullivan is hosting a winter clothes drive to support the community by collecting new and gently used winter clothing. Donations can be dropped off at the Mayor’s Office inside City Hall until Tuesday, January 31st.
Donations being collected include
- new or gently used clean coats/jackets
- new hats, gloves, socks, and scarves
Please see the flyer or contact (508) 580-7123 for more information.
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STREAM Ahead at the Boys and Girls Club of South Metro
10 - 11a
Monday, Jan 9
Monday, Feb 13
Monday, Mar 13
Brockton Clubhouse
233 Warren Avenue
We've added an "R" to our Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics for READING! Join the Children's Museum Easton for a fun storytime and STREAM activities event! By incorporating literacy into the programming, we are promoting critical thinking and creativity with your little one.
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Lady CJ Soulfood Cafe
& Catering
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Our Customers Say: "The food is delicious and the hospitality is amazing. They make you feel right at home…" ~ Nikki Shaydez Ortiz
Cafe: BAT Terminal
10 Commercial Street
& delivery through door dash
(508) 423-9273
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Fusion Dolls
Doll & Toy Store in WestGate Mall
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Looking for that Special Gift ?
Stop by Fusion Dolls in Westgate Mall.
Locally owned & created!
Inside WestGate Mall
across from Kay jewelers
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United Way Funding Informational Session
January 12
9 - 10:30a
Zoom
United Way of Greater Plymouth County will host an informational workshop for any nonprofit organization interested in applying for United Way funding for FY 2024 (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024). The workshop will take place on Thursday, January 12, 2023 from 9 - 10:30a on Zoom.
All interested agencies, including first time applicants, are required to attend the workshop to be eligible for funding consideration.
With a mission to “unite people, ideas and resources to improve lives and to build a stronger community”, United Way of Greater Plymouth County aims to direct resources to the most vulnerable, lowest income population in our community. Therefore, we support programs that promote the education of our youth, the physical health and healthy lifestyles of our most vulnerable neighbors, and the financial stability of our families under the broad and interrelated pillars of Health, Education, and Financial Stability.
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For your Climate: Frugal Beauty
Frugal living is about using & re-using: checking what you have and what's available before buying something new.
Often our beauty products are overlooked when we are thinking about living climate-friendly.
Using what you have and being mindful about your purchases is good for your wallet and for the planet.
Our Climate Can-Do Articles from Jacquie focus on life changes that we can make, which will help mitigate the environmental changes of our climate emergency. Our goal is to keep the Earth's temperature from rising 1.5˚ C to lessen the sea rise. However, there are things we can do.
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Five Tips for Managing Holiday Stress
Take the Necessary Steps to Ensure Good Health
Eat right, get plenty of sleep and make sure you have your immunizations in order to stay healthy. In order to follow through with these goals, aim to plan your week ahead. This should include lunch and dinner menu, chores, etc. to help you have control of your schedule.
Take Time for Yourself
The holidays can be “all-consuming” so it’s important to take time to do the things you love. Read a book, watch a movie, exercise and get out in the fresh air. While you are gifting others, be mindful that 10 minutes alone can be a gift to yourself.
Learn to Say No
If you are feeling overwhelmed it’s okay to say no to things you really don’t want to do or don’t feel you have time to do. Sometimes others forget or do not realize the stress that another person is under. Find the best ways to communicate your needs and wants with those around you.
Don’t Spend More Than You Can Afford During the Holidays
Overspending causes stress during the holidays and afterward when the bills come in. As referenced before, make sure to plan ahead…this includes your budget. Keep in mind, the best gifts aren’t from the department store and are instead from the heart. Look for creative ways to gift-give whether through DIY projects or bargain shopping at your local antiques or thrift store.
Try Not to Overdo It
Don’t eat or drink too much because the extra pounds, though easy to put on, are difficult to take off after the holidays. Whenever you feel the urge to rid your self of stress through eating or drinking, take 10 breaths and think through why you are having this craving and how you can put this energy elsewhere.
The holidays are a time to relax and spend time with family and friends; don’t let holiday stress get in the way.
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Brockton Public Schools A.C.T. Conference
2022
Video Courtesy of BCA
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Brockton School Committee Building Naming Subcommittee Meeting
12-20-22
Video Courtesy of BCA
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Congratulations to Brockton's Cape Verdean Women United – they were named in North Easton Savings Bank's (NESB) 9th Community Voting Campaign. Each year NESB invites area non-profits to vie for a portion of their $5000 charity giving.
Cape Verdean Women United has successfully collaborated with other community organizations to bring culturally appropriate violence prevention education to the city while also encouraging, supporting, and empowering women to give back through volunteerism and community outreach. We wish them many more years of success!
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Genealogy Workshop with
Rev. Diane Badger
Saturday, January 14
162 Howard Street, West Bridgewater
We will cover the basics; starting with what you know and moving you back into your past. What are the sources available online; what are the sources to explore that are not online? Most of the workshop will concentrate on New England research, other areas will be covered. Bring a notebook to take notes, and any information you might have and we will try pointing you in new directions for your research. The cost is only $5 and starts at 1p.
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WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME
Have fun with us and bee entered
to win:
$25 gift certificate to Johnny Macaroni's Restaurant, East Bridgewater & Halifax
Historical Tidbit Question:
What were the Kissing Bough made of?
Email us your answer at:
Please include your name, phone number with your answer.
By entering, you give us permission to print your name in next week's Buzz Around.
On December 28, 2022 before 2p, we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
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The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Mohamed (Moe) Ibrahim, Janice O'Brien, Jacquelyn Rose, Maeve Stowe, & Gregory Venezia. |
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Peace.
"It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.”
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
“No person, no place, and no thing has any power over us, for 'we' are the only thinkers in our mind. When we create peace and harmony and balance in our minds, we will find it in our lives.”
~ Louise L. Hay
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.”
~ Jimi Hendrix
“When I say it's you I like, I'm talking about that part of you that knows that life is far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch. That deep part of you that allows you to stand for those things without which humankind cannot survive. Love that conquers hate, peace that rises triumphant over war, and justice that proves more powerful than greed.”
~ Fred Rogers
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We need more prayers, wishes and meditations on peace. I am sending some out today. Join me? ~ Jacquie |
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Your BuzzAround supports the dignity of all human beings, is actively anti-racist, and supportive of good law enforcement policies. |
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Copyright 2022 Buzz Around Brockton. 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 Brockton 12/25/22")
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.
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