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December 31, 2023 ~
A Happy Happy, and a Merry, Merry
Building Community
One Positive Story at a Time.
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Hope in a Bottle
On Sunday, December 17, The Soul Project hosted an uplifting event for survivors from nonprofit organization Living in Freedom Together (LIFT). Marie Seager Scibeck from Helio and Luna Studio helped 15 women create their own naturally-scented body lotions. In addition, The Soul Project provided support and emotional enrichment through a workshop on the power of hope to help attendees on their healing journeys.
The Soul Project is a community organization that works to empower women from all different backgrounds, helping them embrace their inner strengths and feel supported. The organization is doing impactful work to promote personal growth and create a place where women can connect and deal with their struggles.
To donate, volunteer, or participate in the organization's programs, visit The Soul Project's website. In fact, you can start by joining their upcoming Women's Circles. See details below. |
Jan 8 & Jan 17, 6:30p
The Soul Project Studio
484 Bedford Street
Empowerment Coach Kaitlynn will be guiding the group through conversations to help release stress. All women are welcome to join this supportive space for free, where they can connect with others and work through any struggles they are experiencing.
Photo and Source Credits: The Soul Project FB page and website |
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Historical Tidbit:
New Year's Eve
In 46 B.C. the emperor Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar, which closely resembles the more modern Gregorian calendar that most countries around the world use today. As part of his reform, Caesar instituted January 1 as the first day of the year to honor Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, whose two faces allowed him to look back into the past and forward into the future. Romans celebrated by offering sacrifices to Janus, exchanging gifts with one another, decorating their homes with laurel branches and attending parties.
New Year’s celebrations begin New Year’s Eve and continue into the early hours of January 1. In Spain and several other Spanish-speaking countries, people eat one grape for each clock chime-symbolizing their hopes for the months ahead. "In many parts of the world, traditional New Year’s dishes feature legumes, which are thought to resemble coins and herald future financial success; examples include lentils in Italy and black-eyed peas in the southern United States. Because pigs represent progress and prosperity in some cultures, pork appears on the New Year’s Eve table in Cuba, Austria, Hungary, Portugal and other countries. Ring-shaped cakes and pastries, a sign that the year has come full circle, round out the feast in the Netherlands, Mexico, Greece and elsewhere. In Sweden and Norway, meanwhile, rice pudding with an almond hidden inside is served on New Year’s Eve; it is said that whoever finds the nut can expect 12 months of good fortune. " (History.Com)
The dropping of a giant ball in New York City’s Times Square at the stroke of midnight has taken place almost every year since 1907. Over time, the ball itself has ballooned from a 700-pound iron-and-wood orb to a brightly patterned sphere 12 feet in diameter and weighing in at nearly 12,000 pounds.
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Town Hall
175 Central St
508-378-1601
E. Bridgewater Public Library
32 Union St 508-378-1616
Council on Aging
355 Plymouth St 508-378-1610
Email & phone contact only
Food Pantries
Union Congregational Church
105 Pleasant St
2nd Wednesday from 12:30 - 2p
& last Saturday from 9:30 - 11a
Pre-Packed bags for pick up only.
St Vincent dePaul Food Pantry
St. John's Catholic Church
210 Center St, EB
(508) 378-3760
Pantry days will be the first Monday of the month, except for holidays, 3 - 5:30p, and the third Monday, 3p - 4:30p, except for holidays.
Free Community Meal
EBUMC 54 N. Central St.
Every Wednesday 5:30 - 6:30.
Donations welcome.
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Congratulations!
Jen Giorgi
Bee sure to play our Historical Tidbit Trivia Game at the bottom of this newsletter.
Enter for this week's prize of
$15 gift certificate to Pinches & Pounds
Candy Store Rt 18, Whitman!
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2024 Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters Polar Plunge Fundraiser
Mon, Jan 1
9:30a-10:30a
Onset Beach
Join the Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters, along with the Rotary Club of Brockton, at Onset Beach for this year's Polar Plunge!
Not only will you be celebrating 2024 with your community, but you'll also be helping a great cause by raising funds for local and global projects. Let's start off the new year by helping others!
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EB Master Plan Survey
Your help is needed! EB and the Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) are putting together a Master Plan—a guide that shapes local rules and charts out projects for the town's future, spanning the next decade or more. Crafting or updating this plan is an opportunity for the town and its residents to have a conversation. It's a chance to discuss what EB does well, where it needs improvement, and how it's evolving. Residents, like you, can use this moment to voice what they desire, what they require, and their hopes for the community. Let's work together to create a vision for East Bridgewater's future!
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Volunteers Needed for Master Plan Committee!
Thursday, Jan 4
You can also participate by becoming a volunteer! Town Administrator Charles Seelig and the Old Colony Planning Council are looking for community members to serve on the Master Plan Committee. If you are a Town employee, resident of East Bridgewater, or someone who works in East Bridgewater, your are eligible!
Committee members will help draft the new Master Plan, which will be presented to the East Bridgewater Planning Board for approval at a future meeting. If you'd like to be on the Committee, fill out the volunteer form and submit it to Rebecca Johnson through email or contact the East Bridgewater Selectboard at 508-378-1601. The deadline to apply is Thursday, January 4.
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My Snowman & Me
Video Courtesy of School on Wheels of Massachusetts
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Seeking Donations for Children in Need
School on Wheels of Massachusetts is a nonprofit organization that helps students impacted by homelessness. You can aid in their mission and make a difference in a child's life by donating on the organization's website.
For more information on the impact your donation can make, watch the organization's My Snowman & Me video.
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Tunes for the Holidays
On Sunday, December 17, the East Bridgewater High School Band did an amazing job playing Christmas songs at Skinner's Sugar House!
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5th & 6th Grade Winter Concert
December 21, 2023
Video Courtesy of EBCAM
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Climate Can Do: Climate Resolutions
The new year is a time for fresh starts and new goals. Head into 2024 with climate resolutions.
Help your personal & our collective environment by disposing of unwanted items properly. To avoid sending to the landfill; schedule a home textile pickup with CMRK. This company collects clothing, shoes, and household items. For more information, visit www.cmrkne.com.
If you have unwanted, but still useable items, donate them to organizations or those in need. For example:
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My Brother’s Keeper: This organization accepts furniture donations and gives the items to underprivileged families.
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AMVETS: Schedule a pickup with AMVETS and help provide resources to veterans.
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Books: Donate to your local library
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Sports equipment: The Bench, located at 47 Broad St, Bridgewater, MA, is a sporting goods store that sells used sports equipment.
Mass.gov also offers resources for disposal and donations that you can use. Here are some options to get you started:
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Beyond the Bin: This is a research tool that helps you find nearby drop off locations based on the type of material you’d like to recycle. This includes everything from electronics to clothing to toys!
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Cradles to Crayons: If you have goods suitable for children from ages newborn through 12, find a Cradles to Crayons drop-off location near you, and they will make care packages with the donations for local children in need.
There are many ways to make a positive impact on both your community and the environment. Use these ideas to spark some of your own, and let’s make a resolution to bring sustainability into the new year!
This Climate Can-Do Article was written by Alexa Pennington, Southern New Hampshire University, BuzzAround Intern. BuzzAround focuses on actions we can do to live more sustainably. We can do it!
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Introducing our Cranberry Balancing Facial. Great for all skin types!
Especially great when you feel dull and congested.
225 Bedford St/Route 18 -
Carriage Crossing
East Bridgewater, MA
508.378.1530
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Weekly Services
Sundays at 10am
and please stay for coffeehour
An Open & Affirming Congregation
Union Congregational Church
105 Pleasant St
East Bridgewater, MA
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Troop 29's Christmas Tree Pickup
Jan 7, Jan 13
Scouts BSA Troop 29's Annual Christmas Tree Pickup! For a $10 service fee, the troop will collect and recycle Christmas trees from the curbside on December 30, January 7, and January 13.
Residents can schedule pickups at troop29trees.com.The initiative's proceeds support the scouts' adventures an d ensure inclusivity for youth aged 11-18 in scouting. For more information, please contact Mark Vecchione at markvbsa29@gmail.com or 781-983-4690.
Source: Mark Vecchione
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A Legacy of Service: Paul Hallinan Commemorative Crosswalk Ceremony |
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On the morning of Friday, December 8th, an important event unfolded at Gordon W Mitchell Middle School—a Crosswalk was officially dedicated to Paul Hallinan. This commemoration serves as a testament to his commitment to serving both the community and schools, particularly in ensuring the safety of our children.
Carole Julius, Chair of the Select Board, conveyed the sentiment stating, "The select board wishes to express our profound appreciation and gratitude for the devoted service rendered to our community by Paul Hallinan, who dutifully served as a school crossing guard for 15 years."
In a touching gesture, the fire chief revealed a specially crafted plaque at the designated crosswalk, a poignant tribute to Paul Hallinan and his invaluable contributions to our community.
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Cross Walk Dedication Ceremonies for Paul Hallinan - Special
Coverage of the Cross Walk Dedication Ceremonies for Paul Hallinan at the Gordon W. Mitchell School on December 8, 2023.
Read more
videoplayer.telvue.com
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Ed. note: I want to personally thank Paul for making sure my children, and all our children, got where they were going safely. He always greeted us, knew every child's name and watched after them. For us walkers, he was a guardian angel. Thanks, Paul. ~ Jacquie |
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Story by Kendall Fletcher, BuzzAround Intern, Southern New Hampshire University
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Air Duct / Vent Cleaning * Restoration & Rebuild * Water Damage & Mold
We are there when you need us!
(781) 910-5029
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HolidayHandmade
The Shop at Fuller Craft Museum
Expanded Shop Open til January 7, 2024
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Your destination for all gift-giving needs this holiday season!
Find unique and one-of-a-kind pieces from Artists both local and international.
Members Receive a 10% Shop Discount
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A Holiday Shopping Spree
for Local Children in Need
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Over the last couple of weeks, Guns N' Hoses has been shopping for gifts! This is part of the organization's annual initiative to help underprivileged schoolchildren during the holiday season by providing them with items like toys, new clothes, and school supplies. In partnership with East Bridgewater schools, the School Resource Officer helps identify families that would benefit from the donations. People also message the organization to recommend families in need.
This year, Guns N’ Hoses received help from the East Bridgewater Fire Department’s Toys For Tots Drive. Toys for Tots is the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve program that aims to collect and distribute toys to less fortunate children at Christmas. The Fire Department’s Toys for Tots Drive has been organized by Lieutenant Phil Woolf for many years. Additionally, Jillian DeJesus and Kristine Cacciatore volunteered as elves and helped Guns N' Hoses pick out gifts.
Along with the Fire Department, Guns N’ Hoses teamed up with Focused Nutrition to collect donations. Focused Nutrition put up a giving tree in their smoothie and juice bar, beautifully decorated with ornaments and gift tags. Customers could take a tag from the tree, purchase the gift on the tag, and then bring their gift back to be donated to local children.
Then on December 22, Guns N' Hoses police and fire personnel, with the help of National Honors Society High School students, delivered the Christmas gifts along with 37 meals. This is a wonderful example of the impact that can be made when community members unite under a common goal.
Guns N' Hoses is a nonprofit organization made up of the East Bridgewater Police Patrolman’s Association and the East Bridgewater Fire Department. Thank you to everyone who helped in their mission to brighten the holidays and bring smiles to a lot of faces!
Story Written by Alexa Pennington, BuzzAround Intern, Southern New Hampshire University
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WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME
Have fun with us and bee entered to win:
$15 gift certificate to Pinches & Pounds
Candy Store Rt 18, Whitman!
Historical Tidbit Question:
In which countries might you find rice pudding served on New Year's Eve?
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 January 3, 2023, before 2p, we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
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Starting Over
Now that we have a minute to breath...
it's a great time to weed out any old bad karma... habits or relationships, and this opens up space in your life for the new positive.
“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.
“It’s never too late to become who you want to be. I hope you live a life that you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald
“You can learn new things at any time in your life if you’re willing to be a beginner. If you actually learn to like being a beginner, the whole world opens up to you.” ~ Barbara Shur
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Start over.: grow, learn, evolve, progress & create! You are beautiful as you become a better you! Happy New Year! ~ Jacquie |
The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Bailey Henschen, Alexa Pennington, Jamie Puhi, Jacquelyn Rose & Greg Venezia. |
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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 2023 Buzz Around East 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 East Bridgewater 12/31/23")
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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