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Brockton BuzzAround
December 1, 2024
~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time.
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BHS Harmonics Perform at Bay State Show Choir Festival
Congratulations to the Brockton High School Harmonics for their wonderful performance in the Bay State Show Choir Festival this past Nov 9th.
The Harmonics put on a number of group production numbers, featuring vocal soloists Marlly Bourand, Ishwara Canario, and Nick Gaynor, and featured solo dancer Ellie Cabellon.
These students put on a truly fantastic performance and together displayed both their talent and school pride. Way to go, Boxers!
Source & Photo Credit: BHS FB
Story written by Sara MacKinnon, BuzzAround Intern, Providence College
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First Department Store Santa
With the holidays fast approaching there is no escaping the coveted Christmas music singing loudly over speakers, and the store's shelves stocked miles deep with all kinds of festivities to celebrate the season in whatever way you please. But there's one special holiday tradition that holds it's roots right in our own backyard.
In December of 1890, James Edgar of Brockton, Massachusetts became America's first ever department store Santa Claus. Edgar was a showman who liked to dress up and walk the isles of his Department Store in Downtown Brockton. In 1890 Edgar had his tailor make a special Santa costume to hang beside his George Washington, Clown, and Scottish Highlander outfits. For Christmas that year he made appearances, making childhood dreams come true.
Children ( with parents in tow) took the train to Brockton for the chance to meet Santa at Edgar's Department Store in Brockton from all over Boston, Providence, and New York. Many who had the chance to meet Edgar as Santa still look fondly back at these memories, describing the magic he created for them.
In the years that followed, department store Santas became a staple for the holiday season. While others may claim to have had a department store Santa before 1890, Santa historians still name our very own James Edgar as the first with a known identity, and the first to inspire more, making his appearances all the more special.
Written by: J. Rose
Sources:
New England Historical Society
newengland.com
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Submit to the City's Events Calendar:
Please follow this link to submit
City Hall
45 School St 508-580-7123
brockton.ma.us
Check the city website for important updates
Brockton Public Library
Main Library - 304 Main St. 508-580-7890
East - 54 Kingman St. 508-580-7892
West - 540 Forest Ave. 508-580-7894
brocktonpubliclibrary.org
instagram.com/teenzonebppl.
Council on Aging
Temporarily at The Shaws Center,
1 Feinberg Way 508-580-7811
Email coa@cobma.us
COA
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We were all too busy this week with Thanksgiving Celebrations to enter!
Bee sure to play our Historical Tidbit Trivia Game at the bottom of this newsletter.
Enter for this week's prize of
a free 1.5 hour class at
Bliss Through Yoga!
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Brockton Holiday
Decorating Contest
Mayor Sullivan and the Brockton Beautification Committee have announced their second Holiday Decorating Contest! This competition is for all Brockton homes and businesses. Help bring the community together and show our pride in Brockton!
Paper copies are available at City Hall, Recycle Center, Public Libraries, the Council of Aging, and some local churches and businesses. This paper application can be scanned and emailed to ilovebrockton@gmail.com or US mailed to Holiday Contest PO Box 254 Brockton, MA 02303. If you wish to apply online, use the QR code or visit the Holiday Contest Form. Applications must be received by the committee by Fri, Dec 6. Participants may decorate their home and exterior at their leisure, and the judging will take place on the weekend of Dec 13 and 14.
If you have any questions, contact ilovebrockton@gmail.com.
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Digger Foods
Farmers Market
Thursdays
10-11:00a
Massasoit Community College Brockton Campus Quad
1 Massasoit Blvd
Every Thursday through December, Massasoit Community College welcomes Digger Foods! Diggers Foods provides healthy foods from nearby farms at discounted prices to help fight food insecurity.
At their weekly Farmers Markets at the MCC Brockton Campus Quad, shoppers choose from fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish. HIP, EBT, and cash are accepted, and all are welcome!
Source: MCC FB
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Advent Soup for the Soul
Fri Dec 6, 13, & 20
12:00p
First Lutheran Church
900 Main St
First Lutheran Church invites you to a special lunchtime series filled with reflection, beautiful music, and community. Each week features a performance by a talented organist:
December 6: Mary Katherine Fletcher
December 13: Jeffrey Johnson
December 20: Steven Young
Enjoy a warm bowl of soup and an uplifting atmosphere during this free event, open to everyone. Take a moment to reflect and celebrate the season with us. For more information, call 508-586- 9021 or email ereuben@firstevlutheran.org
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Jubilate Choral Concert
Sun, Dec 8
3p
Christ Congregational Church
1350 Pleasant St
The Jubilate Chorale presents Love's Pure Light. Join Murray Kidd, Conductor and Artistic Director, James Hay, Principal Pianist, and special guests, the Rose Conservatory and the Xaverian Brothers High School Chorus for a Celebration of Peace and Joy through timeless holiday classics! Tickets for seniors and students are available for $15, and tickets for adults are $20. For group rates, call 508-427-6640. $5 tickets are available for participating organizations.
For more information, visit www.jubilatesings.org.
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Brockton Special City Council Meeting 11-25-24
Video Courtesy of The Brockton Channels
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City of Brockton Special Meeting Public Hearing 11-25-24
Video Courtesy of The Brockton Channels
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BHS Upcoming Concerts
Get ready for an exciting lineup of Holiday Concerts by the BHS Choir and Band! Upcoming school events are listed on the BPS Calendar and include:
- 7p Fri, Dec 13 BHS Holiday Jazz Concert
- 7p Tues, Dec 17 BHS Holiday Concert
- 7p Wed, Dec 18 BHS Holiday Concert
Additionally, First Lutheran Church of Brockton at 900 Main St invites you to a free holiday concert with the award-winning BHS Chorus at 7p Thurs, Dec 19. For more information on this community performance, contact ereuben@firstevlutheran.org or 508-586-9021.
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Holiday Handmade Shop
at Fuller Craft
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Holiday Handmade Shop at Fuller Craft is now open for the season!
Support local crafters and shop an array of handmade items – perfect for any gift or occasion!
Visit: fullercraft.org/museum-shop/
Like us on Facebook
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Local Advertising - BuzzAround | What do you want everyone to know about you? Let's put it where it will bee seen positively!!! 2 sized ads: Featured Five or Logo Link With either ad receive: Guaranteed ad views w/customized analytic reports for real feed-back!. Assistance with ad design. Opportunities to interact with our readers. | | | | |
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Climate Can Do:
Shop Local
$68 REMAINS HERE
For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $68 recirculates and remains in our local economy.
Only $43 remains in our community when it’s spent at a national chain.
Local businesses are owned by your friends and neighbors who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in our community’s future — just like you.
Repost courtesy of sustainableconnections.org
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Holiday Season Volunteer Opportunities
Brockton Cable Access is looking for volunteers this Holiday Season! Be part of the film crew for:
3-5p Sun, Dec 8 Jubilate Choral Concert at Christ Congregational Church.
3-5p Sun, Dec 15 Brockton Symphony Orchestra at BHS Fine Arts Auditorium.
To volunteer or learn more, contact Mike to Crew at msimmons@bcatv.org or 508-580-2228, or contact Mishelle to Crew at mishelle@bcatv.org or 508-580-2228.
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Brockton High School Football vs Bridgewater-Raynham
Thanksgiving Day Game 11-28-24
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Pippin!
Fri, Dec 13 at 8p
Sat, Dec 7 and 14 at 8p
Sun, Dec 8 and 15 at 3p
Massasoit Community College
1 Massasoit Blvd
The Massasoit Theatre Company presents Pippin, winner of four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival! The show will run for two weekends at Massasoit Community College Brockton Campus. Tickets are $20 general patrons and $18 for seniors, students, children, and veterans.
To learn more about the show, cast, and purchase tickets, visit www.massasoit.edu.
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GRANTING GROWTH
Economic Development Grant Programs for Communities & Business
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Pre-Recorded Webinar with Old Colony Planning Council Grantology Series – SPECIAL EDITION
OCPC "Grantology" webinar series, led by Grants Specialist Paul Umano, provides educational content to help navigate the many grants & programs available. This Special Edition w/ OCPC’s Economic Development team focuses specifically on key economic development programs.
Check this out! oldcolonyplanning.org/grantology
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Become a Founding Member of the Mom's Work & Play Lounge!
We're creating something new at The She Shed and we're thrilled it's almost here!
Learn more about Founding Memberships: thesheshed.info
Follow us on Facebook
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Baking for Paws!
Sat, Dec 14
12-3p
Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts
1300 West Elm St Ext
The APCSM is holding its monthly bake sale! Join us for yummy treats this December and directly benefit the shelter animals with your purchase. If you would like to donate to the bake sale, sign up with the APCSM Online Sign Up.
Source: APCSM FB
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Everyone Has a Voice
Poetry Series
Sat, Dec 14
2p
Driscoll Art Gallery
304 Main St
Join us for the Brockton Public Library Poetry Series: Everyone Has a Voice! The event will feature poets Marlon Carey and Anthony Pierre, and an open mic, so bring your voice! For questions or more information, contact Philip Hasouris at 508-942-8018 or phasouris@cobma.us, or contact Malice Veiga at 508-894-1424 or mveiga@cobma.us.
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St. Lucia
Festival
Sun, Dec 15
3p
First Lutheran Church
900 Main St
First Lutheran Church of Brockton invites you to come and celebrate St. Lucia!
This free event is part of a Swedish tradition and is open to all ages. For more information, contact ereuben@firstevlutheran.org or 508-586-9021.
Source: FLC
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2nd Annual Toy Giveaway
Sat, Dec 14 & Sun, Dec 15
12-4p
Brockton Community Access
1 N. Main St
The African American Association of Brockton is excited to announce our 2nd Annual Toy Drive to support local children and families this holiday season! Donate a toy for children of all ages, volunteer your time to assist with the event, or support partners and sponsors of the AAA who are helping make this event possible.
AAA of Brockton invites us to come together as a community and make this season brighter for everyone!
For more information or to get involved, please reach out to Jamie Hodges, President, at AAABrockton@gmail.com.
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The Charity Guild: Food Is Love
Since 1971, The Charity Guild (TCG) has served the people of greater Brockton with one mission: "to provide basic and necessary services to those unable to meet their primary needs of food, clothing, and household goods." The belief that Food Is Love is central to TCG as they target food insecurity. Collaborating with Brockton organizations, the goal is to combat poverty and bring nourishment, comfort, and hope to the city.
The Charity Guild serves as many as 25,200 individuals a year from their main facility at 501 Main Street, downtown Brockton and from their new on-campus location for students in Brockton High School. Every month, the team distributes up to 30,000 lb of nutritious foods, some perishable and some non-perishable, to families and individuals in need of assistance. In addition to establishing their second food pantry location, TCG has increased food pantry hours, expanded their Home Delivery Program for seniors and those who are homebound, and increased the amount of healthy food that they distribute each week, all in a tenacious effort to combat the growing food insecurity in Brockton.
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The most encouraging attribute of The Charity Guild is that its contributions are all made possible by the selfless volunteering of generous individuals.
TCG team members, donors, and participants in TCG initiatives' hard work sustains thousands. Every donation made--time, money, or goods--helps to make a difference. We, too, can be a part of this change.
To learn more about ways you can volunteer, donate, and contribute to The Charity Guild's mission, visit www.thecharityguild.org.
Thank you TCG for your service and dedication to the people of Brockton!
Source & Photo Credit: The Charity Guild
Story written by Sara MacKinnon, BuzzAround Intern, Providence College
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WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME
Have fun with us and bee entered to win:
a free 1.5 hour class at
Bliss Through Yoga!
Historical Tidbit Question:
What year did James Edgar first portray Santa in his store?
Email us your answer at:
Prizes@buzzaround.info Please include your name and phone number with your answer.
Prize Box Rules
By entering, you give us permission to print your name in next week's Buzz Around.
On December 4, 2024, before 2p, we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
| The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Sara MacKinnon, Jamie Puhi, Jacquelyn Rose & Greg Venezia | | |
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Positive Change
“There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind” ~ CS Lewis
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
~ Harriet Tubman
“The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude” ~ Oprah Winfrey
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change” ~ Albert Einstein
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
~ Maya Angelou
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There's only one constant, that's change. We can choose to fight it or we can choose to shape it, either way it happens.
So let's keep our eye on the positive ways we can build our future, together.
Bee Well,
~ 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 2024 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 12/1/24")
Your BuzzAround supports the dignity of all human beings, is actively anti-racist, and supportive of good law enforcement policies. At the Buzz Around, we promote community. The links provided are for informational purposes. BuzzAround is not responsible for the media content of other organizations.
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