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December 10, 2023 ~
Building Community
One Positive Story at a Time.
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Bridgewater State University Professor
Named Massachusetts' Counselor Educator of The Year!
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For the past two decades, Dr. Christy Lyons Graham has dedicated herself to teaching at Bridgewater State University. Her outstanding commitment to her role recently culminated in the well-deserved recognition of Massachusetts Counselor Educator of The Year, awarded by The Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association. Over the years, Dr. Lyons Graham has embraced many responsibilities, transitioning between roles such as department chair, fieldworker director, and the founding faculty advisor of Chi Sigma Iota—an esteemed international counseling honor society. Fueled by the inspiration drawn from her students, Dr. Lyons Graham gratefully acknowledges their part in sustaining her motivation each semester. We want to extend a big congratulations to Dr. Graham for this remarkable honor!
Story by Jamie Puhi, BuzzAround Intern, SNHU
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Christmas in Bridgewater 1960
Part 1 Preparing for the Big Day
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Bridgewater is a small New England town. I have had the pleasant advantage of living in it, in one place, for my whole life. I was also lucky enough to have at least 30 relatives living within a one-mile radius of my childhood home.
The Moore’s were a one car family, and my dad usually took it to work. Yes, there were times when Mom really needed the car so Dad would take the bus into Brockton, but for the most part we were town-bound. Back then, big box stores were a thing of the future and our town center had everything; groceries, a bowling alley, theater, playgrounds, hardware store, clothes, doctors, and dentists. Daily needs and holiday celebrations were all within walking distance of our house.
One of the sure harbingers of Christmas was the arrival of the Sears and Roebuck Christmas Toy catalog. It provided hours of wonderment, dreams and the source of endless conversation among friends in school. We would leave slips of newspaper to mark the pages in hopes that Santa would take notice.
Shortly after Thanksgiving, by a week or so, and not before, decorations for the holiday would appear. In school we would make large paper candles to place in the windows of each classroom. Laying down a layer of solid color so thick that they would almost shine would wipe out our supply of red, yellow and green crayons.
In the town center, the local appliance dealer broadcast Christmas carols from loud speakers on the roof of his store. The merchants enhanced their display windows with strings of multicolored lights until all the store fronts were brightly illuminated. A light snowfall and some cold weather would cap off the scene, making the Bridgewater Common look like a scene from a Hallmark Christmas special.
Around the first of December a group of volunteers would decorate the town common with brightly colored wooden, almost life size toy soldiers, miniature buildings for the elves, and, of course, Santa and his sleigh. Later I learned that they were constructed from the wooden cases that were once casket shipping containers from the local undertaker. The Christmas decorations were crafted by high school students and then painted by the volunteers. On the front lawn of the Academy Building would be a traditional manger display.
Part 2 The Town Celebrates, Next Week
Respectfully Submitted, David Moore
Edited by J. Rose
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Academy Building Municipal Offices
66 Central Square
508-697-0921
Bridgewater Public Library
15 South Street
508-697-3331
Cole-Yeaton Senior Center
10 Wally Krueger Way
508-697-0929
Food Pantry
Central Square Congregational Church
71 Central Square
508-697-6016
Thursdays - 10a - 1p
1st Monday of each month from 6 - 7:30p
St Vincent dePaul Food Pantry
@ St Thomas Aquinas Church
103 Center St
2 x month 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m
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There's Still Time to Get Out a Holiday Ad
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Congratulations!
Diana Glass
won
A Decorated 12” Wreath (value $34)
Halifax
Bee sure to play our Historical Tidbit Trivia Game at the bottom of this newsletter.
Enter for this week's prize of
a 45 minute Reiki Treatment with
Jacquelyn Rose
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Social Justice Choir
Wed, Dec 13
5:30p
Bridgewater Public Library
15 South St
Experience an uplifting evening with the Bridgewater State University's Social Justice Choir as they present songs of peace. Your presence is warmly welcomed! Source Credit: BWPL FB
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Giving Tree for
Foster Teens
From Now Through December 15
Bridgewater Public Library
15 South St
The Bridgewater Public Library is collaborating with South Shore Foster to collect unwrapped gifts for foster teens. This is a great opportunity to give back during the holiday season! You can stop by the library to take a tag or two from the giving trees located there. Let's work together to make a difference! Source Credit: BWPL FB
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Additional Free COVID Tests Available!
The U.S. government is offering to send another round of four at-home virus tests ahead of the typical surge in cases during the winter holiday season.
Anyone who did not order a batch of four COVID-19 tests in September can secure up to eight of them this time here at COVIDtests.gov. Those who received four of them earlier this year can order another four. The U.S. Postal Service will deliver them for free. Find more info at Free COVID Tests. |
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BW COA
December Events!
10 Wally Krueger Way
Art For All
Dec 14th, 12p
Line Dancing
Dec 20th, 9p
Don't miss out on the creative vibes at Art For All or the lively footwork at the Line Dancing event!
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BW Little League
Majors Tryouts
Fri, Dec 22, 6 - 8p
Bridgewater Sports Complex
350 Bedford St
Bridgewater Little League will be hosting its Majors tryouts/evaluations for all players league aged 10-12 on Friday December 22nd from 6-8 pm at The Bridgewater Sports Complex located at 350 Bedford St.
For more information about tryouts and to sign up to reserve your spot, please visit the BLL website
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Support the School Store!
The Kids of Central Square Congregational Church are partnering with Cardinal Cushing School in Hanover to ask for your help to enhance their unique school store experience as a part of their Season of Giving theme. The kids are asking for people to donate items for the school store at Cardinal Cushing School.
You can help by donating items valued at no more than $5 to keep the school store stocked with cool rewards. Think toys, coloring books, colored pencils, markers, games, and puzzles – items that add an extra dash of fun to the learning experience.
Drop-off Locations:
Church Side Door: Unwrapped items can be left in the donation box inside the side door to the church (Church St. entrance) during office hours, meetings, or Sunday worship.
Church Thrift Shop: Visit the donation box at the church thrift shop on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 10 AM and 1 PM.
Questions or Further Assistance:
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Climate Can Do: Recycling Trees & Electronics
While there is much to celebrate this time of year, it's important to remember that these times also generate more waste than usual. As we approach the holiday season, let’s take a moment to consider all the ways we can be more environmentally friendly.
Recycling Christmas Trees
If you are buying a real Christmas tree this year, please remove the tree of all decorations like tinsels, ornaments, metal rings and do not cover the tree in plastic bags when throwing them out. Some towns recycle natural Christmas trees into mulch that can be used for municipal landscaping projects. So please take a moment to clear your trees before tossing them out!
In Bridgewater, our Boy Scouts will pick up Christmas trees. More information to come.
Recycling Electronics
Did you received a new phone or tablet during the holidays? Consider recycling your old electronics instead of throwing it out. Any Staples store accept old electronics everyday. Check out the Staples website for the list of electronics they accept. Below are some Staples locations in the area:
- 600 S ST W, Raynham
- 500 Westgate Dr, Brockton
This Climate Can-Do Article was written by Queenie Chen, Tufts University BuzzAround Intern. BuzzAround focuses on actions we can do to live more sustainably. We can do it!
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2024 Dog Licenses Available Now!
2024 Dog Licenses are now available for purchase at the Town Clerk’s Office in Bridgewater. Valid from January 1st through December 31st, these licenses are a must for all dog owners. To make the process easy, a dog licensing form for the entire calendar year will be sent to all residents alongside the 2024 Annual Town Census.
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Physical Therapy University
Bridgewater * Middleboro * Buzzards Bay
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This December, gift yourself strength, confidence, and community!
Join our 4-week Ladies Only Strength Class on Wednesdays at 8:40, starting on December 6th.
Classes are just $25 and run through December 27th.
Invest in yourself and join the empowering community of women reaching their fitness goals together!
📞508-697-2000
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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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Warmth In Cold Places
As the weather begins to get colder, the need to help others stay warm in our community grows. Please consider donating new or very gently used hats, gloves, socks, sweat shirts, base layers and coats (winter items only). Cash donations are greatly appreciated and will go towards the purchase of needed items. Checks can be mailed to the church at 71 Central Square, Bridgewater, and online donations may be made at csccucc.org.
Please bring all items to donate to Central Square Congregational Church, and place in the receptacle container marked "Warmth in Cold Places" found in the shelving unit inside the side entrance (Church St. entrance). We will be collecting until further notice. Questions? 508-697-6016 or office@csccucc.com. The church is open Tue, Thu, and Fri 9-1; Wed 11-3; and Sun 9-11.
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Town Council Meeting
December 5, 2023
Video Courtesy of the Town of Bridgewater
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Budget and Finance Committee Meeting
December 5, 2023
Video Courtesy of The Town of Bridgewater
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Catapult Competition at Bridgewater Middle School! |
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Sixth graders of the Blue Team at the Bridgewater Middle School hosted a catapult competition right before they left for Thanksgiving break! Their catapult and cabin designs were influenced by their reading of Rick Riordan's book, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. The students had a blast in this competition where they tried to destroy other team's cabins with their catapults. Congratulations to the winning team of the catapult competition!
Story by Queenie Chen, Tufts University BuzzAround Intern
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WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME
Have fun with us and bee entered to win:
a 45 minute Reiki Treatment with
Historical Tidbit Question:
How many of David Moore's relatives lived in Bridgewater?
Email us your answer at:
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 December 13, 2023, 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: Jen Bellody, Bailey Henschen, Alexa Pennington, Jamie Puhi, Jacquelyn Rose & Greg Venezia. |
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A Light in the Darkness.
“Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.” ~ Rabindranath Tagore
“In the darkest skies, we see the brightest stars.” ~ Richard Evans
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.
“Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.” ~ Anne Frank
Or sometimes, we must accept what is, and that brings us peace...
"If light is scarce, then light is scarce; we will immerse ourselves in the darkness and there discover its own particular beauty." ~ Junichirō Tanizaki, In Praise of Shadows
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Here we are in darkness, the shortest days. We can shine and twinkle brightly, or immerse in the darkness and find the beauty it. Either is magical.
~ 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 2023 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 12/10/23")
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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