December 25, 2022 ~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time
Raynham's Bluestone Bank Contributes to United Way of Greater Plymouth County’s Annual Coat Initiative “Warmer Winters."
Spreading Warmth During Challenging Times 
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 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.
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
Photo Credit: United Way of Greater Plymouth County
Story Credit: Primrose Morrison
Historical Tidbit: 
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.
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

TOWN HALL
Town Clerk
508-824-2700
Treasurer/Collector 
508-824-2702
Assessors    508-824-2704
Selectmen        508-824-2707
Building Dept.       508-824-2708
Board of Health      508-824-2766
Planning         508-824-2745
Veterans Service Officer 508-828-4527

Public Library
508-823-1344

Council on Aging
508-824-2740
COA

Food Pantry
2nd and 4th Thursday of the month
9 - 11a
494 Church St, Raynham
774-406-5612
Congratulations!
Wanjiku DePina
You won a One hour of coaching. (value $80)
with Glee Works Holistic Personal Coaching
781-223-8221 MarcyVenezia@gmail.com
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
Novels @ Night
January 10 @ 6:30p

A new book club will be starting at The Raynham Public Library. Meetings will be held the second Tuesday of each month. Drop in and help to pick the first book.
For information check out The Raynham Public Library Facebook Page
15th Annual RAVE Craft Fair
Video courtesy of The Raynham Channel

On December 3rd the 15th annual Rave craft fair took place at St Ann's parish center in Raynham. The event had about 30 craft tables, yummy baked goods, and a raffle table full of fun items and crafts to win. At the end of the fair the proceeds went to benefit Raynham schools and programs, like money towards scholarships for their high school students. The event had such a great turn out and plans to happen again next year, the first Saturday in December.
Raynham Park and Recreation Department Drama Kids Registration

Drama Kids is a developmental drama class. Classes include a wide range of creative activities that promote leadership, communication skills, and self-confidence. Build a foundation of drama skills such as projection, articulation, dramatic movement, and improvisation. Make magic happen during group scenes then take the spotlight in an imaginative solo scene! Join Drama Kids with an end-of-the-year Spring Performance.
Upper Primary (grades 3-4) 3:30 - 4:30p
Lower Primary (grades K-2) 4:45 - 5:45p 
Acting Academy (grades 5+) 6 - 7p
Located at the LaLiberte School Cafeteria
Tuition is $70.00/month

Register here
Raynham Board of Selectmen
12/13/22
Video courtesy of The Raynham Channel
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.
Climate Can-Do:
Frugal Beauty

Frugal living is about using & re-using: checking what you have and whats 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.

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. 

To sign up: www.uwgpc.org
Wishing you and yours a Happy and Healthy New Year from all your friends at Bridgewater Farm Supply!

1000 Plymouth St (Rt 104) • Bridgewater • (508) 697-0357
Five Tips for Managing Holiday Stress
Whether gearing up for your first family holiday at home or planning holiday travel, these five easy steps will keep you prepared and ready for any holiday stress that may come your way.
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.
Support the Raynham Library

Purchase a Community Bag at the Raynham Stop and Shop to support the Raynham Public Library. For every $2.50 Community Bag purchased during the month of December, the Library will receive a $1.00 donation from each purchase.

For more information, please visit The Raynham Public Library Facebook.
Meals on Wheels 

Nutritious meals delivered to the home on a daily basis for Raynham residents over the age of 60. Please call Bristol Elder Services Information, (508) 675-2101 or (774) 627-1390
to register.

For more information, please visit the Town of Raynham COA Food Resources and Assistance page.
Line Dancing
Wednesdays, 1p
Senior Center
2215 King Philip Street 

Line dancing every Wednesday at 1p with Steve Cavanaugh. $3 per class.

For more information, please visit The Town of Raynham's Council on Aging page here.
Find YOUR Bliss with
BLISS THROUGH YOGA!
Release your stress & spinal tension this Saturday.

Register Today!
Svaroopa yoga excels at releasing the deep tension in your body. While the benefits of this style of yoga are profound, it is very easy to do. We use the alignment of the body, rather than a lot of effort, along with blankets for propping to make the poses accessible, supportive and effective.

516 N. Bedford St, East Bridgewater
(508) 331-3564

Always something fun & engaging happening in your BuzzAround! In addition to stories, we host photo & recipe contests; historical trivia; Prize Box drawings and more. Our 15,000 subscribers love to shop local! We offer targeted advertising with:
  • Design support.
  • Marketing Consultation.
  • Opportunities for interaction with our readers.
  • Option to change your ad weekly.
  • Customized Run Report for real feed-back!
With our advertising, you reach active community members and show your civic-minded self by promoting the activities that make our communities great places to live. Neighbors supporting neighbors. Buying local helps all of us. Our readers keep their purchases close to home, join them!

BRRSD Holiday Volunteer Day

Students were happy to volunteer this past Saturday at BRRHS collecting gently used items for a holiday shop that provides free gifts to students for their families. The community was incredibly generous! Mrs. Kendall and the Key Tree team are thankful for the support from the BR community in addition to both Bridgewater and Raynham residents! If you missed the event, items can still be dropped off to the wonderful office staff at the high school. Thank you to everyone who donated! 

Info from: BRRSD FB
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 given to the winners of events in the Olympic Games in Greece?

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 28, 2022, before 2p, we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Mohamed (Moe) Ibrahim, Primrose Morrison, Janice O'Brien, Jacquelyn Rose & Greg Venezia.
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
We need more prayers, wishes and meditations on peace. I am sending some out today. Join me? ~ Jacquie
Your BuzzAround supports the dignity of all human beings, is actively anti-racist, and supportive of good law enforcement policies. 
Copyright 2022 Buzz Around Raynham. 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 Raynham 12/25/22")
 
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