March 1, 2020 ~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time
Duval Elementary 2020 Spaghetti
Dinner & Book Swap

Duval Elementary School held 2 family events recently.
The fundraiser dinner was on January 24 and The Book Swap was on February 4.

Video courtesy of WHCA9-TV
Historical Tidbit:
World War II Rationing Stamps
  
Back of booklet: "Rationing is a vital part of your country's war effort. Any attempt to violate the rules is an effort to deny someone his share and will create hardship and help the enemy. This book is your Government's assurance of your right to buy your fair share of certain goods made scarce by war. Price ceilings have also been established for your protection. Dealers must post these prices conspicuously. Don't pay more. Give your whole support to rationing and thereby conserve our vital goods. Be guided by the rule: If you don't need it, DON'T BUY IT." 
Rationing Book of Richard Alexander, courtesy of Margaret Alexander
Items were rationed because of shortages in the rubber and metal industries. Because trucks using rubber tires delivered processed goods, anything processed was rationed. As of February 1942, all metal work was converted to producing tanks, aircraft, weapons, and other military products, with the United States government as the only customer and so there was no longer available: metal office furniture, typewriters, radios, phonographs, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, and sewing machines.
 
Civilians first received ration books - War Ration Book Number One, 4 May 1942, through more than 100,000 school teachers, PTA groups, and other volunteers. A national speed limit of 35 miles per hour was imposed to save fuel and rubber for tires. Each person in a household received a ration book, including babies and small children who qualified for canned milk not available to others. To receive a gasoline ration, a person had to prove they owned no more than 5 tires, the extras would be confiscated.
 
April 1, 1942, anyone wishing to purchase a new toothpaste tube, then made from metal, had to turn in an empty one. On May 5, the US was rationed to 1/2 pound of sugar per person per week. Coffee was rationed nationally on 29 November 1942 to 1 pound every five weeks. By the end of 1942, rationing was in place for typewriters, gasoline, bicycles, footwear, silk, nylon, fuel oil, stoves, meat, lard, shortening and oils, cheese, butter, margarine, processed foods (canned, bottled, and frozen), dried fruits, canned milk, firewood, and coal, jams, jellies, and fruit butter.

Information from  ameshistory.org  
Life Magazine, 1941-1942 Google books
Town Hall
54 South Ave.
781-618-9700
Mon, Wed, Thu 8a - 4p
Tues 8a - 7:30p
Fri Closed


Public Library
100 Webster Street
781-447-7613
Mon-Thu 10a - 8p
Fri 1p - 5p
Sat (School Year) 10a - 4p


Council on Aging
16 Hayden Ave.
781-447-7619
Mon, Wed, Thu 8a - 4p
Tues 8a - 7p
Fri 8a - 1p
COA

St. Vincent de Paul/Whitman Food Pantry
By appointment only: 781-447-8560
Congratulations! 
Jillian Wiencko
won a
a 16 oz Bee Charmed candle, the scent of
your choice! (value $15.99)
from Bee Charmed Gift Shop
494 N. Bedford St (Rt 18), East Bridgewater


You should play our
Historical Tidbit Trivia Game
at the bottom of this newsletter.


You could win a
A $10 gift certificate to the Mama Deb's food truck. Enjoy delicious fresh Italian food or purchase some sauce to take home. View mamadeb.biz for upcoming food truck events
Audubon Preschool Program
Mom and Me: A Porcupine Story 
Wednesday March 4th
10:30 - 11:30a
Whitman Public Library
Children will learn about porcupines and their babies. Throughout this program we will focus on the amazing adaptations of porcupines in North America and around the world. Each participant will listen to a story before we examine quills under a microscope. Each child will make their very own clay porcupine mama or baby to take home. 
Ages 3-6. Sign up required. Siblings are welcome but please register only children who are ages 3-6.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Whitman Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Register
Pajama Drive for Homeless Children
Now through March 15th
The Whitman Public Library will continue with the annual Pajama Drive for homeless children, in conjunction with Cradles to Crayons and the Boston Bruins. We have a goal of 200 pajamas, and there is still time to try and reach that goal.
We appreciate the generous help of our patrons, who have already donated almost 80 pairs of pajamas. We still need some larger sizes for both boys and girls. Any questions call 781-447-7613. 
Community Garden News
I have received permission from The DPW Board of Commissioners to use the former softball field on Essex St. I plan on having a meeting with interested residents sometime in April to discuss plans, ideas, etc.. In the meantime if anyone has experience with these gardens and would like to contact me I would appreciate your input. I can be reached by email bmartin@whitman-ma.gov or at 781-447-7630 ~ Bruce Martin
5th Annual Multi-Cultural Business Forum & After Hours

Thursday, March 5th, 5- 7:30p, Fuller Craft Museum

Read more
www.facebook.com
32nd Annual Corned Beef and
Cabbage Supper
Saturday, March 7th
5:00p
44 Park Avenue
(by the Whitman Park bandstand) 
Includes full meal, beverage, dessert, live Irish music by Warren Philips and also raffles. 
Tickets at the door $15 or $13 for Seniors.
This event helps support church programs and outreach.
Dollars for Scholars to Hold “A Taste of Whitman and Hanson”
Thursday, March 5th
5:30p - 8:00p
VFW Post #697
95 Essex St., Whitman
Whitman & Hanson Dollars for Scholars will be celebrating the 13 th Annual “A Taste of Whitman and Hanson”. Up to two dozen local restaurants and food service providers will be offering samples from their menu to the general public.

Tickets are $15 per person in advance and $20 at the door with limited capacity. Ticket sales begin on February 15th at Duval’s Pharmacy, Ford’s Insurance, Sandy’s Coffee Corner and the Town Clerk’s Offices in Whitman and Hanson. Tickets may also be purchase online at here. .

A list of participating restaurants will also be available at that time. All proceeds from the evening will benefit Dollars for Scholars in the form of scholarships at Awards Night.

For more information, please contact Michael Ganshirt at 781-252-9683.
Video : CrossTalk; Michael Ganshirt, Whitman & Hanson Dollars for Scholars. WHCA-TV
BRIDGEWATER FARM SUPPLY
We're Your COMPLETE Garden, Farm & Pet Store!

WINTER IS STILL HERE!
We have everything you need to keep yourself, your pets, fish and feathered friends safe safe, and warm!
Stop in today!

1000 Plymouth St (Rt 104) Bridgewater • (508) 697-0357

Whitman Community Coming Together to Support Families following Tragedy
The Whitman community has rallied and is showing support for the Fay/Smith families. This sudden, terrible loss of life has the entire town of Whitman heartbroken. Our community, while mourning the deaths of these four family members killed in the tragic accident on Tuesday evening near Orlando, Florida is coming together to grieve, remember, and support the family.

A GoFundMe titled "Fay/Smith Family Fund" has been created by Sally Volpe Godin of Weymouth with a goal of $100,000.

Our crew here at BuzzAround send our thoughts and prayers out to the families. 
Fay/Smith Family Fund



Read more
www.gofundme.com
Needed: Sales People

Friendly and organized people are needed to meet with small businesses, explain Buzz Around products, and create marketing partnerships! *Work 25 - 40 hours per week *Make your own hours & create your own schedule ...

Read more
buzzaround.info
TRIO CAFE
Family Owned & Operated
Treat yourself to a yummy lunch!

We're Open: Mon - Sat: 8am - 4pm  
Sunday: 8am - 2pm

12 Temple St. * Whitman
(781) 447-1064
The BSU Observatory 
 FREE Public Nights
Weather allowing, the BSU Observatory will be open on the following dates in Spring 2020:
  • March 4 from 6:30 - 8:00p
  • March 18, 21, 25 and 28 from 8:00 - 9:30p
  • April 1, 8, 11, 15, 22, 25 and 29, and May 2 from 8:30 - 10:00p
You can also follow us on Twitter @BSUObservatory or call our hotline at 508-531-DARK for the weather decision. (The night has to be clear.)
Parking for these evening events is available in the West Campus Lot.
Water Meter Reading
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS CREW MEMBERS WILL BE CANVASING THE TOWN FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS CONDUCTING WATER METER READINGS.
ALL EMPLOYEES WILL BE WEARING DPW UNIFORMS AND WILL HAVE TOWN OF WHITMAN EMPLOYEE PICTURE IDENTIFICATION CARDS VISIBLE.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS PLEASE CALL THE DPW OFFICE AT 781-447-7630
The American Legion District 10 Meeting

Sunday, March 15th; 10a-12p; American Legion Post 22 Whitman, Massachusetts; 33 Legion Pkwy, Whitman

Read more
www.facebook.com
Winter Landscape
Mary Wright Julius' winter landscape photos features Caribou lichen, snowdrops (Galanthus), and red winterberries (Ilex verticillata). These miraculous species are unique and beautiful in their own way.

Thank you Mary for reminding us that spring is right around the corner!

WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME

Have fun with us and bee entered to win a
A $10 gift certificate to the Mama Deb's food truck. Enjoy delicious fresh Italian food or purchase some sauce to take home. View mamadeb.biz for upcoming food truck events

Historical Tidbit Question:
What was the rule when buying things during
war rationing time?

Email us your answer at: 

Please include your name, phone number with your answer. Prize Box Rules .


By entering, you give us permission to announce your name in next week's Buzz Around Bridgewater.

On March 4, 2020 we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Deena Anzum, Jen Bellody, Janice O'Brien, Megan Pich Jacquelyn Rose & Gregory Venezia
As we prepare to vote: Speak. Hug. Love.
I think about the expanse and the complexities of our nations and the world's issues and I become overwhelmed.

Then I remember this simple quote:

“If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbors.
If there is to be peace between neighbors,
There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.”
~Lao-tse
Please vote. It does matter that you be a part of our national & world community and choose who will speak for you.
And then go home, do something loving for yourself, hug your kids & tell family you love them. Our approach to personal relationships and caring for our own mind, body & spirit will save the world.
Peace, Jacquie

Video Credit: Who Will Speak For Me
(c) 2018 Joe Jencks/Turtle Bear Music
BuzzAround Exclusive Video
Copyright 2019 Buzz Around Whitman. You have our permission to share and copy this issue in its entirety or as much as you like. If you take it in part, please give credit: ("Buzz Around Whitman 3/1/20")  

Disclaimer: At the Buzz Around, we promote community and family. Links to other webpages share local information. Individual groups are responsible for how they represent themselves on their websites and in their promotional materials.