Buzz Around Bridgewater, MA

Bridgewater Business Association 
Christmas on The Common
Sunday, Dec. 6, 
12-4 pm

A free fun family event, out on the common and inside the downtown locations. 

A big thanks to the Bridgewater Business Association for planning such a wonderful event. 
The Bridgewater Business Association, Inc., is a non-profit corporation, originally formed in 1984, devoted to the interests of the business community and the people they serve in the towns around Bridgewater, MA.  The BBA promotes unity between towns and the business community and is committed to promoting goodwill among business owners, interacting with town government, and encouraging growth of member businesses.  Though we are based in Bridgewater, we encourage and accept businesses from all communities!  Funds raised from Autumn-Fest, Christmas on the Common, and other events and activities we sponsor help fund and grow the BBA Charity Fund.  This fund has been established to help Bridgewater residents who seek assistance with life needs all year long.  The Bridgewater Business Association raises money to fund this account, as well as continue the operation of our organization.  Since 2005, the BBA has donated over $75,000 and helped more than 300 Bridgewater 
residents.


See the BBA website or Facebook page for more information. 



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Images courtesy of Steve Culp and the BBA Facebook page. 
A BIG "THANK YOU" to our Community Volunteers!

 Each week through December 31, 2015, we will feature shout-outs in the Buzz Around Weekender to our community volunteers: 

Like: 
"Pleasant Hill Cemetery WB thanks mason Steve Springhetti and his crew for their volunteer help this year re-setting vandalized head stones in July and November." ~ Lauren Delaney

and

"Thank you Pat McElroy for spending every Friday volunteering your time in the EB Town Clerk's Office; all of your work is immeasurable." ~ Dina Livingston

In addition to the Shout-Out, each person will be entered into a random drawing early January 2016 to receive any one of the following:  a $50 gift certificate to Grant's Rental; an hour-long Massage from Melissa Goldmann Massage Therapy; a $25 gift certificate to Johnnie Macaroni's; or a 7-day Shakology jump start - health kit w/shaker cup & a variety of flavors, value $35 from Ruggiero Fitness Concepts.  

Please give us names, emails, and just one sentence on why they are appreciated.  Events@buzzaround.info.  We will contact them to ask permission for the mention, and put them in the drawing for the gifts.
Join us in giving volunteers the recognition they deserve! ~ The Buzz Around Team
December 13, 2015

More Pix from BBA's Christmas on the Common 


     

   
Coming Together To Build Community

Please consider donating to Buzz Around's GoFundMe to hire a reporter.



Prize Box
 
 
Congratulations
Gina Coco   

Gina won a 16-oz candle from the East Bridgewater Candle Company
($17 value) 
  

You should play
our Historical Tidbit Trivia Game at the bottom 
of this column; 
you could win a 1.5-hr self- defense class for winner & 9 friends at MATA Karate, 
Rt 18, E Bridgewater

Send us your news: wb@buzzaround.info
 
Historical Tidbit :  
 
History of the National Christmas Tree
 
   On Christmas eve in 1923, Calvin Coolidge presided over the first public celebration of the lighting the National Christmas Tree.  This outdoor tree is not to be confused with the White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room.  The National Tree was planted in President's Park south of the White house.  The tree, donated by Vermont's Middlebury College, was decorated with 2,500 donated red, white and green bulbs.  Christmas carols were performed by the Epiphany Church choir and the Marine Corps band.
   The lighting ceremony of our tree has always reflected United States current events.  After the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, the celebration included a surprise visit from Sir Winston Churchill.  Wartime black-outs prevented the tree being lit from 1942-1944.  In 1954, President Eisenhower changed the lighting of the tree to December 17th to be part of the Pageant of Peace, an event devoted to maintaining peace throughout the world.  In 1980, the tree was lit for only 417 seconds symbolizing each day hostages had been held in Iran.  In 2001, the children of 911 victims helped light the tree.
   In 1973, a 42-foot Pennsylvania blue spruce was planted, donated by the National Arborist Association.  Before 1973, cut-trees were used.  In 1976 the tree began to die, so a 40-foot California Blue Spruce was donated by an anonymous family in Maryland.
   The lighting of the National Christmas Tree by the President of the United States & the Pageant of Peace continue to be celebrated each year.
 
Submitted by Robert Lundquist
 
 

Monday, December 14

Painters - 9a - Cole-Yeaton Senior Center (CYSC)
Lunch - noon - CYSC
Coloring For Adults - 1p - Library
Christmas Bingo - 4:30p - Library

Tuesday, December 15

Zumba - 9a - CYSC
Shopping - 10:15a - CYSC
Lunch - noon - CYSC
Water Comm - 5p - 90 Cottage St
Zoning Board - 7p - Police Station
Wednesday, December 16
Exercise - 9a - CYSC
Crafters - 9a - CYSC
Shopping - 10:15a - CYSC
Quilters - 11a - CYSC
Spanish Class - 11:15a - CYSC
Community Preservation - 6:30p - CYSC
Thursday, December 17
Zumba - 9a - CYSC
Cribbage - 1p - CYSC
Friday, December 18
Exercise - 9a - CYSC
Crafters - 9a - CYSC
Mah Jong - 9:30a - CYSC
Saturday, December 19
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Mass - 4p
Whist - 7p - CYSC
Sunday, December 20
First Parish Church - 10:30a 
Bridgewater Baptist Church - 10a
Saint Thomas Aquinas Mass - 7:45a, 10 and 12p 
Trinity Episcopal - 8am and 10a worship services, 10a Sunday school 
Central Square Congregational, UCC - 10a
Bridgewater United Methodist - 10a
Faith Chapel Assembly of God - school 9a, service 10a
Trinity Covenant - 10a
United Methodist - 10a - Worship & school 
New Jerusalem - 10:30a
Scotland Trinitarian Congregational - 10:30a 
St. Basil's Chapel - 10:00a and 5p - note new 5p time * -
BSU Campus  
West Bridgewater Baptist Church - 10:30a
 
* Information compiled in this issue from Town web sites, submitted information and "Senior Publishing."  Feel free to submit events & information from your non-profit group.
BRIDGEWATER FARM SUPPLY
 
Imaginative Gifts of All 
Colors & Sizes!
 Happy Holidays!

Like us on Facebook
 1000 Plymouth St 
 (Rt 104) 
Bridgewater
         (508) 697-0357 
 
"Coloring for Adults"
 Monday, December 14, at 1pm
Bridgewater Public Library
 
The newly popular adult activity, coloring with a 
Holiday/Winter theme.
  Use a multi-color array of pencils to color in Snowflake Mandalas,
Winter Scapes or Winter Scenes of your choice.  An appealing and
unique combination of patterns and organic imagery offers hours of imaginative coloring.  There are no rules to this new, fun and therapeutic pastime. 
All supplies will be provided.
The events at the Bridgewater Public Library are free and 
open to the public
Christmas Bingo, Bridgewater Public Library


The Wallace L. Anderson Art Gallery  presents:
"Expressions"
"Expressions" is a diverse collection of 2-D and 3-D work by the art students of the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School grades 10 - 12.  This exhibition focuses on the caricatures of the human face and form in a variety of mediums that span ceramic, watercolor, prints and drawings.

Exhibit:  December 9th - December 16th
This exhibit is free and open to the public.
40 School Street, Bridgewater
Open daily Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm

 "Meet the Artists" reception on December 16th from 4pm to 7pm. 
Light refreshments will be served.
No RSVP or tickets required.  
Thursday, December 17:  Metro South Chamber of Commerce  Breakfast to Feature Governor Baker

 Conference Center at Massasoit, 770 Crescent Street in Brockton from 7:30 am - 9:00 am.  This breakfast networking event will feature a very special guest, Governor Charlie Baker.
In the spirit of the holidays - we encourage you to bring non-perishable food items to donate to The Charity Guild and be entered for a special raffle prize!
 
Registration is required for this event.  Tickets are $25 for members and $35 for future members and includes breakfast as well as networking opportunities.  As always, don't forget your business cards!
Bridgewater Square Chiropractic
Annual Community Toy Drive
 to benefit "Operation Santa," Wed., Dec. 16, 2015, from 8:00-11:45 a.m. & 2:00-6:30 p.m. 
All current and former patients:  Bring in an UNWRAPPED NEW TOY for either a boy or girl to the office and receive an adjustment at NO CHARGE!!
 
(Complimentary adjustments are performed on 12/16/15 only.)
NEW PATIENTS ARE WELCOME, ALSO!!  Stop in and see our office and meet Dr. Perry and Dr. Ledin.  For your donation of an UNWRAPPED NEW TOY, you will receive a gift certificate for a Complimentary 
Consultation and Exam!!  
Please consider helping us to help the community. 

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                63 Main Street, Bridgewater     (508) 697-0050


VFW Community Breakfast 
Dec. 19, 2015
8 am - 11 am
40 Orange St., Bridgewater
Nessralla Farm Store

*Trees  *Wreaths * Cemetery  Baskets
 * Kissing Balls 
Homemade Ornaments and Arrangements
318 Plymouth St. (Rt 106), Halifax, MA  (781-293-6792)
 
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This holiday season, 
we have choices: 
we choose to be busy, 
or we choose to be calm;
we choose to buy lots 
or we choose to live simply;
we choose to nurture ourselves, or we choose to ignore our body & spirit;
we choose to be around people who hurt us, or we choose to be around those who love us.

Each day is a new chance to live with the wisdom we have gained from past experiences.  Let's be kind to ourselves this holiday season.  Live in hope & live in joy. 


East Bridgewater Family Branch, 635 Plymouth Street, East Bridgewater, MA 02333,  Phone 508-378-3913



The Mayflower Chapter of the New England Region of Embroidery Guild of America (EGA) will be displaying some of their needle artwork of embroidery at The Bridgewater Public Library 
during the month of December.



EGA has approximately 20,000 members in 
354 chapters in 13 regions scattered 
across the United States, 
plus one chapter on-line.

The New England Region, Inc., affectionately known by its members as NER, has approximately 875 members in 12 chapters.  These chapters and their area groups are located in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 
and Connecticut.


As a region, they offer Group Correspondence Courses, a Region Day educational program or tour and other educational opportunities.  

A multi-day seminar or stitch-in is held each year, giving region members a chance to study with nationally recognized teachers.  

Come and check out the whole display.
Bridgewater Public Library, 15 South St.
 Finding joy...
~ Jacquie

Town Buildings

 

Town Hall

64 Central Square

508-697-0921

Mon-Thurs 8a-4p

Fri 8a-1p

 

Public Library

15 South St

508-697-3331

Mon-Wed 9a-8p 

Thurs10a-5p

Fri & Sat 10a-2p

 

Cole-Yeaton Senior Center
10 Wally Krueger Way
508-697-0929

Mon-Thurs 9a-3p

Fri 9a-noon 

 

Food Pantry

Central Square Church

71 Central Sq.

 508-697-6016

Thursdays - 10a

Small Businesses make our Community Strong. Support them every day!
East Bridgewater Candle Company
Hand poured 100% soy candles,100% cotton wicks, no dyes.  Scented with a blend of essential and fragrance oils.
Available at:
Lavender Sky Gifts 
494 Bedford St
East Bridgewater

C.N. Smith Farm
325 South St
East Bridgewater, MA


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New Year's at Noon 
Dec. 31, 2015
10am- 1pm
Join us as we ring in 2016 with a "Midnight" Noon Celebration!
Special Count Down * Music * Activities * Refreshments * Games 


East Bridgewater  Family YMCA
635 Plymouth Street
East Bridgewater, MA 
 508-378-3913




Brockton Symphony 
Pops Concert
Sunday, Dec. 13th at 3:00   Brockton High School 

Don't miss our much-anticipated annual Holiday Pops Concert!  The holidays are quickly approaching... and what would the holidays be without music?  The Brockton Symphony Orchestra has prepared for you a special gift:  the gift of music. 

Conducted by Emilian Badeau, this concert will feature mezzo-soprano Margaret Lias and Brockton's Angelo Elementary School chorus.

For more information or to reserve tickets, go to  brocktonsymphony.org,
  Facebook or call 508-588-3841.
 
Come see pops favorites and many new pieces not heard before. 

This is an event for the entire family.  Children under 18 have free admission.  Adults: $25, 
Seniors & Students: $20
Lots of free parking and seating.




MATA Karate

"Never Lose The Fight Within"

After School Classes
Enrolling Now!

 516 North Bedford St
2nd Floor
East Bridgewater

Like us on Facebook
 
Please remember to
mention you read about these advertisers in the
 Buzz Around !
Chef Nick's Pork Roast Dinner and Bingo !!
Tuesday, December 15th
 at Noon
Bridgewater Senior Center
$4.00 donation
 Please call 508-697-0929
to sign up

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP with Kathy Hayes  Thursday, Dec 31
from 10:00 - 11:30 am
Bridgewater Senior Center

All are welcome to attend.
We are here to help and 
support each other!

  The Good Neighbor Energy Fund, offered by the Salvation Army, for EMERGENCY ONLY applications.
This means that those without  heat, or those with shut off notices can apply for assistance. The regular program applications will start being taken on January 4, 2016, 
for this heating season. 
Please note that the grant this year is for $300.00, up from $275.00 last year!  You must meet the income eligibility guideline in order to take advantage of this assistance. PLEASE NOTE:  If you are eligible for fuel assistance through Self Help (L.I.H.E.A.P.), you WILL NOT  be eligible for this assistance. 
Income Guidelines:  GROSS ANNUAL INCOME Household of 1 ....$33,126 to $44,168 
Household of  2 ...$43,319 to $57,759  
For an appointment, please call the Senior Center at 
508-697-0929
The Literacy Place in Bridgewater

It provides free one-on-one tutoring an hour or two a week; time arranged at the tutor and student's convenience.  But the student has to be 18 or older and also able to speak a little English.  We are looking for new tutors as well as students.
If you know someone who needs help with their English, or you can volunteer a few hours, contact:  
Betty Gilson
774-226-0942
11.20
 Try this Glitter Snowflake Craft! 

Watch these snowflakes crystallize overnight!  Make snowflakes by twisting 3 or more pipe cleaners together, adding small pieces to the ends.  Fill a narrow deep bowl or jar with 3 tbl borax and 1 cup of hot water; mix till borax is dissolved.  Tie the snowflake to a pencil and suspend in the water making sure the snowflake doesn't touch the sides of the bowl.
  Allow to sit overnight.  In the morning, remove snowflake from the bowl to find it magically turned to glittery crystal! 
Submitted by:  Sarah Primack
Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" an informative lecture at the Bridgewater Public Library
Presented by Historian and Professor Gary Hylander on Dec. 22
 
Charles Dickens' novella, "A Christmas Carol," published in 1843, has become one of the best loved Christmas tales of all time.  You know the story, but do you know the history behind it?  Join us as Gary Hylander sheds light on the history and vision of a most cherished work.
 
Hylander is currently an independent scholar who specializes as a presidential historian, a pedagogical specialist for the National Endowment for the Humanities and professor of history.
 
The event, which is funded by the Friends of the Bridgewater Public Library, begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Bridgewater Public Library.  It is free and open to the public.
 
 prize box  
WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME

Have fun with us
and beeee entered to win a 
1.5- hour self-defense class 
for winner & 9 friends at MATA Karate, Rt 18, E. Bridgewater

Historical Tidbit Question:

What year did the Pageant of Peace begin?


Email us your answer at: 
Please include your name, 
phone number & town
with your answer.
By entering you give us
permission to announce 
your name in next week's 
Buzz Around Bridgewater.
 
On December 16, 2015, we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
The Buzz was compiled
this week by Theresa McNulty, Sarah Primack, Stacy Rancourt, Jacquelyn Rose, Jill Silvia  & Betty Stirling.


Copyright 2015 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 12/13/15")    
Disclaimer:  At the Buzz Around, we promote community and family.  Occasionally, there will be links to town committees and other non-profit groups, as a way of sharing local information. Individual groups are responsible for how they represent themselves on their websites and in their promotional materials.  The Buzz Around does not claim to support any particular view.