Buzz Around West Bridgewater

Please Help Us Fix the Damage of Vandalism at 
Pleasant Hill Cemetery
 

For the 5th time since 2012, and the third time in 6 months, the 3+ acre historic non-profit Pleasant Hill Cemetery in West Bridgewater has been targeted by heartless vandals.  

This New Year's Eve spree caused by far the largest amount of damage, with 33 headstones and monuments in 23 family lots toppled and over half sustaining breakage.  Two extremely large monuments, estimated to weigh 4,000 pounds, were also toppled in pieces.  Many of the smashed headstones are irreparable. This includes the oldest stone in the cemetery dating back to 1751. 

A large portion of the lots desecrated were those of Veterans, such as the final resting place of a Civil War POW who died in Andersonville Prison.  Due to the age of the cemetery, there were only 7 current lot owners on file to contact out of the 33 stones affected, leaving the remaining stones unrepresented in terms of repair and/or replacement.  The 3 episodes in 2015 all involved toppling of stones, as well as smashing of urns, statues, and flags.  Two prior incidents in 2012 and 2013 involved graffiti on over 23 total stones, signage and shed.  Many of those stones could not be cleaned due to the porous material used for headstones in that era.

Vandalism in a Cemetery is a Felony under Massachusetts Law, and we urge anyone with information to contact the WBPD or the Cemetery, even if it is anonymously, to help us put an end to this destruction of our Town and family history.  

The private cemetery is run entirely by volunteers and more hands are always welcome; please help us personally or financially.

Check out our gofundme page:  A fundraising page was set up earlier this year, and continues to accept donations, at  www.gofundme.com/pleasanthillcem. 

Respectfully submitted, Lauren Delaney 
 
Local Photographer Mary Julius welcomed the New Year on Duxbury Beach, catching  pictures of the Snowy Owls who live there.  
  
 
January 10, 2016
  
A BIG "THANK YOU" to our Community Volunteers!

For December in our Buzz Around Weekender, we have featured shout-outs; and are excited to give these gifts to some of our featured volunteers:

Ellen Pennington from East Bridgewater will receive an hour-long Massage from Melissa Goldmann Massage Therapy.

Steve Springhetti from West Bridgewater will receive a $50 Gift Certificate to Grant's Rental.

Pat McElroy from East Bridgewater will receive a 7-day Shakeology jump start-health kit w/ shaker cup & a variety of flavors; value $35 from Ruggiero Fitness Concepts.

Cheryl Carlos will receive a $25 gift certificate to Johnnie Macaroni's Restaurant.

It's our way of saying "thank you" to all those who work so hard to make our communities better places to live. 
Congratulations!

Tracey McCarthey won a 1.5-hr self- defense class including up to 
9 friends at 
Mata Karate 
   
You should play
our Historical Tidbit Trivia Game at the bottom  
of this column; 
you could win a $35 gift certificate to 
Lambert's Deli 
826 Crescent St, Brockton
Historical Tidbit: 
   West Bridgewater's Boston Post Cane

     In 1924, Mr. Grozier died, and the Boston Post was taken over by his son, Richard, who failed to continue his father's success and eventually died in a mental hospital.  At one time the Boston Post was considered the nation's leading standard-sized newspaper in circulation.  Competition from other newspapers, radio and television contributed to the Post's decline and it went out of business in 1957. 
     The custom of the Boston Post Cane took hold in those towns lucky enough to have canes.  As years went by some of the canes were lost,  taken out of town and not returned to the Selectmen or destroyed by accident.  In 1930, after considerable controversy, eligibility for the cane was opened to women as well.
 
  
     West Bridgewater's Boston Post Cane was found in July 2010, uncovered in the former assembly hall on the second floor of our historic Town Hall when renovations took place several years ago.  It was then stored in the Building Inspector's office, since people were unaware of what it was.  In July 2010, it was shown to Elizabeth D. Faricy, Administrator, Board of Selectmen.  Instantly she knew what it was, since former Selectman Judith Kinney and former Town Clerk Marion Leonard had been on a hunt for the cane for more than 25 years!  They restarted the tradition after finding their cane, but a replica cane is used for the ceremony - the original cane remains on display at Town Hall to prevent future loss of the century-old antique. 

      Forrest Barber was the last person honored with West Bridgewater's cane.  Due to his recent passing at 100 years old, our Historical Commission is in the process of locating our current oldest citizen. 
      A big "thank you" for help with this Tidbit goes to Mallory Aronstein and Nancy Morrison.
  

Monday, January 11
Exercise - 8:30a - Council on Aging (COA)
Outreach - 9a - COA
Supportive Care - 9a - COA
Lunch - noon - COA
School Committee - 6:30p - MS/HS
Tuesday, January 12
Outreach - 9a - COA
Swedish Weaving - 1p - COA
Zumba Gold - 3p - COA
ADA Compliance - 2:30p - Town Hall
Library Trustees - 5:45p - Library
Adult Coloring Night - 6:30p - Library
Rent Control Bd - 7p - Town Hall
Zoning Board - 7p - Town Hall
Wednesday, January 13
Exercise - 8:30a - COA
Housing Authority - 8:30a - Esther Dr
Supportive Care - 9a - COA 
Outreach - 9a - COA
Health Screening - 9a - COA 
Lunch - noon - COA
Bridge - 12:45p - COA
Yoga - 6p - First Church
Thursday, January 14
Outreach - 9a - COA
Supportive Care - 9a - COA
Lunch - noon - COA
Mah Jongg - 12:45p - COA
Trucchi's Van - 1p - COA
Nunckatesett Greenway Comm - 7p - Town Hall
Friday, January 15
Outreach - 9a - COA
Tai Chi - 9a - COA
Swedish Weaving - 10:30a - COA
Zumba Gold - 3p - COA
Saturday, January 16
 
Church of St. Ann - Mass - 4p
 
Reminder:  No weekend MBTA Rail Service. 
Sunday, January 17
Church of St. Ann - 8:30a, 10:30a  
Cochesett United Methodist - Sunday Worship Service & Sunday school 10:15am
First Church - Worship Service and Sunday school 10a, 
Teen Bible Study 9a; Fellowship Hour - 11a 
Joy of Pentecost - Sunday school & Service 10a,
Evening worship 6p
Temple Baptist - 10a, 11a & 6p
West Bridgewater Baptist - 9:15 Sunday school, 10:30 Service, 
Evening worship 6p

 

* Information compiled in this issue from Town web sites & submitted information.  Feel free to submit events & information from your non-profit group.
BRIDGEWATER FARM SUPPLY
  

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 1000 Plymouth St 
 (Rt 104) 
Bridgewater
                                                (508) 697-0357 
 
Dennis Carman, United Way of Greater Plymouth County President & CEO
Mass 2-1-1

 In 2006 the Council of Massachusetts United Ways created Mass 2-1-1, a statewide, free information and referral hotline available 24/7, 365 days a year for the people of our Commonwealth.

 People call the easy to remember three digit 2-1-1 number or search the 2-1-1 database on line at www.mass211help.org when looking for resources to meet basic needs, including heating and utility assistance, shelter, emergency help, and the closest food pantry.

They also call for everyday important non-emergency needs, such as developmental screening for a child, home health care for a relative, job training or free tax filing support.

2-1-1 was launched nationally by United Way of America almost 25 years ago as a free way to connect people to essential resources. Today, 2-1-1 is available in all 50 states, plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico.  Here in Massachusetts, 2-1-1 service is available in all 14 counties, serving 100% of the state's population.

"Mass2-1-1 is an essential tool for helping our local community and families, in addition to making more efficient use of local nonprofit and public resources," said Dennis Carman, United Way of Greater Plymouth County President & CEO, one of the founders of Mass2-1-1.  Locally, "3,535 people called Mass2-1-1 in the last 12 months.  Rent and electric payment assistance, child care expense assistance applications, heating fuel payment assistance, and food pantry information were among the top needs," Carman said.

 So what happens when you call Mass2-1-1?  When you dial 2-1-1 (a free call), the call is routed to a trained information and referral specialist, who helps identify your need(s), then refers you to relevant human services, health, or education resources from a comprehensive database.

 Mass2-1-1 is also the official hotline for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), during weather emergencies, homeland security issues or any other events as identified by the Governor.  In addition, Mass2-1-1 is under contract with the Executive Office of Health & Human Services (EOHHS) to serve as the official phone line for the Office of Early Education and Care (EEC for child Care), as well as the official hotline for Children Requiring Assistance (CRA) and the Runaway Assistance Program (RAP).

The toll free number is 877-211-6277 and the TTY number is 508-370-4890.  Just another good reason to support your local United Way!
Honey Tree Nursery School 
Taking enrollment now 
for Sept. 2016
Caring & customized developmentally appropriate preschool education
9 am- noon
2-day & 4-day programs 
lunch bunch optional

36 years of experience
Honey Tree Nursery School
645 Locust Street, Raynham, MA
 WB Seniors - Are you looking for something to do this winter?
There are many great programs at our COA!
Check out some of our regular weekly offerings below.
Physical well-Being:   
Exercise and Muscle Conditioning Class:  Improves strength, flexibility and balance.  Low Impact.  Great for those with arthritis and stiff joints. Instructor:  Rosemarie Paccia, Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:30 - 9:30 am 
Zumba Gold:  Safe, effective workout while learning rhythms such as Salsa, Merengue, Tango, Cha-cha, and many more.  Dance your way to better health!  Instructor:  Jen Mandelson, Tuesdays and Fridays, 3 - 4 pm 
Tai Chi:  Low impact, minimal stress on muscles and joints.  Safe for all ages and fitness levels.  Instructor:  Michael Showstack, Fridays, 9:00 - 10:00 am 
Line Dancing:  A fun way to get in shape - dancing!  Line dances from the past; new line dances every week.  Instructor:  Harriett Clarke, Thursdays, 9:30 - 11:00 am.  There's a class suited to EVERYBODY. 
Mental well-Being:   
Monday Afternoon Game Club:  Play Scrabble, Michigan Rummy, Scat, Hearts. Cribbage, Bid Whist, etc., and/or Board Games?  Bring a friend and join us for fun & games. Coordinator needed, Mon. 1:00 pm 
Swedish Weaving:  Swedish weaving is an embroidery form.  Floss or yarn is woven through the top threads of a loosely woven fabric.  You are also invited to crochet, knit, hand-quilt, embroider, needlepoint, craft, etc. Instructor:  Fran Deibel, Tues., 1:00 pm and Fri., 10:30 am 
Bridge:  A popular card game for 4 players working as partners who sit across the table from each other.  It is played with a standard deck of 52 cards and the cards are ranked normally, aces high and deuces low.  Instructor:  Florian Muckenthaler, Wed., 12:45 pm
Duplicate Bridge:  1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays, 10:30 am 
MahJongg:  Commonly played by four players per table.  Mahjongg is a game of skill, strategy, and calculation and involves a degree of chance.  Tutorial classes are offered periodically throughout the year.  Instructor:  Linda Gibson, Thursdays, 12:45 - 4:30 pm.
            Lambert's Deli
~ Brockton's Best Deli!
Happy New Year!
Deli Platters
Fruit Baskets
                       Poinsettias
                       Like us on Facebook
 
Stop By ~ You're gonna love it!
           826 Crescent St 
            Brockton, MA 
            (508) 580-2736
                                  lambertsbrockton.com
 
Rotary District 7950 Governor Kristine Musco David (left) and Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters President Jim Alfieri (right) present Rotary Humanitarian Award to Frances Moore Jeffries

The Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters honored long-time Rotarian Frances Moore Jeffries on December 10, 2015, at a reception at the Center at Sachem Rock, East Bridgewater.  This was made possible by the grand sponsorship of North Easton Savings Bank.

Seventy-five enthusiastic supporters attended the event, which provided testimony to Ms. Jeffries' long and distinguished careers as a teacher, college and grants administrator, advocate for literacy and peace, and Rotary volunteer, as well as her most recent achievement of being selected for the Rotary Peace Scholars Professional Development Certificate program in Thailand this coming January through March.

Speaking on behalf of Jeffries' many and varied contributions to literacy and peace were:  President Frederick Clark, Jr., of Bridgewater State University; Professor Vernon Domingo also of Bridgewater State University; Past Rotary District Governor and local club member Eldon "Terry" Humfryes; Herb Mansfield of the Rotary Club of Wakefield, Rhode Island; Dr. Edward Meaney of the Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters; Beth Roll Smith, also of the Rotary Club of the  Bridgewaters.  Rotary District Governor Kristine Musco David, along with club president Jim Alfieri, presented Jeffries with a Rotary Humanitarian Award.

A special presentation was made by Joan Gay, who graduated from Lake Erie College with Ms. Jeffries.

The Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters, devoted to "Service Above Self," meets most Wednesdays for breakfast at 7:15 a.m. at Good Days Restaurant, West Bridgewater.  All are welcome, no reservations are required.
 10 Essential Health Tips For Seniors
senior-man-gym.jpg
From baby boomers to senior boomers: 10 tips to keep you healthy and fit.
The first wave of baby boomers are turning 65 years old this year and becoming "senior boomers" and Medicare-eligible.  In fact, more than 10,000 baby boomers a day are now turning 65 - that's one every eight seconds, a pattern expected to continue for the next 19 years.
Happily, aging is different now than it was for our parents and grandparents. Today, there are more people living longer than at any other time in history. In fact, boomers will number 78 million by 2030.  "This generation, associated with social change, including the civil rights and anti-war movements in the 1960s, has another important cause-staying healthy," says soon-to-be 65-year-old Arthur Hayward, MD, a geriatrician and clinical lead physician for Kaiser Permanente.  "We need to become activists in promoting healthful behaviors and try our best to remain active and healthy the rest of our lives."
How to do it?  Dr. Hayward recommends these 10 easy health tips for seniors to help baby boomers live longer and thrive:
  1. Quit smoking.  Take this critical step to improve your health and combat aging.  Smoking kills by causing cancer, strokes and heart failure.  Smoking leads to erectile dysfunction in men due to atherosclerosis and to excessive wrinkling by attacking skin elasticity. Many resources are available to help you quit.
  2. Keep active.  Do something to keep fit each day - something you enjoy that maintains strength, balance and flexibility and promotes cardiovascular health.  Physical activity helps you stay at a healthy weight, prevent or control illness, sleep better, reduce stress, avoid falls and look and feel better, too.
  3. Eat well.  Combined with physical activity, eating nutritious foods in the right amounts can help keep you healthy.  Many illnesses, such as heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis, can be prevented or controlled with dietary changes and exercise.  Calcium and vitamin D supplements can help women prevent osteoporosis.
  4. Maintain a healthy weight.  Extra weight increases your risk for heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.  Use the Kaiser Permanente BMI (body mass index) calculator to find out what you should weigh for your height.  Get to your healthy weight and stay there by eating right and keeping active.  Replace sugary drinks with water - water is calorie free!
  5. Prevent falls.  We become vulnerable to falls as we age.  Prevent falls and injury by removing loose carpet or throw rugs.  Keep paths clear of electrical cords and clutter, and use night-lights in hallways and bathrooms.  Did you know that people who walk barefoot fall more frequently?  Wear shoes with good support to reduce the risk of falling.
  6. Stay up-to-date on immunizations and other health screenings.  By age 50, women should begin mammography screening for breast cancer.  Men can be checked for prostate cancer.  Many preventative screenings are available.  Those who are new to Medicare are entitled to a "Welcome to Medicare" visit and all Medicare members to an annual wellness visit.  Use these visits to discuss which preventative screenings and vaccinations are due.
  7. Prevent skin cancer.  As we age, our skin grows thinner; it becomes drier and less elastic.  Wrinkles appear, and cuts and bruises take longer to heal.  Be sure to protect your skin from the sun.  Too much sun and ultraviolet rays can cause skin cancer.
  8. Get regular dental, vision and hearing checkups.  Your teeth and gums will last a lifetime if you care for them properly - that means daily brushing and flossing and getting regular dental checkups.  By age 50, most people notice changes to their vision, including a gradual decline in the ability to see small print or focus on close objects.  Common eye problems that can impair vision include cataracts and glaucoma. Hearing loss occurs commonly with aging, often due to exposure to loud noise.
  9. Manage stress.  Try exercise or relaxation techniques - perhaps meditation or yoga - as a means of coping.  Make time for friends and social contacts and fun.  Successful coping can affect our health and how we feel.  Learn the role of positive thinking.
  10. Fan the flame.  When it comes to sexual intimacy and aging, age is no reason to limit your sexual enjoyment.  Learn about physical changes that come with aging and get suggestions to help you adjust to them, if necessary.
www.parentgiving.com/elder-care
We Celebrate the New Year
"For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning."  (Little Gidding)" 
~ T.S. Eliot

"You can do the impossible, because you have been through the unthinkable." 
~ Christina Rasmussen

  
With excitement and hope we greet this new year... awesomeness awaits!
~ Jacquie
A big "thank you" to our advertisers... 
You guys rock!

Contact your
Mary Kay Independent
Beauty Consultants

Cindy Guarino
508-245-1872

Jeanne A. Smith
508-208-0596
The Transfer Station: 
Use of the Transfer Station limited to Town residents for
disposal of household trash.
218 South Elm Street
West Bridgewater, MA 
(508) 894-1216
Hours:  Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 
7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
(Closed on all holidays.)
Open day after every holiday except Thanksgiving.

You'll need a 2016 Transfer Station Sticker as of January 1! They are on sale in the Town Clerk's Office.  Stickers are $85 each; limit two per household. Bring a copy of your registration.

Transfer Station stickers can also be purchased by mail by mailing a self-addressed stamped envelope to Town Clerk, 65 North Main Street. Please include a copy of your registration and a check made out to the Town of West Bridgewater.

NEW LOCATION:  
* 4 dance studios, * client area,  * dressing room, * student study area.

We are honored to host Joffrey Ballet's Summer Intensive Auditions.
 Sun., January 17th.  All DTNE and non-DTNE dancers ages 9-25 are welcome.  Don't miss this opportunity!

Dance Theater 
of New England
25 Scotland Blvd, BWater
(508) 697-5255

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MATA Karate

"Never Lose The Fight Within"

After School Classes
Enrolling Now!

 516 North Bedford St
2nd Floor
East Bridgewater

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mention you read about these advertisers in the 
Buzz Around !!!

WB Town Buildings

 

Town Hall

65 N. Main Street

   (508) 894-1200

Mon, Tues & Thurs
8a-4p

Wed  8a-7p, Fri 8a-1p

 

WB Public Library

80 Howard St

508-894-1255

Mon, Thurs, Fri 10a-5p,
Tues-Wed 10a-7p
Sat 10a- 2p

 

Council on Aging

97 W Center St

508-894-1262

Mon-Fri 8:30a-4p 

 

Reminder:

Monday, January 18 is Martin Luther King Day.

All town offices, library, banks and schools will be closed.

Nomination papers are now available at the Town Clerk's office.  The last day to submit nomination papers to the Board of Registrars is February 22, 2016.
These positions will be voted on at the Sat., April 9, 2016, Town Elections: 
One SELECTMAN for three years;

one ASSESSOR for three years; 

three LIBRARY TRUSTEES for three years; 

two  SCHOOL COMMITTEE members for three years; 

one WATER COMMISSIONER for three years; 

two BOARD OF HEALTH members for three years; 

one PLANNING BOARD member for five years; 

two CONSTABLES for three years and 

one HOUSING AUTHORITY member for five years.


Respectfully submitted, West Bridgewater Town Clerk, Anne Iannitelli.  Please call the Town Clerk's Office at (508) 894-1200 for further information.


Scientific Illustration & Other Beasties

Maxwell Library - Bridgewater State University
 Now through Jan. 19, 2016
Free and Open To General Public

Scientific illustrations attempt to depict their subject without enhancement of interpretation; the more detailed the information that is included, the better it serves as a biological or botanical reference. The Guild of Natural Science Illustrators presents a variety of subjects and techniques to demonstrate how scientific illustrations illuminate the observation of the natural world with the intent to communicate an exactness of detail.  Paired with this is a select group of contemporary artists that use similar techniques as the scientific illustrator but with the intent to illustrate life as we do not know it.  
Southeastern Massachusetts Festival Chorus New Member Enrollment/Open Rehearsals
January 18 & 25, 2016, 7:00pm
 
The Southeastern Massachusetts Festival Chorus (SMFC) will begin its 2016 Spring Season with Open Rehearsals on January 18 & 25, 2016.  The 90-member SMFC will present its spring concert on May 14 & 15.  SMFC's 2016 program will include music from America's rich musical heritage ranging from Spirituals, Pop, Broadway, country and more.  Also featured will be new and time-tested Patriotic selections honoring our great country, which are sure to inspire singers and audience alike. 
 
Enthusiastic singers are invited to Open Rehearsals, where they may learn about SMFC membership, meet other members of the group and preview our musical program. Following rehearsal, a brief audition will be held, using music drawn from rehearsal material.  SMFC will be accepting new members in the Soprano 1, Alto 1, Tenor and Bass sections.
 
Open Rehearsals and all weekly rehearsals are held Mondays, 7:00 - 9:00pm, at the First Congregational (Stone) Church, 785 South Main Street,  Raynham.  For more information, please call 508-821-9571, email admin@smfconline.org or visit http://www.smfconline.org 

 WB Council on Aging Van Trip

Culinary Arts Department Restaurant

Southeastern Regional High School 
Tuesday, January 26th

 

Van pick-up at the WBCOA at 10:45 AM 

Lunch prices range from $3.00 - $6.00  This trip is reserved seating and space is limited to 14 per trip. 

Trips are subject to cancellation for inclement weather. 

$2.00 Van Donation is requested.  Call 508-894-1262

to reserve your spot.

prize box  
WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME  

Have fun with us
and beeee entered to win a $35 gift certificate to Lambert's Deli 
826 Crescent St, Brockton
 
 
Historical Tidbit Question:
What year did the Boston Post go out of business?
 
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 West Bridgewater.
  
On  January 13, 2016, 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 West 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 West Bridgewater 1/10/16")    

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.