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 Welcome to Halifax Congregational Church's New Pastor:
Rev. Edd Bernard
Yes, that's Edd with two D's.  He has been an ordained minister for 35 years.  To say that Edd's life hasn't been dull would be an understatement.  He did not come from a particularly religious family, and as he says, "had no inclination as a young man to enter into the ministry."  He has a wide range of experiences:  working on the loading docks to devising balancing systems for a major mutual funds company.  

One of the things that had the greatest impact on his life was the time he spent as an amateur and professional boxer.  As he says:  "I won the Golden Gloves in 1969 at....hold your breath now, 118 lbs! I went into it as a skinny little kid with little if any self-confidence.  This sport had a major impact on developing me not only physically but also emotionally.  I am also a 2nd Degree Black Belt in karate.  I was also a drummer and had the opportunity to work with a number of wonderful musicians over the years." 
 
Eventually Edd was called into ministry.  He graduated from Nyack College and also attended Gordon-Conwell Seminary as well as the Alliance Theological Seminary in Nyack, NY.  His first church was in Brockton, MA.  It was a full-time, hands-on ministry:  "It was in 1980, while serving there, that my wife left our four children, aged, 2, 6, 9, 12 and myself.  I was suddenly a single, custodial parent doing whatever was necessary to provide for my children.  I had resigned the church shortly after this happened.  I knew that I was in no state, emotionally or spiritually at that point to serve as a Pastor."

The happy ending?  In 1990, Edd met a "lovely Christian lady" who herself was the single parent of 5....yes, that's 5 children!  They were married in 1990 and recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. 

Pastor Edd brings a lifetime of stories and faith to his new position at Halifax Congregational Church. 

Join Halifax Congregational Church in welcoming their New Pastor - Rev. Edward Bernard and his wife, Elizabeth (Peg) Bernard, Sunday, January 31,10:00 am or at a reception in their Fellowship Hall immediately following the service at 11:00 am. 503 Plymouth St, (Rt 106)  Halifax 
(781) 293-6393
 
 January 24, 2016

 

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Historical Tidbit: TELEPHONES




The first entry on Halifax town records of telephone service was from the Southern Massachusetts Telephone Company saying, "You are hereby notified on erecting poles and placing wires, etc., for telephone service."  This refers to Thompson Street, Middleborough line to Walnut Street and Walnut Street from Thompson Street to Bridgewater line on November 3, 1899.

On March 6, 1901, privilege was granted for poles from the Post Office to the Plympton line and from Plymouth Street to the Monponsett Hotel.  [The Post Office at that time was located in a store that sat where the present Pope's Tavern is today.]

In 1904 a permit was granted to place poles as far as Bosworth's Mill [located on Furnace Street] going along Monponsett Street and Plymouth Street.  (It would come soon to Summit, Thompson, Pratt and River Streets.)  An intense period of telephone installations took place between the years 1901 and 1910.

116 years ago  our ancestors waited patiently for a phone line to keep in touch with the outside world and hear from family far away.  Today we wait for the next version of cell phone to hit the market.  Not many families even have a "land line."  

Respectfully submitted, Sue Basile

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Upcoming Schedule of Events
Monday, January 25
Church - 9a - Council on Aging (COA)
Computer Class - 10a - COA
Wellness Clinic - 11a - Town Hall
Lunch - noon - COA
Crochet/knitting - 1p - COA
Capital Planning - 6p - Town Hall
Finance Comm - 7p - Town Hall
Tuesday, January 26
SHINE Counsel - 9a - COA
COA Mtg - 10a - COA
Lunch - 12p - COA
Evening  Book Club - 6:30p - Library
Board of Selectmen - 7:30p - Town Hall
Wednesday, January 27
Senior Fit - 9:30a - COA
Quilting - 10a - COA
Wii Games - 10:30a - COA
Chair Yoga - 11a - COA
Lunch - noon - COA

Technology - 2:45p - COA

Friends of the Library - 6:30p - Library

Thursday, January 28

Men's Coffee - 9a - COA

Oil Painting - 10a - COA

Toddler Story Time - 11a - Library

Massage - 11:30a - COA

Lunch - noon - COA

Grocery Shopping - 12:30p - COA

Pre-K Story Time - 1p - Library

Monponsett Watershed Comm - 7p - Town Hall

Friday, January 29

Errand Van - 9a - COA

Exercise/Meditation - 10a - COA

Infant Lapsit - 10a - Library

Lunch - noon - COA

Preschool Story Time = 11:30a - Library
Saturday, January 30

SL Youth Cheer Meat Raffle - 1p - Lucky Dawg, Pembroke

Our Lady of The Lake - Mass - 4p

Sunday, January 31
Our Lady of The Lake Church - Masses - 7:30a & 10:30a
Halifax Congregational Church Service - 10a  

*Information compiled from the Town & Library Websites, Council on Aging Newsletter, and individual submissions.  If you'd like something listed, email us.
      SUPER SUNDAY SPECIALS:  JANUARY 24, 2016
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Like us on Facebook      826 Crescent St., Brockton, MA (508) 580-2736    
 
Halifax Elementary School Adjustment Counselor Kerry Daigler publishes a monthly "Parents Make a Difference" Newsletter.  Caregivers are our children's first teachers.  There are little things that you can do that will help your child's success and bring you two closer as you talk about their day & what they are doing.


Forum on Islam & Syrian Refugees
Sunday, January 24th
Time:  12PM
Location:  St. Basil's Chapel (10 Shaw Road, Bridgewater)

All are encouraged to come learn more about Islam from an Imam, meet Syrian refugees who live among us, and gain a better understanding of the Syrian crisis.  The hope is to seed understanding and goodwill.

Some focus-issues will be:
(a)  What is Islam; what does the current ISIS movement have to do with Islam?
(b)  What is the civil war in Syria about?  Who is fighting whom?  What is at stake?
(c)  Why are residents fleeing Syria?
(d)  What is the U.S's refugee screening process -- what precautions are taken to reduce likelihood of terrorists entering the U.S.?
(e)  How can we in this community help -- in everyday life as neighbors; in town life as responsible citizens; in our communities as spokespeople, financial supporters, or hosts?

Speakers:
Muslim representative -- Imam Abdul Rahman - The value of human life and security, and the commonalities between religions.
Legal representative -- Legal official - explain the rigorous vetting process.
Refugee representatives -- Ahmad and his father, and another refugee family.
Nonprofit Organization Fundraiser -- Dr. Abdul Fattah Elshaar, Syrian American Medical Society.

Treat Your Valentine to a little Johnny. 

Make your reservations early.


Johnny Macaroni's
582 West St, EB (508) 378-9335
1300 Plymouth Street, EB (508) 456-4460


Message from the President of the
 Monponsett Watershed Association
In September, the Monponsett Watershed Association (MWA) organized an "ePetition" campaign to ask Governor Baker to help improve the water quality in Monponsett Pond.  We received a tremendous response to the campaign; over 600 signatures in 48 hours.

The Governor's office instructed the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to work with all the parties to improve the water quality of the Pond.  As a result of these efforts, I'm pleased to report that the Brockton Water Commission voted to adopt a policy not to divert water from Monponsett Pond if the blue green algae cell count exceeds the threshold set by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
This action by the Brockton Water Commission accomplished one of the goals of the petition.  The other goal of the petition is to improve the flow of water through the Stump Brook Dam. 

The MWA, Halifax town officials and our legislators have been meeting with the DEP on this issue.  While the issue has not been settled, there has been progress.

Please join us at our Monponsett Watershed Assoc. members meeting, Thursday, January 28, 2016, at 7 PM at the Great Hall, Halifax Town Hall, to learn more about this and other important issues affecting the Monponsett watershed. 

We look forward to seeing you.
Happy New Year,
Paul Collis
President, MWA

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Optimize your spinal column structure and bio-mechanics. You'll be amazed at the improvement!



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           (508) 697-0050
Town of Halifax's 2015 Annual Town Report 
Photograph Contest

The Halifax Board of Selectmen is now accepting submissions of photographs for the covers of the Town of Halifax's 2015 Annual Town Report.  Photographs should have been taken during 2015 and feature scenes or events in Halifax during that year.  This contest is open to residents and non-residents.  The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 19, and all entries should be e-mailed to the Town Administrator, Charlie Seelig at cseelig@town.halifax.ma.us by that date with the jpg version of the photograph and a description of the scene or event.  The Board of Selectmen will make a selection from all entries by February 23.

Charlie Seelig
Halifax Town Administrator
781-294-1316
The Town of Halifax is now using a new program that will allow residents to report quality-of-life issues and request services through an on-line and mobile interface.  Powered by SeeClickFix, the place-based reporting Commonwealth Connect platform allows residents to document neighborhood concerns and improvements alike, ranging from litter and flooding to damaged sidewalks and malfunctioning traffic signals.  Learn more about SeeClickFix and Commonwealth Connect in this 30-second video, or visit the Town's SeeClickFix page.
Do-Gooders Needed!

Help would be appreciated if anyone lives near an elderly or disabled person to help clear their walkway, driveway, or car because many cannot afford to hire someone.  Let us help one another get through this winter. 
Please call the Council on Aging if you can assist - 781-293-7313.
BRIDGEWATER FARM SUPPLY
  

Why does popcorn pop?  Read our blog

Like us on Facebook  1000 Plymouth St 
                                            (Rt 104) 
                                           Bridgewater
                                            (508) 697-0357 
 

 Meatloaf Dinner & Homemade Cake Auction 
Saturday, Feb. 6, beginning at 5:00 pm.
Halifax Congregational Church

We will be serving meatloaf, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, glazed carrots, dessert and a beverage.

Following dinner, we will be hosting our Annual Cake Auction where a variety of delicious homemade cakes will be auctioned off to the highest bidders.  If you like to bake and want to bring your favorite cake, we would love to have you join us. 

If you are unable to attend the dinner or don't like to bake, please feel free to join us anyway for the cake auction to bid on someone else's cake.  Don't miss out on a chance to take your favorite cake home!

Tickets are $10-Adult, $5-Children and $20-Family of 3 or more.  This is a very popular and fun dinner, so please make sure to get your tickets early so you are guaranteed a seat.  To reserve tickets, please call Susan Mahan at 
781-293-0422 or the church at 781-293-6393.

If you would like to attend the dinner but don't drive at night or don't have a ride, please call Susan Mahan at 781-293-0422 to have arrangements made.

Please come and join us for an evening of fun bidding and a delicious home cooked meal!

Random Acts of Kindness 2016 
Random Acts of Kindness Week will run from February 14-20, 2016.  Now is the time to consider what your class, club, sports team, or group of friends might do to participate.  To help you out the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation has a website full of resources, such as:  Kindness in the Classroom lesson plan downloads, ideas for inspiration, reading lists, research information on kindness, videos, posters, kindness cards, inspirational quotes, and a newsletter.  For Classroom teachers there is a free online "Teaching Kindness Notebook: Kindness in the Classroom" lesson plans for grades K-12.  Looking for more inspiration?  Check out the Stories tab on the website. 

To view the 7-minute overview video:

Random Acts of Kindness Foundation: Kindness in the Classroom Program
Random Acts of Kindness Foundation:
Kindness in the Classroom Program


Thanks to South Shore Hospital's Youth Health Connection

Whether we learn from school, from a library, from our  parents or from the internet; when we choose our teachers 
thoughtfully, wisdom is sure to follow. ~
 Jacquie
Halifax Town Buildings

Town Hall
499 Plymouth St.
781-294-1316
Mon-Thurs 8a-4p

Holmes Public Library
470 Plymouth Street
 781-293-2271 
Mon & Wed 12noon-8p
Tues, Thurs, Fri  10a-5p
Saturday 10a-2p

Council on Aging
506 Plymouth Street
781-293-7313
Mon -Thurs 9a-3p
Friday 9a-1p

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Evening Book Club
Tuesday, Jan. 26, 6:30pm
Holmes Public Library
Join us for a discussion about this month's selection:
At the Water's Edge
by Sara Gruen.
Copies are available at the circulation desk.
New members are always welcome.
 
SL Youth Cheer Meat Raffle
Saturday, Jan 30th
at 1pm
Lucky Dawg Tavern

Silver Lake Youth Cheerleading will hold a meat raffle and 50/50 raffle fundraiser on Saturday, January 30, at 1pm at the Lucky Dawg Tavern, 242 Mattakeesett Street in Pembroke.  There will be multiple drawings, but you must be present to win.  For more information, please contact Cathie Nolan at 7810588-3366.
Ongoing Job Opportunity
This position is for Adults 
who supervise or assist weekly recreation camps (On Stage, winter and summer camps), Special Events (Egg Hunt, Holidays in Halifax, Halifax in Lights, and Dances).  The Supervisor may be asked to fill in for Recreation Director when the need arises if Director cannot be at event.  This is a position with limited hours during the year.  Certification in CPR and First Aid are recommended but not required.  Must be able to drive a 15-passenger van. Pay is $18.99 per hour

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis even when a vacancy does not exist.  Interviews are held when there is a vacancy.  Applications may be obtained at the Board of Selectmen's office at 499 Plymouth Street.  In addition, applications may use the town wide application above. Applicants are required to submit a resume with their application.  The Town of Halifax is an EEO employer and encourages anyone interested to apply.

 New Career Path Help For folks 50 & over.
 
Bi-Weekly Networking Meetings

The Halifax Council on Aging, with funding and support from the Massachusetts Councils on Aging, is sponsoring a regional networking group program to support and assist people 50 years and older who are looking for a new job or a new career direction.  Bi-weekly networking meetings will be held at the Halifax Police Station, 540 Plymouth Street, on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month, from February to June, from 9:00 am until noon. Meeting dates are:  February 4 and 18, March 3 and 17, April 7 and 21, May 5 and 19 and June 2 and 16.  To deter the costs of these events, donations are requested.  For additional information, please contact Susan Drevitch, Program Coordinator, through the program's LinkedIn Group or e-mail at susan@sdkelly.com
Adult Book Clubs at the Library
 
The Holmes Library offers three book discussion groups for adult readers:  an Evening group, an Afternoon group and a Mystery readers' group.
Copies of each month's selections are available at the Circulation Desk, or can
be reserved through our catalog.
 For more information or to sign up, contact Jean about the evening group and Susan for the afternoon and mystery groups, or call the library at 781-293-2271.  New members always welcome!

Pet Safety in Winter Weather
The winter season is here with the cold, snow and ice.  When snow is on the ground, commercially prepared snow and ice melting products are often used.  Most ice melting compounds contain salt products that can damage vegetation and hard surfaces and are toxic to people and their pets.  Most people are not aware of the dangers that deicing solutions pose to pets.

Many ice melting salt products contain sodium chloride.  With exposure of the salt to water and low temperatures, a reaction occurs that causes melting with temperatures generated up to 175°F.  This reaction can burn the pet's foot pads and skin with contact and can burn the mouth and rest of the GI tract with ingestion. Dogs and cats can ingest the salt by licking snow or icy surfaces or by licking their paws after being outside and picking up the ice melting pellets between their toes.

Salt toxicity is also a possibility with the salt-based ice melting products.  Ingestion of salt can result in high blood sodium concentration leading to thirst, vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, kidney damage and possible neurological signs, including seizures, coma and even death.  It is difficult to know how much salt is a "toxic dose."  Even small amounts of pure salt can be dangerous to a pet if ingested.

Salt-based ice melting products are the least expensive.  There are other, more expensive formulations that contain potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium carbonate or calcium magnesium acetate. The potassium and magnesium salts are less toxic if ingested but can still burn the foot pads. The calcium-based products do not create an exothermic reaction but still can be drying to the skin surface with exposure.
Here are steps that the pet owner can take to minimize risk for his or her pet:
  • Monitor/modify your pet's behavior to minimize the risk of salt exposure.
  • Use waterproof pet boots during winter walks with dogs.
  • Wash off the pet's feet, abdomen and chest after being outside with exposure to deicing salts.
  • Use sand, crushed cinder or cat litter to provide traction on icy pavement being aware that these products will not melt the snow or ice.
  • Immediately remove slush and dissolved deicing product after the snow and ice have melted enough.
  • Seek veterinary care if you suspect foot pad or skin burning from salt exposure or that your pet has ingested a significant amount of a salt product.


prize box
 
WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME 
 
Historical Tidbit Question:

Between what years did  Halifax experience an intense time of phone installations ?

Have fun with us
and beeee entered to win a  facial and $15 gift certificate of Mary Kay products from Cindy Guarino and Jeanne Smith, Mary Kay consultants

 
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 Halifax.
 January 27, 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 Halifax.  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 Halifax 1/24/16")    

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.