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BLACK SQUIRREL
A number of Halifax residents have been noticing black squirrels in their neighborhoods recently. Although the black squirrel lives in groups of the eastern gray squirrel, they were not known to be common here in Massachusetts. One can find them in the Midwestern United States, Canada and parts of the Northeastern United States.
As the black squirrel appears to have become tolerant to our cold New England winters, due in part to their being able to retain more heat then their "cousin," it seems they have chosen to move right in.
I have had them around my bird feeders for the last 2½ years. At first I would only see one for a few weeks, then I noticed in the spring I had two. The one that graces my yard now has been here for months. I am hoping he chooses to stay. The grays don't seem to mind him; at first they stayed away from where he was feeding, but now I see them together looking for the seeds dropped by the birds.
Respectfully submitted, Sue Basile
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| | Click here to watch video |
Help the Buzz Around connect our communities.
How can I help?
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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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Congratulations!
Diane Riberio
Diane won a 16-oz candle from East Bridgewater Candle Company.
our Historical Tidbit Trivia Game at the bottom
of this column;
you could win a
$35 Gift Certificate to Lambert's Deli
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Historical Tidbit
SHOE SHOP
In 1856 Charles P. Lyon was manufacturing boots and shoes from a "Shoe Shop" located next door to his home on Plymouth Street on a section of the roadway now know as Old Plymouth Street. [Both the home and Shoe Shop, now a single family home, are still standing today.] Mr. Lyon employed 20 males and 12 females in his shop where "upper" and "sole" leather was cut and stitched. Hundreds of boxes of his boots were shipped to Boston to be sent South for the Union Soldiers during the Civil War.
It was quite common to find families in the wintertime stitching "shoes" to supplement their income or even different "shoemakers," who completed the work in small shops. These smaller shops were called "footers," such as the "Ten Footer" Levi Leach had here in Halifax where he taught his three sons the shoe trade. The term "Ten Footer" meant that they had a ten-foot long building used as their shoe shop.
The town residents that became "shoemakers" in the winter would take enough stock to make from one to ten dozen pairs of shoes at a time, returning them to the manufacturer when finished.
A more distinguished title for a shoemaker is a cordwainer. The guy who cuts leather for the upper part of the shoe is called a clicker.
Respectfully submitted, Sue Basile |
Upcoming Schedule of Events
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| Monday, February 8 | |
Church - 9a - Council on Aging (COA)
Capital Planning - 6p - Town Hall
Zoning Board - 7p - Town Hall
Finance Comm - 7p - Town Hall
Zoning Board Hearings - 7:15p - Town Hall
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| Tuesday, February 9 | | |
TRIAD - 10a - Police Station
Lunch - 12p - COA
Capital Planning - 6p - Town Hall
Drop in Knitting - 6:30p - Library
Library Trustees - 6:30p - Library
Water Comm - 7p - 500 Plymouth St.
Board of Selectmen - 7:30p - Town Hall
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Wednesday, January 10
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Senior Fit - 9:30a - COA
Wii Games - 10:30a - COA
Chair Yoga - 11a - COA
Mardi Gras - noon - Town Hall
Technology - 2:45p - COA
Last Day to register to vote in primary
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Thursday, February 11
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Men's Coffee - 9a - COA
Employment Networking - 9a - COA
Oil Painting - 10a - COA
Massage - 11:30a - COA
Lunch - noon - COA
Grocery Shopping - 12:30p - COA
SLR School Committee - 7p - SLR High School
Board of Selectmen will attend School Committee meeting
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Friday, February 12
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Errand Van - 9a - COA
Exercise/Meditation - 10a - COA
Lunch - noon - COA
Chowder Supper - 4:30p - Our Lady of the Lake
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Saturday, February 13
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Our Lady of The Lake - Mass - 4p
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Sunday, February 14
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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. |
 Bridgewater Square Chiropractic
Optimize your spinal column structure and bio-mechanics. You'll be amazed at the improvement!
 63 Main Street Bridgewater
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Forum on Islam & Syrian Refugees
Sunday, Feb. 7, at 11:30 am
First Parish Church,
50 School St., Bridgewater
(Note change in location.)
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. We hope 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.
Sponsored by: BSU Catholic Center, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Bridgewater, BSU Center for Middle East Studies, BSU Muslim Student Association
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Mardi Gras Masquerade/Valentine's Day Celebration
Wednesday, February 10, at noon
Great Hall of the Halifax Town Hall
The Halifax Council on Aging is sponsoring a Mardi Gras Masquerade/Valentine's Day Celebration. The menu includes pulled pork sliders with jambalaya, hurricane punch with Jell-o and whipped cream dessert. Tickets are $4 per person. Jennifer Mello, a renown singer/songwriter who has years of experience in dinner theatre, will provide the entertainment. Don't miss this special event, but contact the Council on Aging at 781-293-7313 to reserve your seat as space is limited.
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Raising A Reader Continuing Series
Friday, February 12, at 1 pm
Holmes Public Library
The South Shore Family Network and the Holmes Public Library will sponsor a series of events entitled "Raising a Reader" at the Library on Friday, February 12; Friday, February 19; and Friday, February 26; at 1 pm.
Call the Library at 781-293-2271 to register.
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BRIDGEWATER FARM SUPPLY
One stop for all your pet needs
Proudly Serving New England Since 1947
1000 Plymouth St
(Rt 104) Bridgewater, MA
(508) 697-0357
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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 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
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 [Sense]ation Day - Free Family Fun at Fuller Craft Thurs., February 18th Come to Fuller Craft Museum for a day filled with hands-on activities, craft demos, new exhibitions, and fun! An exciting day of discovery!
FREE admission for up to 2 adults per family when accompanied by children 12 and under from 10 am - 4 pm (FREE activities from 10 am - 2 pm).
Celebrate Black History Month: make a Freedom Quilt square
Decorate a Tiny (bird)House , Toothpick Building Craft &
Storyteller Tim Van Egmond at 1:00 pm captivates kids and parents with "the Story Bag." For more info, visit fullercraft.org.
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FOR BUZZ AROUND READERS ONLY!
Free delivery* on 19.99
Valentine Roses
Must order by 5 pm on
Sun February 7th
to get this exclusive deal!
Call and ask for John
(508)-580-2736
826 Crescent St.,
Brockton, MA (508) 580-2736
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Our Lady of the Lake Church Chowder Supper Friday, February 19, from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm Our Lady of The Lake Church, 580 Monponsett St. This year, we will have our usual delicious home-made clam and corn chowder, home made mac and cheese, and a weekly special. The meal will include: corn bread, choice of entree, corn bread, dessert and beverage. There will be a voluntary donation at the door. Take-out is available for $5.00. All are welcome to join us.
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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
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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
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Brockton Symphony Orchestra presents:
Sizzling Symphonic Favorites
Sunday, February 21, 2016 - 3:00PM
Warm your winter afternoon at our family-friendly concert of orchestral favorites, featuring principal clarinetist and chairman of our BrSO family, Torben Hansen.
www.brocktonsymphony.org
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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:
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| Random Acts of Kindness Foundation:
Kindness in the Classroom Program |
Thanks to South Shore Hospital's Youth Health Connection
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Your Halifax Assessors Office is supporting The Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers donation drive for Shriner's Hospital for Children in Boston.
Shriner's Hospital provides pediatric burn care, cleft lip and palette and orthopedics; funded by the Shriner's Hospitals for Children endowment, which is sustained by donations. All children receive care regardless of the families' ability to pay.
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| | Image from Shriner's Boston Website |
Specific items are asked for to help these children work through this difficult time in their lives. Your donations of: themed party supplies, sneakers & new winter clothing, headphones, shower speakers, gloves, hats, T-Shirts & hooded sweatshirts and other items named below will be a great help!
Halifax residents interested in making donations can drop them off at the Halifax Board of Assessors Office at the Halifax Town Hall, 499 Plymouth Street.
Questions? Contact any of the following:
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"Jump, and you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall." ~ Ray Bradbury
"If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them from growing."
~ Coco Chanel
"A bird is safe in its nest - but that is not what its wings are made for."
~ Amit Ray, World Peace: The Voice of a Mountain Bird
 To soar, we must first learn to fly. Time to get out and flap around a bit! ~ Jacquie |
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Ruggiero Fitness Concepts
Starting February 15th, I am looking for people who want to WORK TOWARD THEIR OWN Clean Eating goals with my team and me for 30 days!
to get started!
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Living Happy by Julie Gerstel
Happiness is a choice. It is a choice we make from moment to moment and day to day
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...and please remember to mention you saw them
in the
Buzz Around!
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Stress Reduction Workshop
Monday, February 8
at 6:30 pm
Join Brunnie Getchell, an Advanced Certified Hypnotherapist, Master's Level Counselor
and a Reiki Master Practitioner for strategies, tips and approaches, to reduce the daily stress of our fast paced world. At the Library.
All are welcome to attend.
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TRIAD Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 10 am
Halifax Police Station
TRIAD will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday at the Halifax Police Station.
The speaker for the meeting will be Reggie Macamaux,
who instructs people in self-defense. He will show various ways to protect yourself, if needed.
All are welcome to join us.
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The Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake Girls Hockey Team Fundraising Meat Raffle
Monday, February 15
at 7:30pm
Damien's,
279 Spring Street,
Route 58 in Hanson.
For more information,
call 781-447-6556.
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Reminder:
Monday, February 15 is President's Day.
All town offices, schools, banks, & library are closed.
School vacation week.
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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.
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Mass 2-1-1 Day is recognized on Wednesday, February 11th (2/11), by United Way and its community partners.
Mass 2-1-1 is a free, confidential, multilingual information resource and referral program, made possible by sponsorships from United Way, available 24/7 365 days a year. By dialing 2-1-1 from any telephone, individuals can connect with trained, certified call-takers who will assist with information and referrals for important non-emergency health and human services, as well as volunteer opportunities. These services are also available online by visiting www.Mass211help.org.
Some examples of accessible service providers:
- Basic Human Needs: food banks, soup kitchens, housing; shelters, rent and utility assistance.
- Physical and Mental Health: state health insurance programs, medical information lines, local and state health outbreak information, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug / alcohol intervention/ rehabilitation programs.
- Employment: financial assistance, job training, transportation and educational/vocational programs.
- Government benefits and services
- Elder and Individual with Disabilities: adult day programs, respite / home health care, transportation and other support programs.
- Children, Youth and Families: childcare referrals to licensed home and site based providers, after school programs, Head Start programs, family resource centers, summer camps and recreational programs, mentoring, tutoring, and protective services.
Mass 2-1-1 partners with MEMA (Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency) as the official emergency call-center for Massachusetts; in the event of a state-wide disaster, severe weather, and public health and safety concerns. Mass 2-1-1 is NOT for emergencies; it serves as a valuable information and referral service for non 911 emergencies.
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South Shore Hospital's Youth Health Connection suggests this great Grade by Grade Parent resource:
NBC News Education Nation and Pearson USA have created an on-line Parent Resource Toolkit with a great depth of content designed to help parents support their child's growth & development in the classroom and beyond. The toolkit is divided into single grade levels Pre-K through 12th grade and each grade level contains information on: academics, health & wellness-nutrition, health & wellness-physical development and social & emotional development. Within the "Tips and Guides," section you can access videos, academic, health & wellness or social-emotional development content. The social-emotional development section offers: tips, conversation starters and age appropriate book lists for content related to empathy, exploring emotions, relationships, resiliency and self-esteem; respecting diversity and conflict resolution. This website has great depth of content, resources, videos and more. It is easy to navigate and sections are divided by individual grades or in some sections within developmental age categories. Spend some time and check out this resource.
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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
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!
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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.
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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.
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WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME
Historical Tidbit Question:
What were the smaller shoe shops called?
Have fun with us
and beeee entered to win a $35 Gift Certificate to
Lambert's Deli
826 Crescent St., Brockton
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.
February 10, 2016, we
will randomly pick a winner
from the correct answers.
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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 2/07/16")
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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.
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