December 29, 2019
~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time
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Sunshine Farm Sanctuary
Their mission is to help children heal who have experienced trauma and are now living in the state's foster care system. Sunshine Farm has created a new emotional world by healing through compassion and happiness. The farm offers the experience for children to feel welcomed into a world where people and animals cherish them, protect them, meet their needs, make them feel at home and give them a sense of belonging. When the children work side by side with the animals they start to heal the feelings of fear, abandonment, helplessness, and isolation. All of their programs aid in helping a child to feel an uplifting in their self worth. The children form an attachment to the horses and other small animals. Their imaginations and creativity run wild at the farm and their spirits are free.
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Historical Tidbit:
Mistletoe for the New Year:
A Prediction of Happiness & Long Life
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Picture: European Mistletoe
There are 2 types of mistletoe: European (Viscum album) and North American (Phoradendron leucarpum). European mistletoe is a green
shrub having small yellowish flowers and
white sticky poisonous berries. North American mistletoe is usually a hemi-parasitic plant that attaches itself to a host tree (including willow, apple, oak) and grows out of a branch.
The word "mistletoe comes from two Anglo Saxon words: 'Mistel' (which means dung) and 'tan' (which means twig or stick)". It translates to 'poo on a stick' - not very appealing, but children think it's hilarious. In the Celtic language, mistletoe means "all-heal". The Celts used it as an antidote for poison and infertility. The Ancient Druids believed it possessed mystical powers. They would hang it in the house to bring good luck and ward off evil.
In Norse, Mistletoe was a symbol of love and friendship. The Legend: It was the sacred plant of Frigga (goddess of love, fertility, wisdom). Despite having the gift of prophecy, she was unable to save her son Balder (god of truth, summer sun) from his fate - death. Loki (a mischievous, evil god) tricked Hoder (the blind god of winter) into killing Balder with an arrow whose tip was made of mistletoe. For 3 days, each of the elements (air, fire, water, earth) tried to bring Balder back to life, with no success. As Frigga wept over her son, her tears fell upon the mistletoe arrow. Balder was brought back to life by his mother's tears as they transformed into pearly white berries. In her joy she kissed everyone who passed beneath the tree on which the mistletoe grew. She vowed that anyone standing beneath mistletoe will come to no harm, but instead receive a token of love...a kiss.
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Picture: North American Mistletoe
In France, the mistletoe custom was reserved for New Year's Day: "Au gui l'An neuf" or "Mistletoe for the New Year". This is similar to our modern custom of kissing at the stroke of midnight when the new year arrives.
In America, author Washington Irving (1783-1859) noted, "The mistletoe is still hung up in farm-houses and kitchens at Christmas; and the young men have the privilege of kissing the girls under it, plucking each time a berry from the bush. When the berries are all plucked, the privilege ceases."
Mistletoe has meant many things to many cultures over the centuries. It wishes you peace, love, friendship and a long life - Happy New Year, Everyone!
Respectfully submitted, Jill A. Silvia
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Academy Building Municipal Offices
66 Central Square
508-697-0921
Mon - Thurs 8a - 4p, Fri 8a - 1p
Public Library
15 South Street
508-697-3331
Mon - Wed 9a - 8p
Thurs 10a - 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 Congregational Church
71 Central Square
508-697-6016
Thursdays - 10a - 1p
1st Monday of each month from 6 to 8 p
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Congratulations!
Tom Flaherty
won a
$15 gift certificate to
Pinches & Pounds Candy Store
Rt 18, Whitman, MA!
You should play our
Historical Tidbit Trivia Game
at the bottom of this newsletter.
You could win a
Jump Start Training Package including
nutrition consultation & 6 free sessions from Get In Shape For Women at
180 Winter St, Bridgewater
Value: $140
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Want to end 2019 and Begin 2020 Feeling Rewarded and Helping a Good Cause?
Here’s how: Sponsor the Annual Polar Plunge of the Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters
Sponsorship Level
Platinum $1000+
Diamond $700 – $999
Gold $300 – $699
Silver $100 – $299
Bronze $50 – $99
Friends of the Rotary Club $1 – $49
100% of your support makes local and global projects possible for the Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters.
or Checks payable to Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters PO Box 266, East Bridgewater, MA 02333
Feel free to join us on January 1, 2020 9am – 12 at the BCYF Curley Community Center, South Boston
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Lego Mania
Mon, Jan 6th
4:30 - 5:30p
Ages 5 & up. No registration required.
Come build your creation using the library's Legos.
Creations will be displayed in the Children's Room.
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Come See our New Home
265 Bedford St, Bridgewater
(508) 378-9971
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Feed the Birds This Winter!
Tue, Jan 7th
10:30a
Bridgewater Public Library
Join us in making a bird feeder! We’re building this feeder all out of edible materials.
Ages 3+ with adult helper.
Registration required, call 508-697-0921.
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Remembering Pearl Harbor: A Day of Infamy
Tue, Jan 7th
6:30p
A presentation titled “Remembering Pearl Harbor: A Day of Infamy” will be given by Historian and Professor Dr. Gary Hylander, PhD.
Recently was the anniversary of Japan’s attack at Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. It was one of the most momentous events of the twentieth century. Admiral Yamamoto achieved a major tactical victory at Pearl Harbor but not the strategic knockout blow he had hoped for. Japan’s attack on the Hawaiian Islands globalized the second World War.
Dr. Gary Hylander, PhD 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 is free and open to the public.
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Happy Holidays from your Friends at
BRIDGEWATER FARM SUPPLY
We're Your
COMPLETE
Garden, Farm & Pet Store!
Come check out our great gifts for the holidays! Farm themed toys, doggy shirts & sweaters, bird feeders, garden decorations and oh so much more!
Stop in today!
1000 Plymouth St (Rt 104) Bridgewater •
(508) 697-0357
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2020 Dog Licenses Available for Sale Now
2020 Dog licenses are now available for sale at the Town Clerk’s Office. Dog owners in Bridgewater are reminded that the Dog Licenses are valid from
January 1st
through
December 31st
A dog licensing form to register dogs for the calendar year 2020 will be sent to all residents with the 2020 Annual Town Census.
The 2020 Dog License costs are:
Male/Female: $20.00
Neutered Male/Spayed Female: $15.00
Late Fee (Begins March 1, 2020): $10.00
Beginning March 1st, dogs not registered will be charged a fine of $10 in addition to the cost of the license as required by the Canine Control Ordinance.
Licenses may be purchased in person at the Town Clerk’s Office, located at 66 Central Square in the Academy Building. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 8am to 4pm, Friday 8am to 1pm.
Licenses also may be purchased by mailing a request, the proper fee, self-addressed stamped envelope and copy of current rabies certificate to Town Clerk’s Office, 66 Central Square, Bridgewater, MA 02324.
Residents with questions are welcome to contact the Town Clerk’s Office (508-697-0921).
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Food Pantry Collection
The
Bridgewater Public Library
is collecting nonperishable food for the Bridgewater Food Pantry, located at 71 Central Square, during the month of December.
Collection boxes can be found near the circulation desk on the first floor and in the children’s room.
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Taunton River Watershed Tide Calendar Released
The Taunton River Watershed Alliance (TRWA) is pleased to announce the release of its Annual Taunton River Tide calendar. For our tenth year running, the TRWA has published a yearly calendar with tidal data for the Taunton River along with the winning images of the TRWA’s Calendar Photography Contest.
This year the calendar features the work of 19 area photographers and nature enthusiasts. Pictures are of the wildlife and scenery within the Taunton River Watershed, 562 square miles in all of or part of 43 Southeastern Massachusetts cities and towns.
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MIKE'S QUALITY
AUTO REPAIR
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• General Auto Repair
• Domestic & Imported Cars
• ASE Certified
• L1 ASE Certified
Over 20 Years of Experience
Local Family Owned Independent Shop
(508) 697-1122
85-2 Fireworks Circle (off Rt 18)
Bridgewater
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Call for more information today!
111 Torrey St, Suite 1, Brockton
508-456-6220
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Disabilities Education Screening Information
If you are concerned about your child’s growth and development and suspect that your child may have a disability or delayed area of development, please contact Tracy Taccini, Preschool Secretary of Special Education, 508-977-0504 x100. If you wish to have your child participate in a screening for the purpose of potentially enrolling within the district’s nationally accredited preschool program, BR's preschool program currently has 6 classrooms that are integrated where children with and without disabilities are educated together. A spot for the 2020 - 2021 school year may be reserved for any child who passes the screening.
The goal is to locate and help all children with disabilities residing in the State, including those who are homeless, wards of the State, and or attending private schools.
Respectfully,
Paul Tzovolos M.Ed., C.A.G.S.
Director of Student Services
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Wood Palace Kitchen Designs
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Step 2…
7 Mill St, Middleboro
(508) 947-1975
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OLD COLONY YMCA –
EAST BRIDGEWATER
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Ring in the New Year with a
New YOU!
Come in and sign up today!
(508) 378-3913
635 Plymouth St, East Bridgewater
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The Bridgewater Public Library will feature the “Hometown Heroes” banners in the Flora T. Little Art Gallery
The exhibition will be on display during the months of December and January.
Banners featuring the names and faces of nearly 100 local veterans are now adorning the walls and hanging from above, as part of a community project honoring their service.
The banners, measuring 24 inches by 48 inches, are part of the “Hometown Heroes” project, started by a committee made up of members of the Bridgewater Historical Commission, veterans and Bridgewater residents. Each banner (purchased by the veteran’s loved ones) features an image of the veteran, his or her name, the branch of service, the era of service if applicable and a sponsor’s name or message if desired.
The project is spearheaded by resident David Moore, who also serves as chair of the historical commission. The project was a way of saying “Thank you for your service” to the thousands of veterans from Bridgewater. There also is a book of stories corresponding with each veteran banner on display. The book recognizes the individual story and remembers that “War is hell and we must never forget that”. The book is available for purchase.
A reception will be held on Saturday, January 11
th
at 11:00 a.m. in the Flora T. Little Art Gallery at the Bridgewater Public Library.
If you are interested in supporting the Bridgewater Hometown Heroes Program, please email
BHHbanners@gmail.com
.
The Flora T. Little Gallery is open during regular library hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9a.m.-8p.m.; Thursday 10a.m.-5p.m., Friday, Saturday 10a.m.-2p.m.
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WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME
Have fun with us and bee entered to win a
Jump Start Training Package including nutrition consultation & 6 free sessions from Get In Shape For Women at
180 Winter St, Bridgewater
Value: $140
Historical Tidbit Question
:
What are the two types of mistletoe?
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 January 1, 2020 we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
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Starting Over
Now that we have a minute to breath...
it's a great time to weed out any old bad karma... habits or relationships, and this opens up space in your life for new positive habits & relationships.
“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” ~
Martin Luther King Jr.
“It’s never too late to become who you want to be. I hope you live a life that you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over.” ~
F. Scott Fitzgerald
“You can learn new things at any time in your life if you’re willing to be a beginner. If you actually learn to like being a beginner, the whole world opens up to you.” ~ Barbara Shur
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Starting over can be scary, but it's a scarier and sadder life that does not grow, learn, evolve, progress & create!
You are beautiful as you become a better you!
~ Jacquie
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The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by Jen Bellody, Janice O'Brien, Jacquelyn Rose, Gregory Venezia
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Copyright 2019 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 12/29/19")
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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