March 29, 2020
~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time
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West Bridgewater Lions Club is hosting a door/porch
decorating contest.
The theme is "AMERICA THE GREAT"! You can enter for free simply by posting your address here in the comments or send me a private message. All doors should be decorated and ready for DRIVE BY viewing by March 31st! We will publish a list of all homes to drive by on April 1st. At some point we will publish a photo of all the entries. The top entries with the most "Likes" will win a Gift Certificate to one of our locally owned restaurants.
Get creative, be resourceful, use what you have!
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Apply for Food Benefits &
You'll be helping to feed all
our WB kids!
"Dear Wildcat Families,
West Bridgewater cafeteria staff is hoping to start serving grab and go “drive-thru” meals for students starting next week on a more regular schedule. We know that it sometimes feels like children eat all day long, especially now with them being home. Making sure they have healthy options and enough food is putting a strain on many families’ food budgets.
Before this crisis, West Bridgewater had over 250 students that qualified for free or reduced-price meals. Despite that number, we still fell below the threshold to be eligible to receive Federal money to serve free meals to students during the current school closure.
Right now, the need is much greater as many parents are unable to work or have reduced income as a result of the current health crisis. If we are able to demonstrate that our community’s need has increased, we will be able to offer daily meals to all students free of charge.
In order to do this, I am asking families that have not previously qualified for meal benefits to fill out an application if their household income has decreased. Even if you feel that you do not need assistance for your own children, if we can qualify more households, you will be helping other families in need.
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Does your small business need help adapting to taking on-line orders?
BuzzAround can help!
Want to let our community know how you can service them?
BuzzAround publishes to 10,000 subscribers, it's a great time to advertise,
our readership is UP!
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Historical Tidbit:
Christopher Read
"Born in Leiscester, England. Came to the USA and to Brockton in the year 1885 at the age of sixteen years. Worked in the shoe industry in various capacities for a number of years. Moved to West Bridgewater in 1899. Became active in town affairs and served on many important committees. In 1921, was appointed Moth Superintendent, later elected Tree Warden, and held those positions until the time of his death June 7, 1945.
He was a member of St. George Lodge of Masons in Brockton and Knights of Pythias Howard Lodge in West Bridgewater. Christopher Read, of quiet disposition, needs no eulogy of pen from the people of West Bridgewater. All knew him: amiable, sincere, honest and an efficient official for twenty four years. We are grateful for the privilege of having known him."
Information from: West Bridgewater Annual Report, Year Ending December 31, 1945.
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Media & News Journalism are Essential!
We continue to bee here for our communities. Helping with good news and supporting our local businesses through this time.
It has never been more important...
buy local!!!
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Town Hall
65 N. Main Street
508-894-1200
Check town website for needed updates
WB Public Library
80 Howard Street
508-894-1255
Council on Aging
97 West Center Street
508-894-1262
Food Pantry
1st & 3rd Wednesday each month
3:15 - 5p
Spring Street School
2 Spring St, WB
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Congratulations!
Lynn MacDonald
won a
$50 gift certificate to Beauty Counter products through Independent Consultant Christine Harkins.
You should play our
Historical Tidbit Trivia Game
at the bottom of this newsletter.
You could win a
$20 gift certificate to Johnny Macaroni's Take out at any of their 3 locations.
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Storytime!
Ms. Gail gives a story hour to kids during the COVID-19 crisis. Thanks go out to the publishers who have allowed these books to be read online: Little Brown, Scholastic, Penguin, Random House.
Video Courtesy of Ellen Snoeyenbos
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Notice from Town of West Bridgewater
*Town Hall Service, Council on Aging Services, & DPW services all are available. However, the offices are closed to walk in traffic and the COA in-person activities have all been suspended.
*Please note the Meals on Wheels program will continue as normal.
*Please leave a message when you call into departments 508-894-1200. We are checking voicemail frequently! We will return it!
*This is a fluid situation and things may change or be updated as neede
d. Please check back to keep up to date
westbridgewaterma.org
.
*Police and Fire regular business can be reached through their business lines. COVID -19 questions can be answered at the
MASS website. If you think you have symptoms, call your doctor. For Emergency, dial 911.
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“Altaring”
In these days of epidemic, which can bring about uncertainty, helplessness, and even fear, we find ourselves asking “what can I DO about it?”
Altering is a way to channel that into positive, peace-filled, and prayerful action.
Here’s what you do: The first rock is for you to unite your cares with your brothers and sisters in faith, as well as a conduit through which you can pour your uneasiness, fear or grief from lost events. Pray over your rock. A wonderful way to surrender those worries is to bring it to the front steps of Outdoor Stations of the Cross at St. Ann’s (or a place at your own Church). The sign featured in this post indicate the dropping-off points for your rocks! This will unite our worry together. I will gladly pray over the rocks each day. You can bring a rock every day if it helps. In doing this physical activity your are signaling to your heart to trust in God. He is carrying us and is by our side every step of this.
The second rock is to be decorated and left on the doorstep or on the side of the driveway for someone on your walk. Maybe you know a healthcare worker, first responder, or retail worker that could use a reminder they are loved and appreciated. Or maybe a local business that needs to be reminded their community is behind them in their efforts. Leave it where it can be seen and appreciated, but not where it can be tripped over.😮
Peace,
Fr. Paul, St. Ann's Catholic Church
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Disconnect with Cyberspace.
Reconnect with Open Space.
The mission of this initiative is to reconnect families and children with the great outdoors.
This
‘Take a Hike!’ Guide
is for individuals, groups and families who are interested in exploring the State Parks and Forests of Southeast Massachusetts.
While the visitor centers are closed, all state parks and comfort stations across the Commonwealth remain open and available for the public to utilize. DCR reminds residents and visitors to avoid gathering in large groups, maintain social distancing, and practice healthy personal hygiene to stop the spread of the virus.... BUT YES!!!! GET OUT AND HIKE!!!
Here are more easy ones.
Most trails are well marked. Trail maps & directions may be found at
mass.gov/dcr.
You will also find directions to these parks at the above website. You will
need a good pair of sneakers or boots
and a bottle of water!
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See our amazing disappearing chicks.
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We have wood pellets, feed & grain and
we're open for essential items!
Please call with your order and drive up.
1000 Plymouth St (Rt 104) Bridgewater
(508) 697-0357
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West Bridgewater Food Pantry...
here to help!
During this unprecedented time of uncertainty WB Food Pantry is here to help! They provide food to those in need in our community twice a month. Many of these individuals rely on this food as a major part of the food supply.
In addition, many families’ incomes have been or will be affected as businesses, restaurants, stores and more temporarily close or cut hours. As a result, they expect that they will begin to see more people need our assistance for food and other sundries to help them through this difficult time.
While they receive generous food donations from members of the community frequently, monetary donations would be most helpful during this difficult time.
It allows them to purchase specific food that we need from the Greater Boston Food Bank and other groceries stores to help those in our community in need.
Donations may be sent to:
West Bridgewater Food Pantry
2 School Street
West Bridgewater, MA 02379
Thank you!
Members of the West Bridgewater Food Pantry
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Census 2020
The time is now. Help shape your future, and your community's future, by responding to the 2020 Census.
The 2020 Census will determine congressional representation, inform hundreds of billions in federal funding every year, and provide data that will impact communities for the next decade.
School lunches. Plans for highways. Support for firefighters and families in need. Census results affect your community every day.
The official Census Bureau mailings include detailed information and a Census ID for completing the Census online, but your census can be completed with or without your code... just get it done!!!
Count yourself in the population now!
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Info on the $2 Trillion Economic Rescue Plan Stimulus Payments
Most adults will get a one-time $1,200, although some would get less. For every qualifying child age 16 or under, the payment would be an additional $500.
How much you get depends on your income:
Single adults with Social Security numbers who are United States residents and have an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less would get the full amount. Married couples with no children earning $150,000 or less would receive a total of $2,400. And taxpayers filing as head of household would get the full payment if they earned $112,500 or less.
Above those income figures, the payment decreases until it stops altogether for single people earning $99,000 or married people who have no children and earn $198,000. According to the Senate Finance Committee, a family with two children would no longer be eligible for any payments if its income surpassed $218,000.
You can’t get a payment if someone claims you as a dependent, even if you’re an adult. In any given family and in most instances, everyone must have a valid Social Security number in order to be eligible. There is an exception for members of the military.
College students do not get anything if anyone claims them as a dependent on a tax return. Usually, students under age 24 are dependents in the eyes of the taxing authorities if a parent pays for at least half of their expenses.
Your adjusted gross income can be found on Line 8b of the 2019 1040 federal tax return. If you haven’t prepared a tax return yet, you can use your 2018 return. If you haven’t filed that yet, you can use a 2019 Social Security statement showing your income to see what an employer reported to the I.R.S.
If the Internal Revenue Service already has your bank account information, it would transfer the money to you via direct deposit based on the recent income-tax figures it already has.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he expected most people to get their payments within three weeks.
If you haven’t filed tax returns for "19 or '18 it would that affect your ability to receive a payment.
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An Assortment of Essential Educational items.
Taking Special Orders and Offering Curb Service
619 Washington St.
South Easton.
Proudly serving our community for 35 years. Trisha Peterson
508-238-3034
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Yes, We Are Hiring!
Our small businesses need help moving their operations to the digital format. Do you purchase on-line often? Our community needs your help!
Read more
buzzaround.info
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Looking at the physical distancing statements in Gov. Baker's advisory:
For the sake of our physical health, we all know to stay away from each other, what the World Health Organization now calls "Physical Distancing" (yes, the term "social distancing" is a misnomer, and they have changed it.).
"Residents are advised to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary activities during this two-week time period. "
"The Baker-Polito Administration does not believe Massachusetts residents can be confined to their homes and does not support home confinement for public health reasons."
So PLEASE NOTE: we are not being told to stay inside. There are activities you can participate in that are outside and do not come in contact with others. Our mental health and physical health demand that. Sometimes going out in your neighborhood or community is a necessity to accomplish these things. Get creative. Take up jogging. Do art & music. Take a walk in the woods. Fly a kite. Pick up trash. Please be mindful and take care of yourself, eat right & comply with the physical distancing protocols. ~ Jacquie
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Send us pix, video & stories - What are you doing with your free time?
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Joey’s Mindfulness Practice
By Marcy Venezia, GleeWorks Holistic Coaching
Joey can’t wait for me to arrive. He waits at the window until I park. Then runs to door and out to play! He picks up a stick and leaps off the porch looking back to see if I will chase him. Of course I do! He lets me get real close and at the last moment dodges sideways and runs just out of my reach. His tail is wagging.
Joey is my mindfulness master! Joey’s goal is to help me feel relaxed, grounded, and anchored. He knows that if I play with him, we will both be happy.
When a crisis occurs and the very foundation of our lives is threatened we are afraid and expect the worst. We have ANTs – Automatic Negative Thoughts. These ANTs are protective but when there is not an immediate threat and we are safe in our homes, they are just annoying and keep us in a biochemical state of fear. Joey has ANTs when dinner is late!
When I spend too much time by myself, put myself down or spend too much time on the computer, Joey steals the dish towel and stands just out of my reach so I will chase him. Joey being a Mindfulness Master knows just how to pop me out of my slump and anchor me in reality….. Got to get that towel before he chews it to shreds. Joey helps me anchor in the physical realm and engages my mind in getting the towel from him. I forget about my ANTs, move and problem solve. This makes Joey so happy, which makes me happy.
Joey masterfully helping me relax and get grounded. After running after him for about 10-15 minutes I am breathing hard and I feel joy. My body feels alive and kind of buzzes. I can easily sense my feet and hands and it feels good.
Did you know that the body naturally depresses itself when we sit or are still for long periods of time? Then the body tells the mind that it is tired and the mind gets depressed. Joey is a master at getting depressed as well. In the picture he is sad that he can’t practice mindfulness with me.
Joey needs this time to rest and recharge because he has a busy practice. He visits the bank. His head is outside the back window making sure that his owner is making the deposits. The tellers look forward to seeing Joey because he reminds them of their joy. Joey is paid in dog biscuits.
Joey reminds us to periodically focus our attention outside of ourselves and move! He lets us know that he loves us and helps us connect with our joy. When the ANTs are getting us remember Joey and his great mindfulness practice. Share Joey’s mindfulness practice with others. Look for Joey moments in your life with other animal and people. Look for the best in others and enjoy the simple things.
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Dance Theater of New England
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Celebrating 16 Years of Excellence!
Summer Dance Programs for All Ages
Enroll Now!
Dance Theater of New England
25 Scotland Blvd, Bridgewater
(508) 697-5255
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D'Agostino Insurance
111 Torrey St Suite #1
Brockton, MA 02301
Call (508) 586-0414
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Artist Interview
Interview with Allison Pratt, a Senior at West Bridgewater Middle/Senior High School whose art is on display at the WB Public Library.
Video Courtesy of WBTV
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No Utility Shutoffs
The
Dept. of Public Utilities
has prohibited utility companies from shutting off gas, electric, or water utility services for any customer while the State of Emergency Exists. That includes both residents and businesses.
NEED LEGAL ASSISTANCE?
For folks who have legal questions during this time. The state funds the Mass Legal Assistance Corporation which offers a range of legal aid programs.
sccls.org
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Superintendent Spotlight with
Dr. Patricia Oakley
"Remote" Carpool Karaoke with the Principals.
A update on how the remote classrooms are going. Video courtesy of WBTV.
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WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME
Have fun with us and bee entered to win a
$20 gift certificate to Johnny Macaroni take out at any of their 3 locations.
Historical Tidbit Question:
In what year did Christopher Read come to the United States?
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 April 1, 2020 we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
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The
Buzz Around is brought to you this week by:
Deena Anzum,
Jen Bellody,
Janice O'Brien, Megan Piche,
Jacquelyn Rose, & Greg Venezia
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You are the center of the universe AND you are a speck of dust.
This old Hebrew teaching about our ego speaks to me today. Rabbi Simcha Bunim, a great Polish Hasidic master at the turn of the 19th century, taught: “Everyone must have two pockets, with a note in each pocket, so that he or she can reach into one or the other, depending on the need.”
Every single day, we should feel worthy, loved, appreciated. If we don’t, we “should reach into the right pocket, and, there, find the words: ‘Bishvili nivra ha-olam’ The world was created for me." (BT Sanhedrin 37B). I will say it now to you, dear reader; you are worthy, loved, appreciated. Take care of yourself, eat right, exercise. Today, your smiling face is more important than ever.
And also, when we feel full of ourselves, unjustly put out by what our community needs of us right now, “one should reach into the left pocket, and find the words: ‘V’anochi afar v’efer’ I am but dust and ashes." (Gen. 18:27).
Walking in the forest, I feel both those at once. Feeling as tiny as an ant surrounded by great trees, and at the same time knowing how I affect those around me. Today and always, each of us has an important role to play in keeping our community strong. Making eye contact and smiling are important. Call each other, write notes, create public art. This is our challenge.
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Your impact is huge. Ants can carry up to 40 x their weight, we are a speck, but we are mighty.
~ Jacquie
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Copyright 2019 Buzz Around West Bridgewater.
You have our permission to share and copy this issue in its entirety or as much as you like. If you take it in part, please give credit: ("Buzz Around West Bridgewater 3/29/20")
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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