March 29, 2020
~ Building Community One Positive Story at a Time
|
|
|
|
Local Community Member Provides Free Handmade Masks!
Chrissy Fontaine Tompkins is hard at work sewing masks for free. She hangs them on a tree in her front yard. Here is her post:
"Grab a ziplock and come grab a mask! (These need to be washed before use!)
#UPDATE
: I am now making 2 panel masks with ties instead of elastic bands. Nurses are saying they like the pocket so they can put a protective liner in it. (Also the elastic gets sore behind the ears). "
Chrissy is accepting donations of 1/8” or 1/4”elastic, pipe cleaners and pro grain ribbon (not silky).
Please drop off at
37 Chestnut Rd Halifax.
"
#WeAreAllinThisTogether
! **** disclaimer ****THESE ARE NOT SURGICAL GRADE!!! The elastic kind are 3 ply 💯 cotton fabric stitched together with a pipe cleaner insert to bend around your nose. These are used OVER your mask if you need to reuse your PPE or if you work in retail etc. they are a reminder to NOT touch your face and that someone cares! (It was pointed out to me that I did not specify) Stay healthy everyone! ❤️"
If you sew, this is a great way to help! Masks can be hung on the tree when done."
Photo & Story Credit: Chrissy Fontaine
|
|
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!
|
|
Historical Tidbit:
Standish Manor School
Halifax, Massachusetts
(from a small handbook at the Museum of Halifax)
A Special School for Girls
Halifax - near Plymouth -
Massachusetts
Miss Alice M. Myers, Principal
Hazel G. Cullingford, Assistant Principal
PART 1
The Special School for Girls
Standish Manor, the special school for girls who need and desire personal care and individual instruction, was opened in 1911. So rapidly did this school outgrow its environment that there was need for even larger accommodations and better advantages for its students, and within a few years it was moved to the Standish Manor at Halifax, Massachusetts, which name it now bears. The search of more than a year for a large cheery home surrounded by spacious lawns, yet easily accessible to the larger cities, ended with the discovery of Standish Manor.
Halifax, twelve miles from historic Plymouth, is but twenty-eight miles from Boston on the direct line of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad.
An Attractive, Homelike School
Standish Manor, a most attractive, rambling house with large, airy rooms, all of which are flooded with sunlight at some part of the day, is an ideal school home for girls. Wide green lawns encircle the School which stands on the top of a rolling knoll high above the adjacent land. Health-giving pines stand beside the tall shade trees.
An air of quiet, peaceful happiness pervades the Manor and the cozy, sunny study-rooms where girls find everything to make work interesting. The building is amply supplied with bathrooms and all other modern conveniences. Good times center about the gymnasium and play room. Here a large open fireplace, a piano and victrola in leisure hours inspire the girls to dancing, singing, games, story telling and reading. In the same building are the Domestic Science Department and the Studio for Manual Arts. The cheery rooms where the girls live have been described by one of the students as "happy rooms."
This is a photo of the J. L. Jones Estate
that was at one time known as
Standish Manor School.
|
|
Town Hall
499 Plymouth Street
781-294-1316
Mon-Thurs 8a - 4p
Office personnel available through phone and email only
For needed updates, check the town website.
Holmes Public Library
470 Plymouth Street
781-293-2271
Mon. & Wed. 12 - 8p
Tues., Thurs., Fri. 10a - 5p
Saturday 10a - 2p
Office personnel available through phone and email only
Council on Aging
506 Plymouth Street
781-293-7313
Mon - Thurs 9a - 3p
Friday 9a - 1p
Office personnel available through phone and email only. All in person activities and events are suspended
Food Pantries
Halifax Congregational Church
503 Plymouth St. (Rt 106)
781-293-6393
Tuesdays -2:30 - 4p
St Vincent De Paul
Our Lady of the Lake Church
580 Monponsett St, Halifax
(781)293- 7971
2nd & 4th Saturday 9a
|
Congratulations!
Judy Chaves
won a
$50 gift certificate to Beauty Counter products through Independent Consultant
Christine Harkins.
The clean revolution
You should play our
Historical Tidbit Trivia Game
at the bottom of this newsletter.
You could win a
$20 gift certificate to
Johnny Macaroni Take Out
at any of their 3 locations.
|
|
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.
|
|
Halifax Town Government
Schools
- Buildings closed through Sunday, May 3 - see also
slrsd.org “Grab and go” lunches will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for eligible families who completed the survey or called into our food services director. Call Halifax Elementary info 781-293-2581.
Town Hall
- The staff will continue to perform their duties and be present to assist you via telephone 781-590-3888 or e-mail during their normal business hours. No Public allowed in the building. Please contact the appropriate department for assistance -
directory.
Council on Aging
-The entire staff will be providing transportation to medically necessary doctors’ appointments, deliver Meals on Wheels, and phone check-ins.
If anyone would like to donate non-perishable food items and toiletries for the seniors they can be dropped off in the bins on the porch of the Council on Aging/Pope's Tavern. . Building closed to the public, COA activities & events are suspended.
Library
- Staff available to answer questions by phone and many online services are being offered.
Building closed up to April 7 with all fines waived.
Recycling Center
- curbside trash and recycling following normal schedule; bulky waste collection for April is on Thursday, April 30 - registration deadline is Thursday, April 16 at 2pm. The "pink bag" pick-up service through Simple Recycling has been suspended on an indefinite basis.
The Recycling Coordinator will continue to perform her duties and be present to assist you via telephone (781-293-1732) or e-mail
sjohnston@town.halifax.ma.us during normal business hours from Monday to Thursday from 9am to 2pm. Building & offices closed to the public.
Water Department
-Services being provided; residents call the office 781-293-1733 with any issues.
*Residents and others will be able to pay bills by check or money order by placing the bills, along the checks and/or money orders, in an envelope and dropping them off in the small white mailbox to the left hand side of the doors on the parking lot side of Town Hall. In addition, payments can be made via the Town's web site (visit
www.halifax-ma.org/ and click on "Online Payments" - both credit cards and EFTs (using your checking account) can be used). If your only option is cash and you cannot get a money order, please contact the Treasurer-Collector's Office at (781) 294-8381 and make arrangements for a cash payment.
|
|
Virtual Free Meditation - Heavily Meditated at Emerald
Wellness event in Pembroke by Emerald Yoga Studio on Mondays at 8p.
Read more
www.facebook.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
See our amazing disappearing chicks.
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
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!
Click
here
to visit the official website.
|
|
 |
OLD COLONY YMCA
East Bridgewater
|
Virtual fitness workouts from Les Mills, MOSSA, and Y360 for the whole family!
Download our app – Search for
Old Colony YMCA
to get started!
Kids - do the online sport challenges found on our
Facebook Page
!
Join the weekly challenges and earn rewards for staying active!
#stayhomestayhealthy
|
|
|
|
March Madness at Get in Shape for Women
|
6 Week Body Transformation Special!
3 strength & cardio small group training sessions per week for 1 hour each session
nutrition and accountability
Start your FREE Trial today!
180 Winter St., Bridgewater
(across from Chatta Box)
Contact Stephanie at 508-697-2900
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
Annual Town Meeting Postponed.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Halifax Board of Selectmen has approved a new date for the Annual Town Meeting, originally scheduled for Monday, May 11, 2020. Instead, the Annual Town Meeting will be held on Monday, June 15, 2020 beginning at 7:30pm in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Halifax Elementary School. In addition, there will be a special town meeting on same date and location beginning at 8:00pm.
Along with this change, the Board has rescheduled the Annual Town Election, originally scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2020, to a new date, Saturday, June 20, 2020 from 10am to 6pm in the Halifax Elementary School Gym.
The hope is that the current State orders concerning the size of gatherings will have been discontinued by these dates. If these orders or other measures prevent the Town Meeting and Town Election from occurring on the new dates listed above, the Meetings and Election will be rescheduled again.
|
Send us pix, video & stories - What are you doing with your free time?
|
|
Bog Fishing ~ it's easy to social distance here!
Photos Courtesy of Stephanie Keeley
|
|
|
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:
When did the Standish Manor School open?
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.
|
The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Jen Bellody, Theresa McNulty, Janice O'Brien, Megan Piche, Stacy Rancourt, Deena Anzum, Jacquelyn Rose & Gregory Venezia
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Your impact is huge. Ants can carry up to 40 x their weight, we are a speck, but we are mighty.
~ Jacquie
|
|
|
|
Copyright 2019 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 3/29/2020")
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
