Holmes Public Library's Genealogy Group Tours
the Halifax Museum!

This past week, the Halifax Museum was happy to host the Holmes Public Library's Genealogy Group for an incredibly fun tour filled with excitement and a wealth of information on local history. The Holmes Public Library's Genealogy Group meets on the first Wednesday of every month, and is entirely patron run. Huge thanks to Sue Basile for sharing her wealth of information!

Photo and Story Credit: Holmes Public Library FB Page
Historical Tidbit:
Country Store Goes Modern

(August 7, 1942 newspaper article
under Halifax news.)
In many sections of New England, the old country store is fast becoming only a memory. On Friday of this week, Halifax, the geographical centre of Plymouth County, will note the change from the old country store and post-office to a self-service store.
The present store was built by the late George A. Estes during the summer of 1908, and opened to the public with organ music and refreshments for all in January, 1909. Mr. Estes not only sold groceries, including flour, sugar and molasses in barrels in those days, but also calico, gingham, grain, seed, hayforks, rakes, scythes, dishes and tin ware. His daughter, Mrs. Myrtie Armstrong of Plymouth Street, says her father once even accepted a commission to buy a hat for a customer.
Before building the store in its present location, Mr. Estes operated a country store at the top of the hill by the driveway at the present Brown Poultry Farm. What happened to the old store? It was moved, and now serves as a cow barn on the Brown farm.
The store which Mr. Estes built, with the help of Augustus Howland of Bryantville and the late George A. Armstrong of Plymouth Street, later was sold to his son, Albion. After a few years, he in turn sold to A. A. Anderson, who sold to George A. Armstrong in 1918. Mr. Armstrong was storekeeper for nine years, selling out in 1927 to Harry D. Minor, Sr.
In the fall of that year the post-office was transferred from the library building to the store, with Mr. Minor as postmaster. Mr. Minor was storekeeper and postmaster for 14 years, selling out to Rufus O. Case. On August 6, 1941, he took over the job of waiting on customers and tending mail at the same time.
Now Mr. Case has decided to "go modern" and let the customers wait on themselves.

[This store, now an apartment building, is located next to the museum. The one mentioned "at the top of the hill by the driveway" was once known as Packard's Store and would have been in the middle of the driveway between the Water Department and Pope's Tavern. The Brown's lived in what we know as "Pope's Tavern" and ran a poultry farm. Mrs. Brown sold the property to the town of Halifax.] 
Respectfully Submitted, Sue Basile
Town Hall
781-294-1316

Holmes Public Library
 781-293-2271

Council on Aging
506 Plymouth Street
781-293-7313
COA

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!
Denise Draganetti
You won a One hour of coaching (value $80)
with Glee Works Holistic Personal Coaching
781-223-8221 MarcyVenezia@gmail.com
Learn mindful techniques to reduce stress
and anxiety.

Bee sure to play our Historical Tidbit Trivia Game at the bottom of this newsletter.

Enter for this week's prize of
$25 gift certificate to Johnny Macaroni's Restaurant, East Bridgewater & Halifax
Halifax Board of Selectmen Meeting 3-14-23
Video Provided by Area58_Halifax
Halifax Finance Committee Meeting 3-13-23
Video Provided by Area58_Halifax
Grants Rental

Where people go to work smarter, not harder!
Grants Rental has the everything you need to get the job done!

10 Bedford Park, Bridgewater
(508) 279-0950

Halifax COA Welcomes Ruth Mills and the Ruth Mills Literary Services!

The Halifax Council on Aging is thrilled to welcome aboard Ruth Mills and the Ruth Mills Literary Services LLC. Ruth is a renowned editor and ghost writer with over 25 years worth of publishing experience. Ruth will be volunteering her talents every Friday from 10a to noon, so come by and write about you! For more information, call the COA: 781-293-7313.
Halifax Farmer's Market Looking for Vendors for Upcoming Season!

The Halifax Farmer's Market is currently looking for some more vendors to contribute to this year's season. The first Farmer's Market will take place on Saturday, May 20th from 10a–3p. If you or someone you know has a small business they would like to promote for this season, reach out to Halifax Farmers market via email or phone, (781)-336-9704.

For any questions, or to apply to be a vendor, please email halifaxfarmersmarket@gmail.com
Holmes Public Library Sponsoring Rug Hooking Workshop!
Saturday, March 25th
10:30a–1:30p

The Holmes Public Library is sponsoring a no-experience needed Rug Hooking workshop on Saturday, March 25th. Spend an afternoon learning how to make a coaster/sampler with step-by-step instructions and all the materials provided! Registration is needed, and can be done over the phone by calling: (781)-293-2271.
Come to any of our dine-in locations to see for yourself just how tasty our new dinner specials are! 
Halifax Congregational Church Hosting Upcoming Chowder Luncheons

The Halifax Congregational Church will be hosting Chowder Luncheons each Friday during the Lenten Season, March 3–31, beginning at 11:30a. The church is located at 503 Plymouth Street, on Route 106.   
 
The luncheons will consist of your choice of Clam or Corn chowder, dessert and a beverage. The cost per person is $10.00. For those who prefer to have chowder only, the cost is $8.00. Take-out is also available.
 
Please come and join us for a wonderful luncheon and fellowship! All are warmly welcomed.  
Halifax Youth and Recreation Department Holding 22nd Annual 'Egg Spectacular'

Saturday April 1
11a–1p
Halifax Elementary School Gymnasium

The Halifax Youth and Recreation Department is once again hosting the annual Egg Spectacular Event, this year it will be Saturday, April 1st. The egg hunt will be free, and only cash will be accepted at the concession stands. Rain or shine
the event will include egg hunts, The Bunny, face painting, glitter tattoos, and more. Stay tuned to the Halifax Youth and Rec Center Facebook for upcoming updates.For any questions, reach out to Christine Herrick at  (774)283-2965.
Climate Can-Do:
Helping Our Community Reduce Plastic Bag Usage

When we go to the grocery store, we're not typically focused on how we're bringing our goods home. We browse the aisles, putting item after item into our cart, and eventually make our way to the checkout line. Placing groceries on the conveyor belt, we watch the cashier scan items, then place them into bags, often those thin plastic bags. When we get home, we put our purchases away, grab the plastic bags, and what happens next?

Massachusetts residents are estimated to use more than 2 billion plastic bags every year. That means that on average, every Massachusetts person uses a plastic bag every single day! While plastic is versatile, lightweight, inexpensive, and waterproof, this has lead to overuse and the creation of serious problems. Plastic is a synthetic material that does not biodegrade; once it enters the environment, it stays there forever! Bringing reusable bags only cuts back our individual use. We are now dealing with microplastics in our drinking water. These bags are a problem.

A solution: as of May 2022, 154 of the 292 cities and towns in Massachusetts have cut back single use by regulating plastic shopping bags. This number represents over 4 million people, which is about two-thirds of the state’s population. A few of our hives have taken this step: Bridgewater, Halifax, and Whitman. If you want to get a plastic bag ban passed in your community, reach out to your local elected officials, and local trails, beautification, garden clubs, and conservation commissions to generate support.


Information sourced from the Massachusetts Sierra Club.

This Climate Can-Do Article was written by intern Tess Fiumefreddo of Franklin & Marshall College. We focus on actions which individuals can do in the face of our climate emergency. We can do!
Seeds, Seeds and More Seeds! 
Ready to start your garden indoors? We have your seeds, pots and all the supplies you'll need to have your best harvest yet!

1000 Plymouth St (Rt 104) • Bridgewater • (508) 697-0357
Upcoming Spring TRIAD Meetings

Just a reminder for the upcoming TRIAD meetings that will be held on Tuesdays at 10a in the Great Hall of the Halifax Town Hall (499 Plymouth St). Save the dates for these following days:
April 4th - There will be a presentation from the Halifax Fire Department paramedics along with Police Officer Joe Cushman on how they approach 9-1-1 calls as well as a discussion on how to administer Narcan for opioid overdoses.
May 2nd - Police Chief Chaves has organized this presentation on community outreach and a public education program about the state 9-1-1 department.
For more information call the COA: 781-293-7313.
Halifax Adult Recreational Volleyball Now Open for Spring Registration

The Spring season for Halifax Adult Recreational Volleyball is starting up on Tuesday, April 4th. No experience is necessary to join, admission is free for all Halifax residents and $20 for non-residents. Sessions will be held at the Halifax Elementary School.

For more information and to register, visit the Halifax Adult Rec. Volleyball Event here.
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Annual Town Election Coming Up!
Saturday, May 13
Halifax Elementary School

Just a reminder that the 2023 Annual Town Election will be held on Saturday, May 13th at the Halifax Elementary School, 464 Plymouth Street. Nomination papers are also available at the Town Clerk's Office, and the deadline to submit nomination papers is Friday, March 24th.

For any additional information and resources on the election, visit the official Town of Halifax site.
Halifax Elementary Celebrates Read Across America!

All week long, Halifax Elementary School had a blast celebrating Read Across America Week! Read Across America is a nation-wide celebration and recognition of the importance of reading and books, directed through the National Education Association. As a part of this celebration, students were encouraged to dress up as their favorite Dr. Seuss character, this past Thursday.

Story and photo credit: Halifax Elementary School FB Page
WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME
Have fun with us and bee entered to win a:
$25 gift certificate to Johnny Macaroni's Restaurant, East Bridgewater & Halifax

Historical Tidbit Question:
What was the name of the postmaster / storekeeper?

Email us your answer at: 
Please include your name and phone number with your answer.
By entering, you give us permission to print your name in next week's Buzz Around.
 On March 22, 2023, before 2p, we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
The Buzz Around is brought to you this week by: Jen Bellody, Sean Fitzgerald, Mohamed (Moe) Ibrahim, Janice O'Brien, Jacquelyn Rose & Greg Venezia.
Challenges
"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." ~ Cayla Mills

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." ~ William James

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are." ~ Bernice Johnson Reagon

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."  ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Every day we choose who we are by how we define ourselves." ~ Angelina Jolie
As we are upon the 3rd anniversary of the shut down; I think about how we came together to overcome. We are strongest when we collectively build and work through challenges; forgiving our learning curves and knee jerk reactions; mindfully treating each other and our planet with respect; and committing ourselves to the task.
BuzzAround is here to share stories and ideas of hope so that we are empowered to overcome. Whatever happens, folks, we are in this together.
Have a great week ~ Jacquie
Your BuzzAround supports the dignity of all human beings, is actively anti-racist, and supportive of good law enforcement policies. 
Copyright 2023 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 3/19/23")
 
Disclaimer: At the Buzz Around, we promote community and family. There are links to town committees and other non-profit groups, in the newsletters. Individual groups are responsible for how they represent themselves on their websites and in their promotional materials. BuzzAround is not responsible for the media content of other organizations.