Whitman Shines Bright at Night to Shine Prom

The Whitman Police Department joined the community in celebrating inclusivity and joy at the 10th Annual Night To Shine Prom, held at the Whitman VFW hall. The event, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation and locally by the Calvary Baptist Church in Hanson, brought together individuals with disabilities for an evening of dancing, socializing, and fun. Rita Stokinger sent a special shout out of thanks on FB: "So many wonderful volunteers helped decorate the hall, put together goodie bags for the guests, and joined them in celebrating the evening. A special thanks to the great kitchen crew for cooking all of the food during the day, and for Paula for making 400 cookies. Thanks also to Pembroke PD Deputy Chief Wendy LaPierre, Whitman PD's Sgt. Kevin Harrington and Nola, and officers Alyssa Andrews and Tara O'Hearn, as well as Whitman Fire Department Captain Nick Grasso and Firefighter/paramedics Chris Donahue, Steve Foster, and Joe Lasko for coming to give out crowns and tiaras to our honored guests."

Whitman PD played a special role. Officers from the department, including Sergeant Kevin Harrington and comfort dog Nola, were on hand to add to the festivities, joining volunteers in celebrating with the guests, and making sure everyone had a night to remember. Nola was a big hit, offering companionship throughout the night.

The prom was a collaborative effort, with numerous volunteers decorating the hall, preparing goodie bags, and joining the celebration. It was truly the guests time to shine, and something everyone involved looks forward to.

Story by Kendall Fletcher Buzz Around Intern, Southern New Hampshire University
Historical Tidbit:

King's Castle Land

From 1968 to 1994, Whitman was home to  King's Castle Land, a seven acre amusement park with fire-breathing dragons, a towering 22-foot statue of Paul Bunyan and dozens of child-inspired amusements and rides.

This video, narrated by Clarence Whitney the former owner, gives a history of his toy store, the land purchase and the building of Kings Castle Land.
Kings Castle Land



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Town Hall
781-618-9700

Public Library
M-Th 9:30a-8p; Fri 9:30a- 4:30p;
Sat 9:30a-4 (during school year only)
781-447-7613

Council on Aging
781-447-7619

St. Vincent de Paul/Whitman Food Pantry
By appointment only: 781-447-8560
Congratulations!
Julia Nanigian
won a 45-minute Reiki Treatment with
Jacquelyn Rose

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

Enter for this week's prize of
$15 gift certificate to Pinches & Pounds
Candy Store Rt 18, Whitman
Primary Voting
Tue, Mar 5th
6p-8p
Town Hall
54 South Avenue

It's primary season, so don't forget to vote this year! Election day is Tuesday, March 5th from 7am to 8pm.
Whitman Middle School Building Committee
February 27, 2024
Video courtesy of WHCA9TV
The Life of George Washington
Thur, Mar 7
12p
Whitman Council on Aging
16 Hayden Ave
(781) 447-7619

The Whitman Council on Aging is hosting a talk on the life of George Washington, led by speaker Richard Nichols. This informative session will delve into the fascinating journey of the first US President, from his early years to his time as a soldier and ultimately, the leader of the nation.

Call extension 2 to reserve your spot! Don't miss this chance to learn more about the iconic figure who shaped American history.
A Taste of
Whitman and Hanson

Thurs, March 7
5:30-8p
VFW Post #697
95 Essex St

Whitman and Hanson's 'Dollars for Scholars' will be celebrating their 15th annual “A Taste of
Whitman and Hanson”, and up to twenty local restaurants and food service providers will be
offering samples from their menu to the general public.Tickets are $15 per person in advance and $20 at the door, but space is limited!
Tickets may be purchased on Eventbrite or at Duval's Pharmacy in Whitman, Sandy's Coffee Corner in Hanson, and the Town Clerk's office in either town. All proceeds benefit Dollars for Scholars in the form of scholarships at awards night.
Open Mic Night

Sat, Mar 9
6p-8p
Holmestead Harvest
30 Temple St

Come on out to the Holmestead for a night of live storytelling hosted by Evergreen & Grey. The theme of the night is “Broken” so create or fine tune a poem of your own and share with the crowd! Or, if you just love to hear a good story while sipping an IPA or a glass of Chardonnay, you're welcome to join. $5 entrance, cash bar, and snacks! Walk ins are welcome.
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the Whitman Council on Aging!
Tue, Mar 12
12p
Whitman Council on Aging
16 Hayden Ave
(781) 447-7619

Join your neighbors for a festive St. Patrick's Day luncheon on Tuesday, March 12th at noon. Enjoy a delicious corned beef and cabbage meal prepared by Nautical Mile, followed by sweet treats and lively entertainment by Al MacKay.

Space is limited, so sign up today! Call the Council on Aging at extension 2. Don't miss out on this fun-filled afternoon.
Climate Can Do: Addressing Climate Resilience through Fairtrade Chocolate

Do you love chocolate? If so, you're not alone. Americans eat 58 million pounds of chocolate during Valentine's week, lets look at some eco-friendly ways to enjoy it.

The supply of chocolate struggles with the increasing demand due to the impact of climate change on the cocoa industry.

Cocoa trees grow in humid climates and take up to a year to produce enough cocoa for half a pound of chocolate. Climate Change is a significant threat to countries around the equator, like Indonesia, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast, where cocoa grows.
 
Sustainable cocoa farming promotes fair trade and climate-smart practices, helping farmers earn fair prices, prevent deforestation, and mitigate climate change. However, producing chocolate has a high carbon footprint due to transportation and requires over 1,180 gallons of water per pound.

You can reduce your chocolate's carbon footprint by taking simple steps:

  • Choose simple, recyclable packaging over fancy ones.
  • Choose dark chocolate over milk chocolate for lower sugar content and a smaller carbon footprint.
  • Buy fair trade chocolate that guarantees sustainable cocoa farming and fair payment to farmers.
  • Choose local "bean-to-bar" chocolate for quality and eco-friendliness.

Look for products with third-party certifications, like Fair Trade USA, or brands like Choceur Superberries, Chuao Chocolatier, and Bake Believe, to name a few. 


Jennifer Hernández, BuzzAround Intern and Southern New Hampshire University graduate student wrote this Climate Can-Do Article. 

Together, we can make a difference by taking action to live sustainably. Let's empower ourselves to create a better future for our planet, one step at a time.
Make a Difference in A Child's Life:
Be a North Rive Collaborative
Van Driver
Split AM/PM and Afternoon Shifts
*Sign on Bonus
Starting Salary: Drivers: $20 plus benefits.
                Monitors: $15.85 plus benefits.

 Benefits: health, dental, vision, life insurance & MA State Retirement.
Paid sick/ personal time.
7D license Training Provided
Contact: Deb Thompson
781-878-6056, ext. 162
Nessralla Farm

Now Sourcing Fresh Veggies For the Winter!

Trucking in yummy kitchen staples to add to our local farm goodies~ stop by!

Keeping warm with firewood? We've got it!
Nessralla Farm
416 Plymouth St. , Halifax, MA
(781) 293-6792
Dr. Chris Jones, Principal of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
Minimize, Prioritize, Say No 

Dr. Chris Jones, in this episode of the SEEing to Lead podcast, discusses how to overcome excuses and prioritize effectively.

In the video, he argues that excuses are powerful and can guide our behavior. He points out that we often make excuses for not doing things we should do, but we rarely make excuses for things we shouldn't do.

Dr. Jones suggests that instead of making excuses for not following our priorities, we should use those excuses on the things that are getting in the way of our priorities. For example, if you are tempted to make an excuse for not going to the gym, use that excuse to avoid watching TV instead.

By using excuses for the things that are not important, we can make sure that we are staying focused on our priorities and working towards our goals. Dr. Jones concludes the video by challenging viewers to take action on something they heard and to continue building their character.
Whitman DPW Building Committee
February 26, 2024
Video courtesy of WHCA9TV
Saturday Yoga Continues
3/9, 3/23, 3/30
9:30a
3/16
2:30p

Due to overwhelming demand, the Whitman Public Library is thrilled to announce the extension of their popular Saturday yoga class throughout March.

Join instructor Vicky from the Whitman Wellness Center for a session of gentle stretches and mindful movement every Saturday at 9:30 am. Please note, the class on March 16th will be held at a special time of 2:30 pm.
Duval's Pharmacy
From Stonewall Kitchen Yummies to Whitman Spirit Gear ~ You'll Be Surprised What You'll find at Duval's


Open: Mon-Fri: 8:30a - 6p | Sat: 9a - 3p
Sun: 9a - 1p

571 Washington St • 781-447-0606

"... when you want effective advertising, use BuzzAround."

"Johnny Macaroni's has advertised with BuzzAround since 2012. As our business grows, we keep a continuous presence in our local BuzzAround email newsletters.. They help us with ad design and involve us in contests, getting new customers through...

Read more
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Scholarship Opportunities with Dollars for Scholars

Scholarships with Dollars for Scholars for students from the class of 2024 are open for application.

Begin your journey by completing your student profile for Dollars for Scholars. By doing so, you'll unlock access to a treasure trove of resources from Scholarship America, empowering you to secure local and national scholarships tailored to your aspirations.
Don't delay—profiles can be updated regularly, ensuring you stay ahead in the race for financial aid. Submit your application electronically to Whitman & Hanson Dollars for Scholars. Under the students & parents section. The deadline for submissions is March 15. whitmanandhanson.dollarsforscholars.org

Whitman Fire & Police Teams
Battle Over Girl Scout Cookies

The Police Department and Firefighters of Whitman have begun a playful social media war over what else...Girl Scout cookies! The feud began February 18th, with an innocent post on Facebook by the local PD, reading: "Officer Roger Kineavy is in Whitman Center supporting the local Girl Scout Troop by purchasing some of their delicious cookies! This cookie purchase was strictly charity motivated. 🙄 Let’s go Whitman Firefighters Local 1769! Where are you? 😉"
The Firefighters seemed to take this as a challenge, shortly making their own post: "Alright Whitman Police Department, we see you! Be sure to visit the local Girl Scouts in the center of town for your cookies!"
As Marie Spillane Kwash pointed out in a comment, it seemed the firefighters purchased more cookies that day. But the real message here is that the cookies are delicious, and loved by everyone. Make sure to grab a box and support the Girl Scouts!

Written by Erin Payne Buzz Around Intern, SNHU
WEEKLY TRIVIA GAME

Have fun with us and bee entered to win:
$15 gift certificate to Pinches & Pounds
Candy Store Rt 18, Whitman

Historical Tidbit Question:
How tall was Paul Bunyan's statue?

Email us your answer at: 
Include your name, and phone number with your answer.

Prize Box Rules: By entering, you give us permission to print your name in next week's Buzz Around.

On March 6, 2024 before 2p, we will randomly pick a winner from the correct answers.
The BuzzAround is brought to you this week by Kendall Fletcher, Erin Payne, Jamie Puhi, Jacquelyn Rose & Greg Venezia.
OK, It's take charge season! This is where we step into our power and voice our opinion. For the future of our communities, our children, and humanity, VOTE!

“It's not enough to just want change ... You have to go and make change by voting."
~ Taylor Swift, singer-songwriter

 "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate

"If you don’t vote, you lose the right to complain.” ~ George Carlin, American Comedian

"Your voices are being heard and you’re proving to our ancestors that their struggles were not in vain. Now we have one more thing we need to do to walk in our true power, and that is to vote." 
~ Beyoncé, Grammy Award-winning singer
All the cool kids will be seen at the polls : ) ~ Jacquie
Your BuzzAround supports the dignity of all human beings, is actively anti-racist, and supportive of good law enforcement policies. 
Copyright 2024 Buzz Around Whitman. 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 Whitman 3/3/24")
 
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. Buzz Around is not responsible for the media content of other organizations.