In our community: Greater Taunton events to look forward to this May
TAAVA hosting chicken BBQ drive-thru
The Taunton Area Vietnam Veterans Association will be hosting a chicken BBQ event on Saturday, May 22, at 5 p.m. The event will be drive-thru only, at the pavilion behind Dighton Town Hall and is a scholarship fundraiser. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by contacting Tony Rosario at 508-669-6877. Tickets must be purchased by May 19.
Children's series at Central Congregational Church
Pastor Doug Forbes will be sharing a series of children’s messages at the Central Congregational Church on Sundays at 10 a.m. The title of the series is "Treasured, we are all treasured by God!" At the conclusion of each message, the children will receive a new Bible Buddy toy or other keepsake.
The Central Congregational Church is located at 2 Webster Street in Middleboro. For more information or reservations, call Pastor Bruce Smith at 508-947-1256, or Pastor Doug Forbes at 508-923-9724.
May events at OCHM
TAUNTON — Join the Old Colony History Museum for family-friendly, virtual and socially-distanced events throughout the month of May.
All virtual events require a sign-up using the museum's Eventbrite page: https://oldcolonyhistorymuseum.eventbrite.com.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the program.
In addition to special events, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and for research by appointment. Admission to the museum is $5 and free for members.
Photo Scanning Day
Saturday, May 1, 10 a.m. to noon
Bring in photos taken in the Taunton area (people, events, landmarks, holidays, and more) and let us scan them for our digital collection. We'll give back the originals and your images will become a part of OCHM’s photographic record of our community. This program takes place the first Saturday of every month.
M is for Museum Story Time
Tuesday, May 4, 10:30 a.m.
OCHM’s initiative to encourage early literacy in our future historians by providing a sensory-friendly space for families to hear a story in our historic setting. Books will be middle-elementary level and families of all ages are welcome. Register to join us in person using Eventbrite or join us on Facebook Live!
Virtual Visit to Taunton, England!
Friday, May 7, 2 to 3 p.m.
Join us as we virtually “visit” sites to learn about the history of the Old Colony region and beyond! This month we travel all the way to Taunton, England to explore our sister city’s history with its former Mayor and Member of the Order of the British Empire, Adrian Prior-Sankey.
Book Group
Saturday, May 8, 11 a.m. to noon
Join us on Zoom for a friendly discussion with a group of people who love to read and discuss good books. Scheduled to meet monthly on the second Saturday, newcomers are always welcome to join the group. For May, we’re reading "The Secret Token: Myth, Obsession, and the Search for the Lost Colony of Roanoke," by Andrew Lawler. "The Secret Token" is a sweeping account of America's oldest unsolved mystery, the people racing to unearth its answer, and the sobering truths — about race, gender, and immigration — exposed by the Lost Colony of Roanoke.
Crafternoons
Tuesday, May 11 through Saturday, May 15
For May we are crafting paper flower bouquets. Drop in any time the week of May 11 to May 15 between 1 and 3 p.m. for a fun, easy craft! We provide instructions and all the materials. Crafternoons are free with regular museum admission.
Wednesday Workshop — Paint Night!
Wednesday, May 12, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Not an “artist” or think you can’t paint? Think again! We’ll create beautiful pieces of art, broken down into a simple, step-by-step creative process. This 90 minute, hands-on workshop includes all materials and is limited to 12 people, ages 10 and up. You can call us at 508-822-1622 or purchase a ticket through the Old Colony History Museum gift shop. Payment is required to hold your spot. The fee for each workshop is $5 for members, $10 for non-members, and always includes cost of materials.
Liberty & Union Walking Tour
Saturday, May 15, 11 to noon
Come walk the Liberty and Union Downtown Walking Tour! Join us for a free, one-hour guided tour of Historic Downtown Taunton. Our one-mile walking tour highlights some of the important architectural, cultural, and commercial sites between Church Green and Taunton Green. A great way to learn about the city, from its earliest days through the present, these tours are the third Saturday of every month, May through October, rain or shine.
OCHM After Hours @ Home
Thursday, May 20, 7 to 8 p.m.
Fun with the OCHM — virtually! Put on your comfy pants, grab a drink, and join us for a virtual game night from the comfort of your home. Register for all the details.
Cemetery Tour: Phillips and Gilbert Cemeteries
Saturday, May 22, 11 a.m.
As we explore these two neighboring burying grounds, we’ll learn stories of local sea captains, soldiers, and enslaved people, dating back to the 1700s. Limited space is available. This tour is rescheduled from 2020 and those with tickets from 2020 will be honored first. After registering using Eventbrite, you'll receive all the details you need about attending the tour.
A Taste of Old Colony History
Thursday, May 27, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Let's cook up some history ... from home! Join the OCHM staff from their home kitchens as we try our hand at historic recipes and local favorites. After you register, you’ll be emailed the recipe of the month and ingredient list so you can cook along with us, step-by-step, or just sit back and watch. For May, we are making pizza.
The museum will be closed on Saturday, May 29, for Memorial Day weekend.
World Portuguese Language Day
Bristol Community College is hosting a virtual celebration of World Portuguese Language Day on Thursday, May 6, beginning at 9 a.m., on Zoom. The event is free and open to all.
Register for the event at https://bristolcc-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUkfu-sqDMiHtwyiHv9f_lwsgAiUn8RZNf5. Once registered, participants will receive a confirmation email invite and information to join the virtual event.
This year’s program will include opening remarks from Dr. Laura L. Douglas, President of Bristol Community College and Dr. Carlos Almeida, Director of LusoCentro at Bristol Community College, and remarks by Dr. Shelley Pires, Consul of Portugal in New Bedford; Dr. João Caixinha, Coordinator for Portuguese Language Programs and Education Affairs in the United States of America; and a presentation by students from the Global Learning Charter Public School in New Bedford.
The event will also feature keynote presenter Dr. Helena Santos Martins, an active member of the Luso-American community, in addition to a concert by Karina Gomes and her band.
The college’s World Portuguese Language Day is sponsored in part by the Camões Institute, Consulate of Portugal in New Bedford, FLAD, Arte Institute, Consulate Generate of Brazil in Boston, Consulate General of Cabo Verde in Boston and the Bristol Community College Portuguese Club.
For more information about Bristol’s 2021 World Portuguese Language Day, contact Carlos Almeida by email at carlos.almeida@bristolcc.edu or call 401-919-4293.
Clothing donation drive at Lakeville church
The Lakeville United Church of Christ is collecting gently used soft items, such as clothing and linens, in a large black or green plastic trash. Donations may include soft items such as clothing, shoes, accessories, pocketbooks, linens, and towels. Bags may be dropped off at the church office at 1 Precinct St. in Lakeville on Wednesday, June 2, or Friday, June 4, between 10 a.m. and noon, or on Saturday, June 5, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Spring pot fundraiser for the Dighton Historical Society
The Dighton Historical Society, sponsored by Araujo Farms at 1522 Williams St. in Dighton, is offering a Take-and-Make-at-Home Pot Kit, which will be picked up at Araujo's on Saturday, May 8, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You will receive your pot, soil and a variety of plants with instructions to make a beautiful arrangement. You have a choice of a variety of pink or purple flowers.
Registration and pre-payment are required. Call Araujo Farms at 508-669-6988 to place your order. The cost is $40. Pot sample can be seen on Araujo's or the Dighton Historical Society's facebook page.
Roast beef supper at North Congregational Church
On Saturday, May 8, the kitchen at North Congregational Church in Middleboro will once again be bursting with the mouthwatering smells of the church’s traditional roast beef supper. The meal will be available as a curbside pick-up.
For $15 each, guests will be treated to slow-roasted roast beef with gravy (in separate container), mashed potatoes, cole slaw, green beans, and a sweet corn bread, all topped off with a seasonal dessert. Utensils will also be available for those who would like to eat on the run.
Reservations can be made by calling 774-766-0055, at which time you may arrange for a pick-up time between 4 and 5:15 p.m. Payment can be made with Venmo, PayPal or on the day of the curbside dinner.
NCC is known as The Little Yellow Church and is just minutes from the Middleboro Rotary at 38 Plymouth Street. Signs at the church will clearly mark entrance and exit points for the pick-up.
GFWC Taunton and Raynham Junior Woman's Club hosting Take-Home Tea
The GFWC Taunton and Raynham Junior Woman's Club will be going forward with their yearly tea fundraiser, which was postponed from last May, but with a twist. On Sunday, May 16, they are holding a Suffrage Centennial Tea-in-a-Bag Take-Home Tea. A donation of $20 gains you a three-course tea-in-a-bag and includes your very own elegant china tea cup and saucer, along with a chance to win free admission to next year's tea.
Taunton Mayor Shaunna O'Connell and Founder and President of Suffrage 100 MA Fredie Kay are guest greeters and will distribute, along with the Juniors, the individual bags to all ticket holders.
The club's basket raffle will once again be available.
Guests will be required to follow safety guidelines by wearing masks inside the building and maintaining a safe distance from others. Pick-up time will be between 1 and 3 p.m. Anyone wishing to attend should call Nancy at 774-218-1456 or may purchase tickets by going to Venmo @ taunton juniors. The deadline for purchasing tickets is May 7.
The GFWC Taunton and Raynham Juniors will hold its first in-person business meeting since being interrupted by COVID-19 on Monday, May 3 at 7 p.m. at the USMC League- Det. #1285, 265 High St. in Somerset. They will be following state COVID safety guidelines, including social distancing, masking and other appropriate measures in order to gather and reunite after months of virtual meetings. Members are welcome to bring their own beverage, and should call Robin at 774-281-0120 if they will be attending.
To submit your news
To share your events with the community, reach out to the Taunton Daily Gazette newsroom at newsroom@tauntongazette.com.