Franklin’s Holiday Stroll to be held December 4

The entire family is invited to the Franklin Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 4. The Franklin Downtown Partnership will transform the downtown center into a festive holiday party from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., complete with visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, arts and crafts, holiday shopping, refreshments and plenty of entertainment.

The fun begins with carolers and hot chocolate at the annual tree lighting at 4 p.m. on Dean Hall Common on the Dean College campus.

From there, holiday revelers can stroll through downtown Franklin and stop into more than 30 participating businesses for tempting treats, special offers and holiday-themed entertainment. A complete list of each business’s activity or offering will be available at the tree lighting ceremony and at participating locations.

“The Holiday Stroll is a unique event that we feel really showcases our businesses. Our merchants stay open late and invite everyone inside. It’s a great opportunity to discover new businesses and have one-on-one conversations with business owners,” says event co-chair Gregg Chalk of the Franklin Downtown Partnership.

Mrs Claus will read at the Franklin Historical Museum

Santa Claus will hear children’s wish lists at Simon’s Furniture from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Mrs. Claus will treat kids to an ornament craft, candy canes and hot chocolate at the Historical Museum.

Children can decorate gingerbread men under the lighted trees at Dean Bank, and find arts and craft activities hosted by the Girl Scouts on Main Street. Many other participating businesses also will have crafts for kids.

Visitors can check items off their holiday gift lists by shopping sales and specials at downtown shops. Several vendors will set up shop inside Depot Plaza and offer demonstrations, gift certifications and holiday items.

Refreshment of all kinds can be enjoyed at many participating downtown businesses, some of whom are partnering with stores located outside of central Franklin. Making Whoopie’s desserts can be found at The Black Box, while Pour Richard’s will offer cider at Jane’s Frames. Families making a night of it can stop into any participating downtown restaurant to enjoy discounts and dinner specials.

Music and entertainment will fill downtown that evening. Milford radio station WMRC 1490-AM will broadcast holiday music live from Emma’s Quilt Cupboard. Franklin School for the Performing Arts students will perform at The Black Box, and Alexa Katsaros will entertain crowds at Rockland Trust. Jamie Barrett is set to appear at Jane’s Frames, and Franklin High School music students will perform at the Cake Bar.

For younger visitors who have excess energy to burn, the Bernon Family Branch YMCA is providing a physical fitness and sports area in the Rockland Trust parking lot. The Franklin Fire Station is hosting a Touch-A-Truck event where kids can climb on the fire engines.

Amidst all the fun, there also will be opportunities for residents to give back to the community and donate goods to the Franklin Food Pantry. The Holiday Stroll falls in the middle of the Franklin Food Elves’ “12 Days of Donating” campaign. The Food Elves will place a red drop-off bin at the tree lighting ceremony and at 14 business locations throughout town.

This year’s Holiday Stroll is made possible by generous support from the local business community. This year’s Platinum Sponsor is Big Y World Class Market, and Gold Sponsors are DCU, Dean Bank, and Dean College.

Silver Sponsors are D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Franklin Ford, Franklin Local Town Pages and Middlesex Savings Bank.

Bronze Sponsors are Doherty, Ciechanowski, Dugan & Cannon, P.C., Drama Kids of Metro West, Franklin Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, H & R Block, the Law Office of Timothy J. Teehan, Leaf Filter, NEWPRO, Simon’s Furniture and Vet Med Pet Supplies.

“Downtown Franklin shines brightly during the Holiday Stroll. It’s fun, it’s affordable, it’s close to home and it’s the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit,” says co-chair Roberta Trahan.

For more information about the Holiday Stroll contact co-chairs Gregg Chalk, gchalk@dean.edu, or Roberta Trahan, Roberta_icu@verizon.net.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501©3 organization made up of business owners, community leaders and residents working to revitalize downtown Franklin. For more information about the FDP, please visit www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/, or contact Executive Director Lisa Piana at (774) 571-3109 or downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.



This was shared from http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2014/11/2014-holiday-stroll-press-release.html#sthash.9SWPEnPK.dpuf

Nice Car Care gives back to families in need

Nice Car Care 527 Beaver St Franklin, MA 02038 (508) 520-4200 nicecarcarefranklin@yahoo.com Visit our website   Our team at Nice Car Care is proud to announce, we will again donate 5% of our profits, for the month of December, to the Franklin Food Pantry.  Especially during the holiday season, we feel it's important to give back to our community, and we can't think of a better charitable organization to be a part of. For more on the Franklin Food Pantry:   FranklinFoodPantry.org/  Facebook.com/FranklinFoodPantry We encourage you to give any way you can.   From our family to yours, The Nice Car Care Crew Appointments Review Us Refer a Friend Preferences Having trouble viewing this email? Open in a web browser This email is provided as a service by Nice Car Care. This message contains information which may be confidential and/or privileged. Unless you are the intended recipient (or authorized to receive for the intended recipient), you may not read, use, copy or disclose to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received the message in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail and delete the message and any attachment(s) thereto without retaining any copies. Nice Car Care, 527 Beaver St Franklin, MA 02038 . © 2003-2014 Demandforce, Inc. All rights reserved.

This was shared from the Franklin Food Pantry webpage here

Hockomock All Star Football Team

Hockomock Sports announced the Hockomock All Star Football Team.

Colton Cardinal and Andrew Parent were named representing Franklin. Daevon Weathers was given Honorable Mention.

For the full listing of the All Stars visit this link
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/the-2014-hockomock-league-football-all-stars

Mission's Historic Anniversary Approaching

Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus will begin its 12 year in March 2015 and will have completed 10 years as a duly recognized non-profit Mission Church by The Commonwealth of Massachusetts which requires all non-profits to renew their non-profit status every 10 years. 

In advance of refiling our papers with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts we are having our 11th annual Mission appeal in the hopes of raising $7775.00 (Seven Thousand seven hundred seventy five dollars) which will cover our usual annual operating costs and eliminate our outstanding debt of almost $3000 (Three Thousand Dollars) saving us the interest we pay on that debt each month. 

Twice Each month Mass is celebrated nursing homes in Canton, Milford, Medway, every other month at Taunton State Hospital and we visit on average 20 shut-ins a week in Worcester, Norfolk, Bristol, Middlesex and Plymouth Counties as well as in Vermont and New Hampshire bringing them Eucharist and some comfort in . All this plus collecting food and clothing for those in need is only possible through the generosity of our donors. 

Please make a donation or commit to a monthly donation for the coming fiscal year which will allow us to continue this work. 

Making a donation is easy either by using the PayPal DONATION link on our web site, http://www.missionstsergius.org 

or by sending your check directly to our Mission Bank with the notation

DONATION

^{MISSION Saints Sergius & Bacchus}

 ^{C/O MIDDLESEX SAVINGS BANK}

^{850 Washington Street}

^{Holliston, MA 01746}

screen grab of Mission webpage

Pax et Bonum
Peace & All God's Goodness be with you

Rev. Fr. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus
Divine Mercy Old Catholic Parish
Independent Catholic Church of the Americas
Link to Fr. Bob's Weekly TV show
http://www.youtube.com/user/RevBobJohn
Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FriarBobJohn
Mission Web Site www.missionstsergius.org
Franciscan Web Site www.franciscansdivinemercy.org
ICCA Seminary Link http://www.iccamericas.org/seminary/
Diocese Office: http://stjosephcupertino.com/index.html

Reminder: TRASH AND RECYCLING CALENDAR

The following are the only holidays where trash and recycling will be delayed: Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day New Years's Day Memorial Day 4th of July Labor Day Yard waste is picked up on your normal trash and recycling day during collection weeks.  Yard waste can consist of leaves, brush and small limbs.  Leaves must be in open barrels or in compostable paper  leaf bags.  Brush must be tied with non-plastic twine no larger than 12 inches by 4 feet long.  No yard waste will be picked up in plastic bags, cardboard boxes or other containers.  Contaminated yard waste will not be picked up. Yard waste pick up dates are as follows: Week of October 27, 2014 Week of November 17, 2014 Week of April 13, 2015 Week of May 11, 2015 Do not put yard waste to the curb earlier than your pickup week to keep it from the weather. Christmas trees will be picked up the week of January 5, 2015 and only bare trees will be picked up.  Anything in bags, with ornaments, tinsel, lights, etc. will be left behind. PLEASE REVIEW THE SOLID WASTE WEBSITE AT WWW.FRANKLIN.MA.US   THE ANNUAL MAILER HAS ALL THE DATES AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

THERE IS A NEW SOLID WASTE INFORMATION LINE: 508-553-5519 FOR UP TO THE DATE INFORMATION.

trash and recycle bins

In the News: sewer repairs, tax rate set

The public works department needs to make emergency repairs on a damaged culvert off Beaver Street that supports a section of sewer line to prevent a potential "environmental disaster." 

If the cast iron pipe is compromised, raw sewage will flood into nearby Mine Brook at a rate of 2 million gallons per day. 

Originally installed in 1914, the pipeline transports 70 percent of the town’s sewage flow effectively from Beaver Street to Pond Street. The lining inside the pipe has weakened from years of erosion.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141125/NEWS/141128016/1994/NEWS

Town councilors have approved a 39-cent increase to the tax rate, raising it from $14.45 to $14.84. 

Taxes on a home assessed at $381,000 -- the average value – will increase by 7.5 percent, or roughly $397, in fiscal year 2016. 

Overall, residential property values have increased by about 4.7 percent, according to Kevin Doyle, the director of assessing. 

“Values are beginning to trend up slowly — about a half a percent per month — and we’re continuing to track the market,” Doyle said last week during the brief tax rate hearing before the council.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141125/NEWS/141128012/1994/NEWS

New FHS layout, green section in front left position along Oak St is where the practice field would be that is now going to be a turf field and that will be regulation sized to be used for games

As reported last week, the summary of the Town Council meeting can be found here (including links to all the detailed reporting during the meeting)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/11/the-town-council-reorganizes-sort-of.html

Franklin Food Elves ‘12 Days of Donating’ Kicks off December 1

The Franklin Food Elves are making it easy for you to help your neighbors in need during the “12 Days of Donating” campaign benefiting the Franklin Food Pantry. From December 1 to December 12, volunteer Food Elves will be coming to your neighborhood, or you can donate goods at a local participating business.

The Franklin Food Elves is a charitable community service group made up of more than 75 hard-working middle school and high school students. For the past three years they have partnered with the Franklin Downtown Partnership and local businesses to create one of the Franklin Food Pantry’s most successful collection drives. Last year the “12 Days of Donating” campaign brought in more than $6,700 and 7,300 pounds of goods.

2014 Food Elves (L-R): Project 351 Ambassador Rebekah Redwine, YCIC's Dan Robert, Food Pantry Executive Director Erin Lynch, Head Elf Cameron Piana, Lead Elf Haley Frank

“People have been incredibly generous year after year donating to the Food Elves campaign. What we bring in helps 600 Franklin families that rely on the Food Pantry’s services. We are grateful that our community keeps exceeding our expectations,” says Cameron Piana, Food Elves co-founder.

In December the Food Elves will notify residents about the collection drive in their neighborhood, including information about what items are needed and the collection dates. Residents simply place bags of goods at their mailboxes on designated pickup dates and the Food Elves will do the rest.

In case there’s no elf in your neighborhood, it is still easy and convenient to donate. The group has placed bright red collection bins at participating Franklin Downtown Partnership member businesses. If the Food Elves meet their goal of collecting more than 1,200 pounds of goods, each business listed below has pledged to donate $200.

Bins can be found at these participating locations:

• Auerr, Zajac & Associates, LLC, 29 Dean Ave.
• British Beer Company, 280 Franklin Village Dr.
• DCU, 500 West Central St.
• Dean Bank, 21 Main St.
• Dean College, Campus Center
• Drama Kids of Metro West, 19 Dean Ave. (call for drop off schedule)
• Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, 12 Main St.
• Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, 9 East Central St.
• Jane’s Frames, 11 East Central St.
• Keefe Insurance Agency, 51 West Central St.
• Murphy Business, 15 East Central St.
• Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, 14 Grove St.
• RE/MAX Executive Realty, 308 West Central St., Suite E
• Yellin & Hyman, P.C., 693 East Central St., Suite 201

Also donating to the Food Elves campaign are Berry Insurance and Printsmart Office Solutions.

Look for a donation bin at the Holiday Stroll tree lighting ceremony at Dean College on Thursday, December 4, or drop off donations at the Franklin Food Pantry, 43 West Central St., and designate them for the “12 Days of Donating” drive.

This year the Food Elves also are collaborating with the Youth Community Involvement Club at Franklin High School and Project 351 at Horace Mann Middle School. Project 351 is a state-wide community service project and Food Elf volunteer Rebekah Redwine is this year’s Franklin ambassador.

“With a cold winter on the way, family budgets are stretched and more people need the Food Pantry’s services,” says Haley Frank, a lead Food Elf. “We are proud that this great group of students working with local businesses can make a huge, positive impact for Franklin.”

Erin Lynch, Franklin Food Pantry Executive Director, concurs; she cites a recent Lowell Sun story that states National Grid rates on November 1 increased 37 percent over last winter.

“Families who are already struggling will be hit once again when electric rates skyrocket,” says Lynch. “What these students accomplish is vital. The spirit of the Food Elves has captured the hearts of this community. We are so grateful for the amazing support that keeps multiplying through the hard work of these young leaders.”

This year the Food Pantry’s needs include health and hygiene products and non-perishable food items. For more information check the Food Pantry’s website, www.franklinfoodpantry.org/, or call 508-528-3115.

For more information about the Franklin Food Elves and the “12 Days of Donating” campaign, please contact the Food Elves at franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com or visit their Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Food-Elves/714439188643292


This was re-shared from http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2014/11/food-elves-press-release_21.html#sthash.iZdwx75g.dpuf

FHS Class of '84 - Reunion - Nov 29

The 30th reunion of the FHS Class of '84 will be held on Saturday, November, 29th, at 7:00 pm. 

This is being held at Rock 'N Coal Pizza in Bellingham. 

There is a $20 cover, food will be served, entertainment provided by Ken Barney

former Franklin High School Field House

Where is Rock 'N Coal Pizza?

You can order online for pick up (there is no delivery option) http://rockncoalpizza.com/

Reminder: "Peace on Earth" on Saturday, Nov 29

The Franklin Federated Church will host it's Annual Christmas Concert, this year entitled "Peace on Earth," on Saturday, Nov 29, at 7:30 PM at Franklin Federated Church, 171 Main Street, Franklin. 

Tickets are $15 each and will be available at the door or in advance by calling the church office at 508-528-3803. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the mission and ministry of Franklin Federated Church. 

This year's concert will feature an arrangement of traditional Christmas melodies performed by a handbell choir, the Back Bay Ringers Sextet, and a string quartet, Quartet Duviteux. from the New England Conservatory. 

Back Bay Ringers Sextet

The Back Bay Ringers are an advanced, auditioned community handbell ensemble based in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 2003, BBR has quickly developed a reputation for excellence, regularly performing at such Boston-area landmarks as Faneuil Hall, Symphony Hall, the Boston Children's Museum, and the Prudential Center. 

Quartet Duviteux is comprised of New England Conservatory students: Canadian violinist Maria van der Sloot, Philadelphia violinist Daniel Koo, Philadelphia violist Linda Numagami and Peruvian-born cellist Marza Wilks.

Tiffany Vail Miller
Communication Director
Franklin Federated Church

DelCarte Recreation

On my walk Saturday, I went out to DelCarte Recreation to walk some of the trails. There are three marked trails; red green and blue markers. With the leaves down, it can be a challenge to find the trail as the markers are posted on tree at about 8ft high. Most trails I have been walking usually have the trail markers more in normal eyesight 5-6ft off the ground. 

close up showing the key to the trail marking and length

full trail map (with unavoidable glare and shadows)

the new floating bridge was pretty solid in the ice on Saturday

the swans and some ducks found some open water in the distance

The trail map

What is Juice Plus?

From Dashe Videra

What is Juice Plus?

Different than a multivitamin, Juice Plus+ provides concentrated farm fresh nutrition from 30+ different fruits, vegetables, berries, and grains daily. It helps bridge the gap between what you should eat and what you do eat. Juice Plus+ gives even a healthy diet more added nutrients from fruits and vegetables that you may not be getting every day. Everything labeled on the bottle is exactly what you get. 

They are NSF certified (National Sanitation Foundation which is higher than organic - tests for mold, yeast, pesticides, herbicides, and ALL heavy metals), non-GMO, gluten free, dairy free, nut free, peanut free, egg frees, and soy free (except our 100% non-GMO plant based protein powder). 

With every one adult purchase, you can sponsor a child for free and up until 4 years of age (ages 4 through college), has the highest level of Gold Standard Research (30+ peer reviewed studies), and safe for breast feeding mothers, pregnancy, and children. There is no one who cannot take Juice Plus.

Proven Research

JP+ is bioavailable (goes straight into the bloodstream)
JP+ helps enhance immune function (cold and flu protection)
JP+ helps protect DNA integrity and repair DNA damage (anti-aging)
JP+ helps maintain normal blood flow (cardiovascular health)
JP+ helps reduce inflammation (Celiacs, Chrons, Fibromyalgia, ect.)
JP+ reduces oxidative stress
JP+ supports healthy skin
JP+ supports healthy gums

What is Juice Plus Complete?

Juice Plus+ Complete is made of a cold water washed non-GMO soy (most soy is alcohol washed). It is half protein - soy, peas, chickpeas, tofu, rice, and algae; and half carbohydrates - ancient grains, organic quinoa, amaranth, and millet, broccoli sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, radish sprouts, pumpkin, pomegranate, spirulina and yucca.

Complete is sweetened with stevia, monkfruit and organic cane sugar. Its is also egg free, dairy free, gluten free, nut free, and peanut free.

How to Sponsor a Child?

With every 1 adult purchase; either Orchard Garden (2) or the Trio (3), you can sponsor a kid for free from age four through college.


Complete Video - http://vimeo.com/76638318


Nutritionally Fit, April 2014 from jan roberto on Vimeo.


YouTube Video - Next Best Thing




If Juice Plus is for you, you can visit Dashe's website - http://dvideira.juiceplus.com/content/JuicePlus/en.html

Franklin Liquor: Thanksgiving Food And Wine Pairings

Franklin Liquor has suggestions on what to serve with the bird this Thanksgiving:

Our Thanksgiving Food And Wine Pairings And Suggestions Newsletter

Franklin Liquors Thanksgiving suggestions

Find out more about Franklin Liquors on webpage 

http://franklinliquors.com/

or on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/FranklinLiquorsMA

Good reading from the MA.gov websites

A quick set of three recent postings on preparing for Thanksgiving travel, winter driving tips and preparing for winter overall.

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, meaning people across the country will gather together to celebrate with friends and relatives. While getting ready for your Thanksgiving festivities, it’s important to be mindful of safe practices when preparing your holiday meal and making travel plans. The Department of Public Health (DPH),Department of Fire Services (DFS), and the Department of Transportation (DOT) want to ensure that you have a fun and safe Thanksgiving. Taking a few minutes to read these tips can lead to a more enjoyable holiday.

Continue reading the article to find tips on traveling, food safety and more
http://blog.mass.gov/blog/holidays/thanksgiving-home-and-travel-safety/

screen grab of MA.gov webpage

• Given the news out of Buffalo, the article on snow preparedness is also a good read = http://blog.mass.gov/blog/safety/massachusetts-snowstorm-preparedness/

• And with the winter arriving soon, winter driving tips are a good thing to review  =  http://blog.mass.gov/blog/living-in-massachusetts/massachusetts-winter-driving-tips-and-safety/

It's never just "another day"

#GivingTuesday Inspiration  from individuals supported by HMEA Now, that you know what #GivingTuesday is all about,  it's time to start thinking about what you would like to  give on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2014! We recently asked some folks from our Hopedale Employment Program what "giving" means to them.  Their feedback was so insightful; we decided to share their responses with you as inspiration for your #GivingTuesday considerations. To view the full slideshow of #GivingTuesday inspiration photos, please click here.  What does "giving" mean to you? Their answers:  Give Back Give Time Give Skills Give Talent Give a Smile  Give Support Give Guidance Give Friendship Give a Helpful Hand Give Community Service If you find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to come together to give something more, feel free to share your story with us!  Post your story on our  Facebook page or email us at: hmeainc@gmail.com. In case you missed last week's email introducing #GivingTuesday, here is a quick explanation about this special. Learn more by visiting: www.hmea.org/givingtuesday. There's Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and now #Giving Tuesday - a global day of giving on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give. If you spend on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, please consider kicking off your holiday giving season with an end-of-year charitable gift on #GivingTuesday. Thank you!

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