Saturday, February 18, 2012

Reminder: Food Pantry Phonathon today


Friendly reminder that the 2nd Annual Phonathon will be conducted by the Franklin Food Pantry today,  Saturday Feb 18.


Franklin Food Pantry Phonathon

Food Pantry volunteers will make phone calls during the hours between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM on both Saturdays.

Thanks to Dean College for the use of their facilities for allowing this to happen.

You can make donations on line at the Food Pantry website http://franklinfoodpantry.org/
or use the button here at Franklin Matters that will link you to the same donation process.

Wadsworth Diary - Feb 18, 1858


Hazy & cold in morn, 8 above zero, very clear but windy in afternoon & cold. Father went to Milton. Staid in Store some & in house some & c. Abby Daniels is here. Dr. Taft called here. Freight train came up first time for a long time. Left 2 cars, 1 of shingles. Abbie commenced sewing straw.

In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale. 

From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html  
  

In the News - Dean football, St Mary's, food pantry



Dean College football players sign with bigger colleges

February Vacation Week Programs

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 2/17/12

Family Drum-Fun-Circle
Tuesday Feb. 21st - 11 AM
Open to all ages
No registration required

Violet the Clown
Wednesday Feb. 22nd - 1 PM
Open to all ages
No registration required

Zumba Dance
Thursday Feb. 23rd - 4 PM
Ages 8-12
No registration required


Things you can do from here:

Friday, February 17, 2012

Hunger lives near you


Will you help your neighbor? Statistics show that 1 in 9 children in MA face hunger. Take these statistics from the state level down to Franklin and they show more than 3,000 residents may be struggling with food security.




The Food Pantry respects the privacy and confidentiality of those we service. We can tell you that these people are living among us. They are our neighbors. They don’t like to talk about this challenge to put food on the table but it is real.

The Food Pantry is conducting its 2nd Annual Phonathon on Saturday Feb 18 and again on Satursday, Feb 25. You can wait for us to call between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM or you can make a contribution on your own.

You can make a contribution securely online at FranklinFoodPantry.org/

or

You can write a check to mail it to the Food Pantry at
Franklin Food Pantry
P.O. Box 116
Franklin, MA 02038-0116



Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video. I am on the Board of Directors of the Franklin Food Pantry. This volunteer effort on my part is giving back to this community because it matters!


Wadsworth Diary - Feb 17, 1858


Very Pleasant & Cold & very windy 4 above zero Staid in store some. Jos went after a load of wood (with the horse) for Rev Thayer. I went to A.J. Newells with Marandas trunk & c. Went to J. Brockways after fathers boat in eve. Had a council at meeting house from 10 ½ till 4.

In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale. 

From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html  
  

Franklin art group hosts watercolor demo

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 2/16/12

The Franklin Art Association will host a watercolor painting demonstration, Wednesday, March 7, at their monthly meeting.

Things you can do from here:

Southwest Airline Tickets! Register by March 17th to be eligible to Win 2 for free!!


Hello everyoneTAKE A LOOK AT THIS!!!

· Register to walk or run in the 11th Annual HMEA Independence 5K Walk, Run, Roll, & Stroll by March 17th at http://www.hmea.org and RAISE $100 ONLINE and you'll be eligible to win a pair of roundtrip Southwest Airline tickets.

· AND, You'll have an option to create your own 'customized' team or personal tee shirt on the registration site, www.firstgiving.com/hmea, too! A portion of the proceeds also benefits the programs at HMEA.

· PLUS, check out the prizes you will also be eligible to win by raising funds for your program/team…   http://www.hmea.org/documents/Incentive_flyer.pdf the more money you raise the bigger the prize!

Take Care
Doug MacPherson
VP, Development


Updated 2/18 - to correct link to flyer

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Wadsworth Diary - Feb 16, 1858


Very Pleasant & Cold 7 above zero Clowdy Very windy, & squally in afternoon Staid in store some. Cleared of the corn & c Jos measured boards all day, got them all masured. Went to Mancy Daniels with Sarah in afternoon. Staid till 8 in eve. Got home 9 ¼ Very pleasant & windy this eve.


In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale. 

From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html  
  



Give Peas a Chance! March 17

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Growing In Franklin by Franklin Community Gardens on 2/15/12


Franklin Community Garden
Spring Celebration 
and
 Pea Planting Demonstration

Saturday, March 17th
@ 10 a.m.


Cost: Free

Location:
King Street Memorial Community Garden
located at King Street Memorial Park in Franklin

Sponsored by:
The Friends of Franklin Community Gardens, Inc

All are welcome to attend!


The Friends of Franklin Community Gardens will celebrate the beginning of the 2012 spring season by hosting a Pea Planting demonstration at King Street Memorial Community Garden on Saturday, March 17th beginning at 10 AM (weather permitting). 
March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, is the traditional day in New England to plant spring peas.  Free seeds will be available while supplies last. 
Garden Coordinator Chris Clay will lead this educational event. Learn about pea types, planting requirements, trellising options, and more.

Get your garden off to an early start by planting a spring crop of fresh sugar snap, snow, or shell peas this year

 Give Peas a Chance!

Rain date: Sunday, March 18

Contact: Chris Clay @ hakai2@gmail.com  




Things you can do from here:

Soccer for Smiles: 3v3 February vacation soccer tournament in Franklin

Hello,
I hope you don't mind this email but we are trying to spread the word to get more players and teams for this fun tournament for local charity.  Please pass this along to any soccer players that you know in grades 1 through 12   ...

People in our own community need our help to put smiles on their faces! 
Help us raise money for the RANDOM SMILE PROJECT and Team Isabella.

Come help others and have some fun!
Soccer for Smiles Tournament
February 21st and 22nd  
Registration and information at:  http://www.franklinsoccerschool.com/tournament 
  • Join us at Carpe Diem Field on 34 Saxon Street in Franklin, MA, for a 3 vs. 3 soccer tournament on Tuesday, February 21  (for girls) and Wednesday, February 22  (for boys) .
  • The primary beneficiary will be the Random Smile Project  (http://www.randomsmile.org ), an organization that helps people in need right in our own neighborhoods.
  • A portion of the proceeds will also be donated to Team Isabella (http://team-isabella.org/), founded for Isabella, a 5-year-old girl who is still recovering from an infection that caused severe brain damage a year ago. She was soccer player in FYSA and Franklin Soccer School.
  • Register a team with any of your friends (3-4 players) or sign up individually and we will place you on a team
  • $100 donation for every team or a $25 donation if you register individually
  • Anyone in grades 1 – 12 are eligible to play.
  • All teams will play in a round-robin style tournament within a 2 hour time frame 
  • Tentative schedule can be seen at:  http://www.franklinsoccerschool.com/tournament
  • For more info email tournament@franklinsoccerschool.com    

"since at least the beginning of the year"


“We believe that granting certification based solely on the amount of funding level rather than the level of services penalizes our efforts to effectively and efficiently utilize resources,” Cynthia Dobrzynski, chairwoman of the Franklin Library Board of Directors, told Town Councilors at their meeting last night. 
Dobrzynski pointed out that hours and services were not reduced by the significant cut, and that, in fact, the materials budget had been increased by $20,000 over the fiscal 2011 figures. The director also noted that library staff had planned since at least December to open on a sixth day of the week — Fridays, starting Feb. 24 — which is more than the five-day state requirement for Franklin. 
The nearly 30 percent cut to the budget was made possible by reducing staff, upgrading technology and creating self-checkout, Dobrzynski said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x219668906/State-to-visit-Franklin-library-before-ruling-on-decertification-appeal#ixzz1mXYveGeG


Franklin patrol officer commended for helping woman

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff on 2/15/12

Geneva Doherty stood next to Patrol Officer James Mucciarone at the beginning of Town Council's meeting last night as the police officer received a Life Saving Award.

Things you can do from here:

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Wadsworth Diary - Feb 15, 1858


Very Pleasant Cold & windy 11 above Went to Wm. Millers after the Corn Sheller Than went to (Frosts) mill. Than staid in store some. Jos gone to Bald Hill, cars off the track on acct of the 9 A.M. train got here 1 ¼ o’clk P.M. Jos & I shelled the corn that grew on the Wright place 16 ¼ Bushls; ½ mine.

In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale. 


From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html  
  



"it’s worth it, given the reimbursement rate"


“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Rep. Vallee’s support on this issue,” said Michael Doherty, chairman of Citizens for New Franklin High School, to which Vallee donated $1,000 yesterday. “He lent us his good name in support.” 
This is the first time Vallee, D-Franklin, has become directly and publicly involved in supporting a Franklin project that would require an override or debt exclusion. 
Of the roughly 90 families who have given to the campaign, Dougherty said, Vallee’s donation was the largest. 
“I just haven’t come out publicly (in the past),” Vallee said. “I just felt like, because this is the high school, and it’s the last school to be rebuilt in the community ... I think it was an important time for me to come out and make a statement about it.”

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1085187211/State-rep-helps-campaign-for-new-Franklin-High-School#ixzz1mRhPrda9

Additional information on the high school project is collected here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html

and you can also visit the New FHS website here

Franklin arts company sets cast for 'Annie'

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 2/14/12

The cast list for the Franklin Performing Arts Company's version of "Annie" has been posted.

Things you can do from here:

In the News - Downtown, 5th grade, Art Center, Dean, cheerleading



Franklin Downtown Partnership announces events for 2012

Clown Shoes Beer Celebration - Franklin


Hello Everybody, 
The British Beer Company will celebrate the brewing prowess of Clown Shoes Beer at the Franklin pub on Saturday February 25th. Five kegs and a cask from this popular Massachusetts based craft brewer will be tapped at noon. Flowing through the taps: Supa Hero IPA, Tramp Stamp Belgian IPA, Clementine Witbier, Muffin Top Belgian Tripel IPA, and Hoppy Feet American Black IPA. The cask will be a Vampire Slayer Imperial American Stout - one of Clown Shoes newest and most highly rated beers! How could anyone not be intrigued by a beer made with "Holy Water, malt smoked locally with hickory, beechwood and vampire killing stakes". Mmmm...stakes. Join the BBC from 3-6pm for a brewery promotion and social with a bunch of give-aways. 
British Beer Company executive chef James Gibney of Essex England will be using and pairing Clown Shoes for some unforgettable lunch and dinner specials. These one day only delicacies will put a unique twist on some pub grub favorites and will incorporate and infuse Clown Shoes Beer into the recipes. Sorry...there will be no cotton candy. 
Media Contact
grahamwilson@britishbeer.com 

British Beer Company
280 Franklin Village Drive - Franklin, MA
http://www.britishbeer.com/local/franklin/ 

Clown Shoes Beer
http://www.clownshoesbeer.com/


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Wadsworth Diary - Feb 14, 1858


Clowdy and snowed some cold, 13 above zero Went to meeting in fournoon Rev. J. Thayer preached (or explained from the Bible some) Staid at home in the afternoon. No meeting in eve.

In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale. 


From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html  
  






Note: I guess Valentine's Day wasn't a big deal in 1858. For more about the history of the day, here is the Wikipedia entry  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine's_Day


"we have to house students at a hotel"


The new dorm is designed to solve overcrowding and not intended to handle expanded enrollment, he said. The college has 1,356 students now. 
The new residence hall is expected to be on West Central Street and will be addressed 100 West Central St. 
Last night college staff presented the plan for the new building and accompanying landscaping to the Planning Board for the first time. The proposed building will be 37,000 square feet, with 121 bedrooms, and is part of the college’s long-term design plan. 
Dean College hopes to begin construction in the spring and move students into the completed residence hall by the beginning of December, before the college’s winter break.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x183258756/Franklin-s-Dean-College-to-build-new-dorm#ixzz1mLsbqYHC

Where is 100 West Central?


View Larger Map

ALERT: MBTA Framingham Public Workshop - Feb 14!!




February 13, 2012

Dear Steve,

On January 3, 2012, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) released fare increase and service reduction proposals for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) aimed at closing a projected $161 million budget gap for Fiscal Year 2013.

In Fiscal Year 2013, revenues are estimated to be  about $185 million below operating costs. Over the next few months, the MBTA must make decisions that will impact fares and service in order to maintain financial stability.

The MBTA has launched a public outreach process and is accepting public comment through March 1, 2012 electronically at www.mbta.com, by email at fareproposal@mbta.com, via mail to MBTA, Ten Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attn: Fare Proposal Committee, and by phone at 617-222-3200. Twenty public meetings will be held beginning January 17 through early March, including one in Framingham.

Details:
MBTA Public Workshop

Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Framingham Town Hall
150 Concord Street, Framingham
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Since this will be the only redistricting hearing held in the MetroWest area, I urge all my constituents and all others in the region to attend. It is crucial that we get feedback on this issue so that we can do the best possible job for the Commonwealth.

I look forward to seeing you at this important hearing and discussing how to ensure that the MetroWest remains an economically vibrant region with a strong presence in the legislative process.

For those who cannot attend the hearing, all information on the proposed changes to the MBTA fares and service are available at www.mbta.com.

If you have any other concerns or comments, please do not hesitate to email me at Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov or call my office at (617) 722-1640.

Regards,

Karen E. Spilka
2nd Middlesex and Norfolk
http://www.karenspilka.com/


Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka
Room 511-C, State House
Boston, Massachusetts  02133


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Monday, February 13, 2012

Wadsworth Diary - Feb 13, 1858

After yesterday's mistake, we are back on track with the correct postings:

Pleasant & cold above zero at sunrise Jos went to Boston. I cut some wood (birch) fixed the Chandelier & carried it to the school house. Went to see Mr. Pherson. Aunt Patty is sick. Went to Wrentham with a passenger (Mr. H. Bowen.) Went to Lyceum in eve.

In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale. 


From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html  
  



In the News - Library



Libraries of larger towns must stay open longer