Saturday, September 30, 2023

#LOVEfranklin // Emergency Shelter Humanitarian Aid Update & Call to Action

To those who #LOVEfranklin:

Nearly two years ago you signed onto a "A Call to Our Community," written by the Franklin Interfaith Council (FIC) in response to several incidences including targeted hate speech and vandalism against members of the LGBTQIA+ community, racial slurs at public events, and anti-Semitic graffiti. The FIC issued a call to #LOVEfranklin. Part of that call was an expressed commitment of each signer to "create a beloved community where all persons regardless of their gender, identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnic background, stature, ability, creed or faith can find a home."

As most of you are aware, the State of Massachusetts has opened some 80 emergency shelters across the state, including in Franklin, to help support "homeless families in crisis."  You can find a copy of the town press release here. Currently the emergency shelter in Franklin is housing some 120 people. The shelter is expected to fill over the next few weeks to a capacity of 400-500 people. Over half the people currently placed in Franklin are native English speakers. While the state is providing most of the basic needs for these individuals and getting them setup with social services, many needs remain unmet as people try to make a new home for their family.

This is where you come in. The Franklin Interfaith Council will be regularly communicating the needs of the families placed in the emergency shelter in Franklin, providing local drop-off points for you to make donations, and distributing the donations at the shelter. In addition to tangible donations like food, clothing, and hygiene products, we will also help communicate volunteer opportunities. There are many ways you can help.  See the attached flyer for a listing of current needs and volunteer opportunities. We will update and distribute this flyer regularly.

If you know of people who would like to be added to this distribution list, please have them email info@franklininterfaith.org. If you would like to be removed from this distribution list, please respond to this email and let me know.

Thank you for your on-going commitment to #LOVEfranklin and your efforts to help others make a home and fall in love with Franklin too!

Peace.
Jacob

 

><O><O><O><O><O><O><O><

Rev. Dr. Jacob W. Juncker

Pastor, Franklin United Methodist Church

President, Franklin Interfaith Council

><O><O><O><O><O><O><O><

Flyer -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DI6Xtcy2Q-tcaG6LYsfeCpcJypqbDuze/view?usp=drive_link

#LOVEfranklin // Emergency Shelter Humanitarian Aid Update & Call to Action
#LOVEfranklin // Emergency Shelter Humanitarian Aid Update & Call to Action


Additional Links:

Harvest Festival shifts to Sunday, Oct 1 from noon to 4 PM

Due to the high probability of rainy weather on our Saturday event day, and the consistent forecast for a perfect sunny Fall day on Sunday, the Franklin Downtown Partnership's 20th Harvest Festival will move the event to its planned rain date on Sunday, October 1. The event will take place from 12:00 – 4:00 PM but, other than shortening the event end time by one hour, all other event logistics. 
Harvest Festival shifts to Sunday, Oct 1 from noon to 4 PM
Harvest Festival shifts to Sunday, Oct 1 from noon to 4 PM

 Shared from -> https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2023/09/due-to-high-probability-of-rainy.html

Franklin Garden Club Features Program on Bridge of Flowers - Tuesday, Oct 3 at the Franklin Public Library

The Franklin Garden Club, in conjunction with the Franklin Public Library, will co-sponsor a program on the “Bridge of Flowers,” located in Shelburne Falls, MA, on Tuesday, October 3, at 7:00 PM at the Franklin Library, 118 Main Street, Franklin, MA.  

The program, open to the public free of charge, will be presented by Kirsten Torkelson of KTImages. This presentation features information and photographs on the history of the Bridge of Flowers, future plans, and other sites to visit in the Shelburne Falls area of Massachusetts. 

Torkelson will explain how this beautiful, nationally known walking bridge that features an array of seasonal flower gardens, came to be and how the plantings were developed. The bridge was a former trolley bridge that once carried goods by rail to the Town of Colrain.  In 1929 an initiative to transform the bridge, itself, into a public garden began. The garden was undertaken by the Shelburne Falls Area Women’s Club, now the Blossom Brigade. The bridge is open annually April through October.  
Franklin Garden Club Features Program on Bridge of Flowers
Franklin Garden Club Features Program on Bridge of Flowers (photo by S Sherlock Sep 2022)
 
Recently it was announced that the bridge will be closed for repairs during all of 2024. This is due to age and extreme flooding during tropical Storm Irene in 2011. The project will begin next spring.  The presentation will provide a view of how beautiful the bridge has been in the past and will be in the future.  

Torkelson is a versatile photographer based in Foxboro, MA. She has a passion for nature photography, especially flowers and gardens. Her work has been published in the Foxboro Reporter and her nature photography has won ribbons in New England Camera Club (NECC) competitions and Hopedale's “Day in the Park”.  Her photographs have been shown at the Foxboro branch of the Hockomock YMCA, the VA Employee Art Show, Stony Brook Camera Club exhibit at the Norfolk Library, Hunakai Studio of Fine Arts, a four-month show at the Hawthorne Suites by Wyndham, and currently at Bethany Congregational Church.   

She also volunteers her talents as a candid event photographer to causes like Christmas for Kids, Friends of Camp Saint Augustine, and Bethany Congregational Church.  

Tri-County New Building Info Session - Oct 3 at Franklin Public Library

Come find out All About the Upcoming Vote on the Tri-County School Building Project

Wondering what the "Tri-County Election" on Oct 24th is all about? 
Join Franklin's Tri-County representatives to learn more about the upcoming vote, the school building project, what it will cost and other important details about Tri-County Regional Vocational High School!
When: Tuesday, Oct 3 at 5:30 PM
Where: Franklin Public Library


Tri-County New Building Info Session - Oct 3 at Franklin Public Library
Tri-County New Building Info Session - Oct 3 at Franklin Public Library

FHS girls soccer and football teams post wins on Friday

Via Twitter and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the fall sports competition for Franklin High School on Friday, Sep 29, 2023.


Football = North Attleboro, 20 @ Franklin, 32 – Final

1st Quarter: (F) Andrew Fraulo 1-yard rush, XP no good; (NA) Chase Frisoli 24-yard rush, Tyler Goyette XP good; (NA) C. Frisoli 28-yard pass to Bryce Kiser, Conversion failed.
2nd Quarter: (F) Justin Bianchetto 23-yard pass to Derek Dubriske, Arnav Dhulipati XP good; (F) A. Fraulo 8-yard rush, A. Dhulipati XP good.
3rd Quarter: No scoring.
4th Quarter: (F) Cody Howard 1-yard rush, A. Dhulipati XP good; (NA) Athanasios Georgilas 5-yard rush, T. Goyette XP good; (F) J. Bianchetto 2-yard rush, XP blocked.

A full write up is available (subscription required)

A photo gallery (subscription required)

Girls Soccer = 
Canton, 1 @ Franklin, 4 – Final

– The Panthers scored three times in the final five minutes to complete a comeback from a goal down and pick up the win. After a scoreless first half, Canton took the lead just two minutes after the break. Emma Cahill got space on the left side of the box and lifted a shot over the keeper to make it 1-0. The score stayed the same until the 61st minute. Selene Hammad found herself in a pocket of space 25 yards from goal. Katherine Powers saved Hammad’s shot but Anya Zub was alive to the rebound and tapped it in. Inside the final five minutes, Morgan Lovell picked the pass of the match, sending Kelly O’Connor through on goal. The Franklin forward calmly fired a shot past the keeper for a 2-1 lead. Shortly after, Olivia Costa’s touch opened up space on her left foot and she was able to fire in a goal that essentially sealed the win. With nearly the last kick of the game, Zub nabbed her second with a nice finish into the side netting.


A photo gallery (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2023-2024/Fall-2023/Franklin-Canton-Girls-Soccer-09-29-23/


Field Hockey = Canton @ Franklin – Postponed to TBD.


Volleyball = Canton, 3 @ Franklin, 0 – Final


Golf = Sharon @ Franklin – Postponed to TBD


For other results around the league (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-09-29-23/



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Reminder that HockomockSports.com changed to a subscription model in July. I have a subscription to view and share the FHS results that they provide. If you want to view all the worth Hockomock League reporting they do, subscribing is a good thing. It is quite reasonable. The subscription link is provided below.

Veterans Coffee Social scheduled for October 4, 2023 at 10 AM

October 2023 Veterans Coffee Social

Join Us for Coffee & Conversation!
Come to the Senior Center at 10 AM on Wednesday, Oct 4, 2023

Veterans Coffee Social scheduled for October 4, 2023 at 10 AM
Veterans Coffee Social scheduled for October 4, 2023 at 10 AM

Panther News for Sep 29, 2023 (video)

Panther News for Sep 29, 2023 ->  https://youtu.be/3GUrkpG8l-g


4th Annual Pumpkin Patch & Sale opens October 2-31, 2023 at St. John’s Episcopal Church

The 4th Annual Pumpkin Sale will be open all month long from October 2 to 31 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 237 Pleasant Street, Franklin. 

A huge selection of pumpkins and gourds of all sizes, shapes and colors will fill the front lawn at St. John’s Church. Kids of all ages will have fun picking out their favorites. It’s a good photo opportunity for families. 

4th Annual Pumpkin Patch & Sale returns October 2-31, 2023
4th Annual Pumpkin Patch & Sale 
Family activities will be offered every weekend in the Patch:
  • Music Together for families on Saturday, Oct 7 at 11 AM FREE
  • Pet Blessings and outdoor worship on Sunday, Oct 8 at 10 AM FREE
  • Pony Rides on Saturday, Oct 14 from 1-2 PM - $5 per ride
  • Beaded bracelets craft on Saturday, Oct 21 from 11 AM – 2 PM FREE
  • Haunted House on Saturday, Oct 28 FREE
Watch the St. John’s Episcopal Church Facebook page for updates.

See you there:
Monday-Friday 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Saturdays 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sundays 12 noon - 4:00 PM
We can all benefit. The pumpkins are grown using sustainable agricultural practices that help benefit the environment. They are grown in a region of New Mexico with 42% unemployment, providing jobs for Navajo people.  In addition to supporting the Navajo Nation in New Mexico, your purchase also supports St. John’s Church and its work right here in our community. 

For more information on activities:  Call 508-528-2387
Visit us on Facebook at St John’s Episcopal Church
See our website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org  

4th Annual Pumpkin Patch & Sale
4th Annual Pumpkin Patch & Sale

Night Owl Farm: Farm Stand New Hours


Farm Stand Pop-up We will not be in attendance at the Franklin Market today (9/29), so instead, we are offering a self-serve farm stand option! The farm stand will be open 1:00-7:00 with produce, honey, maple syrup, and other fabulous finds! Octob...

Night Owl Farm
Night Owl Farm

October Hours
Mondays ………………………….…... CLOSED
Tuesdays ……………………… 1:00pm-7:00pm
Wednesdays …………………………. CLOSED
Thursdays …………………………….. CLOSED
Fridays ………. Franklin Market (not this week)
Saturdays ……………………. 10:00am-4:00pm
Sundays ……………………………….. CLOSED

Our LAST DAY of the season will be on October 28th. We will be doing our annual Thanksgiving pop up on 11/21, including pies! Pie pre-orders coming soon.
What We're Harvesting
Beets
Celeriac (Celery Root)
Eggplant
Eggplant, Fairytale
Garlic
Husk/Ground Cherries
Kale
Lettuce, Head
Onions, Red
Onions, Yellow
Parsley
Peppers, Green
Peppers, Hot
Peppers, Shishito
Rutabaga
Scallions
Tomatoes. Heirloom
Tomatoes, Slicers

We will also have some fresh flowers available!

Coming Soon…
Arugula
Broccoli
Lettuce Mix
Spinach
Night Owl Farm
49 Prospect Street, Franklin, MA, 02038

Farm Stand Pop-up! (& New Hours) was sent to you on 2023-09-29 12:45:28 UTC by Night Owl Farm
                                                           

Friday, September 29, 2023

Franklin's Event Outlook: September 29, 2023 to October 5, 2023

Friday, September 29

2:00pm - Franklin Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)

Yes, due to the rain canceled for today

2:00pm - Thrift Threads thrift shop (Franklin Federated Church)

5:00pm - Papalias Wood Fired Pizza (La Cantina Winery)

6:00pm - Freak Flag (live music)(La Cantina Winery)


Saturday, September 30

Harvest Festival (Downtown Franklin)
Harvest Festival (Downtown Franklin)

7:00am - Town wide, curbside event

9:00am - Friends of the Poor Walk (Franklin Town Common)

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

Note Harvest Festival moved to Sunday

2:00pm - Sons of Sam Pizza (67 Degrees Brewery)

3:00pm - Red Apron Charcuterie (La Cantina Winery)

4:00pm - Matt Zajac (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

4:00pm - Michael Rivelis (live music) (Birchwood Bakery)

6:00pm - Sudden Odd Behavior (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)


Sunday, October 1

7:00am - Town wide, curbside event

12:00pm - Harvest Festival (Downtown Franklin) (ends at 4 PM, instead of 5 PM)

12:00pm - Jamie Barrett (live music) (Franklin Historical Museum) ??

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)


Monday, October 2

4:00pm - Pumpkin Patch & Sale (St John's Episcopal Church)


Tuesday, October 3

4:00pm - Pumpkin Patch & Sale (St John's Episcopal Church)

6:00pm - Franklin Garden Club - meeting (Franklin Public Library)


Wednesday, October 4

10:00am - Veterans Coffee Social (Franklin Senior Center)

1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group) (Franklin Senior Center)

4:00pm - Pumpkin Patch & Sale (St John's Episcopal Church)

6:30pm - Franklin Art Association (Franklin Senior Center)


Thursday, October 5

2:20pm - Emergency Alert System Test

4:00pm - Pumpkin Patch & Sale (St John's Episcopal Church)

6:30pm - Franklin LGBTQ Alliance - monthly meeting (Franklin Public Library)


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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 


Franklin's Event Outlook: September 22, 2023 to September 28, 2023
Franklin's Event Outlook: September 22, 2023 to September 28, 2023



Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth: A Discussion Series

Please join us at the First Universalist Society in Franklin for an engaging spiritual journey, centered around the groundbreaking PBS six-episode series.

World renown mythologist and professor of religion Joseph Campbell and journalist Bill Moyers discuss myths as metaphors and the path to transcendence in dialogues that adroitly span millennia of history and far-flung geography.

Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth
Joseph Campbell
We will view each episode, and then engage in a lively discussion of how it moves and inspires us.

The six episodes are:
1. The Hero’s Adventure
2. The Message of the Myth
3. The First Storytellers
4. Sacrifice and Bliss
5. Love and the Goddess
6. The Masks of Eternity
This discussion series is FREE of charge. Please pre-register by emailing David Gerlits: davegerlits@gmail.com ; 508-446-4453. Contact him with any questions. 

When -> Mondays: October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and November 6  7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Where -> First Universalist Society in Franklin
262 Chestnut Street, Franklin MA 02038

Town Council Quarterbacking session catches up to the Sep 20 meeting and provides a recap (audio)

FM #1068 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1068 in the series. 


This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of September 20, 2023


  • ok, what just happened? 

  • What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?


We cover the following key topics

  • Three appointments to individual committees were unanimously approved.  a. Council on Aging - Collette Ferguson  b. Finance Committee - Heather Sanscoucy   c. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - Kimberly Mu-Chow 

  • Franklin Elks Riders presented a donation of $1k, the Franklin Elks Bingo donated $10k to the Town of Franklin veterans services

  • Council goals review, a long list of accomplishments, a list to be proud of

  • The funds previously allocated for purchase of a new ambulance were authorized to be paid to the vendor to hold the contract and avoid a price increase - Resolution 23-54: Ambulance Transfer & Appropriation

  • The Council discussed and approved placement of the debt exclusion to fund the Franklin portion of the Tri-County RVTHS new building. The question language approved was as follows: 

    • "Shall the Town of Franklin be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay the Town’s allocable share of the bonds issued by the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School District to pay costs of designing constructing and equipping a new high school to be located at 147 Pond Street, in Franklin, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto?"

  • The Open Space & Recreation Plan developed over the course of 15 months, muti[;e meetings and 3 public hearings was approved by the Council. IT will be submitted to the State and assuming their acceptance will also be part of the Master Plan Update now underway

  • Town Administrators report provided updates on the migrant housing situation, the demolition delay report and a report on decommissioning a section of Spring Street.


Our conversation runs about 35 minutes. Let’s listen to this session of Town Council Quarterbacking recorded Sep 20, 2023. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1068-town-council-quarterbacking-09-28-23



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The Franklin TV video is available for replay ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/bF13Dgn_6qs   

Town Council agenda doc -> https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_sept_20_2023.pdf 

My full set of notes captured via Twitter during the meeting are collected in a single PDF for easier reading  -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1khvMQCoANrW3vZxzRHMYP1pPlrpfAfP4/view?usp=drive_link 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.


How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors


  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


Town Council Quarterbacking session catches up to the Sep 20 meeting and provides a recap (audio)
Town Council Quarterbacking session catches up to the Sep 20 meeting and provides a recap (audio)