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| well said |
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| Building Committee Chair Judith Pond Pfeffer |
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| Mary Olsson, Franklin Historical Commission |
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| in the middle of the unveiling |
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| voila! |
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| you can walk around the display to view the books |
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| You can see the stitches on the leather book covers |
"Sometime in 1782 or early 1783, Benjamin Franklin received a curious request from “a new town in the state of Massachusetts” that “having done me the honor of naming itself after me, and preparing to build a steeple to their meeting house,” asked if the statesman would give them a bell.
But, being a practical man, the 77-year-old Ben Franklin “advis’d the sparing themselves the expense of a steeple” and suggested “books instead of a bell, sense being preferable to sound.” He explained as much in a March 18, 1783 letter to his friend Dr. Richard Price, directing him to collect a list of “a few good books to the value of about 25 pounds” - including Price’s own works - to be delivered to the town.
Fast forward about 235 years to this Sunday, April 8, when the Franklin Public Library will unveil a new display of those books - the volumes that inspired creation of what is thought to be the nation’s first public library. The exhibit is one of the new features in the newly renovated reading room in the old part of the library building at 118 Main St.
“This will be the first time the full collection of books will be on a 360-degree display,” noted Deputy Town Administrator Jaimie Hellen in an email about the event, which takes place from noon to 2 p.m.Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
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| The Ben Franklin books are back at the Franklin Library - April 8 |
"It’s all in the family when the curtain rises on “Little Mermaid, Jr.” April 6 at Bellingham’s Marketplace Theatre.
Franklin High sophomore, Rosalyn Smith, leads the company, starring as love-struck mermaid Ariel, who pines to leave her home fathoms below and join Prince Eric and become part of his world above the sea. Supporting her in her quest is fishy side-kick (and real life younger brother), Noah Smith, who portrays Flounder. Noah is a 8th grader at Horace Mann Middle School.
Not to be forgotten is another member of the Smith family, little sister Delaney, a 4th grader at Oak Street Elementary School, who plays swashbuckling Grimsby, part of Prince Eric’s loyal crew.
In addition to the contributions of the Smith family, there are also 20 more young actors from Franklin -- including Andrew Falanga as Chef Louis, Caitlin Hickey and Mackenzie Atwood as Mersisters -- and from surrounding communities, including Medway, Bellingham, Holliston, Framingham and towns in Rhode Island."
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| The Ben Franklin books are back at the Franklin Library - April 8 |
"The Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School is in a quandary about how to fund at least $12 million in repairs to the school’s roof, windows, doors and parking lot.
Officials noted that many things at the school are original to the more than 40-year-old building, and are in dire need of replacement or repair. Facilities Director Thomas Shanahan said the building is the same age as the old Franklin High School, which the town tore down and replaced with the current $100 million structure a few years ago.
Superintendent Stephen Dockray said this week that the school had applied to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for help, but had been denied. School officials, he said, are considering ways in which the needed projects might be funded."
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| Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School |
"Citizen proposals calling for a $15 minimum wage, a paid family and medical leave program, a sharp reduction in the sales tax, nurse staffing requirements in hospitals, and a Citizens United commission have garnered enough certified signatures to qualify for the 2018 ballot, Secretary of State William Galvin’s office confirmed Thursday morning.
Two other proposals -- imposing a 4 percent surtax on household income above $1 million and repealing the 2016 transgender anti-discrimination law -- had previously met 2018 ballot eligibility requirements, although the income surtax is being challenged in the courts by opponents.
Petitioners behind the proposals deemed newly eligible for next year’s ballot submitted more than the 64,750 signatures required by the constitution. The measures will now be transmitted from Galvin’s office to the Legislature for their consideration."
"Phyllis Calvey, author of “The Butterfly Club: Is That You?”, recently donated her book to the newly renovated Franklin Public Library. Over the years she presented many programs in Franklin and has great memories of the warm community there.
Reading a particular book is often inspired by the feelings a season brings, and Calvey’s book is a perfect read as winter ushers in the season when nature is dying and returning back to the earth.
And yet winter can tell things that summer will never know as we see and experience how that life returns again in the spring."
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| some of the 100 books hanging from the trees framed Ursus |
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| Franklin Public Library: Teen Book Brunch |
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| Franklin Public Library: Summer Reading Wrap-Up Party |
There will be a lovely, local food and craft fair at An Unlikely Story bookstore this Sunday, from 10am to 2pm.
It is comprised entirely of local farmers and artisans, including a handful from right here in Franklin.
It will be a great spot to shop for unique, one-of-a-kind gifts for Mother's day, to meet local artists, and to shop for the upcoming gardening season.
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| flyer for An Unlikely Story local food and craft fair May 1 |
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| making Grade 6 iMovie book trailers |
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| Ben Franklin reading outside the Franklin Public Library |
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| family story time, 1st Saturday of the month |
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| I wonder which book Ben would choose? |
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| Ken Gloss - Brattle Book Store - rescheduled to Feb 19th |
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| screen grab of Brattle Book Shop website |
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| Ken Gloss - Brattle Book Store |
The book-a-day challenge continues and I have read 55 books over the past 27 days. My goal is to reach 68 books to mark the 68 days of summer AND to review them all on Goodreads and here, on the blog. How is your summer reading going so far?Mrs Williams is a 4th grade teacher here in Franklin and very busy reading and writing this summer.
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| front page of The Shiny Red Apple |
What happens when a dream you've held since childhood … doesn't come true? As Lisa Bu adjusted to a new life in the United States, she turned to books to expand her mind and create a new path for herself. She shares her unique approach to reading in this lovely, personal talk about the magic of books.
In the regular "Best 5 in New England’’ column of the January/February issue, Richard Wright observed the Union Avenue store combines the soothing atmosphere of a friend’s private library with the eclectic pleasures of a devoted bibliophile’s extensive collection.
"After 30 years, the owners of the Shire Book Shop still offer to brew you a cup of tea, making your stroll among the 100,00 used and out-of-print books in this former mill building even more of a pleasure."
The author of "A Vacationer’s Guide to Rural New England Bookstores," Wright noted of the Shire: "Each purchased book is carefully protected with an archival dust jacket."
