Veterans Memorial Walkway; Order your brick by Sep 15 for placement in November 2022

Honor your special veteran with an engraved brick this Veterans' Day! 

The deadline for purchasing engraved bricks for the Veterans Memorial Walkway on the Franklin Town Common is September 15 for the November 2022 brick installation. 

Bricks may be purchased to pay tribute to anyone who served or is currently serving in the U.S. military. Brick order forms are available in the Town Hall and Senior Center lobbies and on the Veterans' Services page on the Town website. 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/brick_order_form_with_shannons_name.pdf

Thank you to all who have supported this project

Debra Martin

Franklin Veterans Services

10 Daniel McCahill Street

Franklin, MA 02038

Email: dmartin@franklinma.gov

T: 508.613.1315

Veterans Memorial Walkway; Order your brick by Sep 15 for placement in November 2022

Veterans Service Office page on Town of Franklin  https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services 

Veterans Walkway brick order form   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/brick_order_form_with_shannons_name.pdf

Veterans Walkway Database of the honored names and their brick locations

https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/pages/veterans-memorial-walkway-brick-database 

Veterans Service Officer Shannon Nisbett (audio)

FM #651 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 651 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Franklin’s Veterans’ Service Officer (VSO), Shannon Nisbett. We talked in her office at the Franklin Senior Center on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. 

We talked about her background growing up as an Army brat, coming to live here in Franklin and now her work in the Veterans Office as we review the major events and the daily services provided to veterans.

The recording runs about 9 minutes.  Let’s listen to my conversation with Shannon Nisbett. Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/122a3c3d-4b37-4fdd-bec7-167e8ede847f

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Veterans Service Office page on Town of Franklin  https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services 

Veterans Walkway brick order form   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/brick_order_form_with_shannons_name.pdf

Veterans Walkway Database of the honored names and their brick locations

https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/pages/veterans-memorial-walkway-brick-database 

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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 iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

Veterans Service Officer Shannon Nisbett  (audio)

Veterans Memorial Walkway - brick order deadline for Nov 2021 installation is Sep 17

Order an engraved brick for Veterans Day 2021

Honor your special veteran with an engraved brick this Veterans Day! Bricks may be purchased to pay tribute to anyone who served or is currently serving in the U.S. military.

The deadline for the November orders is September 17, 2021. Thanks to all who have honored our veterans by supporting this project!

Brick order forms are available at:   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/cid_e86af664-bc49-4e27-8f64-61ab92799386.pdf

Please contact the Veterans Services Office at: (508) 613-1315 for more information.

Debra Martin

Franklin Veterans Services

10 Daniel McCahill Street

Franklin, MA 02038

Email: dmartin@franklinma.gov

T: 508.613.1315

BTW - if you have bought a brick and could not find where it is located, there is now a database of the bricks and installation points. The sections are numbered and rows identified whether starting from the Union St side or the Main St side.

https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/pages/veterans-memorial-walkway-brick-database

Veterans Memorial Walkway Update

Buy a Brick, join the Hall of Sponsors for the Fresh Start Market

Fresh Start Market is opening our doors to the community to be a part of our store's history. We have created a special place inside our market for a micro fundraiser where interested sponsors can "Buy a Brick" that will adorn our wall for our "Hall of Sponsors". 

As start up businesses go, we are not typically able to obtain business loans and we do no qualify for any Covid-19 programs. We have supported our store completely out of pocket and would love to include ways that our customers and community can help! We've already seen a huge outpouring of support in getting bags for our floor, let's see what we can all do with our walls! 

 

The way it works :
We have a great wall in our hallway between the 2 main parts of the store. We're putting up brick panels and we're selling each "brick" to interested sponsors (you!). Each brick can say anything you'd like (family friendly, of course) up to 35 characters. We encourage family names. 

Each brick is $25 and can be made payable to Fresh Start Market safely and securely through Venmo using our email address Freshstartmkt@gmail.com. Please include what you'd like your brick to say in the payment notes. Payments without notes will be contacted to inquire about what to scribe. 

You can also drop off a check at our store made payable to Fresh Start Market, Inc. PayPal is also an option, please contact us for more details. And cash is always welcome.

We are adding 2 more options! $50 for a silver purchase and $100 for gold! Lettering will be done in correspondence with donation. Great for local businesses to get involved!

We're grateful to everyone who is able to help! If you have any questions regarding this fundraiser, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to being open and welcoming our community! 

 

Thank you for your support! 

Buy a Brick, join the Hall of Sponsors for the Fresh Start Market

Disclosure: After following the development of Fresh Start Market over the past couple of years, they found the Market Study that the Town of Franklin did with MAPC and we shared here, as a critical piece of their planning. Very happy to put a brick on the wall to help them!

Market Study   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._final_town_of_franklin_market_study_1.pdf

Families Continue to Pay Tribute to Veterans

The fourth installation of engraved bricks on the Veterans Memorial Walkway took place recently on the Franklin Town Common. The next installation is planned for November 2020 to coincide with Veterans Day. Bricks must be purchased by September 14 for this installation.

Veterans being honored do not have to be Franklin residents. For more information or to purchase an engraved brick, contact the Franklin Veterans Services Office at: (508) 613-1315 or go to: www.franklinveteransbricks.com for online orders. Engraved bricks are $100 each.

Pictured left to right: Dale Kurtz, Franklin VSO, and members of the Franklin Veterans Council, Sue Theriot, Ernest Carruthers and Bob Gardner with Bill Fredrick of C & A Masonry, Inc. of Franklin.

Franklin Veterans – July 2020 News

July Coffee Social – Wednesday, July 1 - 10:00 AM. We will host our 3rd VIRTUAL Coffee Social via Zoom. All veterans are invited to join us! Check the Veterans Services page on the Town web site for details.

Veterans Memorial Walkway -The next engraved brick installation on the Memorial Walkway will be completed in July. Thanks to all purchasers for your patience with this during the pandemic. Brick sales will continue with the next installation being planned for Veterans Day in November.

NATIONAL PURPLE HEART DAY is August 7! Franklin is a Purple Heart Community and we are looking for Franklin veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart. Recipients must live in Franklin or had been a Franklin resident if deceased. We are planning a Purple Heart recognition ceremony on Friday, August 7 at 5:30 p.m. on the Town Common. Please contact the Veterans Services Office at: (508) 613-1315 to be added to our Purple Heart database.

Veterans and Dependents – If you need assistance, please call the Veterans Services Office at: (508) 613-1315.

Franklin Veterans – July 2020 News

Veterans Memorial Walkway Update

Brick Sales Are Ongoing

The May 2020 brick installation has been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The next installation will be in June.

Brick sales will be ongoing until all bricks have been engraved.

Brick order forms can be found on this web page. Click on the Veterans Walkway Brick Order Form link on the left side of the Veterans Services home page.
https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/files/veterans-walkway-brick-order-form

Veterans or current members of the U.S. military being honored with an engraved brick do not need to be Franklin residents.

For more information, call (508) 613-1315.

Thank you for your support of this project that honors our Veterans!

Veterans Memorial Walkway Update

Veterans Memorial Walkway: Fourth Brick Installation Planned

The next installation of engraved bricks on the Veterans Memorial Walkway on the Franklin Town Common is scheduled for May 2020. The cut-off date for purchasing bricks for this installation is April 1, 2020.

Engraved bricks are $100 each and include the U.S. veteran’s or current service member’s first, middle and last name and branch of service. Those being honored with a brick do not have to be Franklin residents. 

For more information or to purchase a brick, contact the Veterans Services Office at: (508) 613-1315 or go to www.franklinveteransbricks.com for online orders

 

Veterans Memorial Walkway: A brick for my father is located here. Do you have a relative to honor?

Franklin Public Library Closed Monday, December 16 Through Wednesday, December 18

Franklin Public Library Closed Monday, December 16 Through Wednesday, December 18

The Franklin Public Library will be closed on Monday, December 16 through Wednesday, December 18, 2019 for the cleaning of its brick hallways on the first floor. 

All fines will be waived on materials returned during that week. Items on the hold shelf will be made available for pickup for an additional three days. Museum passes reserved for those dates may be picked up by Sunday, December 15. 

For more information, please contact Library Director Felicia Oti at 508-520-4941 or foti@franklinma.gov


You might be asking "Why close now?"
This period is actually a slower period. Folks are busy preparing for the holidays. Once on school break, the Library will be a busy place so they want to get the work done now.

Why close the Library to clean the floors?
Two of the entrances have brick walkways. Even if they shut both those doors, that would only leave one door open. Not good for safety sake. As part of the cleaning process they also need ventilation and while the library has windows, they don't open. So the doors, fans, and tubes need to be used to ventilate and it would be nosier and inconvenient.

cleaning of its brick hallways

cleaning of its brick hallways 2

Memorial Walkway Third Brick Installation Planned - Nov 11, 2019

Order Bricks by September 13, 2019!

The third installation of engraved bricks on the Veterans Memorial Walkway on the Franklin Town Common will coincide with Veterans Day, November 11, 2019. The cut-off date for purchasing bricks for this installation is September 13, 2019.

To date, 1,367 engraved bricks have been purchased, representing 22 states and the District of Columbia. Future installations are scheduled to coincide with Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year.

Engraved bricks are $100 each. Veterans being honored do not have to be Franklin residents. 

For more information or to purchase an engraved brick, contact the Franklin Veterans Services Office at: (508) 613-1315 or go to: www.franklinveteransbricks.com for online orders.

Memorial Walkway Third Brick Installation Planned - Nov 11, 2019

Reminder: You're Invited - A reception to celebrate the completion of the Library patio - Jun 1

You're Invited - A reception to celebrate the completion of the Library patio - Jun 1

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Friends of the Franklin Library * P.O. Box 147 * Franklin, MA  02038 * fofl02038@gmail.com

Friends of Franklin Library: Brick Patio Celebration - June 1

To celebrate the Franklin Public Library's new brick patio, the Friends of Franklin Library will host a reception on Saturday, June 1, from 2 to 4 PM at the library.

The patio, located at the library's School Street entrance, consists of thousands of bricks. What makes it special is the inclusion of hundreds of individually engraved bricks. Beginning in 2017, residents and businesses were invited to have a brick engraved with a name or message of their choosing. Interest in these engraved bricks wildly exceeded expectations, prompting a second order to be placed in 2018. In all, 750 engraved bricks were purchased and installed.

Friends of Franklin Library: Brick Patio

In addition, several donors stepped forward to sponsor the purchase of benches and large flower urns for the patio area and front entrance.

The Friends of Franklin Library, which organized the brick campaign, will host the June 1 event as a way to thank donors and to invite the public to take note of the new space. All are invited to participate in this special celebration. 

Refreshments will be served. A room inside is available, too, in case of bad weather.

Those who purchased bricks will be able to request a printed certificate of acknowledgement.

Proceeds from the brick sale have been used to supplement library programs. Since 1992, Friends of Franklin Library has raised and donated more than $500,000. Recent projects have included the purchase of new tables and chairs in the library's main reading room, funding of summer children's programs, and the institution of an annual scholarship program for a graduating senior at Franklin High School.

Franklin Matters is proud to be a brick sponsor

Veterans Memorial Walkway - Next installation for Memorial Day 2019

The next installation of engraved bricks on the Veterans Memorial Walkway on the Franklin Town Common will coincide with Memorial Day 2019.

“Brick sales are ongoing and bricks will be sold until all the bricks on the walkway are engraved,” said Larry Bederian, Chairman of the Veterans Memorial Walkway Committee.

“Engraved bricks make great gifts for family members and friends who are U.S. veterans or currently serving in the military. People buy them for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day gifts. It’s a great way to honor our service men and women. And, the veteran doesn’t have to be from Franklin. We’ve had a great response to this project from people all over New England and beyond,” Bederian added.

Engraved bricks include the service member’s first, middle and last name and branch of service. 

Bricks are $100 each and order forms are available in the lobby of the Town Hall, the Senior Center and online at: franklinveteransbricks.com. For more information, contact Franklin VFW Post 3402 at: (508) 533-2377.

Veterans Memorial Walkway - Next installation for Memorial Day 2019

Veterans walkway: Brick Sales Update

Brick sales are ongoing!

The next brick installation on the Veterans Memorial Walkway is scheduled for Memorial Day 2019.

The Brick order form https://post3402.org/documents
Make checks payable to Franklin VFW Post 3402

Veterans walkway: Brick Sales Update

Post sharing the dedication ceremony on Nov 11, 2018
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/11/virtuosity-deserves-some-concrete-and.html

Franklin TV recorded the ceremony, view the video on YouTube
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/veterans-memorial-walkway-celebration.html

A message from The Friends of Franklin Library: Brick Sales Closing Out

The response from the Franklin community to our brick-patio campaign has been spectacular – far better than we could have anticipated. Because of that interest, we extended the project to accommodate additional orders for personalized bricks. We're preparing a second installation for the spring, but, to do so, we'll need to stop taking orders so that the engravers and installers can do their work.

That means this is your last chance to support the library via the brick campaign. Submit your orders by March 17 to have your personalized brick added to the new patio at the library's School Street entrance. It's a beautiful space. And having your name or the name of someone special to you
included there permanently is a great way to show your community pride and appreciation to an important Franklin institution.

Proceeds from the brick sales help to support programs and purchases at the library for the benefit of the entire community. For example, the Friends paid for new tables and chairs in the library's carefully-restored main reading room. Your generosity assures that our organization can continue to contribute to the ongoing mission of America's first public library.

We've installed more than 400 personalized bricks, and we have orders for several hundred more. If you'd like to be included, this is the time to act.

http://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/friends-franklin-library

A message from The Friends of Franklin Library: Brick Sales Closing Out

Friendly reminder: Veterans Walkway Bricks for Sale

"Did you happen to catch the Town Council meeting? The Veteran's Walkway project for the Town Common has been approved. This walkway will run from the flag pole near the War Memorials to Union Street. All along the walkway will be granite posts with bronze plaques in recognition of our Franklin residents who gave their lives in defense of our country since World War I. 

The project is being funded entirely by donations from members of the community. You may purchase a brick to honor a veteran or currently serving member of the Armed Forces for $100. The proceeds from the sales of bricks will be used to pay for the project. Please stay tuned and we will post the artists renderings of the project." 

The Brick order form  https://post3402.org/documents

Make checks payable to Franklin VFW Post 3402

screen capture of proposed Veterans Walkway for Franklin Town Common

Related Links
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/10/live-reporting-veterans-recognition-and.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/11/veterans-walkway-bricks-now-on-sale.html

Veterans Walkway Bricks now on sale

"Did you happen to catch the Town Council meeting? The Veteran's Walkway project for the Town Common has been approved. This walkway will run from the flag pole near the War Memorials to Union Street. All along the walkway will be granite posts with bronze plaques in recognition of our Franklin residents who gave their lives in defense of our country since World War I. 

The project is being funded entirely by donations from members of the community. You may purchase a brick to honor a veteran or currently serving member of the Armed Forces for $100. The proceeds from the sales of bricks will be used to pay for the project. Please stay tuned and we will post the artists renderings of the project." 

The Brick order form  https://post3402.org/documents

Make checks payable to Franklin VFW Post 3402

screen capture of proposed Veterans Walkway for Franklin Town Common

In the News: Ahern making connections; Library brick sale; DelCarte pond treatment

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Sara Ahern officially took over the reins on July 1 as the town’s newest school superintendent. 

After a week at the helm, Ahern said, the first order of business is to create connections. 

“Working to establish relationships is imperative, the work of the schools is dependent on building strong, fundamental relationships,” said Ahern, who replaced the retired Maureen Sabolinski. “I want to develop those relationships by being present, listening and sharing information about myself to the community.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20170707/new-franklin-schools-chief-starts-connecting

"The Friends of the Franklin Library are currently in the middle of a fundraising effort and selling personalized bricks as part of the ongoing library renovation and construction project. The bricks will be placed in a new patio located in front of the building’s School Street entrance and ready for use once the project is complete this fall. 

“The patio will be available for patrons to use; to sit outside in nice weather, to talk, attend a program or use available WiFi,” said former FoFL President Maria Lucier. “There will be benches, tables with umbrellas and plantings. We envision it will be a relaxing place to sit, visit and read.” 

When seeking out ways to raise money, Lucier said, she and fellow member Joseph Mullen took a trip to the McAuliffe Library in Framingham to view that building’s newly installed brick patio."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170712/friends-of-franklin-library-selling-bricks-to-benefit-construction-project

the new wing of the Library under construction

"The ponds at the DelCarte Conservation Property will be closed on Thursday in order for the town to perform a follow-up water treatment to combat the invasive plants in the ponds. 

The treatment was supposed to take place last Friday, but due to rain was delayed. If it rains again Thursday, the treatment will again be delayed as it will interfere with the process. 

In a release put out by the town, the pond will be closed for fishing and canoeing for 24 hours, but the rest of the area remains open for hiking and other recreational activities."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170712/franklin-delcarte-ponds-closed-thursday-for-treatment

Friends of the Franklin Library Memorial Brick Sale for New Library Patio

Dear fellow Franklin resident,

It is an exciting time for the Franklin Public Library, and The Friends of Franklin Library invites you to be a part of it.

In 1904, Franklin’s library was housed in a permanent building for the first time when the Ray Memorial Building—a gift to the citizens of Franklin from the Ray family—was dedicated. From 1987 to 1989, the library underwent extensive restoration to maintain the original beauty and splendor of this classical Greek structure.

Thousands of patrons borrow printed books, audiobooks, magazines, and music CDs, and benefit from computer access, educational programs, and much more. To accommodate the increased use of the facility and its resources, the library is being upgraded and expanded. 

The ongoing library building project includes a special case to display the books personally donated by Benjamin Franklin at the time of the town’s founding. (The availability of these books is the basis for our town’s claim as home to the nation’s first public lending library.)

YOUR BRICK HELPS BUILDS OUR FUTURE

In conjunction with the construction of the new wing and major renovations to the building, a new brick patio will be constructed at the School Street entrance. This area is sure to become a favorite spot for patrons to gather, attend a program, or sit and read in leisure. Wi-Fi will be available on the patio.

How can you participate in the library building project? Order an engraved brick, which will be used to pave this new patio area. Your engraved brick will instill this space with a sense of community pride, and be a lasting contribution to this community treasure. Proceeds from the brick sales will be used to pay for new furniture and to fund other library projects.

Bricks may be purchased for yourself, as a gift in honor of someone, or in memory of a loved one. A brick can be inscribed with the names of individuals or groups of your choice on two or three lines. There is a 15-character limit per line. A brick engraved with two lines costs $50; one with three lines costs $75.

Order forms are available at the library’s Kenwood Circle temporary location. Payments should be mailed to Friends of Franklin Library, P.O. Box 147, Franklin, MA 02038. Our members are available to assist at any time, so feel free to email us at fofl02038@gmail.com.

Thank you for your participation in this special project."


The patio Engraved Brick Fund is sponsored by The Friends of Franklin Library, a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax-deductible. All proceeds from brick sales will be used for library projects.

Franklin Library under construction

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http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/news/friendsbricks_0.pdf

Brick work

When the brick column looks like this

brick column in need of work

with the grouting gone, it is time to do a major repair

brick work under way