Christmas Fair - Dec 3

St. John's Episcopal Church (237 Pleasant Street, Franklin) will hold it's annual Christmas Fair on Saturday December 3rd from 9:00am to 2:00pm. 

The Fair features, Silent Auction, Cookie Walk, Baked Goods, Grandma's Attic with gently used items and books, Children's Activities, Snack Bar, and a raffle for a Fitbit and Kindle. 

Please join us!

St. John's Episcopal Church (237 Pleasant Street, Franklin)

Christmas in August - End of Summer Party at the Franklin LIbrary

Come to the Franklin Public Library for the "Christmas in August - End of Summer Party" on Friday, Aug 26 from 1 to 4:00 PM

Christmas in August - End of Summer Party at the Franklin LIbrary

This was shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2016/08/christmas-in-august-end-of-summer-party.html

Reminder: Christmas Tree Collection Days - week of January 11

The snow has been washed away by the rain but the Christmas trees are still around and scheduled for pick up with your normal trash pick up day this week.

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Christmas Tree Collection Days

Week of January 11, 2016

On Your Regular Trash Day

put tree out with the trash on your day during the week of Jan 11

This was shared from the notice on the Town of Franklin page

http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/022D16DF-000F8513

Merry Christmas Franklin!

This will be the only post today. If there is other news that is share worthy, it can wait until Saturday. 

What matters today is spending time with family and friends!

Merry Christmas Franklin!

Note: With the holidays falling on Friday, the weekly calendar will be posted on Saturday December 26, 2015 and again next week on Saturday, Jan 2, 2016.

Franklin Public Library: Holiday Hours

The Franklin Public Library will be closing at 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 24 for Christmas Eve, and will be closed on Friday, December 25 for Christmas Day. 

The library will be open regular hours on Saturday, December 26 and Sunday, December 27.

Franklin Public Library - Holiday hours

This was shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/12/holiday-hours-at-franklin-public-library.html

Annual Christmas on the Common - Nov 29 - 4:00 PM

The annual tree lighting ceremony will be held on Sunday, Nov 29th at 4:00 PM.

As in prior years, Santa Claus will probably arrive at the Town Common in grand style via one of the Franklin Fire Dept trucks.

The tree is up and ready to have the lights turned on

Christmas tree on the Franklin Town Common

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The tree on the triangle where Main St and West/East Central meet is also up and ready

Christmas tree on the triangle in downtown Franklin

Thanks to "Concerts on the Common" for putting together. If you'd like to contribute, the information on where to send the check is 

"Concerts on the Common"
PO Box 92
Franklin, MA 02038

Christmas trees will be picked up the week of January 5

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.

Christmas tree pickup scheduled for week of Jan 5th

This was shared from the Franklin wbsite
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01F7E254-000F8513

Additional info from the current curbside chronicle can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/WM_00279_Franklin%206pg%202014_rF2.pdf

Merry Christmas !!!

From Franklin's own Jamie Barrett, a new song to celebrate the holiday!

A brand new original written, arranged, performed and produced by singer-songwriter Jamie Barrett. The song was written in late November and recorded on December 20, 2014.

There will be little else posted today.

Time for all of us to spend with family and friends. 

Let's be grateful for what we have!



Bonus video:









 

Holiday Stroll - Dec 4 - 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

The Christmas tree located on the triangle in downtown Franklin will get its lights turned on this evening for the Holiday Stroll.

Christmas tree downtown Franklin

For more information on the events at the Holiday Stroll check out the Downtown Partnership page here  http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2014/11/2014-holiday-stroll-press-release.html

Christmas Tree Lighting - Sunday, Nov 30 - 4:00 PM

THE HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE:
- LIGHTING UP THE TOWN COMMON HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND DISPLAYS! 

REFRESHMENTS AND GOODIES! 

VISIT WITH SANTA AND II JINGLES THE ELF"

Photo from 2011 

In case of inclement weather, holiday festivities will take place across the street in the Ben Franklin Charter School


Additional information contained in the flyer put out by "Concerts on the Common"

When are the Christmas trees going to be picked up?

According to the most recent recycling newsletter, the trees are scheduled for pickup during the week of Jan 6th. Like prior years, I would expect it to be scheduled for the day of your normal trash pickup.

Page 2 of the flyer attached here has the calendar with the week of Jan 6th marked for the special collection of Christmas trees





You can also find the flyer on the Franklin webpage here:
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/WM_00218_Franklin%206pg_rWEB.PDF

Merry Christmas

I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Please enjoy the holiday with family and friends.

as we won't have a white Christmas this year, we'll step back in time to 2012

This will be the only posting today.



If you like what you read here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like what you read here, please tell me!

In the News: Carol's Christmas, donations to non-profits

TO DO THIS WEEKEND: FPAC debuts ‘Carol’s Christmas’

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) premieres a new holiday musical, Carol’s Christmas, on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 2 p.m. at the Thomas D. Mercer Auditorium, 224 Oak St., Franklin.

Milford National donates $28,000 to non-profit organizations

The Milford National Charitable Foundation has donated more than $28,000 to various non-profit organizations throughout the Greater Milford area during 2013. 

The mission of the Charitable Foundation is to provide financial assistance for the benefit of the community, charitable, educational and other benevolent purposes as they relate to non-profit organizations.

In the News: nativity festival, foundation awards, Celtic Christmas, tax rate

Nativity festival set for today at Franklin church

Nativity sets serve as the focal point in many homes during the holiday season with some families passing these heirlooms down from one generation to another.

Foundation awards $228K to groups throughout MetroWest

Foundation for MetroWest announced on today that it has awarded grants totaling $228,000 to organizations throughout  MetroWest as part of their 2013 Competitive Grant Program. The announcement was part of an event held this week at The Center for the Arts in Natick (TCAN).

To do this weekend: Celtic Christmas Celebration

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse presents a Celtic Christmas Concert on Saturday, Dec. 14 in Franklin.

Franklin Town Council stays with single tax rate

Considering Franklin's small commercial tax base, the Town Council on Wednesday chose to stick with a single tax rate.

Performance this evening - A Christmas Carol Times Two

"A Christmas Carol Times Two!", a dramatic reading performance of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" combined with traditional 19th century English Christmas carols will happen on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7PM at the Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central Street in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Al LePage performs "A Christmas Carol"

"Englishman Thomas Hutchinson, Traveling Thespian" portrayed by actor Al LePage, complete with English accent and Victorian-era clothing, will give his dramatic reading performance based on Dickens' very own historic script as a one-man show using only his voice, facial expressions and gestures to create some 18 characters.

Organist and local minister Rev. Dr. Dianne Carpenter will weave organ music between various scenes to set the tone for what's to come and entertain. This is a special benefit performance hosted by the Franklin United Methodist Church with all proceeds to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry.

Admission is $10 per person and the performance is best appreciated by both adults and children 7 years of age and older. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased in advance through BrownPaperTickets.com/, either on-line or by calling their 24/7 toll-free number 1-800-838-3006, and if still available, at the door the day of event. Doors for the performance open at 6:30PM, the fun begins at 6:45PM, and seating is general admission.

Tickets are also available at the Franklin Food Pantry during open hours 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Tues, Weds and Thursday.

A Christmas Carol, Times Two! - Thursday, Dec 12

"A Christmas Carol Times Two!", a dramatic reading performance of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" combined with traditional 19th century English Christmas carols will happen on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7PM at the Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central Street in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Al LePage performs "A Christmas Carol"

"Englishman Thomas Hutchinson, Traveling Thespian" portrayed by actor Al LePage, complete with English accent and Victorian-era clothing, will give his dramatic reading performance based on Dickens' very own historic script as a one-man show using only his voice, facial expressions and gestures to create some 18 characters.

Organist and local minister Rev. Dr. Dianne Carpenter will weave organ music between various scenes to set the tone for what's to come and entertain. This is a special benefit performance hosted by the Franklin United Methodist Church with all proceeds to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry.

Admission is $10 per person and the performance is best appreciated by both adults and children 7 years of age and older. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased in advance through BrownPaperTickets.com/, either on-line or by calling their 24/7 toll-free number 1-800-838-3006, and if still available, at the door the day of event. Doors for the performance open at 6:30PM, the fun begins at 6:45PM, and seating is general admission.

Tickets are also available at the Franklin Food Pantry during open hours 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Tues, Weds and Thursday.

Hockomock Area YMCA: Holiday Gift Drive

holiday gift drive

Attached is an invitation to participate in the YMCA's annual giving tree program.  Sharing gifts with families in need this holiday season exemplifies the caring of our community, our staff, and our YMCA members.  On Christmas morning last year, 705 gifts found their way to the homes of 118 Y families, for which we were truly thankful to all involved.  That meant together we brightened the lives of 357 children, women, and men in our community. 

Thank you in advance for your consideration in printing the attached release to help make the holidays much brighter for those families with tags remaining on our lobby trees. 

Christmas trees at Akin-Bak

In addition to the produce and honey at the farm stand, Akin-Bak has Christmas trees! They are open from 9:00 AM until 8:00 PM through Christmas Eve

Akin-Bak Christmas Trees

For additional info you can find Akin-Bak on the web at  http://www.akinbakfarmllc.com/

or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AkinBakFarm


Note: the photo was 'borrowed' from the Akin-Bak Facebook page!

A Christmas Carol, Times Two!

"A Christmas Carol Times Two!", a dramatic reading performance of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" combined with traditional 19th century English Christmas carols will happen on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7PM at the Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central Street in Franklin, Massachusetts.

"Englishman Thomas Hutchinson, Traveling Thespian" portrayed by actor Al LePage, complete with English accent and Victorian-era clothing, will give his dramatic reading performance based on Dickens' very own historic script as a one-man show using only his voice, facial expressions and gestures to create some 18 characters.

Organist and local minister Rev. Dr. Dianne Carpenter will weave organ music between various scenes to set the tone for what's to come and entertain. This is a special benefit performance hosted by the Franklin United Methodist Church with all proceeds to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. Admission is $10 per person and the performance is best appreciated by both adults and children 7 years of age and older.






Tickets are on sale and can be purchased in advance through BrownPaperTickets.com/, either on-line or by calling their 24/7 toll-free number 1-800-838-3006, and if still available, at the door the day of event. 

Doors for the performance open at 6:30PM, the fun begins at 6:45PM, and seating is general admission.

Thanksgiving - much to be thankful for

The Franklin Food Pantry is able to perform its service due to the gracious and giving community of donors and volunteers. The next several weeks are the busiest time of the year as the holidays bring out the giving spirit. The Food Pantry is poised to serve, to give, to share, and to collect.

Turkey Trot Family 5K

1 - The Turkey Trot 5K Family Fun Run and Walk will be held bright and early Thanksgiving morning. Registration can be done online here. The registration fee is $20 per person or 20 items for the Food Pantry.  

2 - For Patriot fans, we are holding a raffle for a chance to win 5 luxury box seats and a parking pass for the Dec 8th game. Tickets are available at the Food Pantry or contact me directly. The raffle winner will be announced Sunday Dec 1 at 4:00 PM.

3 - The Franklin Food Elves will be collecting for the Food Pantry in their annual "12 Days of Giving" campaign.  "More than 60 Food Elves will be collecting goods in neighborhoods around Franklin. If you don't have an Elf in your neighborhood, you can still participate in our food drive! Look for the red collection bins at these participating FDP member businesses:

• DCU, 500 West Central St.
• Dean Bank, 21 Main St. 
• Dean College, Campus Center
• Emma's Quilt Cupboard, 12 Main St.
• Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, 9 East Central St.
• Jane's Frames, 11 East Central St.
• Murphy Business, 15 East Central St.
• Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits, 14 Grove St.

For additional information on the Food Elves visit here

4 - The dramatic performance of "The Christmas Carol Times Two" returns this year on Thursday, Dec 12th. Maybe you heard good things about this sellout performance last year. Get your tickets early this year. The easiest way is to buy your tickets online here. Or you could stop by the Food Pantry.

Franklin Food Pantry

5 - Finally, the Food Pantry webpage has updated its donation widget. You can donate securely online using a credit card or via an electronic funds transfer (EFT) from a bank account. You can make a one time or set up a recurring payment.  You can find the donation widget on the Food Pantry webpage or here on Franklin Matters. (Either way, the transaction is processed directly to the Food Pantry. The link here simply makes it easier to do so).

Thank you!