Ladybugs to be honored at State House on 50th anniversary of bill signing

In 1974, something was bugging the second graders at Kennedy Elementary School in Franklin. They were puzzled that among all the symbols in the Commonwealth, there was no state insect. Since ladybugs are considered good luck and protect plants from pests without being harmful to gardens, the children and their teacher considered the insect worthy of becoming the Bay

State’s official state bug.

50th anniversary of bill signing

These second graders swarmed the State House while wearing homemade ladybug costumes and visited lawmakers to make their case. After some heroic efforts by these pioneering students and their teacher, involving a petition, testimony before a legislative committee, and letters to legislators, the ladybug became the official state insect in 1974.

On Friday, October 4, 2024, the same ladybugs, along with family and friends, will return to the State House for a 50th Anniversary celebration and tour. Organized by State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin), the Ladybugs will also meet and have their picture taken with Governor Maura Healey. They will be also joined by the family of their teacher, the late Palma Johnson during the State House visit.

 

homemade ladybug costumes

“Although five decades have passed since H.5155, An Act designating the Ladybug as the official bug of the Commonwealth, was signed into law, the passage of time has not diminished the importance of their achievement and timeless inspirational story,” said Representative Roy, “Their efforts and dedication in 1974 showed how anyone with a good idea can affect change. It was the ultimate civics lesson for these students and we will celebrate their accomplishment on Friday.”

One of the students in the class took that civics lesson to heart. Twenty years after the bill signing, Jim Vallee was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives where he served Franklin for 19 years. He is expected to attend the anniversary event on Friday.

ladybug became the official state insect in 1974

Their historic accomplishment by the Franklin students is now part of the State House lore and is featured on its website (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/cis/ciskid/kidlbs/lbsidx.htm) and celebrated in a booklet distributed in the building. 

The accomplishment was also featured several years ago on an episode of WCVB’s Chronicle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weoanYKnVKM).

MassLive: "Former students mark 50th anniversary of ladybug becoming Mass. state insect"

Liesel Nygard reporting for MassLive provides a recap of the Ladybug reunion on Saturday, April 20:

"Did you know that Massachusetts’ official state insect is the ladybug?

The law was passed in 1974 after a large group of second graders from Kennedy School in Franklin, Mass. visited lawmakers at the State House in Boston while wearing homemade ladybug costumes.

Since ladybugs are considered good luck, and protect plants from pests without being harmful to gardens, the children and their teachers considered the insect worthy of becoming the Bay State’s official state’s bug."

Continue reading the article online at MassLive -> 

https://www.masslive.com/news/2024/04/history-takes-wing-former-students-mark-50th-anniv-of-ladybug-becoming-mass-state-insect.html

Former students of Franklin School who helped pass a bug making the ladybug Massachusetts' official state insect celebrate the 50th anniversary of their success with an event at the Franklin Historical Museum on Saturday, April 20, 2024 (MassLive photo by Liesel Nygard).Liesel Nygard

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the “Ladybug” - April 20

In 1974, a contingent of Franklin elementary school students, led by beloved teacher Parma Johnson, convinced the Massachusetts legislature to name the useful and attractive ladybug, as the state insect. 

Fifty years later, in coordination with the Franklin Downtown Partnership’s Ladybug Trail walk, the Franklin Historical Museum will be open for extended Saturday hours, from 9-3 and will feature:

• Convenient access to restrooms and trail maps for trail walkers

• Sale of special hand-crafted ladybug items (key chains and book marks) created by local crafter, Rhondy Rosita, with all sales benefiting the museum. 

• At 11 AM, State Representative Jeff Roy will speak about the Ladybug kids and about the legislative process then and now – an informative topic for kids and adults!

• The Museum will also be showing throughout the day, a short Chronicle segment about the Ladybug Trail and a presentation about the 1974 ladybug kids and the 1984 Kennedy School kids that went to the statehouse in 1984, for the 10th anniversary.

• Vintage newspaper clips and ladybug outfits used by Franklin children in their 1974 ‘lobbying’ effort.

• And, late in the afternoon, we plan to release live native ladybugs at the nearby Methodist Church garden as a finale for the celebration.

• All Saturday events are rain or shine (the Downtown Partnership’s Trail Walk, however, has a rain date of Sunday, April 21). The museum will only be open for regular hours, 1-4 pm, on that day.

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the “Ladybug” - April 20

Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central St, in downtown Franklin, near the fire station. You can also visit the Historical Museum on the web at

http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/  

"A gathering of ladybugs is called a loveliness"

Via JK Kennedy School's Ann Williams we find:

"I did not know this! How about that

@jfkladybugs

? #LadybugTeacher"

"A gathering of ladybugs is called a loveliness. A loveliness of ladybugs . This very idea makes the world seem, somehow, a little more gentle"

https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/status/1748180947717992756

Read a full article online about the "loveliness of ladybugs"

https://www.animalkeen.com/what-is-a-group-of-ladybugs-called/

A gathering of ladybugs is called a loveliness

Save the Date! The Ladybug 5K returns! Oct 16

The Ladybug 5K returns on Sunday, October 16.

EVENT DETAILS

• USATF Sanctioned Event and USATF certified 5K course

• Professional Timing by 3C Race Productions

• Cash Prize for the Top Male and Female finisher

• Raffle (Tickets: 1 for $1 OR 12 for $10)

• Kids Fun Run begins at 9:15 AM

• 5K begins at 10 AM

• Bib number pick up begins at 8:30 AM 

COST

$25 for individual runner with pre-registration

$100 family cap for the 5K pre-registration only

$30 for individual runner, race day, no family cap

$5 for kids race

Race t-shirt included with 5K registration, additional shirts may be purchased for $15

Register online ->  https://www.ladybug5k.com/

Save the Date! The Ladybug 5K returns! Oct 16

Franklin Historical Museum: Fire Dept celebrate 150 years, ladybug Christmas ornaments for sale

Congratulations to the Franklin Fire Department who recently celebrated 150 years of service to our town. We want to thank FFD for letting us borrow the 1909 hand drawn pumper  to display in front of the museum on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in June.  

1909 hand drawn pumper

Franklin Fire Department recently celebrated 150 years of service

Visit our gift shop for a unique variety of Franklin theme items including our newest hot gift, the Ladybug Christmas Ornament, celebrating Franklin's place in Massachusetts legislative history. Be sure to get one for yourself and any friends who love Franklin. A thoughtful gift for friends and family living out of town.  The gift shop is run by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum.

Ladybug Christmas Ornament

The museum is located at 80 West Central Street, is wheelchair accessible and entry is always free.

You can also visit the Historical Museum on the web at   http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/   

or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FHM02038

Hometown History #64: About Those Lady Bugs

Franklin Observer has the story of the ladybug becoming the State bug in it's series on Hometown History ->  https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/83091/hometown-history-64-about-those-lady-bugs

Ladybug locations currently  -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/pNMDcoRMduw4o8xM6

Displayed on the Town common in 2014  ->   https://flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/14859089256/in/album-72157645935226828/

 

ladybug at the Franklin Public Library

Shop for Christmas in June? Why not, it is the new Ladybug ornament!

This year's Christmas Ornament is available at the Franklin Historical Museum Gift Shop. In keeping with the popular Ladybug theme, the ornament is adorned with adorable ladybugs just in time for the Ladybug Trail dedication. 

The museum will be open special hours Friday June 10th for the annual Strawberry Stroll 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM and Sunday 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Come in and be one of the first to own this beautiful ornament. 

The museum gift shop is run by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum. 

Shop for Christmas in June? Why not, it is the new Ladybug ornament!

Recall that the Historical Museum will host a LiveARTS concert Saturday morning and the Second Sunday Speaker Series on Sunday as part of the weekend ArtWALK activities!  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/06/franklin-cultural-district-artwalk.html

Pantherbook - series on "History of Franklin"

Pantherbook, is working on a series touting the "History of Franklin":

History of Franklin: America’s First Public Library

"Considered “America’s first public library”, the Franklin Public Library is located in Franklin, MA and was named in honor of Dr. Benjamin Franklin. In exchange for the library being named after Franklin, he was asked to donate a bell for the town’s church. Rather than donating a bell, though, Dr. Franklin decided that in return, he would actually donate books for the citizens of Franklin to use. Later on, there were many disputes over who should be allowed to use those gifts. In 1790, the people of Franklin voted to let the books be free for anyone to borrow. This was the vote that had established the Franklin collection of books as the first public library in the US. "

Continue reading ->  https://franklinpanthers.us/news/2021/10/15/a-history-of-franklin-americas-first-public-library/

History of Franklin: The Red Brick School

"In the nineteenth century, school was quite different than it is now. Children, flushed red in the cheeks from their wearisome trudge through the fickle New England weather, gathered in a one-room schoolhouse clutching a bundle of wood, a thin slate, and perhaps an apple to slice with their friends over lunch. They relied on the glowing flames of the fireplace, and later the wood-stove, as their heat source. "

Continue reading ->  https://franklinpanthers.us/news/2021/10/20/history-of-franklin-the-red-brick-school/

History of Franklin: The Ladybug Story

"To those who have never heard of “The Ladybug Story,” the several ladybug decorations around Franklin may seem like mere ornaments, or perhaps contributors to an obscure joke that only townies understand.  

However, the red-and-black bugs hold much more significance than what meets the eye. Whether they be represented in kindness rock gardens or in sculptures downtown, ladybugs make clear to passersby that they are a significant aspect of Franklin’s cultural fabric. "

Continue reading ->  https://franklinpanthers.us/entertainment/2021/10/29/history-of-franklin-the-ladybug-story/

One of the Ladybugs around Franklin is at the Library

FM #506 - Economic Development SubCommittee Mtg - 04/07/21 (audio)

FM #506 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 506 in the series. 

This shares the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting that was held on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode; some of the key participants were in the Council Chambers, the Chair Melanie Hamblen led the meeting remotely along with several others via Zoom conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Links to the meeting agenda and my notes are in the show notes. The meeting recording runs about 58 minutes.  Let’s listen to the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/de5abca6-def8-46ef-a57a-d778d91c618a

-----------

Meeting agenda 
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2021-4-7_edc_agenda_.pdf

Downtown Partnership “Ladybug Trail’ presentation doc
https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/franklin-downtown-partnership-planning-ladybug-trail

My notes captured via Twitter and shared here in summary form
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/recap-economic-development-subcomm-mtg.html 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

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!

------------------

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

FM #506 - Economic Development SubCommittee Mtg - 04/07/21 (audio)

Recap-Economic Development SubComm-Mtg - 04/07/21 - Ladybug trail being planned, business guide released

Quick Recap:

• Meeting opens with a presentation on the Ladybug Trail being planned for downtown Franklin. Slides included in notes below. Photos captured during the presentation shared as well
• The Business Guide is now released. A flowchart to follow for starting a business and what approvals are required is a key development since the draft was shared earlier.
• Discussion o the overall marketing strategy and key branding elements is desired but the meeting ran out of time to get into.
  

 

----

 

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.  

 

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/7fHqmLnAmD3MxrW98

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #edc0407
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23edc0407&src=typeahead_click

• Real time reporting underway for the Economic Development subcommittee meeting https://www.franklinma.gov/economic-development-subcommittee/agenda/edc-agenda-25  #edc0407
• Ladybug trail up first, Lisa Piana of the Downtown Partnership #edc0407 to present after brief intro by Chair Melanie Hamblen
• The ladybug trail will reappear in downtown Franklin #edc0407
• The ladybugs first appeared in 2014. #edc0407
• Slides to be shared later but some key ones are captured here #edc0407
• Concept of trail and sidewalk marking still in development. Would use the map and QR codes to trigger the audio with information #edc0407
• Consensus among EDC members to proceed; mural design being worked with the artists and building owners, they will be family friendly and non controversial. #edc0407
• Next up, business guide close to 'final' #edc0407 reviewing changes since the draft was shared in this meeting previously now includes a flow chart to follow
• Also updated to include the food truck as well as the farmers market #edc0407 should help the jumping around town hall that occurs today and should be alleviated using this going forward.
• Can add a zoning map link to the guide so they would have the info available. Development is separate and much more detailed, this is for the more frequent use if opening a business, building a development would require more and much is on the Town pages #edc0407
• Discussion on a marketing strategy to include brand elements, logo, fonts, tag line to use as a common and consistent presentation if the town to the world up for future
• #edc0407 motion to adjourn, second, passes 4-0 via roll call
• Town Council meeting coming up at 7

FDP Ladybug Trail presentation doc:  https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/franklin-downtown-partnership-planning-ladybug-trail

Business Guide -> https://www.canva.com/design/DAEN5lnYNIY/xubMHMzbUK7uF--x0mx6Og/view

 

Franklin Downtown Partnership planning Ladybug Trail from Franklin Matters

 

 

Ladybug trail being planned

Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda - April 7, 2021 - 5:45 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee 

Meeting Agenda & Meeting Packet 

April 7, 2021 = 5:45 PM

 

Agenda:

 

1.Lady Bugs

 

2.Franklin Branding & Business Guide

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/franklin_business_guide_4.pdf

 

3.Community Planning Grant Program Discussion

https://www.mass.gov/doc/planning-fy-22-guidelines/download

 

 

Agenda doc and connection info

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2021-4-7_edc_agenda_.pdf

 

 

Economic Development Subcommittee - Agenda - April 7, 2021 - 5:45 PM

JF Kennedy School video

"Hi Ladybugs! Check out this awesome video from your teachers and staff members at JFK! We miss you so much! We are proud of the great work you are doing to keep learning alive at Kennedy!"

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1icmlmGaqWvw7wEGKDzNK3yTvVe8oIxqO/view




Shared via Twitter
https://twitter.com/jfkladybugs/status/1255189379699572738?s=09

Register for the Ladybug 5K - Oct 6

Ladybug 5K 2019

Sunday October 6, 2019 10:00 AM

John F Kennedy School School
551 Pond Street - Franklin MA

USATF Sanctioned Event
Professional Timing 3C Race Productions

Cash Prize for the Top Male and Female finisher
Raffle (Tickets: 1 for $1 OR 12 for $10)

• Kids Fun Run begins at 9:30 AM
• 5K begins at 10 AM
• Bib number pick up begins at 8:30 AM

Register online
https://g2racereg.webconnex.com/ladybug5k19?fbclid=IwAR3WmRHbiXqWAgSaQo37lNG5Oltz_B2-SJ4dz5IoXIobpFrUznyWp9_cvfM

The start of the Ladybug 5K in 2015

Ladybug 5K - Oct 6

Ladybug 5K 2019

Sunday October 6, 2019 10:00 AM

John F Kennedy School School

551 Pond Street - Franklin MA

USATF Sanctioned Event
Professional Timing 3C Race Productions

Cash Prize for the Top Male and Female finisher
Raffle (Tickets: 1 for $1 OR 12 for $10)

• Kids Fun Run begins at 9:30 am
• 5K begins at 10 am
• Bib number pick up begins at 8:30 am

Register online
https://g2racereg.webconnex.com/ladybug5k19?fbclid=IwAR3WmRHbiXqWAgSaQo37lNG5Oltz_B2-SJ4dz5IoXIobpFrUznyWp9_cvfM

The start of the Ladybug 5K in 2015

 

In the News: ladybugs to gather again; “A Pirate’s Life for Me”

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

"In the spirit of springtime, the Franklin Downtown Partnership hopes to find all of the ladybug sculptures purchased by business owners in 2014, so the metal bugs can scale buildings and keep park-goers company. 

Lisa Piana with the Downtown Partnership said the sculptures always bring smiles, and she hopes to see them all outside for everyone to enjoy. 

“They’re really fun to look at, each one is unique,” she said. “We thought it would be fun to walk downtown and see them in all different places.” 

Businesses, which bought the ladybugs from the cultural council about three years ago, should lend them for public display this spring, Piana said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180129/downtown-partnership-is-looking-for-ladybugs-to-decorate-franklin-this-spring

ladybugs to gather again

"The Fine and Performing Arts Department at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School has announced upcoming performances of “A Pirate’s Life for Me,” set for 7 to 9:30 p.m. March 2 and 2 to 4:30 March 3 at Horace Mann Middle School, 224 Oak St. 

Tickets are priced at $17 for adults and $13 senior citizens and children younger than 10. Tickets will be sold at the door or an order form will be available for download at http://bfccps.org."

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180129/strongbenjamin-franklin-classical-charter-to-present-a-pirates-life-for-mestrong

Join the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter
Public School for “A Pirate’s Life for Me”

Annual Ladybug 5K and Kids Fun Run - Oct 14

1 The Annual Ladybug 5K Road Race and Kids Fun Run is about to hit the roads of Franklin once again next Saturday, Oct. 14. The event takes off from Franklin’s John F. Kennedy Elementary School on Pond Street. 

2 The Ladybug 5K benefits the Kennedy School PCC, which funds enrichment activities for students, such as field trips, guest speakers and more. 

3 The course of this USATF sanctioned event with professional timing is as follows: Start on Joval Court, right onto Southgate, right onto Coronation, left onto Oakland Parkway, right onto Ashbury Drive, left onto Norumbega Circle, left onto Charles River Drive, left onto Franklin Springs Drive, left onto Maple Street, left onto Southgate Road, ending with a left back onto Joval Court.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20171008/annual-kennedy-school-pcc-ladybug-5k-kids-fun-run-set 

The start of the Ladybug 5K in 2015

In the News: Rappa recognized, Ladybug 5K on Saturday

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

"Franklin resident Robert Rappa was recently voted chairman emeritus by the Tri-County Regional School Committee in recognition of his decades long commitment to the district. 

Rappa, a member of the committee since the building first opened in 1977, announced plans to step down from his post last spring after 40 years. He was also a member of the building committee prior to construction of the school. 

In a unanimous vote on Sept. 21, the school committee awarded Rappa the title of chairman emeritus."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161013/tri-county-regional-school-committee-honors-franklin-resident

"A 5-kilometer race in town this weekend will raise funds for enrichment activities for Kennedy Elementary School. 

The race - the Ladybug 5K and hosted by the school's Parent Communication Council (PCC) - is set to start from the school at 10 a.m. Saturday. 

Race director Stacey Federico said the PCC works to provide students with opportunities they might not otherwise have. 

"We're the parent group that fundraises for enrichment activities," she said. "(Without those funds), schools wouldn't be able to do things like field trips."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161013/franklin-ladybug-5k-set-for-saturday

The start of the Ladybug 5K in 2015

Don't miss out on the Ladybug 5K - Saturday, October 15

This year's Ladybug 5K will be on Saturday, October 15th, starting from Kennedy School at 551 Pond St. In addition to the 5K, there will be kids races, games, face painting, and raffles. Fun, family friendly event.

• Race registration and number pick up start at 8:30 AM
• Kids race at 9:30
• 5K at 10 AM
• Cash prize for top male and top female overall in the 5K

Registration is available for the 5K, kids race and family pricing of $50 per family.

Participants can preregister at https://racewire.com/register.php?id=6650

For more details see our website at www.ladybug5k.com

The start of the Ladybug 5K in 2015

Did you register for the Ladybug 5K - Saturday, Oct 15?

This year's Ladybug 5K will be on Saturday, October 15th, starting from Kennedy School at 551 Pond St. In addition to the 5K, there will be kids races, games, face painting, and raffles. Fun, family friendly event.

• Race registration and number pick up start at 8:30 AM
• Kids race at 9:30
• 5K at 10 AM
• Cash prize for top male and top female overall in the 5K

Registration is available for the 5K, kids race and family pricing of $50 per family.

Participants can preregister at https://racewire.com/register.php?id=6650

For more details see our website at www.ladybug5k.com

The start of the Ladybug 5K in 2015