Ladybug 5k - Sunday, October 18th

This year the Ladybug 5k will be on Sunday, October 18th, 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.

Ladybug 5K race start

Race registration and number pick up starts at 8 AM
Kids race at 9:30
5K at 10 AM

Cash prize for top male and top female overall in the 5K

Participants can pre-register at www.ladybug2015.racewire.com; 
registration is available for the 5K, kids race and family pricing, family maximum $40

See our website at www.ladybug5k.com

The Ladybug Trek is happening in June!

Guess what's happening this June in Franklin?

A small business scavenger hunt of course!

Ladybug Trek - Franklin's small
business scavenger hunt

The Ladybug Trek will occur between June 12th- June 30th and will include many local businesses including: Making Whoopie, Elizabeth's Bagels, Franklin Yoga and Wellness, Hillside Nurseries, Emma's Quilts, Jane's Frames, Pretty is Pink, Daddario Hardware, Mac Deli, Salon Sorella, Franklin Art Center, The Cake Bar, Terazza, NHS Printing and Franklin Liquors.

Participants will use a mobile app to follow clues throughout the participating businesses to complete the hunt.

The grand prize will total over $1,000 in gift cards from local businesses. More to come on this event in coming weeks!

This event is sponsored by the Small Shop Co-Op.

FM #109 - The Delegate Ladybug Lands in Franklin

The Franklin Delegate ladybug landed on Tuesday, Feb 10th. There was a brief ceremony to acknowledge the landing. Claire Griffin and Kai Olsson of the Franklin Cultural Committee kick off the event.

Franklin delegates to Beacon Hill: Senator Karen Spilka, Representative Jeff Roy and Senator Richard Ross each take a turn to acknowledge this event.

As the recording ends, the group is gathering for a photo. The photos from the event have been posted to Flickr and Facebook for you to view and enjoy.

Listen here:

The Delegate Ladybug

Claire Griffin and Kai Olsson of the Franklin Cultural Council

Left to right: Sen Ross, Rep Roy, Sen Spilka and Delegate Ladybug

Rep Roy speaking about the Ladybug story

Session Notes: - FM #109

The Franklin Delegate ladybug landed on Tuesday, Feb 10th. There was a brief ceremony to acknowledge the landing. Claire Griffin and Kai Olsson of the Franklin Cultural Committee kick off the event.

Franklin delegates to Beacon Hill: Senator Karen Spilka, Representative Jeff Roy and Senator Richard Ross each take a turn to acknowledge this event.

As the recording ends, the group is gathering for a photo. The photos from the event have been posted to Flickr and Facebook for you to view and enjoy.

What was the ladybug project and how did this ladybug land here?

Claire and Beth Simon spearheaded the Ladybug Committee to obtain the 25 ladybugs, solicit sponsors and artists for each of them, coordinate their showing on the Town Common in August, and at the Harvest Festival in October.

The delegate ladybug will now be on display at the Municipal Building to remind us of the story of the ladybug being selected as the state bug for MA.

Money from the fundraising portion of this community art project will be used eventually for a fitting memorial for Palma Johnson, the Kennedy School teacher whose class developed the proposal and successfully petitioned to the State 40 years ago.

This was quite an accomplishment 40 years ago, and equally a good accomplishment during 2014 for the Ladybug project.

Without further ado, here is the recording of the brief ceremony on Tuesday, Feb 10, 2015 at the Franklin Municipal Building.

(recording)

----

As I close this special session, let me remind you that

• If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don’t like something, please tell me

It is through this feedback loop that you can help me improve the information I provide for you.

Thank you for listening!

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 and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

You can also subscribe and listen to the audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

Related links:

• The Ladybug story can be found on the Kennedy School webpage

http://kennedyelementary.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinKennedy_Webdocs/ladybugstory

• Copies of the Ladybug story are also available from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s page

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/ciskid/kidlbs/lbsidx2.htm

• The collection of photos of the ladybugs from the showing on the Town Common in August 2014 can be found here

https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157645935226828/

• The same collection of photos can also be found on Facebook here

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150410611444995.1073741875.173205529994&type=3

Delegate Ladybug about to Land in New Home

After a summer of touring and festivals, the ladybug sponsored by Franklin's State Legislative delegation has found a new home. And where better than the home of Franklin's government. 

On Tuesday, February 10, 2015, Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin), Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland) and Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) will be hosting a ceremony delivering the delegation's ladybug to town officials. They will also commemorate the 40th anniversary of the class project that successfully traversed the legislative process and made the Ladybug the official bug of the Commonwealth. 

The "Proclamation Bug" as shown on the Town Common lawn in Aug 2014

In 1974 Ms. Pamela Johnson's second grade class from the Kennedy School in Franklin was learning about the Legislative process when they decided that they would like to make a difference and try their hand at legislating. Since Massachusetts already had an official state bird, tree and fish, they decided that the State needed an official bug. Ms. Johnson's class pooled its resources and with the direction of their State Representative worked through the committee process, visited legislators, lobbied on the bill's behalf and ultimately passed the bill that made the Ladybug the official Bug of the Commonwealth. 

"Forty years ago, that second grade class got the ultimate civics lesson and had a direct hand in legislating," said Representative Jeffrey Roy. "For one of the students in the class -- former Rep James Vallee -- it sowed the seeds for a 19 year run on Beacon Hill. I am thrilled to honor and recognize that class today, and hope that this ladybug will be a reminder to everyone who visits Town Hall that they can play a direct role in their government." 

"The ladybug story is a shining example of how an idea can be translated into law," said Senator Spilka. "I hope that the Franklin delegation's ladybug will be a constant symbol of the power of civic engagement, encouraging more people in our community to get involved in the political process and make their voices heard." 

"We truly live in a remarkable state when citizens, no matter what age, have the ability to impact the legislative process," said Senator Ross. "Forty years later, this testament remains true, and it is a privilege to recognize the success of the Kennedy School with this ladybug that will reside in Franklin Town Hall for generations to come."

The brief ceremony will take place on February 10 at 6 p.m. at the Franklin Municipal Building. 355 East Central Street Franklin, MA 02038. Any questions can be directed to Christopher Yancich at 617-722-2400 or by email at Christopher.Yancich@MAhouse.gov

The collection of Ladybugs shown on the Town Common lawn in August 2014 can be found here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157645935226828

Ladybug Spots - Community Send Off - Saturday, Oct 25th

Join us as we honor the 40th Anniversary of our State Bug. As this year long celebration of the 1974 2nd grade class from the Kennedy Elementary School and their teacher, Palma Johnson comes to a close, enjoy this final chance to see all 25 of the 2 foot artistically decorated Ladybugs together in one place.

Saturday, October 25, 2014 • 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Franklin Art Center • 391 East Central Street, Franklin, MA

Franklin Art Center ladybug

Additional photos from the Ladybug appearance on the Town Common in August can be found here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157645935226828/

Ladybug 5K - Family fun at the Kennedy School (photo essay)

The Annual Ladybug 5K was held on Saturday, Oct 18, 2014 at the JF Kennedy Elementary School.

you could get your face painted

music was provided by Tyler Zajac

chalk was available to be creative

selection of items for the silent auction

you could make a tie dye shirt

the trophy table

ladybug 5K t-shirts

off to run at the start of the 5K

Additional photos of the race starters can be found on Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157646523877154

The same set of photos is also available on Facebook here
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150437711099995.1073741883.173205529994&type=3

Reminder: Ladybug 5K - October 18th

The Ladybug 5k and Kids Fun Run is coming on October 18 

 Don't forget to register for this fun Kennedy event!!! 

Ladybug 5K at JF Kennedy School

Visit the website for information and to register online http://www.ladybug5k.com/



More photos from last year's day running in the sun can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/ladybug-5k-fun-in-sun-saturday-photo.html

Ladybug 5K - a family event at the Kennedy School October 18th

The Ladybug 5k and Kids Fun Run is coming on October 18 

 Don't forget to register for this fun Kennedy event!!! 

Ladybug 5K at JF Kennedy School

Visit the website for information and to register online http://www.ladybug5k.com/



More photos from last year's day running in the sun can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/ladybug-5k-fun-in-sun-saturday-photo.html

Franklin Public Schools: Upcoming Events

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

FHS Curriculum Night on September 30 

Follow your FHS students' schedule and experience HS all over again

Remington / Jefferson Challenge

2K or 5K road race and complete SPARTAN Obstacle CourseSunday 10/5 at 10:45  at Remington/Jefferson       Races begin at 11:00Two Obstacle Courses ( 1 for adults and 1 for children)Great snacks and food available
See Remington/Jefferson web site and click onto PCC

 

Downtown Harvest Festival Sunday October 5^th 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Food, entertainment and fun- see Downtown Partnership web site for event schedule and sponsor list

JFK Ladybug Race

Kennedy School fun run on October 27^th  at 9:30 a.m.See JFK PCC web site for details

 

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message.

To save searching for the sites mentioned here they are:

Remington Jefferson Challenge

Visit this page for more info and to register
http://teacherweb.com/MA/RemingtonMiddleSchoolPCC/RemingtonPCC/apt19.aspx

Ladybug 5K Road Race

Visit this page for more info and to register
http://www.ladybug5k.com/

The Franklin Downtown Partnership has more info about the Harvest Festival on their page here
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Ladybug Seeking Artist c/o FAA

Dear FAA members,  

The Franklin Downtown Partnership/Jane's Frames are looking for an artist for their lady bug.  This is the last of the lady bugs to be painted. Here is what they are hoping to see:  

A background using mostly the blue of the partnership's color with some other colors to give it some texture interest, we could then decoupage some information cutting our "stuff" in the shape of some buildings to make it look downtown-ish. We would use the bottom  8 inches or so for the "buildings". We also like to keep the look of a ladybug, so we wanted it to have a face, with some antennae. 

Contact Claire Griffin (Griffinink@comcoast.net) for details.  

Deadline for production is Oct. 5th. 

Hannah Close
--
FAA Corresponding Secretary

Some Ladybugs look like this:

Home Is Blooming

Home Sweet Home

Photos of all the Ladybug Spots can be found on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157645935226828/

or on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150410611444995.1073741875.173205529994&type=3

Ladybugs on parade

The Town Common has an infestation of ladybugs but not the kind you'll call an exterminator for. These are works of art showcasing all things Franklin.

The ladybugs will be on the Town Common again Sunday from noon to 4:00 PM.

Ladybug spots

 A couple of the ladybugs are shown here.

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home - detail 1

Home Sweet Home - detail 2

Franklin Art Bug

Franklin Art Bug - detail 1

Franklin Art Bug - detail 2

Franklin Art Bug - detail 3

Franklin Cultural Council

Thanks to the Franklin Cultural Council for pulling this together and to all the sponsors and artists for their contributions.

Ladybugs Coming This Weekend ...

Hello,

The Franklin Cultural Council is truly grateful to you for joining the Ladybug Spots Project. We want to remind you that the decorated ladybugs will be on display this coming weekend, August 9th and 10th, from 12p.m. to 4p.m. on Franklin Common.  We would love to see you and catch up among the beautiful, bright and creative two foot fiberglass ladybugs, each one a unique piece of public art.  Stop by before or after a trip to St. Rocco's Italian Festival on St. Mary's former School Grounds.  Maybe bring a cannoli or two to share.  

If you can't make it this weekend or still want sponsor a ladybug, don't worry.  We have just five left and they are looking for homes.  Contact franklinculture@hotmail.com for more details. 

Attached is a flier for you to share with friends and neighbors. We look forward to celebrating the 40th Birthday of our state bug, born right here in Franklin.  Remember that with your help, we are raising funds toward a permanent sculpture honoring the 1974 2nd grade class from Kennedy Elementary School and their teacher, Palma Johnson, who inspired them to petition and follow the bill through to witness it signed into law. 

Again, thank you for being a part of this exciting event,

The Franklin Cultural Council

Ladybug Spots Project

Ladybug spots - Aug 9 and 10

Ladybug Spots coming to the Town Common - Aug 9 and 10 from noon to 4:00 PM

Friendly reminder that the Ladybug Spots will be appearing on the Town Common this weekend. You recall earlier this year, the Franklin Cultural Council created the Ladybug Spots Project. The decorated Ladybug Spots are now ready to showcase to one and all.

The showing will be held on the Franklin Town Common Saturday and Sunday, Aug 9 and 10 from noon to 4:00 PM.

Ladybug

Davis Thayer's Ladybug

On the one hand you can combine a visit to the St Rocco's Festival with a visit to the Ladybug Spots. On the other hand, be aware that parking around the Town Common with St Rocco's underway will be challenging.


From the archive on Ladybug Spots

Jan 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/community-will-gain-lot-from-it.html

Apr 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/cultural-council-open-house-and-awards.html

Jun 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/ladybug-spots-public-art-project.html

Ladybug Spots on the Town Common --- Aug 9-10

You recall earlier this year, the Franklin Cultural Council created the Ladybug Spots Project. The decorated Ladybug Spots are now ready to showcase to one and all.

The showing will be held on the Franklin Town Common Saturday and Sunday, Aug 9 and 10 from noon to 4:00 PM.

Ladybug

Davis Thayer's Ladybug

On the one hand you can combine a visit to the St Rocco's Festival with a visit to the Ladybug Spots. On the other hand, be aware that parking around the Town Common with St Rocco's underway will be challenging.


From the archive on Ladybug Spots

Jan 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/community-will-gain-lot-from-it.html

Apr 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/cultural-council-open-house-and-awards.html

Jun 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/ladybug-spots-public-art-project.html

LadyBug Spots Public Art Project

The LadyBug Spots Public Art Project is coming to Franklin this summer and into the fall. This fantastic art project will give business, civic organizations, and the whole Franklin community something to celebrate as we honor the 40th anniversary of the law naming our state bug, born in Franklin. 

Local area professional artists will collaborate with sponsors to create 25 unique pieces of art. Funds raised from the project will be used towards erecting a sculpture honoring Palma Johnson and the work she did with her students from the Kennedy Elementary School.

If you would like more information about sponsoring a ladybug or would like to be one of the many artists, please contact the Franklin Cultural Council at franklinculture@hotmail.com.

You can also find an article that ran in June issue of Local Town Pages, Franklin:
http://www.franklintownnews.com/content/franklin-ladybugs-get-their-spots

plain Ladybug - ready for adoption

adopted Ladybug and in progress

Ladybug Spots information

"community will gain a lot from it"

In 1974, a student in Palma Johnson’s second-grade class at John F. Kennedy Elementary School wondered why Massachusetts didn't have a state bug. 

There was already a state bird, a state fish and a state tree, but not an official insect. One student suggested the ladybug. 

Together, the class drafted a petition to make the ladybug the state bug. When its petition came before a committee, the students, dressed, of course, as ladybugs, traveled to the State House and testified. 

Improbably the bill passed both the House and Senate. And when then-Gov. Francis Sargent signed it into law, the children were there to watch.

Read the full article at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140127/NEWS/140127006/1994/NEWS#sthash.oe0bYD6S.dpuf

Ladybug floor mat at JF Kennedy School

Related posts on the Ladybug Spots:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/live-reporting-ladybug-project.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/cows-on-parade-now-ladybugs.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/ladybug-spots.html

Ladybug Spots

Additional information is contained in this one page document if you would like to be involved with sponsoring a ladybug





Related posts:

Cows now ladybugs
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/cows-on-parade-now-ladybugs.html

From the Town Council meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/live-reporting-ladybug-project.html

cows on parade, now ladybugs!

The cows went on parade in Chicago in 1999.  The cow parade came to Boston in 2006.

The MBTA Map Cow

The cows have been on parade in many major cities around the world. For other photos, you can visit the website here http://www.cowparade.com/  and here  http://cowparade.phanfare.com/9999/

And now ladybugs will come to Franklin!

Do you know the story of the ladybug? if not then you should read this
https://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/ciskid/kidlbs/lbsidx2.htm

Ladybugs Spots from Franklin Matters

Note: Franklin's ladybugs will be about 2 foot in size, not as large as the cows shown on parade in Boston

Live reporting - Ladybug project

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
• Franklin Cultural Council, Claire Griffin

 to be added

Ladybugs Spots from Franklin Matters