Franklin Historical Museum has a treat for kids during the Ladybug Trail Spring Walk

Stop into the Franklin Historical Museum during the First Annual Ladybug Trail Spring Walk, Saturday April 15, rain date Sunday April 16th. 

Kids who visit the museum during the Ladybug Trail Spring Walk will receive a special surprise. Check out our Ladybug Corner in the Museum Gift Shop. 

Get out and walk, enjoy downtown and welcome Spring during the 1st annual Ladybug Trail Spring Walk. The museum is open 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM on Saturdays and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM on Sundays. 

Maps for the trail are available at both the museum and the downtown bookstore, Escape Into Fiction. 

Please note: the museum will be closed Easter Sunday, April 9. There is no Second Sunday Speaker for April. 

Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St 

Franklin Public School Spring Art Showcase - March 15 - 4:30 to 6:30 PM

The Franklin Public School Spring Art Showcase is available for viewing at Franklin High School on Wednesday, March 15 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. Student works from across the district will be on display.

Franklin Public School Spring Art Showcase - March 15 - 4:30 to 6:30 PM

Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/FNxQGX1M31

Franklin, MA: Youth Baseball - Spring 2022 Registration Now Open!

There's still time to register for the FYBO Spring Season! Just 18 days left until registration closes, sign up now: https://t.co/eHovD2Fu61 

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/C7APzH5sIy

Franklin MA Baseball - Spring 2022 Registration Now Open!

2022 Spring Registration for Franklin Girls Softball is Now Open!

Click on the "Register" button in the top right corner of the https://www.fgsafastpitch.org/ page to get started!

2022 Spring Registration for Franklin Girls Softball is Now Open!

Hockomock League: Statement on Spring Sports Spectators

The Hockomock League is excited to launch the Spring 2021 Athletic Experience, which includes all of its traditional programs. We are excited to also offer Wrestling and Competitive Cheer to our Spring schedules of events. We are proud to state that “no program was left behind” due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

As the League has done throughout the 2020-2021 school year, we have closely followed the MA Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) guidelines for athletic events for both our participants and our spectators, to ensure the safest possible conditions for all involved. We are pleased to put forth the following policies on spectators for our Spring INDOOR and OUTDOOR events:

INDOOR EVENTS: (Boys Volleyball, Competitive Cheer, and Wrestling)

The League will remain consistent with its indoor policies adopted during the Fall 2 season. For each HOME participant, two immediate adult family members and siblings are permitted to attend an event. Additionally 2 family members of AWAY participants may attend an event. Contact tracing will remain in effect and family check-in lists will be utilized at the indoor venue.

OUTDOOR EVENTS: (Lacrosse, Track & Field, Baseball, Softball, Tennis, Unified Track)

As the recently amended EEA guidelines have stated, home and away spectator allowance at outdoor stadium events is capped at a maximum of 50% seating capacity at the stadium venue, with socially-distanced six-foot seating on those bleachers.

At open area venues, such as parks and ball fields, home and away spectators must wear appropriate masks or face coverings at all times, and remain socially distanced as much as possible.

The Athletic Directors will continue to monitor information as it is made available from the EEA, DESE, and our local Boards of Health. Each district has the ability to modify this policy based on its own facility limitations and/or local Board of Health restrictions. It is our goal to focus on the health and safety of our communities while safely permitting the appropriate opportunity to watch high school sports in person.  

Shared from the Hockomock League page  https://hockomockleague.blogspot.com/2021/05/hock-statement-on-spring-sports.html

Hockomock League: Statement on Spring Sports Spectators

 

 

FBRTC - Spring Trial Cleanup - April 17 is Cancelled

Spring Trail Cleanup

Due to the weather the cleanup has been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.  

FBRTC - Spring Trial Cleanup - April 17 is Cancelled

A Spring Arts Awakening for THE BLACK BOX

THE BLACK BOX, Franklin’s very own concert, theater, and event venue, will host nine weeks of entertainment, outdoors under a tent in the venue’s parking lot. The Spring Arts Awakening celebrates a comeback for arts and entertainment and offers an opportunity to support THE BLACK BOX in its recovery from the pandemic.

Spring Arts Awakening at THE BLACK BOX kicks off on April 16 with a concert by three Disney Stars of Broadway: Broadway’s original “Mary Poppins” Ashley Brown, current “Genie” Michael James Scott, and original “Tarzan” Josh Strickland. The trio will perform an evening of Disney favorites. There will be limited seating for this special evening out in Franklin.

The Spring Arts Awakening lineup will also include local band The Peacheaters, Blues legend James Montgomery, viral a cappella sensation T.3, international touring ensemble Electric Youth, cabaret performances featuring Broadway stars, a June Pride Month concert benefiting The Trevor Project, FPAC’s annual Culinary Cabaret, and more. 

“The Spring Arts Awakening provides an opportunity to welcome our audiences back to THE BLACK BOX,” notes TBB and Franklin Performing Arts Company Director Raye Lynn Mercer. “The safety of an outdoor venue provides patrons a comfortable transition to performances and event gatherings.” Mercer adds, “Reopening guidelines will be followed and all safety protocols will be in place.” 

Patrons are encouraged to visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com and follow THE BLACK BOX on social media to stay updated on the venue’s offerings. 
 

Disney Stars of Broadway

Dean College: Spring 2021 Plan

 October 29, 2020

Dear Dean College Community,

Thank you to everyone for your dedication and commitment during the
past several months as we have navigated our way through the Fall 2020
semester.

Following careful planning by all in our Community for the past several
months, Dean College is excited to announce that we will resume inperson instruction and the residential educational experience for the Spring Semester 2021. While being online for the fall semester was the best choice for our community, we are thrilled to see our students in person once again.

The 2020-2021 academic year has been and will continue to be a different experience for all of us. I marvel at the level of engagement our staff and faculty have provided during the fall semester and I am so proud of the effort of our students. Through their determination, creativity and support of each other, our entire community has risen to the challenge and shown what The Dean Difference is all about.

Dean has made and will continue to make a substantial investment in numerous areas as we prepare our campus for residential operations. From testing procedures and personal protective equipment to dozens of facility updates in residence halls and other buildings, we are making every effort to provide the safest campus experience possible.

For students, multiple options exist when determining how to attend classes. Students may choose to return to campus for in-person instruction either as a residential or commuter student or take classes online, similar to our fall semester. For those selecting to live on campus, Dean will do our best to deliver an enjoyable and fruitful campus life experience. Students should be aware however, that there will be safety requirements and behavioral practices to which we must all adhere.

We have created a guide, Dean College Spring 2021 Plan, that summarizes the most important changes to the academic and student experience for the Spring Semester 2021. Please read and review this guide carefully while making plans for the upcoming semester. Our guidelines will continually be updated to reflect current public health conditions. We will make our community aware of any significant updates to these guidelines through ongoing communication.

Dean has also established a COVID-19 section of our website which will contain the most current information including the Spring 2021 Plan, a list of frequently asked questions, and short videos.

The College will continue to be thoughtful and transparent in our communications as we finalize and implement this plan. We ask for everyone’s cooperation and attentiveness to these guidelines as we all navigate through these unprecedented times.

With warm regards

Dr. Paula M. Rooney

Dean College President

The full plan can be found on the Dean web page

https://dean-www.s3.amazonaws.com/files/resources/dean-college-spring-2021-plan.pdf

Dean College: Spring 2021 Plan

Downtown Franklin Springing to Life with Flowers

On May 15, downtown Franklin sprung to life with colorful plants added to barrels, planters and window boxes. The Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) and the Franklin Garden Club organized the planting of pink, blue and white flowers to beautify the community.

“This year we held a Covid-19 appropriate beautification effort in the downtown area,” said lead organizer Eileen Mason. “We had designated families or residents be responsible for certain locations. Everyone wore masks outside their family units and we maintained the appropriate distancing. We only requested adult volunteers this year in order to keep us all safe.”

Roberta Trahan, vice president of the FDP, said this project is especially meaningful during this time of social distancing. 

“The planting of flowers and beautification efforts give us hope that life goes on,” Trahan said. “It is a visual reminder to our community that we will get through this. Seeing the flowers brings some joy and growth into this difficult time in our lives.”

Thank you to the following sponsors provided financial assistance to make the beautification efforts possible:

• PLATINUM-Dean Bank, Fenton Financial Group, Glen Meadow Apartments, and Middlesex Savings Bank
• GOLD-D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Eileen Mason of RE/MAX Executive Realty, Kelly’s Landscaping Inc., and The Enclave of Franklin
• SILVER-Chestnut Dental Associates, Keefe Insurance, Oteri and Son Funeral Home, and Vet Med Pet Supplies
• BRONZE-Berry Insurance and Roche & Roche Law Offices

“Thank you to all who helped pull the beautification effort together this year,” Mason said. “Special thanks to Fairmont Farms for the flowers, the Department of Public Works for helping with watering and mulching and to Melanie Hamblen, owner of Franklin Agway, for donating potting soil and distributing it to all of the containers.”

Special thanks to Vicario Studio for providing these photos.

View More Photos Here

Downtown Franklin Springing to Life with Flowers

Franklin schools cancel Spring break

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

"School officials have voted to cancel April vacation this year, making the Franklin School District the latest to erase the spring break from their calendars.

Instead, the district - like others in the area - will continue with remote learning as students remain home during the coronavirus crisis.

Schools have now been closed for five weeks, with some having gotten more formal remote learning underway two or three weeks ago.

“This will provide for continuity at this time,” Franklin school officials noted in a statement issued on Wednesday."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200417/franklin-school-board-cancels-april-break/1


My notes from the School Committee meeting on Tuesday can be found
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/real-time-reporting-school-committee.html

The audio recording of the School Committee can be found
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/04/fm-246-school-committee-mtg-virtual.html

The Franklin Public Schools coronavirus portal page with all the information pertaining to the schools   https://www.franklinps.net/district/pages/franklin-public-schools-covid-19-closure-information-portal

screengrab of the budget discussion portion of the School Committee meeting Tuesday, April 14, 2020

On this date: Feb 24, 2012 - Wadsworth Diaries

We can take a double dip back in the archives on this day, as in 2012, I had shared the entry from the diary of George Wadsworth from Feb 24, 1858. 

Wadsworth Diary - Feb 24, 1858

"Very pleasant & cold in morn, 10 below zero Grew quite warm before noon. Went after F.M. Newell in morn. Father carried Mother to Uncle Richardsons & went after her at night. I helped Jos pack ice. Wm Miller, Wm Adams, Brockway & J. Pond helped. I (we) paid our taxes, first I ever paid. Cars late, got here about 10 3/4."

In the 1850s, on a busy working farm in the southern part of Franklin, a man named George Wadsworth started writing in a journal about everyday events. When he filled that journal, he bought another, and filled that up too. Two dozen journals, and 27 years later, he had written about almost everything that can happen in a small New England town. His words were lost to history until 1986, when town resident Gail Lembo came across some of the journals at a yard sale. 

From the Franklin Historical Museum website
http://www.franklinhistoricalmuseum.com/p/wadsworth-diaries_30.html   

An updated link to the diaries: http://www.wadsworthdiaries.com/

The stone remains of Wadsworth Station can be found at the intersection of the SNETT Trail and Spring St here in Franklin. The station back in its time was shown in this photo from the Historical Museum archives.

Wadsworth Station - at the intersection of the SNETT Trail and Spring St here in Franklin

The link to the post in 2012

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/02/wadsworth-diary-feb-24-1858.html

Fall back - Did you turn your clock back an hour?

Did you turn the clocks back during the night? Fall back is the word at this time of year!

Fall back - Did you turn your clock back an hour?

For more about Daylight Savings Time in the USA, visit this wikipedia page
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time_in_the_United_States

Sunrise Montessori School Spring Fair - May 6

Join us for our Spring Fair! 

Something for everyone - games, bouncy house, train ride, face painting, balloon animals, raffles and food. Fair will happen rain or shine! 

All ages welcome!

WHEN: Saturday, May 6th
TIME: 12pm-2pm
WHERE: Sunrise Montessori School, 31 Hayward Street Franklin, MA

Sunrise Montessori School Spring Fair - May 6

Music Department Spring Jazz Night - April 11

Do you like Jazz? Are you looking for a great live jazz performance close to home? 

Then come to the Franklin High School auditorium on Tuesday April 11th, at 7:00pm. Through grant money provided by the Franklin Cultural Council and the Franklin Music Boosters, Franklin welcomes the Brian Thomas/Alex Lee-Clark Big Band to our annual Music Department Spring Jazz Night! 

Featured performances include the FHS Combos, FHS Big Band, a combined Franklin Middle School group, and a performance by the Boston based professional big band. It’s sure to be a blast with jazz standards including Caravan, Blue Bossa, Terry’s Song, and Steppin’ Out as well as some original tunes by both students and professionals. 

Admission is free, however we will be accepting $5 donations at the door.

Come hear local live jazz across multiple generations! 

Please contact Franklin High School Band Director, Leighanne Rudsit at rudsitl@franklinps.net or 508.613.1400x1652 with any questions.

Brian Thomas and Alex Lee-Clark

Since the group’s formation in 2011, Brian Thomas and Alex Lee-Clark have gained a reputation for featuring some of the best players in Boston, great compositions, and being undeniably unique. By taking the tradition of the big bands of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Thad Jones and infusing it with funk music of their idles like Parliament Funkadelic, The Crusaders, The Meters, James Brown & the JB’s, and many more, they have created a sound that pushes the art of big band forward, while still being pure entertainment for both the band and the audience.

Sunday Breakfast - May 15 - 8:00 AM to noon

Please join us to Celebrate Spring at the Order Sons of Italy in America, Quattro Eroi Lodge #1414 Breakfast on Sunday, May 15 from 8 AM to 12 Noon at the VFW on Pond Street, Franklin, MA. 

Breakfast includes scrambled eggs, home fries, sausage, ham, bacon, pancakes, juice and coffee. The cost is $6 for adults. 

Children 10 and under are $3. Tickets will be sold in advance via Lodge members and at the door.

Please visit our website, franklinsonsofitaly.org for information about the Quattro Eroi Lodge.

Franklin Sons of Italy

Big Night! Vernal Pools come alive in Franklin

With spring-like weather expected this week and into the next few weeks, the Conservation Commission reminds you to keep your eyes and ears open for signs of "Big Night".

Big Night is the term we use for those first few warm, rainy nights of spring. The warmer weather and rain cue wood frogs and salamanders to begin migration, through forests and across roadways, to local vernal pools to breed. Vernal pools, as their name suggests are small depressions that collect snow melt and rain in the spring and fill for just a few short months, providing a safe place for some frogs and salamanders to breed.

These animals live in the uplands during most of the year and move in large numbers to the pool they were hatched in on these nights. If you’re lucky, you’ll hear wood frogs (they sound a little like quacking ducks) and spring peepers in the next few weeks.

If you are lucky enough to witness or hear nature's musings, please enjoy! And then do not forget to call the Conservation Department at 508-520-4929 to report it.

You can learn more about vernal pools here: vernalpool.org

image from vernalpool.org

This was shared from the Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/02358E87-000F8513

Adult Education: Spring Registration Now Open

Franklin Public Schools                       Lifelong Learning Institute The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning * * * * * * * * * * *  Adult Education Spring Session REGISTER NOW    News Flash  Classes begin later in March     This spring, participants can choose from a very interesting variety of options. Course offerings include everything from Floral Design, Winemaking and a Wine Tasting Reception to establishing a new Senior Players Group and the introduction of Kids' Kornah!,where fun and learning meet.       You will find more exercise and sports programs than ever -Yoga, Zumba, Exercise class for Active Older Adults, and Community Walking.      In addition, once again we will be offering Country Line Dancing. Men's Basketball is back this spring along with Badminton and both have expanded to two nights. Intermediate and Advanced Volleyball classes round out the field.      Indian Street Food, a cooking demonstration and tasting for adults AND a 6-week cooking class,"Super Suppers", for kids ages 10 years and up, are also on the spring menu.    Expanded Private Music Lesson opportunities are available for adolescents and adults. Whether you are interested in Adult Chorus, Voice or Instrument lessons, we have them.    This spring you will find so many opportunities and all reasonably priced. Take a look at the spring brochure with its activated links,click here.     While you're viewing, you can register. You can also call The Center at 508-613-1480 for more information or check us out at                   www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com

Forward this email FPS- Life Long Learning | 355 East Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

Walking around Franklin (photo essay)

As the snow recedes, the sidewalks are visible and useable. Signs of spring were noticed on Sunday afternoon's walk but still hidden in the light snow on Saturday morning's walk.

Saturday

The FEF Trivia Bee is scheduled for April 8

as snow recedes we find the casualties of winter

the snow makes interesting shapes as it melts

almost ready for kids to play on!

sign replaced (finally) at the Library

 Sunday

the hockey nets are about to go under

signs of spring

Spring Lake (along Washington St) is starting to lose its ice cover

the Community Gardens are still resting under snow

this tree is starting to bud!

Franklin Art Association - Spring Show - Apr 18 and 19

2015 Spring Members Show and Sale will be held at the Black Box Theater, 15 West Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038

Saturday, April, 18th 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Sunday, April, 19th  12:00 pm to 3:00 pm

The exhibit is free and opened to the public

* Exhibit of original works of fine art and photographs 

* Bin sales of original works of art and prints 

* Complementary food and beverage 

* Clothes line art sale

Franklin Art Association - Spring Show

Awards ceremony Saturday evening at 7:00 pm

The Franklin Art Association since 1971

Sponsored in part by the Franklin Cultural Council

For further information please visit our web site at www.franklinart.org

and www.facebook.com/FranklinArtAssoc

#shopFranklin 

Spring means it's time to start pruning

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to open in a browser. A gardening newsletter featuring Ask & Share and our friends at HGTV Gardens SPONSORED BY March Ask & Share Highlights How to Prune Shrubs Choosing the Right Pruning Tools Tips on Pruning Timing and Techniques Tips & Tricks By early spring we're all itching to get outside in the garden for some green thumb time. While it may still be too early for digging and planting in many parts of the country, it's not too soon to start in on pruning chores. So check out our tips on pruning tools, timing and techniques in this month's newsletter. Then sharpen those pruners and get out in the garden! Ask & Share Community Highlights Jemer asked: I pruned my hydrangea tree, and it's not blooming yet. Did I ruin the tree for good? NGA answered: Hydrangeas pruned to a tree form are usually panicle hydrangeas (H. paniculata). This type of hydrangea sets flower buds and blooms on wood that grows in the current season, so the time to prune so as not to remove flower buds is in early spring, before new growth begins. If you pruned later, don't worry ... MORE Anonymous asked: When will I need to prune my persimmon tree? NGA answered: If you are just starting out with a young tree, you'll want to prune it to help it develop a strong central leader and well-placed scaffold branches. A mild day in late winter while the tree is still dormant is a good time for pruning. Once the framework of the tree is in place, a persimmon needs little pruning other than removing dead or diseased branches and suckers. ... MORE Choosing the Right Pruning Tools I love garden tools. When I have the right tool in my hand I feel like I can do anything. Without the right tool, working in the garden is a struggle. Back when I took my first horticulture class my teacher stressed the importance of careful tool choice and I thought he was nuts. Surely a pruner is a pruner? Not so. There is a wide variety of pruning tools for different kinds of pruning work, and choosing the right one makes all the difference in the world, for both you and your plants. Here's what you need to know. Read the full article From our friends at HGTV Gardens How to Prune Shrubs The best time to prune deciduous climbers and shrubs depends on whether they bloom on growth produced in the same or previous years. Generally, those that flower after midsummer are pruned hard in spring. Those that bloom in winter, spring and early summer are pruned soon after flowering. Read the full article from HGTV Gardens Tips on Pruning Timing and Techniques Early spring is a great time to prune many trees and shrubs. Start by making sure your pruning tools are nice and sharp. Then check out the following pruning tips for successful snipping this spring. Read the full article  NGA's Tips &Tricks Prune Winter-Damaged Evergreens Evergreens like arborvitae, boxwood, rhododendron and yew are especially vulnerable to broken branches over the winter because their foliage catches the snow, weighing them down. When pruning out broken or winter-killed branches, try to cut back to the next lower branch junction within the plant to avoid leaving an unsightly stub. Junipers, arborvitae, false cypress, hemlocks, pines, spruces and firs don't have live buds on old wood, meaning cuts made back into leafless portions of a stem won't resprout. If a branch of one of these evergreens is broken back into a leafless section, it's best to remove the entire branch. Train Young Trees Encourage young trees to develop strong branch angles on their major limbs and symmetrical branch placement that keeps the center of gravity over the trunk. Narrow branch angles are inherently weak and more apt to break off in strong winds or under a load of snow and ice. When you are selecting trees at the nursery, look for ones with their main branches attached at wide angles (think 10:00 or 2:00) and symmetrically placed around the trunk. Prune judiciously to encourage this branching habit as the tree grows. Use 3 Cuts to Remove Large Branches When you're pruning out a branch larger than a couple of inches in diameter, keep it from breaking off prematurely and ripping the bark below by use a three-cut system. Make the first cut upward from the branch underside about a third of the way through the branch you're removing. Make this cut several inches out from the trunk (or lower branch). Next, make a second cut down from the top completely through the branch a few inches farther out on the branch from the first cut. This will allow the branch to fall without harming the tree. Finish by removing the stub just outside the branch collar. Mantis Tiller Makes Gardening Easier Buy Direct and Save $40, NO-RISK TRIAL, Easy 4 Pay Option. FREE Planter Furrower for Limited Time! Join Ask & Share for more great information from the experts at NGA, our friends at HGTV Gardens, and real gardeners just like you! National Gardening Association 237 Commerce St., Suite 101 Williston, VT 05495 Visit us online: Garden.org  |  KidsGardening.org Manage My Subscription Download Media Kit Do you have a question or concern about this newsletter? Email the Editor