Neighbor Brigade News

neighbor brigade Newsletter - June 2014 • Neighborhood News: Easton • Community Organizations Unite to Help a Family • Transportation a Top Concern for Cancer Patients • Recipe Box "Our patients receiving treatment sometimes struggle to find transportation to appointments, and some need assistance with meals and other every-day needs. When I tell them about Neighbor Brigade I see the relief in their eyes. We're grateful to this community-supported organization and the help that it provides to patients going through a difficult time." -- Rachelle Colson LaMaster, clinical oncology social worker at the Vernon Cancer Center at Newton-Wellesley Hospital Neighborhood News: Easton Congratulations to Chapter Leaders Diane Tremblay and Nancy Andrie and the entire Easton chapter on receiving the humanitarian award presented by the Easton Lions Club during its annual recognition night. The ceremony, held on April 10, honored Easton residents whose community service has surpassed expectations. The humanitarian award specifically recognizes "a person or persons whose actions and deeds have fostered attitudes of good will and fairness to all people in the community." The Lions Club is an international organization with the mission of empowering volunteers to serve their communities. The Easton chapter of Neighbor Brigade is 234 members strong and has helped over 30 families since the chapter's inception in November 2010. Chapter Leader Nancy Andrie and volunteer Robin Lamar accepting the Humanitarian Award from Kevin McIntyre from the Easton Lions Club Community Organizations Unite to Help a Family The Lexington Chapter recently collaborated with another organization in that town to help a local family. The chapter was tasked with providing meal assistance to a Chinese family while the father received cancer treatment. He and his wife have a middle school aged son, so the wife/mother had a lot on her plate taking care of both her husband and her son. The family requested Chinese cuisine, and the father's cancer required a somewhat restricted diet. Kathy Pike, Lexington's chapter leader, reached out to the Chinese American Association of Lexington (CAAL) to make the organization aware of this family and its needs. Not only did CAAL provide assistance with the meals, but 10 members of the organization are now Neighbor Brigade volunteers! We're thrilled that Kathy's initiative helped us to best serve a family while also growing her chapter and recognition of Neighbor Brigade among a new demographic in her town. "I'm always amazed at the outpouring of appreciation for something as simple, but important, as providing meals," said Kathy. "This family deeply appreciated all of our help because it saved them time and allowed the dad to rest while everyone was fed well. After sharing the family's sentiments with our volunteers, I'm reminded that we all have an appreciation for the feeling of connection or a circle of caring that is not easily found in our busy lives." Transportation a Top Concern for Cancer Patients "No matter how great the advanced care of medicine has become, you're not going to get better if you can't make it to your appointments. This is easily the most satisfying and rewarding volunteer work I've ever done." -- Amanda Magill, an American Caner Society volunteer from North Carolina who frequently drives patients to their appointments Did you know that transportation to appointments is a top concern (second only to financial concerns) for cancer patients? Getting patients to their appointments is an integral part of treating cancer, but finding transportation can be challenging for some. Public transportation or a lift from family members or friends is not always available. Many cancer patients require regular appointments over a period of months and some forego treatment because they can't get where they need to go. Neighbor Brigade is seeking volunteers to help with this great need. If you want to be a volunteer driver for Neighbor Brigade please contact your local chapter leaders to let them know and our staff will assist you in processing the required CORI form. Recipe Box Do you want to bring a meal to someone in your community but you don't know what to make? Below is a tried and true (and easy) healthy summer soup recipe that originally appeared in in November 1997 issue of Cooking Light: Tortellini, White Bean and Spinach Soup Ingredients: 1 teaspoon olive oil 2 cups chopped onion ½ cup chopped red bell pepper 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 cups coarsely chopped spinach 2/3 cup water 1 (16-ounce) can navy beans, drained 2 cups fresh or canned vegetable broth 1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt added whole tomatoes, undrained and chopped 1 (14-ounce) can quartered artichoke hearts, drained 1 (9-ounce) package uncooked fresh cheese tortellini 1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese Directions: Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion, bell pepper, seasoning, and garlic; sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Add spinach and next 5 ingredients (spinach through artichokes); bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 2 minutes. Add tortellini; cook until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle with cheese. Deliver the soup with a loaf of fresh bread (and maybe some seasonal fruit). Too hot for soup? Another easy idea for the summer is to marinate flank steak or chicken (or any meat), grill, place in tin foil and deliver warm! neighbor brigade | p.o. box 248 | lexington, ma 02420 | 781.325.8580 www.neighborbrigade.org | info@neighborbrigade.org

Information on helping the Franklin Neighbor Brigade can be found here http://www.neighborbrigade.org/chapters/FranklinMA

FHS Last Tour: Corridors and Student Art Work - part 2 (photos)

Continuing the walk through Franklin High School on the last tour of the old building, here are additional photos to share:

Welcome to C House

lockers

rest room out of order

FHS tiles

FHS tiles - close up

student art above the lockers 

student art above the lockers 1

student art above the lockers 2

Photos shared earlier can be found here:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/fhs-last-tour-corridors-and-student-art.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/fhs-last-tour-field-house-small-gym.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/fhs-last-tour-field-house-photos.html


Note: all the photos will be posted to Facebook and to Flickr for anyone to view in a single place. The locations are already established and photos will be added to them over time.

Facebook album       Flickr album

New MBTA fare structure takes effect Tuesday, July 1.

New MBTA fare structure takes effect Tuesday, July 1. 

Last updated: Jun 25 2014 12:11 PM 

Click here for more information: http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/?id=23567

MBTA

 As I read the table it appears the Franklin (Zone 6) one way ride will increase from $8.75 to $9.25, a fifty cent increase.

A new edition of The Franklin Connection is available

A new edition of "The Franklin Connection" has been published on the Town of Franklin web site.

Click the link below to read the latest edition.

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/JulyAug14connection.pdf

Franklin Senior Center

For additional programs and services offered by the Franklin Senior Center be sure to visit their webpage
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 6/27/14 - THU 7/3/14

FRI 6/27   10:30am   Baby Sign Language Class at Franklin Public Library
FRI 6/27   12-6pm   Farmers Market at Franklin Common
FRI 6/27   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked with Franklin Art Center

SAT 6/28   8:00am   American Legion 5 Mile Scholarship Race, Medway High School
SAT 6/28   3:30pm   iStories at Franklin Public Library

SUN 6/29   5pm   Movie Night at Franklin Historical Museum showing "1776"

MON 6/30   10:30am   Story and Craft at Franklin Public Library
MON 6/30   6:30pm   Family PJ Storytime at Franklin Public Library

WED 7/2   3pm   Greg and Axel Magic Show, "Fizz, Boom, Read" Franklin Public Library
WED 7/2   6pm-10pm   4th of July Celebration in Franklin: Amusements and Food Booths Open
WED 7/2   7pm-10pm   4th of July Celebration in Franklin: Matt Zajac’s Band

THU 7/3   6pm-10pm   4th of July Celebration in Franklin: Amusements and Food Booths Open
THU 7/3   7pm-10pm   4th of July Celebration in Franklin: Loose Salute
THU 7/3   10pm   LASER SHOW!

For 4th of July Celebrations in Franklin click HERE.

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

Movie Night at Historical Museum - Sun, Jun 29 - "1776"

If you ever wondered what it was like to live in colonial revolutionary times, '1776' is the movie for you.
History Buffs, students, teachers and movie lovers will enjoy viewing '1776' at the Franklin Historical Museum.

1776

The fun family night will benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. The price of admission is a canned good or non perishable food item.

In the days leading up to July 4, 1776, continental Congressmen John Adams and Benjamin Franklin coerce Thomas Jefferson into writing the Declaration of Independence as a delaying tactic as they try to persuade the American colonies to support a resolution on independence. As George Washington sends depressing messages describing one military disaster after another, the businessmen, landowners and farmers in Congress all stand in the way of the Declaration, and a single 'nay' vote will forever end the questions of independence. Large portions of spoken and sung dialog are taken directly from the letters and memoirs of the actual participants.

Come enjoy this informative film right before we start our annual 4th of July celebration week. The showing is at 5:00 PM on Sunday June 29th and is appropriate for the whole family. Popcorn will be served.

Remember to bring a canned good for the Franklin Food Pantry.

Franklin Historical Museum - 80 West Central St

Additional info on the movie
IMDb listing = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068156/
Wikipedia entry = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1776_(film)

Franklin - Medway American Legion 1st Annual 5 Miler

The American Legion Posts of Franklin and Medway are hosting a 5 Mile Scholarship Road Race on June 28, starting at 8 a.m., to benefit students seeking secondary education.

This a 5 mile race starting and finishing at Medway High School, 88 Summer St., with a separate "non timed" 5K walk.

American Legion

Help support our effort to give scholarships to high school students looking at the high cost of secondary education. All profits from this event will go to the Scholarship Funds for Medway Post 367 and Franklin Post 75.

Registration: 6:30 – 7:45 AM
Start Time: Run 8:00 AM / Walk 8:15 AM
Start / Finish: Medway High School, 88 Summer St., Medway, MA 02053
Run – 5 mile loop on paved roads
3.5 mile walk starting on Adams St.
Entry Fee: $20, $25 day of the race, $10 for High School Students

For additional information see our Franklin Web Site: http://www.mapost75.com/

Representative Roy and Senator Ross welcome Franklin Students to State House

Boston – Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) and Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham) welcomed eighth graders from Franklin's Horace Mann Middle School Teen leadership and Communication class yesterday to the State House.

These HMMS Leadership students enrolled in an extra course, on top of their normal workload to consider and address an authentic, real-world problem in their community. Through peer collaboration and feedback these students had to create a PSA outlining their topic and solution. On May 7^th the HMMS 8^th graders presented their projects at the 2^nd annual PSA Symposium in Horace Mann middle School's Mercer Auditorium to an audience made up of parents, teachers and peers.

Senator Ross on left, Representative Roy on right with HMMS students

"These students embody all of the great work of our Franklin schools and teachers," said Senator Ross. "Their dedication and creativity is truly inspiring and I value every opportunity to have them take part in civil service and give back to their community."

During their visit of the State House the HMMS Leadership students met with various State Legislators, had the opportunity to witness a joint House of Representatives and Senate event commemorating the 50^th anniversary of UMass Boston and had an opportunity to share their future plans with their Legislators.

"I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with these student leaders and provide them with a glimpse of the work at the State House", said Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D- Franklin) "When I met them a few weeks ago to observe their public service presentations in Franklin, I was impressed with their dedication, commitment and compassion. They took on extra course loads, worked with members of the community, and tackled issues designed to make the world a better place. I was happy to recognize their achievements and show them the work we do at the state level."

Please contact the office of Representative Roy with any questions or concerns at (617) 722-2400 or Jeffrey.Roy@MAhouse.gov 

FHS Last Tour: Corridors and Student Art Work (photos)

Continuing to share photos from the last tour of Franklin High School, here are some from the corridors and the art work found above the locker space. The student work on these murals is a delight. I tried to capture them all. There are many more photos to be shared.

almost empty corridor

floor tile

keep right

student mural - 1

student mural - 2

student mural - 3

student mural - 4

Additional photos from the last tour can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/fhs-last-tour-field-house-small-gym.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/fhs-last-tour-field-house-photos.html

Reminder: Wine Tasting Fund Raiser for Food Pantry

Delicious Wines, Craft Beers, Food from Whole Foods Bellingham, and local musician Ken Barney to entertain us. And best of all? This fun evening is a benefit for the Franklin Food Pantry. 

Tickets are just $10, with 100% of ticket sales to Franklin Food Pantry. Pour Richard's will also donate 20% of profits from sales of beer, wine, and spirits. 

This is a great chance to stock up for July 4th cookouts, summer vacation rentals, etc, while also assisting the Food Pantry. 

Tickets are available at the door, at the Food Pantry during normal business hours, or online HERE.

Food Pantry fund raiser at Pour Richards

When: Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:30 PM at Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits

Additional info can be found on the Franklin Food Pantry page
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/06/wine-tasting-fund-raiser-pour-richards.html