40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 10, 2018

Food Booths, Rides and Music Friday, August 10 from 5:00-10:00 PM

Additional info can be found on the St Rocco page
http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/feast-st-rocco

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 10, 2018

Remember when: Aug 10, 2016

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

"will look to introduce the herbicides when they would be most effective"

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

"The town has released the final version of a study of ponds at the DelCarte property as conservation efforts move forward. 

The study was conducted by Rhode Island firm ESS Group and examines the four ponds on the conservation property. Its draft - which stated that invasive plant and fish species pose a threat to the ponds - was released in February. 

Town Conservation Agent George Russell said the final version of the document was unchanged from the draft. Town officials, he said, had reviewed the study and determined that no changes to its text were needed."

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/08/will-look-to-introduce-herbicides-when.html

the fall foliage along the DelCarte property

In the News: St Rocco's final time; MA worker fired for marijuana use

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

"In the office tucked into a corner of the barn on the grounds of the old St. Mary’s School convent - headquarters for Franklin’s Feast of St. Rocco for the past 40 years - it seemed like nothing had changed. 

There was the usual coming and going - volunteers looking for a roll of yellow barrier tape, a screwdriver, some bottles of water. 

And there was the usual teasing among the Feast’s co-chairmen: Peter Brunelli, Mickey DeGrazia, Tom Olsen and Frank Fiorillo.

It had been this way for decades. And it felt the same this year as it always had in the days before the Feast of St. Rocco gets underway."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180809/grand-finale-for-franklins-feast-of-st-rocco

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 10, 2018

"Bernadette Coughlin hopes she is the last person in Massachusetts to be fired for having a toke of pot at home off work hours. 

The 55-year-old former patient services manager at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen visited the Statehouse with her lawyer on Tuesday, hoping to drum up support for some type of legislation that would limit employers from keeping their employees away from marijuana when they’re not on the job. 

In late May, Coughlin slipped on a kitchen floor at work and broke her left wrist and elbow, which several days later triggered a drug test - which she said her former employer, the food services company Sodexo, requires after at-work injuries. 

Coughlin’s test was positive for marijuana, which is not surprising because the Methuen resident said she used pot about a couple times a week."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180808/massachusetts-worker-fired-for-pot-use-seeks-legislative-response

8th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk - Sep 29

8th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk

Sponsored by St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul Society

September 29, 2018

8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

With September comes the end of Summer, the first day of school and the SVdP Friends of the Poor Walk. The Walk, 1 ½ or 3 miles, is our only fund raiser. SVdP members offer help to all Franklin residents in their time of need. Your support enables us to provide this assistance. Last year we were able to help 186 families.

Registration will begin between 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.in the Benjamin Franklin Charter School parking lot on Pleasant Street and then the walk will begin there at 9:00 a.m. rain or shine. Please walk with us in fellowship and contribute to our drive with generosity. To make this Walk better than ever, go to www.fopwalk.org where you can either join the Walk or make a donation.

Join together, with family and friends to make our Walk better than ever!

8th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk - Sep 29

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 9, 2018

Rides Open Thursday, August 9 from 5:00-10:00 PM

Times change and traditions evolve. This year’s annual Feast of St. Rocco, on August 9-12 will mark the 40th and final food festival in Franklin. Driven by the energy and passion of long-time committee members, and executed with the strength of 300 volunteers, this festival finale will be one to remember! 

This year’s celebration will feature more than a dozen food booths offering everything from fried clams, calzones and sausages to authentic Italian pastries and fried dough. Entertainment throughout the weekend will include live bands, DJs, raffles, and amusement rides. Commemorative T-shirts and aprons will be on sale. Raffles for cash prizes and homemade items will be available all weekend. 

Throughout the years, the festival has adapted to the changing lifestyle of the community. In the early days all food was donated and prepared in the kitchens of the parish faithful. For a time, food was prepared in the kitchen of what was then the St. Mary’s School. Today, the food is prepared under the tents where it is served, under strict board of health guidelines. The one constant for 40 years has been the enthusiastic volunteers who prepare and serve the food throughout the weekend.

Entertainment has changed over the years as well. Music has always been part of the celebration and the early days featured several stages with multiple bands and dancing. A pie eating competition and chocolate chip cookie contest are some of the past events. And the young and young-at-heart have enjoyed old fashioned midway games, carnival rides, cotton candy and laughter galore throughout the years! 

Weather has been noteworthy over time. The festival has been held in scorching heat and throughout thunderstorm-ridden weekends, but the spirit of the festival has always endured.

Don’t miss the final food festival beginning Thursday evening, August 9 and continuing through Sunday the 12th, held on the field beside the parking lot across from the St. Mary’s Church. Come for the food. Come for the rides. Come for the people. Just come… be a part of the St. Rocco Festival Finale! For more information or to volunteer to help on festival weekend, please contact the St. Mary’s Rectory at 508-528-0020.

Additional info can be found on the St Rocco page
http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/feast-st-rocco

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 9, 2018

Franklin Almanac - Episode 14 (video)

Catching up to post the Franklin Almanac - Episode 14 (video). Polikseni has moved on to a regular weekend position with a TV station in Vermont.


Franklin Almanac, the compendium of life in Franklin. If you missed the broadcast via cable, you can catch up to Episode 14 via the YouTube link. Polikseni Manxhari hosts segments on


Introduction- 00:00-00:37
Franklin's new Treasurer Collector- 00:38-12:48
#2069 Erasing the stigma rally- 12:49-21:24
Election Day 2017- 21:25-27:00
Final Thoughts- 27:01-28:07

https://youtu.be/-Q2UQYi0BUg




The Election Collection for 2017 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/election-collection-2017.html

September 4, 2018 will be the State Primary
November 6, 2018 will be the MA State election

Additional information will be posted as the election campaigns get active after primary day.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/07/election-information-for-sep-nov-2018.html

and
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/08/election-information-for-franklin-2018.html

September 4, 2018 will be the State Primary

Remember when: Aug 9, 2015

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Franklin Lions Club

Lions meet the needs of local communities and the world every day because they share a core belief - to serve their community. 

Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization. We have 1.35 million members in more than 45,000 clubs in more than 206 countries and geographic areas. 

Franklin Lions Club

Lions have a dynamic history. Founded in 1917, we are best known for fighting blindness, but we also volunteer for many different kinds of community projects - including caring for the environment, feeding the hungry and aiding seniors and the disabled. Franklin Lions

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/08/franklin-lions-club.html

Attention: Solutions Job Postings

Solutions is the before and after school program operated by the Franklin School Department. There are some key positions open for those interested.

• Solutions Assistant Site Director Job Posting

https://www.schoolspring.com/job.cfm?jid=2987431

• Solutions Site Assistant Job Posting

https://www.schoolspring.com/job.cfm?jid=2987429

• Solutions Site Director Job Posting

https://www.schoolspring.com/job.cfm?jid=2987430



Thanks,

Jennifer Maitland
Associate Director
Solutions Extended Day/Enrichment Program
Franklin Public Schools
(508) 613-1772
http://franklinlifelonglearning.com/solutions_program/index.php

Attention: Solutions Job Postings

What is the Lifelong Learning Institute?

"The Lifelong Learning Institute is the community education branch of the Franklin Public Schools. Lifelong Learning provides educational experiences for Franklin residents (and those from surrounding towns) from pre-school through retirement and beyond. This all-encompassing mission is accomplished through the efforts of dedicated employees of the Franklin Public Schools, and is supplemented with the talents of a number of our “friends in education” who partner and collaborate with us. The Lifelong Learning Institute is a fully functioning part of the Franklin Public Schools and has been in existence since the fall of 1998. 

Two existing, stand alone programs, Adult Education and Summer School, were tapped to provide the foundation for the Lifelong Learning Institute. Adult Education has grown significantly and is now known as Adult Education and Community Learning. Summer School is now referred to as The Summer Program and enjoys enrollments of 2000 students annually. 

Schools are among the greatest resources a community has to offer its residents. In Franklin, the Lifelong Learning Institute provides opportunities for Town residents (and those from surrounding towns), who may or may not have school-aged children, to access a level of educational support, a sense of belonging and a feeling of ownership, while simultaneously enjoying a quality learning experience."

FTC Alert: Promoter pitches “secrets” to big bucks on Amazon

Promoter pitches "secrets" to big bucks on Amazon by Lesley Fair Senior Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC Online ads and in-person workshops for Sellers Playbook claim to offer "secrets" to making big money on Amazon. But like a lot of namedroppers, the truth doesn't live up to the hype. That's what the FTC and the Minnesota Attorney General allege in a lawsuit they filed. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/08/promoter-pitches-secrets-big-bucks-amazon?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Feast of St. Rocco Festival - Through the years

The Feast of St. Rocco Festival began in 1978 as the brainchild of Father Michael Guarino. He sought to create a religious, social and cultural event in Franklin that followed the format of traditional Italian festivals. On a visit to what were once the grounds of the St. Mary School convent, Fr. Guarino found a statue of St. Rocco and his idea found a saint to celebrate in such a festival. 

St Rocco, the patron saint of healing, was born in the 13th century to a wealth family in France but gave away his inheritance and set out as a pilgrim who ministered to the sick, especially those suffering from plague. Having healed many people through intercessory prayer without contracting the disease itself, he finally succumbed to illness and in his great suffering, went away to a small hut the woods, so as not to be a burden on others. He was ministered to be a dog who brought him bread daily, and a spring miraculously appeared near the hut providing him with water.

Ironically, with the feast focused on healing, accessibility is a major challenge for many parishioners. Change is taking place not only with the evolution of the festival, but also within the physical building of St. Mary’s church itself. During the Festival Finale, construction will be in full swing for an addition to the church that will include an accessible entrance, indoor elevator, restrooms on both levels and a food service area. This addition to the church will also feature a permanent location for the statue of St. Rocco to reside, where people can visit with the saint and pray year-round in good weather and bad.

Since its inception, the festival has always included three separate Masses. Kicking off the week of the feast is the Opening Mass at 10:30 on Sunday, August 5 at the church. This Mass is celebrated for the deceased friends and family listed in the St. Rocco program book. At this Mass, rolls that have been blessed are given out to all who attend, just as St. Rocco’s faithful dog brought him bread when he was sick, that helped him survive.

The following week on Saturday, August 11, an Anointing Mass will be held at 10:00 under the tent on the Festival Grounds behind the school across from the church. According to Paula Coughlin, long-time volunteer and Parish Administrative Assistant, “This always attracts a large, reverent crowd. There is something moving about seeing all these people attend Mass and receive an anointing for healing, even as the booth volunteers are readying their booths to serve the people coming for lunch.”

This year, the 40th and final Closing Mass for the Feast of St Rocco will be held on Sunday, August 12 at 10:30 at the church. Following Mass, a procession will carry the statue of St. Rocco from the church to the field.

As the food and festival portion of this feast comes to an end, it paves the way for new traditions and ways to celebrate faith, family and friends within the parish. 

Fr. Brian Manning, pastor of St. Mary’s explains it this way: “As we conclude the Festival of Food portion of the Feast of Saint Rocco this year, we will continue to honor in new ways the vision of faith that Fr. Michael and his many lay volunteers shared with all of us then and through all the years.” 

With changes to the church, the statue of St Rocco will be permanently housed in the new addition where people can pray at any time. And while our faith and town community may not see the food booths and rides on the fairgrounds next year, new traditions will bloom that are compatible with today’s lifestyle and culture.

Don’t miss this historic event. Come for the rides, Come for the people. Come for the healing. Just come … be a part of the St. Rocco Festival Food Finale!

Additional info can be found on the St Rocco page
http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/feast-st-rocco

Photos from the St Rocco Festival in 2013

Election Information for Franklin 2018

State Primary

Tuesday, September, 4, 2018 
Franklin High School, Oak Street
6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Last day to register to vote or change party affiliation Wednesday, August 15, till 8:00 PM 
Town Clerk’s Office or online at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/

State Election

Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Franklin High School, Oak Street 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Last day to register to vote or change party affiliation Wednesday, October 17, till 8:00 PM
Town Clerk’s Office or online at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/


Download a copy of 2018 election info
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczdG9PWHJFTndvekV4MnVSd1hKSW1TQjRtZkNJ/view?usp=sharing

Download a copy of the Absentee ballot info
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRGIxa0EyblRYRXpNcDVwRlhILTcwYVFkQjYw/view?usp=sharing

Election Information for Franklin 2018

Remember when: Aug 8, 2014

Friday, August 8, 2014

Fieldhouse is gone

It didn't take long to demolish the field house. Half was taken down on Wednesday and at the end of the day Thursday, there remained only piles.

The remaining wall is for the small gym. It shows the arc of where the field house was

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/08/field-house-is-gone.html

Franklin Almanac - Episode 13 (video)

Catching up to post the Franklin Almanac - Episode 13 (video). Polikseni has moved on to a regular weekend position with a TV station in Vermont.


Franklin Almanac, the compendium of life in Franklin. If you missed the broadcast via cable last year, you can catch up to Episode 13 via the YouTube link. Polikseni Manxhari hosts segments on

Introduction- 00:00-00:37
Unified Basketball, Coach Leighton- 00:38-08:06
Harvest Festival 2017- 08:08-14:48
Sext Ed Forum- 14:50-23:20
Final Thoughts- 23:21-24:38

https://youtu.be/XUYBnpYUcpM

Opportunity For Sponsorships: Harlem Wizards Vs. Franklin Public Schools - Nov 16

Harlem Wizards Vs. Franklin Public Schools 

(“TEAM FPS”) 

A Community Basketball Event and Fundraiser 

To Benefit Franklin Education Foundation

Opportunity For Sponsorships

WHEN: Friday, November 16, 2018 @ 7:00 PM

WHERE: Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Gymnasium, Franklin, MA

WHAT: The Harlem Wizards will bring their team to Franklin to compete against “Team FPS” for a 2-hour tournament. The Harlem Wizards brand of “Trick Hoops & Alley Oops” entertainment basketball has been packing gyms across the globe for over 50 years! Their show includes amazing slams, world-class tricks, precision teamwork and humor.

WHO: “Team FPS” will include teachers and staff from Franklin Public Schools. We sell out every year with a crowd of 1,200 students, parents and children!

WHY: FEF fundraisers have raised over $350,000 which has been distributed to Franklin Public Schools in the form of special grants. All Franklin Public School staff members are eligible to submit creative, innovative ideas for programs or activities that would not traditionally be funded by tax dollars. To see a list of programs FEF has funded over the years, visit http://www.franklined.org/grants.

OPPORTUNITY FOR SPONSORSHIPS: This is FEF’s largest and most visible fundraiser of the year. Your sponsorship will highlight that your business supports Franklin Public Schools and the larger Franklin community. We have numerous opportunities at various levels to support the fundraiser and promote your business to the Franklin community. The attached flyers provide more details about the event and sponsorship levels. Thank you for considering supporting FEF and FPS!

Sincerely,
Franklin Education Foundation


Download a copy of the sponsor info here or use the PDF shown below
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczYnNMbGU2SzJZWXZvSk43SnRlRjlwbmVpWDln/view?usp=sharing

Harlem Wizards Vs. Franklin Public Schools - Nov 16

Concerts on the Common: Matt Zajac and Friends - Elaine Kessler - Story Teller - Aug 8

August 8
Matt Zajac and Friends 
Elaine Kessler - Story Teller

The main program is scheduled to run on Wednesday from 6:30 PM  - 8:30 PM. The Children's Programs from 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM.

You can download a copy of the schedule
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oG2-XOINB4ziJgVbf_4N0B6MNJCrG_SJ/view?usp=sharing

Concerts on the Common: Matt Zajac and Friends -  Elaine Kessler - story Teller - Aug 8

The concerts will use the new stage. Franklin's Town Council authorized the purchase last year and it has arrived in time to be used this summer.

full stage view