9th Annual Franklin Turkey Trot - Sponsors sign up now

This year The Franklin Food Pantry is holding its 9th Annual Franklin Turkey Trot 5K as a virtual race. The turkey trot will still officially run on Thanksgiving morning, November 26th, but each runner can run or walk their own personal 5K when it is most convenient for them. Once runners have finished the race, they can post a picture on social media sharing that they completed their run and use the hashtag #turkeytrot2020. All proceeds from this event go directly to the Franklin Food Pantry to provide quality healthy food to hungry families in our local community. In 2019, the over 1000 entrants, donors and sponsors raised almost $21,000!   

 

Funds received from sponsorships are used to purchase t-shirts for the first 100 registered race participants. Any additional money from sponsorships will go directly to support the Franklin Food Pantry.  We are excited to offer different sponsorship levels to meet your needs. Please go to http://weblink.donorperfect.com/TurkeyTrotSponsorship2020  to sign up today. Please make checks out to Franklin Food Pantry.

Presenting Sponsor $750

• Listed as a Presenting level sponsor on website (www.franklinturkeytrot.org) with logo and link 

• Listed as a Presenting level sponsor on website (www.franklinfoodpantry.org) with logo and link

• 6 :15 second spots on myfm 101.3 for two weeks prior to the event

• Featured thank you in Franklin Food Pantry newsletter

• Promotional materials in race pack

• Top billing of company logo on back of race t-shirt

• Included in all press releases

• 4 complimentary race entries and 4 race t-shirts

Gold Level Sponsor $500

• Listed as a Gold level sponsor on website (www.franklinturkeytrot.org) with logo and link

• Listed as a Gold level sponsor on website (www.franklinfoodpantry.org) with logo and link

• 6 :15 second spots on mfm 101.3 for two weeks prior to the event

• Promotional materials in race pack

• Included in all press releases

• Company logo on back of race t-shirt

• 2 complimentary race entries and 2 race t-shirts

Silver Level Sponsor $250

• Listed as a Silver level sponsor on website (www.franklinturkeytrot.org)

• Listed as a  Silver level sponsor on website (www.franklinfoodpantry.org) with logo and link

• Included in all press releases

• Company name on back of race t-shirt

• 1complimentary race entry and 1 race t-shirt

We sincerely thank you in advance for your generous support. If you have any questions please email Krystal Whitmore at franklinturkeytrot@gmail.com or Kim Cooper at kcooper@franklinfoodpantry.org. 

 

With gratitude,

Krystal Whitmore     Kim Cooper

Race Chair Donor Relations Manager

www.franklinturkeytrot.com www.franklinfoodpantry.org   

9th Annual Franklin Turkey Trot

Applications accepted October 1 - November 16

View this email in your browser FRANKLIN CULTURAL COUNCIL SEEKS FUNDING PROPOSALS The Franklin Cultural Council (FCC) has set a November 16th deadline for organizations, schools, and individuals to apply for grants that support cultural activities in the community. This funding encourages individuals, groups and not-for-profit organizations to bring to the community unique programming that centers around the arts, humanities, history or interpretive sciences for children, adults or intergenerational groups.    In 2019, the FCC gave out a record number of 38 grants. Previously funded projects include: programs/field trips for five of Franklin's schools (public and charter), Adaptive Dance for Adults with (dis) Abilities, LiveArts, Franklin Performing Arts Company Shakespeare on the Common, Southeastern MA Community Concert Band, and the Franklin Art Association, to name a few.   According to Kaye Kelly and Lillian Gould, FCC Co-chairs, these grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Franklin or that benefit Franklin residents, including exhibits, festivals, field trips, short-term artist residencies or workshops, lectures, and performances in schools, the library, the senior center, or for the community at large.   While the focus of the proposals should remain similar to past years—community-oriented arts, humanities, and science programs—this year the FCC is encouraging new applicants to apply. All grant applications are due by Monday, November 16th.  Proposals that are past the deadline will not be considered. Log on to https://www.mass-culture.org/Franklin for grant guidelines and to apply. The online application opens October 1.   The Franklin Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community. Copyright © 2020 Franklin Cultural Council, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Franklin Cultural Council 355 East Central Street Franklin, Ma 02038

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Franklin Police Department wants all survivors of domestic, and sexual violence to know that there are resources available to help. We made this short video to talk about it, and suggest the following links if you or someone you know needs assistance. New Hope, Inc. and the National Domestic Violence Hotline are valuable sources of information. 

As always, in an emergency please call 911

Shared from https://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/news/october-national-domestic-violence-awareness-month

Video link = https://youtu.be/rtU3Y4pNwoU

 

 

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Franklin Town Clerks office is seeking election workers

"The Town Clerks office is seeking election workers for the upcoming elections.  If you are interested, please send an email to: smerullo@franklinma.gov

 
You will be sent a questionnaire and HR packet. 

Thank you! 

 

#elections #voters "  https://t.co/Oyam4z7O6w

 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1310976475970109440?s=03

The Franklin Town Clerks office is seeking election workers

Franklin Senior Center: Connection Newsletter for October 2020

CONNECTION NEWSLETTER

Your Monthly Franklin Senior Center Newsletter

 

To Receive This Newsletter Monthly or Other Town Notifications, Please Click Here

https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe

To Read the October issue: https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/october_connection.pdf

 

Franklin Senior Center:  Connection Newsletter for October 2020

Commonwealth Magazine: Change to community approach for reopening for COVID-19

From CommonWealth Magazine we share 2 articles of interest for Franklin:

"THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION on Tuesday went all-in on its community-by-community approach to COVID-19, allowing lower-risk municipalities to move forward with reopening plans while putting cities and towns considered high risk on hold.

Since community-by-community COVID-19 data were broken out in August, the Baker administration has used the information to target testing and other resources where they are needed most. Now the governor is giving communities considered lower risk the green light to reopen businesses more quickly than communities considered high risk.

The shift in approach was accompanied by a change in nomenclature. The governor initially broke communities down based on their positive cases per 100,000 people over the previous two weeks. Those communities with more than 8 cases per 100,000 were considered high-risk, those with between 4 and 8 cases moderate risk, and those lower than 4 cases per 100,000 or fewer than 5 cases overall were considered low-risk. On a color-coded map, the four groupings were red for high risk, yellow for moderate risk, and green and gray for low risk.

On Tuesday, the governor and his top aides lumped all the yellow, green, and gray communities in the same low-risk category. "

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/baker-all-in-on-covid-19-community-approach/

 

 

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER will allow more indoor performance and entertainment spaces to open on Monday, but only in communities deemed low-risk for transmission of COVID-19. His decision to continue with the state’s phased reopening comes as some epidemiologists are worried about signs of a potential new coronavirus spike.

Baker, at a State House press conference on Tuesday, said he believes the biggest risk comes from people gathering informally. With cooler weather coming, his goal is to allow people to gather indoors in as low-risk way as possible. “The unsupervised, the unorganized, the familiar being familiar is really where the greatest risk is,” Baker said. “If people are going to go inside, I’d much rather they go inside in an organized, supervised way with rules than in an unorganized, unsupervised ways with no rules.”

The new rules, which go into effect Monday, will let indoor performance venues open at 50 percent of capacity, with a maximum of 250 people, excluding performers. Large venues such as arenas, stadiums, and exhibition halls are not covered by the new rules; they will not be allowed to reopen until the final phase of the state’s reopening plan, which is predicated on having a vaccine or effective treatment for COVID-19.

Outdoor performance venues will be allowed to increase to 50 percent of capacity, also with a maximum of 250 people, up from 25 percent and 50 people now."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/government/despite-infection-concerns-baker-reopens-more-venues/

Gov Baker's press conf: https://youtu.be/dB_IobtBGO8 

Boston Globe: "On the streets of Watertown, a Black Civil War soldier tells the rest of the story"

From the Boston Globe, an article of interest for Franklin:

"In this pandemic year, reimagining theatrical performance means exploring not just the digital space but that infinitely roomy analog space known as the outdoors.

In any year, heightening theater’s relevance and immediacy means grappling with urgent social issues such as the kind of entrenched racial injustice that has spawned massive nationwide protests in 2020.

New Repertory Theatre tackles both the performative and thematic sides of that equation with its premiere of “The Charles W. Lenox Experience,” copresented with the Watertown Free Public Library and the Historical Society of Watertown. Scripted by local dramatist Ken Green and directed by Michael Ofori, it’s a solo play set in the 19th century that has the ongoing struggles of the 21st century very much on its mind. 

The estimable Kadahj Bennett plays Lenox, a Black barber in Watertown who served in the Civil War with the storied 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, rising to the rank of sergeant. As Bennett leads patrons on a one-hour stroll to notable sites in and around Watertown Square, Lenox’s first-person narrative outwardly resembles one of those tourist-friendly guided expeditions.

But this is no anodyne history tour. Embedded throughout “The Charles W. Lenox Experience” are pointed reminders of how little the nation had done to deserve the service of Black soldiers — and how little it appreciated their sacrifice once they had helped to save it."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/09/28/arts/streets-watertown-black-civil-war-soldier-tells-rest-story/

 

Kadahj Bennett portrays Charles Lenox, a Watertown barber who enlisted in the Union army, in "The Charles W. Lenox Experience."New Repertory Theatre

In the News: Acapulcos open on Union St; Riley says MCAS resumes in spring 2021

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

"New aromas are wafting from the re-done kitchen of a familiar spot on Union Street these days, where the culinary traditions of Mexico have replaced those of Italy.

Acapulcos Mexican Family Restaurant & Cantina is now welcoming diners to its new location in the building formerly occupied by the Union Street Grill, after a move from its previous location one mile away in the heart of downtown Franklin.

The restaurant opened quietly over the summer at 371 Union St. after months of renovation work inside that conveys the atmosphere of a warm and welcoming Mexican hacienda with its saltillo tiled floors, colorfully tiled walls and archways, and displays of Mexican terracotta cooking vessels.

Jesus Ruelas, who operates the restaurant with his wife, Yahilda, said not everyone got the message that the popular eatery moved, and is not a victim of the pandemic, though they have also been glad to see many new faces drop by."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200930/ruelas-family-continues-sharing-authentic-taste-of-mexico-by-open-acapulcos-location-in-franklin?rssfeed=true

 

 

Acapulcos Mexican Family Restaurant & Cantina

Massachusetts students should expect to take their MCAS exams next spring, Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeff Riley said Tuesday.

This past spring, after schools were abruptly forced to transition to remote learning as COVID-19 cases mounted, state officials suspended the MCAS testing requirement for 2020. A federal decision allowing states to cancel tests if they filed waiver requests facilitated that move.

Addressing the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Tuesday, Riley said the federal government has signaled that similar action will not be coming in 2021.

“We have told superintendents very clearly that we do anticipate administering the MCAS this spring,” Riley said.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200929/riley-expects-spring-administration-of-mcas-exam/1?rssfeed=true

 

Have you gotten a collection call about a debt you don’t recognize?

Have you gotten a collection call about a debt you don't recognize? by Ari Lazarus, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC Nobody likes getting debt collection calls. But have you ever gotten one for a debt you already paid — or you know isn't yours? Or have you been threatened and harassed by a debt collector until you paid up? If so, we want you to know how to protect yourself. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/09/have-you-gotten-collection-call-about-debt-you-dont-recognize  This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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“All I Really Want” Democracy Remix (YouTube video)

The cast of Jagged Little Pill redid Alanis Morissette's "All I really Want" - https://youtu.be/eUKRMz4PY5U

 

Found on Facebook https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3582050101833869&id=1622393121132920&sfnsn=mo&extid=S54F0ZMf3oO1gUSI

Wednesday night: 2 important meetings

First meeting: 

Facilities Analysis Sub Committee Meeting
Wednesday, Sep 30 -  5:00 PM
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/facilities-analysis-sub-committee.html

The consultants will come back with the completed facility analysis for review and discussion. This committee had suspended work during the summer due to the preparations required for reopening schools.

Second meeting:

Economic Development Subcommittee - Business Listening & Networking Session #1: Downtown Franklin, The Crossing & Franklin Cultural District

Wednesday, Sep 30 - 6:30 PM

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/economic-development-subcommittee.html

The Market Study provides a lot of insights to what Franklin could do to improve. This is the first of a series of listening sessions to gather input before making the action and priority list.

 

a recent photo of DelCarte but not directly related to either meeting

Economic Development Subcommittee: Business Listening & Networking Session #1 - Sep 30

 Economic Development Subcommittee Meeting

Agenda & Meeting Packet

September 30, 2020

6:30 PM

Agenda:

1. Business Listening & Networking Session #1: Downtown Franklin, The Crossing & Franklin Cultural District. 

The members of the EDC will host the first in a series of five Business Listening &  Networking Sessions on sectors of the Town’s economy. 

Anyone is invited to attend and offer public comments.

Link to the agenda doc:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17UImA84x_AbI-8IGmqqHO82P-qv44vmg/view?usp=sharing

The Market Study:   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._final_town_of_franklin_market_study_1.pdf

The Market Study

2020 Hockomock League Golf Preview: Franklin High School

High schools sports is underway and HockomockSports.com has published their preview of the golf teams in the Hockomock League. We share the Franklin outlook here and provide the link to the full listing. 

FRANKLIN
2019 Record: 14-4
Coach: Dustin Picillo

With six starters returning from last year’s 14-win team, including five experienced seniors, the Panthers are primed to make a push for the Kelley-Rex division title. After sharing the crown with OA in 2018, the Franklin finished second last year but will be one of the top challengers as rival Mansfield looks to repeat. Franklin calls Franklin Country Club home and will host teams on the front nine (par 35).

Spearheading the way for the Panthers will be senior Jack Paterson, returning after a stellar 2019 campaign. After finishing the regular season in the top five with an average score of 38.2, Paterson capped the season by shooting a 76 at Blue Hill Country Club to take home the individual title at the Hockomock League Championships. Seniors Nolan Norton, Brian Sandham, Sean Connelly, and Pat Dolan, who is coming off a breakout season in 2019, will make up the backbone of the Panthers this season. Juniors Caroline Woelfel and Jack MacKinnon will also be in the mix after gaining valuable experience on the course a year ago, while underclassmen Jack Hagerty, Ben Paterson, and CJ Steel have impressed in the early going.

“We are excited about our team this year,” said head coach Dustin Picillo. “Greens are firm and fast at FCC which has given us an early test of where we are at. We’re excited to get started against Attleboro.”

For the full listing

https://hockomocksports.com/2020-hockomock-league-golf-preview/

2020 Hockomock League Golf Preview: Franklin High School

Bottle/Can drive to benefit Scouts BSA Troop 126 held on Oct 3 and Oct 10

On Saturday, October 3, and Saturday, October 10, 2020, Scouts BSA Troop 126 will be having a bottle and can drive, to raise money for camping equipment and exciting trips like whitewater rafting. Our troop is in Franklin, which means your contributions will directly benefit the youth of your community.

If you wish to donate bottles or cans, please drop them off at the Elks parking lot, 1077 Pond Street, on October 3 or 10, 2020, between 10 A.M. and 12 P.M.

If you are a Town of Franklin resident and are unable to come, but you would still like to contribute, please fill out our Google Form to have your donation collected at your curbside. Please complete the form by Friday at 5 P.M., and please have curbside bottles and cans out by 7 A.M. We thank you in advance for your contribution and your support for local Scouting!

Google form for pickup
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelJfph-q1qFM0iZiUUFU1F0R9E3k7vF6PeYvf6yKsHX_SmfQ/viewform

Bottle/Can drive to benefit Scouts BSA Troop 126 held on Oct 3 and Oct 10

Sculpture Park - September 2020 (slide show)

A walk through the Sculpture Park this weekend enabled me to capture some current photos.

To view the album directly in Flickr    https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/albums/72157716169151072

 

MMA: "The flu shot is even more important this year"

From the Mass Municipal Association: 

"In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, public health officials and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are urging everyone over the age of 6 months to get an influenza vaccine this year.

Both the flu and COVID-19 are respiratory illnesses that can lead to hospitalization for pneumonia and other serious – sometimes life-threatening – complications.

According to research conducted over multiple flu seasons, people who get the flu vaccine and still get sick have a 37% lower risk of being admitted to the hospital for treatment and an 82% lower risk of admission to an intensive care unit. Due to the risk of contracting COVID-19 in the hospital, it’s particularly important this year to keep flu cases out of hospitals.

After getting the flu shot, it takes about two weeks for the body to develop protection against the flu. That’s why it’s a good idea to get the vaccine before the flu starts to spread in your community."

Continue reading the article online
https://www.mma.org/the-flu-shot-is-even-more-important-this-year/

MMA: "The flu shot is even more important this year"

In the News: "Lawmakers make plea for federal dollars"; 3 year old loses part of leg in accident

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin: 

"Dozens of lawmakers want the Baker administration to act promptly to aid workers who missed out on up to $1,800 in additional benefits because of “arbitrary” and “punitive” eligibility requirements.

More than 110 legislators, almost all Democrats and no Republicans, wrote to Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta on Thursday, urging her to work with the House and Senate to raise the state’s minimum unemployment benefit payments so all recipients can access a pool of federal aid.

A small but unclear number of Bay State residents facing major economic strain fell just short of qualifying for the temporary Lost Wages Assistance federal program, lawmakers say, blocking off additional aid that could help them survive the pandemic’s continuing upheaval."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200928/lawmakers-make-plea-for-federal-dollars?rssfeed=true

"Sarah Reardon “got the kind of phone call that no parent ever wants to get.”

She was unpacking boxes on Aug. 22 at her new home in Franklin while her two daughters, Alexa, 6, and Abigail, 3, stayed at their father’s home in Lakeville for a few days. That Saturday, she received a hysterical call from her children’s father riding in the back of an ambulance.

Abigail had been backed over by a riding lawn mower.

He told her the ambulance was on its way toward Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, which had the closest Level 1 Trauma center." 

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200928/franklin-3-year-old-loses-part-of-leg-after-lawn-mower-accident-her-mother-is-urging-parents-to-understand-full-dangers-of-machines?rssfeed=true

In the News: "Open or closed? Town officials have to decide"

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:  

"Franklin Town Manager Jamie Hellen agreed that the pandemic has spurred some innovations that are likely to continue after the outbreak subsides. For instance, he said the town has been conducting some inspections via photo or video, which has been successful so far. In addition, the Town Council and other boards are meeting in person at the Franklin Municipal Building, but broadcasting sessions and taking public comment virtually via video-conferencing.

Hellen said the town worked with the local cable access television station to outfit its meeting chambers for video-conferencing participation, and he doesn’t anticipate that format going away anytime soon, though Franklin is looking to reopen some of its facilities in November.

“Citizen engagement in our meetings has been at an all-time high,” Hellen said. “And I think the great thing is, because they’ve had more access through Zoom or Google Hangout or whatever technology, we’re going to end up continuing to use to be that portal for public participation, I think if we removed it, I think people would be disappointed.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200928/open-or-closed-town-officials-have-to-decide-to-what-to-do-about-public-buildings-during-covid-19-outbreak?rssfeed=true

Board of Health meeting conducted virtually in September