Franklin Senior Center: Memory Cafe - Feb 22 - 2 PM

Please join us at our "Where's The Toast?" Memory Cafe' on Monday Feb. 22 at 2 PM.  Shelley Otis will be entertaining us with her beautiful harp music. 

Listen to Shelley play "Heaven" by Bryan Adams  https://youtu.be/q508lMfNEZg

We look forward to seeing you Monday at 2 PM!

Click below to join "Where's The Toast?" Memory Cafe' with Shelley Otis
https://zoom.us/j/98625081878?pwd=d05HMzFKd09kaldIcjhGWXNBRE1sUT09

Meeting ID: 986 2508 1878
Passcode: 059521

--

Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator

Respite Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

#ThinkFranklinFirst adds businesses to the listing!

"We are excited to share that 2 new businesses are accepting the #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card! You can now use your card at Mirchi Indian Cuisine and at Night Owl Farm!  

Do you have a Franklin Gift card?  Check out the 40 different businesses where you can redeem them!  These cards are helping our local economy by boosting local spending AND covering processing costs thanks to our generous sponsor, Dean Bank!  

Businesses are redeemed 100% of the funds spent at their locations! Random Smile Project has helped make this initiative possible by donating their time and energy to assist with administrative tasks.  We are so lucky to live in such a supportive community! 

Gift cards are always available both online and at Dean Bank.  www.franklingiftcard.com #supportlocal #shoplocal #giftlocal"

Shared from the Town of Franklin page on Facebook: 

https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=461047405262367&id=109645590402552

A full listing of the participating businesses can be found

https://franklingiftcard.com/participating-businesses

#ThinkFranklinFirst adds businesses to the listing!

CDC: "Essential Elements of Safe K-12 School In-person Instruction"

From the Executive Summary of the CDC guidance on reopening schools released recently: (RED text for my emphasis)

"As communities plan safe delivery of in-person instruction in K-12 schools, it is essential to decide when and under what conditions to help protect students, teachers, and staff and slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. It is critical for schools to open as safely and as soon as possible, and remain open, to achieve the benefits of in-person learning and key support services. To enable schools to open safely and remain open, it is important to adopt and consistently implement actions to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 both in schools and in the community. This means that all community members, students, families, teachers, and school staff should take actions to protect themselves and others where they live, work, learn, and play. In short, success in preventing the introduction and subsequent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in schools is connected to and facilitated by preventing transmission in the broader community."

There is no easy short list, the essential elements to reopen safely are complex. Take time to read through them to understand them.

Find and read the full CDC guidance doc

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/operation-strategy.html

“We are colliding with a future of extremes”

 

"Even as Texas struggled to restore electricity and water over the past week, signs of the risks posed by increasingly extreme weather to America’s aging infrastructure were cropping up across the country.

The week’s continent-spanning winter storms triggered blackouts in Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and several other states. One-third of oil production in the nation was halted. Drinking-water systems in Ohio were knocked offline. Road networks nationwide were paralyzed and vaccination efforts in 20 states were disrupted.

The crisis carries a profound warning. As climate change brings more frequent and intense storms, floods, heat waves, wildfires and other extreme events, it is placing growing stress on the foundations of the country’s economy: Its network of roads and railways, drinking-water systems, power plants, electrical grids, industrial waste sites and even homes. Failures in just one sector can set off a domino effect of breakdowns in hard-to-predict ways."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/20/climate/united-states-infrastructure-storms.html

Remember H1N1? There are more, one is H5N8

"A H5N8 strain of bird flu has been detected in humans for the first time, among seven workers who were infected at a Russian poultry plant in December.

There is no evidence of the strain being transmitted between humans, but Russia has reported the transmission to the World Health Organization.

The workers now feel well, and “the situation did not develop further”, according to Dr Anna Popova, head of consumer health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor. She said the workers had been infected during an outbreak of the strain at the plant."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/20/bird-flu-humans-infected-with-h5n8-strain-for-first-time-in-russia

FM #466 - Town Council Meeting - 02/17/21 - P1 of 4 (audio)

FM #466 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 466 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Feb 17, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: most members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, at least one member of the Council was remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the full three hour fifty minute meeting into four logical segments:

• *** First segment *** covers the opening through the Community Preservation Committee appointments and a two minute recess (51 minutes)
• Second - returns from the recess to cover the Complete Streets presentation/discussion as well as the Town Administrator review and discussion (58 minutes)
• Third - opens with the Legislation for Action and covers the items through the authorization of the fire trucks (40 minutes) 
• Fourth - covers the technical adjustments to the three Storm Water Articles I, II, and III with the discussion running off course (again - with confusion around the proposed storm water utility fee - not in these three articles) through to the close of the meeting (approx. 1 hour and 13 mins)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda. 

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Feb 17, 2021. Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/4e9abe73-7e69-402d-97c8-6930470c0524

--------------

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF) 
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2-17-21_town_council_agenda_0_0.pdf

Community Preservation Committee appointments
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/cpc_updated_memo.pdf 

Complete Streets presentation
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._complete_streets_web.pdf 

Town Administrator review/discussion
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/9a._ta_eval_docs.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/town-council-recap-of-feb-17-2021.html

Town Council ‘quarterbacking session’ with Chair Tom Mercer
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/couldnt-spend-hours-with-town-council.html 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

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 & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #466 Town Council Meeting - 02/17/21 - P1 of 4 (audio)

FM #467 - Town Council Meeting - 02/17/21 - P2 of 4 (audio)

FM #467 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 467 in the series. 

This session shares part of the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, Feb 17, 2021. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: most members of the Town Council, selected guests, and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, at least one member of the Council was remote along with the public via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

I’ve split the full three hour fifty minute meeting into four logical segments:

• First - covers the opening through the Community Preservation Committee appointments and a two minute recess (51 minutes)
• *** Second segment *** returns from the recess to cover the Complete Streets presentation/discussion as well as the Town Administrator review and discussion (58 minutes)
• Third - opens with the Legislation for Action and covers the items through the authorization of the fire trucks (40 minutes) 
• Fourth - covers the technical adjustments to the three Storm Water Articles I, II, and III with the discussion running off course (again - with confusion around the proposed storm water utility fee - not in these three articles) through to the close of the meeting (approx. 1 hour and 13 mins)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda including documents released for this agenda. 

Let’s listen to this segment of the Town Council meeting of Feb 17, 2021. Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/66056b80-08cb-4098-b742-bcd557d22746

--------------

Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF) 
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2-17-21_town_council_agenda_0_0.pdf

Community Preservation Committee appointments
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/cpc_updated_memo.pdf 

Complete Streets presentation
https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._complete_streets_web.pdf 

Town Administrator review/discussion
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/9a._ta_eval_docs.pdf

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/town-council-recap-of-feb-17-2021.html

Town Council ‘quarterbacking session’ with Chair Tom Mercer
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/02/couldnt-spend-hours-with-town-council.html 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

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 & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #467 - Town Council Meeting - 02/17/21 - P2 of 4 (audio)

Franklin's Cultural District Updates and Events - February 2021 Newsletter

Welcome from The Chair ...

In the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, communities around the country have endured great loss and isolation. During this isolation we have all worked to find ways to respond to the reality of our constrained lives. Many of us have found new ways to interact, connect and support one another. Though the Covid-19 crisis has significantly impacted the artistic community, the spirit of connection and inspiration through the arts remains stronger than ever.

While we have not been able to attend live performances and concerts, we have been lucky to live in a community in which our arts' establishments have worked hard to continue to provide artistic experiences for us to enjoy. Our community has also worked hard to support our struggling businesses and restaurants with the "Think Franklin First" cards. The Franklin Interfaith Council and the Franklin Food Pantry have collaborated on "Project Envoy" to support both our local restaurants as well as the most vulnerable in our community.

We are now making our way through a very snowy New England winter. Soon we will reach the one-year anniversary of the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the days are long, we are beginning to see some bright spots on the horizon. We will continue to look to the arts to generate positivity, appreciation and hope for the future. As we move through this stage of the pandemic let's all remember to shop local to support our Franklin cultural venues and businesses.

Regards, 

Nancy Schoen, Chair

Follow the link to review the full set of contents for the newsletter

https://www.franklinculture.org/about/pages/newsletter

Subscribe to receive your copy of the newsletter via email

https://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/

Franklin's Cultural District Updates and Events - February 2021 Newsletter

Town of Franklin, MA: Senior Center Coffee rescheduled - 2/25/21

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) tweeted on Fri, Feb 19, 2021:

"State Representative Jeff Roy, Town Council Members, & Town Administrator Jamie Hellen will be available to chat, answer ?s, and provide updates on vaccine rollout."

Zoom meeting link =  https://t.co/vMwuaflZCi

Join via phone: -312-626-6799, Meeting ID:  87851447900 press # passcode: 897373 press # https://t.co/0qLzwB4Dr4

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1362777988442583042

Why reschedule? The session scheduled for 2/18/21 used Microsoft Teams (not Zoom) and no one from the 'normal' seniors group joined the session. The lesson - stick with Zoom. 

Town of Franklin, MA: Senior Center Coffee rescheduled - 2/25/21

Town of Franklin, MA: Ben reminds us to #DoYourPartFranklin

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) tweeted on Fri, Feb 19, 2021:

"Happy Friday! As we enter the weekend, we are reminding our community that the safety guidelines are STILL important! We want to continue to see the COVID-19 situation improve for everyone. 

Please continue to support our local businesses while remembering to #DoYourPartFranklin"

https://t.co/C35YYqB0bw

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1362799924459544582

Town of Franklin, MA: Ben reminds us to #DoYourPartFranklin

Franklin Senior Center: Email Blast Feb 19, 2021

Hello Everyone!

Staying Connected

Link to the Senior Center - https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc

Link to the Senior Center Calendar https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/day 

Link to Franklin Matters - https://www.franklinmatters.org/ and www.franklin.news 

Link to the Town's webpage - https://www.franklinma.gov/

Link to Mass.Gov COVID - https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information 

*With the Governor's announcement of people 65+ now being eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, it was announced that there will no longer be municipal vaccine clinics, except in  20 high risk communities (not Franklin). Franklin will not be hosting any vaccine clinics.  If you need assistance signing up for a vaccine at Gillette, Milford Hospital or another qualifying vaccination site please call the Senior Center for help. 

Tips

Balance Fitness Routine - Part 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nnOGyWuy3k 

Balance Exercise Routine - part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QBd6ATGNVI 

Gospel Dance Aerobics with Paul Eugene

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UnmH0wh020 

Music

10 hours of happy, upbeat music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lkEoAnZSR8 

Unusual and strange musical instruments - the 2nd one is so soothing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8ple6h4zWA 

Persian Santur

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95amB7kUu-k 

Just for Fun

Creative street art from around the world

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsn7uHb5ZiE 

Incredible Saves in sports

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW8J7_l8INY 

Cow Cuddling, yes this is a real thing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKzvW8WyU4A 

Humor

Hysterical Juggler - juggling dangerous things!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuAu8CT3Lwo&feature=emb_logo 

Erma Bombeck - The Mother of all Humorists

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rD1wMpn8KY 

Kindness Matters

Strangers form a human chain to save a dog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smGQUH5ldTA 

Upcoming Events email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend unless noted otherwise.

*Monday at 1pm - Tele-Bingo - call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Monday at 2pm - Memory Cafe  enjoy music and friendship email adoggett@franklinma.gov 

*Tuesday at 5pm - Quarantini Time a virtual, social, cocktail hour.

*Tuesday at 1pm - Audio Book Group- email mgunderson@franklinma.gov 

*Tuesday at 11am - Asthma and COPD call the Senior Center to register

*Wed. At 11am - Mindful Movements - email judivperez@gmail.com for the link to attend

*Wed. At 1pm - Writers Group - call the senior center to register

*Wed. At 4 pm - Caregivers Support Group email elaine.owens@verizon.net to attend

*Thursday at 8am - Senior Coffee Hour with Franklin Officials - Zoom Meeting link

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87851447900?pwd=MWEyZlN0QS9JcHR2aFU4NGhzZmZWZz09

Meeting ID: 878 5144 7900 Passcode: 897373

*Thursday  at 1pm - Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Thursday at 1pm - Emergency Preparedness - call the senior center to attend

*Thursday at 2pm - Boston Made Learn about the amazing innovations and inventions that 

have made Boston exceptional for more than 400 years. Presented by Alan Earls. Email 

adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend. 

*Friday at 11am - Sunshine Zoom - for members with memory loss - 1 hour of socialization,

 games and activities.

 

Attached you will find: Donna's Fun Filled Activity Pages!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/178U2qGT5to47tRNyDOWNaRR_xN7FLkym/view?usp=sharing

Love, virtual hugs and good health to you all!  We are still here for you!  Please feel free to email Donna and I with questions, concerns or just to check in!

Ariel & Donna

Please feel free to share this email with anyone you think might enjoy it.  If you want me to add someone to the email blast list just send me a message with their email in it. 

REMEMBER:

When searching for information about the Coronavirus, COVID-19 please use caution!  Unfortunately there are many false sites that contain viruses and malware that can threaten your computer.  Many look like real sites.  Your best bet is to go directly to the CDC, WHO or your local government page (links below).   

https://www.cdc.gov/ 

https://www.who.int/

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here

--

Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator

Respite Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

Franklin Food Pantry: new video series to answer Frequently Asked Questions

Franklin Food Pantry (@FranklinFoodPan) tweeted on Fri, Feb 19, 2021:

"It's #FAQFriday. Today we launch a new video series answering questions about #ThePantry. 

Today's question: How has distribution at the Pantry changed during the pandemic?"

View the video:  https://t.co/Z2PGFyhn1q

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinFoodPan/status/1362750387036504066

Library of Congress Announces Spring Concert Programming

Library Announces Spring Concert Programming for 2020-2021 Season

The Library of Congress will continue its critically acclaimed season of Concerts from the Library of Congress with an offering of virtual concerts, interviews and conversations with artists and composers, lectures, curator talks and educational programs. The spring series kicks off on March 12 with a performance from the young musicians of the New World Symphony, followed by performances from Scottish pianist Steven Osborne on March 19 and the Dudok Quartet Amsterdam on March 26.

All events will be made available at 8 p.m. ET on the scheduled premiere date 

• on loc.gov/concerts 
• the Library's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/loc) 
• and the Performing Arts at the Library of Congress Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/libraryofcongressperformingarts/videos/)

All events of the season are free, and tickets are not required.

For more information

https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-21-008/library-announces-spring-concert-programming-for-2020-2021-season/2021-02-19/

Shared from the Library of Congress page https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-21-008/library-announces-spring-concert-programming-for-2020-2021-season/2021-02-19/

Don't Forget! Apply for a Rockland Trust Scholarship Today

Applications are open for a Rockland Trust scholarship

Selection Criteria:

• Selection will be based on the applicant’s academic achievement, community service and extracurricular activities. 
• Applications must be either completed online or postmarked by March 15, 2021 to be considered. Winners will be notified by May 17, 2021
• Applications must be complete and accompanied by the two most recent semester grades on an official high school transcript.
• The Rockland Trust Scholarship Committee will record and score all complete applications received by the deadline.  Scholarships will be awarded based on the following criteria:
• Academic Accomplishment: 20 points
• Community Service/Extracurricular Activity : 45 points
• Essay:  35 points 

https://www.rocklandtrust.com/scholarship

Don't Forget! Apply for a Rockland Trust Scholarship Today

Franklin's Event Outlook: Feb 19 - Feb 25, 2021

Be safe in this slow moving snow storm. You can be inside to enjoy a virtual concert tonight and then get rid of some bottles/cans Saturday morning. A small choice of this to do during these pandemic days. The storywalk at DelCarte should be nice in the snow. You might need to blaze the trail - be careful!

Friday, February 19
February StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation
3:00pm - FPL: Girls who code (Grades 3-5)
4:00pm - FPL: Girls Who Code! (Grades 6-12)
8:00pm - The Accidentals - virtual concert

Saturday, February 20
February StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation
10:00am - Scout Troop 126 - Bottle/can drive

Sunday, February 21
February StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation
1:00pm - Historical Museum (open and free admission)

Monday, February 22
February StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation

Tuesday, February 23
February StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation
7:00pm - Franklin Public Library Book Club

Wednesday, February 24
February StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation
7:00pm - Medway Marches presents "Allies in Action"
7:30pm - Let’s Laugh Today is Free on ZOOM!

Thursday, February 25
February StoryWalk at DelCarte Reservation

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

The School district meeting calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

 

Community Calendar