Moms Only Strolls: Three updates to start 2025

Happy New Year mamas!!  3 Updates Coming your Way!  Here we go!!

#1) 1st Moms Only Stroll of 2025 will be…….

When: Fri Jan 10th at 9am 

Where: Holliston Rail Trail

Weather pending so keep an eye out for emails or post in the FB group for any last minute changes.  Please sign up here so I can send you reminders and know who to expect. 

STROLL RSVP HERE 

#2) 💥HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT for those local to FRANKLIN!!

I am thrilled to announce that I've partnered with another local couple to bring 

Body Fit Training - a cutting edge strength and conditioning studio - to Franklin Village in the Spring!! If you are looking to add strength training and fitness into your routine check this out!

✅50min group classes -  all fitness levels welcome 

✅8-10 progressive training blocks - track progress and optimize results

✅2-3 Highly accredited coaches per class - personal training in a group setting

Body Fit Training

If you are interested in learning more and locking in the deepest discount we will ever offer, along with enjoying other exclusive VIP member benefits, respond to this email or fill out the contact form below:

Founding Memberships go Live Jan 2nd, but spots are limited!

➡️Click here to learn more and secure your spot!  

IG - @BFT_FranklinVillage

#3) ✨REMINDER✨

Coming in January!!

RESOLUTION RESET WORKSHOP

New Years can be a great time for a wellness reset.....but I know it can be hard to make those changes alone in the throes of motherhood! 

Join this free workshop coming up,  2nd week of JAN!! All details and sign up at the link below:

➡️Destined to Thrive: Resolutions Reset in 2025

After a crazy holiday, pouring all of yourself into others, this is your chance to do something for you!! P.S. even if you don't set resolutions, this is for you! 

Let's thrive in 2025!!

Bethany Hart Gerry, CSCS, FDN-P

U.S. Olympian

Founder Destined2Evolve Personal Training & Wellness

Co-Owner Body Fit Training Franklin Village 

D2E Personal Training and Wellness

203-494-1261 (c)

www.destined2evolvewellness.com

BFT Franklin Village

250 Franklin Village Dr. Suite 26

Franklin, MA

bethany.gerry@bodyfittraining.com

@BFT_FranklinVillage

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting scheduled for January 2 at 7 PM

Hi all,

Our 350 Mass Greater Franklin node meeting will be held tomorrow (Thursday) night at 7 PM.

This will be both in-person and by Zoom, with the in-person meeting taking place at First Universalist Society in Franklin at 262 Chestnut Street at 7 PM. The purpose of the meeting will continue to be to review and discuss Monday's Statewide Campaign presentation to help guide us in determining our campaign focus for the foreseeable future.

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node

With this additional time we would like all to view the YouTube video of the meeting in advance and take notes on questions and comments you come away with to input our group discussion at our meeting.  This will allow us to expedite viewing of the otherwise 2 hour long video in our meeting, allowing us to simply focus on those portions of greatest import. Here is  a link to the YouTube presentation.

We will share a screen in Zoom to show the YouTube presentation for everyone during our showing, allowing us to pause to discuss points.  Sometimes Zoom running a YouTube video can be a bit choppy. If it doesn't work for you, you can run the recording directly using the link we've provided.

If you can come but you'll be late, that's OK. We'd rather you come if you can. And while the meeting will be hybrid, both in-person and Zoom, it is preferable to be in person for a full-fledged discussion. 

Meeting Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81930304274?pwd=Tm9VdGxYcDFaVTVDUkwyT3YvUnlFdz09
Meeting ID: 819 3030 4274    Passcode: 350ma
Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

We will hold our Holiday Party on our Thursday, January 16 meeting, at which time we will finalize our feedback to the Statewide Steering Team for their Wednesday, February 5, meeting to vote on statewide campaign(s). 

We hope this works for you all.

Please join us Thursday 7 PM!

With gratitude,

Carolyn and Steve

Friday night West Coast Swing Lesson & Dance at the Elks Lodge - Jan 10

Join us for our next Friday night West Coast Swing Lesson & Dance! 100% of proceeds are donated to Boston Children’s Hospital!

Friday night West Coast Swing Lesson & Dance at the Elks Lodge

UPCOMING DATES:

• Friday, January 10, 2025
• Friday, February 7, 2025
• Friday, March 7, 2025

What: First Friday* of the month: Beginner lesson & Social Dance!

When: 

• Lesson: 7-8 PM 
• Dance: 8-11 PM

Who: Instructors: Anna & Kevin Balcom and DJ Joe Mahoney!

Where: Franklin Elks Lodge, 1077 Pond St. Franklin, MA ​

*Our lessons and dance are usually on the first Friday of each month; however, there are occasional exceptions. Please check back for updates and changes.​

Download the flyer as a reminder and/or to share ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15ccxpOCeGh1tmGqm04RgDJ9YiiM4W1-3/view?usp=drive_link

Invisible People ➤ "From Abundance to Crisis: The Collapse of Affordable Housing in America"

Invisible People ➤ Imagine Everyone With a Home (@invisiblepeople) posted on Mon, Dec 30, 2024:

"The Collapse of Affordable Housing in America"

🏠 Once, America had a surplus of affordable housing. 

Today, we're 7.3 million units short. 

How did we get here, and what must change to solve this crisis? ->   https://t.co/x4bWw0ePUN

 

Shared from -> https://x.com/invisiblepeople/status/1873595245155188993

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Thursday, Jan 2, 2025

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Thursday

9:00a/12:00p/6:00p Turntable – "Enjoy a fun experience with co-hosts The Vibe and Pauly G sharing personal discussions about a featured rock n roll vinyl record (1st hour) and the best, all music Vibe Playlist (2nd hour)"  

• This week's Show 14 features Pink Floyd and their "Dark Side of the Moon" album.  Dark Side of the Moon is an amazing concept album with a brilliant recording and has sold over 45 million copies.  As of the 50th anniversary in March 2023, ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ has spent 972 weeks on the Billboard 200 charts.   Pink Floyd is considered one of the greatest progressive rock bands ever.  
• Playlist ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/16NrPTTXGRaXT00CRfYd2b_i9EXAA5w_F/view?usp=drive_link

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Frank Presents – Notable Local Conversations

 

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = Thursday

7:00 am Fallen Heroes Pt 8

7:30 am Veterans' Call: SHINE

10:30 am SAFE Coalition: The Hamlins

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Centerpieces

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Scones

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Quiche

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: White Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 6

3:00 pm Riffin' on Main Street: James McLaughlin

4:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith

5:00 pm Franklin Art Association: Vincent Crotty

6:30 pm Mrs. Claus Storytime

7:00 pm Frank Presents: Jim Derick

9:00 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Boston Floating Hospital

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = Thursday

4:30 am FHS Varsity Swimming v King Philip 01-24-23

7:00 am Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 2 03-14-18

8:30 am FHS Winter Music: Chorus and Orchestra 2024

1:30 pm Universe of Adolescent Sleep

2:30 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith

4:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey v Catholic Memorial 12-18-24

6:30 pm FHS Theater Company: Cinderella

9:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Stoughton 12-18-24

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = Thursday

8:00 am  Conservation Commission 12-12-24

12:00 pm  Community Preservation 12-18-24

2:00 pm  Conservation Commission 12-12-24

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, January 1, 2025 ???

Wednesday, January 1 = New Year's Day

• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am 4th Annual Polar Plunge (Beaver Pond)

5:00pm Weekly Trivia Night (GlenPharmer Distillery)

**   NO  Town Meetings today   **

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/upcoming

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

Welcome to 2025 - What will your top topic be for this year?

What will your top topic be for 2025?

I suspect that a few of the “Watch List” items from last year will return:

• The budget for FY 2026 is one of the top ones. We start with about a $4M deficit and unless there is an override, balancing the budget means significant cuts to people and services.

• Housing and managing our growth smartly needs to be front and center. This goes hand in hand (or pocket to pocket) with the budget. 

• The Master Plan is up for approval to guide our next 10 years. This is another way of looking at the budget and growth issues as the Master Plan prescribes how we'll grow.

• The school district will continue to develop the implementation plan for the redistricting that begins in September 2025. While there is minimal budgetary savings this year, it is supposed to better position the district to be more effective going forward. Reducing from 9 schools to 7 schools (in 5 buildings) brings economies not available in the prior structure.

What else would you put on this listing of items to watch (and engage with) this year?

https://forms.gle/vo8QPEi1Aq2YTH6M6

Welcome to 2025 - What will your top topic be for this year?

Do you have tickets to the Electric Youth debut concert scheduled for Friday, Jan 3 at 7:30 PM ??

Electric Youth and the Boston Show Band 2025 debuts at THE BLACK BOX, offering high-powered family entertainment with music for all ages! Backed by an eight-piece band of world-class musicians, EY delivers high-energy music, including contemporary pop, classic rock and country hits.

Electric Youth debut concert

Electric Youth 2025 includes Elena Baker, Ani Corkran, Helena Cornwell, Devin Curley, Brodie DeAngelis, Devin DeAngelis, Emmett Eastman, Baree Frigon, Hailey Hulbig, Alina Kanakry, Katherine LeBlanc, Liam Nolan-Hayun, Kate Settle, Angelina Willey, and Michael Wirkus.

The EY singer-dancers are backed by Boston musicians who’ve performed, recorded and toured with such music legends as Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B. King, Diana Ross, The Temptations and Van Morrison.

Don’t miss this exciting evening of timeless hits and non-stop entertainment!

Tickets can be purchased online ->    https://theblackboxonline.com/electric-youth-2025-debut-concert/

FHS boys hockey team posts win vs Newburyport on Tuesday

Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Winter sports competition for Franklin High School on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 2 vs. Newburyport, 1 – Final

Franklin 2  Newburyport 1. Wernig 🚨, Lewandoski first varsity 🚨, Balducci 🍎, Ariente 🍎, Fletcher 🍎.  OC stands on his head in net.  POG Lewy   https://x.com/FHS_PuckCoach/status/1874213718961393713

For other results across the Hockomock League (subscription required)

https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-12-31-24/

FHS Panther sports results shared via Twitter & subscription to HockomockSports.com

FHS Gymnastics posts first win of season

FHS Gymnastics (@fhs_gymnastics) posted on Tue, Dec 31, 2024:

First win of the season. FHS 118.25 North Attleboro 117.8. Fun meet great crowd!! @FHSSports @fhsgymboosters @FranklinMatters @HockomockSports @MetroWestSports @FHSGirlsSports https://t.co/acm8c0vzGi

Pictured are all the athletes who compete in the same gym or workout together in the off season in some capacity

"Franklin had their second meet of the season tonight and came up with a W!! 

We had such a blast competing against North Attleboro great team energy great crowd and fun atmosphere!! North was also competing against KP and having all the teams there especially where so many of them workout in the same club or during off season together, made it even more fun cheering each other on!! Final score FHS 118.25 NAHS 117.8 such a close match!! 

Kendra Love was a strong AA putting up 3 of the teams highest scores in Bars, Beam and Floor. Ciara O'Brien debuting as an AA, putting up the second highest in 3 of her 4 events in Vault, Bars and Floor. First year Veronica Pimentel still proving to be consistent with her scores counting on both Floor and Vault. First year Chrissy Beaupre also made her debut coming back from injury competing strong and clean on beam with her score counting towards our team score. Senior Captains Molly Chandler and Bella Jacoby continue to do their job landing their skills being consistent and contributing their scores to our overall team score. Highlight scores tied on Vault Ciara and Molly C with 8.3, Kendra on Floor with an 8.35. 

The team continues to come together, working hard and making progress. Pictured below are all the athletes who compete in the same gym or workout together in the off season in some capacity."

Shared from -> https://x.com/fhs_gymnastics/status/1874150312103268505

Pleasant St near Country Way road closure on Thursday, Jan 2

Via the DPW:

road closure on Thursday, Jan 2 

Pleasant St near Country Way

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/15NZJx4SeA/

Secretary Ed Augustus Jr. stopped to visit the Franklin Housing Authority on Monday

Secretary Ed Augustus Jr. (@MA_EOHLC) posted on Mon, Dec 30, 2024:

"Today, I visited three of our local housing authorities in Medfield, Millis and Franklin. 

This makes 95 visits to see first-hand the challenges of our public housing and how the investments in the Affordable Homes act will make a meaningful difference in people's lives. "

Shared from ->  https://t.co/nhQesFcB9L

(L-R) unidentified, Lisa Audette, Ed Augustus, Janie Hellen, Tom Mercer

Boston Globe: "State spent $8 million on mail-in voting"

"Just less than half of the roughly 3.5 million voters who cast a ballot in November’s elections here did so in person on Election Day, Secretary of State William Galvin’s office said in a new report on the roughly $8 million costs associated with the popular vote-by-mail option.

The report filed with the Legislature this month details many of the costs connected to Galvin’s responsibilities as chief elections officer for the state, and the requirements of the 2022 law that allows voters to cast their ballots by mail or during a dedicated early voting window.

Not counting the costs of printing ballots and envelopes, assembling ballot kits and reimbursing local election officials for unfunded mandates, Galvin said the vote-by-mail effort cost a little more than $8 million ($8,005,676.43 to be precise), including nearly $2 million in postage for voters to return ballots, for the September primaries and November’s general election."

Continue reading the article at the Boston Globe -> (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/30/metro/state-spent-8-million-mail-in-voting/

Boston Globe: "State spent $8 million on mail-in voting"

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Wednesday, Jan 1, 2025

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Wednesday

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 9 AM)

• This segment features the segment on the logo and branding proposal from the Town Council meeting 12/18/24  -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/12/town-council-votes-to-keep-ben-town.html

10:00 AM 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone    All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points.

• Mark & Kim are Talking Bubbly For New Years
   -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/12/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode_23.html

11:00 AM 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 3 PM)

• This features my conversation School Committee Chair Dave Callaghan as we did our recent Chalkboard Chat condensing the 12/10/24 School Committee meeting -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/12/this-chalkboard-chat-condenses-school.html

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY

7:00 am Historical Museum: Greenwich Bay Brass Band

7:30 am Mental Health: Raeleen Sullivan

8:30 am Parish of St. Mary Christmas Pageant 2019

10:00 am The Black Box: Tappy Christmas 2019

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Centerpieces

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Scones

12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Quiche

1:00 pm Santa On The Common 2024

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: White Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 6

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 7

3:30 pm Circle of Friends: Heather Pierson Trio

6:00 pm FPAC: The Nutcracker 2024

9:00 pm Winter Wonderland 2024

9:30 pm FPAC Holiday Special: Tis The Season

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = WEDNESDAY

7:00 am Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 2 03-14-18

8:30 am Middle School Winter Music 2024

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: The Hamlins

11:00 am FHS Winter Music: Band 2024

12:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey v Catholic Memorial 12-18-24

3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Pete Smith

8:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Stoughton 12-18-24

10:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball v King Philip 12-20-24

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) = WEDNESDAY

8:00 am  Town Council 12-18-24

2:00 pm  Town Council 12-18-24

6:00 pm  Joint Budget Subcommittee 12-17-24

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Start your 2025 New Year with a Polar Plunge at Beaver Pond, 10 AM

"It's that time of year again! 

After failed attempts to coordinate this event to fundraise for a good cause in the Franklin community, we are stuck with just jumping in cold water. 

Please bring as many friends and family as possible. 

Looking forward to seeing everyone bright and early on Jan 1, 2025"

Shared from ->  https://www.facebook.com/events/1246253416704256/

Some walked, some ran, they took the plunge to start the 2024 new year!