Thanks to Erik Kastner for Spell with Flickr
Sunday, June 21, 2009
News roundup: elderly transportation
Alternate forms of transportation for the elderly
When it comes to the debate on elderly drivers and safety on the roads, Franklin senior center Director Karen Alves wants to ensure one point is not lost in the shuffle: adequate public transportation alternatives.
"Otherwise, you're condemning them to life in their apartment or house," she said, given an embarrassing loss of independence and a desire to avoid becoming a burden. "These folks do not want to ask people to help them, and who can blame them?"
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Seniors weigh in on driving restrictions
With Massachusetts lawmakers considering more stringent regulations on drivers over the age of 85, area residents who would be affected had mixed feelings about how additional tests should be implemented.
Richard King, 87, did not give a second thought when he drove to the Fairbank Senior Center in Sudbury on Wednesday.
"I'm almost 90 and still driving, and you better believe it," he said while stuffing envelopes for the Center's weekly senior bulletin.
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What age is too old to drive?
With recent accidents by elderly Bay State drivers a hot topic of conversation among her senior center clientele this week, Director Joanne Duffy sat in her Ashland office this week and contemplated new licensing proposals.
"I don't know the answer," she said. "I'm torn. A lot of people are OK with it. They're confident in their driving abilities and feel they'll pass. At the other end, they feel they're being singled out."
Concern over physically or mentally impaired older drivers has resurfaced this month after a trio of serious accidents.
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My two cents: There should not be a specific age test requirement, age is only one factor. The ability to drive safely is really the concern.
"The reluctance to admit it's time, that is an issue,"
What do you think about elderly drivers?
Saturday, June 20, 2009
"It's well attended and promotes downtown business"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
Seven-year-old Rebecca Natale nicely summed up the main feature of yesterday's Strawberry Festival: strawberry shortcake.
"It's really, really, really, really, really yummy! I love it," she said, kicking her legs up in excitement.
Her 5-year-old sister, Megan Natale, agreed: "I love it," she said, taking another heaping bite.
It was the family's first time at the town's annual Strawberry Festival, said their mother, Tracy Natale, and the girls couldn't wait for their next bit of festival fun.
"Face painting," they exclaimed.
The sidewalks were full of kids with freshly painted faces, holding balloons in one hand and a parent's hand in the other, happily heading to their next activity.
Read more about the Strawberry Festival in the Milford Daily News here
For my Strawberry Festival photos check here and here
Wells Thompson at Strawberry Festival
New England Revolution midfielder Wells Thompson stopped by the Strawberry Festival in Franklin, MA on Friday afternoon.
Wells and friend Dustin Hinkley liked the strawberry shortcake!
Wells and friend Dustin Hinkley liked the strawberry shortcake!
Strawberry Festival Sampler
The forecasted rain may have forced many of the tables indoors but did not dampen the spirits of those attending the Strawberry Festival in downtown Franklin on Friday, June 19th.
The CVS crew were handing out balloons and gift bags. Enzio DiMartino and Lucy LaFreniere were bringing smiles to the kids.
Megan Ellis and Julie Eppus provided gift bags with smiles!
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce has a good contingent of their staff looking up! From left to right: Jack Lank, Jen Osojnicki, Deb Cote, Claire Latino and Irene Pelley.
Jane Curran at her table outside Jane's Frames.
John Kinney provided some music outside Cafe Dolce.
Lisa Jessick of Dream Dinners put some smiles on kids faces by helping them prepare a bag of their personal trail mix.
The Franklin Area Bus also provided a free shuttle ride. Had the rain allowed for the original set up on the Common, this would have been a much utilized feature to bring folks from the Common downtown and return.
The CVS crew were handing out balloons and gift bags. Enzio DiMartino and Lucy LaFreniere were bringing smiles to the kids.
Megan Ellis and Julie Eppus provided gift bags with smiles!
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce has a good contingent of their staff looking up! From left to right: Jack Lank, Jen Osojnicki, Deb Cote, Claire Latino and Irene Pelley.
Jane Curran at her table outside Jane's Frames.
John Kinney provided some music outside Cafe Dolce.
Lisa Jessick of Dream Dinners put some smiles on kids faces by helping them prepare a bag of their personal trail mix.
The Franklin Area Bus also provided a free shuttle ride. Had the rain allowed for the original set up on the Common, this would have been a much utilized feature to bring folks from the Common downtown and return.
Friday, June 19, 2009
"developed powerful programs to address these needs"
Horace Mann Middle School science teacher James Schliefke is at space camp this week after earning a scholarship from Honeywell.
Schliefke, a resident of Franklin, was one of 288 teachers from 16 countries and 47 states chosen to take part in the Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy programs at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
The Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy programs provide teachers with new and innovative techniques to educate their students about science and math.
The programs focus on space science and exploration in a variety of classroom, laboratory and real-life astronaut training, including: a high-performance jet simulation, scenario-based space missions, land and water survival training, and state-of-the-art flight dynamics programs.
Schliefke is the only teacher from Massachusetts chosen to attend.
Read more about this visit to Space Camp on the Wicked Local site here
Schliefke will be posting "Letters from Space Camp" and those can be read here.
"People forget who is downtown"
Milford Daily News
FRANKLIN —
Free champagne, brownies, doughnuts, massages, art and lots of gabbing - that's what you missed out on if you didn't go to "Girls Night Out" last night.
The ladies - and a fair share of men - seemed delighted as they perused downtown businesses and partook of freebies from 6 to 8 p.m. during the Franklin Downtown Partnership's "Third Thursday" event.
"The goal is really education. It's like a giveaway night: Come get something for free and learn about us," said Jane Curran, owner of Jane's Frames and president of the partnership.
As part of the event, a number of businesses offered 15-minute specials, like a 15-minute massage at Salon Sorella, 9 Summer St., lessons on how to design earrings at Sarapan, a bead store at 16 East Central St., or making quilt squares at Emma's Quilt Cupboard, 12 Main St., and proper picture framing at Jane's Frames, 11 East Central St.
Across the way at 9 Summer St., Pretty is Pink owner Lori Rosenberg, who always keeps jars of chocolate kisses and candies throughout the store, gave out bubbly and sweets, and Artbeat Creativity Store staff showed people how to make a beaded votive candle.
Cafe Dolce, 17 East Central St., which hosted a reception for Franklin artist Susan Sheridan's art show and served lattes and desserts, was clearly the hub of last night's activities.
Read more about Third Thursday in the Milford Daily News here
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