Franklin's 2013 Unsung Heroine

Barbara Rondeau of Franklin was honored as an Unsung Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women on Monday, April 29, 2013 in the Great Hall at the State House in Boston. Representative Jeffrey N. Roy recommended Ms. Rondeau for this recognition because of her extraordinary service to the Franklin community.

She was honored with 82 other Unsung Heroines from throughout Massachusetts. The ceremony included a program hosted by Liz Brunner acknowledging each of the 83 Unsung Heroines of 2013, followed by a group photograph and a Just Desserts reception.

Rep Jeff Roy - Barbara Rondeau

“Barbara A. Rondeau was the ideal candidate for this nomination,” noted Rep. Roy. “Throughout her years of service to the Franklin community, she gave her time, talent, spirit, and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others. She never sought the limelight and returns each year to the task of making Franklin a great place to live.”

The Unsung Heroines are women who don’t always make the news, but truly make the difference. They are the women who use their time, talent and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others and make a difference in their neighborhoods, cities and towns. They are mentors, volunteers and innovators who do what needs to be done without expectations of recognition or gratitude. These women are the glue that keeps a community together and every community has them.

Ms. Rondeau is a lifelong resident and a tireless volunteer in Franklin. She is also a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She volunteers her time in the tax work off program in Franklin and is a long time member of the Franklin Alden Club, a women’s service group dating back to 1893. Barbara is also the chairperson of the “Concerts on the Common” that schedules concerts and children’s entertainment on Franklin’s Town Common during the summer months. Those events are enjoyed by many in the town. Barbara is also chair of the Santa Claus on the Common committee that brings Santa to the common each year to the delight of Franklin’s children and parents alike.

This event was made possible with the support of the following community sponsors: Cape Air, Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College, Casner & Edwards, LLP, Continental Resources Inc., Day Pitney LLP, and the members of MetroWest ATHENA Women. The Commission’s annual Unsung Heroine initiative is underwritten by these private sponsors and the MCSW Trust Fund and no tax dollars are used to fund this event.

The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is an independent state agency that was legislatively created in 1998 to advance women of the Commonwealth to full equality in all areas of life and to promote their rights and opportunities. The MCSW provides a permanent, effective voice for the women of Massachusetts.

MassDOT, AAA Promote E-ZPass

AAA members will be able to obtain E-ZPass transponders!

E-ZPass transponders are now available to AAA members at AAA branches across Massachusetts, including in: Auburn, Boston, Burlington, Framingham, Haverhill, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Newburyport, Newton, North Andover, Peabody, Plymouth, Rockland, Saugus, Waltham and Westwood.

E-ZPass users can forget about keeping cash and change on hand as they skip the line at the cash booths and travel, instead, through dedicated lanes without stopping. As residents begin to plan summer travel, it is important to note that E-ZPass is accepted on toll roads from Maine to Virginia and west to Illinois.

Indeed, the Franklin AAA office is not on the listing but at least the service is expanding. For additional information on the expansion with AAA, pleas visit
http://transportation.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2013/05/massdot-aaa-promote-e-zpass.html?utm_source=feedly

Franklin Library: Using Pinterest

Using Pinterest

Franklin Public Library - 118 Main Street Franklin MA 02038 - 508.520.4940

Farming in Franklin: Then and Now (photo essay)

Alan Earls was the host and collaborated with Seth Rousseau, AkinBak Farm and Nick Hoffman, Hoffman Farm to discuss "Farming in Franklin: Then and Now".

Franklin Historical Museum

A small but engaged audience participated at the Franklin Historical Museum.

Nick Hoffman, Seth Rousseau

The welcoming display

farming display

The bust of Benjamin Franklin keeps an eye on the historical displays

Benjamin Franklin

The presentation document

Farming In Franklin from Franklin Matters

Thanks to Alan for sharing the presentation document with us all.

Recycling event - May 25

At the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School on Pleasant St in Franklin, MA

recycling event - May 25

Electronic and bicycles

recycle your bicycle

A similar recycling event was held in October 2011
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/recycle-electronics-and-bikes-today.html

"may have the chance to travel to China"

"What better place for today’s young people to visit than the next super power," said Michael Walsh, the trip’s organizer and a Franklin High social studies teacher. "They are calling this the Chinese century. There seems to be a lot of opportunity for kids to visit European nations, so we were just thinking about another region of the globe for our students to explore. We thought, ‘Why not China?’" 

The trip, offered through the global academic company EF Education First, will run almost two weeks and take students on tours of Xi’an, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Beijing. In Beijing, the country’s capital, they’ll walk atop the Great Wall of China, see Tiananmen Square, and visit the Forbidden City. 

The trip, which the School Committee approved last week, will cost around $30,000 — $2,500 per student. Plane tickets, hotel rooms, meals and tours are included in the price. 

"It will be completely student-funded," Walsh said. "We will do whatever we can as far as group fundraising."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1039445046/Franklin-teacher-plans-China-trip#ixzz2Tp7f81Ph

Rep Roy: Jefferson 4th Graders visit State House

Eighty Jefferson Elementary 4th Graders from Franklin took a field trip to Boston where they enjoyed a State House tour. The 4th Graders, accompanied by four teachers and a number of parent chaperones got the opportunity to take the guided tour, enter and see the House of Representatives’ Chamber and speak with their State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D), State Senator Richard Ross (R) and representative from State Senator Karen Spilka’s office. 

“It was great to see such an engaged group of 4th Graders from Jefferson Elementary School,” noted Representative Jeffrey Roy (D – Franklin). “We had some great discussions about what we do in the State House and several expressed interest in working here someday. I hope to have the chance to work with them.” 

Jefferson 4th Graders

“A visit to the State House is an excellent way to give our students the opportunity to experience our state’s history first hand,” said Senator Karen Spilka. “It is important for them to have an understanding of state government and their valuable role in civic engagement.” 

“I truly enjoyed meeting with the students and teachers from Jefferson Elementary School,” said Senator Richard Ross. “It is so heartening to meet with students who are engaged and interested in state government, as well as the rich history of the Massachusetts State House.”