Poem-A-Day: A Dream Within a Dream by Edgar Allan Poe

The Academy of American Poets publishes a daily email 'Poem-A-Day'. Today is Edgar Allen Poe's birthday.

Edgar Allan Poe was born 205 years ago today, in Boston, Massachusetts. Poe's work as an editor, poet, and critic had a profound impact on American and international literature, and his short stories mark him as one of the originators of both horror and detective fiction. Poe died on October 7, 1849.

A Dream Within a Dream

by Edgar Allan Poe

Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow:
You are not wrong who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.  

I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand--
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep--while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream? 

Today's poem is in the public domain.

You can find the webpage version of this 'Poem-A-Day' here. Follow the link if you would also like to subscribe to receive your own copy of the daily email.

For more about Edgar Allen Poe you can read his entry on wikipedia here or on poets.org here

Franklin Girls Softball Registration

Registration for the 2014 season is open online for all age groups. Please visit the FGSA website at www.fgsafastpitch.org, and click on the registration button on the left hand side. There is just over two weeks left to register, so please sign up right away.

League fees will not be increased this year, Instructional and Intermediate will remain at $115 and Junior and Senior will stay at $135.

Franklin Girls Softball

**REMINDER - All Sixth graders should register for the Junior division and, just like last year, 6th graders will be placed in the division best suited for their skill set to ensure player safety.

There will also be a Walk-In Registration on January 25th at the Elks Club on 1077 Pond St. from 8:30am-11:30am for those that would like to pay with either cash or check.

Players eligible for the JUNIOR and SENIOR leagues, please "SAVE THE DATE" of March 8th for the skills session. It will be held at the Field House at FHS between 9am-3pm. Specific times will be emailed to you, like last year, for when your daughter should arrive, once registration closes.

"The opportunity to lead is a privilege that is earned"

The Milford Daily News reports on the Project 351 'Day of Service' that was held on Saturday. 8th grade students from around the Commonwealth gathered at the State Capital where Governor Deval Patrick was quoted as saying:

"I think having a sense of community is vital to solving every issue facing us, our commonwealth and our country," he said. "It's the notion that we have a common cause, a stake not only in our own struggles, but those of our neighbors as well." 

Ashland ambassador Julia Sicard asked Patrick if, as a youth, he thought he could be governor. Patrick said he had not, but was driven to politics by a desire to stop short-sighted policies. 

Project 351

"I think the way we make government better is to make hard decisions now, which will pay off over time," he said. 

Rebekah Redwine, of Franklin, was among the students who led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140119/NEWS/140118635/1994/NEWS#sthash.0F9cM7f6.dpuf



For more information about Project 351 visit their webpage here  http://project351.com/

"the next generation of transportation"

The Milford Daily News provides an update on the Metrowest area's top 10 traffic and transportation challenges that were identified 10 years ago. There has been progress made.

9. I-495 at Rte. 119 in Littleton and I-495 at Rte. 140 in Franklin 

The Littleton area has seen work in conjunction with development, including a project with developer Sam Park to widen part of Rte. 119, reconstruct sidewalks and add signals and turn lanes. 

Crews improved the Rte. 140 area in Franklin in the mid-2000s by relocating and widening a 1.5-mile stretch of Rte. 140 and improving and widening the 140/495 interchange, according to the MassDOT website. Nagi said there are still some transportation challenges there, including parking at the nearby commuter rail station.

See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140119/NEWS/140118592#sthash.Swa8pjX3.dpuf

Three children, two families, one night of mourning

It seemed most of Franklin was in mourning Friday evening. Walking to the Town Common for the Monroe Family vigil, the line of folks paying their respects for the McGrath Family wound through the parking lot to the sidewalk at the Ginley Funeral Home.

In the Franklin Federated Church parking lot, several media trucks were parked motors running, antennas reaching up and out.

High St was blocked off and the Franklin Police detail were assisting with directing traffic.

The bandstand was lit and drew folks from all sides towards it. As you approached, you could pick up a candle. Individuals, couples, families all flowed towards the bandstand forming a rather quiet circle. Small conversations occurred as neighbors met, or introductions were made.

candlelight

When the notice was given, one light was quietly and effectively passed from candle to candle until all the candles were lit. A single guitar cast its notes into the evening.




Many of the Franklin Interfaith Council were present and each took a turn leading the group in a prayer or reflection.  A singer step up to perform "Amazing Grace"

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

amazing grace

The children were called to gather to assist in the balloon release. The bunches of balloons tied to the railings around the bandstand were distributed. A couple released early one at a time, finding the night sky. Most did hold a good grip until the time was right to release them as the singer performed  "Over the Rainbow"

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I heard of, once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true

balloon release

There was a pause as two larger lanterns were put together and the family moved from one side of the bandstand to the other to assist in their release.. The lanterns quietly flew into the night heading towards Pleasant/Lincoln St until then joined the other star lights in the sky.




Additional ways to provide support are listed here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/supportpossible-in-many-ways.html

As more are announced they will be shared here and on Facebook

FPAC to Present Free Family Concert Series

FPAC's popular Family Concert Series kicks off this season with Ben Rudnick and Friends on February 2 at 1 p.m. at 38 Main Street in Franklin!

Franklin Performing Arts Company

Multiple award winners in family music (including seven Parent's Choice awards), Ben Rudnick and Friends delivers fun for all ages, with an entertaining mix of their own upbeat tunes and original interpretations of familiar songs.

FPAC's Family Concert Series of three Sunday performances continues with Mark Poniatowski Presents Jazz for Kidz on March 2 and Opera for Kids on March 23. Admission is FREE!

In the News: candlelight vigil, biotech training, fund raiser

With tears, music, prayer and glowing lanterns, family, friends and neighbors on Friday night remembered Sean and Lexi Monroe, the brother and sister, who died Sunday in a household accident that touched parents across the nation.

See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140117/NEWS/140118704/1994/NEWS#sthash.skn7YLTo.dpuf

Engineering students at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School will soon have the chance to study in the burgeoning field of biotechnology with the aid of a nearly $100,000 grant.

See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140118/NEWS/140118732/1994/NEWS#sthash.la5VxhPP.dpuf

A yard sale and bake sale are planned for Feb. 9 to benefit the Munroe family whose two children died in a tragic accident.
The sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, 1034 Pond St.
Anyone wishing to donate or for more information, email: my7catz@yahoo.com or franklinyardsale@gmail.com.

See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140117/NEWS/140118885#sthash.3C3XQEko.dpuf