FM #109 - The Delegate Ladybug Lands in Franklin

The Franklin Delegate ladybug landed on Tuesday, Feb 10th. There was a brief ceremony to acknowledge the landing. Claire Griffin and Kai Olsson of the Franklin Cultural Committee kick off the event.

Franklin delegates to Beacon Hill: Senator Karen Spilka, Representative Jeff Roy and Senator Richard Ross each take a turn to acknowledge this event.

As the recording ends, the group is gathering for a photo. The photos from the event have been posted to Flickr and Facebook for you to view and enjoy.

Listen here:

The Delegate Ladybug

Claire Griffin and Kai Olsson of the Franklin Cultural Council

Left to right: Sen Ross, Rep Roy, Sen Spilka and Delegate Ladybug

Rep Roy speaking about the Ladybug story

Session Notes: - FM #109

The Franklin Delegate ladybug landed on Tuesday, Feb 10th. There was a brief ceremony to acknowledge the landing. Claire Griffin and Kai Olsson of the Franklin Cultural Committee kick off the event.

Franklin delegates to Beacon Hill: Senator Karen Spilka, Representative Jeff Roy and Senator Richard Ross each take a turn to acknowledge this event.

As the recording ends, the group is gathering for a photo. The photos from the event have been posted to Flickr and Facebook for you to view and enjoy.

What was the ladybug project and how did this ladybug land here?

Claire and Beth Simon spearheaded the Ladybug Committee to obtain the 25 ladybugs, solicit sponsors and artists for each of them, coordinate their showing on the Town Common in August, and at the Harvest Festival in October.

The delegate ladybug will now be on display at the Municipal Building to remind us of the story of the ladybug being selected as the state bug for MA.

Money from the fundraising portion of this community art project will be used eventually for a fitting memorial for Palma Johnson, the Kennedy School teacher whose class developed the proposal and successfully petitioned to the State 40 years ago.

This was quite an accomplishment 40 years ago, and equally a good accomplishment during 2014 for the Ladybug project.

Without further ado, here is the recording of the brief ceremony on Tuesday, Feb 10, 2015 at the Franklin Municipal Building.

(recording)

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As I close this special session, let me remind you that

• If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don’t like something, please tell me

It is through this feedback loop that you can help me improve the information I provide for you.

Thank you for listening!

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 and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

You can also subscribe and listen to the audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

Related links:

• The Ladybug story can be found on the Kennedy School webpage

http://kennedyelementary.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinKennedy_Webdocs/ladybugstory

• Copies of the Ladybug story are also available from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s page

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/ciskid/kidlbs/lbsidx2.htm

• The collection of photos of the ladybugs from the showing on the Town Common in August 2014 can be found here

https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157645935226828/

• The same collection of photos can also be found on Facebook here

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150410611444995.1073741875.173205529994&type=3

Clebrating Presidents' Day in MA

If the weather cooperates, something from this list of historic sites provided by MA.GOV would be good to take in on Presidents' Day. Adams National Park and the Coolidge Library are still on my own list of places to visit.

I have visited the Kennedy Library a couple of times and there is always something to learn there.

quote from President Kennedy's 1st Inaugural Address

"All of this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in the our lifetime on this planet. But let it begin."

The recent record-breaking snowfall has affected hours of operation and parking availability for many of these sites. Make sure to call ahead before visiting.

• Take a tour of the Adams National Historical Park and explore the birthplace of our second and sixth U.S. presidents, John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams. The Adams National Historic Park includes a visitor center, a bookstore, a short film, a trolley ride, and tours of each president’s birthplace.
  • Located in Quincy, the park grounds are open year-round and the historic homes reopen this season on April 19. The Visitor Center is open year-round Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for federal holidays.
  • Admission is $5 for adults. Children 16 and under can explore for free.

• Visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and learn about the life of our 35th president. Although the main exhibit halls are closed for renovations until mid-March, the special exhibit “To the Brink: JFK and the Cuban Missile Crisis” is currently open to the public.
  • The museum is located on Boston’s waterfront and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and $10 for veterans and teenagers 13 to 17. Museum members, active duty servicemembers, and children 12 and under are admitted for free.

• Explore the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum, which was established in 1920 and houses a large collection of artifacts and exhibits that tells the story of our 30th president’s life.
  • The Coolidge research library and museum are located in the Forbes Library in Northampton.
  • Museum hours When planning a visit, contact the library by phone at (413) 587-1014 or via email atcoolidge@forbeslibrary.org for additional information.

Make this Presidents’ Day fun-filled and educational. Join Massachusetts as we remember and honor our past presidents, who helped shape our great nation under their leadership.

Shared from the MA GOV page here

http://blog.mass.gov/blog/history/celebrating-presidents-day-in-massachusetts/

FHS Wrestling finishes Second in D1 Central meet

From Hockomock Sports we can share the results of the D1 Central Wrestling sectional meet where Franklin finished second!

FHS Panthers

D1 Central
Team Rankings
2. Franklin 184.5

106
2. Mike Racca, Franklin

113
2. Nick Narducci, Franklin

120
1. Mike Copolla, Franklin

126
1. Dan Pisani, Franklin

132
3. Pat Glynn, Franklin

145
6. Nate Bakalars, Franklin

160
1. Bilal Khan, Franklin

285
2. John Miller, Franklin


For the results of the other Hockomock teams in D2 South follow this link
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/miaa-wrestling-sectionals-hockomock-results

Franklin Library: Liquid Nitrogen Demonstrations

School vacation week, what to do with the kids? Check out the library. In addition to plenty of books there are events scheduled almost every day.

Chris Towle will perform some liquid nitrogen demonstrations on Tuesday at 1:00 PM. Good for kids K and older.

Liquid nitrogen demonstrations scheduled for Tuesday at 1:00 PM

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/02/liquid-nitrogen-demonstrations.html

FHS Winter Sports Results for Friday, Feb 13th

Boys Hockey

Franklin, 2 @ Malden Catholic, 6 - Final - Ryan Spillane gave Franklin a 1-0 lead and Joe Bourque made it 2-1 in favor of the Panthers late in the first period. This is an exclusion game for Franklin and won't count towards playoff seeding.

Girls Basketball

Mansfield, 37 @ Franklin, 44 - Final - Julianne Pisani led the Panthers with 10 points. Jillian Spolidoro had nine points for the Panthers, who had nine players score in the game. Mansfield was led by Jen Peel with 14 points. Jess Stoyle and Alyssa Kelley each added seven points.

Game of the Week - Boys Basketball

Franklin, 51 @ Mansfield, 61 - Final - Junior Nick Baskin had a game-high 18 points for the Hornets, who outscored Franklin by 14 in the second half and won their third straight Kelley-Rex division title. Ryan Boulter added 15 points, five boards and three assists, Michael Boen had a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and six assists and sophomore Matt Ehrlich had seven points, seven boards and three assists. Marcus Giese had a team-high 12 points for Franklin and added nine rebounds, Shawn Hanley had 11 points, Markus Bohmiller had 10 points and Tim Prunier had nine points, six rebounds and four assists.

Mansfield's Michael Boen is guarded by Franklin's Dylan Reno in the second half.
 (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

For additonal results around the Hockomock League Friday night
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-021315

For the 'game of the week' write up
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/mansfield-wears-franklin-down-wins-kelley-rex-title

For the girls Hockomock teams' results in the MIAA indoor track meet
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/miaa-girls-indoor-track-championships-hock-results

For the boys Hockomock teams' results in the MIAA indoor track meet
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/miaa-boys-indoor-track-championships-hock-results

April Hall - rescheduled to April 24

Please Note:  

April Hall has been rescheduled to April 24 due to the impending snow storm on Valentines's Day!

April Hall

Ticket info at THE BLACK BOX Theater can be found here
http://www.theblackboxonline.com/event-2015-01-12-mon-jan/?lang=en

Hockomock Area YMCA Holding Sunday Open House - Feb 15th

The Hockomock Area YMCA welcomes everyone in the community to visit its facilities in North Attleboro, Franklin, and Foxboro on Sunday February 15 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm to join free introductory youth classes run by expert YMCA coaches in the Sports, Gymnastics, Enrichment, and Dance programs. In addition, families will enjoy free Open Swim, Child Watch, Kids Gym, and more. This afternoon of family time is designed to support the Y’s belief that healthy living has as much to do with pursuing interests, passions and learning new things as it does with eating healthy and being active.

youth swimmer

“We’re here to surround every child with support, guidance and fantastic chances to discover and learn,” says Jim Downs, VP of Operations. Whether you’re a current YMCA member and want to try something new or prepare for spring swim lessons by being assessed in the water, or you’ve never visited, you will be made to feel welcome.

Half hour classes running throughout the afternoon will include those in Sports like parent-child All-Star Kids and Basketball Skills; in Gymnastics and Dance, including Boys Super Heroes and Princess Dance; and in Arts & Enrichment, including Me, Mommy & Music, Youth Cooking, and Little Wizards. All in the community are invited to attend and sample a variety of the programs available year-round at the Hockomock Area YMCA.

The Y is about youth development: we strive to help children and teens reach their full potential by helping them grow—physically, mentally and socially—from young children into engaged, active members of their communities.

“This event is a great way for kids who have never been in the water or in a sports class to get comfortable with the experience and to begin to develop life skills and interests,” says Downs. “Or, if your child wants to try a new program, you’ll find dozens of options in a fun, supportive environment,” he adds.

gymnast

Through Y programs, kids have the opportunity to find new talents, try new activities, gain independence, and make lasting friendships and memories. And, of course, it’s fun too.

“Over the years, thousands of children have learned lifelong skills at the Y and we are proud to continue to make events like this available,” Downs says. “It’s really part of the important role the Y plays in our community.”

Call or stop by to pick up a schedule of classes that will be offered for kids, age 18 months – 14 years. Signups will be available starting at 12:30 pm on the day of the event. For more information on the February 15 Open House or programs offered at the Y, please call 508-695-7001 | North Attleboro; 508-528-8708 | Franklin; or 508-543-2523 | Foxboro. Or visit hockymca.org.

Locations: 300 Elmwood Street in North Attleboro; 45 Forge Hill Road in Franklin; 67 Mechanic Street in Foxboro

About Hockomock Area YMCA:

The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility. With over 33,000 members, half under the age of 18, their promise is to partner and collaborate with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. Their programs and activities emphasize the development of the whole person in spirit, mind, and body and are available to all individuals regardless of their ability to pay.