FPAC’S The Nutcracker To Feature Guest Soloists, Professional Orchestra And Area Dancers

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) proudly presents The Nutcracker, bringing special guest artists, a 27-piece orchestra, and some 100 area dancers to one suburban stage. FPAC invites audiences to fall under Drosselmeyer’s dreamy spell and join Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on a journey full of surprises and wonder. 

A popular holiday tradition for more than two decades, The Nutcracker remains a highly anticipated and treasured part of the FPAC season. Set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, the timeless ballet delights the imaginations of audiences young and old with festive magic and colorful splendor. FPAC presents The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 3 at 2 p.m. at the Franklin High School auditorium, 218 Oak Street, in Franklin.

FPAC’s The Nutcracker is choreographed and directed by Cheryl Madeux, who also dances the role of Sugar Plum Fairy. Ms. Madeux formerly danced with the Joffrey Ballet, Hartford Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre (ABT) companies. A summer faculty member for the ABT Young Dancers Program and an examiner for the ABT National Training Curriculum, she is Ballet Director at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts. 

Joseph Jefferies will perform the role of the Cavalier. Jefferies, who also choreographed the Arabian and Waltz of the Flowers dances for this production, danced professionally with Pittsburg Ballet Theater, Ballet Arizona, Ballet Memphis, and Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo. He is an award-winning choreographer, creating more than 30 works for companies including Ballet Memphis, Miami City Ballet, Ballet Trockadero, and Ballet Yuma. 

FPAC performs The Nutcracker Dec 2-3

Rosario Guillen, a student of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, will dance the part of the Nutcracker/Prince, and Aaron Andrade of Lincoln, Rhode Island will perform the role of Dr. Drosselmeyer. FPAC’s The Nutcracker also showcases the talents of scores of area students, ages 6 and older, from many regional communities and local dance schools. A choir will sing the ethereal choral parts that accompany the enchanting Snow Scene that closes the ballet’s first act.

The production features a professional orchestra under the direction of Broadway conductor/arranger Eric Stern. With 19 Broadway shows to his credit, including Shrek, Xanadu, Follies, Parade, and Candide, Stern has recorded over 30 albums. He has performed in concert with renowned artists Audra McDonald, Mandy Patinkin, Barbara Cook, Dawn Upshaw, Dianne Reeves, Deborah Voigt, Jesse Norman, Thomas Hampson, the Irish Tenors, and many others. 

Stern has conducted many of the world’s top orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s and Boston Pops. He won an Emmy for his work for PBS, and his albums have been honored with a Grammy and two Gramophone Awards. He has enjoyed a long association with the National Orchestra of Wales as frequent guest conductor, and he currently teaches conducting at Berklee College of Music.

Founded in 1991, the nonprofit FPAC supports educational arts experiences, quality entertainment and outstanding performance opportunities for professional artists, community performers and students of the arts. With a focus on youth development and a commitment to live music, FPAC celebrates its 27th season. Middlesex Savings Bank and Waters Corporation are FPAC 2017 Holiday Sponsors. 

Tickets are $32-$36. For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or www.FPAConline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

"Nearly 60 Massachusetts municipalities have passed plastic bag measures"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Soon more businesses around the region will be unable to give out single-use plastic bags at checkout counters. Buoyed by a desire to reduce littering and improve the environment, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Sudbury and Wayland are among communities that have adopted regulations on plastic bags through Town Meeting or the Board of Health. Some of the rules have yet to take effect. 

Franklin town councilors considered a measure, but worried about how businesses would be affected. The council has not adopted the proposal, Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said. 

Rules differ from community to community. In general, the regulations prohibit businesses from offering thin-film, single-use plastic bags at checkout counters and allow paper and reusable bags that meet certain requirements. Businesses can use plastic bags for products such as dry cleaning and produce as well as ones that meet other stipulations."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171119/more-communities-move-to-ban-plastic-bags

From the archives

A petition online had been created in May 2016
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/05/petition-to-franklin-town-council.html

FHS students brought their plastic bag proposal to the Town Council in Sep 2016
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/09/town-council-recognizes-helen-huang-and.html

After the Town Council presentation in September, the Economic Development Committee picked up the matter for their meeting Nov 30, 2016 (audio file of the meeting available)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/12/fm122-economic-development-committee.html

Plastic Bag Bylaw

After some contentious discussion and nitpicking, the plastic bag measure was declined to move forward by a unanimous vote. Additional work was acknowledged as required to be done. To the students credit, they took this in stride and are prepared to do the work and bring the measure back.

The text of the proposed bylaw can be found here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczb0FXRTBuSUNBamc/view

FHS students discussing the proposal with the EDC Nov 30, 2016

Due to the heavy rain predicted for Sunday... holiday decorations delayed to noon

Eileen Mason posted in All about Franklin Mass .       Eileen Mason November 18 at 7:19pm   Due to the heavy rain predicted for Sunday morning, we are delaying the decorating to start at 12Noon instead of 9AM. Please pass the word around tonight!!   Like Comment             Facebook         Eileen Mason posted in All about Franklin Mass.     Eileen Mason November 18 at 7:19pm Due to the heavy rain predicted for Sunday morning, we are delaying the decorating to start at 12Noon instead of 9AM. Please pass the word around tonight!! Like Comment         View on Facebook     Edit Email Settings         Reply to this email to comment on this post.             holiday decorations delayed to noon on Sunday

Franklin Food Elves Launch Holiday Drive - “12 Days of Donating” Campaign Celebrates 12th Year

This year the Franklin Food Elves “12 Days of Donating” Campaign marks 12 years of helping neighbors in need during the holiday season. The Elves are putting a new twist on this popular giving tradition with a shift in their collections for the Pantry.

The Elves are changing it up to be a fund only drive. With dozens of food and fund drives underway, the Pantry is out of space to store the inventory. Monetary donations that are collected will be used to buy chicken, beef and other meats, dairy products, eggs, fresh vegetables and fruits.

According to Erin Lynch, the Pantry’s Executive Director, “Our community becomes very involved this time of year in collecting food for the Pantry. We are grateful for the incredible amount of food we receive. But, after the holidays, when end-of-year giving subsides and food drives are infrequent, monetary donations will help us through the lean months that follow.”

“In addition, monetary gifts allow us to buy what we need when we need it. They give us the flexibility we need to provide for the more than 1,000 individuals who count on us. We are also able to purchase food through the Greater Boston Food Bank for much less money than people pay in the grocery store.”

Later this month, the Food Elves will notify their neighbors about how they can support the Pantry. As in the past, they will distribute flyers in their neighborhoods about the Food Elves Drive. Neighbors can make donations in two ways: through a check donation that the elves will pick up personally; or through each Elf's own personal campaign page on CrowdRise. 

CrowdRise is the world’s largest and fastest-growing fundraising platform dedicated exclusively to charitable giving. It is used by millions of individuals to raise money for their favorite charities and causes. Each Elf will be able to keep track of how much each personally raises.

There are more than 130 elementary, middle and high school students involved in the Food Elves. Any student interested in becoming a Food Elf should contact franklinfoodelves2017@gmail.com.

About the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities once a month to more than 1,000 individuals, including nearly 300 children. Clients have access to bread and fresh produce daily during Pantry hours. 

As a nonprofit organization, the Pantry depends entirely on donations, and receives no town or state funding. Other programs include a Mobile Pantry, Cooking Matters classes, a Healthy Futures Market, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages. 

The Pantry is located at 43 W. Central St. in Franklin on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station. Visit franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.

Julia Buccella and Natalie Dextradeur are the Co-Lead Food Elves for the
2017 Campaign (Photo courtesy of Patti Dextradeur.)

Library Building Committee looking for the Dennis Foley family

There is a plaque at the library dedicated to a DENNIS FOLEY. The credenza where the plaque is currently placed is no longer to be used. 

The Library Building Committee is trying to reach members of the Foley family - Dennis was married to Paula and they have both passed away.

The Committee would like to place the plaque on another piece of furniture or, if family desires, they will give the plaque to a family member.

If you have information or are a member of the family please leave a comment here or contact Judith Pfeffer at pfefferjudith@yahoo.com

Library Building Committee looking for members of the Dennis Foley family

Live reporting: Library Building Committee - Nov 14, 2017

Live reporting by Alan Earls for Franklin Matters: Library Building Committee Meeting – Nov. 14, 2017

Committee Members Present: Chair Judith Pfeffer, Sandra Brandfonbrener, Christopher Feeley,Matthew Kelly, Felicia Oti, Nancy Rappa, Jim Roche, Joseph Mullen.

Also in attendance: Michael D’Angelo, Director of Franklin Public Facilities; Shane Nolan, Daedalus Projects Incorporated; Mike Flaherty, Daedalus Projects Incorporated; Brian Valentine, LLB Architects; Judith Lizardi, Recording Secretary, Eamon McCarthy Earls, councilor-elect

Committee Members Absent: Monique Doyle, Thomas Mercer

OVERVIEW: The committee has been meeting monthly before and during the library renovation project and is now focusing on ensuring that final contractual obligations are met and that all necessary elements in the library are functioning properly.

The meeting was called to order by the chair at 5:07 pm. After approving the minutes, the chair asked for an update from Brian Valentine of LLB Architects. He indicated that effort was still being put into finishing items on the ‘punch’ list and trying to finalize a certification of substantial completion. Open items include a desk needing rework and weatherstripping as well as portions of the HVAC system.

Pfeffer noted that the external lawn sprinkler system was completed recently and will be important for maintaining new plantings.

Joe Mullen from Friends of the Library provided a progress report on the sale of memorial or commemorative bricks. To date, 590 have been sold; most have been installed and more will be installed in the spring. At present, according to Mullen, the group is working to prepare Christmas season order forms, which will be promoted around town. Bricks are sold for $50 each.

Mullen also mentioned that the Friends group is teaming up with local veterans who plan to create a commemorative walkway on the common in 2018. By working together, they were able to purchase a pallet of 500 bricks at a more affordable price.

After the completion of Mullen’s presentation, Pfeffer then discussed the status of the credenza currently in the main hall of the library. This large, custom-made piece of furniture served as the library’s reference desk after the 1989 updates and addition. Pfeffer noted that it is marked with a plaque dedicated to Dennis Foley. She indicated that there is really no place for it in the current library and facilities director Michael D’Angelo stated that the credenza is made primarily of particle board and probably needs to be discarded. 

Pfeffer agreed and said she had been unable to reach any members of the Foley family to explain the situation. Councilor Matt Kelly stressed the importance of trying to reach them to express the town’s appreciation for their generosity. Pfeffer said the plaque would be retained and placed elsewhere and expressed the hope that a mention in Franklin Matters might lead to a reconnection with the Foley family.

The “key” presentation of the afternoon came from Shane Nolan, from Daedalus. He provided a “walk through” of a monthly review report. Among the key points:

• Work on roof and eaves should be complete in about two weeks
• Conference room millwork was just completed
• Some door lock and hardware issues remain
• Carpeting was completed in time for opening and final balancing of the HVAC is underway.[D’Angelo mentioned that chillers have just been winterized]
• In the near future training for library staff and town facilities people on various new systems will be conducted.
• End caps have been selected for children’s room shelving [Pfeffer said they are expected in about two weeks]
• Wood trim on archive room should be in place in a few weeks
• Reference desk and children’s staff desk to be refabricated soon

Nolan mentioned that the committee had made a decision earlier in the year to “not rush” the contractors so actual completion was 123 days behind the contracted date. At present nine change orders with a value of more than $32,000 are under review with two other potential changes being tracked.

The original contract value was $6,372,213 and 17 change orders to date added $1,310,305 to that for a current contract value of $7,682,517. This figure is below the $10.5 million approved by the Town Council in 2015.

Nolan indicated “close out” of the project would take 60-90 days. Pfeffer and others on the committee sought assurances that any remaining issues would be handled within that time or addressed subsequently.

The Committee also voted unanimously to approve an additional $30,000 for LLB architects to partially cover their additional costs for working during the additional time period required by the project.

The committee also voted unanimously to approve payment number 19, for DW Construction in the amount of $265,081.07.

Later in the meeting the use of library facilities was discussed and questions about current town policies strictly limiting sales on town properties were mentioned as a potential impediment to attracting library speakers or working with art and garden groups in town. 

Councilor Kelly said he hoped to address that policy and work toward an update, perhaps as soon as the first meeting of the Town Council on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:42 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for December 5, 2017, at 5:00 PM at the library. Weekly construction meetings are also held Fridays at 9:00 AM at t Library

view of the main room from an overlook on the 4th floor

"It’s a wonderful local night out.”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"This year’s Franklin Holiday Stroll is set to be the biggest yet, with dozens of businesses to visit and spread that holiday cheer that’s been pent up all year. 

The ninth annual Holiday Stroll starts on Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. with carolers and hot chocolate on the Dean College campus, before the tree lighting at 4:30, as the sun sets. 

Until 7 p.m., more than 30 participating businesses will have their doors open for tempting treats, special offers and holiday-themed entertainment. A complete list of each business’s activity or offering will be available at the tree lighting ceremony and at participating locations. 

“We’re hearty New Englanders so we’ll put on our hats and coats and stroll through town, visiting our downtown stores and shopping at the outdoor booths,” said Holiday Stroll co-chairman, Roberta Trahan."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171117/franklin-holiday-stroll-set-for-dec-7

Franklin Holiday Stroll to be Thursday, Dec. 7