Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 1/26/18 - THU 2/1/18

FRIDAY 1/26/18
9am   Winter Concert (3, 4 and 5 grade) @ Oak Street Elementary
10am-12pm   Knitting Group @ Franklin Public Library
11:30am   Mommy and Me Fitness (ages 3-8) @ Fairmount Fruit Farm

SATURDAY 1/27/18
10am-1pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
10am-12pm   Franklin Town Government 101 @ Franklin Public Library
10am   Animal Tales (ages 2.5-5) @ Fairmount Fruit Farm
10:30am   Book Character Costume Party @ Franklin Public Library
4pm   First Book Club Meeting at the Farm @ Fairmount Fruit Farm
7pm   Wine Tasting (fundraiser for FHS All Night Party) @ Franklin Liquors
8pm   Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Seth Glier @ FUSF

SUNDAY 1/28/18
7:30-10:30am   Sunday Breakfast @ Franklin Rod and Gun Club
1-4pm   Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Fundraiser @ Pour Richard’s
1-4pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
2-4pm   Chess Group @ Franklin Public Library
4pm   The Black Box Classical Series: Irina Fainkichen and Irina Kotlyar @ The Black Box
6pm   SCREENAGERS @ New England Chapel

MONDAY 1/29/18
10am   Free Storytime (all ages) @ Fairmount Fruit Farm
10:30am   Move Along @ Franklin Public Library
11am   Toddler Playgroup @ Franklin Public Library
3pm   Monday Crafternoons @ Franklin Public Library
6pm   Elementary Strings and Choir Concert @ Horace Mann MS

TUESDAY 1/30/18
10:30am   Get Ready for Kindergarten @ Franklin Public Library
11:15am   Toddler Playgroup @ Franklin Public Library
1pm   Three TED Talks @ Franklin Senior Center
6pm   Elementary Band Concert @ Horace Mann MS
6:30pm   Relay For Life (Western Norfolk County) Kick Off Party @ Cole’s Tavern
6:30pm   Wine Glass Painting (Valentine’s Day Special) @ Fairmount Fruit Farm
7pm   Guided Meditation for Stress Relief with Suzi Purcell @ Franklin Public Library
7:30pm   The Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra - Open Rehearsal @ FHS

WEDNESDAY 1/31/18
10am   Animal Tales (for ages 2.5-5) @ Fairmount Fruit Farm
10am   Roulette Fun @ Franklin Senior Center
10:30am   Terrific Toddlers @ Franklin Public Library
11am   Toddler Playgroup @ Franklin Public Library
4pm   Construction Junction @ Franklin Public Library
6:30pm   Christian Zen Weekly Meditation @ McMahon Guest House (1061 Upper Union Street)

THURSDAY 2/1/18
8:30am   FDP General Meeting @ Dean College (Campanella Board Room)
9:30am   Baby Tummy Time (ages 0-18 months) @ Franklin Public Library
10:30am   Story and Craft @ Franklin Public Library
11:15am   Toddler Playgroup @ Franklin Public Library
7pm   Cultural Connections @ Franklin Historical Museum
7pm   Healing Hearts Community Support Group @ Franklin YMCA 

For the Town of Franklin Public Calendar click HERE.

For all other events and Franklin happenings click HERE.

*To submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this FORM

Jane Curran Announces Retirement; Jane’s Frames for Sale

After 23 years owning and operating Jane’s Frames in downtown Franklin, Jane Curran is happy to announce her retirement and plans to sell her shop, located at 11 East Central St. The store will be open for business through March 30.

Curran is retiring from the custom framing business to concentrate on creating her own artwork and to spend more time with her nine grandchildren, and she admits she will miss her daily interactions with her customers.

“I have learned so much from all the people I’ve interacted with,” Curran says of her more than 6,000 customers. “I live vicariously through their travels, their adventures.”

Curran doesn’t intend to take it easy in her retirement. She already has plans to teach Zentangle classes and work on various art projects, and she looks forward to exploring new ways to express her creativity.

“I opened Jane’s Frames as a way to do my art, but I have no time to do my art,” she says, laughing. “And now I want to spend time with my husband, travel, and enjoy my grandchildren while they’re still young.”

Jane Curran Announces Retirement; Jane’s Frames for Sale

Jane’s Frames originally opened on Main Street, moving to its present location in the historic Cataldo Building on East Central Street in 2002. While busy with custom framing projects, Curran also co-founded the Franklin Downtown Partnership, a non-profit organization working to revitalize the downtown area.

Curran channeled her creativity and energy into helping create events such as the Harvest Festival, the Strawberry Stroll, and the Holiday Stroll. She organized community art projects and progressive dinners, volunteered each year with beautification efforts, and worked tirelessly to raise awareness and draw residents and visitors to downtown Franklin.

Along with her Partnership work, Curran also has been an active member of the Professional Picture Framers Association, the Franklin Art Association, the Stony Brook Camera Club and other community groups, all interests she hopes to keep up with after selling her store.

Curran is currently accepting offers for her business, which includes 1,700 square feet of showroom and workshop space plus inventory. Interested parties should contact Eileen Mason at (508) 330-4234.

For more information, contact Jane Curran at (508) 528-3256 or email her at janesframes60@gmail.com. Visit her website, janesframes.com, to learn more about her framing, art for sale, photo restoration and classes.

"focuses on making sure the student’s time in athletics is also a learning experience"

In the arena of "Where are they now?" Christopher Schmidt, former vice principal at FHS is doing well as Athletic Director at Nipmuc Regional HS. 

Has it already been three years?  From the Milford Daily News and Twitter 

"Only three years into the job, Nipmuc Regional High School Athletic Director Christopher Schmidt has gained statewide recognition for his morale and achievements. 

Schmidt was awarded the Massachusetts Secondary School Athletic Directors’ Association (MSSADA) Theodore “Ted” Damko Award because of his clear dedication to student athletics, and overall attitude, according to Principal John Clements. 

The Damko Award is granted to athletic directors in Massachusetts that have been on the job for three to five years. There are awards for each individual district, and an overall state winner, which Schmidt was named. 

“When Chris joined us, one of things we recognized about him is how passionate he is about being an athletic director,” Clements said. “He just hit the ground running. He’s had so much impact not only with success on the field, but more importantly in the pride behind Nipmuc Athletics.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180125/nipmuc-high-ad-wins-statewide-award

#NipmucPride is excited to announce that Athletic Director Christopher Schmidt has been selected for state-wide recognition as the recipient of the MA Secondary School Athletic Directors’ Association Theodore “Ted” Damko Award.” Congratulations Mr. Schmidt! pic.twitter.com/JYmptqa0IC

— Mendon-Upton RSD (@MendonUptonRSD) January 22, 2018

Nipmuc Regional HS Athletic Director Christopher Schmidt

Sports Classes Begin February 5

Badminton & Volleyball Coming Your Way This Spring

Franklin Public Schools           Lifelong Learning Institute Presents Sports For Spring 2018 Badminton  - Beginning Feb. 7  Get ready to rally! Badminton is a racquet sport that can be played by either two people (singles) or four people (doubles).  Unlike other racquet sports, badminton involves hitting a shuttlecock - a cone-shaped projectile that moves differently than a ball. Able to reach much higher speeds than a ball, the shuttlecock makes for a fast-paced game - making badminton the ideal sport for those who like to be kept on their toes.  Register online Intermediate Coed Volleyball Beginning Feb. 5, Volleyball is back  and better than ever! This 14 week course will provide a strong foundation in the basics of volleyball. The mechanics of passing, setting, and spiking will be the focus, as well as the importance of good positioning. A fun, competitive time is guaranteed for all!   Register online Advanced Coed Volleyball Beginning February 6, Volleyball is back!  An open, fun and competitive environment for experienced volleyball players. Players are expected to have experience at the high school team, college or club league level. Yankee league rating of C or higher is recommended. This is NOT a class for novices or occasional recreational players. Players must have good ball control skills, court awareness and technique.   Register online Contact Brenda Reed, Director Lifelong Community Learning 508-613-1480 LCL@franklinps.net  www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com

FPS- LifeLong Learning, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by lcl@franklinps.net in collaboration with Try it free today

FBRTC's January Fundraiser at Pour Richard's - Jan 28

The SNETT trail is one of the hidden gems in Franklin. Regular readers will recognize that I walk there frequently. I always find it amazing to stop and think about how the trail was built. The Franklin section is relatively flat. There is one section after Spring St where there was blasting done at some point to cut through a stone ridge. The cut was done many years ago and not like the pristine cuts we are familiar with along the major interstate highways.

The Bellingham section, between Prospect St and Center St is more amazing as you find yourself elevated well above the surrounding terrain. Stop and think about how they did that? That would have been done in the days of horse or donkey draw carts with hand tools, picks and shovels. That was a whole lot of earth to move to lay out the train line.

I don't forget those nameless workers as I walk and enjoy what they have prepared for us to enjoy years later. You can have an easier time helping the Rail Trail Committee continue its work to improve upon the existing trail conditions.

"Join us for our annual FUNdraiser at Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits on Sunday, January 28, 1-4 PM.
Tickets are $10/person.

Pour Richard's will be offering beer and wine tastings. We will have snacks, door prizes, and live entertainment by pianist Patrick Durkin (2-3 PM). 

Come learn more about the trail and Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee.

All proceeds from the tickets are 100% donation to the FBRTC and Pour Richard's is donating portion of the proceeds from event sales. Stock up for the Super Bowl!"

Find the Rail Trail FUNdraising event on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/events/1989907701294771/

town line marker as you return to Franklin from Bellingham

a section of the Bellingham stretch, off to the left of this photo is where you really see the land drop off

the section cut out of the rocks in Franklin can be wet as it is a low point
but there is almost always a dry path on the side

new sign for the trail entrance along Spring St in Franklin

For more information about the Rail Trail visit their webpage
http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

In the News: election day registration proposed; GIC decision being reviewed

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

"Beginning next year, Massachusetts voters would be able to register to vote on the same day they cast their ballots, under a new proposal from Secretary of State William Galvin. 

Galvin announced Thursday that he is proposing legislation that would allow Massachusetts residents who are otherwise eligible to vote to go to their local polling place on Election Day, complete a registration form, and vote immediately afterward. Current law requires voters to be registered at least 20 days before an election in which they plan to vote. 

“Election Day registration has been shown to be one of the simplest and more effective ways of increasing voter participation, with administrative costs much lower than many other proposals to do the same thing, because it combines the act of registration and voting,” Galvin said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180125/galvin-proposes-same-day-voter-registration-in-mass

"The Group Insurance Commission, relenting to days of withering criticism over its decision to limit health plan offerings to nearly 450,000 state employees and retirees, plans to reconsider that plan when it meets next week. 

The GIC has a meeting scheduled for next Thursday when it was supposed to consider benefit design within the three providers -- UniCare, Neighborhood Health and Health New England -- that were selected to sell plans through the agency after a procurement process. 

The agency now says it will put a motion for reconsideration of the 8-5 vote held Jan. 18 on its agenda for the Feb. 1 meeting. 

At the meeting last Thursday, the GIC voted to eliminate three of the six insurance carriers that offer coverage to the nearly 450,000 state employees and retirees. The change eliminates Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Fallon Community Health and Tufts Health Plan as carriers, and would save the state an estimated $20.8 million next year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180125/group-insurance-commission-relents-on-state-employee-health-plan-changes

FPAC’s Free Family Concert Series presents the New England Percussion Ensemble

Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual free Family Concert Series continues this season with the New England Percussion Ensemble on Sunday, February 4 at 1 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street, in downtown Franklin. 

A treasured FPAC tradition for more than two decades, Family Concert Series events are especially geared to children in length and format and provide young audiences with a fun introduction to the world of live music. Offered free to the public, the special concerts feature talented, professional musicians in an engaging and entertaining way.

The New England Percussion Ensemble specializes in presenting creative and energetic audience-interactive enrichment programs to youngsters. Featuring professional percussionist/educators, the ensemble has presented programs for more than 20 years, blending elements of information, performance, and hands-on participation. 

Their “Language of the Ancients” program is a journey through time, explored with imagination, inventiveness, and creativity, to discover the many melodic, rhythmic, and tonal possibilities of percussion. An audience hands-on ensemble concludes the program.

FPAC’s 2018 Family Concert Series is sponsored by Berry Insurance. For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.FPAConline.com or www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com.

New England Percussion Ensemble