Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Downtown Franklin Springing to Life with Flowers

On May 15, downtown Franklin sprung to life with colorful plants added to barrels, planters and window boxes. The Franklin Downtown Partnership (FDP) and the Franklin Garden Club organized the planting of pink, blue and white flowers to beautify the community.

“This year we held a Covid-19 appropriate beautification effort in the downtown area,” said lead organizer Eileen Mason. “We had designated families or residents be responsible for certain locations. Everyone wore masks outside their family units and we maintained the appropriate distancing. We only requested adult volunteers this year in order to keep us all safe.”

Roberta Trahan, vice president of the FDP, said this project is especially meaningful during this time of social distancing. 

“The planting of flowers and beautification efforts give us hope that life goes on,” Trahan said. “It is a visual reminder to our community that we will get through this. Seeing the flowers brings some joy and growth into this difficult time in our lives.”

Thank you to the following sponsors provided financial assistance to make the beautification efforts possible:
  • PLATINUM-Dean Bank, Fenton Financial Group, Glen Meadow Apartments, and Middlesex Savings Bank
  • GOLD-D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Eileen Mason of RE/MAX Executive Realty, Kelly’s Landscaping Inc., and The Enclave of Franklin
  • SILVER-Chestnut Dental Associates, Keefe Insurance, Oteri and Son Funeral Home, and Vet Med Pet Supplies
  • BRONZE-Berry Insurance and Roche & Roche Law Offices
“Thank you to all who helped pull the beautification effort together this year,” Mason said. “Special thanks to Fairmont Farms for the flowers, the Department of Public Works for helping with watering and mulching and to Melanie Hamblen, owner of Franklin Agway, for donating potting soil and distributing it to all of the containers.”

Special thanks to Vicario Studio for providing these photos.

Downtown Franklin Springing to Life with Flowers
Downtown Franklin Springing to Life with Flowers



New Encore EnHarmonix CD available to order

NEW Encore EnHarmonix Album Available Now! Encore Music Academy and Recording Studios' recording ensemble, the Encore EnHarmonix have released their fourth album, STARS, available now for purchase!

YouTube link = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo60wi8LFDs



All proceeds from the sale of this album go directly to The Encore Music Education Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit, 501[c][3] organization dedicated to providing scholarships and financial aid to music students and programs. 

To order this seventeen-song movie soundtrack album featuring children ages 8 to 18, please call (508) 533-7700 or email: info@wesupportmusic.org and include the phone number where you can be reached. 

Thank you for your support!

School Committee Community Relations Sub Committee Meeting - 5/20/20

Community Relations Sub Committee Meeting

Virtual Meeting (Links in agenda)


Agenda

  • Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes (March 5, 2020)
  • Follow up on community outreach since last meeting
    • Cultural District Collaboration - Postponed
    • “Meet School Committee” - potentially virtually vs. at the library?
  • Community Relations Newsletter - Smore versus Constant Contact
    • Include highlight what we do for kids at all levels
    • Info sheet with budget materials
    • Coronavirus preparedness?


Read more:

Franklin Food Pantry Annual Appeal: You can help the Food Pantry help Rose!

We began planning for our annual appeal before the COVID-19 crisis began. While we are still happy to be able to share Rose’s story with you, we now know that it is even more important than ever that the Pantry keep its doors open and service everyone who has been impacted by this global crisis.

Please read more about Rose’s experience and learn how you can help her and everyone who needs the Pantry.

When Rose graciously invited us into her home to share a cup of tea and her experience at the Pantry, we weren’t expecting to feel such happiness and pride. It is such an honor to be a part of an organization that helps to create and facilitate community and acceptance from the moment one walks through our doors! You help make that happen.

Rose has lived a full life. She has contributed so much to the world and is now at a point where her life circumstance will not change. We know that with a 13% increase in the number of seniors who came to the Pantry last year, our presence makes their life a little easier. Rising medical costs, living on a fixed income, and daily expenses add up. The Pantry helps to alleviate financial stress by providing a place for our neighbors to receive fresh food on a regular basis – all while also providing a sense of community support.

Your donation is critical for the Pantry to continue to provide food, personal care items, and a physical location for our neighbors in need. The Pantry is so much more than a place to get food. We receive no state or town funding and we rely on the generosity of people like you to help to foster this community and continue to make lives better for families, veterans, and seniors – our friends and neighbors. People like Rose.

You can help us make sure that our shelves are always stocked – no matter what time of the year – and that everyone in Franklin has access to healthy food. A gift of any amount makes a difference and you will be supporting your neighbors right here in Franklin.

Suzanne Gendreau                  Lynn Calling
Board Member                          Executive Director
Franklin Food Pantry                Franklin Food Pantry
Fundraising Chair

P.S. – Rose shared that she has recommended the Pantry to friends and has brought in additional people needing help. She knew that the Pantry employees and volunteers would treat her friends with dignity and respect.

P.S.S. You may have seen the exciting news that the Pantry has purchased a new building in Franklin to expand our offerings and better serve our neighbors. While we will need to launch a capital campaign our annual appeal is strictly for operation spending. Thank you!

The Franklin Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization FEIN #04-3272663
https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/

Find the full flyer content with Rose's story in the PDF
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19TLue7Zl2KrTR733CjK2olCosncRiicD/view?usp=sharing

Donate to the Franklin Food Pantry here
Donate to the Franklin Food Pantry here




Let’s Laugh Today Laughter Club is Free EVERY Wednesday at 7:30 PM on ZOOM!

Let’s Laugh Today Laughter Club is on ZOOM! In these challenging times, there is nothing like a good belly laugh to help release stress and anxiety. These laughter exercises and deep breathing help to bring more fresh oxygen into the body and brain helping you feel more energetic and healthy. 

It's a great way to connect with other people through eye contact while remaining socially distant and it is thoroughly up-lifting and immunity-boosting! 

See www.letslaughtoday.com for link to the free ZOOM Meeting EVERY Wednesday at 7:30 PM. All ages are welcome. 

You can sit or stand the entire time. It’s a good time to try something new! Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Master Trainers, Bill and Linda Hamaker.

Let’s Laugh Today Laughter Club is Free EVERY Wednesday at 7:30 PM on ZOOM!
Let’s Laugh Today Laughter Club is Free EVERY Wednesday at 7:30 PM on ZOOM!

Town of Franklin: Reopening resources

A new section has been added to our Coronavirus Information Portal: REOPENING RESOURCES

We will continue to keep it updated as information becomes available. Find Governor Baker's Reopening Massachusetts Report and more here:  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/reopening-resources

Town of Franklin: Reopening resources
Town of Franklin: Reopening resources


Shared from the Town of Franklin Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1262418025875230732?s=09




FTC Consumer Alerts: Credit reports are now free, every week




Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission
by Cathlin Tully - Attorney, Division of Privacy and Identity Protection

If you're feeling anxious about your financial health during these uncertain times, you're not alone. That's why the three national credit reporting agencies are giving people weekly access to monitor their credit report — for free.

Read more
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/05/credit-reports-are-now-free-every-week?

This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.


https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/coronavirus/financial-impact
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/coronavirus/financial-impact