"It's well attended and promotes downtown business"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted Jun 19, 2009 @ 11:44 PM

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FRANKLIN —

Seven-year-old Rebecca Natale nicely summed up the main feature of yesterday's Strawberry Festival: strawberry shortcake.

"It's really, really, really, really, really yummy! I love it," she said, kicking her legs up in excitement.

Her 5-year-old sister, Megan Natale, agreed: "I love it," she said, taking another heaping bite.

It was the family's first time at the town's annual Strawberry Festival, said their mother, Tracy Natale, and the girls couldn't wait for their next bit of festival fun.

"Face painting," they exclaimed.

The sidewalks were full of kids with freshly painted faces, holding balloons in one hand and a parent's hand in the other, happily heading to their next activity.

Read more about the Strawberry Festival in the Milford Daily News here

For my Strawberry Festival photos check here and here

Wells Thompson at Strawberry Festival

New England Revolution midfielder Wells Thompson stopped by the Strawberry Festival in Franklin, MA on Friday afternoon.



Wells and friend Dustin Hinkley liked the strawberry shortcake!

Strawberry Festival Sampler

The forecasted rain may have forced many of the tables indoors but did not dampen the spirits of those attending the Strawberry Festival in downtown Franklin on Friday, June 19th.

The CVS crew were handing out balloons and gift bags. Enzio DiMartino and Lucy LaFreniere were bringing smiles to the kids.



Megan Ellis and Julie Eppus provided gift bags with smiles!



The United Regional Chamber of Commerce has a good contingent of their staff looking up! From left to right: Jack Lank, Jen Osojnicki, Deb Cote, Claire Latino and Irene Pelley.



Jane Curran at her table outside Jane's Frames.



John Kinney provided some music outside Cafe Dolce.



Lisa Jessick of Dream Dinners put some smiles on kids faces by helping them prepare a bag of their personal trail mix.



The Franklin Area Bus also provided a free shuttle ride. Had the rain allowed for the original set up on the Common, this would have been a much utilized feature to bring folks from the Common downtown and return.

"developed powerful programs to address these needs"

Horace Mann Middle School science teacher James Schliefke is at space camp this week after earning a scholarship from Honeywell.

Schliefke, a resident of Franklin, was one of 288 teachers from 16 countries and 47 states chosen to take part in the Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy programs at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

The Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy programs provide teachers with new and innovative techniques to educate their students about science and math.

The programs focus on space science and exploration in a variety of classroom, laboratory and real-life astronaut training, including: a high-performance jet simulation, scenario-based space missions, land and water survival training, and state-of-the-art flight dynamics programs.

Schliefke is the only teacher from Massachusetts chosen to attend.

Read more about this visit to Space Camp on the Wicked Local site here

Schliefke will be posting "Letters from Space Camp" and those can be read here.

"People forget who is downtown"

By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff

Milford Daily News

Posted Jun 18, 2009 @ 10:58 PM

Last update Jun 18, 2009 @ 11:10 PM

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FRANKLIN —

Free champagne, brownies, doughnuts, massages, art and lots of gabbing - that's what you missed out on if you didn't go to "Girls Night Out" last night.

The ladies - and a fair share of men - seemed delighted as they perused downtown businesses and partook of freebies from 6 to 8 p.m. during the Franklin Downtown Partnership's "Third Thursday" event.

"The goal is really education. It's like a giveaway night: Come get something for free and learn about us," said Jane Curran, owner of Jane's Frames and president of the partnership.

As part of the event, a number of businesses offered 15-minute specials, like a 15-minute massage at Salon Sorella, 9 Summer St., lessons on how to design earrings at Sarapan, a bead store at 16 East Central St., or making quilt squares at Emma's Quilt Cupboard, 12 Main St., and proper picture framing at Jane's Frames, 11 East Central St.

Across the way at 9 Summer St., Pretty is Pink owner Lori Rosenberg, who always keeps jars of chocolate kisses and candies throughout the store, gave out bubbly and sweets, and Artbeat Creativity Store staff showed people how to make a beaded votive candle.

Cafe Dolce, 17 East Central St., which hosted a reception for Franklin artist Susan Sheridan's art show and served lattes and desserts, was clearly the hub of last night's activities.

Read more about Third Thursday in the Milford Daily News here

Strawberry Festival - TODAY - 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Due to the rain predicted for the next few days the

Strawberry Festival will be moved inside!

The festival will be Friday the 19th -Rain or Shine

New Location:

Inside Depot Plaza Building (Acapulco's) on 15 Main Street

There will be over 30 crafters, artisans, community groups, vendors, free entertainment, music, crafts, balloons, give-aways and, of course, the Downtown Partnership’s Famous Strawberry Shortcakes!



Some of the highlights include Zumba demonstrations by the YMCA, Punk jump rope, and face painting. ArtBeat will offer free balloons and a children’s “Trash to Treasure” art gallery show. Salon Sorella will offer hair braiding and color hair spraying.

According to Mary Graff, the Festival Chair, “This festival has grown over the years and we have great entertainment lined up. There will be something for every age group!” This year there will be live music at three locations including the East Central Street patio at Café Dolce and the Summer Street Patio. The popular band “Nothing To No One” will perform at the Festival at West Central. “Knuf Said” John Kinney and Jessi Fanuele will be entertaining crowds, as well as “Tunes by Tina” a festival favorite.

Garelick Farms is the Platinum sponsor for this year’s festival.

• Silver sponsors: Dean College and Franklin Newcomers and Friends
• Bronze sponsors: Berry Insurance, Comcast, CVS, Chestnut Dental Associates and Keefe Insurance

A grant from the Mass Cultural Council will help fund the entertainment, and “Ever So Humble” will provide the shortcakes this year! “We really could not have the festival without our generous sponsors,” commented Lisa Piana, Executive Director for the Downtown Partnership.

If it rains the Festival will be held on Saturday from 1:00-6:00. The Farmer’s Market will also be held on Friday and the Garden Club will join the market with their plant sale on the town common. There will plenty of parking available at municipal lots and at Dean College Campus Center.

Visitors this year can ride the “Strawberry Express Bus” provided by GATRA. Pick ups will be at the Town Common at High Street and the Dean College Campus Center.

Strawberry Festival moves indoor!

Due to the rain predicted for the next few days the

Strawberry Festival will be moved inside!

The festival will be Friday the 19th -Rain or Shine

New Location:

Inside Depot Plaza Building (Acapulco's) on 15 Main Street