"Curiosity killed the cat" is an old saying probably based upon some truth, passed down and now lost. The message though is one of caution, don't go too far, don't explore, don't learn what is at the edges. Not a good message for a world where life long learning is becoming a requirement.
James Cameron tells the story of how following his curiosity has resulted in Avatar! His learning about leadership and teamwork built upon a bond of respect is wonderful.
"Failure is an option, fear is not"
Let's move from curiosity and fear to dance. The body is a wonderful thing. It possesses such great moves. Some moves were recently seen during the Olympics when the snowboarders showed off their flips and twists, the ice skaters performed their Triple Lutz and Quad jumps. Watch this piece on what these dancers can do.
Just imagine if some of these moves worked their way on to a snowboard or the ice rink? What would it be like?
The advances these dancers have made exploring the limits of what their bodies can do, has been fostered by the internet. Easy access, cheap video, "keeping up with the Jones"... driven by curiosity.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the two videos shown here.
Franklin, MA
Saturday, March 13, 2010
HMEA 5K Race/Walk - May 23rd
The Horace Mann Education Associates - HMEA, Inc. is located here in Franklin, MA but their effective service delivery is to over 100 communities in MA.
The annual fund raiser for HMEA is the 5K Race/Walk and Family Fun Day scheduled for May 23, 2010.
In addition to working the road race registration table (and providing splits at the 2 mile mark), I have decided to help HMEA do some fund raising this year.
I love the quote from Horace Mann that they use on their History page:
You can help the HMEA make a difference with a donation. I have a widget in the center column of this and my other blogs, should you choose to donate an amount within your means.
I will appreciate it.
The HMEA clients you help will too!
-----
If you would like to register for the race you can do so here
http://www.hmea.org/events.html
If you'd like you can contribute in one of several options directly through the HMEA website here
http://www.hmea.org/donations.html
HMEA has a long history of providing innovative services in school, at work, at home and in the community and now serve over 2400 children and adults with developmental disabilities. Services include: Residential, Day and Family supports, and services for children.
HMEA's Employment Programs provides people with disabilities the opportunity to pursue meaningful employment either on a full- or part-time basis. For people in the Employment Program who work part-time, HMEA encourages volunteering for community organizations, or leisure and recreation activities to supplement their day.
HMEA's Employment Programs serve people 22 years of age and older who live within the commuting distance of program locations in the following cities and towns: Bellingham, Clinton, Hopedale, Plainville and Worcester
SAVE THE DATE...Sunday, May 23, 2010 HMEA's 9th Annual Independence 5K Walk/Run in the Park - MARK YOUR CALENDARS and grab your sneakers to participate in this "Fun-filled Family Day fundraising event...
This event, which is hosted by our good friends at EMC2 Corporation in Franklin, MA gathers 2,000 or more people to help HMEA continue its mission to make a difference in people's lives. AND, all the money raised is returned to the many programs at HMEA, which supports 2,400 children and adults with intellectual challenges and developmental disabilities.
Once again we have Gene Lavanchy from Fox News25 and tentatively Gail Huff from WCVB-TV Channel performing hosting duties for us. And our great friends and inspiration to many, "TEAM HOYT", Dick and Rick will be on hand again this year -- plus we're pretty sure there will be a few other celebrities and mascots on hand as well!
So come on down and participate in the fun...there's raffle prizes, food, tee shirts for participants (while they last), prizes, a Kids Corner filled with games and activities, a Kids "FUN RUN" and so much more...
In addition to working the road race registration table (and providing splits at the 2 mile mark), I have decided to help HMEA do some fund raising this year.
I love the quote from Horace Mann that they use on their History page:
"Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity"
You can help the HMEA make a difference with a donation. I have a widget in the center column of this and my other blogs, should you choose to donate an amount within your means.
I will appreciate it.
The HMEA clients you help will too!
-----
If you would like to register for the race you can do so here
http://www.hmea.org/events.html
If you'd like you can contribute in one of several options directly through the HMEA website here
http://www.hmea.org/donations.html
Friday, March 12, 2010
Franklin, MA: Library Tour (video)
How many styles of Greek columns are used in the Library building?
The answer to that can be found by taking a tour of the library. The tour will help you understand more about how the Franklin Library is really one of our treasures.
Have you taken the tour?
I haven't but when I stopped by recently to get some Dr Seuss books, I found out about a video tour that was available on DVD. Could the video be converted to share on a website? Yes, it could.
While a real 'in person' tour, is the best way to view the library, you can take a tour of the library from the luxury of your own computer. Click a view the video, it will be a well spent 35 minutes!
The video will also be posted to the Library website.
The video was put together by The Preservation Committee for the 100th Anniversary celebration of the library in 2004. Many thanks to the great time and effort put into this by Donna Estey, Ann Arpin, and Hugh Bolton in particular amongst the many involved in the production.
Note: for email subscribers, you will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video.
The answer to that can be found by taking a tour of the library. The tour will help you understand more about how the Franklin Library is really one of our treasures.
Have you taken the tour?
I haven't but when I stopped by recently to get some Dr Seuss books, I found out about a video tour that was available on DVD. Could the video be converted to share on a website? Yes, it could.
While a real 'in person' tour, is the best way to view the library, you can take a tour of the library from the luxury of your own computer. Click a view the video, it will be a well spent 35 minutes!
The video will also be posted to the Library website.
The video was put together by The Preservation Committee for the 100th Anniversary celebration of the library in 2004. Many thanks to the great time and effort put into this by Donna Estey, Ann Arpin, and Hugh Bolton in particular amongst the many involved in the production.
Note: for email subscribers, you will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video.
Business After Hours
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce held a "Business After Hours" networking event at Dean College Thursday evening.
Dean College was a gracious host, with good food and refreshments in their newly renovated Library and Learning Center on the Dean campus. President Paula Rooney was amongst the several Dean representatives present.
Jack Lank, President of the United Regional Chamber, welcomed everyone. Jay Leiendecker, Vice President at Dean gave some brief remarks as did Jeff Nutting, Franklin Town Administrator.
A number of business people from outside Franklin came to the event to meet business folks from Franklin and help share what they do to spread the word and expand their business.
With as many people as were at the event, I could not get to talk with all. Those whom I did get to talk with were interesting. Some highlights were:
This is just a sample of the conversations available at Business After Hours. Consider finding out more about the United Regional Chamber of Commerce and their operations by visiting their website, calling one of their offices, or contacting me. You don't have to be a member to attend their Business After Hours, you can attend as a guest.
Why do I spend time at such events? You may have heard me say/write that something like a split tax is not a solution to our budget problems. A split tax rate creates two classes of taxpayers and attempts to shift the burden from the residential to the commercial/industrial base. That simply makes it harder to do business in Franklin. What we really need to do is not split the pie but make the pie larger! Increasing business opportunity in Franklin is one way to help our overall budget issues. The opportunity to meet and talk with the business folks is priceless!
Creating opportunities for business to operate successfully in Franklin is what matters.
Franklin, MA
Jack Lank, President of the United Regional Chamber, welcomed everyone. Jay Leiendecker, Vice President at Dean gave some brief remarks as did Jeff Nutting, Franklin Town Administrator.
A number of business people from outside Franklin came to the event to meet business folks from Franklin and help share what they do to spread the word and expand their business.
With as many people as were at the event, I could not get to talk with all. Those whom I did get to talk with were interesting. Some highlights were:
Did you know that Digital Credit Union is developing an application to take a picture of a check with your smartphone to create a deposit into your account without having to actually bring the check to the teller or ATM machine? I will talk further with Thomaz Demoura, Branch Manager of the DCU office on RT 140 to understand how this will work.
Did you know that if you'd like to hold an outdoor wedding in the area that Country Gardens, a bed and breakfast with a special events facility would be a good place to consider? Located approximately two miles from LaSalette Shrine, I will be talking with Ralph Arguin to find out more about their services.
You may recall a conversation with Linda Waters, President, Back to Business, that I reported here from the Harvest Festival last September. The Confidence Beads that were in development are now ready and available. I will be finding out more to bring back and share here.
Why do I spend time at such events? You may have heard me say/write that something like a split tax is not a solution to our budget problems. A split tax rate creates two classes of taxpayers and attempts to shift the burden from the residential to the commercial/industrial base. That simply makes it harder to do business in Franklin. What we really need to do is not split the pie but make the pie larger! Increasing business opportunity in Franklin is one way to help our overall budget issues. The opportunity to meet and talk with the business folks is priceless!
Creating opportunities for business to operate successfully in Franklin is what matters.
Franklin, MA
"take advantage of the opportunity"
Months before they even get a diploma, some Franklin High School seniors are preparing to head into the real world.
Beginning its second year, the school's senior project course gives 35 seniors a taste of being part of the work force before they graduate.
"Senior project is the smartest and best thing that Franklin High School has done for its students," said 2009 graduate John Congdon, who participated last year.
Franklin students get a taste of the real world
from The Milford Daily News News RSSFranklin, MA
2nd Fund Raising Event for Abbey Candy House
FRIENDS of the ABBEY
In
In
SPORTS AND SONG
Come join with us in Sports
MATT LIGHT
PATRIOTS Offensive Tackle
(Six Division Championships, Four Conference Titles,
Three Super Bowl Championships)
Three Super Bowl Championships)
AUTOGRAPH SIGNING – PATRIOTS MEMORABILIA
Come join with us in Song
AYLA BROWN
– former American Idol finalist from season 5:
(Boston College Eagles Basketball)
(Boston College Eagles Basketball)
SILENT AUCTIONS, RAFFLES, DOOR PRIZE
ADMISSION: ADULTS $10.00
Children Free - Cash/Checks only
Where: Lake Pearl Luciano’s
When: April 11, 2010
2:00 to 4:00 P.M.
Creek St., Wrentham, Ma.
Mt. St. Mary’s Abbey – 300 Arnold St. – Wrentham, Ma. 02093
Phone: 508 528 1282 Web www.msmabbey.org
Thursday, March 11, 2010
solar compactor down at the track
The solar powered trash compactor has been moved to the Franklin High School Track. As I recall this had been positioned downtown, opposite the Post Office, under a tree. I recall musing, would it get enough solar attention under the tree? Maybe it wasn't or maybe it was decided that this would be a better place.
Either way, as I ran my workout at the track today, I noticed it there. It may have been positioned here earlier. With the winter weather this was the first time for me to get to the track this year. I look forward to getting there more often now that the weather is breaking.
Franklin, MA
Either way, as I ran my workout at the track today, I noticed it there. It may have been positioned here earlier. With the winter weather this was the first time for me to get to the track this year. I look forward to getting there more often now that the weather is breaking.
Franklin, MA
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