Chalk walk on the SNETT (photo essay)

Helen and Harriet Chalk took a walk on the SNETT trail this past weekend and sent in this photo essay. My thanks to the Chalk's for sharing their fun time on the SNETT.


the perfect day for a walk on the Franklin stretch of the SNETT

SNETT in Franklin

We decided to explore some of the smaller trails leading from the SNETT

exploring a side trail

The perfect trail for adventurous preschoolers!

up and down the trail

Just the bridge for a game of 'Pooh sticks'. Every family member finds a small stick, drops it in the water and watches the sticks race down the stream. First stick to reach the finish line of your choice wins.

Pooh sticks bridge

Beauty and tranquility on our doorstep...

fresh water stream

Examine nature close up...

checking out nature up close

Practice your writing skills....

a good place to practice writing

Take your kids outside this April vacation week and boldly explore our beautiful surroundings here in Franklin!

the excitement of the trail

Where is the SNETT Trail?
Off Grove St in Franklin


View Larger Map

To find out more about the efforts of the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, visit their website
http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

"the day was scary, and reminded her about priorities"

Some Franklin runners were able to finish the Marathon on Monday, some were among those stopped.

Jamie Tighe, of Franklin, was another one of thousands of runners who never made it across the Boylston Street finish line. 

After Tighe and her Dana Farber charity teammate had passed mile 21 but before they reached mile 22, police received word of the finish line bombings and immediately ordered runners off the road. 

“The police were just in the middle of the roads saying ‘You cannot be on the roads,’” she said.
Tighe said at first, she was disappointed when police stopped the race. She said her training went very well and she had been running faster than she expected as she approached the 35-kilometer mark. 

“Then when I heard what happened to other people and what serious it was, that takes a back seat,” she said.

....

“I finished about an hour before the blasts and I was two blocks away,” said Katie Rizzolo of Franklin. “Some people started screaming and running, but for the most part, everyone whipped out their phones, called their loved ones and got out.”

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1148863635/Milford-area-runners-experience-Boston-Marathon-nightmare#ixzz2QcOg32lM

Good Reads: keeping pace, Keller science

KEEPING PACE

Running is like anything else in life: you have to pace yourself. For a runner, this is the most critical skill that one can learn.  Without a proper pace, the initial excitement, adrenaline and crowd surge of a race will give way to heavy limbs, clumsy feet and whole body exhaustion, among other more dangerous things.  And with today being the 117^th anniversary of the Boston Marathon, on no day is this counsel more appropriate.

Keller Elementary School Science Night

A wonderful series of hands-on science nights are held each year at the Keller Elementary School in Franklin, MA.  Sponsored by the Keller Parent Communication Council (PCC) and staffed by volunteer PCC members, the Science Nights show how hard the PCC works to augment the curriculum at Keller Elementary.  The Keller PCC makes a real difference in the lives of Keller students!

April is a promise

According to Stobbart's Nurseries sign:

April is a promise that May is bound to keep

stobbarts nurseries

Boston Marathon: May the wind be at your back

Good luck to all of Franklin's entries in today's Boston Marathon.

If you want to follow the results, this listing from the BAA.org site can help you by showing the individual bib numbers for the entries.

The weather forecast seems to be close to ideal for running. May the wind be at your back and the roads kind to your effort today!

Avoid lines, use the RMV webpage

RMV Prepares for Busy April Vacation Week

April school vacation days next week are among the RMV’s busiest of the year.  In preparation, MassDOT today again encouraged customers to do their business online if possible and unveiled new tools to help customers who must visit a branch better understand wait-times to plan their branch business.

As the article indicates, it would be good to visit the website  http://www.massrmv.com/  to see if you can conduct your business online and avoid lines in the RMV office

First Annual Elks Care Elks Share 5k Fun Run and Walk

The Franklin Elks are pleased to announce the First Annual Elks Care Elks Share 5k Fun Run and Walk. The event will begin and end at the Franklin Elks, 1077 Pond Street, Franklin, Ma. on Saturday, May 11, 2013. Registration begins at 9:00 AM and the race begins at 10:00 AM. Pre-registration is $25 and day of race registration is $30.

Our website www.franklinelks5k.com provides a link to register for the race and all the details of the event.

The race is USATF sanctioned, and timing will be provided by New England Timing. There will be awards for the top three finishers in each category, and t-shirts for participants who register by April 27th. Music, raffles, and refreshments will be available.

All proceeds from the race will be donated to the Franklin Food Pantry and the Wounded Warrior Project..

The Franklin Food Pantry currently serves more than 580 households throughout the local communities, distributing more than 150,000 pounds of food and provisions annually. The need for services is rapidly increasing - in the last year the number of clients has increased by 40%, and the number of pounds of provisions by 30%. 

The Wounded Warrior Project is the hand extended to encourage warriors as they adjust to their new normal and achieve new triumphs. Offering a variety of programs and services, the Wounded Warrior Project is equipped to serve warriors with every type of injury - from the physical to the invisible wounds of war.

Please join us in supporting these two deserving organizations

Could there be an Incredible Edible Franklin?

Pam Warhurst explains how they started:

We tried to answer this simple question: Can you find a unifying language that cuts across age and income and culture that will help people themselves find a new way of living, see spaces around them differently, think about the resources they use differently, interact differently? Can we find that language? And then, can we replicate those actions? And the answer would appear to be yes, and the language would appear to be food.

Food, ah yes. We all need to eat to live. This TED Talk describes how the community of Todmorden is working to change what they eat and how they eat. The Incredible Edible Todmorden is a story worth replicating.





We have the basics of this underway already in Franklin with the Community Garden. We just need to get more folks involved.

For more information on Todmorden, visit their webpage here
http://www.incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk/

"poor man’s fertilizer"

The Milford Daily News has an article on area farmers getting ready for the growing season. The Fairmount Fruit Farm in Franklin is among the farms mentioned:

"We’re kind of in uncharted territory," said C.J. Koshivas, who operates the 30-acre farm along with his mother Diane and father Chuck. 

Because of the weird winter last year, Koshivas said his apple buds bloomed a lot earlier. Then, unexpectedly, a freeze hit. The family lost about 80 percent of the farm’s biggest cash crop, he said. 

Koshivas said, "The temperature didn’t fool the trees at all this year, so the buds were kept small and compact." 

His strawberries have also fared well so far. And he expects to host folks at the 887 Lincoln St. farm for pick-your-own strawberries sometime next month.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x935164240/Area-farmers-prepare-for-new-season#ixzz2QREIK0rA

For more about the Fairmount Fruit Farm at 887 Lincoln St, you can visit their webpage
http://fairmountfruit.com/

In the News: transportation funding, snow and ice costs

Senate adopts $500M tax plan, with more money for transportation

Legislation raising gas, tobacco and business taxes in Massachusetts by $500 million and eventually dedicating up to $800 million a year in new revenues for transportation cleared the Senate 30 to 5 during a rare Saturday session.

Snow and ice costs top $16 million

The ice might finally be gone as winter lets up its grip on the region, but local municipalities are still left with one remnant of the snow – the cost of cleaning it up.

....

In Franklin, DPW Director Robert "Bruce" Cantoreggi said he expects to "be within 5 percent" of his department’s original $970,000 appropriation. Cantoreggi said town officials have opted to approve a budget that should be close to what the final snow and ice numbers are.

"Working through the Town Council, they’ve been proactive in having a realistic snow and ice budget," he said. Cantoreggi said that his department has also made some moves to cut down on costs like reducing salt use on side roads or making decisions to send out fewer trucks and focusing more on main roads.

Franklin Library: April Vacation Week Programs

April Vacation Week Programs

LegoChallenge from Tuesday, April 16th through Saturday, April 20th

Organized by Eagle Scott, Kyle Perry, this challenge will be on all week long. All ages
are welcome to stop by the Library's Reading Room to see what types of creations you
can build with Legos! Please check the Library website for further details.

Tuesday, April 16th, 2013

Family Storytime for all ages at 10:30 A.M.
Join us for thirty minutes of stories and music the whole family will enjoy. All ages are
welcome and no registration is required.

'Spring Forward' with Jamie Barrett at 4:00 P.M.
An afternoon music concert by a Franklin favorite that will be fun for everyone. All ages
are welcome and no registration is required.

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

Drop-In Craft for all ages at 10:30 A.M.
Drop-in and see what crafts you can make from a variety of choices. This is for all ages
and no registration is required.

Spring Carnival for all ages at 3:30 P.M.
Come out to celebrate the arrival of spring at our Library Carnival featuring games,
prizes, music, and refreshments. No registration is required to join in the fun.

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

Wally the Green Monster for all ages at 10:30 A.M.
Come and hear a Red Sox story, meet with Wally, and get your picture taken with him.
Get in the spirit for baseball season…Go Sox!

Zentangle®for tweens and teens at 4:00 P.M.
You don't need to be an artist to make this beautiful doodle art. Come and learn the
basics of the Zentangle method and leave with a masterpiece!

Friday, April 19th, 2013

Family Movie for all ages at 10:00 A.M.
Have a few laughs while you enjoy the latest installment in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid
movie series, "Dog Days".

Franklin Public Library - 118 Main Street Franklin MA 02038 - 508.520.4940

Legislators and Aides Visit Cotting School

Cotting School visit

44 Legislators and Aides Visit Cotting School

On April 8, 2013, Representative Jeffrey Roy met with constituent and Curriculum Specialist and Director of Middle School Ann Buckely of Medway, during "Invite Your Legislator to Cotting School Day: A View Inside a Special Education School.'" Representative Roy joined 43 other legislators and aides from New Hampshire and Massachusetts for classroom visits and a tour of Cotting School in Lexington MA, which serves students with a broad spectrum of learning disabilities, communication impairments, physical challenges, and complex medical conditions.
 Photo caption: Left to right: Ann Buckley, Director of Middle School, Thomas B. of Hopkinton, Cotting student, Representative Jeffrey Roy, Dan S. of Tyngsborough, student, and Patricia Sicard of Tyngsborough, parent.

For more about the Cotting School visit their webpage http://www.cotting.org

In the News: mission to Kenya, celebrate the seasons, commits to Babson

Franklin officer to go on mission to Kenya

As a school resource officer, Eric Cusson regularly deals with kids who have an aversion to sitting quietly in class, who want nothing more than to get the heck out of school.

Partnership celebrates the seasons

The Franklin Downtown Partnership has set the dates for its well-attended yearly events.

On the sports side, HockomockSports reports:

Franklin's Bohmiller Commits to Babson

Franklin point guard Sam Bohmiller announced tonight via Twitter that he will be taking his talents to Wellseley next year, pursuing a college basketball career at Babson College. 

MassBudget: Analyzing the House Ways & Means Budget

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Analyzing the House Ways & Means Budget On Wednesday, the House Ways & Means Committee released its budget proposal for FY 2014--its blueprint for what we should do together through state government over the coming year. Our new Budget Monitor describes how the proposal would affect core programs, from Health Care and Education to Youth Employment and the Environment--including information on how it would raise the necessary revenue. It also compares the new proposal with prior years and the Governor's earlier proposal. The House Ways & Means budget includes some limited new funding for Higher Education, Local Aid, and Transportation, but it doesn't include the broader investments that the Governor had proposed to improve the long-term economic prospects of our Commonwealth by strengthening our pre-K and K-12 education systems. While the Governor's plan would greatly expand access to high-quality Early Education & Care programs, the House Ways & Means budget actually cuts funding for those programs. To support his broader investments in our schools, our transportation systems, and our economic future, the Governor proposed a revenue plan that would ultimately raise $1.9 billion per year. The House Ways & Means plan includes much less new tax revenue, roughly $500 million. Read our BUDGET MONITOR See all of our BUDGET RESOURCES The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Reminder: Trash pick ups delayed one day

Patriots' Day is observed April 15th trash and recycling will be delayed a day for the week.

If your normal pick up day is Friday, it will be picked up Saturday.
Large item pick up will stay the same for Thursday.

trash bins or totters

In the News: casino regulations, FHS track teams

Gaming commission may tweak regulations

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) may adjust its protocol and allow host communities to decide on a casino agreement before it finishes vetting the applicants.

Franklin boys, girls sweep Milford on track

The Panther boys and girls squads both got their first wins of the year with clean sweeps of an extremely undermanned Milford squad. Franklin’s boys won their meet 91-44 while the girls’ had a bit more of tough time, coming up with an 86-50 win.

"this will revive it"

The Milford Daily News has an article on the new sculpture park being built at the old town pool.

The park’s grand opening will take place in the fall, Kabat said. Depending on available space, the center would like to display between 10 and 15 sculptures, rotating new ones in whenever possible. 

"Some of the sculptures will have containment areas, and some we are going to hide in the trees," said Kabat, adding that the center will accept art from students and professional artists. 

After the park is established, Kabat said he would like to hold art classes there, through the center and the new high school. 

The Department of Public Works has to install fences and create paths, Nutting said. He noted that the park will be handicap-accessible.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1148861843/Art-to-breathe-new-life-into-former-swimming-spot-in-Franklin#ixzz2Q98g1LMm

the old town pool

To contribute to the sculpture park, or buy a brick, you can visit this page http://franklinartcenter.com/park.html

"Understanding behaviors"

The Alzheimer's Association will be at the Senior Center on Wed, April 24th to make a presentation on "Understanding Behaviors".




for additional information on this and other programs at the Senior Center, you can check their page on the Franklin website http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index

or subscribe to their newsletter (PDF)
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/Apr13connection.pdf

Baseball: Franklin 10, Attleboro 1

Offensive Outbursts Help Franklin Past Attleboro

ATTLEBORO - Hot bats and a solid performance by Brendan Kuzio gave Franklin a big 10-1 win on Wednesday against the previously undefeated Attleboro.

Franklin Library: Wally the Green Monster

Wally the Green Monster

Franklin Public Library - 118 Main Street Franklin MA 02038 - 508.520.4940

Downtown Partnership - Event Listing for 2013

Franklin Downtown Partnership Sets 2013 Events

The Franklin Downtown Partnership announces the dates of its exciting events and festivals for 2013, including the Strawberry Stroll, the ever-popular Harvest Festival and the Holiday Stroll. The Partnership also has scheduled its General Meetings and invites all businesses and residents to attend and learn more about what's happening in and around Franklin.

Franklin Downtown Partnership

Downtown Beautification Day will be Saturday, May 18th, at 9 a.m. The FDP will join the Franklin Garden Club to spruce up the downtown center for spring and summer. Volunteers will plant more than 1,200 flowers, and community service hours will be available for students. Contact Eileen Mason at emason11@verizon.net about sponsorship and volunteer opportunities. Winter Decorating Day will be Sunday, November 24th.

The Strawberry Stroll will be Thursday, June 13th, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The Partnership plans its famous strawberry shortcakes, entertainment and a sidewalk sale. The FDP is currently looking for sponsors for this popular event. For more information please contact event Co-Chairs Nicole Fortier at nfortier@deanbank.com or Bryan Taberner at btaberner@franklin.ma.us.

This year's annual Harvest Festival will take place on Sunday, October 6th, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Each year this popular fair draws more than 6,000 visitors. Booth registration information will be available on the FDP website in June.

The Holiday Stroll will be Thursday, December 5th, at 4:00 p.m. A tree lighting, carolers, a visit from Santa, refreshments and shopping specials will kick off the holiday season. Roberta Trahan and Gregg Chalk will be the co-chairs for this festive event.

The Partnership will hold General Meetings on May 2nd, September 5th and November 7th. All business owners and residents are invited to learn more about the Partnership's efforts in revitalizing downtown Franklin. The Thursday meetings are held at 8:30 a.m. at the Dean College Campus Center.

1st Annual Best Buddies Dodgeball Tournament

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First Annual Best Buddies Dodgeball Tournament at Horace Mann Middle School - Franklin! Sunday, May 5, 2013  2pm-5pm Upcoming Events CLICK HERE TO VIEW AND PRINT THE REGISTRATION FORM!        Click Here for a map of Franklin and Horace Mann Middle School        Join Our Mailing List!  And   Find us on Facebook!    FOR MORE INFORMTION CLICK THE LINKS BELOW   mberthia09@gmail.com       Event Name              Best Buddies First Annual Dodgeball Tournament Horrace Mann Middle School Sunday, May 5, 2013 2pm-5pm

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You can also find event info on the Facebook page

Italian Wednesdays & Comedy Night at 3!

Italian Wednesdays, Comedy Night April 26 & May 31 at 3! 3 461 W Central Street (Rt.140), Franklin, MA 02038 • 508.528.6333 • www.3-restaurant.com

Forward email Let's Eat, Inc. | 461 Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

In the News: Tri-County, Senate race

Tri-County students participate in clinical visits

Sophomores enrolled in the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Medical Careers program are halfway through their experiential clinical learning at the Wrentham Developmental Center, a state-run, residential facility for developmentally disabled adults in Wrentham.

Follow our Senate race Twitter account

To get news about the U.S. Senate special election - including links to WickedLocal stories, news links and candidate statements - follow the Twitter account we have set up for the race at twitter.com/WLsenate.

And a reminder to follow Franklin Matters via Twitter - twitter.com/FranklinMatters

Safe prescription drug disposal

If you have prescription drugs that you are no longer taking, why leave them in your cabinet?

What should you do to dispose of them properly?

Drop them in the trash? NoFlush them down the toilet or drain? No

Bring them to the safe disposal drop box at the Franklin Police Station.

911 Panther Way, Franklin, MA

The kiosk is located just inside the front door.

1. Open the handle 
2. deposit your prescription containers 
3. close the handle

As easy as 1, 2, 3!

------------

Coincidentally, the newspaper has this article today:

Drug drop-off day is April 27

Local police departments will once again join forces with the Drug Enforcement Administration to get rid of residents' unused prescription medicine when the sixth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is held Saturday, April 27.

Note the DEA site does not list Franklin but the kiosk is at the Police Headquarters!

Rail Trail Committee - Meeting - Apr 9, 2013

The Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee will have a meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at the YMCA in Franklin.  The meeting will start at 7:30.  At this meeting will will discuss the final details for the 3rd Annual Road Race (May 11), future outreach programs, and our upcoming presentation at the Franklin Town Council meeting. 

Also, registration for the 5k Run / 1m Walk can be found at www.FranklinBellinghamRailTrail.org/3-annual-road-race

SNETT Trail Head, Grove St, Franklin, MA

Follow the Rail Trail Committee on Facebook

The agenda for the meeting

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczcU1UOFpPOUpvRW8/edit?usp=sharing

You can also download and print the trace application from here

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczdVhzczM3cWczYkk/edit?usp=sharing

Ready to Run Program at Team Fitness Franklin

Ready to Run Program at Team Fitness Franklin Greetings! A number of you have expressed interest in the 5K training program and we're getting ready to kick it off in early May, with a target of the "Finish at the 50" -5K to be held at Patriot Place on July 3rd. What an amazing experience it will be to run in Gillette!   Jenn Champion Goebel, Certified Personal Trainer and experienced runner, will run the program. It is open to both members and non-members of any age and fitness level. In 8 weeks you'll go from "just thinking about it" to the starting line of your first event. For $295 (less than $19/session!) you will receive:  a week-by-week plan to get you running 3 miles or 30 minutes non-stop;  1 running workout per week, scaled to your ability;  1 conditioning session per week, focusing on injury prevention and flexibility;  one-on-one feedback to help you achieve your goals;  advice on everything from diet and hydration to race day strategy and recovery tactics;  registration in the "Finish at the 50" -5K to be held on July 3rd;  and a team t-shirt. We'll have two groups: DAYTIME: Running workouts on Tuesdays from 10:00-11:00 AM at the Franklin HS track Conditioning workouts on Thursdays from 10:00-11:00 AM EVENING: Conditioning workouts on Mondays from 7:30-8:30 PM Running workouts on Thursdays from 7:00-8:00 PM at the Franklin HS track Groups are limited to 5-10 participants, and will start the week of May 6th.  If you have any questions or would like to register, please email jenn@teamfitnessfranklin.com.  **The registration deadline is April 22nd, so don't delay!**  How Will You Stay Fit?? The Team at Team Fitness and CrossFit Franklin Have you tried one of our healthy, protein smoothies? Here is your chance. print out and bring in this coupon (and PLEASE, ONE PER MEMBER) and present it to one of our fabulous, incredible, talented and expert smoothie makers and we will hand you over a delicious, tasty post-workout smoothie to help you preserve your muscles and help them to re-cooperate, recover, build, and burn calories.  YOU MUST BRING IN THIS COUPON TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE SMOOTHIE! Please sign your name on the back of the coupon..........................! Thank you and ENJOY!!!! Offer Valid from April 8, 2013 through APRIL 30, 2013 @ 9:00 PM

Forward this email This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by tricia@teamfitnessfranklin.com |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Team Fitness Franklin | 100 Franklin Village Drive | Franklin | MA | 02038

FHS Coach Kristin Igoe

HockomockSports.com interviews FHS girls lacrosse Coach Kristin Igoe



Read the full article
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2013/04/new-coach-looks-to-take-franklin-lax-to-next-level.html

In the News: Price is Right, Falk's Market

Franklin woman appears on Price Is Right

The typical bucket list entries look something like this: seeing all of Europe, skydiving, swimming with dolphins or maybe great white sharks. Not always, though. Take, for instance, Kimberly Howley’s dream to-do list. On it, the number one item was to catch a live taping of "The Price Is Right."

End of an era in Plainville: Falk's Market comes down

A couple of well-placed nudges against the front of the more than 100-year-old Falk’s Market with the demolition claw of an excavator on Monday morning collapsed the landmark in Plainville center with a loud, resoundingly final crunch of snapped wood.