Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Beautification Day - early results

Did you notice that Franklin got  its beautification treatment on Saturday? There are flowers in the flower pots on the triangle, the boxes along the bridge railing and in the planters on the island at Emmons and Main St.

Courtesy of the Franklin Downtown Partnership, local business sponsors and the help of many volunteers!


Franklin_Beautification3
spring flowers

The flowers are a mix of red, white and blue with a yellow for accent.

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planter on the Triangle

The blue are rather quiet and small but should fill in nicely as the season progresses

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flower box along the bridge railing

There was careful choice in the selection, all for hardiness and then considerations for shape and color

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flower beds and sponsor sign
Around the 4th of July, these flower beds should look less like they were newly planted and more like they are brimming with growth!

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flower bed and sponsor sign

As you pass by, consider thanking the Downtown Partnership, the business sponsors and all the volunteer time to help make Franklin as colorful and welcoming as it is!

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flower box along the bridge railing

Did you know that you could join the Franklin Downtown Partnership as an individual citizen for only $25/year? The form and details are contained on the website. http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Updated: the Franklin Downtown Partnership posted their thank you to the sponsors and volunteers here
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/2013/05/beautification-day-recap.html

Community Garden - Spring Plant Sale and Workday



Spring Plant Sale and Workday 
May 25th 9:00am to Noon 
King St. Memorial Garden

In event of Rain the even will be moved to May 26th


Join us for a day of planting and getting the garden ready for the growing season. We'll have organic plant starts on sale to help your garden get started right, and we'll be working on general maintenance of the garden as a whole. Weeding, spreading wood-chips, and other work the garden needs. We'll also be starting a pollinator garden at the garden to help bring in the beneficial bugs that the beds need for bumper crops. Please come lend a hand! For all plot holders please remember that you need to participate in at least one work day each season. There will be work days at least once a month.


Franklin, MA: Community Gardens - Opening Day
Franklin Community Gardens

Franklin's 2013 Unsung Heroine


Barbara Rondeau of Franklin was honored as an Unsung Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women on Monday, April 29, 2013 in the Great Hall at the State House in Boston. Representative Jeffrey N. Roy recommended Ms. Rondeau for this recognition because of her extraordinary service to the Franklin community.

She was honored with 82 other Unsung Heroines from throughout Massachusetts. The ceremony included a program hosted by Liz Brunner acknowledging each of the 83 Unsung Heroines of 2013, followed by a group photograph and a Just Desserts reception.

2013 unsung heroine
Rep Jeff Roy - Barbara Rondeau

“Barbara A. Rondeau was the ideal candidate for this nomination,” noted Rep. Roy. “Throughout her years of service to the Franklin community, she gave her time, talent, spirit, and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others. She never sought the limelight and returns each year to the task of making Franklin a great place to live.”

The Unsung Heroines are women who don’t always make the news, but truly make the difference. They are the women who use their time, talent and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others and make a difference in their neighborhoods, cities and towns. They are mentors, volunteers and innovators who do what needs to be done without expectations of recognition or gratitude. These women are the glue that keeps a community together and every community has them.

Ms. Rondeau is a lifelong resident and a tireless volunteer in Franklin. She is also a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She volunteers her time in the tax work off program in Franklin and is a long time member of the Franklin Alden Club, a women’s service group dating back to 1893. Barbara is also the chairperson of the “Concerts on the Common” that schedules concerts and children’s entertainment on Franklin’s Town Common during the summer months. Those events are enjoyed by many in the town. Barbara is also chair of the Santa Claus on the Common committee that brings Santa to the common each year to the delight of Franklin’s children and parents alike.

This event was made possible with the support of the following community sponsors: Cape Air, Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College, Casner & Edwards, LLP, Continental Resources Inc., Day Pitney LLP, and the members of MetroWest ATHENA Women. The Commission’s annual Unsung Heroine initiative is underwritten by these private sponsors and the MCSW Trust Fund and no tax dollars are used to fund this event.

The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is an independent state agency that was legislatively created in 1998 to advance women of the Commonwealth to full equality in all areas of life and to promote their rights and opportunities. The MCSW provides a permanent, effective voice for the women of Massachusetts.

MassDOT, AAA Promote E-ZPass

AAA members will be able to obtain E-ZPass transponders!
E-ZPass transponders are now available to AAA members at AAA branches across Massachusetts, including in: Auburn, Boston, Burlington, Framingham, Haverhill, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Newburyport, Newton, North Andover, Peabody, Plymouth, Rockland, Saugus, Waltham and Westwood.

E-ZPass users can forget about keeping cash and change on hand as they skip the line at the cash booths and travel, instead, through dedicated lanes without stopping. As residents begin to plan summer travel, it is important to note that E-ZPass is accepted on toll roads from Maine to Virginia and west to Illinois.
Indeed, the Franklin AAA office is not on the listing but at least the service is expanding. For additional information on the expansion with AAA, pleas visit
http://transportation.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2013/05/massdot-aaa-promote-e-zpass.html?utm_source=feedly

Franklin Library: Using Pinterest

Using Pinterest


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

Monday, May 20, 2013

Farming in Franklin: Then and Now (photo essay)

Alan Earls was the host and collaborated with Seth Rousseau, AkinBak Farm and Nick Hoffman, Hoffman Farm to discuss "Farming in Franklin: Then and Now".

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Franklin Historical Museum

A small but engaged audience participated at the Franklin Historical Museum.

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Nick Hoffman, Seth Rousseau

The welcoming display

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farming display

The bust of Benjamin Franklin keeps an eye on the historical displays

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Benjamin Franklin

The presentation document



Thanks to Alan for sharing the presentation document with us all.

Recycling event - May 25

At the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School on Pleasant St in Franklin, MA

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recycling event - May 25

Electronic and bicycles

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recycle your bicycle


A similar recycling event was held in October 2011
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/10/recycle-electronics-and-bikes-today.html



"may have the chance to travel to China"


"What better place for today’s young people to visit than the next super power," said Michael Walsh, the trip’s organizer and a Franklin High social studies teacher. "They are calling this the Chinese century. There seems to be a lot of opportunity for kids to visit European nations, so we were just thinking about another region of the globe for our students to explore. We thought, ‘Why not China?’" 
The trip, offered through the global academic company EF Education First, will run almost two weeks and take students on tours of Xi’an, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Beijing. In Beijing, the country’s capital, they’ll walk atop the Great Wall of China, see Tiananmen Square, and visit the Forbidden City. 
The trip, which the School Committee approved last week, will cost around $30,000 — $2,500 per student. Plane tickets, hotel rooms, meals and tours are included in the price. 
"It will be completely student-funded," Walsh said. "We will do whatever we can as far as group fundraising."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1039445046/Franklin-teacher-plans-China-trip#ixzz2Tp7f81Ph

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Rep Roy: Jefferson 4th Graders visit State House


Eighty Jefferson Elementary 4th Graders from Franklin took a field trip to Boston where they enjoyed a State House tour. The 4th Graders, accompanied by four teachers and a number of parent chaperones got the opportunity to take the guided tour, enter and see the House of Representatives’ Chamber and speak with their State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D), State Senator Richard Ross (R) and representative from State Senator Karen Spilka’s office. 
“It was great to see such an engaged group of 4th Graders from Jefferson Elementary School,” noted Representative Jeffrey Roy (D – Franklin). “We had some great discussions about what we do in the State House and several expressed interest in working here someday. I hope to have the chance to work with them.” 
Jefferson elementary 4th graders
Jefferson 4th Graders

“A visit to the State House is an excellent way to give our students the opportunity to experience our state’s history first hand,” said Senator Karen Spilka. “It is important for them to have an understanding of state government and their valuable role in civic engagement.” 
“I truly enjoyed meeting with the students and teachers from Jefferson Elementary School,” said Senator Richard Ross. “It is so heartening to meet with students who are engaged and interested in state government, as well as the rich history of the Massachusetts State House.”


Franklin Library: Krafty Monday - Design a Frisbee

Krafty Monday - Design a Frisbee


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

In the News: charter school, police dogs

Franklin charter school works to end poverty and hunger

More than 400 other students, from kindergarten to eighth grade, at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School have led a communal fundraising effort to support Heifer International, a global nonprofit that helps the world’s poorest families feed and care for themselves


Ken Ballinger wasn't surprised when calls from police departments starting pouring into his cell phone in the weeks following the Boston Marathon bombings.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

FRANKLIN DPW ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE



The Franklin Department of Public Works will host its annual open house, 
featuring Touch-A-Truck for kids!

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Touch a truck!


Saturday, May 18, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 25 Public Works Way.

Enjoy free hotdogs, popcorn, drinks and hayrides!


The Library Book Sale is also scheduled from 9:00 to 4:00 PM today. Combine the trip to the DPW, pick up a book or two and make your kids day!

MBTA: new alert service starting June 4

As a long time commuter rail rider, I still subscribe to the T-alerts. What are T-alerts?

An alert service that sends text messages or an email to your phone or mobile device when the line you are subscribed to is having trouble. Wonder why the train is late? Ah, technical difficulty or signal trouble, or police activity. The T-alerts have improved in timeliness over the years. So even though I drive down to RI now, I still subscribe for those occasions when I would take the train in on the weekend or to just keep tabs on what is happening with the Franklin line in particular.

MBTA
MBTA

Beginning June 4, the MBTA will begin using a new service to send T-Alerts. As part of the transition, the MBTA is asking all current subscribers to re-subscribe in order to continue receiving T-Alerts. Visit http://bit.ly/10yX5zj to subscribe or learn more. You must re-subscribe by Thursday, June 4, in order to continue receiving T-Alerts. Thank you.

So if you have subscribed, you should have received the notice above about the change in the service. If you haven't subscribed, maybe now is a good time to do so. Why wait on the platform without knowing? Why not be 'in the know'!


You can select specific time periods of the day for a specific line. I happen to choose all the time periods for the Franklin Line and the email confirmation looks like this:



You have made the following changes to your Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority subscriptions:
You subscribed to topics:
  • Franklin Line - AM Peak
  • Franklin Line - Early AM
  • Franklin Line - Evening
  • Franklin Line - Midday
  • Franklin Line - PM Peak
  • Franklin Line - Weekend
You will receive an email update when new information becomes available.

Abracadabra!! There are two free shows today!

There should be more magic. Abracadabra!! There are two free shows today!


The United Regional Chamber of Commerce logo     


Illusions Galore May 19 

magic hat Enjoy a day with your child at the Illusions Galore Magic Show on Sunday, May 19.

Shows run at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and are free to attend.

Illusions Galore will be held in the Attleboro High School Auditorium, 100 Rathbun Willard Dr. in Attleboro. No ticket necessary. 


The United Regional Chamber of Commerce | 42 Union Street | Attleboro | MA | 02703

Friday, May 17, 2013

Weekend activities in Franklin

Reminder that the Library Book Sale opens this evening from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM for friends of Franklin Library members (membership is $25 and you can sign up there), opens on Saturday from 9:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The DPW "Touch a truck" will run from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The book sale will close out on Sunday morning buying books by the bag. Additional details can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/05/friends-of-franklin-library-book-sale.html


Franklin Library Book Sale
Franklin Library Book Sale

The Parmenter School will do a car wash and bottle/can drive on Saturday

car wash, bottle/can drive
Parmenter school - car wash

Kennedy School has their fund raising recycle day on Saturday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/05/kennedy-fund-raising-recycle-day.html


The HMEA 12th Annual Independence Run/Walk/Stroll happens on Sunday, May 19th
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/05/lavenchy-goes-to-dogs.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/04/franklin-area-road-races.html



The Historical Museum will have a presentation on the past, present and future of farming in Franklin on Sunday, May 19th
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/05/past-present-and-future-of-farming-in.html