Calling for volunteers!

The Franklin Food Pantry is looking for volunteers to stock shelves Monday through Friday 12 pm to 2 pm. 

Physical requirements include lifting up to 50 lbs. and carrying product up and down stairs. 

We are also looking for volunteers Tuesday through Friday from 9 AM to noon to work with the clients at the Pantry. 

If you can answer this call, please visit our website and complete the volunteer form, or call us at (508)528-3115 ext. 2

Franklin Food Pantry

The volunteer sign up form is located on the Franklin Food Pantry webpage here 

http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/


or go directly to the form via this link

2014 Harvest Festival Planning Under Way

2014 Franklin Harvest Festival Planning Under Way

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is currently planning the 12th annual Harvest Festival and is looking for crafters, entertainers, vendors, volunteers and sponsors. The festival is scheduled for Sunday, October 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will take place rain or shine.  

Organizers expect more than 6,000 visitors to attend this year's event in downtown Franklin, where they'll be treated to delicious food options, a live DJ and local entertainers on several stages, games and activities for the kids, and more than 100 crafter, artist and organization booths to browse through. Local businesses will hold sales and special promotions, and the Fire Station and the Historical Museum plan displays and activities. 

 "The Harvest Festival is one of the best opportunities we have to bring the community together and show off all that downtown Franklin has to offer. Year after year our visitors discover great shopping, new restaurants, helpful resources and talented local artists," says Executive Director Lisa Piana.

BOOTH SPACES AVAILABLE:There is still time for crafters, organizations, performers and interested groups to participate. Booth space is limited and registrations must be received by September 5. Registration forms and more information can be found at www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/ or by contacting Booth Chairperson Terri Frank at terrifrank1@gmail.com. 

SPONSORSHIPS NEEDED:Sponsors are needed to support this festival. The FDP relies on sponsors to run this and other events, including the Strawberry Stroll, Holiday Stroll and its beautification days. Businesses and individuals interested in sponsorship can contact the FDP office at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com or (774)-571-3109.  Sponsorship forms and a full list of opportunities can be found on the website under the Sponsors tab.

 

Franklin Food Pantry entrance decked out for 2013 Harvest Festival

Franklin Library: End of Summer Party - Teens

Where will you find Henna Tattoos, Music, Pizza, Raffle Prizes and more?

At the Franklin Library End of Summer Party for teens scheduled for Friday Aug 29th at 3:00 PM

End of Summer Party - Teens - Aug 29th

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/08/teen-end-of-summer-party.html

Give It a Tri - Hockmock Area YMCA Youth Triathlon Will Be Held Sept. 7

The Hockomock Area YMCA eagerly announces the return of its popular Youth Triathlon, coming Sunday, September 7 to the North Attleboro Branch, 300 Elmwood Street. Ages 3-13 — come experience this unique opportunity to be introduced to a lifelong activity that builds confidence, determination and a love for physical activity.

At the Y, sports and recreational activities are something special! The Youth Triathlon offers a fun way to engage youth in physical activity. Four age divisions allow each participant the opportunity to be challenged while setting everyone up for success.

entry table for Hockomock Y 'Give it a Tri'

Register today at hockymca.org or stop by a Hockomock Area YMCA branch in Foxboro, Franklin, or North Attleboro. Registration closes Friday, September 5, with no day-of signups offered.

Opening ceremonies will be held at 9:00 a.m. sharp, including parent orientation and bike set up. Athletes should arrive with their helmets and bikes. All athletes will be placed in a heat with leaders available to preview the course and lead stretching.

youth Tri finishers celebrating

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Mike Mahoney at 508.643.5265 or michaelm@hockymca.org. All proceeds benefit the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Reach Out to Youth and Families annual campaign.

About The Hockomock Area YMCA

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. At the Y, strengthening community is its cause. Every day, the Y works side-by-side with its neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn and grow. Learn more at hockymca.org.

In the News: election poll, candidates joust

Yes, there is a primary election coming up Sep 9th. The first chance that Franklin voters will get to use the new high school as their voting location.

The newest poll in the gubernatorial race showed a much tighter contest than previous surveys as the campaign turns the corner into the final two week before the primary election. 

According to a Suffolk University-Boston Herald poll, Coakley holds a 12 point lead over Grossman with 42 percent of the vote to Grossman's 30 percent among very likely Democratic voters. Health care administrator Dr. Donald Berwick trails in third place with 16 percent, while 12 percent of likely Democratic primary voters are still undecided. 

The poll, conducted Aug. 21 through Aug. 24, had a 4.9 percent margin of error.

Continue reading the full article in the Milford Daily News here (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140825/NEWS/140828005/1994/NEWS


Meanwhile on the campaign trail, a recent debate held by the Boston Herald was reported on in part by writing:

The Democratic candidates also split on the question of casinos — particularly the suggestion by Republican candidate Charlie Baker that he would consider filing legislation to allow a single casino in Springfield if voters approve a statewide ballot question that would repeal Massachusetts' 2011 casino law. 

That law allows the state to license up to three casinos and a single slots parlor. 

A third Democratic candidate, Don Berwick, supports the repeal effort, arguing that casinos contribute to a slew of social ills while harming local businesses. 

"I'm just saying to the people of Springfield, please, please look at the information, don't get the wool pulled over your eyes by big money lobbyists," Berwick said.

 Continue reading the full article in the Milford Daily News (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140826/NEWS/140827747/1994/NEWS

Keller Sullivan getting new sidewalks

As part of the Lincoln St road work, the Keller Sullivan schools are getting new sidewalks. I managed to get out for a visit this weekend to grab some photos.

from Lincoln St looking up to the schools

part of the way up looking back down the entrance 

Keller Sullivan sign

sidewalk on Lincoln St at entrance

"We’ll have opportunities to better prepare students"

In case you missed the Sunday Boston Globe West section, there is an article on new high schools and it references Franklin High School in part by writing:

In Franklin, where all students in the town’s new $103.5 million high school will be assigned a Chromebook — a relatively inexpensive Google-designed laptop — the school library is set to become a hive of activity for tech-savvy students. 

“The media center will be the hub of school,” said Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski. “We’ll have traditional stacks with books, but we’re going to have a student-manned technology desk, like a Genius Bar [in a Apple store], with a media center and a café, mirroring a college environment.” 

Marshfield’s public access cable station will be housed in the town’s new $101.6 million high school, saving money on rent for studio space and giving students an internship opportunity, said Borstel.

Continue reading the article on the Boston Globe website here (subscription maybe required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2014/08/23/average-cost-for-new-refurbished-high-schools-seven-boston-suburbs-checks-million/2VSQ3ibtEt752qxixSZGoK/story.html

While Marshfield's public access cable station is inside their new high school, Franklin's is located separately. The facility is under construction on Hutchinson St.

Franklin TV studio under construction

Franklin.TV did donate more than $100,000 to the town for use in providing equipment for the studio located in the new FHS. (This was formally accepted by the Town Council on the June 4, 2014 action items http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/live-reporting-legislation.html)

recording studio in the new FHS

The main entrance to the new Franklin High School as it appeared on the walk this past Saturday.

main entrance to the new FHS

The collection of  posts tracking the high school project from the early days of discussion through to the present can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html