Tuesday, June 23, 2015

2015 Summer Reading Program gets started at the Library


Franklin’s 2015 Summer Reading Program is set to begin with two parties this week.

For middle and high school students, a special kickoff party is being held Tuesday, June 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the library. Teens will be able to register for summer reading, as well as enjoy Henna tattoos, Wii games, and karaoke. Moe’s Southwest Grill is putting on a taco buffet, and Making Whoopie will provide whoopie pies.

For younger readers, a special party is planned for Wednesday, June 24, at 3 p.m., on the library lawn. In addition to information about summer reading, there’ll be glitter tattoos, face painting, balloon animals and sidewalk chalk.

The kickoff events and Summer Reading Program are sponsored by The Friends of Franklin Library in conjunction with library staff.

Franklin Public Library
Franklin Public Library

For a complete listing of the Summer Programs check this flyer
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/summer2015.pdf

Franklin Community Coalition on Opioid Abuse



The first meeting of the coalition is Monday, June 30 at 7 p.m. at FHS.
View this email in your browser

Share your info

Please answer this brief survey to help us learn about the audience


We are conducting a voluntary five (5) question survey to learn a little about our coalition members ahead of the first meeting which will be held on June 30th at 7 pm in the Franklin High School Auditorium. The information you provide will help us maximize the potential of this coalition and enable us to use your experience and expertise appropriately and create the best materials to help us reach our goals.

Simply click here to complete the short survey. Thank you in advance for your interest and assistance with this project.

In the meantime, you may want to review Governor Baker's Stop Addiction website which provides  information on how to prevent and identify opioid misuse and where to go for help. You can view that site by clicking here.

And below, I have included some links to two timely videos on the subject. One is a short film called If Only which was produced by James Wahlberg and filmed in Tewksbury. It tells the story of two teenagers battling addiction to prescription opiates. One of the boys gets help to beat the addiction, while the other dies of an overdose. The other film is an 87-minute documentary titled The Other Side of Andover Massachusetts. It's the work of a recent Andover High School graduate who is trying to draw attention to opiate abuse in his community.

I thought the films would be of interest in preparation for our first community conversation next Monday. I look forward to seeing you then.

If Only, a film produced by James Wahlberg, tells the story of two teenagers battling addiction to prescription opiates. Click the image above to view the movie.
The Other Side of Andover Massachusetts is the work of a recent Andover High School graduate trying to draw attention to opiate abuse in his community. Click on the image above to watch the movie.
Copyright © 2015 Jeffrey.Roy@MAHouse.gov, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in joining the fight against obioid abuse in our community.

Our mailing address is:
Jeffrey.Roy@MAHouse.gov
State House - Room 527A
Boston, MA 02133

Add us to your address book


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Senior Center: A new edition of The Franklin Connection is available



A new edition of The Franklin Connection has been published on the Town of Franklin web site.

Click the link below to read the latest edition.


Franklin Senior Center
Franklin Senior Center



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You are subscribed to the The Franklin Connection - Senior Newsletter mailing list.


Monday, June 22, 2015

Franklin's first Cultural Festival arrives this summer!

The Franklin Cultural District Committee is in the final weeks of preparation for its first Franklin Cultural Festival that will run from Wednesday, July 29 to Sunday, August 2, 2015. The Celebration will take place in various locations in downtown Franklin including: THE BLACK BOX (inside and outside on its stage) and Historical Museum, in locations along Main, Daniel McCahill and Oak Streets that include but are not limited to The Cake Bar, Jane’s Frames, Dean College, the Public Library, the Town Common, and the Horace Mann Middle School, and in other locations (businesses, restaurants, etc.) within the district footprint.

Franklin Cultural Festival - Arts Happen Here!
Franklin Cultural Festival - Arts Happen Here!
The opening ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, July 29 at the Town Common. It will be followed with a performance by Electric Youth and, later in the evening, FPAC: One Acts at THE BLACK BOX. Earlier in the day the Pumpernickel Puppets will perform at the Library and Jane’s Frames will host a Zentangle Class. Numerous activities are scheduled for the evening of Thursday, July 30 and the afternoon and evening of Friday, July 31.

The majority of the Cultural Festival events and performances take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 1 and 2. Saturday the performances and events will be located around the Town Common and on Sunday afternoon, they will be downtown at the Historical Museum, the Methodist Church, and THE BLACK BOX. Sunday afternoon the Circle of Friends is hosting a stage for numerous performers and the first Taste of Franklin will be offered by Franklin restaurants.

Throughout the Festival ceramic bowls, made by the Franklin Art Association, will be available for purchase, as a fund raiser for the Franklin Food Pantry.

The Franklin Cultural District Steering Committee includes: Alan Mercer, Roberta Trahan, Sue Sheridan, Jim Schultz, and Pandora Carlucci.

If you are interested in learning more about the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out our Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalFestival or our webpage http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/

To financially support the Festival please visit: gofundme.com/tx62gs. If you want to be added to our email group, contact us at: FranklinCulturalDistrict@gmail.com. Thank you!



This was shared from the Cultural Festival page here


The Town of Franklin is looking for volunteers for committees/boards

Some committees are up for their annual re-appointment and some have openings for you to step up to help!

Town of Franklin header image
Town of Franklin header image

The Town of Franklin is looking for Members for the following committees: If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete the attached form and return the Town Administrator's Office.

  • Conservation    Conservation Commission
  • Design Review Commission
  • Disabilities Commission
  • Municipal Affordable Housing Trust- Contact Maxine Kinhart 508-520-4949
  • Zoning Board of Appeal

The volunteer form to fill out when you are interested can be found here


In addition to those listed above, there is also an opening on the Finance Committee:
The Town of Franklin is looking for a new Member for the Finance Committee.  If you are interested,  please complete the attached form and send along with a resume and letter of interest to the Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting at jnutting@franklin.ma.us
You can fill out the same volunteer form (above) and contact Town Administrator Jeff Nutting


Reporting by walking around - Saturday, June 20th (photo essay)

The good weather had me out for a walk around town on Saturday morning. The camera came along and by sharing these photos, you can too.

Parmenter has their field day today, with Kindergarten  finishing on Tuesday and all grades finishing on Friday
Parmenter has their field day today, with Kindergarten
finishing on Tuesday and all grades finishing on Friday

the new tot lot was busy on Saturday, a good sign!
the new tot lot at Fletcher Field (off Peck St)
was busy on Saturday, a good sign!

softball game in progress at Pisini Field off Peck St
softball game in progress at Pisini Field off Peck St

empty lot going to be expanded parking for the Oteri Funeral Home
empty lot going to be expanded parking for the Oteri Funeral Home

Did you know Chinese Mirch has a lunch buffet now?
Did you know Chinese Mirch has a lunch buffet now?

new sidewalks being put in along Emmons and Main St
new sidewalks being put in along Emmons and Main St

top layer of asphalt removed along Main St from School St to Pleasant St
top layer of asphalt removed along Main St from School St to Pleasant St

High St is being redone by the contractor at the same time but paid for by  Town funds and not the grant that covers the other work
High St is being redone by the contractor at the same time but paid for by
Town funds and not the grant that covers the other work

Davis Thayer sign also announces K last day on 6/23 and all grades with half day on 6/26
Davis Thayer sign also announces K last day on 6/23 and all grades with half day on 6/26

What are those purple flags on the Cape for?

In case you missed the article in the Globe West Sunday edition


Dan Gilmartin placed purple flags in the Mashpee rotary. His son Cory, 32, died of a heroin overdose in January 2014. (DEBEE TLUMACKI FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE)
Dan Gilmartin placed purple flags in the Mashpee rotary. His son Cory, 32, died of a heroin overdose in January 2014. (DEBEE TLUMACKI FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE)


Gail Mahoney, 77, measures the toll of the heroin crisis here and across the country by counting the number of grandchildren she and her friends have lost to the deadly drug. 
One friend lost two grandchildren. Another friend buried one grandchild and has a grandson who is “fighting for his life.” Mahoney said her son’s stepdaughter died of a heroin overdose four years ago. 
“I’m just a little nobody, and I know seven people that have kids that have lost their lives,” Mahoney said Friday. “It’s everywhere. It’s not just on Cape Cod. It’s throughout our whole country. My question is: Why do we have so much heroin in this country?” 
Mahoney, a Mashpee resident, visited the Mashpee rotary Friday night to speak with volunteers who placed 330 purple flags to represent people who died from overdoses of heroin and other opioids on Cape Cod and the Islands between 2000 and 2014.
Continue reading the article here: (subscription may be required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/06/20/those-died-oid-overdoses-remembered-cape-with-purple-flags/UQgtjhD88zP3ySHDsQZ5fI/story.html


What can be done about the opioid epidemic in Franklin? Come out to the Community Coalition - June 30th - 7:00 PM.  Franklin can come out from behind closed doors to the High School Auditorium on 7:00 PM Tuesday, June 30. The meeting will introduce the formation of a Community Coalition to help with our own problem.


"Firefighters have been without a new contract since June 2011"


If the council chooses to honor the award, the cost to the town for fiscal year 2012 through fiscal year 2015 is about $525,000, with an additional $70,000 needed for fiscal year 2016, according to Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting, who sought councilors' support of the award in a memo to them last week. 
The main concern for councilors Wednesday night will be whether the town can finance the award. Union leaders say the town’s fiscal health is not an issue. 
“The union knows that this is not a big win for anybody,” said Robert Donovan, the union president. “But a neutral panel has figured out the best way to solve this four-year battle that put us at an impasse. We entered into arbitration because we wanted to solve this problem, and now we have to honor the decision. 
“The character of both parties will show in how they react to this decision,” Donovan added.
Read the full article online here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150621/NEWS/150629494/1994/NEWS

Fire Dept
Fire Dept

The full agenda document for the Town Council meeting on Wednesday can be found here.

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/062415.pdf

Pages 4 and 5 are the letter from Jeff Nutting to the Council outlining the award details and funding sources. Franklin had prudently been setting money aside each year in anticipation of an award.


Sunday, June 21, 2015

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - June 23, 2015

Vision Statement
The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

AGENDA
"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."
Franklin Public Schools  "the key to learning"
Franklin Public Schools 
"the key to learning"

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the June 9, 2015 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills - Mr. Clement
Payroll - Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence:
Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations

a. Remington Middle School Update
- Paul Peri, Brian Wildeman
b. Jefferson Elementary Update
– Linda Ashley, Sarah Klim
c. FHS Guidance Update
– Heather McVay, Josh MacCreery & Jennifer D’Amico

3. Discussion Only Items

Policy
– First Readings:

KF – Community Use of School Facilities
KF-E1 – Rules and Regulations
KF-E2 – FHS Building Use
KF-E3 – Facility Rental Fee Schedule
KF-E4 – FHS Facility Rental Fee Schedule
KF-E5 – FHS Grounds Rental Fees

- (NEW)
GCCD – Domestic Violence Leave Policy

4. Action Items

a. I recommend moving the following Policies to a second reading:
1. KF – Community Use of School Facilities
2. KF-E1 – Rules and Regulations
3. KF-E2 – FHS Building Use
4. KF-E3 – Facility Rental Fee Schedule
5. KF-E4 – FHS Facility Rental Fee Schedule
6. KF-E5 – FHS Grounds Rental Fees
7. (NEW)GCCD – Domestic Violence Leave Policy

b. I recommend the acceptance of two checks totaling $589.71 for FHS as follows:
1. $189.71 Ahold Financial Svc. – Gift Account
2. $400.00 John T. Ombelets/ Elizabeth A. John - Scholarship
c. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $2,370.16 for Keller Elementary School as follows:
1. $370.16 O’Connor Portraiture, Inc. – In-house enrichment
2. $2,000.00 IBM - supplemental curriculum materials
d. I recommend acceptance of the donation of a Maple Tree (value $150 - 250) from the JF Kennedy PCC for playground shade at JF Kennedy Elementary School.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $150.00 from the Parmenter PCC for a Field Trip.
f. I recommend acceptance of a check for $25.00 from Target’s Thanks a Billion Program for supplemental supplies at Davis Thayer Elementary School.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub
Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business

To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session

Personnel Update

8. Adjourn

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - June 24, 2015


A. EXECUTIVE SESSION 
– Strategy with Respect to Pending Litigation and Collective Bargaining re Fire Fighter’s Union


B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – 7:00 PM

C. ANNOUNCEMENTS – This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on
Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

D. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

E. CITIZEN COMMENTS

F. APPOINTMENTS – 2015 Annual Committee Appointments

G. HEARINGS

H. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

I. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

J. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

K. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 15-43: Appropriation – FY15 Fire Wages (Arbitration Award)
2. Resolution 15-44: Appropriation – Other Post Employment Stabilization Fund
3. Resolution 15-45: Appropriation – Roads/Sidewalks/Drainage/Storm water/ Infrastructure

L. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

M. OLD BUSINESS

N. NEW BUSINESS

O. COUNCIL COMMENTS

P. ADJOURN

Franklin Municipal Building
Franklin Municipal Building


The documents associated with this published agenda be found on the Franklin webpage here:
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/062415.pdf

What if… we can each help turn the tide of Addiction one share at a time?

From Patricia Byrne writing at Stop The Silence

The response to Stop the Silence has been staggering. The speed at which it was shared speaks to the size of the Epidemic of Addiction slithering through our neighborhoods and stealing our loved ones. 
Many have asked how they can help, others have asked how to get help. Much needs to change for the tide of Addiction to turn. Gloucester MA is at the front of the charge. They have created an Angel Program to help addicts instead of jailing them. 
We must admit this Epidemic is hiding in our communities. We need to recognize that families from all walks of life are re-enacting the same play behind different doors in cities, suburbs and small towns alike. We plead, sob, and scream to our addicts and to each other from a battle-worn script as we live our shared nightmare. Addiction is stealing the future of so many and decimating the lives of everyone who loves them. We need to step out from behind the doors and come together to help one another.
Continue reading Patricia here
https://stopthesilencespeakthetruth.wordpress.com/2015/06/17/what-if/

You can read more about Gloucester's Angel Program here -->
http://jgpr.net/2015/05/05/gloucester-police-chief-announces-major-drug-policy-changes/

As resources become available, Patricia will be posting them to this "Resources" page --> 
https://stopthesilencespeakthetruth.wordpress.com/local-resources-by-state/

The Addict's Mom
The Addict's Mom

Community Coalition - June 30th - 7:00 PM

Franklin can come out from behind closed doors to the High School Auditorium on 7:00 PM Tuesday, June 30. The meeting will introduce the formation of a Community Coalition to help with our own problem.

Fight Hunger Paintball Challenge – July 12, 2015


"In memory of Quinton Buehrens"

Proceeds to support The Franklin Food Pantry

Come spend the day “FIGHTING HUNGER”

No family should ever go hungry and the Franklin Food Pantry works miracles every day supporting those families in Franklin that are in dire need of Food and other supplies.


  • Time: 8:30 am to 5:00pm
  • Registration: 9:00am
  • Games start at 10pm and ends at 4pm



Fight Hunger Paintball Challenge
Fight Hunger Paintball Challenge

In the News: Community Coalition, South Meeting House


State legislators, medical experts and officials from the town’s school district and police department will meet later this month to garner local solutions to the state’s opioid epidemic. 
State Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, has arranged the June 30 meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. in the Franklin High School auditorium, 218 Oak St. 
The public session will establish a direction for the new community coalition that aims to create a support network for residents struggling with addiction. And Roy has invited medical and law enforcement experts to shed light on the opioid crisis in Massachusetts.
Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150620/NEWS/150629622/1994/NEWS

Related posts on the community coalition and opioid problem can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/06/what-if-we-can-each-help-turn-tide-of.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/06/representative-roy-announces-community.html




When first constructed in 1861, the South Franklin Congregational Meeting House on Washington Street served a need of convenience for its flock. 
The Congregationalist community in that area, known as Wadsworth then, had to trek several miles to reach their only church in the center of town, and in inclement weather or harvest seasons, traveling there could prove difficult, according to town historical records. 
So, to allow them to practice their faith without taking the burdensome trip, the South Franklin Congregationalists erected a church in their part of town. The historic wood building still stands today — only that niche it met 154 years ago no longer applies. 
Yet the town’s oldest religious structure may not sit vacant for much longer.
Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150621/NEWS/150629621

"this hasn't been done before, so it can't be done"

Via Ann Williams writing on the Pour Richard's Facebook page

Inertia-noun 
A tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged.

"Inertia, or maintaining the status quo, can be a good thing. If you're hiking up the side of a mountain, you want the rocks to stay put. But business is different; if you are standing still, there are 5 other businesses that aren't. By standing still, you're actually losing ground.

At Pour Richard's, we take the path less traveled. Instead of selling the heavily advertised brands you find in the big box stores, we feature wines, beers, and spirits from small producers. The best part of my job is finding exciting new products- a new nanobrewery in Northampton, a better version of an Irish Cream- and then translating that excitement to our customers.

We do that by tasting, by talking, and hopefully, occasionally by pairing the wine (beer, cocktail) with the food that it was meant to accompany. It's a great way to introduce our customers to something new. It's also fun.

Our customers-wonderful, adventurous, fun people-have embraced this approach. Franklin has been an absolutely awesome place to do business-with one small exception: food.

When we have a product or an event that we feel would be enhanced by food, we'd like to do it legitimately: file a food safety plan, pay the town $50, and post a limited license to serve samples. Recently, we tried to do just that. I received my Servesafe food safety certification, filed an extensive food safety plan, and applied for permission to serve samples of Brazilian BBQ with caipirinhas. But Franklin does not currently allow non-food businesses to apply for these one-day permits. After several mostly cordial conversations with the town's health inspector, the only discernible reason for this seems to be inertia: this hasn't been done before, so it can't be done.

sometimes it just feels like this....
sometimes it just feels like this....

We understand that resisting inertia can be uncomfortable. But progress and growth don't happen without stepping out of the comfort box. If we've complied with all of the safety codes, why can't we receive a permit? Is inertia a good reason to say no?"

#shopFranklin


Saturday, June 20, 2015

No fireworks? No parade? No matter, Franklin will still celebrate the 4th of July.

The schedule of events is available on the 4th of July Coalition webpage and shared here.

2015 Franklin 4th of July Celebration
2015 Franklin 4th of July Celebration


2015 Franklin 4th of July Celebration 
Laser Light Show 
July 3rd 10PM  @ Town Common

Wednesday, July 1st:

  • 6pm-10pm Food Booths and Amusements Open
  • 7pm-9pm Phantom Band with Tyler Zajac

Thursday, July 2nd:

  • 6pm-10pm Food Booths and Amusements Open
  • 7pm-10pm ZOD Band (local youths with Matt Zajac)

Friday, July 3rd:

  • 12pm-10pm Food Booths and Amusements Open
  • 3pm-5pm Tyler Zajac Solo
  • 7pm-10pm Corvairs (oldies band)
  • 10pm LASER LIGHT SHOW (with sound and 3D glasses)

Saturday, July 4th:

Children's Day
  • 12pm-10pm Food Booths and Amusements Open
  • 12 noon Children's Parade
  • 1pm-5pm Children's Entertainment
  • Anna and Elsa from FROZEN
  • Jamie Barrett (Franklin's own)
  • Flippo the Clown
  • 7pm-10pm Groove Doctors Band (local musicians)

Sunday, July 5th:

  • 1pm-7pm Food Booths and Amusements Open
  • 2pm-5pm BATTLE of the BANDS (prizes will be awarded)



* * * * * NO PARADE THIS YEAR, SORRY! * * * * *



Note: This is one of the many great events happening in Franklin that is put together by an private/volunteer organization and not the Town. You can contribute to the cause here
http://july4thfranklinma.com/donations.asp

You can volunteer for the cause here  http://july4thfranklinma.com/volunteers.asp


Blackstone River Theatre Summer Solstice Festival is TODAY!





CC HEADER A


 

ARE YOU READY FOR THE 5th annual BRT SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL?

WE ARE! More than 50 incredible volunteers have  transformed a beautiful but underused park in Cumberland into a world class festival space... FIVE stages, a session tent, and 40 food and craft vendors are set up, ready for YOU to enjoy an amazing day of music, dance and culture!

PLEASE JOIN
US
 
TODAY! 
Join Our Mailing List!

FOOD VENDORS 
Mickey G's Clam Shack, GottaQ BBQ, The Salad Man & Juice Bar, Del's Lemonade, and the Ice Cream Machine.

CRAFT VENDORS
Tom and Alices Apiaries, Scentsy, Doodle Paintings, Thirty-One Gifts,
K&T Jewelery Accessories, Reclectic Design,
Bonnie Lee's Creations, Renewal by Andersen,
Silver 'N Such, La Wren's Nest, Starlite Jewelry Design, Tupperware, Celtic Beat, SilverLeaf Studios, 
mpic studios, Tir Na Nog Irish Dance, Pocasset Wampanoag Creations,
Boyd Holms, Rusted Goat Soaps, Silpada Designs,
R.I. Home Improvement, Premier Water Systems, Sandra-Lynn Custom Jewelry Designs, Daren Rathbun Photography, Queen of Everyday, Celtic Revival, Mommie's Hobbie Designs, The Glass Heron,
Sassy Classy Clay Creations, Massage Envy,
Havana Banana, Fibi and Clo, Head Designs by N'Italia, Usborne Books & More,
Hills Home Market,
Yarina Threads,
Jewels by Crissy B


IT'S SOLSTICE FESTIVAL TIME!
We have an amazing time planned for you! Full details can be found at: www.riverfolk.org/brtssf


We have an almost perfect day weather-wise...not too hot, not too cold, lots of sun but not too much! Definitely too cool for the beach...


Nothing left to say but we promise you an incredible day for the whole family! Hope to see YOU today!

* Satellite parking will be provided two minutes away at Mercymount Country Day School
* We have a 14-passenger shuttle working between 1-6 p.m. travelling to Mercymount AND to the farther parking lots at Diamond Hill Park

The After-Festival session at BRT is COMPLETELY SOLD OUT as of Thursday! THANK YOU!

  

Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!
Russell Gusetti, Executive Director  

5th annual BRT Summer Solstice Festival


Looking for a great family-friendly outdoor music festival without having to travel hours to find it? Blackstone River Theatre has your solution as we move our programming outside to present the
5th annual Blackstone River Theatre Summer Solstice Festival

at Diamond Hill Park, Rte. 114, Cumberland, on Saturday, June 20. The Summer Solstice Festival will run from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with five stages that focus on Celtic and world music, dance and culture. There will also be more than 40 craft and food vendors and a new session tent area where attendees are encouraged to bring instruments to play with some of the festival musicians.

NOTE: The Welsh band Calan will NOT be appearing due to visa problems in London. However, Pendragon will perform for one of their spots and Matt & Shannon Heaton will perform at the other!  
Festival performers include Eastern Medicine Singers, The Gnomes, The Gothard Sisters, Cassie & Maggie MacDonald, Robbie O'Connell & Dan Milner, Pendragon, RUNA, The Vox Hunters with Torrin Ryan, and Will Woodson and Joey Abarta.

There will also be nonstop Irish step dance featuring 50 dancers from Tir Na Nog Irish Dance. A children's stage will feature Irish magic shows with Debbie O'Carroll, Mary King & Phil Edmonds, Art on the Spot Face Painting and henna, and Marvelous Marvin's Circus Arts. 

Admission is only $15 adults, $10 seniors, $5 children ages 6-15, children under 5 free. Festival sponsors include the Town of Cumberland, Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc., Navigant Credit Union, Valley Breeze, Tir Na Nog Irish Dance, Open MRI of New England, Ocean State Urgent Care and Angelo's Palace Pizza. 

Forward email to a friend!



Blackstone River Theatre | 549 Broad Street | Cumberland | RI | 02864

What's happening with the South Franklin Congregational Meeting House?

The South Franklin Meeting House has been sitting unused since the Historical Museum left it in 2007. What to do with the building has been an on-again, off-again conversation and Franklin has just published a report by an architect outlining some of the more practical options.

Did you know
South Franklin Congregational Meeting House 
Constructed in 1861, the South Franklin Congregational Meeting House (SFCMH) also known as Union Evangelical Meeting House originally functioned as a Congregationalist church. The building is designed in the Greek revival style with 4 Doric columns along the north façade. The building is rectangular in footprint and is approximately 2 stories tall with an attic and bell tower. 
Located within what is currently designated as the greater South Franklin Area, the church was originally intended to provide the Congregationalists of South Franklin a place to commune when inclement weather or the harvest season made worshiping at the main Congregationalist church in the center of Franklin difficult. When religious services were not in session, the building also served as a debate hall for the South Franklin area. 
In 1972, the Federated Church deeded the building to the Town of Franklin. The building housed the Franklin Historical Museum from 1975 until 2007 when the museum relocated. 
The typical exterior wall construction is wood framed with painted clapboard siding and corner  boards on the exterior and painted lath and plaster on the interior.
South Franklin Congregational Meeting House
South Franklin Congregational Meeting House


You can read the full report here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/02135427-000F8513

You can also find the same copy here (while the Town of Franklin website has been known to change their links from time to time - this link won't change)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczOVNSRWRGTEdlVHc/view?usp=sharing