Franklin Public Library: Book Sale - Aug 20-21

The monthly Library Book Sale is being held Saturday and Sunday at the temporary location 25 Kenwood Circle. The book sale is on Saturday from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM and the Bag Sale on Sunday from 9:00 to Noon.
This would be a good time to stock up for your late summer reading!

This was shared from the official Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/I02471121

In the News: weight loss program at Y, drought conditions worsen

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Hockomock Area YMCA has announced that all three of its branches will now offer a 10-week weight loss program called Weigh to Change following the success of the Foxborough spring program, during which 31 members lost a total of 267 pounds and 318.5 inches. 

An information session will take place at the following locations:

• Bernon Family Franklin Branch, 45 Forge Hill Road, at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30; or 10 a.m. Sept. 3.
• Invensys Foxboro Branch, 67 Mechanic St., 6:30 p.m. Sept. 1; 9 a.m. Sept. 10.

The fall program will begin Sept. 12 and will run through Nov. 19."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160818/hockomock-area-ymca-to-hold-weight-loss-program

"The weekly report from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that the area in Massachusetts experiencing extreme drought conditions has expanded dramatically despite spotty downpours last weekend and this week. 

According to the monitor, which is overseen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the area in the state seeing the second highest level of drought jumped from 3.66 percent last week to 16.86 percent this week. The area in extreme drought includes much of MetroWest and the Milford area. The extreme drought area includes the eastern two-thirds of Middlesex County, the northern half of Norfolk County, nearly all of Essex County and all of Suffolk County.

U.S. Drought Monitor Massachusetts

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160818/extreme-drought-worsens-in-mass

Franklin Historical Museum To Host Miniature Metals Exhibit In October

A very special exhibit will open October 2nd at the Franklin Historical Museum. A personal collection of miniature metal artwork, hand crafted by Franklin born Abraham Megerdichian will be on display for the month of October. Megerdichian’s son Robert will open the exhibit with a presentation and talk about the history of his father’s work.

A selection of about 20 tiny recreations of everyday objects, made from brass, aluminum, stainless-steel and copper will be on display. A sampling of items for this exhibit include: a brass Asphalt Roller, a copper and steel Cannon with Cannonballs, an aluminum Inkwell with Feather Pen, a Flexible Flyer Sled and tiny brass Roller Skates.

miniature metal artwork 1

In his life time, the elder Megerdichian, a machinist by trade, made over 300 miniatures for family and friends as gifts for holidays and special occasions. Just a hobby to him at the time, his work is now being recognized as the intricate creative artwork that it is. It’s a labor of love by his son Robert to bring his father’s work out of storage and into the public eye.

Various pieces are currently being exhibited at The Attleboro Area Museum of Industry, The Science Museum in Boston, The Lynn Museum, the Providence Children’s Museum, and soon at Connecticut’s New Britain Industrial Museum. Robert approached the Franklin Historical Museum because of his father’s connection to Franklin.

miniature metal artwork 2

Abraham was born in Franklin in 1923 to Armenian Immigrants, but the family later moved to Cambridge where he was raised. The family kept close ties to Franklin and Abraham helped build Camp Haiastan, the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Camp on Summer Street.

Robert Megerdichian’s presentation will cover his father’s craft, his artwork, his love of family, as well as an interesting history and anecdotal stories of Franklin’s Armenian Community.

miniature metal artwork 3

Join us for this very special event, 1:30PM, Sunday afternoon, October 2nd, 80 West Central Street, Franklin. 

Visit us on our Facebook page and our webpage franklinhistoricalmuseum.com. Admission is always free and the museum is wheelchair accessible.

Local Music Scene Raises $3000 For Franklin Food Pantry

On June 25th, 2016, local musicians in The Greater Milford Area Local Music Scene came together to raise much needed money for the Franklin Food Pantry at The Black Box located right next door to the pantry.

Co-organizer Bill Donovan explains why he and co-organizer Ray Auger decided to raise money for the pantry. "The Franklin Food Pantry does not receive funds from the state or town. They rely ultimately on us, the community, to help keep the shelves full."

Auger and Donovan decided to throw a concert with some of their friends to help raise money for this worthy cause. The two are founding members of Fringe Benefits and Charity Case respectively. These are fundraising event bands made up of different members from other local bands. 

Franklin Food Pantry

"You've heard of super groups, this is along the same lines with the exception that we don't share their money and fame, lol," explains Auger. "It's a chance for local musicians to collaborate with each other and raise a little money for various local causes. I had been doing Fringe Benefits for some time now with my acoustic partner Justin Redden. Recently I talked Bill into forming Charity Case with Matt Zajac. How it works is that we choose a cause, put a set list together, piece together the rest of the band and play a show."

Dan Feeley and South Street Six, all musicians with ties to the Franklin area, joined Fringe Benefits and Charity Case at The Black Box for a night of great music and dancing to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry. A small ticket price, some great raffles items, good friends and generous sponsor donations from Dean Bank, F&P Molla Inc, and Elemen-Tree House led to a grand total of $3000 raised from the night.

James puts that into perspective, "An average bag of groceries costs $18 to put together. That's about 167 bags of groceries that we were able to donate to those in our community in need. It feels good to do something we love as musicians while giving back. Music heals and music helps and we are looking forward to doing more great events like this."

In the News: Charles River Meadowlands meeting, last day to register for state primary

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Charles River Meadowlands workshop will take place 6-9 p.m. Sept. 27 at the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut St. 

Community activists have been meeting for the past six months as they work to raise awareness of the Charles River Meadowlands in the Franklin/Bellingham/Medway area. 

Led by Franklin resident Alan Earls, the group has gained support from state and local officials, and the Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees the Charles River Meadowlands. The open space, designed to provide a natural buffer in times of flooding, also offers opportunities for outside recreation."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160817/charles-river-meadowlands-workshop-announced

image from Charles River MEadowlands webpage

"Friday is the deadline to register to vote in the Sept. 8 state primary. 

Clerk’s offices at city and town halls will be open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, for voter registration. Voters can also register on line at sec.state.ma.us/OVR, in person at Registry of Motor Vehicles offices or by mail by downloading a form available on the secretary of state’s website and sending it to or dropping it off at the local city or town hall. Mail-in forms must be postmarked by Friday for a voter to be eligible for the primary. Some town halls may close voter registration at 5 p.m. Friday - please contact your town for details."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160814/friday-last-day-to-register-to-vote-in-state-primary

Mr Vinny's Shadow Puppet - Puppet Show comes to the Library

Mr Vinny's Shadow Puppet Puppet Show comes to the Franklin Public Library on Friday, August 19 at 1:00 PM.

The puppet show is best for kids from 3 - 9 years old.


Note: the Library is operating from its temporary location at 25 Kenwood Circle while construction and renovation work is done on the main building downtown.

Mr Vinny's Shadow Puppet - Puppet Show comes to the Library

This was shared from the official Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/I02471121

Mr Vinny was also scheduled to appear here in June.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/06/mr-vinnys-shadow-puppet-puppet-show.html

In the News: site plan process changed, appraisal day scheduled

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The town has approved new rules that allow for less paperwork for certain building renovations and alterations. 

The Town Council recently gave its final, unanimous approval to a zoning bylaw amendment that would allow for limited - instead of full - site plans for some of those projects, should they meet certain criteria. 

Since full site plans are costly - owing to engineering work and the need to notify neighbors - town officials said they may dissuade building owners from improving their properties. It's hoped the change will improve that situation."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160817/franklin-approves-limited-site-plan-process

Additional information from the most recent Town Council meeting (8/10/16) can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/08/town-council-actions-taken-august-10.html

word on the street says the development of the Ficco's and Keagan space was waiting on this change

"The Franklin Historical Museum, 80 W. Central St., will hold Appraisal Day from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 16. 

Antiques will be appraised by certified appraiser Nancy Wyman, of Coyles Auction Gallery of Bellingham. Guests are allowed a maximum of three items to be appraised at a rate of $5 each."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160817/franklin-historical-museum-to-hold-appraisal-day