"a stunning array of beautiful holiday music"

If you are looking for some new music to play this holiday season, we have exactly what you are looking for!

Released in 2015, this album features children ages 8 to 18 in a stunning array of beautiful holiday music. Included are some holiday classics, along with some beautiful arrangements of newer holiday favorites. To purchase, simply click on the link below. 

All proceeds from the sale of this album go directly to the Encore Music Education Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing scholarships and subsidies to deserving students of music.

Thank you for your support, and have a wonderful holiday season!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/december/id1069500761?i=1069500783

if you have any trouble with the iTunes link, here is another good source for the CD  http://www.cdbaby.com/m/cd/encoremusicacademyandrec


Note: When I attempted to follow the link (on a non-Apple device) I was getting prompted to install iTunes (which was already installed). I was able to find the album by searching for "Emma Newton". She comes up with several entries and the album "December" fortunately is one of them.

Charles River Meadowlands & #GivingTuesday

Season's Greetings to All,

We have some great news to report. I recently had a follow-up meeting with the Board of Metacomet Land Trust. They have been supportive of the Meadowlands initiative from the start, particularly Susan Speers and Larry Rettman, who have attended all of our meetings and provided much valuable advice. Since we are not a registered 501 (c) 3 it is not really appropriate for us to raise funds to help with the Charles River Meadowlands initiative. 

However, Metacomet has indicated a willingness to continue to work with us. So, if anyone is willing or able to put a few dollars behind their commitment to the Charles River Meadowlands vision, the best way to support us is by either joining Metacomet or by sending along a donation and indicating that your gift should be applied to the Charles River Meadowlands project.

Today, "Giving Tuesday," is an especially appropriate day for taking action. Metacomet Land Trust joins with charities around the country to encourage giving through the #GivingTuesday campaign. Metacomet will be able to set up an earmarked account to support the endeavor. At the very least you will be helping the most active, independent voice for land protection in our area. Please go to metacometlandtrust.org for more information or simply donate here.

In other news, we had a very useful "workshop" in September at the First Universalist Society in Franklin. This meeting brought together town officials, planners, and others and generated useful input for a "vision" document. In early November I also met with the board of the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee to apprise them of our efforts and to open the door to coordinating our efforts in the future.

Last but not least, our legislators, Jeff Roy and Kevin Kuros are continuing to monitor the funds earmarked for this project in the state budget in an effort to get them moved toward the right people.

We will resume meeting monthly in the new year, at 6:30 PM, Dean Rm, First Universalist Soc. 262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA.

The dates we have lined up are:

• Tues. Jan 10
• Tues. Feb 7
• Tues Mar 7
• Tues Apr 4
• Tues May 2

In the event of inclement weather, feel free to call my cell phone – 508 560 3786.

Sincerely,

Alan Earls
Charles River Meadowlands initiative
www.charlesrivermeadowlands.org

Charles River Meadowlands

The Metacomet Land Trust website can be found  http://metacometlandtrust.org/

Affordable Housing - 5 Mark's Way

5 Mark's Way - Completely updated

Building Description:

• Style: Colonial
• Year Built: 1994
• Building Grade: Good
• Finished Area: 1300 sf
• Number of Rooms: 6
• Foundation Type: Concrete
• Number of Bedrooms: 3
• Number of 1/2 baths: 1 Full Baths: 1
• Flooring Type: Hardwood
• Basement Floor: Concrete
• Heating Type: Forced Hot Water
• Heating Fuel: Gas

House completely updated with granite counters, new appliances, gas stove, new cabinets, hard wood floors, fire place and mantle, 1.5 bathrooms updated

This property contains 0.120 acres of land mainly classified as one family with a colonial style building, built about 1994, having vinyl exterior and asphalt shingle roof cover, with u unit, 6 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1 half bath

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust

You Must Be a 1st Time Home Buyer

• Applications available in Town Administrator’s Office at 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038.
• Applications available at: Municipal Affordable Housing Trust 
• Contact Maxine at 508-520-4949 or mkinhart@franklin.ma.us

In the News: Japanese students visit FHS; O'Connell and Clancey scheduled for Circle of Friends

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

"A group of 38 students from Japan came to Franklin High School Tuesday morning to interact with local students, view American classrooms and even eat lunch. 

The students, visiting from the city of Fuji, came to the school as part of a tour of the Boston area. Laura Evans, the director of world languages for Franklin schools, said they were partnered with FHS students - members of the Spanish National Honor Society - and spent the morning shadowing their American counterparts. 

"They wanted to see a day in the life of a high school student in the U.S.," she said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161129/a-day-in-life-at-franklin-high

Franklin High School

"The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse will present "A Celtic Christmas" at 8 p.m. Dec. 10, featuring Robbie O’Connell and Rose Clancy. 

The music of O’Connell and Clancy has a distinct Celtic flavor and extends from the little known Kilmore carols of Wexford to the Irish-American vaudeville stage. They explore both the Christian and pagan traditions surrounding the Winter Solstice in a mixture of songs and instrumental pieces that create a delightful musical tapestry to celebrate the season. 

O’Connell was born in Waterford, Ireland and grew up in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary. A nephew of the Clancy Brothers, he began touring with his uncles in 1977 and recorded 3 albums with them. In 1979 he moved to Franklin, where he lived many years until moving to Rhode Island. He has also toured with Mick Moloney and Jimmy Keane, and with Eileen Ivers and Seamus Egan in the Green Fields of America"

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161129/circle-of-friends-to-present-celtic-christmas

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse

#shopFranklin: Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store (video)

#shopFranklin spends time with Mel Hamblen, recent new owner of Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store. Mel explains how she went from working in a lab to working on finding the best products for the Franklin community. 

We also learn how to make homemade root beer with a definitive fizz!

If you have pets, check out their line up of pet foods!

If you make your own beer, check out their beer supplies!

Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store

Pancake Breakfast - Saturday, Dec 3

The Cub Scouts Pack 126 will hold their Annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Dec 3 from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Franklin Elks Lodge.  

$7 per person, Scouts in uniform and children under 3 are free.

Cub Scouts Pack 126 will hold their Annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Dec 3

You Saved the Best for Last

November 29, 2016   You Saved the Best for Last    Dear Friends, Our wish is that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones, and that you enjoyed the hustle and bustle of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday in good cheer and with a festive spirit.  With all of the gifts checked off on your list, you saved the best for last. Today, Giving Tuesday, you can give a gift to help a neighbor you may never have met. We ask that you consider making a donation for one of the 322 children right here in your community who wouldn't have enough to eat without the Franklin Food Pantry. We ask that you share this email with your friends and family so that we can meet our goal of 322 gifts today. For the donations already made and for those still to come, THANK YOU!  Donate to Food Pantry       Additional leadership gift and corporate sponsor opportunities available, for details please email Erin Lynch erin@franklinfoodpantry.org Franklin Food Pantry       www.franklinfoodpantry.org  Our facility is generously donated by Rockland Trust. We are located at 43 West Central Street, Franklin MA, on Route 140 in the Rockland Trust parking lot,  across the street from the fire station.

Franklin Food Pantry, 43 West Central Street, PO Box 116, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by erin@franklinfoodpantry.org in collaboration with Try it free today