"Flexibility is really important"

From the Milford Daily News, an article on the Senior Center Open House scheduled for Sunday, Feb 26 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This is a good time to see the newly renovated second floor and other improvements to this important facility for Franklin's community.

"The newly renovated second floor of the Franklin Senior Center is under wraps for the time being, with yellow tape barring visitors from using the elevator or walking up the stairs. 

This secrecy will come to an end Sunday, with a grand opening celebration set to introduce seniors (and others who may be interested) to the new space in the building. 

The town first approved the $1 million in 2015, as a response to increased demand for the center's services. The center had been built eight years ago with an unfinished second floor, to allow room for future expansion. 

Senior Center Director Karen Alves said the current secrecy is intended to preserve the space's "wow" factor when it is unveiled this weekend. The finished second floor adds more space allowing for more programs."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170224/franklin-renovated-senior-center-open-house-set-for-sunday

Photos from the Senior Center open house held on Nov 11, 2007:

Photos from the open house can also be found deep in the archives of Nov 2007 beginning with this post: http://www.franklinmatters.org/2007/11/senior-center-entrance-area.html

"this is something we can continue to work on and that over time we will see gradual declines"

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

"For the sixth year in a row, the number of people killed by opioids in Massachusetts continued to climb in in 2016 as state and local public health officials grappled with the growing epidemic. 

There were at least 1,465 opioid overdose deaths last year, with 469 to 562 additional deaths also believed to be opioid-related, according to recently released data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. 

In total, opioids likely killed around 1,979 people least year, up from an estimated 1,751 deaths in 2015 and an estimated 1,379 deaths in 2014. Fatalities have increased every year since 2010, when there were 532 opioid-related deaths."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170224/opioids-bay-state-overdose-deaths-rose-again-in-2016

The MA Dept of Health report can be found here
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/newsroom/press-releases/dph/latest-quarterly-report-on-opioid-od-deaths.html

The Franklin Police Dept publish the Franklin statistics
http://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/pages/opioidoverdose-tracking

reported overdoses and deaths in Franklin from 2014-2016

The SAFE Coalition has a support hotline to call for help (in an emergency call 911)

For Help call SAFE Resource Support line – 508-488-8105

Stacey Peasley! - Saturday, Feb 25, 10:30 AM

"Dance, jump, and sing along to the infectious music of Stacey Peasley! Stacey Peasley has performed before audiences and been a professional singer for over twenty years. Lately her audiences are a bit shorter but no less enthusiastic. A teacher for ten years, Stacey is thrilled to combine her love of children and music into a lively act that engages kids and creates memorable and fun sing-along songs!"

Stacey Peasley! - Saturday, Feb 25, 10:30 AM

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2017/02/stacey-peasley-saturday-february-25th.html

For more about Stacey visit her webpage  http://www.staceypeasley.com/

"the chemicals pose a serious risk of harm to honey bees and other pollinators"

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

"A type of pesticide many beekeepers blame for mass bee die-offs would come under tighter regulation under a bill filed in the Massachusetts legislature in January. 

"I believe this is a responsible attempt to limit the amount of these pesticides in the environment, while recognizing the need to use these chemicals responsibly in agriculture," said state Rep. Carolyn Dykema, D-Holliston, the bill's main sponsor. "When they're used judiciously and properly, we can mitigate the impact on pollinators." 

Over the past decade, pesticides containing a classification of chemicals called neonicotinoids have come under mounting suspicion by beekeepers, who have reported high death rates among their honeybees. Nationally, annual honey bee losses have averaged around 30 percent over the past 10 years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170224/lawmakers-considering-pesticide-restrictions-to-limit-bee-die-offs

And from December 2016, some may recall this post:

via Ed Szymanski

"Collapse", the Chronicle show about honey bees (yes, I'm in it) will be re-aired this Friday night, Ch. 5, 7:30 PM. 

It's a great show talking about the troubles bees face and what is being done. 

Not just saying that because I'm part of it."

screen grab of the Chronicle intro

If you are out and about on Friday, here are links to view the video segments from the WCVB 5 archives

http://www.wcvb.com/.../chronicle-why-are-the.../41786964

http://www.wcvb.com/.../chronicle-theyll-take.../41787238

http://www.wcvb.com/.../chronicle-make-your.../41787062   (Ed is in this one!)

http://www.wcvb.com/.../chronicle-eat-candy-save.../41787050

screen grab of bees from the Chronicle show

For more about Neonicotinoids  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonicotinoid

And "Beyond Pesticides"  http://www.beyondpesticides.org/programs/bee-protective-pollinators-and-pesticides/chemicals-implicated

For more about Ed  http://www.pchman.com/

LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on Wednesday, March 1st

LET'S LAUGH TODAY in Franklin is on Wednesday, March 1st ! 

Let's Laugh Today in Franklin is on Wednesday, March 1st (and every first Wednesday of the month) from 7:30pm to 8:30pm at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. 

Laughter Yoga is a fun and healthy combination of laughter exercises, yoga breathing and gentle stretching. It's a great stress buster with real health benefits. Join them for an hour of laughs, fun and finish with a restful cool down meditation. 

a great stress buster with real health benefits

Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience! $5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family.  Please bring your water bottle because laughing can be dehydrating.  

Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers, Linda and Bill Hamaker. 

See www.letslaughtoday.com for opportunities to laugh in other towns. Want to learn how to bring more laughter into your personal and professional life? Looking for a second income? Attend a weekend on March 11th and 12th in Walpole for this lifetime certification in laughter yoga. E-mail billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com. 

Please bring your water bottle because laughing can be dehydrating

Let's Laugh Today because Seven Days Without Laughing Makes One WEAK!

The vision of Laughter Yoga is to achieve Health, Joy and World Peace through Laughter!

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 2/24/17 - THU 3/2/17

FRIDAY 2/24/17
9am-close   Spy Training Camp: “Laser” Maze @ Franklin Public Library
10:30am   Knitting Circle for Adults @ Franklin Public Library
10:30am   Frisbee Demonstration with Todd Brodeur @ Franklin Public Library
7pm   Beatles for Sale - Live @ The Black Box (sold out)
7pm   A Midsummer Night’s Dream @ Dean College
9pm   Comedy Night @ 3 Restaurant

SATURDAY 2/25/17
9-9:50am   Try Hockey For Free (ages 4-9) @ Pirelli Veterans Arena
10am-1pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
10:30am   Stacey Peasley Sing Along @ Franklin Public Library
2pm   A Midsummer Night’s Dream @ Dean College
7pm   A Midsummer Night’s Dream @ Dean College

SUNDAY 2/26/17
7:30-10:30am   Sunday Morning Breakfast @ Franklin Rod and Gun Club
8am-12pm   YMCA Indoor Triathlon @ Franklin YMCA
10am   Jazz Sunday Worship @ Franklin Federated Church
11am-2pm   Senior Center Open House - visit finished 2nd floor @ Franklin Senior Center
2pm   A Midsummer Night’s Dream @ Dean College
4pm   World on a String @ The Black Box

MONDAY 2/27/17
6:30pm  Leap Into Kindergarten @ Horace Mann Middle School
7-8:30pm   Learn To Cope Franklin Chapter Meeting @ FUSF

TUESDAY 2/28/16
5pm   3rd Annual Cultural Festival Applications Due
6:30pm   Gardening with Native Plants: Why It Matters @ Franklin Public Library

WEDNESDAY 3/1/17
7pm   Franklin Art Association Meeting @ Franklin Senior Center
7pm   Laughter Yoga @ FUSF

THURSDAY 3/2/17
4pm   Family Coloring Book Club @ Franklin Public Library
6:30pm   Relay for Life Fundraiser @ Pour Richard’s
7-8pm   Healing Hearts Community Support Group @ Franklin YMCA
7:30pm   Stony Brook Camera Club @ Anglican Church of the Redeemer (31 Hayward St)

For the Town of Franklin Public Calendar click HERE.

For all other events and Franklin happenings click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email FranklinMAHappenigs@gmail.com and/or shersteve@gmail.com

Yankee Quilters Guild - Silent Auction and Supplies Sale - March 14

Yankee Quilters Guild will hold a silent auction and sale of supplies for quilting, general sewing and embroidery on Tuesday, March 14th at 7:00 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 237 Pleasant Street in Franklin.

Come browse a wide selection of sewing supplies geared for quilters, embroiderers and sewers of all interests. Beautiful threads, fabric, patterns, rulers, quilt kits, books will delight every piece maker, whether a beginner or advanced.

The silent auction will be closed at 8:00 p.m. and followed by a brief business meeting.

Yankee Quilters is a nonprofit organization with members from a wide area. New members and guests are welcome at all meetings. The first meeting, including the March 14th event, is always free for first-time visitors or guests.

For more information, email yankeequilters11@gmail.com or visit Yankee Quilters on Facebook.

Facebook image for Yankee Quilters Guild

Yankee Quilters is a 501-c-3 charitable organization which supports the education of its members in the traditional craft of quilting and provides comfort quilts to patients at local cancer treatment centers and in hospice care. The guild is supported by generous donations from local quilt shops, local quilters and members.