Support Franklin area non-profits with Smile Amazon!

Did you know that you can support the SAFE Coalition (or the Franklin Food Pantry, or the Random Smile Project, or HMEA, etc....) with anything and everything you buy on Amazon every day of the year? 

All you have to do is click on Smile.Amazon.com, place your order, and indicate that you want to support the SAFE Coalition (or the Franklin Food Pantry, or the Random Smile Project, orHMEA, etc....).

It really is only a little amount that ends up going for each purchase but as we all know, every little bit counts!

Support Franklin non-profits with Smile Amazon!

In the News: Senate Ways and Means endorsed opioid legislation

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

"A powerful Senate committee on Tuesday endorsed legislation giving those addicted to opioids new access to medically assisted treatment in prisons and creating harm-reduction sites for people to use drugs while advancing several other ideas to curb the deadly scourge. 

The Senate Ways and Means Committee version of the bill in many ways follows the broad contours of legislation (H 4742) that the House passed unanimously last week. The bill would shift pharmacies over to electronic prescriptions, establish a standing order to make overdose-reversing medication available to well-meaning members of the public, and allow patients to fill part of a prescription and then go back to get the rest. 

A Ways and Means poll on the bill closed early afternoon on Tuesday, and the bill was reported favorably, according to an aide."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180717/safe-injection-site-pilot-included-in-senate-opioid-bill

The bill likely would move to conference committee to resolve the differences with the House on a similar measure.

St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul 24th Annual Backpack Collection - Aug 18-19

The St. Mary's Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is excited to announce its 24th annual collection of back-to-school supplies to help children prepare for a wonderful school year. 

If you would like to participate, please buy a school backpack, and fill it with back to school supplies. Please label the backpack either Grades K-3, Grades 4-5, Grades 6-8, or Grades 9-12. The backpacks should not be specific for either a boy or a girl. 

The backpacks may be dropped off inside the front of the church in the designated boxes on the weekend of August 18/19 and on Monday, (August 20th) until noon. 

St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul
24th Annual Backpack Collection

Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be distributing backpacks to families in town with school-aged children starting on Tuesday, August 21st. We are also hoping to have enough backpacks to offer them to families living in area shelters. 

Last year, 133 children and teens benefited from your generosity. It is so important for children and youth to see the goodness in the world.

Thank you in advance for your participation in this year’s drive!



Suggestions for supplies may be found on our website:
http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/uploads/docs/backpacksupplylist2018.pdf

or here:

Concerts on the Common: Frank Padula Band & Martin Levin - Story Teller - July 18

July 18
Frank Padula Band 
Martin Levin - Story Teller

The main program is scheduled to run on Wednesdays from 6:30 PM  - 8:30 PM. The Children's Programs from 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM. 

You can download a copy of the schedule
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oG2-XOINB4ziJgVbf_4N0B6MNJCrG_SJ/view?usp=sharing

Concerts on the Common: Sharon Band and Rob Peters Bubble Man - July 11

The concerts will use the new stage. Franklin's Town Council authorized the purchase last year and it has arrived in time to be used this summer.

stage in the early morning dewy sunlight

full stage view

FHS' Girls' Lacrosse Coach in the current issue of Lacrosse Magazine

From the Franklin network we find that "FHS' Girls' Lacrosse Coach, Kristin Igoe Guarino, is profiled on the back page of the current issue of Lacrosse Magazine published by US Lacrosse." 

https://www.uslaxmagazine.com/fuel/us-lacrosse/inside-the-july-august-2018-edition-of-us-lacrosse-magazine

or go directly to the digital edition here
http://content.digitalpub.blue-soho.com/web/y5b2/0A1v7bf/JulyAugust2018/html/index.html?page=80&origin=reader

FHS' Girls' Lacrosse Coach in the current issue of Lacrosse Magazine

FTC Scam Alert: Avoiding tech support scams

Avoiding tech support scams by Carol Kando-Pineda Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education You're working on your computer when, suddenly, a message pops up on the screen: "Virus detected! Call now for a free security scan and to repair your device."  That's a tech support scam. Don't call, text, or email. Legit tech support companies don't operate that way Read more => https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/07/avoiding-tech-support-scams?utm_source=govdelivery

St. Rocco Festival of Food Finale - Aug 9-12, 2018

Times change and traditions evolve. This year’s annual Feast of St. Rocco, on August 9-12 will mark the 40th and final food festival in Franklin. Driven by the energy and passion of long-time committee members, and executed with the strength of 300 volunteers, this festival finale will be one to remember! 

This year’s celebration will feature more than a dozen food booths offering everything from fried clams, calzones and sausages to authentic Italian pastries and fried dough. Entertainment throughout the weekend will include live bands, DJs, raffles, and amusement rides. Commemorative T-shirts and aprons will be on sale. Raffles for cash prizes and homemade items will be available all weekend.

Throughout the years, the festival has adapted to the changing lifestyle of the community. In the early days all food was donated and prepared in the kitchens of the parish faithful. For a time, food was prepared in the kitchen of what was then the St. Mary’s School. Today, the food is prepared under the tents where it is served, under strict board of health guidelines. The one constant for 40 years has been the enthusiastic volunteers who prepare and serve the food throughout the weekend.

Entertainment has changed over the years as well. Music has always been part of the celebration and the early days featured several stages with multiple bands and dancing. A pie eating competition and chocolate chip cookie contest are some of the past events. And the young and young-at-heart have enjoyed old fashioned midway games, carnival rides, cotton candy and laughter galore throughout the years!

Weather has been noteworthy over time. The festival has been held in scorching heat and throughout thunderstorm-ridden weekends, but the spirit of the festival has always endured.

Don’t miss the final food festival beginning Thursday evening, August 9 and continuing through Sunday the 12th, held on the field beside the parking lot across from the St. Mary’s Church. Come for the food. Come for the rides. Come for the people. Just come… be a part of the St. Rocco Festival Finale! For more information or to volunteer to help on festival weekend, please contact the St. Mary’s Rectory at 508-528-0020.


Additional info can be found on the St Rocco page
http://www.stmarysfranklin.org/feast-st-rocco

Photos from the St Rocco Festival in 2013