Thursday, August 9, 2018

FTC Alert: Promoter pitches “secrets” to big bucks on Amazon



Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

by Lesley Fair
Senior Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

Online ads and in-person workshops for Sellers Playbook claim to offer "secrets" to making big money on Amazon. But like a lot of namedroppers, the truth doesn't live up to the hype. That's what the FTC and the Minnesota Attorney General allege in a lawsuit they filed.


Read more
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/08/promoter-pitches-secrets-big-bucks-amazon?utm_source=govdelivery

This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.


Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Feast of St. Rocco Festival - Through the years

The Feast of St. Rocco Festival began in 1978 as the brainchild of Father Michael Guarino. He sought to create a religious, social and cultural event in Franklin that followed the format of traditional Italian festivals. On a visit to what were once the grounds of the St. Mary School convent, Fr. Guarino found a statue of St. Rocco and his idea found a saint to celebrate in such a festival. 

St Rocco, the patron saint of healing, was born in the 13th century to a wealth family in France but gave away his inheritance and set out as a pilgrim who ministered to the sick, especially those suffering from plague. Having healed many people through intercessory prayer without contracting the disease itself, he finally succumbed to illness and in his great suffering, went away to a small hut the woods, so as not to be a burden on others. He was ministered to be a dog who brought him bread daily, and a spring miraculously appeared near the hut providing him with water.

Ironically, with the feast focused on healing, accessibility is a major challenge for many parishioners. Change is taking place not only with the evolution of the festival, but also within the physical building of St. Mary’s church itself. During the Festival Finale, construction will be in full swing for an addition to the church that will include an accessible entrance, indoor elevator, restrooms on both levels and a food service area. This addition to the church will also feature a permanent location for the statue of St. Rocco to reside, where people can visit with the saint and pray year-round in good weather and bad.

Since its inception, the festival has always included three separate Masses. Kicking off the week of the feast is the Opening Mass at 10:30 on Sunday, August 5 at the church. This Mass is celebrated for the deceased friends and family listed in the St. Rocco program book. At this Mass, rolls that have been blessed are given out to all who attend, just as St. Rocco’s faithful dog brought him bread when he was sick, that helped him survive.

The following week on Saturday, August 11, an Anointing Mass will be held at 10:00 under the tent on the Festival Grounds behind the school across from the church. According to Paula Coughlin, long-time volunteer and Parish Administrative Assistant, “This always attracts a large, reverent crowd. There is something moving about seeing all these people attend Mass and receive an anointing for healing, even as the booth volunteers are readying their booths to serve the people coming for lunch.”

This year, the 40th and final Closing Mass for the Feast of St Rocco will be held on Sunday, August 12 at 10:30 at the church. Following Mass, a procession will carry the statue of St. Rocco from the church to the field.

As the food and festival portion of this feast comes to an end, it paves the way for new traditions and ways to celebrate faith, family and friends within the parish. 

Fr. Brian Manning, pastor of St. Mary’s explains it this way: “As we conclude the Festival of Food portion of the Feast of Saint Rocco this year, we will continue to honor in new ways the vision of faith that Fr. Michael and his many lay volunteers shared with all of us then and through all the years.” 

With changes to the church, the statue of St Rocco will be permanently housed in the new addition where people can pray at any time. And while our faith and town community may not see the food booths and rides on the fairgrounds next year, new traditions will bloom that are compatible with today’s lifestyle and culture.

Don’t miss this historic event. Come for the rides, Come for the people. Come for the healing. Just come … be a part of the St. Rocco Festival Food Finale!


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

St_Rocco_Festival_2013

Election Information for Franklin 2018

State Primary

Tuesday, September, 4, 2018 
Franklin High School, Oak Street
6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Last day to register to vote or change party affiliation Wednesday, August 15, till 8:00 PM 
Town Clerk’s Office or online at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/

State Election

Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Franklin High School, Oak Street 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Last day to register to vote or change party affiliation Wednesday, October 17, till 8:00 PM
Town Clerk’s Office or online at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/


Download a copy of 2018 election info
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczdG9PWHJFTndvekV4MnVSd1hKSW1TQjRtZkNJ/view?usp=sharing

Download a copy of the Absentee ballot info
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRGIxa0EyblRYRXpNcDVwRlhILTcwYVFkQjYw/view?usp=sharing

Election Information for Franklin 2018
Election Information for Franklin 2018

Remember when: Aug 8, 2014

Friday, August 8, 2014


Fieldhouse is gone

It didn't take long to demolish the field house. Half was taken down on Wednesday and at the end of the day Thursday, there remained only piles.

The remaining wall is for the small gym. It shows the arc of where the field house was
The remaining wall is for the small gym. It shows the arc of where the field house was

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/08/field-house-is-gone.html


Franklin Almanac - Episode 13 (video)

Catching up to post the Franklin Almanac - Episode 13 (video). Polikseni has moved on to a regular weekend position with a TV station in Vermont.


Franklin Almanac, the compendium of life in Franklin. If you missed the broadcast via cable last year, you can catch up to Episode 13 via the YouTube link. Polikseni Manxhari hosts segments on

Introduction- 00:00-00:37
Unified Basketball, Coach Leighton- 00:38-08:06
Harvest Festival 2017- 08:08-14:48
Sext Ed Forum- 14:50-23:20
Final Thoughts- 23:21-24:38

https://youtu.be/XUYBnpYUcpM




Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Opportunity For Sponsorships: Harlem Wizards Vs. Franklin Public Schools - Nov 16

Harlem Wizards Vs. Franklin Public Schools 
(“TEAM FPS”) 
A Community Basketball Event and Fundraiser 
To Benefit Franklin Education Foundation
Opportunity For Sponsorships

WHEN: Friday, November 16, 2018 @ 7:00 PM

WHERE: Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School Gymnasium, Franklin, MA

WHAT: The Harlem Wizards will bring their team to Franklin to compete against “Team FPS” for a 2-hour tournament. The Harlem Wizards brand of “Trick Hoops & Alley Oops” entertainment basketball has been packing gyms across the globe for over 50 years! Their show includes amazing slams, world-class tricks, precision teamwork and humor.

WHO: “Team FPS” will include teachers and staff from Franklin Public Schools. We sell out every year with a crowd of 1,200 students, parents and children!

WHY: FEF fundraisers have raised over $350,000 which has been distributed to Franklin Public Schools in the form of special grants. All Franklin Public School staff members are eligible to submit creative, innovative ideas for programs or activities that would not traditionally be funded by tax dollars. To see a list of programs FEF has funded over the years, visit http://www.franklined.org/grants.

OPPORTUNITY FOR SPONSORSHIPS: This is FEF’s largest and most visible fundraiser of the year. Your sponsorship will highlight that your business supports Franklin Public Schools and the larger Franklin community. We have numerous opportunities at various levels to support the fundraiser and promote your business to the Franklin community. The attached flyers provide more details about the event and sponsorship levels. Thank you for considering supporting FEF and FPS!

Sincerely,
Franklin Education Foundation


Download a copy of the sponsor info here or use the PDF shown below
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczYnNMbGU2SzJZWXZvSk43SnRlRjlwbmVpWDln/view?usp=sharing

Opportunity For Sponsorships: Harlem Wizards Vs. Franklin Public Schools - Nov 16
Harlem Wizards Vs. Franklin Public Schools - Nov 16




Concerts on the Common: Matt Zajac and Friends - Elaine Kessler - Story Teller - Aug 8

August 8
Matt Zajac and Friends 
Elaine Kessler - Story Teller


The main program is scheduled to run on Wednesday 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: Matt Zajac and Friends -  Elaine Kessler - story Teller - Aug 8
Concerts on the Common: Matt Zajac and Friends -  Elaine Kessler - story Teller - Aug 8

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.


full stage view
full stage view