Franklin School for the Performing Arts to host a series of Open Houses

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts will host a series of Open Houses at 38 Main Street on Tuesday, August 14 from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, August 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Wednesday, August 29 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday, September 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The community is invited to tour the facilities, speak with faculty and staff, and learn more about FSPA programs in music, dance, and drama for all ages and levels. Prospective students are also encouraged to schedule a complimentary trial class. The FSPA summer session runs through August 24, and fall classes begin on September 10. Registration is ongoing for all programs.

Proudly serving more than 500 students annually from 45 communities in Massachusetts’ Metro West region, FSPA is a unique place where students of all ages and levels of ability participate in an array of music, dance and drama programs with professional instruction and extraordinary performing opportunities.

For additional info visit FSPA online at https://www.fspaonline.com/

Franklin School for the Performing Arts to host a series of Open Houses

Franklin and Medway Police receive Jail Diversion Program Grant

The Franklin Police Department has been awarded a joint grant with the Medway Police Department, and Advocates, Inc. of Framingham, Massachusetts to hire a clinical social worker to assist with cases of people in a mental health crisis. This grant was made possible by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.

The Jail Diversion Program aims to help people in mental health crisis get the assistance they need, and not direct them unnecessarily into the Criminal Justice System. The Clinician will ride with police officers in cruisers and respond directly to calls. They will help evaluate and make recommendations for further care and follow up. This shortens the time on scene for officers, and ultimately leads to a better outcome for those involved.

The initial grant is valued at approximately $300,000, and is good for three years, with renewals possible after that.

Franklin Chief of Police Thomas J Lynch said “This program has been successfully used in several surrounding communities. Mental health crisis calls can be very difficult for officers, and having a highly trained clinician with them will lead to better results for all involved.”

Medway Chief of Police Allen M. Tingley added that “Mental health calls can be stressful, and sometimes volatile. Any tools that we can give our officers to resolve these calls without the use of force, and also reduce the number of repeat calls for service is a win for the Department, and the individual in crisis.

The program is in its initial phase of hiring a clinician, and working on new policies and procedures. It is expected that the program will be fully functioning within two months. Program coordinators for the Jail Diversion Program are Sgt. Brian Johnson of the Franklin Police Department, and Detective Sergeant Matthew Reardon of the Medway Police Department.

This was shared from the Town of Franklin page
http://www.franklinma.gov/police-department/news/franklin-and-medway-police-receive-jail-diversion-program-grant

Franklin and Medway Police receive Jail Diversion Program Grant

"Drunk? Stoned? Driving? Don’t.”

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

"As the list of legal and commercially available substances that can impair a person’s ability to drive a vehicle grows to include pot, state public safety officials on Wednesday launched a public awareness campaign to urge drivers to find alternate transportation if they have been drinking or using marijuana. 

An average of 125 drunk or high drivers die on Massachusetts roads each year, Undersecretary for Public Safety and Security Jennifer Queally said, and a recent Department of Public Health survey found that one-third of people who said they have used marijuana in the last 30 days have also driven under the influence in the last 30 days. 

“The number of high drivers and the number of deaths on our roadways is already too high, no pun intended,” Queally said Wednesday at a press conference to launch the campaign. “Driving high, driving stoned or driving drunk is dangerous and illegal, but most importantly it is deadly.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20180809/no-difference-between-driving-drunk-or-stoned-new-psa-warns

https://youtu.be/l5Xc3FRLEek

In the News: St Rocco's ends; Pfeffer recognized

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

"Nobody knows better than Peter Brunelli why the Feast of St. Rocco ends tonight after a 40-year run. 

“People get older,” Brunelli said while seated Saturday under a tent to shield him from a steady drizzle. Brunelli, 78, is co-chairman of this year’s weekend festival, and he’s been to all 40 of them. He grew up in Franklin, still lives there, and said there just aren’t enough volunteers anymore to keep the event going. 

It all started in 1978, when the Rev. Brian Manning wanted a community celebration at St. Mary’s Parish modeled after a traditional Italian festival. Manning noticed a statue of St. Rocco on the parish grounds, and decided it would be the theme of the party. 

St. Rocco is the patron saint of healing, and the statue still stands on grounds across the street from the parish. Ribbons in the color of the Italian Flag hung on it Saturday, and dollar bills were pinned to the ribbons, a festival tradition."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180812/40-year-tradition-ends-in-franklin

"Judith Pond Pfeffer comes from a long line of Franklinites who took on various roles in town, from the Town Hall to the fire station. It was these people who gave her an up-close look at the rewards of public service as she was growing up. 

Cut from the same cloth, Pfeffer has always followed their example. 

So it comes as no surprise that Pfeffer was recently recognized by the state Legislature and the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) as an “Unsung Heroine.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180811/franklins-judith-pond-pfeffer-honored-as-unsung-heroine

Reminder: 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:

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 11, 2018

Anointing Mass Saturday, August 11 10:00 AM under the tent

Food Booths, Rides and Music Saturday, August 11 from 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Ride bracelets or wrist bands are available Saturday 12 - 4 PM Normally $30 or $25 if you show the coupon which you can download from here:
http://fiestashows.com/m/events/byid/277

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

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 11, 2018

Remember when: Aug 11, 2017

Friday, August 11, 2017

The Vet Ruck Walk will travel through Franklin Saturday, Aug 19

Franklin's Veterans' Services Officer Dale Kurtz says:

"We expect the walkers to enter Franklin about 6 PM on Saturday, August 19. They will travel Lincoln St to make a brief stop at the War Memorial on the Town Common and then proceed through town via Main St to East Central expecting to exit at 7 PM into Wrentham. There will be 8 to 9 walkers and supporters are invited to join in, but we must keep up the pace of the team for them to make their timelines. We hope that veterans, scout groups and town people will come out to support the walkers."

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/the-vet-ruck-walk-will-travel-through.html

The Vet Ruck Walk will travel through Franklin Saturday, Aug 19

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI 8/10/18 - THU 8/16/18

FRIDAY 8/10/18

9:30am   Family Yoga @ Franklin Public Library

10am-12pm   Knitting Group @ Franklin Public Library

10:30am   Mr. Vinny’s Bubble Guys @ Franklin Public Library

12-6pm   Farmers Market @ Town Common

12:30pm   Farmer’s Market Tasting @ Town Common

1:30pm   Silvertones Concert and Root Beer Floats @ Franklin Senior Center

5-10pm   40th Feast of St. Rocco’s Festival (rides, food, music) @ 195 Main St.

SATURDAY 8/11/18

10pm   40th Feast of St. Rocco’s Festival  - Anointing Mass (under the tent) @ 195 Main St.

10am-1pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open

2pm   Chess Group @ Franklin Public Library

5-10pm   40th Feast of St. Rocco’s Festival (rides, food, music) @ 195 Main St.

SUNDAY 8/12/18

8am   FREE Yoga at the Beach @ Chilson Beach, Beaver Pond  

10:30am   40th Feast of St. Rocco’s Festival - Closing Mass and Procession of the Statue @ St. Mary’s Parish

11am Goat Yoga (registration required) @ Fairmount Fruit Farm
12-8pm   40th Feast of St. Rocco’s Festival (rides open) @ 195 Main St.

1-4pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open

1:15pm   Speaker Series @ Franklin Historical Museum

MONDAY 8/13/18

10:30am   Matt Heaton Concert @ Franklin Public Library
4:30pm Commuter Rail Meeting @ Franklin Public Library

TUESDAY 8/14/18

All Day   Drop In Craft @ Franklin Public Library

9am-7:30pm FSPA Open House @ 38 Main Street
7:30pm   Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Monthly Meeting (open to public) @ Franklin YMCA

WEDNESDAY 8/15/18

10:30am   Marcos Valles Concert @ Franklin Public Library

5pm   Book Bites @ Franklin Public Library

6pm   Movie Night @ Franklin Public Library

THURSDAY 8/16/18

9:30am   Baby Tummy Time @ Franklin Public Library

10:30am   Pre-K Story and Craft @ Franklin Public Library

1pm   Lego Robotics Club @ Franklin Public Library

1-6pm   American Red Cross Blood Drive @ Elks Lodge

5-8pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open

7pm   Healing Hearts Community Support Group @ Franklin YMCA

For the Town of Franklin Public Calendar click HERE.

For all other events and Franklin happenings click HERE.

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this FORM

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 10, 2018

Food Booths, Rides and Music Friday, August 10 from 5:00-10:00 PM

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

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 10, 2018

Remember when: Aug 10, 2016

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

"will look to introduce the herbicides when they would be most effective"

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

"The town has released the final version of a study of ponds at the DelCarte property as conservation efforts move forward. 

The study was conducted by Rhode Island firm ESS Group and examines the four ponds on the conservation property. Its draft - which stated that invasive plant and fish species pose a threat to the ponds - was released in February. 

Town Conservation Agent George Russell said the final version of the document was unchanged from the draft. Town officials, he said, had reviewed the study and determined that no changes to its text were needed."

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/08/will-look-to-introduce-herbicides-when.html

the fall foliage along the DelCarte property

In the News: St Rocco's final time; MA worker fired for marijuana use

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

"In the office tucked into a corner of the barn on the grounds of the old St. Mary’s School convent - headquarters for Franklin’s Feast of St. Rocco for the past 40 years - it seemed like nothing had changed. 

There was the usual coming and going - volunteers looking for a roll of yellow barrier tape, a screwdriver, some bottles of water. 

And there was the usual teasing among the Feast’s co-chairmen: Peter Brunelli, Mickey DeGrazia, Tom Olsen and Frank Fiorillo.

It had been this way for decades. And it felt the same this year as it always had in the days before the Feast of St. Rocco gets underway."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180809/grand-finale-for-franklins-feast-of-st-rocco

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 10, 2018

"Bernadette Coughlin hopes she is the last person in Massachusetts to be fired for having a toke of pot at home off work hours. 

The 55-year-old former patient services manager at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen visited the Statehouse with her lawyer on Tuesday, hoping to drum up support for some type of legislation that would limit employers from keeping their employees away from marijuana when they’re not on the job. 

In late May, Coughlin slipped on a kitchen floor at work and broke her left wrist and elbow, which several days later triggered a drug test - which she said her former employer, the food services company Sodexo, requires after at-work injuries. 

Coughlin’s test was positive for marijuana, which is not surprising because the Methuen resident said she used pot about a couple times a week."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180808/massachusetts-worker-fired-for-pot-use-seeks-legislative-response

8th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk - Sep 29

8th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk

Sponsored by St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul Society

September 29, 2018

8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

With September comes the end of Summer, the first day of school and the SVdP Friends of the Poor Walk. The Walk, 1 ½ or 3 miles, is our only fund raiser. SVdP members offer help to all Franklin residents in their time of need. Your support enables us to provide this assistance. Last year we were able to help 186 families.

Registration will begin between 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.in the Benjamin Franklin Charter School parking lot on Pleasant Street and then the walk will begin there at 9:00 a.m. rain or shine. Please walk with us in fellowship and contribute to our drive with generosity. To make this Walk better than ever, go to www.fopwalk.org where you can either join the Walk or make a donation.

Join together, with family and friends to make our Walk better than ever!

8th Annual Friends of the Poor Walk - Sep 29

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 9, 2018

Rides Open Thursday, August 9 from 5:00-10:00 PM

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

40th Feast of St. Rocco - August 9, 2018

Franklin Almanac - Episode 14 (video)

Catching up to post the Franklin Almanac - Episode 14 (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, you can catch up to Episode 14 via the YouTube link. Polikseni Manxhari hosts segments on


Introduction- 00:00-00:37
Franklin's new Treasurer Collector- 00:38-12:48
#2069 Erasing the stigma rally- 12:49-21:24
Election Day 2017- 21:25-27:00
Final Thoughts- 27:01-28:07

https://youtu.be/-Q2UQYi0BUg




The Election Collection for 2017 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/election-collection-2017.html

September 4, 2018 will be the State Primary
November 6, 2018 will be the MA State election

Additional information will be posted as the election campaigns get active after primary day.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/07/election-information-for-sep-nov-2018.html

and
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/08/election-information-for-franklin-2018.html

September 4, 2018 will be the State Primary

Remember when: Aug 9, 2015

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Franklin Lions Club

Lions meet the needs of local communities and the world every day because they share a core belief - to serve their community. 

Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization. We have 1.35 million members in more than 45,000 clubs in more than 206 countries and geographic areas. 

Franklin Lions Club

Lions have a dynamic history. Founded in 1917, we are best known for fighting blindness, but we also volunteer for many different kinds of community projects - including caring for the environment, feeding the hungry and aiding seniors and the disabled. Franklin Lions

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/08/franklin-lions-club.html