Saturday, August 4, 2018

Remember when - August 4, 2010

Wednesday, August 4, 2010


Bill Glynn - sit and chat summary

In his lawn chair, one man was reading near the bandstand on the Town Common. The concerts are scheduled for Weds. Was he waiting for the concert? No, Bill Glynn was waiting for folks to show up for the "Sit and Chat".

They did come. By ones and twos, a total of seven. A mother with her children in Franklin schools who also works as a teacher. A father with children in the school whose wife is a teacher. She was at the boys baseball game, so he came. Two more mothers, coordinators for one of the school PCC organizations. Another mother with two little ones just getting into the school system, curious to understand what their future in the schools might be like. Another mother (also a teacher) brought her son who will be a senior at Franklin High in September (yes, he did want to come along).

Continue reading about the "Sit and Chat" session that Bill, a first year member of the School Committee, held back in 2010.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/08/bill-glynn-sit-and-chat-summary.html

Remember when - August 4, 2010
Remember when - August 4, 2010

Friday, August 3, 2018

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI 8/3/18 - THU 8/9/18

FRIDAY 8/3/18
9:30am   Family Yoga @ Franklin Public Library
10am-12pm   Knitting Group @ Franklin Public Library
10:30am   Malik the Magic Guy @ Franklin Public Library
12-6pm   Farmers Market @ Town Common
8pm FPAC presents: Shakespeare's Macbeth @ Franklin Town Common


SATURDAY 8/4/18
10am-1pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
11am Goat Yoga (registration required) @ Fairmount Fruit Farm
10:30am   Pumpernickel Puppets @ Franklin Public Library
8pm Whatever Theater Festival 2018: The Game Show of All Game Shows + The Soiree! @ The Black Box


SUNDAY 8/5/18
8am   FREE Yoga at the Beach @ Chilson Beach, Beaver Pond  
10:30am   40th Feast of St. Rocco’s Festival - Opening Mass @ St. Mary’s Parish
1-4pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open


MONDAY 8/6/18
9am-6pm FSPA Open House @ 38 Main Street
10:30am   Move Along @ Franklin Public Library
1pm   Garden Storytime @ Franklin Public Library


TUESDAY 8/7/18
All Day   Drop In Craft @ Franklin Public Library
1pm   Pajama Dance Party @ Franklin Public Library
7pm   Friends of the Franklin Library Book Group @ Franklin Public Library


WEDNESDAY 8/8/18
1pm   Ted Talks @ Franklin Senior Center
6pm   Concert on the Common: Matt Zajac and Friends @ Franklin Town Common
6pm   Movie Night @ Franklin Public Library
6:30pm   Friends of the Library Meeting @ Franklin Public Library
7pm   Town Council Meeting @ Municipal Building
7:30pm   Let’s Laugh Today (laughter yoga) @ FUSF


THURSDAY 8/9/18
9:30am   Baby Tummy Time @ Franklin Public Library
10:30am   Pre-K Story and Craft @ Franklin Public Library
5-8pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
5-10pm   40th Feast of St. Rocco’s Festival (rides open) @ 195 Main St.
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

Town of Franklin kicks off study of Charles River Meadowlands with funding from DCR

Charles River Meadowland Initiative has announced an effort to secure the services of a consulting firm to undertake a study of more than 500 acres of lands in the towns of Franklin, Bellingham, and Medway currently under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers. The purpose of the study is to assess conservation and passive recreation opportunities available on those lands and adjacent town lands.

The $25,000 grant made available through the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) was facilitated by state representative Jeffrey Roy, representing Franklin and Medway, state representative Kevin Kuros, representing Bellingham, as well as former state representative John V. Fernandes of Milford.

According to Franklin Director of Planning, Bryan Taberner, the immediate goal is to identify a qualified firm and work to a timeline that will produce a report by the first half of 2019. “We expect that process should identify a few key areas for focus as well as general long-term goals,” he said. The work will be managed by a Working Group consisting of volunteers from the three communities, he added.

As part of the process, the Meadowlands Initiative Working Group and the consultant will be planning and hosting public hearings in Franklin, Bellingham, and Medway to identify ideas and concerns from townspeople, abutters, local officials, and others interested in the project. Feedback from that process will eventually become part of the report.

“This is a great step forward for the Charles River Meadowlands Initiative and is a credit to the many volunteers, our dedicated local legislators, and our local officials who have generously shared their time and ideas,” said Alan Earls, founder of the organization.


About the Charles River Meadowlands Initiative

The towns of Bellingham, Franklin, and Medway play host to more than 500 acres of land protected by the US Army Corps of Engineers as part of the Charles River Natural Valley flood control project. Organized in 2015 with guidance from Metacomet Land Trust, Charles River Meadowlands Initiative is an effort among citizens and local officials to work together and to work with Federal and State officials, to improve access to and management of this beautiful natural resource. 

For more information visit www.charlesrivermeadowlands.org

For questions about the Meadowland Initiative, please contact Alan Earls: alan.r.earls@gmail.com

For questions about the specific project parameters and requirements, contact Byran Taberner: btaberner@franklinma.gov

Oct. 28. 2017, 20 walkers explored between Oak St. Extension and White Ave in Franklin. (courtesy photo)
Oct. 28. 2017, 20 walkers explored between Oak St. Extension and White Ave in Franklin. (courtesy photo)

Remember when - August 3, 2009

Monday, August 3, 2009

Franklin: Walgreens Conveyor

Quite busy at the Walgreens (former Four Corners Bldg) site. The foundation appears to be nearing completion.


Franklin_WalgreensConveyor, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Continue reading from the archives of 2009

Franklin Almanac - Episode 8 (video) - from the archives

Re-posting the Franklin Almanac - Episode 8 (video) from the archives in July 2017. Polikseni has moved on to a regular weekend position with a TV station in Vermont.


Franklin Almanac Episode 8 With Host Polikseni Manxhari is available for replay on YouTube. The show was originally posted on Jul 5, 2017

  • Intro - 00:00-00:42
  • Strawberry Stroll - 00:43-06:30
  • Interview with Nan Rafter - 06:31-14:52
  • Plaque dedication for Harvey Nasuti - 14:53-20:00
  • LED streetlights - 20:01-27:40
  • Final Thoughts - 27:41-29:57

https://youtu.be/WXiOH-zu9cs




Fletcher Field flag pole honors Harvey Nasuti
Fletcher Field flag pole honors Harvey Nasuti 1

In the News: wreath on the tomb; absentee ballots available

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

"There is one organization that has endured since the Revolutionary War in America, drawing its roots from the Sons of Liberty themselves – The Improved Order of Red Men. 
Last weekend, Franklin resident Anthony Gromelski, national president of the Order of Red Men and a Vietnam veteran, joined state Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, in placing a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. 
Gromelski placed the wreath for the final time as the Order’s president, a position also known as Great Incohonee. It was an honor he felt will last a lifetime, he said. 
“We’ve been doing this for 56 years,” he said. “It’s in the history books, and it’s to honor the Unknown Soldier.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180802/franklin-resident-places-wreath-on-tomb-of-unknown-soldier



"Secretary of State William Galvin announced Thursday that absentee ballots are now available in every city and town for the state party primaries scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 4. 
“With the absentee ballots now in the city and town halls, college students who will be heading back to school can obtain their ballots and cast them before they leave,” Galvin said in a statement. “Anyone who expects to be away or otherwise unable to get to their precinct on September 4th should apply for an absentee ballot as soon as possible.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180802/state-primary-absentee-ballots-are-available

Thursday, August 2, 2018

THE BLACK BOX Sings… Frozen - Aug 8

THE BLACK BOX will present a concert celebrating the music of the highest-grossing animated film of all time: Disney’s Frozen! The concert will feature a narrated telling of Elsa and Anna’s story with live performances of the film’s songs as well as new music written for the current Broadway production. 

Enjoy the memorable songs of Kristen and Robert Lopez in concert on Wednesday, August 8 at 7:30 pm at THE BLACK BOX located at 15 W. Central St. in downtown Franklin. 

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for teens, $10 for youth 6-12, and $5 for kids 5 and under.

Modeled after the popular cabaret series “54 Sings” at Feinstein’s/54 Below in NYC, THE BLACK BOX launches its new THE BLACK BOX Sings… Series with the songs of Disney’s Frozen. The series will celebrate the music of musicals, composers, and artists sung by Franklin Performing Arts Company favorites.

For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com.


THE BLACK BOX Sings… Frozen - Aug 7
THE BLACK BOX Sings… Frozen - Aug 7

Lifelong Community Learning Announces Fall Registration Open

Registration is now open for the fall semester at Lifelong Community Learning. Classes begin in early September. Participation is open to individuals, organizations and businesses alike in Franklin and the surrounding region towns.

This fall, participants can choose from a very interesting variety of options. Class categories include Art, Food and Wine, and Astronomy and Photography. 

Or join us for “Football We Hardly Know You”- a two-night interactive workshop where registrants can learn basic football terminology, rules, and penalties, just in time for the start of football season.

Our Kids’ Corner program, a place where fun and learning meet, has been expanded again and will include another Parent and Child Painting Night in mid-September.

Looking for a day-trip adventure? Lifelong Community Learning has it! There will be a Fall Foliage Day Trip to New Hampshire where you will have lunch at the lovely Woodbound Inn. 

If skiing is your adventure, you will have two opportunities for day trips – Okemo Mountain in Vermont or Bretton Woods in New Hampshire. All motor coach trips will begin and end at Franklin High School.

You won't want to miss our Public Safety / Personal Awareness classes offered in partnership with the Franklin Police and Fire Departments.

This fall you will also find more exercise and sports programs than ever including Yoga and Yoga For Anyone, Zumba, a Fitness Class for Active Agers, Country Line Dancing, and Community Walking. Badminton is back this fall along with two nights of Men’s Basketball. Intermediate and Advanced Volleyball classes round out the field.

Visit www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com for full course details and to register. You may also call Lifelong Community Learning at 508-613-1480 for more information.

Lifelong Community Learning is a program of the Franklin Public Schools Lifelong Learning Institute, dedicated to providing quality learning experiences for residents in the Town of Franklin and surrounding communities.
Lifelong Community Learning Announces Fall Registration Open
Lifelong Community Learning Announces Fall Registration Open

Reminder: FPAC Presents 11th Annual Whatever Theater Festival - Aug 2-3

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents the 11th annual Whatever Theater Festival, featuring a production of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth on Thursday, August 2 and Friday, August 3 at 8 p.m. 

The production will be staged outdoors on Franklin Town Common. Performances are free of charge, with donations to FPAC gratefully accepted.

One of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, Macbeth is a psychological thriller about unchecked ambition, ruthless murder and revenge. Fueled by witches’ prophecy and a lust for power, tyrannical madman Macbeth carries out a murderous plot to take Scotland’s crown. 

With wife Lady Macbeth, the pair’s dark corruption erodes human compassion and causes devastating destruction. FPAC presents a 90-minute adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic morality tale, as “Something wicked this way comes.” 

Conceived and directed by Nick Paone, the summertime Whatever Theater Festival brings together professional artists, FPAC alumni, students and community performers in a collaborative theatrical experience. 

For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.FPAConline.com.

An overview of Macbeth can be found online https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macbeth

FPAC Presents 11th Annual Whatever Theater Festival - Aug 2-3
FPAC Presents 11th Annual Whatever Theater Festival - Aug 2-3

Remember when - August 2, 2008

Saturday, August 2, 2008

"We don't want anything sneaky going on"

GHS
Posted Aug 01, 2008 @ 11:29 PM

FRANKLIN —
Leaders of the citizens' group, "It Does Not Fit, Do Not Permit" say they will remain vigilant in opposing "irresponsible development" and keeping a watchful eye on developers.
About 50 members of the group descended upon the Zoning Board of Appeals July 24, to fight a commercial development plan Councilor Joseph McGann and former police chief Lawrence Benedetto proposed in January for 704 Washington St. The members expressed frustration that the two sought a second continuance and did not appear.

Continue reading in the archives
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2008/08/we-dont-want-anything-sneaky-going-on.html

the property at 704 Washington has not changed since then

Franklin GIS map of 704 Washington
Franklin GIS map of 704 Washington

Franklin Almanac - Episode 7 (video) - from the archives

Re-posting the Franklin Almanac - Episode 7 (video) from the archives in July 2017. 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 7 via the YouTube link. Polikseni Manxhari hosts segments on
  1. Opening- 00:00- 00:43
  2. Healthy Kids Day- 00:44-05:47
  3. Franklin Beautification Day- 05:48-10:17
  4. HMEA 5K- 10:18-15:17
  5. Franklin Fourth of July Celebration- 15:28-22:40
  6. In Memory of Michael Doherty- 22:42-25:15
  7. Final Thoughts- 25:16- 27:18

https://youtu.be/GjmFaucLr_s




For more about the Franklin Downtown Partnership
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

For more about the HMEA   https://hmea.org/

By way of disclosure, I am a citizen member of the Downtown Partnership and a regular volunteer to help the HMEA conduct the 5K road race.

Rep Jeff Roy and HMEA CEO Mike Moloney pushing their HMEA partners in the 5K road race held on May 21, 2017. I provided the 2 mile splits to the runners and captured this photo on Upper Union St

MassBudget: Why the Count Counts



  MassBudget: Why the Count Counts     MassBudget: Why the Count Counts

July 31, 2018




Why the Count Counts:
Federal Funds in Massachusetts at Direct Risk with a Census Undercount of Children

Counting all people in the state in the decennial Census plays an important role in determining federal funding for communities. An undercount in the upcoming 2020 Census could directly affect a range of federal funding sources essential for our schools, and for the health and social services that benefit every community in the Commonwealth.
The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center's new report, WHY THE COUNT COUNTS: Major Sources of Federal Funding for Massachusetts Affected by Census Counts, identifies some of the largest federal funding sources in Massachusetts that could be at direct risk if the Census does not complete an accurate count. These are federal funds that come to Massachusetts based specifically on Census population data.
MassBudget: Why the Count Counts

Not only does a Census undercount paint a distorted picture of the Commonwealth, it would have a direct impact on essential resources that affect the economic well-being of the people in the state. Read WHY THE COUNT COUNTS: Major Sources of Federal Funding for Massachusetts Affected by Census Counts for a discussion of these federal funds.

http://massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=Why-the-Count-Counts.html
The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER
15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700
BOSTON, MA 02108


Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108

Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

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

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
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:

Franklin Almanac - Episode 6 (video) - from the archives

Re-posting the Franklin Almanac - Episode 6 (video) from the archives in early 2017. 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 6 via the YouTube link. Polikseni Manxhari hosts segments on
  1. Opening/intro- 00:00-00:43
  2. Empty Bowls Dinner- 00:43-6:48
  3. "Hate has no home here" campaign-6:48-11:05
  4. Safe Coalition 5k- 11:06-17:28
  5. Horace Mann Statue- 17:29- 26:34
  6. Final Thoughts- 26.35- 28:53

https://youtu.be/tXozpG_livQ




Local source for Hate has No Home signs

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/02/people-are-really-looking-for-way-to.html

More about the Safe Coalition can be found http://safecoalitionma.com/

The audio recording of the Horace Mann Statue Unveiling ceremony is available here  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/05/fm-130-audio-recording-of-horace-mann.html


the Horace Mann statue stands to welcome folks to downtown Franklin
the Horace Mann statue stands to welcome folks to downtown Franklin

Franklin Cultural District Update

Dear Cultural District Partners and Friends,

It was great to see so many of you in attendance for our first Cultural District partners' meeting. Many wonderful ideas for collaboration were discussed.

· The Downtown Partnership is planning to create murals in 3 of the alleyways downtown and is looking for artists to help them complete them

· Franklin TV is looking to organize shows, both on TV and FM radio. Podcasts could be recorded in advance, often at your place of business. They would also like to support twenty-second spots (3-4 typed lines at 12 pt font) for announcing events on the radio.

Various "walks" were discussed, including:

· Scavenger hunts—it would be good to find topics that would be interesting to children helping them to get outside and active

· Ghost tours ending at the cemetery with perhaps a production by Dean College theater department on the lives of those buried there.

· "Art Trail" or "Ladybug Trail" (a tour to see the ladybug statues created by the Franklin Cultural Council)

· Taste of Franklin, perhaps organized as a progressive dinner

· Topic-based tours, such as History of Franklin (including a stop at the Historical Museum, Library to see the Ben Franklin books, etc), Historical Sites of Franklin (old houses, etc), Play Areas of Franklin, etc. Again, finding ones that interest children would be beneficial

Since our June meeting, we have continued our work of reaching out to partners and businesses in the Franklin community. As you know, we submitted the Cultural District application to the State in June. At this time, we are waiting to hear back regarding the next stage of the application process—the site visit, when a team from the state will come to tour the proposed Franklin Cultural District and to meet the Franklin Cultural District partners. We would like many of you involved in that tour. As soon as we know the date of this visit, we will share this information with all of you.

Sincerely,

The Franklin Cultural District Committee


Franklin Cultural District
Franklin Cultural District

Event Invitation: Night to Honor the 2018 FHS State Champion Team - Aug 7

Night to Honor the 2018 FHS State Champion Team.

Held in the Auditorium. Help Franklin TV honor the 2018 State Championship Baseball Team. We will being showing highlights of all 4 Super 8 games as well as talking to the players and coaches.

Tuesday, August 7 at 6 PM EDT
Franklin High School (Franklin, Massachusetts)

Follow the event on Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/events/271317116979154/

Night to Honor the 2018 FHS State Champion Team
Night to Honor the 2018 FHS State Champion Team