Meet Me at the Y on “Welcoming Wednesdays"

“Coming into the Y, it’s a very welcoming place,” says Sheryl Floris, Hockomock Area YMCA member. “No matter what’s going on in my life, I know that I can come to the Y, It’s like a safe haven.”

That is what we strive for—to be the place where people find life balance, reach their full potential, are active and find camaraderie, and connect and spend quality time together. Our goal at the Hockomock Area YMCA is to ensure that when people walk through our doors, they feel welcome and supported regardless of age, gender, ethnic origin, religious affiliation, and socioeconomic level.

All families are invited to come to our Y at no charge and enjoy a sense of belonging and the benefits of membership on “Welcoming Wednesdays” during September. On September 19, and 26 we are offering free group exercise classes, nutrition coaching, kids’ activities, swim time, and much more. Our branches are located at 300 Elmwood Street in North Attleboro, 67 Mechanic Street in Foxboro, and 45 Forge Hill Road in Franklin.

Meet Me at the Y on
“Welcoming Wednesdays” this September

Beverley Fonseca shares, “In the beginning I was nervous to join the Y because I had never exercised before. It was good to have someone show me around and show me what to do. At the Y, the atmosphere, the people, you just feel comfortable.”

The Y is for all and we believe our community is stronger when everyone feels welcome. We look to improve the quality of life of our members and families in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. Visit https://www.hockymca.org/welcoming-wednesdays/ for a list of various activities and classes you can participate. Come see how the Y can be your home away from home.

Solange Ventura agreed: “When we have had difficult times, the Y was there for us. It is our support system, our family away from home. They know us by name and we feel comfortable and safe.”

“And if you want a place where there are activities for everyone,” states Daniel Ventura, “it is here.”

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczaEtFYWxRUFlibDAxeGd4cnZhcDBKMGhRMnpF/view?usp=sharing

FPAC to present Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

September 21-23, the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will present Edward Albee's Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at THE BLACK BOX. The classic play examines the complexities of the marriage of a middle-aged couple, Martha and George. Late one evening, after a university faculty party, they receive an unwitting younger couple, Nick and Honey, as guests, and draw them into their bitter and frustrated relationship.

FPAC’s production stars Hallie Wetzell and Nick Paone of Franklin as Martha and George. Wetzell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from Occidental College and Master of Music degrees in Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy from New England Conservatory of Music. She serves as Vocal Director for the Franklin School for the Performing Arts and has appeared in many FPAC productions. A former Equity actor, Paone has been on the drama faculty at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts and an actor and director at FPAC since 2001. Amanda Dubois of Woonsocket, Rhode Island will play Honey. Dubois joined the Drama and Dance Faculty at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts in 2016.

Craig Hanson in
the role of Nick

Returning to Franklin for “Virginia Woolf” is New York City-based Equity actor Craig Hanson in the role of Nick. Hanson has been featured in two productions with “Blue Man Group” and has worked extensively with Alabama Shakespeare Festival as well as with many NYC and prominent regional theatre companies. Hanson got his start in the theatre as a student at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts and was seen on the FPAC stage in productions of Les Moose (Bullwinkle) and The Wizard of Oz In Concert (Scarecrow).

Hanson marks FPAC’s second Equity contract (soon to be followed by two more in Disney’s Newsies). FPAC artistic director Raye Lynn Mercer comments, “Last season we began to work with Actors’ Equity special appearance contracts that allow our company to bring in professionals to appear in our productions. It is particularly exciting to bring back alumni who were trained at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts and have a history with FPAC.”

Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? runs September 21-23 at THE BLACK BOX in Franklin. Tickets are $26 and are available at www.theblackboxonline.com or by calling 508-528-3370. 

You can follow FPAC and THE BLACK BOX on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

YMCA: Healthy Kids Day - Free Community Event - Oct 6

Our YMCA–together with many community partners–are excited to share that Healthy Kids Day® (formerly scheduled for May 19, which was a rainout) is set for Saturday, October 6 at Patriot Place in Foxborough. This is a free community event that features fun activities throughout the day, shown in this recap video. Press release is attached, along with photos from last year. 

Healthy Kids Day Free Community Event Oct 6

Healthy Kids Day is the largest health day for families nationally. Locally, the 10 AM – 1 PM event at Patriot Place will feature fun, creative, and healthy activities for children including:

• youth and family fitness challenges
• gymnastics obstacle courses
• STEM learning activities
• Photo booth
• Air brush tattoos, brought to you by Patriot Place
• arts and crafts
• seed planting
• fire and police safety
• Prizes, coupons and goody bags

YMCA: Healthy Kids Day - Free Community Event - Oct 6

nationalgrid: Storm Season Safety: Are You Prepared?

Storm Season Alert: Important safety information for our customers. As storm season approaches, severe weather could impact our service territory, causing damage and threatening your safety. National Grid is ready, and we want to ensure that you and your family are prepared before the next storm hits. To view this email as a web page, click here.

As storm season approaches, severe weather could impact our service territory, causing damage and threatening your safety. National Grid is ready, and we want to ensure that you and your family are prepared before the next storm hits. Storm Safety Tips: Never touch downed power lines, and always assume that any fallen lines are live electric wires. If you see one, report it immediately to National Grid or your local emergency response organization. It is a good idea to keep a number of working flashlights, at least one battery-operated radio and an extra supply of batteries in your home. It is also recommended to charge mobile devices prior to the storm so you can stay connected in the event of a power outage. Power problems can sometimes interrupt public water supply systems or disable well pumps, so it's an especially good idea to keep a supply of bottled drinking water handy, as well as some canned food. Stay Connected: Use your mobile device to track outage information, report outages and storm-related safety tips through National Grid's mobile site accessible at www.ngrid.com/mobile To receive text message alerts and updates from National Grid, text the word STORM to NGRID (64743). Other ways to stay in touch: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram; we post all the latest storm and restoration updates.

Franklin Library: Book Sale - Sep 15-16

Franklin Public Library Book Sale, Saturday, Sep 15, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The bag sale is scheduled for Sunday, Sep 16 from 9:00 AM to noon.

Franklin Library: Book Sale - Sep 15-16

This was shared from the Library page
http://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/september-book-sale

Franklin Senior Center Hosting Memory Cafes as part of Dementia Friendly Franklin Program

The Franklin Senior Center has received an $11,712 grant award from the MetroWest Health Foundation to make the city of Franklin a Dementia Friendly Community.

A component of this process includes providing a monthly Memory Café at the Franklin Senior Center that offers regularly scheduled social events for those living with dementia and their care partners, to encourage social interaction in a welcoming and accepting atmosphere.

Our next Memory Café is scheduled for Monday, September 24th, at 3:00 PM. This month’s presentation will offer information and a hands-on meeting with “Ernie” The Therapy Dog. Therapy dogs can be a great source of comfort and companionship for individuals struggling with memory impairment or isolation. For information, please call the Senior Center at 508 520-4945.

The Franklin Council on Aging was established in 1971 to address the needs of elderly residents. For more information about the Franklin Senior Center, visit  http://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center-and-council-aging

Franklin Senior Center Hosting Memory Cafes
as part of Dementia Friendly Franklin Program

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: John Gorka Sep 22 - with special guest Amilia K Spicer

John Gorka with special guest Amilia K. Spicer Sep 22

John Gorka Sep 22nd View this email in your browser John Gorka with special guest Amilia K Spicer Sep 22nd 8PM $30 Called "the pre-eminent male singer-songwriter of the New Folk movement" by Rolling Stone, John Gorka possesses a commandingly beautiful baritone voice. His articulate guitar playing compliments his superb lyrics on songs that are romantic, cosmic, poetic, haunting in their imagery or hilarious. Many well known artists have recorded and/or performed his songs, including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Nanci Griffith, Mary Black and Maura O'Connell. John has graced the stage of Austin City Limits, Mountain Stage, etown and has appeared on CNN. With a tangle of songs that emotionally connect us all and leave a tender trace, John Gorka stimulates the cerebrum, keeps our smiles agile and fit and reconnects us with what really matters most in music: honesty. His atmosphere allows for the listener to feel his individualized attention, his lyrical tenderness, his care for the guitar and his true presence.  http://johngorka.com/ "Gorka is widely heralded for the sophisticated intelligence and provocative originality of his songs." -The Boston Globe Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Amilia K Spicer will be John's special guest. With a sound that has traversed dynamic folk-pop, earthy rock, and atmospheric Americana, her music of evokes both a spirit of travel and a sense of place. http://www.amiliakspicer.com/ The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Tickets for this shows are $30.  Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. Upcoming Shows Oct 6        Joe Jencks with Katherine Rondeau Oct 20      Bettman and Halpin Nov 3       Susan Werner with Jim Henry and Ruby Nov 17     Eliza Gilkyson Dec 8       The Nields Holiday Show and Singalong

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA