Franklin Senior Center: Email Blast - Mar 19, 2021

Hello Everyone!

Email Blast - Mar 19, 2021

On March 24th it will be a full year of me sending out Email Blasts.  A year of the Senior Center being closed. A year of no hugs, face masks, social distancing and isolation.  A year of lockdown and zoom and an entirely new way of life for people around the world.  It has also been a year filled with kindness and new ways to connect people.  What is your most memorable moment of the past year?  What are you grateful for?  What are you hoping for in the months to come?

Staying Connected

Link to the Senior Center - https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc

Link to the Senior Center Calendar https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/day 

Link to Franklin Matters - https://www.franklinmatters.org/ and www.franklin.news 

Link to the Town's webpage - https://www.franklinma.gov/

Link to Mass.Gov COVID - https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information 

Tips

Ballet Based Movements - increase balance, strength and flexibility - gentle exercise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0177DYK-8o 

10 minute mindful meditation for letting go - guided meditation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syx3a1_LeFo 

Paul Eugene - Full body seated chair exercise and strength training - WOO this is a workout!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhQH84KkCZI 

Music

BBC Howard Goodall's Story of Music The age of discovery

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0Y6NPahlDE 

American Percussion - The Travolette

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_54_o4rQ8Jg 

Boogie Woogie impromptu piano concert in the Tube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMVog-ZPWYQ 

Just for Fun

Clog Dancers 1959 - BFI National archive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGRn1XDYIVc 

Creative people on a whole other level of amazing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJZuqQkiPpg 

4 ways to paint landscapes - acrylic for beginners

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGWO77Bm64g 

Humor

Andy Griffith and Don Knotts - Gettysburg Address

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAwhowRGVg8 

Jeanne Robertson - don't bungee jump naked

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1_W0LCHwK4 

Kindness Matters

Inspirational Video - Be a Mr. Jensen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p5286T_kn0 

Upcoming Events email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend unless noted otherwise.

*Monday at 1pm - Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Tuesday at 5pm - Quarantini Time a virtual, social, cocktail hour.

*Tuesday at 1pm - Audio Book club- email mgunderson@franklinma.gov 

*Wed. At 1pm - Writers Group 

*Wed. At 4pm - Alzheimer's Support Group for Caregivers - email elaine.owens@verizon.net

*Thursday  at 1pm - Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Friday at 11am - Sunshine Zoom - for members with memory loss - 1 hour of socialization,

 games and activities.

 

Attached you will find: Donna's Fun filled activity Pages https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NYbJtNCmuHNJk6x2AbLbTxF5IaOvNrld/view?usp=sharing

Love, virtual hugs and good health to you all!  Stay safe, we are in the home stretch!

Ariel

Please feel free to share this email with anyone you think might enjoy it.  If you want me to add someone to the email blast list just send me a message with their email in it. 

REMEMBER:

When searching for information about the Coronavirus, COVID-19 please use caution!  Unfortunately there are many false sites that contain viruses and malware that can threaten your computer.  Many look like real sites.  Your best bet is to go directly to the CDC, WHO or your local government page (links below).   

https://www.cdc.gov/ 

https://www.who.int/

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here

--

Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator

Respite Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

MA State News: climate change bill likely to get signed; Remote work likely here to stay

 

"WITH BOTH BRANCHES of the Legislature approving climate change legislation by veto-proof majorities, the Baker administration on Thursday declared victory and signaled that the governor will sign the bill into law.

“The governor and I are very pleased the Legislature adopted the vast majority of our amendments,” said Katie Theoharides, the governor’s secretary of energy and environmental affairs.

She said she couldn’t definitively say the governor will sign the bill until it actually reaches his desk and he can see it in its final form, but she signaled that was likely. “We are very pleased by the inclusion of key amendments as well as technical changes,” she said."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/environment/baker-administration-very-pleased-with-climate-change-bill/

 

The MA Legislature's press release on the passage of the climate change bill

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/ma-legislature-passes-landmark-climate.html

The link to the legislation itself  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S9

Remote work looks like it’s here to stay

"EASTERN BANK USED to be a typical employer. Be in the office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an hour break for lunch. Its employees in Lynn, Boston, and elsewhere fought the traffic with other rush hour commuters.

No more. That model, says CEO Bob Rivers, is likely gone for good.

Once the pandemic eases, Eastern Bank plans to implement for the first time a widely available work-from-home policy, which will give employers more options for whether they want to come into the office or not.

“Being able to work in this way with greater flexibility we think will make us a better employer, and certainly a more competitive employer,” Rivers said."

Continue reading the article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/remote-work-looks-like-its-here-to-stay/

WHO on Long COVID in children - "A better comprehension of Long COVID is urgently needed"

Background

"The World Health Organization has recently recognized Long COVID, calling the
international medical community to strengthen research and comprehensive care of patients with this condition. However, if Long COVID pertains to children as well is not yet clear. "

Results

"510 children were included (56.3% females) infected between January 2020 and January 2021. At their initial COVID-19 infection, 22 (4.3%) children were hospitalized. Overall, children had persisting COVID-19 for a mean of 8.2 months (SD 3.9). Most frequent symptoms were: Tiredness and weakness (444 patients, 87.1% of sample), Fatigue (410, 80.4%), Headache (401, 78.6%), Abdominal pain (387, 75.9%), Muscle and joint pain (309, 60.6%), Post-exertional malaise (274, 53.7%), rash (267, 52.4%). 484 (94.9%) children had had at least four symptoms. 129 (25.3%) children have suffered constant COVID-19 infection symptoms, 252 (49.4%) have had periods of apparent recovery and then symptoms returning, and 97 (19.0%) had a prolonged period of wellness followed by symptoms. Only 51 (10.0%) children have returned to previous levels of physical activity. Parents reported a significant prevalence of Neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Conclusions 

Our study provides further evidence on Long COVID in children. Symptoms like fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, rashes and heart palpitations, and mental health issues like lack of concentration and short memory problems, were particularly frequent and confirm previous observations, suggesting that they may characterize this condition. A better comprehension of Long COVID is urgently needed."

Source: https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202103.0271/v1/download

LiveARTS: Two Pianos, Four Hands, all Rachmaninov! - Mar 21

LiveARTS presents Duo Pianists Cynthia Raim and David Allen Wehr on Sunday, March 21st at 3:00pm via zoom!

LiveARTS presents  Duo Pianists CYNTHIA RAIM & DAVID ALLEN WEHR An all-Rachmaninov re-stream on Zoom in collaboration with the  Philadelphia Chamber Music Society!   Sunday, March 21   at   3:00 PM   Pianist CYNTHIA RAIM is acclaimed for her concerto, recital, and chamber music performances throughout the United States and abroad and has recorded for Gall, Pantheon, and Connoisseur Society, including solo albums of Ravel, Schumann, Brahms, and Schubert and two-piano recordings of Rachmaninoff, Brahms, and Dvořák with David Allen Wehr. She is a native of Detroit, where she studied with Mischa Kottler, Ms. Raim studied with Rudolf Serkin and Mieczyslaw Horszowski at the Curtis Institute of Music, where she earned bachelors and masters degrees.   DAVID ALLEN WEHR's performance career has taken him on tour to over 30 countries in Europe, North and South America, and the Far East, including performances in the world musical capitals of New York, London, Paris, Vienna, Washington, Madrid, and Buenos Aires. Wehr has been soloist with the London Symphony, National Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony, Houston Symphony, New Zealand Symphony, and all the major Spanish and Latin American orchestras. PROGRAM All Rachmaninov program! Suite No. 1 for Two Pianos, Op. 5 Fantaisie tableaux Rachmaninov: Duets, Op. 11 [Sel.] Rachmaninov: Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos, Op. 17 LiveARTS and PCMS favorite Cynthia Raim is joined by her longtime piano partner, David Allen Wehr, for a rarely-heard, two-piano, four-hands, all-Rachmaninov program. Lauding the duo's recording of the Suites for Two Pianos, a Pianoforte critic raved: "Here are two fine artists who sound as if they might have stepped right out of a Russian academy. They allow the composer's melodies and phrases a natural shape without ever imposing technique on them, with a great feeling of contrast, light and shade." Join us for the fourth concert of our current season,  a donation-based concert! To take advantage of this opportunity, go to our website, liveartsma.org, and order a free ticket. The Zoom link will be emailed to you 24 hours before the concert. Tickets are free, but donations are always welcome! Watch your email for more information. The all-Beethoven program featuring Nicholas Kitchen, Yeesun Kim, and Ann Sears will return for the start of next season, in person! (Restrictions permitting) This concert is a special re-stream of a concert that was originally streamed on December 4, 2020, by Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. LiveARTS is very grateful to PCMS for generously granting permission to re-stream this extraordinary event! You can download Zoom using this link:  Download Zoom

Our mailing address is: LiveARTS P.O. Box 678 Franklin, MA 02038

Franklin's Event Outlook: Mar 19 - Mar 25, 2021

Good choices for Sunday afternoon: virtual grandparenting or a choice of concerts "Broadway in Franklin' or  "Two Pianos, Four Hands, all Rachmaninov!"

 

Friday, March 19
5:00pm -  The History of the Cocktail Led by Jackson Cannon

Sunday, March 21
1:00pm -  Historical Museum (open and free admission)
3:00pm -  Virtual Grandparenting: Story Time with Big Joe

3:00pm - "Broadway in Franklin" - live streaming from THE BLACK BOX 

3:00pm - LiveARTS: Two Pianos, Four Hands, all Rachmaninov!

Tuesday, March 23
9:00am -  wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey
12:00pm -  wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey
6:00pm -  wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey
 

Wednesday, March 24
10:00am -  wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/ Kim
1:00pm -  wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/Kim
7:00pm -  Community Conversation: Police Reform
7:00pm -  wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/Kim
7:30pm -  Let’s Laugh Today is Free on ZOOM!
 

Thursday, March 25
10:00am -  wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
11:00am -  wfpr.fm: "Talkin’ the Blues" – Jim/Todd
1:00pm -  wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
2:00pm -  wfpr.fm: "Talkin’ the Blues" – Jim/Todd
7:00pm -  wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
7:00pm -  FHS: 1 Act - "Neverland"
7:45pm -  FHS: 1 Act - "Frankenstein"
8:00pm -  wfpr.fm: "Talkin' the Blues!" - Jim/Todd
 

 

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

The School district meeting calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

 

Community Calendar

FM #494 - Town Council Budget SubComm - 03/17/21 (audio)

FM #494 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 494 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Town Council Budget Subcommittee meeting held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.  

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: most members of the Budget Subcommittee and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, one subcommittee member was remote along with the public was remote via Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

The show notes also include links to my notes taken via Twitter during the meeting as well as the agenda and associated budget documents released for this meeting.

The meeting runs about 30 minutes, so let’s listen to the Budget Subcommittee meeting. Audio file => https://player.captivate.fm/episode/67ff3946-af52-415d-9cba-73a52becd173

--------------

Quick Recap:

• Good info shared by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen on the overview of estimated revenues, with slight updates from that shared with the Finance Committee meeting last week

• Aside from that, no further details were discussed on the budget aside from variations on the theme of disappointment with the lack of representation from either the School Dept or the School Committee

• Having participated in the School Committee budget subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, I provided the info that the discussion there reflected (1) awareness of this budget meeting and (2) they were awaiting information on the joint budget committee meeting where the school budget is normally reviewed

• Chair announced that there will be questions on stormwater for the DPW to explain the increase of the $860K as mentioned but they were not raised this night

Budget Subcommittee agenda and supporting documents: 

https://franklinma.gov/budget-subcommittee/agenda/budget-subcommittee-agenda-2

Town of Franklin Budget page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget

My meeting notes  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/recap-budget-subcommittee-disappointed.html 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit   Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters" 

FM #494 - Town Council Budget SubComm - 03/17/21 (audio)

FM #493 - Angelina Perez - 03/15/21 (audio)

FM #493 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 493 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Angelina Perez. Angelina is a senior at Franklin High School and was the co-emcee and a panelist for the #EqualEverywhere: Champions for Change - International Women’s day event. 

We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

• Girl Up

• Her many other activities at high school

• Preparing for an internship for her senior project

• Preparing for college

The link to the video of the #EqualEverywhere event is included in the show notes. Our conversation runs about 25 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Angelina. Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b4956da7-d42f-46fa-a02e-788ee9d127ae

--------------

#EqualEverywhere: Champions for Change - International Women’s day event

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/angelina-perez-co-emcee-for.html

 

From the Franklin Matters archives:

Named a Hockomock League Cross Country All Star in Nov 2020

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/fhs-batla-perez-brady-named-hockomock.html

Finished first for FHS in the Hockomock League Cross Country Championships Nov 2020

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/11/fhs-cross-country-individual-results.html

 --------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit   Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #493 - Angelina Perez - 03/15/21 (audio)

Recap -Town Council meeting Mar 17, 2021 - opens with moment of silence remembering 42 lost to COVID-19

Quick Recap:

• opens with moment of silence remembering 42 lost to COVID-19 
• Citizens Comment: reminder on bricks for the Veterans Walkway purchased by April 1 will be installed for Memorial Day; announcement of a Franklin Area Non-profit Network beginning March 29
• Recognition of retirees from DPW and Police along with the swearing in of new Police and Fire personnel 
• First passage of fee for food trucks for private parties
• Bylaw proposal referred to Planning Board on removal of restrictions for space for tasting room
  

 

----

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

 

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one folder  https://photos.app.goo.gl/nFjW3RwqtrzycAGW7

 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #tc0317

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tc0317&src=typeahead_click

• Getting ready for the town Council meeting #tc0317 https://franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/march-17-town-council-agenda Agenda doc has the connection info to view via cable, live stream or Zoom.
• Reminder on bricks for sale for the Veterans Walkway available for purchase by Apr 1, the cut off would be for brick to be installed this Memorial Day. #tc0317 I announced the kick off meeting for the Franklin Area Nonprofit Network on Mar 29 at 7 PM more info to come
• Citizen commenting against the stormwater fee but confusing it with the water and sewer enterprise funding process #tc0317 valid comments on any increase needs to be considered.
• Ciccone question and confusion around the stormwater, also confusing about what is where on the budget. Also confusing the capital vs operational budget spending. #tc0317 Motion on minutes from prior meeting, passes 9-0 via roll call
• Recognition of - David Allard - Retirement Recognition, Franklin DPW #tc0317
• Recognition of - Kevin Ryan - Retirement Recognition, Franklin Police Department #tc0317 served 44 years, under 5 chiefs Resolutions from House and Senate presented by Rep Roy
• Brief break to allow for movement of folks within the chambers Recognition of Detective John Maloney - Retirement Recognition, Franklin Police Department #tc0317
• Recognition of Kristopher Smith - Achievement Recognition, graduation from the Massachusetts Fire Academy #tc0317
• Swearing in of new officers for Police - (1) Rob Burchill - New Patrol Officer Ceremonial Swearing In & Badge Pinning, Police Department (2) Derek Tetrault - New Patrol Officer Ceremonial Swearing In & Badge Pinning, Police Department #tc0317 sworn in by town clerk N Danello
• Brian Armstrong - New Hire, Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Dept Jeffrey Ward - New Hire, Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Dept Kent Parsons - New Hire, Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Dept Benjamin Angelo - New Hire, Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Dept #tc0317
• The four firefighter/paramedics are starting Monday, being sworn in tonight. #tc0317 and pinned by family members
• Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick W. McDermot was rescheduled for a future meeting Subcommittee meetings for capital and budget being confirmed #tc0317
• Moving to legislation for action, temporary food truck event fee, https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._food_trucks.pdf #tc0317 only vote needed for a new fee to help expand food trucks in Franklin, private property owners. Fact sheet in agenda doc motion to 2nd reading, second, passes 9-0 via roll call
• Motion to refer to Planning Board,  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/21-872_tasting_room.pdf #tc0317 Change in requirements for tasting room for new establishments, does not apply to existing unless they come back to Planning Board. Passes 9-0 via roll call
• Town Admin report congratulations to cultural District for first state grant, housing grant received for affordable housing, chapter 90 allotment just under $1M, thanks to legislative delegation for keeping local aid coming, Gov Baker apparently to move to Phase 4 #tc0317
• #tc0317 Sr coffee hour at 8:30 AM, police reform discussion coming 3/24 at 7 PM, need to recognize and note hate crimes Homeless forum on 3/25 Congrats to retirees and new hires Lost 42 Franklinites to COVID Recognition of access to police hiring, not full pool of candidates
• #tc0317 #talkfranklinfirst gift cards sold over $42k so far, money to stay here. Thanks to Anne Marie for her efforts on the gift cards Historical Museum open, looking for volunteers. Sundays 1-4pm. thanks to the library for their efficiency during the closed period
• #tc0317 stay safe, be careful. We're not done yet, SAFE is very busy, help someone, reach out. Condolences to those who lost any one to this pandemic. Don't forget to do what we need to do, masks, social distance... Happy st patrick's
• Motion to enter executive session, not to return to open meeting 9-0 via roll call That's all for tonight, catch you next time #tc0317 

 

Chief Lynch checking the inscription on the plaque

Panther TV - News for this week - 3/18/21

Panther TV (@fhspanthertv) tweeted on Thu, Mar 18, 2021:

We've got a great interview with @FranklinSADD and @SafeCoalitionMA, plus a video update on @FHS_girlsXC on this week's Panther News! @FHSPantherbook @FranklinPSNews @FranklinHS  

https://t.co/vU09vb1xu3 via @YouTube

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1372589361133420546

Or video link = https://youtu.be/QulGgWHDlnQ