Franklin Senior Center: Email Blast - April 23, 2021

Hello Everyone!

Earth Day is Saturday April 24th! 

3 days of live events #RestoreOurEarth  https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2021/ 

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 

Tuesday April 27th at 1pm - Join us on zoom for; 2 Tenors and a passion for wheels - Although not well known today, tenor James Melton was a phenomenally popular star  of opera, stage, records, radio and screen from the 1920s to the 1950s. He was also an obsessive collector of antique cars and, thanks to a Massachusetts man (also a tenor in amateur circles), became a collector of early antique bicycles as well. Meet the men, learn about their collections and spend a short sojourn in a simpler time.  Presented by Alan Earls. Email adoggett@franklinma.gov for the zoom link to attend. 

SCAM ALERT - Scammers call pretending to be your loved one, pretending that your loved one is hurt or in trouble, or more terrifying, that your loved one has been kidnapped.  

For more information on Scams and what to look for please visit this Government website: https://www.mass.gov/guides/a-consumer-guide-to-scams#-grandparent-scam- 

Chess tournament this Thursday, April 29th at 11am! -  Are you a chess player?!? FHS student Adam Dombroski will be leading a chess tournament online this Thursday.  See attached flyer for information and how to get involved.

chess tournament online

Tips

Hand Exercises for Seniors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_Ug9C9BMus 

Shifting from thinking to being a guided meditation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2sRrlzmW14 

Music

Toby Keith - Don't Let The Old Man In

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc5AWImplfE 

Introducing the Baroque Theorbo 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVabz8LneI4 

The transformative power of classical music by Benjamin Zander

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9LCwI5iErE 

Just for Fun

Podride a new kind of bicycle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lKq1fGtXFM 

Life lessons from 100 year olds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AThycGCakk 

How it works - The International Space Station

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGP6Y0Pnhe4 

15 of the largest abandoned cities in the world

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

Humor

When your wife has a dark sense of humor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biZiMyvg4Bc 

There are no rules at Costco - Ron Rhuman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA3YIs8S7YE 

Kindness Matters

Man saves baby elephant from drowning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00zT4aaw5f0 

Kindness to the planet matters too!

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

*Monday at 2pm - "Where's The Toast" Memory Cafe" Featuring the music of Johnny Diamond. Johnny has been entertaining folks for over 50 years.  Come enjoy an hour of music, socialization and friendship. Email adoggett@franklinma.gov for the zoom link to attend. 

*Tuesday at 5:30pm - Quarantini Time a virtual, social, cocktail hour.

*Tuesday at 1pm - 2 Tenors and a passion for wheels Presented by Alan Earls. Email adoggett@franklinma.gov for the zoom link to attend. 

*Tuesday at 1pm - Low Vision Group- email mgunderson@franklinma.gov 

*Wed. At 11am - Mindful Movements

*Wed at 4pm - Alzheimer's Caregivers support group email elaine.owens@verizon.net to attend

*Thursday at 1:30pm - Franklin Matters Q & A via zoom with Steve Sherlock. Email adoggett@franklinma.gov for the link to attend.  Hear what is happening in our town and bring your questions for Steve!

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

*Thursday at 12:30 Painting and creative Space -you must be registered to attend - In person.

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

 games and activities.

Attached you will find:

1. Donna's Fun filled activity pages

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1glRgqfNudgEJ8PSUrNvX1SxF2FQG35gR/view?usp=sharing

2. The Enclave - Protect your vaccine card event for this Saturday

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u7-Hlx80h8icqdR_gahrUdx55J5oeLkI/view?usp=sharing

Spring has sprung and good weather is making appearances.  The Senior Center has lots on the calendar for a slow and mindful opening!

Ariel

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

MEMORY CAFE!

For those of you who attend our Memory Cafe events I invite you to learn more about attending a VIRTUAL Memory Cafe through Zoom!  There are many options to choose from.

https://www.memorycafedirectory.com/cafe-connect/

--

Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator

Respite Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

Town of Franklin, MA: Rabies Clinic on May 1

Animal Control is hosting a Rabies Clinic on Saturday, May 1 from 9 AM - 12 PM.

Please bring any paperwork related to your pet's vaccination history.  Any pet without paperwork is eligible for a 1 year vaccination only.

All cats MUST be in a carrier and all dogs MUST be on a leash. https://t.co/cpRsS83AA6

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1385649051350310913

Town of Franklin, MA: Rabies Clinic on May 1 

NY Times: " ‘Excess Deaths’ in 2020 Surpassed Those of 1918 Flu Pandemic"

"The U.S. death rate in 2020 was the highest above normal ever recorded in the country — even surpassing the calamity of the 1918 flu pandemic.

A surge in deaths from the Covid-19 pandemic created the largest gap between the actual and expected death rate in 2020 — what epidemiologists call “excess deaths,” or deaths above normal.

Aside from fatalities directly attributed to Covid-19, some excess deaths last year were most likely undercounts of the virus or misdiagnoses, or indirectly related to the pandemic otherwise. Preliminary federal data show that overdose deaths have also surged during the pandemic. "

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/04/23/us/covid-19-death-toll.html

"A surge in deaths from the Covid-19 pandemic" (NY Times image)

The Guardian: "US Postal Service reportedly tracking social media posts"

"The US Postal Service has reportedly been monitoring social media posts, with a focus on people planning protests.

The surveillance procedure, known as the Internet Covert Operations Program (iCOP), tracks social media activity that it describes as “inflammatory” and shares that information to government agencies, according to a government bulletin from 16 March obtained by Yahoo News. The program is part of the efforts of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the law enforcement arm of the USPS.

The USPIS monitored social media accounts regarding planned protests occurring internationally and domestically on 20 March, when the World Wide Rally for Freedom and Democracy was scheduled to take place, according to the bulletin."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/apr/23/usps-covert-program-postal-service-social-media

Franklin's Event Outlook: Apr 23 - Apr 29, 2021

Spring time in Franklin and a choice of in person events: Winter Farmers Market, concerts at THE BLACK BOX, choice of Earth Day activities, drug take back program, and three Story Walks available around town (downtown, SNETT, and DelCarte). Be safe, be social, at a distance with a facial covering as needed.

Friday, April 23
12:00pm - Franklin & KP SADD: Virtual Walk of Tears (5k Run/Walk)
3:00pm - Electric Youth 2021 (Video Stream on Demand)
6:00pm - Broadway in Franklin (Video on Demand)
7:00pm - HMEA: Jukebox Virtual Bingo
7:30pm - James Montgomery (Live and Livestreamed event)

Saturday, April 24
9:00am - Earth Day Project
9:00am - town-wide cleanup on Earth Day
10:00am - Winter Farmers Market
12:00pm - Franklin & KP SADD: Virtual Walk of Tears (5k Run/Walk)
3:00pm - Electric Youth 2021 (Video Stream on Demand)
6:00pm - Broadway in Franklin (Video on Demand)
7:30pm - T.3 (In-Person and Livestreamed Event)

Sunday, April 25
10:00am - Drug Take Back
12:00pm - Franklin & KP SADD: Virtual Walk of Tears (5k Run/Walk)
3:00pm - Electric Youth 2021 (Video Stream on Demand)
6:00pm - Broadway in Franklin (Video on Demand)

Monday, April 26
12:00pm - Franklin & KP SADD: Virtual Walk of Tears (5k Run/Walk)
3:00pm - Electric Youth 2021 (Video Stream on Demand)
6:00pm - Broadway in Franklin (Video on Demand)
7:00pm - Franklin Cultural District - Partners meeting
7:30pm - MasterClass: Creativity Curator

Tuesday, April 27
9:00am - wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey
12:00pm - wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey
12:00pm - Franklin & KP SADD: Virtual Walk of Tears (5k Run/Walk)
3:00pm - Electric Youth 2021 (Video Stream on Demand)
6:00pm - wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey
6:00pm - Broadway in Franklin (Video on Demand)
7:00pm - Shipwrecks of Cape Cod: Stories of Triumph & Tragedy

Wednesday, April 28
10:00am - wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/ Kim
12:00pm - Franklin & KP SADD: Virtual Walk of Tears (5k Run/Walk)
1:00pm - wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/Kim
3:00pm - Electric Youth 2021 (Video Stream on Demand)
6:00pm - Broadway in Franklin (Video on Demand)
7:00pm - wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/Kim
7:30pm - Let’s Laugh Today is Free on ZOOM!

Thursday, April 29
10:00am - wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
11:00am - wfpr.fm: "Talkin’ the Blues" – Jim/Todd
12:00pm - Franklin & KP SADD: Virtual Walk of Tears (5k Run/Walk)
1:00pm - wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
2:00pm - wfpr.fm: "Talkin’ the Blues" – Jim/Todd
3:00pm - Electric Youth 2021 (Video Stream on Demand)
6:00pm - Broadway in Franklin (Video on Demand)
7:00pm - wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
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

"Shipwrecks of Cape Cod: Stories of Triumph & Tragedy" - Apr 27

Franklin resident Don Wilding will be presenting a talk on his new book, "Shipwrecks of Cape Cod: Stories of Triumph & Tragedy" Tuesday night (April 27) at 7 PM. Presented by the Foxborough Historical Society & Foxboro Cable Access.

Watch LIVE at http://www.fcatv.org/live or at youtu.be/kQt9G9Do0pE

"Shipwrecks of Cape Cod: Stories of Triumph & Tragedy" - Apr 27

Abhiram Yadlapalli Earns Eagle Scout Rank

Abhiram Yadlapalli, Senior Patrol Leader of Scouts BSA Troop 126 and fellow Franklin resident, has earned the honor of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Scouting, through the completion of a 10-month-long project spanning 520 hours of dedication and hard work benefitting the Norfolk Mass Audubon community.

Fascinated by STEM from an early age, Abhiram decided to channel his interest into creating a rain garden for the Mass Audubon Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary for his Eagle Scout service project. A rain garden contains carefully selected plants that help collect water runoff from the surrounding environment which can contain excess nutrients and degrade the water quality of other natural sources of water that it encounters. 

Abhiram Yadlapalli 

The environmental benefits that come with preventing the spread of runoff pollution, reducing local flooding, and minimizing the waste of this water make the rain garden an efficient and sustainable solution that is considerate of the pre-existing ecosystem. The rain garden also features a paved area that serves as a space for outside classrooms and educational field trips, which is especially useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, Abhiram persevered in carrying out his Eagle Scout project in collaboration with Mass Audubon, Hillside Nurseries, and the members of Scouts BSA Troop 126.

Abhiram's journey in Scouting began over a decade ago as a Cub Scout in first grade. As he moved up the ranks in Scouting, Abhiram earned multiple honors including the bronze and gold Eagle Palms, the World Conservation Award, and the Brotherhood honor level in the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's National Honor Society. He has also been a staff member of the National Youth Leadership Training program of Scouts BSA and an instructor for Troop 126's Introduction to Leadership Skills program. 

In the past year, Abhiram was elected to serve as Troop 126's Senior Patrol Leader and leads over 30 scouts in a variety of endeavors. Notably, Abhiram has earned 33 merit badges, twelve more than the required twenty-one merit badges for Eagle Scout qualification, and he is on track to earn more. Achieving these badges has helped Abhiram develop invaluable skills such as wilderness survival, first-aid, sailing, kayaking, cooking, leadership skills, and many more.

Abhiram's dedication to serving his community extends beyond Scouting. As the Vice President of Franklin High School's Junior class, Abhiram leads fundraising initiatives for the student body and strives to represent their voices at student government meetings. Outside of his academic commitments as a straight-A student, he plays the saxophone in the FHS Concert & Jazz band and helps patients as a regular summer volunteer at the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

Abhiram is grateful for the endless support and encouragement from his mom and dad, Siri and Venkat Yadlapalli, and his sister, Vineetha, who is a recipient of the Girl Scout Gold Award, the equivalent of the Eagle Scout.

About Troop 126

Troop 126 Franklin has been chartered by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #2136 since 1964. Scouts BSA is a year-round program for youth 11–17 years old that provides fun, adventure, learning, challenge, and responsibility to help them become the best version of themselves. Find a troop near you and join today at scoutsbsa.org.

Franklin Cultural District ArtWALK Celebration Planning Meeting - Apr 26

Good Afternoon, 

The Franklin Cultural District Committee has continued to plan for the upcoming   ArtWALK Celebration which will be held on the weekend of June 11th - 13th. On Monday,  April 26th at 7:00 p.m. the committee is inviting all of our Cultural District Partners to join us for our second collaborative planning meeting. At this meeting each of the working groups will share the details for the work they have done to prepare for Franklin's ArtWALK Celebration. 

Below you will find the agenda for this meeting.

The meeting will be held via the Zoom platform:

The Cultural District Committee is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Cultural District Committee Franklin ArtWALK Celebration Planning Meeting

April 26, 2021 7:00 PM 

Join Zoom Meeting  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85257176877

Meeting ID: 852 5717 6877

One tap mobile  +13017158592,,85257176877# US (Washington DC)

Dial by your location          +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 852 5717 6877

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k4DmwsFLA

We hope to see you all there. 

Regards,

Nancy

__________________________________________________

Nancy Schoen

Chair, Franklin Cultural District Committee

nschoenfranklinculture@gmail.com

Link to the Agenda doc

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NT-sa_gVg53EHi8e8M0ucY8xh3P7mjb9/view?usp=sharing

ArtWALK Celebration Planning Meeting - Apr 26

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day - Apr 25 @FranklinPolice

"The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet."

https://t.co/62Cmpg0GLr

 

"This Sunday, April 25th,  from 10 am to 2 pm at the Franklin Police Department you can bring in your old or unneeded prescriptions to have them safely destroyed. Officers will be on hand during those hours to collect them.

If you are unable to come during that time, we do have a drop box located in the lobby to securely deposit them. Coming Sunday between 10am and 2pm means that you will not have to be turned away if the box is full. 

Please bring them to Police Headquarters at 911 Panther Way, Franklin, MA. Thank you for helping dispose of these medications safely."

https://twitter.com/franklinpolice/status/1385292115631091718

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day - Apr 25 @FranklinPolice

FM #522 - Doug MacPherson - HMEA - 04/06/21 (audio)

FM #522 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 522 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Doug MacPherson, Vice-President of Development and Public Relations for Horace Mann Education Association (HMEA). We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Doug and I talked about the preparation for the HMEA’s IncredABLE 5K scheduled for May 23, 2021. In this pandemic period, the road race, community walk, and family fun field day has been converted to a virtual event. Virtual? Yes, we talk about how you can run your 5K on a certified 5K course and send your results to HMEA to count.

Our conversation includes the other elements of fund raising by HMEA event leading up to May 23. Links to the fund raising activities are included in the show notes.

The recording runs about 23 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Doug. Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6c76ef69-8533-4943-9a15-c70179f3aa02

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Visit HMEA online IncredABLE Day May 23 ->  https://www.hmea.org/incredable-day/ 

• Video and photo contests ->   https://www.hmea.org/contests/
• Virtual trivia  https://www.hmea.org/smarty-pants2/   or Virtual bingo  https://www.hmea.org/bingo/ 
• 50/50 Raffle ->  https://www.hmea.org/50-50-raffle/
• Stroll down memory lane May 16 -> https://www.hmea.org/anniversary-video/

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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!

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

FM #522 - Doug MacPherson - HMEA - 04/06/21 (audio)