Washington Post: "Be on guard for free-shipping deals that could end up being fake"

"It wasn’t just the pandemic that pushed more people online. Long before COVID, more shoppers decided to skip the crowds and simply click for their holiday gifts.

And I get it. I hate shopping — especially during the holidays. There’s the hunt for a parking space, the throngs of customers, the long checkout line at stores with 10 lanes but only three cashiers working the registers.

The old phrase “Shop till you drop” has become more like “Shop till you want to scream.”

So it makes sense that for the first time in Gallup’s look at holiday spending trends, a majority of Americans — 56 percent — say they are very likely to do their Christmas shopping online. That’s up eight percentage points from 2017."

Continue reading the article online. (Subscription maybe required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/11/24/safe-online-holiday-shopping-tips/

(Wilfredo Lee/AP)

Donate safely this #GivingTuesday

Donate safely this Giving Tuesday by Rosario Méndez, Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC Giving Tuesday is a great time to show your gratitude by donating to help others. But you don't want to give money to a fake charity or scammer (any day of the week). Read more >

Giving Tuesday is a great time to show your gratitude by donating to help others. But you don’t want to give money to a fake charity or scammer (any day of the week). 

Before you donate this Giving Tuesday ― and anytime you’re asked to give to charity:

• Research the cause or the organization. Search online for the name of the organization or cause with words like “review,” “scam,” or “complaint.” See if others have had good or bad experiences with the charity. Check out what charity watchdog groups say about that organization.  

• Continue reading the article ->   https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/11/donate-safely-giving-tuesday?utm_source=govdelivery

 

Donate safely this #GivingTuesday

Franklin's Event Outlook: Nov 26 - Dec 2, 2021

The weekend is mostly quiet. The weather today has canceled the "Walk off the Turkey" jaunt along the rail trail. Peter Willis has his photos and items for sale Saturday. And Sunday sees Santa arrive via the first truck to the Town Common (sponsored by Concerts on the Common).

 
Friday, November 26
Native American Heritage Day
9:00am - FBRTC - Walk off that Turkey - "Cancelled due to weather"

Saturday, November 27
10:00am - Peter Willis Photos 4 sale
10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)

Sunday, November 28
1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)
4:00pm - Santa on the Town Common 

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 calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Community Calendar

On the fourth day before leaving Facebook my true love sent to me

"On the fourth day before leaving Facebook 

My true love sent to me

Four seasons a year"

Yes, this is a stretch but it does fit the scheme. The information shared here does cover all the season throughout the year including all the high school sports seasons (via HockomockSports.com).

The audio acknowledging the anniversary this November,

and the leaving of Facebook. There was life before Facebook

and there will be life after. https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/happy-anniversary-franklin-matters.html 

On the fourth day before leaving Facebook my true love sent to me

Learn how to find an "Easy Walk" with a free online class

"Getting outdoors is not just for those who can climb mountains. Finding Easy Walks, that is, not too many roots or rocks, relatively level, with something of interest along the way can offer great joy, regardless of our mobility or lack thereof. Come join us to get encouragement to be more active, learn some simple steps to make yourself safer outside, and much much more.

About the Leader: Marjorie Turner Hollman is a personal historian who loves the outdoors and has completed four Easy Walking guide books including her newest book Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are. A native Floridian, she came north for college and snow! A freelance writer, she has appeared on Boston’s WCVB Channel 5 TV news magazine show, Chronicle, the Boston Globe, local radio and cable TV shows, and been published in local, regional, and national publications."

Sign up for the class here ->  https://www.getsetup.io/classes/interest-group-finding-easy-walks-wherever-you-are/zhPagx-7k

Each class is scheduled for an hour and Free!

Shared from Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/616401235386068/posts/1532619447097571/

You can listen to my interview with Marjorie Turner Hollman in September 2020

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/fm-342-easy-walks-with-marjorie-turner.html

Learn how to find an "Easy Walk" with a free online class

FHS football team holds off KP To clinch Kelley-Rex crown

Ryan Lanigan, founder and Editor-in-Chief of HockomockSports.com, provides the  recap of FHS football vs. King Philip in the 61st annual Thanksgiving game.  

Before the main course of turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce, the Franklin football team helped themselves to an early serving of stuffing.

Franklin senior Jack Marino denied King Philip on a 4th and 1 situation just beyond midfield with two minutes left in the game to help the Panthers secure a 27-20 win over the Warriors in the 61st Thanksgiving clash between the two teams.

With the win, Franklin clinches its first-ever Hockomock League Kelley-Rex division title and first league crown since 2009. It also snaps a 10-game Thanksgiving skid and an 18-game overall streak to the Warriors, their first win over KP since the same year they won their last title.

“It’s incredibly satisfying, and I’m obviously proud as the coach but I’m just happy for the kids and the town,” said Franklin head coach Eian Bain. “The last couple of years, this game has been good and there’s been some close ones and not so close ones. Eventually, these are games we have to win to move our program forward.

Continue reading the game recap ->

https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-football-holds-off-king-philip-to-clinch-kelley-rex-crown/

For a photo gallery from this game -> 

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2021-2022/Fall-2021/Franklin-King-Philip-Football-11-25-21/

Boston Globe also has coverage of the game -> (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/11/25/sports/finally-franklin-passes-king-philip-capture-hockomocks-kelley-rex-title/

Franklin senior Shane Kindred hauls in a one-handed grab against King Philip on Thanksgiving. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

The 495/MetroWest Partnership reminds this is a good time to shop #MyLocalMA

The 495/MetroWest Partnership (@495Partnership) tweeted Wed, Nov 24, 2021:

"Whether on #BlackFriday, #SmallBusinessSaturday, or #CyberMonday, consider shopping, dining, and staying local in support of the outstanding retail stores, restaurants, and lodging throughout 495/MetroWest! #MyLocalMA https://t.co/nsUxdL0JeL"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/495Partnership/status/1463532271739285508

And the best way to do this for Franklin is with the #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card.

• If you have a card, you can reload the value to buy more locally.
• Buy a gift card for someone to use locally. (See the merchant list where they are accepted -> https://franklingiftcard.com/participating-businesses)
• Don't forget that the nonprofits among us also could use a donation and #GivingTuesday is coming up on Nov 30

the best way to do this for Franklin is with the #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card

Register O'Donnell Announces Toy for Tots Drive

Believing that the true spirit of the holidays is based on giving, Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell announced today that the Registry will again be sponsoring its 14th Annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots drive.

Register O'Donnell noted, "Every holiday season, the Registry witnesses firsthand the many acts of kindness and Christmas spirit as numerous people drop off gifts for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots drive.  It's truly wonderful to see so many people drop off gifts from Registry employees to title examiners to attorneys and from the general public. I fondly remember one year a local mother brought her young children who wanted to drop off toys," noted Register O'Donnell.

This year marks the 74^th anniversary of Toys for Tots.  The program was established in 1947 when the wife of a Marine major wanted to donate a Raggedy Ann doll for Christmas, but couldn't find an organization to take it.  "Since that time this program has spread so much joy with the gifts that have been donated," noted the Register.

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program's mission is to help less fortunate children experience the joy and happiness associated with Christmas. The program operates in 800 cities and towns throughout all 50 states.

Donations of new toys and games for toddlers and children up to age ten can be brought directly to the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds building located at 649 High St. in Dedham from Monday, November 29, 2021 until Noon, on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. A marked donation bin will be set-up in the lobby which is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 4:30pm.

Toy for Tots Drive

Register O'Donnell concluded "We all have the power to make a child's Christmas something special, and therefore giving to the Toys for Tots drive just might make it the best Christmas present you can give yourself this holiday season."

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and Instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information.  All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website www.norfolkdeeds.org.  Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

50+ Program December Special Event - Networking - Dec 16, 2021

50+ Job Seekers in MA Statewide Networking Groups

This free program is available through a grant from the Massachusetts Council on Aging (MCOA) and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs

Special Event: Networking

Thursday, December 16 -> 2 - 4 PM

Networking is not asking for a job or asking whether someone knows of a job. It is the building of mutually beneficial relationships. How does one do that?

 

Special Guest: Diane Darling

Renowned speaker, instructor, author, and leadership coach specializing in professional networking strategies.

At this session you will learn how to:

• Identify and develop mutually beneficial relationships
•  Ensure your network is in place before you need it
  
• Succeed at networking , even if you are an introvert
• Turn conversations into opportunities.

 

Why you should attend: Studies show most jobs are landed via networking, but most people still don't know how to network effectively. 

Diane Darling is a master networker. Listen to her and you will significantly enhance your networking efforts and augment your odds of landing  a job sooner.

 

Start your journey towards self-realization, re-invention and transformation.

Register in advance for this meeting:

 https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIrdeGtqzMoG9Z5N-p5sHJH72kRdZ4jirsj

 

Our next special event will be a recruiter's roundtable on January 20^th

50+ Program December Special Event - Networking - Dec 16, 2021

Be Your Own Hero Q & A Event - Dec 3, 2021

͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 

Friday, December 3 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM   Are you thinking of moving to a senior living community, but have too many questions or concerns? Join us for a Q&A at Magnolia Heights and meet with current residents, our gracious staff, and knowledgeable guest speakers at our Be Your Own Hero Event. You'll get to learn all about our gracious retirement lifestyle so you can feel confident when planning for your next chapter.         For more information or to RSVP, please call 508-520-3471                   Copyright © Magnolia Heights (567) All rights reserved.                 View the Privacy Policy Opt Out / Unsubscribe