Franklin Downtown Partnership Newsletter: April 2023

Support Franklin Businesses

April 2023 Newsletter View as Webpage Franklin Downtown Partnership  9 E. Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 (774) 571-3109 • downtown.franklin@yahoo.com  Visit our Website Keep It Local - Support Franklin Businesses 2023 Strawberry Stroll Registration Open The Strawberry Stroll will be held Friday June 9, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Rain date is Saturday, June 10, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) Registration is open to 2023 paid members only. If you need a membership invoice or if you are not sure if you paid, please contact FDP Treasurer Gary Donelan. The last day to register without a late fee is April 30. FDP members can register online now If you have any questions, please email Vendor Relations Coordinators Pandora Carlucci and Roberta Trahan at fdpevent@gmail.com.   FDP Additions The FDP is excited to announce two new part-time freelancers: Marcella DiChiara will be the new social media coordinator and Anne Parker will be the new PR coordinator. Lisa Daly-Boockoff will remain as the communications coordinator responsible for the monthly newsletter and website. April 6 General Meeting The next Franklin Downtown Partnership General Meeting will be held on Thurs., April 6 at 8:30 a.m. Join us in the Dean College Dr. Paula Rooney Student Center on the second floor in the Golder Room. All FDP members and prospective members are welcome! Ladybug Trail Spring Walk The FDP's 1st Annual Ladybug Trail Spring Walk is schedule for Sat., April 15 (rain date April 16). Celebrate spring by coming to downtown Franklin and walking the Ladybug Cultural & Historical Trail. Stop by the Franklin Historical Museum or Escape Into Fiction for a Ladybug trail map and ladybug merchandise. We are excited to have the community come out and see some of the new murals by local artists that are along the trail and enjoy the local businesses. The museum and bookstore will have free ladybug give aways as well as unique ladybug merchandise for sale. Please drop off items to be donated to the Franklin Food Pantry at the Museum or Escape Into Fiction. Items especially needed are: Personal Care items: Toothpaste Toothbrushes Shampoo (8oz – 24oz) Conditioner (8oz – 24oz) Disposable Razors- Individual (no blades please) Body and Hand Lotion (8oz – 24oz) Liquid Hand Soap (6oz – 24oz) Scott brand WRAPPED ROLL 1000 Sheets per roll   Beautification and Strawberry Stroll Sponsors Needed Sponsors are needed for our Beautification Efforts in addition to the Strawberry Stroll. View the sponsorship form and opportunities. Have You Paid Your 2023 FDP Membership Yet? You can pay your FDP membership by emailing the FDP treasurer or by scanning this QR code. You can also go to the FDP website and look for the "Donate Button" or alternatively mail a check. Please contact the treasurer if you need another invoice. Member Discounts Keep in mind that one of the benefits of FDP membership is access to member discounts! You can check out the current discounts here. Would you like your business listed as offering a discount? Complete this form and email is back to us. FDP Networking Event We enjoyed a night of networking on March 22 at Escape Into Fiction. See the photos here. NEWS YOU CAN USE Meet the Congressman Attend a Franklin Town Hall with Congressman Jake Auchincloss on Saturday, April 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Congressman Auchincloss will share updates about the beginning of the 118th Congress. Then, he wants to hear from you. This is an opportunity for Franklin's residents and leaders to meet the Congressman, talk about issues important to you, and learn more about what he's working on. This event is free and open to the public. Please register in advance. You will be sent the location after you RSVP.     New Gelato Shop in Downtown Franklin Franklin residents are in for a sweet addition to their downtown Main Street this Spring. Applause, a Gelato Shop and Unique Finds gift store is set to debut at 34 Main Street, the former location of The Spotlight Shop. Read more here. MEMBER NEWS Ladybug Jewelry PT Color Market will be selling ladybug stud earrings, charm hoop earrings and ladybug necklaces at Escape into Fiction the week of April 7 - April 15. This will coincide with The FDP's First Annual Ladybug Trail Spring Walk scheduled for April 15 (rain date April 16). Show your love for Franklin's Ladybug with some unique jewelry! You can also order these special edition pieces online.   Gardening with Drought Tolerant Plants The Franklin Garden Club will sponsor a program on "Gardening with Drought Tolerant Plants" on Tues., April 4 at 7 p.m. at the Franklin Senior Center. The program will be presented by noted horticulturist Warren P. Leach, co-owner of Tranquil Lake Nursery, Inc. in Rehoboth. Leach will discuss the types of plants that are most likely to do well in dry, hot summers and also provide landscaping ideas as well as suggestions for maintaining and caring for these plants. The program is open to the public at no charge.   Silent Saturdays By popular demand, Silent Saturday returns to the Franklin Historical Museum for the "lost art" of silent film comedies. On April 15, view High and Dizzy (1920) On April 22, watch Speedy (1928) As always, events at the Franklin Historical Museum are free. Easter Gifts at AcuPUNKture Easter Baskets filled with fairy garden decor and gemstones are available in limited stock at the Whimsical Wellness Boutique in AcuPUNKture. Check out workshops and community events Shop the online boutique with $10 flat rate shipping or free local in store pick up Sign up for monthly updates/newsletters Learn more about the Wellness Center Learn more about our Whimsical Wellness Boutique   Easter Services You are invited to worship at St John's Episcopal Church, 237 Pleasant St. in Franklin and Grace Episcopal Church, 104 N. Washington St. in North Attleboro. Palm Sunday – April 2 at 10 a.m. at St John's and live streamed to Grace Maundy Thursday with footwashing – April 6 at 4 p.m. at Grace Stations of the Cross – Fri, April 7 at noon at Grace Good Friday Liturgy with Veneration of the Cross – April 7 at 7 p.m. at St John's The Great Vigil of Easter – Sat, April 8 at 7 p.m. at St John's (begins outside) Easter Day – April 9 at 10 a.m. at Grace   New Franklin Sign A new sign welcomes people to Franklin, thanks to Signs by Cam! The Little Shop Turns 6   Congratulations to The Little Shop of Olive Oils as it turns celebrates its sixth anniversary! Check out the store and its selection of the finest olive oils from around the world. Summer Camp   Creative Corner Art Studio is offering a half-day summer camp. Elementary aged children will attend from 8:30 a.m. to noon, $200 per week. Middle and high school students will attend from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., $200 per week. Visit the

Town of Franklin: Opens an RFP for Ambulance Billing Services

Ambulance Billing Service (RFP)

In accordance with MGL c.30B, §6, it is the intention of the Town to retain the services for a multi-year ambulance billing and collection service.  

Additional Information:  Ambulance  Billing Service  or   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/fire_ambulance_billing_service_2023-04-24.pdf

Read more  or https://www.franklinma.gov/purchasing/bids/ambulance-billing-service-rfp

Town of Franklin: Opens an RFP for Ambulance Billing Service

Franklin Garden Club Features Program on Drought Tolerant Plants - April 4 at 7 PM

The Franklin Garden Club will sponsor a program on “Gardening with Drought Tolerant Plants” on Tuesday, April 4 at 7:00 PM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA.  The program will be presented by Warren P. Leach, co-owner of Tranquil Lake Nursery, Inc.  in Rehoboth, MA.  The program is open to the public at no charge.  

A noted landscape horticulturist, Leach will discuss the types of plants that are most likely to do well in dry, hot summers, as have occurred recently in New England, due to climate change  He will also provide landscaping ideas as well as suggestions for maintaining and caring for these plants.  

Leach is a two-time award winner of the National Landscape Association’s Regional Merit Award for excellence in residential landscape design. Over the years, he has conducted programs for more than 30 organizations, including the Horticulture Magazine and New York Botanic Garden Design Symposium, Worcester County Horticultural Society, and Arnold Arboretum.  

Tranquil Lake Nursery is noted for its bearded iris and daylilies.  Leach has exhibited at the New England Spring Flower Show and earned numerous awards.  Among his published articles is “Some Like It Hot and Dry” that appeared in the June 15, 1996 edition of American Nurseryman.  

The Franklin Garden Club, founded in 1987, became a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts in 2015.       

Franklin Garden Club

FPS Budget Subcommittee Meeting - April 4 at 5:30 PM

Franklin Public Schools Franklin School Committee

Budget Sub Committee 

April 4, 2023 - 5:30 PM

Municipal Building - 3rd Floor Training Room

A G E N D A

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

● Call to Order

● FY24 Budget

● Adjournment

Agenda doc also contains remote participation info ->

https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/agendas/agenda-budgetsubcom-4-4-23_0.pdf

FPS Budget Subcommittee Meeting - April 4 at 5:30 PM

FHS representatives on the 2023 Hockomock League Girls & Boys Swimming All Stars

Below are the official 2023 Hockomock League Girls Swimming All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP

• Zuri Ferguson, Attleboro

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS

• Harikalal Birali, Franklin
• Christine Tang, Franklin
• Emma Ferreira, Franklin
• Hope Xayarth, Franklin
• Sydney Bourgeois, Franklin
• Caroline Clifford, Franklin
• Ashley DesRoches, Franklin

For the complete listing of girls All-Stars

https://hockomocksports.com/2023-hockomock-league-girls-swimming-all-stars/

Below are the official 2023 Hockomock League Boys Swimming All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP

• Ryan Connors, Attleboro

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS

• Oliver McCarthy, Franklin

For the complete listing of boys All-Stars

https://hockomocksports.com/2023-hockomock-league-boys-swimming-all-stars/

FHS Panthers

FHS representatives on the 2023 Hockomock League Girls & Boys Indoor Track All Stars

Below are the official 2023 Hockomock League Girls Indoor Track All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP

• Sarah Dumas, Franklin

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS

• Sarah Dumas, Franklin
• Madison Bruno, Franklin
• Gwenyth Holland, Franklin
• Lily Deforge, Franklin
• Sophia Cuneo, Franklin
• Anna Cliff, Franklin
• Lainey Costa, Franklin
• Olivia Costa, Franklin
• Abby Griffith, Franklin

For the complete girls indoor track All-Star team listing

https://hockomocksports.com/2023-hockomock-league-girls-indoor-track-all-stars/

Below are the official 2023 Hockomock League Boys Indoor Track All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP

• Nathan Shultz, North Attleboro

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS

• Luke Sidwell, Franklin
• Josh Dunlap, Franklin
• Trey Lovell, Franklin
• Jake Vaccarezza, Franklin

For the complete boys indoor track All-Star team listing

https://hockomocksports.com/2023-hockomock-league-boys-indoor-track-all-stars/

FHS Panthers

Louise Toppin sings Burleigh and more: SUNDAY April 16, 2023

Apr. 16th at 3:00pm at the First Universalist Society in Franklin

Presents the music of: Harry T. Burleigh Come and hear celebrated soprano Louise Toppin perform music by Harry T. Burleigh with LiveARTS artistic director, pianist Ann Sears. SUNDAY, April 16 at 3:00 PM Harry T. Burleigh (1866-1949) was a celebrated American composer and baritone, known particularly for his many compositions and arrangements for voice. While a student at the National Conservatory of Music, Burleigh worked closely with composer Antonin Dvorak. It was through their friendship that Dvorak became introduced to the musical culture of Black Americans. Burleigh is noted for making many contributions to the American art song genre, and in doing so helping to define its character. He is known particularly for his numerous concert arrangements of traditional African-American spirituals. A significant figure in the American music scene of the early 1900's, Burleigh was also a founding member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).   Sources: Britannica, Library of Congress Sunday, April 16  -  Time: 3:00 PM Location: First Universalist Society of Franklin, 262 Chestnut St., Franklin MA Tickets     Adults- $25.00;  Students (18 and under)- by donation Tickets available at the door  Accessible Parking and Building  Visit our website liveartsma.org to purchase tickets on-line and for more information. Copyright © 2022 LiveARTS, Franklin, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: LiveARTS, P.O. Box 678, Franklin, MA 02038

LiveARTS, Franklin, Massachusetts · 283 Prospect Street · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Panther TV: PantherNews for April Fool's Day (video)

Panther TV's annual April Fool's Day show airs today!

https://t.co/kUXNd8h4ok via @YouTube

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1641769438239129600

Rausch Report: Women’s History Month Recap (March 2023)

Your monthly Beacon Hill update from Senator Becca Rausch. 

View this email in your browser As Women's History Month comes to a close, I'm delighted to reflect on the work we've done this month and the inspiring conversations and events that took place in March.  My third annual Local Leadership Lunch Series was a big success. I sat down with five phenomenal women from throughout our district (one of whom was nominated by you!) to discuss their incredible community work, future projects, the women who inspire them, and words of wisdom for other community leaders.  If you missed any of these uplifting conversations (or want to see them again!), you can watch them right here on my Facebook page.   This month's Rausch Report includes legislative and #BeccaBunch updates, local event highlights, upcoming town election information, ways to get involved throughout the district during Earth Month, and information on upcoming office hours. For real-time updates, please follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. If you are a constituent and need assistance, please don't hesitate to call me and my team at (617) 722-1555, email me at becca.rausch@masenate.gov, or attend upcoming office hours. We are here to help.    Yours in service,     Senator Becca Rausch    The legislative session is in full swing! Bills have been assigned to committees, hearings are underway, and legislation is on the move. We've already enacted a supplemental budget that will fully fund universal school meals for the rest of this school year, backfill lost federal dollars for food security, fully fund a statewide education campaign about anti-choice fake women's health care (previously vetoed by Charlie Baker) and support a new abortion legal hotline, and more. You can find every bill that gets enacted into law this year here on the Legislature's website. (Want to see a different year's enacted laws? Just click on the year number and pick whatever year you want!)  In addition to committee hearings and floor debates, my colleagues and I often host informational briefings with advocates for other legislators, legislative staff, press, and the public to learn about pressing policy and budgetary matters. This month, I co-hosted two briefings: one about civics education with Representative Andy Vargas and the Massachusetts Civic Learning Coalition, and another regarding mental health and suicide prevention with Representative Ted Philips and Samaritans, Inc.  This newsletter was shortened for publication here, to view the full set of content please visit ->   https://mailchi.mp/masenate/monthlynewsletter-17037805 Our mailing address is: The Office of Senator Becca Rausch Massachusetts State House, Room 218                           24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133

Night Owl Farm: ✨Farm Fact Friday✨

View this email in your browser ✨Farm Fact Friday✨ This week we're talking chickens diets and clever (misleading) marketing 🐔 I've had some people ask me questions recently about what chickens eat, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to write about it! Chicken's Natural Diet Chickens are naturally omnivores (meaning they eat meat and plants), which may come as a surprise to many! Many egg cartons in the stores proudly promote their hens as being "vegetarian fed." Commercially raised chickens used to be fed animal by-products along with their grains, but around the time of mad-cow disease in the 90s, one farmer took advantage of a marketing opportunity, and it stuck. This is extremely common in the food world where marketing will create a variety of misconceptions. Another example of this is the phrase "cage free." I could go into this one for hours, but in short, instead of being in cages, the hens are packed in a giant warehouse, often leading to hens being trampled. Technically cage-free though! Even "free-range" doesn't mean what it used to. Happy to talk about that one for hours too 😉 In reality, chickens are supposed to be out in the dirt and plant life, digging for worms, eating leaves and seeds, finding bugs, and even eating small mice and snakes. This is what their diet is supposed to look like. If left to their own devices, they would even pick at any dead carcasses they might find. What We Feed Our Hens We don't go around throwing rotting carcasses to our chickens, nor do we feed chicken to our chickens. (Although they *can* eat chicken without the same repercussions as mad cow…. I cringe at the idea) We do, however, support their natural biology. Our hens are not vegetarian fed. They are able to roam outside, dig for worms and eat lots of bugs, even catch a few mice here and there. Our chickens also receive quite a bit of our food waste, which may include bones with scraps of meat on them, tomato sauce with ground meat in it, or similar items. This is good for them to have as it gives them the proper protein they need in order to provide us with stunningly healthy eggs! These lucky ladies also receive LOTS of organic produce right from the farm 😊 The vegetarian feed birds are given often include soy as a protein source. This is not a natural food source for chickens, and they would not seek it out if they were dropped in a field of soy. It's taxing on their digestive systems, and has negative long term effects on the overall health of the chicken. (Think of someone who eats Cheetos as their main food source… not great) However, it's a cheap protein source, so it's often used in feeds to save money. It's the same idea as feeding cows corn. It gives you the desired end result (fatty meat and lots of eggs) but it doesn't provide the quality of life the animals deserve. This is why we feed what we feed - we want our animals to have best, healthiest life they can. Our feed doesn't contain any soy, so our birds need a different source of protein, which is why we allow them to forage and be the way nature intended them to be. Or feed is certified organic from a family farm in Vermont (Green Mountain Feeds) and we are proud to support them. So next time you see "vegetarian fed" on a carton, you'll know the truth behind the marketing! Copyright (C) 2023 Night Owl Farm, LLC. All rights reserved.

Night Owl Farm · 49 Prospect Street · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Franklin's Event Outlook: Mar 31, 2023 to Apr 7, 2023

Friday, March 31

5:30pm - Joshua David (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:30pm - Choreographers' Concert (ticketed event) (Dean College)

Saturday, April 1

10:00am - Winter Farmers Market (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

3:00pm - Joey D's Wingz & Thingz (Food truck) (67 Degrees Brewery)

5:30pm - Sudden Odd Behavior (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:00pm - Ballet Franklin presents "Spectrum" (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)

7:30pm - Choreographers' Concert (ticketed event) (Dean College)

8:00pm - SheGrooves (free ticketed concert) (Circle of Friends Coffeehouse)

Sunday, April 2

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm - Ballet Franklin presents "Spectrum" (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)

Tuesday, April 4

6:00pm - A Screening and Discussion of the film, “CURED” (email, free registration) (Dean College)

7:00pm - Franklin Garden Club (Franklin Senior Center)

Wednesday, April 5

1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group) (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm - Franklin Art Association (monthly meeting & demo) (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm - Franklin Newcomers & Friends (monthly meeting) (Escape into Fiction)

7:00pm - Franklin SEPAC Board and Community Meeting (virtual)

Thursday, April 6

10:00am - Writer's Quiet Space (Escape Into Fiction)

6:30pm - Franklin LGBTQ Alliance - monthly meeting (Franklin Public Library)

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

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

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

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

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 

Franklin's Event Outlook: Mar 24, 2023 to Mar 31, 2023