Franklin MAtters Weekly

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Week ending - Mar 4, 2012

What happened to February? The shortest month of the year is already over. Even leap day has come and gone. We got some snow to make this feel a little like winter. March is upon us. The Town Council gets to look at the sign by-laws for the 1st reading. They also get to decide to pay off the trash and recycling totters ahead of the five year plan as well as reduce the rate.

Why? The system is so successful, we are reducing the trash collected and increasing the recycling. This is good news. The rate reduction will save some money as it drops from $220 to 204.

The big event this week is set for Thursday. Tours of the high school start at 6:00 PM. A presentation including Q&A with the architect starts at 7:00 PM.

You think that renovation is a better option? Why pay a dollar for something when you can get something even better that will only cost 47 cents? Your choice. Get some information and make your decision before getting to the ballot box on March 27th.

Mar 4

Mar 3

Mar 2

Mar 1

Feb 29

Feb 28

Feb 27

Wadsworth Diary - Feb 27, 1858

All-State Track: 600 - K Knous

Monday, February 27, 2012

Week ending - Feb 26, 2012

Welcome back! I hope school vacation week was a good one for you all. It was relatively quiet here in Franklin. No town committee had meetings so you did not miss much.

Feb 26

Feb 25

Feb 24

Feb 23

Feb 22

Wadsworth Diary - Feb 22, 1858

Winter Carnival - March 11, 2012

Feb 21

Wadsworth Diary - Feb 21, 1858

In the News - Democrats, Republicans, football

Feb 20

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Week Ending - Feb 19, 2012

Bumped into a friend at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse on Saturday night. Her father is also not in good health these days. Hmm, a sign of the times? Some of us are getting to the age where our parents are reaching the natural end of their life. More of us are finding that these times can be trying.

Our parents guided us, provided for us, now the tables are turning and we become the care givers. We have provided care for our own children so providing care is something we can do. It does feel strange for the roles to have reversed.

Mom and Dad helped us dress. Took time to feed us. Now it is our turn to help them dress and eat. Our turn to help figure out the healthcare system. Our turn to help guide our parents.

So what does this all have to do with Franklin? If we are not in a situation like this, we can learn from it. We will be some day. The lessons our parents taught us remain. Family first. Taking care. Being respectful. Doing what is necessary. Doing what is required.

The other lesson that applies here comes from the airlines. You have heard the line repeated many times by the stewards and stewardess': Put on the your oxygen mask first, then help your child.

Make sure while you are caring for your parents that you take care of yourself. Your own health and spirit will be drawn upon. The well is not bottomless, it needs to be replenished. Take some time to replenish yourself.

Whether it is turning to a friend, or neighbor, or spending some time to enjoy some music. Do whatever it takes to replenish the well.

Feb 19

Feb 18

Feb 17

Feb 16

Feb 15

Feb 14

Feb 13

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Week ending - Feb 12, 2012

Neighbors helping neighbors.

Whether it is helping to spread the word about the upcoming vote for the new high school, or parents spending time with their children’s sports teams as coaches, or fund raising, when folks get involved to help one another, good things happen.

The next two Saturday’s will see dozens of volunteers making hundreds of phone calls for the Franklin Food Pantry. The all volunteer effort is the second annual phonathon for the Food Pantry.

The “all volunteer” fundraising effort is key. The Pantry depends upon our volunteers to collect food, money and help deliver services to our Franklin neighbors. Your dollar contribution gets multiplied when leveraged by our network of resources. The Greater Boston Food Bank, BJ Warehouse, Panera, Stop & Shop and many others all join in this effort to put food on the table.

Dean College allows the Food Pantry to use their bank of phones. If you do have caller ID, the volunteer phone calls will appear as “Dean College.”

If you will be away from Franklin for school vacation, you can make a contribution through the Food Pantry website or via the link on Franklin Matters. Either way, the money gets directly to the Food Pantry.

You can also mail a check to the Food Pantry. The address is PO Box 116, Franklin, MA 02038-0116

Or drop a check off during the day when the Food Pantry is open. Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Will you help your neighbor by making a contribution?

Note: There are two paid employees of the Food Pantry; Executive Director, Anne Marie Bellavance and Operations Manager, Linda Sottle.

Note: I am on the Board of Directors for the Franklin Food Pantry. It is one good way for me to help give back to this community because I do believe that Franklin matters!

Feb 12

Feb 11

Feb 10

Feb 9

Feb 8

Feb 7

Feb 6