02038.com » About Franklin (MA) Massachusetts

How to find play groups and mother clubs serving Franklin Massachusetts (MA)

Warren Reynolds — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:09:36 +0000

“K.G.” recently visited 02038.com and asked how she might find mothers’ clubs and play groups for young children in Franklin, MA.

One excellent resource for parents looking for ready access to play groups and robust networking and support resources for moms would be the aptly named MOMS Clubs of Franklin, Massachusetts.

MOMS Clubs of Franklin, MA

Two MOMS Clubs in Franklin

There are 2 official MOMS Clubs in Franklin: one for the north and one for the south parts of town.

Each club has a roster of active playgroups. A volunteer at each club will help match you to a play group that is right for your kids. Playgroups typically get together weekly at members’ homes on rotating schedule.

South Franklin MOMS Club

The southern Franklin club provides services for residents who live in Franklin’s southerly elementary school districts (Jefferson, Davis Thayer, Oak, Parmenter). The website gave Emily Dixon as the person to contact answers to questions about joining the south group: elmdixon@comcast.net

North Franklin MOMS Club

The northern Franklin club serves residents in Franklin’s northerly elementary school districts (Keller and Kennedy). Amy Mosher was cited on the site as the person to contact: apmosher@yahoo.com

Other groups in Franklin, MA

There are other support organizations for parents and children located right in Franklin, Massachusetts.

One such group is:

Franklin Newcomers and Friends

The club stresses it is not just for newcomers and provides members with a wide range of activities for kids and adults as well. The group invites anyone interested in learn more to attend a meeting or send an email to franklinnewcomers@hotmail.com

Another support network in Franklin for mothers and kids is:

Franklin Moms Meetup

This group is definitely Web 2.0 friendly! Simply join from the site or from Facebook – $25 per year membership

Other mother and children support groups for Franklin, MA residents

There are other moms’ clubs serving the central and southerns areas of Route 495 that include Franklin in their outreach services:

Mothers & More

As well as this national network with a local chapter operating out of Attleboro, MA:

Mothers of Preschoolers – MOPS

Other resources available to mothers and families in Franklin

Please remember that the many places of worship in Franklin, MA offer a variety of help, guidance and support to parents with young children.

And the Franklin Recreation Department and the YMCA and other sports and country clubs in Franklin each have a wonderful array of programs for families.

Dos and don’ts for new trash system in Franklin MA

Warren Reynolds — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 15:40:02 +0000

Looking for tips on what to do with your trash and recyclables with the new automated collection system in Franklin, MA? Here are some helpful dos and dont’s.

Handling your trash

The new system is called “single-stream recycling and automated trash pick-up”.

You have two collection carts, one for trash and the other for recyclables.

Before putting trash into the trash cart (the one with the black lid), put the items into plastic bags and twist tie/seal each bag securely.

Do not over-fill the trash cart.

Do not let any bagged trash or other disposable items stick up out of cart. The lid must fully close for automated pickup process to function smoothly.

What to do with over-flow items

If you have excess trash that will not fit into the trash cart, buy “overflow” 33 gallon plastic bags from the Franklin Department of Public Works. These special bags can be left near the trash cart (at least 3 feet away) for pickup.

Except for excess trash placed in the overflow 33 gallon plastic bags on sale on the Franklin DPW, please do not leave any trash or disposable items outside of the trash cart. Such items will not be collected.

Cart placement

There were some awkward moments last Friday as the collection vehicles made their first runs through Franklin neighborhoods.

At many homes, the two carts were placed too close together. The mechanical pickup arm banged into the adjacent cart as it attempted to grab one cart.

Some carts were left too close to mail boxes and utility poles. One time, low-hanging tree limbs impeded the functioning of the collection arm.

Here’s a video of the new collection system in operation in Franklin, Massachusetts:

Quoting from The Franklin DPW’s guide to the new collection system regarding cart placement:

“The collection vehicle’s lifting arm requires clearance: 3 feet on both sides, and 12 feet overhead. The cart should be no more than 3 feet away from the curb or road edge, and the arrows on the lid must be pointing toward the street. Please leave 3 feet between your recycling and trash container when placing them curbside.”

Guidelines for recycling

There is a lot of help provided on Franklin, MA’s website concerning how to maximize your recycling.

Below is an excerpt from the DPW’s recycling guidelines:

The new single-stream recycling and automated trash pick-up will take some getting used to.

But it is designed to help reduce trash collection costs for Franklin, Massachusetts and that will help us all!

July 4 celebration in Franklin, MA starts July 1 2010

Warren Reynolds — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:15:07 +0000

The 2010 edition of the annual 4th of July celebration at the Town Common in Franklin, MA kicks off July 1. 5 days of fun are on the schedule. Click the link to see photos of past July 4 events at the Common.

5 day celebration

Events begin Thursday, July 1 at 6 PM at the Common.

All rides will be active then and the food booths will be serving.

There will be live music as well.

Friday fireworks

It’s another evening-only series of events the next day, Friday, July 2 at the Common.

The fireworks display will light up the sky that Friday evening at 10 PM. This event will be held at the Franklin High School on Oak Street.

Events for children and Franklin Idol Saturday

Daytime activities will get underway Saturday, July 3.

There will be a children’s parade, a series of road races and lots of children’s shows at the Common.

That evening the popular “Franklin Idol” competition will be held.

See full schedule of events

Many more events are on tap for Sunday, July 4 and Monday, July 5.

You can see the full five day schedule at the Franklin 4th of July Coalition website.

Please help keep this very special event alive and well

The Franklin 4th of July Coalition needs your support! Please make a donation at the Coalition’s website – PayPal makes this easy.

If you have time, please volunteer to help out one day at the celebration.

Even if you can pick up trash for a few hours, they could use the helping hands!

Please click to learn more about Franklin, MA and the many fairs and fun events held in town each year.

Franklin, MA Strawberry Festival 2010

Warren Reynolds — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:16:51 +0000

Dark clouds filled the sky, but the rain held off and the eight annual Franklin, MA Strawberry Festival was a big success last week. A later starting time (4 PM) and a new outdoor location at the downtown municipal parking lot helped increase attendance over prior years.

Paired with Third Thursday

The 2010 version of the Festival coincided with the “Third Thursday” event sponsored by Franklin Downtown Partnership, so attendees could browse outdoor displays and take advantage of specials offered by many downtown businesses.

Video of the Festival

Here’s a video of the 2010 Franklin, Massachusetts Strawberry Festival:

The Festival featured live music, free games and activities for the kids, and of course strawberry shortcake!

Museum participates

The new Franklin Historical Museum got in on act with more live music and free lemonade.

The Franklin, MA Strawberry Festival in a great event for children!

New trash and recycling containers delivered in Franklin, MA

Warren Reynolds — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:54:19 +0000

New trash containers are being delivered in Franklin, MA this week. It’s all part of the new single-stream recycling and automated trash pick-up system set to debut soon in the Massachusetts town.

Click to learn about the new trash pick-up system.

Containers coming June 14 – June 21

Trucks came though my neighborhood today, dropping off the new containers at each house.

Deliveries will continue through the week of June 21, 2010.

All “eligible” residences will get the containers. So I assume many condos and multi-family homes in Franklin with private collection will not participate in the new system.

Two containers – black top and yellow top

You get two identical containers.

Each has a 65-gallon capacity. No overflow items left outside the containers will be picked up; there are 33 gallon overflow bags for sale at the Franklin DPW.

One container is for trash and has a black top.

The other container is for recyclables and has a yellow top.

Containers belong to town

The containers belong to the town but it looks like you are responsible for maintenance.

Seemingly, loss or damage to the containers are the responsibility of each household.

Let’s hope this system increases recycling and saves the town money!

Big Y gets OK to build new store in Franklin, MA

Warren Reynolds — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 11:57:14 +0000

The Franklin, MA Planning Board has approved construction of a Big Y World Class Market in Franklin, Massachusetts. After hearings stretching back to early 2010, the Board this week granted the special permit and site plan approval needed before construction of the supermarket could get underway.

Big Y in Walpole, MA

New life to a vacant site

The food super-store will be located at 348 East Central Street, Franklin, MA, site of several eateries over the past few decades, including the old Welick’s Restaurant.

Future site of Big Y in Franklin

The existing structure had sat vacant for years, becoming an eyesore.

There had been speculation that Market Basket might be eyeing the site, but Big Y secured rights to the location.

More jobs and competition

Here’s a video showing the future location of the new Big Y and how it will be in proximity to the Horace Mann Plaza in Franklin, one of several shopping plazas serving the Franklin, MA region:

It has been estimated that, when it opens in 2012, the new Big Y in Franklin will add between 150 and 175 jobs to the Franklin, MA economy.

Many food stores serve Franklin

One of the nice features of Franklin, MA is that it is blessed with a wealth of supermarkets and food stores serving the area.

The choice and convenience supplied by all these stores greatly enhance the quality of life in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Below is a list of the supermarkets and food stores in the immediate Franklin area:

Whole Foods in Bellingham, MA

Super Stop and Shop, Franklin, MA

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Franklin, MA

Market Basket, Bellingham, MA

Shaw’s Supermarket, Franklin, MA

Star Market, Medway, MA

Homebuyers: Franklin, MA has a lot to offer! Click to learn more about Franklin.

Franklin MA Farmers’ Market starts June 11, 2010

Warren Reynolds — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 11:52:36 +0000

The 2010 season for the Franklin Farmers’ Market kicks off Friday, June 11, 2010 at the Town Common on Main Street in Franklin, MA. The Market will be held every Friday from June 11 through Oct 29, 2010. Hours of operation are Noon – 6PM.

Support locally produced food

The Franklin Farmer’s Market features fruits and vegetables as well as breads and food items.

There are no commercially produced food items for re-sale.

Win/Win

The Franklin Farmers’ Market is a win/win for local producers and the Town of Franklin, Massachusetts. The Market allows locally grown produce to be sold in a downtown setting. It helps local farmers and brings more people to the Downtown area of Franklin.

Click the hyper-link to learn more about the Franklin MA Farmers’ Market.

To become a vendor

If you are interested in becoming a vendor at the Franklin Farmers’ Market, you can contact Tim Garboski of Grateful Farm in Franklin.

Here is a link to a helpful site listing all farmers’ markets in Massachusetts.

How to get to know Franklin, MA by visiting the Town Common

Warren Reynolds — Sun, 23 May 2010 14:46:50 +0000

The Town Common in Franklin, MA plays an important role in the Franklin community. If you’re thinking about buying a home in Franklin or just want to learn more about the area, there’s no better introduction to the special quality of life in Franklin, Massachusetts than getting the know what goes on at the Common.

Beautiful 4 acre grounds

Here’s a video giving you a quick tour of the Franklin, MA Town Common:

Plenty of fun events

There are many activities and special events held on the Common every year.

You can lean a lot about the character of the Franklin community (and have fun as well) by attending some of these festivities.

Below is just a partial list of annual happenings at the Town Common in Franklin, Massachusetts; click the photos or the follow the hyperlinks to learn more about each activity:

Concerts on the Common

Fourth of July Festival

Farmers’ Market

Holiday Lighting of Town Common

Click to see homes for sale in Franklin, MA and surrounding communities in Massachusetts.

Franklin MA Historical Museum opens in new Downtown location

Warren Reynolds — Sun, 16 May 2010 23:16:41 +0000

The Franklin, MA Historical Museum officially opened last Friday at its new location at 80 West Central Street in Downtown Franklin. The former site of the Senior Center, the previously neglected but now beautifully refurbished antique building provides another boost to on-going efforts to revitalize Franklin’s Downtown area.

An impressive new Museum

It’s fantastic that a town with about 31,000 residents out in the suburban I-495 loop like Franklin, MA can have such a nice facility devoted to showcasing the community’s past.

Friday evening’s opening ceremonies provided town residents with a special first look at the sparkling new interior and all the historical artifacts and memorabilia from Franklin’s past now displayed there.

Here’s a video of the evening’s events with an overview of just some of what you’ll find at the Museum:

Another enhancement to Downtown Franklin, Massachusetts

The new Downtown location for the Historical Museum is just one of many recent upgrades to the Downtown area.

Franklin’s Downtown has recently benefited from the major new construction projects, including a new $9.3 million fire station headquarters and $30 million mixed-use Franklin Center Commons.

The area also received streetscape facelifts funded by separate $5 million Federal and $1 million State grants.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership strives hard to help support downtown business and keep the Downtown area on the upswing.

Interesting exhibits

The Museum’s interior is brand new, with finish work contributed by the students at the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School in Franklin, MA. All the display cases and bookshelves were built by Vo Tech students.

Displays include Native American arrowheads and stone implements discovered at archeological sites in Franklin, antique tools from Franklin’s rich industrial-age past and an extensive collection of Civil War artifacts. There are also many photos and documents detailing everyday life in the Town of Franklin from the 1920s through the 1950s.

The Historical Museum in Franklin, Massachusetts is well worth a visit!

Change of location for Children’s Festival in Franklin, MA this Saturday

Warren Reynolds — Tue, 11 May 2010 22:59:11 +0000

The location of the Children’s Festival being held in Franklin, MA on Saturday, May 15, 2010 has been changed to Grant Field on the campus of Dean College. Grant Field is adjacent to the Pieri Gym near 60 School Street, Franklin, Massachusetts.

Construction activity on Dean Campus changes venue for Festival

Here’s a map showing the new location of this year’s Festival:

View Location of Children’s Festival Franklin MA in a larger map

For safety reasons, Dean recently had fencing erected limiting access to the parts of the campus near the on-going construction of the new Performing Arts Center. Dean administration moved the location of this year’s Festival away from the vicinity of all the construction work.

Benefits the Dean College Children’s Center

The annual Children’s Festival conducted by the great folks at the Dean College Children’s Center is well worth a visit. The Festival benefits the wonderful early childhood education program conducted at the Childrens’ Center located on School Street.

Lots of fun for the little ones

The Festival held each spring on the Dean College campus in Franklin, MA is perfect for young children.

The games and activities are especially designed for little ones. Parents and caregivers have a great time watching the kids have fun.

This year there will be live farm animals to visit with, moonwalks, fun crafts and easy games to play.

Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Fun raffle of gift baskets

A highlight each year is the raffle of gift baskets; there are some very creative and fun baskets each year!

Admission is free. Tickets for activities are sold at the Festival.