Author: News Staff

  • No Fireworks, but other Fun Available for the 4th

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — Due to the ongoing construction at the Natick Mall, there will be no fireworks this year. Unfortunately, there is not another suitable location for fireworks.

    The Natick Friends of the 4th organize the fireworks every year, along with a July 4th parade, flea market, and other activities around the holiday.

    Although they have had struggles with continuing the parade, just as Framingham had with its Flag Day parade, new volunteers on the Natick committee and donations have made the parade possible this year.

    Natick has many activities leading up to the 4th, beginning with a family night on the Common on Tuesday, June 27th.

    See the schedule by clicking on the link below.

    In Framingham: This week Framingham will have concerts on Thursday and Friday nights, weather permitting. The town beaches are now open and you can find beach reading and videos and DVD’s to borrow and rent for only $ 1 a week at the Framingham libraries. Stock up on fresh produce for your cookouts at the Farmers Market on the Centre Common on Thursday, and the Natick Common on Saturday.

    Related Link: <http://natick4th.org/>

  • THURSDAY NIGHT CONCERTS BEGIN

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Thursday Night Summer Concerts begin this Thursday, June 22nd, on the Downtown Framingham Common with the Belfast Cowboys playing from 6:00pm to 7:30pm

    Each Thursday night from June 22th to July 27th, Downtown Solutions and the Framingham Chapter of Rotary International, along with other sponsors present a series of summer concerts on the historic and recently restored Downtown Framingham Common. Bring a blanket to sit on and be ready to enjoy a summer evening of fine entertainment and a variety of foods which will be available.

    There will be Free Prizes and Free Raffles.

    Bring a blanket or a chair to sit on.

    Directions: from Rt. 9, take Rt. 126 / Concord Street and follow south to Downtown Framingham, common will be on your right after Memorial Square. From Rt. 135, turn onto Concord Street heading north at Store 24 / Train Station, Common will be on your left at first traffic light.

    For the entire schedule, click on the link below, or on the left of the home page.

    http://framingham.com/rec/concerts_downtown_2006.htm

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  • Flag Day Festival Invitation

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Framingham Celebration Committee, organizers of the successful Framingham Flag Day Festival last weekend, is holding its annual meeting on Monday, June 26th at 7PM in the Ablondi Room at the Memorial Building. Light refreshments will be served. They will be electing Board members and officers at that time.

    They are extending an open invitation to the public to participate in the meeting and provide feedback on the Festival. Many people have expressed ideas on how the Festival might be organized in the coming years. This meeting is your opportunity to give them your thoughts, even if you don’t want to participate as a Board member.

    Please join them at 7PM on Monday June 26th in the Ablondi room at the Memorial Building. Enjoy refreshments and conversations about the Flag Day Festival of today and dreams about the Flag Day festival of tomorrow.

    For information, contact: Doug Freeman, Chair of the Framingham Celebration Committee, 508-879-6394 or freeman_doug@yahoo.com

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  • Callahan Senior Center June Happenings

    FRAMINGHAM,MA — JUNE HAPPENINGS AT CALLAHAN CENTER
    535 Union Avenue, Framingham:

    Support Groups at Callahan Senior Center – Bereavement Support Group: Mondays, June 5, 12, 19 & 26 at 10:00 am. Diabetic Support Group: The Diabetic Support Group will not meet in June. The group will resume on Tuesday, July 11, 2006. Grandparent Support Group: Tuesday, June 13 at 1:00 pm and Tuesday, June 27 at 6:45 pm. Low Vision Group: Friday, June 16 at 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Massage Therapy: Thursday, June 1 by appt. only. Parkinson’s Support Group: Tuesday, June 20 at 1:30 pm. Podiatry: Monday, June 12 from 12:30 pm to 3:15 pm, by appt. only. Stroke Survivors’ Support Group: Monday, June 5 at 1:00 pm.

    BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC FOR JUNE – Wednesdays, June 7, 14, 21 & 28 from 9:30—11am & 12—1 pm. Note: Clinic hours may be limited for the summer—please speak with nurse regarding dates and hours of this clinic.

    CARDIOVASCULAR CLINIC IN JUNE – The Cardiovascular Clinic will be on Tuesday, June 6th at 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM. A doctor from the MetroWest Medical Center and nurse Kitty Mahoney from the Framingham Board of Health will be at the Senior Center to check your blood pressure, answer any questions and address individual concerns. For further information, please contact Kitty Mahoney at 508-532-5472. No Cardiovascular Clinic in July and August.

    We are hoping to have a ‘Chair Exercise’ presentation in the month of June. However, the speakers for the ‘Cancer Prevention & Awareness’ presentation in April and the ‘Angioplasty’ presentation in May did not show up and did not call to cancel, leaving a number of people very disappointed. Check the lobby reader board at the Center for up-to-date information on presentations. We are working on securing wellness speakers from another organization.

    Brophy/ Callahan Bingo – On Thursday, June 15th, we will again celebrate our friendship with the Brophy Elementary School. Twenty-one students will arrive at 10:45 am for a morning of “Bingo with the Seniors” and a pizza lunch. We welcome seniors who are interested in participating in this inter-generational program—a morning of fun and laughter. Please sign up with the front desk or call Ann Steacie at 508-532-5980, extension 4113 to ensure your reservation for pizza and bingo.

    Veterans’ Benefits Presentation – Thursday, June 8th 10:00 am at Callahan Center – The primary focus of this presentation will be on direct financial and medical reimbursement benefits. There are many more benefits that you may not be aware of, so come and listen to this speaker from the Commonwealth of MA, Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Department of Veterans’ Services.

    The Framingham Board of Health Presents – ‘KEEP MOVING” (A Healthy Habits for Life Program) Special Registration at the Callahan Senior Center from June 5th through June 9th, each day from 10:00 – 11:00 AM – The Board of Health Nurses will be at the Callahan to help you register and take your blood pressure, weight, health history and give you the program information. You will be provided with a pedometer, sunscreen and other goodies! Registration will also be available through the Board of Health office during clinic hours Monday-Friday from 8:30—9:30 AM and 4:00-4:45 PM and Monday evenings from 6:00—8:00 PM. Participants: During the months of June, July and August you will be offered guidance in developing your own “Get Moving” plan. In September, the Public Health Nurses will meet with each participant again to evaluate how the Get Moving Program has improved your health.

    PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAM – The Property Tax Relief Program will open registration in the month of August. If you qualify for this program, you may work 74.4 hours and get a credit of $500.00 off your property taxes. Check the August Courier for the dates to come to the Center to see if you qualify for this worthwhile tax relief program for seniors. No appointments will be made until August.

    Friday, June 16th at 10:00 am – ARTHRITIS PRESENTATION: “Non-Prescription Remedies for Pain – What works and what is safe”

    Wednesday, June 28th at 10:00 am – FREE Slide Show of newly announced overnight trips presented by Collette Travel.

    Thursday, June 29th at 10:00 am – MUSICAL CONCERT with Professor Marc Widershien and Ms. Ilse Agte

    Attention all Senior Golfers! Join us for a round golf on Wednesday mornings (weather permitting)
    Time: 10:00 am Where: Stoneybrook Golf Course, Southboro, MA Cost: $11.00 Please call
    Rosalie Cotton at 508-877-0681 for more details or any questions you may have.

    Bocce Starts on May 26th! Bocce will start on Monday, May 26th. If you are interested in playing, please sign your name on the list you will find on the large bulletin board in the Recreation Room of the Callahan Center. You may call Dick Bonvini at 508-877-2824 for more details.

    Lawn Chair Drill Team – If you are interested in being on the Callahan Center Lawn Chair Drill Team and participate in some local parades, please sign your name to the list on the bulletin board in the Recreation Room at the Callahan Center. Please call Dick Bonvini at 508-877-2824 for more information.

    Do you have a key tag for the Callahan Center….you need one! The Callahan Center has finally come onboard with the technology of the 21st Century! This new system will make checking in easier for you, as well as collect data, sort it out and give us the reports we need to get our state funding! However, we need your help to make all of this happen. If you already have your key tag and are checking in with ease—that’s great! For those of you who do not have a key tag, you will be issued one the next time you come into the Center. We suggest you put it on your key chain or somewhere that will make it easy to locate it, when you arrive at the Center. A volunteer will be at a table in the Center lobby and will assist you with checking in. It is a very simple process and will only take seconds, once you have your card. Once you know how to use the system, you may bi-pass the volunteer and check yourself in. You are required to check in every day you come to the Center, and you may register for multiple activities or events that are taking place on that day – so you only have to check in once when you arrive and you are done for that day.

    The way you check in is simple: show your key tag (bar code side) to the small beacon, when it beeps, a screen will come up on the computer monitor, with “Hello Mrs. Smith” (example), a list of boxes with all the days activities and events will be under that and you will tap the boxes of choice with your finger, they will be highlighted in yellow, then you touch the “I’m done” box in the bottom right corner and go off to your activity or event. There will be boxes for services such as Computer Center, SHINE, Social Services, Travel, etc. There is also a “friendly visitor” box, in the event that you are only coming in for a cup of coffee and conversation or to read the newspaper. We hope these instructions are helpful and that you will see the greatness in this new way of checking in, so that we can give a more accurate account of the increased attendance, activities, programs and services we are able to offer seniors in this area. Thank you, in advance, for your patience and cooperation with this new opportunity!

    HERITAGE GALLERY Closes for the Summer – Heritage Gallery will close on Friday, June 30th.
    Don’t forget Father’s Day – Sunday, June 18th! Wishing all a happy and safe summer! See you when Heritage Gallery re-opens on Wednesday, September 6th.

    The next issue of the Callahan Happenings will be August 2006. You’ll want to check out our fall line-up of programs and events!

  • FLAG DAY FESTIVAL AT TERCENTENNIAL PARK

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Flag Day Festival is on Sunday June 11th at Tercentennial Park on Dudley Road from 10AM-5PM.

    The Flea Market hours are 10AM-5PM. the entertainment tent will have music and live performances starting at 12 Noon, the Flag Procession will be at 2PM and the Flag Retirement Ceremony will be the Closing Ceremony for the event on the grounds of Cushing Chapel at 5PM.

    The festival will feature games for the kids, balloons, magicians, clowns, a moon jump, a classic car show, live music, live performances and a patriotic procession. At the end of the day we will be hosting the Flag Retirement Ceremony performed by the Framingham Veteran’s Council.

    The large field near the park & rec day care building is where we will have the classic car show. The food area, music tent and flea market areas are near the main walkway next to the main entrance, near the chapel.

    A good number of commercial vendors already signed up for the Flea Market “Market Street” vendors area. Vendors interested in a booth can still reserve a 10×10 spot for the $25 booth fee. Non-profits wishing to set up information tables will be accommodated as space allows at no charge.

    More information is available by contacting Doug Freeman, Flag Day Chairman at freeman_doug@yahoo.com or 508-879-6394.

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  • Framingham High School Graduation Postponed

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Framingham High School graduation has been postponed until Sunday afternoon, June 4th, due to rain. Weather permitting, the ceremony will take place at Bowditch Field at 1 p.m.

    Principal Michael Welch is keeping parents and students updated on when the ceremony will take place via email.

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  • Downtown Framingham Thursday Night Summer Concerts 2006 Schedule

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — Below is information about the Downtown Framingham 2006 Thursday Night Summer Concerts on South Common located on Concord Street (Rt. 126), Framingham, MA USA —

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  • Framingham Concerts on the Green – 2006

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — Below is information about the 2010 Framingham Concerts on the Green / Summer Concert Series held on the Framingham Centre Common (The Village Green), located at Edgell Rd. and Vernon St, near Rt. 9.

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  • Hemenway Playground Build Day Sat. May 20th

    FRAMINGHAM, MA- With generous donations from local businesses, community foundations, and individual donors, the Hemenway Community Playground Project prepares for Build Day – Saturday, May 20, 2006. Volunteers from the community will complete construction of the new playground at the Hemenway Elementary School under the supervision of equipment vendor Landscape Structures and M.E. O’Brien & Sons, Inc. of Medfield, MA.

    WHAT: Volunteers and local community gather for playground build (donations of tools, time, food and materials still needed!)

    WHEN: Saturday, May 20th, (Note: All times approximate):

    • 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Volunteers Arrive; Project Kick-Off
    • 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Best viewing of playground construction
    • 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Final construction phase and adjustment

    WHERE: Hemenway Elementary School www.hemenwayplayground.org, 729 Water St., Framingham, 01701

    WHY: As the oldest and smallest playground of any elementary school in Framingham, Hemenway’s former playground was inadequate to meet the needs of the school’s 530 students, including more than 100 students with special needs. The new playground will triple the size of the previous one and include numerous events designed for use by all children regardless of age or physical ability.

    To date, funding for the playground has come from numerous generous sources including parents, alumni, and community funding partners such as the MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation Framingham Union Grants Panel, a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and a grant from the Framingham Disability Commission, Framingham Co-operative Charitable Foundation, Middlesex Savings Bank, Rotary Club, Mobil Education Alliance, Genzyme, Heritage Assisted Living, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Wal-Mart, The Home Depot, Rick Smith, and the Rousseau Family.

    Playground design, site planning, and civil engineering is donated by Geller DeVellis, Inc. (GDI), a landscape architecture and civil engineering firm with offices in Wellesley and Boston. GDI also specializes in American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility design, which will exceed Massachusetts’ standards at Hemenway.

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  • Happenings at Garden in the Woods

    PHOTO: New England Wild Flower Society - Ladyslipper (2006)
    This beautiful rare ladyslipper (C. reginae) is just one of the thousands of plants at the renowned New England Wild FLower Society plant sale.

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods, premier native plant botanic garden and nursery is now open for the season.

    View 1,500 native species in naturalistic habitat displays, including 200 rare and endangered species, and thousands of seasonal blooms on 45 acres.

    All purchases and membership support the health of the natural environment. 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham, MA. (508) 877-7630.

    SPRING HOURS: Open daily, April 15-June 15; 9 a.m.- 7 p.m.;

    SUMMER HOURS: June 17-October 31st daily 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

    Admission: $7, Seniors: $5, Children and Young Adults (6-18 yrs): $3, Members and Children under 6: Free.

    Tours daily at 10 except Sundays at 2, no reservations required. Museum Shop, plant nursery and 275 special courses and events.

    Upcoming Events

    FREE PLANT LECTURES:

    May 7 (Sun) FREE 1pm Meet Carol Stocker of The Boston Globe signing and discussing her new book, The Boston Globe Illustrated New England Gardening Almanac. Purchase copies at the Museum Shop at Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham. www.newfs.org. 508-877-7630.

    (Erythronium-Americanum) New England Wild Flower Society, Photo by Dorothy Long
    Here are some of the woodland wildflowers in their Spring glory at New England Wild Flower Society's Garden in the Woods.

    May 14 (Sun) FREE 1pm Tom Smarr, New England Wild Flower Society Horticulture Director lecture/demo “Great Wildflowers for the Woodland Garden” Afterwards he and his staff help with custom native plant selections.

    May 21 (Sun) FREE 1pm Author and New England Wild Flower Society Nursery Director William (Bill) Cullina lecture/demo: “Top Ten Native Woody Plants for Landscaping” Afterwards he and staff help with custom native selection and book signing.

    May 28 (Sun) and again June 18 FREE 1pm Tom Smarr, New England Wild Flower Society Horticulture director lecture/demo: “The best tools in the trade for planting, pruning, and plant care.”

    PLAN AHEAD: PLANT SALE PREVIEW PARTY – Friday, June 9th 5-8 pm. Enjoy New England Wild Flower Society’s largest plant sale in the northeast, and an evening of earthly delights, music, tasty treats, expert advice, and perfect shopping without the crowds. $25 ticket benefits plant conservation and gains admission to an unforgettable garden evening.

    Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham. www.newfs.org. 508-877-7630. Reservations at cbennett@newfs.org.

    (Photos Courtesy of New England Wild Flower Society).

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