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Author: Deb Cleveland

  • New Site on Historical Society House Tour

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Framingham House Tour Committee is thrilled to announce the last-minute confirmation of a highly anticipated site on this year’s tour, scheduled for Sunday, May 21st. It’s now official that tour-goers will be treated to an inside look at one of Framingham’s most exciting examples of adaptive re-use: The Residences at Dennison Triangle.

    The historic Dennison Manufacturing buildings have been center stage for years in the revitalization efforts of downtown Framingham. The vintage buildings, purchased by Rosewood Companies, were originally slated for strictly commercial development. The initial phase broke ground in 1998, resulting in the completion of the corporate headquarters for Rizzo Associates. Plans for the properties eventually changed to mixed-use (commercial and residential), and the idea to build loft style condominiums was born.

    For the past 8 months, prospective homebuyers and visitors have only been able to view renderings and a representative model loft condo in the yellow, renovated 1700s “Gate House” on Bishop Street.

    The Framingham House Tour will be the first opportunity for the public to enter the actual construction site and walk into a completed loft. The exposed brick walls, soaring ceilings, and exposed columns and beams of the Dennison Residences are sure to be a highlight of the tour.

    Framingham joins the fast-growing national trend of converting buildings to loft-style condominiums, as witnessed locally in Cambridge, Boston, Haverhill and Lowell. Don’t miss out on your chance to see firsthand the transformation of a piece Framingham’s history.

    Tickets for the Framingham House Tour can be purchased at the Framingham Historical Society & Museum (www.framinghamhistory.org) and at Citizens Bank at 35 Edgell Road. For more information, contact Susan Silver at ssilver@comcast.net

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  • Free Cooking Demonstration at Office Depot

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – If you are looking for some ideas for quick and easy menus, drop in on the free cooking demonstration Tuesday night, April 25th, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Office Depot, Shoppers World.

    Corporate and private cooking consultant Ellie Deaner will present a special program, “Spring Meals in Minutes for Busy Professionals.” Deaner has inspired thousands to cook through her easy and informative cooking classes, cookbooks, and TV programs. Come learn how it is possible to put together quick and easy meals after working all day.

    This event is free, all are welcome and there will be sampling and networking along with great cooking tips.

    Office Depot, Shoppers World, is located on Rt. 9 West, at 1 Worcester Rd., next to Toys R Us. For more details, or to register, call 508-250-8440, or 508-620-5570.

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  • Festival to Replace Parade

    FRAMINGHAM, MA –The Framingham Celebration Committee announced that it is planning to change Framingham’s annual Flag Day Celebration this year. In a meeting of Celebration Committee board members it was voted that for 2006 the committee would hold a Flag Day Festival in place of the usual parade down Concord Street and up Union Avenue.

    This year, the organizers of Flag Day Celebrations are planning a Flag Day Festival event in June to be held on the grounds of Tercentennial Park. The culmination of the event will be a Flag Day Procession that includes the traditional participation of Veterans groups, patriotic marchers and marching bands, much like the parade has in years past. “The Flag Day Festival event will allow us to continue the tradition of celebrating Flag Day in Framingham,” said Doug Freeman, the committee’s chairman. The free event will feature band concerts, classic cars, dealers, an outdoor flea market and craft show as well as food and entertainment.

    The Flag Day Festival and the Flag Day Procession will be held on the date the parade would have originally been scheduled, Sunday, June 11th. The Procession will begin at 2PM that Sunday and end its march at Cushing Chapel on the grounds of Tercentennial Park. It will include marching bands playing patriotic music, veterans groups, community groups and will be immediately followed by the traditional flag retirement ceremony run by the Framingham Veterans Council.

    Doug Freeman, the Celebration Committee’s chairman said, “We regret the fact that the traditional parade will not be held this year.” Freeman stated that the parade has experienced dwindling attendance in the last few years and he pointed out that the level of volunteers the last few years has also been waning. In addition Freeman said “the parade route through downtown Framingham creates a traffic nightmare for police.”

    Fundraising for the traditional parade has been off in the past few years he said, “Givers have had increased demands put on them and we’ve seen reduced donations as they try to satisfy all the requests they are getting.”

    “We hope people come to the Flag Day Festival on June 11th; we see it as a transitional event that will allow us to celebrate Flag Day and continue the Celebration Committee’s mission.”

    Freeman hopes the Flag Day Festival format sets the stage to change the tradition of Flag Day Celebrations into a different kind of patriotic event.

    The committee had hopes of keeping the parade going this year being the 20th year of Celebrating Flag Day in Framingham but it was time to change the celebration into something different. “We have talked for a number of years about turning the parade into a patriotic family day like the Flag Day Festival.” Freeman said. “But we have never been able to afford both a festival and the parade,” he added. “This year we have finally made our choice,” he said.

    As to those that have always supported the parade, Freeman said the committee still needs money to run the festival. Freeman said, “The timing is short and those that have already given toward the parade or pledged a donation have our gratitude.”

    The traditional parade usually costs about $25,000 but this year’s festival should be a more modest, making the it easier to raise the necessary funds according to Freeman. “Last year we just made our fundraising goal, we don’t want to have that problem again,” said Freeman.

    The Flag Day Festival event will feature some of the bands that were originally intended to march in the parade. “It should be a fun event for people to attend, bring the kids,” said Freeman.

    There will be food and drink available but people are also encouraged to pack a picnic. People that have old or tattered flags that need to be disposed of in a proper, respectful way should plan to bring them to the event for the flag retirement ceremony at the conclusion of the Flag Day Festival on Sunday.

    Contributions can be sent to: Framingham Celebration Committee, 475 Union Ave., Framingham, MA 01702. For further information, call Doug Freeman at 508-879-6394.

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  • Amorello to Present Tourism Grant to Framingham Community Groups

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Chairman Matthew Amorello will come to Framingham next week to present to the START Framingham Partnership and Friends of Saxonville a $16,000 award intended to bring more visitors to Framingham.

    The two organizations collaborated on a proposal to the MTA’s Tourism Office with the overall purpose of building Framingham as a cultural destination. The money will allow them to produce coordinated promotional materials that will make the traveling public more aware of the many artistic and cultural opportunities in town, including those originating in the downtown area, in Saxonville, on the Centre Common, in artists’ studios and in the many venues where art is being produced and experienced.

    One of the first tasks of the START Partnership will be to convert its Cultural Audit, which formed the basis for the online Framingham Cultural Directory (framinghamma.gov/cultural) into marketing tools for these cultural events.

    Friends of Saxonville intends to undertake a marketing campaign to promote its four current initiatives: Historic Athenaeum Hall, the Carol J. Getchell Nature Trail, the recently restored Danforth Bridge and Saxonville’s Historic Walk.

    “This tourism promotion grant is a great beginning for this year’s “Spring into Arts” events all over Framingham”, State Representative Debby Blumer stated. “I’m particularly pleased that the START Partnership and Friends of Saxonville are being recognized for their contributions to our active, vibrant community.”

    Mr. Amorello will be at the Ablondi Room in the Memorial Building at 3pm on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 to officially present this award to START and Friends of Saxonville. A reception will follow the presentation.

    The Mission of the START Framingham Partnership is to strengthen community life in Framingham and contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of the town by broadening, deepening and diversifying participation in the arts and cultural activities. START is supported by grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the CARLISLE Foundation of Framingham, MA as well as the Town of Framingham, Framingham-based businesses and many dedicated volunteers.

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  • Framingham Candidates Square Off

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Framingham candidates debates and nights are scheduled as follows:

    Monday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m., Scott Hall, (next to First Parish Church,) 24 Vernon Street, off Edgell Road.

    Monday, March 20, 7:00 p.m. Public Hearing Room, lower level of the Memorial Building, 150 Concord Street.

    Wednesday, March 23, 6:30 p.m., Woodrow Wilson School, 169 Leland St. Candidates Forum sponsored by Framingham Community Connections.

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  • Business Women Unite at Office Depot

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Office Depot, Shoppers World, hosted this month’s meeting of Business Women Unite, a MetroWest career and business networking group, on Tuesday, March 7th.

    Thirty area business women gathered at the Rt. 9 office supplies store to meet, greet, and network. The meeting was led by founder Rhona George of Great Impression! of Framingham.

    Each attendee had an opportunity to give a two minute overview about her business and what kind of customer she was looking for.

    Melissa Airey, the founder of Simplified Design & Organization, Inc. of Bolton, gave presentations on Quickbooks and organizing your home and business office using examples from the store inventory.

    Refreshments were provided by Office Depot, Bruegger’s Bagels, and John Harvard’s Brew House and Pub.

    For information about future meetings of Business Women Unite, contact Rhona George at 508-877-4244.

    Advance notice: Office Depot, Shoppers World will feature local cooking expert Ellie Deaner, of Let’s Get Cooking on Tues., April 25th, from 5:30 ­ 8:30 p.m. Ellie will present a talk on “Spring Meals in Minutes for Busy Professionals.” There will be sampling and networking. All are welcome to this free event.

    A free resume workshop will soon be announced.

    Call 508-250-8440 for details.

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  • Retirement Book Broadcast by Radio Reading Service

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The MetroWest Radio Reading Service will be broadcasting the following book in its entirety, Barry M. Bograd “Get Off Your Rocker Before You Go Off Your Rocker: A Guide to Retirement”.

    The book was recorded by the author himself and will be broadcast as part of “Reading at F.S.C.”, a program that features best selling book recorded by our volunteers.

    “Reading F.S.C.” airs Mondays and Thursdays from 2-30 until 4-00 P.M. The following are the days, dates and times that this book will air:

    • Episode 1: Thursday, March 9, 2006, 2-30 until 4-00;
    • Episode 2: Monday, March 13th;
    • Episode 3: Thursday, March 16th.

    The MetroWest Radio Reading Service can be heard on radio station WDJM, 91.3, Framingham State College on the main frequency, 24 hours a day seven days a week when students are not broadcasting, or you can obtain a special radio to receive uninterrupted radio reading service by contacting the Disability Services Office at Framingham State College at 508-626-4627.

    For a complete schedule of all radio reading programming state and local, you go on line to the website of the Talking Information Center, T.I.C. at www.ticnetwork.com or the Disability Services Website at Framingham State College at www.framingham.edu/disabilityservices

    The MetroWest Radio Reading Service is an affiliate of the Talking Information Center Massachusetts Reading Network under the Mass. Commission For the Blind and a Community Outreach program of the Disability Services Office at Framingham State College.

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  • Townwide PTO Candidates Night Monday, Feb. 27th

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Come to the Newly Renovated Framingham High School on A St. to listen to and ask questions of Candidates for School Committee and The Board of Selectmen at this Candidates Forum Sponsored by The Townwide PTO.

    The event begins at 7:30p.m. and there will be opportunities for members of the public to ask questions.

    Get to know the candidates so you know who to vote for in the preliminary election on Tuesday, March 7th, 2006.

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  • Living Your Dreams Women’s Conference 2006

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Living Your Dreams, Leaving a Legacy is the theme of the second annual Dream Year 2006 Women’s Conference to be held March 24 (evening) and 25 (all day) in Framingham. Open to all women, this is an interactive gathering of women who are committed to making a difference in work and in life.
    Presented by Cantor Consulting and the Dream Factory Community, the purpose of this conference is for women to:

    • create a powerful Dream for themselves.
    • receive insights and tools for Living their Dreams and Leaving a Legacy
    • envision a world they want to live in, which they can confidently pass on to their children.
    • expand the connection and support available within the Dream Factory, a community of women entrepreneurs.

    The Conference will be held at the UCC Conference Center on Badger Road in Framingham. The event begins Friday evening (March 24) with a catered dinner and a celebration of every woman who attends. Participants will honor themselves and their achievements through humor, art, writings, poetry, music, and various form of self-expression. The contribution of women throughout history will be acknowledged.

    Attendees may further connect during an optional overnight stay at the UCC facility with other participants. This offers a well-deserved break from daily routines and creates a retreat as well as a conference.

    On Saturday morning, participants will clarify their dreams and the legacy they want to leave by tapping into the greater wisdom of women and listening to themselves in a new way. Working in large and small groups with skilled
    facilitators, attendees will engage in a process of discovery that empowers them to grow and dissolve any barriers to success.

    Saturday afternoon will have participants creating a roadmap to help them get from where they are today to where they wish to go. Working in small groups, attendees will identify milestones and next steps. They will use their small groups to clarify resources needed to create their dreams and leave their legacies.

    The Facilitators for the conference are:

    • Nancy Cantor, Chief Dream Officer-Dream Factory Community
    • Ani Colt, Touch Therapist and Community Builder
    • Ursula Flaherty, M.S., Innovative Physical Therapy
    • Linda Glazer, M.A., Speaker, Consultant, Playshop Leader
    • Ann Layman, Presentation and Sales Trainer
    • Carol Madsen, M.B.A.., International marketing, Urban planning
    • Marie Patrice Masse, M.Ed., Spiritual counselor/healer
    • Noemi Paciorek, M.A., LMHC Psychotherapist and life coach
    • Toni Pinheiro, M.A., WakeUp! Artist-HR Specialist
    • Francesca Radbill, Investor
    • Ramsay Raymond, M.A., MHC Psychosynthesis Guide and Teacher, The Dreamwheel

    Registration: Dream Factory Community member/nonmember price $179/$199 until February 28, then $199/$225 and $49 to stay over (space limited).

    For information, contact Cantor Consulting at 508-231-0791 or go to: www.cantorconsulting.com

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  • Annual House Tour Date Announced

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Framingham Historical Society and Museum is pleased to announce the 6th Annual Framingham House Tour will be held on Sunday, May 21 from 12pm – 5pm.

    Framingham’s popular, self-guided tour will feature nine locations, ranging from historical to contemporary styles. Some of the properties are considered Framingham’s most fascinating examples of adaptive re-use. One such example is a site that was once a thriving tavern, then a bakery, and now serves as a family home. Modern day Framingham is also represented on the tour in a stunning country dwelling with an interesting twist – a preserved historic barn that serves as the neighborhood’s drive-through exit. Tour-goers will be further delighted by a splendid array of magnificent grounds and gardens.

    The featured locales on this year’s tour portray Framingham from many different eras, yet the sites are inexorably linked: each one has a story to tell about our town, our forbearers, and ultimately, ourselves. Don’t miss out on the 2006 Framingham House Tour. A Day to Remember. Learn. Discover.

    The 2006 Framingham House Tour is proudly sponsored by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Citizens Bank, The Summit Montessori School and Patterson & Gerry CPAs.

    Tickets can be purchased at the Framingham Historical Society & Museum on Vernon Street, or through the website www.framinghamhistory.org. Tickets are $20 through May 14, 2006. Thereafter (including the day of the event), tickets are $25.

    Beginning April 1, 2006, tickets will also be available for purchase at Citizens Bank at 35 Edgell Road in Framingham.

    For more information, contact Karen LaChance at (508)371-4051 or Susan Silver at ssilvercomcast.net

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