Volunteers Wanted for May 20 Downtown
Beautification Day
A
lot of April showers are sure to bring May flowers, which is perfect timing for
the Franklin Downtown Partnership and Franklin Garden Club’s annual
Beautification Day in downtown Franklin and the Town Common on Saturday, May
20.
Dozens
of volunteers are needed this year to help plant the flowers and greenery on
the downtown bridge and in barrels in front of businesses. The event will go on
rain or shine.
Community
service hours are available to high school sports teams, scout groups and
students needing volunteer opportunities. Contact Beautification Day
Chairperson Eileen Mason at emason4234@gmail.com to sign up.
Volunteers
with trucks are also needed to help pick up a few trays of flowers at 7 a.m. at
Fairmount Fruit Farm, 887 Lincoln St.
“Special
thanks to Barry Madden of Franklin Ford for his generous donation of a pickup
truck for the day’s activities,” says Mason. “I’d also like to thank Melanie
Hamblen of Franklin Agway for volunteering her time and truck.”
Helpers
can grab their garden gloves and meet Mason at 8 a.m. in the small commuter
parking lot on West Central Street near Central Pizza and Hair Mania. Work is
expected to wrap up by 11 a.m., or earlier if there are more volunteers.
“Our theme this
year is patriotic red, white and blue, and all the plants are drought
resistant,” says Mason. “The displays will give downtown Franklin a fresh and
welcoming look and be a colorful finishing touch to the streetscape project.”
The
Town is planning to incorporate additional plantings on the center island later
this spring to add even more visual appeal.
Beautification
Day is the result of a full year of planning, growing, maintaining and
improving the summer and winter displays. Local businesses generously support
the ongoing project without getting their hands dirty unless they want to.
D.G.
Ranieri Real Estate and Eileen Mason of RE/MAX Executive Realty are the Gold
sponsors this year. Draper & Kramer Mortgage Corp., Emma’s Quilt Cupboard
& Sewing Center, Middlesex Savings Bank, and Charles F. Oteri & Son
Funeral Home are Silver sponsors. Auerr, Zajac & Associates, LLP,
Flynn|Wirkus|Young - Attorneys, John S. Marini of Marini Construction, and Tom
Fricker Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. are Bronze sponsors.
To
inquire about sponsorship or learn more about the event, please contact the FDP
office at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.