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Vol. 1 No. 1
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Franklin Downtown Partnership Plans Annual Holiday Stroll Franklin’s holiday fun begins at Dean College this year, as The Franklin Downtown Partnership will officially kick off the season with its 2nd Annual Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 2, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A tree-lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa, music and refreshments are all part of the fun planned for revelers this year. The festivities will begin with a tree-lighting ceremony at Dean College in front of Dean Hall at 4:30 p.m. Carolers will lead the crowds in singing holiday classics while plenty of hot chocolate and goodies will help keep everyone warm and jolly. From Dean College visitors can stroll through Franklin’s downtown, where they will find special promotions, entertainment, and food at more than 20 participating businesses. “At the tree lighting itself, we thought we’d get 150 people last year,� says Cindy Kozil, Vice President of Student Development at Dean College. “We got 300.� About 800 Franklinites in all joined in the Holiday Stroll last year, says Kazill.
December 1, 2010
Such Stuff as Dreams Are Made Performing Arts School and Company Outgrow Space, Plan Move BY JUDITH DORATO O’GARA
Carolers will perform outside Dean College again this year, where the Second annual Franklin Holiday Stroll will begin with a tree-lighting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Photo courtesy of Dean College.
“Last year we were lucky to have a beautiful night, and the crowds surpassed our expectations,� says Lisa Piana, executive director of the Partnership. “We are very happy to be able to bring the Holiday Stroll back for a second year and give our residents an added incentive to come downtown to eat and shop.� “Again this year we have been fortunate to have generous sponsors who make the Holiday Stroll the fun event that it has become,�
Among the many highlights of the evening will be an appearance by Santa at Simon’s Furniture on Summer Street from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Radio station 103.3 WODSFM, Boston’s holiday music specialist, will ring in the cheer by broadcasting holiday favorites live from the Berry Insurance parking lot on Main Street.
adds Piana. “These events add to the sense of community we are trying to foster and we are excited there has been so much interest.� “It’s our second annual holiday stroll, and the whole concept is to kick off the holiday season to support local downtown to bring people together.� Says Kazill. “It also showcases that for local businesses in Franklin, Thursday night is the night they are open until 8 o’clock, and it brings the community together with a holiday feel.�
Children of all ages can paint an ornament at Party Paints N’ Pot-
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We look forward to serving you in 2011.
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HOLIDAY SPIRIT
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Happy Holidays from The Kelly & Colombo Group.
Twenty-five years ago, Franklin native Raye Lynn Mercer, teacher of 35 piano students, had a dream of starting a school of performing arts. That dream began in the heart of the Franklin downtown, growing to encompass both the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), which now serves nearly 1,000 students from 45 different communities annually, as well as the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), which in addition to a family concert series, produces five professional-quality main stage performances a year. A force of its own, the dream has filled every inch of 38 Main Street, with literally every corner of the building spilling over with a purpose. The time has come for the new entity to spread out and build a larger home.
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Young Professionals Support Local Santa Foundation
Franklin Dowtown Partnership Launches Website
Holiday Safety Tips
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Dean College News & Events
THE PET PAGES
December Calendar
home M A R K E T P L A C E
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pages 26-28
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