This Is Framingham

I’ve posted about this before but for anyone who gets hopeless about downtown (I’m guessing similar to how the officer in the above photo feels) there is a fine group of people who are part of the Framingham Downtown Renaissance group that have put together a new website you can check out at http://downtownframingham.com
You can see their vision plan and documents, studies what upcoming plans and collaborations like the Farm Pond Initiative with FSU and participating the the Main Streets program, which focuses on revitalizing dowtnown areas.
It’s worth checking out and meetings are open to the public for those interested and can attend.
So although progress is slow, people (smart people) are working on making downtown a desirable place to go to.   I’ll be attending next month’s meeting and hopefully have something interesting to report.

I won’t bother with how unhappy I’ve been with living in Framingham the past few months.  Never mind the town-wide construction and traffic, or the creepy “spiritual church” that moved in next door and makes all sorts of noise outside after their session lets out at 11pm, or the small businesses that have closed up, sad neglected plazas or… a number of other things.  Instead, I’ll just say that the one bright spot of my work week is the Farmer’s Market, Thursday’s at the common.
Is it cheap? No.  In fact I’ve refused to pay the prices some of the vendors charge.
But the variety of vendors has improved and I like checking it out every week to see who is there.
One of the things I look forward to is the fresh custom-made lemonade:

You can get it with lemons, limes, raspberries, peaches and whatever else they have to offer that day. You can also choose from sugar, agave or stevia as a sweetener.  This is my “creation” I brought back to the office:
There’s always the baked goods guy that has great stuff:

There’s always the painter down at the end which mixes up the offerings at the market:

I’ve only seen Whoopie Monster once but they’re scheduled to be there tomorrow.

They make these cute little whoopie pies in a variety of flavors:

Some of the other vendors sell seafood, fresh pasta, meat and of course fruits and vegetables.
I saw this guy a couple of weeks ago and it made my day:

For more information about the market you can check out this link: http://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/FMFM_MARKET1.aspx?MKTID=29

On Wednesday, April 6th, the FHC fundraiser Marathon Pasta Party will be hosted by two of the nicest guys in town - Charlie Sisitsky and Mike Grilli.   Dinner will be served from 5:30-7:30pm at Historic Village Hall (2 Oak Street).
The cost is $26.20 (for the 26.2 miles I’ll be running).

All proceeds to benefit the Framingham History Center.
There will be a variety of pastas, sauces, salad and desserts and it’s sure to be a fun time

Space is limited and we’d like to make sure we have enough food so if anyone would like to come you can make your reservation by emailing me at michelle@framinghamhistory.org

Or click below to buy tickets now:

Or…Checks can be made out to FHC and mailed to:
Framingham History Center
P.O. Box 2032
Framingham, MA  01703  

As I posted last month, I have the honor of running the Boston Marathon this year.
I found a photo from 1984 of my sisters, cousins and myself (I’m in the pink pleather pants) handing out water at my dad and uncle’s store on Waverly St.
We’d look forward to that every year and I’d never guess back then that one day I’d be running this thing!  My sister (the one looking at the camera in the photo) and her kids will be there to watch me too. I’m really looking forward to it!

I’m in my 5th week of training and it’s been interesting.  I’m up at 5:30am (so I can be on the roads with less traffic) to run 6 days a week, plus working full-time and some late nights for work events.  As tired as I am, it’s been so amazing to see parts of the Ham and Sherborn (my usual routes) when the sun is rising and have had some great moments seeing animals that we don’t get a lot of downtown like deer, horses, small herds of turkeys and some furry…thing I saw scampering across the street today.

Also, I wouldn’t have this opportunity if it weren’t for Selectman Sisitsky and my work, The Framingham History Center.
I’m running to raise funds for what we do.  We’re a non-profit that needs help to do cool things like get the old Shoppers World sign up and lit again for an exhibit, provide educational programs for Framingham Public Schools and cultural events for people of all ages on all kinds of historical topics.  I’d be so grateful if anyone wants to pledge any amount. We’ve set up a pledge page and if you’re so inclined, please visit:
http://framinghamhistory.org/runforhistory/

Thanks!

It’s that lovely spooky time of year again!  My work, The Framingham History Center, is having their annual Haunted Trolley Tour.
It’s a 45 minute ride through Framingham’s mysterious past!   Actors from the Framingham Community Theatre will narrate the spooky legends and ghost stories that abound on the back roads and main thoroughfares of town.

After the tour people can come back to the Edgell Memorial Library where we’ll be displaying some fine vintage Dennison Halloween products, playing “old time” seasonal games and offering cider and donuts.
The tour takes place on Saturday, October 30th at the Edgell Memorial Library and trolley’s leave at 5pm and 6pm
$10 for adults, $5 ages 8-12
The ride isn’t suggested for children under 8 years old.
To buy tickets and for more info check out the site: http://www.framinghamhistory.org/events.html#TrolleyTour

Every Thursday on the center common the Farmer’s Market sets up from 12:30-5:30.  I love this time of year anyway but it’s so great to be able to check out the local fall harvest and other treats right outside my work.
This year they have added a couple of new vendors one selling fish and one selling fresh pasta.

An impressive variety of pasta offerings:

Of course here are poduce stands as well as breads and pastries:

I know the hours aren’t good for people who work until 5 in another town (like I used to and would be annoyed I couldn’t go) but if you can swing by, it’s worth checking out.  I’m not sure how many more weeks they’ll be there but you can check out their site for any announcements and links to the vendors’ websites: http://www.framinghamfarmersmarket1.org/

The Framigham based company,  ReFoamIt is teaming up with Grace Congregational Church to hold a Styrofoam collection day.  They will also be collecting plastic flatware so if you have any of these things, bring it on down to 76 Salem End Rd on July 24th from 10am-3pm.  For more information check out http://www.refoamit.com and http://www.gracechurchucc.org