In Other News

Above, Rise Up at the Museum: Foreground Donna Barrett and founder Ali Rheaume  discuss exhibits and accessibility. Sue Rheaume is to the back of the image.

Rise Up Meets – Some Visit Neighboring Museum

Following the Rise Up social hour, on Saturday, February 17, at 10 AM, at the Franklin United Methodist Church, interested members were invited to tour the adjacent Franklin Historical Museum – a first for most. Members of the disabilities group, were pleased with the exhibits and the general accessibility of the space and were solicited for suggestions on how to further improve disability access. Although most of the structure dates to 1842, there is handicap-friendly restroom and a ground level access to an elevator at the rear of the building, which does, however,  require ‘ringing a bell’ to gain access. Rise Up will continue to meet at the Methodist Church for the foreseeable future and promised to visit the museum again!

Franklin Housing Auth. Bd. Authorizes Chair

A recent special meeting of the Franklin Municipal Housing Authority was called to authorize Chair, George Danello, to conduct business with Dean Bank relative to securing a $200,000 mortgage for the Authority’s recently acquired single-family home on Summer St. The authorization was approved unanimouslyi.

Boating Safety Certification Courses

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Tri-State Flotilla, Massachusetts will beinstructing four upcoming boating safety classes in Milford. It is time to get your family’s boating knowledge and skills ready for the 2024 boating season. There is a special offer available to our students on this year’s spring courses, see below.

Boat America Course - for MA, RI, or CT Certification:Two Saturday courses offered: March 16, and April 27. Milford High School 8 AM to 5 PM

This is a one-day course developed to provide the skills and confidence needed to explore the coast and inland waters by boat. Basic knowledge and skills are needed to have safe and enjoyable boating experiences. This course is perfect for families that have just purchased any type of boat or are planning to in the future, and for the boater keeping up with changes to boating regulations and laws. Basic marlinespike seamanship (knots etc.) will also be included. Successful completion of the course will certify any minor, from 12 to 16 years of age, to operate a powerboat, including a Personal Water Craft / JetSki (for 16 &; 17-year-old operators), on all Massachusetts waters; in conjunction with the Mass. Environmental Police. Adults completing the course will get a Mass. certification that may be required in the future. Approved by NASBLA it will also cover the requirements to operate a vessel in most other states & many countries where boating safety education is mandatory including RI and CT. Most boating insurance companies offer a discount on premiums for successfulcompletion of this course.

Suddenly in Command Course - For anyone boating:Two Wednesday evening courses offered:

March 20, and April 30 at Milford High School 6:30 to 9 PM. Imagine you are out on the water when the boat’s captain somehow is incapacitated or falls overboard and cannot swim back to the boat. Are you prepared to take basic actions to get help, stop or start the engine and take the helm? A little knowledge could save lives and make you feel more comfortable boating when you are not generally at the helm. Misfortunes can and do happen while on that fishing, diving, adventure, or party charter. Being out on your own boat with that significant other at the helm, or going out on a friends’ pontoon boat, or as a personal watercraft passenger can also turn to horror if the skipper is suddenly out of commission. This is a boating safety primer for those not generally at the helm but would like to know what to do, to be better prepared.

Milford High School courses offered at 31 West Fountain Street, Milford, MA. Registration is managed through the Milford Community School Use Program, Adult Programs, at https://milfordcommunityprogram.activityreg.com or Laura Farrell (508) 478-1119 email lfarrell@milfordma.com; keeping in mind that availability is limited. The registration deadline is six days prior to course, Participants 16 years old and under must be accompanied, in person, by a registered parent/guardian. For additional USCGAux. information: phil.uscgaux@verizon.net or (508) 478-3778.

Spring Wellness Classes at Milford Regional

As part of Milford Regional Medical Center’s efforts to promote good health and well-being, Milford Regional, this spring, is once again sponsoring a variety of wellness programs for the public. Registration for the spring session programs, which are being held virtually and live streamed for participants to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes, is now open.

Spring session classes will begin the first week of April and include eight different weekly classes, led by certified instructors. All classes run approximately 45 minutes to one hour and take place in the evenings, except for the Saturday morning class.

Virtual classes include:

• Mondays: Therapeutic Qi Gong and Zumba Toning®;
• Tuesdays: Ease into Fitness and Pilates Barre Fusion;
• Wednesdays: Strength Training and Gentle Flow Yoga;
• Thursdays: Cardio, Core & Conditioning; and
• Saturdays: Shaping Up with Ease

For detailed descriptions of each class or to register, visit the hospital’s website (milfordregional.org) and click on “Classes and Events.” Classes are $50 per session. Email msanford@milreg.org or call 508.422.2827 with any questions.

RI Considering Assisted Suicide Bill

The right to assisted suicide is again being considered ‘over the border’ in the Ocean State. Hearings are at a preliminary stage and there is no timeline for when or whether the measure might be approved by the legislature.