Franklin November 2016

Page 12 Local Town Pages www.franklintownnews.com November 2016
Downtown Partnership to Celebrate 15 Years with Gala
Nov 12
What better way to celebrate
15 years of events, accomplishments
and service to Franklin
residents and businesses than
with a big party? That’s what the
Franklin Downtown Partnership
thinks, too!
Join the FDP and friends at its
anniversary fundraiser gala on
Saturday, November 12, at THE
BLACK BOX for an evening of
fine food, fundraising and music.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and there
will be a cash bar. Attire is “cocktail
party.”
“With our 15th Anniversary
Gala we are first celebrating the
accomplishment of many of the
goals we started with 15 years
ago. Secondly, we are recognizing
how the FDP has taken on a
new shape through the new vision
created by a growing body
of members who care about the
downtown. Thirdly, we are acknowledging
that no change occurs
without the hard work and
dedication of many volunteers,”
says Jane Curran, owner of Jane’s
Frames, founding member of the
FDP and gala co-organizer.
“Our Gala gives everyone
who has been involved in the
downtown revitalization projects
over the past 15 years a chance
to celebrate together and to look
forward to the next chapter in
our town,” adds Nicole Fortier,
Partnership president.
The party will be about and
The Man in Black
Johnny Cash Tribute
by some of the best Franklin has
to offer. Bob Ward, Franklin resident
and FOX25 news reporter,
will emcee the festivities. Enjoy
music by local band Ben Gardner’s
Boat, featuring attorney
and state representative Jeff Roy
on guitar. Restaurant 3 will cater
delicious hearty appetizers and a
pasta station, and gala guests will
bid on exciting auction and raffle
items and baskets of goodies donated
by local merchants.
Tickets are on sale now for
$100 each. There are two ways to
purchase tickets: online at www.
fdp15thanniversaryceleb.eventbrite.com
(includes a $5.99/
ticket service fee) or in person at
Jane’s Frames. Tickets are sold
The Corvettes
Doo wop revue
NOV 20
on a first-come/first-serve basis.
Proceeds from ticket sales,
auction and raffle items, and
sponsorships will help financially
support the Partnership’s future
efforts as a voice of downtown
Franklin and operation of its
events. Dean Bank is a Platinum
sponsor of this event.
Attending the gala gives guests
a good way to connect with the
community at large, along with
business leaders, town staff and
government officials. It’s also
an opportunity to see the FDP’s
impact on the revitalization of
Franklin’s downtown, according
to co-organizer Beth Wierling.
“Every time I walk and drive
through downtown I see the
results of community involvement.
I live downtown and I
want the area to be the place to
go to shop, eat and do errands.
Being a member of the Franklin
Downtown Partnership enables
me to have a voice and truly help
revitalize Franklin’s already great
downtown,” says Wierling.
In 2001, eight business owners
and residents who were interested
in revitalizing the town’s
downtown center created the
non-profit Franklin Downtown
Partnership. By 2015 the organization
had grown to nearly 200
member businesses, groups and
residents, many of whom have
been members for more than 10
years.
The Partnership is well known
for creating and running the
popular Harvest Stroll, Holiday
Stroll and Strawberry Stroll
events. It’s also had a hand in at
least 25 projects over the past 15
years, including new buildings
on East Central and Summer
streets, greenspace installations,
downtown gateway signs, and
creation of a statue in front of the
Historical Museum. The group
was heavily involved in planning
the recently completed Downtown
Streetscape and Roadway
Improvement project.
“I’m most proud of the
changes in our downtown as
older buildings have been replaced
or restored, building owners
have taken a new pride in
their property, and many traffic
issues have been solved,” says
Curran. “Our downtown has become
a welcoming, vibrant community
that we can all be proud
of.”
For more information about
the 15th Anniversary Gala, to
donate auction and raffle items,
or to sponsor the event, contact
Jane Curran, janeframe@verizon.net,
or Beth Wierling, wierling.beth@gmail.com.
The Franklin Downtown
Partnership welcomes volunteers
and new members. To learn
more about the group, it’s history,
it’s events, and how you can get
involved, contact Executive Director,
Lisa Piana at downtown.
franklin@yahoo.com or visit
www.franklindowntownpartnership.org.
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