FHS Softball and Boys Lacrosse win playoff games

From Hockomock Sports we find and share the following on the playoff results for FHS from Wednesday, June 3rd. 

Softball
D1 South
#14 Franklin, 7 vs. #19 Somerset Berkley, 2 - Final

- Caroline D'Aprile struck out 10 to get the win in the circle for the Panthers. At the plate, Brie Flaherty went 3-4 with an RBI, Christine Harvey had a pair of RBI, Alicia Donovan went 3-4 and Olivia DiGiacomo went 2-3. Head coach Kate Fallon-Comeau said Maddie Connelly played "outstanding defense" with three assists and three put outs.

FHS Panthers

Boys Lacrosse
D1 South
#4 Franklin, 15 vs. #13 Brookline, 5 - Final

- Franklin senior Austin Kent had a team-high five points with four goals and one assist, Justin Miller scored a hat trick and had one assist and goalie DJ Shea made 12 saves in net. Head coach Lou Verrochi said Sean Lockhart, Alec Borkowski and Mike Sullivan were "excellent on defense."

For all the playoff results around the Hockomock League on Wednesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-060315

BFCCPS - Expansion Update

From Don Tappin, President, Board of Trustees - BFCCPS

"As many know the Benjamin Franklin Educational Foundation already owns a parcel of land in Franklin on Washington Street that was purchased some time ago with the idea of building a school. Although in the past there were barriers to developing the parcel recent events have made the site viable and in fact favorable to other available options. As a result, I’m pleased to let you know that we are pursuing placement of the school on Washington Street in Franklin. 

The next step in the process is for us to seek a designer to develop plans and specifications for a new 90,000 square foot building with play fields. Much of this work will take place over the summer. Our timeline remains aggressive but we currently expect that we will be able to welcome students into BFCCPS’s new facility in September of 2017."

You can read the full posting on the BFCCPS webpage here
http://bfccps.org/expansion-update-from-the-board-of-trustees/

Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

"The primary goal isn’t to arrest"

“Franklin is not unique in terms of this problem,” Roy said, referring to the state’s opioid epidemic. 

He was speaking during the taping of a local cable TV show that also featured Franklin Police Chief Stephan Semerjian, Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting and school district Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski. 

After filming in the morning at Franklin TV’s Hutchinson Street studio, Roy met with Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey later that afternoon about some of the strategies that the other coalitions have used. 

“The district attorney has assigned someone from the Walpole coalition to mentor us and someone from his office who will attend all of the meetings,” Roy said. “Whoever emerges as the leader of the Franklin coalition will go every other month to the DA’s office to meet with the other 18 community coalition leaders. We will have constant dialogue on this.”

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150603/NEWS/150608324/1994/NEWS

Police Chief Semerjian and his team address the Town Council on May 20th

Related materials:

The Town Council meeting discussion on the opiate problem
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/live-reporting-police-chief-on-drug.html


Jeff Roy's monthly newsletter
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/06/representative-roy-whats-happening-in.html

Franklin Police Department resources posted
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/05/franklin-police-share-resources-on.html

Franklin Downtown Partnership - Meeting Agenda - Jun 4

I.          Open Meeting           -  8:30 am

II.         Adoption of Agenda   -  8:32 am

III.       Introductions         -  8:35 am

Franklin
Downtown Partnership

IV.      Town Updates - Jeff Nutting    -  8:40 am

V.        Streetscape Project & Town Updates  -  Jeff Nutting 8:45 am
                   -Timeline and Traffic Details

VI.       Update from Executive Director  -  Lisa Piana   -  9:00 am

VII.      Strawberry Stroll        -    Nicole Fortier  -   9:10 am
                   -Map and Participation Handout

VIII.      Networking Committee  -   Dave Drucker, Gary Donelan    -   9:15 am

IX.         New Business   -   9:20 am

X.          Adjourn        -     9:30 am



Next General Meetings: September 3rd, November 5th


For more about the Franklin Downtown Partnership, you can visit their webpage
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/


Note: residents can join as individual members for only $25! Check out the details on membership here
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/p/membership-info.html

Tri-County senior named Thoreau scholar

The Valedictorian of Tri-County's Class of 2015 is one of eight top-ranking students from across the state to be named a Henry David Thoreau Foundation Scholar. 

Laura Auerbach will receive a $20,000 scholarship from the foundation. 

Laura Auerbach and Superintendent Stephen F. Dockray

For more about the Thoreau Foundation   http://www.thoreauscholar.org/

For more about Tri-County  http://www.tri-county.us/

Another short cut ....

utility short cut

You may recall I found a bunch of these short cuts around Franklin. This one is new and located near the corner of King and Forest Streets.

Additional short cuts can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/short-cuts-update.html


Do you know of short cuts to add to the listing? Let me know via comment or email.

Senator Ross: May 2015 State House Update

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, May 2015 View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website LinkedIn State Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) proudly serving the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District. State House Room 419 Boston, MA 02133 Ph: 617-722-1555 Fax: 617-722-1054 Email:richard.ross@masenate.gov Dear Friends, This month, we remember our fallen heroes who gave everything for their country. The heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and our livelihood. The Senate also took up the FY16 budget this month, passing the legislation unanimously. Now the legislation moves to a six person conference committee that will work out the differences to then be voted on and sent to the Governor's desk. This year's budget included several key policy measures pertaining to the MBTA, Boston 2024, among others, but it also included critical investments for our cities and towns. Please read/share my monthly newsletter for more information on the budget as well as what is going on right in your backyard. It is my honor to serve you. Sincerely, View this newsletter in your browser

Blackstone River Theatre Summer Solstice Festival is just 20 days away!

ARE YOU READY FOR THE 5th annual BRT SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL? WE ARE! Fundraising and planning is almost over ...now it's time to make it happen! In just 18 days, more than 75 incredible volunteers will begin to transform a beautiful but underused park in Cumberland into a world class festival space... FIVE stages, a session tent, and 40 food and craft vendors will be set up, ready for YOU to enjoy an amazing day of music, dance and culture! PLEASE JOIN US  SATURDAY June 20!  FOOD VENDORS  Mickey G's Clam Shack, GottaQ BBQ, The Salad Man & Juice Bar, Del's Lemonade, and the Ice Cream Machine. CRAFT VENDORS Tom and Alice Apiaries, Doodle Paintings, Scentsy, Thirty-One Gifts, Pins with Personality, Bonnie Lee's Creations, Renewal by Andersen, Silver 'N Such, Celtic Revival, Jewels by Crissy B, Premiere Water Systems, Reclectic Design, Starlite Jewelry Designs, Tupperware, Mommie's Hobbie Designs, SilverLeaf Studios, La Wren's Nest, Celtic Beat, mpic studios, Tir Na Nog Irish Dance, Pocasset Wampanoag Creations, BoydHomes, The Glass Heron, R.I. Home Improvement, Sandra-Lynn Custom Jewelry Designs, Daren Rathbun Nature Photography, Sassy Classy Clay Creations, Massage Envy We are still seeking more vendors! Contact russell@riverfolk.org IT'S ALMOST FESTIVAL TIME! We have an amazing time planned for you! Full details can be found at: www.riverfolk.org/brtssf 1. We are still looking for a few more craft vendors, artisans, home-based businesses. Email russell@riverfolk.org 2. Purchase advance tickets today via check for both the festival and the after-festival session! We are working on setting up a PayPal account for the festival! 3. HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! And don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook to get late-breaking news! please share what we do with your friends! www.facebook.com/pages/Blackstone-River-Theatre/165592431396    Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday! Russell Gusetti, Executive Director   5th annual BRT Summer Solstice Festival Looking for a great family-friendly outdoor music festival without having to travel hours to find it? Blackstone River Theatre has your solution as we move our programming outside to present the  5th annual Blackstone River Theatre Summer Solstice Festival at Diamond Hill Park, Rte. 114, Cumberland, on Saturday, June 20. The Summer Solstice Festival will run from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with five stages that focus on Celtic and world music, dance and culture. There will also be more than 40 craft and food vendors and a new session tent area where attendees are encouraged to bring instruments to play with some of the festival musicians. Featured entertainers include long-time BRT favorites as well as several acts that will be new to area audiences. This year sees three music stages plus stages dedicated to both Irish dance traditions and children's entertainment, all running continuously throughout the day. Festival performers - most doing two sets each - include Calan (from Wales), Eastern Medicine Singers, The Gnomes, The Gothard Sisters, Cassie & Maggie MacDonald, Robbie O'Connell & Dan Milner, Pendragon, RUNA, The Vox Hunters with Torrin Ryan, and Will Woodson and Joey Abarta. There will also be nonstop Irish step dance featuring 50 dancers from Tir Na Nog Irish Dance. A children's stage will feature Irish magic shows with Debbie O'Carroll, Mary King & Phil Edmonds, Art on the Spot Face Painting and henna, and Marvelous Marvin's Circus Arts.  Admission is only $15 adults, $10 seniors, $5 children ages 6-15, children under 5 free. Festival sponsors include the Town of Cumberland, Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc., Navigant Credit Union, Valley Breeze, Tir Na Nog Irish Dance, Open MRI of New England, Ocean State Urgent Care and Angelo's Palace Pizza.  And the music continues Saturday night!... One of the highlights of each year's Solstice Festival is the after-festival music session held at Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad St. "It's designed to be an intimate, informal evening that allows attendees the chance to mingle with performers and hear some great music in a casual atmosphere," Russell Gusetti, Festival producer, explains. "We sell only 80 tickets to the event, and it has sold out the past two years, so we encourage folks to reserve a spot ahead of time. If any tickets remain, we'll sell them at the Festival information booth during the day." E-mail russell@riverfolk.org to reserve your spot! The after-festival music session takes place Saturday, June 20, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., and is sponsored by Angelo's Palace Pizza. The session features virtually all of the festival performers. There will be a cash bar and complimentary food will be available at the evening event. Tickets are $20.00 per person and advance purchase is highly recommended. Blackstone River Theatre is located at 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI. Telephone is (401) 725-9272. "One of the nicest things that happens is the great mixture of songs and tunes along with some incredible dancing," Gusetti added. "It's really a magical time when musicians are relaxed and playing in combinations that are usually not possible and that audiences rarely see. At times, we have more than 30 musicians and dancers performing at once!"

Forward email to a friend! Blackstone River Theatre | 549 Broad Street | Cumberland | RI | 02864

FHS Spring Playoff schedules for Tennis, Baseball, and Softball

From Hockomock Sports we share the Tennis, Baseball and Softball playoff schedules.

Boys Tennis

#5 Franklin (13-3) will play #12 Mansfield (10-7) at Medway on Thursday, 6/4 at 3:45.

FHS Panthers

Girls Tennis

#7 Franklin (12-4) will play #10 Mansfield (12-6) at King Philip on Thursday, 6/4 at 3:45.

http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-tennis-playoff-seeds-match-ups

Baseball

#4 Franklin (13-7) will host #5 Brookline (14-8) on a date and time to be announced.

http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-baseball-playoff-seeds-match-ups

Softball

#14 Franklin (13-7) will host #19 Somerset Berkley (10-10) on Wednesday, 6/3 at 3:30.

http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-softball-playoff-seeds-match-ups

#ShopFranklin: Ed Szymanski - The PC Handyman

Via Kiernan Reed, we share a new series touting #ShopFranklin:

No matter what your computer needs happen to be, the PC Handyman can handle them. Ed named his business after the work he used to do as a home handyman, since his approach to computer work is similar; “it’s a little bit of everything that people need.” From repairs and parts replacement to installation and configuration, Ed serves individuals and small businesses in the Franklin area both on the road and from his home workshop. 

When you first contact Ed, he will discuss with you whether a house call or a workshop visit makes more sense, based on what you need. According to Ed, he can be “more efficient working here in the shop time-wise” for something like a virus removal, “which means more efficient with people’s money.”

PC Handyman

Ed also specializes in “problems that aren’t easily solved,” even to the point where other businesses have tried and failed to fix the problem. Although difficult computer issues can sometimes take more time to solve than Ed is willing to charge his client for, he would rather put in the extra time to solve the problem than to give the computer back unfixed. 

While Ed’s background is in mechanical engineering, his computer skills were developed through years of maintaining the network at his former company and helping other users with their computer issues. In 2002, when his employer relocated, Ed worked on computer repairs “here and there” and eventually developed that skill into his own full-time business. 

Ed loves working from home, not only because it gives him the flexibility to work with clients on the road when needed, but also because he can work around his outdoor schedule. Contrary to the popular perception that computer guys don’t ever go outside, Ed is an avid gardener and homesteader. Ed and his wife “started with a small garden and just grew and grew,” and at this point they “have no grass.” Ed’s front yard produces fruits, vegetables, berries, and flowers, and in the back he has twenty-five raised garden beds and other garden areas, including several nut trees. 

Ed and his wife grow a little bit of everything, and produce just about all of what they need. Ed also raises bees and chickens, and currently serves as the president of the Norfolk County Beekeepers’ Association. Ed’s advice for anyone interested in keeping backyard bees or chickens is to learn all you can about caring for them so that you can do a good job, since “it’s a lot more fun when everybody’s healthy.” 

Ed says that homesteaders tend to talk to each other and get to know each other, and share tips and advice at farmers’ markets and other local gatherings. Lately, that way of life has been spilling over into Ed’s business as well. As a small business owner, Ed has become increasingly involved in business networking groups and efforts like the #ShopFranklin initiative. “I didn’t know how much it would benefit a business like mine but it turns out that it really is because you’re reaching a lot more people,” Ed says. 

Word of mouth is one of the best ways to advertise, and Ed works hard to connect with others, not only to receive referrals but also to give them. “I believe that when you help other people with getting business and doing things for their business then they are going to help you in return.” 

Since starting the PC Handyman, Ed has found that the Town of Franklin has been especially friendly to small businesses, and he appreciates that it has retained its community, small-town feeling despite its accessibility to the big cities. 

Franklin is large enough to have a thriving business community, but not so large that there are too many competing businesses; Ed can succeed here as the “computer guy that makes house calls,” and when clients come to Ed’s workshop, they get to know him on a more personal level. “When people see the regular guy things that I’m doing they tend to remember me and they come back, and to also add to that the fact that I actually can fix their computers… it all works.”

Visit Ed's website here  http://www.pchman.com/

This was originally posted to the #ShopFranklin Facebook page and on
http://livinginfranklin.com/2015/03/19/pc-handyman-computer-safety-class-march-26/

PMC Kids Ride - Jun 14

The PMC Kids Ride gives us the opportunity to work together with the Franklin community and make a significant impact in the fight against cancer. We have all been touched in some way with someone who has had cancer. This ride gives children an opportunity to feel that they can make a difference. 

It empowers kids to become part of the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC) mission of raising money for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. This ride also teaches children the value of riding for the benefit of others.

PMC Kids Ride Franklin - June 14th

• Jefferson Elementary School, Franklin, MA

• Sunday, June 14, 2015 8:00am-12:00pm

• Ages 3-14

• Registration fee: $10 - Required fundraising minimum: $25, suggested: $40

balloon arch for starting line 2014

Additional photos from 2014 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/fund-raising-weekend-for-cancer-photo.html

To register or donate visit the website here  http://www.kids.pmc.org/franklin.aspx

FHS girls lacrosse top KP 12-6

From Hockomock Sports we find and share the result of the playoff action on Monday.

Girls Lacrosse

FHS Panthers

D1 East
#14 King Philip, 6 @ #3 Franklin, 12 - Final 

- Emily Jeffries led Franklin with four goals while Kenzie Pleshaw added a hat trick and goalie Dani Lonati made six saves. Head coach Kristin Igoe said Grace McDermott and Olivia Truenow each played well defensively.

For the other Hockomock results on Monday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-060115

"the nurturing environment ... found at Tri-County"

Two Franklin students end up #1 and #2 at Tri-County

Valedictorian Laura Auerbach and Salutatorian Christopher Lenzi are preparing for their graduation ceremony at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School on Sunday, June 7.  

Tri-County Regional Voc Tech HS

Auerbach, of Franklin, said she was "excited" knowing she finished at the top of her class. 

"It meant all the hard work paid off," Lenzi added. 

Auerbach was a member of the math team, National Honor Society, as well as the captain of the soccer team. 

Lenzi, also of Franklin, was a member of National Honor Society, the student council and worked on the school yearbook.

Continue reading the article in the Sun Chronicle
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/wrentham/schools/hard-work-adds-up-for-tri-county-s-top-duo/article_5e818439-8da8-5798-9b93-714abf915ffe.html

Sen. Spilka District Office Hours - 6/19 & 6/26

Senator Spilka Announces District Office Hours

Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) or representatives from her staff will be available for district office hours in Franklin and Medway on Friday, June 19^th and in Natick and Holliston on Friday, June 26^th. Constituents are invited to share their concerns, questions and policy priorities and hear updates on the latest news and events from the State House and in the district.

Friday, June 19^th

Franklin Office Hours

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Cake Bar

17 E Central St., Franklin

Medway Office Hours

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Muffin House Café

116 Main St., Medway

Friday June 26^th

Natick Office Hours

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Zaftigs

1298 Worcester St., Natick

Holliston Office Hours

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Coffee Haven

76 Railroad St., Holliston

Residents who are unable to attend or are interested in scheduling an appointment should contact Senator Spilka's office at (617) 722-1640 at any time.

In the News: Cookies for a cause, clothing theft repeats

On Saturday, Cathleen Bryan of Franklin and her best friend Jena Johnson of Blackstone held their 6th Annual Cookies 4 A Cause sale at the Famous House of Pizza, 40 N Main St., Bellingham, pulling in more than $1,000 for cystic fibrosis and Jena’s fight against the disease. 

Cathleen, 11, has been organizing the sale for the past six years in honor of her friend, also 11. The money is raised to help with Jena’s medical expenses and to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 

“Cathleen and Jena worked their magic and the cookie sale went great. We did not sell out of cookies but were still able to raise over $1,800 and Famous House Of Pizza will continue to sell them and collect donations,” noted Laureen Bryan, Cathleen’s mom. “The girls stayed until 10 p.m. and it was a wonderful day. I am so grateful for friends, family, strangers and, most of all, Famous House of Pizza, for letting us hold the sale there year after year.”

Continue reading the article
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150601/NEWS/150609558/1994/NEWS

A Rhode Island man was held on $5,000 bail Monday after he allegedly took bags of clothing from the same Society of St. Vincent de Paul collection bin that police caught him stealing from last month. 

Valdir Barros, 27, of Central Falls, Rhode Island, was arrested Saturday on charges of breaking into a depository and larceny over $250. He and another man are accused of loading several bags of clothes into a U-Haul van before fleeing the area, Franklin police said. 

On May 4, Barros was charged with stealing from the bin after police found him hiding inside of it. 

Police Saturday also arrested Bruce Ribeiro, 29, of Brockton, and charged him with breaking into a depository, giving a false name and disturbing the peace, as well as larceny over $250 and witness intimidation.

Continue reading the article
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150602/NEWS/150609513/1994/NEWS

Tri-County students continue with interior carpentry work at Beaver Court

A recent walk took me by Beaver Court to grab a photo of the house that the Tri-County students have built for Franklin. The students were recognized by the Town Council for their work on this affordable housing project.

affordable house being built by Tri-County students

Students began installing kitchen cabinets this past week. 

Tri-County Facebook photo of cabinets being installed at Beaver Court house

For additional photos of the work being done, check out the Tri-County Facebook page here
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.773075882813839.1073741875.620249754763120&type=1

Annual Franklin Post 75 and Medway Post 367 Scholarship Run - June 20

The Annual Franklin Post 75 and Medway Post 367 Scholarship Run will be held at Medway High School on Saturday, June 20, 2015. 

We are currently seeking sponsors and donations. Please mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details including instructions on how to register.

If you have any questions or would like to be a sponsor or make a donation, please contact Kim Leone at Franklin Post 75 or Doug Wahl at Medway Post 367.

screen grab of American Legion Post 75 webpage

To register for the 5 mile race, click on the link below.

Link to Registration page

or download the form from here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczM2M3cnZmRUZTTkd0X012X1VOUUwwMkphdTVv/view?usp=sharing

Dirty Frank comes to the Uptowne Pub - Jun 6

Found this on the utility pole while walking recently. Coming up Saturday night, June 6, beginning at 9:00 PM Dirty Frank, a cover band playing music from the 70's - 00's will appear at the Uptowne Pub.

Dirty Frank - Jun 6th

Franklin Library: Duct tape beach bags

Rainy day activity for the older kids? The Library will be making duct tape beach bags Monday, Jun 1 at 7:00 PM for kids 11 and older.

Duct Tape Beach Bags

This was shared from the Library website here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/05/duct-tape-beach-bags.html