Let's beat our 2010 Census rate this time around

"Recently, you should have received a census form. The US Census determines both State & Federal funding based on the information collected! Be counted! The census is quick, easy, and important, and all of your answers are confidential. 

Visit http://my2020census.gov today!"

We are currently (as of March 31) at 49.3%

In 2010 we responded with a 79.9% rate. Let's get well into the 80% rate this year!

The 2020 Census rate response interactive page
https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html 

Let's beat our 2010 Census rate this time around

Jamie Barrett: new song - Sisu Ubuntu (YouTube)

"Jamie Barrett asked folks to give him one word each and around 100 (+/-) participated to create this song. Jamie created the music to go with the words that were given to him. He also arranged the words. Hope you like...?"

https://youtu.be/HVP2eDzQGnQ




For more music and story videos by Jamie Barrett 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiitAGAChXLE-lzyzPxauhg

2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards

The Franklin High School selections for the 2020 HockomockSports Boys Basketball Awards are shared here. Follow the link below for the complete HockomockSports.com listing

Second Team
Chris Edgehill – Franklin – Guard 

Franklin senior Chris Edgehill finished his career as one of the best ever to put on a Panther uniform. A four-year starter, Edgehill set a new program for scoring with 1,408 points, eclipsing the mark set by Matt Palazini in 2011, leading Franklin back to a third sectional final appearance in his four years. He was the Panthers’ leading scorer this season with 15 points per game along with 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. “Chris is an explosive talent who once again took his game to a new level in the state tournament run we had this season making big shots time after time when we needed them the most,” said Franklin coach CJ Neely.

Defensive Player of the Year

"Franklin senior Brayden Sullivan has been named the HockomockSports.com Boys Basketball Defensive Player of the Year for the 2019-2020 season, the ninth year the award has been given out. Sullivan is the third straight Panther to win the award and fifth overall.

Sullivan was a pest defensively, not just on the ball but off of it too. His ability to deny players the ball was a real strength for the Panthers defensively, who allowed a league-low 52.8 points per game this season. Night in and night out, he matched up with the top players in the league and from around the state. This season, he held 14 of the 16 Hockomock players he defended under their scoring average.

“Brayden has been a force in the defensive end all season,” said Franklin head coach CJ Neely. “He always got the toughest assignments and was ready for the challenge. We won so many games because of a late game block, steal or charge forced by Brayden.”

Brayden Sullivan has been named the HockomockSports.com Boys Basketball Defensive Player of the Year

For the complete listing of awards, and to continue reading the write up on Brayden:  https://hockomocksports.com/awards/boys-basketball/2019-2020/

Rally ’round the Restaurants

"We created a Facebook page -> United Regional’s Rally ’round the Restaurants for any and all restaurants in the region to share their operating hours, menus, specials, etc. This is open to the public, members and non-members, to post their favorite take out spots or pictures of their favorite dishes. Anything that can help the local restaurants during these crazy times.

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce (http://www.unitedregionalchamber.org/) created this page as a platform for our community, which includes 16 towns, to promote area restaurants. During this Coronavirus pandemic, our restaurants are struggling. Some, thankfully, are still open for take-out orders.

If you own, or have a favorite restaurant, please post about it here. Let us know if you’re open for take-out, and the hours. We encourage our community to promote their favorite restaurants on this page, including your pictures and positive comments.

The purpose of this page is to support our restaurants, so please only post positive content. Negative comments or reviews will be deleted. Now is the time for our community to pull together and support one another. We are all in this together. Let’s show our restaurants how much we appreciate them!"

Find the page on Facebook and share your update for a restaurant
https://www.facebook.com/United-Regionals-Rally-round-the-Restaurants-109228560731634

United Regional’s Rally ’round the Restaurants

Once Upon A Town: Stephen Meyers - Korean War Navy Veteran

Eamon McCarthy Earls interviews Stephen Myers

"Stephen Meyers, a US Navy veteran and retired electrician and engineer shares his stories of serving off the coast of North Korea during the Korean War and being among the first generation of computer programmers writing COBOL in the 1960s"

https://youtu.be/qcP-IVuP4ZA

Persons of Interest - benefit concert - Fri, Apr 3 - 8 PM

"THIS FRI @ 8:00pm - our #COVID19 benefit gig! Tune in to see us again or for the 1st time. Donations encouraged for the @WorcCtyFoodBank and @FranklinFoodPan  Join us and help those in need! More info coming...

The idea being while we can’t play out, we can still play (and be socially responsible). At the same time, why not help out locally, especially now.

Tune in FRI @ 8:00!"

Shared via Twitter: https://twitter.com/poitheband/status/1245019983794618370

The Persons of Interest band YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnnT1xsC3L7qkWytL8BU0nQ/

Persons of Interest - benefit concert - Fri, Apr 3 - 8 PM

Franklin Veterans Services: Food 4 Vets

"Please find information on a local food assistance program for veterans. The food will be distributed in Lot 5 at Gillette Stadium."

Link to page with video segment
https://boston.cbslocal.com/2020/03/30/coronavirus-massachusetts-military-support-foundation-free-meals-veterans/

Shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/food-4-vets

Fiscal Year 2020 4th Quarter Real Estate & Personal Property Tax Bills Have Been Mailed

"Treasurer Collector, Kerri A. Bertone has mailed the Fiscal Year 2020 4th Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills"

Shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/treasurer-collector/news/fiscal-year-2020-4th-quarter-real-estate-personal-property-tax-bills-have

Fiscal Year 2020 4th Quarter Real Estate & Personal Property Tax Bills Have Been Mailed

Franklin Residents: Simple Recycling Temporarily Suspended

Simple Recycling Temporarily Suspended

Curbside Simple Recycling (pink bags) is suspended until further notice.



I posted last week that I had missed an update on the change with this service. As I walked this week, others also had still missed my update too. I did stop to give a couple of my neighbors the news that the pink bags would not be picked up.

Shared via Facebook (and confirmed with a conversation with DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi)

https://www.facebook.com/FranklinDPW/photos/a.938433076241163/2980216915396092/

Don't put the pink bags out when you put out your trash/recycling

A Note To Our Lifelong Community Learning Friends

"The postponement of Lifelong Learning programs has now been extended through May 3rd. This extension aligns with announcements made by Governor Baker on March 25th and subsequent communications from Franklin Public Schools.

Using this updated and still fluid information, we are currently exploring the possibility of rescheduling as many programs as possible. Please watch our website for updates.

Thank you for your interest in Lifelong Community Learning.

Please be safe and well."

Following announcements by Gov. Baker earlier this week, Lifelong Learning programs are now postponed until May 4th. When available, updates on specific classes will be sent to registrants via email. Be well! https://t.co/993kSsZ9fP

— Lifelong Learning (@FPSLearning) March 27, 2020

A Note To Our Lifelong Community Learning Friends

FM #233 Fire Chief James McLaughlin 3/04/20 (audio)

FM #233 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 233 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin’s Fire Chief James McLaughlin. We had managed to meet in person to record this at the Franklin studio on March 4 and while we did briefly discuss coronavirus this was ‘back in the old times’ before the COVID-19 pandemic.

While this recording almost got ‘lost in the mix’ of the pandemic, most of what we covered is as valid today as when we recorded it. A few of the time references may change due to our new circumstances. The Fire Dept did successfully host their St Patrick’s meal at the Senior Center on Friday, March 6. The one scheduled for Friday, March 13 was canceled as we entered shutdown mode.

Chief McLaughlin shares the story of his work and how the road led him from Warwick, RI to Franklin. He was appointed in June 2019 and in the course of our discussion talks about his first several months on the job.

We will schedule another session (to be conducted remotely) to catch up on what he and the fire department are doing during the pandemic. This conversation runs about 39 minutes, so settle in and listen to my conversation with Chief McLaughlin. Audio file = https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-233-fire-chief-mclaughlin-03-04-20

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #233 Fire Chief James McLaughlin 3/04/20 (audio)

Franklin Residents: Trails and Walking Paths to use (at a social distance!) with others

Trails and Walking Paths

We have created a Trails and Walking Paths site to serve as a resource to our community. During these uncertain and unprecedented times, it is still important to get outside, breathe fresh air and de-stress, all while practicing social distancing. 

We hope you find it helpful and use the trails and paths respectfully and responsibly. Be well! https://bit.ly/3bDgozC

along one of the trails in the Franklin Town Forest (off Summer St)

Love from Oak St (video)

Some goodness from Oak St Elementary to share!



LOVE from Oak Street from Heather Adams on Vimeo.

shared via Twitter  https://twitter.com/OakStElementary/status/1244608436815478784

2020 HockomockSports Girls Basketball Awards

The Franklin High School selections for the 2020 HockomockSports Girls Basketball Awards are shared here. Follow the link below for the complete HockomockSports.com listing

Player of the Year

"Franklin senior center Ali Brigham has been named the 2020 HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball Player of the Year, the ninth recipient in the site’s history. Brigham, a four-year starter, led the Panthers to back-to-back Kelley-Rex division titles, a perfect 25-0 season, and the program’s first-ever state championship.

“Ali has been one of the most dominant players in the state over her impressive career,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “She just keeps getting better every year and adding new dimensions to her game, while also becoming one of the vocal leaders of the best team in the state. It has been a lot of fun to watch her play for the past four years and this season was the perfect way to cap off her career.”

Brigham led the league in scoring during the regular season at 21.1 points per game. The George Washington-commit became the school’s all-time leading scorer, male or female, finishing with 1,692 points for her career. She was also a dominant force on the defensive end and on the glass, grabbing a school-record 1,276 rebounds in her career, and averaged a double-double for the third straight year.

“Ali is a program changing player who has made everyone around her better and inspired a whole new generation of girls playing youth basketball in Franklin,” said Franklin coach John Leighton. “Ali’s focus has been on the team. Even while breaking the school rebounding and scoring record she actively sought to involve others in our offense.”

Continue reading the write up at the link below

Ali Brigham has been named the 2020 HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball Player of the Year

First Team
Olivia Quinn – Franklin – Forward
Franklin sophomore Olivia Quinn made a huge leap from last season and became an integral part of the Panthers winning a second straight league title and the program’s first state championship. Quinn, the HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year (see below), averaged more than 15 points per game this season, becoming the second-leading scorer on the team. She shot 53 percent from the field and 36 percent from three, giving the Panthers a dynamic playmaker on the offensive end of the floor. Franklin coach John Leighton said, “Olivia has developed into a prolific scorer that can score in many different ways. Her improvement since her freshman year is hard to believe. Liv has a work ethic that inspires her teammates.”

Ali Brigham – Franklin – Center
Franklin senior center Ali Brigham led the Hockomock League in scoring (21.1 points per game) during the regular season, set new school records for career points and rebounds, and led the Panthers to a second straight Kelley-Rex division title, a perfect 25-0 record, and the program’s first-ever state championship. The George Washington-commit was named the league MVP and the HockomockSports.com Player of the Year (see above) for the second season in a row. She finished her career with 1,692 points and 1,276 rebounds. Franklin coach John Leighton said, “Ali is a program changing player who has made everyone around her better and inspired a whole new generation of girls playing youth basketball in Franklin.”

Underclassman of the Year

"Franklin sophomore forward Olivia Quinn has been named the 2020 HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball Underclassman of the Year; the eighth season this award has been given out to the top freshman or sophomore in the league. Quinn was an integral piece of Franklin’s historic perfect season and first-ever state championship.

Quinn was the league’s most improved player, going from a freshman with potential to one of the Hock’s top scorers at more than 15 points per game. She became the Panthers’ second-leading scorer and a dynamic counterpoint to Ali Brigham on the offensive end of the floor.

“Olivia showed flashes last season that she could become a factor for the Panthers but no one saw her becoming the star that she was this year,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “She has all the tools, stretching the floor with her ability to shoot from distance, quickness and handle to take defenders off the dribble, and the ability to guard multiple positions. Olivia is going to be a problem for opponents for the next two years.”

Continue reading the write up at the link below

Olivia Quinn has been named the 2020 HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball Underclassman of the Year

Defensive Player of the Year

"Franklin junior guard Erin Quaile has been named the 2020 HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball Defensive Player of the Year. Quaile is the sixth player to receive this honor in the eight years that it has been given out and the second player to have won it in back-to-back seasons.

Quaile could control games without scoring a point by dominating opposing guards on one end and keeping the Franklin offense running smoothly on the other. She locked down some of the top guards in the league and in the state, including an impressive performance against Holy Name’s star Jaini Edmonds in the Div. 1 Central quarterfinal. Quaile had 45 steals, 54 deflections, and 55 defensive rebounds this season.

“It’s honestly just fun to watch Erin play defense,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “She is tenacious, aggressive, and doesn’t give an inch no matter who she is going up against. Even the best scorers know they’re going to be in a battle if they want to put up numbers against Erin."

Continue reading the write up at the link below

Erin Quaile has been named the 2020 HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball Defensive Player of the Year

 

Coach of the Year – John Leighton, Franklin

"Franklin head coach John Leighton has been named the 2020 HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball Coach of the Year. Leighton guided the Panthers to a second straight Kelley-Rex division title, a second straight Div. 1 Central crown, a perfect 25-0 record, and the program’s first-ever state championship.

John Leighton, Franklin

Coming off a season in which the Panthers won a section title for the first time, Leighton made sure that his team put aside last year’s success and focused on doing even better this winter. Franklin rolled through a perfect 16-0 league campaign and a 25-0 overall record to win the D1 crown. Along the way, the Panthers beat a talented Holy Name team three times, beat D2 state champion Foxboro, D4 state champion Cathedral, and D1 South champion Bridgewater-Raynham.

Franklin was the league’s top offensive team (64.8 points per game) and its top defensive team, holding opponents to 37.2 points per game. The Panthers won all four of their playoff games by double digits."

Continue reading the write up at the link below
https://hockomocksports.com/awards/girls-basketball/2019-2020/

Tri-County RVTHS Uses 3D Printers to Make PPE Face Shields

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School has begun using its 3D printers to make face shields for local medical care providers. Currently, Tri-County is in contact with the Milford Health Department and North Attleboro Health Department to get them face shields and also has expressed interest from Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Veterans Affairs, and Norwood hospitals. The list continues to grow.

3D printing is not magic

Tri-County is also one of at least 15 Massachusetts schools who are working together to make shields for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

“3D printing is not magic. But, as I looked into it more and got connected with some folks who were finalizing a design that was perfect for 3D printing and approved by care providers, I decided to jump in,” said Kristen Magas, a Tri-County Engineer Technology Instructor. She also shared the design Tri-County is utilizing for those who are interested.

face shields made at the school

The machines need frequent tending to get a large number of parts printed. “Harry [Takesian, Director of Facilities] and his team have been putting fresh trays in the machines when one print finishes and then starting up the next print,” Magas explained. Each print takes between one to three hours depending on the machine.

“We all look for ways to feel helpful and useful in this time of helplessness. I feel lucky to have this opportunity to help in some small way, and I am so grateful to the administration and to Harry and his team for making this work,” Magas said.