The Zajac brothers return to THE BLACK BOX - Feb 19

The Zajac Brother's band returns to THE BLACK BOX, Saturday, February 19 at 8 PM!

The Zajac Brother's Band is bringing a special one night only tribute to the mighty Rolling Stones.  Featuring songs that span their lengthy career, the boys pay homage to one of the finest Rock n Roll Bands of all time.

Tickets available online -> https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1541

Zajac brothers return to THE BLACK BOX - Feb 19

Lifelong Learning Announces Summer Programs - registration is open now

The Lifelong Learning Institute invites residents of Franklin and surrounding towns to explore its many Summer 2022 classes now available for registration.

Lifelong Learning is the community education branch of Franklin Public Schools, providing high-quality extended day child care, music lessons, and enrichment programs in an affordable and safe environment.

The Solutions Extended Day program will run its annual Solutions Summer Adventure for five weeks starting July 11, 2022 with a different activity theme each week. Families of students entering kindergarten through grade 5 can choose one or more weeks of this 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM camp, with options for early drop-off and/or late pickup.

Students entering grades K through 6 can choose from a variety of STAR Enrichment Program morning classes in July 2022. Examples include Silly Science, Funky Furniture, Gardening Fun, Minecraft Break Battle and Build, Coping with Crafts, Itty Bitty Acting, Author’s Workshop, and many more!

Eager young students entering kindergarten can participate in the very popular Ready, Set, Kindergarten program, running three different weeks in July. Through books, dramatic play, music, arts, and crafts, they will become familiar with the classroom setting and daily routines while having fun learning through hands-on experiences.

If music is what your student enjoys, the Lifelong Music Academy will offer Summer Band, Glee, Strings, and Rock Band Jr. This two-week program runs from July 25 to August 5, 2022 and includes 40 hours of summer music fun with recreation time every day.

Lifelong Community Learning’s ever popular Kids’ Corner program is once again offering a Summer Kids’ Cooking camp. For 3 hours each day August 2–4, students entering grades 4–7 can sear, sauté, fold and mix while they prepare a complete meal every day.

The class selections continue with the Summer STEM program (math, forensic science, computers, financial literacy), Summer Art (photography, video production), and Preparing for College for high school seniors (Common App Bootcamp, Writing Your College Essay). There’s something for everyone!

All Lifelong Learning Summer 2022 programs will follow the COVID-19 safety protocols in place in Franklin Public Schools at the time each class runs.

Visit www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com for full course details and to register. You may also call Lifelong Learning at 508-553-4814.

Download a PDF of this as a reminder -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XC-eIZ8S0LzbsIvTDhpnp8LjE3Mrt1bn/view?usp=sharing

Lifelong Learning Announces Summer Programs - registration is open now

FHS girls basketball post win vs. St Paul on Monday

Via HockomockSports.com and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS winter sports action on Monday:

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 50 @ St. Paul, 31 – Final

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 4 @ Norwood, 7 – Final

"7-4 loss against Norwood. goals from greco, flynn, mccaffrey and o’brien’s first varsity goal‼️‼️ no practice tmr  rest up!"

https://twitter.com/fhsvgockey/status/1493424724461903872

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-02-14-22/

FHS Panthers

Reminder: St. Mary's Men's Faith Formation - Feb 19, 2022

The St. Mary's Men's Faith Formation group will continue our monthly meetings. Our next meeting will be February 19 from 8:45 - 9:45 AM virtually via Zoom and in person.

We will be learning and discussing the topic of Prayer with guest speaker Dr Aldonna Lingertat  We really look forward to welcoming you back or hopefully welcoming you for the first time to our group. 

Please email Deacon Guy (deaconguy@stmarysfranklin.org) if you are interested in the Zoom link contact information. 

If attending in person, we will be meeting in St. Mary's Hall Either way you join us – we are glad you are there. 

All Men are welcome.  https://www.stmarysfranklin.org/womens-faith-formation 

Dr Lingertat in the news - https://www.sjs.edu/news/dr-aldona-lingertat-retirement

St. Mary's Men's Faith Formation - Feb 19, 2022

 

IRS launches resource page on IRS.gov with latest details and information for taxpayers during filing season

To help taxpayers and tax professionals, the Internal Revenue Service today announced a special new page on IRS.gov to provide the latest details and information affecting the 2022 filing season and ongoing efforts by the agency to address the inventory of previously filed tax returns.

During this tax season, taxpayers face a number of issues due to critical tax law changes that took place in 2021 and ongoing challenges related to the pandemic. To raise awareness about these issues and provide people with the latest timely information, the IRS has created a special tax season web page. This page will provide people with a quick overview of information to help people filing tax returns as well as those who have previous year tax returns awaiting processing by the IRS.

"The IRS is taking numerous steps to keep this tax season going smoothly while also taking additional action to address the inventory of tax returns filed last year," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "We're off to a good start processing tax returns and issuing refunds. But we want people to have an easy way to see the latest information. This new page provides a one-stop shop for the latest key information people and the tax community may need."

The "special tax season alerts" page will be available through the IRS.gov home page and shared through social media and other channels.

The page will include the latest filing season updates. The IRS began tax season on January 24, and in less than two weeks more than 4 million tax refunds have gone out worth nearly $10 billon. Millions more will go out in the weeks ahead as the IRS enters an important period of the tax season.

The page also includes links to important information related to ongoing efforts by the IRS to address the inventory of unprocessed tax returns filed before this year. This includes steps to stop more than a dozen common letters to taxpayers, and updates on IRS operations and the number of unprocessed tax returns.

"The combination of the pandemic, new tax laws and numerous other factors led to an unprecedented amount of unprocessed tax returns and correspondence remaining in the IRS inventory during 2021," Rettig said. "We must continue pursuing innovative strategies while supporting the hard work and dedication of our employees to fulfill our commitment to return inventories to a healthy level before entering the 2023 filing season. These steps are making a difference. Refunds for tax returns and amended tax returns in the inventory continue to flow out to taxpayers."

The IRS continues to urge taxpayers to carefully review their tax filings for accuracy and file electronically with direct deposit to speed refunds. Special tips are available in several places on IRS.gov, including these top 5 tips; basics on the 2022 tax season and IRS Tax Time Guide. 

Shared from the IRS page -> https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-launches-resource-page-on-irsgov-with-latest-details-and-information-for-taxpayers-during-filing-season

IRS launches resource page on IRS.gov

Franklin Public Schools, MA: COVID-19 Dashboard for week of Feb 14, 2022

"This week's COVID-19 Dashboard is now available to view here: https://t.co/mJFgollw0z"

 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1493363622638239748

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Weekly COVID-19 Dashboard

Joint Statement on Opening the State House Effective Feb 22, 2022

Statement From Senate President Karen E. Spilka and House Speaker Ronald Mariano

"We are pleased to announce that the State House will be opened to the public, Monday through Friday, as of Tuesday, February 22, 2022. Masks will be required, as well as proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test from no more than one day before entry. With public health data constantly evolving, we will review these requirements on a weekly basis. We look forward to seeing the public in the State House."

 

Joint Statement on Opening the State House Effective Feb 22, 2022

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Tuesday, Feb 15, 2022

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Tuesday

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM  Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era

11:00 AM 2 PM and 8:00 PM SAFE Radio– Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen
Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = TUESDAY

7:00 am Franklin Art Association: Joyce McJilton Dwyer

9:00 am It Takes A Village: Dementia

10:00 am Frank Presents: State House Pt. 2

11:30 am Senior Connection: Sleep

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Waffles

12:30 pm Sandhya: Donuts

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Show 3

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation Show 1: Show 1

3:30 pm Battleship Cove: Inside The History Pt. 6

4:00 pm The Only Cure Is Education

4:30 pm Extended Play Sessions: Season 10 Show 11 - Kemp Harris

5:30 pm Physician Focus: Electronic Medical Records

8:30 pm ArtWeek: Chestnut St. Revue

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = TUESDAY

7:00 am Public School Event: FHS Winter Jazz Night '22

8:30 am Public School Event: Lifelong Music Pt. 1 01-28-19

10:00 am FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v Attleboro 02-10-22

12:00 pm FHS PCC: Vaping Panel

2:00 pm It Takes A Village: Dementia

3:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey: v Mansfield-OA-Foxboro 02-03-22

4:31 pm Public School Concert: FHS Winter Music 2018

8:00 pm FHS Girls Varsity Basketball: v St. Paul 02-07-22

10:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Taunton 02-08-22

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = TUESDAY

8:00 am School Committee: 02-08-22

12:00 pm Economic Development: 02-02-22

2:00 pm School Committee: 02-08-22

 

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Superintendent Letter to Franklin Community re: Special Meeting Feb 16, 2022

February 14, 2022

Dear Franklin Community,

You may be aware that last week, Governor Baker and Commissioner Riley held a press conference announcing that DESE, after consulting with medical experts and state health officials, will not extend the state mask requirement in school buildings after it expires on February 28, 2022. The memorandum can be accessed here: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/2022-0209mask-requirement-update.pdf

Without a state order, the decision on masking falls to local decision making. The Franklin School Committee is holding a special meeting on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 5:00 PM to discuss masking. 

The meeting will be held in Town Council Chambers (limited in person seating); the meeting may also be viewed on Zoom or through Franklin TV. The agenda can be accessed here: https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/events/scagenda_2-16-22_special_mtg.pdf

Individuals who wish to express their opinions should e-mail the School Committee. E-mailing the committee can be accessed at the following address:
https://www.franklinps.net/district/school-committee/webforms/email-us

As for Franklin High School, FHS received a waiver from the state in November because over 80% of the population at Franklin High School had been vaccinated. The School Committee amended their policy in November to allow for masks to be optional at FHS for vaccinated individuals if the 14-day % positivity rate is below 4% (the current rate is above 4%). Therefore, masks are still required at FHS currently. Optional masking at FHS will also be discussed at Wednesday’s meeting.

Masking will continue to be required on all school buses, per federal order. Masking is also required, per DPH, in school health offices.

Kind regards, 

Sara Ahern

Superintendent of Schools 

PDF copy of the letter can be found here ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Uk5rd4Sgji-XE7h62S0q5zFtO3-vna_Y/view?usp=sharing

“Where’s The Toast” Memory Café - Feb 16

Memory Cafes are a comfortable, safe space that allows people experiencing memory loss and a loved one to connect, socialize, and meet new friends. 

Join us at our “Where’s The Toast” Memory Café in-person on Wednesday, February 16 at 1:00 PM. 

Steve McGovern will be entertaining us with songs we all know and love. 

To attend, RSVP to Ariel at 508-520-4945 or adoggett@franklinma.gov. 

Shared from Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ2vd3-lwx1/?utm_medium=copy_link

 “Where’s The Toast” Memory Café - Feb 16

Franklin Public Schools: Urgent - Two hour delay February 14, 2022

Two hour delay February 14, 2022

February 14, 2022

Dear Franklin Community,

Due to the road conditions, the Franklin Public Schools will have a 2-hour delay this morning, Monday, February 14, 2022. Those who work in central office should arrive as you are safely able to do so.

A separate email about ECDC sessions will be sent.

Please drive safely.

Franklin Public Schools

Shared from FPS page ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/urgent-alerts/two-hour-delay-february-14-2022

Franklin Public Schools: Urgent - Two hour delay February 14, 2022

Reminder: wfpr.fm – FCC License Renewal

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director

On December 27, 2021 Franklin Community Cable Access, Inc., dba Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio as the licensee of wfpr-lp, on 102.9 FM in Franklin, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to renew its broadcast license.  Members of the public wishing to view this application or obtain information about how to file comments and petitions on the application can visit the FCC’s website: www.fcc.gov/stationsearch, to find wfpr-lp’s filed application.  For more information, please email info@wfpr.fm  or call
508-541-4118.

Pending license renewal, the public may participate either by filing a Petition to Deny or an informal objection against a renewal. Positive comments about a broadcaster's service may also be submitted.  Persons may respond via the FCC’s database, LMS on the web.  Alternatively,  persons may submit paper copies to the Commission.  For paper copies, please include an original and two copies of any filing.  An additional copy of any filing may also be mailed to:

Franklin.TV

23 Hutchinson St.

Franklin, MA 02038

All USPS First Class Mail, Express Mail and Priority Mail should be addressed to:

Office of the Secretary

Federal Communications Commission

445 12th Street, SW,

Washington, DC 20554

Attn:  Audio Division, License Renewal Processing Team

Additional Suggestions for Filing.  To help the staff expeditiously associate a Petition to Deny, informal objection, or positive comment with the proper license renewal application, the pleading should prominently identify:

The radio station's call sign:       WFPR-LP

The station's facility ID number:  194829

The license renewal application:   0000177961

This information is available in the LMS Public Search on the Commission's Web site, and should be listed on the first page of your submission.  The filing must also state whether it is a Petition to Deny, Informal Objection, or a Comment.   If a cover sheet is used, it should be attached to each copy of the pleading. Failure to include this information may delay associating a pleading with a renewal application.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.
And, thank you for watching 

 Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf     

wfpr.fm – License Renewal

FHS girls hockey team posts a 3-2 win vs. Mansfield/Oliver Ames on Sunday

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the FHS winter sports action on Sunday:

Boys Hockey = Franklin, 0 vs. Natick, 2 – Final

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 3 @ Mansfield/Oliver Ames, 2 – Final 

– Maggie McCaffrey scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner with three minutes left to play, to help the Panthers pick up the road win. Molly Hurley had the first goal for the Panthers while Lindsey Dennett, Shaw Downing, Samantha Wong, and Dana Stott each had an assist. Maeve Anastasia and Kylie O’Keefe each scored for MOAF, the latter tying the game at 2-2 with nine minutes to play. Cammy Shanteler, Cierra Doherty, and O’Keefe each had an assist for the Warriors.

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/sundays-schedule-scoreboard-02-13-22/

FHS Panthers

Franklin High School Student Newsletter - week of Feb 14, 2022

"Here is our Student Newsletter.  https://t.co/ryI9bNROHs

Enjoy the Super Bowl, can't wait for the halftime show!"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinHS/status/1492984738344321031

Franklin High School Student Newsletter - week of Feb 14, 2022

Good Deeds: Black History Month

Every February the United States of America celebrates Black History Month.  It is a way to honor the contributions that African Americans have made throughout history while also recognizing the fight for equality and justice continues.  A founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History organization, Carter G. Woodson, is believed to have had the idea for what would become a month-long celebration.  Mr. Woodson who earned a Ph.D. in history from Harvard University was born in 1875 to newly freed Virginia slaves.  The motivation for Carter Woodson of developing this concept of celebrating black history was his belief that African American children were not being taught about their ancestors’ achievements.  Carter Woodson was instrumental in having Negro History Week launched in 1926.

As the decade of the 1960’s closed Negro History Week continued to be celebrated.  This was the precursor for what was changed into Black History Month.  The month of February was picked for Black History Month because it contained the birthdays of United States President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas.  President Lincoln was born on February 12.  Frederick Douglas, a former slave, who became a noted abolitionist did not know his precise birthday but celebrated his date of birth on February 14.  Some fifty years after the first celebrations of black history then United States President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month during the celebration of American’s bicentennial in 1976.  President Ford called on Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

The Norfolk Registry of Deeds and the land records housed there date back to 1793.  John Hancock, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was then Governor of Massachusetts and on March 26, 1793 signed legislation that established Norfolk County on June 20, 1793.  A modernization initiative recently completed at the Norfolk Registry of Deeds that transcribed handwritten land records dating from 1793 to 1900 has made history come alive.

As Black History Month is celebrated let us be aware of connections to Norfolk County.  Booker T. Washington was born into slavery in 1856.  He was an educator, author and orator who during his lifetime was one of the prominent voices for African Americans in the United States.  Booker T. Washington established the Tuskegee Institute a school of higher learning for African Americans located in Alabama.  He called for progress through education and entrepreneurship.  Booker T. Washington’s connection to Norfolk County was that he vacationed for several summers at the residence owned by William H. Baldwin, Jr. in South Weymouth at the intersection of Main Street and Columbian Street.

As part of the 225th Anniversary Commemoration of Norfolk County in 2018 the Registry of Deeds chose another notable African American Audie Cornish who hails from the Norfolk County community of Randolph to be in its Notable Land Records book.  Audie Cornish was born in Randolph in 1979.  She graduated from Randolph High School and attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.  Audie Cornish went on to become a journalist for the Associated Press and later a reporter for Boston public radio station WBUR.  In 2005 she shared first prize in the National Awards for Education Writing for a report entitled “Reading, Writing and Race.”  Ms. Cornish became a reporter for National Public Radio later becoming a host and news chair.

William Maurice “Mo” Cowan lived in the Norfolk County town of Stoughton.  He was appointed to serve as the United States Senator for the State of Massachusetts on February 1, 2013.  He served along with U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) making it the first time that two African Americans served simultaneously in the United States Senate.  Prior to his appointment Senator Cowan earned a law degree at Northeastern University and joined the prestigious law firm of Mintz Levin where he later became partner.  Mr. Cowan left the law firm to become counsel to Governor Deval Patrick.

Speaking of Governor Deval Patrick an African American who was elected as Governor of Massachusetts in 2006.  He served two terms as Governor.  Did you know he lived in the Norfolk County town of Milton?

Florida Ruffin Ridley was an African American civil rights activist, suffragist, teacher, writer and editor born in 1861.  She was one of the first black public schoolteachers in Boston and edited the Women’s Era, the country’s first newspaper established by and for African American women.  Florida Ruffin Ridley lived in the Norfolk County town of Brookline where in 1896 she was one of the town’s first African American homeowners.  In September 2020 the Florida Ruffin Ridley School in Brookline was re-named in her honor.

The Norfolk Registry of Deeds building is located in Dedham.  This Norfolk County community recently honored the life of William B. Gould (1837-1923) by renaming the East Dedham Passive Park in his honor.  William B. Gould was born into slavery in North Carolina.  He escaped slavery in 1862 by boat during the Civil War.  Mr. Gould served for the Union for the rest of the Civil War in the Navy chasing Confederate vessels.  After the Civil War ended this Civil War Navy Veteran was a distinguished member of the Dedham Community.
 
Henry W. Diggs was a lifelong resident of my hometown of Norwood from 1906 to 2003.  He and his relatives were the first African Americans to settle in Norwood.  After graduating from Norwood High School in 1924 Mr. Diggs worked for the Norwood Press.  He would later serve as a radio repairman for the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II.  Henry Diggs was active in town government having served on the Norwood School Committee, Town Meeting and the Blue Hills Regional High School Committee.  Mr. Diggs in a high school graduation address urged graduates to “build a bridge” to one another so that “walls of suspicion, fear, prejudice and hate will disappear.”

Sam Jones was a clutch basketball scorer who won 10 Championships with the Boston Celtics during their dynasty in the late 1950’s and 1960’s.  Mr. Jones died recently at the age of 88.  Sam Jones as a Boston Celtics wore the number 24 which was retired by the Celtics in 1969 while he was still an active player.  He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984 having played all 12 of his NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics.  Sam Jones  owned a home together with his wife Gladys in the Norfolk County community of Sharon while he was playing for the Boston Celtics.

Black History Month commemorates contributions made by African Americans to our country and to the fabric of what makes up our country.  Let us be proud and take notice of all noted contributions and know individuals from our communities here in Norfolk County have been a part of that history. 

Register O’Donnell and Hyacinth Cornish