Friday, March 21, 2025

The Hockomock Area YMCA Held Its Reach Out Annual Campaign At Gillette Stadium

The Hockomock Area YMCA held its annual Campaign Breakfast, a long-standing tradition held at Gillette Stadium’s Putnam Club in Foxborough on March 14.  

The Hockomock Area YMCA is more than a place; it is a cause that is committed to strengthening communities. The Y’s annual fundraising campaign, known as Reach Out, ensures this non-profit organization continues to address emerging and critical human needs across the 15 communities they serve.

Farzin Karim
Farzin Karim
Farzin Karim, chair of the Board of Directors at the Hockomock Area YMCA provided welcoming remarks and shared her personal story of receiving a scholarship to attend the Y as a young girl. “I attended YMCA summer camp and I was in an environment where I felt safe, welcomed and where I could make friends, have fun, and just be a kid. This experience was life-changing,” said Farzin. “The Y was there in my time of need. And that is why we are all here this morning, to be there for someone else’s time of need.”

Angela Davis, member of the Board of Directors shared, “Last year, our YMCA provided $3.9 million in confidential financial assistance, providing opportunities for people in need to participate at our Hockomock Y.  Additionally, 25,000 meals and 25,000 bags of groceries were distributed in 2024.  These numbers are staggering and the need continues to grow in our communities.”

Maddie Frechette
Maddie Frechette
Long time member Maddie Frechette shared her impactful YMCA story remarking, “My journey at the Y is one I hold onto tightly and has been so monumental to the trajectory of my career and my life.”  Maddie’s has been a Y member, part-time staff member and the 2020 YMCA/Dean College scholarship recipient. Frechette added, “None of this – my education, my career path or the person I have become -is possible without the Y.  The Reach Out Campaign is more than just fundraising. It’s about creating opportunities, opening doors, and giving kids the same type of support, foundation, and encouragement I was so fortunate to have.  When we support the Y, we’re helping to shape futures, build confidence and change lives. I know this personally, because it changed mine.”

Other YMCA members receiving financial assistance shared their stories of how the Y has impacted their lives. The Hockomock Y’s Board of Directors issued a $50,000 challenge to event attendees, matching all leadership gifts of $500 or more at the event.

Jim Downs, Hockomock Area YMCA CEO thanked attendees for being at the event,
believing in and supporting the Y’s mission saying, “The needs in our community continue to grow and our YMCA will always be here to meet them. As you leave today, take with you the responsibility to be a bridge for those in need. If you know of an individual or family facing hardship, please reach out to our Y. Thank you for choosing to make an impact and thank you for being here today.”  

The Hockomock Y’s goal is to raise $1.5 million for this year’s campaign. The Breakfast event raised $227,500, bringing the total raised to date to $469,000 for this year’s campaign.  To make a gift or learn how you can get involved, visit www.hockymca.org/give

The Hockomock Y provides a safety net for thousands of individuals and families facing challenges.  The Y encourages members, volunteers, neighbors and friends in the community to join them in making a gift and raising funds to provide confidential financial assistance to those facing challenges.  The Y is guided every day to remain focused on how best to respond to the emerging needs of the community it serves.

About Hockomock Area YMCA:
The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility. 

Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit www.hockymca.org/our-cause/

Franklin Fire Dept shares Archbishop Henning's Letter

via Franklin Fire Dept:
"Thank you to Archbishop Henning, Rev. Poitras, and the St. Mary’s Parish community for your continued support of the Franklin Fire Department. We greatly appreciate the kind words. We are glad to see the parish back in the renovated church."
Franklin Fire Dept shares Archbishop Henning's Letter
Franklin Fire Dept shares Archbishop Henning's Letter

FHS Class of 1975 planning for 50th reunion

FHS Class of 1975 planning for 50th reunion
FHS Class of 1975 planning for 50th reunion
Franklin High School has invited the Class of 1975 to participate in the current class’s graduation ceremony this June.

See image for more information ->

There is also a plan in the works for our 50th high school reunion separate from this event.

Stay tuned for details!




RSVP by May 12th via the form ->   bit.ly/3WRwkbC


Standout for Ukraine - March 22

STANDOUT FOR UKRAINE

Friends and Protectors of Democracy...

Consistent with our mission to protect our democracy, there will be a standout this Saturday (March 22nd). We will gather to offer our support for Ukraine in their courageous stand for democracy. 
Standout for Ukraine - March 22
Standout for Ukraine - March 22

We will gather at the Stop and Shop Mall in Franklin from 11:00 AM until 12:30.


Please bring Ukrainian and American flags, as well as appropriate signs.
Lastly, please pass this along to friends.

The time to act is now.... Numbers have power. We thank you.

Lisa Paige
Al Pizzi




ReThinking with Adam Grant: "Improving teen mental health with Lisa Damour" (audio)

ReThinking with Adam Grant: "Improving teen mental health with Lisa Damour" (audio)
ReThinking with Adam Grant

ReThinking with Adam Grant: 

"Adolescence can be an emotionally volatile time, and in the age of social media, concerns about teenage mental health are more pressing than ever — for teens and parents alike. Dr. Lisa Damour is a clinical psychologist who specializes in teenagers and their mental health, consulting on the Pixar film Inside Out 2 and authoring the New York Times bestselling books UntangledUnder Pressure and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers. 
Lisa and Adam discuss the real problems facing teenagers today and unpack misconceptions about mental health, how many friends and how much sleep teens really need and why it truly takes a village to raise a teenager."

Find the episode on your podcast app to listen ->

An Easter Brunch Everybunny Will Love! At GlenPharmer

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 ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, March 21, 2025

Franklin Public Radio is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm and in the local Franklin, MA area FM radio dial at 102.9

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, March 21, 2025
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, March 21, 2025

8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM - Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events 


9:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 7:00 PM

10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong. 2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews



11:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 9:00 PM - “The Vibe” show plays music for everyone searching for some enjoyment, some dance, a happy or thinking mood, and most importantly, having fun.  Tune in to wfpr.fm and listen to “DJ Vibe” spin music across many genres and join this new vibing experience



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


Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA
Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Franklin TV schedule for Friday, March 21, 2025

  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel         (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

7:00 am Franklin Library Association: Role of the Library in American Democracy
8:30 am Care For Ukraine
10:00 am Riffin' on Main Street: Pauline Spender
11:00 am Senior Connection: Spaghetti Bolognese
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs
12:30 pm Cooking with Linda: Meatballs
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 2
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2019 Show 3
3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Referee Shortage Pt1
7:00 pm Franklin Art Association: Erin Spencer
8:30 pm Veterans' Call: Tune It Out
9:30 pm Critical Conversations: Social Media

  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY
7:00 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2022
8:30 am Mental Health : Amanda Ayer & David Gove
9:30 am All-Town Showcase 2024: Band
11:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Canton 02-05-25
1:00 pm FHS Concert Hour 02-26-25
2:30 pm Track and Field: v Taunton 05-18-21
6:00 pm FHSTC - Flowers for Algernon
8:30 pm Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing

  • Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) =  FRIDAY
8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals 03-13-25
2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals 03-13-25

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


Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA
Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Thursday, March 20, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, March 20, 2025 ???

Thursday, March 20
For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->      https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false
For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->     
https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

* "Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

8:30am State & Town Officials Office Hour (Franklin Senior Center)

5:00pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)

7:00pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (First Universalist Society Franklin)

7:00pm BEN 4 Franklin Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio)


** Town Meetings today   **



Coffee Hour with State & Local Officials

Thursday, March 20th Time: 8:30 AM

No agenda expected, open session (coffee only available today)


Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, March 20th Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/321?fileID=4200 


Franklin Cultural District Committee Meeting

Thursday, March 20th  Time: 7:00 PM 

https://franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4767/CDC-Agenda_Meeting_-march-2025docx-1?bidId=

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


Why are there multiple calendars?
What's happening today in Franklin?
What's happening today in Franklin? 
Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link
The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

State Representative Roy Promoted to House Leadership Position

After serving as House Chair of the prestigious Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy the last four years State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) has been promoted to Floor Division Chair of the 2nd Division. In addition, he was appointed to serve as a member on both the House Committee on Operations, Facilities and Security, and the House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight.

The entire body of the House of Representatives, consisting of 158 total members, is divided into four separate divisions. To create a continuous flow of debate, Leader Roy will be responsible for reviewing the House's schedule and then providing advance notice to the members of his division about the important matters the House will be working on. He also will be the primary liaison between the representatives in his division and the House Speaker.
State Representative Roy Promoted to House Leadership Position
State Representative Roy
Promoted to House Leadership Position
(Photo courtest Rep Roy)

"I am appreciative to Speaker Mariano for his continuing trust in me and look forward to expanding my contributions as a Division Chair to the House of Representatives on a wide variety of challenging public policy issues facing the Commonwealth," said State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin). "I am very proud of my tenure as Chair of the House Energy and Telecommunications Committee, where my colleagues and I enacted three major climate and energy laws over the past two legislative sessions. I look forward to working closely with the Speaker and his leadership team in this upcoming legislative session."

"Rep. Roy has been instrumental in so much of the work that we have done over the past few years to bolster clean energy production in Massachusetts, consistently demonstrating his ability to tackle difficult issues," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). "I look forward to working with Jeff in his new advisory role as a member of my leadership team."

During his time as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy (TUE), Leader Roy distinguished himself as a leader in the energy and climate space. For the past two legislative sessions, he forged collaborative relationships with stakeholders and played a major role in the development and passage of game-changing climate legislation for the Commonwealth.

Upon first being appointed to the TUE Committee in 2021, Leader Roy dove headfirst into the world of energy policy, including writing a report, "The State of Offshore Wind in Massachusetts," in order to be as impactful as possible. He was first tasked with getting the 2021 "Roadmap" bill across the finish line - this historic piece of legislation created a strategic pathway to guide Massachusetts' energy transition by setting statewide and sector-specific emissions limits and sublimits, paving the way for long-term investment and development in clean energy and clean heat.

In his second legislative session as House Chair of TUE, Leader Roy was the House lead of the 2022 climate law, An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind. This legislation further cemented Massachusetts as a climate leader by incentivizing the development of key clean energy industries and technologies - most notably offshore wind. It also set ambitious electric vehicle (EV) adoption targets and created a trust fund to support EV incentive programs.

And in the most recent legislative session, Leader Roy played a major role in shepherding through An Act promoting a clean energy grid, advancing equity, and protecting ratepayers. This law made landmark clean energy reforms, including streamlining the siting and permitting process for clean energy infrastructure projects and enshrining environmental justice principles into the Commonwealth's energy transition. It also set up large battery storage procurements to support increased renewable energy generation, supported the strategic buildout of EV charging infrastructure, and authorized the Department of Public Utilities to establish criteria for a moderate-income discount rate to provide relief to eligible ratepayers.

Rep Roy was also the lead author of the genocide education act in 2021, an act to prevent abuse and exploitation which include included teen sexting provisions in 2024 and act relative to step therapy and patient safety in 2022, an act relative to sexual violence on high education campuses in 2021, and an act to support improved financial stability and higher education in 2019.

Historic Happenings at the Franklin Historical Museum for April 2025

Sun. April 13 --Second Sunday Speaker Series: History in Our Backyard!
Tip O’Neill is remembered as saying all politics is local. All history is local too. In this interactive presentation, Dr. Rob Lawson of Dean College will share a variety of examples where “big” history (national/global) meets local history stories. Wars, pandemics, and natural disasters are painful reminders of how big events can affect local communities, and Franklin is no exception. 
Together, we’ll encounter a couple of Franklin history “puzzles” and explore some of the film and digital history initiatives that are making our local history accessible and relevant right now. Bring your curiosity and put on your thinking cap as we explore the history in our backyard!  
Museum is open from 1-4, program starts at 1:15. FREE

Sat. April 26 – Franklin’s Ladybugs and the Ladybug Trail
Ever wonder what all the fuss is about ladybugs in Franklin? We’ve got the answers with historic memorabilia and a continuously running slide show that tells about our intrepid elementary school ‘Lobbyists” who convinced the state government and governor to make the ladybug the state insect back in 1974. 
AND, of course, the annual Ladybug Trail Kickoff Walk begins at the museum with free water (and restrooms), maps, plus a fun visual cue or two. 
The museum is at 80 West Central Street will be open from 9-3.

Sun. April 27 --Second Annual “Friends of the Museum” Appraisal Day!
Your Appraiser is James C. "Jim" Johnston
Your Appraiser is James C. "Jim" Johnston
Antique Appraisal Day is back Sunday afternoon from 1-5 at 80 West Central Street.  What to expect? Good humor, great information, and highly cost-effective oral evaluation of your treasured items.   Satisfy your curiosity, mark something as special for your family members, or venture out to an auction or eBay with confidence. 

Oral appraisals are just $10 for the first item or up to three items for $25.  
Your Appraiser is James C. "Jim" Johnston, in the Appraisal and Antique business for more than six decades, a retired educator, historian, author. Sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum.