Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Scott Mason has 93 wins in the Rhode Island - Massachusetts Senior Baseball League. He hopes to notch his 100th by mid-summer. No other pitcher in the league's history has more wins.
Scott, 62, dominates in this "Over 50" league, which is composed primarily of former college ballplayers as well as a few former minor and major leaguers. Mason is on the short-list to make the league's Hall of Fame.
Scott was born and raised in Franklin. He pitched for Franklin High School, the University of Dayton and Dean College, and had winning seasons at all three schools. He pitched at Dean College under Rick Smith, former Superintendent of Schools in North Attleboro. Said Smith about Mason: "He was and is the smartest player, and quickest learner, I ever coached...in my entire career, if I ever needed just one out, I would give the ball to Scott."
Scott was on the Franklin Town Council from 2005 to 2011, serving as its Chairman for the last two years. He also coached youth baseball, including multiple high school and Legion teams.
Scott is also a Franklin Historical Commission Member and a professional modeler of miniature railroad dioramas. Since 2022, Scott has re-created the Franklin Historical Museum's train depot diorama.
Scott was also a professional sports photographer, having worked for the New England Patriots, the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Sun Chronicle.
Scott is married to Tina Powderly and together they have five children: Kelly (Cincinnati, Ohio), Kathryn (Franklin), Samantha (Boston), Tyler (Franklin) and Allison (Franklin).
Mason is slated to pitch Opening Day, April 26 at 9 AM, Cranston Stadium, Cranston, RI.
I wanted to congratulate our FHS musicians on their performance at the 2025 Gold Medal MICCA Showcase concert. Performing were the FHS Wind Ensemble, Repertory Orchestra and String Orchestra. See YouTube link below. This performance was held at the Groton Hill Music Center on Sunday. It was not only a beautiful venue in which to perform, but it was also an opportunity for the top music programs in the state to hear each other perform and support each other. It is always a proud moment to be invited to such an elite event.
It is my hope that we can use this as a reminder of the special music program we have in Franklin. I've said it before, but this program is not a luxury to have in our schools, it is a necessity. While looking at the program linked above, it is interesting to take note of the schools who earned gold medals. For the most part, these schools are also some of the highest achieving schools academically. This is not a coincidence.
Please continue to fight to protect what we have. These performances are a result of a supported program K-12. We have an enormous responsibility to maintain this gem for future generations.
Our Director, Diane Plouff, received this email from an attendee from Ashland following the performance.
Ms. Plouffe,
I attended the MICCA Gold Medal Showcase this afternoon. I heard the FHS Orchestra's performance and was stunned! The emotion and precision with which the students performed moved me, particularly the first piece they performed. I would appreciate it if you would send me the names of the pieces performed today.
Please pass along my congratulations! Your students performed remarkably!
Via Twitter, Franklin TV, and our
subscription to HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the Spring
sports competition for Franklin High School on Monday, April 14, 2025
Baseball = North Attleboro, 5 @ Franklin, 2 – Final
- Senior Brady Paradis gave up just one run in five innings while sophomore Jake Ronci came in and closed the door with a two-inning save, escaping a major jam in the sixth inning as North Attleboro bounced back from a tough loss on Thursday with an impressive win at Franklin. Paradis allowed just one unearned run in the bottom of the third with just one hit against and three walks, striking out six. With North holding a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth, Franklin’s Zach Winer singled and Sean Kryzak walked and the Rocketeers turned to Ronci in relief. After an infield pop up, Franklin freshman Patrick Luizzi was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Ronci got a massive strikeout and then induced a fly ball to foul territory near first base as North escaped the jam. The Rocketeers cashed in for some insurance runs in the top of the seventh as Gio Martello (single) and Paradis (error) both came home to score when Lucas Crovo reached on an infield error, pushing the lead to 5-1. The Panthers pulled one back with two outs in the bottom of the seventh but left fielder Ethan Belanger gunned a runner down at second for the final out of the game. Franklin took the lead when Matt Luccini (walk) scored on a passed ball but North went ahead with a three-run fourth inning. Nick Torres drove in Paradis and Crovo, who had back-to-back singles to start the inning and then scored on a double steal, with Bryce Silva (single) drawing Franklin’s attention at second. Winer pitched well for Franklin, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks, striking out six in 5.1 innings.
Softball = Franklin, 9 @ North Attleboro, 6 – Final
- A five-run fourth inning helped Franklin create enough separation as North Attleboro’s seventh-inning rally came up short at home. The Panthers had a 2-1 lead going into the fourth before Sophia Sacramone, Brooke Gatewood, and Ciara O’Brien all had doubles to help push the lead to 7-1. After North pulled one back in the bottom half, Sacramone (3-for-5, three doubles, three RBI, run) connected for another double, this time driving in a pair of runs. North rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh, including a two-run double from Jill Lewicki (2-for-4, two doubles, three RBI) and a sac fly from Emily Tucker. A single from freshman Lindsey DeGirolamo (3-for-4, RBI) put runners on the corners and brought the tying run up to the plate but sophomore Abby Souza got her fourth strikeout in her three-inning relief appearance for the final out. Both O’Brien (3-for-4, two RBI, run) and Marley Allen (4-for-4, two doubles, RBI, run) hit solo home runs for Franklin in the top of the second to take the lead for the first time. Sarah Boozang also had two hits, including a double, for Franklin while Molly Willey had two doubles and an RBI for North Attleboro.
Boys Lacrosse = Franklin, 10 @ Foxboro, 8 – Final
– A deflected shot from Franklin junior Thomas Quinn skipped into the back of the net with just under two minutes left, helping the Panthers escape an upset bid from Foxboro. The host Warriors stayed with the visitors for the entire game, tied at 6-6 at halftime and trailing just 9-7 going into the fourth. Foxboro sophomore Jack Taft scored the first goal of the fourth quarter with just over three minutes left to pull the hosts within one, 9-8, but Franklin didn’t let the Warriors get another shot on goal and closed out the win. Quinn, Jack O’Connor, Quinn Kielty, and Nate Walsh each scored twice for the Panthers while Charlie Ballarino and Drew McCarthy each had one. Senior Sam Freedman played well in net for the Panthers with eight saves. Foxboro freshman Bobby Hickox scored a hat trick, junior Michael McCabe tallied twice, and senior Aidan Waller (two assists) and sophomore Brayden MacKay (15-for-20 on faceoffs) each scored once.
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com Managing Editor, provides the game recap ->
"With 4:03 left in Monday afternoon’s showdown at Pisini Stadium, Foxboro senior Cate Noone leapt and buried a shot from the edge of the crease to bring the Warriors back within a single goal. Noone followed that by snagging the draw control (Foxboro won five of the six in the fourth quarter) to keep momentum with the visitors.
As Noone tried to bring the ball forward, Franklin senior Julia Flynn made the biggest defensive play of the night by knocking the ball loose to force a turnover. Flynn scooped the ground ball and fired a pass into the attacking half of the field.
Following a timeout, Franklin managed to hold possession for nearly 90 seconds, running the clock down to just 2:32 remaining when Izzy Cross drove towards the goal and scored her second goal of the night and sealed a 12-8 win and extended Franklin’s decade-long league win streak to 126 games."
Continue reading the article online (subscription required)
Boys Tennis = Franklin, 3 @ North Attleboro, 2 – Final
– Franklin’s second doubles tandem of senior Jai Kandula and junior Max Sebell prevailed from a three-set battle with a hard-fought win to clinch the match for the Panthers. Kandula and Sebell dropped the first set but rallied to win two in a row to take it 3-6, 7-5, 6-1. Seniors Danny Reis (first singles, 6-3, 6-3) and Gabe Terry (third singles, 6-3, 6-4) notched singles wins for Franklin. North Attleboro senior Jeremy Carter battled to a 6-3, 6-4 win at second singles while the first doubles team of senior Sean Subedi and junior Bhavi Mood emerged from a great match against Franklin freshmen Deklan Morin and Anish Bokil with a 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-4 win.
Girls Tennis = North Attleboro, 3 @ Franklin, 2 – Final – North Attleboro swept the three singles matches to pull out the win, staying unbeaten on the season and alone in first place in the Davenport standings. Megan Atwood (6-2, 6-0), Audrey Noreck (6-1, 6-3), and Elizabeth Silva (6-2, 6-2) each won their matches in straight sets to improve the Rocketeers to 6-0 this year. Franklin got both points from doubles. Brooke Daniels and Sydney Tolonen won 6-3, 6-4 and Avalon Thomes and freshman Genevieve Camire pulled out a 6-4, 6-3 victory.
For a photo gallery from this game (subscription required)
We are thrilled to share images of exhibits that have begun to arrive at 157 Cottage Street. But, first, you can support us at Jersey Mike’s today in Franklin, Medway OR Milford! Donate $5 at Jersey Mike’s and get a FREE regular sub.
Details here ->
Meg & Erin in the structure
Now that dinner is taken care of, we are over-the-moon to share photos of some incredible progress in our space. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram where we post regular updates!
First up, the photo below at left shows our climbing structure, presenting a gross motor opportunity within the space. As kids climb through, they’ll find friendly monsters painted by Erin and June Mint Designs.
The gazebo pictured is a central feature to our Imaginative Play Downtown, and offers a climbing opportunity for our littlest friends. This piece was built and donated by Woodstock Building Associates.
Can you guess what C.R. Schmall is building in the next photo? This work is underway now and we can’t wait to reveal the finished project later this week on socials!
The remaining photos can be found on the Children's Museum page ->
"Here are some photos of the 'finished' exhibit for the Franklin, Mass Historical Museum. This diorama recreates two large textile mills in Franklin in 1932.
This diorama, along with the previous two, will go on exhibit on November 29, 2025.
Between research, design and construction, it took Project Engineer, Sam Maxwell and me about 18 months and 2,500 hours to complete."
Be featured in the Franklin Cultural District’s 2025 Seasonal Guides (Summer + Fall/Winter editions)!
We’re looking for visual artists and writers with a Franklin connection to submit work reflecting the town’s creativity, culture, and seasons.
How to Submit:
Email 3-5 art samples or 1-2 written pieces (under 250 words) + bio to cshea@franklinma.gov by May 21st, 2025.
By submitting, artists and writers agree to have their work featured in our printed marketing materials, with full copyright remaining with the creator.
Don’t miss this chance to showcase your work in Franklin’s official cultural guide!
1. Steps & Strides - a walk, jog, run club hosted in Franklin by Body Fit Training for anyone looking to get more steps in or work their way to a 5k! We have 4 more weeks on the calendar so check out the details and get the remaining dates on your schedule!
🗓️ Sat April 19th 3 PM at the Rail Trail in Franklin
Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fm. Franklin Public Radio has a brand new schedule for the locally produced shows that fill our air waves.
It ia available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.
Tune in to listen to the following:
wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday, Franklin Public Radio
Tuesday
SAFE Radio – Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder
Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines - An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era
Franklin Public Radio wfpr.fm Schedule for Tuesday
