36th Annual Cracker-Barrel Fair

"The 36th Annual Cracker-Barrel Fair opens Friday, September 16. The fair will feature music, rides, exhibits and games. 

Friday local bands performing include Stepping Stone and Elastic Five.
Saturday, the bandstand will welcome Southeastern MA Community Concert Band and the Hitmen. 

Sunday, Showcase Dance Production of Wrentham will hold a performance followed by The Reminisants. 

Throughout the weekend there will hayrides pulled by an antique tractor and opportunities to enjoy a variety of food booths. The 4-H club will having various agricultural exhibits. Local artisans will be display their work and magicians, animal shows, jugglers and face painters will provide additional entertainment."

For more about the Cracker-barrel Fair
http://www.wrenthamtimes.com/wrentham/2016/09/cracker-barrel-fair-starts-friday.html

or here
http://friendsofwrentham.org/cb1414.html

In the News: drought conditions worsen, big dollar donors for ballot questions

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows rapid worsening of the extreme drought in Massachusetts as another week of above average temperatures and very little rain added to the months-long crisis affecting farmers and water supply managers. 

Data released this morning showed 52.13 percent of the state is considered to be in extreme drought. Last week that figure stood at at 22.67 percent. That means the area of the state now in extreme drought increased by 130% in just one week. Extreme drought is the second highest stage of drought issued by the drought monitor. At least 89.95 percent of the state is in at least severe drought, up from 77.38 percent last week."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160915/extreme-drought-expands-in-massachusetts

The official drought monitor map is impressive but the local photos shown below, I think are more dramatic.

http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MA

Uncas Brook is a 'small' but important water way here in Franklin

"When it comes to campaign cash, proponents of each of the four Massachusetts ballot questions hold a sizeable advantage over their opposition. 

Recent campaign finance filings to the state provide a look into where each ballot committee is drawing its monetary support."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160914/ballot-question-proponents-enjoy-cash-advantage

Representative Roy Announces Office Hours for October and November

State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) announced today that constituent office hours will be held in Medway and Franklin for the Months of October and November on the following days:

• Franklin – Thursday October 13th, 8:30-9:30AM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St. Franklin, MA

• Medway – Saturday November 5th, 9:00-10:00AM at the Medway Muffin Café, 116 Main St. Medway, MA

• Franklin – Thursday November 10th, 8:30-9:30AM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St. Franklin, MA

Christopher Yancich, his legislative aide, will be accompanying him.

Representative Roy stated that all office hours are open to any residents of Franklin and Medway who may have questions or concerns that they wish to bring to his attention. Walk-ins are welcome; no appointment necessary. He looks forward to hearing from you.

He also invites all constituents to call him at his State House office at (617) 722-2020, to stop by Room 527A in the State House, or to email him at Jeffrey.Roy@MAhouse.gov.

Franklin Senior Center

Electric Youth at 2016 Franklin Cultural Festival (video)

Turning back time (or #TBT) to that Wednesday in July 2016 when the Franklin Cultural Festival opened for the 2nd time. 

Here are some highlights from the opening night concert by the FSPA's 'Electric Youth':





For more about the Electric Youth check out their website
http://fspaonline.com/pages.php?pname=fspa_se_ey

Electric Youth performing at the 2016 Franklin Cultural Festival

• This was originally posted at the Franklin Cultural District page

http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/2016/09/electric-youth-at-2016-franklin.html

FHS boys soccer, volleyball. field hockey, and golf all post wins on Wednesday

From Hockomock Sports we share the FHS fall sports results from Wednesday

FHS Panthers

Boys Soccer = Franklin, 2 @ Milford, 0 – Final

– Farley Asmath scored both goals for the Panthers, with both coming in the second half. Asmath’s first strike in the 56th minute came off an assist from Hatim Brahimi. Asmath then earned a penalty in the final minutes and converted in the 78th minute for his second goal. Fred Beckmann earned the shutout in net.

Volleyball = Foxboro, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final 

– Erin Skidmore led the Panthers with 11 kills and added three aces. Lauren McGrath had nine aces and 15 assists for Franklin, while Meaghan Maguire chipped in with seven kills and a block.

Field hockey = Foxboro, 0 @ Franklin, 3 – Final 

– Caroline Lounsbury scored the opening goal with 17:55 left in the first half off an assist by Cassi Ronan and it turned out to be the game-winner for Franklin. Brayden Downing scored two minutes later on an assist from Annie Walsh and then Walsh made it 3-0 early in the second half off an assist by Maeve Ledwith. Christina Lucini earned the shutout in goal with three saves.

Golf = Attleboro, 184 @ Franklin, 159 – Final 

– The Panthers got an even par 35 from captain Bryan Woelfel and a 40 from Eric Civetti. Attleboro was led by Corey McKenna, who shot a 42.

For the remainder of the results around the Hockomock League on Wednesday
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-091416/

HiSET (formerly GED) Test Preparation

The class is being offered at Tri-County on Mondays and Wednesdays from Sep 26 through November 30 and from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM each evening.

The high school equivalency test (HiSET) preparation classes are for adults who wish to study high school level science, social studies, mathematical reasoning, and reasoning through language arts in order to prepare for the HiSET exam and to qualify for a high school equivalency certificate issued by the State of Massachusetts.

HiSET (formerly GED) Test Preparation

Additional information including online register
https://registration.xenegrade.com/tri-county/courseDisplay.cfm?schID=2083

Sidewalk Chalkfest - Wrentham Village - Oct 15th

Franklin Rotary Club, in conjunction with Simon Properties, is holding a sidewalk artists Chalkfest at Wrentham Outlets on Saturday October 15th. There will be cash rewards presented courtesy of the mall to Adult/Professional artists, as well as several age groups for children. 

Adults are assigned a 8x8 ft panel of sidewalk and kids are given a 3x3 ft panel. There are plans for a storefront area for professional enrollees to display their art for sale. 

Sponsorships are $250 for adults (see rules on application forms) and $50 for children. If artists cannot get their own sponsor, the Rotary Club can match sponsors as needed.

Rotary International

This is the first time that a Chalkfest has been done at Wrentham Outlets, but the Rotary Clubs of Providence and Cambridge have been doing Chalkfests successfully for several years (some of their artists might even be at the Wrentham show to help - and to participate!)

Information and rules and application forms can be gotten from Rotary President Terry Katsaros at Rockland Trust Bank (theodosios.katsaros@rocklandtrust.com, 508-245-4127), Carlos Aguilera (caguilera@DEAN.edu, 508-541-1810) or Dr William Koplin (drwizortho@aol.com, 508-528-0528). 

Please register as soon as possible to help us set up our layout at the mall! 

Rain date is October 22nd.