Franklin Matters

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Annual Healthy Futures Youth Triathlon Encourages Youth to Give it a Tri

This fall, the Hockomock Area YMCA will host it’s annual Healthy Futures Youth Triathlon on Sunday, September 8, 2013 at its North Attleboro Branch at 300 Elmwood Street, No. Attleboro. Youth ages 3 – 13 are encouraged to Give it a Tri and participate in one’s age appropriate division. Enjoy this opportunity to be introduced to a lifelong activity that builds confidence, determination and a love for physical activity.

2012 Give it a Tri participants

The Healthy Futures Initiative, launched in 2006, is a collective community response to the need for improved physical activity and healthy eating among youth. Since the initiative’s inception, the Hockomock Y has focused on improving the identification and enactment of strategies, building upon principals of intervention, prevention, and sustainable change.

The Youth Triathlon is a fun way to engage youth and families in physical activity and healthy eating. Perfect for both beginner and experienced athletes, the event offers a safe, fun activity to inspire and support youth. The event offers four age divisions, giving each participant the opportunity to be challenged while, at the same time, setting kids up for success.

	Ages 3 - 5	Ages 6 – 7	Ages 8 - 10	Ages 11 - 13
Swim	15 yards	50 yards	100 yards	150 yards
Bike	1/4 mile	3/4 of a mile	1 mile	1.5 miles
Run	1/4 mile	1/2 mile	3/4 mile	1 mile

Register today online at www.hockymca.org. Click on “Events” and “Youth Triathlon.” You may also register at any Hockomock Area YMCA Member Service Desk in Foxboro, Franklin or North Attleboro.

Day-of registration begins promptly at 9 AM. Parent orientation and bike set up will immediately follow. Athletes should arrive with their helmets and bikes. All athletes will be placed in a heat with heat leaders available to both preview the course and lead stretching.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Michael Bordonaro at 508.643.5225 or MichaelB@hockymca.org. All proceeds benefit the Reach Out to Youth and Families Program at the Hockomock Area YMCA.

About The Hockomock Area YMCA

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. At the Y, strengthening community is its cause. Every day, the Y works side-by-side with its neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn and grow. Learn more at www.hockymca.org.

"Applications can be found on the department’s website"

Franklin is looking to to hire two part-time dispatchers.

Depending on needs, a part-time dispatcher might work one shift a week, Lutz said.

The department will look to hire no more than two dispatchers, she said. "If they get one for right now, they’ll be happy," she said. "There’s no point in hiring too many because they don’t get called in often enough to maintain their skills."

Lutz has reviewed a couple of résumés but has not found any qualified candidates yet. They must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED and valid driver’s license.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x369947107/Part-time-dispatchers-sought-in-Franklin#ixzz2bqJcScJO

This link will download the Word file that is the application from the Franklin Police Dept page
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Jobs/I019BE43C.0/2012%20Application%20for%20Employment-%20Full%20Time-Perm%20Part-time.doc

Monday, August 12, 2013

Franklin - Fallen Heroes series

From wikipedia:

Although September 2 is the designated V-J Day in the entire United States, the event is recognized as an official holiday only in the U.S. state of Rhode Island, where the holiday's official name is "Victory Day",^[20] and it is observed on the second Monday of August. There have been several attempts in the 1980s and 1990s to eliminate or rename the holiday on the grounds that it is discriminatory. While those all failed, the Rhode Island General Assembly did pass a resolution in 1990 "stating that Victory Day is not a day to express satisfaction in the destruction and death caused by nuclear bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki."^[21] It is instead commemorative of those who fought, as Rhode Island sent a significantly above-average percentage of its population into the Pacific theater.

To recognize the Franklin Fallen heroes from World War II, I'll be sharing their information this week. Thanks to Rose Turco for putting it together to recognize them and for allowing me to share this with you.

Monday, Aug 12 is the second Monday in August and Rhode Island is celebrating this day. I'll post two per day until the World War II listing is complete.

The booklet handed out for the ceremony to unveil the street signs on May 15, 2011 can be viewed and downloaded here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/fallen-heroes-booklet.html

Fallen Hero: Warrant Officer David Bullukian, Jr., U.S. Army Air Corps

Warrant Officer David Bullukian, Jr., U.S. Army Air Corps, was born in Franklin on June 11, 1919, the son of David and Lucy Bullukian. David lived at 64 Cottage Street with his parents and sister, Beatrice. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1937 and served in the local Naval Reserve.

David joined the Army Air Corps where he rose steadily ahead in rank after attending the army air force advanced flying school for twin engine aircraft. He was one of 20 enlisted men to receive the coveted appointment as a warrant officer and served as the assistant post technical inspector at the Greenwood Army Air Field. Warrant Officer David Bullukian, Jr. was killed in a plane crash in the Midwest in 1943.

In the memorial service for Warrant Officer David Bullukian, Jr. the Rev. Holge N. Schluntz expressed these words, “We recall with gratitude the splendid personal characteristics and patriotism of this young man.”

Warrant Officer David Bullukian, Jr., age 24, left his young wife Jeanette of Indiana at the time of his death in 1943.

Fallen Hero: Bullukian

Fallen Hero: Seaman 1st Class Charles Christakes, U.S. Navy

Seaman 1st Class Charles Christakes, U.S. Navy, was born on October 1, 1920, the son of Theodore and Agnes Christakes. Charles lived at 2 Garfield Street with his parents, three sisters and one brother.

Charles graduated from Franklin High School in 1938 and then attended Dean Academy. Charles was an outstanding athlete and played semi-pro baseball and football in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

Seaman 1st Class Charles Christakes served aboard the U.S.S. Hugh W. Hadley which was involved in a vicious attack of Japanese Kamikaze suicide planes. In a 95 minute attack, the Hadley shot down 23 enemy planes, more than any ship in any one engagement in Navy history, before or since. Thirty-one members of the crew perished and 116 others wounded. On May 11, 1945 in this Battle of Okinawa in the Pacific, Gunner Charles Christakes, when wounded went below for treatment. He then went back up to man the guns when he was killed. For his action, Seaman 1st Class Charles Christakes was awarded the Silver Star.

Seaman 1st Class Charles Christakes was 24 at the time of his death on May 11, 1945 aboard the U.S.S. Hadley.

Fallen Hero: Christakes

For the full series of Fallen Heroes you can visit this link
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-fallen-heroes-series.html

"on the hunt for venues to display their work"

The Milford Daily News provides an update on the sculpture park planned for the old town pool land next to the Police Station on Panther Way. DPW workers were out there Saturday doing some grading work on the walking paths.

When the DPW finishes, Linda Kabat said, the artists will have a better idea of where their sculptures might be displayed.

"We are just waiting at this point," she said. "It’s hard for the sculptors to get an idea of where their work will go. They are waiting to get a better visualization of the park."

Depending on the available space, the Kabats would like to set up between 10 and 15 sculptures. The park will include as many permanent installations as the center can afford, while the rest of the sculpture will be rotated in and out.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1383331183/Artists-respond-to-call-for-Franklin-sculpture-park?rssfeed=true

Rail Trail: Meeting Notice

The Franklin amd Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) will have a meeting on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at 7:30 pm at the YMCA in Franklin. Attached is an agenda. Some items we will discuss at this meeting include, planning future outreach events, possible fundraising ideas, purchasing promotional items, and the Metropolitan Planing Committee bike usage count.

The meeting is open to everyone. We hope you will make some time to attend and help develop the trail.

Also, if you have not registered for the Bike Tour, please note that the date has changed to August 24. The event is free but we ask that you register at www,franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/calendar/aug-bike-tour.