Hockomock Area YMCA Welcomes New Gymnastics & Dance Director

The Bernon Family Branch of the Hockomock Area YMCA in Franklin has hired Jodie Bedard as Gymnastics and Dance Director. Bedard brings more than 20 years of experience coaching both recreational and competitive gymnasts, and has personal experience competing up through USA Gymnastics level 10. She will be responsible for the management of the gymnastics and dance programs including program development, staff hiring and supervision, and building strong relationships with participants and their parents. In addition, Jodie will be managing summer gymnastics camp programs, as well as coaching the Hockomock Area YMCA’s competitive gymnastics team based out of the Y’s North Attleboro branch.

Bedard first began coaching gymnastics as a teen, at the New York YMCA’s National Gymnastics Training Camp in Huguenot, NY. Her career includes serving as the assistant women’s gymnastics coach for Rhode Island College, where she was involved with all phases of the RIC women’s gymnastics program, including recruiting, scouting, administering practice and meet coaching. Bedard has served as a coach at Ocean State School of Gymnastics in Lincoln, RI for the past seven years.

“I’ve been involved in some way with the YMCA since I was 12 years old,” said Bedard, “I am so excited to have the opportunity to be here and be able to give back some of what my Y experiences have given me. I am here to bring the Bernon Family branch’s gymnastics program to a whole new level. I am also happy to be able to bring all my years of choreography to the dance program here. Every young person should have the chance to have a Y experience. I am beyond proud to be part of that!”

Jodie is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she competed in their Division 1 Competitive Gymnastics program. She currently resides in Rhode Island with her daughter Madeline.


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. With over 33,000 members, half under the age of 18, their promise is to partner and collaborate with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. Their programs and activities emphasize the development of the whole person in spirit, mind, and body and are available to all individuals regardless of their ability to pay.

Representative Roy: Franklin Seniors Tour State House

Franklin Seniors tour State House

             Boston, MA -- Representative Jeffrey Roy (D. Franklin) was honored to host a group from the Franklin Senior Center in the State House. The seniors took a tour of the People's House and were joined by Senators Karen Spilka (Ashland – D) and Richard Ross (Wrentham – R) for an inside tour of the State Senate Chamber and Reading Room. The tour also featured a visit with House Clerk Steven James who provided insight on the history of the House Chamber.

"It was a fun and engaging visit with a great group from Franklin," said Representative Roy (Franklin-D), "Many of them were visiting the State House for the first time and were engaging with the State House employees they met along the way."

The timing of the visit and tour coincided with events surrounding the anniversary of President Kennedy's Assassination. The seniors had an opportunity to reflect and share their thoughts with WBZ-TV's Paula Ebben on the events of 50 years ago and the aftermath of President Kennedy's assassination.

"It was wonderful to welcome such a terrific group to the State House," Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) said. "Learning about the political process and getting involved in government is very important at any age. I'm so glad we were able to offer this opportunity for seniors in our community to visit and learn how to continue to be active and engaged citizens."

"It's always a great opportunity to show constituents around the historic Massachusetts State House, with the Commonwealth having played such a critical role in our nation's history. It was my pleasure to aid in taking Franklin Seniors on a tour and I hope I was able to add to their learning experience. " said Senator Ross.

FPAC Holiday Shows

Celebrate the Holidays with a Show! Enjoy a festive double-bill of FPAC holiday entertainment with back-to-back productions of Tchaikovsky's classic The Nutcracker on December 14 & 15 and the original holiday musical Carol's Christmas on December 21 & 22! A highly anticipated FPAC tradition for more than 20 years, The Nutcracker brings Boston Ballet stars, world-class musicians and more than 100 area dancers to one suburban stage! FPAC's magical journey of The Nutcracker features special guest artists from Boston Ballet as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier and a professional 27-piece orchestra under the direction of maestro Peter Cokkinias. With luminous costuming and sparkling set design, the timeless fairytale ballet is a family favorite that enchants audiences of all ages. FPAC premieres Carol's Christmas this season, a new contemporary musical comedy written by Nick Paone, who penned FPAC's popular Humbug! Ring in the holidays with a large ensemble cast of 160 talented area performers as they sing and dance their way through this joyous, uplifting and hilarious story! Carol's Christmas features an entertaining score with music of many genres and live musical accompaniment by members of the Kenny Hadley Big Band. Click below to Buy your Nutcracker and Carol's Christmas tickets online http://www.fpaconline.com/box-office.php

Franklin Performing Arts Company uses Vendini for ticketing, marketing, and box office management.

Franklin Performing Arts Company - PO Box 16, Franklin, MA, 02038, (508) 528-8668
Vendini, Inc. - 660 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94104, 1 (800) 901-7173

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In the News: nativity festival, foundation awards, Celtic Christmas, tax rate

Nativity festival set for today at Franklin church

Nativity sets serve as the focal point in many homes during the holiday season with some families passing these heirlooms down from one generation to another.

Foundation awards $228K to groups throughout MetroWest

Foundation for MetroWest announced on today that it has awarded grants totaling $228,000 to organizations throughout  MetroWest as part of their 2013 Competitive Grant Program. The announcement was part of an event held this week at The Center for the Arts in Natick (TCAN).

To do this weekend: Celtic Christmas Celebration

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse presents a Celtic Christmas Concert on Saturday, Dec. 14 in Franklin.

Franklin Town Council stays with single tax rate

Considering Franklin's small commercial tax base, the Town Council on Wednesday chose to stick with a single tax rate.

Weekend events in Franklin

There are choices to make this weekend.

Breakfast with Santa
One seating Saturday at 9:30 AM - British Beer Co


The Nutcracker - Franklin School for Performing Arts
Saturday at 7:00 and Sunday at 2:00


The Nutcracker - Patti Eisenhauer Dance Company
Saturday 5:30 and Sunday 1:00


Nativity Set Festival
Saturday at 5:00, Church of Later Day Saints


A Christmas Concert at Circle of Friends Coffeehouse
Saturday 8:00 PM


Did I miss anything?

Schools - early dismissal Friday

The photo was taken on a warmer and snowless day. See how the weather changes quickly here in New England!

Parmenter sign

With the forecast of a nasty but changeable storm coming our way Saturday evening, be safe!

Hockomock Hockey Season preview

From the HockomockSports.com preview of the hockey season:

What's the team to watch in the Hock this year and why?

Josh Perry: The most talented and deep roster in the league this season belongs to Franklin. With forward Troy Donahue and arguably the top defenseman in the league in Kyle Powers, plus top-three goalie Devon Maloof, the Panthers are stocked to make another charge at a league title. The biggest key for head coach Chris Spillane will be the continued development of the younger players like Alec Borkowski and Nick Downie who emerged as offensive threats last year in the playoffs. Borkowski, in particular, was one of Franklin’s best players in the final two weeks of last season and as a junior will be counted on to provide some of the scoring lost by the graduation of nearly two lines worth of forwards. It will also be interesting to see how Franklin reacts to a Division I schedule, as the Panthers (along with Mansfield and King Philip) jump out of D2, but this is a program with a history of success and it should continue this season.

Franklin is mentioned elsewhere in the article so you can  read the full story here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2013/12/winter-preview-2013-2014-ice-hockey-q-a.html