3 brief videos by FHS Students

From pantherbook, I find and share these three short videos by students. Animoto is a free internet based tool that takes photos, adds music and creates a brief movie that can be shared on the web.

The free tool provides a limited selection of music to 'match' the photos. You can also upgrade to a 'premium' or business version to enable more music choices and video length options.

It is good to see students using this kind of tool in their class work.

Everyday Life at Franklin High School by Sammy Croteau

http://pantherbook.org/video/featured-multimedia/2014/12/09/everyday-life-at-franklin-high/

Behind the scenes at FHS by Lucy Hemingway

http://pantherbook.org/student-life/2014/12/09/behind-the-scenes-at-fhs/

A day in the life at Franklin High School by Lauren Robinson

http://pantherbook.org/student-life/2014/12/09/a-day-in-the-life-at-franklin-high-school/

screen grab of Animoto home page

If you would like to explore Animoto for some family holiday videos, you can find them on the web here  https://animoto.com/

2 Original FPAC musicals, Humbug! A Beggar’s Opera and ’Tis the Season!

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents two original FPAC musicals, Humbug! A Beggar’s Opera and ’Tis the Season!, for the holidays this year.

A family favorite since debuting as part of FPAC’s 2008 season, Humbug! is an original musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol starring the script’s writer, Nick Paone, as Scrooge. With musical hits of every genre and live accompaniment by a 10-piece band of professional musicians, Humbug! transports audiences from Dickensian England to contemporary America as the novel’s characters and storyline are cleverly reimagined with modern setting and dialogue. Newly restaged for THE BLACK BOX, FPAC’s new home and performance venue in downtown Franklin, Humbug! delivers a holiday gift of hilarity with a timely and timeless message.

FPAC's Humbug!

Paone has reinvented the Dickens story for a modern audience, producing satire with updated references to current events and pop culture. As Scrooge embarks on his transformative journey of self-redemption, he faces his nighttime visitors with unexpected twists and hilarious turns along the way. The plotline is supported by an entertaining and accessible score that includes creative treatments of Broadway and pop hits. A talented cast of 40 brings Paone’s fresh interpretation of Dickens’ work to the stage.

’Tis the Season!, an original large cast musical first presented by FPAC in 1995, returns by popular demand to entertain audiences with great merriment, fanfare and fun. The upbeat, jazzy extravaganza features members of the Kenny Hadley Big Band with contemporary arrangements of favorite holiday classics in musical styles ranging from swing, R&B and gospel to rock, pop and Broadway.

The show spotlights over 100 singers and dancers. Musical arrangements include Andy Williams’ It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and Happy Holiday, songs from several popular television Christmas specials, Quincy Jones’ sensational version of the Hallelujah Chorus, and many surprises. Notes Director Raye Lynn Mercer, “’Tis the Season! is reminiscent of a good old-fashioned Christmas special with great singing, dancing and holiday fun. The show is guaranteed to entertain audiences of all ages.”

• FPAC presents ’Tis the Season! on Saturday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 21 at 2 p.m. at the Thomas D. Mercer Auditorium, 224 Oak Street, in Franklin. 
• Performances of Humbug! are on December 12 at 7:30 p.m., December 13 at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m., and December 14 at 2 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, located at 15 West Central Street.

Big Y and Waters Corporation are 2014 FPAC Holiday Performance Sponsors. For more information and tickets to FPAC holiday shows, visit www.fpaconline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

Franklin Downtown Partnership: Murphy Business Holiday Gathering

Murphy Business invites you to a holiday gathering

Knock Off Early - Party at Murphy Business! Please join us at our office for some holiday fun next Thursday, December 11th!  We're wrapping up  two weeks of collecting for the Franklin Food Pantry  that day and will be serving up whoopie pies from 3 - 6pm  (made by our friend Kerri at Making Whoopie).   Not into dessert?   Then come have a drink.  Just please make sure you bring along  a can of tuna, or better yet a couple of bottles of shampoo,  which is the pantry's #1 need.  No regrets necessary; just please advise if you're coming so we get enough Cheez Doodles (crunchy - duh).  Thanks!     Chris    PS: Please visit Making Whoopie on Facebook to see why so  many people like what they do...    Chris Bond Murphy Business 15 East Central St. Franklin, MA 02038 D: (508) 440-5670 C: (508) 380-7997

Help Others To Have A Merry Little Christmas

Help others to have a Merry Little Christmas Please grab a tag from around the Team Fitness club doors or on the tree and buy a gift for the child: example: Elaine-5yo-baby doll. Please place gifts under or around our tree. All gifts due by December 18th so we can get the gifts to the Santa Foundation on the 19th. Thank you again for helping the local families of Franklin. Purchase a gift card for $99.00 Get a gift card with $120 value. November 21 - December 24, 2014 Holiday 2014 Gift Card Special Team Fitness and CrossFit Franklin Limit 2 cards per person Cannot be used for membership dues. (Exception: a gift card may be purchased and given to a non-member to be used toward a NEW membership. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other special, sale or promotion. Gift cards can be used for all other services in Club: Personal Training, Small Group Training, CFour, Retail items, Smoothies and smoothie cards, Progenex, Kill Cliff, Fuel for Fire, Advocare.

Forward this email Team Fitness Franklin | 100 Franklin Village Drive | Franklin | MA | 02038

Hockomock Sports: FHS Basketball Season Preview

Hockomock Sports has published their preview of the  Boys and Girls Basketball teams for the Kelly-Rex division. The Franklin portion of both articles are captured here along with the links to read the full articles.

It's safe to say that Franklin is not just starting a new chapter in the program, but arguably a whole new book. Dean O'Connor and the field house are gone. CJ Neely takes over the program and the team will play in a new state of the art gym. One thing that remains the same is the winning standard. 

"I'm really looking forward to growing as a team and focusing on day to day progress," Neely said. "I expect our kids to really have to battle day to day for minutes which should make practices very competitive and enjoyable. If we stay focused on commitment to daily improvement I hope to be in contention in a highly talented and deep Hockomock league and make a strong tournament showing." 

FHS Panthers

Six-foot-seven Marcus Giese returns as not only one of the better post players in the league, but one of the best players period. He's tough to defend around the rim and he showed last year that he can has extended his range. On defense, his shot blocking ability is unmatched and makes it tough to score in the paint. Tim Prunier had a breakout sophomore year last season and will look to build on that while Dylan Reno will emerge as a key player on both ends of the court.

Read the full boys basketball preview article by Hockomock Sports here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-boys-basketball-kelley-rex-preview

The Panthers return all but two regular players from last season’s team, which lost the league title by a single game and reached the D1 Central semifinal in Franklin’s first year competing outside of Eastern Mass. Head coach John Leighton knows that his team enters the season with huge expectations, especially with star forward Lexi Martin back for her senior season and recently signed to play at Merrimack College. 

“Lexi signed and that’s nice because now she can focus on the season without having to worry about it,” said Leighton. Along with Martin, Franklin returns a cast of players that can all play major roles in the drive and kick system that Leighton runs. Julianne Pisani was the team’s leading scorer in the tournament with Martin out injured and will be joined in the backcourt by her twin sister Tracey, who was the HockomockSports.com Defensive Player of the Year last winter. 

Jillian Spolidoro adds size and shooting on the wing and junior Aubrie Kutil continues to develop into a weapon on the post. Alexandra Ethier and Olivia Adiletto will add scoring off the bench and Leighton expects junior Lauren Rudolph to return from an ankle injury that she suffered during the soccer season and add another shooter off the bench. 

As if that was not enough talent to work with, Leighton is also looking for Caroline Maguire, Meghan Georges and “dynamic” freshman Kiera Fernandes to contribute as well. After regularly making deep runs in the tournament, Leighton is hopeful that this year’s team can “break through” and bring a title home to its new gym.

Read the full girls basketball preview by Hockomock Sports here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-girls-basketball-kelley-rex-preview

Franklin Library: Book Sale - Dec 13-14

The monthly book sale will be held this weekend. Books on sale Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Books by the bag on sale on Sunday from 9:00 AM to Noon.

Classical music performed by Betty Kushner from 9:00 to 10:00 AM on Saturday.

Franklin Library: Book Sale 12/13, Bag Sale 12/14

This post was shared from the Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/12/library-book-sale.html

FPAC Stages Holiday Musical Performance For Area Community Organizations

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will host a special performance of the original holiday musical ’Tis the Season! for community youth, family and social services organizations on Friday, December 19, at 7:30 p.m. at the Thomas D. Mercer Auditorium, located at 224 Oak Street in Franklin.

FPAC will distribute complimentary tickets for the December 19 performance through community organizations, including the Hockomock Area YMCA, local Best Buddies chapters, and Franklin Food Pantry. For more information about ticket availability, representatives from nonprofit community service organizations are encouraged to call 508-528-3370 or email Alan Mercer at amercer@fpaconline.com.

Franklin Performing Arts Company

’Tis the Season!, an original large cast musical first presented by FPAC in 1995, is an upbeat, jazzy extravaganza featuring members of the Kenny Hadley Big Band with contemporary arrangements of favorite holiday classics in musical styles ranging from swing, R&B, and gospel to rock, pop, and Broadway. The show spotlights over 100 singers and dancers. Musical arrangements include Andy Williams’ It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and Happy Holiday, songs from several popular television Christmas specials, Quincy Jones’ sensational version of the Hallelujah Chorus, and many surprises. Ring in the holidays with great merriment, fanfare and fun!


A distinctive suburban non-profit arts organization founded in 1991, FPAC supports educational arts experiences, quality entertainment, and outstanding performance opportunities for professional artists, community performers, and students of the arts. With a focus on youth development and a commitment to live music, FPAC productions draw performers and audiences from more than 100 communities throughout the region.

Tickets are available for purchase by the general public for regularly scheduled performances of ’Tis the Season! on December 20 at 7:30 p.m. and on December 21 at 2 p.m. For more information, call 508-528-3370 or visit www.fpaconline.com.

Franklin Performing Arts Company

In the News: break-in trio arrested

Two Franklin women and an Andover man, whom police say are suspects in at least 10 area house break-ins, are being held on $10,000 bail after their arraignment in Wrentham District Court Friday on charges related to a Plainville burglary last week, police said. 

Rachelle O’Handley, 27, of 431 Lincoln St., Franklin, Sandra Salazar, 26, of 606 East Central St., Franklin, and James Howard, 35, of 15 High St., Andover, pleaded not guilty to charges of breaking and entering during the daytime with intent to commit a felony, receiving stolen property of more than $250 and possession of a Class A drug, heroin, police said. 

All three are also on probation for previous offenses, according to court documents.

Continue reading the full article in the Milford Daily News here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141209/NEWS/141207062/1994/NEWS

Beer & Bling; A Fundraiser for Cameron Liberatore

Beer & Bling:

A Fundraiser for Cameron Liberatore

Sat, Dec 13   4-7 PM

at Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits

14 Grove Street 

Franklin

Cameron Liberatore, a Franklin native and 2008 graduate of Franklin High, was critically injured in a November car accident. A talented and promising young musician, Cameron had been living in Nashville, working in the music industry.

His recovery process has been long and difficult. Currently, his parents are researching facilities in the Boston area to continue his rehabilitation. Many of the transfer and travel expenses are not covered by insurance. We'd like to help.

This event will feature a wide variety of craft beers and the introduction of Far From the Tree Ciders, a new producer from Salem. A silent auction includes a number of large-format wines, generously donated by Mike Curran and Classic Wine Imports. All auction proceeds will be donated to Cameron.

Jacqueline Volpe of the Noonday Collection will be selling wonderful jewelry and accessories designed and produced by women from impoverished Third World countries. Order on Saturday, and your gifts will arrive in time for Christmas.

We are seeking local musicians to donate their talents at this event. Interested parties should contact Ann Williams at ann@pourrichardswine.com

Tickets are $10 at the door, a 100% donation to the Liberatore family. Pour Richard's will also donate a percentage of our sales from this event.

Please consider attending and bringing guests.

If you missed the prior story on Cameron Liberatore, you can find it here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/11/in-news-12-days-of-donating-cameron.html

KinderCare Learning Center - Winter Event - Dec 13

WINTER EVENT

December 13th

From 1-3pm

KinderCare Learning Center

42 Pond Street, Franklin MA

Join us here for a fun afternoon of Gingerbread Man Decorating!
We will have some Winter Crafts and a Hot Chocolate Bar!
Santa will also be visiting!
We would love to have you stop by for an enjoyable afternoon!

Price of Admission: Donations at the door of Toiletry Items or cans of pineapple for the Franklin Food Pantry

Franklin KinderCare Learning Center

winter event flyer

"I’d love to see some of those business get out our way"

The Milford Daily New reports on Rep Jeff Roy taking part in a 10-day trip to Israel.

The trip, sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston (JCRC), will take Roy first to Jerusalem, one of the world's oldest cities, steeped in history and religion, then north to Haifa and finally to Tel Aviv. He'll be joined by eight other state legislators and five Boston city councilors. 

The group plans to spend many hours at the Knesset compound in western Jerusalem, where the 120-member parliament meets. The Knesset serves as Israel's legislative body, and its members are elected every four years. 

"We’re going to learn how the government works," Roy said. "This year the JCRC is focusing on shining a light on smaller communities within Israel and looking to invite along representatives who have served in local government. The trip was of great interest to me."

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141208/NEWS/141207352/1994/NEWS

Franklin TV - Annual Meeting Presentation Doc

The presentation document used for the Annual Meeting of Franklin TV is shown here:

Franklin TV: Community - November 13, 2014 from Franklin Matters

Franklin.TV 

The annual meeting was previously reported here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/11/franklin-communit-cable-access-annual.html

The new studio is now open on Hutchenson St

the new studio with the 'cloud' antennas up

The presentation to the Town Council on Wednesday, Dec 3 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/12/live-reporting-franklin-tv.html

Franklin Public Schools - December Music Concert Calendar

The next couple of weeks in December will present multiple opportunities to hear musical performances across the Franklin Public Schools.


Dec 8 = Remington Middle School Concert 6:30 p.m. Horace Mann 
(snow date 12/9)

Dec 9 = Parmenter 3rd & 4th Grade Winter Concert 9:00 & 9:45 a.m. 
(snow date 12/16)

Dec 10 = Kennedy 3rd Grade Winter Concert 2:00 p.m. (snow date 12/17)
Dec 10 = FHS Winter Concert 7:00 p.m. FHS Auditorium (snow date 12/12)

Dec 11 = Horace Mann Middle School Concert 6:30 p.m. Horace Mann Auditorium (snow date 12/22)

Dec 12 = Kennedy 4th & 5th Winter Concert 9:00 & 9:45 a.m. 
(snow date 12/19)

Dec 15 = Jefferson 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade Winter Concert 9:00 a.m. 
(snow date 12/22)
Dec 15 = Davis Thayer 4th & 5th Grade Winter Concert 1:45 p.m. 
(snow date 12/22)

Dec 17 = Annie Sullivan Band, Choral & Orchestra Concert 6:30 p.m. Horace Mann Auditorium (snow date 12/18)

FHS Auditorium - site of the FHS Winter Concert on Dec 10

Ice Skating in MA - Franklin's Pirelli Veterans Arena

The MA Gov blog recently had a post touting the ice skating opportunities around the state. Franklin is fortunate to have one of the many ice skating rinks in MA within our own boundaries. The Pirelli Veterans Arena is located on Panther Way. 

The public skating schedule can be found here

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or skating for the first time, friends and family can embrace the start of fun winter activities at a Massachusetts DCR ice skating facility. 

Where are the Ice Skating Rinks?There are a number of skating options that can make winter fun for everyone. They include:

• DCR ice skating rinks located across Massachusetts;

• 17 accessible ice skating rinks sponsored by the DCR Universal Access Program; and

• Ice skating sleds at select accessible rinks provided for persons with disabilities (these can be operated by either the rider or another skater).

screen grab of post on skating in MA

You can find out more information about the Pirelli Veterans Arena online here

http://fmcicesports.com/rink/franklin-veterans-skating-arena/

FHS Football representatives on the Hock 5

The Franklin High School football team has two representatives on the Football Hock 5. There were 5 players chosen for each category (eight different categories).

FHS Panthers

Hock 5 Running Back

Andrew Parent (Franklin)

Hock 5 Linebackers

Colton Cardinal (Franklin)


You can find all the Football awards here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/2014-hockomocksportscom-football-awards