Friday, October 16, 2015

FHS field hockey tops Attleboro, golf ties for 7th in league Championships

From Hockomock Sports we share the results of the fall sports action on Thursday, Oct 15th. The field hockey team beat Attleboro 4-0 and the golf team finished in a tie for 7th place with King Philip in the Hockomcok League Championships.

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Field Hockey

Franklin, 4 @ Attleboro, 0 – Final 
– Diana Griffin scored a pair of goals, Annie Walsh had a goal and an assists, Cassi Ronan scored once and Alex Sullivan added two assists in the win for the Panthers.

For all the other action around the Hockomock League
http://www.hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-101515/


Golf Championship Results

Franklin finished in a tie for 7th place with King Philip

http://www.hockomocksports.com/hockomock-golf-championship-results-2015/


Candidate meet and greets - Sunday (Oct 18) and Tuesday (Oct 20)

Steve,
I'm hosting two meet and greets for all the candidates in the contested town races.  
Sunday October 18 at 11:00 A.M. on the Town Common 
Tuesday October 20 at 10:00 A.M. at the Nason Street playground 
Both are weather permitting. 
Every candidate has been invited and I hope for a great turnout of both campaigners and citizens.  It's a chance for people to come by and speak with us for more than 1 minute at a time.

Trevor Clement
School Committee Candidate for Re-election






Franklin Town Common, bordered by Main St, Beaver St, Union St and High St
Franklin Town Common, bordered by Main St, Beaver St, Union St and High St

Franklin Food Pantry - Current Needs List

For those of you interested in organizing a Food and/or Fund Drive for the Franklin Food Pantry, visit our "You can help Us" page for more information. 
In addition to monetary donations, our current needs include the following:
  • Salad Dressing
  • Mayonnaise
  • Ground Coffee
  • Tea Bags
  • Canned Fruit
  • Canned Chili/Beef Stew
  • Deodorant
  • Hand Soap
  • Brownie/Cake Mix
updated October 2015

Food and non-food donations can be placed in the bin by the Food Pantry front door at 43 West Central St. Please be mindful of what you leave given the weather conditions. 
Financial contributions can be mailed to Franklin Food Pantry, PO Box 116, Franklin, MA  02038 or made securely through our webpage.  
donate securely here
donate securely here

Fall Porketta --> Friday, October 16th!!


Public Welcome!

Come join us for our annual Fall Porketta at the Franklin Rod and Gun Club, Friday, October 16, 2015. Time: 6pm to 9pm, dinner is served at 7pm.

Enjoy all you can eat pasta, salad, superbly cooked pork roast, roasted potatoes and desert. All included with the cost of a ticket.

Tickets are $20 per person, cash bar. Group reservations available.

Contact us to reserve your tickets or go to our website to fill out a ticket order form. http://www.franklinrodandgun.org/

Franklin Rod and Gun Club
Franklin Rod and Gun Club

“It's a very sad and tragic set of circumstances”


Four residents overdosed on heroin last week, two of whom died as a result, police said. They fell victim to the opiate epidemic pervading the state and, in recent years, taking lives at skyrocketing rates. 
“It's a very sad and tragic set of circumstances,” said Police Chief Stephan Semerjian. “When you have individuals that suffer years of this battle, it almost becomes a numbers game – how long can you tolerate and live that way before tragedy sets in.” 
Medical confidentiality laws prevent officials from releasing any specific information on the victims or circumstances of the overdose, he said.
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151015/NEWS/151017193/1994/NEWS


Thursday, October 15, 2015

Franklin Candidate for the Board of Health: Tara Gurge

Tara Gurge and I met recently at Panera to talk about her campaign for the Board of Health. This is the summary of our discussion.

FM - What is your Franklin story?

Tara Gurge - I can tell you that my husband and I have lived in Franklin since 2001 (moved to Lincoln St. in Franklin back in Sept. 2001 to be exact.) I was born and raised in North Reading. I went to college at UMass Amherst. After graduation and earning a Master of Science degree in Public Health, I got a fellowship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in Morgantown, WV. That was a good experience seeing what was done at the Federal level in public health. As that was finishing, I was looking to come back to MA and found the position at the local Public Health Department posted in Needham. The director there at the time also had spent time at NIOSH so that was a huge connection.

So I had done the commute from North Reading to Needham for 6-9 months and I said no more, there’s got to be another way. I got married and my husband and I started looking for a house. He’s from Connecticut so we wanted to find something between the two family homes. We looked in Bellingham and found the place in Franklin.

We have loved it here and are currently raising our 3 kids in this wonderful community. I have worked in the Town of Needham for the past 15 years (and have worked very closely under our current 3 member elected Board of Health (BOH), and want to help to provide a different perspective to the Franklin BOH.

I feel I want to start making a difference it the community that I live in, and I feel I have a wealth of experience in the field of public health that I can provide! I still plan to continue to maintain my full-time position in Needham, since I really enjoy what I do – it’s a rare feat to actually go to school for something and have it be exactly what I do in my job. I love helping people and protecting the environment. I always learn something new each day in my job, that’s what makes it so exciting.

FM - What do you see as a challenge for the Board of Health?

Tara Gurge - I want to share the strategies have worked very well in Needham. For example, one method of tobacco substance abuse prevention that has been widely successful, is conducting local, quarterly routine tobacco compliance checks. We’ve seen a dramatic decrease in sales to minors, and the high school smoking rates have dramatically decreased in Needham as a result. 
My background is I like to work with people. I am not out to get people. In changing the tobacco age to 21, we went there in stages. From 18 to 19, from 19 to 20, and so forth, moving gradually. Working with the vendors. At first it wasn’t received very well. We were able to take their comments and suggestions, we revised the regulations. I think it's giving everyone the confidence and making them realize that this isn't really as hard as everyone thinks it is. It ended up being an easy transition. 
I am one of those people that find resources to help the existing Board. I also conduct policy and regulation reviews, to stay on the forefront of public health and prevention. This is important to refine the process to protect our kids. If you can keep them from getting started, from high school up to 21, then the rates of addiction drop dramatically. When we implemented that in Needham, our smoking rate dropped 50%. They thought all the kids will just go to the next town around and buy their product. But that actually wasn't the case, it was the smoking rate that dropped 50%. It was just amazing. So that is one of my passions. I don’t want to say it is going to be all that. It does help to highlight the approach I would take to implement something. I hope to be able to add to the Board to make a difference.


FM - What do you bring to the position that would set you apart from the other candidates?

Tara Gurge - You can see from my resume that I have been in Needham as a Health Agent for the past 15 years. We are structured very much like Franklin. I am very familiar with the structure and the way the day to day operations are run at the local Health Department. Reading the minutes of the Board online, I see you are dealing with the same things we are in Needham. So I have this experience, I have worked with a Board, and I can give back to my own community. I talk with David (McKearney, Franklin’s Health Director) frequently. I bounce ideas off him, he off me, on what we are doing to address this issue or that.

One of my main goals in Franklin is to focus on substance abuse prevention. Having 3 kids in the Franklin Public School system (my oldest just started middle school this year!), I am interested in helping to curb this opioid epidemic so that we can continue to find strategies to protect our kids and ensure that more prevention methods and education is out there in the forefront. 
I’ve also received feedback from Franklin residents on other on-going public health concerns that need to be looked into. Some Franklin parents are scared with what’s out there. It is huge. This epidemic hit home for me, it hit my family. To sidetrack this runaway train, that is one of my big goals. I think it’s time to have a new face that can offer a new and different perspective.

If you have any follow up questions for Tara, you can contact her via email at TGurge@needhamma.gov


Noteworthy: This information is intended to help the Franklin voters when we all head to the ballot box on November 3rd. The interview candidates have had an opportunity to review the text before publishing to ensure the accuracy of our discussion.

October Stroll: Entertainment Schedule!!

October Stroll - Thursday, October 15th 4:00-8:00


Times subject to change
Silver Sponsor Dean Bank will give out pumpkins and decorating kits at the October Stroll
Silver Sponsor Dean Bank will give out pumpkins and decorating kits at the October Stroll

Main Street Parking Lot

4 to 8 p.m. -- Music Odyssey Productions with DJ Domenic Cotoia

Rockland Trust

5 to 7 p.m. -- Kevin Wolfe

Jane's Frames

4 to 5:30 p.m. -- Jamie Barrett

The Cake Bar

WMRC 1490-AM – Live Broadcast, giveaways
4 p.m. and 5 p.m. -- FHS student musicians

Simon's Parking Lot

4 to 5 p.m. – Fred Astaire Franklin
5 to 6 p.m. – Don Newton & Ken Barney
6 to 6:15 p.m. – Inspire Dance Academy
6:15 to 7 p.m. – Don Newton & Ken Barney
7 to 7:15 p.m. – Inspire Dance Academy

THE BLACK BOX

4 to 6 p.m. – Pose for photos with "The Addams Family" characters
6 to 7 p.m. – "The Addams Family" preview

FHS girls soccer keeps their 11th clean sheet winning 2-0

From Hockomock Sports we share that the Franklin girls soccer team continued their clean sheet with their 11th shutout to win 2-0 at North Attleboro.

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Girls Soccer

Franklin, 2 @ North Attleboro, 0 – Final 
– Halle Atkinson and Jess Kroushl scored the goals for Franklin and both were assisted by Alexis Stowell. Head coach Tom Geysen credited his defense for the victory, extending the team’s clean sheet streak to 11 games to start the season.

For the remaining Hockomock League results from Wednesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-101415/

Department of Education Review to be Conducted in Franklin

The Superintendent of the Franklin Public Schools, Maureen Sabolinski, was informed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education of an upcoming Coordinated Program Review that will be taking place this school year. As part of this Coordinated Program Review, Department staff will visit the district during the week of November 16, 2015. Such visits are routinely conducted by the Department to satisfy federal and state requirements for the periodic review of specific education programs and services in schools throughout the Commonwealth. The Department is reviewing several programs during a single visit in order to use Department and school staff's time most efficiently and to encourage strong connections among the programs. 
The Department's Coordinated Program Review will address the following programs: Special Education, Civil Rights and English Learner Education. After reviewing school district procedures for these programs, a Department team will make its onsite visit, during which it will review individual student records, interview administrators, teachers and paraprofessional staff, survey parents and observe instructional spaces. After the onsite visit it will prepare a report for the superintendent and school, with detailed findings for each program. 
Using a scale of ratings ranging from "Commendable" to "Not Implemented," the report will rate the implementation of each requirement reviewed by the Department. Where requirements are found not implemented or only partially implemented, the district must propose to the Department corrective action to bring those areas into compliance with statutes and regulations. Districts and schools are encouraged to incorporate the corrective action into their district and school improvement plans and professional development plan. The school district will be provided with technical assistance from the Department in developing a corrective action plan. Both the Department's report and the corrective action plan are public information and will be available to the public upon request. Program Review Final Reports are also available on the Department's Internet website at http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/crs/reports/ 
Any member of the public may request to be interviewed by telephone by a member of the Department's visiting team. Those wishing to be interviewed should call the superintendent's office at (508) 553-4819 no later than November 19, 2015 to leave their name and phone number, or they may call the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at (781) 338-3718. A member of the visiting team will contact each person desiring an interview within two weeks after the completion of the onsite visit. If an individual is not comfortable communicating in English or requires some other accommodation, the Department will make arrangements to communicate appropriately with the individual 

Program Quality Assurance Services
MA DESE Program Quality Assurance Services

https://connectdocs.blackboard.com/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-490454_1-t_7BqDaVxN

Jesse Liam Band at the Library today 4:00 - 6:00 PM

In addition to the events already posted for the October Stroll, the Library will be hosting an outdoor concert performed by the Jesse Liam Band.

Jesse Liam Band - 4:00 - 6:00 PM, Oct 15
Jesse Liam Band - 4:00 - 6:00 PM, Oct 15
This is a return performance for Jesse who appeared in July
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/07/franklin-library-jesse-liam-band-600-pm.html

This was shared from the Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/10/outdoor-concert-with-jesse-liam.html

Frankenstein 5K - Scary Run, Walk & Stomp to Support Wounded Warriors Project

The First Annual Frankenstein 5K Scary Run, Walk or Stomp will be held on Saturday, October 31 at 9:00 AM at Bellingham High School. The entire family is welcome to run, walk, or stomp their way to the finish line. There will be a kids and adult costume contest, face painting, music and food & drink.

The course will take you through the beautiful town of Bellingham, MA finishing at the 50-yard line of the Bellingham High School football field. Sponsored by John Wagner of Liberty Mutual, Team Fitness Franklin, Crossfit Franklin, and Sports & wellness Physical Therapy. 

This event will benefit the Wounded Warriors Project, Progeria Research Foundation, and the Bellingham Education Foundation. Following the Frankenstein 5K, there will be a fun-filled family event fair open to all hosted by the Bellingham Public Schools.

Registration for the First Annual Frankenstein 5K Scary Run, Walk or Stomp starts at 7:00 AM, followed by a Kids Run at 8:00 AM, Costume Judging at 8:30 AM and the Frankenstein 5K at 9:00 AM. 

The fees to register are: $20 for students, $30 runner/walker registered before October 25th 2015, $40 for late and day of registration. There is no additional cost for kids entered into the kids race. All entry fees are non-refundable. 

All who register before October 25th will receive a complimentary race t-shirt (standard adult sizes available). Any race day registrants may receive a t-shirt if there are any available.

For more information, please visit www.teamfitnessfranklin.com or email Ellayna Ungureanu at ebungureanu@gmail.com or call (401) 248-4157.

About Wounded Warrior Project
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP's purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.

About The Progeria Research Foundation
The Progeria Research Foundation (PRF) was established in 1999 to find the cause, treatment, and cure for Progeria – a rapid aging disease that causes children to die from heart disease or stroke at an average age of 13 years. In the past 13 years, research conducted in partnership with PRF has identified the gene that causes Progeria and possible treatments. 

PRF funded and coordinated this first-ever Progeria clinical trial. PRF is currently funding a clinical trial in which children with Progeria receive FTI plus two additional medications to slow the progression of Progeria. PRF continues to identify more children who can benefit from the programs and services that it provides while helping advance research towards treatment and cure. To learn more about Progeria and what you can do to help, please visit www.progeriaresearch.org.
  
About Bellingham Education Foundation
The Bellingham Educational Foundation (BEF) is an independent, community based, non-profit organization dedicated to enriching, enhancing and supporting education throughout the Bellingham Public School System.  The BEF supports innovation and excellence in pre-K through grade 12 classrooms by raising funds that are critical to keeping our schools at the leading edge of public education.   

The Foundation, with the help of its volunteers, community and business alliances, raise funds for innovative and sustainable projects which motivate students to be lifelong learners, that otherwise would not be possible with existing budgets.  Our goal, through collaboration with educators, parents, and community based resources, is to bridge the gap between adequate and excellence in order to invest in the full potential of all students.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Volunteers needed at the Historical Museum

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED 
Interested in Franklin History?
Looking for something to do in your Community? 
The FRANKLIN HISTORICAL MUSEUM is looking for volunteers  to HOST once a month at the Historical Museum. 
Contact Mary Olsson at 508 520 9187 for more information and she'll get you started.

Franklin Historical Museum
Franklin Historical Museum

Visit the Historical Museum online -->  http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/

Dean College Business After Hours Oct. 22

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT DEAN COLLEGE
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce has organized a Business After
Hours at Dean College on Oct. 22 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
 
The networking event will be held in the Dean College Campus Center, 99 Main St, Franklin. 
There is no admission fee for Chamber members; $25 for non-members. Register by calling The United Regional Chamber at 508-222-0801.
Dean College
Dean College

For additional information visit the United Chamber online  http://www.unitedregionalchamber.org/


For additional information visit Dean College online   http://www.dean.edu/


FHS Fall Sports - Tuesday, Oct 13

From Hockomock Sports, we share the results of the FHS fall sports teams on Tuesday, Oct 13, 2015. In soccer vs. Stoughton, the boys lost and the girls won, volleyball won, and field hockey tied. Girls cross country beat North Attleboro and the golf team beat Medway.

Boys Soccer

Franklin, 2 @ Stoughton, 4 – Final 
– With the game tied 1-1 at halftime, Stoughton found the back of the net three times in the second half to score the win. Loubensky Lucas put the Black Knights up 2-1 on a header off a long throw from Josh Mitchell and then Mitchell made it 3-1 with a shot from 25 yards out. Lucas capped Stoughton’s scoring with a long range shot to make it 4-1. Noah Schulze scored Stoughton’s first half goal off another long throw from Mitchell. Nick Parent and Brian Czuba scored for Franklin.
FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Girls Soccer

Stoughton, 0 @ Franklin, 9 – Final 
– Alexis Stowell had a hat trick and an assist for the Panthers, while sister Victoria scored one goal and had three assists. Emily Spath scored a pair of goals and Meghan Doherty, Jessica Kroushl, and Emily Mastaj all added goals.

Volleyball

Franklin, 3 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final 
– Dayna McCue had 19 service points, 17 digs and 10 aces to pace Franklin to a 25-15, 25-10, 25-18 sweep on the road. Beth Neal had 12 assists, seven kills, a pair of blocks and an ace and Caroline Maguire added six service points, four kills and three blocks. Stoughton’s Bianca DeSousa had 13 assists, seven digs and five service points.

Field hockey

Franklin, 0 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final 
– The Panthers had a 12-2 edge in shots but neither side was able to break through. Franklin head coach Lisa Cropper said Seniors Taylor Reutlinger and Kenzi Pleshaw played well in the midfield for the Panthers. Stoughton head coach Dan Mark praised goalie Kara Ploss, saying she played outstanding in goal.

Girls cross country

North Attleboro, 34 @ Franklin, 22 – Final

Golf

Franklin, 162 vs. Medway, 170 – Final 
– David Hardin shot a 39 while Ryan Morse shot a 40 for the Panthers.

For the remainder of Tuesday's action around the Hockomock League
http://www.hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-101315/

October Stroll -Thursday, Oct 15th


Come support your Downtown Businesses this Thursday!

Franklin Downtown Partnership - October Stroll - Oct 15

There are more than 35 businesses, groups and entertainers lined up for Thursday's event! 

Come check out downtown Franklin on Thursday, October 15, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.


Middlesex Savings Bank – Gold Sponsor
Rockland Trust – Gold Sponsor
Dean Bank – Silver Sponsor
DCU – Silver Sponsor
Franklin Ford – Silver Sponsor
The Estate at Franklin – Silver Sponsor
Chestnut Dental – Bronze Sponsor
Keefe Insurance – Bronze Sponsor
Alumni Restaurant – Friends Sponsor
Beaux Regards Photographic Art – Friends Sponsor
Crossway Church – Friends Sponsor
D. G. Ranieri Real Estate – Friends Sponsor
Jane’s Frames – Friends Sponsor
Nexamp – Friends Sponsor
Next Step Living – Friends Sponsor
The Franklin Historical Museum – Friends Sponsor
WMRC Radio – Friends Sponsor

America’s Best Defense
Artistry Kitchen
Bernon Family Branch YMCA
Century 21 Commonwealth
CTE Diane Padula-O’Neill
DJ Domenic Cotoia Music Odyssey Productions
Don Newton
Drama Kids of Metro West
Eco-Embrace
Enchanted Memories Travel
Franklin Art Center
Franklin Health and Rehabilitation Center
Fred Astaire Franklin
FHS Student Musicians
Friends of the Franklin Library
Happy Tails DDC/Destination Dog
H & R Block
Inspire Dance Academy
Jamie Barrett
Kevin Wolfe
Kindercare Learning Center
Landscape Depot Supply
Magnolia Heights Gracious Retirement Living
Offices of Senator Spilka and Representative Roy
Optimize Fitness
Pisini Shoes
Rail Good Coffee
Rockland Trust
Sally’s Alley
Simon’s Furniture
Sugar Shoppe
Team Fitness/CrossFit-Franklin
Temple Etz-Chaim
Tom Reardon HVAC
The Black Box
The Cake Bar
Zinc Day Spa

- See more at: http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/#sthash.SplpWNsW.dpuf