Franklins' Stowell family striving for soccer succes

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of Hockomock Sports has a nice feature article on the Franklins' Stowells:

Four years ago, the Franklin girls’ soccer program made history when it brought home its first state title. Although Kristi Kirshe (rightfully) drew most of the attention for her goalscoring exploits that season, there were also a few freshmen that contributed to the championship. 

Among the underclassmen getting regular playing time was a pair of sisters, Victoria and Alexis Stowell. Now seniors, they are the Panthers leading scorers this fall and once again have Franklin poised to be one of the top seeds in Div. 1 South when the brackets are released on Monday morning. 

With a state title, two sectional titles, and three sectional final appearances, not to mention four Kelley-Rex titles, the Stowell sisters have drawn plenty of deserved attention, but this year another Stowell sibling, David, is also trying to make a name for himself in the postseason.

The Stowells: (L - R) Victoria, David, Alexis (Hockomock Sports image)

Continue reading the article online at Hockomock Sports here

http://www.hockomocksports.com/franklin-triplets-searching-for-more-soccer-success/

FHS Girls Cross Country take Hockomock Championship!

The Hockomock League Cross Country Championships were run nearby at the Wrentham Development Center on Saturday morning. I was there to capture some photos on a cool but great day for running.

The FHS varsity girls were victorious and the boys finished seventh.

the top 16 varsity boys (place 16 -9 in front row, left to right, 8 - 1 in back row, right to left)

the top 16 varsity girls (place 16 -9 in front row, left to right, 8 - 1 in back row, right to left)

The complete listing of results can be found on the Hockomock Sports page
http://www.hockomocksports.com/hockomock-league-cross-country-championshil-results/

or at CoolRunning.com
http://www.coolrunning.com/results/15/ma/Oct31_Hockom_set1.shtml

Additional photos from Hockomock Sports can be found here
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20152016/Fall-2015/Girls-Cross-Country-Hockomock

and here
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20152016/Fall-2015/Boys-Cross-Country-Hockomock/

"There's no way to lose when you are giving back to the community"

When Bob and Tricia Flynn, owners of Team Fitness/CrossFit Franklin, donated a New England Patriots game package for a raffle to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry, Bob called it a "win-win."

"There's no way to lose when you are giving back to the community," he said. "One hundred percent of the proceeds raised through the raffle goes directly to the Franklin Food Pantry to serve our neighbors in need. If it means that more families will have food on their tables, and fewer kids will go to bed at night hungry, we have helped make a difference."

There's still time to take a shot at purchasing the winning ticket to catch the Patriots vs. Bills game at Gillette Stadium on Monday, November 23 at 8:30 p.m.! Here are the details for this amazing game package:

• 5 club level seats
• Parking pass included
• A total value of $3000!
• Raffle tickets are $25 each, 5 for $100, or 12 for $200
• Drawing is Sunday, November 15 at 6 p.m.

"This raffle has become one of our biggest fundraisers of the year," says Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. "We are grateful to the Flynns, and Team Fitness/CrossFit Franklin, for donating this valuable game package to benefit the Pantry. There is a greater need for our services this time of year, so the raffle benefit comes at an ideal time. The Flynns are truly paying it forward many times over through this donation, and we thank them."

You can purchase raffle tickets in the following ways:

• At Team Fitness/CrossFit Franklin, located in the Franklin Village Shopping Center, during normal business hours
• At Team Fitness/Cross Fit on Monday, November 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. Pantry representatives will be available to sell tickets and share information about the Pantry
• From Pantry board and staff members

Tricia and Bob Flynn

The Pantry is grateful to Bob and Tricia Flynn, owners of Team Fitness/CrossFit Franklin, for their generous donation of a New England Patriots game package for a raffle to benefit the Pantry.

TeamFitness Franklin - CrossFit Franklin

Get your raffle tickets soon! For hours of operation and directions to Team Fitness/CrossFit, visit www.teamfitnessfranklin.com.


This was shared from the Franklin Food Pantry webpage here
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2015/10/raffle-for-new-england-patriots-tickets.html

Register O'Donnell Announces Annual Holiday Food Drive

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Announces Annual Holiday Food Drive Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell announced today that the Registry of Deeds Annual Holiday Food Drive will take place from Monday, November 23, 2015 through Thursday, December 31, 2015. "Here in Norfolk County," noted Register O'Donnell, "some of our less fortunate neighbors continue to face economic hardship. We know this because we see each month the Notice to Foreclose Mortgage recordings that take place. Furthermore, at a statewide level, Project Bread noted that 1 out of every 10 households in Massachusetts is food insecure." Local pantry officials agree food donations, especially as we head into the winter and holiday months, are critical to their operations. "The holiday season is the busiest time of year. For the past 40 years, we have relied on the generosity of our local communities to donate food and help neighbors in need," noted Rick Doane, Executive Director of Interfaith Social Services of Quincy. Unfortunately, the issue of hunger does not stop at any border. Rene Feuerman, Director of the Brookline Food Pantry noted, "Unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in the number of individuals and families needing assistance. Just this past summer, we added 100 families to our needs list. Currently, we are feeding 850 households in Brookline." Non-perishable food items can be brought directly to the Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham from Monday, November 23, 2015 through Thursday, December 31, 2015. A donation bin will be set up in the Registry building lobby which is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 4:30PM. Suggested donations include canned goods, breakfast cereals, pasta, sauces, toiletries and paper products. Those who wish to donate but are unable to travel to the Registry can do so by donating food supplies at their local pantries across Norfolk County. "Dropping off a food donation at the Registry or a local food pantry could make the difference in a family's holiday. Working together, we can make a huge difference this holiday season," concluded Register O'Donnell. For a list of local food pantries, please visit the Registry of Deeds website at www.norfolkdeeds.org. To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org. Register William P. O'Donnell Norfolk County Registry of Deeds email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org phone: 781-234-3336 web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Forward email Norfolk County Registry of Deeds | 649 High Street | Dedham, | MA | 02026-1831

screen grab of Norfolk Deeds webpage

Franklin candidate for School Committee - Anne Bergen

Anne Bergen and I met recently at Panera to talk about her campaign for School Committee. This is the summary of our discussion.

FM - What is your Franklin story?

Bergen – My story begins 41 years ago when I started teaching at Davis Thayer. I began as a sixth grade teacher, then reading specialist, and finally as principal for about 13 years. I was asked to move to what was then Franklin Junior High School and transform it into a middle school, making it more developmentally appropriate for students at that age. It was the first of the three middle schools we have now. 

I was involved with the renovation at Horace Mann and at the same time began planning for the Annie Sullivan Middle School. I opened that school as its first principal. We stayed there longer than planned as the renovation at Horace Mann was delayed. My time at the middle level spanned 16 rewarding and challenging years. In that time I also taught graduate level courses and spoke at many educational conferences. 

I retired not to leave education, but to find new challenges. Shortly after retirement, the superintendent asked me to be the acting head of the English Department at Franklin High School. In the six months there, I was able to visit classrooms, talk with students and teachers and learn more about the high school curriculum. 

After that, I joined the board of directors of our local cable access television station. I created and am hosting two shows. One show’s purpose is to increase public awareness about the innovative and creative initiatives in our schools. The public needs to know how we are spending tax dollars, that we are worth investing in! The focus of the second program, “It Takes a Village….” is on how we can come together as community members to guide our young people to lives of meaning and purpose. The latest series of programs has focused on the opioid crisis. 

I moved to Franklin 25 years ago because I wanted my daughter to attend the Franklin Public Schools. It was a great decision.

FM - What do you see as the challenge(s) for the School Committee?

Bergen – I believe that all public schools are facing the same challenge. Keeping testing in proper perspective. Testing does serve a purpose, highlighting student strengths and weaknesses, to inform instruction. But when testing takes on too much importance, we tend to neglect all that isn’t tested: the lessons of history, art, music, health and fitness. Tests don’t measure potential, grit, work ethic, humor and emotional intelligence. 

As evidenced by the substance abuse crisis, there are too many young people who are struggling to find their way. Our challenge is to use our resources to address not only the academic needs but also the social and emotional needs of our students. We need to find the right balance as we create our mission and vision for our schools.

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

Bergen – Because I have worked at every level (K-12), I am able to see issues from the perspective of the students parents, educators and community members. I have hired staff, developed budgets, implemented policy, dealt with safety issues and managed facilities. 

In the last two years I have been writing about and speaking to parents and teachers about the latest research on motivation, learning and achievement. The expertise I have gained in this area may help to inform my work on the school committee. 

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity of serving this community which has given so much to me.

If you have any follow up questions for Anne, you can contact her via email at annekbergen@gmail.com


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.


The collection of all the information to prepare for the Nov 3rd election can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/08/election-collection-nov-3-2015.html

Halloween safety tips and the Teal Pumpkin Project

1 - Halloween safety tips

From the MA.gov blog we find this timely post on Halloween safety tips. Be safe trick or treating!

"Whether you’re still a trick-or-treater or you never lost your love of ghouls and goblins, Halloween is frightful fun for everyone. 

But even if you aren’t afraid of the dark, with more people out in the moonlight, there can be a scary side to this holiday. Watch out for dangers as you celebrate this year. 

The Department of Public Health (DPH), Department of Fire Services (DFS), and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provide resources to ensure you have a safe and happy Halloween. Check out the tips below and for a full list, read DFS’s Halloween Safety and DPH’s Halloween Safety Tips brochures."

Continue reading the article online here
http://blog.mass.gov/blog/home/halloween-safety-tips-for-trick-or-treaters-and-adults/

one of the several "Pumpkins in the Park" - in Franklin

2 - What is the Teal Pumpkin Project?

"Join FARE’s Teal Pumpkin Project™ to help us create a safer, happier Halloween for all! 

Launched as a national campaign by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) in 2014, the Teal Pumpkin Project™ raises awareness of food allergies and promotes inclusion of all trick-or-treaters throughout the Halloween season."

Teal Pumpkin Project

For more information on the Teal Pumpkin project visit them online

http://www.foodallergy.org/teal-pumpkin-project#.VjSjr7erTIU

In the news: coat collection, fire dept efficiency

Guardian Self-Storage has partnered with Caring Partners Inc. in the organization’s winter coat collection, “Coats for Kids.” 

Donations of gently used winter coats for children and adults may be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Jan. 8 at Guardian Self-Storage, 599 Washington St. Once collected, all coats are professionally cleaned by Anton Cleaners and distributed by social service agencies to those in need within the community. 

For information: 508-528-4050.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151030/NEWS/151039473/1994/NEWS

Franklin Fire Dept

While not focused on Franklin, this is an overall view of fire departments and the shifting demands they are meeting, this is very pertinent to Franklin and our future safety requirements as well as the budget.

With fires accounting for just under 4 percent of total calls to local departments in 2013, fire departments increasingly find themselves targeted by efficiency experts who apply business model measures to government functions. 

“I like to call it the ‘March of Dimes’ problem,” said Alex Tabarrok, an economics professor at George Mason University who’s blogged about the inefficiency of fire department management. “The March of Dimes was successful in curing polio then looked around and said, ‘Now what do we do?’ Firefighters face the same question.”

Continue reading the full article online
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/ZZ/20151030/NEWS/151019954/1994/NEWS

Chief McCarragher has raised this issue each budget season as he describes the shifts in call volume and the need for staffing to put on a third ambulance. The most recent budget summary can be found here:
 http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/live-reporting-finance-committee-apr-22.html

Additional reports and their current strategy document can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Fire/reports2