"There is reason for optimism"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"Historically, Americans have not been very worried about income disparity," he said. "There's not a lot of resentment in America toward Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, on the assumption that we're all getting on the ladder at the same point." 

The problem, he said, is that class segregation has grown as well, meaning well-off and poor Americans are interacting less and less over the years. 

"Now, increasingly, Americans are concentrated in rich neighborhoods or in poor neighborhoods - fewer and fewer live in mixed or moderate income areas," Putnam said. "It even shows up in things like intermarriage rates; we tend not to marry people who we've not met."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160202/franklin-harvard-professor-speaks-at-horace-mann-school

Dr Anne Bergen talked with Dr Robert Putnam after his presentation

Health Management Programs Offered at the Hockomock Area YMCA

Right now, our country faces an epidemic of obesity and related chronic disease. In communities across the country, the Y is a leading voice on healthy living. The Y brings families together, encourages good health and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. As a result, millions of youth, adults and families receive the support and resources they need to achieve greater health and well-being.

The Hockomock Area YMCA is at the forefront of preventing chronic disease through the non-profit organization’s health management initiative known as Prescription for a Healthy Lifestyle Programs showing measurable results in the fifteen communities it serves. Programs like the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program and Enhance Fitness help make a positive difference in the lives of individuals diagnosed with or are at risk of a chronic disease.

Hockomock YMCA

The YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program is designed to support adults that are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and reduce their risk for developing the disease. This 1-year program, consisting of 24 sessions, provides a welcoming environment where participants work together in a small group to learn about healthier eating and increasing their physical activity. This classroom based program can be offered outside of YMCA walls in a community setting and is facilitated by a Y-USA trained facilitator.

Did you know 86 million Americans (that’s 1 out of 3 people) are living with pre-diabetes but only 11% are aware since? The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is an evidence-based program designed to support adults that are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and reduce their risk for developing the disease. This 1-year program, consisting of 26 sessions, provides a welcoming environment where participants work together in a small group to learn about healthier eating and increasing their physical activity. This classroom based program is facilitated by a Y-USA trained facilitator and includes a YMCA membership. The Diabetes Prevention Program will be free of charge to any individual who is referred by a Sturdy Memorial Hospital-affiliated Practitioner through a grant provided by Sturdy.

Learn more by taking a simple 7 question lifestyle questionnaire at hockymca.org or stop by one of three informational sessions in the next month. A director from our Health Innovation team and the Program Coordinator will be available to discuss the program and answer any questions. Diabetes Prevention Program informational sessions will be held on:

• Wednesday, February 3rd at 5:30pm at the Invensys Foxboro Branch, 67 Mechanic Street in Foxboro
• Thursday, February 4rd at 10:15am at the North Attleboro Branch, 300 Elmwood Street in North Attleboro
• Thursday, February 11th at 12:15pm at the Bernon Family Branch, 45 Forge Hill Road in Franklin

For more information about the Diabetes Prevention Program please contact Donna Higgins at donnah@hockymca.org or 508-772-1310.


The Hockmock Area YMCA is also encouraging community members to stop by to try a free Enhance Fitness Class. Enhance Fitness is an evidence-based program designed to safely increase participants' fitness levels through aerobic and strength training exercises while building a sense of community and social connectedness among class members. Enhance Fitness has been proven to increase participants' strength, balance, flexibility, mood, general activity level, and independence when they attend on a regular basis. This program meets three times a week and is beneficial for older adults, but has been deemed particularly safe and effective for adults living with arthritis. Class is free to YMCA members and $100 for non-members for a 16-week session. Enrollment is ongoing and you can join at any time. For more information, call Vickey Marini at 508-772-1310 or email vickeym@hockymca.org.

Through March, stop by and try a class for free! Session enrollment is ongoing and classes currently meet:

• Monday, Wednesday Friday at 11:00am at the Bernon Family Branch, Franklin (45 Forge Hill Rd)
• Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 12:15pm at the Invensys Foxboro Branch (64 Mechanic Street)


The Hockomock Area YMCA has the following additional supportive programs for individuals and for more information, please contact Donna Higgins at 508-772-1310 or donnah@hockymca.org.

• MS Wellness for individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis
Tuesdays, 10:00am at the North Attleboro Branch beginning in March

• Post Cardiac Rehab for individuals who have completed a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Groups beginning in all branches through March

• Exercise is Medicine for individuals living with Type 2 Diabetes

Thursdays, 7:00am at the North Attleboro Branch in February
Thursdays, 1pm at the Bernon Family Branch, Franklin beginning in February


• PAC for youth with a high Body Mass Index (BMI)

Tuesdays,6:00pm at the North Attleboro Branch in February Programs at our Invensys Foxboro Branch and Bernon Family Branch, Franklin in March

• LIVESTRONG at the YMCA Program for Cancer Survivors
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00pm at the Invensys Foxboro Branch in February
New programs will begin based on interest

About the Hockomock Area YMCA:

Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. 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.

The Hockomock Area YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org

Senator Ross: January 2016 State House Update

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, January 2016 View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website LinkedIn State Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) proudly serving the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District. State House Room 419 Boston, MA 02133 Ph: 617-722-1555 Fax: 617-722-1054 Email:richard.ross@masenate.gov Dear Friends, It has only been one month, but 2016 is off to an exciting start. This newsletter is packed with Beacon Hill updates on Governor Baker's State of the Commonwealth, the FY17 budget, pertinent legislation, as well as my recent trip to Colorado. I am also once again hosting Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit Seminars all across my district. The full schedule can be found below. As always, if you have any questions, thoughts, or ideas--please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, CHARLIE BAKER'S STATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ADDRESS It is hard to believe that Governor Charlie Baker has been in office for a year already. Over the past twelve months, he has brought many difficult and important issues to the forefront of our legislative agenda and has placed party polarization on the backburner in order to produce real, meaningful change.   I had the honor of witnessing Governor Baker's first State of the Commonwealth address. In his first year alone Governor Baker has tackled the MBTA and our beleaguered transportation system, the opioid epidemic, challenges at DCF, all while entering office with a $765 million budget shortfall. His hands-on approach to solving problems and fiscal discipline are what make him such an admirable leader of the Commonwealth. In his address, he highlighted the need to prioritize lifting the cap on charter schools, continuing to combat the opioid epidemic, expanding the use of hydropower, while continuing to invest in our cities and towns. There is much more we need to accomplish in 2016, but I'm looking forward to continuing to work with this administration and my colleagues in the House and Senate to better serve the people of the Commonwealth. You can read Governor Baker's full remarks here.

This email was shortened for publication here. To view the full text, follow this link --> View this email in your browser

In the News: food service coming in-house, diabetes prevention at Y, Solutions announces summer program

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The school district will likely be moving its food-service management in-house for the 2016-2017 school year. 

The move will coincide with the expiration of the schools' contract with Whitsons School Nutrition, district officials said. 

Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski raised the matter at a recent School Committee meeting, saying the district contracted with Whitsons five years ago, as part of an effort to comply with federal regulations regarding nutrition. 

"We felt having a large organization behind us would help us get into compliance," she said.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160202/franklin-schools-look-to-bring-food-services-in-house

The Hockomock Area YMCA Bernon Family Branch, 45 Forge Hill Road, will host an informational session on the Diabetes Prevention Program at 12:15 p.m. Feb. 11. 

The YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program is designed to support adults that are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and reduce their risk for developing the disease. The one-year program, consisting of 24 sessions, provides a welcoming environment where participants work together in a small group to learn about healthier eating and increasing their physical activity.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160202/franklin-ymca-to-host-diabetes-prevention-program-informational-session

The Solutions Extended Day and Enrichment Program, a program of the Franklin Public School’s Lifelong Learning Institute, will offer a six week summer program beginning July 5 at Jefferson Elementary School, 628 Washington St. 

The program consists of six theme-based weeks for children to attend such as Gameshow Mania, Magic for Muggles and Calling All Jedis. 

The program will be led by the school-year staff who will plan a variety of activities such as arts and crafts, science experiments, water play and dramatic play. 

Registration can be completed online at franklinlifelonglearning.com.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160202/solutions-extended-day-in-franklin-to-offer-summer-program

Franklin High School Class of 1966 - 50th Anniversary

Franklin High School Class of 1966 is busy with preparations for the 50th anniversary of their graduation. The class reunion will be held the weekend of June 3, 2016, and will include attending the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2016 on June 3. 

There will be additional gatherings after graduation on Friday evening, and on Saturday and Sunday. Committee members will be mailing “Save the Date” notices in January and information about registering for specific reunion activities in February. 

The Class of 1966 Reunion Committee includes: Sandy DiCamillo Fitzpatrick, Dottie Vendetti Leoncavallo, Cynthia DiPietro Douglas, Marion Fricker Jennings, Jean Ellen Keras, Janet Miller Robinson, and Peter Baglioni.

If you would like more information about the class reunion, please contact Franklin Public Schools Lifelong Learning Institute at 508-553-4814 or email at: alumni@franklin.k12.ma.us.

community entrance at Franklin High School

Both FHS basketball teams top Sharon

Girls Basketball

• Franklin, 45 @ Sharon, 33 – Final 

– Alyssa Piazza led the Eagles with 11 points. Sharon also got eight points from Charlotte Ransom and seven from Veronica Wallace.

Boys Basketball

• Franklin, 55 @ Sharon, 41 – Final 

– Franklin turned a four point deficit at halftime into a nine point lead by the end of the third quarter. Sophomore Connor Peterson had 15 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, Tim Prunier had 13 points, seven rebounds and four steals and freshman Jay Dieterle added 13 points and four rebounds.

For the remainder of the results around the Hockomock League
http://www.hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-020116/

Franklin sophomore Connor Peterson releases a shot in the first half in a sea of Sharon defenders. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Ryan Lanigan, Editor-in-Chief of Hockomock Sports, provides the full report on the FHS boys game

"Franklin’s defense certainly wasn’t bad in the first half, surrendering just 21 points to Sharon. But faced with a four point deficit at the break, Franklin head coach CJ Neely challenged his team to crank it up. 

The Panthers switched to a full court press to start the second half. The pressure worked off and turned it into a 10-3 run over the first three minutes of the quarter and then when Sharon got it within two again, the Panthers closed with another 10-3 in the last 2:30. 

“We played much more aggressive in the second half,” Neely said. “We didn’t want to come right away with the press, we thought they might expect it because we had some out a lot of games this year with pressure. I still thought our defense was pretty good. That’s the third straight game we’ve gone against a run from other teams early and they’ve been hitting tough shots, at least I think they’re tough.”

Continue reading the article online
http://www.hockomocksports.com/panthers-press-the-issue-in-second-half-against-sharon/

Meals on Wheels is looking for your help!

Wanted

Volunteers

To Deliver Meals

For homebound elders

In Franklin, Medway and Bellingham

Drivers – mileage reimbursement provided

Call… Tri Valley Meal Site 508-520-1422

Meals on Wheels screen grab

For additional info about Meals On Wheels  http://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/