“We’ve got a bunch of great athletes that are pretty good soccer players"

With the return to school, the fall sports season resumes and Hockomock Sports has posted their Kelly-Rex Division outlook for boys soccer.

FRANKLIN

2015 Record: 12-7-1
2015 Finish: Reached D1 South Quarterfinal
Coach: Fran Bositis

"Franklin has some big holes to fill around the field but returning nearly a dozen varsity players is a good start. Around 10 returning players saw valuable varsity minutes last season and that is something the Panthers will rely on. 

FHS Panthers

The Panthers have to find replacements for midfielders Austin Kent and Nick Parent, along with defender Dan Geraci and goalie Henri Guilmette. However, Franklin doesn’t need to find any replacements for its strikers with both Farley Asmath and Kevin Hall back this year. Hall was second on the team with seven goals a season ago and Asmath is speedy, strong player that could add a lot to the attack. Hatim Brahimi (five goals, three assists in 2015) is one of the top returning players in the league and will lead the midfield for the Panthers this season. Franklin’s defense will consist of a rotation of five or six players, including Wesley Kozil and Noah Scafati. Senior Joe Kroon and junior Fred Beckmann will battle for the starting goalie spot. 

“We’ve got a bunch of great athletes that are pretty good soccer players that work really hard,” head coach Fran Bositis said."

For the Complete Kelly Rex Boys Soccer outlook
https://hockomocksports.com/2016-kelley-rex-boys-soccer-preview/

Reminder: Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club - Sep 14

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club kicks off their 2016/2017 season on Wednesday, September 14th. We invite any resident of Franklin, or a surrounding town that doesn't have a Newcomers Club, to join us at "3" Restaurant, 461 West Central Street, Franklin. 

Complimentary appetizers and beverages are provided and a cash bar is available. We meet upstairs at 7:30 pm on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. We run September through May but hold many other casual events to stay connected throughout the year. 

The club is an opportunity for residents of all ages and situations - not just those new to town - to socialize and learn about our community. Our September meeting is a social gathering so it's a great opportunity to come and make new friends or catch up with old ones. 

For more information visit www.franklinnewcomers.com.

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club is a non-profit social and
charitable organization for residents of Franklin

Reminder: Franklin Art Association - September 7

The Franklin Art Association will meet on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 from 6:30 to 9:00PM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street in Franklin. 

Refreshments and social time will begin at 6:30 followed by a short business meeting and a demonstration by oil painter and pastelist, Colleen Vandeventer of Attleboro.

Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information log on to www.franklinart.org.

Faneuil Hall 12 x 24 Oil - Colleen Vandeventer

"giving the gift of a carefully and thoughtfully prepared meal"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Being a chef is more than just knowing the correct technique for dicing an onion, how to create a béchamel, or what the difference is between blanching and shocking a bunch of asparagus spears. 

It’s also – perhaps most importantly -- about knowing the ingredients, how to choose the freshest and best, understanding how they work together, and knowing where they come from. 

That’s where the garden at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin comes in – the pride and joy of culinary arts instructor and garden coordinator Nancy Haney."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160905/franklin-lessons-from-garden-at-tri-county

cherry tomatoes in the Tri-County garden (photo provided by Tri-County)

Nancy Haney check out tomatoes from the Tri-County garden (photo provided by Tri-County)

Related posts on the Tri-County garden

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/08/despite-drought-tri-countys-garden-tops.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/01/the-tri-county-insider-january-7.html

Girls Soccer: Ten Players to Watch in 2016

With the return to school, the fall sports season also resumes. Hockomock Sports has posted their listing of the ten players to watch for girls soccer.

HALLE ATKINSON, SOPHOMORE – FRANKLIN

FHS Panthers

No one is going to feel bad for the Panthers, who graduated a host of starters from last year’s team, including HockomockSports.com Player of the Year Victoria Stowell. No one will feel bad because Franklin rarely has to rebuild; it just reloads. One of the reasons for confidence this fall is Atkinson, who showed flashes of her potential as a freshman. A quick winger, Atkinson became more accustomed to the physical rigors of the Hockomock as the season progressed and by the tournament was a regular off the Franklin bench. This season could be a breakout year. Atkinson has the skills to beat defenders and to serve a cross into a dangerous area. She also has the pace to create opportunities for herself and a good finishing touch for a young player. For the first time in a while, Franklin is not the favorite to win the league, but with Atkinson and others back the Panthers should not slip too much.

Contnue reading about the 10 Hockomock girls soccer players to watch this season  https://hockomocksports.com/hockomock-girls-soccer-players-to-watch-2016/

MassBudget: Labor Day report on the State of Working Massachusetts 2016

Study highlights trends facing workers and their families

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. State of Working Massachusetts: Wage earners saw gains last year, but haven't made up lost ground Hourly compensation for Massachusetts' low-wage workers rose by 7 percent from 2014-2015, buoyed by an increase in the minimum wage. A new report from the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, The State of Working Massachusetts, 2016 Edition, highlights wage gains among all income groups, but notes that low- and middle-income wages in Massachusetts and across the nation have barely grown for decades and remain lower than in 2009. While long-term national trends are troubling, the report found some good news locally: Massachusetts has both the nation's highest median wage and the best educated workforce (49 percent have a college degree). Looking across the country, the report finds that states with better-educated workforces consistently have higher-wage economies. Comparing cities and towns within Massachusetts shows the same close relationship between the wages and education levels. The wage growth we see among low-wage workers who are benefiting from the minimum wage increase reminds us of how important public policy can be in improving the economic well-being of working people and their families. The challenge for our Commonwealth is to develop policies that expand opportunity and raise wages for all of our people. The State of Working Massachusetts 2016 Edition also pinpoints several other Massachusetts economic data points, including: Wages in Massachusetts grew by 3 percent last year for the broad middle class; Other states with minimum wage increases also saw higher wage gains for low-income workers; Massachusetts job growth between 2007 and 2016 has been among the strongest in the nation; Child poverty rates in Massachusetts are below the national average and have begun to decline, but 1-in-7 children remain in poverty, a higher level than before the recession. Among adults without disabilities whose incomes were less than 125 percent of the poverty level, the vast majority (71 percent) work at least part-time. The link to the MassBudget report is here. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

Schedule to donate blood at the Elks this Thursday, Sep 8

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

The American Red Cross will support 9/11 Day by offering the community an opportunity to honor those who lost their lives and those who responded following the events of Sept. 11. Interested individuals can volunteer or donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross and help ensure blood is available for patients in need. 

9/11 Day was launched in 2002 as an annual day of service to honor the victims and heroes of Sept. 11. Since then, the observance has evolved into the largest annual day of charitable engagement in the U.S. and was designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance by the U.S. Congress in 2009. 

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood; regular donations are needed. Blood and platelet donors of all types are urged to give. 

The following local blood donation opportunities will take place:

• 2-7 p.m. Sept. 8, Franklin Elks, 1077 Pond St., Franklin.

• 1-6 p.m. Sept. 16, Answer is Fitness, 7 Lincoln Road, Foxborough.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160904/red-cross-to-hold-911-day-blood-donation-opportunities

Schedule your appointment to donate blood online
http://www.redcrossblood.org/

Learn more about the blood donation process here

Franklin Girl Scouts Info Session = Sep 6

http://www.gsema.org/en/about-girl-scouts/join.html

"Girl Scouting is for girls in grades K-12. With the guidance of adult volunteers, Girl Scouts earn badges, explore the outdoors, attend fun events and field trips, and participate in the Girl Scout cookie program.

Visit gsema.org/join and click JOIN TODAY. Complete the GIRL REGISTRATION page, click CONTINUE and follow the instructions to search for a Girl Scout troop. Select a troop and complete the membership payment."

• Tuesday, September 6, 7:00 PM
• St. Mary Parish, One Church Square, Franklin

Enjoy the Labor Day holiday

Parmenter sign acknowledges no school on Monday Sep 5 for Labor Day and announces a PCC meeting on Sep 8 and a Welcome Breakfast on Sep 9.

Parmenter sign acknowledges no school on Monday Sep 5 for Labor Day

• For more about the Parmenter schedule, visit their webpage

http://parmenterelementary.vt-s.net/Pages/index

• For more about the other schools in Franklin, visit the District page here

http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/index

Town office closed Monday, trash delayed one day this week

"Residents- Please remember Trash and Recycling will be delayed a day due to the Labor Day Holiday on Mon Sept 5th."

https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/771348632339611648

trash and recycling by the roadside as required

pic.twitter.com/Q48gjYsKT5

— Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) September 1, 2016

Black Knot Disease at Dacey Field

"In August 2016, Conservation Commission staff discovered Black Knot Tree Disease on various Black Cherry trees at Dacey Field. The most impacted areas consist of dense Eastern White Pine stands with Black Cherry trees mixed in. 

The ‘Nature Walk’ section of Dacey has many infected trees. Black Knot is a disease caused by fungal parasite, Trichothecium roseum, and leaves charcoal-like lumps on branches and twigs of trees, especially trees in the Prunus family. 

The disease can bring leaf wilt and also death of leaves, twigs, branches, and even the entire tree. Winter management efforts include pruning and sanitation of trees that have not been heavily impacted. The infected branches and twigs should be burned, buried, or removed from the site eliminate the spread of the disease. 

Fungicides have been used successfully in severely impacted areas. It is recommended that an experienced arborist explore Dacey to determine how severely the disease has spread throughout the forest before management efforts are made. From a quick run through, more than half the Black Cherry trees observed were infected."

black knot disease photo from American Phytopathological Society

References:

http://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/intropp/lessons/fungi/ascomycetes/pages/blackknot.aspx

http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/fact_sheets/plant_pathology_and_ecology/black_knot_of_ornamental_plum_and_cherry_4-02-08r.pdf

http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/trees-shrubs/black-knot/

• This information was shared from the Town of Franklin page

http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024BA541-000F8513

• For more info about the Conservation Commission, visit their page

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Conservation/index

Social Media Roundup: scam alert, drug that kills, rain garden tour, golf fund raiser

Items that I saved from my Facebook feed that seemed share worthy. You likely realize that everyone's Facebook feed is unique to themselves. What you see is not what someone else sees. The continuous Facebook algorithm changes makes it hard for groups to get their message to a broad audience without having to pay to "boost the post". Hence, from time to time, I'll share what I find that makes sense for Franklin to be aware of.

Scam alert from Franklin Police

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/get-there/wp/2016/08/25/that-is-not-the-irs-calling-you/

Via NPR comes this on the latest in opioid drugs that kill

http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/09/02/492108992/an-even-deadlier-opioid-carfentanil-is-hitting-the-streets?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20160902

The Charles River Watershed Association write up of the recent tour of Franklin's rain gardens

http://blog.crwa.org/blog/take-a-tour-of-franklins-best-rain-gardens

FHS boys basketball boosters schedule a golf outing as a fund raiser Oct 8th

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-franklin-boys-basketball-alumni-and-friends-golf-tournament-registration-27345808048

sun rise on the Town Common

In the News: Friends of the Poor Walk, Healing Hands for Arthritis

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Society of St. Vincent dePaul of St. Mary’s Parish in Franklin will sponsor the Friends of the Poor Walk from 9 to 11 a.m. Sept. 26 at the Parish of St. Mary, 1 Church Square, Franklin. 

Walkers will collect pledges, and the money promised to them from family, friends, neighbors and co-workers and turn it in to the parish on the day of the walk. All collected funds stay in Franklin to help those in need, regardless of faith. 

The walk will begin at the intersection of Church Square and Oak Street, right onto Oak to Iroquois, to the end of Iroquois and back to St. Mary’s Church. The route is 3 miles. Walkers may turn back at Lucius Street for a 2-mile walk. 

To register: stmarysfranklin.org. This site gives all necessary information for the local walk. People may also register on the actual day of the walk, beginning at 9 a.m."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160903/society-of-st-vincent-depaul-to-host-friends-of-poor-walk

St Mary's Church, Franklin

"Local Massage Envy locations will host the sixth annual Healing Hands for Arthritis event Sept. 28 to raise donations for the Arthritis Foundation’s efforts to find a cure and enrich the lives of those affected by arthritis. 

On Sept. 28, $10 from each one-hour wellness massage and Murad Healthy Skin facial service will be donated to the Arthritis Foundation. In addition, 10 percent of in-store purchases on that day are donated."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160903/massage-envy-to-hold-healing-hands-for-arthritis

Monday - Labor Day: Commuter Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule

The Commuter Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule for Labor Day, 09/05/16.

Affected routes:

• Newburyport/Rockport Line
• Haverhill Line
• Lowell Line
• Fitchburg Line
• Framingham/Worcester Line
• Needham Line
• Franklin Line
• Fairmount Line
• Providence/Stoughton Line
• Middleborough/Lakeville Line
• Kingston/Plymouth Line
• Greenbush Line

**Please note that there is no Sunday service for the Needham Line.

Last updated: Sep 02 2016 11:04 AM

Click here for more information: http://www.mbta.com/events/

boarding the train in Franklin heading to Boston

DelCarte Open Space Guidebook

The Guide Book for DelCarte Open Space Area has been published. Much of it seems to have been repurposed from the invasive species study conducted last year, this guide book focuses less on the technical aspects of the recreational space and more on how to utilize the space. Trail maps, sample photos of the wild life and fish are included.

You can read it and download it from here



or here
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczdXV2UkM5NkFxc2M


Or from the Town of Franklin webpage here
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024BA540-000F8513

on the northern pond at DelCarte

• The full study can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/ecological-and-management-study-of.html