"It’s very exciting - the kids worked really hard”

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

"Members of the Helen Keller Elementary School’s Best Buddies program gathered on the school’s “cafetorium” stage Friday morning as they were honored for their participation in the group. 

Those students - dressed in black Best Buddies T-shirts - had been recognized as an “Outstanding Promoter Chapter” by the state branch of the organization, which works to partner students with those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. School officials have said the Keller Best Buddies group, established in 2015, is the only one in the country based in an elementary school. 

The recognition was announced during an all-school community meeting that morning. Principal Eric Stark said the recognition came at an appropriate time, as the school was celebrating inclusion; a large number of students at the assembly were wearing brightly colored shirts, meant to evoke the “Autism Awareness” ribbon."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170428/franklin-state-group-honors-keller-schools-best-buddies

https://twitter.com/BestFHSBuddies

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 4/28/17 - THU 5/4/17

FRIDAY 4/28/17
7:30pm   FPAC Presents “The Crucible” @ The Black Box
9pm   Comedy Night @ 3 Restaurant

SATURDAY 4/29/17
9am-12pm   Celebrate Earth Day (town wide clean up), meet @ Beaver Pond
9am-11am   DelCarte Clean Up @ DelCarte Conservation Area
10-1pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
6-10pm   Pub Crawl Fundraiser for Make Change for Change (tickets must be purchased in advance)
7:30pm   FPAC presents “The Crucible” @ The Black Box

SUNDAY 4/30/17
1pm   Meat Shoot! in the Lounge @ Elks Lodge
1-4pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
2pm   FPAC presents “The Crucible” @ The Black Box
2pm   Blackstone Valley Bluegrass Band @ Franklin Public Library

MONDAY 5/1/17
7-8:30pm   Learn To Cope Franklin Chapter Meeting @ FUSF

TUESDAY 5/2/17
1pm   Franklin Downtown Partnership Networking Luncheon @ Dean College
6:00pm   Empty Bowls Simple Supper Fundraiser @ FHS

WEDNESDAY 5/3/17
7pm   Franklin Art Association Meeting @ Franklin Senior Center
7:30pm   Laughter Yoga: Let’s Laugh Today @ FUSF

THURSDAY 5/4/17
3:30pm   Star Wars Day! @ Franklin Public Library
4pm   Family Coloring Book Club @ Franklin Public Library
5-8pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
7-8pm   Annual Music and Art Appreciation Night @ FHS
7-8pm   Healing Hearts Community Support Group @ Franklin YMCA
7:30pm   Stony Brook Camera Club @ Anglican Church of the Redeemer (31 Hayward St)

For the Town of Franklin Public Calendar click HERE.

For the Community Calendar click HERE.

*To submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this form
https://goo.gl/forms/7Pr1iBuAiIna7cUo2

Felicia Oti tells the Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club what's new at the Library - May 10

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club welcomes you to our next monthly meeting. On Wednesday, May 10 we are hosting a Guest Speaker. Franklin Library Director Felicia Oti will join us to talk about the exciting changes happening with our library. It will be an opportunity to hear about the plans for the new space, resources and programming as well as ask questions or offer suggestions. Please join us!

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 7:30pm on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. We run our meetings September through May. Additionally, we hold many fun and varied events to stay connected throughout the year.

For more information, please visit our website www.franklinnewcomers.com or our Facebook page, Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club.

Felicia Oti tells the Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club what new at the Library - May 10

Wins for FHS teams in baseball, softball, girls lacrosse, and boys tennis

From Hockomock Sports, we share the results of the FHS spring sports action on Thursday, April 27.

Baseball = Franklin, 12 @ Canton, 4 – Final

– Franklin’s offense got going early, plating three runs in each the first and second innings to earn a win over the Bulldogs. Jason Ulrickson earned the win in four innings of work, striking out four with just one earned allowed. Ulrickson also knocked in a pair of runs to help the offense. Both Jake Lyons (three runs, RBI) and Ryan Hodgkins (two runs, two RBI) went 3-for-3 while Cam Benham had two RBI and Matt Foley chipped in with two hits and two runs scored.

Softball = Canton, 0 @ Franklin, 9 – Final

– Jackie Cherry and Emily Valentino combined for nine strikeouts in the shutout win over Canton. “It was a solid team win,” said head coach Kate Fallon-Comeau. “Everyone contributed and did their jobs.”

Girls Lacrosse = Franklin, 19 @ Milford, 3

– Final – The Panthers picked up their 10th win of the season with a big victory on the road. Lauren Bissanti scored once and had two assists, Grace McDermott and Mairead Goguen each notched one goal and one assist and Lilly Kolb had two goals.

Boys Tennis = Canton, 0 @ Franklin, 5 – Final

– Franklin’s Rahul Herur walked away with a win at first singles after a marathon battle with Canton’s Jake Wolicki. Herur prevailed 5-7, 6-2, 10-8. Eli Brooks took second singles 6-3, 6-2 and Rohan Herur won 6-2, 7-6 (8-6) at third singles. James Johnston and Derek Wu notched a 6-1, 6-1 at first doubles and Tyler DiPalma and Rahul Hosdurg won 6-3, 6-0 at second doubles.

Girls Tennis = Franklin, 2 @ Canton, 3 – Final

– Franklin dropped just two games in winning first and second singles but Canton’s second doubles team prevailed in three sets to help the Bulldogs earn the win. Hannah Sweeney won 6-0, 6-0 at first singles and Anja Deric won 6-1, 6-1 at second singles for the Panthers. Canton’s team of Stelina Michaelidis and Sarah Hernandez battled back to win 6-7 (3-7), 6-2, 6-0 at second doubles. Kiki Karavas won 6-4, 6-3 at third singles and Julia Burkowski and Jena Moyle won 6-1, 6-2 at first doubles for Canton.

For the other scores around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-042717/

FHS Panthers

MassBudget: How vulnerable is Massachusetts transportation to federal cuts?

A new report from MassBudget

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. How Vulnerable is MA Transportation to Federal Spending Cuts? A high-quality transportation system is important for our quality of life and a strong economy. Our state and federal governments work together to fund the construction and maintenance of our roads, bridges, rails, and public transit systems. In the coming months Congress is expected to debate proposals that could destabilize this partnership. MassBudget's new fact sheet examines the extent to which the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and transit agencies across the state rely on federal sources of revenue for their operations and capital investment. It describes the grants most vulnerable to near-term budget cuts and how larger sums of federal transportation funding could face cuts after 2020. Most federal transportation funding to Massachusetts is more vulnerable to budget cuts in the longer term than the short term. Most immediately, federal cuts could eliminate or curtail some programs that have awarded grants to Massachusetts in the past for transportation improvements and expansions, especially for public transit and rail. Over the longer term, the study finds a lack of sustainable revenue for the federal transportation trust fund imperils the larger federal support provided for Massachusetts investment in highways, transit and other construction and repair projects.     To read the full report, click here (LINK). 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

Let’s Laugh Today - May 3

Let’s Laugh Today in Franklin is on Wednesday, May 3rd (and every first Wednesday of the month) from 7:30pm to 8:30pm at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin. 

Enjoy this delightful practice, appropriate for all ages and levels of fitness.When we laugh, we energize our bodies and revive our spirits. All that is involved is deep breathing and a few stretches, playful laughter exercises (no jokes or comedy), clapping and deep relaxation. 

Let’s Laugh Today - May 3

It has many benefits besides the joy of laughter. It can strengthen the immune system, combat the negative effects of stress, and is a powerful antidote to depression and anxiety. 

$5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family. Please bring your water bottle because laughing can be dehydrating. 

Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers, Linda and Bill Hamaker

Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers, Linda and Bill Hamaker. See www.letslaughtoday.com for opportunities to laugh in other towns. 

If you have any questions, e-mail billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com.

HMEA's incredABLE 5K - May 21, 2017

Sunday, May 21, 2017 Dell Corporation in Franklin, MA EXCITING NEWS! The Red Sox Showcase is coming to incredABLE 5K! The Red Sox Showcase, powered by T-Mobile, will bring Red Sox baseball and Fenway Park to towns across New England all summer long. The truck will carry a batting cage, pitching stations, a steal 2nd challenge, and a virtual reality experience.  Register to Walk, Run and Fundraise HMEA celebrates the values, dreams, and potential of individuals with disabilities and their families. The proceeds from HMEA's incredABLE 5K directly benefit children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Join us for incredABLE 5K walk, run and all-day family fun! FOOD. MUSIC. ACTIVITIES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. Other Ways to Support HMEA's incredABLE 5k Pre-5K Fundraising Events The following are fundraising events whose proceeds will go toward our programs fundraising efforts for the incredABLE 5K. Please support their efforts by participating. Don't forget the coupon for each event so HMEA will receive a donation. May DATE LOCATION PROGRAM CONTACT 11 Papa Gino's 15 Taunton St., Plainville Plainville Day/Emp click here for flyer 15 Paint Party Fundraiser Elks Lodge, Franklin Residential click here for tickets 50/50 and Dream Raffles 50/50 tickets are now only $25 and we will have 400 tickets available so you can still win $5K at the 5K! CLICK HERE to view the raffle board and pick your number, then contact us to purchase, at 508-298-1107 or 508-298-1129. Hurry up and call, be sure to get your lucky number! Get your Dream Raffle tickets at one of our programs or call 508-298-1107 or 508-298-1129. Only $1 or 6 for $5 and this raffle includes some amazing prizes like a Samsung Galaxy Tab, Bose Wave Radio IV, X-flyer Drone with HD Camera, lots of gift certificates and other fabulous prizes. Tickets will be available at the event. Be an incredABLE Volunteer  Do something incredABLE for our community, be one of our 250 awesome volunteers. There are many shifts available to volunteer for a couple of hours or all day in our kids corner, food tent, 5K route and more. You'll get the official 2017 incredABLE volunteer t-shirt, sponsored by Dell, and a special volunteer gift.  CLICK HERE to register to volunteer. Thank you to our 2017 LEAD Sponsor!

HMEA, 8 Forge Park East, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by hmea@hmea.org in collaboration with Try it free today