Wednesday, September 6, 2017

FHS field hockey outlook 2017

Hockomock Sports has published their outlook for girls soccer in the Hockomcok League. We share the Franklin information here. Follow the link below to find the outlook on the other teams. 


2016 Record: 12-4-4 (Kelley-Rex Division Champions)
2016 Finish: Reached D1 South Quarterfinal
Coach: Lisa Cropper

The defending Kelley-Rex division champions are in a good spot with so many returning players from last year’s squad. Leading the way is HockomockSports.com Player of the Year Annie Walsh, who led the Hockomock League with 25 points a season ago. Cassi Ronan (16 points) and Erin Walsh (10 points) are also back as Franklin returns its top three scorers. 
Another positive is that Franklin has some experience back on the defensive end as well. Kate Morse is back to anchor the unit after an impressive junior season and will be joined by Meri Gendreau and Emily Valentino in front of goalie Christina Luccini. Head coach Lisa Cropper expects senior Maddie Hinckley and freshman Victoria Quinn to also play big roles for the Panthers. 
“Our biggest asset this season is depth,” Cropper said. “We are hoping to wear down our opponents and utilize our speed late in games.”

Continue reading the field hockey outlook online
https://hockomocksports.com/field-hockey-2017-hockomock-league-preview/

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Reminder: get the MIAA app for all the FHS sports schedules and results

If you want to follow any of the FHS Panthers sports teams, you can download the MIAA app to your smart phone and get the season schedule.

I had heard of the app from the Facebook posting by the FHS boys basketball team last year.



It does install quickly from the Google Play Store
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.miaa.droid&hl=en


in the Google Playstore
in the Google Playstore
It is also available for iTunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/miaa/id987574520?mt=8

It prompts you to select a favorite school (FHS was my choice!)

the installed app prompts to select a favorite school
the installed app prompts to select a favorite school
FHS fall sports schedules
FHS fall sports schedules


You can also get the schedules at HockomockSports.Com. This is the source of most of the sports results that I share.


A Favorite Poem Project - Oct 25

The Franklin Senior Scribblers' Writers' Group is hosting A Favorite Poem Project. It is scheduled for October 25 at 10:00 AM at the Franklin Senior Center.

My Favorite Poem Project is dedicated to celebrating and encouraging poetry's role in the lives of Americans. Robert Pinsky, the 39th Poet Laureate of the United States, started the project in 1997. 

He believed that poetry needs to be read aloud. "Reading a poem silently is like staring at a sheet of music." The reader of the poem does not need to be the poet or a skilled performer. "One of the beautiful things about poetry," says Pinsky, "is that the medium is a voice, not necessarily the poet's voice. When you read a poem by Shakespeare, Dickinson or Langston Hughes, your voice is the artist's medium."

Robert Pinsky believed that contrary to stereotype, Americans do read poetry; that the audience for poetry is not limited to professors and college students; and that there are many people for whom particular poems have found profound, personal meaning. This project seeks to give voice to American poetry lovers.

In April 1998, the My Favorite Poem Project was launched with a series of public poetry readings. In Boston, twenty-five Bostonians read their favorite poem. The readers included the President of the Massachusetts State Senate, a homeless Boston resident and a third grader. The audience was packed into the Boston Public Library. The Library President dressed as a cowboy to read a cowboy poem. Some readers recited poems in Spanish, Vietnamese and American Sign Language. As you see, Americans do read poetry.


A Favorite Poem Project - Oct 25
A Favorite Poem Project - Oct 25
If you have a poem you would like to read, please contact Faith Flaherty at faithflaherty@verizon.net

For more information on the Favorite Poem Project  http://www.favoritepoem.org/index.html

Crackerbarrel Classic 5K Road Race - Sep 16

Hello to all past participants in the Crackerbarrel Classic 5K Road Race at Wrentham Developmental Center. 

Your support was greatly appreciated! I hope to see you again for the 37th Annual Crackerbarrel Classic Race on September 16, 2017. 

You can preregister on line through Runreg.com 

Thanks in advance, 
Rich Katno, Race Director


37th Annual Crackerbarrel Classic - Sep 16
37th Annual Crackerbarrel Classic - Sep 16

In the News: Dean adds dance degree; electric cars at Bellingham Library

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Talent searchers beware - Dean College is looking to attract dancers and choreographers for the big time with their new fine arts degree program in dance. 
The department of higher education at the college agreed to begin offering a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance beginning fall of 2018. 
“We are delighted that the BFA will take its place beside our BA (Bachelor or Arts) to provide students with the widest range of possibilities to pursue their passions in the field of dance,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs Michael Fishbein."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170905/dean-college-offers-new-dance-degree


Dean College on Main St in Franklin
Dean College on Main St in Franklin

"Bernadette Rivard hopes to electrify the public’s interest in science this weekend. 
As director of the Bellingham Public Library, she organized a showcase of electric cars – along with New England Electric Auto Association – as part of the library’s efforts to further scientific knowledge in the community. 
The electric car show, which runs from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, features a panel discussion and test drives of a variety of electric cars. 
This event is funded through a federal grant, intended to encourage science education, as was an August science fair held at the library. The ultimate purpose of the grant - which was also given to five other libraries in Maine and Massachusetts - is to develop a handbook librarians across the country can consult to develop their science programs."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170905/electric-car-show-at-bellingham-library-saturday

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

The Life of Reilly hosts Town Administrator Jeff Nutting

The Life of Reilly and Friends is regular Franklin TV show featuring Reilly Deforge, Tyler Afonso and Lilly Deforge. Other friends do appear from time to time in the episode.

This one features an interview with Town Administrator Jeff Nutting




You can more episodes on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC77c2YnSqVp2UAcIUZ97Pvw

The Life of Reilly hosts Town Administrator Jeff Nutting
The Life of Reilly hosts Town Administrator Jeff Nutting

Explore Organic Wines - Franklin Wine Club - Sep 9

Want To Explore Organic Wines? 

Join The Franklin Wine Club Saturday September 9th. 

Do You Know How To Tell Difference In A Certified Organic Wine VS Wine Made Using Organic Grapes? We Will Talk And Taste All About This!


Explore Organic Wines - Franklin Wine Club - Sep 9
Explore Organic Wines - Franklin Wine Club - Sep 9


Find tickets
https://www.meetup.com/preview/Franklin-Wine-Club/events/242871936

The Franklin Wine Club is organized by Franklin Liquors
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinWineClubMA/

FHS Girls Soccer Outlook for 2017

Hockomock Sports has published their outlook for girls soccer in the Kelly-Rex Division. We share the Franklin information here. Follow the link below to find the outlook on the other teams in the Kelly-Rex Division.


2015 Record: 10-3-5
2015 Finish: Reached D1 South First Round
Coach: Tom Geysen

After six straight league titles, Franklin had an atypical season in 2016. The Panthers only lost three times all season, but drew five times, struggling to find consistent goal scoring that would turn a tie into a win. Franklin only allowed nine goals, but only scored 36, which was 20 goals fewer than league champ Mansfield. This year, head coach Tom Geysen is working on a new formation to get the best out of his attacking options with the goal of returning to the top of the league standings. 
The Panthers return leading scorer Miranda Smith and the senior takes advantage of her size to create scoring opportunities in the box. Junior Halle Atkinson is back for her third year on the varsity and gives Franklin speed on the wings and is an accurate crosser of the ball to give Smith plenty of chances. Molly Duncan and Ellie Teixeira are also back and will give the Panthers a consistent presence in the center of midfield, while Emily Mastaj is another option on the wing. 
The key to Franklin’s defense this season will be senior goalie Cat Robbins. Stepping in between the posts last year, Robbins turned in an impressive year and quickly became one of the top goalies in the league. This year, there will be several new faces and younger players that will be counted on to step up on the defensive side of the ball, including senior Molly O’Reilly and juniors Grace Gallo and Madison Stewart. 
Geysen noted that there are several underclassmen that could step in during the season to add to the Panthers’ depth. He added, “We need to find the right mix. If we can patch things together and they can gain experience over the course of the season I’m confident that we will get better.”

Continue reading the Kelly-Rex Division outlook
https://hockomocksports.com/2017-kelley-rex-girls-soccer-preview/

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club meets Sep 13

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club kicks off the 2017/2018 season at our next monthly meeting. On Wednesday, September 13 we welcome you to join us. We have planned some fun social games; so come have fun and make some connections in your community.

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 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.


Newcomers and Friends: We're Back! - Meeting Sep 13
Newcomers and Friends: We're Back! - Meeting Sep 13

MassBudget: What is the state of working Massachusetts?





MassBudget
Information.
Participation.
 Massachusetts Budget and Policy CenterDemocracy.

New Study Finds MA Workers Joining Labor Force Faster Than Any Other State, Amid Strong Job Growth but Flat Wages


On this Labor Day there are some very positive signs in our economy, but our State of Working Massachusetts report finds that rapid job and labor force growth isn't leading to strong, broad-based wage growth. Our labor force has grown faster than any other state in 2017 - increasing 3.2 percent. Massachusetts has added close to 300,000 jobs since the start of the Great Recession in 2007. That's 9 percent job growth - among the highest rates of job growth in the country over that time.

While our economy is growing, we are not seeing strong wage growth for most workers. This continues a long-term trend in Massachusetts and in the United States: economic growth is not translating into wage and income growth for most workers and their families. Since 1979, median household income in Massachusetts has barely budged, growing only half a percentage point each year after adjusting for inflation. By contrast, among the highest-income one percent of households, income has risen by 4.3 percent annually. This is a national pattern, but it is particularly pronounced in Massachusetts. In fact, household income among the highest-income one percent has grown more rapidly in Massachusetts than in any other state: 341 percent between 1979 and 2014 (the most recent year for which data is available). Ten percent of all Massachusetts income went to the highest-income one percent of households in 1979. In 2014 it was 25 percent.

After years of stagnation and decline, we have seen strong growth in the wages of low-wage workers in Massachusetts over the last two years. After declining by almost 10 percent between 2008 and 2014, wages among the lowest-earning 10 percent of workers have increased by 8 percent since the state's minimum wage was increased by a dollar each year in 2015 and 2016.


Another bright sign in the data is that Massachusetts has the best educated workforce in the nation. In fact, in 2016 Massachusetts became the first state ever with 50 percent of its workforce holding a four-year college degree. Across the nation, the states with well-educated workforces consistently have stronger economies than those with less well-educated workforces. Massachusetts and New Jersey have the best educated workforces in the nation and workers in those states earn the highest wages. While that strength alone hasn't led to wage and income growth for all of our workers - a goal that likely requires improvements in the national economy, along with changes to state and federal policy, to achieve - it has put us in a strong position for our state economy to outperform the rest of the nation.

Read MassBudget's new State of Working Massachusetts 2017 report. 

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
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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108

Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact

Boys and Girls Youth Soccer Clinic - Oct 15

Presented by the Franklin High School Soccer Program

Instruction Provided by: FHS Soccer Team Members and Coaches

All skill levels welcome

Grades 1-6 boys 9-10:30 am Grades 1-6 girls 11-12:30 PM- Cost $25

The clinic will run rain or shine

Location: Franklin High School New Turf Field.

Content: The clinic will focus on skills and techniques for any level player.

Equipment: sneaker or cleats, shin guards and a soccer ball. 

Payment: Send the form with a check payable to Franklin Soccer Boosters by October 8, 2017: Kathleen O’Neil at 560 Coronation Dr., Franklin MA 02038. Email: franklinsoccerboosters@gmail.com





Boys and Girls Youth Soccer Clinic - October 15
Boys and Girls Youth Soccer Clinic - October 15

In the News: SNETT glimpse into past; Harvest Festival sign up now; FSPA open houses scheduled

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"For Dave Barber, a trip on Franklin and Bellingham section of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail isn’t just a chance to exercise your legs, it’s an opportunity to glimpse into the past. 
Barber, a member of the Blackstone River Bikeway Patrol, said he suggested the venue for a ride last Wednesday which was promoted through the Blackstone Heritage Corridor. 
During the ride, Barber, a member of the Franklin-Bellingham Rail Trail Committee, pointed out sights along the trail that others might miss. 
“There’s an area where Railroad Street used to cross the right of way,” he said. “The South Bellingham railroad station used to be there, and there was a trolley line as well.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170904/bellingham-bike-ride-promotes-rail-trail


SNETT_HChalk_1
SNETT in Franklin

"Franklin Downtown Partnership’s 15th annual Harvest Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 14 on Main, East Central and West Central streets. 
Plans for the festival are underway and booth space is filling up fast. Visitors will be treated to local entertainment, fall flavors from local restaurants, kid crafts and activities, shop specials, artwork and crafts by area artisans and information from community groups and vendors. 
Organizers expect booth space for this event to sell out. Partnership members will receive a booth for free; non-members will be charged $125. Downtown businesses must send in an application to ensure storefront space. Booths are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170904/strongfranklin-downtown-partnership-announces-harvest-festival-strong

Harvest Festival Parking Sign 2013
from the archives: a Harvest Festival Parking Sign from 2013

"Franklin School for the Performing Arts, 38 Main St., will expand this fall to assume the entire building of the Felix Cataldo Block in downtown Franklin.

FSPA will host open houses from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 9, and from 4-8 p.m. Sept. 19 at the school.

The renovation will connect all areas of the existing FSPA facility and provide spacious new dance and music studios, and a first floor waiting area for students and families. The expansion will also create and house Intermission, a new downtown cafe available to the FSPA community and open to the public."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170904/strongfranklin-school-for-performing-arts-announces-expansionstrong

FSPA will host open houses - Sep 9 and Sep 19
FSPA will host open houses - Sep 9 and Sep 19

Monday, September 4, 2017

Lessons from the Beloit Mindset List for the Class of 2021

An annual event is upon us again. As students (and educational professionals) return to school this September, thinking about how to approach this class and the opportunities they present will occupy some time for their reflection.

Three professors from Beloit College started this process 20 years ago by looking at what had happened during the life of the freshman class that they were faced with. Each August, the Mindset List is published. It is interesting to see what the world was for these college freshman as they grew up. The list is not meant to be the end all. It is meant to start the conversation.
"Teachers and counselors alike have used the Mindset List over the years, sometimes as the basis for one-on-one chats, and at other times for class discussions and even personal essays. This year’s List is no different. The annual Lists are wonderful icebreakers for counselors and professors and students. They stimulate intergenerational conversations."
What does the list look like? A sampling follows

  • They are the last class to be born in the 1900s, the last of the Millennials -- enter next year, on cue, Generation Z!
  • They are the first generation for whom a “phone” has been primarily a video game, direction finder, electronic telegraph, and research library.
  • There have always been emojis to cheer us up.
  • Donald Trump has always been a political figure, as a Democrat, an Independent, and a Republican.
  • Zappos has always meant shoes on the Internet.


As Franklinites prepare for the biennial town election this November. Let's think about 
  • Where we are? 
  • How did we get here? 
  • Where do we want to go? 
  • What do we need to do to move forward?

To help with the conversation, the election collection has thus far presented the background info on each of the elected bodies (Town Council, School Committee, Board of Assessors, Board of Health and Planning Board).

The offer to candidates to share their background and info has been made. Several candidates have taken up the offer and that information will be posted when complete.

Several key posts from the archive of Franklin Matters will be shared to remind us of the budget and other items that should be worthy of discussion as we prepare to cast our ballots on November 7.

If you have a suggestion (or two) on what you would like to see to help you prepare, please let me know. You can use any of the following methods:

I would also recommend that if you haven't already, please consider subscribing to the Franklin Matters daily newsletter. It is one email per day with all that is posted. You don't need to wait for Facebook to filter the newsfeed for you. The newsletter is delivered daily (approx 10:00 AM) and then you can keep informed.

Note the subscription is a two-step process. (1) Enter your email address (2) Reply to confirm your email address.


the Town Common in the rain Sunday morning
the Town Common in the rain Sunday morning


The full listing of the Beloit Mindset list for the class of 2021
https://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2021/

The Franklin Election Collection 2017 can be found
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/election-collection-2017.html


Franklin Election 2017: candidate interview questions

When you have an election ballot in front of you, you have a list of positions, a listing of candidates and a marker to fill in a circle next to one or more names.

How do you decide to make a choice?

To help you make your choice, I have offered to meet with all the candidates. My purpose is hear directly from them about their background and their views on the issues that they will work to resolve on Franklin’s behalf.

This is not an endorsement of any candidate. This is an information sharing exercise.

I’ll ask the same set of question of each candidate so that you can have some common ground to base your decision.

The questions I propose to start with are as follows:
1 - Tell me a bit about yourself, your family and your life here in Franklin? What is your Franklin story?

2 - What do you see as your role’s biggest challenge and do you have any suggestions on how we can resolve it? 
3 - What experience or background will help you to serve in this role? What do you bring to the table that helps to set you apart from the others?

If you have some suggestions, I’d like to hear them. I may find during the course of the interviews that I should tweak the questions. If I do that, I’ll post the updated questions here.

For the candidates, while we start with these three sets of questions, our conversation may bring up other questions to help clarify the point you are trying to make.

The candidate interviews will be posted here and included in the Election Collection for 2017
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/election-collection-2017.html


#2069 sign at Franklin Police Station on Panther Way
#2069 sign at Franklin Police Station on Panther Way

Franklin, MA: Town Offices Closed Monday September 4, 2017


Town Offices Closed Monday September 4, 2017
Town Offices Closed Monday September 4, 2017
This was shared from the Town of Franklin page