Community Forum with Superintendent Sara Ahern - Nov 30 - 6:30 PM

"As your new Superintendent of Schools, I am seeking to gain the perspectives of various stakeholders across the Franklin Public Schools. 

I am thrilled to invite community members to attend a forum where I will engage in listening to your thoughts on the strengths of the district and opportunities for growth. 

Additionally, the forums will afford me the opportunity to share more about myself and my thoughts on education." 

-- Sara E. Ahern, Ed.D.

DATE: November 30, 2017
TIME:  6:30 - 8:00 PM
PLACE: 
Municipal Building - 3rd Floor Training Room
355 East Central St.

Community Forum with Superintendent Sara Ahern - Nov 30 - 6:30 PM

This was shared from the Franklin Public Schools page (PDF)
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_News/025B74C4-000F8513.0/Community%20Forum%20%20Announcement%202017.pdf


Superintendent Ahern's Entry Plan was published here earlier
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZmF5TTlBN2xwU3N6a0piT1dsdlkzZm9VUHlj/view?usp=sharing

Franklin Library closing early Wednesday, closed Thursday

The Franklin Public Library will close at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, Nov 22 and be closed all day Thursday, Nov 23 for Thanksgiving.

Franklin Library closing early Weds, closed Thursday

For more info about the renovated Franklin Public Library visit their official Town of Franklin web page  http://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library

A Remembrance of Alice Wiggin - (1878 - 1966)

Shared by Robert Percy, Franklin Historical Commission:

In 1885, two seven year old girls moved to Franklin, and lived in two newly built houses right next to each other on Crescent St. One was May Fales; the other was Alice Wiggin. They would become fast friends, and remained best friends for the rest of their lives.

Alice Wiggin taught English at Franklin High School for 42 years, starting as a young woman. She had attended Radcliffe College, one of the finest womens’ colleges in the country. By all accounts she was a talented and beloved teacher. The 1929 Franklin High School yearbook, the Oskey, was dedicated to her. In it, her students say:

She is a master of the art of teaching English literature… She is a critic capable of grasping and explaining her subject with clearness and precision by the use of short and simple words… She shows a remarkable breadth of judgment, a patience that never wearies, a quiet enthusiasm which no difficulty can distort or destroy, and great insight which can give richness to literature and new meanings to old dogmas.

This is powerful praise from her students. They go on to say:

As a friend, she loves her pupils for what they are, radiating to them by precept, sympathy and example, what she would have them be. Her creed — “Be a friend; the rest will follow.”

We are here today because of something that happened much earlier. In 1911, an eight year old girl and her four younger siblings were abandoned at South Station in Boston by their mother. This little girl was Sophie Aronofsky, who later came to live with a foster family in Franklin. At first, the soft-spoken Sophie was a student in Alice Wiggin’s English class. 

Because she showed such great promise as a student and as a human being, Alice took a great interest in her, and she came to live at Alice’s house. Alice encouraged Sophie to apply to Radcliffe College, which she attended from 1919 to 1923. Inspired by Alice’s example, Sophie went on to become a high school teacher in Duxbury and Quincy, and teacher of French, Latin, and English in California.

We are honored to have Sophie’s family here today. Sophie’s daughter Sarita Jo Mattson has powerful and loving memories of traveling from California to Massachusetts to stay with Alice multiple times while her mother was battling

cancer: once in 1948 when she was eight, for an entire year in 1952 when she was 12, and again at age 16 in 1956. Alice would also visit Sophie and family in San Diego several times while Sophie was battling cancer there.

Alice had a brilliant and active mind, but she was not the best housekeeper. Items were piled high everywhere, but visitors and neighbors and guests of all kind were always welcome.

In the words of Sarita Jo Mattson, Alice’s house was sort of a mini retirement home. Living with her was another Franklin High School teacher named Doc Fraser. Another was Frank Weaver, a visually impaired piano tuner, along with his wife Florence. The couple lived with Alice for the remainder of their lives. Alice also cared for two other foster daughters: Alice Dutton and Elizabeth Stewart Kubli, and for Sophie’s brother Samuel and sister Lil.

In later life, Alice would read new books for the Town Library and advised them on what to buy. Alice was a good cook and enjoyed cooking and eating. She helped people in need by cooking for them and delivering meals to their houses. She drove neighbors and friends to doctors’ appointments.

Alice passed away from a heart attack in 1966 at the age of 88. The whereabouts of her remains was a mystery for some time. We are honored and humbled that she rests here, in the place she cared so much about, in the town she has done so much for.

Her lifelong friend May lived to be 100, and rests here with her husband, brother… and her dear friend Alice. In this place of remembrance, their close bonds remain.


Union Street Cemetery 
Franklin, MA 
November 18, 2017

A Remembrance of Alice Wiggin - (1878 - 1966)

Mary Olsson before the unveiling

those who gathered pose for a photo

THE BLACK BOX Local Artist Series: DayBreakers with Copilot - Nov 22

THE BLACK BOX Local Artist Series presents DayBreakers with Copilot at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22. Blending folk-rock melodies with blues guitar muscle and rock ‘n’ roll grit, the DayBreakers have crafted their own sound on the backs of bands like the Rolling Stones, The Black Crowes, The Allman Brothers, and the Eagles. Combining rock ‘n’ roll, blues, country, and funk, the band has worked tirelessly to craft a sound that is filled with hard riffs and soulful melodies. 

Copilot is an American Pop duo based in Norfolk, Massachusetts. As Copilot, Ry McDonald and Maggie Quealy explore their passion and unique Americana music through their popular covers and original songs in a way that many listeners haven’t heard before. 

Tickets are $10 if purchased in advance or $12 at the door. For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370

THE BLACK BOX Local Artist Series: DayBreakers - Nov 22

THE BLACK BOX Local Artist Series: Copilot - Nov 22

Accomplishments this weekend for FHS cheerleaders, Unified basketball, basketball, and hockey students

Via the Twitterverse, I find that there were some key accomplishments this weekend for FHS cheerleaders, Unified basketball, basketball, and hockey students.

Did I miss any? Please add +Franklin Matters  to the tweet/retweet so I'll find it and share

Congratulations, Cheer took 2nd place today at States! Amazing job. pic.twitter.com/e6HjjfNHOE

— FHS CHEER (@FHScheer_) November 19, 2017

Congrats Franklin HS, recipients of 2017 Central Section Unified Basketball sportsmanship award!! #choosetoinclude #gameonmiaa pic.twitter.com/Iu12pxAUCZ

— Rachel Moo (@moo_miaa) November 19, 2017

Great Fall Seaver Tournament, went 4-0 and ready for the season to start up #hardwork pic.twitter.com/vkThob34Y2

— FHS Basketball (@_FHSBasketball) November 19, 2017

Annual community service for the team - decorating downtown @FHSPantherHocke pic.twitter.com/94bZXLMfdl

— FHSPantherHockey (@FHSPantherHocke) November 19, 2017

Wrapping up the @fhs_unified bball jamboree by winning the sportsmanship award. It doesn't get better than that!!

Franklin Federated Church: Christmas with All the Bells and Whistles! - Nov 25

Franklin Federated Church presents "Christmas with All the Bells and Whistles!," a concert featuring the New England Ringers and organist Richard Bunbury, on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 7:30 PM at the church at 171 Main Street.

This concert is a great opportunity to get in the mood for the season! The church will be decorated with lights and greens, and the concert will feature such favorites as Joy to the World, Greensleeves, Angels from the Realms of Glory, Silent Night, The First Noel, and Go Tell It on the Mountain.

This concert will mark the first time that the New England Ringers - the region's premier handbell ensemble - will perform accompanied by an organ (which, after all, is a big whistle.) The 14 ringers perform with a 6 octave set of Schulmerich Handbells.

Tickets for the concert are $15 each. They can be purchased at the door, or in advance by calling the church office at 508-528-3803. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the mission and ministry of Franklin Federated Church, a welcoming and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ and American Baptist Churches.

Franklin Federated Church is accessible to the disabled via a ramp off the left driveway next to the church. 

Christmas with All the Bells and Whistles! - Nov 25

For more about the New England Bell Ringers, visit their web page  http://newenglandringers.org

For more about the Franklin Federated Church, visit their web page http://www.franklinfederated.org/

Register O'Donnell Reports Flat Real Estate Sales in Norfolk County for October 2017

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Reports Flat Real Estate Sales in Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell reported flat real estate sales in Norfolk County for the month of October as well as the continuing decline in mortgage activity. Register O'Donnell stated, "There were a total of 1,537 real estate sales, both residential and commercial, in Norfolk County for October, representing a 1% increase year over year. The average sales price, again for both residential and commercial, was $716,650 for the month, a 5% decrease compared to October 2016. Additionally, the total dollar sales volume for these properties was $682 million, a 1% decrease compared to the previous year." October mortgage activity showed a sobering picture with a sharp decline. O'Donnell noted, "A total of 2,403 mortgages were recorded during the month of October, a 23% decrease from the previous year. Total mortgage indebtedness also decreased significantly by 48% to $1.09 billion. This number was impacted further by a $600 million mortgage taken out by Steward Norwood Hospital back in October 2016. With that said, there is no questions consumers are wary of committing large sums of money for items such as home improvements and other capital expenditures." However, there was good news when it came to foreclosure activity. A total of 26 foreclosure deeds were recorded in October compared to 34 recorded during the same time in 2016, a 23% reduction. Another positive sign was the number of Notice to Foreclose Mortgage recordings, the first step in the foreclosure process. Fifty-nine Notice to Foreclose Mortgages were filed in October compared to 77 year over year, a drop-off of 24%. Register O'Donnell stated, "Foreclosure numbers are continuing to trend in the right direction, which is excellent news. With that said, we must remember that foreclosure activity has a human face, even during these good economic times. My office remains committed to partnering with the Quincy Community Action Programs, 617-479-8181 x376, and NeighborWorks Southern Mass, 508-587-0950 to help homeowners who have received a Notice to Foreclose Mortgage document. A third option is to contact the Massachusetts Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD) at 617-727-8400." The number of Homesteads recorded during the month of October was also flat. A total of 1,034 Homesteads were filed compared to 1,010 during the previous October. O'Donnell reiterated the importance of filing a Homestead, "A Homestead provides limited protection against the forced sale of an individual's primary residence to satisfy unsecured debt up to $500,000." Register O'Donnell concluded, "Real estate sales activity in Norfolk County is in a bit of a holding pattern. We will not see any significant breakthrough until available inventory increases. Another issue to keep in mind is the potential of interest rate hikes and its impact on both real estate sales and lending activity. My office will continue to monitor the situation very closely throughout the balance of calendar year 2017." 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 and instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street, Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website at www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@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

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831 Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with Try it free today

Register O'Donnell Reports Flat Real Estate Sales in Norfolk County for October 2017