Andrew Scott Holmes To Star In FPAC’s "Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) is pleased to announce initial casting for the upcoming production of the hit family musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Andrew Scott Holmes will play the title role of Joseph, with Ali Funkhouser as The Narrator.

After almost two years at sea working for Princess Cruises as a Resident Guest Entertainer, Holmes returns home to take the stage with FPAC. After attending Baldwin Wallace University to obtain a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre, Andrew has been traveling the world working in regional theatre and cruise ships alike. From Goodspeed Opera House to Great Lakes Theater to Playhouse Square and beyond, Andrew has played leading roles and has understudied Broadway stars. He is a member of Actor’s Equity Association and will appear at THE BLACK BOX under a special appearance agreement. 

Andrew Scott Holmes

FPAC and Joseph director Raye Lynn Mercer notes, “Our first guest contract at THE BLACK BOX brings to our stage Andrew Scott Holmes as Joseph, and opens the door for us to feature FPAC alumni who are now working professionally.” Returning to his Franklin School for the Performing Arts and FPAC roots, Holmes will share the stage with friends, his theatre family, and talented stars of tomorrow.

Ali Funkhouser

Funkhouser is returning to Joseph for the third time, having appeared in the children’s ensemble of the 2004 national tour starring Patrick Cassidy, and as The Narrator during her time at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts. Other credits include the national tour of Evita, Legally Blonde with The LEX, and Puccini’s Suor Angelica with Chelsea Opera (NYC). An Equity Membership Candidate, she will receive her Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Theatre this spring from Oklahoma City University, where she appeared in productions of Hairspray, Company, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Curtains, and Shakespeare’s Pericles.

Both local stars are alumni of the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), veteran actors with FPAC, and former members of Electric Youth. Holmes has appeared in FPAC productions of Footloose (Ren), Into the Woods (Jack), The Nutcracker (Nutcracker Prince/Russian), ’Tis the Season! (Featured Vocalist), West Side Story, and more. Funkhouser’s FPAC credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), The Sound of Music (Liesl), Humbug! (Freddie), Annie (Star-to-Be), and several solo cabarets.

Under the direction of Raye Lynn Mercer, with musical direction by Hallie Wetzell, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be staged for six performances on March 10 and 11 and March 16-18 at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street in Franklin. The box office is open and tickets are available by visiting THEBLACKBOXonline.com. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is presented by arrangement with The Musical Company, LP.

Franklin Receives MIIA’s “Community Excellence” Award

In recognition of its commitment to community-wide risk management through both individual departments and community leadership, the Town of Franklin has earned the "Community Excellence" award from the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA), the town's property and casualty insurance provider. MIIA presented the award to Franklin during the association's annual meeting in Boston on January 20th.

"Congratulations to the Town of Franklin for demonstrating an enthusiastic enterprise-wide commitment to risk management and safety," said Stephen Batchelder, director of Claims Operations for MIIA.

The town's Public Works and Facility Maintenance departments have proactively engaged in, and focused on, OSHA-related training and implementation of risk management best practices. Their collaborative efforts include comprehensive quarterly safety meetings in which they review and investigate all incidents, routine site and building inspections, and continue use of MIIA Rewards training.

"This award is team effort and a testament to the hard work our town departments," said Jamie Hellen, deputy Town Administrator for the Town of Franklin. "Our staff at the DPW, Facilities, Custodians, Police, Fire, Library and Schools do a great job providing training opportunities for our employees to reduce work place injuries and accidents and provide a safe working environment for the community. It is also important to note their efforts have helped save the taxpayers almost $60,000 on our insurance premium for next year. These are the little things our staff do on a day-to-day basis that makes our organization function effectively. The town appreciates MIIA's support and recognition of the hard work our town departments put in."

Factors considered to earn the community excellence award are solid implementation of risk management fundamentals such as on-going and effective safety committees, focused training, and a commitment to strong infrastructure and maintenance protocols throughout the entire community. In addition, awarded communities actively seek out new and creative ways to drive safety and mitigate risk.

About MIIA
The Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) is the non-profit insurance arm of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. As a member-based organization, MIIA's only focus is to provide excellent service and quality risk management solutions to Massachusetts' municipalities and related public entities. Municipal insurance its only business, MIIA insures nearly 400 cities, towns, and other public entities in Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.emiia.org and www.mma.org.

FHS boys swim team takes 1st Hockomock League Championship

Via HockomockSports and Twitter we share the results of the FHS sports action on Friday, Feb 2, 2018


Boys Swimming = Hockomock League Championships (@ Milford)

FHS Boys swim team takes Hockomock Championship in a true team way,
only 1 individual 1st place finish but lots of depth

2018 #Hockomock Boys Swimming Championships team results:

1. Franklin - 343 (pictured)
2. Oliver Ames - 296
3. King Philip - 259.5
4. Milford - 234
5. North Attleboro - 194

2018 #Hockomock Boys Swimming Championships team results:

1. Franklin - 343 (pictured)
2. Oliver Ames - 296
3. King Philip - 259.5
4. Milford - 234
5. North Attleboro - 194 pic.twitter.com/0quNwnvOuz

— Ryan Lanigan (@R_Lanigan) February 3, 2018

Is this real life??? #hockomockchampions #lastonefastone pic.twitter.com/uFyavsSzAO

— Coach Balliro (@coachB_fhs) February 3, 2018

https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20172018/Winter-2017-2018/Hockomock-Boys-Swim-Championships-02-02-18/

Boys Basketball = Oliver Ames, 36 @ Franklin, 70 – Final
– Franklin was in control from the beginning with sophomore Chris Edgehill scoring a team-high 24 points in the win.

Girls Basketball = Franklin, 54 @ Oliver Ames, 61 – Final
Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap

"Oliver Ames and Franklin had a lot on the line in Friday night’s game at the William F. Nixon Gym. The teams were tied for second place in the Kelley-Rex division and trying to stay within two games of league-leading Mansfield (which has to play both the Panthers and Tigers again this year), while OA was also trying to clinch its spot in the state tournament. 

Behind 29 points from senior forward Kayla Raymond and defensive adjustments strong contributions off the bench in the second half, OA rallied from three points down at the break for a 61-54 come from behind victory and a split of the season series with the Panthers. 

In the first half, everything offensively for the Tigers ran through Raymond. The Stonehill-commit scored 12 of OA’s 14 points in the first quarter, twice scoring on three-point plays taking the ball to the basket. She added another four in the second in the second, while Caroline Flynn knocked down a three and Abby Reardon added four."

Continue reading the game recap online
https://hockomocksports.com/raymond-oliver-ames-girls-basketball-beat-franklin-to-book-playoff-spot/

For a photo gallery from this game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20172018/Winter-2017-2018/Oliver-Ames-Franklin-Girls-Basketball-2-2-18/

For other results around the Hockomock League on Friday
https://hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-02-02-18/

Franklin Public Library: Marc Berger - RIDE - Feb 10

Marc Berger is scheduled to perform at the Franklin Public Library, Saturday, Feb 10 at 2:00 PM.

"Marc’s life has been about pursuing twin passions: creating and recording his American roots songs, and exploring remote areas of the desert and mountain West. After signing his first publishing contract while in law school, he fronted rock bands and performed regularly in New York City clubs like CBGB, Wetlands, and The Knitting Factory. All through this period, he’d find ways to get into the West, picking up details from fellow wilderness junkies about off the beaten path locales and filing them away for future reference. 

On one of these trips, he became intrigued by the cover of THE BIG IT, a book of short stories by A.B. Guthrie he found on a revolving paperback rack in a Navajo reservation trading post. It got him thinking about using his travels to create a set of songs in the cultural tradition of writers like Guthrie and visual artists like John Ford and Frederick Remington. Marc and Co-Producer Mike Ricciardi now present RIDE, ten cinematic recordings reflecting his romantic connection to the American West and exploring the value of its myths to contemporary culture. 

Marc’s performed at Austin’s South by Southwest Music Festival and The Kerrville and Falcon Ridge Folk Festivals and has opened shows for Bob Dylan and other national acts. His song THE LAST ONE was a staple of Richie Havens’ concerts for years and has been quoted in the NY Times and featured on The CBS Evening News."

For more about Marc, visit his web page  http://marcbergermusic.com/

Franklin Public Library: Marc Berger - RIDE - Feb 10

Senator Ross: State House Update - January 2018

Note: this newsletter was shortened for publication here, to view the full contents follow this link

Monthly update from your State Senator for the constituents of Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex District.

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, January 2018 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 is already February which means it is Black History month and Valentines day. The first month of the year has been a busy one and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to continue improving our great Commonwealth. Tax season is coming up and I will be in the district holding seminars on the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit. I have had the pleasure of meeting various constituents from our district at these seminars and at my office hours. I appreciate hearing from you on the things that matter to our district and our Commonwealth. It is an honor to serve as your State Senator. As always, please feel free to reach out to my office directly at 617-722-1555 or email Richard.Ross@masenate.gov. Sincerely,   Attleboro February 12th 2018 9:30am – 10:30am Attleboro Council on Aging 25 S Main Street North Attleboro February 12th, 2018 11:00am – 12:00pm North Attleboro COA 204 Elm Street Wrentham 9:30am – 10:30am February 20th, 2018 Wrentham COA 400 Taunton Street Franklin 11:00am – 12:00pm February 20th, 2018 Franklin COA 10 Daniel McCahill Street Wayland March 12th, 2018 10:30am – 11:30am Wayland COA 41 Cochituate Road Wellesley March 12th, 2018 12:00pm – 1:00pm Wellesley COA 500 Washington Street Needham March 19th, 2018 10:30am – 11:30am Needham Community Center 570 Hillside Drive Natick March 19th, 2018 12:00pm – 1:00pm

In the News: school funding forum - Feb 13; necklace looking to be returned to owner 40 years later

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

"With a challenging budget cycle ahead, the School Committee will hold a legislative forum on education funding on Feb. 13, 7 p.m., in the Franklin High School lecture hall, 218 Oak St. 

The goal of the forum is to increase transparency in the school system, and to pick the brains of stakeholders on topics such as rising health insurance, transportation, special education tuition, and other finance related topics. 

They will also discuss a number of unfunded state mandates and the lack of funds to support them throughout the district."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180202/franklin-schools-to-hold-funding-forum

Additional info on the School Committee Forum can be found
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/01/franklin-school-committee-legislative.html

Community entrance to FHS

"When something goes missing, hope of ever finding it seems to fade away over time. Franklin native and Shrewsbury resident Keith Lippert is looking to restore that hope to someone who lost a necklace nearly 40 years ago. 

When Lippert was about 11 years old, around 1980, he found a St. Christopher medallion in the sand of Beaver Pond during a stroll. 

“After hours, I found this necklace in the sand,” he said. “No one was there to turn it into, so as child would do, I just took it home and threw it in my drawer.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180202/franklin-native-looks-to-return-long-lost-necklace

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 2/2/18 - THU 2/8/18

FRIDAY 2/2/18
10am-12pm   Knitting Group @ Franklin Public Library
3-6pm   Charles River Meadowlands Information Day @ Franklin Public Library
3:30pm   Groundhog Storytime @ Franklin Public Library
4:30pm   Reading of Mish Michael’s book Ms. G and Her Shadowy Road to Fame with guest reader Melanie Hamblen @ Franklin Public Library
7pm   Jazz Cafe @ Franklin High School

SATURDAY 2/3/18
10am-1pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
4-7pm   Beer Extravaganza: Super Bowl Edition @ Pour Richard’s
5:30-10:30pm   National Elks Foundation BOLA Fundraiser @ Elks Lodge
7:30pm   Music of Leonard Cohen by Marcus Dagan @ Original Congregational Church in Wrentham

SUNDAY 2/4/18
7:30-10:30am   Sunday Breakfast @ Franklin Rod and Gun Club
1-4pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
1pm   Free Family Series Concert: New England Percussion Ensemble @ The Black Box

MONDAY 2/5/18
10:30am   Move Along @ Franklin Public Library
11am   Toddler Playgroup @ Franklin Public Library
11am   Book Discussion Group @ Franklin Senior Center
3pm   Monday Crafternoons @ Franklin Public Library

TUESDAY 2/6/18
10:30am   Get Ready for Kindergarten @ Franklin Public Library
11:15am   Toddler Playgroup @ Franklin Public Library
6:30pm   Friends Book Group @ Franklin Public Library
7pm   Franklin Garden Club Monthly Meeting and Talk: Attracting Wild Birds Year Round (open to public) @ Franklin Senior Center
7pm   Valentine Chocolate and Wine Tasting @ Franklin Liquors

WEDNESDAY 2/7/18
10am   Animal Tales (for ages 2.5-5) @ Fairmount Fruit Farm
10:30am   Terrific Toddlers @ Franklin Public Library
11am   Toddler Playgroup @ Franklin Public Library
4pm   Construction Junction @ Franklin Public Library
6:30pm   Christian Zen Weekly Meditation @ McMahon Guest House (1061 Upper Union Street)
6:30pm   Friends of Franklin Library Meeting @ Franklin Public Library
6:30pm   YA Dystopian Book Club @ Franklin Public Library
7pm   Franklin Newcomers and Friends Monthly Meeting: Game Night @ 3 Restaurant

THURSDAY 2/8/18
9:30am   Baby Tummy Time (ages 0-18 months) @ Franklin Public Library
10:30am   Story and Craft @ Franklin Public Library
11am   Daniel Kozar: Dean College Theatre Plays Discussion @ Franklin Senior Center
11:15am   Toddler Playgroup @ Franklin Public Library
12pm   Urban Sketching (no experience necessary) @ Franklin Public Library
12:15-1:45pm   Tri-County Children’s Center Open House and Registration @ 147 Pond Street
1pm   Create Valentine Cards @ Franklin Senior Center
1-6pm   American Red Cross Blood Drive @ Elks Lodge
3:30pm   Discovery Workshop @ Franklin Public Library
7-9pm   Concert Hour Recital @ Franklin High School
7pm   Healing Hearts Community Support Group @ Franklin YMCA 

For the Town of Franklin Public Calendar click HERE.

For all other events and Franklin happenings click HERE.

*To submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this FORM