"Health care is a big budget item to begin with"

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

"About half the more than 430,000 people covered by Group Insurance Commission plans will see a decrease in their premiums in fiscal 2019 and on average there will be no increase in premiums, GIC Executive Director Roberta Herman said Thursday. 

“This is kind of unheard of,” Herman told the GIC board Thursday. She said, “This is not something that you should expect to see year after year.” 

The commission provides health coverage to state and municipal employees, covering 436,000 people with a budget of over $2 billion. 

The GIC had a goal of premiums increasing by 2 percent in fiscal 2019, and health care costs generally increase annually. The market indicated the GIC could see increases of 6 to 9 percent in fiscal 2019, according to the GIC."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180222/new-insurance-plan-will-cost-200000-public-employees-less

For more about the MA Group Insurance Commission visit their webpage
https://www.mass.gov/about-the-group-insurance-commission

MA Group Insurance Commission

Hit Family Musical Highlights March Events at THE BLACK BOX

THE BLACK BOX presents an exciting line-up of live music and theatrical entertainment this March. Programming will bring NYC-based Broadway stars, talented local artists, and a colorful family musical to the theater, music and event venue in downtown Franklin.

On Friday, March 2 at 8 p.m., THE BLACK BOX Local Artist Series presents “The Gershwin-Porter Songbook,” featuring vocalist Cindy Jones. The evening will showcase American music of George Gershwin and Cole Porter, two of the most prolific composers of the 20th century. Their music remains as fresh and irresistible as it did during the Jazz Age. Cindy Jones, along with special guest Alan Mercer, will be joined by a nine-piece band of some of the area’s finest musicians, conducted by Bill Jones. Tickets are $20.

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents the hit family musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, on Saturday, March 10 at 2:00 and 7:30; Sunday, March 11 at 2:00; Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17 at 7:30; and Sunday, March 18 at 2:00. Based on the biblical Joseph story, the lively Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical follows the trials and triumphs of Jacob’s favorite son in a high-adventure retelling of epic proportions. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is an uplifting show for audiences of all ages. 

Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat

Andrew Scott Holmes returns to the FPAC stage to star in the title role, after almost two years at sea working for Princess Cruises as a Resident Guest Entertainer. An Actor’s Equity Association member, he has played leading roles and understudied Broadway stars at regional theaters, from Goodspeed Opera House to Great Lakes Theater to Playhouse Square and beyond. Tickets are $34. Middlesex Savings Bank is the production sponsor. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is presented by arrangement with The Musical Company, LP.

Electric Youth 2018, the international touring ensemble of talented young singer-dancers, returns to THE BLACK BOX on Friday evening, March 23 at 7:30, offering family entertainment for all ages. Backed by an eight-piece band of world-class musicians, Electric Youth presents fully choreographed, high-energy music, including pop, classic rock, Broadway and country hits. Tickets are $26.

The Electric Youth show opens FPAC’s annual Broadway In Franklin weekend, which concludes with a cabaret-style revue on Sunday, March 25 at 3 p.m., featuring Broadway headliners Tyrick Wiltez Jones and Nikki Snelson, as well as appearances by Electric Youth and musical theater students from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts. Nikki Snelson originated the role of Brooke Wyndham in the 2007 original Broadway production of Legally Blonde: The Musical. Other Broadway credits include Annie Get Your Gun (starring opposite Bernadette Peters) and Sweet Charity. National tours include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Hello Dolly (starring Carol Channing), Showboat and tick, tick…BOOM! Tyrick Wiltez Jones was recently seen as Gary in the world-premiere Broadway preview of Johnny Manhattan. Additional Broadway credits include Finian’s Rainbow and Hairspray. National tours include Miss Saigon, Seussical, Fosse and Showboat. Tickets are $25 (adults) and $22 (students/seniors).

THE BLACK BOX Local Artist Series presents Yookeroo on Saturday, March 24 at 8 p.m. A progressive rock quartet based in Massachusetts, Yookeroo has played across the northeast and recently released their first full-length album, Into the Æther. Tickets are $15.

For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370. The home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company, THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 West Central Street.

Economic Development subcommittee meeting - Feb 21, 2018

A collection via Storify of the Twitter posts during the Economic Development subcommittee  meeting held in room 205 of the Municipal Building on Feb 21, 2018

Be sure to scroll within the Storify widget to view all the posts.
https://storify.com/shersteve/economic-development-committee-meeting-feb-21-2018

Economic Development subcommittee meeting - Feb 21, 2018

HMEA's incredABLE 5K is coming - May 20

Do Something incredABLE!

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

SAVE THE DATE Celebrate the ABLE in all of us! This event helps raise much needed funds, so we can continue to offer hope, help, and a bright future to people with autism and other developmental disabilities. SUNDAY, MAY 20, 2018 Dell EMC - 50 Constitution Blvd, Franklin, MA RUN: Registration 8 AM - Start 9 AM WALK: Registration 10 AM - Start 11 AM Do something incredABLE! Run | Walk | Fundraise | Volunteer Register today at  hmea.org/incredABLE  5K Run / Walk | 2 Kids Fun Runs | Entertainment | Food | and more

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

FHS boys and girls hockey post wins; V and JV cheerleading teams take 1st in Invitational

Via HockomockSports and Twitter we share the results of the FHS sports action on Wednesday, Feb 21, 2018


Boys Hockey = Franklin, 3 @ Barnstable, 2 – Final (OT) 
– Joe Lizzotte scored the game-winner in overtime to send Franklin to the final of the Barnstable tournament to face Marshfield. The game counts as a 2-2 tie for MIAA seeding purposes. Brendan O’Rielly and Jack McGrath also scored for the Panthers.

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 7 vs. Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake, 1 – Final

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-21-18/

FHS Panthers

Via the Twitterverse

https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports

Shepherd Hill Cheerleading Invitational: 1st place for both JV and Varsity! Varsity was also named the Tournament Grand Champion!!! #PantherPride pic.twitter.com/PHvgnyExJi

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) February 22, 2018

Franklin 2 Barnstable 2, Franklin wins it OT for tournament purposes. Goals from Brendan O’RIelly, Jack McGrath and ot winner to Joe Lizzotte. Finals tomorrow at 5 vs Marshfield. Hard hat to Miller. @MassHSHockey @MyHockeyLive @HockomockSports @BGlobeSports @MetroWestSports

— Coach Spillane (@FHS_PuckCoach) February 22, 2018

7-1 win vs WHSL‼️ Goals by Paterson (5), Hinckley, and Dwyer!! 🏒 Onto tournament #GoPanthers

— FHS Girls Hockey (@fhsvgockey) February 21, 2018

Thanks to our 4th grade teams for joining us this morning! Lots of fun and the future is bright. pic.twitter.com/Jxn19l20AI

— Franklin Girls Bball (@fhsgvbasketball) February 21, 2018

Franklin Art Association: Kim Morin Weinick - Mar 7

The Franklin Art Association will meet on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street in Franklin. 

Refreshments and social time will begin at 6:30 PM followed by a short business meeting and a pastel demonstration by Kim Morin Weinick, a pastel and oil artist who concentrates on the beauty of interpretive landscapes. Meetings are free and open to the public. 

For more information log on to http://www.franklinart.org/

For more about Kim Morin Weinick, visit her webpage  http://www.kimweineck.com/

Franklin Art Association: Kim Morin Weinick - Mar 7

An Evening with Patty Larkin March 3

The fabulous Patty Larkin returns to Circle of Friends March 3rd

View this email in your browser An Evening with PATTY LARKIN March 3 - 8 PM $25 Award winning Boston-based singer-songwriter and guitarist Patty Larkin returns to the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse on Saturday, March 3rd, at 8PM. She redefines the boundaries of folk-urban pop music with her inventive guitar wizardry and uncompromising vocals and lyrics. Rolling Stone praises her "evocative and sonic shading." She has been described as "riveting" (Chicago Tribune), "hypnotic" (Entertainment Weekly) and a "drop-dead brilliant" performer (Performing Songwriter). Larkin's new release Still Green, her 13th recording, plays out in Technicolor sound images, a kaleidoscope of sun and sea traveling from the fluorescent-lit hallways of grief to the warm pull of love, family and nature. Much of it written in a primitive dune shack on the Outer Banks of Cape Cod's National Seashore, Still Green is a fresh approach to sound and life from a legendary songwriter who continues to amaze. Patty's previous release, 25, celebrated a quarter century of music making with a 25-song, career retrospective reworked with voice and guitar and 25 friends.  Among them, Grammy winners (Rosanne Cash, Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin, Janis Ian), and a veritable who's-who of singer songwriters (Bruce Cockburn, Martin Sexton, Dar Williams, Greg Brown, Mary Chapin Carpenter), and others. Patty is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music, where she is now an Artist in Residence. She has earned eleven Boston Music Awards and has been honored by Boston's Mayor Thomas Menino for her philanthropic contributions to non-profit organizations. "A virtuoso guitar player and mood-shaper...She is also a superb slide guitarist whose mature work is comparable to the best of Bonnie Raitt and Lucinda Williams."  NY Times "Patty Larkin transmits eccentric magic." Joel Brown (The Boston Globe) The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Tickets for this shows are $25.  Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. Upcoming Shows Mar 17     An Evening with Tom Rush Apr 7        Gretchen Peters with Carolann Solebello Apr 28      Pat Donohue May 12     Antje Duvekot with The Starlight Honeys

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Dean College performs Twelfth Night

The Dean College School of the Arts is now playing its first theatre production of the semester, Twelfth Night. The show opens TONIGHT and will run through this Sunday, February 25th, 2018.

Twelfth Night is a comedy set in the Hotel de Illyria on the French Riviera. The play centers on the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola, disguised as a boy, falls in love with Duke Orsino, who in turn is in love with the Countess Olivia. Throw into this mix a cast of characters, which includes Sir Tobey Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Feste the Fool, the lusty Maria, and taciturn Malvolio, and you have a riotous tale of mistaken gender and love triumphant on the Cote d'Azur of the Roaring 20'

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets!
http://www.dean.edu/boxoffice

Dean College performs Twelfth Night

Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7:30 PM
Saturday, Sunday at 2:00 PM
Performing Arts Studios Stage Franklin, MA

PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY: Rabies found on Daniels St

"A raccoon found near 85 Daniels Street on February 15th has tested positive for the rabies virus. Animals infected with the rabies virus may be unsteady on their feet or act aggressively. 

Residents are urged not to approach any wild animal which appears to be sick or injured. Please contact Franklin Animal Control immediately at 508-520-4922, or you may call the Franklin Police Department for assistance. 

Anyone who has direct contact with a wild animal that is acting unusual should contact either Franklin Animal Control or the Franklin Health Department without delay."

http://www.franklinma.gov/health-department

This was shared from the Town of Franklin webpage
http://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/public-health-advisory-0

You're invited to Community Arts Advocacy Day 2018

Register now to join us for a day of grassroots advocacy and educational workshops for arts & culture organizations.

Register now for CAAD2018! Action and IMPACT: Community Arts Advocacy Day 2018 is a multi-town event bringing together artists, art advocates, cultural organizations, and local businesses to participate in a day of grassroots activism and education. Agenda: 8:00 - 9:00          Registration, Breakfast and Networking 9:00 - 9:10           Welcome Address 9:10 - 9:25           Why Advocate? 9:25 - 9:40           MASSCreative: Advocating for Public Funding for the Arts, Arts Education and Public Art 9:40 - 10:00        Creative Break to Advocate…grassroots advocacy activities 10:10 - 11:10        Educational Workshop Session 1 11:20 - 12:20       Educational Workshop Session 2 12:30 - 1:15          Lunch and Meet Your Reps…talk about the arts with legislators while noshing 1:25 - 2:25           Panel Discussion: How to Drive Community Engagement 2:25 - 2:30          Wrap Up Workshops: How to Attract and Keep Volunteers Marketing for Arts Organizations How to Build Community Partnerships Social Media Basics Grant Budget Planning for Non-Profits Creating a Successful Arts/Business Partnership Event Developing a Social Media Strategy Ask the Experts: Grants and Budgets Leveraging PR and Email Marketing The Ins and Outs of How to Advocate for the Arts, with MA Representative Jeff Roy Panel discussion: How to Drive Community Engagement   Register Now Action and IMPACT is a free program of the Franklin Cultural Council, with additional support from the Norfolk Cultural Council, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, MASSCreative, and our sponsor, Dedham Savings Bank. Franklin Cultural Council » Participate in ArtWeek The FCC is bringing ArtWeek to Franklin April 27-May 6, and we'd like you involved! For more information, or to apply to be part of ArtWeek, visit: ArtWeek »    "Like" us on Facebook to keep up-to-date on all FCC events and programs! Copyright © 2018 Franklin Cultural Council, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Questions? Contact FCC Chair Stacey David at franklinculturalcouncil02038 [at] gmail.com

Franklin Historical Museum: Birthday Celebration - March 3

On Saturday March 3, the Franklin Historical Museum will celebrate the town’s 240th birthday. 

The town was officially incorporated on March 2, 1778 and the museum marks this anniversary each year by inviting all residents sharing the same birthday, as well as the general public, to celebrate. 

About 80 people share the March 2 birthday and special invitations were sent to each of those residents in February. 

All March 2 birthday celebrants in attendance that day are entered into a drawing for a cash prize, which features the face of the town’s namesake, Benjamin Franklin! Guests are treated to cake, coffee, Franklin trivia, and a bit of Franklin History.

The Historical Museum is open

• Saturdays 10 AM to 1 PM
• Sundays 1 PM to 4 PM

You can also visit the Historical Museum on the web at
http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/   

or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FHM02038?

Franklin Historical Museum: Birthday Celebration - March 3

FHS girls basketball top Shepherd Hill

Via HockomockSports and Twitter we share the results of the FHS sports action on Tuesday, Feb 20, 2018


Girls Basketball = Franklin, 52 vs. Shepherd Hill, 43 – Final
– Ali Brigham and Bea Bondhus combined for 31 points to help the Panthers beat the top seed at the Westboro tournament and one of the top seeds in the Central. Franklin will face Hopkinton in the tournament final on Thursday night.


For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-02-20-18/

FHS Panthers

Via the Twitterverse

Follow all the FHS sports on Twitter
https://twitter.com/FranklinMatters/lists/fhs-sports

CONGRATS to our G V BB TEAM for reaching the Westborough Tournament Finals! The Lady Panthers will take on Hopkinton Thursday night at 7:00pm. #LETSGO

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) February 21, 2018

Real proud of our team. Group commitment to improvement and hard work have been they key to our success. https://t.co/qwxNTXa0wF

— leightoj (@coachleighto) February 21, 2018

Congrats @fhsgvbasketball !!! Proud of you girls! 7:00 game on Thursday at Westborough High! https://t.co/BdsDy7NQKD

— Sandy Sauer (@FHSCoachSandy) February 21, 2018

Solid win over #1 Shepherd Hill 52-43. Game balls to @bbondhus7 and @ali_brigham combined for 31. #HardWork

— Franklin Girls Bball (@fhsgvbasketball) February 21, 2018

Franklin Newcomers and Friends: “Green Thumb” - Mar 14

Come join your Franklin friends and neighbors at the Franklin Newcomers and Friends monthly meeting. Meet us upstairs at "3" Restaurant on Wednesday, March 14 at 7:30. Come get a “Green Thumb” as we learn how to have Happy, Healthy Houseplants from Lee Minnichelli. Lee has a degree in Plant and Soil Science and owned The Plant Lady, an interior landscaping business, for 12 years in Pittsfield, MA.

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 (occasionally we switch Wednesdays to accommodate holidays or speakers). 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.

Franklin Newcomers and Friends: “Green Thumb” - Mar 14

In the News: Downtown Partnership event schedule; St Vincent de Paul Lenten collection

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

"The Franklin Downtown Partnership has set the dates for its 2018 events and meetings, and a few of those events have new dates and times thanks to input from members and Franklin residents. 

The annual Strawberry Stroll, which traditionally had been held on Thursday afternoons, will be Friday, June 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. 

“Residents told us that holding the Strawberry Stroll on a Friday evening would make it easier for them to come downtown and enjoy the event,” says Executive Director Lisa Piana. “The feedback told us more families could spend time together downtown without the Stroll competing with after-school activities and sports. We think it will be a very positive change for families and for our downtown businesses and restaurants.” 

Thanks to a member’s suggestion, the Partnership’s networking events are now monthly breakfast meetings (instead of lunch) held in the Dean College dining center. The first breakfast meeting in January drew 15 members who shared ideas and enjoyed a meal for less than $6."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180219/franklin-downtown-partnership-announces-2018-event-meeting-dates

In the News: Downtown Partnership event schedule

"The St. Vincent de Paul of St. Mary’s Church is organizing a Lenten collection drive for the food pantry. 

In observance of the season of Lent, the St. Vincent de Paul Society is asking people to consider bringing one item for the food pantry on each weekend of Lent. 

Suggestions for each weekend are:

• Feb. 24/25: Cereal
• March 3/4: Jars of spaghetti sauce
• March 10/11: Juices, coffee, cocoa
• March 17/18: Jelly, jam
• March 24/25: Canned tuna and chicken
• March 31/April 1: Crackers and snacks

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180219/st-vincent-de-paul-holding-lenten-food-collection